The Jilted Heiress' Return To The High Life

The Betrayed Heiress' Return to Elegance 104

Chapter 104 Still Stubborn

"I'm just concerned this might be a knockoff," Bruce's aunt, Gloria Ashton, said, her voice cutting through the murmurs as she stepped forward, her expression feigning polite curiosity. She cast a pointed look at Corrine and added with a sly smile, "If Leah had given it, that would make sense. But from Corrine? Well, that's truly unfortunate."

A ripple of agreement spread through the guests, punctuated by hushed comments. "An amount like 9.54 million is no small sum," someone whispered. "Miss Holland has probably never even seen that much money in her life."

"Why bother with an appraisal? It's obviously fake," another muttered, a smug laugh following the remark.

Though most guests were unaware of Corrine's background, the Ashton family knew exactly who she was. To them, she was a low-born country girl who got lucky and secured a spot at Lyhaton University. Otherwise, they assumed, she'd have married some elderly farmer and lived a life of obscurity in the countryside.

Rita, recovering from her initial shock, let out a scornful laugh. "An antique from the 19th century, rare as it is, just conveniently found? That's laughable!"

She crossed her arms, her voice sharp with disdain. “Bringing a knockoff to an occasion like this-she's practically mocking the Ashton family in front of everyone!"

why not just admit it instead of pretending?"

delicate sigh, her expression one

concern.

meaning," she said softly, as though defending Corrine. "Miss Holland meant well, even if she's inexperienced. It's easy to be deceived when you don't know much

kind, subtly underscored the

though not at the level of Lyhaton's four great

birthday wasn't just an insult to him but a stain on

would surely spread the tale far and wide. How could the Ashtons recover from such

for Corrine, it seemed

now.

eyes. Corrine had managed to alienate the entire Ashton family, and Leah

exchanged a medley of amused and curious glances. Detached from the situation, they treated the unfolding drama as a spectacle, occasionally

had remained quiet, his features unreadable, adding to the tension in