?<strong>Chapter 487:</strong>


    Attempting to diffuse the tension, Cory cleared his throat and softened his approach. “You’re all gathered for a reunion, so I’ll leave you to enjoy it. I need to attend to some matters at the hotel. Let’s arrange another dinner soon.”


    Kristopher’s presencemanded the room; no one dared to counter him. A heavy silence hung in the private dining room, punctuated only by the asional clink of silverware.


    Feeling the weight of the room’s scrutiny, Cory awkwardly adjusted his nose and shot a chilly nce towards Ailyn, who was lingering in a corner. “Join me outside for a moment,” he said, his tone cold.


    Ailyn paused briefly, then pushed herself to stand and follow Cory, all while feeling the weight of the crowd’s curious and judgmental eyes on her.


    As soon as they stepped out of the private room, Cory raised his hand and pped her sharply across the face. The sharp crack of the p echoed through the air, causing everyone to freeze. It was a move no one had seening—Cory hitting a woman in public.


    The room fell silent as everyone exchanged uneasy nces, unsure whether to step in. But when they saw Kristopher, unfazed, calmly serving food to Carrie as though nothing had happened, they kept their mouths shut and returned to their meals, hesitant to challenge the scene.


    Outside, Ailyn pressed her hand to her stinging cheek, staring at Cory in shock. In a low, tense voice, Cory muttered, “Kristopher’s here, and you pulled me into this mess? My wife was introduced through my sister. If Kristopher tells his mother, do you have any idea what kind of trouble I’ll be in? And don’t assume you’ll get off easy either.”


    Tears filled Ailyn’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks. “I’m carrying your child! How could you hit me like that? How was I supposed to know Kristopher would be here? And how could I have known his wife was Carrie? You never share anything about your family with me. If you’d just told me even a bit, none of this would have happened!”


    Cory looked at her stomach briefly, then seized her chin with a harsh grip. “If it weren’t for this baby, do you really think I’d have slept with you again? And you’re not even a virgin. How do I know the kid’s mine?”


    After his wife gave birth to their daughter, she struggled to conceive again. Cory had always believed the issue was with her, but after years of being with other women and still failing to get anyone pregnant, he finally decided to get tested. The results revealed that his sperm had low motility, making it incredibly difficult for him to father a child.


    As the sole heir in the Murray family, Cory knew that without a son, his family’s legacy would die with him.


    She spat on the floor in disgust and muttered to herself, “Disgusting pig.”


    She nced at a metal cab nearby, using its reflection to touch up her makeup and erase the evidence of her tears. After a deep breath to steady herself, she gathered herposure and walked back into the private room.


    A look of contempt now filled everyone’s faces. It was one thing to know she was a mistress, but witnessing her humiliation firsthand brought a whole new wave of judgment. The dramatic scene hadpletely changed how they all saw Ailyn. The ttery that had once surrounded her evaporated, reced now by the cold sting of scorn and pity from the women who had once envied her.


    Ailyn sank into the chair, but it felt as though a thousand needles were pricking at her skin. She had thought she had reached the top, like a phoenix sitting proudly on a high branch. But now, that branch seemed more like a stage where she was the one making a fool of herself.


    Carrie and Camille shared a brief, knowing nce. They had overheard parts of the argument outside and could easily piece together what had happened. It became clear that Ailyn was using her pregnancy as a stepping stone, a way to climb higher on the socialdder. Neither woman felt sorry for her, but they couldn’t stand Cory’s cruelty either.


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