?Chapter 1609:


    Her gaze fell to her own t stomach, and bitterness curdled inside her chest. She loathed herself for failing to give him a child.


    That baby growing inside Vickie—it had to be dealt with.


    But she couldn’t make a move here. The banquet was crawling with people, and one mistake would ruin herpletely, branding her as the woman destined to be cast aside.


    Ynda turned to leave, her face cold andposed while her mind churned with dark ns for how to make Vickie lose the child.


    In her haste, she collided with someone and froze in rm.


    When she looked up and saw Brendon, her pulse jumped. Recovering quickly, she grabbed his arm and tugged him toward the exit.


    “Why are you in such a rush? Where are you going?” Brendon asked, his tone confused.


    “I’m not feeling well,” Ynda murmured weakly, forcing her body to sway for effect.


    Brendon’s worry deepened. “What’s wrong? Should I take you to the hospital?”


    “Yes,” she answered at once, anxious to get him away before he discovered Vickie’s pregnancy.


    Brendon’s gaze drifted briefly toward where Christina had been standing, reluctant to leave.


    “Why don’t I just have the driver—”


    Before he could finish, Ynda’s knees buckled and she fell limp against him.


    “Ynda!” Brendon shouted, his voice sharp with concern—but she gave no reply.


    Without a second thought, he swept her into his arms and carried her out of the hall.


    Even as worry clouded his face, his thoughts kept slipping back to Christina.


    Stay tuned for more g??lnoνe??s.c?m


    She was graceful—a faint light seemed to emanate from her, making it impossible for anyone to look away.


    Christina was bing ever more mesmerizing—and Brendon felt himself irresistibly drawn to her, powerless to resist the spell she cast.


    After leaving the restroom, Vickie headed straight toward Christina.


    “Sorry, I just stepped out to the restroom,” she said with a polite, apologetic smile.


    “Not feeling well?” Christina asked smoothly, her concern tucked neatly behind aposed tone.


    She had noticed Vickie slip away earlier—and if her hunch was right, Vickie was already carrying Brendon’s child.


    “No,” Vickie replied lightly, brushing off the remark as she redirected the conversation. “Your cello performance was amazing.”


    “Just so-so,” Christina answered deliberately.


    She had clearly outperformed Vickie, yet chose to downy it—a subtle sting meant to remind Vickie who had truly shone.


    Vickie’s jaw tightened ever so slightly. Was Christina mocking her?


    “I think you were incredible, Christina. You’re just being too modest,” Chloe chimed in, her face full of sincerity,pletely missing the bite in Christina’s words.


    Vickie felt irritation coil inside her. Chloe was far too innocent—sweet to a fault and blind to the barbs hidden beneath polite conversation.


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