?Chapter 234:


    “Probably some gold-digger showing up in a clunker, trying to crash the elite party. Did she really think she could slip in unnoticed?”


    “Well, her ride is in, but maybe she’s keeping it low-key? Could she actually be someone important?”


    “No chance! This is the Hubbards’ event. Anyone invited to Cloudcrest Heights can easily afford a million-dor ride, even if they keep it subtle. That ck sedan of hers looks like it’s worth no more than two hundred grand.”


    Amid the swirling gossip, Katie overheard someone say that whoever crossed the Hubbards was finished, and her thoughts jumped straight to Christina. Katie’s lips curled into a self-satisfied smile, smugness radiating off her as she stepped forward with her head held high. Oh, Christina was finished. She had walked straight into her own downfall, and no one defied the Hubbards and got away with it.


    “Who’s behind all thismotion?” the lead security guard demanded, stepping forward with amanding presence. His eyes swept over the gathered crowd with calcted scrutiny.


    The security personnel looked every bit the part—disciplined, imposing, and radiating an aura that brooked no nonsense.


    The Mitchells and Joselyn shrank under their intimidating stares, unable to meet the vignt gazes that seemed to pierce right through them.


    “That one!” Katie jabbed a finger at Christina, who remainedposed and seated in the car. “She showed up without an invitation, trying to sneak in and stir chaos.”


    Brendon’s voice cut through the air, cold and unyielding. “Disturbances don’t simply get ignored or waved away here. Anyone causing trouble faces serious consequences.” His eyes locked with Christina’s, silently conveying that this was what she got for defying him.


    “We don’t require your instructions on handling this,” the lead security guard retorted, his tone clipped and unimpressed.


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    “Who ims Ick an invitation?” Christina countered calmly.


    Katie scoffed, derision thick in her voice. “If you had one, you’d have shown it already.”


    The lead security guard’s gaze hardened as he demanded, “Present your invitation, please.”


    But instead ofplying, Christina met the security personnel’s scrutiny unflinchingly and posed a challenge. “Suppose I do have it—what about those who wrongly used me? Will they face expulsion?”


    “Absolutely,” the lead security guard answered without hesitation.


    No matter who caused a scene at Cloudcrest Heights, the rule was the same. Troublemakers got thrown out and banned—unless someone vouched for them or the host personally intervened.


    “Excellent.” Christina’s lips curved into a leisurely smirk as she retrieved her invitation, holding it aloft for all to see. “Here’s my invitation.”


    Finnegan’s voice erupted, sharp and dismissive. “That’s a forgery! Don’t be fooled—she’s nothing but a maniptor.”


    The lead security guard’s withering nce silenced Finnegan instantly. She and Joselyn remained frozen, too frightened to utter a word, as the intensity of the lead security guard’s gaze sent shivers down their spines.


    “The authenticity will be confirmed right away,” the lead security guard said, taking the invitation and passing it to a subordinate. “Have this verified immediately.”


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