His voice carried the weight of guilt.
“The Ashton family has owed you a lot, and now this chaos… If you turn it down, how can I ever face you again?”
Corrine’s lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Farris, I’ve never sought anything from the Ashton family-not before, and certainly not now.”
Seeing her unyielding expression, Farris realized any further attempts at persuasion would be pointless. He hesitated briefly, his tone softening as he spoke again.
“Actually, I’d like for you to attend the anniversary celebration next month.”
The words made Corrine pause for only a moment before understanding his intent. The reason behind the proposed five percent share transfer became crystal clear.
A faint, mocking smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Indeed, nothing in this world came without a price.
“The Ashton Group has nothing to do with me,” she replied coolly, turning on her heel and walking away without waiting for a response.
As she left, her gaze lingered briefly on the gem Leah had gifted Farris earlier, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.
Donnelly noticed her subtle glance, and his brows furrowed slightly, his curiosity piqued
“Why is this here?” he muttered under his breath.
The room’s attention shifted to the gem as if drawn by an invisible thread, curiosity flickering in their eyes. Was there more to this gift than met the eye?
Leah, meanwhile, mistook the sudden interest for admiration. Pride flickered in her chest, though she maintained an outwardly composed demeanor.
“This is a rare gem once cherished by royalty. Something I acquired with great care. Is there an issue with it?”
Donnelly’s smile grew subtly as he absently fiddled with the bracelet between his fingers. His casual demeanor belied the sharpness in his tone.
“Items like these… they’re meant to be enjoyed.”
The gem had reached such a convincing level of craftsmanship that it could fool even veteran antique connoisseurs. If not for catching Corrine’s fleeting glance, he might not have paid it any mind.
Diego, sensing the undercurrent of tension, deliberated for a moment before speaking cautiously.
“Mr. Gilbert, are you implying this gem might not be genuine?”
Donnelly clasped the bracelet back on his wrist and lightly patted Diego’s shoulder.
“Let’s discuss it another time.”
The subtle weight in his voice was enough to make Diego stop pressing for answers.
Leah, however, standing off to the side, felt her confidence waver. Something was amiss. Without hesitation, she hurried after him, her tone urgent and defensive.
“Mr. Gilbert, this gem came from Timeless Treasures!”
Donnelly suddenly stopped in his tracks, his gaze slicing toward Leah with a razor-sharp intensity.
“Do you think Timeless Treasures is some run-of-the-mill establishment?”
That cold, penetrating glare was like a blade pressed against her throat, forcing Leah to hold her breath. Her pupils quivered as she met his unyielding stare.
Donnelly’s lips curved into a faint smile, but the warmth in it was absent.
“I’ve already spared you from disgrace in front of everyone, Miss Burgess. Don’t make me regret it.”
As Donnelly walked away, Leah stood frozen, the weight of his words sinking in. It wasn’t until he disappeared from view that reality came crashing down on her.
The events of the day spiraled wildly out of her control, far exceeding anything she had envisioned.
She had assumed that the extravagant gem she had painstakingly procured for Farris would earn his admiration-enough to overshadow everyone present, especially Corrine.
But fate had other plans. The antique pen holder Corrine had brought turned out to be genuine, exposing her as the owner of Timeless Treasures. Meanwhile, Leah’s meticulously chosen gift was revealed to be a counterfeit. The contrast was stark, leaving her to plummet from the pedestal she had placed herself on to the depths of humiliation.
And it was all because of Corrine!
Every time Leah schemed to put Corrine in her place, she somehow ended up being the one humiliated. Her career had suffered because of Corrine, and now her reputation was in shambles. Corrine was undeniably her nemesis.
Leah’s eyes followed Corrine as she walked away, her figure gradually fading into the distance. Unable to suppress the burning resentment any longer, she stormed after her
Meanwhile, after the guests had left, the Ashton family surrounded Farris like moths to a flame.
“Farris, even if we angered Corrine today, did you really have to give her the company shares?”
Farris let out a cold snort, his sharp gaze silencing the room.
“If I don’t give her the shares, should I just sit back and watch her dismantle Ashton Group?” His voice dripped with disdain.
“Corrine is intent on severing all ties with this family. When she comes for retribution, what makes you think she’ll hold back? Your constant petty schemes to undermine her? Or Bruce’s betrayal?”
Millard, Bruce’s father, furrowed his brow in contemplation before speaking slowly, his tone cautious.
“Are you worried that if Bruce and Leah get engaged, Corrine will retaliate?”
“Corrine and Bruce were together for three years, only for her to be abandoned at the altar. That alone paints Bruce as unfaithful. If word of his engagement to Leah comes out during the anniversary celebration, do you think Ashton Group’s reputation will remain unscathed?” Farris fixed him with a deep, probing look.
Millard’s expression darkened immediately, his confidence wavering under the weight of Farris’ gaze.
Farris’ voice carried an undeniable finality as he continued, “Bruce’s marriage is his business, but I have one condition-it must not drag the company into any scandal.”
“Understood,” Millard replied, his tone heavy with resignation. He knew all too well how fragile Ashton Group’s position was. Any misstep, no matter how minor, could trigger chaos the company couldn’t afford.
As Farris reached the door, he paused, something seemingly occurring to him, and he turned back to Millard.
“Rita is reckless. Confine her to her room and let her reflect on her actions.”
Millard didn’t dare to argue and quickly nodded.
“Of course, Dad.”
Once Farris left the room, the other Ashton family members wasted no time swarming Millard, their voices buzzing with barely restrained indignation.
“Millard, what’s going on? Didn’t you say Corrine was just some unsophisticated girl from the countryside?”
“Exactly! You made her sound uncultured, but I didn’t see anything out of place with her behavior today.”
“The real question is, how on earth did she become the owner of Timeless Treasures?”
“That’s Timeless Treasures we’re talking about-its worth is astronomical!”
A murmur of regret swept through the room, growing louder with every word. If they had known Corrine held such wealth and power, they would never have allowed Bruce…
They shouldn’t have let her go so easily. They should have, at the very least, demanded compensation for all the years she spent benefiting from the Ashton family.
These matters not only left Millard puzzled but also weighed heavily on his thoughts.
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.