?Chapter 1641:
“What…?” The two Wade siblings were utterly stunned. Was that really her final word?
Just moments earlier, Etta had been furious enough to threaten taking the matter straight to Florrie. Yet the instant she learned they were the ones who had lost, she dropped it entirely. They had initially assumed she hade to intervene on their behalf. Clearly, they had badly misread the situation.
“I’ve just recalled that your grandma still needs me to handle something,” Etta said evenly. “I’ll excuse myself now. Enjoy the rest of your time.” She turned and walked away without another nce.
Etta had served as the Jones family’s head housekeeper for decades and carried undeniable weight within the household — every member of the family treated her with respect. No matter how unhappy the Wade siblings felt, they dared not show it. Offending her meant a direct report to Florrie, and Florrie’s authority within the family was absolute. As they watched Etta leave, a heavy, wordless frustration settled in their chests.
“Jordy, may I handle the punishment myself?” Christina slipped her arm through his, her voice soft and gently coaxing.
The moment Jordy heard that tone, refusing was impossible. He nodded at once — when it came to his sister, he simply couldn’t say no.
“Thanks, Jordy.” Christina beamed at him, a trace of quiet cunning glinting in her eyes.
She turned to the Wade siblings and offered a courteous, apologetic smile. “Sorry about that. I hope I didn’t upset you.”
“It’s… it’s fine,” they answered, forcing stiff and strained smiles.
“Straightforward and fair,” Christina said, her expression open and deceptively innocent. “You lost the bet and epted it properly. I respect people who y by the rules.”
Jaxen’s eyes flicked to therge bucket filled to the brim with icy water. “Bonnie, isn’t this a bit excessive?” he asked quietly. “I’m worried you won’t be able to lift it. Maybe you should pour some out first?”
“Yes, Bonnie,” La added quickly. “It’spletely full. What if you hurt your back?”
Christina nced at the two buckets, then back at them, and smiled easily. “You’re right. That does make sense.”
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“Then let me pour some out for you, Bonnie,” Jaxen said, stepping forward.
Christina stopped him with a raised hand. “Wait.”
“Bonnie, what is it?” Jaxen asked, a flicker of confusion crossing his face.
La grew tense, afraid Christina might be changing her mind. “Bonnie, just let Jaxen help you,” she said hurriedly. “I really am worried you’ll get hurt.”
“You two should squat down,” Christina said evenly.
The Wade siblings exchanged a nce. With no way to object, theyplied.
“Don’t worry about me,” Christina said, her smile faint. “I’ve been doing hardbor since I was young. I’ve always been stronger than people expect.”
A sharp ache struck all three brothers at once. Their eyes burned before they even had time to register the feeling. Their sister had endured far too much growing up — from that moment on, they silently vowed to treat her not just better, but a thousand times better than before.
The Wade siblings, however, felt not a shred of sympathy. If anything, faint contempt surfaced on their faces. So she really was just a country girl raised on hardbor — no polish, no social grace, no grasp of subtle cues. Everyone had been hinting that she should pour out some of the water, yet she stubbornly ignored it. Her emotional awareness was clearlycking.
They were willing to concede she might lift the bucket through sheer strength, but hoisting it high enough to dump over their heads was another matter entirely. If she hurt her back or twisted an ankle, she would have no one to me but herself. Some people only learned their lessons the hard way.
Just as they were savoring that thought, they watched in stunned silence as Christina raised the entire bucket of icy water with astonishing ease.
She really did have frightening, raw strength.
.
.
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