Chapter 199 I Can''t Face Anyone Anymore


    Corrine stood a short distance away, her eyes carrying a cial edge and her lips curved in the barest suggestion of a smile. Though her expression remained neutral, the sight ignited Leah''s fury.


    "It''s you!" The usation tore from Leah''s throat as she lunged forward like a woman possessed, her hand


    raised to strike.


    Corrine, having anticipated the attack, caught Leah''s wrist in a swift motion. "Miss Burgess, mind your


    manners."


    Her radiant smile never wavered as her clear eyes danced with mockery, her voice carrying an edge of aggressive indifference.


    Recognition dawned across Leah''s features as understanding crashed over her.


    Corrine had orchestrated everything from the beginning, never intending mercy for either the Ashton family or Leah herself. Corrine''s n epassed not only the destruction of the Ashtons but herplete ruination.


    Hatred zed in Leah''s eyes as she red at her adversary, murderous thoughts racing through her mind.


    "You vile, scheming woman!" Sheunched herself forward again, fingers curved like ws aimed at Corrine''s


    face.


    The sharp crack of palm meeting flesh echoed through the room.


    Corrine''s strike caught Leah off-guard, snapping her head to the side. Before she could recover, Corrine seized her hair and delivered another stinging blow.


    "This p is for your insolence and repeated disrespect."


    The words had barely left her lips before she administered a third devastating strike. "This p is for ignoring


    my warnings time and again."


    Leah barely had time to register the burning pain before her knees buckled. She crumpled to the floor, her carefully styled hair now a tangled mess, her vision swimming from the blows.


    For a moment, she just sat there, pressing shaky hands to her swollen face, eyes wide with disbelief. "You-" her voice wavered, thick with humiliation. "How dare you hit me!"


    Corrine flexed her slightly numbed fingers and smiled as if amused by the question. "Why wouldn''t I?" she replied lightly.


    "You bitch! I''ll kill you!" Leah shrieked, scrambling to her feet. But in her haste, the hem of her gown caught on her heel. With a graceless stumble, she fell t on her face with a loud thud.


    Corrine tilted her head, looking down at Leah with an expression of pure disdain. "I heard you''re nning aeback in the entertainment industry," she mused. "Well, Miss Burgess, consider this your grand reintroduction to the public."


    Bruce emerged from the crowd, gathering Leah protectively in his arms. "Leah, are you okay?"


    "Bruce, I can''t face anyone anymore." Leah copsed against him, her sobs wracking her frame.


    The weight of judgment in the room was suffocating Around them, guests exchanged pointed looks, their murmurs thick with disdain.


    Human curiosity was a powerful thing-scandal even more so. And tonight, the media had been handed a golden story on a silver tter.


    Reporters swarmed, cameras shing as they zeroed in on the trio at the center of it all-the jilted fiancée, the unfaithful lover, and the shameless side piece.


    Corrine lowered her gaze, watching Bruce fuss over Leah, his touch gentle, his voice full of tenderness-the kind he had never once shown her. But now, it no longer hurt her.


    "Bruce, you promised marriage once thepany recovered, vowing lifelong love and devotion. For three years,


    we shared starlit nights and dreams, nned futures and debated life''s meanings. I believed we shared an


    unparalleled connection. Now I see myself as nothing but a fool in your maniption."


    A soft, bitterugh escaped her as she ducked her head, brushing away invisible


    tears. “If your hearty elsewhere, simple honesty would have sufficed. Why choose deception, leaving us both scarred by the


    aftermath?"