?Chapter 1631:


    Christina was searching for a way to escape La’s suffocating enthusiasm when Hurley’s voice suddenly cut in. “Is everyone here?”


    “Dad.” Christina rose at once to greet him, then noticed two unfamiliar figures standing beside him. They appeared at ease with Hurley, suggesting they were likely from the Wade family. As the thought formed, La’s voice rang out.


    “Dad! Jaxen!”


    Zahir’s gaze lingered on Christina with open approval as he smiled. “Is this Bonnie?”


    “Yes,” Hurley replied, pride evident in his expression. “Bonnie, this is my friend, Zahir Wade.”


    “Hello, Mr. Wade,” Christina said politely.


    “This is my brother, Jaxen,” La announced brightly, looping her arm through Christina’s.


    Christina’s brows tightened almost imperceptibly. She nced at the arm hooked through hers and suppressed her irritation — she had little tolerance for La’s excessive familiarity.


    “Bonnie,” Jaxen said, his eyes fixed on her.


    Christina turned to him and offered a courteous smile. “Hello, Jaxen.”


    “Alright, alright — let’s all sit down and talk,” Hurley said, gesturing for everyone to take their seats. The living room quickly grew animated, and just as Jordy and Gerry returned, dinner was nearly ready.


    In the dining room, Jaxen had intended to take the seat beside Christina, but was promptly edged out by the three Jones brothers. They took turns sitting next to her, leaving Jaxen — the outsider — without any chance. Tonight, it was Jordy’s turn to sit beside her. Bain imed the seat next to Jordy, which pushed Gerry to sit beside Bain, while La ended up next to Gerry. Neither of them was particrly pleased with the arrangement.


    La’s attention had been fixed on Bain all evening, but Gerry stood squarely in the way. Among the three brothers, Gerry was the least likely to inherit leadership of the Jones family, and La’s goal was to marry whoever ultimately held that position.


    Jaxen, for his part, felt a simmering mix of difort and irritation. He had nearly secured the seat beside Christina before the Jones brothers closed ranks against him. Were they deliberately blocking his ess to her?


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    Even so, the Wade family required a marital connection with the Jones family — through him, through La, or ideally through both. Jaxen had initially resisted the idea of marrying the Jones family’s long-lost daughter from the countryside, assuming she would be in and unsophisticated. Yet the instant he saw Christina, that assumption shattered. She was nothing like the country girl he’d pictured. With her striking beauty and graceful poise, she suited him perfectly. With Christina on his arm at social events, he’d avoid the mockery often directed at other wealthy heirs — her appearance and the backing of the Jones family would inspire envy, not ridicule.


    Jaxen tightened his fist beneath the table, resolve hardening. He had to marry the Jones family’s heiress and leverage their influence to advance his own future.


    “Raise your ss — to Bonnie’s return!” Hurley announced.


    Everyone stood, lifting their sses in unison. Smiles bloomed around the table as the room filled with lively cheer. Christina’s lips curved faintly, though she recognized the celebration for what it was — polite surface warmth masking deeper intentions. The Wade family was clearly pressing for a marriage alliance, while her own family showed no such urgency.


    “Bonnie, try the chicken. It’s very good,” Marsha said, nudging the te closer to Christina.


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