Chapter 235 What Value Do You ce On Rita''s Future


    The phone was eerily silent, expanding the difort that Mird and Tracy felt as they waited for a response. The moments dragged on, each second intensifying their


    unease.


    Finally, Corrine broke the silence with a question that cut to the heart of the matter and asked, "What value do you ce on Rita''s future?"


    Relieved by her engagement, Mird and Tracy managed a faint smile between them.


    "We think it might be best to discuss the details face-to-face. Would you be open to meeting?" Mird said, suggesting a


    onal encounter to navigate the sensitive


    discussion.


    Despite recognizing the gravity of their situation, Mird and Tracy harbored a quiet hope that their past rtionship with Corrine might lead to some kindness on her part.


    Aware of the Ashton family''s propensity for maniption, Corrine braced herself for their likely emotional appeals,


    "If arranging a meeting is necessary, perhaps we should end our discussion here," Corrine responded.


    "Please, don''t hang up," Mird interjected quickly, sensing Corrine might be about to cut the connection. "We have ten million ready topensate you. Would that resolve the issue, Miss Hond?"


    In reality, no funds were prepared; this was merely a ploy to see how Corrine would


    react and to stall for time.


    "Mr. Ashton, do you really think I''m after your ten million?" Corrine asked, her tone cold. "You might want to save that for a decentwyer for your daughter instead.”


    She was about to disconnect the call.


    Mird urgently replied, "Miss Hond, surely we can still negotiate."


    Corrine hesitated, and then returned the phone to her ear, prompted by his desperation.


    "Please, just tell us what you''re looking for,” added Mird.


    "Let''s start with five percent of the Ashton Group''s market value," Corrine said smoothly, "and the Ashton family''snd in the southernmercial district."


    As Mird and Tracy processed her words, their faces were etched with shock.


    Given Ashton Group''s current market value of 1.3 billion, five percent was a staggering


    amount.


    Thend in the southernmercial district was itself valued at fifty million.


    In total, Corrine''s demands amounted to a sum well into the hundreds of millions.


    It was as if Corrine was extorting them.


    "Corrine, this is exploitation," Tracy said, snatching the phone. "You must be dreaming if you think we''ll just roll over and let you take advantage of us!"


    “This request is steep, so I I''ll see you in court," Corrine retorted and promptly ended the call.


    gues


    Mird stared at the phone as it beeped off, his face hardening.


    Ovee with anger, Tracy eximed, "That Corrine is ruthless! Does she have no fear of karma for making such exorbitant demands during our crisis?"


    She waspletely opposed to surrendering such a massive amount to Corrine without any return.


    After a tense pause, Mird set his jaw and replied, "I need to check if we can liquidate enough assets."


    The decision about thend in the southern district would ultimately rest with Bruce,


    as he was now steering Ashton Group.


    Tracy''s eyes widened in rm. "Are you seriously considering meeting her demands?"


    The amount was not trivial. Even if they managed to raise it, it could debilitate the Ashton family''s financial health.


    Mird''s expression had darkened ever since Corrine hung up. Tracy''s anxious query only deepened his frown. "What other choice do we have? If you know another way to


    save Rita, I''m all ears."