The Jilted Heiress' Return To The High Life

The Betrayed Heiress' Return to Elegance 19

Chapter 19 Couldn't Live In

The Shadow Of A Woman

The message had barely been sent when Nate's reply landed almost instantly. "See you in twenty minutes"

Corrine stared at the screen, momentarily caught off guard. Had he been waiting for her message all along? The thought-lingered, unsettling and yet oddly difficult to dismiss.

Karina, ever perceptive, noticed the flicker of distraction on Corrine's face and decided to probe. "What's your plan for dealing with the Ashton family?" she asked casually.

"I'm quitting." Corrine replied, her voice firm, her resolve unshakable.

The Ashton family no longer held anything worth her loyalty or attachment.

If she was going to sever ties, she'd do it cleanly-no hesitation, no lingering traces. That was her way.

Karina exhaled quietly, relief softening her expression.

She had been silently bracing herself for the possibility that Corrine might waver at the last moment.

Bruce, often at the expense of her own well- being. The Ashton family's current success, a

departure, Karina couldn't help but wonder how long the once-thriving Ashton family could sustain itself before the cracks began to show. As if on cue, Karina's phone buzzed, the caller ID flashing a name that made her lips curl in faint disdain. A spark of

seemed that she had underestimated his persistence. Without a moment's hesitation, she declined the call. the

other end of the line, Bruce's jaw tightened

the tension radiating from

company to its core. The board of directors, ever eager to assign blame, had begun speculating that Bruce had somehow offended the influential family, and the mounting pressure was

replayed recent events in his mind, he couldn't recall any interaction with the Brooks family, let alone one

bed, Leah watched Bruce with quiet apprehension. His cold demeanor sent shivers down her spine, but she finally mustered

tone sharp enough

to well up, spilling down her cheeks in

at him, and he moved closer, gently brushing her cheeks with his fingertips. "Why are you crying all of

useless," Leah murmured, her voice trembling. She burrowed into his arms, her fragile frame trembling as her hand rested lightly against his chest. "I can only watch as you face these problems alone, and

I really envy Corrine.

by your side right now, she'd know exactly

A wave of irritation surged

It was

let him forget that without Corrine, he was