Chapter 1630:

“Mr. Cooper, I will give you time to think it over.” Corrine rose gracefully, brushing nonexistent dust from her skirt as she prepared to leave.

But just as she turned, his voice cut through the air. “I will have someone draft a contract for you later.”

Corrine paused, then looked back at him sideways, eyes cool and composed. “Not even going to sleep on it?”

There was no surprise in her gaze. It was clear—she had counted on this outcome. Even his swift agreement was part of her calculation.

Zeke met her eyes, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Why hesitate when the odds favor me? But let me be blunt. Riverveille is not a sanctuary. It is a city built on smoke and broken promises. A single misstep, and you will find yourself ruined. You are making bold guarantees… I wonder if you can truly keep them.”

Corrine did not flinch. “Now that you are my ally, I have every reason to ensure you suffer no losses.”

With that, she pivoted cleanly and walked away. She never once looked back. Zeke’s gaze followed her silhouette until it disappeared from view. His eyes narrowed slightly, calculating.

He reached into his coat pocket and drew out a cigarette. With a flick of his lighter, he lit it, letting the smoke curl upward. The cigarette dangled between his fingers as he inhaled deeply.

One thought settled in his mind like a stone in water—how was he going to win Corrine over? She was far too perceptive, far too quick to see through his defenses. And that intrigued him more than he cared to admit. It would be a shame if he could not make her his.

Still mulling it over, he placed the cigarette at the corner of his mouth and pulled out his phone. Without hesitation, he called Jules.

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At that moment, Jules sat in a sleek glass conference room, one leg crossed over the other, chin resting on his hand. He spun a pen lazily with his fingers, his expression unreadable.

Months earlier, Blue Core Technology had pulled off a strategic acquisition—securing a crucial tech license from a firm in Mochye. Their sights were now set on a joint electric vehicle launch with the Charles family, scheduled for later this year.

The initial meeting had been delayed due to unavoidable complications, but as luck would have it, the Charles delegation had decided to detour through Lyhaton, making time to meet him face-to-face.

The phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, Jules frowned slightly. He raised his hand to pause the presenter. He then stood and stepped outside to take the call. “What is it?” His voice was curt.

“Feel like grabbing a drink tonight?” Zeke’s tone held a hint of mischief.

Jules glanced at his watch. “Fine. You pick the place.”

“Your city, and I am the one choosing?”

“Then I will choose—and you are paying.”

A beat of silence. Zeke was speechless.

For someone born into the powerful Ford family, Jules had no problem sacrificing pride when it came to old friends.

That night, Jules caught the underlying tension in Zeke’s questions. Corrine’s name kept circling back into the conversation, subtle but persistent. Jules leaned back, his gaze darkening as he studied his friend. “What is this? Planning to test your balance on thin ice?”

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