NovelEnglishThe Betrayed Heiress' Return to Elegance 226
Chapter 226 Could There Be
SMistake
Bruce's expression darkened like storm clouds gathering on the horizon as the call cto an abrupt end.
In the front seat, his assistant instinctively drew in a sharp breath, willing himself
becinvisible against the leather upholstery.
The atmosphere in the car grew heavier with each passing moment, a testament
to how Bruce hadn't shown a single trace of joy since Corrine's departure from the Ashton
family.
Misfortune seemed to shadow the Ashton family relentlessly these days, denying them
even a moment's respite.
Corrine's refusal to meet Bruce spoke volumes about the depths of her lingering
resentment.
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The assistant's eyes darted cautiously to his employer's reflection in the rearview mirror; he weighed his next
words carefully before venturing, "Mr. Ashton, perhaps we could intercept Miss Holland along her route home?"
"Do you know where she stays?" Bruce's piercing gaze cut through the air like a perfectly honed blade, causing
his assistant to shudder involuntarily.
"l... I don't know..." the assistant stammered, acutely aware of his limitations.
How could he possibly possess such resources and intelligence?
Since leaving Ashton Group, Corrine had vanished without a trace, leaving no
breadcrumbs to follow.
Bruce released a bone-weary sigh, his fingers moving to massage his throbbing temples. "Let's go to Ford
Group."
His mind raced with possibilities-Corrine must have connections there, explaining her ability to move freely and
share meals with Natasha.
As their vehicle crawled through traffic, Bruce's phone shattered the tense silence. The bank manager's name
flashed across the screen.
"Hello, Mr. Ashton."
"Yes, Mr. Wilde?" Bruce inquired with carefully measured humility. "Has our loan application been approved?"
The ensuing silence stretched like a rubber band about to snap, heavy with unspoken complications.
Allard Wilde cleared his throat before responding with diplomatic caution, "Mr. Ashton, after the higher-ups'
review, | regret to inform you that your submitted materials were not approved. Perhaps exploring other banking
options would be prudent?"
"Not approved?" Bruce's brows knitted together as his handsfeatures hardened
into marble. "Could there be smistake?"
His mind reeled at this unprecedented rejection-every previous loan application had sailed through Allard's bank
without a hitch.
"Mr. Ashton, | understand your frustration," Allard offered soothingly. "To be frank, my inquiries revealed this isn't
personal. Recent regulatory changes have tightened lending policies. Your company's scale and requested
amount were flagged as high-risk
investments."
Bruce's expression only grew stormier, his frown carving deeper lines into his forehead.
After what felt like an eternity, he responded with forced composure, "I understand. Thank you for your efforts
during this time."
The moment the call ended, his jaw clenched as he fought to contain his mounting fury.
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Something felt terribly wrong.
Their previously smooth sailing had hit an inexplicable roadblock. Could the Ford family be pulling strings behind
the scenes?
Yet if they truly sought revenge, surely their approach would have been more
severe.
Pushing aside these troubling thoughts, Bruce focused on his immediate priority: finding Corrine and attempting
to quell her anger.
As fate would have it, their arrival at Ford Group coincided with Corrine preparing
leave in a vehicle.
Without hesitation, Bruce lowered his window and called out, "Corrine!"
His voice caused her to pause momentarily.
Her eyes narrowed as she watched him hastily exit his car and stride toward her.
From within the vehicle, Nate observed Bruce's approach, his features darkening with barely concealed
displeasure.
"Wait for me," Corrine murmured, bending down to address Nate through the window.
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