“Shine so brightly after all the trouble your family’s been through.” Each word dripped with sarcasm, a sharp, stinging reminder that cut straight into Leah’s pride.
Leah’s expression darkened in an instant, her eyes narrowing with fury as a cold storm began to brew between her brows, the venom in her gaze aimed directly at Corrine
Ever since Corrine had walked away from the Ashton family, Leah had lost her ability to control her, to manipulate her as she once had. The sight of Corrine, the same woman Leah had once trampled and belittled, now standing tall and mocking her, ignited a blaze of pure, uncontrollable jealousy in her chest. The jealousy swelled, spreading through her like wildfire, destructive and relentless.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Leah raised her hand, her intent clear-she would slap Corrine into silence.
But Corrine was quicker. She gripped Leah’s wrist with surprising strength, pulling her in closer, her eyes flashing with a cold, dangerous warning.
“Leah, are you trying to dig a grave for yourself?”
With the high heels Leah was wearing, they were almost the same height, the difference between them barely noticeable. But as their gazes met, Leah’s confidence crumbled instantly. It was as if the very ground beneath her feet had been yanked away.
“You really think you can hit me?” Leah hissed, twisting to free her wrist.
Corrine tightened her hold, arching an eyebrow as her voice dripped with disdain.
“Hit you? I’m a lady of refinement.”
Leah scoffed, her lips curling into a cruel sneer.
“Hilarious. You dare call yourself that? Let go of me!”
With a swift, powerful motion, Leah yanked, trying to break free. But in an instant, Corrine released her grip.
Leah stumbled, her heels failing to keep her steady, and she was sent reeling backward, crashing into a nearby, finely crafted wooden screen. The crash echoed through the entrance hall, a sharp sound that snapped every pair of eyes toward Leah.
The disturbance in the entrance hall caught the attention of many, prompting them to move toward the noise, but they halted upon spotting Nate nearby. He observed Corrine with quiet intensity.
Bathed in the warm, yellow glow of the hallway lights, Nate’s features appeared especially striking, and his profile was sharply defined. Draping his suit jacket over one arm, he casually slid into a chair, crossing his legs comfortably.
The smirk playing on his lips, usually hidden by his indifference, now held a teasing charm that seemed to draw in everyone’s gaze, radiating an inviting warmth.
In Lyhaton, only individuals of considerable influence had the privilege of unrestricted access to the Gourmet Spot. The staff, hesitant to intervene and wary of causing a stir, opted to quietly alert their manager, Winfred Walker.
Yet, Winfred was already positioned behind Nate, studying his expressions with keen interest. He could see that Nate was not planning to step in; rather, he seemed to relish watching the unfolding drama, much like a parent amused by their child’s playful antics, confident in their child’s ability to handle the situation.
Leah, sprawled on the floor, became acutely aware of the scornful looks directed at her. She clenched her fists and cast her eyes downward, struggling to contain her growing bitterness.
“Oh dear, Miss Burgess, are you alright?” Corrine’s voice dripped with insincere concern as she peered down at Leah.
“I was just trying to assist you with those heels, but it seems you’re a bit too clumsy.”
Leah’s gaze shot up to meet Corrine’s, her expression twisting with fury, her body tense with the urge to retaliate.
“Corrine, what are you doing?” The situation was suddenly pierced by Bruce’s stern inquiry
As Bruce approached, his concern was evident when he noticed Leah on the floor. He swiftly bent down, offering a gentle hand to help her up and carefully cradled her in his arms.
“Bruce…” Leah whispered, her voice tinged with a feigned frailty as she leaned into him, her eyes brimming with tears that tugged at Bruce’s heartstrings. She was adept at stirring Bruce’s compassion.
Choosing to remain silent rather than confront Corrine openly, Leah portrayed herself as a victim of undeserved mistreatment. This tactic seemed her best bet to garner Bruce’s sympathy, convincing him that Corrine was the aggressor.
Bruce’s heart sank further upon seeing Leah’s sorrowful expression.
“Corrine, how can you act so irrationally? There’s no need for aggression, even if you disagree with Leah!”
He then noticed the bruises on Leah’s wrist, his eyes darkening with disapproval and contempt as he stared at Corrine. To him, Corrine seemed like a true villain.
Corrine, catching Bruce’s accusatory gaze, responded with a derisive smirk.
“If you find me so objectionable, Bruce, keep your distance. I’m not here to cater to your comfort.”
At that moment, as Bruce intervened, Nate approached and stood by Corrine, his arm protectively around her. His tone was cold and resolute.
“Humans may be biased, but the camera’s lens is not. Would you care to review the footage and see the truth?”
Leah’s hands clenched tighter, a surge of fear flashing across her face. Corrine, looking over at Bruce with a dismissive glance, twisted her mouth into a scornful smile.
“The two of you are truly well-matched,” she sneered, her words laced with biting sarcasm and derision.
As Corrine turned to walk away, Bruce’s expression grew troubled. He instinctively wanted to follow her.
Leah wept softly in his embrace.
“Bruce, I’m sorry. I’ve put you in a difficult position once more.”
“You don’t have to apologize for that,” Bruce responded, his voice calm and steady. He could feel Leah shaking slightly, and a surge of compassion replaced his impulse to follow Corrine. He stroked Leah’s back gently, comforting her with even strokes.
“She has always disregarded others’ emotions. Just stay away from her next time.”
Leah obediently replied, “Okay.”
Bruce’s attention drifted as he spoke, catching sight of Corrine walking away. Nate was at her side, his arm securing her slender waist. The two dipped their heads as they stepped into their vehicle, and Nate shot a defiant look back at Bruce. A taunting smile played on Nate’s lips.
Bruce experienced an odd, unsettling feeling at that moment. It seemed as though something rightfully his had been snatched away. Although it was something he claimed to neither want nor care for, he felt it shouldn’t be claimed by another.
Within Bruce’s arms, Leah sensed his gaze on Corrine’s retreating figure, a hint of jealousy flickering across her eyes.
“Bruce, do you think Miss Holland will forgive us? Will she still join us for the company’s anniversary?”
Bruce looked down, his touch gentle as he wiped Leah’s tears.
“Whether she forgives or not is up to her, but she has to be at the celebration.”
Upon hearing his words, Leah’s expression hardened, her eyes narrowing with a calculating coldness, like a hunter poised for the kill.
Meanwhile, in the car, Nate observed Corrine with a mischievous gleam in his eye.
“A lady of refinement, aren’t you?”
Corrine detected the playful undertone in his remark. Her eyebrow arched, mischief sparkling in her clear eyes.
“Do you see a problem with that?”
Nate studied her face, his finger gently brushing her cheek, admiration glowing in his eyes.
“You’re always right in my book.”
He moved closer, his kiss tender yet commanding, as if staking his claim.
The driver caught a glimpse of them in the rearview mirror and quickly looked away, discreetly raising the privacy screen.
In the sealed-off cabin, a thick veil of intimacy enveloped them, dulling their senses.
The moment was on the brink of deepening when a sudden phone ring cut through the tension.
Nate dismissed the call with a swift tap, only for it to ring again relentlessly.
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.