?Chapter 503:


    “Maybe Christina didn’t mean any harm…” Ynda suggested, sounding like she was defending Christina while she was actually fanning Katie’s mes.


    “Of course she did!” Katie snapped back, her jaw tight. “She could’ve warned me that it was Mr. Scott who was behind the wheel, but no, she provoked me into uttering those impulsive words. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have offended Mr. Scott and been humiliated like this. It’s all her fault!” Katie inwardly vowed that she would make Christina pay.


    A dramatic sigh escaped Ynda as she feigned sympathy toward Katie. She nced at Brendon, his expression grave. A flicker of satisfaction danced behind her eyes. Life as a caregiver left Christina scrubbing floors and running errands for the Scott family—hardly the future anyone envied. None of this mess would have yed out if Katie hadn’t run her mouth and insulted Dn. Any hope Christina might have had of remarrying Brendon was gone now, swept away for good.


    Which wealthy man would risk his reputation for someone earning her keep doing lowly chores?


    A smug sense of victory curled through Ynda. She was convinced her engagement to Brendon was now inevitable. Even if Christina begged to return to him, Brendon would never take her back.


    Tears streaming down her face, Katie turned to Brendon, her voice trembling. “Christina set me up, Brendon. You have to stand up for me!”


    A cruel smile touched Brendon’s lips. ns for payback were already forming in his mind. “Leave it to me. If she dares to show up at my engagement party with Ynda, I’ll see to it she’s humiliated in front of everyone. You’ll get your revenge.”


    Relief washed over Katie. She smiled through her tears. “You and Ynda are the best to me. I love you both so much!”


    Waving off her worries, Brendon motioned for her to sit. “Now, take a seat and rest for a bit. I’ll have a doctor check you over and then get you home. Make sure you’re ready for your speech tomorrow.”


    “Rest assured, I am well prepared—Cassandra is going to love what I have to say,” Katie replied, her confidence returning.


    A gentle pat on her head showed Brendon’s affection. “This isn’t just for our goal of bing part of Lorbridge’s upper crust. We’re aiming for the very top. If we pull this off…”


    L?tеst chαpt?rs ??n g??lнov?ls.со??


    Daydreams of power danced in Brendon’s mind. The taste of victory was sweet. “By then, nobody will ever dare cross you again.”


    Happiness glowed on Katie’s face as she let herself imagine their shared, impossible ascent.


    Morning sunlight spilled through the school windows as Katie’s moment in the spotlight finally arrived, or so she thought. Confidence radiated from her as she strode to the front, certain that her presentation would overshadow every speaker before her.


    A brilliant smile lit her face as she sent a hopeful nce in Cassandra’s direction. With practiced ease, she said, “Hello, I’m Katie Dawson—”


    Fingers danced over the clicker, moving to her first slide, and suddenly the auditorium erupted with startled gasps.


    Scanning the audience, Katie mistook their wide-eyed shock for admiration. Pride surged in her chest, certain that her slide had dazzled the room—until a ripple of pointed fingers and low voices reced silence with mocking whispers and snickers.


    For a moment, Katie convinced herself it was nothing but envy fueling their reactions. Curiosity soon overtook herposure. Spinning toward the giant screen, she felt her heart stop.


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