?Chapter 684:


    Leah’s smile remained warm, but there was an undeniable sharpness to it.


    “Oh, it’s not really a proposal, just a way to make things more interesting since we’re all gathered here.”


    Her eyes flicked toward the Akhal-Teke horse that Corrine had been gently petting, a spark of calction lighting up her expression.


    “Miss Hond, you seem rather fond of this horse. Why not make it the prize? If you win, the horse bes yours. What do you think, Mr. Brown?”


    The mention of his name made Paul freeze, caught off guard. For a moment, his mind raced. A simple horse race was one thing, but how had he suddenly found himself roped into this?


    And it wasn’t just any horse. It was an Akhal-Teke, a rare gem he had gone to great lengths to obtain. Now, just with a few words from Leah, it was being offered as a prize.


    But Leah’s standing as Andromache’s goddaughter was widely known, and with her connection to such power, no one would dare oppose her. Despite his reservations, Paul had little choice but to reluctantly nod.


    “Fine,” he muttered.


    Aimee, however, was uninterested in the horse. Her original intent was never to win the horse; it was to put Corrine in her ce. But with Leah’s suggestion now hanging in the air, she had no choice but to go along with it.


    “And if she loses?” she asked, her voice carrying a challenge.


    The crowd buzzed with eager anticipation, their eyes shining with excitement. Apetition was only truly thrilling when there was a prize and punishment.


    After all, while victory had its own allure, there was something delightfully satisfying about watching someone squirm when they lost.


    Leah’s eyes sparkled as she drew out her words, deliberately slow, as her gaze traveled over Corrine from head to toe.


    “If Miss Hond loses…” She paused for a beat, letting the weight of her words settle in.


    “Then she will have topensate Mr. Brown for the horse’s cost. What do you say, Miss Thompson?”


    Leah had far darker punishments in mind, but past failures had taught her a valuable lesson—acting rashly only led to disappointment. This time, she would be cautious.


    Ever since Corrine had cut ties with the Ashton family, she had changed. It was as if she had shed her old self and emerged as someone entirely new, a woman full of unexpected turns.


    Underestimating her would be a mistake.


    And humiliating Corrine was not Leah’s only goal today.


    Aimee, oblivious to Leah’s true intentions, still carried herself with her usual pride.


    “We’ll do it your way,” she agreed, her tone clipped.


    Leah feigned consideration, shifting her attention to Corrine.


    “What about you, Miss Hond?”


    Corrine, however, knew Leah too well to be fooled by the act.


    This woman never let things go easily.


    She was aware Leah had something nned, though the exact method remained a mystery.


    “Alright,” Corrine replied without hesitation.


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