Chapter: 1169

It was ironic, really. The youngest leader of the Hopkins family, a man who had dismantled internal conflicts in less than a year, forcing the old-guard elders into quiet retirement with unrivaled precision, suddenly hesitating over something as trivial as marriage?

Herbert leaned back, smirking. "At worst, just take what you want by force. As long as you have the will, there is always a way."

They had known each other since high school, long enough to see past pretenses. None of them were saints.

Morality was flexible when it came to getting what they desired.

Nate sat with one arm draped over the sofa, his black shirt sleeves rolled up, exposing the sculpted muscles of his forearm. His fingers, lean and strong, rested against his temple as he considered Herbert's words. "Some things can be taken by force," he murmured. "But she is the exception."