?Chapter 1633:


    “Sorry, my mind drifted for a second,” Jaxen said, forcing a small, uneasy smile.


    Bain shot him a piercing look and stepped immediately in front of Christina. “Stay away from Bonnie. I won’t allow anyone to harm her.” His tone was t and held not the slightest trace of courtesy.


    With anyone else, he might have softened his words. But when it came to Christina, he neverpromised — even if the President himself tried to hurt her, Bain would stand his ground.


    Jaxen’s difort grew. Heat crept up his neck, yet he kept his strained smile in ce, swallowing his annoyance. One day, he promised himself, he wouldn’t have to bend to the Jones family. He would rise above them. When he finally took everything they owned, they wouldn’t dare speak to him like this.


    “Bonnie,” La called softly, walking over and looping her arm through Christina’s. “Jaxen didn’t mean anything. Can you let it go? He didn’t actually hit you.”


    Christina stared at her, mildly irritated. What did any of this have to do with her? Why was she suddenly the one responsible for granting forgiveness?


    “You’re not angry, are you? I’ll have Jaxen apologize properly,” La said, offering a gentle smile. She sounded thoughtful, but Christina still felt cornered — as though she were being nudged into ying the gracious one.


    “Jaxen, say sorry to Bonnie,” La urged.


    Jaxen stepped forward, his expression earnest. “Bonnie, I lost focus earlier and almost ran into you. I’m really sorry.”


    “You didn’t actually touch me, so there’s no need to apologize,” Christina responded, her tone cool.


    Jaxen’s smile slipped. “Bonnie, you’re really not going to forgive me?”


    “That’s not what I meant,” Christina replied, the corner of her mouth twitching faintly. “I forgive you.”


    “Thank you, Bonnie,” Jaxen said quickly, visibly relieved.


    La nced toward the private golf course, and her face lit up. “How about we y golf?”


    The Jones family property was enormous, its course easilyrge enough to amodate the family and their guests. Before Christina could respond, La rushed on, “Bonnie, you’ve probably never yed golf, right? It’s fine — let Jaxen guide you. He’s amazing at it.” She slipped her arm free and drifted toward Bain. “Bain, can you teach me?” she asked, her eyes softening as she looked up at him.


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    “Jaxen can teach you well enough. I need to stay with my sister,” Bain replied without a moment’s hesitation.


    Christina caught the faint, almost imperceptible smirk on La’s lips before it vanished. She understood exactly what La was implying — that Christina was just a simple girl from the countryside, someone who wouldn’t know golf, as if she’d never seen the world beyond farnd and dirt roads.


    Well then. She would dly show them what this so-called country girl could do.


    Bain’s blunt refusal left La frozen. Her eyes welled with unspoken tears as she whispered, “Bain, did I do something wrong?”


    In her own mind, she hadmitted no real offense. Jealousy had gotten the better of her, and perhaps her words had slipped — but she didn’t believe she’d said anything unforgivable. If she had been raised by the Jones family instead, she thought, she would have been the cherished daughter.


    La couldn’t help imagining how different things would be if she had grown up in the Jones household. Bain’s attention would have been hers alone, not focused on Christina — the country girl who had only just returned. Someone who didn’t even know how to y golf was hardly qualified to stand as the Jones family’s heiress. If word ever spread, Christina would be a joke among the upper ss.


    What irritated La most was the Jones family’s persistence in searching for their biological daughter instead of choosing adoption. She remembered hearing her parents say that the Joneses had no intention of announcing Christina’s identity anytime soon. Maybe, despite their outward warmth, they were quietly ashamed of her. Prestigious families cared deeply about appearances, and Christina’sck of refinement would only tarnish their reputation once she was revealed. They might invest heavily in polishing her, but if she failed to live up to expectations, the Jones family would abandon her without hesitation. In La’s mind, Christina would be incredibly fortunate if Jaxen was even willing to marry her.


    “No. I want to teach Bonnie myself,” Bain said tly.


    “I’ll teach her too!” Gerry blurted out immediately.


    “I’ll partner with Bonnie,” Jordy added right after.


    “Get out of the way!” Gerry shoved Jordy aside. “Bonnie’s with me.”


    Jordy staggered back, barely keeping his bnce. “Move!” he snapped, steadying himself and shoving back.


    Gerry scoffed, “You want Bonnie to lose? You’re great with surgery, but your golf game is worse than La’s.”


    That hit a nerve. Jordy’s expression darkened, but unwilling to hold Christina back, he conceded with a reluctant breath. “Bonnie should y with Bain. He’s the strongest golfer here.”


    “So I’m stuck with you? That’s an automatic loss,” Gerryined.


    “Why not let Bonnie team up with Jaxen?” La suggested smoothly. “His ability is on par with Bain’s.”


    Jaxen stepped closer to Christina, his gaze filled with a warmth that felt far too intimate. His voice softened. “Bonnie, why don’t we y together?” He reached for her hand, but Christina shifted aside.


    The look in his eyes — invasive and heavy — made her want distance instinctively, let alone physical contact.


    “Absolutely not,” Bain said, stepping forward and firmly taking Christina’s hand. He stood in front of her, tall andposed, his expression distant. “Bonnie is ying with me.”


    A sharp pang of jealousy shot through La as she watched. The three Jones brothers were excessively protective — Gerry’s behavior was childish but expected. What shocked her was how Bain and Jordy, usually so calm and rational, lost all restraint around Christina. She couldn’t understand it. What had Christina done to earn such devotion?


    La clenched her teeth, bitterness pooling in her chest. If she had been the one raised by the Jones family, all this affection should have belonged to her.


    “Isn’t this unfair?” La forced a smile and stepped forward. “Shouldn’t you at least ask Bonnie what she wants? I think she deserves to choose.”


    Gerry rushed over at once, instantly turning on the charm as he held out his hand. “Bonnie, pick me.”


    Jordy hesitated, his gaze flickering with uncertainty. His golfing ability was mediocre at best, and he knew he would only slow her down. After a quiet moment, he withdrew without another word.


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