The Jilted Heiress' Return To The High Life

Chapter 828:

Then, under the gleaming stage lights, Corrine’s red lips curved into a radiant smile. “I would like to extend a special thank you to Mr. Ashton of Ashton Group and Ms. Burgess of Burgess Group. Without your generous contributions, this auction would not have shattered past records. Your boundless generosity has propelled this event to its most successful year yet. Everyone, let us give a round of applause to Mr. Ashton and Ms. Burgess.”

Her applause rang out first, crisp and deliberate.

The crowd followed, and soon the entire venue resounded with a thunderous ovation.

Yet, for Bruce and Leah, the applause did not feel like appreciation. It felt like a thousand invisible hands slapping them across the face. No. This was not just a momentary misstep. From the very beginning, they had been ensnared in Corrine’s web.

Every bid they had placed, every extravagant sum they had spent—had only served to further her cause.

crashed over Leah, seizing her body

together, her jaw aching from the pressure. Her eyes burned red with unshed tears, and her

face, not even the most skilled

against her, the

eyes gleaming with unbridled fury—was like that of a caged beast

tension, Corrine’s lips curled into an even brighter smile. Her delicate brows arched with a silent

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loathing was unmistakable. If looks could

of posing for the camera was

watchful eyes of the crowd, they had no choice. Forcing strained smiles, they fought to contain the roiling storm within, the effort stretching them to the brink of