The Jilted Heiress' Return to the High Life - Chapter 376

Chapter 376:

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What began as a conflict among three women had escalated, with Corrine’s remarks implicating the entire Ashton family in the controversy.

The store hummed with whispered conversations as speculation about Rita rippled through the crowd.

Leah’s penetrating gaze bored into Corrine with glacial intensity, as though attempting to pierce through to her very thoughts. A crushing weight of consequences pressed down on the Ashton family.

Should Rita break her word, they would be branded as untrustworthy. Yet, if Rita submitted to the humiliation of a public apology on her knees, their standing would suffer an equally devastating blow. The family was trapped in an impossible position, with both paths leading to inevitable scandal.

Leah drew a measured breath, her teeth clenched behind a facade of gentility as she spoke.

“Miss Holland, you understand Rita’s impulsive nature. Why harbor such resentment? After years of the Ashton family’s unwavering support, surely you could find it in your heart to show mercy? Consider what this public disgrace would mean for someone so young—how could Rita ever hold her head high again?”

“Did such concerns for feelings cross your mind when making that wager?” Corrine’s voice dripped with icy derision, her eyes glinting dangerously.

“Now that you’ve lost, you lecture about morality? Enough. Both of you—on your knees!”

Though softly spoken, her command carried a bone-chilling authority that sent shivers through the onlookers.

Horror dawned on both Leah’s and Rita’s faces. The mere suggestion of kneeling—here, before countless witnesses—was unconscionable. Their positions as scions of the Ashton and Burgess families made such submission unthinkable.

“You worthless witch!” Rita exploded, pushed beyond her breaking point as shame and fury contorted her features.

“Who are you to demand I kneel before you?”

Corrine’s eyes narrowed to dangerous slits as she advanced.

gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs．c𝗈𝗺, a world of tales

Rita’s pupils constricted in fear as she instinctively retreated, but Corrine’s grip found her arm with lightning speed.

The crack of palm meeting cheek echoed through the suddenly silent room. The force sent Rita reeling into a nearby display.

When awareness returned, she clutched her stinging face, eyes blazing with murderous intent as she lunged forward with wild abandon.

“You’ll pay for that, you witch! I’ll destroy you!”

Corrine had anticipated the attack. With fluid grace, she caught Rita’s flailing arm and delivered another resounding slap.

Rita’s anguished cry pierced the air as Corrine seized her by the hair, forcing her to the floor with calculated precision.

“Mark my words—you’ll regret this day! Corrine Holland, I swear you’ll suffer for this!” Rita snarled through her swollen, reddened face, teeth bared in impotent rage.

Dismissing Rita’s threats, Corrine turned her attention to Leah, lips curving in a cruel smile.

“Miss Burgess, will you show wisdom and kneel voluntarily, or shall I provide assistance?”

Fear flickered across Leah’s features.

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