The Jilted Heiress' Return To The High Life

Chapter 449:

Rita’s manicured nails bit deeper into her palms, the pain lost beneath waves of mounting fury. Unable to bear the spectacle any longer, she rose abruptly to flee.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Bruce’s question followed her like a shadow.

Rita spun around with an exaggerated eye roll.

“To the ladies’ room!” she snapped, stalking away.

The auction proceeded undisturbed by her dramatic exit. Nate studied Corrine’s delicate profile, leaning close enough that his breath tickled her ear.

“Do you enjoy being addressed that way?”

Corrine met his playful gaze with a sidelong glance, understanding the meaning behind his question.

a title,”

significance for her—she recognized that Moses’ deference stemmed not

were the one who instructed him to use that title,” she reminded him, toying with the auction paddle as her lips

do they? Perhaps it’s all part of some masculine power play. For all I know, I’m just one of many Mrs. Hopkins in

through her as his

murmured, his words carrying the weight of both declaration

childish, tinged with an inexplicable jealousy. Yet they masked a deeper regret—if only their paths had crossed

their intimate exchange with growing concern. Her intuition whispered that their connection ran deeper

that equation troubled her. Her brow furrowed

air with refined melodies while guests mingled beneath crystal chandeliers—the very

have the pleasure of this

concealed distaste, her

He adjusted his

“Rolf Archer—Calan’s younger brother.”

She knew of him—a notorious name-dropper who had long traded on his brother’s reputation to stir up