The Jilted Heiress' Return To The High Life

Chapter 1098:

Ralph stepped into view, the glow of the chandelier casting a long shadow behind him. His gray suit was impeccable, his posture steady, but she caught the telltale tension in his movements. He was angry—trying to conceal it, but failing.

Whatever was planned for tonight’s banquet, it reeked of tension and veiled threats.

Out of basic courtesy, Corrine started to rise, but Nate’s grip on her hand was firm. “No need for formalities among family,” he murmured.

Corrine stilled, blinking in surprise before shifting her gaze to Ralph. He narrowed his eyes at their clasped hands before making a disapproving noise and striding toward the large chair at the center of the room. He settled into it like a king reclaiming his throne.

Corrine pressed her lips together and remained seated, her posture composed.

The butler soon approached with a fresh cup of coffee for Ralph, and then departed alongside the other attendants, leaving only the three of them in the living room.

Ralph wasted no time. His sharp gaze locked onto Nate. “Are you behind the recent bankruptcy of the ninth collateral branch?”

Nate lifted his cup, inhaling the rich aroma of the coffee before responding with unhurried ease. “Since you already know, why bother asking?”

“You—” Ralph’s voice grew tight with anger.

He had initially dismissed the rumors as idle talk among the staff, but now, Nate had confirmed it without hesitation—without even attempting to deny or soften the truth. All for a woman? To cause such an uproar over her, Nate had disregarded every lesson ingrained in him since childhood.

“Do you truly believe no one can challenge or discipline you now?” Ralph’s voice dropped, carrying an unmistakable warning. His gaze turned piercing. “Remember—everything you have now exists because of me. And just as I gave it to you, I can take it away.”

But if he had expected Nate to flinch, he was mistaken.

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The young man remained utterly unfazed. He merely blew gently on his coffee, watching the steam swirl before taking another unhurried sip. “Unless you’re willing to risk throwing the Hopkins family back into internal conflict.”

Ralph was speechless.

Nate set his cup down with a quiet clink against the saucer. “Tell me, aside from me, who else in this family has the ability to put an end to those disputes?”

His tone was relaxed—too relaxed—but beneath it lay an undeniable confidence.

The room fell into an uneasy stillness.

After a long stretch, Ralph finally spoke again. “Aren’t you the least bit concerned that the Elder Council will punish you for acting so recklessly?”

Corrine’s eyelashes fluttered ever so slightly. From what she had learned through Lone Ranger, she had gained a clearer understanding of the Hopkins family and the formidable Elder Council.noveldrama

The Independent Continent was structured into three distinct tiers. At the pinnacle stood the most powerful families—Hopkins, Quinn, Seymour, Burton, and Powell. Beneath them, in the middle tier, were the Liam, Larson, Foster, and Stanley families. But among them all, one name stood above the rest: Hopkins. Their dominance was unshakable, their authority unrivaled.

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