Chapter 299 She Had Underestimated Corrine


    Matias wavered, noting Karina''s difort, before offering with careful distance. "Miss Brooks, shall I arrange transportation for you?"


    “Don''t bother,” Karina dered, sliding her sunsses into ce and hoisting her bag with practiced indifference before marching away with exaggerated confidence.


    Matias stood there, stung by the rebuff, his brow furrowing in contemtion of women''s inscrutability.


    As Nate and Corrine prepared to get in the car, Matias hastened to join them.


    Bruce, supporting Leah as they emerged from Modern Square, found his gaze drawn to Corrine nestled naturally in Nate''s protective embrace.


    The sight challenged everything he thought he knew about her. In his mind, Corrine had always been winter incarnate, holding the world at arm''s length. Yet here she was, dismantling his certainties one by one.


    Her warmth existed-it simply belonged to another man, while Bruce received only the chill of her indifference.


    Memories surfaced unbidden: Corrine''s desperate pursuit of marriage, followed by her swift progression into a new romance after their split.


    She disyed her affection to another man openly, showing neither the wounds of heartbreak nor the weight of guilt when she was in front of him. Bruce questioned the depth of feelings that could transition so seamlessly.


    Though love had never stirred in his heart for Corrine, something in him rebelled at how quickly she had found sce in another''s arms, how freely she offered her tenderness and submission.


    In some corner of his mind, he had imed ownership of that gentleness.


    His frown deepened as his grip on Leah''s waist unconsciously tightened.


    Leah''s sharp intake of breath drew her gaze upward, where she caught Bruce''s distant


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    stare fixed on Corrine''s departing figure.


    She lowered her eyes, concealing their cial glint as


    glint as she realized she had


    underestimated her rival.


    Even with another man in her life, Corrine still wielded power over Bruce.


    Rita suddenly burst into their line of sight, her tear-stained cheeks flushed and swollen. "Bruce, you must defend our honor this time."


    Bruce''s attention snapped back, his nce carrying traces of contempt at her disheveled state-makeup smeared, ck trails of eyeliner mapping her tears.


    "I warned you against provoking her," he reprimanded sharply.


    "That maniptive witch yed us for fools, plotting against Leah and me, forcing us into such degradation." Rita''s voice rose with each word, fury and humiliation feeding each other. "I don''t care what it takes-you must make her pay!"


    Bruce''s features hardened to stone. "Enough! We''re leaving. Now."


    The dust had barely settled on recent upheavals, and his priorityy in regaining Cn''s favor and securing new ventures. Revenge against Corrine held no ce in his agenda.


    Moreover, witnessing her easy familiarity with Jayden''s circle at Maple Grove Vi had taught him caution.


    Leah observed Bruce''s reluctance to challenge Corrine. Though the reason eluded her, Ennis'' deferential behavior at Modern Square spoke volumes.


    "Bruce, I should shoulder the me for today," Leah offered, meeting his eyes with carefully crafted remorse. "I failed to protect Rita. I''m so sorry."


    This strategic retreat never failed to move Bruce''s heart.


    True to form, the sight of Leah''s contrition and distress pierced him deeply. "None of this falls on you, Leah."


    Leah, knowing the critical importance of securing Bruce''s sympathy and


    forgiveness at this moment, manufactured a gentle smile.


    "Rita needs medical attention. Let''s tend to her wounds first."


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