NovelXXXThe Betrayed Heiress' Return to Elegance 297
Chapter 297 The Art Of
Victimhood
Hearing Bruce's voice, Corrine's eyes narrowed to slits before her lips curved into a predatory smile. "Playing the
gallant hero again, | see."
She pivoted to face Bruce, meeting his contemptuous stare.
His eyes pierced through her with the kind of judgment reserved for storybook villains tormenting innocent
maidens.
"What drives you to such cruelty, Corrine?" Bruce's voice cut through the tension like ice. "What grievance could
possibly justify this endless torment of Rita and Leah?"
He had abandoned everything at the first ping of Leah's desperate message, only to witness the horrifying live
stream his assistant had forwarded during his rush here- Corrine forcing Rita and Leah to their knees, compelling
them to mimic dogs.
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Such calculated malevolence could only spring from Corrine's mind.
Understanding dawned in Corrine's eyes as they flickered between the newly arrived Bruce and the tearful Leah
huddled on the floor. Corrine's smile took on an arctic quality.
Of course Leah had been stalling-she'd been waiting for her champion to arrive.
Brushing invisible specks from her clothing with deliberate casualness, Corrine remarked, "They orchestrated
their own downfall. | merely played the hand they dealt."
"You're spewing lies," Rita spat, emboldened by Bruce's presence. "You orchestrated this whole trap, you
monster. You forced us to kneel and brought those dogs to terrorizeinto barking."
A dangerous glimmer danced in Corrine's eyes. "Miss Ashton, you've not only mastered canine impersonation
but also perfected the art of victimhood."
Before Rita could protest, Corrine pressed on, "Let's not forget who initiated this
unfortunate chain of events."
The world was quick to condemn her ruthlessness, yet conveniently forgot she hadn't struck first.
The instigators, having failed in their schemes and fallen prey to her counterattack, had successfully painted her
as the villain.
Bruce's forehead creased deeply at her words.
"Bruce..." Leah melted into his embrace, her tear-stained face the picture of vulnerability, expertly plucking at
his protective instincts.
Bruce cradled her as if she were spun from glass. "You're safe now. I'm here."
As she watched their tender exchange, bitter irony welled up in Corrine's chest. Her voice turned glacial. "Miss
Burgess, since you're so fond of invoking our history, let's conclude our final wager here."
She turned to address Ennis. "Have the outfit delivered to my apartment."
With that proclamation, she collected her belongings and departed alongside Karina.
The crowd parted like water before them as they strode out together, though Corrine's commanding presence
rendered Karina nearly invisible beside her.
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Today's had shattered their preconceptions. Curiosity blazed through the gathered
spectators.
Who was this woman who commanded such deference from three senior executives of
the mall?
Their intrigue mingled with a tinge of disappointment. They had anticipated witnessing the Burgess and Ashton
daughters perform a pole dance, but the bet's dissolution had denied them that spectacle.
Karina exhaled wistfully. "We cso close to destroy that manipulative woman's reputation completely."
it
Corrine let out a low chuckle, "Even if we had gone through with all the wagers, wouldn't have completely
crushed the Burgess and Ashton families. The Ashtons aren't as weak as they once were. Besides, letting her off
the hook now might make us appear... gracious."
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