The sudden commotion at her door drew her attention. She turned to find Tracy and Rita standing in the doorway. Her delicate features frosted over as her eyes narrowed
“You’re unwelcome here. Leave immediately.”
“Corrine, who do you imagine you are to address me in such a manner?” Tracy swept into the ward, her designer bag swaying, as she regarded Corrine with undisguised disdain.
“Did you strike my daughter?”
Corrine let out a mocking smile.
“Who do you think you are to come here and accuse me?”
“How dare you!” Tracy spat, her lips curling into a venomous sneer.
“I’ve encountered women like you before. Playing the sweet, understanding woman in front of Bruce, but now that you see marrying into a rich family is within reach, you’re finally revealing your true nature!”
“The only one who can control me is myself.” Corrine’s lips curled into an almost mocking smile, while her eyes, cold as ice, remained unyielding.
“The Ashton family doesn’t even deserve a fraction of my time or energy.”
If she hadn’t fallen for Bruce, why would she have ever bothered hiding her real strength and getting mired in the Ashtons’ crumbling world? For a family teetering on the edge of bankruptcy? Or for the meaningless title of Mrs. Ashton?
Now that she had chosen to sever all ties with Bruce, the Ashton family no longer held any sway over her, nor could it ever bind her again.
“Don’t deceive yourself!” Rita clutched her swollen cheek, her eyes blazing with fury as she shot a venomous glare at Corrine.
“You latched onto my brother, made him promise to marry you within three years. Wasn’t it all just for the wealth of our family?”
Corrine’s lips curled in a sneer, her gaze cold as ice.
“The Ashton family’s wealth? I’m curious what was left of that back then. A pile of debt? Or mortgaged assets?”
“Nonsense!” Rita’s neck stiffened, her teeth grinding as she glared fiercely at Corrine.
“Stop wasting our time. If you know what’s good for you, kneel and apologize!”
Corrine’s gaze flicked to Rita’s swollen cheek, her voice indifferent.
“An apology? Not happening. But I could help you balance out that face of yours.”
Tracy’s expression darkened, her eyes flashing with cold fury as she glared at Corrine.
“Corrine, don’t push it!”
“Me, pushing it?” Corrine let out a laugh, as if hearing a ridiculous joke.
“When the Ashton family was on the brink of bankruptcy, it was me who helped with strategies and pulled in the investments. The success you’re enjoying now? That’s all thanks to me! And this is how you repay me?”
It was a fact Tracy couldn’t deny, but it was also the painful truth she wished would stay buried.
For a family to rely on a girl from humble beginnings to turn things around-it would be a public disgrace if word ever got out
Tracy took a deep breath, her rage simmering beneath the surface. She pulled a bank card from her purse, her fingers curling around it with an air of superiority.
“There’s a million in it for you.”
Corrine glanced up at Tracy but made no move to take the card.
Tracy placed the card on the table beside her.
Despite the heels and her taller frame, when their gazes locked, it felt as though Corrine cast a shadow over her, an undeniable aura of dominance that filled the room. It made Tracy’s skin crawl.
“You’ve been by Bruce’s side for years, and I’ve seen it all.” Tracy lifted her chin, her posture oozing superiority.
“But feelings are feelings, and gratitude is gratitude. They’re not the same thing. Now that you’ve broken up with Bruce, there’s no reason for any further entanglements. Take this money as compensation, and from now on, the Ashton family owes you nothing.”
“Owes me nothing?” Corrine’s chuckle was low and dark, the smile on her lips cold as ice.
“What the Ashton family owes me is far beyond a million.”
Tracy’s eyes narrowed, a smirk tugging at her lips as she studied Corrine with a look that seemed to have anticipated Corrine demanding more. She said disdainfully, “So, what’s your price?”
Corrine’s laugh was sharp and cruel.
“If I were to name my price, it would be to watch the Ashton family crumble right back to the edge of bankruptcy.”
“Corrine Holland!” Tracy’s voice sliced through the air, icy and lethal.
The Ashton Group had just started to recover, and Corrine’s curse was one Tracy could never allow.
Without a second thought, Tracy raised her hand, aiming to slap Corrine’s face with all the force she could muster.
Rita’s eyes sparkled with excitement, her face aglow with delight. She was certain that one slap from Tracy would leave Corrine’s cheek puffed up like a balloon.
Tracy’s hand whipped through the air, carrying a fierce gust of wind, but just as it was about to strike Corrine’s cheek, she caught it firmly.
Tracy’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at Corrine.
Instinctively, she struggled to break free, but her wrist was held fast.
“Corrine, what on earth are you doing?” she demanded.
Corrine’s mocking smile stretched across her face. She leaned in, her voice laced with sarcasm.
“I was taught to show respect to the elderly and care for the young. But if you insist on flaunting your authority, I won’t hesitate to give you a taste of your own medicine.”
“How dare you!” Tracy’s face flushed with anger, her teeth clenched in outrage.
“Corrine, you’re begging for trouble! Bruce won’t forgive you for this!”
Corrine chuckled lightly and suddenly released Tracy’s wrist.
“Whether he forgives me or not is none of my concern.”
Tracy staggered in her high heels, nearly tumbling to the floor, but Rita rushed to steady her.
“Let’s get out of here,” Tracy scoffed, biting her lip in frustration, and turned away without a glance back.
Once outside the ward, Rita couldn’t help but grumble, “Mom, Corrine is getting more and more arrogant. We need to teach her a lesson.”
“Shut up!” Tracy snapped, her voice laced with frustration as she rubbed her sore wrist.
“Stop provoking her!”
Rita murmured reluctantly, “Okay.” Her gaze dropped, hiding the malicious glint in her eyes. She vowed to remember this slap, and one day, Corrine would beg for mercy.
With Tracy and Rita gone, Corrine finally found herself in the rare silence she longed for. She closed her eyes, savoring the stillness-until, once again, the door swung open.
“Can’t you people take a hint…” Corrine muttered under her breath, her annoyance thick in her voice as her gaze shifted toward the door.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.