Chapter 99 It’s Your Fault
Corrine settled into a single–seater sofa, her posture rigid with defiance.
Her gaze swept coldly across the Ashton family women, led by Tracy, challenging them with an unspoken daring that seemed to crackle with barely contained tension.
“Leah got exactly what she deserved,” Corrine said, her tone cold enough to freeze the
room.
“That’s ridiculous!” Rita shot back, jabbing a finger in Corrine’s direction. Her voice was shrill with anger, like a knife scraping against metal. “If it weren’t for you, you heartless woman, escalating everything on purpose, how would Leah have ended up completely blacklisted by the company? Ten million in compensation? Are you trying to ruin her completely? And now you sit there acting innocent, pretending it has nothing to do with you after destroying her career. You’re unbelievable!”
Rita’s words poured out in a torrent of fury. She took a step forward, her chest heaving as she continued, “You’re just jealous of Leah! Jealous of her better upbringing, her superior family, and, most of all, jealous that my brother chose her over you! That’s why you jumped at the first chance to retaliate against her. Honestly, it’s a blessing my brother left you. Marrying a spiteful woman like you would’ve brought nothing but ruin to this family!”
“Rita, that’s enough,” Leah interjected gently, tugging at Rita’s arm as though trying to calm her.
Leah’s voice carried the soft tremor of someone deeply wronged, her eyes flicking to Corrine with an air of wounded innocence. “It’s all in the past now, and, truthfully, I made mistakes too. Miss Holland, if my presence or Bruce’s choices caused you any resentment, then I’ll bear the blame. This is all my fault…”
Corrine’s eyes turned colder, cutting Leah off mid–sentence with icy precision. “Yes, it is your fault,” she snapped, her voice devoid of sympathy. “All of this–you brought it on yourself.”
Rita’s anger reignited. “What exactly do you mean? You’re clearly the one at fault! You knew my brother loved Leah, yet you desperately clung to him, dreaming of marriage. Your abandonment was entirely justified!”
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A sharp, calculating glint emerged in Corrine’s narrowed eyes. “You have a point. I deserved being abandoned. But since I was cast aside, shouldn’t I also reclaim the investors I painstakingly brought to the Ashton family?”
Years ago, when the Ashton family teetered on the brink of financial ruin, Corrine had worked tirelessly to secure critical investments.
Her efforts had not only saved the family but elevated them to become Lyhaton’s new elite.
Tracy, acutely aware of this history, had long been wary of Corrine’s potential leverage. She had cultivated relationships with the investors‘ wives, but she also understood that in their world, loyalty was purely transactional. If Corrine presented more attractive incentives, who could guarantee their allegiance wouldn’t shift?
With calculated composure, Tracy interjected, “Enough. Since this is all in the past, why resurrect these painful memories?”
Her tone adopted the patronizing cadence of a benevolent elder. “Emotions aren’t always rational. What happened at the wedding was indeed a bit inappropriate on Bruce’s part. If you harbor any grievances, feel free to make demands. We’ll do our best
to accommodate you.”
A bit inappropriate… A mocking smile curled Corrine’s lips.
On her wedding day, she had been publicly abandoned, subjected to the guests
scornful ridicule, and now received this tepid acknowledgment. A mere excuse: “a bit inappropriate.”
Corrine drew a deep breath, suppressing the resentment churning within her chest.
Today was Farris‘ eightieth birthday, and she refused to create a scene that might upset him.
“I’m going to wish Farris a happy birthday,” she announced, rising from her seat.
Seeing her prepare to leave, Tracy quickly stood as well. “Since you’re back, why not stay for a meal?”
The invitation was transparently hollow.
With the Ashton family now prospering and the guest list populated by wealthy, influential individuals, there was no genuine place for a woman of Corrine’s modest background.
