?Chapter 434:
Softening her tone, Celine brushed off Lorraine’s tears. “Lorraine, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but you really were in the wrong this time.”
Lorraine nodded, swallowing her displeasure and pretending to ept it. “I get it, Celine.”
Leaning in, Celine squeezed Lorraine’s hand. “Christina wasn’t just any guest. Kurt invited her personally. If you upset her, you’re only hurting yourself in Kurt’s eyes.”
Her grip tightened as she continued, “If you make an enemy of Christina, not even I’ll be able to protect you.”
In Celine’s book, taking a few ps to smooth things over was, all things considered, a minor cost. Public shame stung, no doubt, but it was far safer than letting Kurt deal with things his own way. If it ever came to that, the Reynolds family would disappear from Kitaso without a trace.
No one understood Kurt’s ruthlessness better than Celine. She’d seen firsthand what happened to those who’d crossed him, and once he was furious, there was no telling where the damage would end. Her concern for Lorraine ran deep, especially with the debt she carried for the day Lorraine had saved her life.
Lorraine, however, didn’t see it that way. In her eyes, Celine was ungrateful, more focused on pleasing a high-profile guest than standing by her savior. All that talk…
About being unable to shield her? Just excuses. If Celine had truly meant to defend her, no one could have stood in her way. It was simply that Celine didn’t care enough to try.
Lorraine’s response came in a gentle, submissive tone. “I’m sorry, Celine. I acted without thinking. I never should have spoken out of turn or insulted a guest that Kurt personally invited.”
Celine offered a reassuring smile. “I’m d you realize your mistake. Remember, it’s dangerous to judge by appearances. Some people have more power than you think—one wrong move can cost you dearly.”
“Yes, I understand. I’ll keep that in mind,” Lorraine responded, though she inwardly brushed off Celine’s advice.
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After a few more heartfelt admonishments, Celine took her leave.
The moment Celine was gone, Yvonne hurried to Lorraine’s side, mock worry etched into her features. “Lorraine, are you okay? Does your face still hurt? I’m so sorry—it’s all my fault. I should’ve stopped my sister from pping you.” Yvonne’s voice trembled dramatically, and her eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at Lorraine, a sh of gleam flickering in her eyes. Christina might have escaped Celine’s wrath this time, but Lorraine had undoubtedly marked Christina as an enemy. Christina’s days ahead would not be easy.
Irritation flickered across Lorraine’s face. “This has nothing to do with you, Yvonne. Why are you still calling her your sister after what she did to you?” Chewing her lip, Yvonne hesitated, as if she genuinely viewed Christina as family. “But she’s still the daughter my parents adopted. In name, she’s my sister…”
A stern look crossed Lorraine’s features. “If you keep insisting she matters to you after all this, I don’t see how we can stay friends. She’s proven she doesn’t care about you at all.”
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