?Chapter 1687:


    Violette dialed Alban’s number, uncertain whether he would actuallye for her. If he turned her down, the humiliation would only deepen. But she had already gone this far, and retreat was no longer an option. She steeled herself and made the call.


    The phone rang endlessly. Just as Violette was about to give up hope, Alban finally answered.


    “Alban…” she breathed, her voice bright with relief.


    “What’s wrong?” Alban replied, his tone carrying a hint of impatience.


    Violette forced her smile to stay in ce and softened her voice to something sweet and pitiful. “Alban, can youe over? Someone’s picking on me…”


    “I can’t get away right now. I’ll have your brother handle it instead,” Alban replied, already attempting to pass the problem off.


    “Alban, this woman is incredibly arrogant! She said neither I nor anyone I call can touch her. Isn’t she insulting you too?” Violette pressed quickly, hoping to keep him engaged.


    A brief silence followed, as though his curiosity had been stirred. “She knows who I am and still dares to speak like that?”


    “Yes! She’s outrageously bold — and she even hit me,” Violette said, her voice trembling as tears threatened to fall. She desperately hoped he would show up and defend her.


    “I’lleter,” Alban said.


    “That’s great! Hurry, Alban. I’ll be waiting.” Violette hung up and immediately sent him her location.


    The Hewitts and Martels were connected by family ties, though not by blood — Violette’s grandmother was the Martel family’s adopted daughter. For years, the Hewitts had hoped to secure a marriage alliance with the Martels, and when Violette and Alban came of age, the family had tried repeatedly to pair them together. Alban, however, had never shown the slightest interest. Violette had followed him since childhood, yet he always treated her as nothing more than a younger sister. When she finally confessed her feelings, he rejected her without hesitation, stating inly that he had no intention of marrying and no desire for romance.


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    At one point, Violette had even wondered whether Alban was drawn to men — perhaps to Bain. The two were rivals, yet their rivalry sometimes struck her as strangely intimate. She had once regarded Bain as herpetitor in love, and even thinking about him now made her blood boil. If those two extraordinary men ever ended up together, she would lose her mind entirely.


    After sending her location, Violette lifted her chin and shot Christina a triumphant look. “You’re done for. My backup is on the way.”


    Irene straightened beside her, head raised with matching confidence. “You could still let us hit you back and then apologize sincerely,” she suggested.


    Violette settled back onto the sofa and crossed her legs with deliberate elegance, her gaze dripping with contempt as it settled on Christina. “Kneel and beg for my forgiveness, and maybe I’ll be merciful.”


    Christina’s smile only widened. “I suggest you book an appointment with a neurologist,” she replied coolly.


    Violette’s expression hardened instantly. “Are you calling me stupid?”


    “I never said that,” Christina said with a casual shrug, her smile infuriatinglyposed. “You came to that conclusion all by yourself.”


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