?Chapter 1375:


    They leaned on each other as they made their way to the car, hearts still racing from the encounter.


    Darian looked every bit the ruthless devil he was. Just one nce from him was enough to make anyone’s blood run cold.


    Even after they left the restaurant, Ynda couldn’t shake the image of Darian’s cold, assessing eyes. Every time she thought about how his gaze had lingered on her, a chill crept up her spine.


    She tugged gently at Brendon’s sleeve, her voice trembling slightly. “Brendon… are you really nning to work with him?”


    It wasn’t pity for Christina that stirred her—far from it. Ynda simply sensed that any deal involving Darian could only end in disaster.


    Besides, Christina had already caught his attention. Whether they cooperated with him or not, Darian would never let her go now.


    “I am not sure,” Brendon murmured, his brows furrowing as he pressed his lips into a thin line.


    On one hand, the profits were staggering—enough to stabilize the Dawson family’s future. On the other, there was Christina… his ex-wife.


    He wanted her to suffer. Sometimes, his anger burned so fiercely he wished she would simply vanish. Yet the thought of her actually dying left a bitter taste in his mouth.


    He couldn’t bring himself to imagine Christina—proud, fierce Christina—falling into Darian’s hands.


    “Why don’t we just… give up on the partnership?” Ynda suggested softly, clutching his hand as though afraid he’d slip away.


    Brendon met her gaze. For a moment, guilt flickered in his eyes. He had been thinking of Christina—again. Even after everything, she still haunted him.


    “Ynda,” he said quietly, pulling her into his arms. Her familiar perfume filled his senses, yet it couldn’t chase away the turmoil in his chest.


    She was kind, gentle—everything Christina wasn’t. She was still looking out for Christina even now. Yet Christina often misunderstood Ynda and treated her with contempt.


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    Thus, Brendon’s guilt deepened, and he found Christina unreasonable.


    He felt he shouldn’t be thinking about Christina anymore. That would be unfair to Ynda.


    Ynda wrapped her arms around him, resting her cheek against his chest. “Brendon, let’s just find another way. Please. I don’t want to get involved with Darian Lloyd. I have a bad feeling about him.”


    She couldn’t shake the unease in her heart.


    Brendon stroked her back absently. “Alright… I’ll think about it.”


    He mistook her fear forpassion—for concern that Darian might hurt Christina. But the truth was far simpler. Ynda wasn’t worried about Christina’s fate. She was worried that dealing with a man like Darian could drag them down with her.


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