?Chapter 574:


    “Fine,” Katie sat back with a tight smile, clearly unhappy with how the conversation had gone. She was sure Pe had the contact information but refused to share it. How infuriating! And wasn’t Pe already married? Why was she this protective of another man’s number? Did she intend to cheat on her husband?


    Brendon turned to Pe with a hopeful smile. “By the way, will your mentor be attending the event today?” Tiana’s name had drawn many prominent guests to his engagement party. If she didn’t appear, he risked losing the very connections he had hoped to build.


    Pe kept an unreadable expression as she answered, “That’s uncertain. My mentor’s attendance varies with how she’s feeling.”


    Despite Tiana stating she would attend today’s engagement celebration, Pe had her doubts.


    Pe didn’t have a favorable impression of the Dawsons and the Mitchells. Rumor had it that Brendon had deserted hiswful spouse for the other woman, who, judging by the look of it, seemed to be Ynda.


    Pe had no rity about Tiana’s ties to those two families or the motivation behind her announcement of attending today’s banquet. So, even though she harbored a dislike for the Dawsons and the Mitchells, her demeanor revealed nothing.


    “You mean to say you don’t possess your mentor’s number?” Katie whispered. “No digits, no clue. Sounds like con artists to me.”


    Her muttering was audible enough for Ashton and Pe to catch. Their faces stiffened immediately, obviously irritated as they fixed their eyes on Katie.


    “If you believe we’re frauds, we won’t remain any longer,” Ashton remarked, rising to his feet with an icy demeanor.


    Pe dropped her mug with a thud and got up as well, her features twisted in evident irritation. “Is this your way of weing guests?” she questioned in a frigid tone.


    “My apologies! It’s our fault for not teaching her better. We’ll discipline her properly in the future. Please pardon the offense,” Brendon said with deference. He then turned sharply toward Katie, his eyes narrowing. “Why are you just standing? Apologize!”


    Katie flinched and quickly looked down. She voiced her regret reluctantly. “I apologize for being disrespectful. I didn’t mean to!”


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    Pe shot Katie a withering nce and spoke icily. “That’s enough. Stop being such an embarrassment. Were it not for the sake of my mentor, mere words wouldn’t resolve this.”


    “Much obliged for your generosity,” Brendon murmured, wiping perspiration from his brow. Then, he turned again to re at Katie. “Now get out there and attend to the guests!”


    “Okay, I’m leaving now,” Katie answered meekly and began to step away.


    But as she turned, discontent clouded her face. Aware that she couldn’t confront the duo just yet, she forced down her frustration. She vowed that once she gained influence, those who crossed her would have reason to regret it.


    Out in the main area, a voice Christina vaguely recognized called out behind her,ced with astonishment. “Why did youe here?”


    Christina pivoted to face the speaker and saw two familiar figures—Lorraine and Yvonne.


    “Christina! So it really is you! I nearly doubted myself,” Yvonne said, pretending to be shocked while eyeing her. “Didn’t Brendon dump you? What are you doing at his engagement party? Christina, are you not hoping to take him away, are you?”


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