Chapter 228 Sacrificing My Dignity For Your Comfort


    Bruce lowered his gaze, his voice barely a whisper. "I''m sorry..."


    The words had barely left his lips when Corrine''s hand struck his cheek with a resounding crack.


    "Your apologies mean nothing!" Corrine''s voice trembled with years of pent-up fury, "I devoted three years of my life to the Ashton family, and this is how you repay me?"


    Her eyes zed with unbridled anger. "Now that scandal threatens your precious reputation, you sacrifice me as your scapegoat, leaking my personal information to the vultures. Have you forgotten your roots? The Ashton family''s rise to prominence in Lyhaton rests on my shoulders. Your current glory? That was my doing-Corrine Hond''s legacy. What would you be without me?"


    Bruce''s jaw clenched at her usations, his words emerging through gritted teeth. "I''m


    sorry..."


    "Silence!" Corrine''s hand whipped through the air again,nding another stinging blow.


    Bruce''s head snapped to the side, a crimson handprint blooming on his cheek, yet he


    remained motionless.


    "Let me remind you-l never sought the Ashton family''s wealth or the empty title of Mrs. Ashton. Yet you persist in tormenting me. Now you stoop to framing me, hiding behind Rita''s supposed naivety. Tell me, Bruce, why does Rita Ashton still act like a child well into her twenties? Is that why you so confidently use her age as a shield?"


    A shadow crossed Bruce''s features as he caught her implication, darkness seeping into his gaze.


    "This falls on the Ashton family, Corrine. I''ll make whatever amends I can. Show some mercy-don''t hold this against Rita. If this esctes, we''ll both face public humiliation. Surely you see that?"


    A bitterugh escaped Corrine''s lips. "Ah, so when sweet words fail, you resort to threats?"


    "That''s not what I meant..." Bruce" "st withered under her fierce interruption.


    "Then enlighten me." Corrine''s voice cut like steel. "Should I be appeased by a bank card? Or perhaps I should graciously forgive these despicable actions because you muttered an apology? Was this entire online charade orchestrated to force me into submission, to bend to the Ashton family''s whims?"


    Bruce stared at the formidable woman before him, his patience evaporating. "Corrine, for once, listen reasonably. Why can''t you show understanding like Leah?"


    "Understanding? You mean sacrificing my dignity for yourfort?" Contempt dripped from her words. "I''m not that person, Bruce. I''ve never let an insult go unanswered. Yes, I helped elevate the Ashton family, giving you the audacity to test my limits repeatedly. But that ends now. Watch closely as I dedicate myself to returning the Ashton family to myself to returning the Ashton family to


    their humble beginnings."


    Her words hammered against Bruce''s conscious dting with turbulent emotions as he regarded her.


    like


    ps, his pupils


    Corrine, unmoved, tucked her phone into her handbag and tura toward her car.


    At thest moment, she paused, as if struck by a thought.


    She half-turned, her voice carrying an ominous chill. "Bruce, have you ever visited


    Forestvale?"