?Chapter 242:


    Around them, Katie and the others seethed, fists clenching in silent rage as they fought the urge to leap at Christina.


    The lead security guard, measuring the tension in the air, turned to Christina respectfully. “Miss Jones, do you want to take this any further?”


    Christina dismissed him with a flick of her wrist. “Nah. Their apology was entertaining enough.”


    The lead security guard’s eyes turned cial as he faced Katie and the others.


    “Get back in your cars. Now.” His tone brooked no argument as he dered, “One more stunt, and you’ll all be removed from the grounds.”


    Brendon cast Christina a lingering look. She was still grinning, lips curled with wicked delight, the victory lighting up her whole face. And for the briefest heartbeat, he caught himself thinking she looked absolutely radiant. The realization hit like a p—he nearly gagged. What the hell was wrong with him? He and his family had just been humiliated by her, and here he was, blindsided by how stunning Christina looked? He had to be losing his damn mind.


    Brendon clenched his jaw. He wasn’t some lovesick fool—or worse, a masochist. He tore his eyes away from Christina, jaw tight, and stalked off without another word.


    Katie let out a derisive snort, hurling onest venomous re at Christina before marching after Brendon. The others trailed behind, their faces twisted in silent fury.


    With the confrontation behind them, Katie and her crew breezed through thest security checks and finally arrived at the Hubbard family’s grand estate.


    Guests filtered onto the estate grounds, free to roam as they pleased while the party remained in its opening act.


    The Hubbard family’s estate towered over thendscape—a sprawling sanctuary overflowing with every luxury one could dream up.


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    Yet, for all its attractions, nearly everyone had gravitated to the banquet hall, where the air shimmered with politeughter and the soft clink of crystal sses.


    In this crowd, business cards mattered more than genuine smiles, and small talk was the sport of the night.


    Brendon and the others slipped into the crowd, vanishing into the crush of tailored suits and practiced grins as if swallowed by the current.


    Meanwhile, Christina lingered near the entrance, surveying the clusters of guests, each group a knot of ambition and half-hearted charm. She had no patience for these social rituals—the calcted chatter, the alliances built on empty promises. With a faint smirk, she pivoted away from the hall and wandered outside.


    Christina plucked a ss of juice from a passing tray and slipped away from the crowd, letting the hum of conversation fade behind her as she strolled deeper into the estate.


    With each step, the world grew quieter. Soon, she wandered into a hidden garden—lush, undisturbed, the kind of ce that felt wrapped in its own gentle hush. She breathed in the delicate scent of blooming flowers, savoring the rare tranquility.


    In a small pavilion at the heart of the garden, a solitary woman sat, poised with effortless grace, cradling a teacup as if she’d stepped out of a painting. Christina paused, curiosity flickering in her eyes. After a beat, she crossed the gstones and called out, “Hi there.”


    The woman startled, her head snapping up with the suddenness of a cornered animal, wide eyes darting to Christina. But as she studied Christina’s face, her surprise melted into something softer—a kind of hushed appreciation. All her life, she’d considered her own cousin striking, but the woman standing before her was in another league entirely—radiant, impossibly beautiful, the sort of woman who turned heads without trying. Radiant. Breathtaking. How could someone be so stunning? Her own younger brother was just as infuriatingly good-looking, but…


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