The Jilted Heiress' Return To The High Life

Chapter 13

The Betrayed Heiress' Return to Elegance 13

Chapter 13 Pursuing You Is My Choice Alone

Corrine found herself speechless, memories washing over her.

She had spent by Bruce's side for three years, pouring her heart into supporting him through every challenge.

She had helped rescue Ashton Group from near- bankruptcy, watching with pride as he ascended to becone

of Lyhaton's most coveted young elites

She had believed, with every fiber of her being, that no one understood Bruce better than she did. Yet all of that

devotion had earned her nothing but his swift betrayal.

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"External appearances often mislead us." Nate's rich voice flowed through the silence. "What meets the eye

rarely tells the whole story, but intuition-that inner knowing-often guides us true. That's why | trust mine."

A soft laugh escaped Corrine's lips. "| appreciate the wisdom of seeing with the heart rather than the eyes, but

shouldn't we begin with the fundamentals? Understanding someone's daily habits, their preferences, the small

things that make them who they are?"

Nate's expression softened into a gentle smile that held both compromise and resignation. "We each see the

world through our own lens. | don't expect you to share my perspective. | simply want you to understand that

pursuing you is my choice alone. You needn't feel burdened by it."

Corrine released a weary sigh. “Mr. Hopkins, I'm sorry, but I'm not open to romantic possibilities right now."

"Miss Holland, letemphasize two points," Nate responded. "First, pursuing you is my decision. Second, my

intentions are pure, and | don't expect immediate enthusiasm from you. There's no need for apologies or feeling

encumbered by my choice."

Before Corrine could protest further, he turned and strode away, his tall frmoving with quiet confidence.

Corrine watched his retreating figure, caught between amusement and frustration.

Had Nate proclaimed love at first sight or leveraged his past kindness, she could have rejected him decisively.

Instead, his disarming honesty and transparency left her strangely vulnerable.

After all, she was only human-how could she remain completely unmoved?

Later, as hunger gnawed at her, Karina appeared bearing Corrine's favorite cupcakes. "Sweetie, have something

to eat

After setting down the treats, Karina settled onto the sofa, her gaze falling on a men's suit jacket nearby. Her lips

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curled with disgust, contempt blazing in her eyes. “You claimed you were leaving everything behind. Why cling

to his old clothes? Are you considering returning to him?"

"That's not Bruce's," Corrine murmured, glancing at the jacket Karina held with such disdain. Thoughts of her

perplexing new acquaintance drew a soft sigh from her lips. "It belongs to the man who tookto the hospital

yesterday."

Karina's eyebrow arched with interest, her eyes sparkling with newfound curiosity. "You're hiding something

from me."

"What could there possibly be to hide?" Corrine's gaze flickered downward as she spoke softly. "It was just a

chance encounter, nothing more."

"If it was truly so simple, why do you seem so flustered?" Karina's lips curved into

a knowing smile. "Cnow, honesty between friends is always best."