NovelApexChapter 1708:
Corrine returned the smile and quickened her pace. “What inspired the sudden lunch invitation?”
“Not here,” Rachel said, slipping her arm through Corrine’s as they walked inside. “Let's talk inside.”
Once seated in the quiet of a private dining room, Rachel hesitated briefly before reaching into her bag and
producing a slim envelope. Her voice was careful, almost fragile. “Corrine... did you have this villa transferred
under my name?”
Corrine calmly lifted the glass of lemon water by her side, took a small sip, and then gave a slight nod. “Yes. Is
something wrong?”
Rachel took a breath, as if weighing her words. “I know you've always looked out for me... but I had someone
look into the property. It’s worth one hundred and eighty million. That's... too much, Corrine.”
Rachel had never regretted marrying into the Ford family. If anything, she felt she had fulfilled a lifelong dream—
and beyond that, she was deeply moved by how sincerely they had embraced her.
“Too much?” Corrine’s tone was almost amused. “Rachel, the Ford family might not have the historic prestige of
the Astleys, but they're not short on resources. To the Fords, a house like that is no more than a gesture. You've
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtmarried into a distant family—don’t you think you deserve something that offers you stability? Think of it as me
giving you a bit of armor.”
Rachel didn’t know what to say. For a moment, she could only stare at Corrine in quiet awe.
The more tshe spent with her, the more she cto understand the warmth hidden behind that composed,
cool facade.
And she couldn't shake the feeling that she hadn't done nearly enough in return.
Corrine watched as unexpected tears slipped down Rachel's cheeks, momentarily caught off guard by the
rawness of it. A quiet chill flickered in her gaze. “Did Jules do something to you?”
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Rachel gave a faint shake of her head, teeth softly pressing into her bottom lip.
“Then why are you crying?” Corrine asked, genuinely puzzled, as she reached out and handed her a tissue.
Though she was a woman herself, she had never developed a tolerance for the sight of another woman crying.
It wasn’t that she found it irritating, nor did she feel sdeep surge of empathy. She simply couldn't stand the
sight.
The Astley family was built on
steel-spined principles. As Michael
often put it, “The Astley family
) Q I)
doesn’t r ise eye Gad br fosers.”
pre) the moment Rachel
cof age, she was funneled into a
rigorous regime—trained to be sharp,
polished, and unshakably composed.
She was no longer the delicate,
pampered lady she once was. The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
She had trained herself not to cry. In
her world, tears werent com
cproriqion et 3 liability, a
bréach in one’s armor. The content is
on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
And yet, inexplicably, again and again, she found herself breaking down in front of the Ford family.
“| just didn't expect you to be this kind
to me,” Rachel murmured, accepting
the tissue and care lly-glabbing at
jo comets “It might
sound silly, but even though the
Astleys have money, this is... the
most expensive gift I've ever
received.” The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
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