Though he knew little about Donnelly personally, the rumors were enough to paint a vivid picture. Donnelly’s background was a mystery, yet his influence was undeniable, making him a figure no one dared to cross
After all, how else could one man single-handedly maintain such dominance in Lyhaton’s competitive collectibles business?
Millard, however, couldn’t shake his own questions. When had Corrine come to know Donnelly? Had she been keeping secrets from them all this time?
Millard sighed deeply, breaking the silence.
“It’s getting late. Let’s all call it a night.”
Without sparing anyone a glance, he turned and headed upstairs, his steps heavy with fatigue.
When Corrine reached the front gate, she was surprised to see Nate leaning casually against his car.
As if sensing her presence, Nate looked up. The cold sharpness in his eyes softened the moment they met hers, replaced by a warm, easy smile that wrapped around her like the first rays of spring sunlight.
What could she even say about this man?
He always seemed to appear out of nowhere, standing firmly by her side with unwavering support. Yet, he never pressured her-he understood her guarded nature and gave her all the space she needed.
Just as she took a step toward him, a voice called out from behind, sharp and unwelcome.
“Miss Holland.”
Corrine’s brows furrowed slightly at the sound of Leah’s voice, but she didn’t bother to stop walking.
Leah hurried to catch up, grabbing Corrine’s wrist with an icy grip and snapping, “Did you not hear me speaking to you?”
Corrine paused, her gaze dropping to Leah’s hand before flicking up, her expression cool and composed.
“I don’t waste my time on meaningless conversations,” she replied with a faint arch of her brow and a smile that barely reached her eyes.
Touched her lips, “In fact, I almost forgot-congratulations on your engagement, Miss Burgess.”
The casual remark hit like a whip, and Leah’s face instantly darkened, her beautiful eyes blazing with fury and bitterness.
“Who do you think you are to mock me?”
Corrine tilted her head slightly, her smile deepening with quiet amusement.
“Do I need to hold a title to mock you?” she responded coolly, her tone as distant as the autumn wind, and turned to leave without a second glance.
Leah stepped forward swiftly, positioning herself directly in Corrine’s path.
“Aren’t you even the slightest bit curious why Farris gave you those shares?”
Corrine paused briefly, but Leah pressed on before she could reply, her voice laced with quiet malice.
“It’s because Farris wants to bind your interests with theirs, of course. He’s afraid your… ambitious streak might prompt you to retaliate against the Ashton family. And he’s worried that news of my engagement to Bruce could damage the company’s image. He wants you there at the annual meeting, as a shareholder, to silence the gossip before it even begins.”
Corrine’s face remained impassive, betraying no emotion. She had already pieced together as much when Farris had unveiled the contract in front of everyone. Still, hearing Leah say it aloud felt like a needle piercing her chest, subtle but sharp.
It made her wonder-during those three years with the Ashton family, how much of Farris’ so-called kindness had been sincere? And how much of his supposed sympathy had been nothing more than a calculated act?
“Corrine, you don’t actually believe Farris truly cares about you, do you?” Leah’s words were sharp, and the satisfaction in her tone was unmistakable as she watched Corrine’s gaze darken with unspoken sorrow.
“Think about it. If you weren’t useful to the Ashton family, would they have tolerated you clinging to Bruce for three long years? If not for your relentless dedication to them, do you really think Farris would have given you that bracelet? Only someone utterly starved for affection would cling so desperately to scraps of kindness, repaying them as if they were treasures. Honestly, watching you grasp at such hollow gestures… I almost pity you.”
“And what about you?” Corrine asked, her voice cutting through the air like ice, her sharp eyes locking onto Leah’s with quiet but unyielding defiance.
Corrine’s lips curled into a sly, dangerous smile, one that held both allure and threat.
“Even if the Ashton family refuses to accept me, I have more than enough strength to stand tall on my own. And what about you? What else do you have, besides desperately clinging to Bruce? Do you rely on your status as the heiress of the Burgess family? I don’t want to waste any more words, but out of kindness, let me remind you-you’ll never reach the heights I’ve already claimed. You aren’t even close to being my equal! Bruce? For you, he’s just another option. For you, he’s the only way forward. After all, the Burgess family isn’t what it used to be. Without Bruce, what do you even have left?” She shot Leah a look full of contempt and pity before turning, her movements graceful and effortless as she left.
It wasn’t until Corrine had disappeared from view that Leah snapped out of her daze. She quickly rushed after her, eager to continue their confrontation, but stopped dead as she watched Corrine slide into a car. Unlike the Rolls-Royce from before, this time it was a sleek, understated Bentley.
Could it be that Corrine had found another wealthy benefactor?
Leah immediately pulled out her phone, capturing a shot of Corrine sliding into the car and its license plate number.
She dialed a number, her voice low with determination.
“Find out who owns the car in this photo. I need the information-fast.”
If Corrine’s new sugar daddy found out that she was nothing more than a discarded pawn of the Ashton family, Leah couldn’t wait to see how she’d hold herself up.
After a brief pause, the voice on the other end replied, “The car’s registered to Royal Fortune Entertainment Center, with only recent rental details available.”
Leah latched onto the key word, her eyes narrowing.
“Rental?”
“Yes, but it was rented by an anonymous individual, so I can’t track down any further details at this time.”
“Understood.”
As she hung up, Leah’s lips twisted into a mocking smile.
She had assumed Corrine had found herself a wealthy benefactor, but it seemed like she had only attached herself to a wannabe socialite.
In that moment, Leah considered Corrine her defeated rival. She wasn’t worthy of being her competition at all.
Corrine slid into the car and fastened her seatbelt, surprised to find the engine already humming to life.
“Aren’t we waiting for Donnelly?” she asked Nate, a hint of confusion in her voice.
Nate’s expression remained impassive, his tone smooth.
“He’s heading in a different direction.”
Corrine didn’t give it much thought.
“Then drop me off at the Ford Group entrance later.”
Nate’s brow creased ever so slightly, a spark of impatience in his eyes.
“Is the elite team at Ford Group just for decoration?”
“What?” Corrine turned to him, brows furrowed.
“Do you think the company will crumble without you?” Nate asked, his voice tinged with irony.
Corrine let out an exasperated sigh.
“What exactly are you getting at?”
Nate’s gaze softened, the corners of his lips lifting.
“I think it’s only fair that you, as my girlfriend, spend some time with me outside of work-also known as a date.”
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.