?Chapter 96:


    “Why should—” Katie began, but Brendon interrupted her. Frustrated, she threw her hand up and shot Christina a withering re.


    “Fine. I’ll agree,” Brendon said, his voice softer now. “Just take care of my grandma.”


    “I will,” Christina replied, her tone cold and distant. There was no warmth in her words.


    Brendon shifted ufortably. The chill in her voice stung, but he still clung to the hope that he could mend things enough to establish a connection with someone as influential as Calvin.


    After Bethel regained consciousness, Brendon left her hospital room with Ynda and Katie.


    Once they returned to Brendon’s ward, Katie’s fury erupted like a storm.


    “Why are we even listening to Christina?” she snapped, seething with anger.


    Brendon turned sharply, fixing Katie with a stern re. “Because she knows Dr. Emmett. You can’t keepshing out at her like that.”


    Katie crossed her arms defiantly. “Who knows how they even know each other? For all we know, there could be something shady going on between them,” she spat, dissatisfied, starting to spread rumors.


    “Katie, that’s not fair,” Ynda said gently, her brows furrowing in feigned disagreement. “We don’t know their rtionship. No matter how close they are, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”


    Katie turned to her, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. “You’re too soft, Ynda. If you keep letting things slide, Christina’s going to bleed the Dawson family dry.”


    Ynda’s gaze fell to the floor, her voice barely above a whisper. Her next words were calcted, meant to make her seem gentle and considerate. “I just want Brendon. As for the Dawson family’s assets, Brendon can give them to whoever he wants. Whatever decision Brendon makes, I’ll support him, as long as he doesn’t let you suffer.”


    L?t?st chαpt?rs in g??lnovels.??????


    Katie’s eyes shimmered with emotion, touched by Ynda’s quiet devotion. “Ynda, you’re too good. If Christina had even a shred of your kindness and consideration, we wouldn’t be drowning in all this chaos.”


    Ynda gave Christina a mild, mock-scolding nce. “Don’t talk like that. Christina has her own merits too.”


    “Merits?” Katie scoffed with an icyugh. “She’s just a housewife who only knows how to scrub dishes. She’s not even in your league.”


    Ynda offered a soft smile. “Christina’s actually pretty impressive. Didn’t she win a championship once? I think that’s something worth acknowledging.”


    “Impressive?” Katie snorted. “Please. She probably slept with the shooting range owner to rig thepetition. There’s no way she earned that title fair and square.”


    Brendon stiffened. Her words dragged his thoughts back to thatpetition—the image of Christina, poised and fierce, was still vivid in his mind. It was a stark contrast to the quiet, unremarkable woman he had always known. That memory lingered, unshakable.


    “Ynda!” Katie’s tone sweetened as she hooked her arm through Ynda’s with affection. “Didn’t you always dream of bing a fashion designer?”


    Ynda tilted her head. “Yes, I did. Why?”


    “I just heard something exciting,” Katie said, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. “The Hubbard Group is about tounch a fashion designpetition. The first prize? You be their lead designer and the Hubbard family’s exclusive stylist.”


    Ynda paused, taken aback, before regaining herposure with a smile. “Where did you hear that? I haven’t heard anything about the Hubbard Group hosting a fashion designpetition.”


    “My friend knows Mr. Hubbard’s cousin—he let it slip,” Katie whispered, giving a conspiratorial wink.


    “It sounds like fun. If it’s true, let’s enter together. It’s not about winning. Just participating would be amazing,” Ynda’s eyes sparkled, though she masked the fire beneath her calm expression.


    “Fun?” Katie threw her head back with augh. “No, no, no—you have to win. Once you’re the Hubbard family’s designer, you’ll get me in the door. And once I’m close to Mr. Hubbard…” Her eyes gleamed as she sped her hands to her chest, like a girl dreaming of her fairy-tale prince. “Boom! Mrs. Hubbard!”


    Katie twirled dramatically, already swept up in the fantasy. “Once I’m Mrs. Hubbard, the Dawson family will be untouchable. And when that happens, I swear I’ll buy you a super-yacht. We’ll throw yacht parties every day, living like queens!”


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