?Chapter 845:


    Taking a breath, Brendon gazed at Christina, his tone softening. “I know you still hold a grudge against us, but… couldn’t you think about my grandma? She’s always wanted to see the Dawson Group rise again. If you sell me that painting, I can make it happen, and it would make her so happy.”


    He was banking on Christina’s respect for his grandmother. Maybe that would be enough to soften her up.


    But Christina just gave a cool smile. “Then why don’t you transfer all the Dawson Group shares to me?” she said lightly. “I’ll take over, expand it, and build it up. In one year, I’ll make it the toppany in Dorfield.” Her voice was calm, but there was a quiet fire behind it. The confidence in her tone wasn’t for show—it came from deep within. She looked radiant, like she owned the room.


    Brendon stared at her, momentarily dazed. He’d never seen her like this. The way she carried herself—graceful,posed,manding—was impossible to ignore.


    But then Katie’s sharpugh cut through the air like a de. “You?” She scoffed, her eyes full of scorn. “Sure, you can y piano and shoot a gun, but don’t tell me you think that makes you a business genius. Even if you were a financial prodigy, you’re dreaming if you think you can make the Dawson Group number one in Dorfield in a year. What about the Hubbard Group? Where does it fit into your fantasy?”


    Ynda stepped forward, her sweet voiceced with sarcasm. “Christina, do you really believe rising to the top in Dorfield is that easy? You need backing—real power and connections.”


    She tilted her head, adding with a condescending smile, “You’ve been a housewife for too long. Living off others has clearly made you naive. You don’t understand what it takes to lead apany—let alone stay on top for decades, or even generations.”


    Christina’s gaze swept over them, cold and cutting, as if they weren’t even worth her time. “My abilities alone suffice,” she said quietly. She lifted her chin slightly, that subtle smile still on her lips.


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    In that moment, she radiated self-confidence and optimism. Brendon felt his breath catch. There was something different about her. The calm in her eyes. The weight behind her words. She wasn’t bluffing. This wasn’t arrogance—it was unwavering confidence. Confidence in her abilities. He suddenly felt small in front of her. Her presence became overwhelming, and he was forced to look up at her.


    And Brendon wasn’t the only one. Katie and Ynda both stiffened. The air felt heavier somehow, like an invisible pressure was weighing them down. Katie was the first to snap out of it. She scoffed and spat, “Who do you think you are? Your abilities? Don’t make meugh. You’re just a cast-off wife! A joke. Ignorant people always talk big. Forget about making the Dawson Group a top yer in Dorfield. If you can actually marry into the Hubbard family, I’ll serve you myself!” She’d almost said the Scott family but changed her mind. Christina marrying into the Hubbards already felt like too much of a stretch.


    But Christina didn’t even flinch. “No,” she said with a look of scorn. “I wouldn’t want such a foolish servant. I’d be embarrassed.”


    Christina shot Katie a scornful nce. Katie never learned from her mistakes. Many times, Katie had tried to take her down, failed, and still foolishly kept provoking her.


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