Chapter 295 If Only She
Had Taken More Decisiv…
The crowd pressed closer, and Leah seized her chance to play to their sympathies, her voice quavering with carefully crafted emotion.
Tears traced silvery paths down her cheeks as she appealed to Corrine’s conscience. “Miss Holland, you may dismiss our personal connections, but surely you haven’t forgotten the Ashton family’s generosity? Your very position in Lyhaton stems from their support. Think of Farris‘ selfless kindness–would you repay that by breaking his heart through Rita’s humiliation?”
Her performance struck its mark. Murmurs of support rippled through the onlookers, their voices rising in a chorus of well–meaning advice.
“Mercy serves us all better than vengeance,” one called out.
Another added, “Building bridges serves more purpose than burning them.‘
A third voice cautioned, “The Ashton family’s influence in Lyhaton runs deep–what good comes from making enemies?”
Corrine’s eyes glittered with sardonic amusement. “Miss Burgess, the entertainment industry truly lost a gem when you departed. Such convincing tears–you might have claimed Best Actress with talent like this.”
The mockery in her tone cut like a knife.
Leah’s teeth ground together as she fought to contain her rage.
The bitter irony of Corrine’s words twisted in her gut. After all, hadn’t it been Corrine herself who had orchestrated Leah’s fall from the entertainment world?
After destroying her career, now here Corrine stood, trying to ruin her reputation as well. The depth of Corrine’s calculated malice sent chills down her spine.
Regret gnawed at Leah; if only she had taken more decisive action when she had the chance.
“Since Miss Burgess seems reluctant to comply, perhaps some professional assistance is
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< Chapter 295 If Only She Had Taken More Decisive Action
in order,” Corrine mused. “Shall we bring in the dogs?”
Karina stepped forward with a predatory smile. “Everything’s prepared. My pit bulls are excellent teachers when it comes to showing their teeth.”
On cue, a black–clad guard led two muscular pit bulls into the store.
Their sleek forms rippled with barely contained power, studded collars glinting ominously around their throats.
Dark eyes gleamed with feral intelligence as they panted, filling the air with their intimidating presence.
One dog’s tongue flicked out, the strange animal musk making Leah’s stomach turn.
“Have you
reconsidered your position on barking?” Corrine’s arched eyebrow and steady gaze sent ice through the veins of everyone present.
Rita, whose fear of dogs bordered on phobia, began trembling violently when Corrine forced her to face the animals.
Her terror finally shattered her remaining pride. “I’ll bark! I’ll do it!” she shrieked.
“At last, wisdom prevails. I knew you were intelligent, Miss Ashton.” Corrine’s contemptuous smile spoke volumes.
Though Rita’s heart burned with murderous rage, she forced a weak sound from her constricted throat. “Woof! Woof…”
“I’m sorry, did Miss Ashton make a sound? I couldn’t quite hear it,” Corrine remarked with calculated cruelty.
The irony of her situation wasn’t lost on Rita. She had hoped to orchestrate Corrine’s humiliation, perhaps even attract the attention of that mysterious billionaire and orchestrate another abandonment.
Instead, she found herself trapped by Corrine’s unexpected display of power, reduced to mimicking a dog for her tormentor’s amusement.
With despair etched across her ashen features, Rita squeezed her eyes shut. She drew a deep breath, swallowing her pride, and barked again with more force. “Woof, woof, woof…”
