Corinne pushed him forcefully,pointing at his nose and cursing,Youre a good-for-nothing!If you hadnt failed to protect the Darkmoon,my grandpa wouldnt have had a hypertension attack,and his subordinates wouldnt have suffered!This is all your fault!Youre the one to blame!
Roaring like an angry lion,she pushed him a few more times.
No matter how hard Corinne scolded him,Harrell stood there silently throughout.As she beat and insulted him,he lowered his head.
Corrine was so harsh with him that even Natalie couldnt bear to stand it.She asked with a frown,Is he the only person working for the Darkmoon?How can you blame him alone for everything that transpired?
Corinne glared at her and snapped,This is none of your business.Are you still interested in getting involved in the matters of our group?
Brandons expression quickly turned serious.He spoke in a firm and distant tone.We prefer not to interfere with the Darkmoons business.If you want to argue, please do so elsewhere and do not disrupt us.
Corinne wore a grim look.Brandon..
Brandons coldvoice rang in her ears again.If theres nothing else,get out.We have to go back.
Upon learning that Brandon was returning,Corinne became panicked.Her grandfather had recently fallen ill,and she did not feel prepared to manage the large group independently.She believed Brandon wasthe only person strong enough to temporarilystabilize the group.
Hence,she didnt want Brandon to leave.
Though Corinne wanted to retain Brandon, he was not partof the Darkmoon.Moreover, Brandon was a determined man,and a few mere words would not be enough to manipulate him.
Just as Brandon and Natalie were about to leave, hand in hand,Corinne interjected loudly, Stop!You cant go!positioning herself in front of them.
Natalie furrowed her brows,questioning Corinnes intentions,while Brandons face darkened.His icy voice questioned,Corinne, whats your game?
Confronted with his wrathful gaze,Corinne, despite being the heir of the Darkmoon and having witnessed countless ups and downs, felt a chill down her spine,causing her to stepback Franks behind mocking laughter echoed from them, seemingly laughing at Corinnes fear.
Realizing her show of cowardice,her cheeks reddened in embarrassment.
She was on her home ground,surrounded by her people.She shouldnt be fearful;it was Brandon and the others who should be on edge!
Emboldened by this thought,Corinne mustered the courage to meet Brandons gaze fearlessly,stating firmly,Until we uncover the assailant of the Darkmoon headquarters,you remain our prime suspect! I cant let you leave!
As Brandon was about to retort,Natalie, standing next to him,intervened,Miss Scott, do youhave any proof that we were involved? Corinne was taken aback momentarily,but quickly recovered,retorting defiantly,The investigation hasnt started yet.How could I possibly have evidence?Nevertheless,you all are suspects.You are required to stay within the Darkmoon until we discover the actual assailant and clear your names.
Corinnes unreasonable stanceintensified the frostiness in Brandons eyes.Corinne,are you implying that you wish to detain us against our will?
His aura was too cold,too commanding.It sent shivers down Corinnes spine,inducing an urge to yield.
However,when she remembered her bedridden grandfather and the declining Darkmoon,she gritted her teeth,steeling herself to maintain her stance.In any case, youre not leaving until this issue is resolved. My grandfather has poured his life into the Darkmoon,and its my duty to safeguard it. Brandon scoffed,Do you truly believe you can coerce me into staying?
His words dripped with disdain and scorn,as if he didnt regard Corinne as a credible threat at all.
Corinnes face flushed with rage.Perhaps I cant restrain you with my own power,but this is the domain of the Darkmoon.With your limited company,escaping without my consent will be a challenge.
Brandons frosty smile made his response.
Well see about that.
Thinking Brandon was merely bluffing Corinne signaled with her hand.Instantly,a group of well-trained bodyguards rushed in, cornering Brandon and his companions.
Reacting swiftly,Brandon shielded Natalie behind him,fixing a cold stare on Corinne. Are you planning to pick a fight?
Meanwhile,Franks jovialdemeanorvanished. He glared at the encircling bodyguards, scoffing,It seems the Darkmoon lacks reason.You wish to detain us without evidence.How utterly ludicrous.
Corinne gritted her teeth,her fists clenched tight.Say what you will.If anyone dares to move a muscle today,dont blame me for my subsequent actions.
Id like to see how severe those actions will be.A trace of icy resolve shadowed Brandons expression.He held Natalies hand, boldly stepping forward You dare!Brandons overpowering aura startled Corinne,making her retreat a few steps as she snarled,Brandon,if you advance one more step,dont hold me accountable for disregarding our years of camaraderie.
The bodyguards tightened theirencirclement. The aura of frigidity and sternness exuding from Brandon was so intense that it dwarfed Corinne and her bodyguards,rendering them insignificant,thereby deflating their morale.
Corinne inhaled deeply,her nerves on edge, reminding herself repeatedly not to cower. This was her territory.No matter how formidable Brandon was,he wouldnt escape.
Observing the concealed panic and guilt beneath Corinnes defiant stance,Brandon scoffed,Camaraderie?I have none with you. You overestimate your importance.Out of my way!
Corinne bit her lower lip,unwilling to budge. She harbored a suspicion that the days events at the Darkmoon were part of Brandons scheme.Brittons paralysis,she felt,was linked to him Despite the lack of evidence and her fear of Brandons methods and imposing presence, she would never let them escape.
If she did,how could she face her grandfather,the group that sheltered her,or offer an explanation to her fallen comrades?
The atmosphere in the hall intensified significantly due to Corinnes interference. Natalie,having experienced such a tense situation for the first time since her memory loss,anxiously clutched Brandons hand and whispered,Wont we be able to leave today? However,surrounded by bodyguards, Brandon remained calm and composed.He te
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nderly brushed Natalies hair with his hand, reassuring her,Dont worry.They cant stop us.
Witnessing the affectionate interaction between Brandon and Natalie,Corinne felt a surge of annoyance.She squinted and sneered,Brandon,its a tad too early for such bravado.
Upon hearing Corinnes mockery,Frank immediately shot back,Corinne,do you seriously believe you can trap Brandon?Keep dreaming!If you really had the capability,you wouldnt be struggling tcymst Corinnes face contorted for a moment as she glared at Frank.If you dont shut up,I wont show you any courtesy!
Unfazed,Frank met her gaze with a disdainful smile.If you dare,bring it on.
You.Corinne retorted,enraged,you think I dont dare?
As she spoke,she gestured,prompting a bodyguard to step forward,poised to attack Frank.
Corinne,youre not to harm my friend,
warned Brandon,his deep-set eyes boring into her.His voice,stern and suppressed,left no room for negotiation.Im giving you one last chance.Either withdraw with your men, or prepare for a showdown.
The bodyguard,poised to attackFrank,halted, his gaze flickering between Brandon and Corinne.
Corinnes fists clenched.She wouldnt be outdone.She met Brandons intense gaze head-on Despite Brittons illness,they were on the Darkmoons turf.No matter how formidable Brandon was,he couldnt escape without a scratch,let alone with two vulnerable individuals like Natalie and Frank accompanying him.It seemed highly improbable for the trio to leave the hall unscathed. Forcefully detaining shouldnt pose much of a problem.
Guards!Deciding on her course of action, Corinne gestured.Escort our guests to their rooms to rest.They are not to leave without my express permission.
Lets see who dares to attempt that! Brandon roared,his voice a low rumble.His icy,fierce aura caused the advancing bodyguards to halt in their tracks.
The atmosphere in the living room escalated, teetering on the edge of explosion.
The bodyguards hesitated,caught between advancing on Brandon and his companions who were cornered in the center,and standing down.A stalemate ensued,with an imminent clash looming over them.
Brandon stepped in front of Natalie,narrowing his eyes at Corinne,a cold glint present within.Corinne,considercey0 ae carefully.Are you prepared to oppose me? Openly engage in a confrontation with me? Youre bolder than your grandfather.
Suppressing her fear in the face of Brandons terrifying aura,Corinne feigned a smile. Brandon,I apologize.But Im left with no choice.How else would I detain you without resorting to drastic measures?
Recognizing Corinnes resolve,Harrell,who had maintained silence thus far,sighed helplessly.Corinne,Brandon is our friend. Dont escalate the situation due to a misunderstanding.
Corinne shot Harrell a frosty look,her gaze filled with suspicion and mistrust.Be quiet. What right do you have to advise me?
Taken aback,Harrell sighed once more.
Dont do this,Corinne.
Corinne dismissed his plea with a sneer,her voice cold.Dont address me so familiarly. Ever since the raid on the Darkmoon,our friendship ended.Did you really think I wouldnt uncover your affiliation with them?
Then she clapped her hands and ordered, Surround him too.
Harrells face paled considerably.Frowning, he said quietly,Corinne,youre doubting me now too?
In response to Harrells shocked and hurt expression,Corinne indifferently lifted her chin.Your involvement in the explosion will be determined by an investigation.If youre proven innocent,Ill be the first to apologize when the truth emerges.
Having said that,she turned away from Harrell,commanding,Take them away.If anyone resists,use force.
However,Harrell suddenly lowered his gaze, seemingly unable to meet her eyes.He murmured,Im sorry,Corinne.
What did you say?Corinne almost thought shed misheard.
Shed accused Harrell and ordered his capture,so why was he the one apologizing to her?