?Chapter 397:


    Corrine’s eyes turned cold, her softness reced with firm resolve.


    “As an outsider, I seem to earn their affection easily. Even Aunt Chelsea suggested I share a cabin at the charity event, not you. Maybe it’s time to take a hard look at yourself, Miss Hoffman?”


    Corrine’s message was unmistakable: she was the favored one, and Callie should question why.


    Ever since Corrine became part of the Ford family, Chelsea hadvished her with attention and privileges.


    Despite her efforts, Callie had never managed to regain Chelsea’s favor, consistently facing indifference instead.


    This was evident during Chelsea’s recent birthday celebration at their estate. Corrine’s retort struck deep, enraging Callie. She swung her hand, aiming a p at Corrine’s face.


    Her hand cut through the air, directed sharply toward Corrine.


    Just as the p was about tond, Corrine swiftly grabbed Callie’s wrist. Surprise shed in Callie’s eyes, her gaze filled with shock as she stared at Corrine.


    She struggled to free her wrist, only to find Corrine’s grip firm and unyielding.


    “Corrine, what are you trying to do? Hit me back?” Callie fumed, ring furiously.


    “Release me right now!”


    With a slight smile, Corrine responded, “I hope you won’t regret it.”


    Callie frowned, but before she could even process what Corrine meant, Corrine abruptly let go of her wrist.


    “Ah!” A startled cry escaped Callie’s lips as she tumbled awkwardly to the floor, the impact jarring her pride more than her body.


    Corrine peered down at her, an almost theatrical expression of surprise painted on her face.


    “Oh dear! Miss Hoffman, how could you be so clumsy?” Her tone was sweet as honey yet sharp as a de, an unmistakable edge lurking beneath the surface.


    Callie’s eyes glistened with barely restrained fury as she red up at her adversary.


    “Corrine, just you wait! I’ll tell my aunt about this, and we’ll see how she puts you in your ce.”


    She was the treasured daughter of the Hoffman family, a girl who had been cradled by privilege, revered by many, envied by more. Since childhood, she had never known the sting of humiliation.


    Corrine, however, merely arched a brow, her rxed stance belying the edge beneath her words.


    “Do you really think that if it weren’t for my aunt’s sake, you’d still be standing here, trading words with me unscathed?”


    Callie’s confidence wavered for the briefest moment, and instinctively, she stepped back.


    She knew all too well that Corrine, sheltered under Jules’ protection since childhood, was not one to be trifled with.


    Even without Jules’ protection, Corrine, who had mastered the art ofbat as though it were embroidery, her hands just as capable of breaking bones as they were of wielding a pen, could effortlessly protect herself.


    Back in high school, she had once left someone gravely injured. It was Jayden who had swept in to clean up the mess.


    Sensing the danger, Callie put some distance between them, straightening her back.


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