?Chapter 986:


    Edwin caught the message instantly and barked an order to the staff. “Not a single word of today leaves this ce. If it does, you’ll pay the price.”


    “Y-yes, of course,” everyone stammered, nodding frantically, too frightened to breathe a word to any outsiders.


    Outside INQ, Christina said softly, “Thanks for stepping in earlier. I’ll transfer the payment for the ne to youter.”


    “There’s no need. Think of it as a small gesture to make up for the trouble you’ve endured,” Dn replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. He knew handing the ne over as a gift wouldn’t work, so he disguised it aspensation.


    “But that kind ofpensation feels excessive,” Christina murmured with hesitation.<fnec66> Readplete version only at Find~Novel</fnec66>


    “It isn’t much for me,” Dn said with a faint smile. The moment he’d heard the ne was called “the Heart of Romance,” he wanted her to have it. He wanted it to be something unique in their bond.


    “Christina, just ept it. The amount is nothing to my brother. You shouldn’t feel burdened,” Chloe teased with a lightugh.


    “But…” Christina still felt reluctant to ept such an expensive gift.


    Before she could finish, Dn cut her off. “Let’s keep things even. If you feel it’s too valuable, then give me something precious in return next time.” Through exchanging gifts, he hoped to draw her closer.


    “Alright then,” Christina finally conceded, resolving that she would return something of equal worth in the future.


    Suddenly, a figure lunged out of nowhere, brandishing a gleaming knife. Dn reacted instantly, pulling Christina into his arms and twisting his body to evade the strike.


    It was Jett, the male sales assistant from earlier. His face contorted with deranged fury, as though determined to drag all of them down with him. “If I’m finished, I’m taking you with me!” he roared.


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    Jett’s eyes were zing with venom as he swung the knife again. Dn instinctively thought of flooring Jett with a long kick, but a fleeting hesitation crossed his mind. In the next breath, he raised his arm to shield against the de.


    “Watch out!” Christina cried in terror. Sheshed out with a swift kick of her own, knocking Jett to the ground and sending the knife ttering from his grip. Bystanders rushed forward at once, pinning Jett down withbined effort.


    Dn’s brow furrowed as he clutched his arm, crimson soaking through his hand.


    “You’re hurt—we need to get you to the hospital,” Christina said, her brows knitted in worry.


    She quickly instructed Edwin to take care of the aftermath, arranged for Chloe and Eloise to be escorted home, and then drove Dn to the hospital herself. The car was heavy with silence.


    Christina was certain she could have dodged the blow on her own, but she swallowed the words, afraid they might sound ungrateful. After all, Dn had taken the blow for her. If she voiced such thoughts, it would only seem as though she didn’t recognize his good deed.


    “Thank you for protecting me,” Christina said atst, her voice sincere.


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