?Chapter 518:


    “But if she crosses the line again, she’ll have to deal with the fallout herself.”


    With that, she rose from her seat, ready to leave.


    “Wait,” Farris called after her.


    “What about the Ashton Group shares?”


    “I don’t want them,” Corrine halted mid-step, ncing back at him.


    “My problem is with the Ashton family. Even if you handed me every single share, it wouldn’t change a thing.”


    Farris’ pupils constricted.


    “Corrine, are you really willing to cut all ties with the Ashton family? All over your failed rtionship with Bruce?”


    “You think this is about Bruce?” A cold, mocking glint shed in Corrine’s eyes.


    “Everything Ashton Group has today exists because of me. And no one in this world is more qualified than I am to tear it apart, piece by piece.”


    “You… you…” Farris’ voice quivered as he gaped at Corrine, his disbelief etched into every strained breath.


    He hade here seeking reconciliation, never expecting her to be this ruthless.


    If he couldn’t convince her to let go of her grudge against the Ashton family, then what was the point of this meeting?


    “Corrine, must you take it this far? Aren’t you afraid of retribution?”


    Corrine let out a sharp, unrestrainedugh, as if he had just said the most absurd thing imaginable.


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    “The Ashton family’s wealth and power exist because of me. If you have no problem reaping the benefits, then why should I fear the consequences?”


    With that, she didn’t waste another second and strode away.


    The butler, who had been standing outside, stepped in the moment she left.


    His eyes swept over Farris, who looked like a man on the verge of copse, his body trembling as if his strength had drained awaypletely.


    Concerned, the butler hurried to steady him.


    “Mr. Ashton, are you alright?”


    Farris waved him off, saying nothing.


    His dull, weary eyes stayed locked on Corrine’s retreating figure, but slowly, something changed—something dark flickered in his gaze, a slow-burning malice rising from the depths.


    The butler’s attention drifted to the document on the table, and he immediately understood what had happened.


    Carefully guiding Farris back into his chair, he suggested in a quiet, measured tone, “Perhaps it’s time to let Bruce handle this, sir.”


    Farris nced up at him, then let out a cold, bitterugh.


    “That girl… From the moment she stepped through the Ashton family’s doors, I knew she wasn’t someone to be underestimated.”


    His voice dropped, edged with something almost like regret.


    “For three years, I shielded her in every possible way, hoping that one day, she’d show mercy out of sentiment. But now, I see it was all for nothing.” His fingers curled into fists, his nails pressing into his palms.


    “A wolf—no matter how well you feed it—will never be loyal. And when the timees, it won’t hesitate to sink its teeth in, right where it hurts the most. That’s the nature of a beast.”


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