The Jilted Heiress' Return to the High Life - Chapter 448

Chapter 448:

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“Mr. Ashton, I believe Mr. Archer deserves that apology more than I do.”

With that pointed observation, she laced her fingers through Nate’s and walked away.

Bruce remained frozen, his eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly at their intertwined hands. The gesture spoke volumes.

Moses and Zack hurried to catch up with the departing couple.

“Hey, Nate’s girl—” Moses caught himself, quickly amending, “Miss Holland, are you unharmed?”

He kept his voice low, mindful of the watching crowd. The less attention drawn to Corrine, the better.

Before he could finish, Nate’s piercing gaze settled on him.

“You may start calling her Mrs. Hopkins.” His voice carried an authority that brooked no argument.

Moses blinked in surprise before breaking into an understanding smile.

“Of course. Mrs. Hopkins.”

Although the crowd didn’t hear their conversation, Moses’ apparent respect for Corrine raised eyebrows among the onlookers.

Everyone knew Moses represented the influential Seymour family, whose power in Lyhaton stemmed from their connections to Independent Continent. Even Quentin had shown marked respect to Nate during the banquet, hinting at his considerable standing.

But now, a far bigger question loomed in their minds. Why was someone like Moses treating Corrine with such deference?

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“Who is that man leading them?”

“He must be someone extraordinary. Did you notice how Lyhaton’s elite treated him?”

“Best not to speculate about people of their caliber. Some mysteries are safer left unexplored.”

As murmurs rippled through the crowd, Calan approached the group with careful deference.

Bruce’s frown deepened as he studied them intently. Questions multiplied in his mind. Who were these people? Why had they never crossed his radar before? How had Corrine entered their circle? Why had she never mentioned them?

Before long, the evening’s charity auction officially commenced. Most of the auctioned items had been donated by the esteemed guests in attendance. While nothing in the catalog seemed particularly remarkable, most attendees still placed bids out of courtesy.

Rita, flipping through the catalog with disinterest, scoffed.

“What kind of worthless junk are they even auctioning?”

“Enough,” Bruce snapped, his voice as sharp as a blade.

If it hadn’t been for Tracy’s tearful insistence that Rita needed more exposure to high society, he wouldn’t have brought her along at all.

“Behave yourself, or I’ll freeze all your credit cards,” he warned icily.

The threat finally subdued Rita, though she huffed and redirected her attention—only to find Corrine seated prominently in the front row, flanked by Karina, Moses, and Zack.

Her scowl deepened as she watched her brother’s ex-girlfriend’s apparent success. Life’s injustice stung sharply.

The scene grew more galling as Chelsea and Meg joined Corrine’s left side, while Moses and Karina shifted to make room for Nate on her right. There sat Corrine, holding court among Lyhaton’s finest like a queen with her courtiers.

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