The Jilted Heiress' Return To The High Life

Chapter 308 Why The Long Face

Relief washed over Corrine like a cool breeze on a sweltering day when someone finally stepped in to ease the tension. She responded with polite restraint, though a flicker of awkwardness betrayed her, "Than Every soul present had heard tales of Nate-

whispers that carried both admiration and unease. Yet seeing him in the flesh, standing with an effortless authority that seemed to bend the air itself, left them all momentarily breathless.

He was the kind of man whose presence alone reshaped the room, commanding respect without so much as a word. Even in stillness, he emanated an unshakable dominance that made others instinctively trea With practiced ease, Nate took Corrine's hand, guiding her toward a sofa.

Despite their late arrival, the

seat at the center remained conspicuously vacant, as though the universe itself had deemed it his by default.

Just as Corrine moved to sit, a deliberate cough

cut through the air. Jules, lounging with a calculated

nonchalance, motioned for her to sit beside him instead.

Corrine hesitated, the silent weight of

an unspoken dilemma pressing on her shoulders.

When Nate noticed her hesitation, his response was swift and unyielding-

his arm circled her waist in a quiet act of possession as he settled onto the sofa with her.

Unfazed, Jules reached for his drink and took the spot beside her anyway.

Corrine's brow creased slightly as her gaze flickered toward him, as if she was questioning Jules what exactly

he was up to.

Jules met her look with a slow, insouciant smirk. "What's it to you?" he drawled, stretching out comfortably, one leg draped over the other in a careless sprawl.

Jules caught sight of Nate's hand resting on Corrine's shoulder, and the sight gnawed at him like a splinter lodged in his palm.

Nate must have felt the weight of his stare because he turned, locking eyes with him.

Jules, never one to back down, arched an eyebrow-

a silent challenge laced with mischief.

Before the moment could stretch any further, Moses began pouring a drink for Corrine. But before Jules could utter a word, Nate's hand moved, a subtle yet firm barrier shielding her glass. "Get her some juice," Moses blinked, clearly thrown off. "Huh?"

Everyone else was drinking alcohol-wouldn't it be odd for Corrine to have juice?

Nate's gaze lifted, casual but laced with enough steel to remind Moses who held the cards. That was all it took. Moses dropped his eyes, nodding hastily. "I'll get the juice."

Despite Nate's apparent care for Corrine, Jules' expression toward Hate remained cold, a storm brewing behind his eyes.

Corrine, sensing the tension, gave his sleeve a discreet tug. "Why the long face?"

Jules scoffed. "My dear cousin is dating, and here I am, left in the dark like a fool. What kind of expression do you expect?"

Corrine exhaled, acknowledging her fault with a slight nod.

"Since we have a full house tonight, how about a game?" a man in a white shirt suggested from the crowd. "What do you say to a round of Truth or Dare?"

His idea was met with groans.

"Truth or Dare? Again?"

"That's ancient. Can't we play something with a little more bite?"

A smirk tugged at Jules' lips as he leaned forward, voice carrying just enough roughness to draw attention. "How about a dice game?"

“He straightened, his posture exuding quiet confidence as he met Nate's gaze with a smirk. "Care to

test your luck?"

There was no mistaking the challenge woven into his words.

Nate's expression remained unreadable, save for the slight arch of his brow. With an air of deliberate ease, he removed his diamond cufflinks, setting them aside before rolling up his sleeves. "I don't start

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what I can't finish." noveldrama

Caught between

the two, Corrine let out a quiet sigh, her expression a portrait of reluctant resignation.

The rules were simple-

three dice, a shake of the hand, and a wager on the total. Whoever had the lowest points paid the price in liquor.

Whether it was the heady thrill of competition or the slow-burning rivalry crackling between Jules and Nate, the crowd decided to raise the stakes. The usual drinks were Cast aside in favor of the strongest liquor they could find, as they settled in to witness the inevitable clásh.