The Jilted Heiress' Return To The High Life

Chapter 196 Was This The

Promise You Made To Me

Corrine Holland was a name everyone recognized.

She had single-handedly rescued Ashton Group, setting it back on its successful path. In three years, her bold strategies had enabled Ashton Group to overcome numerous

obstacles, catapulting it to prominence in Lyhaton.

"Ah, so this is the famed Corrine Holland."

"Would Ashton Group even shine as brightly as it does now without her?"

"Rumor has it she and Mr. Bruce Ashton made quite the team, though I just saw him with Miss Burgess..."

"Made quite the team? It was just a story Ashton Group created to charm the public. They only cared about Corrine's abilities to help the company. Once they were stable, they discarded her."

"The wedding incident was a disaster. Bruce left her stranded right at the altar. What

a humiliation!"

"Unbelievable! I didn't think the Ashton family could be this ungrateful."

The term "ungrateful" began to echo around the banquet hall.

Corrine's capabilities and assertiveness earned her admiration from everyone around.

Yet, the compliments she received seemed to double as subtle stabs at Bruce's shortcomings.

Visible anger flushed Tracy's cheeks, and Farris was visibly struggling to remain composed.

Bruce's expression turned stone-cold as he watched Corrine command the stage with authority.

Despite knowing how much Corrine despised him, Bruce was adamant that he would

not let her jeopardize the Ashton family's reputation during their company's anniversary celebration.

He resolved to intervene, planning to escort her away from attention.

Just as he was about to step forward, a firm grip on his wrist halted him.

Stopping in his tracks, he turned to see Tracy at his side.

"Mom, what are you-

"I've made some arrangements already," Tracy interrupted, her eyes gleaming with determination as she observed Corrine on stage.

Over Corrine's three-year involvement with the Ashton family, Tracy came to recognize her assertive and independent'spirit. How could someone of Corrine's temperament

ever tolerate being manipulated?

Therefore, Tracy had crafted alternate strategies for dealing with Corrine..

At that moment, a voice from the crowd said, "I heard they hadn't even held a formal engagement party and there was no proposal of marriage. Without even the most basic ceremonies, how can she claim to be a fiancee? Also, rumors suggest Miss Holland disappeared just before her scheduled wedding, but the Ashton family hid this to protect her. They have been exceedingly generous!" The crowd's expressions morphed into uncertainty after hearing these remarks. Gradually, looks of disdain and judgment were cast toward Corrine. "She seems to misunderstand her position."

"I had believed she was a modest and honorable woman from a simple background. Turns out, she has brought disgrace."

“It appears that she was the first to disregard Bruce's good intentions."

Corrine remained silent on the stage, her tall, slim silhouette radiating a natural poise.

She locked her gaze on a shadowy figure within the crowd, her eyes flickering with barely contained intensity.

Few knew about the incident of her abduction.

It was a dark secret she had hoped to bury forever. Bruce had vowed that it would never surface.

Yet, Rita had mocked her with that knowledge, Tracy had used it as leverage, and now the Ashton family wielded it to shape public opinion.

The man she had once trusted had shown his true, unreliable colors.

She turned her eyes to Bruce, her gaze laden with sarcasm. "Was this the promise younoveldrama

made to me?"