?Chapter 870:


    If Christina ever decided to marry again one day, Bethel hoped she would find someone who genuinely cherished her.


    “I don’t ask for much. I just want you to stay safe and well. I hope you live a long, healthy life—so you can always be by my side.” Christina dabbed at her tears and managed a small, tender smile.


    “Alright, alright,” Bethel said with a light chuckle, patting her hand again. “I’ll be right here with you, always.”


    Christina gently sped Bethel’s hand in return and then reached over to carefully tidy her hair.


    The passage of time had written itself into Bethel’s features, silvering her once ebony locks, but she still carried herself with grace and timeless elegance. Christina wished she could bottle this moment, hold it still, and never have to face the sorrow of parting.


    Elsewhere, when Katie, Ynda, and Brendon stepped into the living room, Joselyn wasted no time—she looked up from the couch and asked, “Did Bethel agree?”


    “No,” Brendon muttered darkly, his face clouded with frustration.


    “What?” Joselyn’s eyes flew open in disbelief. “Why is she being so stubborn? We’re not even asking for a favor—we’re offering to buy the painting!”


    Grabbing Brendon’s arm, she asked pointedly, “Did you offer Christina extra money? I can’t believe she wouldn’t budge if you raised the price.”


    “I did, but she t-out refused. Said she wouldn’t sell it for any amount. If only the auction house had taken coteral at the time…” Brendon’s voice was tight with anger, the memory still a bitter pill to swallow.


    ording to what Christina had imed, she didn’t even have the funds topete back then. If Katie hadn’t thrown a fit and insisted on bidding on the statue, they might’ve walked away with the painting right then and there.


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    Although Brendon had always indulged Katie, he couldn’t help but feel a lingering bitterness toward her because of that misstep.


    But what Brendon didn’t realize was that Christina had yed them masterfully. The whole story she spun after the auction was a ruse—meant to make them think they’d only just missed their chance. She wanted them to feel the sting of almost having it, only toe up empty-handed. Even if they’d mortgaged everyst asset the Dawson family owned, they still wouldn’t have outbid her.


    “Mom, Christina ispletely out of line! Now she’s saying she wants to trade the painting for the entire Dawson Group! She’s extremely greedy!” Katie burst out.


    “She’s insane! It’s just a painting, and she wants the entire Dawson Group in exchange? She must’ve lost her mind! We can easily find something else to gift Margot,” Joselyn snapped.


    “But where are we going to find another painting on par with that one? And I think Christina ns on gifting it to Margot herself…” Ynda spoke up hesitantly, her voice trailing off.


    Joselyn let out a sharp scoff. “She’s nothing but a caregiver with no background or connections, and she has the nerve to dream of attending Margot’s birthday celebration!” She let out a dry, mockingugh. “If she’s actually invited, I’ll eat my hat!”


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