?Chapter 386:


    “I’m not in the mood to draw this out. If there’s a point to this meeting, say it now,” Christina remarked, lightly swirling the contents of her mug with an indifferent expression, though she made no move to drink.


    Watching her idly toy with the coffee without drinking it gnawed at Yvonne’s nerves. “Christina, the coffee at this ce is exceptional. Just give it a try,” she urged.


    “I was wrong before, alright? I shouldn’t have treated you that way. I’ve been reflecting on everything, and I realize I messed up. That’s why I’m here—to say sorry.” Yvonne’s tone softened further as she added, “Dad’s still hospitalized, and Mom’s been falling apart from all the worry… We’re blood, Christina. Can’t you let it go, just this once?”


    Yvonne tried to mask her growing anxiety with a mock appeal, hoping to coax Christina into sipping the drink.


    But Christina remained unhurried, stirring slowly without raising it to her lips. Inwardly, Yvonne was seething. Still with the stirring? What was Christina waiting for? Just drink the damn thing already! Despite her inner irritation, her expression stayedposed. To keep up appearances, she lifted her own mug and took a showy sip, feigning delight. “Mm! This is amazing! You seriously don’t know what you’re missing.”


    But the more Yvonne pushed, the more it confirmed Christina’s doubts. Even if Christina hadn’t picked up on theced vor, Yvonne’s insistence alone would have been enough to raise rm.


    Christina’s mouth curved faintly as she slid her mug toward Yvonne. The two mugs clinked together with a crisp sound.


    In that fleeting motion, Christina had deftly introduced something into Yvonne’s coffee. Her swift, subtle movements wentpletely unnoticed.


    “If it’s that delicious, why not help yourself to another taste?” Christina said with a casual smirk.


    Yvonne was caught off guard by Christina’s wariness. Pursing her lips, she wondered whether Christina had already grown suspicious.


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    “I’ve had plenty,” she said, forcing a chuckle as she edged the mug back across the table. “I’ll be up all night if I go for seconds. You should enjoy it instead.”


    Christina was unbothered as she had already ingested a countermeasure earlier—one that neutralized a wide spectrum of tampering agents. From what she knew of Yvonne’s methods, the substance that had slipped into her coffee was likely an incapacitating drug or aphrodisiac, or a mix.


    Maintaining a cool exterior, Christina lifted the mug and let a drop touch her lips. Yvonne’s eyes followed every move, eager and tense.


    “So, you asked me out just to say sorry?” Christina asked, her brows slightly raised, her tone unreadable.


    “That’s right!” Yvonne nodded quickly. “Can’t we move on from all that? Let’s fix things. I promise—I’ll never upset you again.”


    Seeing Christina finally take a taste, Yvonne’s shoulders lowered in relief. The drug acted fast—even the tiniest dose would be enough. All that remained was to wait.


    “Heh. That’s it, Christina. You’ve walked straight into my snare. There’s no getting out of this now. You’re mine to break—slowly, painfully,pletely,” Yvonne murmured to herself, her eyes narrowing.


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