?Chapter 603:


    Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Christina turned to leave again.


    rmed, Brendon stepped forward to stop her—but before he could get close, the Prince’s bodyguards moved into position, blocking his path with a silent but firm warning. Their presence was intimidating, and he froze, not daring to make another move.


    “Christina, didn’t you just say you would let it slide?” Brendon called out, his voice tense. “Then where are you taking them?”


    Christina nced back, her tone cold and unwavering. “I said I’m not holding a grudge. I never said I was staying.”


    Brendon clenched his jaw, trying not to lose control. “Can’t you at least stay for my grandmother’s sake?” he asked, desperation creeping in. “Or do you want me to get down on my knees and beg you?”


    “If you want to kneel, go ahead. I’m not stopping you,” Christina said coolly, her gaze on Brendon indifferent. “But I’m not staying. This isn’t my engagement party—I’m free to leave whenever I choose.”


    Brendon, taken aback, blurted out without thinking, “Wait. Are you trying to force me into remarrying you now?”


    “Don’t tter yourself. I’ve already been ridiculed for my questionable taste in ever choosing a man like you. Why should I force you to marry me?” Christina almostughed. Her ex-husband had quite the confidence. She wasn’t desperate enough to cling to a man who didn’t deserve her at all.


    “But isn’t that exactly what you’ve been after?” Brendon snapped, his expression darkening. “Aren’t you using Tiana’s name to manipte me? You want me to cancel my engagement to Ynda, don’t you?” His frustration was obvious now. He hated feeling cornered. The more Christina acted this way, the more he found her infuriating.


    Christina was taken aback by his arrogance. “Wow. You’re so full of yourself. Do you really think I still want you?” She took a step closer, her voice low and cold. “Let me be honest, Brendon. You disgust me.” With that, she turned and strode out.


    Her three protégés followed right behind her, not even sparing Brendon a nce.


    Brendon stood rooted to the spot, watching her disappear through the crowd. She said he disgusted her? No way… That had to be her way of getting back at him. There was no way she could have moved on from him that fast. Right?


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    The room buzzed with murmurs as guests turned to each other, whispering in shock.


    “Who would’ve thought Brendon’s ex-wife was actually Tiana? It seems like their split wasn’t exactly on good terms.”


    “Word is he left her with nothing. And judging by how he treated her just now, that might be true.”


    “The Dawson Group is in real trouble now. They’d barely survived thest scandal, thanks to the supposed connection with Tiana. With this split, they might suffer a heavy blow again.”


    “Do you think the Dawson Group’s stock will crash? Anyone who bought in at a high price is about to take a serious hit.”


    “I heard someone scooped up a ton of shares when the price tanked and sold them right at the peak. Whoever that was must’ve made a fortune.”


    The gossip spread like wildfire. Business associates who hade to discuss deals with the Dawson Group began to reconsider. Those already in partnership now wore heavy expressions of regret.


    After Christina’s dramatic exit, the crowd thinned quickly. Most had only shown up for Tiana’s appearance anyway. In no time, the once-crowded venue was nearly empty, save for a few rtives of the Dawson and Mitchell families.


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