NovelBookChapter 771: It was no secret-she had vehemently opposed Corrine and Bruce's relationship. She had seen Corrine as nothing more than a thorn in her side. Yet, she couldn't deny the undeniable-Corrine's presence in the Ashton family had brought a golden age of prosperity. Even if Tracy loathed admitting it, without Corrine, the Ashton family might have long lost its foothold in Lyhaton. Their current success had her invisible fingerprints, no doubt. Since Corrine left, misfortune seemed to dog their every step. The steady decline of their business left Bruce burning the midnight oil. And despite Tracy's pride, she couldn't help but wish, in her most vulnerable moments, that Corrine had never left. But pride was a stubborn thing. Tracy comforted herself with the notion that Corrine's background had never truly matched Bruce's status.
After all, people like Tracy always wanted the best of both worlds. She had wanted Corrine's loyalty, her sharp mind, her ability to steady the family's empire-while simultaneously looking down on where she cfrom. Corrine, however, was surprised. Tracy-who had once spoken to her only in clipped commands or disdainful glares-was actually addressing her.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"What do you want, Mrs. Ashton?" Corrine arched a brow, a mocking smirk curling at the edges of her lips.
The sharpness in her tone made Tracy regret speaking to her at all. She forced a brittle smile, concealing the bitterness gnawing at her. "Oh, nothing. I merely noticed how well you seem to be doing, Miss Holland. You're positively glowing." Corrine's bright smile was a perfect contrast to the sarcasm lacing her voice. "Well, after you so generously compensatedwith five percent of your company's market value, I've had no reason to struggle. Life has been quite comfortable. I do wonder, though—how is Miss Ashton faring these days?" The question landed like a blow. Tracy's mask of civility cracked, and her expression twisted with fury. Those old wounds tore open, raw and festering, especially the latter.
After the fiasco at the cruise ship auction, Rita's reputation had taken a nosedive. Finding a suitable match had becan impossible task—no respectable family would consider her, not even the ones of lesser standing. Then, to Tracy's utter humiliation, it was discovered that Rita was pregnant.
A scandal like that? It was unforgivable.
Tracy had been left with no choice but to arrange for a quiet abortion. Rita had suffered. And Tracy had suffered right alongside her daughter. But she had no one to confide in, no outlet for the bitterness that churned inside her. She had swallowed her pride, her rage, her grief.
Now, Corrine's casual remark felt like salt on an open wound. Her rage flared, a wildfire behind her eyes, her body trembling with the force of it.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"You... You ruined everything! If not for you, my daughter wouldn't have ended up like this! You're spiteful, Corrine. And people like you always meet their end. Karma will—" "Mrs. Ashton!" Corrine's icy voice cut through the tirade.
Corrine lifted her gaze toward Tracy, her eyes glinting with a cold, piercing light. Her voice, sharp as winter's chill, sliced through the air."Rita's of her own misfortune isée air. "Rita's making. If she hadn't schemed against me, would she have ended up in this mess? And now, you have the audacity to blme? I can't tell whether you're simply quick to forget your lessons or if I've been far too lenient with all of you!"
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