The Jilted Heiress' Return to the High Life - Chapter 90

Chapter 90:

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“Corrine, you’ve gone too far this time!” Bruce’s voice blazed through the phone, unfiltered and accusing.

Corrine let out a soft chuckle, her voice laced with a touch of mockery.

“Mr. Ashton, I’m curious—what gives you the right to reprimand me, and from what position do you speak?”

“I know you hate me, but you shouldn’t be taking it out on Leah. She’s innocent!” Bruce shot back, his tone as cold as ice as he listed her supposed wrongs.

“Even if Leah made a mistake, you shouldn’t ruin her career. How is that any different from destroying her?”

At the weight of Bruce’s accusations, Corrine couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

“She has no one but herself to blame.”

Bruce sighed, a deep, disappointed sound that came through the phone like a quiet blow.

“You’re becoming more of a stranger to me.”

“Do you think I care?” Corrine sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. Just as she was about to hang up, Bruce’s voice stopped her.

“This weekend is my grandfather’s 80th birthday celebration. He hopes you can come.”

When Corrine had first been introduced to the Ashton family, Farris Ashton, Bruce’s grandfather, had been the only one to welcome her with warmth, fiercely supporting her relationship with Bruce. When they were on the verge of marriage, he’d even given her a family heirloom—a jade bracelet. That bracelet was still in Corrine’s possession, and since her ties with Bruce had been severed, it felt only right to return it to its rightful owner.

“Corrine,” Bruce’s voice softened, urgency creeping in.

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“Whatever issues we have are between us. Don’t involve my grandfather in this.”

He paused, his words now more pleading.

“You know how much he’s cared for you these past three years. If you have any conscience left—”

Corrine couldn’t stand Bruce’s condescending tone any longer. With a swift motion, she hung up before he could finish. She shoved her phone back into her bag, took a steadying breath, and turned to Nate, who had been standing silently behind her.

“Sorry for interrupting your meal,” she said.

“Why apologize?” Nate’s brow furrowed slightly, his voice tinged with concern.

“You haven’t done anything wrong, have you?”

The thought of returning to the Ashton family’s home, of facing Farris again, stirred an uncomfortable weight inside Corrine, a mixture of irritation and something deeper. Her expression grew distant as she wrestled with the emotions.

“Would you like to go for a walk?” Nate suggested gently, his hand extending toward her in an unspoken offer.

“The night is quite beautiful.”

Corrine paused for a heartbeat, staring at his outstretched hand, then placed hers in his with a slow, deliberate motion.

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