Chapter 1817:


    If not for the crowd filling the engagement party, she would have already found a way to force the issue. Those impulses, however, stayed locked inside her head. She didn’t have the nerve to act on them.


    “It’s not that,” Christina replied gently, quietly gauging how much longer it would be before the real spectacle got underway.


    “Then what is it?” Impatience flickered inly across Irene’s face.


    “Why don’t we take a photo to mark the asion?” Christina suggested lightly, her smile easy andposed.


    Irene’s jaw tightened. She wanted nothing more than to be done with this insufferable woman. Instead, she swallowed her frustration and gave in. “Fine. Let’s take one now.”


    “Come a little closer — let’s start with a selfie,” Christina said happily, producing her phone.


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    Irene stepped in despite herself, wearing a practiced smile, though impatience still glimmered faintly in her eyes.


    “Smile properly — it’lle out much nicer,” Christina said cheerfully, lifting the phone.


    Irene seethed inwardly andplied.


    “You look lovely. Taking it now.” Christina snapped several photos in quick session.


    “Is that enough?” Irene asked, her voice soft but her patience hanging by a thread.


    “Just a moment — let me see how they turned out.” Christina scrolled through the gallery, scrutinizing each image with great deliberation. “This one’s not right… and this one’s off too…” She pursed her lips. “This one’s rather underwhelming. It doesn’t quite capture how charming you are.”


    Irene raged silently. Charming. As if that mattered. Christina was absolutely intolerable, and the clock was running. If this went on much longer, the drug would begin affecting her before it ever reached Christina.


    “Well, I suppose this one will have to do,” Christina said atst, deleting every photo but the final one after a show of careful consideration.


    Irene kept her expression mild. “That’s fine. You must be thirsty by now — go ahead and drink.”


    Before she could finish, Christina cut in pleasantly. “I want to take a few solo shots of you first.”


    Irene clenched her teeth. The urge to end this charade was overwhelming, but she held it together.


    “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Christina asked, arranging her face into an expression of concern.


    “I don’t feel very well, actually,” Irene said, forcing a tight smile. “Maybe we should finish the wine and then go sit down somewhere.”


    Christina reached out to steady her, her brow creasing with worry. “Oh, that won’t do — drinking is thest thing you need if you’re feeling ill. I’ll have someone take you to the hospital.”


    “No, no — I’m alright,” Irene said quickly. She grasped for an excuse. “It’s just low blood sugar. I’ll be fine in a moment.”


    Christina nodded, appearing persuaded. “I understand.”


    “Then let’s drink to our fresh start,” Irene pressed, desperation sharpening behind her smile. She needed Christina to take that wine.


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