Chapter 1857:


    Theplete indifference in her eyes made his face flush. He scrambled to recover. “I know I made mistakes. I should never have treated you the way I did. But if you give me another chance, I swear I’ll make it right.”


    Christina looked at him with open disbelief. The shamelessness of it was almost impressive.


    “If I’m not mistaken, Vickie is already living in your house, and you’re still married to Ynda,” she said. “Aren’t you the least bit concerned about what’s happening under your own roof?”


    Brendon, misreading her tone as jealousy, rushed to exin. “I don’t even have feelings for Vickie. She got pregnant, and my mother felt sorry for her — she’s the one who insisted Vickie stay. I didn’t have a choice.”


    Watching him pin everything neatly on his mother and Vickie nearly made Christinaugh. Brendon wasn’t merely shameless — he had refined the art of never being at fault into something close to a talent.


    “Don’t waste my time,” she said, regarding him with quiet contempt. “Go home and act like a grown man for once. You might find I dislike you slightly less.”


    “Christina, please don’t be like this,” Brendon said, his voice softening into something that was meant to sound sincere. “I’m going through a very difficult time. Just give me one minute. I only want to talk — nothing more.”


    Christina looked at him with mild disdain. “Even if you wanted more, you wouldn’t have the nerve to try.”


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    “Christina!” He lunged forward to grab her hand.


    She stepped aside smoothly, and her expression hardened. “Guards!”


    A line of broad-shouldered bodyguards materialized almost instantly, forming up around her with practiced efficiency. Their size was intimidating; their manner toward Christina was impably respectful.


    “Ma’am, what are your orders?” one of them asked.


    Christina pointed at Brendon without looking away from him. “Find the nearest rubbish bin and put him in it.”


    “Yes, ma’am.” They moved with swift precision. Brendon spun to run and found there was nowhere to go.


    He let out an undignified yelp. “Christina! We were married! You can’t do this to me!” The image of a filthy, reeking bin closing over his head made his stomach turn over.


    “Wait,” Christina said, her voice cutting through themotion.


    The guards stilled and looked to her.


    Before she could speak, Brendon let out a short, triumphantugh. “You fools — let go of me. She’s not going to allow this. She was my wife.” He turned to Christina with a smug smile. “I knew you still cared. Let’s go somewhere and talk.”


    Christina walked toward him slowly. A smile curved her lips, but her eyes were entirely cold. “Talk about what, exactly?”


    “Just tell them to release me,” Brendon said, his confidence swelling. “Then we can discuss whatever you like.”


    The smile vanished. Christina drove her fist into his stomach without a word of warning.


    Brendon doubled over with a sharp, winded gasp, barely keeping himself upright.


    “Take him away,” she said.


    “Yes, ma’am!” the bodyguards answered in unison.


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