?Chapter 572:


    Gwen had intended to find out whether he, too, had ended up on the cklist. Yet, she held back. If her assumption turned out to be mistaken, it would only leave Coen humiliated. She knew she could not risk provoking his anger, so she forced herself to hold her tongue and swallow her question.


    A scoff from Olly broke the tension. “No way. With Coen’s technical skills, there’s no chance he’d be let go.”


    “Exactly. Something else must be going on.” Bowen nodded in agreement. Those words jolted Coen back to the moment. He quickly forced a smile and insisted, “You’re all reading too much into this. I’m still with thepany.” Coen figured that as long as he refused to confess, he wouldn’t have to grovel before Christina as per the bet. Having his job ripped away had already left him shattered. He could not bear the thought of sacrificing his dignity and pride on top of everything else.


    Humor lit up Christina’s face as she watched him squirm. “You really can’t stand losing the bet, can you? Even now, you can’t just own up to it.”


    “No, loser! I never got fired! If anyone lost here, it’s you! Maybe you should start licking my shoes as per our fucking bet! Let’s see some humility for once!” Coen spat, his gaze sharp with defiance.


    “If you refuse to admit defeat, alright then.” Instead of arguing, Christina stepped in with a chilling smirk, her fingers closing tightly around his wrist.


    A flicker of panic crossed Coen’s face. “What do you think you’re doing? Let go!” he barked, yanking his hand, but his protest was cut short as Christina kicked his knee hard.


    A howl of pain escaped him. “Ah! Ouch!” Shock and agony twisted his features. He barely had time to react before she’d already made her move.


    Confidence radiated from Christina. “No need to grovel before me as per the bet anymore. I am satisfied with your howl.”


    With that, she turned her back on Coen and strode away, cool and unbothered. Before she got far, Gerda and Gwen hurried over, blocking her path with matching determination.


    Arms folded, Christina shot them a withering look. “Thinking about picking a fight? I can take both of you if that’s what you want.”


    g?lnσν???s???о?? opens doors to wonder


    They had intended to grab her, but the ice in her eyes sent a jolt of fear through their veins, rooting them in ce.


    “Move,” Christinamanded, her voice cold as steel.


    Nerves fraying, Gerda and Gwen melted out of her way, unable to withstand her presence.


    A shout from Olly sliced through the tension. “Don’t you dare leave!”


    Refusing to dignify him with a response, Christina kept walking, never sparing a nce over her shoulder.


    That tant disregard made Olly and the others seethe. Just as a confrontation was about to erupt, a voice from the doorway called out, “Tiana’s protégés have arrived!”


    As soon as the announcement echoed through the hall, every guest turned toward the entrance, curiosity sparking in their eyes.


    Members of the Dawson and Mitchell families stepped in, wearing warm, weing smiles. Walking beside them were a man and a woman whose graceful presence instantly drew attention.


    “Are those Tiana’s protégés? They look like such a perfect pair.”


    “They really do. You can see how much they love each other. And they’re already married, too.”


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