?Chapter 381:


    Bruce’s forehead creased deeply at her words.


    “Bruce…” Leah melted into his embrace, her tear-stained face the picture of vulnerability, expertly plucking at his protective instincts.


    Bruce cradled her as if she were spun from ss.


    “You’re safe now. I’m here.”


    As she watched their tender exchange, bitter irony welled up in Corrine’s chest. Her voice turned cial.


    “Miss Burgess, since you’re so fond of invoking our history, let’s conclude our final wager here.”


    She turned to address Ennis.


    “Have the outfit delivered to my apartment.” With that promation, she collected her belongings and departed alongside Karina.


    The crowd parted like water before them as they strode out together, though Corrine’smanding presence rendered Karina nearly invisible beside her.


    Today’s drama had shattered their preconceptions. Curiosity zed through the gathered spectators.


    Who was this woman whomanded such deference from three senior executives of the mall?


    Their intrigue mingled with a tinge of disappointment. They had anticipated witnessing the Burgess and Ashton daughters perform a pole dance, but the bet’s dissolution had denied them that spectacle.


    Karina exhaled wistfully.


    “We came so close to destroying that maniptive woman’s reputationpletely.”


    Corrine let out a low chuckle.


    “Even if we had gone through with all the wagers, it wouldn’t havepletely crushed the Burgess and Ashton families. The Ashtons aren’t as weak as they once were. Besides, letting her off the hook now might make us appear… gracious.”


    While Corrine enjoyed seeking revenge, her position as CEO of Ford Group often required more restraint.


    “Those ps you dealt out were quite satisfying to witness, Corrine. It was quite the spectacle,” Karina said, pausing as she pondered the repercussions.


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    “However, I’m concerned that the Ashton and Burgess families might retaliate, particrly the Ashtons…”


    Karina had never cared for people like Farris.


    Farris always preached virtue and morality, hiding his maniptive actions behind a mask of kindness.


    Unperturbed, Corrine responded with cool detachment, “To me, the Ashton family is irrelevant.”


    She had once devoted herself wholeheartedly to the Ashtons, mistakenly thinking Bruce was the person who saved her years ago.


    For Bruce’s sake, she had endured the Ashtons’ presence as long as she could bear, but those days were over.


    She had lost all patience with Bruce and was done putting up with the Ashtons’ games.


    Karina, hearing this, felt a sense of relief.


    “Though we didn’t buy a dress, sorting out those two nuisances still made our trip worthwhile.”


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