?Chapter 1629:


    Christina swiftly concealed the shadow that crossed her face, smoothing it into a soft, pleasant smile. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking that since we have a guesting tonight, there’s bound to be plenty of good food. We’re definitely in for a feast.”


    “You and your appetite,” Bain said, fondly messing up her hair. “If you want a feast, we can have one every single day.”


    Watching her, Bain understood that even if something was weighing on her, she had no intention of saying it aloud. Since she chose silence, he pretended not to notice — asking no questions, content as long as he could keep her safe. When the time came, she would speak on her own.


    “A big meal always tastes better when there are more people,” Christina said with a yful grin.


    “You mean it’s better when you have to fight for it, don’t you?” Bainughed, shaking his head. He knew she had endured far too much; from this point on, she deserved a life free of worry, filled only with ease and happiness.


    “Of course,” Christina replied, her smile never fading.


    Jones family estate.


    The moment Christina stepped inside, a graceful, unfamiliar woman approached her, wearing a bright and weing smile.


    “You must be Bonnie,” the woman said, her gaze sweeping over Christina with gentle curiosity.


    Christina’s brows knit slightly as she instinctively sidestepped the woman’s outstretched hands. For reasons she couldn’t exin, the woman’s apparent friendliness made her uneasy.


    Noticing the rejection, the woman let out a small, awkwardugh and pulled her hands back.


    “I apologize, Mrs. Wade,” Bain said, his manner courteous yet reserved. “My sister was only recently brought home. She’s still a bit ufortable around strangers.”


    “That’s perfectly alright,” the woman said with a smile, a trace of sympathy in her eyes as she looked at Christina. “You poor girl. You must have suffered so much out there on your own.”


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    “Bonnie,” Bain said, his voice noticeably gentler, “this is Mrs. Wade, Zahir Wade’s wife.”


    Marsha Wade’s expression stiffened for a brief moment, disbelief flickering across her face. The famously cold and indifferent Bain actually possessed such a tender side. It was in to see that this newly returned daughter upied an exceptionally important ce within the Jones family.


    “Hello, Mrs. Wade,” Christina said evenly.


    A spark of irritation shed through Marsha at Christina’s detached tone, though she kept it carefully hidden. “Hello, Bonnie. What a good girl,” she said warmly, her smile firmly in ce. “I brought a wee gift for you. I’m not sure if it’s to your taste, bute take a look.”


    “Thank you, Mrs. Wade,” Christina responded.


    She didn’t particrly like Marsha, but the Wades and the Joneses were close, and the woman hadn’t done anything openly offensive. There was no reason to be impolite without cause. When Marsha reached out to link arms and guide her toward the sofa, however, Christina avoided her touch once again.


    “This is just a small token to wee you home,” Marsha said, passing over the gift box with aposed smile.


    To Marsha, the shyness excuse rang hollow. A grown woman wasn’t shy — she was being deliberately discourteous. Christina had clearly evaded her twice now, and the message wasn’t lost on her.


    Christina opened the box to reveal a finely made diamond ne nestled inside.


    “Do you like it?” Marsha asked. “If not, you’re wee to visit my hometer and choose whatever you’d like.”


    “I like it. Thank you,” Christina said, her voice calm and detached.


    She couldn’t quite exin it, but from the very first nce, she had felt an instinctive dislike toward Marsha. Her intuition was rarely wrong — people she disliked at first sight almost never became close to herter on.


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