Chapter 3 Our Next Meeting Will Be Your Undoing

Brinley's reaction was explosive upon realizing the manipulation; her rage emerged. "What conditions? You want something from me? Speak up."

She suspected Corinna of trying to squeeze money from her, seeing her as a desperate woman clinging to the remnants of her status while her family's fortunes dwindled.

To Brinley, Corinna had nothing left to lose and everything to grip onto.

Her eyes never left Corinna's hand, half-expecting her to falter in her resolve.

"Listen carefully..."

With a faint smile, Corinna let something slip from her grasp. Instantly, flames erupted, spreading swiftly across the floor towards Brinley.

The fire ring trapped Brinley, cutting off any escape.

"You caused Daniela's death and my father's," Corinna said, her voice thick with vengeance. "Now, you will pay with your life."

Fury distorted Corinna's features. She had meticulously set this deadly trap for Brinley.

For Brinley, the title of Mrs. Roberts was her most desired prize. She could have her wish fulfilled in hell then.

Brinley gasped for air as smoke filled her lungs, instilling a deep sense of dread.

Outside, the smell she had detected had not been merely decaying wood-there was also gasoline!

Corinna had set a fiery trap for her!

The smoke grew thicker, stinging Corinna's eyes, yet she unflinchingly watched Brinley, trapped within the fiery circle.

As Brinley tried to break free, Corinna clasped her wrist tightly, her grin growing wider as she envisioned their impending doom.

"Soon, I'll see you, Dad and Daniela," Corinna silently vowed.

Gasping for air, Brinley struggled, and in a moment of desperation, she exclaimed, "Corinna, release me! I must tell you something critical about Larry... He is your son, not mine."

This staggered Corinna, and although flames began to catch on her sleeve, she remained seemingly unaware.

"What did you just say?"

"Years ago, I swapped him with a stillborn. Look for the birthmark on his lower back-it's the same as your daughter's."

Corinna's body shook with the wickedness of the revelation. A malicious glint appeared in Brinley's eyes as she mocked, "Indeed, Corinna, it was your beloved son who set the blaze that took your daughter and your father. Hahaha..."

No, this couldn't be happening!

Shock after shock caused Corinna to falter. Brinley seized the moment, shoving her towards the flames before making her escape.

Corinna, that wretched woman! Had the car's accelerator stuck during the accident three years ago, she would have died alongside both her children.

She managed to make it out alive back then, but today this fire was going to finish her for good.

With a bitter sneer, Brinley stormed off, oblivious to Corinna's gradual movement. Despite the searing pain on her back, Corinna clawed at the earth, pulling herself forward with sheer will.

Her choices had been a grave mistake.

She had loved the wrong man, resulting in tragedy for her family, and now her sole surviving son recognized her enemy as his mother.

This boy was her flesh and blood...

She must save her son...

She must not give in to death...

Burning hatred and defiance lit up Corinna's gaze. Blood trickled down from her lips, chewed raw, onto her grimy, bloodstained hands. Her survival instinct compelled her to shove at the immovable burning beam behind her.

As the flames devoured her surroundings, Corinna's consciousness began to wane...

Was this what Brenden had wanted?

The sound of car horns and sirens cut through the noise. Through the flickering flames, Corinna thought she heard Brenden's desperate shout, saying, "Corinna!"

His silhouette dashed through the fire towards her, echoing their first encounter when he had approached through a gentle breeze, each step drawing him nearer...

"Brenden, after four years of shattered trust, you've ruined my life. If I live, our next meeting will be your undoing!" Corinna thought.