?Chapter 1686:


    The daughter of the Hewitt family had been pped in full view of everyone. If news of this spread, the Hewitt family’s prestige would be utterly disgraced, and retaliation would be inevitable. They would never let this humiliation pass — and Christina would surely be their target.


    Violette froze for a split second before baring her teeth. “How dare youy a hand on me!”


    “Weren’t you the one who tried to hit me first?” Christina countered, her smile sharp and scornful.


    Violette had no words. Irene, shaking with fury, stepped in. “You disgusting woman! You—”


    Before she could finish, another sharp sound rang out as Christina’s palm came down across Irene’s face.


    “I nearly forgot about you,” Christina said coolly, her smile devoid of warmth.


    Irene, seething with rage, locked her re on Christina and lunged toward the child in her arms. Before her fingers could even reach the girl, Christina shoved her away with force. As Irene staggered, Christina drove a hard kick into her abdomen.


    Irene was flung backward, crashing to the floor with a choked cry. The pain was overwhelming, contorting her features, and it took her a long while to regain her senses. She cursed Christina silently, stunned that a single blow had left her writhing on the ground.


    Watching her subordinate pped and kicked aside, Violette’s fury surged. She wanted to charge forward — yet fear rooted her in ce. She took one step and met Christina’s piercing, frost-cold stare, and instinctively drew back. That gaze filled her with dread. She understood that if she advanced any further, she would suffer the same fate as Irene.


    “Clear the store,” Christinamanded, her voice final and unyielding.


    “Yes!” The manager hurried forward and turned to Violette and Irene, her tone cold and firm. “You cannot afford to offend this guest. If you wish to avoid further trouble, I strongly advise you to leave immediately.”


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    “What makes her so untouchable?” Violette snapped. “I have the Martel family backing me! Cross me, and I’ll make sure all of you lose your jobs in Lionesspaw!”


    “Call Mr. Martel,” Irene urged quickly. “Ask him toe here, and let’s see if they’re still so arrogant.” She secretly hoped Alban’s arrival would give her another chance to get close to him. The more opportunities she had, the nearer she could inch toward him. Blinded by her own anger, Violette failed to notice the urgency in Irene’s tone.


    She pulled out her phone at once, sweeping her gaze around the room with a chilling smile. “Just wait. I’m calling Alban Martel right now. You’re finished.”


    The manager nced uneasily at Christina, worried that dealing with Alban would be far moreplicated than confronting the Hewitts. Yet if Christina refused to yield, she had no option but to stand her ground.


    “Let her call,” Christina said calmly, gently patting the girl’s back to soothe her. “Neither she nor whoever she brings will be able to touch me.” Her expression remained serene, her words deliberately provocative.


    “You’re unbelievably ignorant! When Alban arrives, you’ll regret everything you’ve done!” Violette snapped, her fury spiraling.


    “Why do you keep running your mouth? Hurry up and call for help. My time isn’t free,” Christina said mockingly, her tone dismissive.


    Boiling with rage, Violette dialed Alban’s number without dy. Irene waited with a mixture of excitement and caution, anticipating his arrival while keeping a wary eye on Christina. She had begun to suspect that Christina’s true intention was to draw Alban closer — which was precisely why she seemed so eager for Violette to make the call.


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