The Jilted Heiress' Return to the High Life - Chapter 265

Chapter 265:

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Over Corrine’s three-year involvement with the Ashton family, Tracy had come to recognize her assertive and independent spirit. How could someone of Corrine’s temperament ever tolerate being manipulated?

Therefore, Tracy had crafted alternate strategies for dealing with Corrine. At that moment, a voice from the crowd said, “I heard they hadn’t even held a formal engagement party, and there was no proposal of marriage. Without even the most basic ceremonies, how can she claim to be a fiancée? Also, rumors suggest Miss Holland disappeared just before her scheduled wedding, but the Ashton family hid this to protect her. They have been exceedingly generous!”

The crowd’s expressions morphed into uncertainty after hearing these remarks. Gradually, looks of disdain and judgment were cast toward Corrine.

“She seems to misunderstand her position.”

“I had believed she was a modest and honorable woman from a simple background. Turns out, she has brought disgrace.”

“It appears that she was the first to disregard Bruce’s good intentions.”

Corrine remained silent on the stage, her tall, slim silhouette radiating a natural poise. She locked her gaze on a shadowy figure within the crowd, her eyes flickering with barely contained intensity.

Few knew about the incident of her abduction. It was a dark secret she had hoped to bury forever. Bruce had vowed that it would never surface. Yet, Rita had mocked her with that knowledge, Tracy had used it as leverage, and now the Ashton family wielded it to shape public opinion.

The man she had once trusted had shown his true, unreliable colors. She turned her eyes to Bruce, her gaze laden with sarcasm.

“Was this the promise you made to me?”

Bruce caught a hint of sadness in Corrine’s eyes, feeling his heart twist painfully. He whispered gently, “Corrine, please listen. It’s not as you believe…”

“Bruce, I hoped we could at least end as friends, with some respect left between us. You were my rock, my everything, yet you continually let me down…” With each word, Corrine’s voice wavered, charged with emotion yet steady, on the verge of tears.

“I never felt good enough for you, so I always strove to match your pace. I could overlook the disdain from the Ashton family. It was never about your family’s wealth or status for me; all I wanted was to be by your side.”

Then, she looked up, forcing a smile while fighting back tears.

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“Alright, let’s pretend this was all just my imagination. From here on, we have nothing.” Her words, laden with grief and blame, resonated deeply with the onlookers. As she lowered her head, it was clear to everyone she was on the brink of tears, deepening their sympathy for her.

Unknown to them, Corrine was far from crying; she was stifling a laugh. The Ashton family members were not the only ones good at performing. She was adept at it, too.

With the stage thus set, she decided to embrace the role fully, with the Ashton family watching.

The crowd murmured with speculation and noise. All eyes were drawn to Bruce. His face was stoic, eyes deep and cold as he watched Corrine’s performance unfold on stage. Bruce could see the slight, mocking grin playing on Corrine’s lips. He understood then that she was not truly wounded. It was all a show, a manipulation to twist public perception and garner sympathy.

Bruce’s hands balled into fists, his body seething with indignation at being manipulated.

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