?Chapter 674:


    Suppressing the surge of emotion, Corey took a breath and, with barely contained eagerness, asked, “And what did you say?”


    “I told her if she’s willing, then so am I,” Leah responded, her gaze drifting casually to her nails.


    “She also mentioned she wants me to take over our family’spany soon, to personally train me for it.”


    For a moment, Corey’s excitement waned, the sparkle in his eyes dimming. He rubbed his fingers together thoughtfully.


    “So, the condition for her to take you as a goddaughter is for you to take the reins of Burgess Group?”


    Leah nodded, her tone indifferent as she admired her nails.


    “You could say that. But she promised me that with her guidance, the Burgess family could rival the Ashtons.”


    That offer was enough to tempt Corey.


    The Burgess family had been dwindling for years, and no one felt the weight of their fall more than he did. The thought of reiming their former glory burned deep inside him.


    Who would choose to remain a subordinate when they could reign supreme?


    After a moment of quiet contemtion, Corey’s expression hardened, his resolve solidifying like steel.


    “I’ll have the appointment letter ready first thing tomorrow morning!”


    With that, he stood up, his steps purposeful as he made his way toward his study to contact his secretary.


    As Corey passed Leah, his hand came to rest on her frail shoulder, the firm squeeze conveying more weight than words ever could.


    “Leah, our family’s future rests on you.”


    She met his gaze with quiet determination.


    “Don’t worry, Dad. I won’t let you down.”


    Before the moment could settle, her phone rang. Her lips curved instinctively when she saw the caller ID—Bruce.


    “I’ll take this,” she said, already moving toward the stairs. Without another word, she slipped upstairs, phone in hand, and headed straight for her room.


    The moment she answered, Bruce’s voice came through, steady and familiar.


    “Leah.”


    “Bruce,” she responded softly.


    He wasted no time on pleasantries.


    “So, Andromache invited you to the banquet. You seem to be getting quite close to her these days.” Leah paused for the briefest moment. When she spoke, her tone remained smooth, unhurried.


    “Andromache and I get along very well. She wants me to be her goddaughter and promises to support my family.”


    A quiet breath escaped her as she added, almost as if voicing a thought she hadn’t yet fully processed, “Bruce, to be honest, I still can’t believe this is real.”


    There was no false modesty in her words, only quiet disbelief at how her life had shifted.


    Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined herself tied to the Hopkins family of the Independent Continent. And bing Andromache’s goddaughter? It was almost unfathomable.


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