The Jilted Heiress' Return To The High Life

Chapter 79 Ten Times

Karina stopped halfway up the stairs, her gaze sharp as she turned to face Leah below. "Have you really never meddled in someone else's relationship? Never gone after another woman's fiancé? I'm just stating facts. How is that humiliating you?" Her tone was as cool as her measured steps.

"You..." Leah's chest rose and fell rapidly, her finger trembling as she pointed at Karina, her anger choking her words.

At that moment, the door swung open, and Bruce strode in, his presence commanding the room. "What's taking so long to decide?" His voice carried a hint of impatience.

"Bruce, this woman is too much!" Rita's voice rang out, shrill and indignant. As if she'd found a lifeline, she rushed to his side, exaggerating Karina's words. "She insulted Leah! You've got to do something!"

Bruce frowned deeply, his eyes narrowing as they landed on Karina. "Why is it you again?" His tone was laced with irritation.

"Always a pleasure, Mr. Ashton," Karina replied, her lips curving into a taunting smile. The defiance in her gaze was unmistakable.

Leah's eyes flickered between Bruce and Karina, suspicion creeping into her voice. Suddenly, she recalled seeing this woman in Corrine's ward the other day. She was the former investor who had pulled her investment from Ashton Group.

Bruce took Leah's hand firmly. "Let's go look at another store." His tone left no room for argument.

"No!" Rita interjected, her voice rising. "Leah loves this dress, and it would look absolutely stunning on her! It'd be a shame to pass it up. Don't you want her to look beautiful as your fiancée?"

"Enough!" Bruce snapped, his gaze cutting sharply toward Rita. His patience was wearing thin, and his tone was edged with irritation.

Rita pouted, folding her arms as she muttered under her breath, "That dress is perfect for Leah. I wasn't wrong."

"It's fine," Leah said softly, squeezing Bruce's hand. Her tone was calm and soothing, though her eyes lingered wistfully on the dress in the display case. "It's just a dress. We can find something else, something better."

Despite her gentle words, the regret in her voice was clear, and Bruce felt a pang of guilt tighten in his chest.

He glanced at Leah, his expression softening as he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Standing on the spiral staircase, Karina tilted her head slightly, a mocking smirk playing on her lips. "How do you manage to keep up that flawless act?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm, her gaze piercing through the facade.

Leah's eyes flashed with bitterness for a split second, but she quickly masked it, leaning into Bruce with the air of a helpless victim. "Bruce..." Her voice quivered just enough to tug at heartstrings.

Bruce wrapped a protective arm around her, his jaw tightening as his dark gaze fixed on Karina. “Miss Brooks, if you're willing to sell me this dress, name your price. Whatever it is, I'll pay it." His tone was firm but laced with warning.

"It's a shame this dress caught your attention," Karina said coolly, striding toward the workbench. She picked up a pair of scissors, twirling them in her fingers with a deliberate air of finality.

Leah's breath hitched as realization struck. Her hand shot out to clutch Bruce's sleeve, her eyes wide with panic.

"Miss Brooks, what do you think you're doing?" Bruce moved swiftly, stepping in front of her, his tone sharp and commanding. "Just tell me what you want for it—I'll pay any amount!"

Rita scoffed, her arms crossed as she sneered. "You're just exploiting the fact that we like this dress to squeeze more money out of us. Stop the theatrics and name your price!"

Meanwhile, Corrine, who had been waiting in the office, felt an unsettling tension in the air. She stepped out, her heels clicking softly against the floor.noveldrama

As she approached, Bruce's and Rita's voices reached her ears.

"Miss Brooks," Bruce continued, his frustration barely contained. "If you agree to sell the dress, I'll match any number you say."

"Ten times," came a smooth, commanding voice from above.

All eyes snapped to Corrine as she descended the spiral staircase, her presence both graceful and unyielding.

Leah's face darkened in an instant, her nails digging into her palms as she glared at Corrine.

The hatred bubbling inside her threatened to spill over.

Rita, spotting Corrine, didn't bother to hide her disdain, her lips curling into a sneer. "Corrine, why is it always you?" Her tone was sharp, dripping with venom.