?Chapter 933:


    “Miss Reynolds and I made a wager earlier. We agreed that whoever seeded in inviting you to dance would have the other leave the birthday banquet at once.” Christina’s voice was steady and unhurried as her eyes slid to Lorraine, still lying on the floor. “Now that I’ve won, I request Miss Reynolds to honor the wager.”


    The guests exchanged nces, surprise rippling through them. So that was the reason for all this—it had been a bet over inviting Dn to dance.


    Several young socialites felt a pang of regret. If they’d known it could be done so easily, they might have tried their own luck. Perhaps they could have seeded too. Now this woman had secured the first dance with Dn—a victory they couldn’t help but envy.


    Lorraine’s expression drained of color. “Mr. Scott… I… I didn’t refuse to honor the wager. I just—”


    “Ah!” Lorraine feigned pain again, gasping dramatically. “I truly do have a stomachache. I only wanted to go to the restroom before leaving.”


    Then, Lorraine’s voice faltered, and she broke into pitiful sobs. Her reddened eyes lifted toward Christina, carrying a silent, desperate plea. “Miss Jones, must you be so harsh to me? I only wanted to use the bathroom… My stomach hurts…”


    Christina arched an eyebrow, a sly grin tugging at her lips. “What’s the matter? Did you eat something bad? Then why didn’t you clear it up earlier? Were you hoping everyone would think I beat you up? Is that mouth of yours just there to decorate an empty head, Miss Reynolds? Anyone would assume I’ve been bullying you!”


    The instant her words rang out, the onlookers seemed to finally piece things together. Prejudiced against Christina from the start, they became puppets in Lorraine’s hands—jumping to the conclusion that Christina had abused her influence without a second thought.


    Right now, every using re swung toward Lorraine like a physical blow. She stiffened, eyes dropping to the floor, too frightened to meet anyone’s gaze. “I never said you hit me,” Lorraine murmured, her voice barely audible above the tension. She forced a shaky nce at Dn. “Could I use the bathroom before I leave? I’ll be gone before you even notice.”


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    “Leave. Now.” Dn’s words cut through the air like a de, frostcing every syble.


    Lorraine began to protest, but Dn’s voice tore through hers like a de. “For the sake of the Miller family, I have already shown you some mercy. Leave this instant.”


    Lorraine’s teeth pressed hard into her lip, her hands clenching until her knuckles bleached white. Everything about her posture screamed defiance. Yet, all that escaped was a choked “But…”<fn3285> Readplete version only at Find_Novel(.</fn3285>


    “But what?” Dn’s words came like a scalpel, stripping away her charade with ruthless precision. “Do you want me to bring in a doctor to examine your supposed difort?”


    Dn’s gaze on Lorraine was full of disdain. If not for the Miller family’s standing, Lorraine wouldn’t have been spared a shred of mercy. From the way Christina carried herself, it was clear she had no intention of letting this turn into a scandal that could tarnish the Miller family’s reputation.


    Around them, the silent audience absorbed every detail. Lorraine’s ghostlyplexion became their entertainment, each heartbeat a private cheer at the sight of her public disgrace. She had brought this on herself—her sly remarks had nearly thrown them all under the shadow of Dn’s fury. Let her simmer in her own mess; whatever happened next was nothing more than the cost of her own scheming.


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