?Chapter 1744:


    The unexpected volume of her voice startled the butler—her shouts nearly shattered his eardrums.


    Meanwhile, Jordy was rxing in the backyard with his wife, savoring drinks and intimate conversation. The butler feared that Corrie’s vociferous outbursts might reach Zoe, prompting her to investigate themotion. “Silence her and escort her out now,” the butler ordered frantically. “Ensure she doesn’t set foot in the house under any circumstances!”


    Following his instructions, the guards forcibly removed Corrie from the property.


    Denied ess to Jordy—her main pir of support—Corrie felt her spirit crumble. She was suddenly adrift, without direction in her life.


    Her family had meticulously nned her future: marry Brook, integrate into the Owen Group, and thereby strengthen her own family’s position.


    Now, however, Jayden threatened to terminate her employment, while Brook intended to abandon their marriage ns. She appeared to be failing at fulfilling every expectation her family had ced upon her.


    Leaning against her car door, she contemted possible strategies to salvage the deteriorating situation. A thought suddenly urred to her—perhaps Brook’s mother might help.


    Without hesitation, Corrie drove to Brook’s mother’s residence, only to discover that she wasn’t in Cambape. The caretaker exined that she had retreated to her hometown, where the cleaner air would benefit her health.


    A wave of despondency washed over Corrie once again.


    As the sense of dread and uncertainty enveloped her, her phone rang—it was her mother, Bertha Bates. She answered absentmindedly.


    “Corrie,” Bertha began, “Mitchel graduates from college this year. Could you arrange a position for him at the Owen Group?”


    Your imagination thrives at  punt


    The request caught Corrie off guard. “Why should he join the Owen Group?” she questioned. “Doesn’t our family have its ownpany?”


    Bertha’s tone turned coaxing. “You don’t get it. If Mitchel joins the Owen Group, he’ll be your support. You won’t have to fight your battles alone anymore. Besides, he’s graduating. It’s time to think about marriage. Once you marry Brook, you can help him find a good match within the Owen Group. I was thinking of Debora Owen. She’s a couple of years older, but that’s not a problem. She has the right qualifications. As Mitchel’s sister, you should help him.”


    Corrie’s expression darkened. A tense silence stretched between them before she finally spoke. “Mom, you’re always looking out for him. You make sure everything is set up perfectly for him.”


    Bertha let out a lightugh. “Of course. He’s my only son. Who else would I do it for?”


    Corrie’s stomach twisted. Her voice was quiet but sharp. “What about me? Have you ever thought about what I need?”


    Bertha’s tone ttened. “What are you talking about? Of course, I’ve thought about you.”


    Corrie let out a bitterugh. “Really? What have you ever done for me? Did you ever help me build my career or connections? When Mitchel took a liking to Debora, you immediately wanted me to y matchmaker. When I told you things with Brook weren’t going well, did you ever step in to talk to him?”


    Bertha’s voice turned stern. “Haven’t I always told you to be amodating? To please him and strengthen your rtionship? Do you even want to marry him or not?”


    Corrie’s fingers tightened around the phone. “Was that ever my choice? You and Dad decided I should marry into the Owen family. Did either of you ever ask if that’s what I wanted? You told me to marry Brook, and I listened. You told me to put our family’s interests first, and I did. But have you ever once asked me what I want?”


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