?Chapter 1584:


    “Go ask the doctor who led the operation,” she snapped. “The fact that I even gave you a choice was already more mercy than you deserved.”


    Katie clutched her cheek, her face burning, her eyes brimming with tears.


    She didn’t dare say another word—one wrong sound and another p would follow.


    “Just talk it out… no need to hit anyone,” Joselyn mumbled weakly, pulling Katie back a few steps. Her voice quivered into silence.


    “Ten… nine… eight…” Christina began counting down, her tone as cold and steady as a ticking clock.


    Katie’s chest tightened. Panic wed its way up her throat as her eyes darted helplessly toward Brendon.


    But when her gaze swept over their helpless faces, her heart sank straight into despair. She knew then—she was finished.


    When the countdown hit itsst beat, Katie broke. Tears streamed down her face as she choked out, “I’ll turn myself in. I’ll tell the police everything.”


    She wiped her face and met Christina’s eyes. “But you can’t tell my father I’m not his daughter. You promise me that.”


    “As long as you tell the truth, I won’t say a word,” Christina said coolly, her expression unreadable.


    Whether anyone else would stay silent, though—that was another matter entirely.


    Especially Ynda, still tucked against Brendon’s chest, wearing her facade of gentleness like a mask.


    Ynda had used Katie from the beginning, pulling her strings like a puppet. Poor fool never even realized it.


    For all Christina knew, Ynda would be the one to turn on Katie when the time came.


    But that was none of Christina’s concern. Katie had made her choices—now she would face the consequences.


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    “Don’t you dare break your word!” Katie snapped, ring through her tears.


    If this ever came to light, she’d make sure Christina went down with her—no matter the cost.


    “I won’t go back on my word,” Christina said, her tone calm but final. Then she looked around at all of them. “Now leave the room.”


    “Why should we?” Katie shouted.


    Joselyn jumped in, her voice trembling. “If anyone should leave, it’s you. You’re the outsider here!”


    “I’m not asking,” Christina replied, her voice dropping to a deadly calm. “I’m telling you.”


    Her fingers slowly curled into a fist, a cold glint shing in her eyes. The air itself seemed to tighten, thick with the pressure radiating from her.


    “W—what are you nning to do?” Joselyn stammered, shaking like a leaf.


    Brendon’s brows furrowed. “Is brute force all you know how to use?”


    Christina gave a short, cuttingugh. “I’m capable of far more. You just never bother to look beyond your own limited perspective.”


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