?Chapter 596:


    Ynda softly clung to his sleeve and asked under her breath, “Why did the three maestros abruptly bow before Christina?”


    She couldn’t fathom what tactic Christina had employed to make the three maestros acknowledge her as their mentor with such ease. To Ynda, Christina was a dull woman who had never even managed to capture Brendon’s devotion. How could she possibly wield such impressive influence?


    What stoked Ynda’s fury was that those three maestros had always scorned her, keeping her at arm’s length, yet now they were bowing before Christina like subordinates. What did Christina have that shecked? Why couldn’t they see her worth? Why did they always treat her with detachment, as if her presence were unwee? Still, ever skilled at concealing her true feelings, she let none of her anger show.


    Brendon blinked himself out of his reverie and turned his focus to the graceful Ynda, struck by a sudden pang of remorse. Just moments ago, he had been so entranced by Christina that he had even entertained thoughts he shouldn’t have. He reminded himself that Ynda was the only woman his soul recognized as true love. He could not allow his affections to drift toward someone else. He vowed never to be unfaithful to the woman who held his heart.


    Forcing aside the irrational impulses, Brendon sped Ynda’s palm with care. His guilt made his voice gentler than usual when he replied, “I’m not sure. Maybe they have met before, or perhaps Christina has something on them.”


    “Hmm…” Ynda bit her lip, casting him a nce filled with uncertainty.


    “What is it that you want to say?” Brendon asked, his expression growing warmer as he observed her.


    Caught in the intensity of his loving stare, Ynda felt a flutter within her. He appeared more tender and affectionate than before. For a split second, her feelings for Brendon overshadowed her hunger for authority. But only briefly. Deep within, the…


    The thrill of control still captivated her the most. The higher she climbed, the finer her choice of partners became. The Dawson n wasn’t the pinnacle—she aspired far beyond that.


    “If Christina used leverage to intimidate them into submission, do you think we’ll be med for her scheme?” Ynda posed the question deliberately.


    Brendon’s eyes narrowed, a sharp glint forming in their depths. That damned Christina. If her machinations dragged the Dawson family down, they couldn’t withstand retaliation from those three maestros—especially the fury of the Prince from Eighshire. Even if destruction didn’t follow, the consequences would still be severe.


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    “Regardless of the scheme, Christina’s rank is far too low to earn the obeisance of the Prince from Eighshire. Not even a head of state has the merit topel a foreign royal to kneel. Eighshire isn’t some minor kingdom. Bowing carries sacred meaning in their tradition. Such a scene is unprecedented. If this incident reaches Eighshire’s sovereign lineage, we might be implicated, and Christina would surely face ruin.”


    Ynda tightened her grip on Brendon’s hand, feigning worry. “Brendon, you have to restrain Christina from making more reckless actions. She’s tempting disaster. We must shield her from the fallout.”


    Watching Ynda express concern for Christina’s well-being while Christina jeopardized everything the Dawsons had built made Brendon’s rage intensify. A moment ago, he had felt some flicker of affection toward Christina, but now that emotion only added to his shame. His cherished Ynda was generous and thoughtful, whereas Christina was egotistical and reckless. Christina couldn’t even begin to measure up to Ynda.


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