Chapter 22 What Is Your Rtionship With Him


    "Look at you, you adorably stubborn girl," Waldo remarked, his toneced with mock disdain, though the warmth in his gaze betrayed him. With a teasing grin, he reached out and tousled Corrine''s hair.


    "I''m not stubborn," Corrine retorted, swatting his hand away as she led him toward the sofa.


    Bruce''s eyes narrowed as they flicked between Corrine and the man beside her. The tension in the air was palpable before he broke the silence with a sharp- edged question. "What''s your rtionship with him?"


    At the sound of his voice, Corrine''s lighthearted smile froze, her expression hardening as she turned to him. "Why are you still here?"


    Bruce''s tone sharpened as if he were a husband uncovering betrayal. "Answer me! What''s your rtionship?"


    A cold, mocking smile curved Corrine''s lips. "And what position are you in to question me, Mr. Ashton?"


    "I..." Bruce began, but the words caught in his throat. There was no legitimate argument he could muster.


    Corrine''s sardonic smile deepened as she gestured toward the door. "Mr. Ashton, let me repeat myself-leave."


    Bruce stood stiffly, his lips pressed into a tight line as his eyes darted toward Waldo. Without another word, he grabbed Leah''s hand and turned on his heel to leave.


    Yet as he reached the door, he hesitated, ncing back at Corrine with an unreadable expression clouding his


    eyes.


    The moment they were out, Corrine walked to the door and mmed it shut with a resounding bang, the sound reverberating through the ward.


    Leah nced at the closed door, her expression unreadable before she turned to Bruce. Her lips curved into a faint, detached smile. "Corrine seems to have quite a collection of male friends. Meanwhile, I only have you."


    Bruce remained silent, his thoughts elsewhere. Leah''s smile faltered for a moment before she pressed on. "That man looked older. Have you met him before? Any idea who he is?"


    Bruce''s brows furrowed slightly, his voice low and uncertain. "Perhaps someone she''s worked with before."


    "I see," Leah murmured, her tone contemtive.


    Inside the ward, Karina picked up her bag, her gaze settling briefly on Corrine. "Now that you havepany, I''ll take my leave."


    She gave Waldo a polite nod before walking out, her heels clicking against the polished floor.


    With Karina gone, the ward suddenly felt muchrger, the silence settling like a nket around Corrine and


    Waldo.


    Waldo set his ss of water down with a soft clink and spoke first, his voice calm but tinged with an edge that sent a subtle chill through the air. "Was that the man you were so determined to marry three years ago, despite the family''s objections?"


    Corrine hesitated for a brief moment before nodding her expression unreadable.


    Waldo''s lips twisted into a derisive snort. "That man doesn''t look the least bit deserving of you!"


    He had prepared a long lecture for his niece, but seeing her stand there, quiet and reserved, his resolve. softened. With a sigh, he shook his head, the sternness in his voice reced by exasperation. "You gave up a life of privilege, walking away from the Ford family, only to end up working for a man like that. Tell me, was it


    worth it?"


    "No, it wasn''t," Corrine replied with a faint, yful smile, handing him another ss of water. "Uncle Waldo, don''t be mad. I''ve already learned my lesson."


    Waldo raised an eyebrow, epting the ss with a dry chuckle. "Mad at you? You''re the pampered darling of. the Ford family. Even if I were ten times braver, I wouldn''t dare stay angry with you."


    It was no secret that the Ford family of Lyhaton-the wealthiest in the city-held one mysterious young woman.


    at the center of their affections. Though her name was rarely mentioned, her presence in the family was


    legendary.


    Carl would move heaven and earth for her, and his two sons treated her as though she were made of gold.


    Between her two uncles, Corrine seemed to share a particr case with Waldo, perhaps because he was only eleven years older than her. Around him, she was uninhibited and unguarded in ways she wasn''t with Jayden.


    Looping her arm through his, Corrine shook it lightly. "Oh, Uncle Waldo, I know I made a mistake. Don''t be


    mad, okay? Pretty please?


    Waldo sighed, his expression softening even as he tried to keep his tone stern. "Corrine, you''re far from foolish, so why did you let yourself get tangled up in this mess?"


    His brows drew together in frustration. "What does Bruce have to offer that''s remotely worthy of you? I don''t know what kind of spell he cast, but it must''ve been a powerful one!"


    His voice carried a mixture of disbelief and disappointment as he thought about all the ways Corrine had


    sacrificed for someone so undeserving.


    As he fiddled with the ss in his hands, Waldo''s gaze darkened slightly, a shadow passing through his eyes. behind the glint of his sses. "That meteoric rise of Ashton Group during the crisis-don''t tell me that had nothing to do with you."