?Chapter 229:


    For a breathless moment, Christina became the spectacle, a ma for ridicule. Every eye on her brimmed with silent mockery, each crooked smile dripping with contempt that cut sharper than any word.


    Christina had just lowered her car window when a familiar voice reached her. “Christina, what are you doing here?” Brendon asked sharply, his brows furrowed.


    Christina turned her head slowly, amusement dancing in her eyes. “Why? Is this ce reserved just for you?” she replied with a slight smirk.


    Brendon nced around nervously, clearly ufortable with the growing attention. He leaned in, his voice hushed but tense. “You shouldn’t be here. Leave before you make things worse.”


    Christina leaned an elbow on the window, rxed. “If you’re allowed here, I don’t see why I’m not.”


    Katie scoffed from beside him. “We have actual invitations. What do you have? A n to flirt with the guards?” Her voice was thick with mockery.


    Christina gave azy shrug. “How I enter is none of your concern. Try minding your own business—you might live longer.”


    Katie’s eyes narrowed, bristling at the implication. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you cursing me?”


    “Cursing you?” Christina replied with a soft, dismissiveugh, ncing at Katie from the corner of her eye. “I don’t have nearly that much spare time.”


    Brendon’s expression darkened as more people began to notice the exchange. He stepped forward, frustration bubbling over. “Do you always have to stir up drama? If you want to embarrass yourself, fine—but don’t drag the Dawson name down with you!” He gestured toward her car with a look of disgust. “Look at that heap you drove up in! This is the Hubbard family’s g—they’re unveiling their long-lost daughter tonight. Rolling up like this is practically an insult.”


    Christina’sughter was cool, almost icy. “If I’m making a fool of myself, that’s on me. But it’s your choice to stand here and make it your problem. When people start whispering, don’t me me for it.” She nced at her vehicle, her voice turning yful. “And for the record, my car’s brand new. Yours might cost more, but at the end of the day, both run on four wheels. So tell me—how exactly is mine an insult to the Hubbard family?”


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    Frustration twisted Brendon’s features, leaving him momentarily speechless.


    Katie, on the other hand, couldn’t restrain herself. “Because our car has ss, unlike yours. And it isn’t just about the car. Everything about you screams cheap.”


    “Our lives matter more than yours. Honestly, your life isn’t even worth a few dirty bucks!”


    Christina’s smirk deepened, slow and deliberate. “So you’re saying your lives are worth a pile of dirty money? That’s a relief. Guess you two win—when ites to filth, you’re way ahead of me.”


    “You!” Katie’s voice trembled with outrage at Christina’s taunting words. “That’s not what I meant!”


    Christina tilted her head, a spark of mischief in her gaze. “Then enlighten me, Katie. Are you saying your lives are actually worth less than mine?”


    Katie’s fists clenched at her sides, fury etched into every line of her face. “You’re the worthless one here!”


    Christina gave an exaggerated sigh, turning her attention to her freshly manicured nails. Diamonds glinted at her fingertips, catching the sunlight in a sh of brilliance. “Such a shame,” she mused, her toneyered with mock regret.


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