?Chapter 970:


    Corrine let out a quietugh, light but meant to reassure. “No, I was not frightened at all.”


    “That is good.” Evelyn exhaled, though tension still lingered in her voice. “The Burgess family went too far this time. Hiring hitmen… their arrogance knows no bounds. They must pay the price.”


    Corrine’s tongue ran across her dry lips. “They have already been punished,” she said, her voice measured.


    There was no need to borate. Theplete dismantling of the Burgess family was punishment enough—the kind of downfall from which there was no return.


    Evelyn’s hand rxed slightly, though her concern did not fully fade. “Corrine, you are still a young woman. You do not need to bear the weight of these fights. Let Nate handle the battles. You can simply stand back and watch. There is no need for you to get hurt, do you understand?”


    The unexpected tenderness caught Corrine off guard.


    She had expected a scolding—perhaps Evelyn would call her too ruthless, too reckless. Instead, the olddy’s only worry was whether she might be harmed.


    The warmth of that concern settled over Corrine like a soft nket, soothing the invisible bruises left by the night before.


    “I understand, Evelyn.”


    “By the way,” Evelyn continued, her voice brightening slightly, “are youing for dinner tonight? I had the staff prepare all your favorite dishes.”


    Corrine hesitated, the words catching somewhere between her throat and tongue.


    “Evelyn, today…” The refusal was difficult to voice.


    Evelyn chuckled. “If not tonight, then some other day. You know you are always wee, no matter when you decide toe.”


    Relief flickered through Corrine’s chest. “Alright.”


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    After hanging up, she stretched and then headed for the bathroom.


    When she stepped out, towel-drying her hair, her phone vibrated again—this time, disying an unknown number.


    Frowning slightly, she answered. “Miss Hond, it is me, Wilbur,” came Wilbur’s voice on the other end.


    “Wilbur?” Corrine arched a brow, not expecting Wilbur to contact her directly. “Is something wrong?”


    There was a slight pause before he answered. “Leah has asked to see you.”


    Corrine’s fingers tightened briefly around the phone. “Understood.”


    At the police station, Sonia sat slumped on the cold concrete steps, her hands limp in herp, her phone screen reflecting back at her like a silent usation.


    Her eyes flicked over the message again.


    “Sonia, it is not that I do not want to help you, but I truly have no power to do so. This time, you have crossed the Ford family—the wealthiest family in Lyhaton. Even if both our families joined forces, we could not match even a fraction of their strength. When the Ford family decides to destroy someone, there is no escape. There is even a rumor that Corrine is Carl’s granddaughter. If you had not targeted her, none of this would have happened. If you want to salvage anything, focus on that. If you are serious about saving the Burgess family, your only option is to apologize to Corrine and offerpensation. But as for me, I cannot do anything for you.”


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