?Chapter 318:


    Taking a seat on the sofa, Ralphy dropped his usual yful manner. Concern clouded his features as he asked, “Did you figure out who was behind the attack?”


    “No.” Dn shook his head, savoring the water poured by Christina. Somehow, it tasted exceptionally sweet, just like her.


    “If I ever find out who’s after you, I’ll make sure they regret it,” Ralphy said, his jaw tight with anger.


    Dn’s voice remained steady, but there was no mistaking the authority behind it. “You should take Chloe back to Dorfield first.”


    “Absolutely not!” Ralphy refused instantly. “I can’t leave you alone here. Chloe can head back if she wants, but I’m staying right here with you.”


    Their year-long friendship ran deep, and abandoning Dn when trouble was close simply wasn’t an option for Ralphy.


    A spark of resolve shed in Christina’s eyes. She faced Ralphy and said, “That’s not true. Dn won’t be alone. I’m staying by his side. Chloe needs you more than we do.”


    “What?” Shock registered on Ralphy’s face. “You’re staying here? Absolutely not. We shouldn’t pull you into this mess.”


    Christina didn’t flinch. “I’m not scared,” she said, her tone steady as ever.


    “You think you can handle this, but you simply don’t realize how dangerous things are about to get,” Ralphy remarked, lowering his voice. “The shooting range and racetrack are your domains, but this is a battlefield.”


    “I’ve made up my mind, and Dn has already given his consent,” Christina responded.


    Ralphy’s frustration spilled over as he turned to Dn. “You actually agreed to this? How could you let her stay? You know she’s—”


    Ralphy wanted to remind Dn that Christina was Skybreaker. She was a legend both on the track and with a rifle, destined for even greater things. A promising talent like her should continue to excel in her field, not get caught up in this dangerous game. A single mistake could cost her life, and if that happened, both the shooting range and the racetrack would lose a rare genius. Though Ralphy kept quiet about his concerns, the fear wouldn’t leave him, and it weighed heavily on his mind.


    A flicker of concern crossed Ralphy’s face. Had Dn lost his senses after getting shot?


    Perplexed, Christina asked, “You know I’m what?” Her gaze bounced between Ralphy and Dn.


    After stealing a nce at Dn’s icy expression, Ralphy quickly chose his words and lied. “I just mean—you’re not part of any of this, and it’s not fair to drag you into the chaos and expose you to the shady tactics amid the ruthless businesspetition.”


    Ralphy exhaled silently. He had almost let slip something he shouldn’t have but managed to swallow his words just in time.


    With a smallugh, Christina brushed it off. “It’s not that I am dragged into the situation. I decided to stay. Dn tried to talk me out of it, but I wouldn’t budge.” Once her mind was made up, nothing could sway her. She handled endings the same way—when she decided to walk away from a rtionship, she never looked back.


    “You sure you don’t want to rethink this? It’s not safe to stay. I’m dead serious.” Ralphy spoke, his brows drawn together in a frown.


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