Chapter 224 Gossip In The


    Office


    "Bruce, the Ashton family has fought tooth and nail to rise from the ashes." Farris voice carried the weight of years. "The Burgess family''s fate should serve as our warning. You know what needs to be done."


    He understood Bruce''s fierce pride, his grandson''s unwavering arrogance.


    Yet what were thosepared to the Ashton family''s survival?


    If Corrine indeed had connections to the Ford family, no sacrifice would be too great to ensure their protection.


    Bruce absorbed his grandfather''s unspoken message.


    "I understand, Grandpa," he said, offering a slight bow. "Please don''t burden yourself with worry."


    Without another nce, he strode toward the door.


    As he stepped into the hallway, he encountered Tracy, who had been hovering by the


    entrance.


    Meeting Bruce''s piercing gaze, she showed no shame at being caught


    eavesdropping, only raw anxiety. "Bruce, tell me truthfully. Has Rita crossed a line this time?"


    A bitterugh escaped Bruce''s lips. "Isn''t it ratherte for that realization, Mom?" Tracy stood paralyzed, her pupils contracting as if struck by lightning.


    Despite his simmering anger, Bruce softened slightly before his mother. He drew a measured breath, his face remaining impassive. "I''ll handle this situation. If you truly care, keep Rita in check."


    Tracy watched his retreating form, her eyes swimming with confusion and dread.


    Meanwhile, the online scandal had set tongues wagging throughout thepany.


    In


    the restroom, several employees huddled together, trading whispers.


    "Could those photos really be of Miss Hond?”


    "Didn''t the chairman im she''d been studying abroad all this time? Was that just


    cover story?"


    "Well, what parent would broadcast their child''s mistakes? Of course they''d try to hide


    it."


    "Who would have guessed? She acts so untouchable, like some distant star, but behind closed doors... who knows how many men she''s been with?"


    Thestment dissolved into maliciousughter, cut short by a thunderous bang as a stall door flew open.


    Natasha emerged, her face carved from ice, her razor-sharp gaze cutting through the


    three women gathered at the sink. "Care to repeat that?"


    The gossips exchanged nervous nces, wondering how they''d missed another


    presence.


    Everyone knew Natasha''s reputation-Corrine''s devoted shadow, following her everymand without question.


    "Miss Dixon..." The woman in pink forced a smile. "What brings you here?"


    Natasha had onlye down because of maintenance on the top floor''s facilities.


    To her surprise, she''d stumbled upon this nest of vipers.


    She knew the whispers that followed her through the halls-how they called her Corrine''s faithful dog, blindly devoted.


    And they weren''t wrong. In Natasha''s heart, Corrinemanded the same reverence


    as Jolene.


    She would never tolerate a single word against either of them.


    Her gaze settled on the woman in the revealing skirt. "Dressed like that?"


    Natasha''s


    words dripped with venom. "Those who know you understand you work here. Others might mistake you for something else entirely... like a prostitute."


    "Who are you calling a prostitute?" The woman in the tight skirt forgot the broken lipstick in her hand, ready tounch herself at Natasha with fury in her eyes.