Chapter 1669:
Chelsea, looking slightly tense, hesitated for a moment. She was still Callie’s aunt. The whole situation weighed heavily on her.
She finally looked at Corrine, her voice soft. “Corrine, I’m sorry about what happened today.”
Corrine glanced at her calmly. “Aunt Chelsea, you’re not the one who owes me an apology.”
The words were gentle, but firm—drawing a clear line. Chelsea wasn’t to blame, and Corrine wouldn’t hold it against her.
“Don’t take it to heart. Corrine knows what’s right,” Jayden said, giving Chelsea’s hand a comforting pat.
Chelsea felt a warmth rise in her chest at their kindness.
She blinked a few times, pushing back the gratitude, and held his hand tightly in return.
After a brief pause, she composed herself, her poise returning.
“Corrine, we’re planning to host another wedding reception in Nelting—Rachel’s hometown—this weekend. Would you like to come?”
The text has been adjusted for clarity and flow while maintaining the original meaning.
Corrine’s eyes briefly scanned Nate’s message when Chelsea’s voice broke through her concentration. Glancing up, she replied simply, “Okay, I’ll go.”
The Ford family stood several rungs below the Astley family on the social ladder. Rachel had married into the Ford family, partly because the Astleys approved of Jules, but in Corrine’s mind, it was Rachel’s sheer determination that had sealed the match.
Corrine understood that Rachel had already faced numerous hardships by joining the Ford family. Despite their private thoughts, the Fords owed Rachel kindness and respect. As a member of the Ford family, Corrine felt obligated to attend. She refused to give the Astley family any ammunition for criticism.
𝓐𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓬𝓴 𝓼𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓬𝓮 𝓪𝓽 𝗀ⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝗲𝗅𝗌﹒𝗰𝗼𝗺
Chelsea’s face brightened at Corrine’s words, a satisfied smile spreading across her features. People naturally gravitated toward their favorites. Despite appearances, Chelsea harbored a deeper affection for Callie, who was related to her by blood, than for Corrine. Yet Callie’s recent actions had genuinely disappointed her.
The Hoffman family’s indifference during Jayden’s crisis had been troubling enough, but Callie’s callous words alone had planted seeds of disappointment deep within Chelsea. In the past, Chelsea’s kindness toward Corrine had stemmed partly from pity and partly from following Jayden’s and Jules’ examples. Those small gestures might have seemed insignificant, especially with the Ford family’s substantial support behind Corrine, making her goodwill almost superfluous. Nevertheless, these seemingly trivial acts of compassion had etched themselves into Corrine’s memory.
Regrettably, her niece Callie failed to comprehend even a fraction of Corrine’s gratitude, choosing instead to make endless demands without a hint of appreciation.
“We originally planned to depart Friday evening,” Chelsea explained. “But ultimately, we’ll defer to your grandfather’s wishes.”
Carl, after all, now presided as the head of the Ford family, and his senior position commanded respect—both out of sentiment and practicality. Corrine nodded. “Just let me know when you decide on the time.” Chelsea nodded in agreement.
At that moment, a staff member handed Jayden a folder. “Sir, this is the list of gifts we received today, along with the guest list. Please take a look.”
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