Chapter 297 The Art Of


    Victimhood


    Hearing Bruce''s voice, Corrine''s eyes narrowed to slits before her lips curved into a predatory smile. "ying the gant hero again, I see."


    She pivoted to face Bruce, meeting his contemptuous stare.


    His eyes pierced through her with the kind of judgment reserved for storybook viins tormenting innocent maidens.


    "What drives you to such cruelty, Corrine?" Bruce''s voice cut through the tension like ice. "What grievance could possibly justify this endless torment of Rita and Leah?"


    He had abandoned everything at the first ping of Leah''s desperate message, only to witness the horrifying live stream his assistant had forwarded during his rush here- Corrine forcing Rita and Leah to their knees,pelling them to mimic dogs.


    Such calcted malevolence could only spring from Corrine''s mind.


    Understanding dawned in Corrine''s eyes as they flickered between the newly arrived Bruce and the tearful Leah huddled on the floor. Corrine''s smile took on an arctic quality.


    Of course Leah had been stalling-she''d been waiting for her champion to arrive.


    Brushing invisible specks from her clothing with deliberate casualness, Corrine remarked, "They orchestrated their own downfall. I merely yed the hand they dealt.''


    "You''re spewing lies," Rita spat, emboldened by Bruce''s presence. "You orchestrated this whole trap, you monster. You forced us to kneel and brought those dogs to terrorize me into barking."


    A dangerous glimmer danced in Corrine''s eyes. "Miss Ashton, you''ve not only mastered canine impersonation but also perfected the art of victimhood."


    Before Rita could protest, Corrine pressed on, "Let''s not forget who initiated this


    unfortunate chain of events."


    The world was quick to condemn her ruthlessness, yet conveniently forgot she hadn''t struck first.


    The instigators, having failed in their schemes and fallen prey to her counterattack, had sessfully painted her as the viin.


    Bruce''s forehead creased deeply at her words.


    "Bruce..." Leah melted into his embrace, her tear-stained face the picture of vulnerability, expertly plucking at his protective instincts.


    Bruce cradled her as if she were spun from ss. "You''re safe now. I''m here."


    As she watched their tender exchange, bitter irony welled up in Corrine''s chest. Her voice turned cial. "Miss Burgess, since you''re so fond of invoking our history, let''s conclude our final wager here."


    She turned to address Ennis. "Have the outfit delivered to my apartment."


    With that promation, she collected her belongings and departed alongside Karina.


    The crowd parted like water before them as they strode out together, though Corrine''smanding presence rendered Karina nearly invisible beside her.


    Today''s drama had shattered their preconceptions. Curiosity zed through the gathered


    spectators.


    Who was this woman whomanded such deference from three senior executives of


    the mall?


    Their intrigue mingled with a tinge of disappointment. They had anticipated witnessing the Burgess and Ashton daughters perform a pole dance, but the bet''s dissolution had denied them that spectacle.


    Karina exhaled wistfully. "We came so close to destroy that maniptive woman''s reputationpletely."


    it


    Corrine let out a low chuckle, "Even if we had gone through with all the wagers, wouldn''t havepletely crushed the Burgess and Ashton families. The Ashtons aren''t as weak as they once were. Besides, letting her off the hook now might make us appear... gracious."


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