?Chapter 1464:

    A hush fell over the room. The verdict was final—and damning. Those listening could not help but pity the Ashton family. After today, they might be exiled from Lyhaton’s elite circle entirely.

    In a quiet corner, Jonathan stood watching with a slow, amused smirk ying on his lips.

    Bleacher, who had been studying his expression from the side, finally gathered the courage to speak. “Sir, if you dislike Bruce that much, why not just crush him outright? Why…”

    His voice trailed off as he wondered why Jonathan went through all this trouble with the drugging. With Jonathan’s current influence in Lyhaton, destroying the Ashton family would be a walk in the park.

    Jonathan’s grin widened, touched with cruelty. “It’s called making an example,” he said coolly. “Do you understand now?”

    The moment he learned Bruce had abandoned Corrine for Leah, Jonathan had written him off as a fool. And now, upon discovering Corrine’s true identity, Bruce tried to crawl back to her. That level of shamelessness was almost impressive.

    Bruce was nothing if not despicable. Jonathan had no intention of facing him head-on. He preferred to pull strings from the shadows—twisting the knife until Bruce bled out in silence.

    The drug he had used was expensive—colorless, tasteless, designed to send emotions spiraling. One drop could drive a man to fury. But wasting it on Bruce? Not in the slightest.

    Jonathan casually rubbed his knuckles, his voice soaked in sarcasm. “A man like him… and he thinks he can just walk back into Corrine’s life?”

    Corrine had misjudged Bruce once. But even in her worst moments, he had never truly been worthy of her.

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    The Ashton family had only just begun to taste prestige in Lyhaton. After today, that taste might be theirst.

    Two hourster, Bruce finally received the news.

    He was half-asleep, sprawled across his bed, when the door mmed open with a thunderous bang.

    Farris stormed in, cane in hand, and struck him with a sudden p that echoed through the room. “You fool!” he roared. “What kind of reckless nonsense have you stirred up out there?”

    The blow caught Brucepletely off guard. He sat up, dazed, holding his cheek in stunned silence.

    Tracy rushed over, her eyes flickering with worry as she looked at the red mark blooming on her son’s face. “Bruce, what happened? What have you done?”

    Mird hovered nearby, his face drawn with concern. “Just an hour ago, every single business partner dropped us. They are terminating contracts left and right—even breaching signed agreements. You were at the bidding event. What in the world did you do there?”

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