?Chapter 1448:


    “If you’re too chicken to y, just say so and quit,” Christina said, cool as hell.


    Noah blinked, caught off guard. He hadn’t expected her toe at him like that.


    Then he smiled—slow, intrigued. She was getting more interesting by the second.


    “Alright then,” Noah said. “Let’s y.”


    Robin stepped in, clearly rattled. “Maybe we should just back out. This isn’t worth it.”


    If it were any other bet, he’d have trusted her confidence. But this? This was different.


    She’d put herself on the line. And that thought alone made his stomach twist.


    Even a sliver of risk felt like too much. He couldn’t stomach the idea of losing her.


    “Even if you quit now, she’s still mine,” Noah said with a smug grin.


    “You think she’s yours just because you said it?” Robin snapped, eyes like ice. “She’s not some damn trophy. And as long as I’m breathing, you’re not taking her anywhere.”


    “That so?” Noah smirked, cocky and defiant. “Guess we’ll find out.”


    Robin’s fists clenched tight. He looked ready to swing.


    Christina saw iting and grabbed his arm fast.


    “Robin, calm down,” she said, frowning.


    “How the hell am I supposed to be calm?” Robin shot back, staring into her steady gaze.


    She’d bet herself—and she was still calm. Did she even grasp what losing meant? Robin couldn’t tell, and it scared him.


    Or maybe… she’d never nned to keep the bet in the first ce?


    A brief spark of hope flickered through Robin’s mind, but it vanished as quickly as it came, leaving him tense and uneasy.


    Christina wasn’t the type to back out. If she lost, she’d pay up—no excuses, no hesitation.


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    “Do you trust me?” Christina asked softly, her eyes locking onto his. “Look at me, Robin, and tell me the truth.”


    Robin met her eyes, his jaw tightening as he stayed silent.


    Deep down, he trusted herpletely. But the idea of her being caught up in that bet twisted his stomach.


    What if something went wrong? What would she do? What could he do?


    “Do you trust me?” Christina asked again, her voice softer but firm.


    Robin finally answered, steady and sure, “Yeah. I do.”


    He’d already decided—win or lose, he’d move heaven and earth to get Christina back.


    Noah could go to hell if he thought he’d take Christina away while Robin still breathed!


    There was no way Noah was prying Christina from his side—not now, not ever.


    Christina’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. “If you really trust me, then step aside—and don’t get in my way.”


    She shed a confident grin. “Robin, keep your eyes on me. I’m only showing this once, so don’t blink.”


    Something about her words tugged at him—they sounded familiar, but he couldn’t quite ce why.


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