Chapter 1628:

There was no mistaking it—Corrine had declared war on Pinetree City.

But what none of them could understand was why she remained so fixated on the bankrupt Holland Group.

There was something unreadable in Corrine’s eyes as she strode toward her office—an icy sheen beneath the calm, a quiet fury wrapped in steel. Trailing behind her, Natasha kept pace in silence, watching her closely.

She understood the truth. Corrine’s obsession had nothing to do with Dewey. That door had closed long ago. No, what drove her now was something deeper—a refusal to let the Holland family’s legacy fall into the hands of outsiders. Still, the plan had been in limbo for over a month. Resistance was strong, and patience had grown thin.

Days trickled by. The team still had no real strategy.

Perhaps desperation had made fools of them, because soon the meeting room was flooded with ideas so outlandish they bordered on comedic.

Some suggested psychological warfare. Others proposed manufacturing public outrage. One even floated the idea of using a handsome operative to infiltrate the enemy household—because apparently, a certain family’s daughter was currently studying abroad.

Listening to it all, even Natasha—normally the picture of composure—had to bury her mouth behind her fingers.

Corrine caught the flicker of amusement and gave her a warning look. Natasha bowed her head instantly, her shoulders trembling as she struggled to keep the laughter inside.

The moment the meeting ended and the office door swung shut, Natasha burst into laughter, gripping her sides as tears welled in her eyes. “These are supposed to be business ideas?”

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“be seasoned professionals,” she gasped, “yet they sound like children scheming in a playground.” The immaturity of it all was astonishing.

Corrine leaned against the desk, watching her with mild amusement. Natasha’s laughter filled the office, light and sincere—an unexpected moment of levity.

“And what would you suggest?” Corrine asked, her voice even but curious.

Natasha wiped at her cheeks and took a breath, pulling herself back into focus. Her tone shifted to something more analytical. “I think we need to stop dancing around the edges. The root of the problem is the major families in Pinetree City. If we want Holland Group, we have to take them on directly.”

Corrine’s brow lifted. The corners of her mouth barely twitched, but her eyes gleamed—approval flickering behind the frost.

Natasha leaned forward, her voice calm yet purposeful. “We should search for allies in Pinetree City—someone capable of cracking their united front.” No sooner had the words left her lips than Corrine’s phone buzzed.

Natasha glanced at the screen. Her eyes lit up as a slow smile curved across her face. “Well, would you look at that? The allies have arrived.” It was Zeke calling.

At first, he had only meant to ask if Corrine was free. He had not anticipated being invited to a meal. As he sat across from her now, Zeke could not shake the peculiar sensation twisting in his chest—part exhilaration, part unease. The whole moment felt like a dream teetering on the edge of a snare.

He leaned back, regarding her with a half-playful gaze. “A meal, out of the blue? Do not tell me you have finally fallen for me.” Corrine stared blankly at him.

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