?Chapter 441:


    Lorraine wiped her tears and shook her head. “No one… It’s all my fault,” she said between sobs. “I shouldn’t have brought Yvonne here. I gave her the chance to ruin the celebration. Of course, Robin is upset with me…” Her voice cracked with emotion, and anyone watching would think she had been deeply wronged.


    Celine knew well that both Kurt and Robin had little affection for Lorraine. And truth be told, Celine herself wasn’t particrly fond of Lorraine either. Lorraine had a way of making people ufortable. Had Lorraine not saved her back then, she wouldn’t have felt any obligation toward her.


    Turning toward Robin, Celine sighed, her expression mildly troubled. “I don’t care what kind of opinion you have about Lorraine,” she said, “but you can’t treat her like this in front of everyone. After all, Lorraine once saved my life. If you continue acting so harshly, people might think the Miller family is cold and ungrateful.”


    Robin frowned. “I didn’t bully her,” he said tly, his voice low with irritation. “She brought someone who caused a scene at Grandpa’s birthday. I simply handled it the way I was supposed to.”


    “This matter had nothing to do with Lorraine,” Celine said calmly, her tone firm but measured. “Still, you spoke to her too harshly. Apologize.”


    Robin’s jaw tightened. He clearly didn’t want to—but with so many guests watching, he couldn’t openly defy his mother. Reluctantly, he stepped toward Lorraine, his face cold and unreadable. “I’m sorry,” he said tly. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way.”


    Lorraine quickly wiped her tears and forced a soft smile. “It’s alright, Robin. I don’t me you,” she said sweetly, pretending to be generous, though bitterness still stirred inside her. She had no intention of letting this humiliation go.


    “Is that enough? I need to go change my clothes,” Robin said coolly, shooting his mother a nce before shifting his gaze toward Christina and Dn. Seeing them standing side by side—with an easy familiarity and effortless elegance—something in him twisted. They looked perfect together. And for some reason, that irritated him more than he cared to admit.


    “Excuse me,” Robin muttered, brushing past them without another word.


    Celine’s attentionnded on Christina and Dn. A flicker of surprise crossed her face. Dn stood close to Christina with the quiet confidence of someone ready to shield her from anything. It was unexpected. Dn was known for being distant, a man whose emotions rarely showed. People often called him cold and unfeeling.


    But seeing Dn now, standing so protectively beside Christina, made Celine wonder. Maybe Dn had only seemed aloof because he’d never met the right one until now.


    Celine cast Lorraine a pointed nce before steering her toward Christina and Dn.


    “Offer your apologies to Miss Jones and Mr. Scott. After all, it was someone you brought who caused the offense,” Celine said, her lips curving into a restrained smile.


    Lorraine bristled inwardly. Why should she lower herself before Christina? Still, with both Dn and Celine watching, she swallowed her pride. “My sincerest apologies, Mr. Scott, Miss Jones. I take full responsibility for inviting someone who behaved poorly.”


    As she spoke, she dipped into a formal bow—though beneath the gesture, her eyes glittered with spite.


    Dn’s face remained expressionless. He didn’t even nce her way.


    “Since you’ve apologized, I will let this slide,” Christina said evenly.


    “Mr. Scott, Kurt would like a word with you…” Celine then turned to Christina.


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