?Chapter 424:


    “Corey!” Sonia eximed, equally stunned. Neither of them had heard of this n before, and it took a moment for Leah to regain herposure in the face of such a startling revtion.


    Bruce, however, was less concerned with the announcement itself and more focused on reading between the lines. Corey was never one to act without careful consideration, so what was motivating him to hand over thepany to Leah now? What was his real intention?


    Just then, Corey spoke again, his voice calm but deliberate.


    “Bruce, you and Leah will eventually marry, and the Ashton and Burgess families will merge. By handing over thepany to you now, I’m allowing you both to get acquainted with it. Don’t you think it’s the right time?”


    Bruce’s doubts instantly cleared as he absorbed Corey’s words. So, this was not about generosity. It was a calcted move. Corey was retreating strategically, using thepany to bind Bruce to the Burgess family and secure their future.


    Bruce set his utensils down, preparing to respond, when his phone suddenly rang. He nced at the caller ID, a shadow of uncertainty flickering across his face.


    “Excuse me, I need to take this call,” he said, his voice tinged with unease.


    Bruce strode to the balcony and answered the phone with a swift swipe.


    “The findings you requested, Mr. Ashton, are in,” the caller said immediately after the call connected.


    “Really?” A glimmer of excitement shed across Bruce’s face.


    Yet, almost immediately, the caller added, “However, tracking down Miss Hond has been quite costly. I’ll need additionalpensation.”


    A mocking grin spread across Bruce’s handsome face. To Bruce, any mention of losses seemed merely a ploy to up the ante.


    “What’s your price?” he inquired, his voice steady.


    Eagerly, the caller responded, “Two million dors.”


    “That’s highway robbery,” Bruce’s expression suddenly darkened.


    “Why would I pay without seeing the evidence?”


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    “In our line of work, trust is everything, Mr. Ashton. If you’re unsure, I might just share my findings with someone else,” the caller said casually.


    “I’ve been following Miss Hond for weeks and uncovered quite a lot of secrets. If you miss this…”


    “Hold on!” Bruce interjected sharply, worried the caller might disconnect.


    “Meet me at Midnight Cafe tomorrow at 10 AM. We’ll exchange cash for information.”


    “Your directness is appreciated, Mr. Ashton. I’ll see you at ten,” the caller said with augh.


    Once the call ended, Bruce made his way back to the dining room.


    After finishing his meal, Bruce quickly found a reason to leave. Corey, expecting such a move, was in no rush to press for an answer. Leah, on the other hand, sensed a disquiet within herself as she watched Bruce’s determined departure.


    She snatched up a light jacket and hurried after him, calling out, “Bruce.”


    Bruce halted for a moment, his stern gaze softening slightly.


    “What brought you out here?”


    Dressed in a white spaghetti-strap gown and a champagne-colored shawl draped elegantly over her shoulders, Leah stood in slippers, barely reaching his chest height.


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