Chapter 101 Share Transfer Agreement
Corrine shook her head decisively. "If I were unaware of this bracelet''s profound family significance, I might have kept it. But knowing its extraordinary meaning, why should I hold onto something that doesn''t truly belong to me?"
The Ashton family held no nostalgic memories for her.
If there was anything she found difficult to relinquish, it was undoubtedly Farris.
During her three years with the Ashtons, she had endured countless moments of coldness, but Farris-being nearly her grandfather''s age-had genuinely cared for her, consistently considering her needs and feelings.
Farris understood Corrine intimately, recognizing that once shemitted to a decision, her resolve remained unshakeable.
He sighed softly, a rueful smile ying across his weathered features as he retrieved the red box. "Bruce is truly unfortunate," he murmured.
Hidden in a corner, Leah watched the jade bracelet in Farris'' hand. Her fingers clenched so tightly that her long nails pierced her skin, yet she felt no physical pain-only the sharp sting of wounded pride.
She had gravely underestimated Corrine.
Initially, she had believed that Corrine''s humble background would render her insignificant within the Ashton family, unworthy of any kindness. Never had she expected that Corrine could manipte Farris into privately entrusting her with such a valuable bracelet.
Fortunately, Corrine had the wisdom to return it.
Otherwise, retrieving the bracelet would have demanded considerable effort on
her part.
Composing herself, Leah stepped forward, her lips curved into a bright, calcted smile. "Farris," she greeted.
Farris'' smile diminished slightly at her arrival, his tone cool and distant. "You''re here."
His evident displeasure with her presence hung in the air like a barely perceptible mist. Leah''s gaze shifted to a document Farris was handing to Corrine.
Her eyes widened as she read the bold text: Share Transfer Agreement.
Her eyes widened. A share transfer agreement?
Farris was nning to transfer his shares to Corrine?
While Leah belonged to the Burgess family-a respectable lineage in Lyhaton- Corrine was merely a woman from a rural background.
What could possibly make Corrine worthy of such extraordinary favor from Farris?
Farris had already scrapped ns to announce her engagement to Bruce at the birthday party. Now, he was secretly giving Corrine shares?
Did he truly believe Corrine was more deserving than her?
Suppressing the fiery jealousy simmering beneath her smile, Leah took a calming breath and spoke in her softest tone. "Since Miss Hond is already here, why don''t we invite her to join the celebration in the main hall?"
"Why not?" Farris set down the agreement, turning to Corrine with an encouraging smile. "Corrine, stay and have dinner with us."
At first, Corrine hesitated, wanting nothing more than to decline. But Farris'' insistence eventually won her over, and she nodded quietly.
gentle
Later that evening, with wine flowing freely, Tracy raised her ss, her tone sly and her intent transparent. “Farris, since it''s your eightieth birthday, why not make it an asion to double the joy? I know you''ve always dreamed of holding a great-grandchild in your arms..."
The words had barely left her mouth before Farris ced his wine ss on the table with a sharp, deliberate clink.
His steely gaze cut through the air as he addressed her. "Have you forgotten my stance on this?"
Tracy froze, momentarily stunned. "I-I didn''t mean anything by it, I just thought=" "Did you think I''ve be so feeble that I need others to make decisions for me?"
Farris'' tone was ice-edged, his authority palpable.
"No! That''s not what I meant at all, Farris," Tracy stammered, her words tumbling over each other in a desperate attempt to backpedal. But the more she spoke, the more tangled her exnation became.
Sensing the mounting tension, Bruce''s father, Mird Ashton, cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation in a calmer direction. "Dad, Tracy only said that because she wants you to be happy."
"If she truly cared about my happiness," Farris countered coldly, "she''d stop trying to manipte things for her own benefit. I am perfectly capable of making my own. choices, thank you." Farris'' eyes lingered on Tracy for a moment longer, his gaze a heavy weight she couldn''t seem to escape.
His message was clear.
He knew Tracy was using this asion to pressure him into acknowledging Leah as his future granddaughter-inw.
Yet he disapproved-not only did Leah''s characterck resilience, but her recent online scandal threatened to tarnish the Ashton family''s reputation.
Moreover, Bruce had just ended his rtionship with Corrine. An immediate engagement to Leah would only fuel malicious rumors about the family.
The dining table remained shrouded in a heavy atmosphere until the guests began toasting Farris, gradually dissipating the tension.
After settling back into her seat, Rita cast a calcted nce toward Corrine. "Grandpa," she said smoothly, "Leah has prepared a heartfelt gift for you. Why don''t you show it to everyer?”