Chapter 49:

Bruce stood frozen, watching her figure retreat, his hands balled into fists at his sides, his body trembling from the strain. His heart plunged, as though something irreplaceable had slipped through his grasp.

As the news of Corrine’s sudden resignation spread, chaos rippled through the halls. Some whispered with delight, while others murmured in concern about the company’s future.

But Corrine, the very center of it all, felt nothing. Once she had made the decision to sever her ties with Bruce, the fate of Ashton Group held no sway over her.

Inside her office, she moved with sharp efficiency, packing up her things. Just then, the door creaked open, and Bruce stepped inside.

“Corrine, can we talk?”

“There’s nothing left to say.” Corrine’s voice was icy, devoid of warmth, her tone clipped and businesslike.

“Take a good look. I don’t want any of these things, so don’t even think of using them as an excuse later.”

Among the items she was discarding was one of the few photographs of them together. In the image, Bruce wore a beaming smile, while Corrine’s gaze was filled with warmth and affection for him.

It was taken the day they received their first investment—Bruce had eagerly dragged her into the frame, and she had cherished it ever since. But now, she tossed it aside as if it held no more value than an old receipt.

Her grand departure was not a bluff. It was a firm declaration that, from this moment on, she was cutting all ties with him.

“I hope Ashton Group thrives.” Her voice was steady, almost emotionless, as she left those final words hanging in the air before turning to leave.

As she passed by him, Bruce’s hand shot out, seizing her wrist with a desperate grip. His voice, hoarse and raw, barely escaped his lips.

“Corrine, please don’t leave.”

“Should I stick around to watch you and Leah make my skin crawl?” Corrine scoffed, her eyes narrowing as she fixed her gaze on Bruce.

“The fact that I haven’t thrown up just from looking at your face is the most respect I can offer you.”

“Bruce,” Leah’s voice echoed from outside.

“Look, your true love is here,” Corrine said, her lips curling into a mocking smile as she locked eyes with him.

“Are you really sure you don’t want to—”

Without hesitation, Bruce let go of her hand.

Corrine’s lips twisted into a sarcastic grin as she turned on her heel, striding out without a second thought.

The moment Bruce had abandoned her at the wedding, Corrine had realized that no matter how hard she tried, she could never take Leah’s place in his heart.

At that moment, her heart had shattered.

But some pain only needed to be felt once. There was no need to keep reopening old wounds because of Bruce’s mistakes.

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