Chapter 58 Trending Topic


    Corrine leaned against the window, her gaze tracing the crescent moon half- hidden by wispy clouds. A mncholic shadow crossed her features. "After my return, I investigated thoroughly. All evidence pointed to him."


    When she first discovered the Ashton family teetering on financial ruin, she had deliberately approached Bruce, offering assistance. Their rtionship had unfolded with calcted precision.


    She had developed genuine feelings, but the sentiment was hers alone.


    To Bruce, their three-year connection was nothing more than a clinical transaction from beginning to end.


    Jules remained silent on the other end of the phone, the quiet stretching


    between them.


    Finally, Corrine spoke again, her voice resolute. "Let''s consider those three years as repayment of a life-saving debt. From this moment forward, I have no connection to him."


    After ending the call, Jules sent a stark warning via WhatsApp. "Stay away from Nate Hopkins!"


    Corrine powered down her phone, her arms crossing defensively. Her eyes inadvertently drifted to the rose bouquet adorning the table. Nate''s promise echoed in her memory. "Do it your way. No matter what happens, I''ll always have your back."


    It seemed Jules'' warning came toote...


    The next morning, over breakfast, Corrine''s phone buzzed with a call from


    Karina.


    "Oh for heaven''s sake, how can you still sit there eating like nothing''s


    happened?" Karina''s voice burst out, her frustration sharp enough to cut steel. "I''m so mad I could throw something! Leah''s twisting the story on social media, making it look like you went after her for no reason. The whole inte is losing its mind! It''s trending, Corrine-trending! Her fans are ready to storm the gates. Is this your idea of ''handling it yourself“?”


    Leah, with her angelic image and a fan base that worshipped the ground. she walked on, had them eating out of her hands—especially after news of her injury surfaced. They were practically sharpening their pitchforks.


    Corrine wiped her mouth with a napkin, stood, and threw a quick goodbye. over her shoulder to her grandfather before grabbing her bag. "Let her have. her moment."


    Karina''s tone shifted, suddenly curious. "Wait-you''ve got a n, don''t you?" The excitement bubbled up in her voice like a shaken soda can. "I''ve been itching to see her put in her ce. If you''re going to handle her, do it right. Make sure she stays down for good."


    Corrine''s lips curved into a faint smile as she ducked into her car. "Don''t


    worry."


    By noon, Karina had burst into Corrine''s office, her energy as electric as


    ever.


    "What are you doing here?" Corrine asked, raising an amused eyebrow as she shut the file in front of her.


    "Why else? To chat. Maybe grab lunch." Karina tossed her bag onto a sofa with an air of nonchnce and sashayed over in her heels, her eyes. gleaming mischievously. "You still haven''t told me how you''re nning to take down that conniving snake. Ever since you said you''d act, I''ve been dying to know!"


    Corrine stayed silent, her expression unreadable.


    Unfazed, Karina grabbed her arm, practically dragging her toward the door. "Fine. Keep your secrets. But you can spill them over lunch-my treat!"


    Before long, Karina was steering her brand-new car toward an upscale. restaurant, the engine humming smoothly as they chatted on the way.


    The conversation flowed freely as they settled into their seats, enjoying the rich aroma of their meals.


    But mid-bite, Corrine''s phone buzzed insistently. Seeing Nate''s name sh on the screen, she hesitated for a beat before answering.


    "Have you seen what''s trending online?" Nate''s low, maic voice spilled through the line, smooth and deliberate, sinking into her ears like a stone into still water.