The Jilted Heiress' Return To The High Life

Chapter 48 Spineless

Corrine couldn't help but marvel at Rita's remarkable ability to point fingers.

With merely a few words, Rita could ignite a firestorm of anger within her.

Her eyes flashed with icy precision, piercing Rita like sharpened daggers. "You believe I'm clinging to him? Have

you forgotten how your brother desperately begged me to rescue the Ashton family?"

Rita instinctively recoiled, seeking shelter beside Leah.

The other woman maintained her gentle facade, though a fleeting glimmer of contempt crossed her eyes.

In Leah's eyes, Rita was so spineless.

Leah adopted an understanding tone. "Corrine, perhaps we could all have dinner together? An opportunity to clear the air and prevent misunderstandings. I'm certain Bruce would agree."

Corrine's gaze remained cold and impatient. "Step aside.”

Rita lunged forward, finger pointing accusingly. "You're not leaving!"

"What's going on here?" Bruce's voice broke through the commotion, calm but laced with authority.

As he approached, his eyes landed on Corrine, and for a fleeting moment, his usual composure cracked. A flicker of surprise lit his gaze.

He had grown accustomed to seeing her in her signature black business attire, the kind of wardrobe thatnoveldrama

screamed power and precision. But tonight, she was a revelation in royal blue.

The color elevated her cool elegance, while her dark hair and crimson lips added an edge of allure. This was no accident-it felt like a declaration of independence.

Next to him, Leah noticed the spark of distraction in Bruce's eyes, and a chill settled in her chest. Her fingers curled into a fist at her side before she composed herself, slipping into his arm with practiced grace. "Bruce," she began with a soft, disarming smile, "it's such a coincidence running into Corrine here. I thought we could invite her to join us. You don't mind, do you?"

As if to underscore her claim, Leah tightened her hold around Bruce's waist in a subtle but unmistakable gesture of possession.

Bruce blinked, snapping back to the present. He looked down at Leah with a fondness that seemed almost too easy. "Whatever you decide," he replied, his tone indulgent.

Corrine watched the exchange, the irony of it all settling over her like a cold mist. Her lips curled into a sardonic smile. Without a word, she turned and began walking away.

"Corrine!" Rita's voice rose, sharp and grating. "We're inviting you to dinner out of kindness. The least you could do is show some gratitude!"

Rita, desperate to have the last word, darted ahead to block her path once more. "You won't get far," she sneered. "Lonsong Restaurant isn't some cheap diner where anyone can wander in. Without a reservation, they'll toss you out like yesterday's leftovers!"

Corrine stopped. Her gaze, cold as an arctic wind, locked onto Rita's, freezing her in place. "Move."

Rita froze, feeling an invisible grip tighten around her throat. Before she could summon a reply, Corrine brushed past her, stepping into the revolving doors of the restaurant without looking back.

From the second-floor window, Nate watched the scene unfold, his expression unreadable. His fingers brushed against a bouquet of roses on the table before he stood. "Matias," he said, his voice calm but firm, "tell the manager we're closing for the day."

"Yes, sir,” Matias replied, already moving to carry out the order.

Downstairs, Bruce, Leah, and Rita reached the restaurant's entrance, only to be met by a polite but firm waiter.

"I'm terribly sorry, ladies and gentlemen, but we're closed for the evening."

Bruce's brow furrowed, his tone darkening. "Closed? We have a reservation."

Rita, already seething, pointed accusingly at the restaurant's interior, where Corrine had disappeared moments

earlier. "What kind of nonsense is this? That woman in the blue suit just walked in without a problem! But

you're telling us we can't enter? This is blatant favoritism!"