RedNovelChapter 81
Chapter 81 Fainting
Corrine's steps faltered for a fraction of a second, but she neither turned to face him nor gave any
acknowledgment to his words.
Bruce's comment, however, caught Karina's attention. Her brows lifted in curiosity. "Didn't you sever all ties with
the Ashton family? And back then, they barely tolerated you. Why the sudden invitation to Farris' birthday
party?"
When Corrine had concealed her identity and followed Bruce back to the Ashton family, not a single member had
shown her kindness. Behind closed doors, they ridiculed her and barred her from public appearances, deeming it
unseemly for a young woman to be in the spotlight. The truth was, they feared that Corrine, with her humble
origins, would embarrass them and tarnish the Ashton name.
Corrine's tone was calm, her words measured. "Farris gavesomething years ago. Once | return it, any ties we
have will be completely severed."
Karina sighed softly, her gaze distant as though recalling a memory. "Farris had such sharp instincts back then.
It's a shhis family don't share his wisdom." She shook her head slightly. "But | can't help feeling uneasy-
what if those ingrates try to cause trouble during the party?"
Corrine glanced at her from the corner of her eye, her voice light yet unyielding. "That's their decision. As long as
they're not afraid of ruining the party
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themselves."
Leaving the stubehind, Corrine returned to the company.
She dove straight into a two-hour meeting about the land in the southern district, focusing intently on every
detail. Afterward, she retreated to her office, burying herself
in more work.
The hours passed quickly, and by the tshe lifted her head, the golden hues of the setting sun bathed her
office.
Natasha entered quietly, standing at attention with her usual professionalism. "Miss
Holland, Jackie mentioned he has something urgent to discuss with you."
Corrine frowned, though not from annoyance at Jackie's timing. A sudden, sharp pain
radiated through her abdomen, causing her to tense.
She drew in a steadying breath, pressing her palm against her stomach to brace against the discomfort. Her
voice remained even. "If it isn't urgent, tell him he doesn't need to meet with me."
Natasha nodded briskly and exited the office.
The moment the door clicked shut, Corrine hunched over her desk, her breathing shallow as the pain intensified.
Her other hand balled into a tight fist, nails digging into her palm.
After what felt like an eternity, the pain began to ebb.
Slowly, she straightened and exhaled a shaky breath. She poured herself a cup of warm water and brought it to
her lips, the gentle heat soothing her slightly with each slow sip.
Initially, Corrine dismissed it as her usual stomachache, thinking that swarm water and a little rest would
ease the discomfort. By the end of the day, however, the pain struck with renewed intensity, sharper and more
insistent, making her question whether it was something far worse.
Her phone buzzed on the desk just as she doubled over, her teeth clenched tightly against the agony.
She forced herself to reach for it, but another searing wave of pain crashed through her, like a blade twisting
deep in her abdomen.
A sharp gasp escaped her as her knees gave out, sending her crumpling to the floor. The phone slipped from her
hand, clattering loudly against the hard floor.
"Corrine..." Nate's voice filtered through the phone, cool yet laced with an undeniable warmth, his familiar tone
softening the sharp chill that seemed to fill the room.
Curled up on the floor, Corrine pressed both hands to her stomach, her body trembling as she fought against the
onslaught of pain.
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With a shaky breath, she tried to steady herself enough to respond. "N-Nate..." Her voice cracked under the
weight of the pain.
She didn't know if he heard her before the call abruptly ended, the line cutting off like a lifeline slipping through
her fingers.
Desperately, she attempted to dial for emergency help, but her hands quivered uncontrollably, her grip faltering
as the pain blurred the edges of her consciousness.
Through the haze, she vaguely registered the sound of the door being flung open.
my
Natasha's frantic voice broke through the fog as she dropped to her knees beside her. "Miss Holland... Corrine!"
Corrine forced her eyes open, catching a fleeting glimpse of Natasha's panicked face. A weak smile tugged at her
lips as she tried to reassure her. "I'm... fine...”
The words barely escaped her lips before her vision went black, and she sank into
oblivion.
"Corrine!" The voice calling her nwas steady but carried a faint tremor, familiar enough to pull at her fading
awareness.
Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, she thought she must have been dreaming of Nate. How else could she
hear his voice so clearly? How else could she feel his arms gathering her up, strong and steady, as though
anchoring her to reality?
The faint scent of cool earth clung to him, grounding her even as the darkness threatened to swallow her whole.
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