ã€ŠThe Humble Ex-wife is Now A Brilliant Tycoonã€‹


 Chapter 1

    ?Chapter 1:

    ¡°Let¡¯s end this marriage.¡±

    That single sentence plunged Christina Jones into the life of a woman unwanted by a wealthy family. Three years of loyalty to her husband, Brendon Dawson, had brought her nothing but heartbreak. On what should have been their joyful third anniversary, Christina had gone to Brendon¡¯s office, eager to invite him out to celebrate. But the moment she stepped inside, her eyesnded on an ornate ne gleaming atop his desk. She had believed it was meant for her.

    However, Brendon noticed her gaze and snapped the jewelry box shut with a careless hand. ¡°Ynda¡¯se back. This is her present,¡± he exined sharply and coldly, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

    Everything became painfully clear in that instant. Christina dropped her gaze, her thick-rimmed sses doing little to mask the ache and disappointment swimming in her eyes.

    Brendon¡¯s old me, Ynda Mitchell, had returned and reimed her ce in his heart. Meanwhile, Christina realized that after three years by Brendon¡¯s side, she¡¯d never really belonged there¡ªnever held his love, always an outsider, now discarded like something worn out and unnecessary.

    Irritation creased Brendon¡¯s brow as his patience frayed watching Christina stand silently, shoulders slumped. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯repensated. Let¡¯s get this over with and move on. Don¡¯t kid yourself into thinking you belong where you never did,¡± he said coldly and finally.

    Honestly, Brendon had never found fault with Christina¡¯s appearance, figure, or how she managed the household. The problem was, she simply bored him. To him, she was vorless¡ªa meal that left him unsatisfied and easy to set aside. Efficiency at home didn¡¯t make her the woman he desired.

    Christina¡¯s silence only deepened the lines on Brendon¡¯s forehead. His tone grew colder. ¡°You¡¯ve got three days to make up your mind. Don¡¯t test my patience¡ªI won¡¯t wait forever.¡±

    Without hesitation, Christina replied, ¡°No need for more time. I¡¯ll sign right now.¡± Calmly, she picked up the pen and wrote her name on the divorce papers.

    Together, they went through the motions at court, and soon every legal formality was behind them. Walking out, Christina felt a heavy ache in her chest, yet a strange sense of freedom crept in as well.

    The hope of ever reaching Brendon¡¯s heart was gone¡ªshe would no longer waste her life in a one-sided rtionship. From now on, there would be no more osciting between hope and heartbreak, no more self-inflicted wounds from loving a man who couldn¡¯t love her back. The lingering pain had felt like dying by a thousand tiny cuts; it was better to finish it all at once. Now, atst, it was done¡ªirrevocably finished.

    Read exclusive content at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    A sudden ring from Brendon¡¯s phone broke into Christina¡¯s reverie. He answered, worry quickly sharpening his features. ¡°What? Ynda¡¯s been hospitalized? I¡¯m on my way!¡±

    Without a farewell, Brendon rushed to his car and sped away, never pausing to offer Christina a ride or even a second nce.

    Whenever Ynda was involved, Brendon would abandon everything, swept up in thoughts of her alone.

    As soon as Brendon disappeared, a sleek ck-and-red Bugatti rolled to a stop right in front of Christina.

    Out hopped Davina Morris, Christina¡¯s closest friend, sporting a bold outfit and a wide, mischievous grin. ¡°Freedom looks good on you, Christina. Congrattions on finally escaping that mess.¡±

    With a flick of her wrist, Davina tossed the keys to Christina, eyes twinkling. ¡°How about something a little crazy tonight?¡±

    Catching the car keys with effortless charm, Christina simply walked over and sat behind the wheel. ¡°Hop in,¡± she said, no hesitation in her voice.

    Davina wasted no time settling into the passenger seat. With a stomp on the elerator, Christina left the courthouse¡ªand the past¡ªfar behind.

    The Bugatti tore down Azure Highway, the engine¡¯s roar mixing exhration with a sense of release.

    ¡°We really ought to hit a bar to celebrate. If you hadn¡¯t held me back, I would¡¯ve uncorked a bottle and doused that jerk with it right then and there,¡± Davina said, her indignation bubbling over.

    ¡°You pick the ce. But first, I need a stop at the salon,¡± Christina answered, her calm belying her need for a bit of reckless fun.

    Davina shot her a side nce. ¡°Three years off the radar, and people are still searching for you. When are you going to reim your crown and turn the medical world upside down again?¡±

    A shrug was all Christina offered. ¡°Haven¡¯t made any ns yet,¡± she replied, her voice cool and detached.

    A sharp, almost mockingugh slipped from Davina. ¡°Word is your ex is tearing up the city trying to track the legendary Doctor King down, desperate to save his precious sweetheart. Imagine his face if he ever learns you¡¯re actually King.¡±

    Not a word left Christina¡¯s lips. She just stared ahead, her expression unreadable.

    Meanwhile, Brendon¡¯s car raced through traffic, his nerves raw with worry. He dialed his secretary mid-drive. ¡°Still no progress on King¡¯s whereabouts?¡±

    King¡¯s reputation echoed around the globe¡ªa healer wrapped in legend and secrecy, vanished without a trace for three years. All attempts to locate King had led nowhere. The doctor¡¯s true identity remained a puzzle¡ªno one had ever seen King¡¯s face, nor even confirmed their gender.

    The secretary¡¯s voice crackled through the line. ¡°We¡¯ve contacted everyone we know, Mr. Dawson, but King is still missing.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Don¡¯t stop until you find King. I don¡¯t care what it takes!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll keep at it!¡±

    Restlessness gnawed at Brendon as he pulled into the hospital¡¯s parking lot and bolted toward the entrance. No matter how high the price, he wouldn¡¯t stop searching for King¡ªYnda¡¯s life depended on it.

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 Chapter 2

    ?Chapter 2:

    In the Vertbrook Bar, Christina slid off her ck-rimmed sses and tucked them into her hands. Without them, her eyes sparkled with mischief and warmth.

    Gone was the t, straight hair she always wore like armor. Now it flowed in waves, framing her face as if she belonged on the cover of a magazine. With that red lipstick and confident glow, she turned heads effortlessly.

    She moved like someone who had shed a skin. Whatever in, quiet version of herself had existed at home¡ªshe wasn¡¯t here tonight. Davina leaned in, swirling the straw in her cocktail. ¡°Hey, there¡¯s a shooting match next week. You thinking of signing up?¡±

    ¡°Not a chance,¡± Christina replied without missing a beat. ¡°It¡¯s been forever. My hands aren¡¯t as steady as they used to be.¡±

    ¡°Come on, who cares?¡± Davina shed a teasing grin. ¡°Use it to blow off some steam. Picture Brendon¡¯s face on the bullseye and go full demolition mode.¡± A low chuckle slipped out as Christina brought her ss to her lips. ¡°That¡¯s tempting.¡±

    ¡°Right?¡± Davina grinned, her tone rising with excitement. ¡°Oh¡ªand guess who¡¯s going to be there? Din. The guy who almost knocked you out four years ago. You bailed, and now he¡¯s been hogging the spotlight ever since.¡±

    Davina didn¡¯t wait for Christina to respond as she added, ¡°And get this¡ªthe prize this year is a custom Bugatti. Not a model you can just go out and buy. One of a kind.¡± She passed her phone to Christina without missing a beat. ¡°Here. Take a look at thepetition.¡±

    Christina flipped through the details in seconds. The prize money wasn¡¯t the only thing catching her attention. What really stood out was the twist¡ªcontestants would be hidden behind masks and aliases. But whoever came out on top? They¡¯d get to force the others to show their real faces.

    ¡°If you enter and win, you have to make Din take off his mask. I need to know what that guy looks like!¡± Davina eximed.

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    ¡°Okay.¡± Christina gave her winess a gentle swirl. The corners of her mouth curled into a teasing grin. ¡°If I show up, I¡¯m not just going to y. I¡¯m going to raise the stakes.¡±

    Davina tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes. ¡°Alright then, tell me¡ªwhat exactly are you thinking?¡±

    Christina shot Davina a sly grin. ¡°Let everyone know¡ªwhoever takes the crown this year gets a personal session with King. No expiry date either. As long as they meet King¡¯s terms, the deal stands.¡±

    Davina nearly spilled her drink. ¡°You¡¯re kidding! If that gets out, people are going to crawl over each other just to sign up. This thing¡¯s about to blow up.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m heading to the restroom.¡± Without another word, Christina rose from her seat.

    She didn¡¯t get far before a small crowd of men stepped into her path, their swagger loud enough to silence the room.

    ¡°Well, look what we¡¯ve got here,¡± one of them said, grinning. ¡°You look like you could use somepany. How about a drink?¡±

    They leered at her, scanning her from head to toe like she was something they could own.

    Ice filled Christina¡¯s gaze. Her voice dropped like a warning. ¡°Move.¡±

    That only seemed to encourage them. ¡°Feisty,¡± one of them chuckled. ¡°We like a girl who makes things interesting.¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Last chance. Get out of my way.¡±

    Instead of stepping aside, one of them whistled, reaching out a hand toward her chest with a lewd grin.

    That was all it took. Christina snapped his wrist before his fingers even brushed her. The sickening crunch made the whole group freeze. The man yelped, ¡°What the hell¡ª¡±

    The others didn¡¯t get a chance to retaliate. Christina moved like a storm¡ªa kick to the knee, an elbow to the jaw. One by one, she dropped them with cold precision.

    Within moments, the entire groupy sprawled across the floor, groaning and clutching bruises they¡¯d remember for weeks.

    Above them, the second-floor balcony overlooked the chaos.

    ¡°That woman¡¯s a knockout,¡± one of Brendon¡¯s buddies said, his jaw practically on the floor. ¡°Cool, confident¡ªexactly my type.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s gaze drifted to the woman with the wavy hair, and the longer he stared, the stronger the sense of recognition grew. There was something in her face¡ªsomething uncanny¡ªthat made him wonder if he was looking at Christina, his ex-wife.

    After spending the afternoon at the hospital with Ynda, Brendon had agreed to hit the bar on her suggestion. Blowing off steam sounded harmless¡ªuntil now.

    ¡°Hold on a second,¡± Ynda murmured, squinting at the woman downstairs. ¡°Isn¡¯t that Christina?¡±

    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re telling me that knockout is actually Christina? Get out of here. That can¡¯t be the same dull housewife who barely spoke.¡±

    Curiosity sparked in the group as they leaned in, squinting for confirmation. Recognition settled in fast¡ªit really was Brendon¡¯s ex-wife, and the shock hit them like a p.

    Katie Dawson, Brendon¡¯s younger sister, didn¡¯t hide her disdain. ¡°Look at her¡ªdressed like she¡¯s auditioning for attention. I guess getting dumped made her desperate. Bet she¡¯s prowling for a sugar daddy.¡± The groupughed, quick to follow her lead.

    ¡°Typical,¡± someone sneered, ¡°Women like that only know how totch onto a man.¡±

    ¡°Brendon dodged a bullet. With that look? She¡¯s practically advertising herself.¡±

    ¡°Take the man away and she¡¯s got nothing left. Just another gold-digger trying to act like she¡¯s someone.¡±

    Their voices scratched against Brendon¡¯s patience like nails on ss. He¡¯d had enough. ¡°Cut it out!¡± he snapped, his tone sharper than they¡¯d heard all night.

    Without waiting for a reply, Brendon gave them one final re and stormed off in Christina¡¯s direction.

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 Chapter 3

    ?Chapter 3:

    ¡°Brendon!¡±

    ¡°Wait, Brendon!¡±

    Katie and Ynda both called out, their voices ovepping as they rushed to stop him.

    Before Brendon could move any farther, they stepped in front of him, forcing him to stop.

    ¡°Please tell me you¡¯re not about to run to that woman,¡± Katie said, disbelief tightening her voice.

    A flicker of anger crossed Brendon¡¯s face. ¡°Watch your mouth, Katie. That attitude isn¡¯t just rude¡ªit¡¯s disgraceful. You¡¯re carrying our family name. Try not to drag it through the mud.¡±

    Ynda gently ced a hand on Katie¡¯s shoulder, her tone sweet and measured. ¡°Brendon, please don¡¯t be so harsh on Katie. She¡¯s still young and doesn¡¯t know better. If you still care about Christina, just be honest with me. I won¡¯t make things difficult for you. I¡¯ll go quietly.¡± Ynda¡¯s eyes were red with tears as she made a move to turn away, her face full of hurt.

    Seeing her like this made Brendon¡¯s heart twist. ¡°Ynda, no¡ªdon¡¯t go,¡± he said quickly, stepping forward and grabbing her hand. ¡°You¡¯re misunderstanding. There¡¯s nothing left between Christina and me.¡±

    ¡°Then be straight with me. Is there still a part of you that loves her? Because¡­ if there is, I can handle it. I won¡¯t hold it against you.¡± Ynda¡¯s voice was small and trembling as she met his eyes.

    Brendon couldn¡¯t ignore the way her face twisted with hurt and hastily said, ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it. Whatever Christina does now has nothing to do with me anymore.¡±

    Ynda reached for his hand, her voice gentle but firm. ¡°Perhaps Christina has a reason to dress like that. Maybe she¡¯s struggling to fend for herself. We should help her.¡±

    Brendon was impressed by Ynda¡¯s apparent kindness. ¡°You¡¯ve always had a golden heart, Ynda. But don¡¯t fret over Christina. She¡¯s not struggling the way you think. I gave her enough to livefortably, and if she chooses to be a gold-digger and discards her self-respect, that¡¯s on her.¡±

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    Ynda seemed like she wanted to say more, but suddenly lost her footing, her body leaning back as her bnce faltered.

    Brendon moved fast, catching her before she hit the floor. ¡°Ynda!¡± His voice cracked with panic.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s just too noisy here. I feel a bit dizzy. Let¡¯s go back to the private room,¡± Ynda¡¯s voice came out faintly as she leaned against him.

    Holding her steady, Brendon frowned. ¡°You should have stayed in the hospital and rested a few more days. You shouldn¡¯t have insisted on leaving.¡±

    Turning toward Katie, he instructed, ¡°Katie, take her back to the private room. I¡¯m going to the restroom and I¡¯ll be back in a minute.¡±

    Suspicion danced in Katie¡¯s eyes like a match to dry paper. ¡°You¡¯re not seriously nning to sneak off and meet Christina, are you?¡±

    Before Brendon could respond, Ynda gently ced her hand on Katie¡¯s arm. ¡°It¡¯s alright. If Brendon wants to speak to Christina, let him. She¡¯s not just some stranger¡ªshe was part of his life once. Pretending she doesn¡¯t exist won¡¯t make her disappear. And if her inappropriate attire tonight stirs up gossip, it won¡¯t just fall on Brendon¡ªit could drag down the Dawson name too.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re always so thoughtful, Ynda, even considerate of that bit¡ª¡±

    Katie stopped herself just as she caught Brendon¡¯s cold stare. She froze, swallowing her next words.

    A beatter, Katie¡¯s tone shifted. ¡°Brendon, you see, Ynda¡¯s still not in the clear. If something happens while you¡¯re out here wasting time, that¡¯s on you!¡±

    With an exasperated sigh, Katietched onto Ynda¡¯s hand. ¡°Come on, Ynda. We¡¯re leaving.¡±

    Downstairs, Christina exited the restroom. She gave her hair a casual toss, a small gesture that turned every head in the bar. Men watched her openly, eyes trailing her curves with a hunger that didn¡¯t even try to hide itself.

    From a short distance away, Brendon stood rigid. His jaw tightened as he watched the scene unfold, those men¡¯s stares igniting something bitter inside him. They weren¡¯t just looking¡ªthey were undressing her with their eyes. And he hated it.

    ¡°Christina Jones!¡± Brendon called out, voice low but taut with irritation.

    Christina¡¯s head turned slowly, her gaze meeting his with a cool detachment. She gave him a slow, deliberate once-over before answering, ¡°What do you want?¡±

    Her tone was casual. Distant. Like he was just another stranger in the crowd.

    That chill in her voice struck a nerve. It rattled something in Brendon he wasn¡¯t ready to name.

    Without thinking, Brendon marched over and seized her wrist. ¡°You¡¯reing with me.¡±

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 Chapter 4

    ?Chapter 4:

    With a swift jerk, Christina yanked her wrist free from Brendon¡¯s grasp, eyes narrowed and voice sharp. ¡°Try that again, and you¡¯ll regret everying a finger on me.¡±

    Instead of backing down, Brendon¡¯s irritation boiled over. He couldn¡¯t exin it, but it felt like control¡ªsomething he¡¯d always taken for granted¡ªwas slipping through his fingers. ¡°This ce doesn¡¯t suit you!¡± he snapped, voice cold. ¡°You don¡¯t need to y dress-up just to make me look your way.¡±

    That made Christinaugh¡ªsharp, humorless, andced with contempt. ¡°Wow. You think this is about you? Don¡¯t delude yourself. We¡¯re finished. Whatever you think you still have a say in, you don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Is that really what you want?¡± Brendon asked, his stare hard and searching. ¡°To erase everything just like that?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you want the same?¡± Christina retorted tly. ¡°Don¡¯t forget, we¡¯ve already divorced.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s hand twitched, and before he could stop himself, he reached for her again. But her reflexes were faster. With a crisp p, she knocked his hand away.

    ¡°Shit!¡± Brendon recoiled, holding his wrist, fury shing in his eyes.

    ¡°Are you insane?¡±

    ¡°If I am, at least I¡¯m not delusional,¡± Christina said casually, her gaze drifting down to his groin and back up with a derisive smirk. ¡°Though you might want to get yourself checked for any functional problems.¡±

    Rage twisted across his face. ¡°You¡¯ve got a real mouth on you!¡±

    ¡°Appreciate thepliment,¡± Christina replied with a shrug,pletely unfazed.

    Brendon¡¯s anger red even hotter. ¡°I came here to warn you because I didn¡¯t want to see you crash and burn. But if this is what you want, go ahead. Make your mess. I¡¯m done trying.¡±

    Without saying another word, Brendon spun on his heel and stormed off, his frustration echoing in each step.

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    Christina¡¯s transformation hadn¡¯t gone unnoticed. Still, in his mind, it was nothing more than a shy attempt to draw his attention.

    Across the room, more than a few men couldn¡¯t stop staring, their eyes tracking Christina like prey. She met their gazes with a look so sharp it could cut ss, and whatever boldness they carried dissolved on the spot. Every spine stiffened. Whatever fantasy they¡¯d been brewing was snuffed out before it even formed.

    No one in that bar forgot what had happened earlier. Those foolish enough to touch her were left broken¡ªone of them, quite literally, had his manhood destroyed. Nobody dared try again. Not after witnessing that brutal reminder.

    Elsewhere, inside a private, soundproof room tucked away from the crowd, two men silently observed themotion.

    Dn Scott leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly as the striking Christina strode away from the scene, her presence drawing focus like gravity. Something about her brought back a name he hadn¡¯t spoken aloud in years¡ªRose. The masked woman who had nearly shattered his pride at that shooting match four years ago. He could still picture the glint of her eyes behind the mask.

    ¡°She¡¯s got bite,¡± Ralphy Graham, Dn¡¯s friend,mented, his gaze flicking from the bar to Dn. ¡°If Brendon picked a fight with her, he¡¯d be eating dirt.¡±

    The quiet authority in Dn¡¯s posture was undeniable. He didn¡¯t need to speak to make his presence felt¡ªhis energy did the work for him. Ralphy caught the flicker of interest in his friend¡¯s eyes and said, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me she¡¯s cracked that cold wall of yours. You thinking of pursuing her?¡±

    A shift in Dn¡¯s expression sobered the air. ¡°Finding any leads on King is all I care about,¡± he said evenly.

    A crease formed on Ralphy¡¯s brow. ¡°Still nothing?¡±

    Dn¡¯s features were drawn tight. ¡°Not a trace.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like King disappeared off the face of the earth,¡± Ralphy said, a note of frustration slipping into his voice. ¡°But King is the only one who can treat your sister. That hasn¡¯t changed.¡±

    At those words, Dn¡¯s grip tightened around his ss. ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s why I¡¯ll keep looking¡ªno matter how long it takes.¡± Without pause, he downed the entire drink.

    A shrill ring sliced through the room, breaking the tension.

    Without missing a beat, Ralphy reached for his phone and answered, lookingposed at first. But within seconds, that calm shattered. His eyes lit up with sudden, electric excitement, and his posture shot upright.

    Dn raised an eyebrow, voice steady. ¡°What could possibly rattle you like that?¡±

    The call ended with a sharp tap. Ralphy turned to him, breathless with disbelief. ¡°It¡¯s about King. The shootingpetition!¡±

    Confusion flickered across Dn¡¯s face. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± He hadn¡¯t expected King¡¯s name to be tied to a shootingpetition.

    Ralphy exined, nearly bursting, ¡°King just released a statement. Next week¡¯s champion of the shootingpetition gets an opportunity for treatment¡ªno expiry, just has to follow King¡¯s terms.¡±

    Ralphy almost bounced in his seat. Thepetition he hosted had just be the hottest event of the year because of King¡¯s announcement.

    ¡°No way! Seriously?¡± Dn leaned forward, his voice dropping but the edge in it sharp. ¡°Say it again.¡±

    With unwavering certainty, Ralphy said, ¡°Whoever wins the shootingpetition earns a treatment session from King. And Dn, you¡¯ve been on top of the shootingpetition for three years straight under the alias of Din. If anyone¡¯s walking away with that prize, it¡¯s going to be you!¡±

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 Chapter 5

    ?Chapter 5:

    Dn didn¡¯t wait for Ralphy to say another word. He turned sharply and walked away without hesitation.

    That sudden exit made Ralphy blink. ¡°Where are you headed?¡± he called out, still riding the high of the news.

    ¡°I¡¯m heading back to train. If I want that win, I can¡¯t leave anything to chance,¡± Dn replied, his voice cold, eyes set like flint on the future. Finally, there was hope¡ªhis sister might get the treatment she needed. As long as that phantom from his past showed up, victory was within reach. Still, he couldn¡¯t afford to gamble on luck. He¡¯d push harder, train longer. Failure wasn¡¯t an option.

    Elsewhere, Brendon stood frozen with his phone in hand, staring at the notification of King¡¯s statement.

    ¡°It¡¯s real! King¡¯s giving out treatment! You¡¯re going to be okay!¡± Katie gasped from across the room and rushed forward, pulling Ynda into a tight hug.

    Uncertainty clouded Ynda¡¯s face. ¡°But¡­ isn¡¯t Din still undefeated? I heard no one¡¯s evene close to beating him in years.¡±

    Katie waved the concern off with a confident smile. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who wins. We¡¯ll make an offer they can¡¯t refuse. There¡¯s no way anyone will refuse money.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Ynda, you have my word¡ªI¡¯ll do everything in my power to get King to treat you,¡± Brendon said, his voice steady with conviction. ¡°No matter what it takes, I¡¯ll find a way to ease your pain and make this illness less of a burden.¡±

    Tears welled up in Ynda¡¯s eyes as she clutched his sleeve. ¡°You¡¯re always doing so much for me, I don¡¯t even know how to thank you.¡±

    Brendon held her close, one hand soothing her hair. ¡°You don¡¯t have to. I¡¯m not doing this for thanks¡ªI¡¯m doing it for you.¡±

    Moved beyond words, Ynda buried her face against his chest. ¡°Brendon, thank you.¡±

    And so, the long-awaited day of the shootingpetition finally arrived.

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    By morning, the shooting grounds were packed tighter than ever. The rare luxury car was a shy incentive, but it was King¡¯s offer of treatment¡ªmore precious than gold or any fancy car¡ªthat pulled the crowd in like gravity.

    Barely had the opening round finished before contestants began dropping like flies.

    As each round grew more demanding, the numbers thinned fast, with only the most skilled shooters hanging on.

    Brendon held his own long enough to break into the top ten, but his run ended when he pushed too hard for the top five. The disappointment etched itself clearly across his face.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Brendon. We¡¯ve got more than enough money to work with,¡± Katie said, fully prepared to use their wealth to secure the championship by any means necessary.

    Ynda offered a softer response, her voice warm and gentle. ¡°You did everything you could, Brendon. Making it that far was amazing. Please don¡¯t be so hard on yourself.¡±

    One look at Ynda¡¯s calm, supportive smile eased some of the tension knotted in Brendon¡¯s chest. Even so, her grace only deepened the self-reproach twisting inside him for not being skilled enough to win the prize of King¡¯s treatment. He hateding up short.

    Now, only two names remained on the board. One man. One woman.

    Everyone recognized Din¡ªthe reigning champ with a perfect track record. The woman standing across from him, Chrissy, was a mystery to most.

    The final challenge came with a twist¡ªcontestants had to shoot while blindfolded.

    Dn had already pieced it together. Chrissy wasn¡¯t some unknownpetitor. She was Rose¡ªthe same Rose who had disappeared without a trace three years ago. She hadn¡¯t just returned; she had reinvented herself under a brand-new alias.

    Standing across from the very woman who had once crushed him in the past, Dn felt the weight of that memory press down hard. Even so, three years of relentless training had reshaped him. This time, he believed he could take her down.

    With steady steps, Dn walked onto the stage. A ck mask concealed his face, but the resolve in his stance said everything. The staff tied the blindfold tightly, and the final showdown began.

    First shot¡ªdirect hit. Right through the center.

    Second shot¡ªanother bullseye.

    Then came the third.

    All around him, the crowd leaned in, the arena holding its breath like one giant lung.

    When that final shot struck dead center, the silence shattered into wild cheers. The audience leapt from their seats, the roar deafening.

    ¡°Din is amazing! If I flirt with him and win him over, I bet I can talk him into giving up that prize once he wins!¡± Katie eximed from the front row, pping her hands together and beaming.

    ¡°You¡¯re smitten with him, aren¡¯t you?¡± Ynda tilted her head, an amused sparkle in her eyes.

    Flushing, Katie quickly waved it off. ¡°Absolutely not! I¡¯m just trying to secure King¡¯s treatment for you, that¡¯s all.¡±

    Ynda chuckled. ¡°You¡¯ve always looked out for me, Katie. I¡¯m so lucky to have you.¡±

    Brendon crossed his arms. ¡°This match is Din¡¯s to take. No question.¡±

    Brendon hadn¡¯t taken Chrissy seriously since she walked in. In his mind, women just didn¡¯t belong in the upper tier of this sport. The name Rose still lingered in his memory¡ªher win years ago felt more like a lucky strike than a real triumph. If she had the skill, she wouldn¡¯t have vanished three years ago.

    Now blindfolded and standing center stage, Chrissy¡ªwho was actually Christina¡ªmade no move to shoot. Instead, she turned her body slowly, letting the eyes of the crowd follow her every motion.

    Whispers broke out almost immediately. ¡°Is she giving up?¡±

    ¡°Maybe this is her way of backing out without saying it outright.¡±

    ¡°I said it from the start¡ªwomen just can¡¯t hold their own in a match like this.¡±

    But as the noise grew louder, Christina raised her weapon behind her back and, without adjusting her stance, pulled the trigger. The shot rang out sharp and clean.

    ¡°Direct hit!¡± the announcer shouted.

    Gasps rippled through the audience. She hadnded a bullseye¡ªand under conditions that were harder than earlier rounds.

    ¡°How is that possible?¡±

    ¡°No way. That was pure luck!¡±

    While the crowd clung to doubt, Dn¡¯s confidence began to slip. It was happening again. He was about to lose to Rose.

    From her second shot to herst, Christina never missed. Each movement was fluid, each shot dead-on. She moved like she had eyes in the back of her head. Shot after shot, bullseye after bullseye.

    The difficulty of Chrissy¡¯s round surpassed Dn¡¯s, leaving no room for dispute¡ªChrissy had won. Cheers erupted, curses followed, and stunned silence filled the gaps in between.

    Those who bet everything on Din were left stunned and broke. Meanwhile, Davina couldn¡¯t stop grinning. She had bet on Chrissy from the start¡ªand now she was walking away with more money than she knew what to do with.

    Dn remained rooted to the spot, his disbelief anchoring him in ce as Christina strode straight toward him.

    ¡°You will peel off the mask yourself, or should I do it for you?¡± Christina said casually, determined to see his face as per the privilege that came with the winner.

    The voice modtor built into her mask disguised her tone, keeping the crowd guessing.

    But Dn didn¡¯t need a voice to recognize her¡ªhe knew. This was Rose. No doubt. With no hesitation, he reached up and pulled off his mask.

    Gasps swept through the arena as his face came into full view. Revealed beneath the mask was none other than Dn Scott, head of the city¡¯s most powerful dynasty and the silent force behind the verypetition they were watching.

    Brendon exhaled in quiet relief. Had Dne out on top, not even the Dawson name would have held any weight to sway him into giving up the prize of King¡¯s treatment. Compared to Dn¡¯s influence, the Dawson family would have been brushed aside like a rumor.

    Masked and silent, Christina moved past Brendon and his crew, her steps aimed at Davina¡ªuntil Katie suddenly stepped in her way.

    ¡°Hold it right there!¡± Katie nted herself in front of Christina, eyes narrowed with smug defiance. ¡°That reward¡ªsell it to us. Just say how much you want.¡±

    ¡°Nah, not for sale,¡± Christina said, her voice dry and unmoved. Helping Ynda had never been on her agenda. Not now. Not ever.

    ¡°You seriously think refusing us is smart?¡± Katie snapped. ¡°Do you know what happens to people who go against the Dawson family?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± Christina said with a shrug. ¡°And I don¡¯t care. I said it¡¯s not for sale.¡±

    ¡°You arrogant¡ª¡± Katie¡¯s words failed her as rage took over. In one furious motion, she lunged forward and yanked the mask off Christina¡¯s face.

    Every head turned. Silence swept the crowd as Christina¡¯s face was revealed to all.

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 Chapter 6

    ?Chapter 6:

    As the white mask was torn away, Christina¡¯s breathtaking face was revealed. Graceful features framed her face¡ªso striking that it was impossible not to stare. The contradictory qualities of allure and innocence coexisted on her face without the slightest discord, blending seamlessly into a unique charm that no one could replicate. She exuded an enchanting glow.

    ¡°Christina?¡± Brendon stood rooted to the spot, his brain struggling to process this unexpected revtion.

    Katie¡¯s jaw dropped as her eyes locked on Christina, disbelief washing over her like a p. The idea that Christina¡ªof all people¡ªhad just won the shooting match felt absurd.

    Neither Katie nor Brendon could reconcile with the fact that the woman who once foldedundry and made grocery lists had just emerged victorious in the shootingpetition. How could a woman, cast aside and overlooked for the past three years, pull off breathtakingly difficult blind shots with that kind of precision and grace?

    Finally finding her voice, Katie scowled and stepped forward. ¡°What the hell are you doing here, Christina?¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch. Her smile was razor-sharp, her expression unreadable. ¡°I could ask you the same thing. And why wouldn¡¯t I be here?¡±

    Brendon retorted, his voice sharp and loud, ¡°This isn¡¯t a ce for someone like you. You¡¯re not cut out for this!¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± Christina cocked her head, her smile now dripping with mockery. ¡°Where I choose to be is none of your concern. And since when do pathetic people like you get to decide what I¡¯m allowed to do?¡±

    ¡°You bitch!¡± Katie, burning with fury, lunged forward with her hand raised, ready to strike Christina across the face.

    Without even blinking, Christina caught Katie¡¯s wrist mid-air. Her grip was steady, unflinching, cold.

    L?t?st ?h??¦Ñt?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?ls.??0??

    Katie gasped as pressure mped down on her bones. ¡°Ah!¡± she cried out, her voice cracking in pain. She was mildly surprised. That grip wasn¡¯t normal. That strength didn¡¯t belong to the fragile woman they thought they knew.

    ¡°Christina Jones!¡± Brendon charged forward, his face dark with fury as he seized Christina¡¯s wrist. ¡°Let go of Katie. Now,¡± he said through clenched teeth.

    Moments like this had yed out countless times before. Every time things got ugly between Christina and his family, Brendon chose his blood over her without hesitation.

    Christina gave him a sharp look and a mocking smile before her fingers loosened. Katie stumbled back, cradling her wrist.

    Christina didn¡¯t release Katie because of Brendon. The truth was, she had no desire to engage with them.

    Even after Christina let go, Brendon refused to release her. His grip stayed firm, as if trying to stake somest im.

    ¡°Let go of me,¡± Christina said, her voice low and sharp, her patience thinning.

    ¡°Sell me the King¡¯s treatment opportunity. I¡¯ll pay whatever it takes.¡±

    Instead of backing off, Brendon tightened his hold.

    Christina met his gaze with a sneer, her eyes brimming with contempt. ¡°Anything I ask for?¡±

    ¡°Anything,¡± Brendon said without hesitation. ¡°Just don¡¯t ask for my heart or the position of my wife.¡±

    In Brendon¡¯s mind, Christina was shallow enough to jump at the right offer. Money, he assumed, was all it would take. He saw no difference between his offer and the choice she¡¯d made when she supposedly hit the bar for a sugar daddy the other night.

    Christina¡¯s eyes locked onto his. They were sharp. Unforgiving. ¡°Then give me your life in return.¡±

    The demand hit him hard. His expression darkened, and for a moment, he waspletely thrown. His life?

    ¡°Don¡¯t push it, Christina Jones!¡± Katie snapped, her voice shrill with fury.

    Ynda¡¯s brows pulled together as she spoke up, her voice weak, much like most expected from a patient. ¡°Christina, I know you can¡¯t stand me since Brendon chose me over you and never loved you. If you¡¯re angry, aim it at me. Brendon doesn¡¯t deserve your bitterness. All he ever wanted was to marry me, the woman he truly loves¡ªis that so unforgivable? If you still want to be with him, I won¡¯t stand in your way. I¡¯ll step back. But if I do, Brendon will be heartbroken. Can you really bear to see him live the rest of his life in pain?¡±

    Christina turned her gaze to Ynda, noticing the shimmer of unshed tears clinging to the edges of her eyes. Ynda¡¯s performance was hard to stomach.

    Christina had to admit Ynda was a master of maniptive tricks, each word dripping with apparent concern for Brendon and tant usations of her being selfish and unreasonable, painting herself as an angel with a golden heart.

    A glint of light caught Christina¡¯s eye¡ªYnda¡¯s ne, a cruel reminder of her own past naivety. Back at the third anniversary of their marriage, she had believed that ne was a heartfelt gesture from Brendon. She had deluded herself that maybe, just maybe, he had finally warmed up to her.

    But the truth hadn¡¯t just hurt¡ªit had wrecked her. His harsh words¡ªa gift specially prepared for Ynda¡¯s return¡ªhad shattered thest illusion she clung to. She had learned the hard way that love forced into existence only left scars behind. Some things, no matter how tightly held, simply weren¡¯t meant to be.

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 Chapter 7

    ?Chapter 7:

    Katie¡¯s voice rose with righteous indignation. ¡°Ynda, you and Brendon are madly in love. If it weren¡¯t for Christina interfering, you two would have already married and had kids by now! How could you consider stepping aside for her to bond with Brendon?¡±

    Christina¡¯s eyes narrowed. Her voice dripped with disdain. ¡°I interfered? Funny. Who was it that ran off the moment Brendon ended up in a wheelchair?¡±

    Christina scoffed at Katie¡¯s audacity in uttering those words. Brendon would have been paralyzed for life if she hadn¡¯t stepped in and used her medical skills to heal him. With the exception of Bethel Dawson, Brendon¡¯s grandmother, the entire Dawson family had shown nothing but contempt and thanklessness. Had Bethel not once saved her life, she wouldn¡¯t have tolerated even a second of their arrogance.

    Ynda¡¯s confidence cracked. Her hands trembled slightly before she pulled herself together and slipped back into her usual act, tears glistening in her eyes. ¡°It wasn¡¯t like that, Christina. My grandfather forced me to leave. I had no say in it¡­¡±

    A short, sharpugh slipped past Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°Spare me.¡± Sadly, no one else seemed to see through Ynda¡¯s act, and the Dawson family swallowed her every word like it was gospel.

    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± Katie shot Christina a sharp re, her voiceced with fury. ¡°If my grandmother hadn¡¯t foolishly insisted that Brendon marry you, do you really think someone like you would ever stand a chance of joining my family? Keep dreaming!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯mughing because you¡¯re all hopelessly stupid.¡± Christina didn¡¯t mince her words as her smirk widened.

    That was enough to send Katie over the edge. She lifted her hand and intended to p Christina.

    Smack! Christina moved first. The sound of the p echoed before anyone registered what was going on.

    ???????? ???????? ????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Katie reeled back, her eyes widening, fury and disbelief swirling together. ¡°You¡­ You actually hit me?¡±

    ¡°Couldn¡¯t stop myself,¡± Christina said, casting a mock-inspecting nce at her hand. ¡°Though I think your face might¡¯ve bruised my palm.¡± She blew on her palm, a faint smile curling at the corners of her mouth.

    ¡°You!¡± Outrage red in Katie¡¯s eyes. She lurched forward, fists clenched, ready to strike again.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Brendon¡¯s voice boomed, cutting through the chaos like a de.

    ¡°Brendon!¡± Katie snapped, stomping her foot like a child denied her way. ¡°You¡¯re really going to side with that slut? She pped me!¡±

    Brendon shot her a re. ¡°Anyway, she¡¯s your former sister-inw. Show some basic decency.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t show her any shred of politeness, no matter what!¡± Katie retorted, her voice thick with resentment.

    Brendon¡¯s jaw tightened, but his voice softened as he turned to Christina, his hand still on her wrist. ¡°Katie¡¯s just immature. Don¡¯t take her words seriously.¡±

    ¡°Take your hand off me. I don¡¯t want to deal with you guys¡ªI¡¯m starving,¡± Christina said, her voice sharp and cool.

    Her frigid tone caught him off guard. It stung in a way he didn¡¯t expect. ¡°You really have to talk to me like this?¡± he asked, frowning as if he couldn¡¯t understand.

    Christina rolled her eyes and sneered, ¡°Don¡¯t want to drag on this pointless conversation with you. Now let go.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s strike a deal,¡± Brendon said quickly, desperation leaking into his voice. ¡°Sell me the prize of King¡¯s treatment. I¡¯m asking you¡ªjust think back to the lovely three years we spent married.¡±

    Christina rolled her eyes. Yeah, as if they had any pleasant memories in the past three years. She silently marveled at the sheer shamelessness embedded in every branch of the Dawson bloodline. ¡°No deal,¡± she dered firmly.

    ¡°For Christ¡¯s sake, couldn¡¯t you stop being this stubborn, Christina? Are you doing this just to get back at me? If the position of my wife is all you¡¯re after, fine¡ªyou can have it again. Satisfied?¡± Brendon¡¯s tone dipped into arrogant pity.

    Christina¡¯s voice rose, her anger barely contained. ¡°Are your ears not functioning or what? I said no deal! And the position of your wife? I couldn¡¯t care less who takes it. It means absolutely nothing to me!¡± She was so livid that she nearly let out augh. Just how could he see himself as the best thing since sliced bread, as if being his wife was an honor that most pursued?

    ¡°Christina, I know you didn¡¯t mean your words and that you¡¯re upset. I can remarry you, but you need to give me the prize of King¡¯s treatment,¡± Brendon said, his voice steeped in exasperation as if he had been tolerating Christina¡¯s supposed tantrum.

    Christina stared at him for a moment that stretched too long, her expression thoughtful. How had she missed that he was this infuriatingly arrogant and shameless? Proposing to remarry her as a bargaining chip to snatch King¡¯s treatment¡ªdid he actually believe he was some kind of grand prize and women should be lining up to charm him?

    ¡°Have you lost your fucking mind? Why would anyone in their right mind want to marry you again?¡± Christina snapped, her patience gone. Before thest word had even settled in the air, she grabbed Brendon¡¯s wrist and twisted hard without hesitation.

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 Chapter 8

    ?Chapter 8:

    Christina moved like lightning. In one seamless motion, she flipped Brendon over her shoulder and mmed him into the pavement. He hit the ground before he even had time to react.

    Everyone around them froze. Nobody could believe what they had just seen.

    Lying on his back, Brendon groaned through clenched teeth. His face contorted, and the pain was written all over him.

    ¡°Brendon!¡± Katie and Ynda rushed to his side. They dropped to their knees, panic in their eyes, watching him struggle just to sit up. By the time Brendon was back on his feet, wincing with every movement, Christina had already started walking away.

    ¡°What are you doing just standing there? Go after her! Aren¡¯t you all Brendon¡¯s friends?¡± Katie yelled, her voice sharp with fury as she spun around, pointing furiously at the group of idle men.

    The men who had been frozen in ce just moments ago suddenly jolted into motion. None of them was bold enough to face Christina on their own. But as a group, they figured they had the upper hand. Christina didn¡¯t flinch. She tilted her head from side to side, loosening her neck, calm as ever while they closed in.

    Just before she could make a move, someone charged in from the edge of the crowd. It was Dn.

    The man at the front barely had time to register Dn. Dn¡¯s foot struck his chest and sent him flying across the ground like a ragdoll. ¡°Ah!¡± One by one, the rest of them went down. Screams of pain filled the air as Dn moved through them with brutal precision. None of them got back up.

    A sudden presence shifted the air as Ralphy strode in, nked by a squad of imposing bodyguards who filled the room with silent threat. ¡°You think you can stir up chaos in my shooting range and walk away? You¡¯ve got a death wish!¡± Ralphy snapped, his voice booming. With a flick of his hand, Ralphy turned to the bodyguards. ¡°Get rid of them. They¡¯re banned for life.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± The bodyguards didn¡¯t hesitate. Without a word, they grabbed the troublemakers and dragged them out.

    Latest chapters g@ln¦Òv??ls?c©–m

    Katie, who had been yelling just minutes ago, shrank back, visibly shaken and pale.

    Ynda¡¯s frustration boiled over. Her voice quivered with a measured pout as she turned toward Dn. ¡°Mr. Scott, this wasn¡¯t our fault. Don¡¯t you think this¡­¡±

    ¡°Punishment is too harsh?¡±

    ¡°Exactly! Christina started all of it!¡± Katie eximed, finding her voice and stabbing her finger in Christina¡¯s direction.

    Dn¡¯s eyes narrowed into a steely re. His words came slow and sharp. ¡°Are you giving me instructions now?¡±

    That single question dropped like a hammer. The icy weight of his stare made both women freeze.

    ¡°N-no, I didn¡¯t mean it like that¡­¡± Katie¡¯s voice faltered as she instinctively stepped back.

    Right beside Katie, Ynda grabbed her hand and gave her a meaningful look. That nce wasn¡¯t just forfort. She was urging Katie to act¡ªthis was a rare chance to make a move on Dn. Seeing Dn up close was something most could only dream of¡ªyet here he stood, mere steps away. If Katie desired to be Dn¡¯s wife, she needed to act fast and own the moment.

    Katie grasped the stakes in an instant and pushed herself to move forward. She pointed at Christina. ¡°Mr. Scott, a woman like her couldn¡¯t have won against you fair and square. She must¡¯ve pulled something sneaky. You really ought to look into it properly!¡±

    She was ying to his vanity, betting that his ego could be her greatest ally. No man wanted to admit defeat, especially not to a woman. Dn was not someone to cross¡ªand if Christina had ticked him off, her whole future could¡¯ve gone up in smoke.

    Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd. Those who had bet money on Dn emerging as victorious in the shootingpetition were the loudest, their voices turning bitter with their financial loss.

    ¡°I¡¯m with you on this! That new girl, Chrissy, had to have done something shady. There¡¯s just no chance she beat Mr. Scott, the champion for three years straight, without cheating somehow.¡±

    ¡°Same mind here. Somebody needs to check her out. Women don¡¯t win these things unless something fishy¡¯s going on.¡±

    ¡°Come on. Everyone knows guys have the edge in this sport. She must¡¯ve cheated, no question.¡±

    Christina let out a dryugh, clearly fed up with the baseless usations being thrown at her. ¡°I had my back to the target the whole time. So tell me, how would I have managed to cheat? What, do you think I smuggled in someone else to shoot for me? The truth is, you guys just can¡¯t handle losing to a woman. Fine then¡ªhow about this? Let¡¯s settle it with a match right now. The loser puts their hand on the line!¡±

    Thest sentence hit hard. A cold silence spread as the boldest voices suddenly quieted down. Feet shuffled. No one dared to speak.

    With a look of pure disdain, Christina scanned their faces. ¡°All bark and no bite,¡± she said. ¡°You guys love to talk until it¡¯s time to prove something.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a cheat! How can you even prove it was you out there on the range?¡± Katie interjected without missing a beat, her voice steady andced with suspicion. ¡°You showed up in that white mask and walked through a blind spot where no one was watching. For all we know, you could¡¯ve switched ces with someone else.¡±

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 Chapter 9

    ?Chapter 9:

    Christina regarded Katie with a look bordering on contempt, as though observing a fool parading their ignorance. She couldn¡¯t imagine how Katie¡¯s mind coulde up with such an absurd usation. Did Katie seriously believe the organizers of the shooting range were mere decoration?

    ¡°Are you implying our range operates unfairly?¡± Ralphy asked, the corner of his mouth lifting subtly as his prating gaze settled on Katie. Although his voice was friendly, there was something dangerously sharp lurking behind his eyes, causing Katie¡¯s pulse to quicken anxiously.

    ¡°No¡ªno, that¡¯s not what I meant!¡± Katie stuttered, frantically waving her hands as she struggled to rify. ¡°It¡¯s just that I know Christina far too well. Shooting isn¡¯t in her skill set. She¡¯s just a regr housewife.¡±

    Ralphy¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly. ¡°Are housewives somehow incapable of handling a firearm?¡±

    ¡°Anyway, she¡¯s all about household chores¡ªdon¡¯t let her fool you!¡± Katie insisted, her desperation mounting with every word.

    Dn¡¯s expression hardened noticeably. ¡°Not only can she shoot, she¡¯s extraordinary.¡±

    ¡°I am pretty sure she somehow cheated! Mr. Scott, you¡¯ve got to listen to me! You can¡¯t trust a word that woman says¡ªshe¡¯s nothing but a fraud! She doesn¡¯t even deserve to stand on the same shooting field as you. And her supposed beating you? Don¡¯t be ridiculous!¡± Katie snapped.

    A cold glint sharpened in Dn¡¯s eyes as he shot daggers at her. ¡°If she¡¯s unworthy, where exactly does that leave you? Perhaps reflect on your own worthiness before passing judgment.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re bewitched by her lookspletely! There¡¯s much more to her than meets the eye!¡± Katie hissed, frustration pushing tears to the corners of her eyes.

    Slowly, Dn scanned the faces of the spectators, noting their mix of shock and stubborn skepticism. He himself had epted defeat by Christina gracefully, yet these lesserpetitors still dared to challenge her credibility.

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    With a quiet grin, Dn revealed the truth that changed everything. ¡°She¡¯s Rose¡ªthe very Rose who defeated me four years ago.¡±

    A hush enveloped the space instantly, every head pivoting toward Christina.

    ¡°That can¡¯t be right! She can¡¯t be Rose!¡± Katie¡¯s voice cracked under the weight of disbelief.

    Excited chatter surged through the room, each voice alive with theories about the enigmatic Rose and her remarkable abilities.

    ¡°If she truly is Rose, defeating Dn isn¡¯t beyond her capabilities.¡±

    ¡°But didn¡¯t she debut as Chrissy? Why would she need a new alias if she was already a legend?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding! Rose is this stunning? No one¡¯s seen her in three years since she took Dn down, and now she¡¯s returned to finish what she started. Her skill level is legendary!¡±

    Brendon remained rooted in ce, eyes wide with disbelief as he studied Christina. Her tranquil expression, untouched by themotion, radiated an unsettling confidence. He blinked. Was this really his former wife? Christina¡ªthe dull, ordinary woman he¡¯d divorced¡ªwas actually Rose? The one he once dismissed as in was actually extraordinary and intimidating. This Christina felt unfamiliar, utterly beyond his recognition.

    Brendon struggled to bridge the gap between the Christina he remembered and the poised woman standing confidently before him. How manyyers had she hidden beneath her facade? They¡¯d shared three years of marriage, yet he suddenly realized he didn¡¯t quite know her. Her secretiveness now gnawed at him, resentment simmering within.

    ¡°She can¡¯t be Rose! She¡¯s just a useless housewife!¡± Katie shouted, her voice frantic and shaking with fury.

    Calm and poised, Christina turned her unwavering gaze on Katie. ¡°Like I¡¯ve said¡ªif anyone doubts my identity, they¡¯re wee to challenge me. But be warned¡ªthe stakes are a hand.¡±

    Every eye turned sympathetically toward Katie, recognizing her imminent defeat. Challenging Christina was like courting disaster. Luck might grant one victory, but consistent wins meant undeniable talent.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Katie said reluctantly, forcing herself forward with hesitant steps.

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 Chapter 10

    ?Chapter 10:

    ¡°Katie!¡± Brendon cut her off in a panic, his hands mmy as dread crept up his spine. As much as he hated to believe it, the possibility that Christina was truly Rose gnawed at him. And if that were true, then Katie stepping up to challenge her would be nothing short of walking into disaster. With Dn overseeing the match, any thought of bending the rules was pure fantasy.

    Standing beside Brendon, Ynda¡¯s lips tightened in disappointment¡ªshe¡¯d been counting on this sh to drive an irreparable wedge between Christina and the Dawson family. But Brendon¡¯s intervention had pulled the brakes before things spiraled too far.

    Katie flinched at Brendon¡¯s shout, and as calm slowly descended upon her, the bravado drained from her face, reced by a cold wash of dread. Her aim was mediocre at best, and even if Christina wasn¡¯t Rose, the odds were stacked against her. Losing wouldn¡¯t just bruise her ego¡ªit woulde with brutal consequences¡ªlosing one of her hands.

    ¡°Well, if everyone¡¯s done making a scene, I¡¯ll be heading out for dinner,¡± Christina said casually, as if nothing of significance had just unfolded. Tradition held that the top ten shooters would be treated to dine at the Morfort Restaurant, with family members and friends allowed to tag along.

    Christina recalled that Davina had raved about trying the Morfort Restaurant¡¯s signature dishes¡ªshe decided it was the perfect time to indulge together.

    With no further objections, Christina shifted her attention to Dn. ¡°Thanks for stepping in earlier, Mr. Scott. Until next time.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, she pivoted and walked off, her confidence leaving a silent echo in the space.

    Bitterness burned in Katie¡¯s eyes as she watched Christina disappear into the crowd. Her stomach twisted tighter when Dn nced after Christina, feeding the green monster of jealousy raging inside her. In Katie¡¯s mind, Christina wasn¡¯t talented¡ªshe was just maniptive, skilled only in wrapping men around her finger.

    Unable to contain her fury, Katie began scheming, her thoughts spinning like storm clouds gathering. Feigning clumsiness, she moved toward Dn, letting herself stumble dramatically in his direction.

    Stories live now on galn¦Ò??????????o??

    Just before impact, Dn caught the motion and turned, his expression sharpening in annoyance. With instinctive grace, he stepped aside, avoiding her like a raindrop dodged on reflex.

    Katie hadn¡¯t counted on that. She hit the floor hard, her bnce vanishing along with her pride. ¡°Ahh!¡± she cried out, the pain twisting her features in an exaggerated grimace.

    Ynda rushed forward, rmed. ¡°Katie!¡± she screamed, quickly crouching to lift Katie up.

    Katie hissed as she rose, her face contorted, teeth clenched against the sting. Crimson streaks marred her arm, blood trickling from fresh scrapes.

    ¡°Mr. Scott, was there really nothing you could¡¯ve done to stop Katie from falling?¡± Ynda¡¯s voice carried a hint of reproach.

    But Dn¡¯s turned ice-cold, and without a word, he turned his back and sauntered away.

    Ralphy couldn¡¯t hold back a derisive chuckle. ¡°Consider yourself lucky. Thest woman who tried something with Dn didn¡¯t walk away unscathed.¡±

    Ralphy scoffed. As if no one could see through these shallow, tired games? Please¡ªtransparency had never looked more obvious. Scheming against Dn had always been a dangerous gamble¡ªthose who tried rarely escaped unscathed.

    Choosing not to waste another breath on them, Ralphy pivoted and strode after Dn, each step exuding purpose.

    Ralphy¡¯s mind shifted to Christina. Compared to the theatrics of Ynda and Katie, she was a refreshing presence¡ªand remarkably skilled at shooting.

    Now, with the prize of King¡¯s treatment, Christina held something every major family desperately wanted. The elite were already circling, eager to negotiate and willing to pay dearly to im the treatment opportunity. Should she decide to put it up for sale, her status would skyrocket, securing her a seat at the most exclusive tables. Right now, she was a highly sought-after figure.

    But the real question lingered: who among them had the power or leverage to secure the treatment opportunity from Christina?

    Ralphy, of course, hoped Dn would be the one to seed¡ªbut what would Christina ask in return? The possibilities stirred a mix of anticipation and curiosity within him.

    Meanwhile, back in the hallway, Katie clenched her jaw to suppress a cry, the pain from her injuries forcing her to turn to Brendon with desperation. ¡°Brendon, what¡­¡±

    Now?¡± she asked, her voice brittle. ¡°Christina hates you too much to ever give us that treatment.¡±

    Tears welled in Ynda¡¯s eyes as she looked up at Brendon, her voice catching with measured sorrow. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s time to let go. I don¡¯t care how long I have left¡ªas long as I can spend it with you, that¡¯s enough for me.¡±

    Brendon felt his chest tighten at her words. He gripped her hand. ¡°You¡¯ll be alright, Ynda. I swear I¡¯ll find a way to make Christina give it to us willingly.¡±

    Tears glimmered as Ynda¡¯s voice trembled with curiosity. ¡°But how? What could possibly change her mind?¡±

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 Chapter 11

    ?Chapter 11:

    Ynda¡¯s red-rimmed eyes and trembling voice tightened Brendon¡¯s heart. To him, she embodied everything virtuous¡ªselfless, nurturing, and impossibly kind¡ªqualities Christina had never shown him.

    Brendon¡¯s thumb traced slow circles across the back of Ynda¡¯s hand, cherishing the delicate warmth of her skin. ¡°You¡¯ll know by then,¡± he murmured, pulling her into a firm embrace. ¡°Ynda, nothing will ever happen to you as long as I¡¯m here.¡±

    Touched by his words, Ynda buried her face in his chest, her whisper unsteady, as if she truly regretted leaving abruptly back then. ¡°Brendon, I¡¯ll never leave your side or break your heart again. I¡¯m sorry for leaving you three years ago. It was my grandfather¡­ He threatened me with his life. I had no choice but to leave the country back then, Brendon. I didn¡¯t know what else to do¡­¡±

    Tears glimmered in her eyes, a calcted act of innocence, as she added, ¡°But tell me the truth¡­ Have you truly forgiven me? Or is this just about hurting Christina?¡±

    Brendon froze at the question, the image of Christina¡¯s cold, dismissive face shing in his mind, the humiliation still clinging to him. His expression darkened. ¡°She isn¡¯t worth that kind of effort,¡± he said, voice sharp with disdain. ¡°I know you were trapped, Ynda. I¡¯ve never med you¡ªnot for a second. From now on, nothing wille between us again.¡±

    Ynda¡¯s heart swelled at the vehemence in his voice. His loathing for Christina felt like a gift. So, Christina truly had no charm at all. Despite her years of effort to win Brendon¡¯s affection, she could not earn even a sliver of his heart.

    Ynda smirked, drawing pleasure from the conclusion that Christina held less charm than her. Despite the time and distance, all she had to do was return, let a single tear fall, brush her hand against Brendon¡¯s¡ªand he was hers again,pletely.

    Katie sneered, her tone dripping with disdain, ¡°Ynda, someone like Christina doesn¡¯t even deserve to breathe the same air as you.¡±

    Putting on an air of gentle modesty, Ynda gave Katie a slight frown. ¡°Katie, let¡¯s not speak ill of her. While I was away, she did stay by Brendon¡¯s side to care for him. For that, I¡¯m thankful.¡±

    ????????????¡¯?? ????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Frustration flickered across Katie¡¯s face as she retorted, ¡°Ynda! You¡¯re way too kind, too forgiving. Keep acting like this, and one day someone might snatch Brendon right out from under you!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s never going to happen,¡± Brendon interjected, his brows furrowing. ¡°I belong to Ynda. That won¡¯t change.¡±

    ¡°Brendon, you¡¯re really telling me you never felt anything for Christina? Not even a little?¡± Katie asked, raising an eyebrow. Her intuition told her there was something subtly different in the way he looked at Christina.

    ¡°Nothing at all,¡± Brendon said, his tone sharp and certain. ¡°Christina means nothing to me and never will.¡±

    Turning his gaze to Ynda, his eyes softened with affection. ¡°There¡¯s only one woman I¡¯ve ever loved¡ªand she¡¯s right here in front of me.¡±

    A wave of emotion overcame Ynda, and she clung to him tightly, tears spilling as she whispered, ¡°Brendon¡­¡±

    Katie, watching the tender moment unfold, exhaled slowly, a sense of reassurance washing over her. Maybe she¡¯d misread things. Their connection was unshakable¡ªno outsider could evere between them. She had always viewed Brendon and Ynda¡¯s love as something rare, like it belonged in storybooks. Christina could plot all she wanted, but it would never change a thing. Brendon¡¯s heart would never belong to her, and there wasn¡¯t a chance she could ever steal him from Ynda.

    Breaking the brief silence, Katie asked brightly, ¡°Should we head to the Morfort Restaurant now?¡±

    Brendon didn¡¯t miss a beat. He remembered Christina had been there, and with no sign of hesitation, he said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Soon, the three of them reached Morfort Restaurant. But by the time they got there, they¡¯d already missed the better seating, and Brendon¡¯s ranking in thepetition wasn¡¯t quite enough to secure a prime spot. So, they ended up at a table farther off, while Christina sat up front at the first table.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 12

    ?Chapter 12:

    Christina sat beside Davina, herughter spilling out like a bell¡ªlight and easy. She wore confidence like a second skin, and the soft charm in her smile only added to her grace. Already named the winner, she seemed to shine even brighter, effortlessly drawing eyes toward her.

    Katie couldn¡¯t help but notice how the spotlight had shifted to Christina. A few of the men were even looking at Christina with something close to admiration, maybe even respect, which only stirred her jealousy more. How did someone like Christina¡ªjust an unwanted woman¡ªend up stealing the spotlight?

    Rather than acknowledge Christina¡¯s talents, Katie clung to the idea that something shady was going on behind the scenes. In her mind, Christina hadn¡¯t won on skill and had clearly made some backdoor deal with the shooting range staff.

    ¡°I¡¯ve gotta admit, I didn¡¯t expect Christina to pull that off,¡± Yndamented, her tone tinged with feigned warmth. ¡°First ce. Even beat Mr. Scott. She¡¯s kind of the star right now, isn¡¯t she?¡± Though the words came wrapped in admiration, Ynda¡¯s nce flicked toward Katie, a spark of mischief behind her eyes.

    And just as Ynda expected, Katie snapped, bitterness sharp in her voice, ¡°Oh,e on! Who knows what kind of strings she pulled toe out on top? A in nobody like her beating a reigning champ? That doesn¡¯t add up. Bet she slept her way to the championship with the organizers.¡±

    Brendon shifted in his seat, his expression clouding. Her words made it sound like he had been betrayed.

    ¡°That¡¯s a bit much,¡± Ynda said under her breath, her words calcted to fan the me while appearing to defend Christina. ¡°Christina doesn¡¯t really seem like that type.¡±

    Katie let out augh that held no humor. ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled. The second she signed those divorce papers, she started parading around like she was auditioning for attention. Skirts shorter. Makeup bolder. She¡¯s desperate, and everyone knows it.¡±

    Before Katie could spit out more venom, Brendon interjected, ¡°That¡¯s enough. Eat.¡± His tone left no room for argument.

    ?????????? ???? ?????? ????????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    ¡°What? I¡¯m just telling the truth. Why are you snapping at me like I said something out of line?¡± Katie retorted, shooting him a re.

    Seeing another chance to soften the mood, Ynda reached out and lightly touched Brendon¡¯s sleeve, her voice low and calm as she said, ¡°Brendon, go easy¡­¡±

    on Katie, will you? She¡¯s still young. She blurts things out without thinking. She¡¯s not trying to hurt anyone.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re always making excuses for her. That¡¯s exactly why she keeps pushing the line,¡± he said, letting out a quiet sigh, the edge in his voice dulled significantly.

    Just then, the manager of the Morfort Restaurant stepped into view,manding instant attention like a ripple through still water.

    Legends swirled around the establishment¡¯s enigmatic owner¡ªa figure whose reach extended far beyond the polished walls of the restaurant. Years ago, a haughty noble family had tried to undermine the Morfort Restaurant¡¯s business, mocking its prestige. Predictably, their arrogance was short-lived. Not long after their audacious actions against the Morfort Restaurant, the family¡¯s fortune crumbled, their reputation shredded beyond repair. A family ustomed to luxury and privilege had failed to handle the downfall¡ªsome hadmitted suicide or gone mad. Those who clung to survival did so on the edge of society¡ªbegging, scavenging, shadows of their former selves.

    The Morfort Restaurant¡¯s owner¡¯s identity remained cloaked in secrecy, but everyone knew the power behind it was not to be trifled with. No one was foolish enough to mess with even the servers, much less the manager. To the guests, the manager wasn¡¯t just a restaurant employee. It was like seeing the trusted envoy of a king.

    With elegance in his step and a courteous smile, the manager scanned the hall before proceeding with silent authority.

    ¡°I think he¡¯sing over here,¡± Ynda whispered, barely able to contain her anticipation.

    Katie was even more thrilled, her eyes fixed on the smiling manager. Could it be that the mysterious owner of the Morfort Restaurant had taken notice of her? And if that were true, maybe the owner was even on par with Dn¡ªor at least close.

    Katie sat straighter, shoulders back, lips slightly parted. She was ready for the spotlight to find her.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 13

    ?Chapter 13:

    Whispers rippled across the room like wind through tall grass.

    ¡°Do you think the manager came for Katie Dawson?¡±

    ¡°Has to be. He wouldn¡¯t be this serious unless something major was going down.¡±

    ¡°Maybe the owner of the Morfort Restaurant has taken an interest in her.¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s true, the Dawsons just struck gold. Their status would shoot through the roof¡ªand they¡¯d probably take a few people with them.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, Katie¡¯s got some serious luck on her side.¡±

    Wrapped in the glow of attention, Katie looked like she was walking on air.

    One by one, heads turned toward Katie¡¯s table, curiosity building like pressure behind a dam.

    With a hint of bashfulness in her eyes, Katie rose to her feet and offered a modest smile, preparing to meet the manager.

    Everything about her posture said she expected the manager¡¯s approach to end right at her side. Instead, he glided past her without a second nce. For a full second, she stood frozen, her grin faltering mid-expression.

    The humiliation hit her like a p. Her hands twitched, and she struggled not to shrink into her chair. By now, the quiet had turned into silent amusement. The entire room knew exactly what had just happened.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you needed the bathroom? I¡¯lle with you,¡± Ynda said, leaning in to break the tension.

    Thankful for the intervention, Katie forced a smile and quickly said, ¡°Yes, let¡¯s go.¡±

    Ynda stood up. Just as the two were turning to leave, they froze mid-step when the manager suddenly stopped¡ªright in front of Christina¡¯s table, beaming.

    Their heads slowly turned, eyes fixed on Christina as if she had just grown wings.

    I?t€$? ¡é§ß?¦Ñ?¦Å?? ?§Ú g??l??ov?l??.??om

    ¡°Miss Jones, my employer would be honored if you and your friend would join him for a private meal on the top floor,¡± the manager said with a slight bow and polished tone.

    The Morfort Restaurant¡¯s top floor wasn¡¯t meant for regr patrons. It was practically sacred ground. No one entered without an invitation, and most folks never even saw the staircase leading there.

    A wave of envy swept across the room as everyone¡¯s attention snapped to Christina. Did she actually know the elusive owner of the Morfort Restaurant?

    Brendon¡¯s grip on his wine ss tightened, his expression darkening.

    ¡°When did Christina get acquainted with the owner of the Morfort Restaurant? Was it during the shootingpetition or could it be¡­¡±

    Ynda deliberately trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air.

    Katie sneered, bitterness seeping into her smile. ¡°I told you before¡ªshe¡¯s always had a way of getting what she wants with her tricks. Now you see her knack for snaring men!¡±

    ¡°Or maybe we¡¯re reading too much into it. Could just be coincidence,¡± Ynda said purposely, casting Brendon a sidelong nce to gauge his reaction.

    ¡°I don¡¯t see what kind of coincidence you think there is. If she actually had any talent, there¡¯s no way she could have tolerated being stuck doing nothing but housework every single day for the past three years. She¡¯d have gone out and made something of herself. But no¡ªshe¡¯s spent all those years living off the Dawsons without a single thing to show for it,¡± Katie replied, her voice sharp with resentment.

    Katie¡¯s blood boiled at the thought of Christina rubbing elbows with the elusive owner of the Morfort Restaurant. Rage twisted her face as she said through clenched teeth, ¡°She really knows how to throw herself at powerful men.¡±

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you both headed to the restroom? Don¡¯t linger,¡± Brendon chimed in, not bothering to hide the chill in his voice. His sharp tone made it clear he was done listening.

    Catching on to Brendon¡¯s foul mood and wanting no part in what might follow, Ynda looped her arm through Katie¡¯s and nudged her away.

    Once Ynda and Katie disappeared from view, Brendon¡¯s eyes trailed after Christina¡¯s back as she walked away with the manager. His thoughts churned. Something about watching Christina walk off left a bitter taste in his mouth. He couldn¡¯t name the feeling, but it scratched at the edges of his calm like a thorn. The difort reminded him of tossing aside something insignificant¡ªonly to watch someone else treasure it.

    Brendon¡¯s jaw tightened as he frowned, eyes narrowing while Christina walked out of sight. Food sat untouched in front of him, and he loosened his tie with a sigh, suddenly stifled by the weight of his own frustration.

    Away from the buzz below, the top floor revealed a very different world. Christina stepped into a quiet space where refinement lingered in every corner.

    By the grand window, Dn sat in a tall-backed chair carved with intricate details, his presencemanding without effort. Avish spread waited on the polished wood table¡ªwine, porcin, silverware¡ªall arranged like a private banquet for royalty.

    Dn was the only one in the room, and though he sat with ease, there was something about him that made the space feel charged. He carried himself with a quiet,manding grace, like someone out of reach, wrapped in both power and poise.

    Christina blinked. So, this was the elusive owner of the Morfort Restaurant¡ªthe very employer the manager had spoken of.

    Christina led Davina over and took a seat without hesitation, a yful note in her voice as she said, ¡°Looks like Mr. Scott¡¯s got a request for us.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 14

    ?Chapter 14:

    Christina knew Dn wouldn¡¯t have revealed his role as the mysterious owner of the Morfort Restaurant unless he needed something from her.

    ¡°I do need a favor,¡± Dn said without hesitation, cutting straight to the point.

    For a moment, his eyes lingered on Christina, and the usual frost in his stare softened just enough to reveal something gentler. People often pegged her as a simple housewife, someone forgettable. But even without the Rose identity or that trophy from the shootingpetition, she had an undeniable presence. There was a quiet poise in her, the kind one couldn¡¯t fake.

    ¡°So, what exactly do you want from me?¡± Christina asked, her tone steady.

    With unwavering focus, Dn replied, ¡°I need the King¡¯s treatment opportunity to save someone. I don¡¯t care what it takes¡ªI¡¯ll pay whatever it costs.¡±

    A single brow lifted as Christina smirked. ¡°Anything at all?¡±

    ¡°Every cent, every favor. Name it,¡± he said without missing a beat.

    Augh slipped out of her. ¡°Even your life?¡±

    That question hung in the air, teasing and sharp. Before Dn could respond, Ralphy strolled in just in time to catch the tail end. With a chuckle, he interjected, ¡°You¡¯ve got guts, Miss Jones.¡±

    While his words carried amusement, his eyes told a different story. He scrutinized her, intrigued. This woman didn¡¯t flinch or stumble. Whatever softness she showed was surface-level. He¡¯d never seen anyone¡ªlet alone a woman¡ªspeak to Dn that way. And to do it with such ease? Unheard of.

    ¡°Not really,¡± Christina said, shing aposed smile.

    Davina mumbled with food in her mouth, ¡°Christina¡¯s the best.¡±

    Ralphy, catching only part of it, looked curious. ¡°What was that?¡±

    ¡°I said, Christina¡¯s the best,¡± Davina repeated between bites, not bothering to look up.

    ?????????????? ??????????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Ralphy chuckled, genuinely entertained by Davina¡¯s confidence. ¡°You sure do hype your friend up.¡±

    Without missing a beat, Davina lifted her head, her face alight with excitement. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I? Christina¡¯s amazing.¡±

    That look in her eyes said it all¡ªpure, unshaken pride in her friend.

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget Dn¡¯s got a pretty solid reputation too,¡± Ralphy remarked, grinning as he leaned back slightly.

    Ralphy brushed off her enthusiasm, chalking it up to friendly loyalty. Christina¡¯s talents in various fields hadn¡¯t struck him yet. Onlyter, after one reveal led to another like falling dominoes, would he realize just how wrong he¡¯d been.

    ¡°Please,¡± Davina sneered, rolling her eyes before returning her attention to her te. No matter what anyone said, in her world, Christina stood at the top. No contest.

    Rather than feeling slighted, Ralphy found Davina¡¯s sass a little charming. She was refreshingly bold¡ªnothing like the polished women he usually met.

    Christina turned her gaze to Dn. ¡°So, have you decided?¡± Her voice was casual, but her eyes missed nothing.

    With no hint of hesitation, Dn nodded. ¡°If that¡¯s the only way to secure King¡¯s treatment, I¡¯m willing to give my life.¡± There was no bluff in his tone. He meant every word.

    Christina stared at him, noticing the steel in his expression. It was the look of someone who¡¯d already epted the cost. Who could possibly mean so much to Dn that he¡¯d be willing toy down his life without a second thought? Something about it tugged at her curiosity. Who exactly was worth all this effort from him?

    ¡°I¡¯m not saying that to impress you,¡± Dn added, thinking she might not believe him.

    Christina¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile. ¡°I know you¡¯re serious. But death isn¡¯t the currency I¡¯m after. I¡¯ve got other terms in mind.¡±

    Interest sparked in Dn¡¯s voice. ¡°What kind of terms?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 15

    ?Chapter 15:

    Christina gave a casual shrug. ¡°Still thinking it over.¡±

    Across the table, Dn leaned in slightly, his tone unwavering. ¡°Whatever you decide, the terms are yours to set.¡±

    ¡°What if I asked for your entire family?¡± Christina asked, her voice calm but firm as she suddenly dropped her light expression.

    The question hit like a stone tossed into still water, the mood shifting in an instant. Anyone listening might have thought Christina meant to strip the Scott family of everything they had.

    Dn, however, didn¡¯t flinch. A half-smile tugged at his lips. ¡°My life¡¯s worth more than the Scotts put together. If I¡¯m ready to hand my life over, the rest is just background noise.¡±

    That made herugh¡ªsharp and sudden. ¡°That¡¯s sharp. Alright.¡±

    With a smooth gesture, Dn lifted his ss. ¡°To making this work.¡±

    ¡°To making it work. But¡­¡± Christina raised her ss.

    ¡°But what now?¡± Ralphy interjected, his voice tight with barely concealed impatience.

    Christina¡¯s eyes flicked toward him. ¡°But I can¡¯t promise King will agree. That part¡¯s out of my hands.¡±

    ¡°No guarantees are fine with me,¡± Dn said at once. ¡°If there¡¯s even the tiniest chance, I¡¯ll take it.¡±

    Even if King declined, Dn still hoped Christina could broker a meeting. That alone would be worth something.

    ¡°Alright then.¡± Without hesitation, Christina finished her wine in a single go. It surprised her, honestly¡ªthat Dn, known for being cold and calcted, could care this much about someone. Maybe he wasn¡¯t made of stone after all.

    As Christina and Dn exchanged conversation over their meal, Brendon sat off to the side, clearly ill at ease. Not even the elegant dishes or rare wine could distract him. His mind was a carousel of bitter possibilities about the nature of Christina and the restaurant owner¡¯s rtionship. Was Katie right? Had Christina cheated on him during their marriage? And worse¡ªhad he been blind to it all, just another fool left out of the show?

    g?????0¦Í??????.??????¡ä ?????????? ???????? ????????

    Images he wished he could block out crept in anyway¡ªChristina, caught in an intimate moment with the mysterious owner of the Morfort Restaurant.

    Each new thought dragged Brendon further into a spiral, his expression growing darker with every passing second. His fingers wrapped tighter around the wine ss, the strain enough to make the stem creak.

    Silence pressed down on the table like a weight. Katie stole a nce at him but didn¡¯t dare open her mouth.

    Ynda clenched her jaw, trying to mask the irritation simmering just below the surface. Clearly, Brendon wasn¡¯t as detached from Christina as he liked to pretend. Now that the Mitchell family was in trouble and desperately needed the Dawson family¡¯s support, she knew she had no room for mistakes. The idea of Brendon and Christina reconnecting was uneptable, especially now. Plus, she¡¯d always been the one to call the shots in a breakup. The thought of being cast aside? Unbearable.

    ¡°Why is Christina still not back?¡± Ynda asked purposely, her voice light with feigned worry. ¡°Could something have happened between her and the owner of the Morfort Restaurant?¡±

    Katie let out a sharpugh. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be the first time she threw herself at a man. Since the divorce, she¡¯s been busy collecting admirers. Bet she was cheating long before the divorce.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think she¡¯s that kind of person,¡± Brendon interjected, though doubt lingered in his tone.

    And once doubt took root, it never stopped growing. He had never once had faith in Christina. His focus on her? It was about pride¡ªhis pride. He simply couldn¡¯t tolerate the thought of being cheated on.

    ¡°Brendon, can you stop being so naive?¡± Katie snapped, her patience wearing thin. ¡°She¡¯s nothing but a tramp.¡±

    That did it. Brendon turned his re on her. ¡°One more word about her, and your allowance is gone. Try me.¡±

    Katie fell silent, but the fire in her eyes never dimmed. She shifted her anger toward Christina instead, convinced everything had started going wrong the moment Christina showed up, making Brendon, the ever-doting big brother, scold her more than before.

    Irritated, Brendon tugged at his tie, the tension sitting heavy on him. No matter how hard he tried, his mind still clung to suspicions about Christina¡¯s loyalty.

    Meanwhile, on the top floor, the group had just finished eating and wrapped up their conversation.

    Christina, feeling the effects of the wine settle in, stood up to leave. But as she moved, her bnce faltered, and she stumbled forward,nding squarely against Dn¡¯s chest.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 16

    ?Chapter 16:

    Most expected Dn to move without hesitation, distancing himself the moment Christina stumbled. They knew Dn despised any physical contact that seemed intentionally flirtatious.

    In the dim light near the entrance, the manager stiffened, panic creeping into his chest like a slow burn. Would Christina be another person to incur Dn¡¯s wrath and get thrown out?

    Yet what followed left the entire room in stunned silence.

    Rather than stepping away, Dn proactively reached out to support Christina, his response swift and precise.

    Ralphy and the manager widened their eyes, their faces registering disbelief. Could this truly be the same Dn they knew?

    The very man who had always shied away from even the lightest contact was now voluntarily helping Christina up. It was a sight so out of character that none of them had witnessed anything like it before.

    Ralphy¡¯s mind wandered to a different scene¡ªKatie had flung herself at Dn, only for him to swerve so fast that she practically crashed into the floor. The memory made the contrast blinding. Dn¡¯s reaction toward Katie had been ruthless. But with Christina? He was gentle.

    Ralphy¡¯s gaze toward Christina grew more intrigued. Was this woman truly special to Dn, or was Dn only helping her because of some deal they had struck?

    A slow, amused grin yed on Ralphy¡¯s lips as he continued watching, savoring every second of the unfolding twist. Perhaps Dn might start wooing Christina soon.

    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Dn asked, his voice touched by an unusual softness in his otherwise guarded tone. Christina¡¯s unique scent drifted into his nostrils, faint but intriguing enough to make him linger.

    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± Christina said, finding her bnce as she met his gaze with a calm smile. ¡°Thank you for catching me.¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.????n ¨C ?????????? ???????? ????????

    Though even without him she would have kept herself from falling, she still acknowledged his effort.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for thanks,¡± Dn replied casually. ¡°We¡¯re sort of business partners, after all.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Christina said with a nod. ¡°Since we¡¯re partners, it¡¯s only natural we look out for one another.¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± Dn nodded. Strangely, when her im leaned toward the business angle instead of personal concern, a wave of displeasure stirred within him¡ªa peculiar feeling he couldn¡¯t quite name. No clear reason came to mind for the difort that crept in so suddenly. Still, he brushed the feeling aside, locking it away behind habit and control.

    To keep his position as the owner of the Morfort Restaurant under wraps, personally walking them out was not an option. Instead, Dn gave the manager a quiet nod, signaling him to see them off.

    The three stepped into the elevator, and as they stepped out, Christina declined the manager¡¯s offer to escort them further, saying she didn¡¯t want to be the center of attention.

    Watching Christina and her friend leave, the manager lingered for a beat before turning back to report to Dn.

    Outside Morfort Restaurant, Katie and her crew still lingered.

    ¡°Why are we just standing around like lost puppies?¡± Katie asked, clearly irritated.

    Ynda said gently, her words measured to appear concerned while carrying implications, ¡°Let¡¯s wait for Christina a little longer. After all, she once took care of Brendon, and we shouldn¡¯t walk off¡ªnot when she had been summoned away by the owner of the restaurant and still hasn¡¯t returned. Brendon may have faith in her, but we still don¡¯t know enough about the owner of the Morfort Restaurant. What if he tries to force himself on her?¡±

    The implication tightened Brendon¡¯s jaw. For a second, a flicker of worry showed in his eyes before he looked away.

    ¡°For Christ¡¯s sake, she¡¯s an adult! Wouldn¡¯t she fight back if she didn¡¯t want it? If she gives in, then maybe she wants it. Why should we even care? For all we know, she¡¯s probably enjoying the intimate encounter,¡± Katie sneered, her voice sharp with irritation and a flicker of jealousy slipping through.

    How could someone like Christina¡ªa divorced woman with a messy past¡ªmanage to catch the eye of the owner of the Morfort Restaurant?

    ¡°Katie Dawson, don¡¯t forget what I warned you about,¡± Brendon hissed, his voice turning frigid as he locked eyes with her, his stare cutting cold.

    Before Katie could respond, Brendon spotted a familiar figure. Without another word, he left them behind and strode quickly toward Christina, his expression cold as he blocked her path.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 17

    ?Chapter 17:

    Ice crept into Christina¡¯s eyes the instant she recognized the man standing in her path. Without blinking, she leveled her gaze and said, ¡°Step aside.¡±

    ¡°We need to talk. Just for a minute¡ªaway from the others,¡± Brendon said, not budging an inch.

    As he reached for her hand, Christina pulled back sharply, not even flinching. ¡°What¡¯s stopping you from saying it right here?¡± she asked, her brow tightening.

    Brendon shot Davina a look that said more than words and then reached out once more. ¡°Some things are not meant for the ears of outsiders.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not an outsider,¡± Christina retorted, dodging his reach again. Her eyes were cold as they locked onto his. ¡°Cut the crap.¡±

    Her tone¡ªcalm but sharp¡ªcut deeper than he expected. Being treated this way in public, with eyes possibly watching, left a sour taste in his mouth.

    ¡°Spit it out or step aside,¡± Christina added, her tone sharp and cold. ¡°I have no intention of dealing with your nonsense.¡±

    A strange difort settled over Brendon. The ink on their divorce certificate hadn¡¯t dried yet, but she had already be so detached and aloof toward him. With a mocking smile, he sneered, ¡°What, no time for me, but you¡¯ve got time to flirt with the Morfort Restaurant¡¯s owner?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing improper between me and the owner of the Morfort Restaurant. Whatever you¡¯re imagining says more about you than it does about us,¡± Christina retorted, her face unreadable.

    A dry, bitterugh spilled from Brendon. ¡°Oh? What¡¯s with the urgent rification? It seems my words struck a nerve.¡±

    Davina let out an exasperated sigh and stepped forward. ¡°This again? Have you even thought before you spew all that nonsense? If you¡¯ve got no point to make, then get out of the way.¡±

    Brendon cut her a re, full of irritation. ¡°This doesn¡¯t concern you. Stay out of it.¡±

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    With a sharp snort, Davina folded her arms. ¡°That¡¯s riching from you. You two are divorced.¡±

    Color rose in his face, but words refused to follow. He stood there, visibly fuming as he fumbled for words to form a reply.

    ¡°Move, Brendon. We¡¯re done here,¡± Christinamanded, her voice slicing through the tension.

    That simplemand made him frown. Watching the unwavering look in her eyes, he knew he¡¯d hit a wall if he pressed on. Reluctantly, he decided to change tactics and lied, ¡°My grandma¡¯s been asking about you. She wants us to visit her. Said she misses both of us.¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Not today.¡± She wasn¡¯t in the mood to go.

    ¡°If we keep putting it off, she¡¯s going to start worrying,¡± Brendon said, trying again, his tone gentler now.

    The mention of Bethel gave Christina pause. Her expression shifted as she considered it, her brow creasing. Among all the Dawson family members, only Bethel had ever made her feel wee. Truth be told, Bethel had offered the kind of affection none of the others had. Over time, she hade to see Bethel as her own grandmother. Judging from Brendon¡¯s words, Bethel probably had no clue about their divorce.

    ¡°Please, I am begging you,¡± Brendon added, his tone taking on a softer edge. ¡°I just got a call that my grandma¡¯s not doing well.¡±

    A short pause followed before Christina gave a reluctant nod. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll go. But only to see Bethel.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± Brendon replied with a relieved sigh. ¡°I already arranged for a car. We¡¯ll head over together.¡±

    Davina, however, wasn¡¯t thrilled about Christina going to the Dawson family¡¯s house. But she knew exactly how stubborn Christina could be¡ªonce she decided on something, there was no use arguing.

    ¡°Promise me you¡¯ll be careful. And if anything feels off, call me right away,¡± Davina said to Christina, her voice thick with concern. Her eyes then shifted to Brendon, sharp and unforgiving. ¡°If you so much as look at her the wrong way, I swear you¡¯ll regret it.¡±

    Brendon scowled, clearly irritated. ¡°This doesn¡¯t involve you. Stay out of it and mind your own problems.¡±

    ¡°Nah, I will step in the moment you try anything funny,¡± Davina retorted, clenching her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white. If she had her way, she¡¯d have decked him right there. What aplete loser. Every inch of him was so infuriatingly annoying. Just the sight of him made her nauseous. Seriously, the Dawson family had some nerve. They¡¯d somehow managed to rope in someone as extraordinary as Christina and trap her in that miserable marriage for three whole years. Without her, Brendon wouldn¡¯t even have registered as average.

    Suddenly, a blinding pink sports car skidded to a stop nearby, its engine growling like a beast. A loud whistle followed, capturing everyone¡¯s attention.

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 Chapter 18

    ?Chapter 18:

    All eyes snapped to the source of the screeching tires and ring whistle.

    Inside the loud pink sports car, Ralphy shed a mischievous grin, his gaze fixed on Christina like she was the only one there. With a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, he said, ¡°Need a lift home, Miss Jones?¡±

    Brendon¡¯s jaw tightened instantly. First, the Morfort Restaurant¡¯s owner had shown interest in Christina. Now Ralphy was here, all grins and casual ir. Earlier at the shooting range, Dn had done the same¡ªstepped up to speak for Christina without hesitation. The memory of his sister¡¯s bluntments came rushing back. A question crept into his mind that he didn¡¯t want to answer¡ªhad Christina already been involved with these men before their divorce?

    ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± Christina replied, her tone cool and unbothered. She slipped an arm around Davina. ¡°But if you don¡¯t mind, could you take my friend home instead?¡±

    It was clear Davina had had more than a few drinks, and driving herself wasn¡¯t an option.

    ¡°Anything for you,¡± Ralphy replied, shing a boyish grin. ¡°Just say the word, and I¡¯m on it.¡±

    Christina nodded in thanks, steadying Davina as she helped her into the passenger seat.

    Despite hisid-back attitude, Ralphy¡¯s friendship with someone like Dn hinted there was more to him than just sh and jokes.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got it covered, Miss Jones. Your friend will get home in one piece. And if she doesn¡¯t, you can hunt me down personally.¡± Ralphy shot her a wink, still grinning like this was the highlight of his night.

    ¡°Take it easy on the road, alright? No need to rush,¡± Christina remarked, tilting her head slightly, her voice calm but firm.

    Ralphy gave a casual salute. ¡°Loud and clear.¡± Then, with a nce at Brendon and a grin that held more meaning than words, he added, ¡°If anybody bothers you, just say the word. I¡¯ll handle it.¡±

    . is your storytelling hub

    That earned him a small smile from Christina, subtle but sincere. Momentster, the shy pink car roared off, disappearing into the distance.

    With his lips pressed into a hard line, Brendon stepped closer, eyes narrowed. ¡°What¡¯s going on between you and him?¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t blink. ¡°Why are you asking? It has nothing to do with you.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°We were once husband and wife. I¡¯m only speaking out of concern. Men like Ralphy¡ªthe wealthy, charming types¡ªare always tangled up in rumors and short-lived flings. You shouldn¡¯t fool yourself into thinking you¡¯ll suddenly be swept into high society just because one of them shows interest. Those elite circles aren¡¯t as weing as you might believe. Even if someone like him wanted to marry you, his family would never ept a woman who¡¯s already divorced.

    The only reason you ever became part of the Dawson family was because of my grandmother¡¯s insistence. Without that, you wouldn¡¯t have made it in. I¡¯m just afraid you¡¯ll start chasing something out of reach, trying to live in a world that won¡¯t have you, and end up hurt because of it. And when that happens, you¡¯ll have no one to me but yourself. Don¡¯t twist what I¡¯m saying. I know it¡¯s blunt, but it¡¯s the truth. It¡¯s better to stay grounded in reality than get swept away by empty dreams.¡±

    Augh escaped Christina before she could stop it, low and amused. So, that was his message in a nutshell¡ªa divorced woman should forget about marrying up. Her time in the Dawson family? Nothing but a lucky ident.

    ¡°That¡¯s very thoughtful of you,¡± Christina said, her smile faint but firm. ¡°But here¡¯s a tip¡ªpeople who focus on their own problems tend to live longer.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s eyes narrowed as he caught the bite in her tone. ¡°Are you cursing me?¡±

    With a casual shrug, Christina replied, ¡°Nah. But if you have to twist it that way, be my guest.¡±

    His temper spiked fast. ¡°Christina Jones! I gave you more than enough to livefortably. What more do you want? Why are you still out there, parading around with other men?¡±

    She didn¡¯t even blink. ¡°Other men?¡± she asked with a humorless chuckle. Her stare didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Tell me, Brendon. What exactly have I done? Where¡¯s your proof?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it clear? First, it was Dn, then the Morfort Restaurant¡¯s owner. And now Ralphy. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re going to stand there and deny all of it,¡± Brendon blurted, locking eyes with her, waiting for her denial as if it was the only thing that could settle the unrest inside him, the only way to quiet that bitter suspicion wing at his gut.

    He didn¡¯t love Christina, and he never had any real emotional ties to her. He could excuse his own betrayals without guilt, but the idea of Christina doing the same¡ªthat was something he couldn¡¯t stomach.

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 Chapter 19

    ?Chapter 19:

    Christina saw no point in offering exnations. Brendon had already passed judgment, so nothing she said would matter. With a shrug, she said purposely, ¡°I am exactly what you think I am. How¡¯s that concern you? After all, you¡¯re just my ex-husband now!¡±

    She lingered on the words ¡°ex-husband,¡± letting each syble slice through the tension like a de.

    Instead of denial, her unapologetic admission threw Brendon off, and his features twisted with anger at her blunt dismissal. ¡°You¡¯re free to do whatever you like now, but were you already sleeping around while we were still married?¡± he demanded, voice raised.

    A cold chuckle slipped from Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°That¡¯s riching from you. If you want answers about my loyalty during our marriage, I can ask you the same question.¡±

    Brendon retorted, ¡°I never cheated on you¡ªwhen did I ever step out on our marriage?¡±

    She rolled her eyes, the sound of herughter bitter. ¡°Come off it. Even with a ring on your finger, your heart always belonged to someone else.¡± Her gaze flicked to Ynda, a hint of scorn curling at her mouth.

    Ynda¡¯s voice trembled with mock regret. ¡°Christina, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±

    In an instant, Brendon reached over and took Ynda¡¯s hand, his expression softening for her. He faced Christina again, voice turning cold and matter-of-fact. ¡°Yes, I never loved you. This marriage was forced on me, and I admit I treated you poorly thesest years. But wasn¡¯t the settlement I gave you enough? You got more out of this divorce than most could hope to make in a lifetime. Three years, and now you¡¯ll never have to worry about money. Most people would kill for that kind of deal. Christina, I owe you nothing. Ynda doesn¡¯t owe you, either. The real mistake here was this marriage¡ªit never should¡¯ve happened.¡±

    A sharp, coldugh slipped from Christina. ¡°So, you think I owe you and Ynda? You imed this whole marriage was some grand mistake? But you could have saved us both the trouble by simply not proposing in the first ce.¡±

    Updates always live at gal¦Ç¦Òv??ls

    Had Brendon given even a hint of hesitation before their wedding day, Christina never would have said yes. All along, Brendon¡¯s choices revealed his selfishness. After Ynda left him shattered three years back with the abrupt departure¡­

    overseas, he had grabbed Christina as a substitute to fill the void, especially since she had been there to care for his wounds left by the ident.

    ¡°My grandmother pushed me into marrying you,¡± Brendon said, brows drawn in irritation.

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Christina¡¯s voice held a mocking edge. ¡°Funny, I don¡¯t remember you putting up any kind of fight. Pressure or not, you had options. You just didn¡¯t use them.¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t exactly refuse! Not marrying you would¡¯ve meant losing my ce in thepany,¡± Brendon retorted, exasperation creeping in.

    ¡°So much for true love. It falls apart as soon as your bottom line is threatened,¡± Christina said, her words dripping with sarcasm.

    Katie suddenly barged into the conversation, bristling with indignation. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean? Quit trying to sow discord here! Ynda and Brendon are perfectly happy together, and your spitefulments won¡¯t change a thing. Don¡¯t fool yourself¡ªBrendon isn¡¯ting back to you, and you can forget about ever remarrying into the Dawson family!¡±

    A cial chill settled over Christina¡¯s features. ¡°You read too much into it. Even if the entire Dawson family came crawling, I wouldn¡¯t rejoin them.¡±

    Katie¡¯sugh was sharp and derisive. ¡°Oh,e on! Don¡¯t tter yourself. No one in my family wants you back. With your reputation for fickleness and shamelessness, you¡¯re nothing but trouble¡ªno respectable family would take the risk. Forget about high society. Even average people wouldn¡¯t want you around.¡±

    Ice glinted in Christina¡¯s eyes as she fixed her stare on Katie. ¡°You might as well worry about your own skeletons. Wouldn¡¯t want a few nasty secrets ruining your shot at marrying up.¡±

    A flush of panic washed over Katie. ¡°My skeletons? What are you talking about?¡± Her voice faltered, eyes darting away from Christina¡¯s gaze as unease shed across her face. Facing Christina always unsettled her, leaving her with the unsettling sense that nothing could be hidden from those sharp eyes.

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 Chapter 20

    ?Chapter 20:

    ¡°No one is more familiar with the truth than you are,¡± Christina remarked, her tone cool and steady as she smirked at Katie.

    Confusion creased Brendon¡¯s brow. ¡°What are you getting at? What kind of skeletons does Katie have in the cupboard?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a conversation you should have with her. I couldn¡¯t care less about her affairs,¡± Christina answered, sounding indifferent. Had Katie not provoked her, she never would have mentioned a thing.

    A gentle protest slipped from Ynda, her words deliberately chosen to ingratiate herself with the Dawson family while casting a negative light on Christina. ¡°Christina, please refrain from casting baseless usations against Katie. If someone overheard our conversation, they might start gossiping about Katie.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the one making baseless usations here. If you doubt my words, ask Katie about what she has done,¡± Christina replied with a cold edge, ncing over at Brendon. ¡°Aren¡¯t we supposed to see your grandmother? Let¡¯s move.¡±

    ¡°Not until you exin what you mean.¡± Brendon¡¯s jaw tightened.

    Backing him up, Ynda chimed in, ¡°Yeah. Christina, let¡¯s clear the air if there¡¯s any misunderstanding. This way, no one will get the wrong idea about Katie.¡±

    ¡°Katie, they¡¯re so determined to hear the truth. Should I spell it out right here?¡± Christina¡¯s question lingered in the air. She let a sly grin curl her lips, flicking a meaningful nce toward Katie¡¯s midsection¡ªa gesture that said more than words ever could.

    Others might have missed Christina¡¯s quick, pointed look, but Katie¡¯s panic made her notice instantly.

    An uneasy thumping filled Katie¡¯s chest, and she bit down hard on her lip. She viewed Christina¡¯s stare as a loaded threat. Despite her defiance, she dared not challenge Christina, not when the risk of Christina holding actual proof of her misdeeds loomedrge. If her wrongdoings became public knowledge, her dream of marrying into an elite family would be crushed, and even those with lesser names would likely keep their distance.

    Trying to mask her panic, Katie blurted, ¡°What¡¯s there to rify? I haven¡¯t done anything, so what¡¯s the point in talking?¡± She swiftly changed the subject. ¡°Are we heading to the Dawson estate or not? Stop wasting time! Grandma¡¯s probably tired of waiting. If we¡¯re not going, then forget it.¡±

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    ¡°We¡¯re going¡ªGrandma¡¯s expecting us,¡± Brendon replied without hesitation. Making Christinae to see his grandmother was a crucial step before he could talk her into handing King¡¯s treatment opportunity to him.

    ¡°Then let¡¯s get moving!¡± Katie spun around, desperate to put distance between herself and Christina before the conversation returned to her misdeeds.

    Ynda turned to Christina, her words measured as she piled on her efforts to make Christina appear vicious. ¡°Christina, we may have hurt you before, but there¡¯s no need to invent things about Katie. She means well¡ªshe¡¯s just a little blunt sometimes.¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t hesitate to fire back, ¡°Then keep yourments to yourself.¡± She climbed into the car without another word.

    Brendon¡¯s first instinct was to scold Christina, but he bit back his frustration due to his need to strike a deal with her over King¡¯s treatment opportunity. He turned to Ynda with gentle reassurance, giving her hand a soft pat. ¡°Don¡¯t let what she said get to you.¡±

    Ever the skilled actress, Ynda made sure she looked aggrieved yet understanding, nodding as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. ¡°Alright.¡±

    The ride was silent, tension thick in the air. Christina gazed out the window, lips pressed together in silent resolve.

    Ynda and Katie were dropped off at their respective homes first, and then the car headed to the Dawson family estate.

    Bethel had never hidden her sharp tongue¡ªKatie took the brunt of it, and Ynda didn¡¯t fare much better.

    Back in the day, only Christina enjoyed unrestricted ess to the Dawson family estate. Bethel¡¯s approval was never required.

    ¡°When do you n to tell Bethel about our divorce?¡± Christina broke the silence. She wished Brendon would finally step up and handle the situation like a man.

    ¡°I¡¯ll do it when the moment¡¯s right,¡± Brendon replied, avoiding her eyes.

    Christina didn¡¯t see the point in waiting. ¡°Why drag it out? Let¡¯s just tell her today and be done with it.¡± Her voice was t, betraying nothing.

    A frown creased Brendon¡¯s brow. ¡°You¡¯re really in a hurry to sever all ties, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°We have no ties left to sever,¡± Christina answered.

    Her response caught Brendon off guard, stirring an odd frustration in him. With a trace of spite, he responded, ¡°You won¡¯t have to worry. I¡¯ll make sure Grandma¡­

    Hears everything. Since the divorce is settled and Ynda¡¯s back, I¡¯ll be with Ynda now. Maybe you¡¯ll even get an invitation to our wedding.¡±

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 Chapter 21

    ?Chapter 21:

    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary¡ªI wish you and Ynda a lifetime of happiness,¡± Christina said, her tone even.

    A heavy ache settled in Brendon¡¯s chest, making it hard to breathe. He tried to say something, but the car rolled to a stop before the words could leave his mouth.

    Christina stepped out swiftly and left him behind, frustration and heaviness pressing down on him like a stone.

    Having been informed of their uing visit, Bethel had been waiting by the entrance, scanning the drive with anticipation.

    As soon as Christina appeared, Bethel¡¯s whole face lit up. A genuine smile broke through as she hurried forward to greet Christina. ¡°It feels like ages since youst stopped by, Christina,¡± Bethel called out, her gray hair shining and her eyes lively with joy.

    Months of Christina¡¯s attentive care had done wonders for Bethel¡¯s well-being¡ªshe now brimmed with vitality.

    A soft smile touched Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°I¡¯ve just had a lot on my tetely¡­¡±

    Bethel squeezed Christina¡¯s hand, the mischief in in her eyes. ¡°Did Brendon not exercise any restraint in intimacy, overwhelming you?¡±

    This caught Christina off guard, leaving her a bit awkward. Her eyes darted away from Bethel¡¯s open warmth, unsure what to say.

    Concern shed across Bethel¡¯s face as she caught the subtle shift.

    ¡°Something wrong? Has Brendon been giving you grief?¡±

    Christina shook her head. ¡°No, nothing like that¡­¡±

    Before Christina could add anything further, Brendon quickly interrupted. ¡°Let¡¯s continue this conversation inside.¡±

    ¡°Yes, yes,e in! The kitchen¡¯s outdone itself¡ªthere¡¯s a full spread of your favorite dishes waiting. I even asked for a nourishing soup, perfect for both of you!¡± Bethel¡¯s face brightened as she agreed.

    Read the rest on g??l????¦Í????s?.?o??

    Deciding to avoid the topic of divorce for now, Christina shifted the conversation, chatting with Bethel about lighter things as they walked. She knew springing the news of their divorce before dinner would only spoil Bethel¡¯s mood, so she chose to hold off until after the meal. Bethel made sure Christina and Brendon sat side by side and thendled steaming soup into each of their bowls with care.

    ¡°I had this made just for you two¡ªdrink it while it¡¯s warm,¡± Bethel said, her voice warm and gentle.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Christina murmured, dipping her head to taste the soup. A smile crept across Bethel¡¯s lips as she watched Christina and Brendon, feeling hopeful that any tension between them seemed to have faded. She imagined she¡¯d soon be cuddling a great-grandchild.

    ¡°All I want now is to see a great-grandchild in my arms, and then I¡¯ll be perfectly content,¡± Bethel said with a chuckle.

    ¡°You can count on that, Grandma¡ªyour wish wille true.¡± Brendon shed her a reassuring grin.

    Christina gave a gentle smile, choosing silence instead.

    Throughout the meal, the atmosphere stayed light enough, though an undercurrent of difort lingered whenever conversation drifted back to Christina¡¯s rtionship with Brendon.

    After the meal, Bethel took Christina by the arm and led her into the living room to chat.

    Initially, their conversation stuck to safe topics, but it wasn¡¯t long before Bethel steered things back toward the subject of Brendon.

    Leaning in and squeezing Christina¡¯s hand, Bethel spoke with quiet urgency. ¡°My dear, my strength isn¡¯t what it used to be. I¡¯m not sure how much time I have left. All I want now is to see you and Brendon start a family soon.¡±

    A wave of sorrow swept through Christina. ¡°Bethel, you¡¯re still healthy¡ªdon¡¯t talk like that. It¡¯s not good to focus on such worries. Besides¡­¡±

    Pausing for a moment, Christina wrestled with her words and then made up her mind to speak the truth. Honesty was best, she realized. Letting this drag on would only make everything worse. Thest thing she wanted was for Bethel to hear the news of her divorce from someone else. That sort of surprise would only be cruel.

    Christina said gently, ¡°Actually, Brendon and I are already divorced.¡±

    Bethel stared at her in stunned silence, thinking it must be a joke¡ªuntil Brendon suddenly barked, ¡°Christina!¡±

    The sudden outburst snapped Bethel back to herself. ¡°Is this true? You two are really divorced?¡±

    Trying to cover it, Brendon jumped in, saying, ¡°No! She¡¯s making things up¡ªit¡¯s just a joke.¡±

    Yet, Christina didn¡¯t waver. Refusing to look away from Bethel, she ignored Brendon¡¯s warning re and said, ¡°This isn¡¯t a joke. The divorce is real¡ªit¡¯s already official.¡±

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 Chapter 22

    ?Chapter 22:

    ¡°What on earth are you doing, Christina?¡± Brendon¡¯s voice was sharp, thick with anger.

    Christina stayed calm, her expression unreadable. ¡°I just told the truth. Bethel deserved to know. What¡¯s wrong with that?¡±

    ¡°You¡ª¡± Brendon started, but Bethel¡¯s voice cut through his like a knife. ¡°That¡¯s enough! Why are you raising your voice at her?¡± she demanded, her eyes narrowing at him.

    Despite her age, Bethel¡¯s gaze was sharp as ever. She looked at Brendon. ¡°Now tell me¡ªwhat¡¯s really going on between you two? Why did you get divorced?¡±

    Brendon let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Grandma, you already know. There was never any real love between us. Marriages fall apart when there¡¯s nothing left to hold them together.¡±

    Christina remained silent, though inside, she wasughing bitterly. If Ynda hadn¡¯te back, would Brendon have kept pretending instead of demanding a divorce? Of course, he would have. It worked to his interest that way.

    Bethel gave a harsh, humorlessugh. ¡°Don¡¯t try to y me for a fool. I may be old, but I¡¯m not stupid. Either you tell me the truth now, or I¡¯ll find it myself.¡±

    Brendon hesitated, jaw tight. He knew what would happen if Bethel found out on her own. And it wouldn¡¯t be pretty. Finally, he muttered, ¡°Ynda¡¯s back¡­¡±

    Bethel shot to her feet, mming both hands on the table. Her eyes burned with fury. ¡°I told you before¡ªI will never allow Ynda to join this family!¡±

    ¡°Grandma!¡± Brendon¡¯s defiance red. ¡°Ynda and I love each other! Why can¡¯t you just ept her?¡±

    ¡°Love?¡± Bethel scoffed. ¡°You think this is love? You¡¯re the only fool who can¡¯t see her for what she is! That woman disappeared the moment the doctors said you might never walk again years back! Did she even call? No! Not once!¡± She pointed a trembling finger at Christina. ¡°And who stayed by your side? Who looked after you when you couldn¡¯t even stand on your own? Christina did. Day and night. She was the reason you recovered. Even the doctors said it was a miracle¡ªand that miracle was her doing!¡±

    Brendon rolled his eyes. ¡°Ynda had no choice. And fine, maybe Christina helped a little, but my recovery was all about my own willpower and strength. Anyone else could¡¯ve taken care of me, and I still would¡¯ve walked again!¡±

    Freshly uploaded on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv????s

    Christina¡¯s lips twitched slightly. She didn¡¯t say a word, but inside, she was seething. If it weren¡¯t for her¡ªher medical knowledge, her sleepless nights, her silent sacrifices¡ªBrendon would¡¯ve been trapped in that wheelchair forever. That miracle he took credit for? It was hers.

    Bethel¡¯s eyes red. Without warning, she lifted her cane and struck Brendon across the shoulder. ¡°You ungrateful fool!¡± she spat. ¡°How did our family raise someone as ungrateful as you?¡±

    ¡°Ungrateful?¡± Brendon¡¯s voice rose. ¡°I gave Christina enough money to livefortably for the rest of her life! All I want now is to marry the woman I love. Is that so wrong?¡±

    Bethel¡¯s grip on her cane tightened, fury dancing in her eyes. She lifted it again to strike, but Brendon caught it midair this time. His jaw was set, eyes zing. He growled, ¡°I¡¯m done backing down. I will marry you.¡±

    Bethel¡¯s chest heaved as she trembled with rage. ¡°Fine! Marry her, then!¡± she spat. ¡°But listen carefully¡ªshe will never be officially acknowledged by the Dawson family. Not while I¡¯m alive!¡±

    Brendon stared at Bethel, torn between frustration and disbelief. Why did she defend Christina so fiercely yet reject Ynda with such disdain? He hadpromised once, bowing to his grandmother¡¯s wishes. But not this time. Not when his heart was on the line.

    ¡°My decision¡¯s final,¡± Brendon said, his voice cold but steady. ¡°I will marry Ynda, the woman I love. No one else could ever take her ce.¡± His eyes flicked to Christina as he spoke, deliberate and pointed.

    Bethel¡¯s expression darkened, her voice a low, venomous whisper. ¡°Then go ahead¡ªmarry that woman. But the day you bring that woman into this house is the day you lose everything.¡±

    Her heart ached at the sight of her grandson throwing away a diamond for dirt. One day, he¡¯d understand what a fool he¡¯d been¡ªbut by then, it would be toote.

    Brendon stood taller, rebellion surging through him. ¡°Grandma, give it up! I¡¯ll never go back to Christina. I¡¯ve made my choice¡ªI will marry Ynda, and no one¡¯s stopping me.¡±

    ¡°You¡ª¡± Bethel gasped mid-sentence. A sudden tightness seized her chest. Her cane slipped from her hand as she staggered, clutching her heart. With a choked cry, she copsed to the floor.

    ¡°Bethel!¡± Christina and Brendon shouted simultaneously, rushing to her side in panic.

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 Chapter 23

    ?Chapter 23:

    The atmosphere in the hospital was taut, thick with unease.

    Bethel had been rushed into the ER, leaving Brendon outside¡ªpacing, fidgeting, unable to settle.

    Only now did the gravity of it all hit Brendon like a punch to the chest. Anxiety wed at him. The weight of the Dawson legacy rested squarely on his grandmother¡¯s frail shoulders. If she faltered, everything they built woulde crashing down.

    Brendon¡¯s eyes cut to Christina. ¡°This is your doing,¡± he said, voice quiet butced with steel. ¡°I told you¡ªwe needed the right time to tell my grandmother. Not like this.¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t argue. She couldn¡¯t. A part of her knew she¡¯d triggered Bethel¡¯s copse.

    ¡°When my grandmother gets through this¡ªand she will¡ªyou¡¯re going to follow my lead,¡± Brendon said firmly. ¡°We can¡¯t afford another shock. We keep her calm. We keep her safe.¡±

    That snapped Christina out of it. She turned sharply, her gaze like ice. ¡°What do you expect me to do? Pretend we¡¯re back together?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a performance. Don¡¯t make it more than that,¡± he said with a sneer. ¡°Even with my grandma in your corner, don¡¯t kid yourself¡ªyou¡¯ll never have my heart. The whole acting is strictly for her sake. Don¡¯t get delusional.¡±

    Christina let out a sharp, humorlessugh. ¡°Wow. Your ego¡¯s still the size of a small, huh? Rx. If every man on Earth vanished overnight, I¡¯d still nevere crawling back to you.¡±

    Her words sliced through him, drawing blood he didn¡¯t want to show. Anger sparked¡ªbut then, something else. She must be bluffing. He could see it. Women always masked their feelings behind sharp tongues and cold stares. She was just trying to protect her pride. After all those years of devotion, of her orbiting his world like he was her sun¡ªshe couldn¡¯t have just let go. Notpletely. Not really. That thought calmed him and even fed a quiet, smug satisfaction.

    He exhaled, his scowl melting into a faint, knowing smirk. ¡°Just y your part when my grandma¡¯s around. That¡¯s all I need.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± Christina muttered, her tone clipped, her posture rigid. She agreed¡ªfor Bethel. The woman had once lifted her from rock bottom, offering refuge when

    Betrayal had left her shattered and alone. Bethel had shown her nothing but warmth andpassion, and for that, she would endure this farce with Brendon.

    Brendon felt a rush of satisfaction from her quick agreement. He knew it. She still had feelings for him. How could she not?

    ¡°Then hand over the treatment slot with King,¡± he said, emboldened by her agreement.

    Christina¡¯s re could¡¯ve turnedva to ice. ¡°I¡¯ve already told you¡ªno.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d really risk my grandma¡¯s life? King could save her!¡± Brendon shot back, frustration etched across his face. But that wasn¡¯t the truth. He wanted King for Ynda¡¯s illness.

    ¡°Bethel has been stable for years. Her chronic conditions are managed, and her vitals are strong. She doesn¡¯t need King¡ªanypetent surgeon can handle this,¡± Christina said, voice unwavering. She¡¯d made sure of it. For three painstaking years, she had taken care of Bethel¡ªtracked every symptom, followed every treatment. Bethel¡¯s body was stronger now. She had done her homework. The surgery was routine, the risks minimal.

    Brendon¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°So you¡¯re willing to roll the dice with her life? Can you live with that if something goes wrong? Even healthy people die on the table¡ªwhat about an elderly woman?¡±

    ¡°If you really care about her, you¡¯ll hand over the treatment slot. It¡¯s the only way to ensure she survives.¡±

    Each word dripped with maniption, cutting into her patience like ss. She knew exactly who he was fighting for¡ªand it wasn¡¯t Bethel. No way was she going to hand him that win.

    ¡°I can find another way¡ª¡± she said, but a shrill scream split the air.

    ¡°You bitch!¡± A hand came flying at her¡ªfast, wild, and furious.

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 Chapter 24

    ?Chapter 24:

    The p was a breath away from Christina¡¯s cheek, but in a sh, she pivoted, dodging cleanly. Her hand shot up, catching the attacker¡¯s wrist midair and wrenching it in one fluid, brutal motion.

    ¡°Ah! Ouch, ouch, ouch!¡± Joselyn Dawson, Katie and Brendon¡¯s mother, cried out, her face twisting in agony, pain etched deep into her furrowed brow.

    ¡°Mom!¡± Katie and Brendon shouted at once, paning their voices.

    ¡°Christina, let go!¡± Brendon barked, lunging in and yanking at her wrist.

    Katie hurried to intervene, reaching to pry Christina¡¯s fingers away, but she didn¡¯t need to. Christina had already released her hold, cold and calcted.

    Joselyn cradled her wrist, stunned and trembling. Had no one stepped in, there was no doubt in her mind¡ªChristina would¡¯ve broken it clean. Ruthless didn¡¯t even begin to cover it.

    ¡°Disrespecting your elders is one thing,¡± Joselyn snapped, her voice razor-sharp as her re bore into Christina, ¡°but now you¡¯ve pushed Bethel into a hospital bed with your theatrics¡ªwhat do you have to say for yourself?¡±

    Joselyn¡¯s dislike for Christina ran deep. To her, this woman was unworthy of her son¡ªno pedigree, no influence, no ce in their world. If Bethel hadn¡¯t insisted on that godforsaken marriage, Christina would¡¯ve never gotten to marry into the Dawson family. Her son deserved better. Someone like Ynda¡ªrefined, well-connected, useful. Not Christina, who was nothing but a liability, dead weight dragging him down.

    ¡°You have no right to use me of anything,¡± Christina replied, voice calm but cold, her chin lifting with unshakable defiance.

    That expression¡ªit drove Joselyn mad. The arrogance. The nerve. The way this nobody stood there like she owned the room, like she belonged.

    ¡°No right?¡± Joselyn hissed. ¡°Bethel is my mother-inw! And you are the reason she¡¯s lying in that hospital bed! If she dies¡ªI¡¯ll see to it you rot in jail.¡±

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    Christina¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. ¡°All I did was break the news of the divorce. Your precious son is ountable. He argued with her and raised his voice, insisting that he marry Ynda. He¡¯s the one who pushed Bethel over the edge. Not me.¡±

    Christina¡¯s voice cut like tempered steel. Yes, maybe she¡¯d yed a role in Bethel¡¯s copse¡ªbut Brendon lit the fuse. He¡¯d stoked the fire. Without him, Bethel might have been upset¡ªbut she wouldn¡¯t have copsed in that chair, gasping and pale.

    Christina wasn¡¯t about to lie¡ªbut she sure as hell wasn¡¯t taking the fall for all of it.

    ¡°Christina, you bear undeniable responsibility in this,¡± Brendon said, his brow furrowed with exaggerated gravity. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t brought up the divorce, none of this would¡¯ve happened.¡±

    Christina let out a sharp, humorlessugh. ¡°Did you really think you could keep it a secret forever? Not everyone¡¯s as clueless as you seem to hope. And newssh¡ªthe divorce is real. I have every right to speak the truth.¡±

    Katie¡¯s voice exploded like a grenade. ¡°Grandma was perfectly fine until you showed up! The minute you stepped into that house, she ended up in a hospital bed. This is all on you!¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Joselyn snapped, her voice like venom. ¡°If anything happens to her, you¡¯ll pay dearly.¡±

    Brendon pounced, seizing the moment like a vulture. ¡°Christina, let¡¯s not make this harder than it is. You¡¯re not meless, and you know it. Give up your treatment slot for my grandma, and we¡¯ll move forward¡ªno grudges.¡±

    ¡°Never,¡± Christina replied, her tone t, final.

    Brendon¡¯s frown deepened, twisting into disappointment. ¡°Christina, how could you be this heartless?¡±

    Katie threw up her hands. ¡°See, Brendon? I told you she was vile! After everything our grandma did for her¡ªthis is how she repays her?¡±

    ¡°Trash. That¡¯s all she ever was!¡± Joselyn snarled furiously. ¡°A gutter rat clinging to scraps of power she doesn¡¯t deserve. Bethel must¡¯ve gone mad, wasting all that affection on such a woman instead of her own blood!¡±

    Christina remained stone-faced. ¡°I¡¯ll get Bethel a surgeon. If she has the operation and proper post-op care, she¡¯ll recover fully. That¡¯s what matters.¡±

    Katie burst outughing, cruel and shrill. ¡°You? Don¡¯t make meugh! You couldn¡¯t even book an appointment with a half-decent doctor, let alone someone reputable. Just admit it¡ªyou want her dead. You¡¯d hand her off to a back-alley butcher and call it ¡®help¡¯. My grandma gave everything to you, and you repay her with betrayal!¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch. Her next words cut through the chaos like a de. ¡°I¡¯m bringing in Dr. Calvin Emmett.¡±

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 Chapter 25

    ?Chapter 25:

    ¡°Wait¡ªwhat did you just say?¡± Gasps filled the room as everyone stared in disbelief. Calvin Emmett? The country¡¯s most renowned surgeon? The one even the mighty Dawson family couldn¡¯t get an appointment with, no matter how much money or influence they threw around? And now Christina¡ªsomeone they¡¯d all written off as a washed-up nobody¡ªimed she could bring him here?

    Brendon blinked in disbelief. ¡°Hold on. Are we talking about Dr. Emmett? The top cardiac surgeon in the entire country?¡±

    Christina met his gaze without flinching. ¡°Yes. Him.¡±

    Katie let out a sharp, disbelievingugh. ¡°Oh, please. Do you hear yourself? That¡¯s ridiculous!¡±

    Joselyn folded her arms, her tone edged with scorn. ¡°Let¡¯s be real. Even our family couldn¡¯t get through to him, and you think you can? The man¡¯s practically retired!¡±

    Brendon gave a mockingugh. ¡°Christina, you¡¯ve been out of the game for years. You¡¯ve spent the past few years behind closed doors, reduced yourself to household chores. You don¡¯t have the influence¡ªor the contacts¡ªto pull something like this off.¡±

    Christina¡¯s voice was calm, but there was steel beneath it. ¡°Who I know and how I get things done isn¡¯t your concern. What matters is¡ªI will bring him.¡±

    Katieughed louder, clutching her stomach. ¡°The arrogance! Do you really expect us to believe you¡¯ve got a direct line to Dr. Emmett?¡±

    Brendon tilted his head, his expression softening, mockingly so. ¡°Just give King¡¯s treatment opportunity to me, Christina. Save yourself from the humiliation.¡±

    Christina hadn¡¯t nned on rising to their bait, but the condescension, smugness, and absolute dismissal in their voices pushed her past silence. She tilted her head slightly, a cold smile ying on her lips.

    ¡°And what if I do bring him? What then?¡±

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    Brendon rolled his eyes. ¡°You can¡¯t possibly make it.¡±

    ¡°Then let¡¯s make it interesting,¡± Christina said, her voice cool and sure. ¡°A wager.¡±

    Brendon raised a brow. ¡°What kind of wager?¡±

    Christina¡¯s smile widened. ¡°If I manage to get Dr. Emmett here, every single one of you owes me a public apology¡ªand five million inpensation.¡±

    Katie¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°And if you fail? What then? What if Dr. Emmett doesn¡¯t even step foot here, let alone operate on my grandma?¡±

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll forfeit my shot at treatment from the great King¡ªand pay you five million,¡± Christina said firmly, her tone razor-sharp.

    Brendon¡¯s interest wasn¡¯t in the money. But the chance to im King¡¯s treatment? That was something else entirely. His heart skipped a beat at the thought. If he won this bet, he could use the treatment opportunity on whoever he pleased¡ªno one could argue against it.

    ¡°Deal.¡± Brendon agreed without hesitation. He didn¡¯t believe for a second that Christina could pull this off. If the Dawson family, with all their wealth and influence, had failed to reach Dr. Emmett, how could Christina possibly seed? She must be clinging to illusions, still trying to win his attention. Pathetic.

    Katie exchanged a triumphant nce with her mother, both grinning from ear to ear. In their minds, this bet was practically charity. Not only would they earn the five million, but they¡¯d also take the golden ticket to King¡¯s treatment. A double victory.

    Yet, Joselyn wasn¡¯t thrilled at the idea of Brendon using King¡¯s treatment on Ynda. That opportunity was priceless¡ªcapable of opening doors, sealing partnerships, and even elevating their family¡¯s position. Squandering it on Ynda? That was out of the question.

    Christina wasn¡¯t losing sleep over Bethel. She had already analyzed Bethel¡¯s condition during the ride to the hospital. Bethel¡¯s vitals held steady. Her body was still strong and resilient enough to withstand the episode.

    As expected, Bethel was soon transferred from the emergency room to a VIP suite. Before long, she regained consciousness.

    Once awake, Bethel wasted no time. She sent Katie and Joselyn out of the room, leaving only Christina and Brendon by her bedside. Her voice was soft, but her eyes held a familiar glimmer. ¡°So, you two really aren¡¯t getting back together?¡±

    Christina offered a warm but cautious smile. ¡°Let¡¯s focus on your recovery. We can talk about everything elseter.¡±

    But Bethel wasn¡¯t letting it go. Her brow knit with worry. ¡°No, I need an answer. If I don¡¯t hear it now, I won¡¯t be able to eat or sleep.¡±

    Brendon was quick to speak up. ¡°Grandma, I¡¯m sorry for how I¡¯ve acted. I¡¯ve been stubborn, but I¡¯ll think about trying again. Maybe we just need time¡ªto rebuild what we lost.¡±

    Bethel turned to Christina with gentle eyes. ¡°And what about you, dear? If your heart¡¯s not in it, I won¡¯t force you. I just want to see you happy.¡±

    Bethel¡¯s words made Christina hesitate to announce herck of intention of getting back with Brendon. Managing a smile, she said, ¡°Maybe a little more time, and things will work out.¡±

    Bethel gave her hand a warm pat, sensing the hesitation but choosing not to press. ¡°Alright. No matter what happens, you have my full support.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Christina whispered.

    After this talk, Christina didn¡¯t walk away. Instead, she stayed by Bethel¡¯s side for hours, quietly keeping herpany.

    Later, Bethel asked Christina to step out for a moment and then gave Brendon a private tongueshing. She made it crystal clear: Ynda would never be epted into the family. Ever.

    Knowing better than to argue at this point, Brendon nodded along with everything Bethel said. He wasn¡¯t foolish enough to challenge her in this state. Eventually, he excused himself for a business meeting, leaving Christina to look after Bethel through the rest of the afternoon. Only once Bethel had drifted off into a peaceful sleep did Christina quietly slip out, confident the nurses would manage the rest of the night shift.

    As Christina stepped out into the crisp evening air, the weight of the day settled on her shoulders. She decided to grab something to eat before heading home.

    But just as she reached the sidewalk, a ck van screeched to a halt in front of her.

    The doors burst open, and in seconds, a group of rugged men stormed out, closing in around her like a pack of wolves.

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 Chapter 26

    ?Chapter 26:

    In almost the blink of an eye, Christina found herself hauled into the back of a van, her mouth covered.

    These kidnappers moved with chilling precision¡ªtheir nning was evident in every lightning-quick motion, giving no one a chance to intervene.

    Taking them down would have been child¡¯s y for Christina, but she decided against it. Curiosity outweighed caution. She let them believe she was too weak to fight back, wanting to discover who had gone to such lengths to snatch her off the street. Why not turn a little danger into an adventure?

    No sooner had she been tossed inside the van than a wad of cloth was shoved between her teeth and ropes cinched around her wrists and ankles.

    With a fiery re, Christina glowered at her captors, her performance wless¡ªoutwardly furious, inwardly cool as ice.

    ¡°Mmmph! Mmmph!¡± Christina¡¯s body thrashed, and her voice came out muffled, a perfect imitation of terror and rage.

    To anyone watching, she looked like she¡¯d been scared senseless¡ªiling like a fish dumped on a cutting board.

    ¡°Enough! Shut up already! Move again and I¡¯ll slice you!¡± one man shouted, giving her a rough shove and shooting her a look brimming with malice.

    Christina recoiled, letting tears spring to her eyes, her entire face the picture of utter despair.

    Had Davina witnessed the scene, she¡¯d have handed Christina an Oscar for her convincing disy. On the inside, Christina was cold and unruffled¡ªon the outside, she yed the scared victim to perfection.

    Convinced by her act, her captors lowered their guard and discussed among themselves.

    ¡°Women are always quick to start crying and making noise.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, what else could you expect? Completely worthless.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t take your eyes off her. If she tries anything, you¡¯ll answer to me.¡±

    Christina let her eyes fill with tears, hershes glistening and her chin tucked, the very picture of terror. Yet, beneath that shivering facade, an amused smile flickered inside her mind.

    ¡°Damn, look at this chick. Wouldn¡¯t mind a turn¡­¡± one of the kidnappers said, unable to hide his leer.

    A sharp elbow from the leader of the group shut the recent speaker up. ¡°Keep your mouth shut! She¡¯s marked for the Terrells. You know how brutal that n gets. We¡¯re not here to die.¡±

    The man scratched his head. ¡°They¡¯re paying through the nose for this job, though. Makes you wonder what she did to get on their cklist.¡±

    ¡°No clue about the specifics. Word is, she messed up Jacob in a bar¡ªleft him permanently impotent.¡±

    ¡°Holy hell! Never would¡¯ve pegged her as the type to pull something like that.¡±

    The group studied Christina with fresh suspicion, noting her tear-streaked cheeks and shaking frame, all an act for their benefit. It seemed impossible that someone so slight could have taken down Jacob Terrell and even destroyed his manhood. Their best guess was that Jacob had tried to force himself on her, never expecting a fight, and paid dearly for his mistake. Even so, the assumption left an ufortable tension hanging in the van, each man suddenly wary in his seat.

    Bits and pieces of their conversation gave Christina all she needed to understand the situation. Apparently, that night at the bar, when those thugs tried to corner her, one of them¡ªJacob¡ªhad ended up permanently impotent after her attack.

    The Terrells didn¡¯t hold a ce among the true upper crust, but their wealth and connections ran deep¡ªboth in the boardroom and the back alley.

    Jacob, notorious for his arrogance, was the sort of predator who believed the world owed him everything, and that no woman could say no. Any woman who happened to catch his interest usually left the encounter scarred, especially if she dared turn him down.

    A cold smirk tugged at the corners of Christina¡¯s mouth. If anything, Jacob had earned every ounce of his fate by foolishly provoking her. Someone like him practically invited retribution. Looking back, she wished she could¡¯ve gone much harder on him. Letting him live, even impotent, was almost generous. Yet now, he¡¯d found the nerve to strike back? He was courting death. If the entire Terrell family wanted to join the fight, then they, too, were lining up for destruction.

    Just for an instant, hidden behind the facade of trembling fear, a glint of something ruthless and deadly flickered in Christina¡¯s eyes.

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 Chapter 27

    ?Chapter 27:

    ¡°Out! Move it!¡± A rough hand dragged Christina out of the van with little care.

    Nothing but emptiness surrounded them¡ªthendscape barren, an abandoned warehouse looming ahead like a warning.

    Christina¡¯s ankles were trussed together, the rope giving her just enough freedom to shuffle, never enough to move fast.

    Disheveled hair fell across her face as they pushed her ahead, her bnce faltering more than once.

    Her captors started chatting. ¡°When are the Terrells supposed to show?¡±

    ¡°Just got a call¡ªJacob¡¯sing himself to handle her.¡±

    A nasty click of the tongue followed. ¡°She¡¯s in for it, then. Everyone knows about Jacob¡¯s twisted tastes in intimate encounters. He likes it when they scream in pain.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t concern us. All we do is hold her till the Terrells arrive. We grab our money and disappear. No point sticking our necks out. Only thing to remember¡ªkeep your hands off the employer¡¯s target. Get the cash, and there¡¯s plenty of pretty chicks out there to y withter.¡±

    By this point, Christina had been tossed unceremoniously into a dusty corner.

    Clouds of filth rose as she hit the concrete, the grime adding to her already battered appearance. She already looked a mess, and the dirt stuck to her just made things worse.

    Beneath the surface, however, her mind was razor-sharp, nerves steady as steel, taking in every word they said.

    Hearing that Jacob nned toe in person, her mouth twitched ever so slightly, a glimmer of dark humor sparking in her eyes. So, she wouldn¡¯t even have to hunt the Terrells down¡ªJacob was volunteering himself for the ughter. He thought he could break her and make her beg for mercy? How amusing. Let him dream.

    Jacob¡¯s arrival would be the signal. The curtain would rise on the true spectacle. Her captors would be granted front-row seats to her metamorphosis¡ªfrom a seemingly cornered, trembling rabbit into something far more dangerous.

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    ¡°Forget about running. You¡¯re not getting anywhere. Cooperate, and it¡¯ll hurt less. Sit tight!¡±

    That final threat hung in the air as the kidnappers sauntered out, utterly convinced she was too rattled to attempt an escape. In their minds, she looked too defeated, too broken to even bother trying. To them, she was just a caged sparrow¡ªflightless, helpless.

    They couldn¡¯t have guessed that as they lingered outside, passing cigarettes and checking their watches, Christina was already twisting her wrists against the ropes. She wasn¡¯t about to spring free just yet. The bindings were loose enough to slip in a second, but she bided her time, hidden by stillness.

    Head dipped low, a subtle, chilling smile yed across her lips. Her eyes glowed with a hint of red, a ruthless promise gleaming deep within.

    A storm of cruelty and madness churned in Christina¡¯s eyes, as if some ancient beast waited to burst free. Had anyone glimpsed her expression in that moment, the raw threat would have sent them fleeing in terror.

    ¡°Mr. Terrell!¡± A loud shout shattered the silence, paired with the abrupt cutoff of a car engine.

    ¡°Where is that little bitch?¡± Jacob¡¯s voice, thick with arrogance and malice, echoed into the warehouse.

    ¡°She¡¯s inside,¡± came the immediate reply from one of the hired kidnappers.

    ¡°Stay here and don¡¯t let anyone in.¡±

    ¡°Understood!¡±

    Seated in a wheelchair, Jacob let one of his goons roll him across the dusty concrete. The woman inside had stripped him of his pride in a bar fight¡ªleft his manhood ruined and barely clinging to life. Retribution burned in his veins. Today, she¡¯d pay for every humiliation.

    Whispers had circted for years: the elusive doctor King could supposedly repair injuries no one else dared to touch¡ªeven restore what had been lost and make it better than before.

    Getting close to King, however, was nearly impossible. No amount of power or money had opened that door.

    Left with no options, the Terrells had shifted their focus to the shooting champion, hoping to buy or bully their way into a miracle cure from King. But fate had a twisted sense of humor¡ªthe marksman they hunted was the very woman who¡¯d destroyed Jacob¡¯s manhood from the start.

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 Chapter 28

    ?Chapter 28:

    Every memory of that night sent Jacob¡¯s rage surging. He ached to rip Christina apart with his own hands. Having her at his mercy now, trussed up and powerless, meant he could finally unleash every grudge he¡¯d nursed. He¡¯d wring out the answer he wanted, forcing her to surrender her slot for King¡¯s treatment, and then take his time making her pay in ways she¡¯d never forget.

    Only when his appetite for vengeance was satisfied, only when he¡¯d bled everyst scream from her, would he grant her the release of death.

    Yet, Jacob couldn¡¯t have imagined the truth: the object of his hatred, the so-called ¡°worthless whore¡± he wanted gone, was King, whom the world¡¯s richest and most powerful would sell their souls to please.

    Wheelchair wheels rattled over concrete as Jacob was pushed inside. His eyes quickly found Christina, slumped and apparently pitiful in the shadowed corner, barely more than a battered stray.

    Rage had knotted Jacob¡¯s jaw, but seeing her reduced to such a state sent a cruel shiver of satisfaction down his spine.

    ¡°Where¡¯d all that swagger go, huh? At the bar, she acted like she owned the ce. Now she lies at my feet, a wreck gasping for air, nothing but a shadow of her former self.¡±

    But this humiliation wasn¡¯t enough. He needed to savor her suffering up close, to carve the lesson into her bones.

    ¡°So you¡¯re the sharpshooter everyone talks about?¡± Jacob¡¯s voice dripped with mockery.

    Christina, ever the actress, trembled from head to toe, her reply ragged and frail. ¡°Y-yes¡­ W-what do you want from me?¡±

    ¡°You really don¡¯t remember?¡± Jacob¡¯s bloodshot re bored into her. ¡°After what you did to me at that bar?¡± His teeth ground together, fury on the verge of shattering him.

    A feigned look of bewilderment crossed Christina¡¯s face. ¡°Th-the bar?¡±

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    Jacob practically came out of his seat, fists shaking. ¡°You bitch! All that arrogance, all that attitude¡ªdon¡¯t act like you¡¯ve forgotten what you did! You wrecked me and now you y dumb?¡±

    Her eyes widened as if a memory clicked into ce. ¡°O-oh, it¡¯s you¡­¡±

    Hisughter sliced through the air, bitter and sharp. ¡°So, it finallyes back to you. Here¡¯s the deal¡ªonly King can heal me. Give up your treatment slot, and I might let you leave in one piece. This is your only shot.¡±

    A flood of tears welled in Christina¡¯s eyes, her voice trembling as if she were truly terrified. ¡°That slot means everything to me. I¡­ I can¡¯t hand it over.¡±

    A growl ripped from Jacob¡¯s throat. ¡°Like hell you can¡¯t! You owe me for what you did. You¡¯ll pay one way or another!¡±

    Christina held his gaze for a beat, appearing to cower before him, then softly replied, ¡°It¡¯s toote. I already sold the slot.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Jacob¡¯s face contorted with rage. The urge to leap out of his wheelchair nearly overpowered him, but the agony in his body sent him crumpling back, breath ragged.

    Hatred radiated from his re, his voice a venomous hiss. ¡°You had the nerve to sell it, you wretched slut? Who got it? Tell me!¡±

    Christina¡¯s answer came out barely above a whisper: ¡°T-that¡¯s confidential¡­ I can¡¯t say.¡±

    Jacob barely held himself back fromshing out¡ªhis whole body quaked with barely contained violence. After simmering in rage, he pulled on a mask of false gentleness, his tone dripping with deceit. ¡°You know, you could always call off that deal. Give the slot to me instead. I¡¯ll let you walk out of here¡ªmaybe even with a pile of cash. But if you turn me down¡­¡±

    His words hung for a moment before he leaned in, his voice dropping to a menacing hiss. ¡°You won¡¯t live to see another sunrise.¡±

    No one could mistake his meaning. Far from trembling, Christina found a kind of dark amusement in watching him spiral out of control.

    ¡°I¡¯m not backing out of the deal. I keep my promises,¡± she answered, voice steady as stone.

    With that, Jacob¡¯s thin veneer of calm shattered. ¡°Onest time¡ªare you sure you want to do this?¡±

    Christina¡¯s chin rose, exposing the delicate line of her neck¡ªdefiance zing in her eyes. ¡°I am.¡±

    A twisted smile pulled at Jacob¡¯s lips, his fists balled tight with fury. ¡°Fine. Have it your way.¡±

    Without a hint of mercy, he turned on his men. ¡°Get her clothes off. Now.¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± His goons leered and began to close in on Christina in the corner.

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 Chapter 29

    ?Chapter 29:

    On the surface, Christina resembled a frightened rabbit¡ªwide eyes, trembling frame¡ªyet a sly smirk hinted at the steel beneath her facade. Long before now, she¡¯d worked the ropes loose. These fools never stood a chance of holding her down. Fear was thest thing on her mind.

    A glimmer of something fierce shed in those tear-stained eyes as her would-be attackers lunged. Deep in her chest, a cold, silentugh built. Just as she prepared to strike¡ª

    Bang! The crack of gunfire ripped through the warehouse. The closest thug dropped lifelessly, his body crumpling mid-step.

    For a moment, stunned silence gripped the room. Every eye locked on the fresh corpse at Christina¡¯s feet.

    Death¡¯s reek was unmistakable, thickening the stagnant air.

    Bang! Bang! Bang! Shot after shot rang out. Jacob¡¯s goons hit the floor one by one¡ªlike toy soldiers knocked over by an unseen hand. The goons posted outside had already been dealt with.

    Only Jacob remained, the sole survivor in a sea of bodies. He shook violently, terror overtaking rage. That was when Dn strode inside¡ªcold and imcable, a shadow in human form, death glinting in his eyes.

    The muzzle of Dn¡¯s pistol tracked Jacob¡¯s every move, promising no mercy.

    Jacob¡¯s nerves failed him. He lost all feeling in his legs. Survival instincts red. He scrambled desperately, desperate to flee.

    But Dn¡¯s men dragged Jacob back, tossing him to the floor like discarded garbage.

    Crashing to his knees, Jacob dissolved into hysterical sobs. ¡°I¡¯m¡ªMr. Scott! Please! I beg you¡ªhave mercy!¡±

    The chill of a gun barrel pressed into Jacob¡¯s scalp, and sheer terror overwhelmed him¡ªhe lost control, urine soaking his pants as he shook uncontrobly.

    ???????????????? ???? ????????: ??????????¦Í??????©q?????

    ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t¡ªAh¡ª!¡± A savage kick from Dnnded on Jacob¡¯s side, shattering ribs before Jacob could finish his plea.

    ¡°Who gave you permission to touch the woman under my protection?¡± Dn¡¯s voice was pure ice, lethal and unyielding.

    The gun never wavered, trained on Jacob¡¯s head while the stench of fear filled the air. Utterly broken, Jacob could only gape, saliva dribbling from ck lips, his terror soplete that he lost the ability to form words. To him, Dn wasn¡¯t human any longer¡ªhe was death incarnate,e to collect what was owed.

    ¡°From this moment on, the Terrell family is finished in this city. Find everyone involved in the kidnapping. Don¡¯t stop until each one begs for death,¡± Dn said, voice stripped of all feeling.

    ¡°Yes!¡± His men sprang into motion without hesitation.

    Reduced to a blubbering wreck, Jacob choked out desperate pleas, his voice shredded by fear. ¡°Mr. Scott! Please¡ªI¡¯m begging you! Spare me! Spare my family! I didn¡¯t know¡ªhonest! If I¡¯d known she was under your protection, I never would have dared! Please, I¡¯m sorry! Please!¡±

    Saltwater streaked Jacob¡¯s cheeks as he prostrated himself, his body racked with terror. ¡°Please¡­ Mr. Scott! Mercy¡ªjust this once! I swear, I¡¯ll never do anything like this again!¡±

    But no amount of pleading would save Jacob now. With Dn¡¯s wrath unleashed, not only was Jacob finished, but the entire Terrell family faced obliteration.

    A cold, derisive snort escaped Dn, his eyes glinting with contempt as he stared down at the pathetic figure sprawled on the floor. ¡°You¡¯re not sorry. You¡¯re just terrified.¡±

    Desperation took hold¡ªJacob crawled toward Dn, but Dn¡¯s men blocked his path without hesitation. ¡°No¡ªno, please! I beg you, I¡¯m sorry! Mr. Scott, spare me¡­ please!¡±

    Jacob¡¯s wailing grew more frantic by the second, but not a hint ofpassion flickered in Dn¡¯s eyes. Those foolish enough to touch those under his protection had already sealed their fate.

    ¡°Get him out of here,¡± Dn instructed, his voice cold.

    ¡°Right away!¡± Without pause, his men grabbed Jacob, dragging him off like so much dead weight.

    ¡°Mr. Scott! NO¡ªNO! Please! I was wrong! I was¡ª¡± The shrieks rose, jagged and wild¡ªscreams of a man who already knew his doom was sealed.

    Dn¡¯s patience wore thin. He gave the slightest nod, and one of his men understood instantly. A quick chop to the neck ended the uproar. Jacob¡¯s body slumped over, mercifully silent.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 30

    ?Chapter 30:

    Christina sat in the corner, still as stone, her eyes locked on the bloodied bodies scattered across the floor. Damn¡­ Dn wasn¡¯t one to waste time.

    Dn caught her dazed look and traced her line of sight. The carnage wasn¡¯t subtle¡ªtwisted limbs, lifeless faces, blood pooling beneath them like ink spilled from a shattered bottle.

    He mistook her stillness for fear, and something unfamiliar twisted in his chest¡ªsympathy and maybe even regret for letting her witness such a scene. His brow creased. Quietly, he crouched beside her. Without a word, his calloused palm moved to gently cover her eyes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid¡­¡± The edge in his voice was gone, reced by something softer. ¡°I¡¯m here. You¡¯re safe.¡±

    With delicate insistence, he turned her face away from the bodies, guiding her gaze to him, shielding her from the worst of it. ¡°Don¡¯t look,¡± he whispered. ¡°Just think of it like a bad dream, one you¡¯ll wake up from soon.¡±

    His eyes¡ªdark, burning, unwavering¡ªheld hers in a quietmand, pulling her back from the brink. The usual frost in his eyes had thawed¡ªscorched away by something unseen¡ªleaving behind an unfamiliar warmth. Something almost gentle.

    He waited, unmoving, until Christina gave a soft, shaky ¡°Alright.¡± Only then did he allow himself a silent breath¡ªone he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding. She was still fighting. That was a good sign.

    He tucked the thought away like a mission directive: Therapist. Tomorrow. No exceptions. Unaddressed trauma wasn¡¯t a wound¡ªit was a ticking time bomb. It crept in as nightmares turning shadows into monsters. This wasn¡¯t a fender bender or some close call. Christina had walked through hell¡¯s front door and barely made it back out.

    His jaw tightened as he reached for the ropes, fingers steady but his mind storming. Then, he saw them. The deep, angry ridges across her wrists and ankles¡ªskin rubbed raw, welts etched like curses.

    ???????? ???????? ???? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    Something inside him detonated. His eyes went dark, a dangerous shift rolling through him like thunder before a downpour. The Terrell family. They didn¡¯t deserve mercy. They didn¡¯t even deserve fear. They deserved to die miserably.

    ¡°Does it hurt?¡± His voice came out low¡ªrough like gravel, but carrying a strange softness underneath.

    Christina shook her head. ¡°No.¡±

    She epted his help, but as soon as her feet touched the floor, her knees betrayed her. Her legs folded, weak and trembling.

    Dn caught her in a sh¡ªarms steel-tight around her, instincts faster than thought. For the first time, his ironposure cracked. A flicker of flush¡ªreal and raw¡ªshed across his face like lightning shing through storm clouds.

    They froze. Her chest close to his, eyes locked, breath tangled in the sudden quiet. The air between them shifted, thick with an unspoken pull.

    Seconds passed before reality reassembled.

    ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m fine,¡± Christina blurted, trying to wriggle free. But then her knee brushed a scrape, and the pain hit sharply. She hissed softly, breath catching.

    Dn didn¡¯t let go. His gaze dropped to her swollen ankle. His frown deepened into something lethal.

    ¡°Forgive me.¡± Without waiting, he slid one arm beneath her knees and lifted her effortlessly into his arms. Reflex kicked in¡ªher arms snapped around his neck, her cheeks flushing with heat.

    ¡°Seriously, I¡¯m fine¡ªit¡¯s just a scratch! You¡¯re overreacting,¡± she muttered, flustered. To her, these minor scrapes barely registered¡ªthey weren¡¯t worth a bandage, let alone anyone fussing over them.

    ¡°A scratch is still an injury. I¡¯m not overreacting,¡± Dn said, his voice steady and unshakable.

    Something fragile and unfamiliar stirred in Christina¡¯s chest. Her grip on his shoulder tightened, as if holding on might keep the feeling from slipping away.

    She had once given everything she had to the Dawson family. To Brendon. Time, devotion, love¡ªpoured out like water into a cracked vessel that never held a drop. And what did she get in return? Not even the ghost of affection.

    She could still recall that day in the kitchen¡ªhow the knife had slipped, the sharp sting followed by a rush of blood spilling across her palm.

    Brendon had shot her a cold, indifferent nce, instructed a servant to fetch the first-aid kit, and walked off without a backward look. Not once did he ask how she was¡ªnot in that moment, not ever. It was almost cruel, the contrast. Even a stranger might have asked if she was okay. But Brendon, her husband at that time, hadn¡¯t even blinked.

    And yet, she¡¯d seen the way Brendon looked at Ynda. Gentle hands brushing hair from her face. Soft words dipped in honey. He was capable of warmth¡ªjust not for her. Maybe that was the simple difference¡ªlove cared, indifference didn¡¯t.

    A dull ache bloomed in Christina¡¯s chest. She had loved fiercely, given without keeping score. And in the end, she hadn¡¯t even been worth a moment of kindness.

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 Chapter 31

    ?Chapter 31:

    Dn pulled Christina into his arms, shielding her from the violent scene behind them. He turned slightly, making sure her eyes wouldn¡¯t catch the bloodshed.

    Then, lifting his gaze to his men, his expression hardened¡ªsharp, cold, andmanding. The air around him grew heavy, his presence alone sending a chill through the room.

    ¡°Clean it up. Not a single trace left behind,¡± Dn ordered, his voice low but lethal.

    ¡°Yes!¡± His subordinates responded without hesitation, moving swiftly to carry out hismand.

    Still holding Christina close, Dn walked away with the quiet authority of a man born to lead. His powerful presence radiated through the room, making everyone instinctively step back. His eyes, frigid and razor-sharp, could pierce straight through a person¡¯s soul.

    Christina leaned against his chest, taking in the warmth of his embrace. Her gaze wandered up to his strong jawline and sculpted features. Everything about him was impossibly perfect¡ªhandsome, yes, but more than that, maic.

    ¡°We¡¯ll stop by the hospitalter for a check-up,¡± he said.

    Christina stirred. ¡°It¡¯s just a small scratch. No need to worry.¡±

    He looked down at her, and the chill in his eyes melted. ¡°Better to check it anyway. Otherwise, I won¡¯t be at ease.¡±

    That fleeting warmth in his gaze made her heart falter. It wasn¡¯t just his looks. It was the way he carried himself, how his quiet concern made her feel unexpectedly safe.

    When she didn¡¯t respond right away, Dn misread her silence. His voice dropped, coaxing, tender in a way only she ever got to hear.

    ¡°Please. Just do it for me. A scrape might be minor to you, but to me, it¡¯s a big deal. We¡¯re sort of business partners. That means your safety is my responsibility.¡±

    m??r?? ??¦Ñda??es ???? ??a??novels.c??m

    Christina felt a gentle warmth bloom within her. Though they were merely partners, Dn¡¯s concern was undeniably genuine.

    ¡°Alright,¡± she murmured, giving a small nod.

    Brendon hadn¡¯t even acknowledged her bleeding wound, while Dn, merely a business partner, couldn¡¯t bear to ignore even the smallest scrape on her skin. One didn¡¯t need to love someone to show basic care. But Brendon hadn¡¯t shown even that. People were so very different.

    As they approached the car, Christina shifted, ncing up at him. ¡°You can put me down now. I can get in on my own.¡±

    Dn respected her words, gently lowering her to the ground. ¡°Okay. Just take it slow,¡± he said softly.

    ¡°I will,¡± she assured him.

    But as soon as her feet touched the pavement and she bent to enter the car, a sharp jolt of pain shot through her skull.

    ¡°Ah¡ª¡± Christina gasped, her brows knitting in agony. She had brushed it off as minor, but her vision dimmed abruptly, and before she could react, her body gave out.

    In one swift, fluid motion, Dn caught her in his arms. He exhaled quietly, relieved she hadn¡¯t hit the ground¡ªbut the worry etched on his face only deepened.

    ¡°Christina?¡± he called out, his voice firm butced with tension. No response. Panic flickered in his eyes as he quickly checked for signs of life¡ªher breath, her pulse. Steady. Thank God.

    Still, the knot in his chest wouldn¡¯t loosen. Something wasn¡¯t right, and that gnawing unease refused to let go.

    Without a second thought, Dn lifted her again and gentlyid her in the back seat of the car. He shrugged off his tailored suit jacket and ced it over her, tucking it in with care. His brow was furrowed, his usual icy calm disrupted by the storm of worry behind his eyes.

    The driver, having watched the scene unfold, sat frozen in disbelief. In all the years he had worked for Dn, never¡ªnot once¡ªhad he seen Dn break his rules, especially not for a woman. And yet, here he was, treating Christina like she was the only person in the world that mattered.

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 Chapter 32

    ?Chapter 32:

    ¡°Just drive.¡± Dn¡¯s voice cut through the silence like a de. The driver obeyed without pause, and the car tore away from the scene, swallowing distance in seconds.

    Christina slumped against Dn, her body limp. He shifted to brace her, showing no resistance or difort.

    His mind, however, was racing¡ªevery turn of the wheels a countdown. He needed her safe. He needed her stable. The road was no ally. It was jagged and cruel, each pothole a fresh threat.

    Dn instinctively adjusted her in his arms, nestling her closer, forming a barrier.

    But then, the vehicle lurched.

    Caught off guard, Dn had no time to react. Christina, still unconscious, had no control over her limp body. The jolt caused her to fall against him, her soft lips brushing against the side of his neck.

    The contact was fleeting, barely there. But it scorched. Like static under his skin, it froze him for a breathless second. But he didn¡¯t shift; instead, he just pulled her in tighter.

    Christina remained motionless, her body warm and pliant against him, utterly unaware of the moment that had just passed.

    She didn¡¯t see the way Dn¡¯s usuallyposed face flushed a deep, unmistakable red¡ªor how the tips of his ears burned with heat.

    Dn¡¯s pulse thundered in his chest, a strange flutter of emotion rising like a wave he couldn¡¯t name. He inhaled slowly, deeply, willing his heart to steady.

    But when he looked down at her, asleep and vulnerable in his arms, his heart raced again. She was breathtaking. Delicate yet defined, with a beauty that didn¡¯t beg for attention¡ªit simply existed, undeniable and effortless. But beyond the surface, he sensed it: the grit beneath the grace, the quiet fire behind her gentle features. This wasn¡¯t a woman who broke easily.

    Her elegant corbones and the graceful curve of her neck only added to the quiet allure.

    Full ztory avabl3 at g??lnovels.??????

    But Dn¡¯s admiration quickly curdled into something darker as his thoughts drifted to her ex-husband. That bastard. How could anyone look at her and treat her like nothing?

    Dn scoffed silently. Her ex-husband was either a fool or blind¡ªor both. Yet, he found himself feeling thankful. Because if her ex had truly seen her worth and cherished her the way she deserved, Dn might never have had the chance to know her like this. Perhaps the only good thing her ex ever did was let her go.

    With that thought, Dn¡¯s arms tightened around Christina. He held her as if she were something rare and irreceable¡ªbecause to him, she was.

    His gaze softened, the frost in his eyes melting into something far gentler. Her ex-husband failed to cherish her, but he wouldn¡¯t. Not now. Not ever.

    The next morning, golden sunlight filtered through the curtains, bathing the room in a soft, honeyed glow.

    Christina stirred beneath the sheets, sighing as she shifted and rolled over into the warmth.

    Sleep still clung to her like a nket¡ªuntil something tugged at her instincts. Something was wrong. Different.

    Her eyes flew open, sharp and alert. She scanned the unfamiliar space with practiced precision, every muscle on edge. This wasn¡¯t her room.

    In an instant, her mind flipped through the chaos of the night before¡ªthe abduction. But after she was kidnapped, she recalled seeing Dn. He was there to save her. Was this his ce?

    Her gaze dropped to her wrist. The raw skin had been cleaned and treated, a bandage neatly wrapped with care. A faint scent of herbs lingered¡ªa cooling balm she vaguely recognized.

    She sat up, gently tugging back the nket to inspect her ankle. There it was again: a pristine white bandage wrapped around what had barely been more than a scrape.

    A soft smile touched her lips before she could stop it. All this effort for something so small.

    It was barely a scratch, yet Dn had taken the time to clean it, medicate it, and wrap it with care¡ªlike it actually mattered.

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 Chapter 33

    ?Chapter 33:

    Christina slowly shook her head, a chuckle escaping her lips. A quiet warmth began to spread through her chest, softening the unease that lingered within her.

    That was when she noticed the ck silk nightgown she wore. She froze. When had she changed? Who had changed her? Her mind immediately went to Dn. Could it have been him?

    Uncertain and slightly embarrassed, Christina reached up and gently tugged at the neckline, holding it closer to her skin.

    Before she could dwell on the thought any longer, a soft knock echoed at the door.

    She stood and crossed the room, opening the door without thinking. She was about to ask who had helped her change¡ªwhen the sight before her made the words vanish from her lips.

    Instead of Dn, a young girl stood outside, beaming with cheerful energy. Her presence felt like a ray of sunshine breaking through stormy skies.

    Christina quickly sized her up. The girl was beautiful¡ªstriking, really¡ªwith a mixture of youthful innocence and a touch of boldness in her features. Something about her face felt familiar. She looked a little like Dn. But her pallor gave her away. Though her smile was bright, her lips were pale, and there was a faint weariness around her eyes. Christina could tell right away¡ªthe girl wasn¡¯t well. And whatever she was battling, it wasn¡¯t something minor.

    There was a spark in the girl¡¯s eyes, a curious and joyful smile that tugged at Christina¡¯s heart. It carried a quiet strength but also a hint of fragility.

    It was easy to picture the girl as a bright, lively soul. Yet illness had dimmed some of that light, stealing pieces of her energy. Still, she glowed with quiet resilience. She faced her struggles head-on, refusing to let her spirit break and holding onto hope with courage.

    ¡°Good morning!¡± the girl said brightly. ¡°Are you hungry? Breakfast is ready. Come down when you feel up to it.¡±

    I??€$? ¡é??t??§ñ? ?¦Ç ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.c??

    ¡°You¡¯re Dn¡¯s little sister?¡± Christina asked.

    The girl grinned and nodded. ¡°Yep! I¡¯m Chloe. Dn mentioned you faintedst night after being startled.¡±

    Christina managed a small smile. ¡°I guess I did.¡± But she didn¡¯t exin. It wasn¡¯t exactly fear that had caused her to pass out.

    ¡°How are you feeling now?¡± Chloe asked, her eyes wide and sincere.

    ¡°Better?¡±

    ¡°Much better, thank you,¡± Christina said, then hesitated. Her fingers brushed the fabric of her gown. ¡°Um, this nightgown¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh!¡± Chloe let out a smallugh. ¡°That was me. Well, my maid and I helped you change and cleaned you up a bit.¡± She leaned in slightly, grinning mischievously. ¡°You didn¡¯t really think my brother would do that, did you?¡±

    Christina¡¯s cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she let out an awkwardugh. ¡°No, of course not. I should get freshened up.¡±

    Chloe gave her a yful wink. ¡°Good. We¡¯re waiting for you downstairs. Don¡¯t take forever!¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Christina replied, smiling back. There was something undeniably charming about Dn¡¯s little sister.

    Chloe dashed down the stairs, her steps light with excitement, making a beeline for the kitchen.

    Inside, theforting aroma of pork rib soup filled the air. Dn stood at the stove, focused, carefully stirring the simmering pot.

    ¡°Dn, is the onion soup ready yet?¡± Chloe asked eagerly, inhaling the savory scent. ¡°Christina¡¯s awake. She¡¯ll be down in a minute after she freshens up.¡±

    Her stomach growled in response to the smell, and she licked her lips. ¡°It smells incredible!¡±

    Dn didn¡¯t look up, but the faintest smile tugged at the corners of his lips. His voice was calm, but there was a softness in his tone reserved only for her. ¡°Go sit in the dining room. It¡¯s almost done.¡±

    Instead of obeying, Chloe leaned against the counter and tilted her head at him, mischief dancing in her eyes. ¡°Dn, do you like Christina?¡±

    His hand paused mid-stir. Just as quickly, his expression returned to its usual calm. ¡°Who¡¯s been putting that idea in your head?¡± he asked, assuming it was Ralphy¡ªhis gossip-loving friend who had been spreading rumors to Chloe. Whenever Ralphy and Chloe got together, it was like a nonstop gossip session.

    Chloe grinned. ¡°Nobody said anything. I figured it out on my own. I¡¯ve got eyes, you know.¡± She pointed to her big, sparkling eyes for emphasis.

    Dn sighed and reached over to lightly flick her forehead. ¡°No, I don¡¯t like her. And stop ying matchmaker. This isn¡¯t one of your dramas.¡±

    He wasn¡¯t sure if Christina might be nearby, and thest thing he wanted was to make her ufortable. More importantly, he wasn¡¯t harboring any feelings. Or at least, that was what he kept telling himself.

    Chloe gave him a skeptical look, not buying it for a second. ¡°Really? You¡¯re not interested?¡± she asked, her voice teasing. ¡°Because if you¡¯re not, someone else might be. Christina¡¯s absolutely gorgeous¡ªyou¡¯ll regret it if you don¡¯t act fast and someone else wins her over.¡± Love wasn¡¯t just about destiny¡ªit was about timing. If a man waited too long, his chance could slip away forever. Tons of people had let their feelings go unspoken, losing the one they cared for simply because fear held them back.

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 Chapter 34

    ?Chapter 34:

    Chloe¡¯s words made Dn still, mid-motion, as Christina¡¯s face flickered unbidden across his mind.

    Christina truly was extraordinary. Only a blind fool like her ex-husband could¡¯ve failed to see her worth.

    ¡°Dn?¡± Chloe¡¯s voice pulled at the edge of his awareness, but he didn¡¯t respond right away.

    ¡°Dn!¡± she called out louder.

    Dn snapped out of his thoughts and turned to her. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°The soup¡¯s about to burn!¡± Chloe¡¯s eyes widened as she pointed toward the stove.

    Seeing the soup was about done, Dn quickly switched off the burner.

    Chloe gave him a teasing grin. ¡°So, what kind of girl do you like? If Christina¡¯s not your type, I can set you up with one of my ssmates.¡±

    Dn¡¯s expression darkened instantly. ¡°Stop ying matchmaker for me.¡±

    Chloe pouted, still yful. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to make sure you don¡¯t grow old and grumpy alone.¡±

    Her tone shifted, softening. ¡°With my health being what it is¡­ well, who knows how long I¡¯ve got¡­¡± Her gaze dropped,shes fanning over her cheeks.

    For a heartbeat, a quiet shadow crossed her face. But just as quickly, she rallied, looking up with a bright, almost doll-like smile¡ªbig eyes, longshes, and a sparkle that belied the heaviness she¡¯d just let slip. ¡°Dn!¡± Chloe gave his shoulder a yful smack, her voiceced with forced cheer. ¡°The continuation of our family line is in your hands now, okay?¡±

    She masked it well, but deep down, she knew her time was slipping away. The doctors had said she might have at most a year ahead of her, but she could just as easily be gone tomorrow.

    That was the thing about life: it never asked for permission before changing everything.

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    Chloe had made peace with the unknown. Every sunrise was a gift. Every breath, a blessing. She chose joy where she could,ughter when it came. But no amount of optimism could fully silence the quiet dread in her heart. Some nights, the thought of saying goodbye to the people who loved her¡ªit hollowed her out. Their kindness, their unwavering support¡­ it crushed her with love and sorrow in equal measure. She loved them too. Fiercely. The idea of leaving them was the one thing she wasn¡¯t ready to face.

    Dn looked at her¡ªthe radiant smile she always wore, those signature crescent eyes¡ªbut he noticed how red-rimmed her eyes were.

    ¡°Chloe,¡± he said softly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think like that. You¡¯re going to be fine, I swear. Didn¡¯t I tell you? I got you that treatment slot with King.¡± He tried to keep his voice light, reassuring.

    She murmured, blinking away the tears. ¡°I know, and I know it was Christina who made it happen. But whether King agrees to treat me and the odds of healing me¡­¡± She trailed off, a brittle smile forming. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of dying, Dn. Not really. I¡¯m just afraid of leaving you all behind. I love you too much. That¡¯s the part I can¡¯t handle.¡±

    Her voice wavered, her lips smiling even as her eyes betrayed her.

    ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere,¡± Dn said firmly, stepping closer. His voice had taken on steel now. ¡°If I have to fight Death himself, I will. Just like you did for me all those years ago.¡±

    And he meant it. If not for Chloe, he wouldn¡¯t even be here. She had once pulled him out of death¡¯s grip. She had saved him when no one else could. Now it was his turn to return the favor, even if it killed him. Some debts couldn¡¯t be paid with words.

    Dn reached out, his thumb gently brushing away a tear clinging to the corner of Chloe¡¯s eye. ¡°Stop crying,¡± he said with mock severity. ¡°You look ugly when you cry.¡±

    ¡°I am not ugly!¡± Chloe shot back with augh, her sorrow cracking apart like ice under sunlight. ¡°But¡­ am I being too greedy?¡±

    ¡°Of course not,¡± Dn murmured. ¡°Wanting more time with the people you love isn¡¯t greed. It¡¯s human.¡±

    Chloe¡¯s eyes shimmered, but this time, it was with warmth. ¡°Having you all¡­ that¡¯s the best thing that¡¯s ever happened to me.¡± She then paused before adding with a cheeky grin, ¡°Though it¡¯d be even better if I had a sister-inw.¡±

    ¡°Quit fooling around and grab the bowls,¡± Dn replied, his tone softening.

    ¡°Fine! Have it your way then!¡± Herughter rang out like music, light and unrestrained, filling the kitchen with life.

    It was hard to believe augh that vibrant came from someone living on borrowed time.

    Still chuckling, Chloe grabbed the bowls and stepped out of the kitchen¡ªonly to halt abruptly. Standing at the corner was Christina.

    Chloe blinked, caught off guard. She had no idea how long Christina had been there or how much she¡¯d heard. ¡°Christina!¡± she called out, her voice lifting slightly in surprise.

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 Chapter 35

    ?Chapter 35:

    ¡°I¡¯ll take those,¡± Christina said with a gentle smile as she stepped forward and took the bowls from Chloe¡¯s hands.

    Chloe blinked in surprise. ¡°Wait, did you juste downstairs?¡±

    Christina offered a light shrug, her voice teasing. ¡°Yeah, just now. Ran right into you.¡±

    In truth, Christina had been lingering just outside the kitchen, quietly listening to the warmughter and the conversation between Dn and Chloe. It stirred something in her. She had never known what that kind of sibling bond felt like. She had no family that cared for her. And sometimes, in moments like this, she found herself quietly longing for it.

    There was a reason Christina had agreed so easily to Dn¡¯s request. It wasn¡¯t just his willingness to risk his life for others without hesitation¡ªit was the sincerity that radiated from him, a sincerity she couldn¡¯t ignore. And just moments ago, hearing Chloeugh¡ªthat carefree, heartfelt sound¡ªanother thought had quietly bloomed inside her. She didn¡¯t want thatughter to fade. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

    Footsteps echoed softly as Dn walked over,dle in hand. His gaze naturally found Christina.

    ¡°Dn made some onion soup and a few dishes,¡± Chloe chimed in brightly. ¡°But if you don¡¯t like them, we can make something else.¡±

    Christina shook her head gently. ¡°No, this is perfect. I¡¯m not picky.¡±

    Her eyes flicked over to Dn, pausing as she took in his appearance. He was wearing a sharply tailored suit, crisp and clean¡ªbut over it hung a soft pink apron tied snugly around his waist, and a dark scarf circled his neck. The contrast was almostical. The mix of his formal outfit, the silent way he stood, and thergedle in his hand made him seem both distant and awkward¡ªa side of Dn hardly anyone had ever seen.

    She didn¡¯t mind the pink apron, but the scarf had her puzzled. Why on earth was he wearing that indoors?

    ???€?? ¡é?¦Át?¦Å§ñs 1n ga?n?¦Í¦Ål?.???

    Before Christina could ask, Chloe followed her gaze to the apron and spoke up with a grin. ¡°Oh, that apron? My mom picked it out. It¡¯s not his style at all.¡±

    Christina chuckled softly. ¡°Your mom has good taste. It¡¯s really cute.¡±

    She meant it. The apron was adorable. Dn¡¯s tall,manding figure and cold, sharp features stood in stark contrast to the soft pink apron. The unexpected mix was a sight that almost felt too stimting. If it weren¡¯t for the ck scarf around his neck, she might have flushed at the sight of him.

    Catching Christina¡¯spliment, Dn instinctively straightened his posture, a quiet pride blooming inside him. In that moment, an unexpected lightness lifted his mood, making him feel strangely tempted to turn on his charm.

    Unable to hold back any longer, Christina asked, ¡°Hey¡­ Is your neck okay? Why the scarf?¡±

    Dn instinctively reached up and tugged the scarf higher around his neck. The spot where Christina¡¯s lips had brushed his skin the night before still carried a faint mark¡ªa subtle imprint that hadn¡¯tpletely faded. It wasn¡¯t obvious, but it was intimate and strangely persistent.

    He didn¡¯t understand why he hadn¡¯t simply washed it off. Instead, he covered it up as if preserving it meant something.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a bit of a cold,¡± he lied casually, his expression unreadable. ¡°Mild allergic reaction, too.¡±

    It was a convenient excuse¡ªunquestionable and safe. Neither Christina nor Chloe dwelled on it.

    Chloe just rolled her eyes yfully. ¡°Don¡¯t mind Dn,¡± she said, looping her arm around Christina¡¯s with ease. ¡°You must be starving. Come on, let¡¯s dig in!¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Christina said with a soft nod, though her eyes lingered on Chloe for a moment longer. From what she¡¯d seen so far, Chloe¡¯s health wasn¡¯t just fragile¡ªit was concerning.

    As the meal began and casual conversation flowed, Christina waited for the right moment. Then, gently setting her fork down, she reached across the table and lightly took Chloe¡¯s hand. ¡°Your hand¡¯s a little cold,¡± she said casually, as if merelymenting on the temperature. But in truth, she was carefully assessing Chloe¡¯s condition.

    Chloeughed softly. ¡°My health¡¯s always been a little off,¡± she said with a dismissive wave. ¡°Cold hands are pretty normal for me. Nothing to worry about.¡±

    Christina¡¯s heart ached at Chloe¡¯s lightness and unshakable spirit. Her brows furrowed slightly. It was clear¡ªChloe¡¯s condition wasn¡¯t just ¡°not the best.¡± It was serious. Such a vibrant, lovable girl¡­ it would be a terrible loss to lose her.

    Christina looked from Chloe to Dn, her expression growing serious.

    ¡°There¡¯s something important I need to discuss.¡±

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 Chapter 36

    ?Chapter 36:

    Both Dn and Chloe focused their attention on Christina, curiosity and concern mingling in their eyes.

    ¡°If something¡¯s wrong, you can be honest with us. My brother won¡¯t let you down¡ªhe¡¯ll take care of everything,¡± Chloe said, her voice full of support, assuming Christina was facing difficulties.

    Dn gave a quiet nod of agreement. ¡°Just let me know what you need. I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s handled.¡±

    Christina shook her head, offering Chloe a reassuring smile and giving her hand a gentle squeeze. ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong. Actually, King just reached out to me, and I haven¡¯t had a chance to share the news.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± The siblings¡¯ reactions were immediate¡ªa chorus of ovepping exmations, excitement barely contained in their voices.

    Dn was quite stunned. A swift response from King had been thest thing he¡¯d expected. It seemed King¡¯s reputation for being elusive was well-deserved. Not a single trace of the message remained¡ªKing¡¯s reply had just reached Christina, unnoticed.

    ¡°What did King say?¡± Dn asked, urgency tightening his tone. Their eyes met, and Christina didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°The patient you¡¯re desperate to save¡ªit¡¯s your sister, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    A somber nod from Dn confirmed it, worry darkening his expression. ¡°Yes. Her illness¡­ time isn¡¯t on her side.¡±

    At best, Chloe might have a year left¡ªa truth that weighed heavily in Dn¡¯s voice. He refused to let fate steal his sister without a fight. Turning her attention to Chloe, Christina asked, ¡°Do you ever get chills so deep that it feels like you¡¯re trapped in a freezer? And when that happens, do you also get splitting headaches?¡±

    Chloe¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Spot on! How did you know that?¡± Dn was equally taken aback, but in an instant, he understood¡ªthis must be King¡¯s diagnosis. A glimmer of hope sparked within him. If King, the miracle worker, could identify Chloe¡¯s symptoms from afar, maybe the odds of a cure weren¡¯t just a fantasy after all.

    Don¡¯t miss fresh updates at g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m

    ¡°That¡¯s what King told me,¡± Christina said smoothly, her gaze returning to Dn. ¡°And as for our agreement, King epts.¡±

    Dn¡¯s chest tightened in disbelief. ¡°You mean¡­ King really agrees to help?¡±

    With a steady nod, Christina confirmed, ¡°Yes. King has promised to cure your sister.¡±

    Relief and astonishment washed over the siblings, transforming their faces with sudden joy.

    Chloe¡¯s voice trembled with overwhelming emotion. ¡°Is that true? Really?¡±

    She had already resigned herself to the idea that she had at most a year left, making the best of borrowed time and living each day as if it were herst.

    Still, no matter how much optimism or strength a person possessed, the reality of mortality could drag anyone into despair at times.

    Survival wasn¡¯t enough¡ªChloe craved life in all its fullness. She wanted to feel every heartbeat, to savor both the ordinary moments and the extraordinary ones alike. So many faces came to mind¡ªloved ones she couldn¡¯t bear to part with, people whose lives were tightly woven with hers. The fear of saying goodbye to them was paralyzing. Even clinging to existence by a thread seemed preferable to letting go. The prospect of death was far more terrifying than merely scraping by.

    A gentle but serious note entered Christina¡¯s voice, breaking through the wave of relief in the room. ¡°But¡­¡±

    Dn¡¯s grin faded, and hope drained from Chloe¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°But what is it?¡± Dn asked, his tone shaded with new anxiety.

    Christina exined, ¡°King wants to get the cold spells under control before thinking about the surgery. Your sister¡¯s condition has to be stabilized first.¡±

    Whatever King advised, Dn was quick to agree. ¡°Anything King rmends, we¡¯ll do it. But can King really save Chloe?¡±

    ¡°If King says there¡¯s a cure, then there is one,¡± Christina answered with certainty.

    The assertive tone struck Dn as odd, though he couldn¡¯t say exactly why. Onlyter, when the truth about Christina¡¯s discreet identity as King came to light, did everything fall into ce for him. That absolute confidence in her voice finally made sense. She had spoken not as a messenger, but as King, the miracle worker herself. Such conviction could only belong to King in the flesh.

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 Chapter 37

    ?Chapter 37:

    ¡°No matter how things turn out, it¡¯s always worth trying,¡± Chloe said with a gentle smile. Her face was glowing, but the weakness in her body was still evident.

    ¡°If even King can¡¯t heal me, then I doubt anyone else can,¡± Chloe added quietly. King was herst thread of hope. She knew clinging to expectations could be dangerous, but letting go felt even worse.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be fine. King is one of the best,¡± Dn said firmly, as if trying to convince both her and himself. King was theirst hope. He couldn¡¯t imagine what would happen if that hope disappeared.

    Chloe leaned forward, resting her chin in her hands. Her eyes sparkled brightly, full of curiosity. Even though she looked tired and pale, her charm and youthful spirit still shone through. ¡°I wonder what King is like. A man or a woman? Old or young? I¡¯d love to meet King someday,¡± she said with hope in her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s such a pity I don¡¯t have any talent for medicine. Otherwise, if I ever got the chance to meet King, I¡¯d beg to be their apprentice.¡±

    Dn arched an eyebrow and slid a bowl of soup in front of her. ¡°You¡¯d be wasting your breath,¡± he said with a smile. ¡°King doesn¡¯t take on apprentices. Now eat before it gets cold.¡±

    Chloe wrinkled her nose, stuck her tongue out at him, and then turned excitedly toward Christina. ¡°Christina! You have to try this!¡± she said, her tone bubbling with enthusiasm. ¡°Dn made it, and it¡¯s honestly amazing!¡±

    Christina smiled and picked up her spoon, giving in to Chloe¡¯s cheerful persistence. The aroma alone was rich andforting, and the first sip stunned her. The broth was deep and vorful¡ªsavory, slow-cooked, and full of warmth. It tasted like something that had simmered for hours,yered with care.

    She blinked, caught off guard. It had been years since she¡¯d tasted soup this top-notch. If she hadn¡¯t seen Dn in the kitchen herself, she would never have believed he could cook this remarkably.

    The memory surfaced vividly¡ªit was during a prestigious cookingpetition where she¡¯d served as one of the anonymous judges. The winning dish? A bowl of onion soup that had left asting impression on her pte. And this one tasted exactly the same. Not just simr¡ªidentical, down to the subtle depth of vor and the delicate bnce of spices.

    Latest chapters ?¦Áln¦Ò¦Íe??s

    Back then, thepetition had been shrouded in secrecy. Contestantspeted under codenames, their identities hidden. No one revealed their faces¡ªnot even the judges. Everyone remained a mystery, known only by their assigned numbers.

    That had been the rule of thepetition¡ªstrict anonymity. To this day, no one knew the true identities of the champion chef or the judges. All that was certain was that the judges had been carefully selected by the organizers¡ªbig names in the culinary world, each carrying serious weight in the industry.

    If she remembered correctly, the winner hadpeted under the codename ine. When ine first entered the contest, few had paid attention. The name didn¡¯t carry weight, and the presentation had been modest. Almost no one ced bets on ine, assuming ine would be eliminated early, certainly not someone to make it to the top three.

    But Christina had gone against popr opinion. Something about ine¡¯s first dish had caught her attention, and she quietly ced her bet on them.

    To everyone¡¯s surprise, ine swept thepetition and imed the championship.

    Back then, Christina had been Judge Number 6.

    For a fleeting moment, as Christina tasted the soup Dn had made, a wild thought passed through her mind¡ªcould he be ine? But then she shook it off. Dn was the head of the powerful Scott Group. He was a business mogul, constantly in the spotlight. There was no way he would have had the time¡ªor interest¡ªto enter a secret cookingpetition.

    ¡°Is it good?¡± Chloe asked eagerly, watching Christina¡¯s reaction.

    Christina nodded, still savoring the vor. ¡°It¡¯s more than good. It¡¯s incredible.¡±

    Chloe beamed. ¡°Dn seldom cooks. Even our family rarely gets to taste his food. His cooking skills are reserved for his future wife,¡± she teased, shooting Christina a yful look. ¡°I only get to enjoy it today because you¡¯re here!¡±

    Then, Chloe leaned in closer, eyes sparkling with mischief. ¡°Christina, have you ever considered bing my sister-inw?¡± she said with a grin. ¡°Just imagine it! Dn cooking for you every day, new recipes, and making all your favorite dishes. He¡¯s really amazing in the kitchen. Honestly, I wouldn¡¯t mind being the third wheel if it means I get to eat, too. Think about it. He¡¯s tall and handsome, cooks like a pro, and absolutely spoils the people he loves. In our family, the men are loyal to the core and treat their wives like queens.¡±

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 Chapter 38

    ?Chapter 38:

    A soft flush crept up Christina¡¯s cheeks under the gentle attention and eager smiles directed at her. Her gaze flicked to Dn, who watched quietly, his expression unreadable, before she shifted her focus back to Chloe. A bright grin chased the pallor from Chloe¡¯s face, her sparkling eyes shining with hope.

    Compared to Katie, Chloe radiated warmth and genuine charm.

    ¡°All right, you win!¡± Christina said, shing a yful smile at Chloe. ¡°But tell me, do you think your brother would mind a divorced woman?¡±

    The question seemed to throw Chloe off bnce, her smile faltering. Clearly, Dn had kept that detail close to the vest. Even Ralphy¡ªnever one to let a secret slip¡ªhadn¡¯t breathed a word.

    Christina let out a lightugh, unconcerned. ¡°I¡¯m newly divorced.¡±

    ¡°Any children?¡± Chloe asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

    A short pause passed before Christina shook her head, her smile still in ce. ¡°No, there aren¡¯t any kids.¡±

    Her marriage to Brendon had always been in name only. Children were never part of the equation.

    Chloe¡¯s disappointment was impossible to miss. ¡°That¡¯s too bad! I was looking forward to having a niece or nephew right away.¡±

    Caught off guard, Christina blinked in surprise, not expecting such a reaction. All this time, she had thought Chloe¡¯s question was about a divorcee joining their family, but clearly that wasn¡¯t her worry at all.

    ¡°Don¡¯t fret,¡± Christina replied,ughter dancing in her voice. ¡°You¡¯ll get your wish for a niece or nephew soon enough.¡±

    Chloe cocked her head to the side, a mischievous grin brightening her features. ¡°Are you talking about babies with Dn?¡±

    A harmless joke had unexpectedly left Christina¡¯s cheeks even more flushed.

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    With a soft chuckle, Christina leaned in, voice lowered in mock secrecy. ¡°That all depends on whether your brother¡¯s up for it.¡±

    ¡°Of course he is! He¡¯d be crazy not to!¡± Chloe shot her hand up, answering for Dn without hesitation. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯d be thrilled! Christina, you¡¯re gorgeous. If you married Dn, your babies would be adorable! I could parade them everywhere and finally have little ones to spoil!¡±

    Chloe¡¯s infectious excitement made Christina burst outughing, her eyes sparkling with genuine delight.

    ¡°Then I guess your brother and I had better do our best,¡± Christina joked, ying along.

    Chloe nodded vigorously. ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡±

    Turning to Dn, Chloe grinned slyly. ¡°Dn, you need to get your act together. The sooner you win Christina over, the sooner I get to y with cute nieces and nephews!¡±

    Though Dn stayed stoic, a faint blush crept up his ears. His face remained stern, features unreadable and serious. ¡°You should focus on eating. Not even a home-cooked meal can keep your mouth shut,¡± he said, his voice cold yet gentle as he shot Chloe a look tinged with affection.

    With a cheeky gesture, Chloe stuck out her tongue before beaming at Christina. ¡°Don¡¯t forget to eat, Christina! There¡¯s still more soup left.¡±

    ¡°All right.¡± A gentle smile touched Christina¡¯s lips as she picked up her spoon and returned to her bowl of soup.

    Christina had to admit, Dn¡¯s skills in the kitchen were nothing short of astonishing. Each bite was so vorful and rich that even she, no stranger to gourmet meals, found herself momentarily stunned. All this time, she¡¯d pegged Dn as the pampered type¡ªhis daily needs taken care of by staff. Growing up with every luxury at his fingertips, it seemed natural to assume he left domestic chores to others.

    Yet here he was, the Scott family patriarch, serving up a breakfast worthy of a five-star chef. If he weren¡¯t so far out of reach, Christina might have seriously considered pursuing him. Failing that, she would have at least tried to poach him as her own private cook.

    After breakfast, Christina gathered her things to head off to the hospital.

    But as she reached for her bag, Chloetched onto her arm, clearly unwilling to say goodbye. ¡°Do you really have to leave, Christina? Why not stay a little longer? There¡¯s plenty of space here¡ªwe could hang out, gossip, and convince my brother to keep spoiling us with his amazing food¡­¡±

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 Chapter 39

    ?Chapter 39:

    Christina smoothed a gentle hand over Chloe¡¯s hair and offered a reassuring smile. ¡°I can¡¯t stay, sweetheart. There are a few things I still need to take care of, and it¡¯s just not convenient.¡±

    Chloe¡¯s eyes sparkled with hope. ¡°Why don¡¯t you let Dn drive you around every day?¡± she asked softly, eager.

    Despite only knowing each other briefly, Chloe already felt a natural warmth toward Christina. She saw Christina and Dn as the perfect pair and quietly rooted for them to be something more.

    Christinaughed lightly, her eyes crinkling kindly. ¡°Dn¡¯s got his hands full these days. I¡¯d feel terrible taking up his time,¡± she said, squeezing Chloe¡¯s hand gently.

    Noticing how Chloe clung to Christina¡¯s side, Dn finally stepped forward, shaking his head with a rueful smile as he gently pried Chloe away. ¡°Easy there. Don¡¯t hang on her like that¡ªshe had a rough night, remember?¡±

    At his reminder, Chloe¡¯s expression shifted instantly. She backed away, guilt written across her face. ¡°Sorry, Christina,¡± she mumbled, sounding like a child gently scolded.

    Christina waved it off with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡ªjust a tiny scratch, honestly,¡± she said warmly and steadily.

    Seeing Chloe¡¯s disappointed look, Christina added, ¡°Tell you what. I¡¯lle visit whenever I can, okay?¡±

    Christina nned to check on Chloe¡¯s recovery during every visit after bringing the medicine to help speed her healing. Once Chloe grew stronger and her immune system bounced back, she¡¯d finally be ready for surgery.

    Chloe¡¯s face lit up, eyes shining with delight. ¡°Really? You have to promise you won¡¯t lie to me, okay?¡±

    Christina smiled with resignation. ¡°I swear. I won¡¯t lie to you.¡±

    L??t??¦Ó ?h??¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??§àm

    At that, Chloe rxed and personally walked Christina and Dn to the door.

    During the ride, Dn was thoughtful for a moment before breaking the silence. ¡°Chloe can be a little blunt. Don¡¯t take her words too seriously¡ªshe just likes you a lot. Sometimes she gets ahead of herself because she cares.¡±

    Worried Christina might be offended, he offered the gentle apology on Chloe¡¯s behalf.

    Christina gave a softugh, her tone warm and easy. ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it. I think she¡¯s sweet¡ªand honestly, I was just joking with her so she wouldn¡¯t get down about being sick.¡±

    Her lighthearted tone caught Dn off guard. For a moment, a subtle disappointment flickered in his chest. She really didn¡¯t seem bothered by Chloe¡¯s teasing about them together at all.

    ¡°If King reaches out, I¡¯ll let you know right away,¡± Christina offered.

    Dn nodded subtly. ¡°Thanks, I appreciate it.¡±

    She shrugged, radiating unshakeable calm. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s what we agreed on, after all.¡±

    An uneasy flicker of irritation stirred beneath Dn¡¯sposed exterior, though he struggled to pinpoint its source. Was it her effortless detachment that unsettled him?

    He nced over, the usual chill in his gaze giving way to a sh of something softer¡ªsomething he couldn¡¯t quite name.

    At that moment, Christina sat in silence, eyes fixed on the scenery slipping past the window¡ªeach tree and building blurring into a gentle watercolor of light and motion.

    Dn, however, couldn¡¯t look away from her. Sunlight drifted in, catching the fine strands of her hair and setting them aglow. For a moment, she looked ethereal, as if the daylight itself had chosen her as its muse.

    He lingered on the shape of her profile, dazzled, until she turned suddenly.

    Their gazes collided, a quiet electricity pulsing in the air between them. In the glow of her clear, vibrant eyes, Dn felt like he was staring into a mirror. Flustered, he cleared his throat, regaining hisposure, and his tone was guarded as he asked, ¡°Are we going to your ce, or¡­¡±

    Christina snapped out of her thoughts and smiled to ease the awkwardness. ¡°Just drop me at the hospital. I need to see someone.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± Dn¡¯s attention shifted back to the road ahead, but his heart thudded unevenly in his chest.

    Christina faced the window once more, outwardlyposed though her emotions were far from settled. A strange feeling spread through her chest. Was she actually developing feelings for Dn? That was utterly ridiculous. She banished the thought as soon as it arose.

    When they finally reached the hospital, Christina quietly thanked him, unfastened her seatbelt, and slipped out of the car.

    Unbeknownst to either of them, in a darkened corner of the lot, a figure lingered¡ªquietly raising a phone to capture the parting moment, hidden from view.

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 Chapter 40

    ?Chapter 40:

    Christina spent the entire day in Bethel¡¯s hospital room, keeping herpany, talking with her, and watching over her as she rested. Not a single member of the Dawson family had shown their face.

    Only after Bethel had finally fallen asleep did Christina quietly step out.

    As she exited the inpatient building, she came face-to-face with the Dawson siblings. Her steps slowed, and her expression hardened into a mask of ice.

    ¡°Bethel¡¯s asleep,¡± she said tly, her voice cool and clipped. ¡°If you want to visit,e back tomorrow.¡±

    Katie immediately bristled, her tone sharp. ¡°Since when do you get to decide when we see our own grandmother?¡±

    Christina tilted her head, lips curling into a cold smile. ¡°Your grandmother? You mean the one you didn¡¯t bother to visit once all day? What a privilege it must be to carry that title without the burden of responsibility. Oh, should I praise you for showing up now that she¡¯s asleep?¡±

    Her words struck like a whip¡ªprecise and merciless. The Dawson family¡¯s indifference toward Bethel had long been a source of quiet anger for Christina, and seeing their smug, self-entitled faces now only poured fuel on the fire.

    Their callousness wasn¡¯t just disappointing anymore¡ªit was infuriating. The Dawson family had no true sessor¡ªno one with the grit or vision to carry the business forward. And yet, they showed not an ounce of concern for Bethel, the very woman who had poured her life into keeping everything from falling apart.

    ¡°What¡¯s your problem? You think you can talk to us like that?¡± Katie, furious and humiliated, raised a hand to strike Christina, but Christina moved first¡ªcatching Katie¡¯s wrist mid-air.

    ¡°You really don¡¯t learn, do you?¡± Christina¡¯s voice was low, dangerous. Her eyes bore into Katie¡¯s with cutting rity. ¡°Tell me¡ªif Bethel weren¡¯t around, how long do you think the Dawson family wouldst?¡±

    Christina¡¯s words dropped like a hammer. Katie paled, trembling. The fire in her eyes flickered out, reced by fear.

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    Christina released Katie¡¯s wrist with a sharp flick. ¡°Leave¡ªbefore I lose what little patience I have left.¡±

    Katie¡¯s eyes welled with tears as she instinctively retreated, seeking refuge beside Brendon.

    ¡°Our family matters are none of your concern,¡± Brendon said coldly. He seized Christina¡¯s wrist in a punishing grip, a silent demand for submission.

    But Christina didn¡¯t flinch. She met his re with a chilling smile, refusing to show the painncing through her wrist. Her heart, already calloused from years of indifference, only grew colder. Did the Dawson family truly believe their empire had flourished these past three years without her own quiet efforts behind the scenes or without Bethel¡¯s sacrifice?

    ¡°Let go, Brendon,¡± Christina snapped.

    ¡°Not until you apologize to Katie,¡± he retorted, his grip tightening¡ªcruel and deliberate.

    ¡°In your dreams. Why the hell would I apologize to her?¡±

    Brendon¡¯s fury simmered just beneath the surface. But as he stared into Christina¡¯s reddened eyes¡ªeyes that never shed tears in his presence, even when wounded¡ªsomething shifted. Sympathy crept in, softening his anger. For a fleeting moment, he feared he might actually make her cry.

    That hesitation was all Christina needed. She wrenched her wrist free and stepped back, her voice like frost. ¡°I don¡¯t care about your family¡¯s affairs. But Bethel¡­ she showed me kindness. That makes her my business.¡±

    Christina stared Brendon down, chin lifted high, the light catching the curve of her neck¡ªa picture of poised defiance.

    Katie, emboldened by Brendon¡¯s defense, snapped, ¡°You say she¡¯s your business¡ªthen where¡¯s the surgeon you promised to bring? Still not here, right?¡±

    ¡°When Bethel¡¯s strong enough, I will bring Dr. Emmett over,¡± Christina replied, her tone like stone. ¡°Right now, what she needs most is peace.¡±

    ¡°Oh, please!¡± Katie scoffed, her voiceced with contempt. ¡°You¡¯re clearly stalling. Admit it¡ªyou can¡¯t even get in touch with this so-called Dr. Emmett.¡± Her eyes narrowed with disdain. ¡°Do you even realize who he is? You think someone like you could invite him? Please. Get real.¡±

    Christina was done wasting her breath. With an icy stare, she brushed past Katie. ¡°You¡¯re in my way.¡±

    But just as Christina moved forward, Brendon stepped in, blocking her path once again.

    ¡°Move,¡± Christina said tly, her tone as sharp as a de.

    At this proximity, Brendon¡¯s gaze involuntarily dropped to Christina¡¯s neck. A faint blush colored her usually porcin skin¡ªsoft, delicate, and unmistakably¡­

    Suggestive. In a sh, an image invaded his mind¡ªanother man, far too close, his lips grazing that vulnerable spot.

    A visceral surge of jealousy and fury twisted inside Brendon. His fists curled into tight knots at his sides. This shameless woman. A minute ago, he¡¯d felt a strange flicker of sympathy. But now, with that single glimpse, it was gone¡ªswallowed whole by suspicion and possessiveness.

    ¡°Who is he?¡± Brendon demanded, his voice low but burning with fury. ¡°Who were you with?¡±

    Christinaughed¡ªan elegant, derisive sound that only stoked the fire in him.

    ¡°What the hell¡¯s so funny?¡± he barked, his pride bruised.

    ¡°I¡¯mughing at you,¡± she said, eyes gleaming with scorn. ¡°The way you act¡­ it¡¯s pathetic.¡± Her voice dipped into a mockingly sweet tone. ¡°Brendon, in case it¡¯s slipped your mind, you¡¯re my ex-husband. You have no right to question me.¡±

    ¡°What of it!¡± he snapped. ¡°And don¡¯t forget¡ªour divorce hasn¡¯t been made public. Everyone still thinks you¡¯re my wife. That means something.¡±

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 Chapter 41

    ?Chapter 41:

    Christina let out a dry, bitterugh, barely holding back her fury. Brendon had paraded around with Ynda without a care in the world, ignoring every judgmental nce thrown their way. But she, his ex-wife, was still expected to y the role of a dutiful Dawson and guard their reputation simply because their divorce hadn¡¯t been made public? What kind of nonsense was that?

    ¡°Then hold a press conference tomorrow to announce our divorce,¡± Christina said, her voice sharp with mockery. ¡°Better yet, call the reporters right now. Make it public today.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s jaw tightened, a vein throbbing at his temple. ¡°Is that how desperate you are to sever all ties with me?¡±

    Christina met his re with one of her own. ¡°Absolutely. Being connected to you is nothing but a disgrace.¡±

    ¡°You¡ª¡± Brendon was so enraged that he couldn¡¯t find the words to respond. How had he never noticed before just how sharp-tongued Christina could be? Her words hit like punches¡ªhard, fast, and impossible to dodge.

    ¡°I owe your family nothing, Brendon,¡± Christina said, her tone like ice. ¡°The moment we signed those divorce papers, I was done with all of you.¡±

    Christina had refrained from retaliating against the Dawson family for only one reason: Bethel, the woman who had once saved her life. She wasn¡¯t the type to forget a debt. But if the Dawson family kept pushing her, she wouldn¡¯t hold back anymore.

    ¡°Christina, do you really have to act this way?¡± Brendon asked, frowning deeply.

    Christina gave a coldugh, eyes narrowing. ¡°This way? Don¡¯t pretend to be the victim. You started this.¡±

    ¡°You know things weren¡¯t that simple,¡± Brendon insisted. ¡°None of us chose this situation. Not me, not Ynda, not even you. I never meant to hurt you. Can¡¯t we at least be civil? I¡¯ve always tried to treat you fairly. Plus, didn¡¯t Ipensate you enough for the divorce¡ª¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Christina snapped, lifting a hand to silence him. ¡°I don¡¯t want your justifications. I¡¯m tired, Brendon. I want to go home.¡±

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    He stepped in front of her, blocking her path. ¡°You¡¯re not leaving until you answer me. Who were you withst night?¡±

    He then pulled out his phone and showed her a photo¡ªgrainy, taken from a distance. It showed her stepping out of a sleek ck car. The license te was¡­

    cropped out, and the driver¡¯s identity hidden, but it was enough to fuel his suspicions. He¡¯d been restless ever since he saw it.

    ¡°Brendon, why are you wasting your energy on her?¡± Katie scoffed, striding forward with a sneer. ¡°She¡¯s just starving for attention.¡± Her tone grew nastier with every word. ¡°She¡¯s throwing herself at any guy who¡¯ll look at her¡ª¡±

    Brendon shot Katie a re so cold it made her flinch. Her crude words made his stomach turn. How could someone from such a respectable background talk like that? Who had she been hanging around?

    Brendon turned back to Christina, his voice lower but firm. ¡°Just tell me who you were withst night. If you exin, I¡¯ll believe you¡¯re innocent.¡±

    Christina let out a sharpugh, tilting her head as though she¡¯d just heard the most absurd thing imaginable. ¡°I don¡¯t owe you any exnations, Brendon. We¡¯re divorced. You have no right to question how I live my life.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s face darkened. ¡°So this is what you¡¯ve be? You¡¯ve lost all sense of dignity?¡±

    Christina raised an eyebrow, a small, mocking smile curving her lips. ¡°Dignity? If you¡¯re looking for shame, maybe try searching your own family first.¡± Her eyes flicked to Katie¡ªjust for a second¡ªbut it was enough.

    Katie flinched. Her spine went rigid, and her breath caught in her throat. ¡°W-Why are you looking at me like that?¡± she asked, her voice trembling. ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything wrong!¡±

    Christina gave a soft chuckle. ¡°Maybe you haven¡¯t. Or maybe you have. Only a proper investigation can say for sure.¡±

    Christina hadn¡¯t nned on involving Katie. But Katie had been asking for it¡ªpoking and insulting her. She had only responded in kind.

    ¡°Brendon, don¡¯t listen to her!¡± Katie cried, panic creeping into her voice. ¡°She¡¯s just trying to cause drama. I¡¯ve always followed our family¡¯s values¡ªI swear!¡±

    Brendon turned to her slowly, his gaze unreadable. ¡°Are you absolutely certain about that?¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± Katie replied too quickly. ¡°I¡¯m your sister, Brendon. Are you really going to take her word over mine?¡± She pointed at Christina usingly. ¡°She¡¯s just jealous. She can¡¯t stand seeing us happy. She mocks Ynda every chance she gets¡­¡±

    That struck a nerve. Brendon hesitated, thinking back to Christina¡¯s cold remarks about Ynda. The suspicion in his eyes began to fade.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Christina,¡± he said, his voice firm. ¡°I don¡¯t believe a word you say. You¡¯re not going to drive a wedge between me and my family.¡±

    Christina gave him a cold look. ¡°Believe whatever helps you sleep at night.¡± Then, with a sudden shove, she pushed him aside. ¡°You¡¯re in my way.¡±

    Brendon stumbled back, caught off guard by her strength. His foot slipped, and he nearly fell.

    ¡°Brendon!¡± Katie rushed to his side, grabbing his arm to steady him.

    By the time he regained his bnce, Christina was already walking away¡ªher head held high, her steps light and sure, as if she didn¡¯t have a care in the world.

    ¡°Christina! Stop right there!¡± Brendon shouted, frustration crackling in his voice.

    But Christina didn¡¯t stop. She didn¡¯t even nce back. Divorce hadn¡¯t dimmed her. If anything, it had unleashed something stronger, something untouchable.

    Brendon¡¯s heart ached with something he couldn¡¯t name. A hollow feeling gnawed at him as he watched her disappear into the distance. His chest tightened, and without thinking, he took a step forward, striding after her.

    .

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    .

 Chapter 42

    ?Chapter 42:

    ¡°Brendon!¡± Katie seized his arm, her voice tight with urgency. ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡±

    ¡°Let go!¡± Brendon snapped, his eyes glinting with warning as he wrenched his arm free.

    Katie¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°No. I won¡¯t let you run after that wretch like some lovesick fool!¡±

    ¡°I said let go!¡± With a flick of irritation, Brendon shoved her hand aside and stormed after Christina.

    ¡°Brendon!¡± Katie¡¯s voice cracked behind him, raw with disbelief. ¡°How can you do this to Ynda?¡±

    He halted mid-step, his shoulders tense. Slowly, he turned, his gaze frostbitten. ¡°Say one word to Ynda, and your credit card¡¯s gone.¡± Then, with a sharp breath, he added, ¡°There is nothing going on between me and Christina. I just need answers. That¡¯s all.¡±

    Before Katie could counter, Brendon turned on his heel and marched out, fury radiating from every step. But as he burst through the hospital doors, the cold air hit him¡ªand so did reality. He caught only a glimpse of Christina sliding into the backseat of a sleek ck luxury car. It wasn¡¯t her car. And she didn¡¯t look back.

    Brendon¡¯s temple pounded as he unlocked his phone, his fingers moving with tense precision. He pulled up a photo¡ªone he hadn¡¯t wanted to revisit. It showed a ck luxury car, the exact make and model of the one Christina had just disappeared into.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± he hissed, jaw tight, voice barely above a growl.

    He had tried¡ªreally tried¡ªto give Christina the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he¡¯d misread the signs. Maybe he had misunderstood her. But the evidence stared back at him, cold and damning. It appeared Christina had been lying to him the entire time. The irony stung. Christina had fallen so far from grace, yet had still found the nerve to use Katie.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Brendon muttered bitterly, his teeth clenched so tightly that they ached. ¡°I was a damn fool, Christina. Too stupid to see through your act.¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m fuels your imagination

    Rage swelled inside him, raw and untamed. He stormed toward a tree nearby, needing an outlet¡ªsomething, anything¡ªto release the fury building in his chest. He aimed a kick¡ªbut in his haste, his foot slipped on the damp ground. His leg shot out awkwardly, and the next thing he knew, the earth rose up and mmed into him. Pain exploded through his back. For a moment, he couldn¡¯t even breathe.

    Katie had just stepped out of the hospital when she caught sight of him sprawled on the grass. ¡°Brendon!¡± she cried out, racing to his side, panic rising in her voice. ¡°Brendon, are you okay?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I am fine,¡± he gasped, even as his face contorted in agony. He tried to sit up, but his vision spun and darkened at the edges.

    Katie hovered beside him, furious and frightened. ¡°Did that awful woman do something to you?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± he muttered, eyes half-shut, voice faint. ¡°I just slipped.¡±

    Then, Katie¡¯s breath caught in her throat. ¡°Oh my God¡ªBrendon!¡±

    He looked at her, annoyed. ¡°What now? Why are you freaking out?¡±

    ¡°Brendon¡ªyour hand!¡± Katie gasped, her voice trembling. ¡°It¡¯s covered in blood!¡±

    Startled, Brendon nced down, his stomach twisting at the sight. A slow wave of panic rose in his chest. He reached behind his head and winced as his fingers met the sticky warmth of blood. ¡°Get me inside¡ªnow!¡± he said sharply, fearcing his voice for the first time.

    Katie sprang into action, slipping her arm around him to keep him steady. Her thoughts raced¡ªwhat if it was serious? What if he copsed right here? What would that leave the Dawson family?

    As they staggered back toward the hospital doors, Brendon pulled out his phone.

    ¡°Are you calling Ynda?¡± Katie asked, breathless. ¡°Let me do it.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± he said coldly, already tapping in a number. But it was Christina¡¯s number.

    Katie¡¯s eyes narrowed as she caught the name on the screen. ¡°Christina? You¡¯re calling that bitch now?¡±

    ¡°Watch your mouth,¡± Brendon snapped, his tone icy as he cut her a re.

    Katie mped her lips shut, but fury simmered behind her eyes. Still, some part of her wanted to see¡ªwould Christina even care? Would she bother picking up?

    The call rang out. No answer. Brendon¡¯s frown deepened. He tried again. And again. Three times. Still nothing.

    Was Christina too busy cozying up to the man in the ck car to answer? His ex-wife, whom he had never so much as made out with, was now with another man. What right did anyone else have to im her? It seemed Katie had been right all along. Christina was a chameleon, switching masks and lovers with every twist of fortune.

    Rage surged through Brendon, blinding and consuming. Then¡ªdarkness. His knees buckled. The world spun. And he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

    Blood still trickling down the back of his neck, ¡°Brendon!¡± Katie cried out as his body slumped against hers, far too heavy for her to hold up.

    Panicked but determined, she let herself fall with him, bracing the impact as best she could, desperate to shield him from further harm. They were lucky¡ªalready on hospital grounds. A few nurses spotted themotion and sprang into action, shouting for assistance as a stretcher was rushed in.

    In a blur of movement, Brendon was lifted onto it and wheeled through the ER doors, fading from view.

    Katie, trembling and breathless, fumbled for her phone. Her fingers barely obeyed her as she dialed. The moment the line connected, she burst out, ¡°Ynda! Get to the hospital¡ªBrendon copsed!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Ynda¡¯s voice tightened, but only just. ¡°What happened?¡±

    ¡°He hit his head and passed out. He¡¯s in the emergency room now,¡± Katie exined, her voice cracking under the weight of the moment.

    ¡°Is it serious? How did it happen?¡± Ynda asked, her words quick¡ªbut her expression remained calm.

    At that exact moment, Ynda lounged on a velvet sofa, her legs stretched elegantly across a silk throw, a half-empty ss of wine poised at her lips. Her brows furrowed just enough to show concern. On the surface, she sounded worried. But beneath that polished mask, there was only calction. If Brendon¡¯s condition turned grim¡ªif he lost his mobility or mind¡ªshe wouldn¡¯t grieve. She wouldn¡¯t even hesitate. She¡¯d vanish without a second thought.

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 Chapter 43

    ?Chapter 43:

    ¡°Ynda, you need to get here now! Brendon is seriously wounded!¡± Katie¡¯s voice crackled with panic on the phone.

    ¡°Alright. Which hospital?¡± Ynda asked, cool andposed. ¡°I¡¯ll be there shortly.¡±

    After jotting down the address, Ynda ended the call. Her face remained expressionless as she crossed one leg over the other and took a slow sip of red wine. ¡°What a nuisance,¡± she muttered, irritation creeping into her voice as she rose from the plush couch.

    If Brendon weren¡¯t her only lifeline right now, she wouldn¡¯t have bothered to check on him. Still, she needed to see for herself how serious his condition was. If things had taken a turn for the worse, it could throw everything off track.

    Meanwhile, Christina sat alone in the backseat of a sleek ck car, the interior silent except for the hum of the engine.

    ¡°Did Mr. Scott say what this was about?¡± she asked the driver calmly.

    ¡°Mr. Scott didn¡¯t mention anything,¡± the driver replied with practiced politeness. ¡°He only instructed me to bring you over. He¡¯ll join you once he¡¯s done with work.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± Christina said softly, closing her eyes and leaning back to rest. Her phone, set to silent,y untouched beside her. She hadn¡¯t noticed Brendon¡¯s repeated calls.

    The car eventually rolled to a stop in front of an elegant estate. Christina opened her eyes just as the driver stepped out and opened the door with courteous precision.

    ¡°Miss Jones, we¡¯ve arrived,¡± the driver said with a respectful nod.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she replied, stepping out into the warm evening air.

    Christina was ushered into the mansion, where a servant immediately approached her.

    g?a?l?n?o?v?e?l?s?.?c?o?m? = ?????

    ¡°Would you care for some coffee or juice, Miss Jones?¡± the servant asked, her voice soft but formal.

    ¡°Coffee would be nice, I¡¯m not picky¡ªwhatever¡¯s avable is fine,¡± Christina answered.

    ¡°Right away,¡± the servant said, bowing before walking off.

    As Christina nced around the elegant interior, she couldn¡¯t help but notice the staff¡¯s demeanor. Every movement was polished, every word measured. The Scott family clearly ran a well-disciplined household.

    A few minutester, the servant returned with a porcin cup on a silver tray. ¡°Please enjoy,¡± she said, cing it gently on the table before stepping back.

    Christina took a sip, savoring the warmth, then looked up. ¡°This ce. It belongs to Dn, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    The servant nodded, gaze lowered. ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Did he say when he¡¯d be arriving?¡± Christina asked, her tone calm but curious.

    ¡°No,¡± the servant replied, hands neatly folded in front of her. ¡°Mr. Scott only instructed us to ensure you¡¯re well taken care of.¡±

    Christina gave a courteous nod. ¡°Thank you. That¡¯ll be all for now. You may continue with your work.¡±

    ¡°Of course. If you need anything at all, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask,¡± the servant responded with quiet professionalism.

    ¡°I appreciate it,¡± Christina said warmly.

    ¡°This is our responsibility. Please enjoy your coffee,¡± the servant remarked, retreating with graceful steps before turning and leaving the room.

    Christina leaned back in her seat, quietly impressed by how seamlessly the staff carried themselves. Their poise, precision, and training spoke volumes about the Scott family¡¯s standards. There was no doubt¡ªthe Scotts were powerful, wealthy, and deeply rooted in tradition.

    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªif the Scott family¡¯s operations were this tightly controlled, what must their traditions and expectations be like behind closed doors? Anyone marrying into a family like the Scotts would likely have to abide by strict etiquette, hidden rules, and unspoken obligations.

    To outsiders, marrying into the Scott family might look like a fairy tale¡ªluxury, power, prestige. But beneath the surface? Sacrifices. Silence. And a life that might never feel like her own.

    Taking another slow sip of her coffee, Christina let the warmth settle. It was rich and smooth, the vor lingering delicately on her tongue. Undoubtedly, it was one of the best cups she¡¯d had in a while.

    She beamed. Divorce had given her more than freedom¡ªit had given her rity. She had no regrets about walking away from marriage and no desire to walk back into one, especially not into a gilded cage like the Scott family.

    Anyway, she had carved her own path. She had wealth, reputation, and independence. She didn¡¯t need anyone¡¯s name or status to validate her ce in the world.

    Yet, there were still those who whispered behind her back, thinking she was just another woman trying to marry rich, wing her way up from the bottom. The thought made her lips curl into a faint, amused smile. If only they knew.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 44

    ?Chapter 44:

    Christina took a sip of her coffee, the warmth grounding her as she waited in silence. But as the minutes ticked by, boredom slowly crept in. She reached for her phone to distract herself.

    That was when she finally noticed the three missed calls from Brendon. At first, she didn¡¯t feel like calling back. The thought of hearing his voice again brought more irritation than concern. But then, a flicker of worry surfaced. What if he had called because something had happened to Bethel?

    With a reluctant sigh, she hesitated, thumb hovering over the screen. After a moment of indecision, she tapped the call button.

    The line connected¡ªthen immediately dropped.

    Christina frowned and tried again. It was immediately hung up.

    A third attempt. Still the same.

    Annoyance mixed with unease. Clearly, something wasn¡¯t right.

    Instead of calling again, she opened her messages and typed quickly, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you answering? You called me earlier¡ªwas it urgent? Is Bethel alright?¡±

    A few momentster, a reply came through. ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong. Stop pestering me. I¡¯m busy and don¡¯t have time for you.¡±

    Christina stared at the screen, incredulous. Then, sheughed¡ªsharp, exasperated, almost amused. Unbelievable. She quickly typed back, ¡°Have you lost it? You¡¯re the one who called me first. If anyone¡¯s being a nuisance, it¡¯s definitely not me.¡±

    No reply followed.

    Christina smirked, assuming Brendon had noeback.

    But the truth was far different. Brendon was still in the emergency room, unconscious, and his phone was now in Ynda¡¯s possession.

    A suddenmotion broke the silence, making Ynda flinch. Relief flooded her when she saw it wasn¡¯t Katie returning. She quickly deleted Christina¡¯s message and wiped the call log, erasing any trace of the exchange.

    g???????¦Í??????.?????? ¨C ?????????? ????????

    Ynda stared at the screen, jaw clenched, teeth grinding. Three calls. Brendon had called Christina three times before he passed out. Even in a moment of crisis, the first person he had thought of was Christina. If Katie hadn¡¯t phoned, she might¡¯ve stayed in the dark until morning. That thought stung deeper than she expected.

    Panic seized Ynda. Brendon had changed. He wasn¡¯t the same man who used to think of her first. And Christina had clearly left her mark on Brendon¡¯s heart. Her three years of quiet devotion had etched something permanent into his soul.

    Ynda¡¯s hands curled into tight fists. No. She wouldn¡¯t allow this to happen. She wouldn¡¯t let Brendon slip away¡ªnot to Christina, not to anyone. Until the day she chose to discard him, Brendon would remain hers. His body, his heart¡ªboth belonged to her. And she wasn¡¯t about to give them up.

    Christina clearly hadn¡¯t backed off. She must still be plotting something¡ªtrying to worm her way back into Brendon¡¯s life. That woman had no shame. How dare Christina try to seduce Brendon right under her nose? It was downright delusional.

    Ynda¡¯s grip tightened around the phone, knuckles pale, her jaw clenching so hard it sent a jolt of pain through her temples. Even if she no longer wanted Brendon, she would never let Christina have him. She would rather destroy him than let him end up in Christina¡¯s arms.

    Meanwhile, at the mansion, the quiet of the hallway was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps, which caught Christina¡¯s attention.

    She turned just as Dn stepped into view¡ªtall,posed, radiating a cold andmanding presence. Beside him walked a young man in gold-rimmed sses, exuding quiet sophistication.

    The young man was undeniably attractive in his own right¡ªrefined, poised, almost schrly in demeanor. But next to Dn, the contrast was striking.

    Where Dn carried the weight of silent authority, with eyes sharp as steel and a presence that demanded attention, the young man was calm and gracious¡ªmore gentleman than force.

    ¡°Apologies for the dy,¡± Dn said as he approached.

    Christina rose from her seat with a smile. ¡°Not at all. I just arrived myself.¡± Her eyes flicked toward the young man. ¡°And this is¡­¡± There was a curious warmth in her tone as she regarded him, her expression open, friendly¡ªperhaps even a little intrigued.

    Dn noticed her reaction and felt a flicker of annoyance. He hadn¡¯t expected her to pay so much attention to Morse Hampton, a psychiatrist he invited over for her. Suddenly, bringing Morse along seemed like a terrible idea. His expression darkened, a cold edge creeping into his demeanor, sharp enough to chill the air around him.

    ¡°I¡¯m Morse Hampton,¡± the young man said with a confident smile, stepping forward and offering his hand.

    Dn watched the exchange, an unexpected wave of irritation and jealousy tightening in his chest.

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    .

 Chapter 45

    ?Chapter 45:

    Dn moved instantly, seizing Morse¡¯s hand in a firm,manding grip before Morse could shake hands with Christina¡ªjust enough to make his authority crystal clear.

    ¡°Take a seat. We¡¯ll discuss this calmly,¡± he said.

    Morse registered the force in Dn¡¯s handshake, his curiosity deepening at Dn¡¯s unusually tense manner. Something about the woman at the center of all this had clearly rattled Dn.

    Morse was mildly intrigued. Having been friends with Dn for years, this marked the first time Dn had personally requested his services as a psychiatrist. For a woman, no less. It signaled something out of the ordinary. This wasn¡¯t just another patient. There was a hidden story here.

    Unaware of the charged silence between the two men, Christina stepped forward with an easy confidence. ¡°I am Christina Jones. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡±

    Dn¡¯s features stayed carved in stone. Gesturing toward Morse, he offered a brief, cold exnation. ¡°He¡¯s a psychiatrist. One of the best around. I brought him here for you.¡±

    Her surprise was evident. ¡°A psychiatrist? For me? That¡¯s¡­ I don¡¯t really think it¡¯s necessary.¡±

    Most people might have weed the suggestion, but Christina saw no need. After all, in the secretive underworld, she had earned her reputation as the most formidable assassin alive¡ªher name whispered with fear and awe among mercenaries everywhere. Despite her legend, no one had ever discovered who she really was. All anyone could say was that she never failed¡ªa perfect record with every assignmentpleted, no exceptions. Her missions bordered on the impossible, yet she tackled each one with unmatched precision and calm.

    From continent to continent, her legend had grown, and she had be the subject of awe among a hidden legion of admirers. Should her true identity evere to light, the resulting frenzy wouldn¡¯t just electrify her followers¡ªit would ripple through the world itself.

    Inevitably, envy followed fame. An exposure of her identity would undoubtedly draw every rival assassin, each one hungry to take her down for the title of the world¡¯s best. After all, toppling a legend is the quickest way to be one.

    Step into new worlds at g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s?conn

    The way Christina deflected the idea of therapy only reinforced what Dn and Morse suspected: her mind had likely built walls to keep her from reliving the blood-soaked memories of her past.

    A silent exchange passed between the two men, their brows furrowing slightly. In their minds, whatever facade Christina presented, her emotional state must be anything but ordinary. It seemed as though she¡¯d locked away all her pain and fear, unable¡ªor unwilling¡ªto let herself feel.

    ¡°He¡¯s here now. Humor him, will you?¡± Dn¡¯s tone gentled, a rare hint of persuasion coloring his words. ¡°You two just chat for a bit. If it gets to be too much, we¡¯ll stop right away.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I made the trip. You wouldn¡¯t want to break my heart by rejecting me, would you?¡± Morse chimed in, hoping to lift the tension a little.

    That finally drew augh from Christina. She decided there was no harm in humoring them¡ªshe¡¯d sit through the session, at least for now. Otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t take long before these two sharp-eyed men started unraveling the discreet identities she¡¯d worked so hard to bury. Her acting talents kicked in as she let out a small, hesitant sigh.

    ¡°Honestly, I just feel bad that Dn has rescued me, and now here I am, troubling you both with my problems.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all. You¡¯ve helped me so much. It¡¯s only right that I take good care of you.¡± Dn met her gaze, his voice steady, his face unreadable.

    Morse chimed in with easy warmth, ¡°What matters is that you¡¯re okay. You were a huge part of Chloe¡¯s recovery¡ªhelping you now is the least I can do.¡±

    Christina nced down, hershes fluttering as tears gathered in her eyes, her acting purposely exaggerated. ¡°Thank you, truly. You¡¯ve both shown me more kindness than I deserve.¡±

    Seeing the sudden shimmer in her eyes, Dn felt a strange, tight ache in his chest¡ªsomething he couldn¡¯t quite exin.

    To change the mood, Morse leaned in with a grin. ¡°Miss Jones, I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re a crack shot. How about a friendly shooting match someday?¡±

    That did the trick¡ªChristina¡¯s spirits perked up. ¡°Deal! But if I miss, you¡¯re not allowed to tease me.¡±

    ¡°Why would I tease you?¡± Morse replied, chuckling. ¡°Since you can outshoot Dn, you¡¯ve already got more skill than I¡¯ll ever have.¡± He threw in a wink. ¡°Besides, even if you miss, I bet you¡¯d still win against me.¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve seen some surprises on the range before.¡± A wide grin split Christina¡¯s face.

    Their conversation drifted on for a while,ughter cutting through the earlier tension, until Christina rose and followed Morse into the study to begin her session.

    Restlessly, Dn paced the hallway outside the study, feeling as if every minute stretched into an eternity. Had it not been for the rule that therapy should be private, he would have charged in long before.

    Images of Christina, pale and petrified in the aftermath of that grisly scene, haunted Dn with every step. The memory left his chest aching for reasons he couldn¡¯t quite name. He had no doubt that the horror she¡¯d witnessed had rattled her to the core.

    The ticking clock only made Dn¡¯s nerves worse, and impatience gnawed at him as he waited. Just as he considered knocking, the study door swung open unexpectedly. He found himself face-to-face with Christina. Red-rimmed eyes and puffy lids told the whole story¡ªshe¡¯d been crying.

    A sharp ache sliced through Dn¡¯s heart, his frown deepening with worry. Tears from a single session? That didn¡¯t sit right with him. His voice dropped to a wintry chill as he pinned Morse with a re. ¡°What happened in there?¡±

    Morse, unruffled but keenly aware of Dn¡¯s hostility, answered evenly, ¡°Sometimes, feelings have toe out. With regr sessions, she¡¯ll be back to herself in a few months.¡±

    A storm brewed behind Dn¡¯s eyes. Morse could practically feel the fury simmering beneath the surface. Never had he seen anyone so emotionally rattled¡ªDn looked ready to tear the world apart for her.

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 Chapter 46

    ?Chapter 46:

    ¡°Thank you, Dr. Hampton¡­¡± Christina nodded with red eyes, but her heart remainedpletely calm. She even felt likeughing at the absurdity of the situation. Still, she forced herself to put on an act. If she slipped, these two sharp-eyed men would catch on instantly.

    Dn¡¯s voice grew gentler, his frosty demeanor melting just a touch. ¡°Make sure you don¡¯t skip your regr therapy sessions. I can drive you when the timees.¡±

    Christina¡¯s voice rasped as she replied, ¡°That¡¯s really not necessary. I wouldn¡¯t want to trouble you. Just give me the address and I¡¯ll manage to get to Dr. Hampton on my own.¡±

    Dn¡¯s expression cooled, the softness vanishing. Before he could say something, Morse jumped ahead, wearing a broad, easy grin. ¡°No trouble at all! How could it possibly be trouble? If you wereing to see me, you¡¯d need to make an appointment in advance. But if Ie to you, it¡¯s much more convenient for everyone, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Morse knew better than to agree to the idea that Christina came to him for therapy sessions. With Dn¡¯s budding feelings toward her, he knew if he slipped his work address, he¡¯d probably pay dearly for it.

    Christina offered a faint smile. ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll leave it to you. Sorry for putting you out.¡±

    Since Morse had put it that way, she figured arguing further was pointless.

    ¡°No trouble at all,¡± Dn stated curtly.

    Morse¡¯s gaze bounced between Dn and Christina, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°So, what¡¯s the n? Miss Jones, do you need a ride home to get some rest, or¡­¡±

    Christina shifted awkwardly, a faint flush rising to her cheeks. ¡°I¡¯ll just grab a cab. I can¡¯t keep imposing on you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s really no trouble. I was leaving anyway¡ªit¡¯s right on my way,¡± Dn said, his face expressionless, though the words were a tant offer.

    Uncover your next adventure at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    She hesitated, clearly unconvinced, but after a moment, she relented with a soft nod.

    Just as the three turned to go, an embarrassingly loud rumble erupted from Christina¡¯s stomach.

    Morse grinned, his eyes lighting up with mischief. ¡°Hungry, Miss Jones? How about we make Dn treat us to a meal?¡±

    Christina¡¯s smile was warm, her embarrassment fading. ¡°Let me treat you both instead. What do you feel like eating?¡±

    Morse threw his hands up in mock protest,ughter bubbling in his chest. ¡°Absolutely not! You don¡¯t need to worry about Dn¡¯s wallet¡ªhe could never spend it all! But if you¡¯re really reluctant to spend his money, you can spend mine instead.¡±

    Christina let out a bright, musicalugh, her eyes narrowing into delighted crescents that shimmered with genuine happiness. Herughter was infectious, and her effortless beauty seemed to radiate from every gesture, making it impossible to look away. Morse stood there, mesmerized for a few seconds, before Dn¡¯s icy gaze snapped him out of his daze.

    Trying to cut through the tension with a bit of bravado, Morse adjusted his gold-rimmed sses and shot Dn a lopsided, mischievous grin. ¡°So, what¡¯s the n? Are you treating us or what?¡±

    Ignoring Morse¡¯s antics, Dn turned his attention to Christina. The sharpness in his eyes faded, reced by a rare gentleness. ¡°Let¡¯s just stay in. I¡¯ll cook. Is there anything you can¡¯t eat, or anything you¡¯re craving?¡± His voice was unusually soft.

    While Christina took his offer in stride, Morse could hardly believe his ears. What on earth was going on today? Was he dreaming? Dn was actually volunteering to cook? In all the years they¡¯d known each other, he could count on one hand the number of times Dn had personally made a meal for someone. And now, here Dn was, offering to whip something up for Christina. The implication was ringly obvious¡ªshe was someone special.

    With that realization, Morse¡¯s gaze flicked to Christina, his eyes filling with fresh curiosity and genuine admiration. How had she managed to thaw even a corner of Dn¡¯s permafrost heart?

    Right now, though, Morse mostly felt like celebrating his own good fortune. Coming over for Christina¡¯s therapy hadnded him the golden ticket: a chance to savor Dn¡¯s cooking skills.

    A fizz of anticipation shot through Morse¡ªonly for Christina to cut in. ¡°That¡¯s too much trouble. Let¡¯s just eat out. My treat. Order anything you like.¡±

    Morse¡¯s excitement fizzled in an instant. What was the point of a restaurant meal when Dn¡¯s home cooking was on the table? Still, Morse kept his disappointment to himself, knowing that if heined, Dn might shut down the offer entirely.

    Dn replied, ¡°Seriously, it¡¯s no trouble. I¡¯ll whip up a few quick dishes. It won¡¯t take long.¡±

    In truth, Christina was tempted. She was already starving, and her stomach rumbled at the mere thought of Dn¡¯s cooking. But she hated to impose, which was why she¡¯d suggested a restaurant in the first ce. Now, seeing Dn¡¯s insistence, she realized he might be eager to impress¡ªhow could she refuse him that?

    ¡°Okay then. Let me help out in the kitchen,¡± she replied with an easy smile.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help too!¡± Morse blurted out, thrusting his hand in the air. Before anyone could protest, Morse bolted for the kitchen, practically tripping over himself in his eagerness. Panic flickered across his face¡ªif Dn changed his mind, this rare treat would vanish in a heartbeat.

    The more Morse thought about tasting Dn¡¯s dishes, the brighter his mood became. He couldn¡¯t help but beam, a goofy grin stered across his face as he started humming an off-key, happy tune.

    Christina blinked, momentarily stunned by Morse¡¯s sudden burst of enthusiasm. She watched him disappear at breakneck speed, barely processing what had just happened.

    ¡°Sometimes, he can be a bit much,¡± Dn trailed off.

    Christina let out a softugh. ¡°He seems like a st.¡±

    Dn¡¯s expression cooled once more, a shadow of irritation passing over his face. ¡°Yeah. You could say that,¡± he replied tersely. He then asked, ¡°So, what do you want to eat? Any cravings?¡±

    Christina¡¯s lips curved in a gentle smile. ¡°Easy to please¡ªanything¡¯s fine, really.¡±

    Dn wasted no time,unching into a rapid-fire list of dish options as if reciting a restaurant menu, gesturing for her to choose whichever ones appealed to her.

    Christina hesitated, the sheer number of choices making her mouth water. ¡°Are you sure this isn¡¯t too much work? And, um, do you two even like spicy food?¡±

    ¡°We can handle it,¡± Dn replied without hesitation.

    As they started prepping ingredients, Morse peered over Christina¡¯s shoulder. ¡°All those chilies?¡±

    Morse eyed the pile with clear suspicion. When did Dn ever go for spicy dishes?

    Before he could press Dn for answers, Christina chimed in with a grin, ¡°How about you? Are you good with spicy food?¡±

    ¡°Of course I am! It¡¯s just¡­¡± Morse¡¯s voice faltered as Dn shot him a warning re. He mped his mouth shut, thinking better of finishing his sentence.

    Christina arched an eyebrow, genuinely curious. ¡°Just what?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 47

    ?Chapter 47:

    A rxed grin spread across Morse¡¯s face. ¡°Dn and I just can¡¯t handle food that¡¯s too spicy.¡±

    Christina turned to Dn, her tone light and easy. ¡°Let¡¯s cut back on the chilies, then. I¡¯ve been a little under the weathertely¡ªcan¡¯t handle anything too fiery.¡±

    She tossed out the excuse with a small smile, smoothing things over without making a fuss.

    Dn simply nodded in agreement. ¡°Alright.¡±

    A short whileter, tters of steaming dishes filled the table, the air fragrant with spices and simmered broth.

    Morse, who¡¯d been eyeing the spicy beef stew for ages, finally gave in to temptation. The aroma had been torturing him for minutes, each inhale making his stomach rumble louder. Atst, he loaded his te, unable to hide his eagerness. The first bite of beef practically melted in his mouth, tender and bursting with rich, bnced vor. Every mouthful confirmed it¡ªDn¡¯s cooking belonged in a league of its own.

    Just as Morse reached for a second helping, he pped his forehead. ¡°Oh, wait! I forgot to take any pictures!¡±

    He scrambled for his phone, snapping photos from every angle with the enthusiasm of a food blogger on deadline. But the lure of the food was too much. Instead of uploading the photos right away, he put the phone aside and dove right back in.

    Christina nced up, a gentle curiosity in her eyes. ¡°How¡¯s the spice level? Is it alright for you?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s amazing,¡± Morse muttered, barely pausing between bites as he shoveled more food onto his te.

    His gold-rimmed sses slid dangerously close to the tip of his nose, but he ignored them,ser-focused on devouring every vorful bite.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s offers tales worth telling

    Dn sat across from him, posture straight and face unreadable. The heat from the chilies clearly hit him harder than he let on, but he didn¡¯t flinch. Maintaining a steady tone, he simply said, ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±

    Morse was on the verge of losing it¡ªhe had to bite back augh at the sight of Dn toughing it out for Christina¡¯s sake. Honestly, watching Dn power through the spice just to impress her was something else.

    One thing was for sure. Christina wasn¡¯t just anyone to Dn.

    Morse could see it clear as day¡ªDn was already falling for Christina. But whether that would lead to anything real¡­ well, that was anyone¡¯s guess. It all came down to whether Dn could step up.

    For a moment, the table quieted, filled only with the gentle clinking of cutlery and the warm, savory scents wafting between them. Suddenly, Morse couldn¡¯t help himself.

    ¡°So, Miss Jones, what do you think of Dn? Ever thought about being with him?¡± he blurted, a teasing spark lighting his eyes.

    The question hit Christina mid-bite. She coughed violently, scrambling for a napkin as she tried to recover herposure.

    Dn¡¯s eyes sharpened, and he quickly passed her a napkin, his re pinning Morse with a silent warning.

    Morse sprang from his seat, hands raised in apology. ¡°Sorry! I¡¯m so sorry, Miss Jones. Are you alright?¡±

    Christina waved him off between coughs, her face flushing. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she replied, forcing a quick smile. ¡°I just ate too fast. And the chili caught me off guard.¡±

    There was no way she¡¯d admit that Morse¡¯s ambush of a question had been the real culprit.

    ¡°My bad, just kidding around,¡± Morse stated, shing a sheepish grin as he scratched the back of his neck.

    Christina returned a polite smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I understand.¡±

    ¡°But honestly, Dn¡¯s the real deal,¡± Morse added, eyes twinkling with mischief.

    ¡°Mr. Scott is quite remarkable,¡± Christina replied with a liltingugh. ¡°I can see why he¡¯d attract plenty of admirers.¡±

    Morse leaned closer, his gaze suddenly shrewd. ¡°What about you, though?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Christina turned to nce at Dn, her lips curving into a teasing smile. ¡°If Mr. Scott dropped to one knee and proposed right now, I¡¯d have to say yes on the spot.¡±

    Morse seized the moment with dramatic ir. ¡°Hear that, Dn? Now¡¯s your chance! No ring? Use your property deed! The Scott family estate will work just fine¡ª¡±

    Dn cut him off, his tone like ice. ¡°Enough. Stop dragging everyone into your jokes. It¡¯s getting awkward.¡±

    Dn saw right through Christina¡¯s breezy answer. The more casually she brushed it off, the clearer it was that she had no real interest.

    Morse snorted, eyebrows raised. ¡°Awkward? Who¡¯s awkward?¡± He nced at Christina, searching her face. ¡°Are you?¡±

    Christina just smiled, a rxed warmth in her eyes. ¡°Not at all. We¡¯re just goofing around.¡±

    ¡°See? Exactly!¡± Morse grinned, undeterred. ¡°I¡¯m just keeping the mood light.¡±

    Morse inwardly exhaled. Despite his best efforts to spice things up, Dn didn¡¯t seize the moment.

    The meal soon wrapped up, and Morse pushed his empty te away, sinking back in his chair with a contented sigh, stuffed to the brim.

    Only after scraping his te clean did he finally upload the photos he¡¯d taken earlier, proudly captioning them, ¡°This is what top-tier indulgence looks like. Luckiest day ever!¡±

    Within moments, his post exploded with likes andments.

    Ralphy was the fastest toment. ¡°It¡¯s just a few homemade dishes. What¡¯s so special about that? I¡¯m at Morfort Restaurant right now! Just wait. I¡¯ll post my photos and show you what real fine dining is!¡±

    Morse fired back, oozing smug satisfaction. ¡°Morfort Restaurant? Please. I just had a private meal cooked by Dn himself. Beat that.¡±

    Meanwhile, over at Morfort Restaurant, Ralphy was still waiting on his order when Morse¡¯s reply popped up on his screen. He nearly dropped his phone in shock. What the hell? Dn actually cooked?

    Without hesitation, Ralphyunched a video call, urgencycing his tone. ¡°Wait¡ªare you actually at Dn¡¯s ce right now?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Morse replied, sinking back into his chair with a smug grin.

    He slid his gold-rimmed sses up the bridge of his nose, the picture of self-satisfaction.

    ¡°I¡¯ming over right now!¡± Ralphy eximed, barely pausing to snatch up his suit jacket as he bolted from his seat.

    In that moment, the extravagant meal he¡¯d ordered at Morfort Restaurant waspletely forgotten. All he could think about was the chance to taste Dn¡¯s legendary home cooking. Chloe¡¯s mention of the onion soup still echoed in his mind¡ªhe¡¯d missed out, and the regret stung. This time, he refused to let the opportunity slip away.

    ¡°There¡¯s really no need. We finished everything already,¡± Morse dered, his grin stretching even wider.

    Ralphy paused dead, shooting daggers at Morse via the video call.

    Unable to help himself, Morse burst outughing. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be the heir to the Graham family. Try showcasing more poise like most expected from a future family lead.¡±

    Ralphy bristled. ¡°You¡¯ve got a lot of nerve! Why didn¡¯t you say anything sooner?¡±

    Morse¡¯sughter only grew, while Ralphy clenched his jaw in frustration.

    ¡°Morse, I swear, I¡¯ll get you back for this!¡± Ralphy growled, his voice trembling with barely controlled fury.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 48

    ?Chapter 48:

    Morse dropped his voice, speaking in a hushed whisper into the phone, ¡°I¡¯ve figured out a trick to get Dn to cook.¡±

    Ralphy shot to his feet, his emotions ring again. ¡°Really? What trick? Tell me right now!¡±

    ¡°Oh? Didn¡¯t you say you would get back at me for not messaging you about Dn¡¯s cooking just a minute ago?¡± Morse¡¯s lips curled in a sly, triumphant grin.

    Immediately, Ralphy¡¯s whole demeanor shifted¡ªhe shed a wide, obsequious smile. ¡°I was just kidding! I swear, I didn¡¯t mean any of that¡­¡±

    Morse arched an eyebrow and shed a teasing smile. ¡°So what does that make me, then?¡±

    Ralphy¡¯s eyes darted before he stered on an eager grin. ¡°You¡¯re my boss. Whatever you say goes, all right? I¡¯ll do anything¡ªjust tell me the trick!¡±

    To Ralphy, losing a touch of pride was a small sacrifice for the meal made by Dn with his own hands. Learning what it took to get Dn to cook was priceless.

    ¡°Boss, please, what¡¯s the secret?¡± Ralphy pleaded, grinning shamelessly.

    Morse burst outughing at Ralphy¡¯s pathetic disy. ¡°Are you really willing to do anything I ask just for a shot at Dn¡¯s cooking?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely! Name it, I¡¯ll do it! Now quit stalling and tell me already!¡± Ralphy bounced on his heels, nearly bursting with anticipation.

    Morse leaned in, smirking. ¡°Well, since you¡¯re so eager¡­ Let¡¯s talk about your family¡¯s assets for a second¡­¡±

    Before he could finish, Ralphy jumped in with an eager shout. ¡°Boss! Everything I have is yours¡ªtake it all!¡±

    But Ralphy barely got the words out before a cane came crashing down across his back.

    ¡°Ah! Ow¡ªhey!¡± A sharp yelp escaped Ralphy as pain shot up his back. He whipped around, face zing with anger. ¡°Who the hell just hit me? Are you looking to die?¡±

    Every story starts at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    But as soon as Ralphy caught sight of the culprit, his bravado copsed.

    The words tangled in his throat. His voice went small and uncertain. ¡°Grandpa¡­¡± He summoned up a nervous grin, trying to y it cool. ¡°Uh, what brings you here all of a sudden?¡±

    Samuel Graham, Ralphy¡¯s grandfather, scowled, digging his cane into the floor. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t shown up, you¡¯d have handed over the entire family to someone else!¡±

    Ralphy let out a weak, awkward chuckle, desperate to defuse the situation. ¡°Come on, I was just kidding¡­¡±

    Samuel¡¯s scowl only deepened. He raised his cane again, threatening another whack.

    Panicking, Ralphy blurted out, ¡°Dn¡¯s cooked today!¡±

    The words stopped Samuel mid-swing. ¡°What the hell did you just say? Dn¡¯s cooked today?¡± he echoed, his irritation momentarily forgotten.

    Ralphy bobbed his head up and down, scrambling to keep the peace. ¡°Yeah! I¡ª¡±

    Samuel didn¡¯t let Ralphy finish. In a sh, he snatched Ralphy¡¯s phone and shoved Ralphy out of the way. ¡°Out of my way!¡±

    Ralphy stumbled back, barely catching himself as Samuel imed his phone.

    Samuel¡¯s tone flipped to warmth as he addressed the screen. ¡°Morse, have you guys finished washing the dishes over there?¡±

    Momentarily startled, Morse responded, ¡°Mr. Graham, all the dishes are washed and put away.¡±

    Samuel¡¯s expression shifted, smoothing into an ingratiating smile. ¡°Morse, you know I¡¯ve always treated you well, haven¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°Of course, Mr. Graham. You¡¯ve always been very generous,¡± Morse replied, his fingers pushing up his gold-rimmed sses. He could already tell where this conversation was headed.

    Right on cue, Samuel leaned in closer to the screen.

    ¡°About that trick you mentioned earlier¡­ Would you mind sharing it with me?¡± His smile stretched even wider, thick with expectation.

    By this time, Ralphy had recovered from his shock and was hovering nearby, craning his neck to catch every word.

    With a sly grin, Morse quietly toggled his phone camera from the front to the rear lens, panning around the room before letting the frame settle on the living room.

    In the shot, two people satfortably, sipping coffee. Dn lounged in an armchair, his features locked in a cold, unreadable mask. Beside him sat a young woman, poised andposed, her face entirely unfamiliar to Samuel.

    Samuel¡¯s eyes narrowed with intrigue. ¡°Who¡¯s that woman over there? She¡¯s just sitting there having coffee with Dn?¡±

    For a moment, genuine surprise flickered across Samuel¡¯s normally unppable face. He leaned in, peering at the screen, silently sizing up the woman with growing interest. Someone who could sit so naturally across from Dn¡ªunfazed, perfectly at ease¡ªhad to be remarkable.

    ¡°I know!¡± Ralphy couldn¡¯t contain himself. He shot his hand into the air, practically bouncing in his seat. ¡°Grandpa, that¡¯s Christina! I¡¯ve told you about her¡ªshe¡¯s the one who beat Dn and won the prize of King¡¯s treatment. She struck a deal with Dn, and now, thanks to her, Chloe actually has a shot at being healed.¡±

    Samuel¡¯s keen eyes stayed locked on Christina, sizing her up with the practiced scrutiny of a man who missed nothing. He took note of the way she sat¡ªpoised, unafraid, utterly unfazed by Dn¡¯s presence. Clearly, she wasn¡¯t someone ordinary.

    A slow realization dawned on Samuel. Any woman who could best Dn in a shootingpetition wasn¡¯t just impressive¡ªshe was exceptional.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 49

    ?Chapter 49:

    Samuel regarded Christina with a gleam of admiration in his eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting into a rare, gentle smile. In that moment, he couldn¡¯t help but think¡ªthe Scott bloodline outshined the Grahams by miles. Such rity. Such instinct.

    The contrast between Ralphy and Dn made Samuel¡¯s blood boil. Theparison wasn¡¯t even close. With a grunt of frustration, he shoved the phone back into Ralphy¡¯s hand. Ralphy¡¯s career was already inferior to Dn¡¯s, and now, Dn showcased better taste in choosing partners. ¡°You useless rascal!¡± Samuel thundered at Ralphy, pacing with agitation.

    ¡°Grandpa, please!¡± Ralphy said quickly, trying to pacify him. ¡°Let¡¯s not lose sight of the goal¡ªthe secret trick. That¡¯s what matters.¡±

    But Samuel wasn¡¯t listening. His expression hardened as he turned on his heel and strode away, seething.

    Then, from the phone¡¯s speaker, Morse¡¯sughter echoed mockingly. ¡°How dare youugh at a time like this!¡± Ralphy snapped, his eyes shing with irritation.

    ¡°Your grandfather¡¯s something else,¡± Morse said, amusementcing every word.

    Ralphy frowned. He still didn¡¯t get it that Christina wasn¡¯t just a name in passing¡ªshe was the axis on which everything turned. But to him, the conversation between his grandpa and Morse was a cipher, each word more perplexing than thest.

    ¡°I¡¯m ending the call,¡± Morse said, smirking faintly. ¡°I have to take Miss Jones home.¡±

    Ralphy blurted out, ¡°Wait¡ªwhat about the secret trick? At least give me a hint!¡±

    ¡°Miss Jones needs to be taken home,¡± Morse said coolly. ¡°We¡¯ll talkter.¡±

    And with that, the screen went dark.

    Ralphy stared at the phone for a beat, stunned. Then, slowly, realization dawned¡ªand hit him like a lightning bolt. Christina wasn¡¯t just important¡ªshe was the key.

    His expression shifted from bafflement to glee. From this moment forward, he vowed to treat Christina like royalty¡ªride her coattails, sing her praises, and sponge off Dn¡¯s hospitality.

    ?????????? ???????? ???? ????????: ?????????¦Í????????????

    With a self-satisfied smirk, Ralphy whispered to himself, ¡°Miss Jones, looks like I¡¯ll be relying on you from now on.¡±

    The next morning, Christina shuffled out of bed, bleary-eyed and sluggish. Still half-asleep, she fumbled through her morning routine, brushing her teeth with her eyes closed, swaying slightly like a drunk sailor adrift.

    The hangover hadn¡¯t worn off yet. Davina had shown upst night with a bottle of something strong, and the two of them had gone a few rounds deeper than nned.

    Even now, Christina felt like her head was wrapped in cotton.

    Suddenly, there was a ruckus outside.

    Her senses sharpened in an instant. Could it be Davinaing over again? Clutching her toothbrush, still d in her cozy bear-print pajamas, she padded toward the front door.

    ¡°Oh! This one¡¯s just perfect! A full sea-view estate! Absolutely ideal for this season¡ªso cozy and tranquil!¡±

    Christina froze mid-step. That voice. Definitely not Davina. Her brow furrowed sharply. She knew that chirpy, fake-sweet tone anywhere¡ªJoselyn. What the hell was Joselyn doing here? And Joselyn wasn¡¯t alone. Judging by the background chatter, she hadpany. Was Joselyn talking about renting this ce?

    Christina¡¯s eyes narrowed. This estate was part of the divorce settlement with Brendon!

    ¡°Oh, any ce will do, as long as Brendon and Ynda are happy,¡± said She Mitchell, Ynda¡¯s mother, her tone warm and polite.

    ¡°I promise you, once Ynda marries into our family, we¡¯ll treat her just like our own daughter. No different at all,¡± Joselyn remarked, puffing up proudly.

    ¡°With your assurance, we can finally breathe easy,¡± said Finnegan Mitchell, Ynda¡¯s father, his tone satisfied. ¡°Now that my father¡¯s on board, Ynda and Brendon can finally be together. It¡¯s a happy ending.¡±

    She hesitated, her brow creasing slightly. ¡°But¡­ are Brendon and that woman truly over? There¡¯s been no public word about their divorce. I¡¯m still uneasy.¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Mitchell, there¡¯s no need to worry,¡± Katie interjected smoothly. ¡°The divorce papers are signed and sealed. I¡¯ve seen them with my own eyes.¡±

    She exhaled, visibly relieved. ¡°Thank goodness. I¡¯ve heard rumors about that woman¡¯s private affairs¡­ Not exactly the sort of thing one wants linked to the family.¡±

    Finnegan¡¯s face darkened. ¡°A woman like that¡ªfickle and disloyal¡ªwill never be allowed near the Mitchell name. She¡¯s such a stain.¡±

    Katie scoffed, her nose wrinkling with disgust. ¡°It¡¯s all my grandmother¡¯s fault. She went soft and let Christina into our family. Christina brought us nothing but embarrassment! Thank God Brendon came to his senses and divorced her. She¡¯s revolting.¡±

    ¡°Katie, maybe Christina had her reasons,¡± Ynda said gently, feigning sympathy while expertly twisting the de. ¡°We don¡¯t know the whole story.¡±

    Joselyn patted Ynda¡¯s hand. ¡°You¡¯re too kind for your own good, dear. A woman like Christina doesn¡¯t deserve yourpassion. Kindness like yours can be a liability if someone like her decides to take advantage.¡±

    In Joselyn¡¯s eyes, Ynda was the perfect match for her son¡ªelegant, well-bred, poised. Everything Christina was not. Brendon deserved someone like Ynda.

    ¡°She¡¯s the reason I don¡¯t have a grandchild yet,¡± Joselyn added bitterly. ¡°Shetched onto Brendon like a leech for years and still couldn¡¯t bear him a child.¡±

    ¡°I see you¡¯re having a good time spewing shit out of that vile mouth of yours!¡± Christina¡¯s voice cut through the room like a de. All heads turned in shock.

    Then, Christina looked Joselyn dead in the eye. ¡°No matter how capable a woman is, there¡¯s only so much she can do if the real problem lies with her husband in terms of having babies.¡±

    A smirk danced on Christina¡¯s lips as her eyes flicked¡ªmockingly¡ªfrom Joselyn to Katie.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 50

    ?Chapter 50:

    Finnegan spun to face Joselyn, his voice sharp with disbelief. ¡°Mrs. Dawson, this woman just insulted your son¡ªand you¡¯re honestly going to let that go?¡±

    ¡°Christina Jones!¡± Joselyn hissed, her words trembling with a vtile mix of shame and anger. She jabbed an unsteady finger at Christina, her eyes wild. ¡°You fucking bitch! One more word out of you, and I¡¯ll snuff that mouth of yours permanently.¡±

    Christina exhaled, the sound thick with mocking exhaustion. ¡°s! Guess I really am a hopeless case, huh?¡±

    Katie¡¯s lips twisted into a venomous smirk. ¡°What¡¯s this? Finally smartened up and realized you¡¯re just a loser?¡±

    Christina¡¯s smile turnednguid, almostzy, her eyes radiating an icy indifference. ¡°I just realized that no matter how hard I fall, I can¡¯t even get close to the bottomless pit of shamelessness of you guys. Honestly, I¡¯m impressed. I could neverpete.¡±

    Outrage swept through the group, every face twisted with indignation, each of them looking ready to throttle Christina right then and there.

    Ynda pushed forward, her eyes glistening with theatrical misery. ¡°Christina, if you¡¯re angry¡ªif you have some grudge¡ªthen take it out on me. Please, just leave the Dawson family out of it. I can shoulder it all,¡± she pleaded, her voice trembling as if she might break.

    Christina¡¯s gaze flicked to Ynda, cold and contemptuous. She didn¡¯t bother with words¡ªa single withering look was enough to send Ynda reeling back, panic shing across her face as she nearly toppled over.

    Joselyn and Katie hurried to Ynda¡¯s side, their faces knotted with worry as they hovered over her, fussing and whispering anxious questions.

    The whole performance was so absurd that Christina nearly let out augh. All she¡¯d done was look at Ynda, yet these women acted as if she¡¯d pulled a knife.

    She¡¯s voice rang out, cold and shrill. ¡°How could you be so vicious? The Dawson family once weed you as one of their own. Is this what you do¡ªget divorced and start flinging insults? You even insulted your ex-husband! Don¡¯t you have a shred of decency left? The Dawsons treated you well, but now you¡¯re out here smearing their name just for spite, showing no respect to your elders¡ªaren¡¯t you afraid of what that might bring?¡±

    Check full story at g??????¦Ï¦Í??????. ?????

    Christina¡¯s gaze,nguid and unbothered, slid over to She as she took an unhurried step forward. She immediately shrank back, fear shing in her eyes for a split second.

    For a heartbeat, She felt as if Christina¡¯s cool, razor-sharp stare had sliced straight through her,ying bare every secret she¡¯d ever tried to hide. She couldn¡¯t breathe¡ªher throat seemed to tighten under that icy scrutiny.

    With a slow, crooked smile, Christina spoke, her voiceced with mockery. ¡°Interesting. No wonder you all get along so well¡ªyour private lives are just as messy as your gossip.¡±

    She¡¯splexion went ghostly pale, but she quicklyposed herself, forcing a sneer. ¡°Ha! Stop ndering me. Word is, you¡¯re just the Jones family¡¯s charity case¡ªsome adopted nobody, parents unknown. If anyone here is illegitimate, Christina, it¡¯s you.¡±

    Finnegan¡¯s face turned an ominous shade as he jabbed a finger in Christina¡¯s direction, his voice thundering. ¡°What bullshit are you spewing? Every Mitchell child has a paternity report¡ªthey¡¯re all mine! Keep talking and I¡¯ll drag you to court for nder!¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t even flinch. ¡°By all means, try it,¡± she replied aloofly, a sly, mocking smile tugging at her lips. Her gaze cut straight through Finnegan and She, ice-cold and unyielding. ¡°But let¡¯s not kid ourselves¡ªat least one of you isn¡¯t rted to your kids by blood.¡±

    Panic shed across both Finnegan¡¯s and She¡¯s faces, though Finnegan¡¯s temper snapped first.

    ¡°You goddamn piece of scum! I¡¯ll shut that mouth of yours for good!¡±

    Finnegan snapped, storming toward Christina with murder in his eyes.

    Ynda¡¯s voice trembled as she called out, ¡°Dad, please¡ªdon¡¯t get upset!¡±

    But she made no effort to intervene, secretly wishing he¡¯d hurt Christina. If hended a blow, the most they¡¯d have to do was pay some hush money¡ªnothing truly damaging.

    Ynda had always dealt with her victims the same way¡ªcrush them and then toss them scraps. To her, the poor were pitiful creatures, too desperate to chase justice once money entered the picture. In her eyes, poverty itself was a crime¡ªone she had no intention of forgiving.

    The onlookers gathered, anticipation flickering in their eyes, waiting for Christina to be humiliated.

    But in the split second before Finnegan¡¯s foot couldnd, Christina slipped nimbly aside.

    Finnegan¡¯s leg whipped through empty air, his own momentum pitching him forward. With a sickening thud, he crashed onto the floor, the room reverberating with the impact. A pained groan slipped from his lips as hey sprawled and unmoving.

    The group, who moments before looked eager for violence, nched at the sudden turn.

    ¡°Dad!¡± Ynda shrieked, bolting to his side, her face drained of color.

    Finnegan shifted ever so slightly, and the collective tension in the room broke¡ªtheir relief as palpable as their shock. He hadn¡¯t died from the fall, but the spectacle they¡¯d expected had shattered in the blink of an eye.

    Ynda immediately burst into tears, her sobs echoing through the room. ¡°Dad! Dad, say something¡ªplease, don¡¯t scare me like this!¡±

    Finnegan tried to speak, but Ynda threw him a sharp, warning look¡ªan unspoken cue.

    Catching on, Finnegan obediently let his hand flop to the floor, squeezing his eyes shut.

    ¡°Dad, answer me! What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Ynda wailed, wringing her hands in theatrical distress.

    She¡¯s voice rang out, shrill and panicked. ¡°Darling! Please, don¡¯t do this¡ªdon¡¯t leave me!¡±

    Joselyn rushed over, her tone pitched high with rm. ¡°Mr. Mitchell! Wake up¡ªplease!¡±

    The room erupted into ovepping cries, the chaos sharp enough to rattle the windows.

    Katie whipped around, her wrath fixed on Christina. ¡°This is all your fault, Christina! Look what you¡¯ve done!¡±

    Christina lounged against the wall, arms raised in azy stretch. ¡°And what exactly does this have to do with me?¡± she drawled, unfazed by the hysteria.

    ¡°If anything happens to Mr. Mitchell, we¡¯ll make you pay!¡± Katie spat, her re seething with usation.

    Christina met her re with a faint, dismissive smile. ¡°You¡¯re really ming me? He fell over his own feet¡ªhow¡¯s that my fault?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s all on you!¡± Katie bellowed, her voice sharp as a p. ¡°You have to take full responsibility!¡±

    A quiet chuckle slipped from Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°Let me get this straight: you think I should¡¯ve just stood there and let him try to kick me?¡±

    Christina shot Katie a look, her eyes cool and fearless. That kick had been meant to put her in the hospital, maybe worse.

    Katie crossed her arms, refusing to back down. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t dodged, would he even have fallen? You¡¯re young. It¡¯s not like you would die from a kick!¡±

    Christina arched a brow and gave a sly, taunting grin. ¡°If you¡¯re so sure, why don¡¯t you stand right there and let me kick you to test that theory?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 51

    ?Chapter 51:

    Christina¡¯s voice dripped with icy sarcasm. Her tone alone made everyone¡¯s blood boil.

    Katie practically vibrated with rage. ¡°Enough with that attitude! Apologize properly, pay for the medical bills, and maybe¡ªmaybe¡ªwe¡¯ll let this go. If not¡ª¡±

    Christina tilted her head, her smile cool and effortless. ¡°If not, what? You¡¯ll cry louder?¡±

    Katie¡¯s eyes zed. ¡°We¡¯ll press charges! You¡¯ll be arrested for assault. Hope you enjoy jail food.¡±

    Christina widened her eyes in mock fear, sping her hands to her chest. ¡°Oh no, not that. Please don¡¯t call the police¡­ I might be able to heal that old man myself.¡±

    Katie scoffed, her tone cutting. ¡°Heal Finnegan? You? Don¡¯t make meugh¡ªyou¡¯re not even a real doctor!¡±

    Just then, Ynda¡¯s voice wavered, choked with theatrical tears. ¡°Christina, how can you still refuse to acknowledge your misdeeds? If you¡¯re angry, take it out on me¡ªnot on my father. He¡¯s not in the best health.¡±

    ¡°Not in the best health?¡± Christina¡¯s smile was razor-sharp. ¡°Perfect. Not only can I heal him¡ªI¡¯ll have him doing cartwheels by next week.¡±

    ¡°Christina!¡± Ynda¡¯s voice cracked as if it were a plea, her eyes shimmering with fake tears. ¡°How can you joke like this? Have you no heart at all?¡±

    ¡°Can you really heal Finnegan? And make him fit as a fiddle?¡± Katie folded her arms, practically salivating at the chance to spring her trap.

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Christina replied, her voice cool and unwavering,ced with an infuriating calm that only made Katie itch to humiliate her.

    ¡°Good!¡± Katie leaned forward, eyes gleaming with anticipation. ¡°Let¡¯s make it interesting. If you pull it off, I¡¯ll give you five million. If not¡ªyou owe me five million.¡±

    Katie couldn¡¯t believe how easily Christina had walked into her trap. What an idiot.

    ?@?¨¦$? ???t?¦Å§ñ? ¨ª¦Ð ?al¦Ðo¦Í¦Ål?.c??

    ¡°Deal.¡± Christina¡¯s answer came without hesitation, her confidence unwavering.

    She, who had remained quiet until now, chimed in with a smile that didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°Why don¡¯t we all get in on this? We¡¯ll each put up one million. If you fail, you owe each of us a million.¡±

    Katie hesitated, lips pursed¡ªbut with everyone watching, backing down wasn¡¯t an option.

    Finnegany perfectly still, struggling to suppress a grin. With his feigning to be seriously wounded on the floor, his family would win three million? It felt like the heavens themselves had wired him a personal jackpot. He wasn¡¯t just after the three million¡ªhe also nned to squeeze everyst penny from Christina for ¡°medical expenses.¡± If he yed this right, she¡¯d be paying for everything.

    ¡°Please, excuse me for a moment.¡± Christina turned on her heel and disappeared into the hallway.

    When she returned, gasps rippled through the room. She was holding a massive syringe¡ªthick, gleaming, and absurdly oversized. It looked like it belonged in a veterinary clinic for sedating lions.

    ¡°What¡­ What is that?¡± She¡¯s voice trembled, recoiling instinctively.

    Ynda blinked, stunned. ¡°Christina, you¡¯re not seriously going to use that on my dad, are you?¡±

    ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± Katie barked, eyes bulging as she took a step back.

    Joselyn¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°You¡­ You¡¯re not going to kill him, are you?¡±

    ¡°Kill him?¡± Christina scoffed, a mischievous glint in her eye. ¡°Please. I¡¯m saving his life.¡± She held the syringe aloft like it was a magic wand. ¡°Rx. I have plenty of experience with this sort of thing.¡±

    ¡°Experience?¡± Ynda echoed skeptically. ¡°Since when have you ever studied medicine?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± Christina answered cheerfully. ¡°But I am a vet, so that¡¯s close enough. Besides, don¡¯t be dramatic. A body¡¯s a body. One shot from this, and he¡¯ll be doing jumping jacks before lunch.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 52

    ?Chapter 52:

    Sprawled on the floor, Finnegan¡¯s mind spun in a haze of confusion. Only moments ago, he¡¯d been feigning unconsciousness in peace, but the second the word ¡°vet¡± hit his ears, a surge of panic jolted through him.

    He cracked open one wary eye, risking a sly peek at his surroundings¡ªand what he saw nearly made his heart stop. Christina was wielding a syringe so enormous that it looked fit for tranquilizing an elephant. No human being could possibly survive a dose from that thing. Hell, even a wild boar wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.

    Finnegan had no hesitation believing the needle could drop him dead in a heartbeat. Did Christina intend to bring him down alongside her? His life was valuable. Dying alongside this pathetic bitch would be a colossal waste. She didn¡¯t even deserve the honor.

    Finnegan squeezed his wife¡¯s hand in secret, desperation written in the tension of his grip¡ªa silent cue for She to intervene.

    She shot upright, her voice trembling with outrage. ¡°Absolutely not! You¡¯re not using that thing on my husband. Are you out of your mind? You¡¯ll kill him!¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t bother to argue. She simply reached out a palm, calm and expectant. ¡°All right, have it your way. You lost the bet, so pay up.¡± Her cool determination made it clear¡ªshe wasn¡¯t leaving without that five million. What kind of twisted family threw down million-dor gambles like pocket change? They were so eager to throw money at her, and she¡¯d be a fool to say no.

    Katie, her face flushed with indignation, snapped, ¡°Pay you? For what? You haven¡¯t even cured Finnegan!¡±

    Christina cocked an eyebrow, a scornful smirk tugging at her lips. ¡°If you won¡¯t let me treat him, how exactly am I supposed to cure him? Let me try, and I promise he¡¯ll walk out of here healthy. If I fail, you win. Simple as that.¡±

    Ynda started to plead. ¡°Christina, please¡ª¡±

    But Christina sliced through her words with a cold, tmand. ¡°Enough. Either let me do this or hand over the money. I¡¯m done listening to excuses.¡±

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    ¡°We won¡¯t pay you. What can you¡­ Ah¡­¡± Katie tried to push back, but her protest ended in a shriek of pure terror.

    Christina lunged, wielding the monstrous syringe like a weapon, her gaze wild and unflinching, radiating a threat that made everyone¡¯s blood run cold.

    Finnegan snapped awake at the sound, his eyes going wide as he caught sight of Christina storming toward him, that syringe aimed straight at his heart. Whatever hope he¡¯d had of survival instantly evaporated¡ªthis woman wasn¡¯t trying to save him. She was about to murder him in broad daylight.

    ¡°This is a life-saving injection!¡± Christina dered, mming the syringe downward with zero hesitation.

    ¡°Hell no!¡± Finnegan barked, panic overtaking his pride. ¡°You fucking lunatic¡ªstay away from me!¡±

    He scrambled backward, pale and sweating, rolling out of the way as Christina¡¯s ¡°treatment¡± came down with deadly force. He was sure this woman was insane. Absolutely, irredeemably insane¡ªthere was no other word for her.

    Christina¡¯s wildughter rang out as she missed her mark, flinging her arm back for another go.

    ¡°You deranged bitch! Are you out of your fucking head?¡± Finnegan shrieked, scrambling up from the floor. He stumbled forward in a panic. ¡°Somebody stop her! She¡¯s gone berserk! Stop her! She¡¯s about to kill me!¡±

    Gripping the syringe, Christina shed a deranged grin. Her eyes glittered with a manic light, giving off the unmistakable aura of an escaped lunatic. The syringe hovered menacingly in her fist as she stalked forward, her every movement promising chaos.

    ¡°Finnegan!¡± She gasped, lunging to intercept Christina to protect Finnegan.

    But the instant Christina¡¯s wild, feral gaze swung in her direction, She¡¯s courage shattered. She shrieked, ¡°No! Stay away!¡±

    She stumbled back, tripping over her own feet, eyes wide with pure panic. She wasn¡¯t alone¡ªeveryone else retreated in frantic disarray. No one doubted it now: Christina had snapped, gonepletely off the rails.

    There was something chilling about confronting a lunatic¡ªsomeone who had nothing left to lose and could shatter the rules with a flick of her wrist. That kind of unpredictable recklessness was terrifying, the threat of sudden violence hanging in the air.

    While the others shrank back, Christina whipped around and locked eyes with Finnegan, her grin stretching wider.

    The moment Finnegan dared to hope she¡¯d forgotten him, her predatory gaze pinned him in ce, icy terror flooding his veins¡ªhe was certain this was the end.

    ¡°Time for your shot¡­¡± Christina grinned, charging forward with the syringe poised like a weapon. She looked like a fanatic soldier, gripping herst grenade¡ªutterly

    Fearless, fully prepared to go down with her target, the menace in her eyes was enough to freeze the room.

    A strangled cry slipped from Finnegan¡¯s lips, panic overwhelming him.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 53

    ?Chapter 53:

    The house rang with Finnegan¡¯s terrified screams, mixed with the panicked shrieks of the others as they scrambled away.

    Christina finally stopped, arms crossed and breath steady. ¡°Medicine delivered, illness cured. Time to pay up¡ªI don¡¯t do credit.¡±

    The group froze, panting, their eyes wide with fear. They stared at her like she might snap at any second.

    ¡°What money?¡± Finnegan gasped, still out of breath.

    Christina raised a brow. ¡°The five-million bet, remember? What, you trying to weasel out of it now?¡±

    Katie, still catching her breath, red. ¡°Did you even cure Finnegan? If anything, you owe us¡ªfor emotional damage!¡±

    ¡°Of course, I cured him alright,¡± Christina said, pointing at Finnegan. ¡°Look at him. He¡¯s wide awake and sprinting like an Olympian. I didn¡¯t just bring him back¡ªI upgraded him. Guys half his age can¡¯t keep up.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s nonsense!¡± She snapped, face flushed with anger. She looked like she wanted to lunge¡ªif not for the fear still hanging in the air.

    ¡°Anyway, I did my part. You lost and owed me money,¡± Christina said coolly.

    Finnegan let out a sharpugh. ¡°And if we don¡¯t pay? What¡¯re you gonna do?¡±

    ¡°Yeah!¡± Katie chimed in, smirking. ¡°What can you possibly do, you psycho?¡±

    ¡°Christina¡­¡± Ynda said softly, once again managing to paint Christina as a viin. ¡°Please be reasonable. You can¡¯t just shake people down like this. It¡¯s not right.¡±

    Christina rolled her eyes. ¡°If I weren¡¯t reasonable, you¡¯d all be buried out back by now.¡±

    She pulled out a tablet and yed a video, holding it out for them to see. ¡°Here¡¯s proof. The bet, the win, the miracle cure¡ªall caught on camera. Try stiffing me. I¡¯ll post this online and let the world decide.¡±

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    Her voice was steady, each word sharp and sure. Not a hint of fear.

    The group paled as they watched the footage. The audio was crystal clear.

    Then, without warning, Finnegan snatched the tablet from Christina¡¯s hands.

    A wave of relief swept through the group.

    ¡°Ha!¡± Finnegan shouted. ¡°No proof now, genius! Good luck getting a dime out of us!¡±

    Katie scoffed. ¡°What¡¯ll you post now? Your imaginary win?¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t even blink. ¡°Smash that tablet all you want. My security system auto-uploads everything¡ªmultiple backups.¡± Christina turned, locking eyes with Finnegan just as he reached for the security camera overhead, ready to destroy it. She drawled, ¡°And by the way¡ªtrying to destroy that camera? That¡¯s just more evidence.¡± She lifted her fingers like a gun and aimed at him with a smirk. ¡°You¡¯re in deep.¡±

    Meanwhile, She crept up behind Christina, ripping a ss, her eyes burning with rage.

    But Christina¡¯s senses were razor-sharp. Her hearing, especially, was deadly.

    Just as She raised the ss, Christina sidestepped and spun, gripping She¡¯s wrist tightly.

    She cried out in pain, ¡°Ah!¡±

    The ss slipped from her hand.

    Christina caught the ss just before it hit the floor.

    ¡°Mom!¡± Ynda shouted, lunging forward.

    But Christina¡¯s re froze Ynda in ce. Her grip tightened.

    ¡°Ah!¡± She cried again.

    ¡°Christina, please,¡± Ynda pleaded, eyes red. ¡°Let her go. She didn¡¯t mean any harm.¡±

    Christina gave a coldugh. ¡°No harm? If this ss had hit me, I¡¯d be bleeding¡ªor dead. You call that harmless?¡± Christina raised an eyebrow. ¡°Tell you what¡ªwhy don¡¯t I do the same thing on you, and you tell me how it feels?¡±

    ¡°Ynda, stop begging her!¡± Katie barked. ¡°We didn¡¯t do anything wrong! This is my brother¡¯s house¡ªwe can throw her out if we want!¡±

    Christina¡¯s voice turned ice-cold. ¡°This house? Part of my divorce settlement. It belongs to me now.¡±

    ¡°Says who?¡± a voice cut in.

    Christina turned. Her eyes narrowed. It was Brendon. He stood there, face hard, a bandage on his head, and a storm brewing behind his eyes. She frowned slightly. He was hurt?

    ¡°You promised me this house. It¡¯s in the agreement,¡± Christina said calmly.

    ¡°The agreement says a seaside property. Not this one. And since the papers aren¡¯t finalized, it¡¯s still mine,¡± Brendon replied coldly. He could still feel the sting¡ªChristina ignoring his calls, climbing into that luxury car without a word of concern.

    ¡°But you said this one was mine,¡± Christina said, looking into his eyes.

    ¡°Verbal promises don¡¯t count. I¡¯ve changed my mind. It¡¯s Ynda¡¯s now,¡± Brendon said.

    Christina stared at him for a long moment. ¡°Brendon¡­ Going back on your word¡ªwhat kind of man does that?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need your approval to be a man. You think too highly of yourself, Christina,¡± Brendon sneered.

    Christina stood there, stunned, eyes flicking to the others. Their faces were full of smug delight.

    ¡°You¡¯re so clever, right? With all those men you¡¯ve been charming, I¡¯m sure one of them can buy you a fancy new house,¡± Brendon added with a smirk.

    Christina said nothing. She had long stopped expecting anything from him. But his words still cut deep. Every cruel syble jabbed like a needle, turning her past sacrifices into one long, bitter joke.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 54

    ?Chapter 54:

    Brendon studied Christina in silence, feeling his resolve waver just a little. ¡°Apologize to them,¡± he dered, feigning magnanimity. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll let this go. You can stay¡ªat least until you find a ce.¡±

    Brendon felt he was offering Christina a lifeline, expecting gratitude or at least a flicker of humility.

    Christina gave nothing away. She stared straight at him, her face unreadable.

    The lively warmth in her eyes had faded, reced by something tangled and distant.

    Anxiety pricked at Brendon, a growing unease winding through him¡ªlike he was on the verge of losing something vital, and powerless to stop it. Questions tangled inside his chest, wing for a way out, and before he could rein himself in, the words burst from him. ¡°Christina, about that night¡ª¡±

    Christina snapped him down with frosty precision. ¡°Save it. You were right all along¡ªI¡¯ve got a line of men just dying to buy me a house.¡± With an indifferent shrug, she tried to mask the ache tightening in her chest.

    Outwardly, she seemed unruffled, but inside, the sting was sharp and real. Anyone would be hurt after baring their soul, only to watch it tossed aside like garbage. Maybe she was stronger than most, but that didn¡¯t mean she didn¡¯t bleed. Her heart wasn¡¯t made of stone¡ªit was flesh and nerves, raw and breakable.

    Her dismissive bravado was gasoline on Brendon¡¯s fire. ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re admitting it now? Had you cheated on me the whole time during our marriage? Running around behind my back?¡± he spat the usation through clenched teeth, his anger barely held in check.

    Christina arched an eyebrow, a mocking smile flickering on her lips. ¡°Think whatever you want. I couldn¡¯t care less about how you view me.¡±

    Her indifference only made Brendon¡¯s blood boil. He balled his fists, knuckles whitening as he forced himself not to lose control.

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    ¡°I¡¯m warning you¡ªthis is yourst chance. Exin yourself, or I¡¯ll¡ª¡±

    Christina cut him off, her tone chillingly distant. ¡°Exin what, exactly? I don¡¯t owe you anything. My life, my rules. I don¡¯t answer to anyone, least of all you.¡±

    Unfazed, Christina pulled out her phone, her gaze turning yful. ¡°But hey, since you¡¯re all dying to know about my so-called rich admirers, why don¡¯t I just show you how ¡®generous¡¯ they really are?¡± Christina unlocked her phone and, with a devil-may-care grin, tapped Davina¡¯s number. She fully expected her friend to help her.

    Out of this mess by answering the call and ying along. But instead, the line went dead¡ªDavina¡¯s phone was switched off.

    Katie noticed immediately, her lips curling into a smirk. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Your sugar daddies cut you off the second you needed money?¡±

    Ynda watched, masking her satisfaction behind a gentle, pitying tone. ¡°Christina, it¡¯s okay. You don¡¯t have to lie just to save face.¡±

    A sly grin curved across Christina¡¯s lips as she suddenly thought of Dn.

    Katie¡¯s scorn cut through the room. ¡°What the hell are you smirking at? Don¡¯t you have anything better to do than loiter here? Maybe you should start worrying about where you¡¯ll be sleeping tonight! If it weren¡¯t for the Dawsons putting up with you all these years, you¡¯d have been starving in a gutter somewhere! You worthless leech!¡± Her voice dripped with malice.

    Christina ignored Katie, calmly dialing Dn¡¯s number as she locked eyes with Ynda. ¡°Take it easy, Ynda. I wouldn¡¯t fight you for Brendon even if you paid me¡ªhe¡¯s not even fit to carry my man¡¯s shoes.¡±

    The tauntnded squarely, knocking the air from Brendon¡¯s lungs and leaving his pride in tatters. His fists curled at his sides, knuckles pale with rage. What the hell made her so sure her so-called man was better than him? How dare she im he wasn¡¯t worthy to carry her man¡¯s shoes?

    Brendon wasn¡¯t alone in his outrage. Joselyn¡¯s face twisted with fury, righteous indignation zing in her eyes. To her, Brendon was wless¡ªher pride and joy. Hearing Christina toss him aside like yesterday¡¯s trash,paring him to some random sugar daddy, was beyond infuriating.

    ¡°That¡¯s bullshit!¡± Joselyn screeched, stabbing a trembling finger in Christina¡¯s direction. ¡°It¡¯s those filthy sugar daddies of yours who should be begging for the privilege of carrying my son¡¯s shoes!¡±

    Themotion filled the air just as Dn picked up. He didn¡¯t hear Christina¡¯s voice at first¡ªjust the shrill, furious shouting in the background. He frowned, ncing down to confirm the caller ID. Christina¡¯s name blinked on his screen. A momentter, herughter drifted through the line¡ªcarefree, mocking, and utterly unbothered by the chaos exploding around her.

    ¡°Careful, Mrs. Dawson,¡± Christina purred, her lips curling into azy smirk. ¡°If you get any more worked up, we¡¯ll need to call you an ambnce. I¡¯d hate for all that pent-up rage to fry your poor, overworked heart.¡±

    Christina¡¯s voice slipped into a syrupy, mocking falsetto as she aimed her next words straight at the phone. ¡°Darling! Are you listening?¡±

    Dn blinked, momentarily startled. A traitorous smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He smothered the surge of joy bubbling up, molding his reply into a deadpan, ¡°Mhm.¡±

    The t grunt slipped out automatically, clipped and almost bored. Only after it hung in the air did he realize¡ªhe was supposed to y the doting lover, not some cold bystander.

    Christina dialed up the theatrics. Her whine dripped with faux sadness. ¡°Poor helpless me just got thrown out in the street, all alone. Won¡¯t my sweet, generous boyfriend buy me a house? Please?¡±

    Christina doubted she could really gross them out. She barely kept a straight face, the sheer cringe nearly making her gag.

    Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Brendon¡ªhis face blotchy, fists trembling, barely containing the urge to explode.

    Ordinarily, that kind of baby-voiced simpering would make Dn want to hurl. If anyone else had tried it, he¡¯d have recoiled in disgust. But somehow,ing from Christina, it felt like a live wire humming right through his chest. Instead of revulsion, a light, fluttery happiness bubbled up inside him. He could picture her perfectly¡ªthose big, dramatic puppy eyes, the over-the-top pout, the sly glimmer of mischief sparkling in her gaze. Every ridiculous syble felt like a teasing caress, sending a wave of warmth pulsing through his veins.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 55

    ?Chapter 55:

    Dn, usually so logical and quick-witted, found his mind going strangely nk as he listened to Christina. For a stretch of awkward silence, he said nothing at all.

    Christina almost started to think he might refuse to help, but then his voice finally broke the tension. ¡°Of course. Which house do you want?¡±

    Relief fluttered through her chest, and a sly little smile touched her lips. She cranked up the sugar in her voice. ¡°So you mean I get to pick any house I want?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Go ahead¡ªpick whatever catches your eye,¡± Dn answered smoothly.

    A teasing melody wove through her words over the line. ¡°Hmm¡­ Do you happen to have a house by the bay? I¡¯d like to move in tonight.¡±

    ¡°I do,¡± Dn replied without missing a beat. ¡°But there¡¯s also the one at Cloudcrest Heights. Why not stay there instead? It¡¯s got better views. Honestly, I think it¡¯d suit you more.¡±

    Christina gave a light, yfulugh, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. ¡°Oh, sweetheart, you really spoil me. But the bay mansion¡¯s perfect for now. We¡¯ll save the one in Cloudcrest Heights for after the wedding¡ªour future love nest, okay?¡±

    Bayfront mansions started at fifty million, while the mansions in Cloudcrest Heights boasting panoramic ocean views easily soared past a hundred million.

    Christina knew just shing a deed to a bayfront mansion would be enough to make Brendon eat his heart out¡ªshe didn¡¯t even have to bring up the ultra-exclusive estate on Cloudcrest Heights, at least not yet.

    As soon as ¡°Cloudcrest Heights¡± rolled off her tongue, everyone around her sucked in a sharp breath, their eyes wide with disbelief before skepticism hardened their faces.

    Estates on Cloudcrest Heights weren¡¯t simply expensive¡ªthey were legendary, rarely traded, and off-limits to all but the most powerful. It wasn¡¯t about money alone. One needed influence that stretched behind closed doors. Even the Hubbard family¡ªtop of Dorfield¡¯s social food chain¡ªbarely managed to snag a single property, and that was on the lowest rung of the mountain. The closer one got to the summit, the more unimaginable the owner¡¯s clout.

    The group exchanged looks. Was Christina somehow tied to the Hubbard family? No way in hell! There was no way a family as distinguished as the Hubbard family would give a second nce to a divorced woman¡ªlet alone let her through their doors.

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    ¡°Alright.¡± Dn¡¯s low hum rumbled through the phone, smug and satisfied.

    ¡°Thanks, darling! Can you send someone with the key and maybe help me move my things?¡± Christina cooed, pouring on the sweetness.

    ¡°No problem,¡± Dn replied, his smile so broad that it threatened to split his face.

    Christina¡¯s voice oozed syrupy affection as she purred, ¡°Hurry up, okay, darling? I¡¯m hanging up now¡ªmwah, mwah! Love you!¡± With onest exaggerated air kiss, she ended the call.

    Even after the line went dead, Dn sat there, dazed and grinning like a fool. Her honeyed words kept echoing in his mind, reying over and over, the smile on his face stretching impossibly wider. He was still drifting in that warm, ridiculous afterglow when the door flew open and a voice cut through his daydream like a ssh of cold water.

    ¡°Dn!¡± Chloe¡¯s piercing call cut through his thoughts and anchored him to reality.

    He blinked, immediately smothering the stupid grin, though his cheeks still ached from holding it so long. Twisting his brow into a frown, he shot her a look of mild reproach. ¡°You didn¡¯t knock,¡± he said, his voice clipped and cool¡ªthough there was a lingering softness that betrayed his mood.

    Chloe huffed and crossed her arms, lips jutting into a pout. ¡°I did knock! You just didn¡¯t hear me. I walked right in and you werepletely zoned out!¡±

    Then, remembering the way he¡¯d been beaming like an idiot, she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Alright, spill. What happened? Why were you grinning like a total idiot just now? Something pleasant?¡±

    She couldn¡¯t help herself¡ªshe¡¯d never seen her stoic brother look so hopelessly happy.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Dn responded with a nomittal hum as he slipped on his suit jacket and headed for the door.

    Chloe trailed after him, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. ¡°What¡¯s got you so happy? Spill it¡ªdon¡¯t leave your dear sister in suspense!¡±

    ¡°Just wrapped up a big deal,¡± Dn answered briskly before grabbing his keys.

    With a dismissive wave, he went straight for the door and stated firmly, stepping out. ¡°You stay here and be good.¡±

    ¡°Dn!¡± she called, picking up her pace to keep up with him. ¡°Come on, what kind of deal?¡±

    She eyed him skeptically. No ordinary business win could have sparked that ridiculous smile¡ªshe was sure of it. Even the biggest contracts never made him look so goofy.

    He had never beamed like a fool before. Clearly, he was hiding something. But no matter how she probed, the answer eluded her.

    ¡°Quit stressing about my matters,¡± Dn remarked, slipping into his usual big-brother mode. ¡°Just worry about getting better¡ªI¡¯ll handle everything else.¡±

    Chloe could see he wasn¡¯t going to budge. Once he mmed up, not even wild horses could drag the truth out of him. She watched him retreat down the hall, letting out a soft, frustrated sigh. ¡°If only Christina were around,¡± she grumbled to herself, ¡°She¡¯d have the secret out of him in no time.¡±

    Chloe hadn¡¯t known Christina for long, but something told her that woman could charm the truth out of anyone¡ªeven her stone-faced brother.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 56

    ?Chapter 56:

    At the bay-front vi, after ending the call, Christina turned back to the stunned group with a smirk tugging at her lips. ¡°Did you hear that? That¡¯s the kind of man I roll with,¡± she said, eyes gleaming. ¡°And don¡¯t even get me started on this measly bay-front vi. If I felt like it, I could move into a mansion at Cloudcrest Heights before sunset.¡±

    The group stared at Christina in disbelief, but she didn¡¯t flinch. She knew if she so much as whispered a word about King, her hidden identity, the powerful elite of Cloudcrest Heights would be scrambling to hand her their keys and beg her to take their million-dor properties off their hands. After all, she could do what no world-renowned doctor could: cheat death. She didn¡¯t sell medicine. She sold time. And to billionaires, a few more years of life was worth more than anything they owned.

    ¡°Christina, you¡¯re being reckless again, pretending to have a phone call with some affluent elderly gentleman,¡± Ynda said gently, her brows furrowed in mock concern as she made a subtle attempt to smear Christina¡¯s reputation. ¡°Be careful. Not everyone has good intentions, and some might leech onto you for life¡­¡±

    Katie rolled her eyes and jerked Ynda aside. ¡°Are you stupid or what? Why are you still worried about her?¡± she hissed. ¡°Let her crash and burn! If she wants to throw herself off a cliff, don¡¯t offer her a parachute!¡±

    ¡°Exactly, Ynda!¡± Joselyn cut in, her voice heavy with disdain as she shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t waste your kindness on someone like Christina. Tramps like her don¡¯t seepassion¡ªthey see a stepping stone. She¡¯ll use your goodwill to w her way up.¡±

    Finnegan let out a scoff, lips curled in a sneer. ¡°She¡¯s clearly putting on a show. A mansion on Cloudcrest Heights? That was a dead giveaway that she¡¯s bluffing. Even the Hubbard family¡ªthe wealthiest in Dorfield¡ªlives at the base tier. And she expects us to believe she could worm her way into their circle?¡± He chuckled darkly. ¡°A divorced woman with no name and no backing? Please.¡±

    What no one knew¡ªwhat Finnegan would never admit¡ªwas that he and his wife hadn¡¯te to town just to visit Brendon in his hospital bed. That was the excuse. Their true aim was the uing Hubbard banquet, which celebrated the joy of locating a long-missed daughter. The Mitchell Group was hemorrhaging money. One connection, one introduction, could save it. The Hubbards were thest rope keeping the Mitchell Group from copsing.

    L?t??t ch¦Ápt?rs ¦Én g??lnov?l??.???m

    And now there were whispers¡ªdangerous whispers¡ªthat Samuel Graham, a kingmaker from Dorfield, would be attending.

    Finnegan doubted Christina had any connection with the Hubbard family. Unless, of course, she was the long-lost daughter the Hubbards were preparing to wee home.

    Finnegan nearlyughed aloud at the thought. He had his own sources; Christina wasn¡¯t even a blip on the Hubbard radar.

    ¡°Everyone knows that the people who live on Cloudcrest Heights aren¡¯t just rich. They¡¯re untouchable,¡± She added, her nose tilted arrogantly. ¡°If someone like Christina could charm her way into that circle, then her daughter would¡¯ve been the Hussain family¡¯s mistress a long time ago.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s not forget¡ªthis house? Christina only got to live in it because of my brother. Now she¡¯s dreaming of Cloudcrest Heights? Delusional doesn¡¯t even begin to cover it,¡± Katie folded her arms and leaned in with a smirk.

    ¡°I¡¯m staying right here,¡± Katie snapped, arms crossed defiantly. ¡°Christina, let us see how long you actuallyst in this neighborhood.¡±

    To Katie, this was just another one of Christina¡¯s desperate charades¡ªsome pitiful attempt to save face with a well-rehearsed lie. The mansions in this neighborhood were worth tens of millions. How could a jobless, cast-off woman like Christina afford even a corner of one?

    In Katie¡¯s eyes, Christina was beneath her¡ªpathetic, unworthy. But Christina didn¡¯t flinch. She cocked a brow, amusement dancing in her eyes. ¡°So that¡¯s it? You¡¯re all really going to welch on a bet?¡±

    Finnegan flinched. ¡°W-what bet? We didn¡¯t agree to anything like that.¡±

    ¡°You did,¡± Christina said coolly. ¡°Each of you¡ªone million. That was the deal. Now, pay up.¡± Her gaze slid to Brendon like a dagger dipped in silk. ¡°Hey, care to be chivalrous and cover their bill?¡± she said, voice dripping with mockery.

    Brendon¡¯s brows knotted. ¡°What the hell is going on?¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t bother answering. She didn¡¯t need to. ¡°A bet¡¯s a bet. A debt¡¯s a debt,¡± she continued, her tone ice-cold. ¡°If five million¡¯s too much for you to stomach, that¡¯s fine. Just don¡¯t me me when this hits the inte.¡±

    Her stare swept over the group like a de. ¡°You have 24 hours. One day. If I don¡¯t see that money in my ount by then¡­¡± She leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°I will go public.¡±

    Her smile was wicked. ¡°And when Mitchell and Dawson stocks start tanking, five million will look like pocket change.¡±

    After everything Brendon had put her through, Christina felt she had shown more mercy than any of these people deserved.

    Brendon¡¯s voice sharpened, frustration seeping in as he turned to his mom and the others. ¡°What the hell happened here?¡± Since Christina refused to borate, he sought answers elsewhere.

    Finnegan let out an exaggerated sigh, as if the weight of Christina¡¯s words were some unbearable injustice. ¡°Brendon, don¡¯t let her manipte you. There was no bet¡ªshe¡¯s making it up.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s just¡ª¡± Joselyn tried to badmouth Christina, but the moment Brendon¡¯s re snapped to her, she fell silent.

    ¡°Enough!¡± Brendon¡¯s voice was sharp, clipped. His eyes settled on Ynda. ¡°Tell me the truth.¡±

    Ynda felt her throat tighten. She wanted¡ªdesperately¡ªto twist the story, but one look at Brendon told her it would be useless. Worse¡ªChristina had proof, that damned surveince footage¡­

    ¡°Brendon¡­¡± Ynda¡¯s voice cracked as she slipped into her theatrical acting again. ¡°We did make a bet with Christina. And we¡­ we lost.¡± Tears brimmed in her eyes, and when she looked at him, it wasn¡¯t just guilt¡ªit was fear. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m so sorry.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s jaw clenched. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the group with disdain. ¡°You lost, so pay what you owe. Or are you really trying to cheat your way out of it?¡±

    His tone dripped with contempt. Their shamelessness didn¡¯t just disgust him¡ªit embarrassed him, especially in front of Christina.

    ¡°N-no! Of course not!¡± Ynda stammered, her fingers fumbling for her phone. ¡°I¡¯ll transfer it¡ªright now. Please, Brendon, don¡¯t be angry.¡±

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    .

 Chapter 57

    ?Chapter 57:

    The moment Brendon saw Ynda¡¯s tear-streaked face, something inside him caved. His anger melted away, reced by concern. He reached for her hand and pulled her into his embrace. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I shouldn¡¯t have raised my voice.¡±

    Ynda sniffled softly, her eyes lowered as she yed the part of the heartbroken girlfriend. ¡°No, it¡¯s okay. We brought this on ourselves. You had every right to be upset¡­ I¡¯ll send Christina the money right now¡ª¡±

    ¡°No need,¡± Brendon interrupted. ¡°I¡¯ll handle it. I¡¯ll transfer the five million.¡±

    A flicker of joy crossed Ynda¡¯s face, but she quickly masked it with another sob. ¡°How can we let you pay up?¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°Why not? We¡¯re about to get married. What¡¯s mine is yours.¡±

    ¡°But¡ª¡± Ynda started, but he silenced her with a gentle finger against her lips. ¡°No more buts. Let me take care of it.¡±

    ¡°Brendon, you¡¯re too kind to me. I don¡¯t even know how I¡¯ll ever repay you,¡± she whispered, burying herself in his arms.

    ¡°Just marry me,¡± he murmured, brushing her hair back. ¡°That¡¯s all I want.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait for our big day. It¡¯ll be magical, won¡¯t it?¡± she cooed.

    ¡°It¡¯ll be everything you¡¯ve dreamed of,¡± he promised. ¡°You deserve nothing less.¡±

    Ynda nodded eagerly. ¡°I know you¡¯ll make it perfect.¡±

    Christina¡¯s sharp voice broke their moment. ¡°If you lovebirds are done, can we wrap this up? I¡¯ve got things to do.¡± She was disgusted by their nauseating disy.

    Brendon turned to Christina with a re, his expression darkening. Was she really that eager to run off to another man? Living with him like some cheap rebound? ¡°Rx. You¡¯ll get every penny,¡± he said coldly.

    ¡°I¡¯ll believe it when I see the funds in my ount,¡± Christina replied, unimpressed.

    ??????? ???????? ??h??¦Ñt?rs ???? g??l??ov?ls.??0??

    Brendon¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°I never realized how greedy and shallow you were.¡±

    ¡°Appreciate the insight,¡± she said with a dry smile. ¡°Now, how about the transfer of the five million?¡±

    Grinding his teeth, Brendon tapped on his phone andpleted the transfer. ¡°There. Five million. We¡¯re square.¡±

    Christina checked her screen and then nodded. ¡°Confirmed. The bet¡¯s done. But don¡¯t forget¡ª¡± She met his eyes calmly. ¡°There¡¯s still the divorce settlement. Thepensation and the vi. I expect the paperwork soon.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll get it,¡± Brendon said through clenched teeth. ¡°Every damn bit.¡±

    ¡°I hope so,¡± Christina said, her voice light and unbothered, yet the warning beneath it rang clear as day. ¡°I¡¯d hate to bringwyers or journalists into this.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s eyes darkened, pissed off by her. But then, a new theory bloomed in his mind¡ªtwisted yet strangelyforting. Maybe this wasn¡¯t indifference. Maybe Christina was just putting on an borate show, desperate for his attention. Maybe she still loved him. That would exin everything¡ªher defiance, her theatrics, even her sudden independence. The idea stroked his pride. Of course. She couldn¡¯t possibly have moved on.

    ¡°Did that man really dispatch people to help you move?¡± Brendon asked, voice tinged with disbelief. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to stage this whole act to test me, Christina. My heart belongs to Ynda¡ªit always will. You need to stop. This childish game isn¡¯t going to¡ª¡±

    Ding-dong.

    The doorbell interrupted his speech mid-sentence, killing the smug expression on his face.

    Without sparing him a nce, Christina walked over and tapped the video feed.

    ¡°Hello, we¡¯re from the movingpany¡ª¡±

    The camera revealed a group of tall, broad-shouldered men standing in uniform at the door. They looked like they could lift a truck with one hand and crush a skull with the other.

    Christina¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Her instincts kicked in. Years of reading people made it easy to see through their disguises. These guys were definitely not average movers.

    Just as suspicion stirred, her phone buzzed. It was Dn. She picked up immediately.

    ¡°The moving team¡¯s outside,¡± Dn said calmly. ¡°If anyone gives you trouble, they¡¯ll take care of it. Whatever happens, I¡¯ve got your back.¡±

    Christina froze, stunned by the sincerity in his tone. He was protecting her. No questions. No me. Just quiet, unwavering support. If it had been Brendon, he would¡¯ve used her first¡ªmocked her, scolded her, and med her. Warmth was never part of the equation.

    ¡°Hello? Are they bothering you again?¡± Dn¡¯s voice pulled her back.

    ¡°No¡ªno.¡± She snapped out of it. Then, in a deliberately sweet, exaggerated tone, she added, ¡°Darling, you¡¯re amazing¡ªI love you! Mwah!¡±

    Dn choked back augh on the other end. Her sudden sweetness clearly caught him off guard. Today just kept getting more entertaining. ¡°Okay, baby, go do your thing. I¡¯ll call once the move¡¯s done. Kisses, bye!¡±

    Christina ended the call, still blushing from her over-the-top act. She had no idea how he¡¯d take the sudden sugar-coated theatrics, but shemitted anyway.

    Behind her, Brendon looked like he might explode. Since when was Christina like this? She had never acted this way with him. Not once had she been this yful, this radiant. Yet, here she was, cooing like some lovesick schoolgirl for a sugar daddy.

    Jealousy coiled inside Brendon, white-hot and bitter. This wasn¡¯t the Christina he¡¯d married and dismissed as dull and lifeless. No, this woman was maic. Confident. Irresistible. Every nce, every word seemed crafted to captivate.

    As Christina opened the door to let the movers in, something in Brendon snapped. Rage overtook reason, and he lunged forward.

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    .

    .

 Chapter 58

    ?Chapter 58:

    Brendon¡¯s eyes burned with rage as he stormed forward¡ªthen, without warning, mmed Christina against the wall. His hand locked around her throat, fingers digging into her skin. ¡°Christina, do you get off on seducing other men?¡± he growled, his face inches from hers.

    Around them, the others just watched¡ªeyes glittering, lips twitching in satisfaction. No one moved to stop him. No one dared.

    ¡°Are you insane?¡± Christina hissed, her voice a razor de of defiance. ¡°Who have I seduced? What are you even talking about?¡±

    She couldn¡¯t understand. What the hell was wrong with him? Just moments ago, he¡¯d beenposed¡ªcold, maybe, but in control. Now he looked feral. Unhinged. His eyes were bloodshot, his breath ragged. Was he having a stroke or some kind of psychotic breakdown?

    ¡°You never dressed up for me,¡± Brendon sneered. ¡°Always cold. Distant. Treated me like I was in your way. But once another man nces at you, suddenly you¡¯re all smiles and softness?¡±

    Christina¡¯sugh was sharp, bitter,ced with venom. She had dressed up for Brendon once.

    The memory hit her like a freight train. It was the day Brendon had finally walked again¡ªno wheelchair, no crutches, just his own two legs beneath him. She¡¯d been ecstatic. To celebrate, she spared no effort. A full spa day. Hair curled into soft, elegant waves. wless makeup. A new dress¡ªdeep burgundy, his favorite color. Heels she hadn¡¯t worn in years.

    She had spent hours preparing a candlelit dinner¡ªhis favorite dishes, arranged with meticulous care. Every detail was perfect. Every second charged with anticipation. But as the sun dipped lower, he hadn¡¯te home.

    The food had cooled. She reheated it. It cooled again. She kept trying, like maybe if she kept the dinner warm, she could keep hope alive, too.

    But food could be reheated. A numb heart could not.

    L¨»¦Ó??¦Ó c§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ??n g??l??ov?l??.??o??

    That was the thing about divorce¡ªit was rarely sparked by a single explosion. It was the weight of a thousand quiet disappointments, slowly crushing everything beneath them until nothing was left but frost.

    By the time midnight crept in, so had Brendon¡ªreeking of alcohol, jacket half-buttoned, eyes ssy. She was still there. Alone in the dark. The candles had burned out. The food had crusted over.

    He had staggered in, saw her, and whispered, ¡°Ynda¡­ I missed you so much.¡±

    Her heart hadn¡¯t just been broken. It had been shattered. He had clung to her, slurring promises meant for someone else, pouring out love that was never hers to keep. Every word was a dagger.

    And then, when he had reached for Christina¡ªtried to kiss her, touch her, take her¡ªshe shoved him back. His breath was sour. His hands, unwee.

    When he lurched toward her again, she pped him as hard as she could. ¡°Open your damn eyes!¡± she hissed, her voice low and shaking with fury. ¡°I¡¯m Christina. Not Ynda.¡±

    Then, Christina turned and walked away, each step slicing through the silence like a de. Her dress red behind her, the final flicker of a me she¡¯d kept alive far too long. That night, she stripped off every trace of hope. She wiped away her makeup with shaking hands. Tore the dress from her body like it was made of lies. Kicked off the heels. Tossed it all in the trash.

    Christina had never dressed up again. It wasn¡¯t about giving up¡ªit was about refusing to be someone else¡¯s stand-in. Brendon only ever looked at her when she was dolled up enough to blur into another woman. She wasn¡¯t a ceholder. She wasn¡¯t a goddamn echo. She was Christina. And no one¡ªno one¡ªgot to treat her like a constion prize.

    Brendon had never understood why Christina defaulted to simple clothes. He never saw her exhaustion. The endless caregiving. Cooking, cleaning, bathing him, lifting him, catching him when he stumbled. Holding in her tears until she could cry quietly behind a locked bathroom door. For months, she had been nurse, maid, cook, therapist, punching bag, all while he simmered in bitterness andshed out at her like she was the reason he fell. But she had endured in silence.

    And now¡ªnow, after everything¡ªBrendon used her of dressing up for other men but never for him? As if he hadn¡¯t pissed all over every effort she¡¯d made. A brokenugh tore from her throat, raw and jagged. The irony. The absolute absurdity.

    Her eyes met Brendon¡¯s¡ªwild, gleaming, unhinged¡ªand herughter broke loose, sharp and spiraling into hysteria. It was theugh of someone who had bled too much to cry anymore.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 59

    ?Chapter 59:

    Brendon froze at the sound of Christina¡¯sughter. His brows pulled tight. ¡°What the hell are youughing at?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s snapped!¡± Katie shrieked, fear sharpening her voice. ¡°She¡¯s been a ticking time bomb since day one¡ªjust throw her in a damn asylum already!¡±

    Ynda hesitated, wringing her hands as if offering wise advice instead of plotting against Christina. ¡°Maybe something set Christina off. We should take her to a hospital. Let a doctor¡ª¡±

    ¡°Hospital?¡± Finnegan cut in with a snort. ¡°Hell no! She¡¯s insane. What she needs is a padded cell and a straitjacket.¡±

    Christina¡¯sughter died, reced by a deadly calm. ¡°You think I¡¯m the crazy one?¡± Her voice was low, chilling. ¡°No, I¡¯m the only one who¡¯s sane here.¡±

    The moment her eyes locked with theirs, something in them recoiled. They all backed up¡ªevery one of them.

    ¡°Someone like you should be locked in a padded cell!¡± Katie spat, her voice sharp with venom.

    Katie hated Christina¡¯s guts. This conniving bitch knew too much¡ªeven skeletons buried deep in her cupboard. Every step Christina took chipped away at her ns. Christina had to be erased. Crushed. Eliminated¡ªwhatever it took.

    Driven by that thought, Katie snapped, ¡°Hold her down! I¡¯m calling the asylum. Let them deal with her madness!¡±

    Christina responded with augh¡ªcold and dripping with contempt. ¡°You? Take me down? Don¡¯t make meugh.¡±

    ¡°Why can¡¯t you ever just surrender? Why is it always a goddamn war with you?¡± Brendon snarled, voice ragged with rage. ¡°Say you¡¯re sorry, and I¡¯ll act like none of this ever happened.¡± His tone was low and dangerous.

    What Brendon truly craved wasn¡¯t peace¡ªit was control. He wanted to see Christina break. To watch that fire in her eyes fade, reced with the same docile obedience she reserved for those old men she charmed.

    ??????????? ??????????????? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°Apologize?¡± Christina scoffed, her smirk razor-sharp. ¡°You think you deserve that?¡±

    The mocking curl of her lips sent Brendon over the edge. His hands closed around her throat, grip unrelenting.

    Christina¡¯s face turned scarlet as her breath hitched, the air cut off, her body trembling beneath the weight of his fury.

    Brendon wanted her to feel it¡ªthat creeping, breathless panic. If brute force was what it took to break her, then so be it. How could he let this stubborn little woman keep disrespecting him?

    Across the room, the massive movers stood still, muscles taut, eyes locked on the chaos. Only Christina¡¯s earlier nce¡ªa silentmandyered with warning¡ªkept them from intervening and leaping into the fray.

    ¡°How about now, Christina?¡± Brendon growled, his jaw clenched, shaking her with barely restrained fury. ¡°Still think we don¡¯t deserve it?¡±

    Her lips curved into a slow, merciless smirk¡ªcool,posed, and cutting. ¡°Not. Even. Close.¡±

    The ease of her contempt, the unshaken confidence in her gaze¡ªit ignited Brendon¡¯s fury like gasoline on fire. His fingers dug in tighter, joints creaking, skin stretched bone-white with rage.

    On the sidelines, Katie and the others basked in the moment, faces lit with vindictive glee. Finally, someone was clipping Christina¡¯s wings. How was Christina going to act high and mighty now? They stood there watching like vultures circling roadkill.

    The movers stood like statues¡ªpathetic, paralyzed, hiding behind silence and uniforms. Cowards, everyst one. Not a soul among them dared defy the Dawsons.

    Ovee with smug adrenaline, Katie stepped forward. Her eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction, lips curled in triumph. She raised her hand and swung¡ªready to mark Christina¡¯s face¡ªbut pain bloomed across her gut instead.

    ¡°Ahh!¡± Katie¡¯s scream ripped through the room as she copsed, limbs folding awkwardly beneath her. She hit the floor with a sickening thud, gasping, clutching her stomach.

    ¡°Katie!¡± Ynda shrieked, scrambling to her knees beside Katie, panic etched in every line of her face.

    Ynda spun on Christina, voice cracking. ¡°Why did you kick her like that?¡±

    Christina¡¯s expression was ice. ¡°If you¡¯re so concerned, then why don¡¯t you take her ce and let me kick you instead?¡±

    ¡°Christina¡­¡± Ynda whispered, apparent rawness bleeding into her voice. ¡°Do you still hate me that much?¡± She took a breath that rattled in her chest and then stepped forward, trembling. ¡°If you need to let it out¡ªyour anger, your grievance¡ªtake it out on me. I won¡¯t fight. Scream, hit, whatever you want. I deserve it.¡±

    Christina tilted her head, studying Ynda. Then, her face twisted into something colder than contempt. ¡°Why would I waste my energy on you? Even touching you would make me feel dirty.¡±

    The insultnded like a de. Ynda¡¯s mouth trembled, and tears spilled unchecked down her cheeks. She looked utterly broken¡ªlike a porcin doll cracked beyond repair, abandoned and ashamed.

    That sight struck Brendon like a punch to the chest. Something twisted deep inside him. His gaze snapped to Christina, dark and thunderous, fists clenched. ¡°You got a death wish, Christina?¡± he growled, his voice coiled with venom.

    His hands, which had momentarily ckened, mped down again¡ªsudden and brutal, like a steel trap snapping shut.

    But Christina didn¡¯t recoil. Her eyes met his with a ferocity that burned cold. ¡°No,¡± she whispered, lips curling. ¡°But it sure looks like you are.¡± She barely tilted her head¡ªjust a subtle cue¡ªand suddenly, those towering, muscle-bound movers jumped on Brendon.

    ¡°Ugh!¡± Brendon didn¡¯t even get a full breath before a hand like a steel trap snapped around his neck. His lungs copsed inward. Darkness crept at the edges of his vision as panic surged to the surface. He wasn¡¯t choking Christina anymore. Now he was the one wing for air.

    Brendon¡¯s hands beat against his captor¡¯s arm, fists pounding helplessly against muscle that might as well have been concrete. His captor didn¡¯t even blink.

    ¡°Brendon!¡± Ynda lunged forward¡ªonly to be snatched mid-step. Another mover hoisted her up by the throat, her heels scraping for purchase that didn¡¯t exist.

    Every one of them¡ªdragged off the floor like rag dolls. Legs kicked. Fingers scratched. But it was like watching insects caught in the jaws of lions.

    ¡°L-Let¡­ go¡­ please,¡± Katie choked out the words, her voice strangled, her face contorted in terror. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she fought with every ounce of strength she had.

    She kicked. She writhed. But her captor¡¯s grip was inhuman¡ªunyielding. Her lungs screamed. Her limbs weakened. The ck haze pulled tighter around her, whispering finality. What the hell? No! She couldn¡¯t ept it! She refused to die here. Not in this ce. Not like this. There was still a life waiting for her¡ªmour, wealth, indulgence. She was meant for more.

    With a final burst of fading energy, Katie wed at the fingers around her neck, her mouth opening to make a bid of screaming. ¡°H-Help!¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 60

    ?Chapter 60:

    Suspended midair like helpless puppets, Brendon and the others werepletely at the mercy of the towering men who held them. The pressure around their necks became unbearable. As the world blurred and darkened, flickers of the afterlife appeared in their minds¡ªfamiliar,forting faces waving from beyond. Perhaps their deceased rtives, arms open in wee.

    Christina touched her neck, wincing slightly. The raw, red bruises left by Brendon¡¯s grip were already darkening against her skin. ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± she said, her voice low but firm. ¡°I don¡¯t want anyone dead. Not today.¡±

    She knew that if she didn¡¯t stop this now, these burly men would finish Brendon and the others right here and now. These men were clearly Dn¡¯s guards, disguised in movers¡¯ uniforms¡ªruthless and highly trained.

    At hermand, the men released their grip. Brendon and the others dropped like sacks of grain, hitting the floor with heavy thuds and sharp groans.

    Christina didn¡¯t even nce at Brendon and the others. She turned to the men with aposed nod. ¡°Let¡¯s begin moving my belongings. I appreciate your help.¡±

    ¡°No problem,¡± they replied respectfully, then asked which boxes to pack first.

    Following Christina¡¯s instructions, the men began gathering her belongings and carrying them into the living room.

    Meanwhile, Brendon and the othersy scattered across the floor, wheezing and coughing like broken puppets.

    ¡°Ynda¡­¡± Brendon rasped, dragging himself toward her. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    Ynda looked shattered. Her hair was a tangled mess, her cheeks streaked with tears, and her eyes red and puffy from crying. She shook slightly as she tried to sit up.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she whispered, her voice barely steady. ¡°What about you?¡±

    Brendon¡¯s chest tightened with emotion. Even in her terrified state, she still worried about him. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

    Cont3nt hozt3d at g??l??ovels.??o??

    ¡°I¡¯m alright. I¡¯ve got you.¡±

    ¡°I really thought¡­ we weren¡¯t going to make it,¡± she sobbed into his chest, trembling uncontrobly.

    ¡°I won¡¯t let anything happen to you,¡± he murmured, holding her tightly. But his heart boiled with rage¡ªChristina, that witch, and those bastards in uniform¡ªthey would pay for this.

    Brendon turned his re on Christina, his hands curling into fists. He wanted nothing more than tosh out¡ªbut now wasn¡¯t the time. These men could kill them in seconds if provoked again.

    No, he¡¯d wait. Then, he¡¯d call the police. Press charges, sue everyst one of them if he had to. They¡¯d regret everying a hand on him.

    Ynda clutched his arm, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°Brendon, they¡¯re monsters¡­¡± She sniffled and added, ¡°They don¡¯t look like movers¡­ Do you think Christina brought them here just to hurt us?¡±

    Brendon¡¯s expression stiffened. He turned to study the men more closely. Now that Ynda mentioned it, something felt off. They weren¡¯t just tall¡ªthey were built like tanks. Each one had the same intimidating frame, the same steely, expressionless stare. They looked more like bodyguards or hired muscle. Could Christina really have staged this? Hired these men to rough them up just to make a point? And if that was true, then what about Christina¡¯s earlier bravado? The vi, the ¡°darling¡±¡ªwas it all a show? There was no way Christina could afford a ce like this on her own. No way she¡¯dnded a rich partner who let her live here.

    His jaw clenched. He¡¯d find out soon enough¡ªhe just had to see where they moved her things.

    While Brendon was lost in thought, Katie finally caught her breath¡ªand with it came a volcanic burst of rage. Sheunched herself at Christina, grabbing her cor with a snarl. She yanked, trying to drag Christina forward, but Christina didn¡¯t move an inch.

    Katie ended up just standing there, breathing hard, face flushed with rage and humiliation. ¡°You psycho bitch!¡± she screamed. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you? Are you trying to kill us? I swear, I¡¯ll call the cops! You and those thugs¡ªyou¡¯ll all rot in jail!¡±

    Brendon¡¯s heart sank. That was his n¡ªone he¡¯d meant to carry out quietly once they were out of danger. But now, thanks to his hotheaded sister, that card had been thrown on the table. He clenched his jaw, barely containing the panic rising in his chest. If Christina believed they were a threat¡ªif she even suspected he might go to the police¡ªthere was no telling what she¡¯d do next. For all he knew, they might not make it out of here at all.

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 Chapter 61

    ?Chapter 61:

    Christina¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. With a faint, icy smile curling on her lips, she looked Katie dead in the eye. ¡°Call the police? Please. You don¡¯t have the guts.¡±

    That smug tone lit a fuse. ¡°You think I won¡¯t?¡± Katie snapped. ¡°Watch me!¡±

    Christina gave a casual shrug, her voice like ice. ¡°Be my guest. Go ahead.¡±

    Fueled by rage, Katie yanked out her phone. ¡°Just you wait.¡±

    But before Katie could press a button, Brendon stepped in and snatched the phone from her hand.

    ¡°What the hell, Brendon?¡± Katie barked, furious. ¡°Give it back! She almost killed us¡ªwe have to report her!¡±

    ¡°Let it go,¡± Brendon said firmly. ¡°We¡¯re still breathing, aren¡¯t we?¡± In truth, he didn¡¯t believe they were safe¡ªnot with Christina standing there like nothing could touch her. Something about the calm in her eyes made his gut twist with fear. If they pushed her, who knew what she¡¯d do?

    ¡°Let it go?¡± Katie¡¯s voice cracked as it rose. ¡°We were almost killed! Are you seriously defending her? What, do you feel bad for her now?¡±

    ¡°Brendon¡­¡± Ynda stepped up beside him, her voice soft and eyes red-rimmed. She slipped her hand into his. ¡°I get it. Maybe we should just let it go. We owe her that much. Stirring up more trouble won¡¯t help anyone.¡±

    Ynda had hoped to y the gracious one¡ªputting on a show of generosity to guilt Brendon into being harsher with Christina. But to her dismay, he gave her a gentle smile and lightly patted her head. ¡°You¡¯re always so understanding, Ynda.¡±

    Ynda¡¯s stomach twisted, but she forced a tender smile. ¡°Whatever you decide, I¡¯m with you.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Brendon said simply and then turned to Katie, handing back her phone with a firm ¡°No one¡¯s calling the police. Understood?¡±

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    Across the room, Finnegan quietly pulled out his phone to involve the police, but Brendon¡¯s sharp gaze locked on him. He hesitated and then reluctantly slid it back into his pocket. If he didn¡¯t need the Dawson family as allies right now, he wouldn¡¯t be putting up with this circus at all.

    The Mitchells stood simmering in silence, their faces tight with restrained fury. Inwardly, they cursed Brendon¡ªgritting their teeth at his cowardice, ming him.

    They med Brendon for their disgrace. If only they had someone stronger backing them, they wouldn¡¯t have had to swallow this humiliation.

    But Christina couldn¡¯t have cared less about their silent rage or whispered resentment. Whatever games they yed in their heads didn¡¯t concern her. As long as they stayed out of her way, she wouldn¡¯t lift a finger against them. But if they pushed their luck, she¡¯d happily let them choke on the consequences.

    As the movers finished, Christina headed toward the door without a backward nce. Brendon trailed behind her, stubbornly refusing to leave. He needed to see for himself. Part of him still believed she was bluffing. If she wasn¡¯t really moving into one of those luxury vis, it would confirm everything¡ªthis was just another desperate act to win him back. After all, women didn¡¯t go to such lengths unless they were still obsessed. And Christina had to be that kind of woman.

    The more he convinced himself, the more self-satisfied he became. By the time he and the others reached the moving truck, his confidence practically oozed from his smug grin.

    Christina¡¯s belongings were minimal, and the movers had already packed most of them. But one item made Brendon pause.

    ¡°What the hell is that?¡± Brendon asked, frowning at a massive syringe tucked neatly among her things. It looked bizarre¡ªout of ce. Was it some kind of weird bedroom toy?

    ¡°Oh, that?¡± Christina said with a shrug. ¡°It¡¯s for dealing with the garbage.¡±

    Katie¡¯s temper snapped. ¡°Christina! You¡¯re the garbage!¡±

    Christina turned her head slowly and gave Katie azy smirk. ¡°Huh. I didn¡¯t name anyone, but if the shoe fits¡­¡± Then, tapping her temple with a mockingly sympathetic look, she added, ¡°You might wanna get that checked out, though. Something tells me a few screws are loose up there.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Katie sputtered, shaking with fury, her face flushed red as her temper boiled over.

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 Chapter 62

    ?Chapter 62:

    Christina rolled her eyes. ¡°If you¡¯re sick, go see a doctor,¡± she snapped, her tone cutting.

    Katie¡¯s fury crackled in the air, her hands practically itching to p Christina across the face. But before she could so much as twitch, a hulking brute of a man stepped into her path, his massive frame filling the space between them.

    Katie froze, her breath hitching as her arm jerked back on instinct. The memory of those meaty hands wrapped around her neck¡ªthe brutal force that had left her dangling and helpless¡ªshed through her mind, squeezing the air from her lungs all over again. A raw, animal panic seized her, rooting her to the spot. No way was she risking getting snatched up like that a second time.

    Katie¡¯s voice came out in a quivering stammer as she faced the man. ¡°Y-you¡­ What on earth do you think you¡¯re doing? I¡ªI¡¯m warning you, I could¡­ I could call the cops¡­¡±

    The man didn¡¯t blink, his nk stare boring into her with all the warmth of a tombstone.

    The cold in his eyes made her skin crawl, like a ghost brushing icy fingers over her scalp. She couldn¡¯t even bring herself to look at him for more than a second¡ªher gaze kept slipping away, chased by that creeping, suffocating dread.

    Only after Christina and her entourage of muscle piled into the moving truck did the tension finally ease from Katie¡¯s chest. She let out a shaky breath, relief flooding her as the paralyzing fear slowly uncoiled and faded away.

    ¡°Get in,¡± Brendon called out, his voice clipped and unreadable as he opened his car door and slid inside, leaving Katie no choice but to follow.

    Their two vehicles stayed glued to Christina¡¯s truck. Brendon refused to believe Christina had actually be some pampered mistress for a wealthy benefactor.

    Katie squinted out the window, her brows knitting together. ¡°Isn¡¯t this the road to the hillside mansions?¡± she muttered.

    In a syrupy, mock-worried tone, Ynda leaned forward. ¡°They haven¡¯t left this neighborhood¡­ Could they really be headed for one of those exclusive estates? You don¡¯t think Christina¡¯s tangled up with some old, filthy-rich guy, do you? Perhaps¡­¡±

    Ynda let her voice trail off, deliberately sowing seeds of suspicion.

    Katie scoffed, crossing her arms. ¡°Is there any doubt? It¡¯s written all over her face. She¡¯s¡­¡±

    Absolutely bagged herself a sugar daddy. Who in their right mind would choose a washed-up divorc¨¦e and treat her so generously?¡±

    Ynda shot Brendon a pointed look. The tension in his jaw and the way his knuckles nched on the steering wheel made it clear he was barely holding it together.

    Ynda sighed thoughtfully. ¡°Well, she is divorced now. Honestly, whatever she does isn¡¯t anyone else¡¯s business. If a woman can¡¯t fend for herself, what choice does she have but to cling to a man with deep pockets? Still¡­¡± She let the thought hang tantalizingly in the air.

    Brendon¡¯s fingers dug even deeper into the leather, his breathing strained as he struggled forposure. He pressed, forcing a veneer of calm into his voice, ¡°Still what?¡±

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s probably not my ce to say. Just forget it,¡± Ynda murmured softly, ncing away as if she¡¯d lost the nerve.

    ¡°What¡¯s so hard about just saying it out loud? If Christina was gutsy enough to pull that stunt, she should at least have the backbone to admit it! If you won¡¯t say it, I will!¡± Katie barreled in, unable to restrain herself. ¡°Brendon, what Ynda won¡¯t spit out is that that bitch Christina was screwing you way before the divorce!¡±

    Ynda raised her hands, trying to calm Katie down. ¡°Katie, we really don¡¯t have any evidence. Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s there to be afraid of?¡± Katie shot back, her voice trembling with outrage. ¡°No evidence? Then let¡¯s go find some!¡± Her whole body trembled with fury at the thought of that slut Christina getting her hands on even a penny of their money.

    Katie whipped around to face Brendon, eyes zing with contempt. ¡°Brendon, listen to me. We have to dig up proof Christina cheated during the marriage. Force her out with nothing¡ªdon¡¯t let her walk away with a dime!

    Just imagining Christina pocketing a vi and millions in alimony made Katie¡¯s blood pressure spike. That was Dawson money, damn it¡ªshe¡¯d die before letting some outsider waltz off with their family fortune.

    Ynda put on her most delicate, worried expression. ¡°But they¡¯re already divorced. The settlement¡¯s signed. Trying to break it now would just rack up penalties. Besides, collecting hard evidence of cheating is nearly impossible.¡±

    Of course, as the soon-to-be Mrs. Dawson, Ynda was just as eager to see Christina lose everything. She simply preferred to y the gentle, reasonable type, letting Katie wear the viin¡¯s mask.

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    Katie¡¯s gaze flicked left and right, scheming. Suddenly, a cold, triumphant grin twisted across her lips. ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve got a way to make sure she forfeits everything.¡±

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 Chapter 63

    ?Chapter 63:

    Ynda leaned in, her voice sharp with anticipation. ¡°So, what¡¯s your n?¡±

    A wicked smile curled across Katie¡¯s lips. ¡°Easy. We drug Christina, stage a few scandalous photos with some random scumbag, and then shove the evidence in her face until she signs everything away in the divorce.¡±

    Satisfaction radiated from Katie¡ªshe looked downright gleeful at her own cunning.

    Noting Brendon¡¯s jaw tighten, his eyes turning stormy, Ynda hurried to y the voice of reason, clutching Katie¡¯s arm, her voice tinged with fake caution. ¡°Katie, that¡¯s going too far. We can¡¯t just frame Christina for something she didn¡¯t do.¡±

    Katie clenched her jaw and hissed the words in a low, seething tone, ¡°Why not? She¡¯s just a shameless slut. She acts like a whore and dared betray my brother. I¡¯ll make her wish she¡¯d never been born!¡±

    Brendon shot Katie a cutting re. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Stay out of this.¡±

    Katie bristled, refusing to back down. ¡°Why are you always so quick to defend her? What kind of witchcraft did she use on you?¡±

    Katie spat out her next words, her anger simmering. ¡°She¡¯s cuckolded you, and you just stand there and take it? Even if you can stomach it, don¡¯t you at least think about Ynda? Why should that despicable bitch get the house and the money? All of it should go to Ynda! She¡¯s about to marry you. She¡¯s the futuredy of this family!¡±

    Masking her glee, Ynda intervened with a gentle sigh, lowering her gaze as if resigned. ¡°Katie, don¡¯t say things like that¡­ Christina still deserves some kind ofpensation. Even if I have to suffer a little, I¡¯m willing. I trust your brother to do what¡¯s fair. He would never let me lose out in the end.¡±

    Katie¡¯s frustration simmered in her re. ¡°Ynda, you¡¯re way too soft. If you keep this up, that bitch will trample all over you one day.¡±

    ¡°I¡­¡± Ynda¡¯s head drooped, her voice barely audible. ¡°I just¡­ believe in your brother. He¡¯ll keep me safe.¡±

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    Brendon¡¯s voice cut through the tension, cold and absolute. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Whatever¡¯s between me and Christina is my business. None of you are to meddle.¡±

    When the car rolled to a stop, Brendon shot Katie a look sharp enough to make her flinch. ¡°And if you dare go through with that filthy little scheme, don¡¯t think I¡¯ll let it slide just because you¡¯re my sister.¡±

    Katie¡¯s hands balled into fists as she pressed. ¡°Just be honest¡ªdo you still have feelings for Christina?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Brendon bristled, his tone sharp and his features clouded with irritation.

    Before Katie could challenge him, he yanked the door open and strode out. ¡°We¡¯re done here.¡± He left the two women in stunned silence. Katie glowered after him, chest heaving with fury. When she finally turned, she found Ynda biting her lip, tears gathering in her eyes.

    ¡°Ynda¡­¡± Katie¡¯s words carried a soft wave of empathy. ¡°Don¡¯t let it get to you, alright? There¡¯s no way my brother still has feelings for that tramp. She¡¯s out there sleeping around¡ªwho¡¯d want disgusting leftovers like her? Brendon could have anyone in the world. Why would he ever settle for that slut?¡±

    A faint, trembling sniff escaped Ynda. The acting skills she showcased were impressive enough to earn her an Academy Award for Best Actress. ¡°I know¡­ I do trust him. It¡¯s just¡­ It¡¯s a bit hard not to feel hurt.¡±

    Katie reached over, her eyes full of steely promise. ¡°Don¡¯t fret. You¡¯re the only sister-inw I¡¯ll ever acknowledge. That¡¯s never changing. I¡¯ve got your back, no matter what.¡±

    Ynda met her gaze, measured gratitude shining through the sheen of tears. ¡°Thank you, Katie. I mean it¡ªI¡¯ll never forget your kindness.¡±

    ¡°Enough of this. Let¡¯s go find your parents. Your dad said he¡¯s cooked up a n for dealing with that bitch.¡± With an exasperated huff, Katie yanked the car door open and strode out.

    At that moment, Brendon was already striding across the courtyard, his expression stormy.

    The moving truck sat squarely in the driveway, its engine still idling as a crew of burly men lugged boxes into the house.

    Christina stood at the center of the chaos, calmly directing the movers with crisp, decisive gestures.

    Brendon stalked up to her, eyes narrowed with suspicion. ¡°Drop the act, Christina. Why don¡¯t you just admit it?¡± he demanded, his voice sharp as broken ss. ¡°This ce is just a rented prop¡ªpart of your little charade.¡±

    He then seized her shoulders,pelling her to meet his gaze. ¡°Where are the staff? If this is really your house, why is there no one around?¡± A cocky grin flickered across his face, as if he¡¯d just exposed her greatest secret.

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 Chapter 64

    ?Chapter 64:

    Christina¡¯s grin dazzled, her eyes flickering with sly amusement as she watched Brendon. Who would¡¯ve guessed her ex-husband could be this delusional, his mind crafting an absurd theory of her staging an act just for his attention? She cocked a brow, her voiceced with mockery. ¡°You think I¡¯m putting on a show for you?¡±

    Brendon squared his shoulders, shing a confident smirk. ¡°Isn¡¯t that exactly what you¡¯re doing right now?¡±

    With a low, melodicugh, Christina dipped her chin and then lifted her gaze to meet his. ¡°You really think I¡¯d waste my energy just for you? Don¡¯t make meugh. You¡¯re giving yourself far too much credit.¡± Her tone, velvet-smooth and edged with quiet derision, sliced straight through Brendon¡¯s battered ego. He bristled, but the sting in her words gnawed at him.

    Still clinging to denial, Brendon pressed on, his voice taut with frustration. ¡°How much longer are you going to keep up this act? What is it you actually want from me, Christina?¡±

    Deep down, he was praying she¡¯d admit she still wanted him.

    But Christina simply delivered a coolmand. ¡°Get lost.¡±

    Jaw tight, Brendon replied stubbornly, ¡°I¡¯ll leave. But not until you bring out those ¡®servants¡¯ you have hired for this house.¡±

    He wanted to catch her in a lie, to prove that she hadn¡¯t chosen some supposed sugar daddy over him, and that she had been faithful to him during their marriage.

    Before Christina could fire back at his nerve, the doors swept open. A procession of women filed in, each dressed in crisp, identical uniforms.

    At their head strode a stately woman, dignified in her fifties, nked by ten younger women whose expressions betrayed not a hint of emotion.

    With everyone frozen in disbelief, the group of women stepped forward, forming a protective barrier in front of Christina.

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    Every woman stood tall, hands folded gracefully at their waists, posture wless and unyielding. Their uniforms, in and spotless, exuded a quiet authority, and not a single detail was out of ce¡ªnot even their perfectly manicured nails.

    In unison, they dipped their heads in a polished bow. ¡°Good day, Miss Jones,¡± they chorused, voices clear and respectful.

    Brendon¡¯s jaw dropped as he observed their smooth coordination and refined bearing. These were no ordinary servants¡ªthey resembled the kind of staff only the city¡¯s most powerful families could afford. Was Christina truly connected to the legendary Hubbard family?

    The thought shed through Brendon¡¯s mind, but he scoffed at himself a momentter. The Hubbard family was obsessed with their image. No way would they wee a divorced woman, no matter how impressive her facade. No way. Christina had probably just hired a team of professional actors. He had to admit their performance was convincing, but not enough to shake his certainty.

    Relief swept over Brendon, easing the tight knot of suspicion in his chest. A faint, self-assured smile yed at his lips as he watched Christina maintain her ¡°charade.¡±

    Stepping forward, the stately woman, Aylin Chadwick, kept her head slightly bowed, her voice steady and deferential as she addressed Christina. ¡°Miss Jones, we have been assigned to serve you from this day forward. I¡¯ll be your head housekeeper¡ªshould you need anything, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask.¡±

    Christina gave a subtle, dismissive smile. ¡°Alright. Nothing much for now. You may go.¡±

    She watched the servants file out in perfect silence, marveling at Dn¡¯s attention to detail¡ªhe¡¯d even arranged an entire staff for her, though eleven people felt downright extravagant.

    Once thest uniformed servant vanished through the door, Brendon lunged forward, seizing Christina¡¯s wrist in a bruising grip. Christina¡¯s eyes flicked down at his hand, her gaze turning sharp and frosty. ¡°Let go of me,¡± she stated, her voice t and cial.

    Brendon ignored her protest, suspicion curling around every word. ¡°So these ¡®servants¡¯ of yours¡­ what are they, hired actors you picked up for the day?¡±

    She didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°I¡¯ll say it onest time. Let go,¡± each syble dripping with chill, daring him to defy her.

    His hand trembled for a second¡ªsome old fear flickering behind his eyes¡ªbut then he doubled down, fingers digging in tighter. ¡°Why can¡¯t you just admit you¡¯re putting on a show? Why keep pretending?¡±

    Brendon searched Christina¡¯s face, desperate for some hint of surrender, his brows drawn tightly. All he wanted was for her to bow her head and admit defeat. But she just stared him down, her stubbornness every bit as unyielding as his own.

    He couldn¡¯t understand it. Christina used to fold the moment he frowned, scrambling to please him at the slightest sign of annoyance. Now, she was someone else entirely¡ªa stranger who no longer bent to his will.

    From across the room, Ynda watched the standoff, her stomach twisting with jealousy. She had never truly loved Brendon¡ªnot the way stories described¡ªbut seeing him so obsessed with another woman made something inside her ache and twist. Brendon¡¯s relentless interrogation only revealed how deeply he still cared for Christina, whether he admitted it or not.

    Ynda felt uneasy. She couldn¡¯t lose Brendon¡ªnot now. Not to Christina. Not after everything. Her nails dug into her palms as she clenched her fists, fury simmering just beneath the surface. Christina wouldn¡¯t steal her future. Not this time. Just wait. One day, she would make Christina disappear from this world entirely. And anyone foolish enough to stand in her way would face a reckoning they¡¯d never forget.

    ¡°I¡¯m warning you. This is yourst chance¡ªlet me go,¡± Christina said, her voice cool and steady, but the threat beneath her words was unmistakable. She stood perfectly still, her icy gaze locked on Brendon, daring him to test her.

    Brendon met her re with stubborn defiance. ¡°And if I don¡¯t? What are you going to do?¡±

    A frosty chuckle slipped from Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°If you¡¯re so desperate to find out, don¡¯t me me for what happens next.¡±

    Before Brendon could react, the doors burst open, and a squad of armed men swept into the room with military precision, forming a tight perimeter around them. ¡°Don¡¯t move! Hands in the air¡ªnow!¡± The glint of cold steel and the unwavering aim of their weapons left no doubt¡ªone wrong move and it would all be over in an instant.

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 Chapter 65

    ?Chapter 65:

    Brendon¡¯s legs nearly gave out beneath him, his heart pounding with panic¡ªuntil he spotted the uniforms. Police officers. He exhaled sharply in relief. So, Finnegan had really called the police. For a moment, he thought they were done for.

    One officer stepped forward, his voice firm and official. ¡°We received a report about a suspected criminal gang posing a public threat in this area. Please cooperate ande with us. You have the right to remain silent¡ªbut anything you say may be used against you in court. Who made the report?¡±

    ¡°I did!¡± Finnegan raised his hand high, pointing toward Christina and the muscr men nking her. ¡°It¡¯s them! They attacked us! Tried to strangle us to death¡ªlook at our necks!¡± He tugged at his cor, revealing red marks like badges of honor. ¡°This is attempted murder!¡±

    Katie jumped in eagerly to y the victim. ¡°I can back that up!¡± she said, holding her head high and turning to show the red welts on her skin. ¡°I was this close to dying! They attacked us like savages!¡±

    Joselyn and She quickly followed suit, revealing simr bruises and adding exaggerated gasps and dramatic retellings, all designed to paint Christina as a monster.

    Ynda¡¯s eyes shimmered with tears, her hand drifting to her neck. Though it seemed she was trying to cover the marks, she was actually revealing them just enough to be noticed.

    Brendon remained silent. As a man, the shame of being lifted by the throat like a helpless puppet was unbearable. The memory made his stomach turn¡ªbut he said nothing, refusing to admit the humiliation.

    The officer nced over them all, his expression unreadable. ¡°All of you will need toe with us for further investigation.¡±

    Christina let out a slow breath, utterly unfazed. ¡°Alright,¡± she said coolly. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with.¡±

    Without another word, she stepped forward, the others following behind as the officers escorted them away.

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    Not far away, hidden in the shadows, a sleek ck business car sat parked. ¡°Mr. Scott,¡± the driver said quietly. ¡°Miss Jones has been taken by the police.¡±

    Dn simply hummed in response.

    ¡°Should we intervene?¡± the driver asked cautiously.

    Dn¡¯s expression remained unreadable. ¡°Not for now.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± The driver offered no furtherment. He had served Dn for years, and if there was one thing he knew for certain, it was that Dn never acted without a n.

    ¡°To the police station,¡± Dn instructed calmly, closing his eyes as he leaned back in his seat. He had a gut feeling that Christina didn¡¯t need his intervention this time. She could handle everything herself.

    The car slid into a shadowed corner near the police station, its matte-ck body blending seamlessly into the darkness.

    Meanwhile, inside the police station, the initial questioning had wrapped up. The servants had already been cleared and released.

    Brendon turned toward Christina, his expression a strange mix of sternness and something gentler¡ªalmost pity. ¡°If you apologize and admit fault,¡± he said quietly, ¡°I¡¯ll drop the charges. No need to drag this out.¡±

    Christina tilted her head, unimpressed. ¡°Apologize? For what exactly? I didn¡¯t do anything wrong.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s brow tightened. ¡°Why are you so stubborn? I¡¯m trying to help you. If this goes further, you could end up in detention. I¡¯m offering you a way out.¡±

    Her eyes narrowed slightly, her voice cold. ¡°How generous of you.¡±

    Before Brendon could reply, Katie cut in with sharp disdain. ¡°Brendon, seriously? Stop trying to help her! You¡¯re not her husband anymore. The woman you should be thinking about is Ynda¡ªnot some fickle slut who cheated on you!¡±

    ¡°Shut up, Katie!¡± Brendon snapped, his face flushing with anger. The mention of being cuckolded in public was a p to his pride. His face darkened with fury.

    Katie bit her lip and backed down, though her re said she wasn¡¯t finished.

    With a fake attempt to smooth things over, Ynda stepped forward, her voice soft and reasonable. ¡°Let¡¯s not escte this, Christina. Just apologize and take responsibility. We really don¡¯t want this to get uglier than it already is.¡±

    Christina gave a slow, mocking smile. ¡°How thoughtful.¡± Then, with an almost yful glint in her eye, she reached into her pocket.

    Christina¡¯s actions sent a ripple of unease through Brendon and the others. They tensed. A wave of dread prickled across their skin as if Christina were about to unveil something that would shatter the fragile narrative they¡¯d built.

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 Chapter 66

    ?Chapter 66:

    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Ynda asked, her toneced with caution.

    Christina lowered her head slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. But beneath the smile, her posture betrayed something else¡ªgrief, resignation, and a flicker of fear. ¡°It means,¡± she said quietly, ¡°I n to make things very difficult for you.¡±

    Christina slowly pulled out her phone and added with a calm, almost yful menace, ¡°In fact, I¡¯m going to blow this up¡ªloudly, publicly, and dramatically.¡±

    Katie¡¯s eyes flicked toward Christina¡¯s phone, her expression tightening. ¡°What are you getting at?¡± she asked, her voice cold and wary.

    Christina¡¯s smile faded. Her expression hardened as her eyes reddened with sudden emotion. She held the phone close, clutching it as if it were a lifeline. ¡°Don¡¯t act innocent. I¡¯ve got video proof. Clear evidence you threw the first punch. It¡¯s all right here. And the police¡ª¡± she paused, her voice dropping to a sharp whisper. ¡°They care about evidence, not stories. You¡¯re done for.¡±

    As soon as Christina finished speaking, Katie and the others finally realized they were in trouble.

    ¡°You little snake!¡± Katie shouted, lunging toward Christina. ¡°Hand your damned phone over¡ªnow!¡±

    Christina jerked back. Finnegan and She sprang into action beside Katie. All three charged forward. They couldn¡¯t let Christina keep that phone. If the footage got out, they were ruined.

    ¡°No!¡± Christina screamed, her voice cracking as she stumbled backward, as if she were truly frightened. ¡°Let go of me! Help¡ªplease! They¡¯re trying to snatch my phone! Someone help me!¡±

    To anyone watching, Christina looked like a terrified victim being attacked¡ªhelpless, pleading, and vulnerable. But underneath the chaos, she wasn¡¯t as fragile as she appeared. Her elbows found ribs. Her heels struck shins. She fought back with unexpected strength, catching the three off guard.

    ?????????? ???? ??????????????: ?????????????????????????

    Grunts of pain escaped from the trio as they flinched, staggered, and gasped for breath. Despite outnumbering Christina, they were on the receiving end of her attack.

    ¡°Enough!¡± A female police officer pushed through the fray, grabbing Katie by the arm and pulling her back.

    More officers rushed in, forming a barrier between Christina and her ¡°attackers.¡± Christina stumbled back and hid behind the officer. Her shoulders trembled as she clung to her phone. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her hair fell in tangled waves around her face. Even in her disarray, there was something devastatingly beautiful about her vulnerability.

    Brendon stood frozen nearby, unable to look away. He had never seen Christina like this¡ªso fragile. Seeing her cowering behind the female officer, her face pale with terror, something inside him snapped. An overwhelming need to protect her surged through him. Every tear that rolled down her cheeks felt like a dagger to his heart.

    Christina¡¯s disheveled hair, the way she seemed to fold into herself, and the silent sobs escaping her lips struck Brendon with unbearable regret and sympathy. And it wasn¡¯t just Brendon who felt it. Even the officers around her couldn¡¯t help but soften, their expressions shifting to sympathy.

    When the officers turned their attention to the trio who had ¡°attacked¡± Christina, their eyes were hard, judging, and disapproving. To them, the three no longer looked like victims of a scuffle but predators caught in the act.

    ¡°What just happened?¡± the female officer asked, her tone softening as she looked into Christina¡¯s eyes. ¡°You¡¯re safe now. Don¡¯t be afraid. Just tell us what happened¡ªwe¡¯re here to help.¡±

    Christina slowly looked up, her eyes red and swollen from crying. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she reached into her pocket and shakily handed the phone to the officer. ¡°Th-this has the proof,¡± she stammered. ¡°They came at me¡­ They tried to take it, thought they were going to kill me.¡±

    Her voice cracked, and a choked sob escaped. She covered her mouth with a trembling hand, seemingly struggling to breathe. ¡°I begged them to stop¡­¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible. ¡°But they wouldn¡¯t. They just kept trying to rip it from me.¡±

    Earlier, when Christina was brought in for formal questioning, she hadn¡¯t said much. She had sat stiffly, hands sped in herp, her entire demeanor that of a fragile woman holding on by a thread.

    But what the others didn¡¯t see was how meticulously Christina had orchestrated all of this. Earlier, when she had smiled at Brendon and the others, it was never in front of a camera. She had avoided direct angles, tilting her face just so, keeping her most calcted expressions hidden from view. Even when Brendon had grabbed her by the neck back in the house, she hadn¡¯t fought back. She had allowed it to happen so that it could be captured on video.

    Christina had warned them before: if they didn¡¯t provoke her, she wouldn¡¯t go after them. But they¡¯d ignored that warning. And now, they had no one to me but themselves.

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 Chapter 67

    ?Chapter 67:

    . Christina passed her phone to the female officer without a word and backed away, her face stricken with a convincing act of fear so raw it could¡¯ve fooled anyone.

    Katie didn¡¯t react at first. She stood still, breathing heavily. But as the reality of the situation hit her, fury bubbled up, and she lunged forward. Yet, restrained by the officer, she couldn¡¯t get any closer to Christina.

    Her hands clenched into fists. Then, she lifted her foot and kicked in Christina¡¯s direction, not caring who saw. ¡°You conniving witch! You tricked us! Stop pretending!¡±

    Katie btedly realized she had been outsmarted by Christina. All that boldness Christina unted earlier had vanished. Now, Christina looked like a fragile victim, eyes lowered, shoulders shakingpletely transformed, hoping people would pity her. It was disgusting. The gall of this woman. Faking it all like she deserved an Oscar.

    What Katie didn¡¯t see was the effect her outburst had on the watching officers. Every shout. Every wild movement. It only made Christina seem more like the wounded one.

    Moreover, Christina had proof. Real, solid evidence. She hadn¡¯t started the mess¡ªKatie and the others had.

    By the time the officers finished their investigation, they handed down fines and a strict verbal warning to everyone involved. Finnegan was detained for a few days as punishment for filing false police reports.

    Except for Finnegan, the rest of the group was released.

    Once outside the police station, Ynda broke down and ran into Brendon¡¯s arms, sobbing as if her chest might cave in. ¡°Brendon, what do we do now? My dad didn¡¯t mean for this to happen¡­¡± Her voice cracked, full of panic.

    She stood off to the side, her face pale. ¡°It was just a harmless lie,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Did the officers really need to take it that far? Locking Finnegan up over that?¡±

    L?t??¦Ó §éh?¦Ñ¦Ó?r? ¦Én g¨»l??¦Ïv?l?.§ão??

    ¡°Christina¡¯s the reason we got hit with those fines! If she hadn¡¯t pulled that stunt, we wouldn¡¯t have been in this mess!¡± Katie snapped, her voice shaking with rage.

    Joselyn crossed her arms and sneered. ¡°Lucky thing our Dawson family had the sense to cut her off when we did. That bitch¡¯s cursed¡ªshe would¡¯ve dragged all of us down.¡±

    Ynda sniffled, seizing the moment to appear gentle and understanding. ¡°It¡¯s not all on Christina. She was just looking out for herself¡­ She had her reasons. But my dad¡­¡± Her words gave way to sobs before she could finish.

    Brendon nced at Ynda, taking in the tears trailing down her face. But it wasn¡¯t her he saw. Instead, his mind wandered back to Christina¡¯s tearful image. He wasn¡¯t even sure if it was Ynda or Christina that his chest tightened for.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll find a way to get your father out,¡± Brendon said to Ynda, his voice steady.

    ¡°Really?¡± Ynda blinked up at him, her eyes red and swollen.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Brendon reached out and brushed her tears away with his thumb. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s head home.¡±

    But even as the words left his mouth, he wasn¡¯t fully present. That look on Christina¡¯s face¡ªso raw, so shaken¡ªit wouldn¡¯t leave him. Christina had always struck him as tough, the kind of woman who didn¡¯t crumble. But today, she did. And it wasn¡¯t an act. She must have been genuinely terrified.

    While the group continued their chatter, Brendon stayed silent. Every step he took was haunted by that moment¡ªChristina¡¯s trembling, tear-filled eyes burned into his memory.

    Suddenly, Katie¡¯s voice rang out, slicing through Brendon¡¯s drifting thoughts like a p to the face. ¡°Stop right there!¡±

    The shout rang loud and fierce, but Christina didn¡¯t even flinch. She kept walking,pletely unfazed.

    Driven by a surge of anger, Katie charged ahead and threw herself in front of Christina, cutting off her path.

    Christina frowned, her gaze sharp and unyielding. ¡°Haven¡¯t you learned your lesson?¡±

    Shaking with fury, Katie stood her ground. Her expression clouded over, and her hands clenched at her sides. ¡°You think you can take us on? Without backup, you¡¯re nobody!¡±

    ¡°Step aside,¡± Christinamanded with chilling calm.

    ¡°No. You¡¯re going back to the police station, and you¡¯re going to make sure they let Ynda¡¯s dad out. Right now,¡± Katie demanded, lifting her chin defiantly.

    ¡°That man means nothing to me. Why would I bother getting involved? If you¡¯re really that worried about him, maybe you should go sit in that cell for him,¡± Christina retorted. She folded her arms and stared at Katie like she was aplete fool.

    Seething, She stomped forward and jabbed a finger at Christina. ¡°You¡¯re such a scheming bitch! You fooled everyone at the police station, crying like you were really terrified. Your audacity and shamelessness astound me!¡±

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    .

    .

 Chapter 68

    ?Chapter 68:

    Christina¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile as her eyes briefly flicked from She to Ynda, who clung to Brendon like a delicate porcin doll. A slow, mocking smile tugged at Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°How generous of you,¡± she said smoothly to She. ¡°Though I must admit, your daughter¡¯s far better at ying the damsel in distress than I ever could be.¡±

    She¡¯s expression darkened, her fury boiling over as she lifted her hand to p Christina. But Christina caught her wrist midair without flinching.

    Katie immediately surged forward to help She, only for Christina to twist She¡¯s arm and shove She straight into Katie¡¯s path. A loud thud followed.

    ¡°Ahh!¡±

    ¡°Ouch¡ªwatch it!¡±

    The two crashed to the ground, limbs tangled, with Shending hard on top of Katie.

    ¡°Mom!¡±

    ¡°Katie!¡±

    Ynda and Joselyn hurried to help Katie and She, panic and worry etched across their faces as they struggled to lift Katie and She off the ground.

    Brendon stepped toward Christina, anger flickering in his eyes. ¡°Why do you always have to escte things? Can¡¯t you just let it go for once?¡±

    Christina folded her arms, her gaze cool and unbothered. ¡°Maybe if you paid more attention, you¡¯d see who really started it.¡±

    ¡°Must you always use that annoying tone to talk to me?¡± he snapped.

    She offered a slow, biting smile. ¡°Of course. How else am I going to slice through the nonsense around here?¡±

    He stared at her, trying to rein in the frustration burning in his chest. ¡°Does it always have to be war between us?¡± he asked finally. ¡°We could, I don¡¯t know, at least be civil for once.¡±

    Christina tilted her head, her voice calm but cutting. ¡°Sure. Just keep your entourage in check. I don¡¯t start fights¡ªI finish them.¡±

    ¡°You started this mess!¡± Katie shouted, brushing herself off.

    Brendon took a step closer, his voice low and firm. ¡°Don¡¯t test me, Christina. I¡¯m trying to be reasonable, but you keep pushing it.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Is that all you have to say?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing else? Then leave. Stop wasting my time,¡± Christina said, turning slightly away.

    Brendon¡¯s jaw tightened as anger boiled beneath the surface. He had never found her so infuriating. ¡°You really want to go down this road?¡± he said quietly. ¡°Because if you do, I won¡¯t hesitate to tell the Jones family about the kind ofpany you¡¯ve been keeping.¡±

    Christina¡¯s smile vanished. Her eyes darkened as she whipped around. ¡°Do it,¡± she said, her voice low and calm. ¡°Tell them. But don¡¯t think for a second that I¡¯m scared of your threats.¡±

    Brendon stared at her for a long moment before replying, his voice cold and calcted. ¡°You might not care about your own reputation, but dragging your family into this? Think very carefully, Christina. Some stains never wash off.¡±

    ¡°Stay out of my business, Brendon!¡± Christina snapped, reaching out to shove him out of her way.

    But to her shock, before she could make any contact, Brendon stumbled backward¡ªhis bnce faltering¡ªbefore his eyes rolled back and he crumpled to the ground.

    His head struck the floor with a sickening thud. The impact tore through the bandage on the back of his skull, and blood began to soak through, vivid and rming.

    Brendon didn¡¯t even flinch. He was already unconscious before the pain could catch up to him.

    ¡°Brendon!¡± Joselyn cried out in panic, rushing to his side. Her face turned pale at the sight of the spreading red stain. ¡°Oh my God¡ªhe¡¯s bleeding! He¡¯s bleeding!¡±

    Katie shrieked, her voice rising in rm. ¡°Someone call an ambnce! Now!¡±

    ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m calling!¡± Ynda fumbled with her phone, her fingers trembling. Her eyes brimmed with fear. With her father in custody and her family¡¯spany teetering on copse, Brendon had be herst thread of hope.

    She pointed a shaking finger at Christina, her voice quivering with fury. ¡°You monster! Look at him! This is your doing!¡±

    Christina crossed her arms, unbothered. ¡°Are you serious right now? I didn¡¯t even touch him. He fell on his own.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t try to weasel out of this!¡± She barked. ¡°This is your fault. You¡¯re paying for this¡ªyou won¡¯t leave until you do!¡±

    She stormed toward Christina, hand outstretched to grab her. But before she could get close, the deep growl of an engine cut through the chaos. A sleek ck business car rolled up beside them.

    The doors opened, and three tall men in ck suits stepped out. They were broad-shouldered, stone-faced, and radiated quiet menace. Their sharp eyes swept the scene, making it instantly clear¡ªthey weren¡¯t just any men. They were professional bodyguards.

    She froze, her outstretched hand retreating instinctively.

    Katie and Ynda exchanged uneasy nces. Who were these men? Were they here for Christina?

    The three men approached Christina, stopped in front of her, and bowed in perfect unison. ¡°Miss Jones,¡± they said in low, respectful tones.

    Katie, Ynda, and She felt their stomachs twist as the realization sank in. These men were Christina¡¯s people.

    One of the bodyguards stepped forward, his voice calm and assertive. ¡°We¡¯vee to escort you home, Miss Jones.¡±

    Christina gave a small nod. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    But before leaving, she turned back to the trio with a smirk dancing on her lips. She lifted her hand and wiggled her fingers in a mocking wave. ¡°Try not to miss me too much,¡± she said, her tone light but dripping with sarcasm.

    Katie, Ynda, and She seethed in silence, their eyes locked on Christina¡¯s retreating figure. But none of them dared to move. None of them had the courage to speak up¡ªespecially not with those intimidating men around. Each of those bodyguards looked strong enough to knock someone out with a single blow.

    Christina stepped into the sleek ck car, and within moments, it pulled away, vanishing down the street.

    Leaning back in the seat, Christina closed her eyes and let out a deep breath, a satisfied smile on her lips. Ynda might be good at ying the victim, but she could y that game too¡ªbetter, even. After all, life was nothing but a stage. And she had learned how to y her part perfectly.

    At Bayview Estates, Christina stood in front of the three bodyguards who had brought her home and a line of ten uniformed servants. ¡°Thank you for your service,¡± she said warmly. ¡°And please extend my deepest gratitude to Mr. Scott for arranging this on such short notice. I¡¯ll be sure to thank him in person when time permits. You may all leave now.¡±

    Without hesitation, the entire line of personnel bowed in perfect unison.

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 Chapter 69

    ?Chapter 69:

    The bodyguards, rigid and unreadable just moments before, now quaked with unease.

    Aylin stepped forward, bowing to Christina. ¡°Miss Jones, we were all assigned by Mr. Scott to serve you. If you let us go, we¡¯ll all lose our jobs¡­ Please, don¡¯t turn us away! Without this job, I don¡¯t know how my family will survive. My husband¡¯s illness is rare¡ªthe medication costs a fortune, and it¡¯s only avable overseas. If I¡¯m fired, my family will fall apart. My daughter¡¯s always been devoted, and she¡¯d never walk out on me or my husband, but I don¡¯t want to be a burden to her¡­¡±

    Tears streaming, Aylin added, ¡°Miss Jones, I¡¯m begging you¡ªgive me any task, no matter how hard. Just let me work for you.¡±

    A chorus of desperate voices echoed her plea. ¡°Please, Miss Jones, don¡¯t dismiss us! We have nowhere to go¡ªwe¡¯re pleading with you¡­¡±

    One by one, the household staff spilled their stories, each more heartbreaking than thest. Every family seemed to be hanging by a thread. If their words held any truth, losing this job would destroy them. Still, the coincidence nagged at Christina¡ªcould every one of them truly be so desperate?

    A crease formed between her brows. ¡°That¡¯s not going to happen. If you leave here, you won¡¯t be out of work. Weren¡¯t you all Scott family staff to begin with? If you go back to provide service, I¡¯m sure the Scott family will take you back. Why would you end up unemployed?¡±

    Aylin¡¯s voice trembled, eyes growing glossy. ¡°Miss Jones, it¡¯s not that simple. Once the Scott family sends someone away to serve elsewhere, there¡¯s no going back. If we¡¯re not needed anymore, it¡¯s as if we¡¯ve been banished for good. The pay offered by the Scott family is the highest we¡¯ll ever see, and after working here, no other rich family would trust us¡ªthey¡¯d think we¡¯re spies or have our own agenda. Landing another decent job just isn¡¯t possible.¡±

    Christina considered the Scott family¡¯s rigid structure. She¡¯d always known they were strict, but she hadn¡¯t realized the rules were this unforgiving. Still, for a family wielding such influence, it fit. Even among rtives, rivalries ran deep¡ªif siblings could turn on each other, what chance did outsiders have?

    M0re detailz at g??l??ovels.??????

    The Scott family¡¯s oppressive rules were nothing new. Their relentless vignce was likely the very reason they¡¯d managed to maintain their power for generations. Even so, Christina had no intention of keeping so many people around¡ªespecially when she had no ns to live here for long. This mansion wasn¡¯t truly hers, just a ce she used to show Brendon and his crew that she was flourishing on her own.

    ¡°Please, Miss Jones, don¡¯t take away our only means of survival!¡± Aylin pleaded, her tears spilling unchecked down her cheeks.

    Moved by their desperation, Christina finally gave in. ¡°Fine. You can stay here for now. I¡¯ll talk to Dn and see if something can be worked out for all of you.¡±

    She resolved to try convincing Dn to bring the staff back into the Scott family¡¯s residence.

    ¡°Thank you, Miss Jones! We¡¯ll give you our absolute best and never betray your trust!¡± Aylin promised, her gratitude shining through.

    ¡°We¡¯re grateful for your generosity, Miss Jones! Our loyalty is yours!¡± the rest of the staff chimed in, their unified voices ringing out with a fierce, almost ceremonial resolve, as if they were reciting an oath in a period drama.

    Had Christina been born in another century, she might have mistaken their devotion for the kind that sparked revolutions, ready to charge into battle at hermand.

    ¡°Go on, you¡¯re dismissed for now,¡± Christina said, pinching the bridge of her nose as a dull ache started to build behind her eyes.

    She pulled out her phone and dialed Dn¡¯s number, only to be met with a dead line. A flicker of annoyance crossed her face, but she chose not to dwell on it¡ªshe¡¯d circle back to it with Dn when the moment felt right.

    Just then, her stomach let out a loud, impatient growl, making her painfully aware she¡¯d skipped breakfast in all the earlier chaos.

    Before she could hunt down something to eat, a servant stepped forward, bowing with careful deference. ¡°Miss Jones, there¡¯s a visitor outside requesting to see you.¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 70

    ?Chapter 70:

    Puzzlement etched itself across Christina¡¯s brow. She hadn¡¯t been here long¡ªwho would be seeking her out already?

    Stepping outside, Christina shaded her eyes and tried to make out the figure at the gate. Ralphy stood there, his face a mask of nervousness as he peered into the courtyard.

    Before she¡¯d even crossed the courtyard, Ralphy was already calling to her through the gate. ¡°Miss Jones, could you please tell them to open the gate and let me in?¡±

    A bright smile appeared on Christina¡¯s face as she nodded at the bodyguard. ¡°Go ahead¡ªlet him in.¡±

    With a quick salute, the bodyguardplied at once. ¡°Of course, Miss Jones!¡±

    Relief washed over Ralphy as he finally stepped inside, brandishing a takeout container. ¡°Made it! I brought some food for you.¡±

    Arching an eyebrow, Christina couldn¡¯t resist teasing him. ¡°Why the special delivery, Mr. Graham? You could have sent someone else to do the errand.¡±

    A sheepish grin spread across Ralphy¡¯s face as he scratched his nose. ¡°Dn had to rush off to a meeting, so he ordered me to deliver it myself.¡±

    She let out a lightugh. ¡°I suppose I should count myself lucky to be fussed over by the two of you.¡± Her invitation was immediate. ¡°If you¡¯re hungry, you might as well join me for lunch.¡±

    Instantly, Ralphy¡¯s eyes lit up and he nodded with exaggerated enthusiasm. ¡°Absolutely! I haven¡¯t eaten a thing all day!¡±

    Catching sight of Dn preparing a meal for Christina, Ralphy¡¯s hunger had red¡ªand without missing a beat, he quickly offered to handle the delivery. This clever move gave him the perfect excuse to stick around at Christina¡¯s ce, ensuring he¡¯d get a taste of that mouthwatering food himself.

    Christina¡¯s eyebrows shot up in mild disbelief. ¡°Dn actually cooked all this himself?¡±

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    Without missing a beat, Ralphy replied, ¡°Naturally. That man¡¯s gone out of his way for you, Miss Jones.¡±

    A thoughtful look crossed Christina¡¯s face. ¡°Then I¡¯ll need to find a way to thank him for the gesture.¡±

    Ralphy shook his head, already prying open the containers. ¡°No thanks necessary. You¡¯re the reason Chloe has a fighting chance¡ªif anything, the Scott family owes you. Hope is back in our house because of you.¡±

    She settled into her seat at the table. ¡°Any idea when he¡¯ll be finished with work?¡±

    Ralphy gave a shrug, ncing at the clock. ¡°No idea. He¡¯s a workaholic. It could go on untilte.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Christina said quietly, letting the conversation drift away.

    It didn¡¯t take long before Ralphy, unable to hide his ravenous hunger, made quick work of every dish.

    Wiping his mouth, Ralphy grinned from ear to ear. ¡°You know, if it weren¡¯t for you, I¡¯d never get a bite of food this good.¡±

    Christina responded with a gentle smile. ¡°I¡¯m d you enjoyed it.¡±

    Ralphy had just opened his mouth to speak when his phone began to buzz insistently. ¡°Sorry, let me grab this.¡± He answered without dy. ¡°Hello?¡±

    All the mischief drained from his features in a heartbeat, reced by stark worry. Panic crept into his voice. ¡°What do you mean? What happened to Chloe?¡±

    Christina¡¯s heart skipped a beat, her own concern instantly showing on her face.

    The moment Ralphy ended the call, Christina leaned in, her tone urgent. ¡°What¡¯s going on with Chloe?¡±

    Ralphy¡¯s answer was grim. ¡°She suddenly went blind. They¡¯ve already rushed her to the hospital.¡±

    A worried frown settled across Christina¡¯s forehead. ¡°We should go right now.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡± Without hesitation, Ralphy nodded, any trace of lightheartedness reced by a grim resolve.

    Matching his urgency, Christina¡¯s brows remained furrowed, her thoughts spinning. She had looked over Chloe¡¯s medical history¡ªnothing had pointed to such a rapid decline.

    Suddenly, Ralphy broke the silence, anxiety tightening his voice. ¡°Has King been in contact with you at all?¡±

    Christina gave a short nod. ¡°King¡¯s been in touch, saying the prescription for Chloe¡¯s cure is almost ready and just needs onest ingredient. But¡­¡±

    Ralphy leaned in, nerves on edge. ¡°But what? What¡¯s the problem?¡±

    A moment of hesitation passed before Christina replied, ¡°Thest ingredient is a rare find. Tracking it down could take a while.¡±

    Ralphy¡¯s voice turned sharp, desperate for rity. ¡°What¡¯s the name of this ingredient?¡±

    ¡°Woodfort,¡± Christina answered simply.

    The shock was instant. ¡°Woodfort?¡± Ralphy repeated, almost in disbelief. ¡°That¡¯s next to impossible to get. The Scott family once had one, but¡­¡±

    She finished the thought for him. ¡°But they don¡¯t have it anymore?¡±

    Regret colored Ralphy¡¯s words. ¡°Exactly.¡± He gripped the steering wheel tightly, recalling the past. ¡°When I was a kid, I nearly died and needed Woodfort to survive. Because my family and the Scott family were close, Dn¡¯s grandfather gave his family¡¯s only piece to my grandfather. It saved me, but now¡­¡±

    Self-reproach pressed down on him, his jaw clenched. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for me, Chloe might have already been getting the treatment she needed.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t shoulder all that me. It was a life-or-death decision. Your family and the Scott family have always stood by each other¡ªno one would have let you die,¡± Christina said softly, trying tofort him.

    Emotion thickened Ralphy¡¯s voice. ¡°Still¡­ I can¡¯t help but feel like I stole Chloe¡¯s hope with my own survival.¡±

    A wave of dread washed over Ralphy, the fear of losing Chloe gnawing at his every thought. The idea that her life might slip away because of him haunted him, a torment he knew he could never escape. If Chloe didn¡¯t survive¡ªif her death was somehow his fault¡ªit would break him in ways he couldn¡¯t begin to describe.

    Christina¡¯s voice was soft, a gentle attempt at reassurance. ¡°Try not to let your worries consume you¡ªsometimes, fate finds a way.¡±

    Ralphy said nothing in return. The silence in the car thickened as he mmed his foot down on the elerator, desperate to close the distance to the hospital. Every second that passed tightened the knot of anxiety in his chest, a constant terror that they might arrive toote.

    King had given them hope¡ªa promise that Chloe could be cured. Yet now, everything felt as if it were slipping through their fingers.

    The instant they reached the hospital, both Ralphy and Christina hurried down the corridor, not wasting a moment.

    Ralphy¡¯s voice cracked with urgency as he gged down Morse. ¡°What¡¯s happening? Tell me, how is Chloe? Where can I find her?¡±

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 Chapter 71

    ?Chapter 71:

    Morse¡¯s arm was pinned in a bruising grip, making him clench his jaw against the pain. ¡°Chloe¡¯s been taken for an examination,¡± he said, his voice grave and measured.

    Outwardly, Morse appearedposed, but inside, his nerves were frayed, and his thoughts spun out of control. Behind the gleam of his gold-rimmed sses, worry churned in eyes typically known for their kindness. His palms were slick with sweat, a cold dread creeping through his veins, though no one around him noticed.

    ¡°What did the doctor say? How did she lose her sight so suddenly?¡± Ralphy asked, his voice tight with tension.

    ¡°They still don¡¯t have an answer. Everything¡¯s uncertain right now. Chloe said she took a bad fall yesterday and hit her head, but we don¡¯t know if that¡¯s the reason,¡± Morse replied, his tone t and cold.

    At that moment, Dn strode in, radiating urgency. Ralphy turned to him. ¡°Did Chloe ever mention falling or hitting her head?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Dn answered, his jaw tight and his hands balled into fists. ¡°She was in great spirits at lunch.¡±

    Earlier, while preparing Christina¡¯s meal, Dn had also whipped up all of Chloe¡¯s favorite dishes. At that time, Chloe had been energetic and chatty, trailing after him and begging to move in with Christina. She had pestered him endlessly, but he¡¯d stood his ground and turned her down. Now, the memory gnawed at him. Maybe he should have at least considered her request instead of dismissing her outright. A wave of regret washed over him¡ªhe wished he had taken Chloe¡¯s plea more seriously.

    ¡°She probably brushed it off as nothing serious, not wanting to rm us,¡± Ralphy said, his voice heavy with emotion. Anxiety consumed him as he worried for Chloe, but felt powerless to do anything.

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    The bitter ache of frustration crept over Ralphy, each moment feeding his mounting self-reproach. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t used the Scott family¡¯s Woodfort, Chloe could¡¯ve started treatment already,¡± he murmured, regret threading through every word.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Morse asked, his tone sharp.

    Dn¡¯s gaze shifted to Ralphy, a faint crease deepening between his brows.

    ¡°King reached out to Miss Jones, saying that the prescription¡¯s nearlyplete, but one ingredient is still missing: Woodfort,¡± Ralphy rified quietly.

    Morse¡¯s brow tightened, suspicion flickering in his eyes. ¡°Woodfort is practically unheard of. Most people don¡¯t even know it exists.¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Ralphy said, the weight of self-me bearing down on him. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t used the sole and only Woodfort of the Scott family, it could¡¯ve been used to treat Chloe right now.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk like that. Back then, the Scott family wouldn¡¯t have stood by, not when your condition had been dire. Even if we¡¯d kept the Woodfort, we would have used it for whoever needed it most,¡± Dn replied, giving Ralphy¡¯s shoulder a firm, reassuring pat.

    Ralphy swallowed hard, emotion tightening his throat. He gripped Dn¡¯s hand in silent gratitude, his eyes shining.

    ¡°There¡¯s no point dwelling on what-ifs. We¡¯ll just wait for King¡¯s update,¡± Christina said, keeping her tone steady andposed. She was eager to check on Chloe. If anything changed for the worse, the Woodfort might be useless, and another prescription could be necessary. The thought that Chloe¡¯s illness might spiral beyond anyone¡¯s help haunted her, a fear that no medicine would be enough if it got out of control.

    Soon, Chloe was transferred to a ward, nked by the doctor and nurse who had handled her examination.

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 Chapter 72

    ?Chapter 72:

    The doctor delivered the news that Chloe¡¯s condition had taken a turn for the worse. The brain tumor was now pressing against her optic nerve, causing episodes of temporary blindness. Even after the temporary blindness faded, her vision remained blurry, eventually leading toplete blindness.

    If the tumor had been in a safer location, surgery might have saved her. Her chances of recovery could have been high. But the tumor¡¯s position made everything moreplicated. It was dangerously close to critical areas of the brain, making the operation nearly impossible. Even the most experienced surgeons were hesitant, their hands tied by the risks involved. On the operating table, Chloe¡¯s chances of surviving were heartbreakingly low.

    Yet, without surgery, the doctors said she might only live another six months¡ªor a year if lucky. And if her health declined suddenly, she might not even live to see the next day. There was no way to predict what might happen.

    After exining everything and giving a few instructions, the doctor and nurse quietly stepped out of the room.

    The silence that followed was heavy. No one spoke. All eyes turned to Chloe. She sat calmly, her gaze unfocused. Wrapped in a nket of darkness, she couldn¡¯t see the walls, the light, or the faces around her. Ralphy looked at her pale face and lifeless eyes. Her lips were dry, her skin fragile. But still, she smiled. That smile tore something inside him. It made his chest ache with sympathy and concern.

    ¡°Why is everyone so quiet?¡± Chloe asked softly, a faint smile on her lips. She reached out, her hands searching the air around her. ¡°Where are you all?¡±

    Her eyes were nk but strangely peaceful. The soft curve of her smile was both beautiful and heartbreaking.

    Christina stepped forward quickly, gently wrapping her fingers around Chloe¡¯s wrist.

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    ¡°Hmm¡­ Small hands,¡± Chloe said, tilting her head. ¡°That must be Christina, right?¡± Augh escaped her lips. ¡°Did I guess right? I¡¯m kind of amazing, aren¡¯t I?¡±

    Her voice was brighter now, trying to cut through the sadness hanging in the room.

    Though she couldn¡¯t see their faces, she could feel their emotions¡ªand she wanted tofort them. She didn¡¯t want those she loved to be sad. More than anything, she wanted them to be happy. Even if she couldn¡¯t escape death, she hoped those she cared about would live joyful, fulfilling lives.

    Christina smiled. ¡°Yes, Chloe. You¡¯re really amazing.¡±

    Christina lifted her hand as if to pat Chloe¡¯s head gently, but in truth, she was quietly checking Chloe¡¯s condition.

    ¡°What about the others?¡± Chloe asked with a gentle smile, tilting her head slightly. Her vacant eyes were fixed on a spot in the room. ¡°Why isn¡¯t anyone saying anything?¡± She had heard voices earlier from that direction, so she guessed they were all standing there.

    ¡°We¡¯re right here,¡± Ralphy replied, trying his best to keep his voice calm. ¡°You will be fine. Nothing will happen to you,¡± Dn said firmly, his voice steady.

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Morse chimed in. ¡°King¡¯s almost done preparing the medicine. Soon, you¡¯ll be able to see the world again¡ªits colors, its beauty.¡±

    Chloe¡¯s smile deepened, but her voice turned wistful. ¡°Speaking of which, I suddenly want to see the ocean. Snow-covered mountains. Waterfalls. Even the aurora.¡± She paused. ¡°There¡¯s still so much I haven¡¯t seen.¡±

    In truth, fear was curling up inside her. What if she never got to see those things and taste her favorite foods again? But she refused to show her fear. She didn¡¯t want the people she loved to worry. So, she masked her anxiety with a soft smile and steady voice.

    ¡°Dn,¡± Chloe said softly, ¡°I want to eat your cooking again.¡± A warm smile spread across Dn¡¯s face. ¡°Anything you want. Just name it, and I¡¯ll make it for you.¡±

    Chloe folded her arms with a proud huff. ¡°Well, at least this illnesses with one perk¡ªI get pampered like a queen.¡± Dn frowned a little, his tone shifting. ¡°Chloe¡­¡±

    She grinned, sticking out her tongue yfully. ¡°Rx, I¡¯m only joking! Don¡¯t take everything so seriously.¡±

    Still smiling, she reached out slowly, searching for Christina¡¯s hand. ¡°Christina¡­¡±

    A pair of soft, warm hands wrapped gently around Chloe¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± Christina whispered.

    Chloe giggled. ¡°I have a small favor to ask, if it¡¯s not too much trouble.¡±

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 Chapter 73

    ?Chapter 73:

    Christina reached out and gently took Chloe¡¯s hand. ¡°Come on, just tell me,¡± she said, her voice quiet.

    A bashful grin appeared on Chloe¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking¡­ Well, would you mind if I moved in with you? Is that okay?¡±

    Knowing she might not have much time ahead, Chloe longed to stay as close to Christina as she could. If her fate was truly sealed, she figured she might as well help bring her brother and Christina together before saying goodbye.

    Looking into Chloe¡¯s unfocused eyes, Christina could feel the hope radiating from her, making it nearly impossible to turn her down. Silence hung in the air for a heartbeat, and then Christina¡¯s lips curled into a smile. ¡°Of course you can. But there¡¯s one thing¡­¡±

    Chloe¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°What is it?¡± she asked eagerly. ¡°Whatever house rules you have in mind, Christina, I¡¯ll go along with them. Noints.¡±

    Laughter escaped Christina. ¡°It¡¯s not really about house rules. I just need to upy your brother¡¯s seaside vi for a bit longer.¡±

    Christina¡¯s agreement stemmed from one simple reason: living together would allow her to keep an eye on Chloe¡¯s condition more easily. She figured that once Chloe was better, she¡¯d pack up and move out.

    With a yful nce at Dn, Christina teased, ¡°Mr. Scott, you¡¯ve got more estates than you need. Granting me to stay in one of them for a while shouldn¡¯t be too much trouble, should it?¡±

    Dn chuckled. ¡°Take your pick. Any house you want is yours.¡±

    In Dn¡¯s mind, when it came to Chloe, Christina had already done so much that offering a roof over her head hardly seemed like a big gesture.

    shing a grin, Christina said, ¡°You never fail to impress. Your generosity knows no bounds.¡±

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    Ralphy couldn¡¯t resist chiming in. ¡°Miss Jones, I¡¯m generous too. Name the property, and it¡¯s yours.¡±

    Chloe tilted her chin, and a huff escaped her lips. ¡°Christina doesn¡¯t need your offer, Ralphy. Dn, give Christina a prime piece of real estate.¡±

    With a teasing smirk, Ralphy replied, ¡°Maybe your brother ought to toss in a helicopter while he¡¯s at it.¡±

    Morse adjusted his sses, a hint of mischief in his tone. ¡°How about adding a yacht? Every seaside home needs one.¡±

    Bursting intoughter, Chloe squeezed Christina¡¯s hand. ¡°Honestly, Christina, why don¡¯t you just marry Dn? You¡¯d walk away with half his fortune, and he¡¯d still have more money than he could ever spend. Besides, nobody hustles like he does¡­¡±

    Before she could go on, Dn¡¯s voice broke through, stern and direct. ¡°That¡¯s enough, Chloe.¡±

    A worried nce shot from Dn to Christina, bracing himself in case she took offense.

    To his surprise, Christina¡¯sughter filled the room, and she replied without missing a beat, ¡°How could I turn down someone who checks every box¡ªtall, handsome, and loaded?¡±

    With a twinkle in her eye, Christina turned to Dn and asked, ¡°So, Mr. Scott, when do you n to marry me?¡±

    Her boldness drewughter from the others, amusement bubbling up around them.

    Even though Christina was teasing, her bluntness made color creep up Dn¡¯s cheeks.

    For someone usually in control, Dn suddenly found himself fumbling for a response, caught off guard by her words.

    When he opened his mouth to answer, Christina cut in with a yfulugh, ¡°Rx, I¡¯m only messing with you.¡±

    Disappointment flickered across Dn¡¯s face, and he forced out a quiet, ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±

    Ralphy, quick to sense the tension, interjected, ¡°Let me check with the doctor about when Chloe can be discharged.¡±

    Morse jumped in next, ever the thoughtful one. ¡°Anyone hungry? I can grab us some food and drinks.¡±

    Hand shooting up, Chloe grinned. ¡°Coffee for me!¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s check with the doctor first.¡± Turning to Christina and Dn, Morse asked, ¡°How about you two¡ªneed anything?¡±

    Matching Chloe¡¯s request, Christina answered, ¡°Make that two coffees.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Morse nodded and shifted his attention to Dn.

    A faint crease formed between Dn¡¯s brows before he finally said, ¡°Coffee for me, too.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not usually a coffee person¡­¡± Morse started to say, but one look from Dn made him cut himself off, an awkward grin spreading across his face.

    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll be back with your orders,¡± Morse said before heading out. Even as he walked away, he couldn¡¯t help but think how rare it was to see Dn drink coffee.

    Ever since Christina came into the picture, Morse had picked up on all sorts of subtle changes in Dn, as if he were a love-struck teenager taking on changes for his crush.

    Once Ralphy and Morse disappeared down the hall, Christina broke the silence. ¡°I appreciate you letting me move my belongings into your vi¡ªand for ying along.¡±

    Dn offered a simple nod. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it.¡±

    Christina added, ¡°I¡¯d been considering leaving, but with Chloe wanting to stay close, I guess I¡¯ll hang around a little longer before eventually moving out.¡±

    Dn didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°You¡¯re wee to stay as long as you like.¡± Pausing to gather her thoughts, Christina asked, ¡°Would you mind sending the staff you stationed at the vi back to your family house?¡±

    A hint of frost crept into Dn¡¯s reply. ¡°That¡¯s not an option. If you won¡¯t have them, they¡¯ll lose their jobs altogether.¡±

    Brows knitted, Christina asked, ¡°So there¡¯s no flexibility here?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not. Their pay and benefits aren¡¯t your concern. My family will take care of all that. But if you turn them away, they will be unemployed,¡± Dn replied.

    The firmness of his answer left Christina speechless. She recognized that families of the Scott¡¯s stature followed their own code. They had their considerations, and she felt it wasn¡¯t her ce to protest further. Curiosity flickered in Dn¡¯s eyes as he asked, ¡°Did the staff do something wrong?¡±

    That brought Christina back from her thoughts, and she responded with a gentle shake of her head, ¡°No, nothing like that. I just prefer managing on my own. I don¡¯t need anyone to take care of me¡­¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s how you feel, then let them go,¡± Dn said, his voice direct.

    Chloe squeezed Christina¡¯s hand and whispered, ¡°Let them stay. Anyway, my family will pay for everything. Besides, if you let them go, once I move in, I¡¯ll just end up giving you extra work. With the staff around, you won¡¯t have to fuss over me.¡±

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 Chapter 74

    ?Chapter 74:

    Unconsciously, Chloe tightened her grip on Christina¡¯s hand, her fear quietly showing through. She was terrified of bing a burden to others. Before, when she had only been gued by illness, she could manage on her own. But now, suddenly blinded by darkness, so many things felt unreachable, and she had no choice but to ask for help. If she had been blind from birth, she might have learned to live independently by now. But losing her sight so abruptly left her anxious and scared¡ªworried she wouldn¡¯t be able to adjust or learn new ways to live.

    Being plunged into a world of darkness with nothing but her hands to guide her was terrifying. Panic came in waves, and the unknown always seemed to be lurking just out of reach, cloaked in shadows. She wanted to stay strong. She really did. But no matter how hard she tried, her fear of the endless ckness slipped through her carefully built courage.

    Chloe hated the thought of troubling anyone. If the servants stayed on, she wouldn¡¯t have to bother Christina, and it would help keep the staff employed, too.

    Feeling the pressure of Chloe¡¯s tightening grip, Christina looked at her with deeppassion.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Christina said softly. ¡°We¡¯ll keep the servants. I¡¯ll take care of their wages and benefits.¡± She understood all too well the pain of someone who had once seen the light but was now trapped in darkness.

    Dn quickly shook his head. ¡°No, you don¡¯t have to worry about that. You¡¯ve done so much for the Scott family already.¡±

    Chloe gave a small smile. ¡°If you¡¯re feeling awkward, Christina, then how about this? Once I start seeing a little again, could you go on a trip with me?¡±

    Christina caressed Chloe¡¯s hand reassuringly. ¡°Sure,¡± she said without hesitation.

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    Though Christina and Dn understood what Chloe was really hoping for, no one spoke it aloud. Chloe simply feared she didn¡¯t have much time left and longed to see the beauty of the world while she still could. Shifting the topic, Dn gazed at Christina and asked, ¡°Are you thinking about getting a job?¡±

    Christina shook her head. ¡°Not yet. Maybeter.¡±

    She had just gone through a divorce and needed time to rest, with no ns to work immediately. Besides, she had enough money to livefortably. Even if she never worked again, she wouldn¡¯t have to worry about the basic necessities. If worse came to worst, selling the sports car she¡¯d won in shooting contests would keep her afloat for a while.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you help look after Chloe?¡± Dn suggested. ¡°The servants can manage her daily needs. You just keep herpany. I¡¯ll pay you a hundred thousand a month, plus a bonus at the end of the year.¡±

    For most people, Dn¡¯s offer would have felt like a golden opportunity¡ªa dream job handed to them on a silver tter. But Christina, who was already financially independent, didn¡¯t feel particrly tempted. However, she genuinely enjoyed Chloe¡¯s bright and cheerful spirit. That alone was enough reason to say yes.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind,¡± Christina said with a raised eyebrow and a smile. ¡°But are you really sure you want to pay a hundred thousand a month just for me to keep herpany?¡±

    Dn smiled warmly. ¡°Yes. Knowing you¡¯re there puts my mind at ease.¡±

    Christinaughed softly. ¡°Well, with a deal like that, how can I refuse? Who doesn¡¯t like easy money?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fantastic!¡± Chloe eximed, her excitement bubbling over. ¡°Now you¡¯re stuck with me, Christina!¡±

    Had Chloe not lost her vision, she would have been bouncing on the hospital bed, too thrilled to sit still.

    ¡°Looks like I¡¯m officially Miss Scott¡¯s personal caregiver now,¡± Christina said with a yful grin.

    Chloe pretended to be offended, turning her head with a mock frown. ¡°Caregiver? Say that again, and I might just stop talking to you!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be mad,¡± Christina said with a grin. ¡°We¡¯ll just call it that in public to keep the gossip at bay.¡±

    Chloe pouted. ¡°I don¡¯t care about gossip, but if you do, Christina, I¡¯ll listen to you.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s my good girl,¡± Christina said, gently patting her head.

    Watching them get along so well, Dn let out a relieved sigh. He gave Chloe a gentle warning not to upset Christina, or else he¡¯d send her back to the Scott estate in Lorbridge.

    Frightened, Chloe immediately clung to Christina¡¯s arm and promised over and over that she would never upset Christina and would always listen to her.

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 Chapter 75

    ?Chapter 75:

    It was just past four in the afternoon when Christina finally stepped out of the hospital room. Dn had finished his work and arrived to stay with Chloe, giving Christina the chance to leave.

    Christina had ns to meet Davina for dinner, and as she walked through the hospital¡¯s main lobby, her attention was suddenly drawn to themotion ahead. A stretcher was being rushed in, and medical staff moved with urgency. Blood stained the sheets, and a boyy unconscious on it.

    ¡°Please move aside¡ªemergency case!¡± a nurse called out as they pushed through the lobby.

    A doctor hurried over. ¡°What¡¯s the condition of the patient?¡±

    ¡°Severe head trauma,¡± the nurse replied breathlessly. ¡°But that¡¯s not the only issue. Scans showed a brain tumor. It¡¯srge. Our chief surgeon refused¡ªsaid it¡¯s too high-risk.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t have time to move him to Lorbridge. If Dr. Emmett doesn¡¯t operate soon, this child might not survive.¡±

    ¡°But Dr. Emmett needs to catch a flight back right now, so he probably won¡¯t have time for the surgery. What about the patient¡¯s family? Have they been found?¡±

    ¡°Nothing yet. Should we try checking the director¡¯s office? Maybe Dr. Emmett is still around?¡±

    ¡°I doubt it. There¡¯s a high-profile patient in Lorbridge scheduled for surgery, and Dr. Emmett¡¯s flight back is for that.¡±

    As the stretcher passed by, Christina overheard their hurried conversation. Her eyes fell on the boy lying unconscious, his head wrapped in bloody bandages, his pale face smeared with streaks of dried red. A wave of unease swept over her. If anyone could save him, it would be Calvin.

    This hospital was the best in the region, a ce where top-tier specialists gathered and was equipped with the finest facilities. Yet, even here, no surgeons dared take the risk. If they didn¡¯t, no other surgeon in other hospitals in the city would either.

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    Christina paused in her steps, her heart twisting as the boy¡¯s bloodied image burned into her mind. That was a young life, and walking away now would feel like ignoring someone who desperately needed help. She wasn¡¯t the overlypassionate type, but she couldn¡¯t ignore the boy¡¯s fate either. Besides, she¡­

    had to speak with Calvin anyway about Bethel¡¯s surgery. If he were still in the hospital, she could just bring up the boy¡¯s condition for him to handle.

    Decision made, Christina turned sharply and walked toward the medical staff, who were waiting for the elevator. She announced firmly, ¡°I¡¯ll cover all the child¡¯s medical expenses. Do everything you can to save him.¡±

    The medical staff exchanged nces. One of the doctors furrowed his brow, stepping forward with a heavy sigh. ¡°It¡¯s not that we don¡¯t want to save him,¡± he said quietly, ¡°but right now, we¡¯re powerless. All we can do is keep him stable until his family arrives¡ªso they can say their goodbyes.¡±

    Christina¡¯s voice remained steady. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say Dr. Emmett is in the director¡¯s office? I¡¯ll go get Dr. Emmett myself.¡±

    ¡°We appreciate your kindness, but taking on the full financial burden with no guarantee that the family will be grateful isn¡¯t something just anyone can afford. If you drain your savings for this child and the child¡¯s family refuses to repay you, your money is as good as gone. Besides, Dr. Emmett is probably unreachable right now. Chasing him might just waste your time.¡±

    Sensing Christina¡¯s good intentions, the doctor spoke from experience. After all, sometimes kindness might be met with ingratitude. These medical staff members still remembered a doctor with a golden heart who once paid a patient¡¯s bills out of his own pocket, only for the patient¡¯s family to refuse repayment and even almost stab the doctor. Working in the hospital, they had grown used to the darker side of humanity. No one could guarantee that every patient¡¯s family would be kind and thankful.

    Just then, the elevator doors slid open. Christina gave a small smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You just focus on doing your best to save the patient. I¡¯ll handle everything else.¡±

    Saving someone against all odds¡ªthis was exactly how Christina always operated. She turned to leave, but then a familiar voice called from behind her, stopping her in her tracks.

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 Chapter 76

    ?Chapter 76:

    ¡°Are you medical guys insane? That woman is just a vet. You can¡¯t seriously think a vet can save a human life!¡± Katie¡¯s voice sliced through the chaos, thick with mockery and contempt.

    Katie nted herself squarely in front of the elevator, blocking the stretcher without the slightest intention of budging.

    When Christina pivoted around, she caught the sh of Katie¡¯s smug grin, her arms folded in open defiance, making it perfectly clear she had no ns to move aside.

    ¡°You moron! Are you trying to get someone killed?¡± Christina snapped, her patience snapping.

    Katie, caught off guard by the blunt insult, let her self-satisfied expression crumble into a scowl. ¡°I¡¯m not moving. What are you gonna do¡ªfight me?¡± she retorted, her voice bristling with hostility. ¡°If this patient dies, that¡¯s his problem, not mine.¡± A nasty smirk flickered across her face as a new idea seemed to strike. ¡°But I¡¯ll tell you what¡ªif you want me to move, get on your knees and apologize. Maybe then I¡¯ll think about it.¡±

    ¡°Are you moving, or do you want me to drag you out myself?¡± Christina¡¯s tone was ice-cold, her re unwavering.

    Katie only lifted her chin, voice dripping with malicious satisfaction. ¡°Kneel and apologize, and I¡¯ll let you through. Otherwise, if this patient dies, it¡¯s on your head, not mine. Christina, I¡¯d think carefully if I were you¡ªthis is a human life at stake. You really want that on your conscience?¡±

    Katie stood her ground, arms locked in ce, ignoring the chorus of shocked murmurs and the disbelieving, outraged stares now focused on her from all sides.

    ¡°How could this woman be so cold-blooded? Is she really willing to let that boy die just to prove a point?¡±

    Your next tale lives on g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s,

    ¡°Do they have some kind of personal feud? If so, they should settle it behind closed doors. Holding up that boy¡¯s treatment is downright heartless. Isn¡¯t she worried about what¡¯ll happen if the boy dies?¡±

    ¡°If the boy dies, they¡¯re certain to face legal action.¡±

    ¡°Legal action? Please. Look at her¡ªdraped in designerbels, probably worth a fortune. If something happens, she¡¯ll just pay out a settlement and walk away without a second thought.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s outrageously annoying! If I weren¡¯t stuck in this wheelchair, I¡¯d march over there and deliver a thunderous kick.¡±

    ¡°Shh! Honey, don¡¯t get reckless. We¡¯re just regr people. If you get into trouble, we¡¯d have to sell everything just to cover the damages. But for her? Even if she causes a death, any fine would be pocket change.¡±

    Katie¡¯s head snapped around to the woman in the wheelchair as the word ¡°kick¡± reached her ears, her re icy.

    Intimidated, the woman¡¯s husband quickly spun his wife away from Katie¡¯s line of sight, eager to escape any fallout.

    Baffled, the woman asked, ¡°Honey, what on earth are you doing? Don¡¯t wheel me away! I haven¡¯t even seen the end of this drama!¡±

    He shot her a warning look, his voice low and urgent. ¡°Drama? The longer we stick around, the more likely we are to get dragged into it. Let¡¯s just keep our distance¡ªsave our money for your treatments instead of getting mixed up with people like her.¡±

    The woman sighed in resignation but craned her neck anyway, bargaining. ¡°Fine, but at least stop somewhere I can still watch.¡±

    Christina¡¯s icy gaze lingered on the unconscious boy sprawled on the stretcher, her face unreadable. She pivoted back to Katie, her eyes now glinting with a lethal, witty edge.

    Without a word, Christina closed the distance between them, her steps brisk and unyielding.

    Katie¡¯s bravado faltered as she stumbled backward, eyes darting with rm. ¡°What¡­ What the hell are you doing?¡±

    ¡°Nothing much,¡± Christina¡¯s voice was silk over steel. In one swift motion, she seized Katie¡¯s wrist and dragged her aside with one fierce tug. ¡°Just making sure you get the fuck out of the way.¡±

    Losing her bnce, Katie hit the floor with a bruising thud, yelping as she mmed down onto her rear end. ¡°You psycho! How dare youy a hand on me!¡± she bellowed, her face twisting with fury.

    Christina barely spared Katie a nce, cold indifference written across her features. Then, she turned to the medical staff. ¡°Please do everything you can. I¡¯ll make sure Dr. Emmett gets here.¡±

    Though the doctors and nurses doubted Christina could get Calvin involved in this case, something in her unwavering tonemanded their trust. Without another word, they rushed the stretcher into the waiting elevator.

    ¡°You despicable bitch! You hear me? You¡¯ll pay for this!¡± Katie wailed, her shrill voice echoing down the hall as she flung herself at Christina, wild-eyed and vengeful, hell-bent on dragging Christina down with her wrath.

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 Chapter 77

    ?Chapter 77:

    As everyone assumed that the seemingly gentle Christina would be crushed by the fierce and wild Katie, what happened next shocked them. Christina stood still, her face unreadable. When the crowd assumed she was frozen with terror, she effortlessly lifted her hand and grabbed Katie¡¯s wrists.

    Katie struggled fiercely, but Christina¡¯s grip was unyielding. No matter how hard Katie tried, she couldn¡¯t break free.

    The onlookers¡¯ perception of Christina shifted. It was only then that they realized this seemingly delicate woman was much stronger than she appeared.

    Katie thrashed and fought, her frustration boiling over into visible rage. ¡°Release me!¡± she hissed.

    Katie swung her leg in a desperate kick, but Christina effortlessly dodged, releasing one of Katie¡¯s hands in the process.

    In a sh, Christina slipped behind Katie. With a quick step forward, she jabbed her knee sharply into the back of Katie¡¯s leg.

    Katie gasped as sharp pain shot through her leg, and she copsed onto her knees.

    A voice from the crowd broke the silence. ¡°Whoa! Did you see that?¡± Apuse burst out, followed by cheers and whispers all around.

    ¡°Wow! That was incredible! The gorgeousdy is so cool!¡±

    ¡°That wild woman looks like she¡¯s got money. Do you think the gorgeousdy will get in trouble for this?¡±

    ¡°That wild woman totally deserved that. Some people need to be put in their ce.¡±

    ¡°Man. I¡¯m a guy, and even I wouldn¡¯t have the guts to stand up to someone like that wild woman. The gorgeousdy is fearless.¡±

    I@?e$t ¡é§ß@???§ñ$ ?¦Ç ???§Ú?v¦Å??.c?m

    ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? You¡¯re all hyping that great-looking chick up way too much. She just beat me to intervene, nothing special.¡±

    ¡°Really? Then what stopped you from stepping in earlier? At least the gorgeousdy had the guts to act. Is it so hard to admit someone else is better than you? People like you are all talk. Big words when it¡¯s over, but nowhere to be found when it counts.¡±

    By the time Katie snapped back to her senses, she was already down on her knees¡ªher designer tights torn, her leg screaming with pain. Kneeling in front of a¡­

    crowd was bad enough. And for her, who had been spoiled and revered her whole life, it was beyond degrading. She was used to watching others kneel, never imagining she¡¯d be in that position herself. Now, trapped in this humiliating pose as a sea of onlookers pped and jeered, rage surged through her. How dare that wretched Christina disgrace her like this in public?

    Katie struggled to rise, but her hands were still pinned tightly behind her back by Christina. A firm pressure on her shoulders forced her to bend forward, making resistance impossible. She couldn¡¯t even lift her head, let alone fight back.

    Katie was livid. That wicked Christina! It was no surprise¡ªChristina was nothing more than a lowly servant, hardened by years of toughbor. Naturally, she possessed the raw strength to dominate so easily.

    ¡°Let me go!¡± Katie snarled through clenched teeth, her voice low and furious. ¡°If you don¡¯t let go right now, I swear you¡¯ll regret it!¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, she gave a cold, dismissive smirk. ¡°I¡¯ve got the strength and the guts to deal with people like you.¡±

    Christina suddenly released Katie¡¯s hands, tossing them aside like a dirty rag, then flicked her own hands as if trying to shake off some grime. ¡°I¡¯m not scared of you,¡± she added, her voice sharp and steady. ¡°But I won¡¯t waste another second on someone as pathetic as you. I have better things to do.¡±

    With that, Christina turned her back and walked away. But Katie misunderstood her exit, thinking Christina was afraid of the Dawson family. After all, none of the Jones family liked Christina. She was just a nobody with no one to stand by her side, easily dismissed and overlooked.

    Katie didn¡¯t bother worrying about Christina going to the Jones family withints¡ªit wouldn¡¯t make any difference.

    Katie sprang to her feet, her face contorted with spite. Clutching her designer handbag tightly, she swung it fiercely straight at Christina¡¯s back. ¡°Go to hell, you miserable little wretch!¡± she screamed.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 78

    ?Chapter 78:

    Everything happened in a sh, catching everyone off guard. Most people just froze, staring straight at the scene. Christina didn¡¯t even see it¡ªher back was turned. Everyone thought the bag would m into her. Instinctively, they held their breath.

    But then Christina raised her hand, calm as ever, and caught the flying bag like it was nothing.

    The crowd was stunned. Eyes widened. For a split second, it felt like time had stopped. Unbelievable. What kind of reflex was that?

    ¡°No way! Did she really just catch that so easily?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s insane! I blinked so many times¡ªI still can¡¯t believe what I saw.¡±

    ¡°She must¡¯ve gotten lucky, right? Even if one saw iting, reacting that fast is nearly impossible.¡±

    ¡°Could she be trained or something? But she looks so delicate. It doesn¡¯t add up.¡±

    ¡°Oh my God, that was epic! I¡¯d marry someone that cool!¡±

    Katie, who had thrown the bag, stood frozen,pletely shaken. This couldn¡¯t be real. Did Christina have eyes in the back of her head? Fear crawled through Katie¡¯s body. Her limbs locked up, trembling. Christina¡¯s eyes turned cold. Without saying a word, she flung the bag back.

    It hit Katie right in the stomach.

    ¡°Ugh!¡± Katie gasped, doubling over from the pain. She clutched her belly, struggling to breathe as her knees buckled. Her face turned red as she sank to the floor.

    Around them, the crowd erupted into cheers and pping. It felt like they had just watched a viin go down. They were more thrilled than Christina herself.

    ?????????????? ??????????????: g??????¦Í????????????

    Katie shook with rage, her body trembling like a volcano about to blow. These people were just as disgusting as Christina! All of them¡ªpathetic nobodies with nothing better to do!

    When Katie finally caught her breath and looked up, Christina was gone. Her eyes darted to the doorway, burning with fury as she clenched her teeth. She wouldn¡¯t let this go. She would make Christina pay!

    Whispers from the onlookers reached Katie¡¯s ears¡ªthough she couldn¡¯t hear the exact words, she knew they weren¡¯t saying anything good. She red at them and snapped, ¡°What are you looking at? Want trouble?¡±

    No one replied. They backed away quickly. No one wanted to mess with someone from a rich family. In fights like these, the poor always lost. They couldn¡¯t fight back, but they knew how to stay out of trouble.

    Ding! The elevator doors slid open, and Christina stepped out.

    She had barely taken a step when two tall, broad-shouldered men blocked her way. They wore in clothes, but she could tell¡ªthey weren¡¯t ordinary men. They were fighters. Most likely Calvin¡¯s bodyguards.

    Christina softened her expression, looking small and harmless¡ªlike someone easy to overlook. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m here to see Dr. Emmett. Could you please let him know I¡¯m here?¡± Her voice was polite and respectful.

    But the men didn¡¯t blink. Their faces were like stone. ¡°Please leave. Dr. Emmett isn¡¯t taking visitors,¡± one of them said coldly.

    Their job was to protect him. No matter how harmless Christina looked, they weren¡¯t taking chances. She could be anyone¡ªeven a trained assassin in disguise.

    Christina saw through them. No matter how innocent she acted, they weren¡¯t letting her in. She didn¡¯t waste time. She raised her voice toward the office door. ¡°Dr. Emmett! Dr. Em¡ª¡±

    The bodyguards moved in, ready to drag her away. But she shouted even louder, ¡°Calvin Emmett!¡±

    Her voice had barely faded when a thunderous roar echoed back. ¡°How dare you call Dr. Emmett by name?¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 79

    ?Chapter 79:

    A middle-aged man in his fifties stepped forward, his face sharp with authority as he scanned Christina from head to toe. ¡°How dare you, youngdy, call Dr. Emmett by his full name?¡± he scolded.

    But as the man looked closer and saw how young Christina was, his anger eased a little. She probably didn¡¯t know any better. Still, he didn¡¯t like her tone. Not one bit. This was Calvin they were talking about¡ªone of the world¡¯s most respected surgeons. Even now, his hands worked with the steady precision of a master. When it came to craniotomies, no one could match him. He was a living legend¡ªadmired, respected, idolized by doctors across the globe. For many in the medical world, just seeing Calvin once was a lifelong dream. To learn from him¡ªeven the smallest bit of wisdom¡ªwas an honor.

    ¡°You must be the director, Mr. Johan Duffy,¡± Christina said with a calm smile, meeting his gaze without flinching. ¡°Good day, Mr. Duffy. I¡¯d like to meet Dr. Emmett.¡±

    By now, the two bodyguards had her firmly in their grip. But she remained calm, still smiling.

    Johan raised a brow, slightly surprised. She had guts. Maybe it was just youthful boldness. Something about her coolness impressed him. Still, he couldn¡¯t say he liked her approach.

    His eyes swept over her again, stern as ever. Then, Christina bent her knees and began to sway gently, using the bodyguards like a pair of swing posts, smiling as if she were enjoying herself.

    Johan was so caught off guard that he nearlyughed out loud. She reminded him of his granddaughter¡ªthe same yful spirit, the same spark in her eyes. His impression of her softened, just a little. But he didn¡¯t drop his stern tone. ¡°Dr. Emmett doesn¡¯t see visitors. You should leave at once.¡±

    Christina swung a little harder. ¡°No. I must see him.¡±

    ?????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    The bodyguards exchanged exasperated looks. If they had known she¡¯d turn them into swing posts, they wouldn¡¯t have held her in the first ce. She looked like she was having a grand old time, though it was a serious test of their arm strength.

    Johan sighed. ¡°Youngdy, are you not listening? Dr. Emmett is very busy. You can¡¯t just demand to see him. He doesn¡¯t have time for random visitors.¡± He waved a hand at the bodyguards. ¡°Take her back to the elevator.¡±

    This was already an unusually polite ordering from Johan. Normally, he¡¯d have ordered the bodyguards to toss someone like her out without a second thought.

    The bodyguards turned Christina around and began escorting her away.

    ¡°I need to see Dr. Emmett!¡± Christina shouted. ¡°Calvin! Calvin Emmett! Calv¡ª¡±

    A deep voice cut through the hallway like a thunderp. ¡°Wait!¡±

    Everyone froze. It was Calvin.

    Christina¡¯s eyes lit up, and a bright smile spread across her face. She had nned to act out and force her way through if Calvin didn¡¯t show up. But now that Calvin had appeared, things were much simpler. ¡°Dr. Emmett! I am here! Help me! Please save me!¡± Christina cried out, pretending to struggle in their grip.

    Calvin immediately recognized the voice¡ªit was none other than the legendary healer, King! His heart leapt into his throat. ¡°Let go! Let go of her right now!¡± he shouted, rushing forward so fast that he nearly lost his footing. He looked ready to shove the bodyguards out of the way himself.

    Calvin was flustered. If they offended King, how could he ever hope to learn from her? If there was only one miracle worker left in the world¡ªit was her. He couldn¡¯t afford to anger her.

    Johan and the bodyguards stood frozen in shock, staring at the man they thought they knew. Was this really Calvin? The calm, noble surgeon who always carried himself like a king? Now, he looked like a desperate grandfather ready to throw punches for his beloved granddaughter.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 80

    ?Chapter 80:

    Calvin¡¯s breath faltered, overwhelmed, nearly slipping out ¡°King¡± before Christina¡¯s voice gently interrupted. ¡°Good to see you, Dr. Emmett.¡±

    Only then did Calvin realize how close he hade to slipping the name he wasn¡¯t supposed to say. He cleared his throat. ¡°Christina, what brings you here?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯vee seeking your help to save someone. And there¡¯s another favor I must ask,¡± Christina responded, her tone carrying a sense of urgency.

    ¡°Who needs help? Is it you¡ª¡± Calvin paused, suddenly cautious. He swallowed his words. He knew better than to mention anything that might reveal Christina was actually King. She was always careful to stay out of sight, and if she hade in person, it meant the situation was dire.

    ¡°There¡¯s a young boy in this hospital in critical condition. Please, Dr. Emmett, follow me,¡± Christina implored.

    Calvin didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Of course. Lead the way.¡±

    ¡°Dr. Emmett, what about the Lorbridge surgery?¡± Johan interrupted.

    ¡°It¡¯s scheduled for today.¡±

    Calvin turned to him calmly. ¡°That can wait.¡±

    Calvin knew what he was facing. Christina seeking him out meant time was running out. If he dyed, the young boy in question wouldn¡¯t survive. The operation at Lorbridge was important, but not pressing enough to supersede this crisis. It could be rescheduled. Moreover, since Christina had entrusted him with this case herself, refusal was not an option.

    Johan looked stunned but didn¡¯t argue. He just followed behind quietly, still trying to piece together what was happening. He scrutinized Christina, his mind racing. Who was this woman who could make Calvin change ns without a second thought? Calvin had always referred to Christina as just a former assistant. But this? This was different. No way an assistant could make Calvin postpone surgery for a VIP patient. There was more to her. Way more.

    Whatever the truth, Johan decided on one thing¡ªhe¡¯d treat Christina with respect from now on.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    The group soon entered the elevator. The elevator doors opened with a soft ding as they reached their floor. Calvin started to gesture for Christina to go first, but she beat him to it. ¡°Please, Dr. Emmett,¡± she said gently, giving a polite nod.

    Though uneasy receiving such courtesy, Calvin epted, stepping out first. He had long hoped to be recognized as her prot¨¦g¨¦, but she always refused, insisting it would be inappropriate given his stature. Still, their conversations often turned into debates about medicine. She challenged his thinking and broadened his views. While he had ceased pursuing the formal apprenticeship, the desire remained quietly alive.

    As they entered the emergency room, they were met with chaos.

    ¡°We¡¯re losing him!¡± a nurse cried.

    ¡°tline! He¡¯s in cardiac arrest!¡± another shouted, their voicesced with panic.

    The moment Calvin and Johan arrived, the medical staff froze in astonishment. Christina had really brought Calvin here.

    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Christina stepped forward to lend her expertise in the frantic efforts to revive the boy.

    Everyone had already put aside Katie¡¯s im that Christina was a vet. Even if Christina was a vet, the fact that she¡¯de alongside Calvin¡ªand was trusted to assist¡ªmeant she was more than capable. Saving a life transcended professional titles and disciplines.

    ¡°Get the operating room ready,¡± Calvinmanded with calm authority. ¡°As soon as he¡¯s stable, transfer him at once.¡±

    ¡°Right away,¡± Johan answered promptly, immediately overseeing the preparations himself.

    Through theirbined skill and urgency, the boy¡¯s vital signs gradually steadied, allowing for his swift transport to surgery.

    The next crucial procedure was a craniotomy. Yet, the boy¡¯s family had not yet arrived to provide the necessary consent. Ordinarily, the absence of signed permission would halt any operation to avoid legalplications. However, given the severity of the case, Calvin¡¯s direct involvement, and Christina¡¯s payment upfront, the team had no option but to proceed without dy.

    As the boy was being wheeled into the operating room, his mother burst into the hospital, frantic and disheveled. She¡¯d been so panicked on the way that she¡¯d slipped into a puddle, soaking her clothes and ruining her makeup. Her hair was wild and messy. But none of that mattered now. Her son had been in a car ident¡ªhe was in emergency surgery¡ªand she didn¡¯t know if he was alive or not.

    After asking around frantically, she finally learned that her son was in the operating room. A nurse exined his condition to her.

    ¡°What did you say? A brain tumor?¡± she gasped, clutching the nurse¡¯s arm in disbelief, her voice trembling. Self-reproach washed over her like a tidal wave. How had she missed something so serious? How could she have been so blind?

    ¡°Yes, the procedure is intricate and high-risk. We urgently require your signature on the consent forms,¡± the nurse said softly.

    The mother¡¯s fingers clenched tightly around the nurse¡¯s arm upon hearing this. ¡°What¡­ What are the chances of survival? Is your finest surgeon the one performing it? Can you bring in the very best? No matter the expense, I will pay¡ªmoney is no object!¡± she pleaded, desperation thick in her voice.

    The nurse hesitated, choosing her words carefully. ¡°The procedure is extremelyplex. Even our top expert hesitates to undertake it¡­¡±

    ¡°What? Then who¡¯s operating on my son?¡± the mother demanded, her voice trembling with fear and confusion. Her breaths came in uneven gasps, mirroring the turmoil swirling in her mind.

    ¡°It¡¯s Dr. Emmett,¡± the nurse replied. ¡°A woman came and requested him personally¡­ He agreed to take the case.¡±

    The mother blinked, stunned. ¡°Dr. Emmett?¡± she repeated, almost in disbelief. Slowly, tears welled in her eyes, her expression shifting from panic to relief.

    ¡°Thank heavens it¡¯s Dr. Emmett¡­ My son¡¯s life is in good hands,¡± she whispered, her voice thick with gratitude. Then, she grasped the nurse¡¯s hand. ¡°Where is the consent form? Give it to me now¡ªI¡¯ll sign immediately!¡±

    A huge weight seemed to lift from her shoulders. Just knowing Calvin had taken the case gave her hope. She was eager toplete the paperwork quickly, fearing he might reconsider. Once the form was signed, she asked for the location of the operating theater.

    But just as the nurse turned to leave, the mother suddenly called out, ¡°Wait¡­¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 81

    ?Chapter 81:

    The nurse regarded the mother with a confused frown. ¡°Is there something else you need?¡±

    ¡°I was hoping to ask about thedy who brought Dr. Emmett in,¡± the mother said, her tone soft but intent. ¡°Could you possibly check the surveince cameras? I¡¯d like to find her and thank her properly.¡±

    ¡°I heard she followed Dr. Emmett into the OR,¡± the nurse replied. ¡°If she¡¯s not around afterward, you can returnter to review the footage.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Thank you,¡± the mother said withposed grace, a hint of urgency flickering behind her words.

    The mother then turned and quickly made her way to the operating room. But once there, standing just outside the doors, unease settled heavily in her chest. Calvin was a renowned surgeon¡ªamong the best in the world. She trusted his brilliance implicitly, but fear gnawed at her all the same. Her son was everything to her. The thought of losing him was a terror she couldn¡¯t bear to entertain.

    Her mind wandered to the mysterious young woman who had entered the operating room with Calvin. Who was she? His prot¨¦g¨¦? Unlikely. Calvin had stopped mentoring years ago. And if the nurse was right about the woman¡¯s age, she might be his student. However, Calvin had stepped back from academia long ago. Retirement had beckoned, and he had answered¡ªpartially. He¡¯d intended to withdrawpletely, to finally rest and enjoy what remained of his years. But the call of medicine, of patients with rare and formidable conditions, had never truly left him. He chose a quiet middle ground: semi-retirement, still saving lives, one surgery at a time.

    The mother paced the corridor with anxious steps, each minute an eternity stretching into the unknown.

    Meanwhile, inside the operating room, Calvin was deep into a delicate craniotomy, his hands steady as he worked on the boy¡¯s fragile skull.

    g???????¦Í??????.????n ¨C ???????? ???????????????? ????

    Christina stood silently off to the side, her postureposed, her presence quiet yet unmistakably intentional. She neither assisted nor intervened, simply observed, her face an unreadable mask of calm focus.

    Around Christina, the surgical team exchanged discreet nces. Even Johan found his gaze repeatedly drifting to her. Who was she, and what was her connection to Calvin? And why had she been allowed inside the OR when she wasn¡¯t part of the medical team? She hadn¡¯t spoken or lifted a finger to help. Yet, she stood there as though she belonged.

    With time on his hands and no instruments to monitor, Johan continued to observe Christina and Calvin. And then he saw it¡ªsmall, fleeting, but impossible to ignore. Every so often, Calvin would nce at Christina. Not in irritation or distraction¡ªbut with a strange, quiet intention. As if he were looking to her for guidance.

    The realization hit Johan like a jolt. He blinked, stunned, his thoughts spiraling. Who was this young woman, watching one of the world¡¯s foremost neurosurgeons as if she were the authority in the room? Could it be possible that she was more skilled than Calvin himself? And yet¡­ why had no one heard of her? If someone that gifted had entered the field¡ªespecially someone so young¡ªthe medical world would be buzzing with her name. But there was nothing. No whispers, no papers, no recognition.

    Johan¡¯s brow tightened as he studied the pair again. Calvin wasn¡¯t just ncing at Christina. He was deferential.

    The more Johan tried to piece it all together, the more his thoughts unraveled. Nothing made sense. Whoever Christina truly was, one thing had be undeniable¡ªshe wasn¡¯t just another observer. There was a gravity about her, a presence that demanded caution.

    Johan wasn¡¯t alone in sensing this. Around the operating room, the rest of the surgical team had picked up on it too¡ªthe subtle deference in Calvin¡¯s nces, the almost imperceptible shift in atmosphere whenever Christina so much as moved.

    Spection buzzed silently behind surgical masks. Yet, none of them entertained the idea that Christina could be a medical prodigy. It just didn¡¯t fit. If someone so young had risen to a level that rivaled Calvin, whose hands had performed the impossible more times than anyone could count, the entire medicalmunity would be aze with her name. And yet, there had been nothing.

    To them, only one figure in the world could stand shoulder to shoulder with Calvin¡¯s reputation: the elusive genius known only as King.

    King wasn¡¯t just respected¡ªKing was mythologized. A legend cloaked in mystery, whispered about in awe-struck tones at conferences and operating theaters alike.

    No one knew King¡¯s gender. No one had seen their face. Not even the most powerful medical directors or global heads of surgery had met this mysterious savant.

    King¡¯s brilliance was the stuff of folklore. To receive direct guidance from King was the stuff of dreams. To merely see King would be the crowning moment of any surgeon¡¯s career. But such dreams always ended in quiet resignation. Most had long epted that they would never meet King¡ªnever even know who King was.

    Meanwhile, outside the operating room, the elegant mother continued her anxious pacing, her heels echoing softly in the sterile hallway. Every minute crawled by, weighted with dread and hope. Then, without warning, the doors flew open. She surged forward, heart pounding.

    Calvin stepped out, blinking in surprise at the sight of her.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 82

    ?Chapter 82:

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Calvin blinked, momentarily thrown by the mother¡¯s sudden appearance. ¡°I thought you were still overseas.¡±

    ¡°I just got back,¡± the mother replied, her anxiety spilling over as she hurried closer. ¡°Dr. Emmett, tell me¡ªhow¡¯s my son? Is he¡­¡±

    Before she could voice her fears, the doors swung open, and her son was wheeled out, pale but breathing. The rxed expressions on the medical staff¡¯s faces made her breathe a quiet sigh of relief.

    Calvin¡¯s voice softened as he spoke. ¡°The operation went smoothly. He¡¯ll need to be monitored, but he¡¯s out of danger.¡±

    A flood of emotion washed over the mother¡¯s face. ¡°Thank you, Dr. Emmett,¡± she murmured, her voice thick as tears threatened to spill. But Calvin simply pointed at Christina, who stood quietly to the side. ¡°You should really thank her. She¡¯s the reason we made it in time.¡±

    The mother turned, finally taking in Christina.

    Christina stood with the understated poise of someone far too striking to blend into any crowd¡ªfine-boned, impossibly graceful, with an air that seemed to shimmer even in the harsh hospital lights. Her beauty rivaled any starlet, yet there was something more¡ªan aura both serene and maic.

    ¡°So you must be the one who brought in Dr. Emmett?¡± the mother asked, stepping forward. Gratitude shone in her eyes as she gazed at Christina.

    ¡°Yes, I am.¡± Christina met her eyes with a gentle, self-assured smile and reached out first for a handshake.

    ¡°Thank you so much. If you hadn¡¯t stepped in to save my child, I don¡¯t know what would have happened to him¡­¡± The mother¡¯s voice shook, and she clung to Christina¡¯s hand, as if anchoring herself to her son¡¯s savior.

    ¡°It¡¯s really nothing. Dr. Emmett is the one you should thank most. I might¡¯ve tried, but without him, my good intentions alone couldn¡¯t have brought in the right help,¡± Christina replied, her lips curving into a gentle, reassuring smile.

    ???????????? ?????????????? @ ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Calvin cast Christina a nce, the corner of his mouth quirking with the trace of a smile. Her knack for faking it stayed wless as always. If fate hadn¡¯t intervened, revealing Christina¡¯s hidden identity during the night she saved him, he never would have guessed that the legendary healer, King, was this quiet young woman.

    ¡°Both of you deserve my deepest gratitude,¡± the mother murmured sincerely, her gaze sweeping over Christina and Calvin. ¡°Once my son¡¯s condition stabilizes, I¡¯ll¡­¡±

    ¡°Host a dinner tomorrow at Morfort Restaurant. Please¡ªlet me show my appreciation to you both.¡±

    Before Christina could protest, the mother continued with quiet determination, ¡°I insist. It¡¯s the least I can do to thank the people who saved my child.¡±

    Recognizing her resolve, Christina relented and gave a small, warm nod. ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll look forward to it.¡±

    ¡°For now, you should go apany your son,¡± Calvin remarked, his voice gentle but firm. ¡°We have other matters to take care of.¡± The mother read the polite hint and offered a gracious smile. ¡°Sure, let you get back to work.¡± She glided away, herposure unshaken.

    As her heels clicked down the hallway, Calvin exhaled.

    Christina shot him a confused look. ¡°Why the sigh? The surgery went smoothly, didn¡¯t it? What¡¯s with the gloomy expression?¡±

    With a sly smile, Calvin asked, ¡°Do you have any idea who she is?¡± Christina just shrugged, the faintest smirk on her lips. ¡°Not a clue.¡±

    He let out a low, knowingugh. ¡°Figures. Aside from medicine, nothing else ever seems to register with you.¡±

    The corners of his mouth lifted in an affectionate, slightly exasperated smile. Her world probably looked like an endless stream of case files and surgical notes, leaving no space for anyone or anything else.

    Christina didn¡¯t bother pretending to care about that mother¡¯s background, but since Calvin had brought it up, she tossed out a casual question. ¡°So, who is she then? Some big potato?¡±

    Leaning in, Calvin lowered his voice, his words tinged with significance. ¡°She¡¯s the eldest daughter of the Gomez family from Lorbridge.¡±

    He hesitated for a heartbeat and then added, ¡°Actually, I¡¯ll be heading out soon to operate on another high-profile member of their family.¡±

    Christina gave a quiet, contemtive nod. If Calvin¡¯s tone was any indication, the Gomez family was far from ordinary¡ªmore like the type whose every move sent ripples through the city.

    ¡°I see. It¡¯s gettingte¡ªyou should get some rest. I¡¯ll head home as well.¡±

    Calvin offered an easy smile. ¡°Alright then. Just don¡¯t forget about dinner tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t,¡± Christina replied, her tone warm but resolute.

    After they went their separate ways, Christina made her way out of the hospital. She had meant to meet Davina for dinner, but with everything that had happened, she had no choice but to postpone.

    As she stepped through the hospital¡¯s sliding doors and into the cool evening air, a figure moved toward her from the curb. She recognized the man instantly¡ªit was one of Dn¡¯s drivers, a familiar face from past encounters.

    The driver offered a respectful nod. ¡°Miss Jones, Mr. Scott is waiting for you.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 83

    ?Chapter 83:

    Christina blinked, surprised. ¡°Dn is waiting for me?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± the driver replied.

    Her curiosity got the better of her. ¡°How long has he been waiting?¡±

    ¡°Roughly four hours,¡± the driver replied, his tone honest andposed.

    ¡°Four hours?¡± Christina¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°We need to hurry!¡± Shocked by the revtion, she wasted no time and followed the driver with quickening steps.

    Earlier, Dn had messaged her, offering to pick her up. She¡¯d declined, busy with other matters, assuming he¡¯d simply move on. She never imagined he would wait¡ªand for that long.

    When they reached the sleek ck Maybach, the driver stepped forward and opened the rear door with practiced precision. ¡°Miss Jones, please.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said, her voice soft but earnest, as she stepped inside.

    Dn sat waiting, dressed in a sharp ck suit tailored to perfection. His long fingers were looselyced over his knees, his posture rxed yetmanding. There was a maism to him¡ªan almost disarming calm that cloaked a presence impossible to ignore.

    ¡°Done with work?¡± Dn¡¯s voice broke the silence as he turned toward Christina, his tone even, stripped of its usual sharpness. Tonight, his eyes held a calmer sheen¡ªstill unreadable, but no longer cold.

    Christina gave a quiet nod. ¡°Yes. You didn¡¯t have to wait. It¡¯s a hassle¡ªI could¡¯ve found my own way back.¡±

    ¡°Chloe wouldn¡¯t hear of it,¡± Dn replied, his expression smooth as ss. ¡°She insisted I bring you home and said she wouldn¡¯t sleep otherwise.¡±

    ¡°In that case¡­ thank you,¡± Christina said softly.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s, the ce for amazing tales

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± he replied, as if brushing off a speck of dust.

    A faint smile tugged at Christina¡¯s lips, but the exchange withered there.

    They weren¡¯t exactly friends¡ªbarely more than acquaintances. The silence that followed felt stiff, like a wall neither knew how to climb. Christina shifted her gaze to the window, letting the passing lights of the city pull her attention away. To her relief, Dn didn¡¯t question her about what had kept her at the hospital. She didn¡¯t have the energy to lie¡ªor the desire to exin.

    The car glided along the nighttime streets, its interior hushed like a sanctuary. The glow of passing neon signs painted fleeting patterns on the ss as Christina drifted into her thoughts.

    Suddenly, Dn¡¯s voice pierced the quiet. ¡°Has King reached out to you?¡±

    Christina blinked, drawn back from her reverie. ¡°Hm? No¡­¡±

    She turned to him, a flicker of confusion knitting her brow. But before she could finish her sentence, the driver yanked the steering wheel.

    The sudden jolt sent Dn off bnce¡ªhe instinctively reached out, one hand gripping the seat, the other sliding around Christina¡¯s waist just in time to keep her from crashing forward.

    In the scramble, his lips grazed her forehead.

    The light, idental contact stunned Christina. A cool sensation bloomed where his lips had brushed, freezing her in ce as a wave of inexplicable energy surged through her. Her breath hitched. Her mind went nk. A shiver of awareness zipped down her spine, leaving her numb, dazed, and breathless.

    The car was eerily silent, save for the hum of the tires and the thunder of two racing hearts.

    Then, another lurch. This time, Christina fellpletely into Dn¡¯s arms. Her lips met the fabric of his shirt¡ªsoft cotton and the sharp, unmistakable scent of him. When she pulled back slightly, a vivid red imprint of her lipstick remained, stark against the pure white like a scarlet blossom in snow.

    Leaning against him, Christina couldn¡¯t ignore the warmth of his body, the clean, intoxicating scent that wrapped around her, growing richer with each inhale. She could feel his heart under her palm¡ªstrong, rhythmic, grounding. And it was speeding up.

    As if pulled by an invisible force, Christina found herself drawing closer, her senses narrowing until all she could hear was the beat of his heart.

    Dn looked down at her, his gaze sharpening as he watched her inch nearer. His heart¡ªsteady andposed just moments ago¡ªnow raced uncontrobly. It didn¡¯t make sense. He had never lost hisposure over a woman¡¯s touch. Now, his pulse was thundering in his ears, and he couldn¡¯t look away. What was this feeling?

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 Chapter 84

    ?Chapter 84:

    ¡°Mr. Scott, Miss Jones, are you both okay?¡± The driver¡¯s sudden inquiry brought Christina and Dn sharply back to the moment.

    A flush of embarrassment colored Christina¡¯s cheeks as she quickly disentangled herself from Dn¡¯s embrace, striving to appearposed. ¡°I¡¯m alright.¡±

    ¡°Apologies,¡± the driver continued. ¡°A car swerved into ourne earlier. I had to dodge it, so¡­¡±

    ¡°No worries. As long as we¡¯re safe,¡± Christina cut in gently, her voice steady and reassuring.

    She turned her gaze toward Dn, casually asking, ¡°How about you? Are you doing alright?¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± he replied tersely, his face straight. His ears tingled with heat, and a lingering warmth colored his face. Determined to hide it, he adopted an intentionally distant demeanor. He hated to admit it, but he felt oddly hollow when she pulled away.

    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing the driver reacted so quickly. That was impressive,¡± Christina said sincerely.

    The driver¡¯s face reddened modestly. ¡°You¡¯re too gracious, Miss Jones.¡± The driver opened his mouth to speak further but fell silent when Dn¡¯s icy nce met his in the rearview mirror. The jolting maneuver earlier hadn¡¯t disturbed Dn, but now an unmistakable irritation shadowed his expression. Could jealousy be simmering beneath hisposed exterior because of Christina¡¯s praise? Sensing the tension mounting, the driver wisely chose silence, focusing intently on the road ahead.

    Christina suddenly noticed a smudge of lipstick staining Dn¡¯s immacte white shirt. ¡°Oh no¡ªyour shirt! My lipstick got on it!¡± Dn looked down. Sure enough, a faint red stain had bloomed on his crisp white shirt. His jaw tightened slightly. The image of Christina falling into him reyed in his mind¡ªthe softness of her lips brushing against his chest, the warmth of her body, the scent of her perfume. The moment had been brief, but it lingered like a whisper on his skin.

    Christina pulled out a tissue from her bag, leaning in to grab his cor gently. ¡°When we get back, give me the shirt¡ªI¡¯ll clean it for you and make sure it¡¯s good as new,¡± she said, frowning in concentration as she reached out to clean the lipstick mark.

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    Just then, Dn¡¯s hand unexpectedly closed around her wrist.

    Stunned, Christina lifted her eyes to meet his, confusion flickering within. His grip was gentle, far from restrictive, and the warmth of his touch,bined with the subtle roughness of his skin, unexpectedly brought aforting sensation.

    ¡°I¡¯ll just dab it lightly so it won¡¯t spread across your shirt,¡± she murmured.

    ¡°That¡¯s alright,¡± Dn responded in a t, unemotional tone.

    Christina blinked in surprise. ¡°Huh? What did you say?¡±

    ¡°I said it¡¯s alright,¡± he repeated calmly, his features unreadable.

    After a brief pause, he added softly, ¡°The mark doesn¡¯t look bad on my shirt.¡±

    Christina stared at him, momentarily speechless. Wait¡ªwhat? She clearly remembered Chloe telling her how obsessed Dn was with cleanliness. People with a cleanliness obsession usually couldn¡¯t bear even the slightest blemish on their clothes. So why was he soposed¡ªalmost indifferent¡ªabout the lipstick mark?

    While she was still trying to wrap her head around his bizarrely calm reaction, Dn spoke up. ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to clean it. Someone at home handles that sort of thing.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Christina replied quietly, her gaze drifting to his hand circling her wrist.

    Following her eyes, Dn noticed he had yet to release her. ¡°Sorry,¡± he muttered, withdrawing his hand swiftly, though a subtle reluctance lingered in his motion. His hand dropped to hisp, fingers curling slightly as if trying to hold on to the trace of her warmth that still lingered in his palm.

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 Chapter 85

    ?Chapter 85:

    Christina brushed it off with an easy smile. ¡°Honestly, there¡¯s nothing to be sorry about.¡±

    A lull settled over the car before Dn spoke up out of the blue. ¡°I¡¯ll give the driver an extra month¡¯s bonus.¡±

    That caught Christina off guard. ¡°Wait, what brought that on?¡±

    ¡°You mentioned earlier that his quick thinking and skill behind the wheel impressed you,¡± Dn exined.

    Her brow furrowed as she tried to catch up. ¡°Right. That¡¯s true, I did.¡±

    ¡°Well, he deserves a reward then,¡± Dn said, his tonepletely straightforward.

    Augh slipped out of Christina. ¡°I don¡¯t really understand your rules. If you say he deserves it, then who am I to argue?¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Dn replied without hesitation.

    The driver, ovee with gratitude, blurted out, ¡°Thank you so much, Miss Jones. Thank you, Mr. Scott.¡±

    The driver was genuinely surprised. Instead of getting in trouble, he¡¯d wound up with an unexpected bonus. From the rearview mirror, he shot Christina a grateful look, silent thanks shining in his eyes. He was certain he owed everything to her kindness.

    Dn made a sudden decision. ¡°He¡¯ll be your personal driver from now on.¡±

    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Christina¡¯s jaw dropped.

    Without missing a beat, Dn replied, ¡°I¡¯ve noticed you¡¯re always hailing cabs. Having a personal driver would spare you the hassle. There¡¯s no need for you to worry about the car or the costs¡ªI¡¯ll handle the driver¡¯s sry and everything else.¡±

    She shook her head. ¡°I appreciate it, but it¡¯s really unnecessary. I can manage to buy a car on my own. Plus, your fleet is a bit too shy for my taste¡ªI¡¯d rather not draw attention everywhere I go.¡±

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    Her n all along was to buy something simple, nothing more than what she needed to get around¡ªcertainly not a showy ride. Meanwhile, every car in Dn¡¯s collection was the kind that turned heads¡ªhigh-end models with jaw-dropping price tags, a few even custom-built for him alone.

    ¡°If that¡¯s the issue, I¡¯ll just purchase something more understated,¡± Dn suggested.

    ¡°Driving myself is what I¡¯mfortable with.¡± Christina gave a gentle sigh. It didn¡¯t sit right with her to keep epting favors. Staying in Dn¡¯s vi was generous enough. Taking a car and a driver felt like too big a leap.

    ¡°Think of the driver as a thank-you for looking after Chloe,¡± Dn¡¯s tone softened just a touch.

    Watching Christina waver, Dn added, ¡°Let¡¯s say you¡¯ve had a ss of wine or you¡¯re just too exhausted to drive¡ªjust call him. No need to worry about pay or benefits. I¡¯ll take care of everything. And he¡¯s getting an extra six months¡¯ bonus for his trouble.¡±

    The driver, who¡¯d been listening intently, nearly let his foot slip from the pedal at the mention of such a hefty bonus. Even with his heart racing, he managed to bring the car to a smooth stop outside the vi. He kept quiet, not wanting to interrupt, but his eyes found Christina¡¯s in the mirror, full of silent pleading and hope. A yes from her would mean the world to him. He¡¯d treat the job with even more loyalty if she epted.

    Feeling the weight of his anticipation, Christina finally relented. A nod sealed it. ¡°Alright then. Thank you, Mr. Scott.¡±

    For the first time that day, something gentle flickered in Dn¡¯s expression, the hint of a smile breaking through his usual reserve. Any trace of weariness vanished from his face, reced by quiet contentment.

    ¡°Thank you so much, Miss Jones!¡± the driver blurted out, unable to contain his joy.

    A gentle smile lingered on Christina¡¯s lips. Dn¡¯s voice followed, calm and steady. ¡°Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, he¡¯ll be waiting for your instructions.¡±

    Christina answered with a simple, ¡°Okay.¡±

    Once outside the car, she lingered by the curb, her eyes following the car until it vanished from sight. Only then did she head back into the vi.

    Dawn brought a new day. Christina padded out of her room, still in pajamas. Shuffling downstairs and stifling a yawn, she blinked away sleep, her eyes scanning the living room. What she saw made here to a sudden halt,pletely taken aback.

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 Chapter 86

    ?Chapter 86:

    Dn¡¯s sudden arrival left Christina momentarily frozen in ce. She nced down and was instantly mortified¡ªshe hadn¡¯t changed out of her ridiculous SpongeBob pajamas. For a heartbeat, she was tempted to sink straight through the vi floor and vanish.

    When Dn looked up, his cial eyesnded on her, taking in the spectacle of her dressed in pajamas. That absurd cartoon smile stretched across her chest, all yellow innocence and lopsided teeth¡ªa jarring contrast to the sleepy, flustered woman wearing it. It was utterly adorable. The thought shed through his mind before he could stop it. His lips twitched at the edges, betraying the faintest flicker of amusement, but his face quickly settled back into its usual severeposure.

    He still looked every inch the untouchable,manding figure¡ªshoulders squared, jaw set, his presence somehow dominating the room even while sitting.

    For a moment, Christina considered retreating¡ªmaybe slipping back upstairs and pretending she¡¯d never seen him. But fleeing would only make things worse. Bracing herself, she inhaled deeply and squared her shoulders, forcing a look of careless ease onto her face. She strolled over, doing her best to appear unfazed by the situation. ¡°So, what brings you by?¡± Her tone was deliberately breezy, though a hint of anxiety trembled underneath.

    Dn stood up slowly, every movement controlled and deliberate. ¡°I brought the car and driver for you,¡± he replied, his voice low and even as he fixed her with that unreadable gaze.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Christina¡¯s brows knitted, her confusion in. Sure, she¡¯d agreed to let the driver pick her up yesterday¡ªbut Dn showing up himself with the car? That, she hadn¡¯t expected.

    He added, ¡°This one won¡¯t draw any attention. It¡¯spletely unremarkable.¡±

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    Christina arched a brow, half skeptical. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see what you picked out,¡± she replied, following him out.

    The moment she caught sight of the car, she stopped dead, wide-eyed. The vehicle in question looked like it belonged in a Saturday morning cartoon: small, bubbly, painted in a riot of cheerful colors, its headlights shaped like doe eyes, and a logo grinning up at her like a mischievous mascot. It wouldn¡¯t draw attention? Maybe in terms of price tag, but the design was anything but subtle. It was the kind of car that begged for double takes and selfies.

    A faint twitch flickered across Christina¡¯s lips as she tried to make sense of the scene. Under her breath, she grumbled, ¡°You¡¯re assigning a driver to this thing? Isn¡¯t that overkill?¡±

    Dn, expression unreadable, nced at her. ¡°Don¡¯t like it?¡± he asked, as if the answer wasn¡¯t already written all over her face.

    Christina managed a strained smile, shifting awkwardly. ¡°No, it¡¯s cute, really. I¡¯m just worried your driver might be insulted, driving me around in such a tiny car.¡±

    The driver jumped in without missing a beat. ¡°Not at all, Miss Jones! I¡¯m honored to drive you!¡± His eager tone left no room for doubt.

    Christina forced another smile, lips twitching with reluctant amusement. She¡¯d braced herself for a generic sedan¡ªsomething practical, maybe a little boring. Never in a million years had she expected Dn to pick out a car that looked like it belonged in a children¡¯s cartoon.

    ¡°You don¡¯t like it?¡± Dn watched her reaction, his usually stoic face shadowed by a faint crease of worry. Chloe had insisted this was the perfect choice¡ªaffordable, discreet, and supposedly irresistible to women. Given Christina¡¯s fondness for yful pajamas, he¡¯d felt oddly sure she¡¯d fall in love with the car¡¯s cutesy charm. But as he searched her face now, his confidence faltered. Beneath that icy exterior, uncertainty flickered. For a man used to keeping the world at arm¡¯s length, waiting for her approval felt almost unbearable.

    A tense beat passed before Christina finally spoke. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s kind of cute. I like it,¡± she said, the words soft but genuine. She hadn¡¯t expected this¡ªa man as aloof as Dn, going out of his way to choose something so cute for her. Everything about him, from his home¡¯s severe minimalist lines to his crisp, unppable demeanor, exuded discipline. Yet here he was, gifting her this car.

    Dn kept his features perfectlyposed, but a subtle wave of relief washed through him. ¡°The car¡¯s yours now,¡± he stated, his voice cool and even.

    Christina met his gaze with unwavering resolve. ¡°Then I¡¯ll pay for it. I¡¯ll send you the money, or you can just deduct it from my sry.¡±

    Dn wasted no time. His lips barely moved as he answered, ¡°I¡¯ll deduct it from your paycheck.¡±

    ¡°Works for me,¡± Christina replied, not missing a beat.

    He adjusted his cuffs, his mind already drifting back toward the office. ¡°I have to get to the office. I¡¯ll head out.¡±

    Christina fell in step beside him. ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll walk you out.¡±

    Then, without thinking, she asked, ¡°Did you have breakfast yet?¡±

    ¡°Not yet,¡± Dn answered, his voice clipped and his face still unreadable. But beneath that frosty exterior, a spark of longing flickered¡ªso faint that it was almost invisible. At his side, his thumb traced a slow, unconscious circle against his forefinger, the only hint of his quiet anticipation.

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 Chapter 87

    ?Chapter 87:

    Christina shed an easy smile and suggested casually, ¡°I haven¡¯t had anything to eat, either. How about we grab some breakfast together before heading to the office?¡±

    Dn came to an abrupt halt. ¡°Alright.¡±

    The smile on Christina¡¯s face faltered for a second. Before she even realized what was happening, Dn was already turning around and heading into the house. What in the world? She had only meant it as a friendly gesture¡ªwas he really going to take her up on it?

    Still a little stunned, Christina hurried after him.

    Meanwhile, Dn walked ahead with a subtle smile ying on his lips, hidden from her view.

    In the dining room, Christina found herself staring awkwardly at the bowl of oatmeal set in front of Dn.

    ¡°Sorry about this. I told the kitchenst night that I wanted oatmeal for breakfast today¡­¡± She paused and then added, ¡°If oatmeal isn¡¯t your thing, I can ask them to make something else. Would you rather have some toast and milk?¡±

    ¡°Oatmeal is fine with me,¡± Dn replied, giving his head a shake.

    ¡°There are some vegetables and fried eggs here as well. Would you like any meat? I can get a te for you,¡± Christina suggested. A tiny worry nagged at her, thinking Dn, as the head of the renowned Scott family, might not be used to such a simple meal.

    Dn responded, ¡°No need. I prefer a light breakfast as it¡¯s good for health.¡±

    ¡°I also think a light meal in the morning is best. Let me serve you some eggs and vegetables,¡± Christina said as she ced a bit of each on his te.

    Dn picked up his bowl and started to eat. He couldn¡¯t tell if it was because he was truly hungry, but the oatmeal and side dishes seemed to taste better than anything he had eaten before.

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    While Christina ate, she sneaked nces at Dn, curious about his reaction. Watching him enjoy the food, she was a little taken aback. All along, she had assumed he¡¯d just been polite and wouldn¡¯t actually enjoy the meal. Clearly, she had been wrong.

    ¡°Chloe¡¯s getting discharged today, and I may not be able to go get her. Would you mind taking care of that for me?¡± Dn asked without warning.

    Christina gave a nod. ¡°That falls under my job anyway. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make sure she¡¯s well taken care of.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± A slight crease formed between Dn¡¯s brows, as though something was bothering him.

    Christina noticed his sudden change and said, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You look like something¡¯s on your mind.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious,¡± Dn answered after a nce at her. ¡°I still haven¡¯t managed to secure the Woodfort.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll find it,¡± Christina said with firm conviction, her tone carrying a hint of encouragement. In truth, she was already thinking about trying another prescription for Chloe. If there was still no progress on securing the Woodfort within three days, she would have to switch to a new prescription. She was worried about Chloe¡¯s condition worsening if the treatment was dyed.

    ¡°Hope so,¡± Dn replied softly. That meal had left him in a better mood than he expected¡ªhe felt light on his feet, re-energized, and prepared for whatever came next.

    After seeing Dn off, Christina returned home, slipped into somethingfortable, and headed out by herself.

    Soon enough, Christina pulled into the parking lot. She had just stepped out of her car and hadn¡¯t even closed the door when an annoying voice rang out nearby.

    ¡°Christina! Your car is just too cute¡ªis it new?¡± Ynda¡¯s overly dramatic tone made her false excitement clear.

    Christina saw no reason to answer. She pressed her lips together and walked on with a frosty expression.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you walk away!¡± Katie¡¯s angry voice snapped as she blocked Christina¡¯s path. ¡°Ynda was talking to you. Didn¡¯t you hear? Are you deaf, or were you never taught any manners, rendering you this rude?¡±

    Christina¡¯s eyes turned hard as she stared back. ¡°Even if I were rude, I¡¯d still be better than you.¡±

    Before Katie had the chance to fire back, Christina stepped around her and kept going.

    Fuming, Katie stuck out her leg in frustration. A sh of spite shone in her eyes as she purposely tried to trip Christina, hoping to send her sprawling.

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 Chapter 88

    ?Chapter 88:

    Christina feigned a stumble the moment Katie tried to trip her, her body pitching forward as she acted like she was wavering before steadying herself, deliberately stomping on Katie¡¯s leg several times in the process.

    ¡°Agh, that really hurts!¡± Katie gasped sharply, her face contorting as she swiftly withdrew her foot, the pain unmistakable.

    ¡°Christina, that¡¯s too much!¡± Ynda rushed over, helping steady Katie with an exaggerated expression of concern. ¡°Katie only said a few harsh words¡ªdid you really have to hurt her on purpose?¡±

    Christina turned slowly, her eyes cold as ice. ¡°Hurt her on purpose? Are you serious? Should we pull up the hospital¡¯s security footage and see who started what? I nearly fell because of her, and I didn¡¯t hurt her on purpose.¡±

    Ynda faltered. ¡°But¡­ I saw you just now¡ªyou stepped on her.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! This spiteful woman hurt me deliberately!¡± Katie¡¯s voice cracked with anger.

    Christina¡¯s expression remained unchanged. ¡°I didn¡¯t. But if you¡¯re so confident, I can ask the hospital director to pull the surveince footage. Better yet, we can upload it and let the public decide.¡± Her eyes swept over the two women, cold and fearless.

    Katie¡¯s indignation surged, certain that Christinacked ess to the surveince footage. She opened her mouth to argue, but Ynda grasped her arm firmly.

    ¡°Let it go,¡± Ynda whispered under her breath, her voice soft but pointed. ¡°Your brother and grandmother are both hospitalized. And don¡¯t forget¡ªChristina is still your brother¡¯s ex-wife. There¡¯s no need to stir up trouble.¡± She deliberately emphasized the word ex-wife, her tone sweet butced with venom.

    Katie snorted, regaining herposure swiftly, and then leveled a sharp re at Christina. ¡°Don¡¯t mistake me for someone who¡¯s intimidated by you. Once my brother is discharged, you¡¯ll pay for this.¡±

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    Christina didn¡¯t respond. She simply turned around and walked away, heading straight to Bethel¡¯s ward.

    As soon as Christina entered, Bethel¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Christina, seeing you makes my day!¡±

    ¡°How are you doing?¡± Christina responded gently, seating herself beside the bed and enveloping Bethel¡¯s hand in hers. ¡°Has your condition improved?¡±

    ¡°Much better now. Had it not been for your careful care, I might have passed away long ago,¡± Bethel said with a soft chuckle.

    Christina frowned slightly, replying, ¡°Bethel, don¡¯t speak like that. You still have many years ahead¡ªfull of life and happiness.¡±

    Bethelughed softly, her expression peaceful. ¡°At my age, I¡¯ve already lived more than enough. Even if I left now, I¡¯d have no regrets. But if I could live long enough to see your childe into this world, that would be a blessing.¡±

    ¡°Bethel¡­¡± Christina lowered her eyes, her voice faltering. ¡°You know that Brendon and I are no longer¡­¡±

    Bethel reached out and gently stroked Christina¡¯s head with her thin, wrinkled hand. ¡°I know. Brendon didn¡¯t cherish you the way you deserved. You¡¯re a remarkable woman, Christina. Brendon will regret the way he treated you one day. But when I said I wanted to see your child, I never meant it had to be Brendon¡¯s. Since being with him didn¡¯t bring you joy, then go your separate ways. I just want you to be happy.¡±

    To Bethel, Christina had long since be more than just her grandson¡¯s former wife. She was family.

    ¡°Bethel¡­¡± Christina whispered, her throat tightening. Emotion swelled in her chest.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, sweetheart,¡± Bethel said gently, giving her hand a firm squeeze. ¡°Even though Brendon turns his back on you, I never will.¡± Bethel paused and then added quietly, ¡°I¡¯ve already made my will. If something happens to me, all my shares of thepany will go to you.¡±

    Christina froze, shocked. ¡°What? Bethel, what are you saying?¡±

    ¡°I mean it.¡± Her tone was soft but resolute. ¡°This is my decision. Please don¡¯t try to talk me out of it.¡± Her gaze turned serious. ¡°The Dawson Group carries generations of effort, love, and sacrifice. I cannot bear to see that legacy crumble under the hands of those ipetent ones in this family. My husband trusted me with most of the shares, and I intend to honor that trust by choosing someone worthy.¡±

    Bethel exhaled. ¡°You must realize by now that no one in the Dawson family can manage the Dawson Group like you can. You¡¯re the only one I believe in. You¡¯re smart, calm, and kind-hearted¡ªeverything thepany¡¯s future head needs. I don¡¯t know how much time I have ahead of me, Christina. Life is full of uncertainties¡ªyou never know whether tomorrow or an ident wille first.¡±

    As her words settled between them, Bethel¡¯s grip on Christina¡¯s hand tightened. ¡°Christina, promise me you¡¯ll run the Dawson Group after my passing, will you?¡±

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 Chapter 89

    ?Chapter 89:

    Christina studied Bethel quietly for a moment, her gaze gentle but unreadable.

    Noticing Christina¡¯s silence, Bethel said, ¡°It¡¯s alright. If you¡¯d rather not take on the helm of the Dawson Group, I won¡¯t push it. I understand. I only decided to give those shares to you to provide you with a sense of security¡ªsomething to fall back on in the future.¡±

    Bethel offered a faint smile, the corners of her lips tugging up with resignation. ¡°Even if I handed the shares off to that bunch of ipetent people in the Dawson family, the Dawson Group would crumble anyway. Might as well give the shares to you.¡±

    Christina¡¯s smile was soft but steady. ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about this now, Bethel. You¡¯re going to be fine. I¡¯m sure of it.¡±

    Christina couldn¡¯t bear the thought of losing Bethel just yet. Bethel had always treated her like family. The warmth, the fierce protection, the love¡ªit had meant the world to her.

    ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll save it for another time,¡± Bethel said with a light chuckle. She had already put her affairs in order. The will was written. Now, she simply lived each day with quiet eptance, ready for whatever came next.

    ¡°When I¡¯m discharged,¡± Bethel added, her voice calm, ¡°I¡¯ll transfer my family¡¯s estate to your name.¡±

    Before Christina could get a word in, the door to the hospital room flew open, crashing against the wall with a bang. A furious voice echoed through the room: ¡°Absolutely not! That estate is not going to her!¡± Christina didn¡¯t need to turn around. That grating, self-righteous tone was unmistakable¡ªBrendon, her ex-husband.

    ¡°This is my decision,¡± Bethel said icily, her voice cutting through the tension like ss. ¡°And no one gets to overrule it.¡±

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    Brendon stepped forward, ready to argue, but before he could get a word out, Ynda clutched his wrist, reining him in. With syrupy sweetness, she said to Bethel, ¡°Mrs. Dawson, are you feeling any better? I brought some health supplements for you¡ªall the way from overseas.¡± She stepped forward with an elegant box and carefully ced it on the bedside table, her expression a mask of gentle concern.

    Bethel¡¯s face hardened instantly. Her years of authority resurfaced in an instant, transforming her into the formidable matriarch she had always been. Her re swept over Ynda and the others like a de.

    ¡°Who gave you the gall to bring this vile thing into my hospital room?¡± Bethel¡¯s voice was sharp, cutting through the tension.

    Ynda flinched, her eyes welling up with tears at the public humiliation. She blinked rapidly, her voice trembling as she said, ¡°Mrs. Dawson, I know you¡¯ve never liked me, but must you be so harsh? If my presence offends you this much, I¡¯ll go.¡±

    She deliberately brushed past Brendon as she made a move to leave. Predictably, he caught her by the arm.

    ¡°Ynda, don¡¯t go.¡± Even with the pain radiating from his still bandaged head, his focus was solely on her.

    ¡°Let me go, Brendon,¡± Ynda whispered, her voice trembling, her eyes shimmering with tears, her acting skills shining through.

    ¡°No.¡± Seeing her look so fragile¡ªso unjustly treated¡ªsent a pang through Brendon¡¯s chest. With aching tenderness, he reached out to wipe away her tears.

    ¡°Brendon¡­¡± Ynda¡¯s voice trembled as she looked up at him, her eyes glistening with gratitude and false vulnerability.

    But the scene was shattered by Bethel¡¯s roar. ¡°Enough! Get out of my sight. Now!¡±

    Ynda froze, her hands curling into tight fists at her sides. How dare this old hag humiliate her like this?

    Brendon¡¯s frustration erupted. He turned toward Bethel, face flushed, his voice rising. ¡°Why are you always so unfair to Ynda?¡± Then, with a sharp turn, his re fell on Christina. ¡°Is it because she¡¯s been poisoning your mind? Whispering lies to turn you against Ynda?¡±

    Bethel¡¯s fury boiled over. With a resounding m, her palm struck the bedside table. ¡°Watch your mouth, Brendon!¡± she snapped. ¡°Not everyone is as twisted as you. Christina has never said a word against you guys. Never!¡±

    ¡°Oh really? Then exin your unwarranted hatred toward Ynda!¡± he barked. ¡°Why did you decide to give Christina the family estate when she¡¯s done nothing to deserve it?¡±

    To Brendon, it had always been painfully clear¡ªBethel favored Christina. That favoritism had festered in him like a wound, one that never healed.

    Katie stormed forward, her eyes locked on Christina with pure venom. ¡°You maniptive slut!¡± she screamed. ¡°What the hell did you do to my grandma? Slip her something? Cast a damn spell?¡±

    ¡°Who are you calling a slut?¡± Bethel¡¯s gaze snapped to Katie¡ªcold, razor-sharp, lethal. Her voice was low now, controlled and cutting. The calm before the strike.

    Katie faltered. That unblinking stare¡ªit chilled her to the bone. Without thinking, she took two steps back, her bravado draining away like blood from her face.

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 Chapter 90

    ?Chapter 90:

    With a gentle squeeze, Ynda took Katie¡¯s hand and spoke softly, her words carefully chosen to make her seem understanding while subtly aggravating Katie. ¡°Katie, please don¡¯t make a scene. Let¡¯s listen to your grandmother, okay? Christina¡¯s done so much for her. After all that care and patience she¡¯s shown, it¡¯s only fair for your grandmother to repay her somehow.¡±

    Katie¡¯s fear faded in an instant, swept away by a surge of anger. Witnessing Bethel¡¯s affection for Christina felt like a p. How could an outsider earn more love from her grandmother than she, the granddaughter by blood? The sting of jealousy reced every ounce of hesitation.

    ¡°I won¡¯t stand for this!¡± Katie shouted, yanking her hand free from Ynda¡¯s grasp. ¡°Why should I just ept this?¡± With trembling hands, she jabbed a finger at Christina. ¡°She¡¯s not even family! What gives her the right to inherit the Dawson estate?¡±

    A sharp crack sounded as Bethel¡¯s palm mmed down on the table, her voice ringing out with authority. ¡°Because the property is in my name. That means I get to decide who receives it!¡±

    Stepping in before the moment escted, Christina gently reached for Bethel¡¯s hand. ¡°Bethel, please¡ªdon¡¯t hurt your hand like that. It isn¡¯t worth it.¡±

    Instantly, Bethel¡¯s stormy expression softened, a warm smile breaking through as she turned to Christina. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, sweetheart. I¡¯m not hurt at all. You¡¯re the only one who truly cares how I feel,¡± she said, casting a sharp nce at her grandchildren. ¡°Unlike certain people in this family who¡¯ve forgotten the meaning of gratitude.¡±

    From his ce at the side, Brendon felt his irritation mounting. To him, it seemed like Christina was more of a grandchild to Bethel than he or Katie ever were. He couldn¡¯t stay quiet anymore. ¡°Grandma, even if the deed is in your name, the house is part of the Dawson family legacy. Let¡¯s face it¡ªmost of the family members will never ept what you¡¯re trying to do. Plus, you don¡¯t have much time left. Just rest in the hospital until death ims you. Don¡¯t wield your position as the matriarch just to cause chaos inside the family.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s bluntness hit Bethel like a p, leaving her speechless. Disbelief filled her gaze, and tears threatened as anger mingled with heartbreak, an ache settling in her chest.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s is your fiction sanctuary

    ¡°He¡¯s got a point, Grandma. You have no business giving away what belongs to the Dawson family.¡± Katie seized the chance to pile on. Every word from Katie was cold and calcted, her eyes void of concern for Bethel¡¯s feelings. All she cared about was¡­

    keeping the estate out of Christina¡¯s hands. If her grandfather hadn¡¯t made the mistake of cing nearly all thepany shares, the Dawson estate, and several other properties in Bethel¡¯s hands, neither she nor Brendon would be forced to bow to Bethel. So what if Bethel was their grandmother? The Dawson family¡¯s assets would never go to an outsider. Now, in her old age, Bethel had astonished them by abruptly deciding to transfer the Dawson estate to Christina. What an old fool.

    Bethel¡¯s eyes glistened red as she looked long and hard at her grandchildren, a bitter smile touching her lips. In the past, she had adored Katie and Brendon, shielding them from every hardship as they grew. She had treated them like priceless treasures, making sure theycked for nothing. Yet, all that love seemed to have been wasted on hearts grown cold. With every passing year, their rebellion had only deepened. The more she tried to rein them in, the more defiant they became.

    Katie had always tested Bethel¡¯s patience the most. Time and again, Bethel had been forced to clean up the messes. Their rtionship had never recovered from the day Katie had bullied a ssmate so badly that the poor soul¡¯s arm was broken.

    Bethel herself had insisted on taking Katie to the police, prioritizing what was right over family bonds, even if it meant ruining their rtionship. After her release, Katie had barely exchanged a word with Bethel. Whenever their paths crossed, Katie often turned away, choosing to avoid Bethel entirely.

    usations had followed¡ªwhispers that Bethelcked warmth, that she was cold to her own blood. Was that the truth? All she ever wanted was for her grandchildren to stay on the right track.

    A dry, humorless chuckle escaped Bethel. Both Katie¡¯s and Brendon¡¯s words stung deeply. Decades of her life had gone into the Dawson family, her energy spent keeping their fortunes and reputation afloat. Even as the years weighed her down, she had carried every responsibility, worried her pampered descendants would falter without her steady hand. All those sacrifices¡ªthete nights, the constant stress, the toll on her condition¡ªwere now dismissed with their cruel words. Everything she had done was for them to lead a privileged life, yet here she was, receiving anything but due respect and gratitude. Sadness and disappointment settled over her like a heavy shroud, making it hard to breathe.

    Tightness gripped Bethel¡¯s chest, the ache radiating down her arms and into her fingers, each breath a struggle against a pain that threatened to swallow her whole.

    A sudden wave of agony hit. Bethel¡¯s hand flew to her chest, her features contorting in pain. Her vision blurred, and within seconds, she crumpled to the floor, helpless.

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 Chapter 91

    ?Chapter 91:

    ¡°Bethel!¡± Christina reacted immediately, reaching out to prevent Bethel from falling. She quickly checked Bethel¡¯s condition and pressed the call button for help without hesitation.

    Everything happened in the blink of an eye, leaving the others in the room frozen in shock, unable to react. Before anyone could collect themselves, Christina had already eased the unconscious Bethel onto the bed.

    Katie saw Christina examining Bethel¡¯s eyelids and rushed over, shoving Christina out of the way in a fit of anger. ¡°Move! What do you think you¡¯re doing? Stop acting like you know everything! You¡¯re not even a real doctor¡ªyou¡¯re just a vet at best!¡±

    The push made Christina stumble for a moment, but she quickly regained her bnce and retorted coldly, ¡°A veterinarian is still more useful than you.¡±

    ¡°More useful than me? HOW so? If it weren¡¯t for you, you jinx, would my grandma have fainted like this?¡± Katie shouted, her anger ring.

    Christina often wondered about the way Katie¡¯s mind worked. How could she so confidently shift me onto others and act as if she were innocent?

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you all push Bethel to this point?¡± Christina responded, her voice cold.

    Suddenly, the hospital room door swung open, and a group of doctors and nurses rushed in, moving Bethel onto a stretcher and wheeling her out to the emergency room.

    Everyone gathered outside the emergency room, nervously waiting for news about Bethel.

    ¡°Brendon, I¡¯m so sorry. This is all on me. If I hadn¡¯t visited your grandma, she wouldn¡¯t have fainted like that¡­¡± Ynda leaned on Brendon, her eyes rimmed with red as she gazed up at him, seemingly apologetic.

    ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself. This isn¡¯t your fault,¡± Brendon said, his tone soft.

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??, ?????????? ?????????? ????

    ¡°Naturally, Ynda is not to me,¡± Katie sneered, her eyes filled with scorn as she shot a re in Christina¡¯s direction. ¡°It¡¯s that walking disaster¡¯s fault. She¡¯s the reason my grandma ended up like this.¡±

    Keeping herposure, Christina replied, ¡°From now on, I want you all to stay away from Bethel. I¡¯ll look after her.¡±

    ¡°You only want to stay close to my grandma so you can trick her into handing over the Dawson family estate! You¡¯re just like those conniving caretakers who plot to snatch their employers¡¯ assets!¡± Katie snapped, her voice full of spite.

    A coldugh escaped from Christina. ¡°Think before you speak. Bethel might have fainted again if she had heard your absurd words. Don¡¯t piss her off again.¡±

    ¡°When have we ever done anything to piss her off? You¡¯re the problem here! If you had just left Dorfield for good, none of this would have happened!¡± Katie yelled, her anger boiling over.

    The absurdity of it all made Christinaugh again. She could never understand how Katie managed to spin the truth and always shift the me onto others.

    ¡°Christina, I know you care about Mrs. Dawson¡¯s well-being,¡± Ynda interjected gently, her words calcted to smear Christina¡¯s reputation. ¡°But you¡¯re not rted by blood. Isn¡¯t it a bit much to forbid her grandchildren from visiting her?¡±

    ¡°Look at her¡ªjust another greedy outsider trying to grab the Dawson family¡¯s property!¡± Katie eximed, curling her lip. ¡°Leaving her alone with my grandma is just giving her more time to fill my grandma¡¯s head with poison.¡±

    Christina shot Katie a look of pure contempt, as if she were staring at an idiot. ¡°You¡¯ll only continue to piss Bethel off with these absurd words. Just remember this¡ªif something happens to her, it won¡¯t do you any good, but it might just work out in my favor.¡±

    Katie went stiff, her face twisted in bewilderment. ¡°W-what¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±

    Brendon¡¯s brows drew together as he stared at Christina. ¡°What exactly are you up to?¡± Just being in the same room as her seemed to set him on edge.

    ¡°Christina, you wouldn¡¯t really hurt Mrs. Dawson just to get your hands on the Dawson estate, would you?¡± Ynda asked in a shaky voice, clutching Brendon¡¯s arm and shrinking behind him as if she were frightened.

    ¡°The estate hasn¡¯t even changed hands yet. I¡¯m not nearly as reckless as you are,¡± Christina answered, a small smirk tugging at her lips as she looked at them with open disdain.

    ¡°So, does that mean if it does get transferred, you¡¯d hurt her?¡± Ynda pushed further, dead set on tarnishing Christina¡¯s image.

    ¡°I never said any such thing, nor do I have those kinds of intentions. Stop thinking that everyone is as calcting as you are,¡± Christina replied in an even voice.

    A wave of color drained from Ynda¡¯s face, and tears started to fall down her cheeks. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean for it to sound that way¡­¡±

    ¡°Christina! Haven¡¯t you stirred up enough chaos?¡± Brendon shouted, his re sharp with frustration.

    ¡°Chaos? I haven¡¯t done anything of the sort. As long as I¡¯m here, I¡¯ll make sure Bethel is safe,¡± Christina said, her tone unyielding.

    ¡°You? That¡¯s augh.¡± Brendon scoffed. ¡°And what exactly can you do to make that promise? Where does all this confidencee from?¡±

    ¡°Believe what you want, but I am more than capable of ensuring her well-being,¡± Christina responded, steady and sure.

    Brendon¡¯s gaze turned sharp, and there was no mistaking the challenge in his voice. ¡°Alright then. If you can get Dr. Emmett toe today, we¡¯ll agree not to visit my grandma again until she¡¯s recovered. But if you can¡¯t, you¡¯ll have to stop setting your sights on the Dawson family estate or eyeing any of the Dawson family¡¯s assets!¡±

    Before Christina could get a word in, Katie jumped in with excitement.

    ¡°Hold on! There¡¯s more¡­¡± She aimed a smug smile at Christina. ¡°If Dr. Emmett doesn¡¯t show up today, then you¡¯re leaving Dorfield for good. Don¡¯t even think abouting back.¡±

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 Chapter 92

    ?Chapter 92:

    Without missing a beat, Christina said, ¡°Deal! Just remember to transfer five million to me once I fetch Dr. Emmett here as per our previous bet. Don¡¯t even think about weaseling out. And by then, don¡¯t forget the public apology you owe me. Here¡¯s a little reminder¡ªonce you lose the bet, forget about securing the chance of receiving treatment from King.¡± She had every intention of making Katie and the others fulfill their end of the bet today.

    Katie¡¯s lips curled into a smug smile. ¡°Works for me¡ªas long as you can get Dr. Emmett here before the day¡¯s over.¡±

    Katie doubted Christina could pull it off, especially on such short notice. She was convinced Christina was a total fool for taking on the bet with such a tight deadline. Booking a session with Calvin was nearly impossible. Even the city¡¯s elite had to wait for months, and Christina, barely valued by the Jones family, didn¡¯t stand a chance.

    ¡°But if you fail to bring Dr. Emmett, you know the deal. Hand over the chance of being treated by King,¡± Brendon chimed in.

    With unwavering calm, Christina just smiled. ¡°Sure.¡±

    Hearing her agreement, Brendon let out a silent breath of relief. For a while, he had been worried that Christina might¡¯ve already given King¡¯s treatment opportunity to someone else. But now, it seemed she was just holding on to the treatment opportunity, trying to use it as leverage to win him back. Sadly for her, her n was doomed to fail from the start since he had made up his mind¡ªhis love story was with Ynda.

    Ynda nced at Brendon, her tone gentle as she made another attempt to solidify her kind image in his heart. ¡°Brendon, maybe we should just drop this bet and not make things difficult for Christina? After all, Christina is your ex-wife. I don¡¯t really mind if I can¡¯t receive treatment from King.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s gaze lingered on her pale cheeks and trembling lips, a pang of sorrow rising as he saw how willing she was to sacrifice for others. With emotion thick in his voice, he insisted, ¡°I won¡¯t drop this bet. Ynda, I will do everything I can just to cure your illness. Losing you isn¡¯t something I could ever ept.¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.??0?? ¨C Next part

    ¡°But¡­¡± Ynda tried to object, measured uncertainty flickering in her eyes, but Katie cut her off before she could finish.

    ¡°Ynda, don¡¯t bother worrying about that snake, Christina! You need to put yourself first. We¡¯re talking about the chance of receiving King¡¯s treatment¡ªand the prospect of your illness being gone forever!¡±

    Tears welled in Ynda¡¯s eyes, her words barely steady. ¡°I just don¡¯t want to trouble you all. I don¡¯t want you to go through so much for me.¡±

    Brendon answered softly, conviction ringing in every word. ¡°You¡¯re about to marry me. Whatever struggles you face, we¡¯ll face them together.¡±

    Across the room, Christina watched their exchange, a faint smile ying on her lips as though she were enjoying an overdramatic scene. Her amusement didn¡¯t go unnoticed. Katie suddenly rounded on her, irritation spilling over. ¡°Why are you still standing there? Go fetch Dr. Emmett already! Don¡¯t think you can stall your way out of this. If you can¡¯t bring him today, you will lose the bet!¡±

    Raising her eyebrows, Christina let out a lightugh. ¡°Even I¡¯m not in any hurry. Why are you?¡±

    Katie scoffed, flicking her hair over her shoulder. ¡°Why should I care? I¡¯m not the one about to eat crow,¡± she retorted, rolling her eyes before turning away, clearly done with the conversation.

    Unfazed, Christina slowly pulled out her phone and punched in a number with practiced ease.

    Almost instantly, the line connected, and Calvin¡¯s upbeat voice greeted her. ¡°Funny, I was just thinking of calling you about aplicated case, and now you beat me to it.¡±

    Christina¡¯s lips curled into a small smile. ¡°I actually need a favor from you.¡±

    ¡°Just say the word. You know I¡¯ll do whatever I can,¡± he replied.

    ¡°I¡¯d appreciate it if you could swing by the hospital. I¡¯m here right now.¡±

    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re already at the hospital? Is everything alright? I wille over immediately.¡±

    ¡°Well, there¡¯s a patient I want you to examine.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m actually at the hospital. Where are you exactly? I¡¯ll head over now.¡±

    She passed along her location and ended the call, tucking her phone away with a look of calm satisfaction. Because she hadn¡¯t used speakerphone, everyone else remained clueless¡ªno hint about who was on the other end of the line or what was said.

    Katie scoffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Honestly, you¡¯re such a nice actress. Do you expect us to believe Dr. Emmett drops everything for you, as if he¡¯s just waiting by the phone to answer your call? Get real. He¡¯s far too busy for games like that.¡±

    Brendon shared her skepticism. Calvin¡¯s reputation as a top surgeon meant he was practically untouchable. Even if he made the trip to Lorbridge and pulled every¡­

    String he could, getting even five minutes with Calvin would be nearly impossible, let alone under these circumstances.

    Ynda tugged at Katie¡¯s sleeve, her tone soft, her words carefully chosen to make her appear considerate while subtly echoing Katie¡¯s usation. ¡°Katie, please don¡¯t embarrass Christina like that. It¡¯s really not polite to put someone on the spot.¡±

    Katie shot back without missing a beat, her eyes cold as she red at Christina. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that? Since she¡¯s bold enough to make wild ims, exposing her feels like the right thing to do. She asked for it.¡±

    Letting out an exaggerated sigh, Ynda turned her attention to Christina, her voiceced with false concern. ¡°Christina, there¡¯s no need to put on an act like this. Someone like Dr. Emmett doesn¡¯te when summoned by just one call. Why set yourself up for embarrassment?¡±

    Before anyone else could speak, amanding voice rang out, loud and authoritative, cutting through the tension. ¡°Who used Christina of putting on an act?¡±

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 Chapter 93

    ?Chapter 93:

    Katie, Brendon, and Ynda jumped, startled by the sudden voice behind them.

    Katie spun around, fuming. She didn¡¯t even check who it was before snapping, ¡°You nosy old geezer! Can¡¯t you just mind your own damned business?¡±

    She wasn¡¯t done yet and was about to hurl more insults when Brendon¡¯s cold voice cut in. ¡°Shut up.¡±

    Katie mped her mouth shut, shooting a re at the energetic old man. Something about him felt familiar, like she¡¯d seen him before. But her thoughts were cut short when Brendon spoke up respectfully. ¡°Dr. Emmett, my sister meant no harm. I apologize on her behalf. Please forgive her.¡±

    As he spoke, he threw Katie a warning nce.

    Katie froze and then stammered, ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, Dr. Emmett. I didn¡¯t mean what I said. Please don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±

    Calvin snorted, his voiceced with sarcasm. ¡°An apology? An old geezer like me is not worthy of such grand gestures.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re truly sorry, Dr. Emmett,¡± Brendon said, his brows drawn with worry. His tone was sincere, his posture humble. He clearly didn¡¯t want to offend Calvin. After all, even the biggest families in Lorbridge wouldn¡¯t dare step on Calvin¡¯s toes¡ªlet alone he.

    ¡°I really just spoke without thinking. Please forgive me, Dr. Emmett. I¡¯m so sorry,¡± Katie added quickly, her voice tight with emotion.

    Ynda stepped forward, her voice calm and sweet. ¡°Dr. Emmett, you¡¯re a man of great standing. Surely you wouldn¡¯t hold a grudge against someone so young and impulsive?¡±

    Calvin sneered and gave her a sideways nce. ¡°Spare me the sweet talk. I¡¯m petty¡ªI¡¯d hold a grudge against even a newborn.¡±

    ???????????? §ã?????????????? g??????????????????????

    Ynda was left speechless. The awkwardness was palpable. This wasn¡¯t the Calvin she¡¯d heard about. His reputation didn¡¯t match the man standing before them.

    Off to the side, Christina¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile as she discreetly gave Calvin a thumbs-up.

    Calvin noticed and lifted his chin slightly, a sh of pride in his eyes. Then, he leaned into his arrogance as he shifted his gaze back to Katie and the others, his eyes tinged with disdain.

    Katie fumed inside. She wanted tosh out but knew better. She couldn¡¯t afford to offend Calvin. If Calvin struck back, the Dawson family wouldn¡¯t stand a chance. She swallowed her pride and forced an apologetic look. ¡°Dr. Emmett, I truly understand my mistake. Please forgive me this once.¡±

    At that moment, Brendon spoke up. ¡°Dr. Emmett, were you invited here by Christina?¡±

    He was trying to steer the conversation and fish for answers. If Christina had indeed invited Calvin here, maybe there was still hope to salvage the situation. Perhaps he could even seize the opportunity to build a connection.

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Calvin replied coolly, his sharp eyes scanning Brendon. The tone in which Brendon mentioned Christina¡ªwas there something between them?

    Katie, Brendon, and Ynda stiffened in shock at Calvin¡¯s words. Christina had actually invited Calvin!

    Brendon was the first to recover. He let out a quiet breath, slightly relieved. Maybe this wasn¡¯t such a disaster after all. If he yed it right, this could work in his favor¡ªeven though he lost the bet. He stepped forward. ¡°My grandmother¡¯s been sick, and Christina¡¯s been doing everything to take care of her. Christina is an amazing wife. I¡¯m truly grateful for everything she¡¯s done for my family¡­¡±

    Calvin¡¯s brows furrowed. Wife? Christina had never said she was married. And judging by how these three treated her, something felt off. Turning to Christina, he asked, ¡°Is he your husband?¡±

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 Chapter 94

    ?Chapter 94:

    Brendon cast a nervous look at Christina, hoping she would y along and lie.

    Christina, however, had no ns to y his game. She calmly spoke the truth. ¡°No. He¡¯s my ex-husband.¡±

    A deep frown crept across Brendon¡¯s face as he red at her, barely containing his annoyance. He could never get used to how blunt she was. Instead of helping smooth things over, she always chose to be honest, no matter how ufortable it made everyone.

    Calvin picked up on her words and offered Brendon a mocking grin. ¡°So, ex-husband,¡± he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°You¡¯re such a smooth talker. If Christina hadn¡¯t cleared things up, I might have actually thought you two were the picture-perfect couple, so loving and supportive of each other.¡±

    A flush crept up Brendon¡¯s cheeks as the sting from Calvin¡¯s remark left him feeling exposed.

    ¡°Dr. Emmett, I think you misunderstand. Brendon has always been fair to Christina. He made sure she received what she was owed,¡± Ynda chimed in, her voice gentle as she tried to defend Brendon.

    ¡°Did he give her half of the family assets?¡± Calvin asked, his tone sharp. The direct question took Ynda by surprise, and she fell silent, unable to find a reply.

    Calvin sneered, ¡°Who would care about that small amount? Even if you gave her half of everything, you¡¯re far from treating her fairly.¡± Calvin¡¯s eyes swept over everyone before finally settling on Brendon. It was clear that Brendon had no idea what he had lost. In truth, maybe letting Christina go was the most correct thing Brendon had ever done. Someone as remarkable as Christina needed a partner who could see her true worth. Judging by their clueless expressions, it was obvious they had no clue about Christina¡¯s discreet identity.

    This thought brought the faintest smile to Calvin¡¯s lips. It seemed Christina hadn¡¯t nned to reveal she was actually the legendary healer, King. He couldn¡¯t wait for the day when they found out the truth. He imagined the shock on their faces would be unforgettable.

    ???????? ????????????????: g???????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°You believe Christina has been treated unfairly? But Brendon has already given her five million and provided her with two houses. Wouldn¡¯t you say that¡¯s sufficient? Christina knows nothing aside from taking care of chores, and that¡¯s it. She has more than enough now to guarantee she can live well from here on out,¡± Katie, unable to remain silent, quickly spoke up in Brendon¡¯s defense.

    Calvin¡¯s response was a chillyugh. ¡°Some people¡¯s shamelessness knows no limits.¡±

    ¡°Wait. Seriously? How did that make me shameless?¡± Katie retorted, her words thick with contempt.

    ¡°Katie!¡± Brendon snapped, shooting her a furious re. ¡°Can¡¯t you be quiet for a while?¡±

    Brendon knew he had to stop Katie from running her mouth. Only a little while earlier, they had been apologizing profusely, and Calvin still hadn¡¯t forgiven them. If Katie kept stirring things up, she would only make matters worse for everyone.

    Anger simmered inside Katie, but she bit her tongue and said nothing more.

    ¡°Dr. Emmett, Christina epted the settlement. At that time, I even considered giving her one more house,¡± Brendon said, turning to Calvin and lowering his voice in an attempt to ease the tension.

    Calvin looked at him, arching an eyebrow. ¡°Is that so? Which house did you have in mind?¡±

    Brendon managed a strained smile. ¡°It would be up to Christina. Whichever one she liked best.¡±

    ¡°Why not the seaside vi at Bayview Estates?¡± Christina said, her response immediate, her voice carrying a chill.

    Brendon tensed up for a moment, clearly surprised she would ask so directly.

    Katie could not hold back her outrage. ¡°How could you even suggest that? That vi was supposed to go to Ynda! Don¡¯t you have any shame?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like I begged you to give me anything,¡± Christina replied, folding her arms and shing them a small, knowing smile. ¡°Your brother was the one offering me a house and letting me choose. Now that I¡¯ve picked, you¡¯re angry about it? If you didn¡¯t want to give, you should¡¯ve kept quiet instead of acting generous.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Katie¡¯s temper boiled over, and she nearly lunged at Christina before Brendon quickly stopped her.

    ¡°Brendon.¡± Ynda moved closer, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She spoke words she didn¡¯t mean. ¡°If Christina desires that house, then just let her have it. Honestly, it¡¯s alright. I don¡¯t mind it.¡± Pausing, she added, ¡°I am perfectly capable of earning money myself. However, the only thing Christina knows how to do is housework, and that is all. If she spends money recklessly, life outside might be tough for her. After everything she¡¯s done as a housewife for you for so many years, giving her a bit more is the least we can do.¡±

    Calvin was ready to respond, but before he could speak, Christina¡¯s voice rang out, silencing the room.

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 Chapter 95

    ?Chapter 95:

    ¡°Then, thank you, Brendon. Please transfer the ownership of the three properties to me as soon as possible, so you can¡¯t back outter,¡± Christina said with a faint smile. She paid no mind to Ynda¡¯s snide remarks. All that mattered to her was getting something real¡ªsomething tangible. They could talk all they wanted. She couldn¡¯t care less.

    Brendon¡¯s expression remained cold. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ll get what¡¯s yours.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s reassuring to hear,¡± Christina replied calmly.

    While Christina remained unfazed, Calvin was seething. His chest tightened with rage. These fools had kept a medical legend trapped in the role of a housewife for years! Worse, they showed no appreciation for whatever she had contributed to the household. If Christina hadn¡¯t preferred to keep her identity as the legendary healer King under wraps, he would¡¯ve revealed the truth and made them regret it for life.

    ¡°Pay up now. You lost the five-million bet,¡± Christina said, her eyes locked on Brendon.

    Brendon nced at Calvin, who was staring at him intently. Gritting his teeth, he transferred five million to her. ¡°That settles it,¡± he muttered, barely holding back his fury.

    Katie shot Christina a deadly re. The frustration in her eyes was in. To her, Christina was nothing but a ckmailer. What burned more was that there was nothing they could do about it.

    Ynda clenched her fists behind her back, her chest tight with bitterness. The house and the money should¡¯ve been hers. But she wasn¡¯t alone in that pain¡ªBrendon and Katie felt like they¡¯d been cut open.

    ¡°Apologize now as per the bet¡¯s demands,¡± Christina said after receiving the money.

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    ¡°Sorry. We were wrong. I hope you won¡¯t hold it against us,¡± Brendon said, lowering his head.

    Katie wanted to snap, but when she saw Brendon bow, she had to do the same. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have spoken to you like that. Please forgive me.¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t even look at them properly. Her voice was t. ¡°Alright.¡±

    Her indifference made Katie¡¯s blood boil. But she couldn¡¯t explode¡ªnot now. She swallowed her anger, her breathing shaky.

    ¡°Christina, they¡¯ve already apologized. Can¡¯t you just forgive them? We¡¯re not enemies. Why make it worse?¡± Ynda stepped in, making another feigned attempt to smooth things over while actually aiming to make Christina look vindictive.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just mind your own business?¡± Christina shot her a sharp look of contempt.

    Ynda¡¯s fake smile froze. She hadn¡¯t expected such a blunt response, and it left her utterly humiliated.

    Calvin, who had remained expressionless till now, quietly gave Christina an approving nce.

    Just then, the doors to the emergency room opened. Doctors and nurses began walking out. When they saw Calvin, they stopped in their tracks. Shock and awe crossed their faces. Some opened their mouths but were too stunned to speak.

    ¡°Dr. Emmett!¡± someone finally cried out, their voice shaking with excitement. The others quickly found their voices.

    ¡°Dr. Emmett, what brings you here?¡± one asked eagerly, barely containing their excitement.

    ¡°I came to check on the patient,¡± Calvin said.

    His reply drew a few curious nces toward Christina. They already knew she was the one who invited him here and somehow convinced him to dy surgery for a major figure. It was clear her connection with Calvin was something extraordinary.

    Seizing the rare chance, one of the doctors hesitated before asking, ¡°Dr. Emmett, I¡¯ve been stuck on a case. Would you have time for a discussionter?¡±

    Calvin nodded. ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll be around for a few days. If you run into any issues, feel free to ask.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Dr. Emmett!¡± the doctors beamed, nearly bouncing with joy.

    After checking on Bethel, Calvin turned to Christina. ¡°She¡¯s stable for now. But it¡¯s best not to upset her again. Emotional stress will only slow her recovery.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Christina nodded and then faced Brendon. ¡°You heard him. Stick to your word and leave her in peace until the surgery.¡±

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 Chapter 96

    ?Chapter 96:

    ¡°Why should¡ª¡± Katie began, but Brendon interrupted her. Frustrated, she threw her hand up and shot Christina a withering re.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll agree,¡± Brendon said, his voice softer now. ¡°Just take care of my grandma.¡±

    ¡°I will,¡± Christina replied, her tone cold and distant. There was no warmth in her words.

    Brendon shifted ufortably. The chill in her voice stung, but he still clung to the hope that he could mend things enough to establish a connection with someone as influential as Calvin.

    After Bethel regained consciousness, Brendon left her hospital room with Ynda and Katie.

    Once they returned to Brendon¡¯s ward, Katie¡¯s fury erupted like a storm.

    ¡°Why are we even listening to Christina?¡± she snapped, seething with anger.

    Brendon turned sharply, fixing Katie with a stern re. ¡°Because she knows Dr. Emmett. You can¡¯t keepshing out at her like that.¡±

    Katie crossed her arms defiantly. ¡°Who knows how they even know each other? For all we know, there could be something shady going on between them,¡± she spat, dissatisfied, starting to spread rumors.

    ¡°Katie, that¡¯s not fair,¡± Ynda said gently, her brows furrowing in feigned disagreement. ¡°We don¡¯t know their rtionship. No matter how close they are, we shouldn¡¯t jump to conclusions.¡±

    Katie turned to her, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. ¡°You¡¯re too soft, Ynda. If you keep letting things slide, Christina¡¯s going to bleed the Dawson family dry.¡±

    Ynda¡¯s gaze fell to the floor, her voice barely above a whisper. Her next words were calcted, meant to make her seem gentle and considerate. ¡°I just want Brendon. As for the Dawson family¡¯s assets, Brendon can give them to whoever he wants. Whatever decision Brendon makes, I¡¯ll support him, as long as he doesn¡¯t let you suffer.¡±

    L?t?st ch¦Ápt?rs in g??lnovels.??????

    Katie¡¯s eyes shimmered with emotion, touched by Ynda¡¯s quiet devotion. ¡°Ynda, you¡¯re too good. If Christina had even a shred of your kindness and consideration, we wouldn¡¯t be drowning in all this chaos.¡±

    Ynda gave Christina a mild, mock-scolding nce. ¡°Don¡¯t talk like that. Christina has her own merits too.¡±

    ¡°Merits?¡± Katie scoffed with an icyugh. ¡°She¡¯s just a housewife who only knows how to scrub dishes. She¡¯s not even in your league.¡±

    Ynda offered a soft smile. ¡°Christina¡¯s actually pretty impressive. Didn¡¯t she win a championship once? I think that¡¯s something worth acknowledging.¡±

    ¡°Impressive?¡± Katie snorted. ¡°Please. She probably slept with the shooting range owner to rig thepetition. There¡¯s no way she earned that title fair and square.¡±

    Brendon stiffened. Her words dragged his thoughts back to thatpetition¡ªthe image of Christina, poised and fierce, was still vivid in his mind. It was a stark contrast to the quiet, unremarkable woman he had always known. That memory lingered, unshakable.

    ¡°Ynda!¡± Katie¡¯s tone sweetened as she hooked her arm through Ynda¡¯s with affection. ¡°Didn¡¯t you always dream of bing a fashion designer?¡±

    Ynda tilted her head. ¡°Yes, I did. Why?¡±

    ¡°I just heard something exciting,¡± Katie said, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. ¡°The Hubbard Group is about tounch a fashion designpetition. The first prize? You be their lead designer and the Hubbard family¡¯s exclusive stylist.¡±

    Ynda paused, taken aback, before regaining herposure with a smile. ¡°Where did you hear that? I haven¡¯t heard anything about the Hubbard Group hosting a fashion designpetition.¡±

    ¡°My friend knows Mr. Hubbard¡¯s cousin¡ªhe let it slip,¡± Katie whispered, giving a conspiratorial wink.

    ¡°It sounds like fun. If it¡¯s true, let¡¯s enter together. It¡¯s not about winning. Just participating would be amazing,¡± Ynda¡¯s eyes sparkled, though she masked the fire beneath her calm expression.

    ¡°Fun?¡± Katie threw her head back with augh. ¡°No, no, no¡ªyou have to win. Once you¡¯re the Hubbard family¡¯s designer, you¡¯ll get me in the door. And once I¡¯m close to Mr. Hubbard¡­¡± Her eyes gleamed as she sped her hands to her chest, like a girl dreaming of her fairy-tale prince. ¡°Boom! Mrs. Hubbard!¡±

    Katie twirled dramatically, already swept up in the fantasy. ¡°Once I¡¯m Mrs. Hubbard, the Dawson family will be untouchable. And when that happens, I swear I¡¯ll buy you a super-yacht. We¡¯ll throw yacht parties every day, living like queens!¡±

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 Chapter 97

    ?Chapter 97:

    Ynda maintained a pleasant smile, though inwardly, she scoffed at Katie. The idea that Katie actually thought she could help her be Mrs. Hubbard wasughable. If Ynda ever had a real chance at climbing that high, she would never let anyone else take the opportunity.

    ¡°Ynda, you have to help me,¡± Katie pleaded, clinging to her arm and giving it a yful shake,pletely unaware of the flicker of disdain in Ynda¡¯s eyes.

    Ynda smiled sweetly and patted Katie¡¯s head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If I win the championship, I¡¯ll definitely help you win Mr. Hubbard over.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Ynda! You¡¯re the best!¡± Katie beamed, resting her head on Ynda¡¯s shoulder, her face glowing with joy.

    Off to the side, Brendon stood quietly, lost in thought. Christina¡¯s smile kept reying in his mind. Since leaving the Dawson family, she had changed. The stiffness she once carried was gone¡ªnow, she walked with quiet confidence. The image of her dazzling smile made his heart skip a beat. Strange emotions stirred inside him, ones he didn¡¯t fully understand.

    ¡°Brendon?¡± Katie¡¯s brow furrowed. She nudged him and raised her voice. ¡°Brendon!¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± He blinked, snapping out of his daze. His gaze shifted to the two women. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°What were you thinking about? You lookedpletely zoned out,¡± Katie asked, watching him closely.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± he muttered, quickly burying the feelings that had just surfaced. ¡°What were you saying?¡±

    ¡°I said the Hubbard Group is organizing a fashion designpetition. Ynda and I are joining,¡± Katie replied.

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    ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Brendon said distractedly.

    Ynda noticed the way his mind wandered and clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. It seemed he was thinking about that wretched Christina.

    ¡°And that¡¯s it? No encouragement for us?¡± Katie teased, nudging him with a grin.

    ¡°If you both make it into the top ten, I¡¯ll give you each a hundred thousand,¡± Brendon said tly.

    ¡°Deal!¡± Katie cheered, shing a wink at Ynda.

    Ynda smiled and gently tapped Katie¡¯s forehead. But deep inside, her eyes shed with fierce determination. She was going to win that championship. That was her chance to get closer to the Hubbard family. The Dawson family was nothingpared to the prestigious Hubbard family. If she could establish a connection with the Hubbards, there was no way she¡¯d stay stuck in the Dawson circle.

    When Christina walked into the private room of Morfort Restaurant, Lauretta Gomez, the mother of the child whose medical bills Christina had paid upfront, and Calvin were already waiting.

    ¡°Sorry I¡¯mte,¡± Christina said with a small, apologetic smile.

    ¡°You¡¯re notte at all. We just got here,¡± Lauretta said warmly. ¡°Come, have a seat,¡± Calvin chimed in, motioning Christina to join them as he began the introductions.

    Raising her ss of red wine, Lauretta stood up. ¡°Miss Jones, I¡¯d like to toast to you. If it weren¡¯t for you, my son might not have made it.¡±

    ¡°It was just good fortune that Dr. Emmett happened to be at the hospital,¡± Christina said modestly, standing to clink sses with her.

    ¡°Even so, I owe you more than words can say,¡± Lauretta said in a sincere voice.

    After finishing her drink, Lauretta turned and toasted Calvin as well. ¡°You both saved my son¡¯s life. I¡¯ll never forget it,¡± she said, cing two bank cards on the table. ¡°There¡¯s five million in each. It¡¯s just a small token of my appreciation.¡±

    Lauretta had already reimbursed Christina for the hospital costs¡ªthis was beyond that. A gesture straight from the heart.

    ¡°Ms. Gomez, that¡¯s far too generous,¡± Christina said, gently pushing the card back toward her. ¡°I don¡¯t want money. I only have one small favor to ask.¡±

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 Chapter 98

    ?Chapter 98:

    Initially, Lauretta suspected Christina¡¯s hesitation stemmed from dissatisfaction with the sum offered, prompting her to consider a higher amount. But who would have guessed that Christina was asking for her help with something instead? Declining a generous five-million-dor offer in exchange for help signaled that the favor Christina needed was no trivial matter.

    Lauretta leaned back slightly, cautious. ¡°What exactly do you want from me?¡±

    Christina noticed the wariness in Lauretta¡¯s voice and gave a calm smile. ¡°I need your help to uncover information about Woodfort. I¡¯m prepared topensate you ordingly.¡±

    Christina recognized that Lauretta was no ordinary person. Lauretta¡¯s grandfather had oncemanded troops, and her younger brother was already a major general. Their family wielded power that outshone even the most elite circles. With such a background, Lauretta had grown up sharp, observant, and always on alert. Naturally, she didn¡¯t trust easily.

    Lauretta paused, caught off guard by how simple Christina¡¯s request was¡ªjust help digging up information on Woodfort. ¡°What do you need Woodfort for?¡± she asked.

    Christina¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°It¡¯s for Dn¡¯s sister. She¡¯s being treated by Dr. King¡ªthe famous healer¡ªbut her treatment is missing one final ingredient.¡±

    Woodfort was derived from a rare nt notorious for its toxicity, yet its root possessed remarkable healing properties. Given the nt¡¯s scarcity and the difficulty involved in harvesting its root, obtaining it was an extraordinary challenge.

    ¡°You mean Chloe is sick?¡± Lauretta asked, her tone changing. Having only just returned to the country, she hadn¡¯t been privy to this detail. A condition severe enough to warrant the King¡¯s attention must be grave indeed. But it surprised her that the Scott family had actually brought someone like King on board.

    Your escape begins at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°Yes,¡± Christina confirmed with a nod. ¡°That¡¯s why I need your help to find Woodfort.¡±

    Lauretta hesitated, her expression troubled. ¡°If this were a few years ago, I¡¯d have helped you in a heartbeat. But now¡­¡± She gave a faint, bitter smile. ¡°I don¡¯t have those kinds of connections anymore. I left my family five years ago and moved overseas. I haven¡¯t spoken to any of them since. All I have now is money¡ªnot influence. I¡¯m really sorry.¡±

    Christina looked slightly surprised but then nodded¡­

    with understanding. ¡°That¡¯s alright. If you happen toe across anything, just let me know.¡±

    ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll keep watch for you,¡± Lauretta said gently, sliding the bank card toward Christina. ¡°You should keep this.¡±

    Before Christina could respond, Calvin¡¯s voice interrupted the moment.

    ¡°Lauretta, you should go back and visit your family.¡±

    Calvin sighed quietly.

    Lauretta¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°Mr. Emmett, can we not talk about that right now?¡± she said, clearly ufortable.

    Calvin exhaled. ¡°I¡¯m only saying this because I¡¯m worried you¡¯ll regret it someday. Did you know your father is unwell? I intended to travel to Lorbridge to perform surgery on him, but chance led me to cross paths with you instead.¡±

    Lauretta¡¯s body stiffened, and her hand holding the fork visibly trembled. Slowly, she shifted her gaze to meet Calvin¡¯s.

    ¡°His condition isn¡¯t good,¡± Calvin continued, his voice heavy. ¡°Honestly, I can¡¯t guarantee he¡¯ll even make it through the operation.¡±

    He wasn¡¯t being dramatic¡ªhe truly wasn¡¯t confident about the oue. But if Christina got to perform the surgery, the chances would improve significantly.

    Lauretta¡¯s fingers tightened around the fork. Her mind raced with memories of her father. A deep bitterness began to well up inside her. She felt like she¡¯d failed as a daughter. It had been years since shest contacted her family. Pride had built an invisible barrier, preventing her from reaching out. She had naively hoped that time alone might heal the fractures between them, but she had never considered the possibility of unforeseen circumstances. The mere thought of losing her father without onest farewell tightened a painful knot inside her heart, leaving her restless and unsettled.

    ¡°Even you are not confident about the surgery?¡± Lauretta asked, her eyes searching Calvin¡¯s face.

    He slowly shook his head. ¡°Yes. But if King did the surgery, there¡¯d be a better chance. Maybe an eighty percent sess rate. Still not a guarantee¡ªbut much better odds.¡±

    A flicker of hope stirred within Lauretta. ¡°If I help King acquire Woodfort, could I persuade King to undertake the case?¡±

    Calvin cast a discreet nce at Christina. ¡°It¡¯s hard to say. King doesn¡¯t care about power or money. No one really knows what motivates King.¡±

    Calvin knew full well that Christina wouldn¡¯t be swayed under any circumstances, and her consent only came willingly.

    Christina, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. ¡°King will be in touch with me soon. How about I ask if King is on board?¡±

    ¡°Really? King will reach out to you?¡± Lauretta¡¯s eyes sparkled with hope.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Christina nodded and briefly exined how she had secured King¡¯s help for Chloe¡¯s treatment.

    ¡°I see,¡± Lauretta said with a nod. ¡°I¡¯ll do everything I can to find Woodfort. If I seed, I¡¯ll offer it in exchange for King to perform the surgery on my father.¡±

    Christina nodded thoughtfully. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure King hears your request.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Lauretta said sincerely, lifting her ss in a quiet toast of gratitude.

    By the time Lauretta walked Christina out of Morfort Restaurant, the sky had darkened, and the evening air had cooled. A gentle breeze brushed against Christina¡¯s face, tugging loose strands of her hair. Beneath the streemp¡¯s glow, her silhouette shimmered softly, her presence quietlymanding attention despite the stillness. Just then, a sleek ck Maybach rolled up to the curb. Christina assumed the driver had arrived and moved to greet him, but then a tall figure in a tailored ck suit stepped out, radiating an air of effortless elegance. It was Dn.

    Christina widened her eyes slightly. She had only called for the driver. What was Dn doing here?

    Slightly intoxicated from the wine, Christina smiled warmly as she closed the distance between them. ¡°You¡ª¡± Her words cut short as her high heel unexpectedly caught on the uneven pavement, sending her staggering forward in an unsteady falter.

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 Chapter 99

    ?Chapter 99:

    Dn rushed forward and caught Christina just in time, steadying her as her high heel snagged on the step. One arm wrapped around her waist, their faces only inches apart.

    Christina clung to Dn, arms looped tightly around his neck, her body slightly tilted, bnced only by his hold.

    Their eyes locked, and for a moment, it felt like their noses might brush. Warm breath passed between them, only asionally broken by the whisper of a passing breeze.

    A soft gust lifted a few loose strands of Christina¡¯s hair, brushing them gently across her flushed cheeks.

    The faint scent of wine lingered on her breath, mixing with her natural fragrance into something delicate, intoxicating.

    Maybe it was the wine on her breath¡ªor maybe something more¡ªbut Dn felt lightheaded, his breathing unsteady. Her skin glowed under the light, and up close, every feature of her face seemed impossibly beautiful. He couldn¡¯t tear his eyes off her.

    Thump. Thump. Christina couldn¡¯t tell whose heartbeat echoed louder¡ªhers or his¡ªbut one thing was certain: Dn looked devastatingly dashing up close.

    ¡°Has anyone ever told you how ridiculously handsome you are?¡± she asked with a yful smile, her voice low and unguarded.

    Dn didn¡¯t answer right away. His expression remained stoic, lips pressed into a firm line as he gazed at her.

    ¡°Why the poker face all the time? Come on, smile a little,¡± she teased, lifting a hand and gently poking the corner of his mouth.

    The edge of Dn¡¯s mouth lifted into a faint smile.

    Your next chapter is here g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°There it is. You look even better when you smile,¡± Christina beamed.

    Maybe it was the alcohol talking, but something about him made her bolder, more curious. She leaned in a little closer, drawing in a breath.

    ¡°You smell amazing,¡± she murmured.

    Dn blinked. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°1 said, you smell amazing,¡± she repeated,ughing softly as she buried her face in the curve of his neck and breathed him in again.

    His scent was warm and clean, addictive. It wrapped around her like a spell. Something stirred inside her, deep and sudden¡ªlike a restlessness she couldn¡¯t quite suppress.

    Her nose grazed his neck, cold against his skin, and the contrast made his body stiffen. A shiver ran through him, and his Adam¡¯s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.

    The air between them thickened, heated by their closeness and quiet breaths.

    Desire coiled inside Dn, sharp and sudden, dangerously hard to ignore. He inhaled deeply, trying to steady himself. His voice was rough as he finally spoke. ¡°You¡¯ve had too much to drink.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not drunk,¡± Christina whispered, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

    ¡°You¡ª¡± Dn started, but she cut him off with a soft press of her finger against his lips.

    ¡°Shh.¡± Her smile deepened. ¡°I¡¯m really not drunk.¡±

    She wasn¡¯t lying. Tipsy, yes. But not drunk. Just bold, curious, and fearlessly drawn to him.

    Dn stared at her, thrown off bnce. A resigned smile touched his lips. A tipsy Christina was even more endearing than usual.

    ¡°Don¡¯t believe me?¡± she asked, tilting her head, studying his face.

    ¡°I believe you,¡± Dn said quietly.

    ¡°You don¡¯t look like you believe me.¡± She scrunched her nose and leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his.

    Dn tensed again. His hand at her waist tightened as their closeness pushed him to the edge. Her touch¡­ Her warmth¡­ Her scent¡­

    ¡°I¡¯ll show you I¡¯m not drunk,¡± she said, pulling back just enough to meet his eyes.

    ¡°How?¡± he asked, voice husky, throat tightening, his Adam¡¯s apple rising once more.

    Christina¡¯s lips curled into a slow, teasing smile as she leaned in, inch by inch, closing the space between them.

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 Chapter 100

    ?Chapter 100:

    Dn¡¯s breath grew heavier, a little quicker, as he struggled to rein in the storm inside him. His lips inched toward Christina¡¯s, instinctively drawn to the warmth between them.

    But just as Dn thought their lips would meet, Christina pulled away. He froze, caught off guard, his brows knitting ever so slightly in annoyance.

    Before he could speak, Christina slipped out of his arms and kicked off her heels without warning.

    rmed, Dn stretched his long legs and caught her hand just in time, fearing she might bolt toward the street. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± His voice was low, husky¡ªtinged with worry and resignation.

    ¡°I¡¯m proving I¡¯m not drunk!¡± Christina dered with a tiny hup.

    ¡°And how exactly do you n on doing that?¡± he asked, his tone softening.

    ¡°Let¡¯s race. I bet I can outrun you,¡± she said, eyes bright with yful confidence.

    Dn stared at the pink flush on her cheeks for a moment, and then, without a word, swept her off her feet.

    ¡°Hey! We didn¡¯t even start running yet. Are you cheating?¡± Christina frowned.

    Dn chuckled under his breath. ¡°It¡¯s toote now. The race is postponed till tomorrow.¡±

    When he didn¡¯t get a response, he looked down and met her unwavering gaze. ¡°What?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Nothing. I just think you have a really nice smile. You should show it more,¡± she said with a gentle smile.

    He didn¡¯t reply, but a brief, quiet smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he carried her forward, pausing only to pick up her abandoned heels. Whenever Christina drank, she carried a certain childlike charm¡ªunguarded, free.

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    He ced her gently in the passenger seat. As he reached over to fasten her seatbelt, her fingers suddenly curled around his tie.

    He frowned slightly and reached to pull it free, but before he could, she tugged sharply, drawing him close.

    His body was pulled forward, and he braced himself against the seat to keep from crashing into her. Their faces hovered just inches apart.

    At that moment, the world around them fell quiet. Only the sound of their breath and the thudding of their hearts filled the silence. It felt like time had stopped.

    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you smiling?¡± she asked softly, her brow creased with mild frustration.

    Dn hesitated and then forced a smile¡ªbut it came out stiff and unsure. He wasn¡¯t someone who smiled easily.

    ¡°That¡¯s better,¡± Christina said with a satisfied grin. ¡°You look even more handsome when you smile.¡± She let go of his tie and settled back in the seat.

    ¡°Get some rest. We¡¯ll be there soon,¡± Dn said quietly.

    ¡°Alright.¡± She closed her eyes without protest. Within seconds, her breathing evened out, and she drifted to sleep.

    By the time Dn arrived at her home, she was sound asleep. ¡°Mr. Scott,¡± Aylin greeted with a respectful bow, nked by a few household staff.

    Dn gave a slight frown and waved them off. They took the hint and quietly stepped away.

    Not wanting to wake Christina, Dn gently lifted her in his arms and carried her upstairs. He ced her carefully on the bed, pulling the covers over her sleeping form.

    As he looked down at her peaceful face, something stirred in his chest. A strange heat. He swallowed hard and tugged at his tie, trying topose himself.

    He allowed himself onest nce¡ªthen quietly turned and slipped out, closing the door behind him.

    Back in his own ce, Dn opened his wardrobe. His eyesnded on a white shirt hanging neatly inside, marked faintly with a lipstick stain. The moment in the car shed across his mind¡ªtheir closeness, their breath mingling in the silence. He could still feel the ghost of her lips against his. His thoughts spiraled, tangled and loud.

    He reached for the white shirt, hesitated, and hung it back again. Then, without a word, he headed into the bathroom. After washing up, he stood at the sink, gripping its edges, staring at his own reflection. His sharp features were unreadable, but his eyes burned with something unspoken. And then her voice echoed in his mind¡ªsoft, tipsy, and filled withughter.

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 Chapter 101

    ?Chapter 101:

    Christina¡¯s voice, warm and gentle, echoed in Dn¡¯s mind, her smile still vivid in his memories. ¡°See? There¡¯s something about your smile ¡ª it really suits you. I honestly think you look your best when you let yourself smile. You should do it more often.¡±

    Dn gazed into the mirror. Rigid features stared back at him, eyes sharp and almost unyielding.

    A long moment passed before he attempted to coax a smile onto his lips, trying to follow her advice. The result, however, felt anything but natural. Frustration pulled his brows together as the awkward grin quickly faded.

    Determined, he made several more attempts, each time the smile softening ever so slightly, though it never quite matched what he hoped for. In contrast, Christina¡¯sughter always seemed so easy and beautiful¡ªher joy radiated without effort.

    Still, Dn found himself rooted before the mirror, practicing again and again, determined to capture just a hint of that warmth. Anyone familiar with him would have been utterly floored by the sight.

    Inside a quiet hospital room, Lauretta, feeling the haze of a few drinks, tapped in the same familiar number again and again, but hesitation stopped her from making the call. Time after time, she would erase the digits, her tired eyes falling to her sleeping child beside her.

    Nearly half a decade had passed since she¡¯d made her decision, walking away from her family, burning every bridge as she started over in a distantnd.

    Over the years, Lauretta had erased every way her family could reach her, maintainingplete silence for half a decade.

    Every tale finds a home at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Old memories resurfaced whenever she thought of her father¡ªhis stern ways, the strict rules, but also the deep love he¡¯d always shown her. The ache from those recollections was sharp. With hindsight, she wondered if she¡¯d been too unforgiving in her decisions.

    Back then, when having fun abroad, she had had a one-night stand with a stranger whose identity remained a mystery to her. Initially, she¡¯d chalked it up to a fleeting encounter, nothing more. But three monthster, her world shifted¡ªshe discovered she was carrying a child.

    Questions from her father had been relentless, but shame silenced her. She had invented a story about a boyfriend, unwilling to admit the truth behind her son¡¯s conception. She¡¯d lied, saying their rtionship had ended, stubbornly ¡°protecting¡± her supposed boyfriend¡¯s identity. Outrage had exploded from her father when he realized her engagement with the Norris family was at risk.

    Arranged marriage had always been a cage for Lauretta¡ªshe¡¯d fought it for years, pleading with her father to break things off. But he would not yield. Such a move, he insisted, would spark conflict between their families and ruin their reputation.

    Things had changed when she became pregnant. Lauretta had seized the chaos, insisting it was time to call off the engagement. Her father, however, stood his ground¡ªhe demanded she end the pregnancy.

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 Chapter 102

    ?Chapter 102:

    Honestly, when those first test results came in, she had considered terminating the pregnancy. But her resolve wavered the moment she saw the small, flickering heartbeat on the ultrasound. She knew she couldn¡¯t give her baby up.

    Strength had always been Lauretta¡¯s hallmark¡ªshe never needed a husband, but she knew she wanted this baby. Confidence in her ability to raise a child on her own never wavered.

    Yet, her father had been unyielding, issuing threats of disowning her if she refused to end the pregnancy. Presented with that stark choice, she had walked away from the Gomez family without a backward nce.

    Those memories brought a sting to her eyes as she looked lovingly at her son, tears silently slipping down her cheeks. Her hand reached out, fingers gently curling around his tiny one. She regretted not ever reaching out to her family in the past five years, but she didn¡¯t regret keeping her son.

    Calvin¡¯s words echoed in her mind, giving her the strength to exhale deeply and finally press the call button to her father¡¯s number.

    Ringing filled her ears¡ªuncertainty creeping in, she almost wavered and hung up, her finger trembling above the screen. But before she could act, the call connected.

    ¡°Hello?¡± That familiar voice crackled through the line, wearier and rougher with age.

    Lauretta¡¯s throat clenched, hot tears streaming down her face. A shaky hand covered her mouth, muffling the sobs that threatened to escape. Somehow, her father, Aldred Gomez, sensed it was her. ¡°Lauretta? Is that you?¡±

    Background noises filtered in¡ªanother voice, gentle and concerned,

    Explore new chapters g?l¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°¡®Who¡¯s calling sote, dear? You need your rest. The operation is soon¡ªjust hang up if it¡¯s not important.¡±

    Lauretta¡¯s tears came harder, but she pressed her lips together, determined to stay silent and not let her heartbreak spill out. Aldred¡¯s voice came again, softer now, threaded with hope. ¡°Lauretta, is that really you?¡±

    Emotion overwhelmed Lauretta atst, and a sob slipped past her lips. Noise crackled on the other end¡ªLauretta¡¯s mother¡¯s voice rang out, trembling with shock and excitement. ¡°Lauretta? Is it really you, sweetheart? Did our Lauretta finally call?¡±

    Tears thickened Lauretta¡¯s voice as she struggled to answer. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me. I¡¯m so sorry.¡±

    Regret weighed heavy in Aldred¡¯s reply. ¡°No, Lauretta, I¡¯m the one who owes you an apology.¡± Sobs broke up Lauretta¡¯s words, but she insisted, ¡°It wasn¡¯t your fault. I was being stubborn.¡±

    Urgency cut through as Lauretta¡¯s mother, Doris Gomez, jumped in, her question breathless. ¡°Lauretta, where are you right now? Are you in Lorbridge?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m in Dorfield. Once Caspien gets better, we¡¯ll transfer him to a hospital in Lorbridge,¡± Lauretta replied, wiping her cheeks.

    Their surprise echoed down the line. ¡°Caspien?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Lauretta replied gently. ¡°My son¡¯s name is Caspien. Your grandson.¡±

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 Chapter 103

    ?Chapter 103:

    Stunned silence lingered for a heartbeat as Aldred processed the news, his resistance already beginning to thaw.

    Doris, however, wasted no time. ¡°Tell me, Lauretta, what¡¯s wrong with Caspien? Is he alright?¡±

    Lauretta offered a gentle reassurance. ¡°Since the surgery, things have stabilized. There¡¯s no need to worry.¡± A moment passed as she collected her thoughts before adding, ¡°Dr. Emmett mentioned your condition, Dad. I heard you¡¯re scheduled for surgery soon, right?¡±

    Confirmation came quickly from Doris. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    Aldred chimed in, downying the concern, ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious, really. I¡¯ll be alright.¡±

    Brows knitted, Lauretta disagreed, concern etched in her tone. ¡°How can you say that? Even Dr. Emmett isn¡¯t quite confident about the procedure.¡±

    Aldred brushed off her anxiety. ¡°There¡¯s always some risk with surgery. That¡¯s just how it is. But tell me¡ªwhat exactly is going on with your son? I want the full story.¡±

    Lauretta gave her parents a brief rundown of Caspien¡¯s condition, making sure to mention Christina¡¯s intervention in securing Calvin¡¯s expertise. She didn¡¯t leave out the fact that Calvin was originally supposed to travel over for Aldred¡¯s surgery, but now that n had to wait. Apologies spilled from her lips. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Dad. Your operation is on hold because of us.¡±

    Aldred¡¯s voice softened, kind and understanding. ¡°There¡¯s no need to apologize, Lauretta. Your son is part of the family. That¡¯s all that matters.¡±

    A new question surfaced in Lauretta¡¯s mind. ¡°Dad, do you happen to know anyone who can find Woodfort?¡±

    Endless adventures await on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    Her inquiry took Aldred by surprise. ¡°What brings this up now?¡±

    ¡°Chloe was sick. King agreed to treat her, but one key ingredient of the prescription, Woodfort, was still missing.¡± Lauretta then shared how Christina had managed to get the chance of receiving King¡¯s treatment and strike a deal with the Scott family. ¡°Miss Jones reached out to me for help tracking down Woodfort. If we manage to find some, King might consider taking on your surgery.¡±

    A thoughtful pause settled over Aldred before he finally spoke. ¡°So the young woman who took first ce at the shooting match is actually our family¡¯s benefactor all along.¡±

    A confirming nod was Lauretta¡¯s response. ¡°That¡¯s right. Please, if you catch any news about Woodfort, tell me immediately. I owe Miss Jones a great deal for everything she¡¯s done.¡±

    An unexpected revtion slipped from Aldred¡¯s lips. ¡°I know who possesses Woodfort.¡±

    Eager hope sparked in Lauretta¡¯s voice as she asked, ¡°Who is it?¡± She had expected it would take considerable time to stumble upon a lead, yet her father already had the answer.

    A long, heavy sigh from Aldred drifted through the line, carrying a weight Lauretta could feel.

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 Chapter 104

    ?Chapter 104:

    Lauretta¡¯s instincts bristled with unease. ¡°It¡¯s with the Norris family, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Aldred¡¯s reply came reluctantly. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s with Dominic. Even though the engagement ended on peaceful terms, the fault was ours. You can¡¯t assume the Norris family harbors no resentment. Woodfort is exceptionally rare, and Dominic may refuse to part with it¡ªespecially after everything that¡¯s happened between us.¡±

    Determined not to trouble her parents further, Lauretta assured them, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll handle it myself.¡±

    As soon as Lauretta heard that Woodfort was with the Norris family, her resolve hardened¡ªwhatever it took, she would persuade Dominic to hand it over.

    ¡°Get some rest tonight. Once Caspien wakes in the morning, I¡¯ll video call so you can see him,¡± Lauretta said gently.

    Morning arrived. Christina swung open her door to find Chloe waiting in her wheelchair, right outside.

    A bright smile broke across Chloe¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re up! I¡¯ve been waiting for you,¡± she said, stretching out her hands eagerly.

    Stepping over, Christina sped Chloe¡¯s hands, returning her smile. ¡°I hope I didn¡¯t keep you waiting too long?¡±

    Chloe shook her head, cheerfulness undimmed. ¡°Not at all, I just got here. You came out right away!¡±

    The truth was, Chloe had risen with the dawn and asked the staff to bring her to Christina¡¯s door. Out of consideration, she¡¯d waited in silence, not wanting to disturb her friend¡¯s rest.

    Guiding Chloe¡¯s wheelchair toward the elevator, Christina asked, ¡°Where do you want to spend today?¡±

    Keep reading g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Chloe took a moment to think, and then her eyes sparkled. ¡°Can we go to the amusement park? I¡¯d love that.¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Absolutely, let¡¯s go,¡± she replied warmly.

    A wistful sigh slipped from Chloe as she murmured, ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! It¡¯s just a pity I still can¡¯t see. I won¡¯t be able to watch you having fun¡­¡± Her longshes drooped, a shadow of disappointment crossing her face.

    Christina¡¯s grin was full of encouragement. ¡°Who says you¡¯ll miss out? We¡¯ll bring a camera along and have someone snap photos all day. Once your sightes back, you¡¯ll have plenty to look at.¡±

    That suggestion chased away Chloe¡¯s gloom, her eyes sparkling again. ¡°What a great idea! Christina, you¡¯re so clever.¡±

    With a yfulugh, Christina teased, ¡°We both have our clever moments.¡±

    Laughter bubbled up between them, Chloe¡¯s happiness so bright that it filled the room. ¡°By the way, I had your favorite soup made for breakfast. Let¡¯s eat now and get an early start!¡±

    ¡°Sounds perfect,¡± Christina responded, her smile widening.

    Their morning meal was filled withughter and warmth before they headed out together, Christina taking the driver¡¯s seat.

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 Chapter 105

    ?Chapter 105:

    Arriving at the amusement park, Christina made sure Chloe got to try every activity within reach, arranging for a photographer to capture every moment they shared.

    Though amusement parks weren¡¯t usually her scene, Christina caught herself swept up in Chloe¡¯s delight¡ªher friend¡¯s excitement proved infectious, turning every ride into something memorable.

    Experiencing the day together, Christina realized that it made everything richer and brighter¡ªsharing the fun was a world apart from enjoying it alone.

    The afternoon arrived, painted in golden sunlight. Inside a high-end cafe reserved for the elite, quiet luxury filled the air.

    Settled uneasily on a supple leather sofa near the towering windows, Lauretta felt her nerves sharpen with every passing minute.

    The sprawling city of Dorfield stretched out beneath her, vibrant and alive, but not even the dazzling skyline could hold her attention.

    Her eyes darted around the room. Every so often, she tapped her phone to check the time, worry pinching her brow. A thought crept in, unwee but persistent¡ªhad Dominic decided not to show up after all?

    Persistence had finally paid off for Lauretta¡ªshe¡¯d secured Dominic¡¯s contact details and reached out, setting this meeting in motion. For a moment, anxiety gnawed at her. Maybe Dominic still resented their broken engagement and would stand her up.

    But then, movement by the entrance caught her attention¡ªa tall, broad-shouldered man appeared, his cold expression andmanding presence unmistakable as he strode her way, lips drawn into a tight line. Could this be Dominic?

    Fleeting memories flickered through Lauretta¡¯s mind¡ªglimpses of Dominic as a kid, round-faced and soft, so different from the imposing figure approaching now.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s???§àm, your fiction hub

    In her memory, Dominic had been a bit pudgy¡ªnothing like this dashing man. The man stopped just a step away, eyes locked on hers with a sharp intensity. Not a word left his lips.

    Gathering her nerves, Lauretta said, ¡°Are you Dominic?¡±

    His clipped response confirmed her guess. ¡°Yes.¡±

    Recovering quickly from her surprise, Lauretta offered a warm smile and motioned to the chair. ¡°Please, have a seat.¡±

    Honestly, she was mildly shocked. Thismanding, tall figure was actually Dominic. Time had worked wonders on him. The transformation from the chubby boy she once knew to this striking man was nothing short of astonishing.

    Across the table, Dominic wasted no time. ¡°What do you need from me, Ms. Gomez?¡± His tone was brisk, every trace of warmth absent. Every movement spoke of confidence as he sat down, posture wless and presence quietly powerful.

    ¡°No need to rush. Why not have some coffee first?¡± Lauretta said with a gentle smile. She nned to ease them into the discussion, hoping a bit of casual conversation would soften the mood and open a path to negotiation.

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 Chapter 106

    ?Chapter 106:

    But Dominic cut through her suggestion, his tone sharp. ¡°I don¡¯t drink coffee.¡± His eyes never wavered. ¡°If you have business, get to it.¡±

    A faint crack appeared in Lauretta¡¯s cheerful facade as she carefully ced her cup back on the table. Taking a steady breath, she said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be direct¡­ I¡¯ve heard you have Woodfort. Is that true?¡±

    The question drew a frown from Dominic. So this was the real reason for her invitation¡ªa request for Woodfort, not some discussion about old ties. Though the matter itself wasn¡¯t significant, slight displeasure prickled at him. Until now, he¡¯d thought she¡¯d called him here to revisit their long-canceled engagement.

    His voice held a chill. ¡°Suppose I am. What of it?¡±

    Hope surged inside Lauretta, lighting up her expression. Dominic¡¯s reply left no doubt¡ªhe did have what she needed. Doing her best to mask her excitement, she leaned forward. ¡°Would you consider selling it to me? I¡¯d like to buy it.¡±

    ¡°I have no intention of selling it,¡± Dominic said, his voice growing even colder.

    Awkwardness crept in, but Lauretta held her ground. ¡°Is this about my calling off the engagement? If you¡¯re still upset about how things ended five years ago, I¡¯ll apologize. I mean it¡ªI¡¯ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you¡­¡±

    Dominic didn¡¯t so much as blink. ¡°And what exactly could you offer to make it up to me?¡± His face betrayed nothing.

    Feeling hopeful, Lauretta responded, ¡°Name your terms, and I¡¯ll do my best. Anything within reason and my principles, I¡¯ll agree to.¡±

    He shut down her offer with chilling finality. ¡°However you want to make up for the past, that¡¯s your concern. I¡¯m not selling Woodfort.¡±

    The abruptness of his answer left Lauretta momentarily stunned. ¡°So there¡¯s really nothing I could do to convince you?¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??. ???????????? ????????

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Dominic answered, gaze unwavering and cold as stone.

    Her frustration built, but she pressed forward, desperation creeping into her smile. ¡°Please reconsider. Someone¡¯s life hangs in the bnce. Could you just sell me Woodfort for the sake of¡ª¡±

    Indifference colored Dominic¡¯s reply. ¡°Why should that concern me?¡±

    Exasperation welled up inside her, and she bit down on her lower lip. ¡°It involves the Scott family. Would you at least consider¡ª¡±

    He cut her off, his voice t. ¡°No.¡±

    Without warning, Dominic rose to his feet, his features set in unyielding frost. ¡°If we¡¯re finished here, Ms. Gomez, I¡¯ll be on my way.¡± Pivoting on his heel, he strode off, the matter closed in his mind.

    A wave of panic swept over Lauretta, and she scrambled to her feet, desperate to catch up. But in her rush, she lost her bnce, stumbling forward awkwardly.

    A startled yelp slipped from her lips. ¡°Ah!¡±

    Just then, Dominic turned around, catching sight of her fall¡ªand on pure reflex, he lunged, steadying her before she hit the floor.

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 Chapter 107

    ?Chapter 107:

    As Lauretta tumbled into his arms, her faint, alluring scent made him freeze, his brows knitting. There was something hauntingly familiar about that fragrance¡­

    Dominic¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. That faint, elegant scent tugged his mind backward¡ªfive years into the past.

    Back then, during an overseas mission, he had been ambushed¡ªwounded, dragged, and feverish. That night blurred into chaos and ended with a woman. When he came to, she was gone. No name. No trace. It felt like a dream¡ªone that dissolved with the morning light. Between the injury, the fever, and the drugs in his veins, his memory had been aplete haze. Her face, her voice¡ªeverything was lost. All that lingered was her scent. That soft, refined fragrance that clung to her skin like a whisper.

    He had searched for her ever since. Quietly. Desperately. But his efforts had always led to dead ends. He never expected to catch that simr scent on Lauretta.

    Being steadied by Dominic, Lauretta looked up and locked eyes with him. His gaze was cold, yet deep¡ªheavy with something unspoken, like a secret buried under years of silence.

    She caught his scent¡ªdark, clean, and undeniably masculine. It was dizzying, almost overwhelming. Her heart skipped a beat before she could stop it. Her face heated up. Realizing she was faltering, she quickly steadied herself and pushed him away, hoping he hadn¡¯t noticed.

    But Dominic didn¡¯t even note her flush. His thoughts were somewhere else, trapped in that night five years ago. Her shove snapped him back to reality. His eyes sharpened, turning cial as they fixed on her.

    ¡°Where were you five years ago?¡± he asked, his voice low and sudden.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Lauretta blinked, thrown off by the sudden question.

    He took a breath, reigning in his impatience. ¡°Weren¡¯t you abroad then? Which country?¡±

    ¡°Oh! Yeah, I was in Dravonia. I came back shortly after. That¡¯s when¡­ Well, we ended the engagement. Why are you asking?¡±

    His eyes darkened, and the spark faded. ¡°Nothing,¡± he muttered, his voice t. He had spent the night with that mysterious woman in Malvren. Not Dravonia. It couldn¡¯t have been Lauretta.

    Lauretta, oblivious to his thoughts, wasn¡¯t ready to let things go. ¡°Are you absolutely sure you won¡¯t sell the Woodfort?¡±

    Dominic¡¯s expression iced over. His entire demeanor shut down. ¡°Not for sale,¡± he said coldly.

    Her voice grew soft, almost pleading. ¡°Come on. Just consider it. I really need it.¡±

    He cut her off sharply. ¡°Ms. Gomez, don¡¯t waste your breath. I won¡¯t sell it.¡±

    Still, she followed him, throwing every argument she could think of. At first, he replied with short, clipped refusals. Then came silence. Complete and unforgiving. She kept pushing, her voice growing hoarse, while he remained a stone wall.

    When he finally climbed into his car and mmed the elerator, leaving her coughing in the dust, she snapped. She stomped her heel into the ground with a hiss of fury. ¡°Bastard!¡±

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 Chapter 108

    ?Chapter 108:

    Dominic saw her tantrum in the rearview mirror. His face remained unreadable¡ªcool and detached. But beneath that cold surface, something stirred within him.

    That scent again. It wouldn¡¯t leave him. And worse¡ªwhen he held Lauretta, his body had reacted in ways it had no right to. His jaw clenched as he pressed harder on the gas.

    Two dayster, Christina had just wrapped up her nightly routine and was about to slip into thefort of her bed when her phone rang.

    Davina¡¯s name shed on the screen. Christina answered immediately, already smiling, until she heard Davina¡¯s panicked voice shout through the line before she could speak. ¡°Christina! Help!¡±

    Christina¡¯s brows knitted together. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked quickly.

    ¡°Come to Rd¡ªplease! It¡¯s a best-of-three race, and I already lost the first round. If I lose again, I¡¯m done for! You have to help me!¡± Davina¡¯s voice crackled with urgency.

    Christina was already moving, heading to her wardrobe. ¡°What are you doing at Rd? Exin¡ªclearly.¡±

    ¡°I got into a stupid argument and ended up betting on a race,¡± Davina said, frustration pouring through the line. ¡°His driving was awful, so I figured I¡¯d win easily. But then¡ªugh¡ªhe brought in someone else to race in his ce!¡± There was a pause, followed by her furious voice. ¡°If they can call for backup, so can I!¡±

    Her tone shifted, softening into a desperate plea. ¡°Please, Christina. If I lose this next round, it won¡¯t just be ten million gone¡ªI¡¯ll have to kneel and apologize in front of everyone. But if you help me win, I¡¯ll give you all the winnings. Mine included. Twenty million in total. Please¡­ I¡¯m begging you.¡±

    She spoke with urgency and pleading as she tried to convince Christina to help her win the race.

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    Christina didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Alright. I¡¯m on my way.¡±

    ¡°I knew I could count on you! You¡¯re the absolute best! Love you forever!¡± Davina chirped. Losing money wasn¡¯t what scared her¡ªshe had plenty of that. But kneeling to those jerks? Never.

    ¡°Alright.¡± Christina hung up and slid the casual clothes back into the wardrobe. She grabbed her racing suit, zipped it up, took her helmet, and walked out with determined steps.

    Davina had her race car, so Christina didn¡¯t need her sports car. She headed out in her mini instead.

    Rd was packed¡ªcrowds of spectators swarmed the scene, buzzing with energy. Most had ced bets on the race.

    Those who had wagered on Davina losing the first round were already celebrating, cashing in big.

    Now, all eyes were on the uing second round¡ªand more importantly, the mystery backup Davina had called in.

    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t the race started yet?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re waiting on that woman¡¯s reinforcements.¡±

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 Chapter 109

    ?Chapter 109:

    ¡°Who do you think she called in?¡±

    ¡°With her skills, what kind of amazing backup could she possibly bring in? I¡¯ve already put my money on her losing again. No way she handles the pressure.¡±

    ¡°Unless she called some top-tier driver¡­ What if she brought in Darknight? He could crush Mr. Happer.¡±

    ¡°Please. And what if Mr. Happer brought in Skybreaker? If Skybreaker hadn¡¯t retired, Darknight would¡¯ve stayed second forever!¡±

    As gossip filled the air, Davina returned to the main area after her call. Bruno Happer lounged nearby, one arm around a stunning woman, a cigar perched between his fingers. He spotted Davina and smirked, his eyes gleaming with disdain. ¡°You might as well stop wasting your time,¡± he said, puffing smoke directly into her face. ¡°Even if you win the next round, you¡¯ll still lose thest one. Why not just kneel and apologize now and save yourself the embarrassment?¡±

    He was smug¡ªfar too smug. That smugness came from a hidden ace he hadn¡¯t revealed yet.

    Davina scoffed, her lips curled in a cold smile. ¡°We¡¯ll see who¡¯sughing in the end.¡±

    Bruno¡¯sckey stepped forward, his tone sharp with mockery. ¡°You don¡¯t know how lucky you are. If Mr. Happer wants to fuck you, take it as apliment. He¡¯s Mr. Hubbard¡¯s cousin, you know. Keep acting tough and you¡¯ll regret it.¡±

    Davina rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Wow. Thanks for the warning. But I¡¯m good. Real good. Let¡¯s just wait and see who walks away the loser.¡±

    Her retort drewughter from the crowd, clearly embarrassing theckey. Theckey¡¯s face twisted in rage. Without warning, he raised his hand, aiming to p her across the face.

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    The crowd held its collective breath, bracing for the sharp crack of a p across Davina¡¯s cheek¡ªbut instead, the scene flipped in a heartbeat.

    Davina¡¯s hand shot up, mping hard around theckey¡¯s wrist before his palm could even connect with her cheek. Her grip was like steel, stopping him cold and drawing startled gasps from onlookers.

    Theckey¡¯s bravado crumbled into a pained grimace. ¡°You miserable¡­¡± he snarled, but the words choked off as Davina¡¯s hold tightened with calcted precision.

    With one decisive twist, Davina dislocated his arm.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Theckey howled in agony, clutching his arm.

    ¡°Get the hell out of here!¡± Bruno barked, his re lethal.

    Theckey, shaking and furious, clutched his arm and edged away. ¡°I¡¯m going!¡± He retreated without another word.

    Bruno advanced on Davina, eyes zing. ¡°Do you have any idea what happens to people whoy a finger on my men?¡± he growled, malice dripping from every syble.

    Davina stood her ground, her expression frosty. ¡°You might want to check who threw the first punch. Your man attacked me¡ªI just defended myself.¡±

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 Chapter 110

    ?Chapter 110:

    Bruno¡¯sugh was low and dangerous, his smile twisted with spite. ¡°We¡¯ll see how cocky you are after you lose thepetition.¡±

    Unfazed, Davina¡¯s lips curled into a cool, confident smile. ¡°Well, don¡¯t be so confident. Who knows? You might be the one who loses thepetition.¡±

    With Christina standing by her side, Davina knew defeat wasn¡¯t even on the table.

    Most people remained clueless about Christina¡¯s real background¡ªbut Davina knew it all too well.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just wait and find out.¡± Bruno gave a contemptuous grunt and yanked a voluptuous woman close, clutching her chin in a bruising grip before kissing her hard. The gesture was more aggressive than affectionate, and his teeth caught her lower lip sharply.

    The woman squealed at the sting, swatting his chest in mock protest. ¡°Ow! You¡¯re so rough!¡± she whined, pouting up at him.

    Davina found the whole spectacle nauseating and turned away, her expression tightening.

    Katie¡¯s scornfulugh cut through the crowd. ¡°What a joke. Trash attracts trash. That woman trying to race Bruno? She¡¯s begging to be humiliated.¡±

    Katie and Brendon had just shown up, drawn by rumors swirling about a woman challenging Bruno on the track. The promise of drama had been irresistible. To their surprise, the challenger turned out to be Christina¡¯s friend, a twist so absurd that it was hrious.

    Bruno¡¯s chosen racer was no rookie. Back in the days when Skybreaker and Darknight dominated the circuit, he always finished third. Unless Darknight or Skybreaker returned, no one stood a chance against him tonight.

    Brendon¡¯s frown deepened, clear disappointment flickering in his eyes. ¡°Seriously? This racing? What¡¯s the point?¡± His voice dripped with disdain. ¡°This is a waste of time. Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±

    Th3 l4t3st upd4t3s 4v41l4bl3 0n g4ln0v3ls.c0m

    He couldn¡¯t muster an ounce of interest in a race he thought was already decided. It seemed obvious the woman didn¡¯t stand a chance, and the crowd¡¯s energy felt t.

    But just as Brendon pivoted to leave, the crowd stirred with sudden excitement.

    ¡°Hey, check it out¡ªher backup just showed up!¡±

    A Mini car rolled into view, earning a round of snickers and incredulous nces from the bystanders.

    ¡°That thing¡¯s practically screaming ¡®girl driver.¡¯ I figured her reinforcements would be impressive¡ªguess this race is a joke.¡±

    ¡°Seriously, a girl in that cutesy little car? There¡¯s no way she can hang in a real race. She¡¯s just here for the humiliation.¡±

    The crowd¡¯s jeers grew louder, doubts and mockery swirling through the air. Most people dismissed the neer outright, and several men started spreading nasty rumors, theirughter sharp and biting. Brendon¡¯s gaze narrowed as he focused on the Mini car. Something about the car tugged at his curiosity. Could Christina be inside? The question barely formed in his mind before the car door swung open.

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 Chapter 111

    ?Chapter 111:

    A striking figure emerged, d in a sleek racing suit striped with ck, white, and a sh of bold red. She cradled a scarlet helmet loosely in one hand, every inch radiating confidence andposure. Midnight hair spilled in glossy waves down her back, catching the light with every graceful movement.

    Her presence seemed to seize the entire crowd¡¯s attention the moment she stepped forward.

    Katie and Ynda stiffened, jaws clenched tight, their eyes narrowing with bitter jealousy as Christina¡¯s silhouette appeared.

    From across the track, Brendon stared, his brow creasing in disbelief. Why on earth was Christina here? Had shee just to seduce someone? The thought sent a spark of irritation through him, tightening his chest with suspicion.

    Christina gave a subtle tilt of her chin, flipping her lustrous hair with a practiced flick. Under the floodlights, it shimmered with an almost ethereal glow.

    Cameras instantly swiveled to capture her arrival, projecting her face onto giant screens for the audience packed too far back to see in person. Even on the monitors, her beauty stunned: delicate, wless features as if carved by a master, not a hint of imperfection in sight.

    Her sculpted jawline traced into a long, graceful neck, entuating a poised, impossibly slender frame that looked too perfect to be real.

    With each casual toss of her hair, the crowd¡¯s energy spiked¡ªmore than a few men stared so hard at the screen that they practically forgot to breathe, gaping in awe and entranced by the vision before them.

    From across the venue, even filtered through a screen, it felt as if her intoxicating scent drifted over the crowd, bewitching everyone whoid eyes on her.

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    ¡°Who is that woman? She¡¯s utterly breathtaking! I thought thepetitor was already pretty, but she doesn¡¯t evenpare. This woman is on a whole other level!¡±

    ¡°This one is not just beautiful¡ªshe¡¯s got that killer maism. I¡¯d give up ten years of my life for one night with her.¡±

    ¡°You? Please. You think you stand a chance? She¡¯s clearly here for Bruno. Unless you¡¯re richer and more powerful than he is, don¡¯t bother dreaming.¡±

    ¡°Pretty faces are cheap. I want to see if she can actually win this race. If not, what good is she?¡±

    ¡°What a letdown. Why would they drag in a pretty face as backup? I¡¯m putting all my money on Bruno again.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s irritation simmered as the men around him traded lewd remarks. He shot a scathing re in Christina¡¯s direction, her presence radiating a dizzying blend of innocence and seduction that made his blood pressure spike. Those idiots weren¡¯t wrong¡ªshe must be here to hitch herself to the most powerful man.

    In the room, angling for Bruno¡¯s attention. Pathetic. Did she even know her ce? A divorced woman like her, thinking she could marry into the Happer family?

    The more Brendon dwelled on it, the hotter his anger burned. His vision narrowed, clouded by jealousy and frustration, until he could barely see straight.

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 Chapter 112

    ?Chapter 112:

    Brendon¡¯s knees buckled, and for a moment, he nearly copsed. A flicker of worry shed in Ynda¡¯s eyes as she reached out to steady him. ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    Drawing in a shaky breath, Brendon forced himself to calm down. Blinking hard, he looked up again, the fog in his vision clearing. He managed a quiet reply. ¡°I¡¯m okay.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re really feeling unwell, we should go back to the hospital,¡± Ynda suggested, her voice gentle but firm.

    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary.¡± He waved her off, his lips, drained of color, tightening in stubborn defiance. Not for a moment did he consider leaving. He was determined to stay and watch Christina lose this match. More than anything, he wanted to witness the tricks she would use to win Bruno¡¯s attention.

    The intensity in Brendon¡¯s eyes was unmistakable, and Ynda clenched her fists in silent frustration. Despite his obvious difort, he refused to move¡ªall because of Christina. Why did he insist on watching her? Did he want to see her fail, or was there something else he couldn¡¯t admit?

    To Ynda, Brendon had once felt like a kite she could guide at will. In the past, she held the string and felt in control, letting him drift or pulling him close as she pleased. Buttely, it seemed as though he was slipping away, no longer tethered to her. That creeping sense of losing control gnawed at her.

    Ynda fixed her gaze on Christina, her eyes zing with a look so sharp it seemed filled with poison. In her mind, Christina was to me for everything. If only Christina would disappear.

    Meanwhile, in the center of the arena, Bruno¡¯s attention was fixed on Christina, unable to look away. For the longest time, he believed that Davina¡¯s wild, maic beauty was unmatched. He was shocked when he realized that Davina¡¯s backup was even more stunning, and the mere sight of her sent a jolt of longing through him. He gave Davina a questioning look, lifting an eyebrow, and his voice took on a teasing edge. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me this is the backup you brought in.¡±

    ???????????????? ????????: g??????????¦Í???£®????£®???£®??

    Davina shot daggers back at him with her re. ¡°That¡¯s right. What about it?¡± With a half-smirk, Bruno leaned in. ¡°Why not get a skilled racer to fight your battle in the second round? Otherwise, people will say I¡¯m bullying you.¡±

    A coldugh escaped Davina. ¡°No need.¡±

    ¡°Fine. Just remember, I offered you a chance, and you declined it. If you end up losing again in the second round, you¡¯ll lose this match,¡± Bruno said, his smug grin making it clear he already believed victory was his.

    Rolling her eyes, Davina snapped, ¡°Stop wasting time! You¡¯re going to lose anyway. Let¡¯s get started!¡±

    That disy of confidence made Bruno chuckle. ¡°Seriously? You really think your friend can beat us? How hrious.¡±

    Roars ofughter erupted from Bruno¡¯s cronies at hisment. One of them leaned in with a mocking grin. ¡°You sure talk tough, but do you have any clue who you¡¯re up against?¡±

    ¡°Our racer has been sitting at number two in the pro circuit for ages. Even if Skybreaker and Darknight entered, he¡¯d still be top three¡ªno contest.¡±

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 Chapter 113

    ?Chapter 113:

    ¡°Exactly. Skybreaker and Darknight might outpace him, but he¡¯d never lose to just a pretty face like your friend.¡±

    Jokes flew across the group. ¡°If he can¡¯t handle some girl, he should hang up his helmet for good!¡±

    Not a flicker of emotion showed on Christina¡¯s face when the relentless taunting reached her ears. Cool as ever, she kept her gaze forward, unfazed.

    Davina, however, was visibly irritated. ¡°I¡¯ll put it simply¡ªnone of you are even in my friend¡¯s league. Don¡¯t tter yourselves!¡±

    Her remark sent a wave of anger through the group. One man balled his hands into fists, his entire posture suggesting he was on the verge of striking out.

    Bruno stepped in and shouted, ¡°Enough! Let¡¯s race.¡±

    Grumbling, the men held back, swallowing their anger under hismand.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can back up that big mouth of yours.¡± Bruno sneered, his gaze sweeping over Davina and Christina with disdain. To him, these two were just decorative¡ªnice to look at, but clueless about racing, here only to put on a show.

    Without missing a beat, Christina reached for her helmet and slid it on with quiet confidence. ¡°We¡¯ll let our driving skills speak for us. As for who¡¯s got the skills¡­¡±

    A slow, sly smile yed on Christina¡¯s lips as she met Bruno¡¯s stare. ¡°Honestly, I doubt you¡¯ve got what it takes.¡±

    Her visor snapped down with a practiced flick, every motion sharp and smooth.

    ¡°Mr. Happer¡­¡± One of his men began, his voice tinged with hesitation, as though seeking permission to put her in her ce. Bruno silenced the speaker with a cold re. None of hisckeys dared to act rashly.

    He figured there was no point in wasting energy before the race. He would just let her have her moment¡ªshe¡¯d regret itter.

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    Engines revved as Christina and her rival settled into their cars, each braced for the green light.

    Engines thundered, and the racers shot off the line, neck and neck down the straightaway.

    Winding around the mountain, the Rd track dared even the bravest with its sheer cliffs and sharp bends.

    A shroud of early-morning mist gave Rd an extra edge of danger. Legends surrounded this racetrack¡ªone wrong move, and a careless racer could end up airborne with nothing but a deadly drop below. Spectators barely blinked as they stared at the massive screen, following every twist and turn.

    ¡°Come on! I bet big on that beauty. Whether I make it or break it depends on her!¡±

    Ridicule came quickly. ¡°Are you crazy? Look at those odds. The bookies know she doesn¡¯t stand a chance. You just kissed your money goodbye.¡±

    A third gambler chimed in, ¡°Exactly! Anyone betting on her is out of their mind. They¡¯re about to go broke. Just watch!¡±

    Side by side, both race cars rocketed off the starting line, neither giving an inch as the crowd watched in fascinated silence. Suspense thickened in the air, every spectator glued to the unfolding showdown. Soon enough, the gap started to grow. Christina gradually slipped further behind the seasoned racer.

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 Chapter 114

    ?Chapter 114:

    Once the racer pulled ahead by a full car length, the crowd betting on his victory erupted in cheers.

    A self-satisfied smirk tugged at Bruno¡¯s lips. Everything was going just as he¡¯d pictured. For him, defeat was the only fate awaiting Christina. He sneered at Davina, ¡°So, what do you have to say now? Your friend¡¯s a flop. I offered you a chance, but you declined it. You just brought embarrassment upon yourself.¡±

    Without missing a beat, Davina answered, her tone icy, ¡°Getting cocky already? Don¡¯t celebrate too soon. This race is far from over.¡±

    Davina¡¯s confidence in Christina was unwavering. No scenario yed out in her mind where Christina didn¡¯te out on top.

    In Davina¡¯s eyes, rankings meant nothing. Even the famed Darknight couldn¡¯t keep up with Christina once she hit her stride. Those idiots would never guess that Christina was actually Skybreaker. Years ago, Christina had disguised herself as a man and fooled everyone.

    A nce at the scoreboard made Brunough, the gap now stretching to two car lengths. Between puffs on his cigar, he tossed out another jeer. ¡°Give it up. You are doomed to lose this match.¡±

    Davina met his gaze, cold fire in her eyes. ¡°Is that so? Let¡¯s just wait and see.¡±

    With an arrogant shrug, Bruno replied, ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll wait for you to finally admit you¡¯ve lost.¡±

    Cool as ever, Davina¡¯s response was unwavering. ¡°You¡¯d better brace yourself for disappointment. This win isn¡¯t yours.¡±

    Meanwhile, up in the stands, Brendon couldn¡¯t take his eyes off the big screen, his mind racing with questions. Never in his wildest dreams had he pictured Christina behind the wheel like this. He had never realized she had this hidden side. She might not have had the polished skills of a professional, but she managed to keep up and prove she could handle herself. Nothing about this fierce, untamed version of Christina matched the drab, obedient woman he remembered.

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    He couldn¡¯t help but wonder why she had always hidden this fire in his presence. He felt like he didn¡¯t know his ex-wife at all.

    As the race unfolded, Brendon¡¯s scowl deepened as he kept his eyes glued to the action. It didn¡¯t take long for Christina to fall far behind. Her chances seemed grim. Onlookers quickly dismissed her as a lost cause. Pity and scorn echoed through the crowd.

    ¡°She¡¯s already out of the running. Didn¡¯t I say? Women don¡¯t have what it takes for this sport.¡±

    ¡°Knew it from the start. The moment they sent in a female backup, I lost all interest. The only thing keeping me here is the bets.¡±

    ¡°A rookie couldn¡¯t beat a veteran, much less a woman. Odds were stacked against her from the start. I¡¯m just d my money¡¯s on Bruno, or I¡¯d be broke right now.¡±

    Irritation red in Brendon as the men around him jeered at Christina. His jaw clenched, and he shot a sharp re in their direction. Despite their ridicule, Christina was still the woman he¡¯d once called his wife. It stung to hear strangers tear her down.

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 Chapter 115

    ?Chapter 115:

    Meanwhile, no hint of stress crossed Christina¡¯s face as she cruised steadily, letting the car glide as if the race was a joyride. A rebellious smile flickered at the edge of her lips.

    The next second, her eyes narrowed and her focus sharpened. Both hands locked tight on the steering wheel. Without warning, her foot mmed down on the elerator. The engine roared, and the car shot forward, slicing through the mist like a bolt of lightning.

    ¡°Look! Look! She¡¯s speeding up!¡± someone screamed, and instantly, every wandering eye swung back to the massive screen. The entire crowd seemed to freeze, each person caught in a moment where their hearts hammered with excitement.

    For Brendon, it felt like his heart jumped into his throat as he watched her elerate. Concern twisted his expression. At those speeds, the smallest mistake could mean disaster. One wrong move could be fatal. How could she risk everything like that?

    Excitement and fear crashed over the crowd in waves. Cheers erupted, especially from those daring enough to bet on Christina.

    Raucous voices rang out. ¡°No way! She¡¯s sting ahead out of nowhere!¡±

    ¡°Unreal! She¡¯s pushing the car to its limits and still holding it together. Come on, don¡¯t let me down¡ªI put everything on you, girl!¡±

    ¡°You fools keep yelling. Wait until the next curve¡ªshe¡¯s going to crash and burn at that speed. Just watch. It¡¯ll be over in seconds.¡±

    Wild cheering from those who had bet on Christina quickly gave way to a barrage of boos. Soon enough, both camps were hurling insults, their tempers on the edge of boiling over.

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    Tension ran through Brendon as his hands balled into fists. His gaze never left Christina¡¯s car, afraid that even a blink would mean missing something crucial. Each second brought the deadly curve closer. Beads of sweat crept down his spine, icy and relentless.

    Brendon mentally screamed for her to hit the brakes. Rd never spared mistakes. Crashes left nothing but broken metal and tragedy behind. No corner on this track was deadlier than that curve. Keeping her current pace would be nothing short of suicide. Everyone knew that curve was Rd¡¯s deadliest trap. At the speed she was going, not a soul believed she could make it through alive.

    To Brendon, the roar of her engine sounded like the Grim Reaper revving his scythe. Yet, not once did Christina lift her foot. Every nerve in his body felt like it was about to snap. There was nothing he could do to save her. Why was she risking everything? Was she truly willing to gamble her life just to catch Bruno¡¯s eye?

    A mix of anger and terror churned inside Brendon. He ground his teeth as his vision swam red with concern.

    Stillness gripped the crowd, and everyone was frozen, waiting. Every eye was locked on the giant screen. Not a single breath disturbed the silence. Several people covered their faces, unwilling to watch whatever came next.

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 Chapter 116

    ?Chapter 116:

    Then, out of nowhere, someone let out a piercing scream. The sound tore through the hush, followed by a wave of collective gasps.

    Most people couldn¡¯t even bring themselves to watch¡ªuntil a sudden outburst broke the tension. ¡°Holy shit! No way! Did she just drift that corner at full speed?¡±

    Heads whipped around, those who had looked away turning back just in time to catch Christina¡¯s car slicing perfectly through the curve.

    Brendon had been tracking Christina¡¯s car the entire time.

    The instant she took that curve going way faster than anyone would dare, a jolt shot through him. His fists balled up without him realizing it.

    Katie had been watching with a smug grin, already predicting disaster. Instead, Christina nailed the drift¡ªsmooth and wless¡ªand Katie¡¯s confidence vanished.

    Katie couldn¡¯t believe her eyes. How was that even possible? There were only two drivers out there who could pull off something like that¡ªSkybreaker and Dark-Night. Nobody else even came close. So how the hell did Christina¡ªa dull woman who only knew how to handle household chores¡ªhave skills like that?

    Shock rippled through the audience, leaving everyone speechless. Meanwhile, Katie simmered with envy, unable to hide her frustration. Ynda had also braced herself for a crash, and she was just as rattled by what she saw. Outwardly, she kept her cool, but inside, jealousy twisted. Still, putting on her best performance, she let out an overly dramatic gasp. ¡°Wow! Christina¡¯s unbelievable!¡±

    Katie sneered, dripping with bitterness. ¡°Oh, please. That wasn¡¯t even hard.¡±

    Brendon shot her a sharp look. ¡°You¡¯re way off. Pulling that off takes real talent. She¡¯s honestly incredible.¡±

    Ynda¡¯s smile grew rigid, her frustration barely contained. ¡°Christina really is something, isn¡¯t she? Makes you wonder what else she¡¯s been hiding all this time.¡±

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    Brendon¡¯s jaw tightened, his annoyance barely concealed as he said, ¡°I have no idea.¡±

    Katie rolled her eyes, her toneced with venom. ¡°Come on. Isn¡¯t it obvious? She always thought she was too good for us. Bet she¡¯s been saving all her fancy moves just to reel in men¡ªprobably hoping to catch Bruno¡¯s eye.¡± Every word reeked of jealousy.

    A cold shadow crept across Brendon¡¯s face. Katie had just implied that Christina regarded him with silent contempt. For years, Christina had kept this remarkable side of herselfpletely under wraps, never letting him see just how talented she really was. Now that their marriage was over, she had no problem putting her¡­

    talents were on disy for everyone, almost as if she were showing off for more powerful men. The thought kept eating away at him, stoking a quiet fire of anger beneath his calm exterior.

    ¡°She¡¯s got it! She made it through!¡±

    ¡°No way! Did you see that? She not only took that turn, but also blew past that professional racer!¡±

    ¡°Oh man, I¡¯m cashing in big tonight! She¡¯s on fire! That was legendary¡ªChristina is officially my goddess!¡±

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 Chapter 117

    ?Chapter 117:

    The roar from the audience jolted Brendon back to reality, and he snapped his gaze up at the massive screen.

    On the track, Christina was now cruising ahead, leaving the pro racer eating her dust. Even when the racer mmed the pedal down, desperate to catch up, she maintained a steady lead, always keeping at least a car length between them.

    Bruno just stood there, too stunned to react, his eyes glued to the screen as everything unraveled right in front of him.

    Bruno suddenly exploded, shoving the woman clinging to his arm aside in a fit of rage. ¡°Unbelievable! How the hell did she pull that off? What¡¯s wrong with that racer? He can¡¯t even keep up with a pretty face!¡±

    Bruno wasn¡¯t the only one fuming with frustration¡ªeveryone who had backed his racer felt the sting of disappointment. All the confidence they¡¯d ced in Bruno¡¯s racer had crumbled in an instant. No one had expected Christina, written off as nothing but eye candy, to unleash skills that left even the pros in her dust.

    When Christina surged across the finish line with afortable lead, the crowd erupted, not with apuse, but with groans and bitterints. Every sour outburst came from those who had bet against her, their hopes shattered. In sharp contrast, the few who had dared to bet on Christina couldn¡¯t wipe the grins off their faces, nearly dizzy with disbelief and excitement.

    The moment Christina rolled into the pit, Davina was at her side, beaming as she pressed a bottle of water into her hand.

    ¡°That was insane! You just crushed it out there!¡± Davina leaned closer, dropping her voice. ¡°By the way, I bet on you and made a killing. We¡¯ll split, right?¡±

    Christina shot her a sideways nce and replied quietly, ¡°Give my share to charity.¡± Money meant nothing to her¡ªshe already had more than enough, and Davina was hardly short of cash herself.

    ???????????? ???? ???????? ?????????????? @ ?????????¦Í??????©q?????

    ¡°Heck yes!¡± Davina burst outughing. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll donate mine, too.¡± The two exchanged quick whispers and mischievous grins, looking for all the world like a pair mocking Bruno, which only fueled his irritation.

    Face stormy, Bruno marched over and barked a sharp, dismissiveugh. ¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourselves!¡± he snapped. ¡°It¡¯s not over yet. Best out of three¡ªthere¡¯s still onest round, and you¡¯re going down!¡±

    Davina let out a sharp, dismissiveugh. Her gaze swept over Bruno with open contempt, every word dripping with scorn. ¡°That¡¯s a lot of talking from someone who¡¯spletely full of shit. Run your mouth all you want, but it won¡¯t change a thing. You¡¯re doomed to lose this match. This win is ours, and there¡¯s nothing you or yourpdogs can do about it.¡±

    With Christina backing her, Davina¡¯s confidence soared. She stood taller, her defiance shining through. With Christina by her side, victory felt inevitable.

    Bruno let out a sneer, trying to hold onto his bravado. ¡°You¡¯re not nearly as clever as you think. Just wait¡ªyou¡¯ll see,¡± he snapped, though the bluster in his voice was already fading. He yanked out his phone, punching in a number like it was a weapon.

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 Chapter 118

    ?Chapter 118:

    One second, Bruno still looked smug, chin raised as if he were already celebrating their defeat. But as soon as the call connected, his demeanor shifted. His back hunched, and he forced a sweet, oily tone into his voice. ¡°Elliott¡­ Hey, do you think you could stop by Rd for a bit?¡± he inquired, pasting on a syrupy smile.

    Miles away, Elliott Hubbard was stretched out on his bed, still in pajamas, hair damp and clinging to his forehead, tiny beads of water glinting at the ends. ¡°Rd?¡± His brow furrowed, his handsome face unreadable. ¡°What for?¡±

    Bruno rushed to exin, desperation bleeding through. ¡°There¡¯s a race tonight, and I was hoping¡ª¡±

    Elliott cut him off without a hint of interest. ¡°Nope. Noting.¡±

    The curt rejection made Bruno¡¯s jaw clench. He managed to swallow his fury. Thank goodness he hadn¡¯t switched to speaker¡ªotherwise, enduring that shame would¡¯ve been excruciating.

    Despite being Elliott¡¯s cousin, Bruno still bowed and scraped like a desperate sycophant.

    Bruno burned with resentment, cursing Elliott silently. Who did Elliott think he was, anyway? Was being born into a wealthy family really all it took to lord over everyone else?

    ¡°Wait¡ªhold on!¡± Bruno panicked as he sensed the call was about to end, his voice flipping into a desperate chirp. He scrambled to hook Elliott¡¯s interest as he lied. ¡°The second-ranked racer just lost to a woman. Now she¡¯s calling you out. Said you wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.¡±

    In a bid to reel Elliott in, Bruno described how¡­

    Christina sliced through the tightest corner at breakneck speed, drifting so cleanly that it seemed she¡¯d been born with a steering wheel in her hands.

    That got Elliott¡¯s attention. He sat up, eyes sparking with curiosity. ¡°You¡¯re certain it whipped by that quickly?¡±

    A woman, with that level of skill? That was something Elliott had to see for himself.

    Still, what Elliott really craved was a chance to go head-to-head with Skybreaker. Too bad that legendary racer had vanished without a trace. No matter how hard he searched, he¡¯d never managed to unmask Skybreaker¡¯s real identity. All he wanted¡ªhis one obsession¡ªwas to challenge Skybreaker and maybe, just once, finally beat him. The thought that Skybreaker might actually be a woman? That never even crossed Elliott¡¯s mind. Everyone in the racing world just assumed Skybreaker was a man.

    ¡°Dead sure. And she said she¡¯d still mop the floor with you, even if you showed up yourself.¡± Bruno doubled down on his lies, certain this would hook Elliott for good.

    Elliott simply shrugged off the trash talk, but boredom and a flicker of curiosity about the female racer lured him in. ¡°I¡¯ll be there soon.¡± With that, Elliott ended the call, climbed out of bed, and casually tossed his hefty book onto the nightstand.

    Bruno seethed at being hung up on but didn¡¯t dare let it show. He kept his curses trapped behind clenched teeth. Gazing at Davina, he dered, brimming with false bravado, ¡°The guy I just called ising. Get ready, because once he¡¯s here, you¡¯re finished! If you still manage to win, I¡¯ll kneel right here and apologize in front of everyone!¡±

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 Chapter 119

    ?Chapter 119:

    Davina didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Good. Make sure everyone hears you when you do,¡± she retorted, her voiceced with mockery. With a powerhouse like Christina in her corner, she had every reason to let her swagger show.

    ¡°If you lose, you¡¯re kneeling and apologizing too!¡± Bruno countered, not backing down.

    Christina didn¡¯t even blink. A calm, amused smile curved her lips. ¡°You¡¯ve got yourself a deal.¡±

    That subtle smile caught Bruno off guard, leaving him frozen for a beat. A breeze drifted by, carrying her delicate scent¡ªsoft and sweet, with an edge of mystery.

    At that moment, he made up his mind. Win or lose, he had to have this woman for himself.

    Bruno¡¯s imagination churned with depraved visions of what he¡¯d do to Christina once she was at his mercy. He shot her a vulgar, lopsided grin. ¡°In the bedroom, you¡¯ll kneel too.¡±

    Christina smirked coldly, a flicker of malice shing in her eyes.

    Davina let out a harsh scoff, her re sharp enough to cut ss. ¡°You¡¯re delusional, you repulsive pervert!¡±

    Bruno only looked more pleased with himself, his grin stretching even wider. ¡°That fantasy of mine is about to be reality.¡±

    ¡°You¡­¡± Davina started to fire back, but Christina¡¯s slight shake of the head and knowing smile made her bite her tongue.

    Davina huffed, lips curling in disgust. ¡°I¡¯ll spare you for my friend¡¯s sake¡ªbut don¡¯t push your luck!¡±

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    A sly smirk curled across Bruno¡¯s lips as he sized them up, certain theycked the strength to do anything more than hurl idle threats. One eyebrow arched in challenge, he reached for Davina, but she smacked his hand away with a sharp, punishing blow.

    Bruno didn¡¯t even blink. He just let out a low, vile chuckle, bringing his fingers to his nose and breathing in, revoltingly pleased with himself. ¡°Go ahead and enjoy your petty insults while you still can,¡± he sneered. ¡°It won¡¯t be long before you¡¯re the ones in tears.¡±

    Davina red daggers at him. ¡°Don¡¯t act so sure. You might be the one choking back sobs when this is over.¡±

    Bruno snorted. ¡°Guess we¡¯ll see, won¡¯t we?¡± His eyes slid back to Christina, devouring her with a brazen, predatory stare that seemed to undress her in his mind.

    The way Bruno eyed Christina¡ªbold and dripping with lust¡ªwas enough to make anyone¡¯s skin crawl.

    High in the stands, Brendon¡¯s temper boiled over. His fists tightened and loosened in a cycle of seething, powerless rage. Was Christina out of her mind? There she was, tossing her hair and giggling with Bruno, barely reacting to the way he practically undressed her with his eyes. Not a single hint of resistance¡ªjust flirty smiles and flutteringshes. Why wasn¡¯t she putting him in his ce?

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 Chapter 120

    ?Chapter 120:

    ¡°Christina¡¯s getting quite cozy with Mr. Happer, don¡¯t you think?¡± Ynda murmured, aiming to sow a seed of doubt in Brendon¡¯s heart.

    Katie scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Oh yeah, real cozy¡ªcozy enough to tear each other¡¯s clothes off with their eyes right here.¡± Her eyes narrowed with open contempt. ¡°Seriously, have you ever seen anyone so desperate? She¡¯s literally throwing herself at him in front of a whole crowd. Pathetic.¡±

    ¡°Katie,e on¡­¡± Ynda gently tugged at her sleeve, making a feigned attempt to defend Christina. ¡°Don¡¯t talk about Christina like that. What if you¡¯re reading it all wrong?¡±

    ¡°Reading it wrong? Give me a break. You¡¯d have to be blind not to notice her practically climbing all over him. Did you miss their little flirting session? No shame at all!¡± Katie shot back, curling her lip in disgust.

    Ynda darted a calcting look toward Brendon to see how he was taking it. With a soft tone, she slipped her arm through his and said words she didn¡¯t mean at all, ¡°Brendon, don¡¯t listen to Katie. I really don¡¯t think Christina is that kind of woman.¡±

    ¡°Enough. Quit trying to defend her¡ªshe¡¯s not worth it.¡± Brendon¡¯s jaw tightened, annoyance shing across his face. The longer he dwelled on it, the more his rage boiled. That uptight, dull woman who¡¯d wasted years trying to be the perfect little wife was now out there shing smiles at other men? Watching Christina shamelessly flirt with someone else was an insult he refused to swallow. Unforgivable. His hands curled into fists, knuckles bleaching with the force of his fury. It took everything in him not to march over and wipe that arrogant grin off Bruno¡¯s face.

    ¡°Ynda, you heard my brother,¡± Katie said, giving Ynda a knowing smile.

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    ¡°Honestly, can¡¯t help feeling a little envious of Christina. The way she carried herself after winning¡ªit was like she was born for the spotlight. I wish I had even a fraction of that confidence,¡± Ynda said quietly, her gaze dropping as measured insecurity colored her features. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t even know where to begin with a racecar. I could never be that effortlessly impressive around so many men.¡±

    Katie scoffed, her eyes rolling with dramatic disdain. ¡°Oh, spare me. She¡¯s nothing but a brazen flirt who basks in attention. There¡¯s nothing admirable about parading herself like that¡ªit¡¯s pathetic.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s eyes drifted to Ynda¡¯s downturned face, his expression softening. He reached for her and gently drew her against his side, his tone turning warm and sincere. ¡°Don¡¯t waste timeparing yourself to her. You¡¯re already wonderful just as you are. There¡¯s nothing remarkable about someone desperate to be the center of attention.¡±

    Ynda¡¯s voice wavered as she pressed closer, a thread of doubt slipping through. ¡°But Brendon¡­ What if you lose interest in me? I don¡¯t have anything that stands out or any skills. I¡¯m not outstanding at anything.¡±

    ¡°Not a chance,¡± he replied, his tone steady and protective. ¡°You¡¯re perfect as you are. You don¡¯t need any skills. I¡¯ll take care of everything.¡±

    Blushing deeply, she looked up at him with stars in her eyes. ¡°You treat me better than anyone ever has¡­ I love you more than words can say.¡±

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 Chapter 121

    ?Chapter 121:

    He lowered his voice, overflowing with affection. ¡°You have no idea how much I love you.¡±

    Their eyes met, drawing them irresistibly closer¡ªon the verge of a kiss when a sudden burst of noise rippled through the crowd, breaking the moment.

    ¡°Did Mr. Happer seriously bring in some big shot for backup? Who even is this guy?¡±

    ¡°No way¡ªthey¡¯re seriously rolling up in a freaking Rolls-Royce Cullinan? These people are loaded!¡±

    ¡°And that woman¡¯s driving some crazy-expensive sports car too. Are they all born rich or something?¡±

    While the crowd buzzed with shock and barely disguised envy, a jet-ck Rolls-Royce Cullinan glided to a stop, drawing every eye in the driveway.

    As the door swung open, camera lenses whirred into action, the scene magnified on the giant stadium screen for everyone to see.

    A man stepped out, his features devastatingly handsome¡ªice-cold eyes slicing past the camera with the chill of a winter storm, leaving the onlookers shivering. He moved with the easy confidence of someone used to power, his long, athletic frame radiating a mix of understated ss and brute strength.

    Elliott¡¯s gaze zeroed in on Christina, taking in every detail of her racing suit. There was a spark of curiosity in his eyes, edged with a hint of provocation.

    The crowd buzzed with theories.

    ¡°Hang on¡­ Is that really Mr. Hubbard? What¡¯s he doing here?¡±

    L?¦Ó??¦Ó ch?¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?ls.????

    ¡°Hold up¡ªis that Mr. Happer¡¯s ace in the hole? No way he actually convinced Mr. Hubbard to throw himself into the race!¡±

    ¡°What if Mr. Hubbard is just warming the bench and the real racer hasn¡¯t shown up yet?¡±

    Spection rippled through the crowd, but Katie barely heard them¡ªshe couldn¡¯t take her eyes off Elliott. He was exactly her type: obscenely wealthy, dangerously attractive, and radiating influence. If she couldnd him, she¡¯d be set for life as Mrs. Hubbard, wrapped in luxury from head to toe.

    A lovesick, starry-eyed grin took over Katie¡¯s face as she drifted off into daydreams of life as Elliott¡¯s wife.

    Ynda, just as entranced, couldn¡¯t tear her gaze away. Elliott made Brendon lookpletely ordinary inparison¡ªmore striking, higher-born, the whole package. If she could catch his attention, she¡¯d ditch Brendon without a moment¡¯s hesitation.

    Speaking of Brendon¡ªthe second Elliott stepped out of that car, his eyes zeroed in on Christina, and that pissed Brendon off big time. The intent in Elliott¡¯s stare made his interest painfully obvious. Christina was quite something, having already drawn another man under her spell. And it wasn¡¯t just anyone¡ªthis was someone younger, richer, and even more capable.

    Brendon hated to admit it, but Elliott had beaten him in every single category¡ªappearance, wealth, and even sheer physical presence. Watching Christina so easily pull Elliott¡¯s attention left jealousy smoldering deep in his chest.

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 Chapter 122

    ?Chapter 122:

    Bruno¡¯s cheerful facade vanished in an instant, irritation twisting his features the moment he caught his cousin tantly eyeing Christina. He had set his sights on this woman. Was his cousin seriously trying to cut in? If Elliott made a move, he would have no choice but to step aside¡ªa thought that burned like acid beneath his skin.

    Elliott fixed Christina with a chilly stare. ¡°So, you¡¯re the one gunning for me?¡±

    Christina shot back, her chin jutting toward Bruno. ¡°Not really. My friend here made a bet, and I¡¯m the one finishing it. Best two out of three. Last round¡¯sing up, and I¡¯m walking away with the win.¡±

    Elliott¡¯s gaze swept over Christina, sizing up her steady confidence. She wore a sly, unruffled smile, like she¡¯d already imed the win. In an instant, he found himself drawn in, curiosity flickering in his eyes. Women never showed this kind of nerve around him¡ªnever with such fearless bravado. A sly grin tugged at the corner of his lips.

    ¡°Big ims, huh? You¡¯ll need a lot more than swagger if you¡¯re hoping to beat me,¡± Elliott replied, a teasing lilt in his voice.

    Christina just slipped her helmet back on, defiant and unbothered. ¡°Let my skills do the talking, then. Enough chatter¡ªlet¡¯s race.¡±

    Bruno shot Christina a scornful look, nostrils ring. ¡°Do you even know who you¡¯re up against? Keep mouthing off and you¡¯ll be bawling before this is over!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care who he is. Even if Darknight himself rolled up right now, he¡¯d get wiped out,¡± Davina dered, swaggering forward with unshakable confidence.

    Bruno snorted, the sound edged with disbelief. ¡°You really have no idea he¡¯s actually¡­¡±

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    ¡°Let¡¯s get started,¡± Elliott interrupted, brushing past Bruno with cool indifference as he slipped his helmet on.

    At that moment, hardly anyone in the crowd knew Elliott was actually Darknight, and he had no intention of letting that secret slip anytime soon.

    Out of the top five racers, only Skybreaker and Darknight had managed to keep their identities secret. Elliott had spent ages hunting for any trace of Skybreaker, but Skybreaker had vanished without a trace after retiring. He figured maybe this bold woman would bring a little thrill to his night before Skybreaker ever resurfaced.

    Bruno threw them a theatrical thumbs-down, his toneced with smugness. ¡°You¡¯re so screwed.¡±

    Davina didn¡¯t hold back. She rolled her eyes and shot Bruno the finger, making sure he saw every bit of her contempt. ¡°We¡¯ve got this locked down!¡±

    Bruno only offered a frosty smirk, refusing to rise to her bait. Inside, he¡¯d already epted their defeat. In his mind, he could see it: Davina and Christina, crumpled and sobbing, forced to swallow their pride in front of everyone. The fantasy of watching them crack at his feet sent a wicked thrill straight through him.

    As soon as the g dropped, both race cars exploded off the line, engines howling, tires shrieking as they barreled down the track.

    High in the bleachers, Katie was seething. ¡°Unbelievable. Christina just floats from guy to guy, desperate for a little attention. You¡¯d think she¡¯d drop dead if a man stopped looking at her.¡±

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 Chapter 123

    ?Chapter 123:

    Just imagining Elliott¡¯s lingering, fascinated stare aimed at Christina made Katie¡¯s blood boil.

    ¡°It¡¯s not really Christina¡¯s fault, though. The guys are the ones showing interest in her,¡± Ynda offered quietly, acting as if she was truly defending Christina.

    ¡°Oh,e on! If she wasn¡¯t always batting hershes and acting all coy, would they even notice her? She¡¯s out here prowling for guys and you know it!¡± Frustrationced Katie¡¯s words as she snapped back.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Ynda faltered, as if she¡¯d run out of arguments. She shot a discreet nce at Brendon, who was already scowling. Their bickering was pushing his patience to the edge.

    Katie barely got a word out before Brendon silenced her with a cial look. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to be here, then get out of here!¡± he hissed, his tone icy.

    Flushed with anger, Katie jerked her gaze away, swallowing anyeback.

    ¡°Alright, alright.¡± Ynda quickly jumped in, as if she hadn¡¯t subtly fueled the argument, looping her arms through theirs. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s just watch the race, okay? No point in arguing.¡±

    Out on the track, Elliott gripped the wheel, guiding the car with smooth, almostzy confidence. He¡¯d intended to take it easy, but after just onep, it hit him¡ªChristina was the real deal! At the very first turn, a split-second distraction sent her surging ahead, stealing the lead before he could react. He was floored. His jaw clenched, eyes wide with disbelief. So, her victory over the second-ce pro¡­

    He realized then that it hadn¡¯t been some lucky break. He¡¯d assumed she was a fluke neer, but her pure skill shattered that belief.

    The realization stung¡ªhe¡¯d made a rookie mistake of his own, letting his guard down and misjudging his opponent. All traces of yfulness vanished as he bore down, every nerve sparking withpetitive focus. This was no longer just a warm-up¡ªnow it was war. By the second turn, he hunted for any chance to slip past her, analyzing every move with sharp-eyed intensity.

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    Finally, right before the third bend, he spotted it¡ªa subtle, nearly invisible error in her line. A sly grin tugged at his lips. She slipped up. She¡¯d finally given him an opening. And that was all the cue he needed. Elliott barreled into the turn, tires screaming as he pulled off a wless drift, surging ahead in one clean, ruthless move. The instant he shot past her, a wild rush of adrenaline tore through him¡ªintense, addictive, the kind of high he hadn¡¯t tasted since Skybreaker retired.

    To Elliott, the second-ce racer was not bad, but nowhere close¡ªleaving the second-ce racer in the dust was child¡¯s y. But this woman? She was a different story. She¡¯d actually forced him to push his limits. No wonder she¡¯d smoked the second-ce racer. Sure, his win had never really been at risk, but for the first time in ages, thispetition had actually meant something.

    The exhration twisted inside Elliott, sharp and sweet, leaving him feeling invincible.

    ¡°Elliott pulled it off! He just passed her!¡±

    ¡°No way! I can¡¯t believe how good he is¡ªthis race is nuts!¡±

    ¡°Holy crap! For a minute there, I thought he might choke. But let¡¯s be real, she¡¯s just a woman. Like she ever stood a chance.¡±

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 Chapter 124

    ?Chapter 124:

    Katie smirked, soaking up all the dismissive chatter about Christina with smug satisfaction.

    ¡°Oh my god, Elliott is just ridiculously hot!¡± Katie squealed, grabbing Ynda¡¯s arm in a lovestruck daze.

    ¡°Yeah, totally¡­¡± Ynda almost echoed the sentiment but then hesitated, shooting Katie a sideways look. ¡°Or maybe you¡¯re just hopelessly obsessed?¡±

    Blushing, Ynda sneaked a nce at Brendon and let out a dramatic sigh. ¡°Brendon is obviously the hottest guy here. It¡¯s not even close.¡± Katie rolled her eyes butughed, conceding with a yful shrug. ¡°Whatever. Elliott is wless out there.¡± Her voice dropped to an awestruck whisper, cheeks burning as she giggled.

    But her starry-eyed smile vanished in an instant. ¡°What in the actual fuck? How did that happen?¡±

    A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. ¡°Is this for real? What on earth just happened?¡±

    Everyone¡¯s attention snapped to the track, breath caught in their throats as they witnessed the unthinkable.

    . Elliott¡¯s drift around the bend was already clean enough to drop jaws. But then Christina came in hot¡ªher drift was pure madness, the kind of move that made the crowd collectively forget how to breathe. She was even quicker than when she¡¯d dusted that second-ce racer earlier, her car practically flirting with the edge of control. It wasn¡¯t just driving¡ªit was a death-defying ballet on asphalt.

    The spectators were buzzing, their nerves on fire, their scalps prickling with the rush. And since it already felt like this from the sidelines, what kind of chaos was exploding inside that car?

    The instant Christina snapped out of the drift, sheunched forward like a missile, obliterating Elliott¡¯s lead in seconds.

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    ¡°What the hell? No way in hell!¡± Bruno growled, his eyes popping like they might fly out of his skull. He couldn¡¯t process it. Christina had just overtaken Darknight.

    Most didn¡¯t know who Darknight really was¡ªbut Bruno did. His cousin, Elliott. Only Skybreaker could ever manage to rival him.

    ¡°Mr. Happer, you think he¡¯s holding back just ¡¯cause she¡¯s a woman?¡± one of Bruno¡¯sckeys whispered, not daring to raise his voice.

    ¡°Obviously!¡± Bruno¡¯s voice cracked like a whip. ¡°Of course he¡¯s holding back! No damn way that woman beats my cousin¡¯s car unless he¡¯s letting her. If he were serious¡ªhell, she wouldn¡¯t even catch the shimmer of his taillights!¡± He spat on the ground, fury sizzling in his chest. ¡°Goddammit! We are not letting this bitch take the win!¡± Bruno¡¯s re seared into the giant screen, silently begging his cousin to stop holding back and put an end to her at once.

    Nearby, the second-ce racer parted his lips like he might speak up, but thought better of it. Bruno wasn¡¯t ready to hear the truth.

    The second-ce racer hadpeted against Christina not long ago. Earlier, he had told himself she simply got lucky, that his own missteps handed her the win. He¡¯d clung to excuses. But watching her now, slicing through the track with Elliott on her tail, it hit like a punch to the gut. Losing to her hadn¡¯t been chance. It was inevitable. And for once, he wasn¡¯t even mad.

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 Chapter 125

    ?Chapter 125:

    She was a damn storm behind the wheel.

    In the stands, Katie was practically levitating out of her seat, nails digging into her palms. ¡°Come on, Elliott! Hit the gas! Don¡¯t let her take you¡ªpass her!¡±

    Brendon stared hard at the sleek machine Christinamanded. Something twisted in his gut, like the ground had shifted under a truth he never sawing. This wasn¡¯t the Christina he knew. Not the woman he¡¯d once married and walked away from. Just how many secrets had she kept from him?

    Beside him, Ynda caught the way his eyes clung to the screen for Christina¡¯s every movement. A flicker of irritation sparked in her chest.

    After a moment of tense silence, she swallowed her irritation and muttered, ¡°You think Elliott¡¯s holding back on Christina?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡± Katie¡¯s answer came quick, sharpced with conviction. ¡°There¡¯s no way someone like Elliott could actually lose to her. He¡¯s totally throwing the race.¡± Her voice carried the weight of certainty, as if the idea of Christina winning on merit wasughable.

    ¡°But he was brought in to help Bruno,¡± Ynda said softly, her brows knitting. ¡°If he¡¯s letting her win, doesn¡¯t that mean he¡¯s into her?¡±

    ¡°Impossible!¡± The word burst from both Katie and Brendon in perfect sync, sharp and defensive.

    ¡°Elliott would never go for some washed-up divorc¨¦e,¡± Katie added, her tone dripping with disdain.

    Brendon kept his expression tight, voice like steel. ¡°She¡¯s older than he is. And went through a divorce. Not his type¡ªnever will be.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ I guess you¡¯re right,¡± Ynda murmured, scrunching her nose in vague distaste. ¡°I¡¯ve never even heard of Elliott dating. He barely has any women around. He must live like a monk.¡±

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    ¡°Exactly,¡± Katie said, her smile smug and self-assured. ¡°A man like him doesn¡¯t waste time on nobodies. He deserves someone exceptional.¡±

    Katie had no doubts¡ªshe was the one made for Elliott. Anyone else? Just background noise. If some desperate woman thought she could swoop in and steal him, she¡¯d crush that fantasy before it had a chance to breathe.

    Pursuing Dn had been a lost cause, but Elliott? He was different. And if she couldn¡¯t worm her way into the elite Scott family, well, snagging a ce in the prestigious Hubbard lineage wasn¡¯t a bad backup n.

    Ynda couldn¡¯t help but notice the dreamy look stered across Katie¡¯s face, and an amused smirk tugged at her lips. Honestly, it wasughable. Katie, of all people, thought she stood a chance of marrying into the Hubbard family? Not in a million years. Keep wishing, darling.

    Snuggled up against Brendon, Ynda kept her eyes glued to the giant screen, her mind already working several steps ahead. She had no intention of staying with Brendon for long. The real prize was Elliott, and in her mind, she was destined to im the title of his wife¡ªno one else would take that spot.

    Not far away, tucked in the shadows, two striking men stood quietly apart from the crowd. Everything about them radiated an effortless confidence, from their poised stature to the subtle, aristocratic air that seemed to set them apart.

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 Chapter 126

    ?Chapter 126:

    ¡°Wow, I never thought I¡¯d see the day,¡± Ralphymented, a yful glint in his eye as he leaned toward Dn. ¡°Miss Jones actually pulled this off? That¡¯s something I didn¡¯t expect.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I didn¡¯t see her beating Elliott either.¡± Dn¡¯s tone was t, his attention fixed on the events ying out on the screen.

    Ralphy gave him a nudge and shot him a sideways grin. ¡°So, any idea where Skybreaker disappeared to after retirement? Skybreaker just vanished¡ªno gossip, no trace. I¡¯d give anything to see a match-up between you two. That¡¯d be legendary.¡±

    Dn didn¡¯t react, his gaze unwavering. After a moment, he finally spoke, his voice low and measured. ¡°Watch her closely. Doesn¡¯t her driving remind you of Skybreaker?¡±

    Ralphy¡¯s eyes went wide, and his jaw nearly dropped. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re not suggesting¡­ she might actually be Skybreaker?¡± He stared at Dn, his face etched with shock and utter disbelief.

    A single, deliberate nod from Dn was all the confirmation he gave. He meant every word.

    Ralphy¡¯s jaw snapped shut, and he spun back to the screen, reying every second of the race in his mind. Each sharp turn and calcted maneuver reminded him of Skybreaker¡¯s unmatched skill, though he had to admit, there was still a noticeable difference. Christina wasn¡¯t quite at that level yet.

    ¡°Some of her moves look like Skybreaker¡¯s, I guess,¡± Ralphy mumbled, barely loud enough for Dn to hear. ¡°But Skybreaker¡¯s a guy. She¡¯s definitely not.¡±

    Dn nced at him, his expression unreadable. ¡°Have you ever seen Skybreaker in person?¡±

    ¡°No, never.¡± Ralphy paused, caught off guard. ¡°Then what makes you so certain Skybreaker isn¡¯t a woman?¡± Dn¡¯s words cut through the doubt like a cold wind.

    ???????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Ralphy¡¯s mind went into overdrive, his mental image of the legendary driver suddenly blending with Christina¡¯s silhouette. For a moment, he looked like he¡¯d seen a ghost. ¡°You¡¯re messing with me, right? There¡¯s just no way!¡± He stared at Dn, searching his face for a hint of a joke.

    ¡°Wait. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve already figured it out?¡±

    Dn¡¯s lips curled into the faintest smirk. ¡°Care to ce a wager?¡±

    It took Ralphy a second to recover. ¡°Nope. Not this time. I know better than to bet against you. You¡¯re up to something, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Ralphy had lost enough bets to Dn to recognize a trap when he saw one.

    When Dn¡¯s sly smile deepened, Ralphy couldn¡¯t help but shiver. ¡°Geez! I nearly walked right into it!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m good, thanks. I trust your hunch. Let¡¯s skip the bet,¡± Ralphy said quickly, waving his hands in surrender. ¡°Too bad¡­ That plot ofnd in the north would¡¯ve been a nice prize.¡±

    Dn let out a mock sigh, his eyes glinting.

    Ralphy shot him a look of exaggerated outrage. ¡°I knew it! So that¡¯s what you¡¯ve been after all along, my property in the north end!¡± With a smug little tilt of his chin, Ralphy added, ¡°Good thing I¡¯ve been on my toes since I was a kid. No way I was letting you trick me.¡±

    Dn raised an eyebrow and shot back, ¡°Really? Haven¡¯t you fallen for enough of my traps by now? Let¡¯s not forget¡ª¡±

    ¡°Enough! Don¡¯t you dare bring that up,¡± Ralphy quickly cut Dn off, waving his hands to silence him before he could dig up any old embarrassments. ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I¡¯ve learned my lesson. After being burned so many times, I became wiser.¡±

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 Chapter 127

    ?Chapter 127:

    Their focus returned to the giant screen just as the two cars raced for the finish, still separated by barely half a car length.

    In the end, Christina snatched the victory by a fraction of a second. The crowd went wild, their cheers filling the air as the adrenaline from the close finish lingered.

    ¡°Hell yes! That¡¯s my hero. Nobody can touch her!¡± Ralphy couldn¡¯t help but shout, caught up in his excitement. ¡°She¡¯s already unbeatable at shooting, and now she¡¯s crushing it on the track? Is there anything she can¡¯t do?¡±

    Dn remained silent, his eyes locked on Christina as she stepped out of the car. With an effortless flick, she tugged off her helmet and let her jet-ck hair fall free.

    To Dn, Christina seemed to radiate confidence¡ªevery move she made was calm, elegant, and entirely her own.

    Across the room, Katie could barely contain her irritation. ¡°What just happened? How did Christina beat Elliott?¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter if Elliott held back. Christina still came out on top,¡± Ynda replied smoothly.

    Brendon suddenly spoke up. ¡°I need a word with her. Wait here, alright?¡±

    Ynda turned to him, eyes sharp. ¡°Why do you need to talk to Christina?¡±

    ¡°I just need to ask about my grandma¡¯s surgery,¡± he gently exined, his hand brushing her cheek.

    Ynda forced a sweet smile. ¡°Okay, but don¡¯t keep me waiting too long.¡±

    As soon as Brendon was out of earshot, Ynda¡¯s expression changed.

    She put on an air of disappointment, but her eyes betrayed no genuine emotion. Instead, her focus shifted to Elliott, watching him step out of his car.

    The standings thrummed with energy, yet Bruno remained rooted, his expression as dark and turbulent as an impending storm. His eyes fixed on Christina, who stood basking in the glow of victory¡ªradiant, confident, and utterly triumphant. Bruno couldn¡¯t ept this. His own cousin, Elliott, known far and wide as Darknight, the legendary racer, had been bested. How did Christina manage to outpace Darknight?

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    Meanwhile, Davina came flying across the field, herughter echoing as she rushed to Christina and threw her arms around her. ¡°You did it!¡± she eximed. ¡°You just crushed it out there!¡± She raised her fist high, thumb sticking up in full-blown praise.

    Christina tossed her hair back with a soft smile. ¡°You put me on that track¡ªI had to try my best.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re incredible!¡± Davina¡¯s thumb stayed firmly aloft, admiration shining in her eyes.

    But her excitement faltered the moment she noticed Bruno approaching. Her expression dropped as if a switch had flipped. The thumbs-up turned into a sharp thumbs-down aimed straight at him. ¡°We won two out of three, Bruno. Time to pay what you owe,¡± she said coldly, crossing her arms.

    Bruno¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°That race was rigged. You cheated. I¡¯m not epting this.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me? Cheated?¡± Davina looked ready to explode. ¡°Show me where. How did we even cheat?¡±

    ¡°Even if you yed fair, my cousin must have gone easy on you. No chance you actually pulled off a win!¡± Bruno snapped, his gaze hard and using.

    Davina rolled her eyes. ¡°Wow. You really can¡¯t handle losing, can you? Be a man and own up to the bet!¡± She raised her voice and called across the field, loud enough for Elliott to hear, ¡°Hey, Elliott! Is this what the mighty Hubbard family calls honor?¡±

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 Chapter 128

    ?Chapter 128:

    A flicker of panic crossed Bruno¡¯s face¡ªhe hadn¡¯t anticipated her dragging the Hubbard family¡¯s name into this dispute. Yet, the words were out. ¡°This is between me and you alone! Don¡¯t you dare besmirch the Hubbard name!¡± he warned, stepping forward, teeth clenched. ¡°Mind your words.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wrong, Bruno. This is very much about the Hubbard family now,¡± Davina said with a smirk. ¡°You made the bet. Your cousin raced. Now you¡¯re backing out. That stains the whole Hubbard name.¡±

    She shrugged off Bruno¡¯s protest. Since he wanted to sulk like a sore loser, she would just escte things and get the Hubbard family involved. She doubted he¡¯d actually risk dragging their name through the mud.

    ¡°I¡¯m not backing down,¡± Bruno snapped. ¡°You cheated, and I won¡¯t ept an unfair oue!¡±

    Just then, Elliott approached, his expression unreadable, his brow drawn in a tight line. ¡°There was no cheating,¡± he dered with quiet conviction.

    Elliott¡¯s eyes fixed on Christina, sharp and probing. Her technique on the track mirrored Skybreaker¡¯s too closely. Who exactly was she? ¡°How can you say she yed fair? You¡¯re the famous¡ª¡± Bruno abruptly stopped himself, swallowing the secret he almost revealed. Taking a steady breath, Bruno asked cautiously, ¡°Did you hold back against her?¡±

    Elliott shook his head firmly, unwavering in his honesty. ¡°She didn¡¯t cheat, and I didn¡¯t go easy on her. I was simply outmatched.¡±

    Elliott never made excuses. If someone outperformed him, he owned it without hesitation orint.

    ¡°That¡¯s unbelievable! A woman outdriving you?¡± Bruno¡¯s frustration surged, threatening to spill over as he battled the urge to expose Elliott¡¯s concealed identity as Darknight.

    ¡°A defeat is a defeat. No use dwelling on it,¡± Elliott replied calmly, maintaining hisposure.

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    Bruno clenched his jaw, simmering with rage. He was sure Elliott had intentionally tanked the race¡ªjust to sabotage him. But with Elliott refusing to confess, he was powerless to prove it.

    ¡°Did you catch that, Bruno? Elliott owns his loss like a man. What about you?¡± Davina¡¯s triumphant smile widened. ¡°Come on¡ªpay up so we can all call it a night.¡±

    Bruno shot a venomous re her way, muttering curses under his breath.

    ¡°Respect the bet, Bruno. Don¡¯t drag the Hubbard family name through the mud,¡± Elliott stated firmly.

    Still, Bruno remained rooted, fists clenched tight, stubbornly unwilling to yield or acknowledge defeat¡ªhis pride chaining him in ce.

    ¡°I still don¡¯t believe that woman didn¡¯t cheat,¡± Bruno muttered. He didn¡¯t dare use Elliott of going easy on Christina to his face again, but he could damn well suspect Christina of foul y.

    ¡°Are you questioning my judgment?¡± Elliott¡¯s voice was cold, his stare even colder.

    Bruno replied quickly, ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡± His jaw was tight as a drum.

    ¡°Good. Then keep your end of the bet. Unless you¡¯d prefer I bring your parents in to settle things?¡± Elliott¡¯s tone was light, but the threat was clear.

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 Chapter 129

    ?Chapter 129:

    Bruno¡¯s fists clenched, and his eyes shed with fury. Every time he slipped up, Elliott ran straight to his parents. And every single time, he ended up being punished. If not for the Hubbards, he could get away with anything. But once they stepped in, it didn¡¯t matter who was right. He always ended up paying the price. He hated Elliott and the whole Hubbard n.

    In that moment, Bruno made a silent vow¡ªif he ever got the chance to bring the Hubbard family down, he¡¯d take it. No second thoughts. One day, the Hubbard Group would be his.

    ¡°Fine! A bet¡¯s a bet!¡± Bruno spat, then dropped hard to his knees before Davina and Christina. ¡°I was wrong! Forgive me!¡± He forced the words out, each oneced with bitter anger, like they left a bad taste in his mouth.

    Davina smirked. ¡°Now that¡¯s settled, wire the money.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m doing it!¡± Bruno growled under his breath.

    Davina handed over Christina¡¯s ount info. Bruno tapped his screen and sent the ten million over. ¡°It¡¯s sent!¡± he snapped.

    Christina smiled, sugar-sweet. ¡°Got it.¡±

    ¡°Well then, looks like we¡¯re done here,¡± Davina said, linking arms with Christina. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. ¡°Let¡¯s grab some barbecue. Maybe a drink. We earned it.¡±

    Bruno nearly choked. They were really going to celebrate?

    ¡°Sure,¡± Christina replied with a nod.

    But just as Christina turned to leave, Elliott¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°Wait.¡±

    Before the word had even settled, someone grabbed Christina¡¯s wrist. But it wasn¡¯t Elliott.

    Christina turned, and her eyes met Brendon¡¯s. His grip was firm, his expression cold. She scowled, clearly annoyed.

    ???????????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????????©q?????

    ¡°Hey! What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± Davina barked, stepping forward. ¡°Take your dirty hands off her!¡±

    ¡°This doesn¡¯t concern you. Stay out of it,¡± Brendon shot back without looking at her.

    Davina¡¯s lip curled. ¡°You¡¯re the outsider here! Like a bad penny¡ªyou just keep showing up. Why are we always stuck running into you?¡± That one hit a nerve. Brendon¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Oh, so Rd¡¯s yours now? You run the ce?¡± he sneered. ¡°If anyone¡¯s a bad penny, it¡¯s you.¡±

    Davina opened her mouth to fire back, but Christina stepped in first. ¡°You¡¯re the bad penny here,¡± she said, her voice sharp as ss. ¡°Let go of me. I won¡¯t say it again.¡±

    Her re spoke volumes. She was seconds away from exploding.

    Brendon backed off¡ªjust a little. ¡°I just wanna talk. About my grandma,¡± he muttered, softer now. He had suffered at Christina¡¯s hands before and was wary of her sudden movements.

    Christina eyed him warily. ¡°What about her?¡±

    Brendon looked around and then leaned closer. ¡°Too many people here. Let¡¯s talk somewhere else.¡±

    ¡°Right here. Or not at all,¡± she replied tly.

    Brendon clenched his jaw. A sharp ache throbbed in his head. ¡°Do you have to be like this? We don¡¯t have to fight. Can¡¯t we just talk?¡± His voice was pleading, but there was an edge to it.

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 Chapter 130

    ?Chapter 130:

    When she stayed silent, he reached out, aiming to pull her away. ¡°C¡¯mon, let¡¯s just step outside and¡ª¡±

    But before Christina could unleash her fury, someone else beat her to it.

    Brendon¡¯s wrist was suddenly caught in a steel grip. Pain shot up his arm like fire.

    Everyone turned. Elliott stood there, cold as ice, his fingers digging into Brendon¡¯s wrist.

    ¡°Let go,¡± Elliott said. His voice was low, but the threat was unmistakable¡ªand with each passing second, his grip only grew more punishing.

    Brendon winced. His bones felt like they were being crushed. The pressure was unbearable. With a grunt, he finally let go of Christina¡¯s wrist.

    ¡°You okay?¡± Davina rushed to Christina¡¯s side, gently lifting her wrist. Angry red marks circled Christina¡¯s skin, and Davina¡¯s chest tightened at the sight.

    While Brendon was still doubled over in pain, Davina mmed her heel down on him. Hard. ¡°Trash!¡± she hissed.

    ¡°Argh!¡± Brendon cried out, his face twisted in pain. What the hell was wrong with this lunatic?

    Elliott¡¯s eyes dropped to Christina¡¯s wrist. The red lines made something flicker in his gaze. Without a word, he crushed Brendon¡¯s wrist even harder.

    ¡°Ah! Fuck!¡± Brendon screamed, vision going white at the edges. The pain was blinding.

    Brendon jerked back, trying to break free. With a faint smirk ying on his lips, Elliott let go.

    Brendon stumbled backward,pletely off bnce. He crashed to the ground,nding hard on his tailbone. Pain rippled up his spine. At least his head didn¡¯t hit the floor again¡ªhe couldn¡¯t afford another round of stitches.

    Red-faced and fuming, Brendon scrambled to his feet, rage burning under his skin. Too scared to go at Elliott, he turned on Christina instead. ¡°I just came to ask about my grandma¡¯s surgery!¡± he snapped, brushing himself off.

    ???????? ???????????? ????????: ??????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°What the hell was all that for? We were once married, for God¡¯s sake!¡± Brendon spat the word ¡°married¡± like poison, throwing it in Elliott¡¯s face. His message was clear: no matter how much Elliott protected or fancied Christina, she was just a woman he had discarded. He aimed to let his words sting.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of your grandma¡¯s surgery. You don¡¯t have to worry,¡± Christina said, her voice frosty.

    Elliott¡¯s lips curved slightly as he regarded Brendon with detached amusement. ¡°You¡¯re overstepping as an ex-husband.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s face darkened, his anger bubbling up, his retort on his tongue¡ªbut he choked it back, not daring to snap at Elliott. Through gritted teeth, he forced out his modified reply. ¡°Mr. Hubbard, I was once her husband. If anyone¡¯s overstepping, it¡¯s you.¡±

    ¡°And what if you were? That doesn¡¯t stop me from pursuing her,¡± Elliott said coolly.

    Gasps spread around them. Did Elliott just say that? He intended to pursue Christina? A divorced woman who was older than him? This was huge. If this got out, it¡¯d be tabloid gold.

    Brendon¡¯s face turned red. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding. She¡¯s divorced. And older than you.¡±

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 Chapter 131

    ?Chapter 131:

    ¡°So?¡± Elliott shrugged. ¡°None of that bothers me. She¡¯s exactly my type. Plus, I¡¯ve always liked women who can handle a race car.¡± He paused, letting the words sink in. ¡°If I win her over, we can race together anytime. Sounds perfect to me.¡±

    The instant those words left Elliott¡¯s mouth, Brendon¡¯splexion darkened. Every muscle in his arms went rigid, his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles turned white, veins standing out like ropes along his temples. If he hadn¡¯t been so damned cautious about picking a fight with Elliott, he would¡¯ve swung at him right then and there.

    Off to the side, Bruno gaped, his jaw practically unhinged in disbelief at the scene unraveling before him. Was this seriously the same Elliott he¡¯d always known? Elliott barely wasted breath on anyone outside his tiny circle. Getting him to talk more was like trying to squeeze blood from a stone. Even with his family, he never bothered with extra words. And now, out of nowhere, Elliott was leaping to defend a woman he¡¯d just met,unching into an uncharacteristic speech on her behalf.

    Bruno¡¯s eyes narrowed, his mind racing with schemes. Was Elliott actually interested in Christina? Calction flickered in his eyes.

    Elliott looked at Christina, his voice low and direct. ¡°Need a ride?¡±

    Christina offered him a measured, friendly smile, dangling her car keys between two fingers. ¡°Thanks, but I brought my own.¡±

    ¡°Alright, everyone. We¡¯ll take our leave,¡± Christina said, ncing at Davina and giving her hand a gentle squeeze before the two of them turned to go.

    Davina gave Christina¡¯s hand an eager squeeze, lowering her voice to a murmur. ¡°Be honest¡ªwhat do you think of Elliott? The way he jumped to your defense? Damn, that was hot. I¡¯m telling you, he¡¯s totally into you. You should go for it!¡±

    Christina let out a dismissiveugh. ¡°You¡¯re reading way too much into it. We¡¯re both in the racing circuit¡ªmaybe that was just his professional ethicsing into y. Plus, I¡¯m divorced. And older than him.¡±

    Keep reading at g???????¦Í???????co??

    ¡°So what?¡± Davina shot back, arching a brow and waving her hand like the idea was ridiculous. ¡°If he doesn¡¯t care, why should you?¡±

    Christina shrugged as she argued. ¡°Maybe he doesn¡¯t, but what about his family? That¡¯s a whole other problem.¡±

    Davina scoffed, rolling her eyes. ¡°Please. His family¡¯s opinion isn¡¯t worth a dime. Frankly, he¡¯d be lucky to have you. If his family knew who you really are, they¡¯d be crawling on their hands and knees just for you to marry into their family!¡±

    Davina thought even the Scott family, the most elite family in Lorbridge, should consider themselves honored if Christina became part of their lineage.

    But honestly? Davina believed no man alive was good enough for Christina¡ªshe belonged on a pedestal, adored and revered like some untouchable goddess.

    A quietugh slipped from Christina, but her thoughts wandered back to everything with Brendon. If he¡¯d ever known her true identity, he wouldn¡¯t have dared treat her with such icy contempt. He¡¯d have put on a show¡ªfawning over her, drowning her in phony praise, and pretending she was everything he wanted.

    Yet, what was the point of that empty performance? When money and power entered the picture, who could separate truth from pretense? Christina¡¯s voice softened. ¡°You know how it goes. The moment wealth and influence show up, everything getsplicated. I just want something genuine.¡±

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 Chapter 132

    ?Chapter 132:

    Davina studied her friend¡¯s wistful smile, her own chest tightening with sympathy. So much warmth, so much devotion¡ªChristina had given it all away to people who never deserved it.

    ¡°Let those blind fools rot in regret!¡± Davina dered, rallying with infectious energy. ¡°My Christina is the best! Anyone dumb enough not to treasure you is clearly an idiot!¡±

    Christina couldn¡¯t help herself. Sheughed out loud, thest shadows of gloom lifting from her face.

    From his seat in the stands, Ralphy, who¡¯d always had a knack for lip-reading, caught every word between Elliott and Brendon. A sly grin spread across his face the moment he pieced it together. ¡°Yikes, you¡¯re in trouble now,¡± he snickered, jabbing Dn in the side. ¡°You haven¡¯t even staked your im yet, and herees thepetition. That Hubbard guy just t-out said he doesn¡¯t care that Miss Jones is divorced or older. That she¡¯s exactly his type and everything. Even hinted that if he wins her over, they¡¯ll be racing side by side.¡±

    Ralphy let out a low whistle, shaking his head in feigned pity. ¡°Sure, his family¡¯s not as filthy rich as yours, but he¡¯s still loaded, easy on the eyes, and¡ªbonus¡ªhe¡¯s younger. And let¡¯s be real, mature woman and younger guy? Total trend these days¡­¡±

    Before he couldnd on his conclusion, Dn shot to his feet, fury written all over his face, and stomped away without a word.

    ¡°Hey! Where the hell are you running off to?¡± With a ragged yell, Ralphy bolted after him, determined not to fall behind. ¡°You seriously going to start a fight? Wait up, man!¡±

    Approaching herpact car, Christina pressed the key fob and popped the door open.

    A delighted gasp escaped Davina. ¡°This car is adorable! When did you snag it? Howe you kept this hidden from me?¡±

    Earlier, Davina had noticed the little car but hadn¡¯t had a chance to ask about it until now.

    ?????? ???????? ? g??lnov?l??.???m

    Christina gave a calm response, ¡°Dn gave it to me as a gift, but I insisted on paying for it through my sry.¡±

    Davina knew Christina had been working for Dn, helping look after Chloe these days.

    ¡°Sure, it¡¯s cute, but aren¡¯t you a little tall for such a tiny ride?¡± Davina teased, eyeing the car with curiosity.

    A small smile yed on Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°It looks small, but there¡¯s actually plenty of room for quick trips. I¡¯mfortable in it, even with my height.¡±

    ¡°Let me take it for a spinter. I¡¯ll just have my driver take my car home,¡± Davina suggested.

    ¡°Go for it,¡± Christina replied, handing over the keys with a nod. Both women were about to hop inside when a voice from behind called out, ¡°Hold on.¡±

    They turned in unison to see Elliott striding over. ¡°I need a minute with you, Christina,¡± he said, his attention fixed squarely on her.

    Curiosity piqued, Christina asked, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡±

    ncing around at the others, Elliott hesitated. ¡°Can we talk alone for a bit?¡±

    A quick suggestion came from Christina. ¡°We were heading out for pizza. If you¡¯re interested, tag along and just follow in your car.¡± Truthfully, Christina had hoped for a chance to thank Elliott privately for standing up for her earlier.

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    ?Chapter 133:

    ¡°Would you mind if I rode with you instead?¡± Elliott ventured, testing his luck.

    Before Christina could answer, an icy interruption cut through the moment. ¡°That won¡¯t be possible.¡±

    Dn appeared suddenly, his gaze cold as ice, with Ralphy trailing behind, a mischievous smile stered on his face as always.

    Feeling the tension spike, Elliott met Dn¡¯s stare and sensed a wall of hostility that he couldn¡¯t exin.

    Christina¡¯s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ¡°What brings you here, Dn?¡± Dn¡¯s presence could only mean he¡¯d found out about her racing tonight. She hadn¡¯t tried to keep her driving skills a secret, especially with all the spectators who had witnessed her performance. She just hadn¡¯t prepared herself for running into him here.

    Dn kept his tone cool as he exined, ¡°Ralphy mentioned your friend was racing, so I thought I¡¯d swing by.¡±

    Initially, Dn had intended to step in if Christina¡¯s friend needed help, but seeing Christina show up herself had caught him off guard. A simple ¡°Alright,¡± was all Christina said in response.

    Nearby, Ralphy couldn¡¯t stop grinning, his gaze practically glued to Christina with admiration. ¡°Miss Jones, I had no idea you could race like that! Those two matches earlier were unreal. I¡¯m seriously a fan now!¡±

    A flush of embarrassment crept up Christina¡¯s cheeks. ¡°You¡¯re giving me too much credit.¡±

    ¡°Even if you hadn¡¯t shown up, Dn would¡¯ve made sure your friend didn¡¯t lose out.¡± Ralphy¡¯s grin only widened.

    Trying to ease the awkwardness, Christina nced around. ¡°Well, since everyone¡¯s here, how about we all grab some pizza together?¡± Gathering in a group was already starting to attract stares from passersby.

    ???????????????? ??????????????: ??????????¦Í????????????

    In perfect sync, Dn and Elliott agreed. ¡°Sounds good.¡±

    The next second, frosty nces were exchanged between the two men, neither hiding the fact that they weren¡¯t fans of each other.

    Neither Dn¡¯smanding air nor Elliott¡¯s unshakable calm budged an inch. Their eyes locked in silent challenge, neither willing to show weakness.

    The tension was thick enough to snap in an instant.

    Christina tried to steer the conversation elsewhere. ¡°So, where did you guys leave your cars?¡±

    Both men answered at the same time, ¡°The driver already took it home.¡±

    That answer left Christina blinking, momentarily thrown off. They just let their drivers take the cars? Were they both really nning to walk home from here?

    They didn¡¯t seem to be lying, so Christina turned her attention to Ralphy. ¡°Did you drive yourself tonight?¡±

    A casual shrug from Ralphy. ¡°Nope, I hitched a ride. Didn¡¯t bring my car at all.¡±

    This seating puzzle just kept getting trickier. Christina was sorting through options in her head. Her car could seat three passengers, but fitting everyone, especially with all the guys towering over six feet, was going to be a challenge. Davina¡¯s sports car couldn¡¯t help much, as it only had room for one passenger.

    Davina chimed in just then, cutting through the dilemma. ¡°How about this? Elliott and I will ride in Christina¡¯s car.¡±

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 Chapter 134

    ?Chapter 134:

    ¡°No!¡± Dn and Ralphy snapped at the same time.

    Davina froze. Letting them take her shy sports car wasn¡¯t enough? She raised a brow. ¡°So what do you suggest? How about you all ask your own drivers to bring the cars back so you get your own ride?¡±

    Ralphy stepped forward, waving off the idea. ¡°No need for all that. You ride with me in your sports car. Dn and Elliott can squeeze in with Miss Jones.¡±

    Davina eyed him, doubtful. ¡°You sure about that?¡±

    Ralphy nodded. ¡°One hundred percent.¡±

    Not wanting anyst-minute changes, Ralphy took Davina¡¯s hand right away. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s get going before the pizza ce shuts down.¡± As they walked off, Christina turned to Dn and Elliott. ¡°Do you guys want to call another car?¡±

    ¡°No need,¡± Dn and Elliott replied in sync.

    ¡°Thanks for the lift, Miss Jones,¡± Elliott said smoothly. He reached for the door and slid into the passenger seat without missing a beat.

    Dn¡¯s face dropped. Seriously? That fast?

    Elliott nced at Dn and smirked.

    That smug little grin made Dn¡¯s jaw twitch.

    Christina looked at Dn. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You not getting in?¡±

    Dn muttered, ¡°Nothing.¡± His voice was tight.

    Then, after a beat, he frowned and added tly, ¡°I get carsick.¡±

    Christina blinked. ¡°What? Since when? You¡¯ve never gotten carsick before.¡±

    They¡¯d ridden together plenty of times¡ªhe was always fine.

    Stay connected through g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°Just feeling off today,¡± Dn said quickly, even adding a hint of weakness to his tone.

    Christina studied him. He did look a little pale. ¡°Then take the front seat. Might help,¡± she offered.

    If it were just regr carsickness, she¡¯d let him drive. But if he was sick, she couldn¡¯t risk that.

    ¡°But¡ª¡± Dn nced at Elliott, who was already stretched outfortably in the passenger seat.

    ¡°I¡¯ll handle it,¡± Christina said, walking over to the car. She opened the door. ¡°Mr. Hubbard, can you move to the back? Dn is not feeling well.¡±

    Elliott frowned. He hadn¡¯t expected Dn to pull off that trick. ¡°I get carsick too,¡± he shot back. His triumph had been short-lived¡ªnow he was the one getting blindsided. Dn was really a scheming fox. The old folks weren¡¯t wrong about Dn.

    ¡°Mr. Hubbard, you were just fine racing around earlier,¡± Christina said dryly.

    ¡°Yeah, well¡­ now I feel sick,¡± Elliott said stubbornly.

    Christina sighed. She saw right through it. ¡°Fine. Then you drive. I¡¯ll sit in the back.¡±

    ¡°Deal!¡± Elliott said immediately. Since Dn resorted to such a trick, he would return the favor. He quickly moved to the driver¡¯s seat, shing Dn a mocking look. ¡°Hop in, Mr. Scott,¡± he said, the formality dripping with sarcasm.

    Dn clenched his jaw and moved to open the back door.

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 Chapter 135

    ?Chapter 135:

    Christina stopped him. ¡°If you¡¯re sick, sit in the front. Don¡¯t push it.¡± She opened the passenger door for him. ¡°Actually, maybe we should go to the hospital?¡±

    ¡°No need. I¡¯ll be fine after some rest,¡± Dn muttered. With no other choice, he slid into the front seat. Great. His little lie had backfired. If he insisted on the back now, Christina would haul him to the ER.

    Elliott looked smug again. He nced at Dn¡ªonly to meet a cold, cutting stare.

    The tension inside the car was thick enough to slice with a knife.

    As the car pulled off, Elliott checked the mirror and asked casually, ¡°So, Miss Jones¡­ What¡¯s your rtionship with Skybreaker?¡±

    Christina¡¯s expression faltered slightly, though she had expected this question toe up eventually. After all, hiding the fact that she and Skybreaker were one and the same could only go so far. No matter how carefully she changed her look, her habits might still betray her. To a casual observer, these things would slip by unnoticed. But to someone with sharp eyes, like Dn¡¯s? The familiar moves and style would be registered at once.

    Long ago, Christina had rehearsed what to say if she were ever confronted. With an easyugh, she slipped on an air of slight embarrassment. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve figured it out.¡±

    Acting as if it hardly mattered, she shrugged. ¡°Since we¡¯re talking about it, I¡¯ll admit it¡ªI¡¯m actually Skybreaker¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦.¡±

    Most would find this story believable. After all, it wasmon for a prot¨¦g¨¦¡¯s style to mirror that of their mentor.

    Elliott didn¡¯t hesitate to ept the exnation. ¡°That actually clears things up.¡±

    This matched his assumption perfectly. Not once did he suspect that the poised, confident woman before him could ever be Skybreaker, a scruffy and wild man in his imagination.

    More books uploaded on g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m

    Tossing in a little extra to seal the story, Christina asked, ¡°Could you keep this quiet for me? I¡¯d rather people not know about my connection to Skybreaker.¡±

    A quick nod from Elliott. ¡°Of course.¡± Then, unable to hide his curiosity, he asked, ¡°Is your mentor still around?¡±

    The question almost made Christinaugh out loud. ¡°Alive and well¡ªno need to worry.¡±

    Anticipation flickered in Elliott¡¯s voice as he replied, ¡°If I manage to beat you, could you introduce me to your mentor? I¡¯d love to challenge him.¡±

    Without hesitation, Christina agreed. ¡°You got it.¡±

    She couldn¡¯t help but imagine the shock on Elliott¡¯s face when he finally realized the truth: beating her would mean he had already bested Skybreaker.

    Meanwhile, Dn remained quiet, his expression frozen and cold. Yet, as he caught sight of Elliott¡¯s hopeful grin, a sly satisfaction flickered in his eyes. Having deduced that Christina was actually Skybreaker, while Elliott remained in the dark and still dreamed of a challenge with Skybreaker, gave him a private sense of amusement.

    The more Dn turned it over in his mind, the more it entertained him. He couldn¡¯t help but feel an unspoken bond with Christina, one that ran deeper than anything Elliott might im.

    Meanwhile, Christina remained unaware of the quiet amusement flickering in Dn¡¯s eyes.

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 Chapter 136

    ?Chapter 136:

    At the pizza joint, as soon as the group of five¡ªthree men, two women¡ªstepped through the door, every head in the diner turned their way. Admiring nces followed them from every corner, regardless of age or gender.

    Choosing discretion over spectacle, they made a beeline for one of the private rooms tucked away from prying eyes.

    No sooner had the group vanished from view than the ce buzzed with excited whispers.

    ¡°Damn, did you see that crew? Absolute stunners! I thought they were movie stars for a second!¡±

    ¡°Forget celebrities¡ªthose five are like characters out of a high-budget video game. I could stare at them all night!¡±

    ¡°They are way too attractive. I¡¯d swap five years of my life just to have a shot with one of them!¡±

    Spection swirled. ¡°Three guys and two girls. Think any of them are single? If they weren¡¯t hiding in a private room, I¡¯d walk right over and ask for a number!¡±

    The debate ended as reality sank in. ¡°Give it up. Folks like that don¡¯t mix with us mortals. Just focus on your pizza.¡±

    Meanwhile, inside their cozy room, none of the gossip reached their ears.

    Hardly had Christina settled into her seat before both Dn and Elliott slid in, one on each side.

    Left with no room to squeeze in, Davina¡¯s hand hovered midair in defeat. A sly smile flickered across her face, but she didn¡¯t bother calling out the obvious. Instead, she glided into the next avable spot with practiced ease.

    Watching her best friend sandwiched between two impossibly attractive men, Davina felt a twinge of envy mixed with pride. Christina really was living out a modern-day fantasy¡ªtwo gorgeous guys practically tripping over themselves for her attention.

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    If marrying two men were on the table, Davina would¡¯ve encouraged her best friend to marry both of them.

    ¡°Alright, everyone. What¡¯s the game n for food? ce your orders,¡± Davina announced, shifting the focus to dinner.

    Christina dered, ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the orders for Davina and myself. The rest of you can pick what you want.¡±

    Having decided on the food choice for herself and Davina, Christina moved to put down the menu. No sooner had she held it out than Dn and Elliott both reached for it at once, their hands almost colliding.

    For a moment, Christina sat frozen, clutching the menu as indecision flickered across her face. Handing it to either Dn or Elliott first seemed like an impossible choice¡ªno matter what she did. Across the table, Davina watched with undisguised amusement, soaking in every detail of the unfolding drama, thoroughly entertained from her ringside seat. Whoever imed that a woman¡¯s worth faded with divorce clearly hadn¡¯t met Christina. In this room, Christina was the center of gravity. Anyone unable to spot the difference between gold and gravel clearly needed their eyes checked. Dn and Elliott, at least, weren¡¯t so blind¡ªboth men could see Christina¡¯s brilliance. She was a rare find, extraordinary in every respect.

    Part of Davina wanted to stir the pot even further¡ªmaybe hatch a n to nudge one or both of the men closer to her best friend.

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 Chapter 137

    ?Chapter 137:

    Meanwhile, Dn and Elliott squared off in a silent duel, neither willing to show weakness or break eye contact, as if this were a test of nerves as much as charm.

    With a decisive breath, Christina made her choice. She handed the menu to Dn, her familiarity with him just tipping the bnce. ¡°Pick your food.¡±

    Then, without skipping a beat, Christina motioned for Davina to take another menu and passed it along to Elliott. ¡°Go ahead¡ªorder whatever you want,¡± she said lightly.

    The second Dn got his hands on the menu, a flicker of satisfaction crossed his lips¡ªquickly masked, but not quite invisible.

    Elliott¡¯s expression darkened, the edges of hisposure fraying with each passing second. Noticing Dn¡¯s barely concealed smirk only heightened his frustration.

    ¡°What¡¯s the holdup? Go on and order already,¡± Christina urged. ¡°Once you¡¯re done, the rest of us will pick something. Let¡¯s just finish cing the orders quickly, eat, and get some rest.¡±

    Weariness crept in after a long, demanding day. The adrenaline from the car race had faded, and with it, thest reserves of her energy seemed to vanish.

    Despite his irritation, Elliott resigned himself to scrolling through the menu, fingers tapping clumsily at the unfamiliar options.

    Neither Elliott nor Dn wasfortable with this sort of food. They struggled to make their choices as they scanned through the menu, hesitant and full of awkward pauses.

    Watching their struggle, Christina stifled a sigh. Letting them choose their own food had been a mistake. She¡¯d have finished twice as quickly just handling it herself. No doubt about it, both men had been brought up with silver spoons¡ªyears of elegant dinners where waitstaff anticipated every whim. No wonder navigating a pizza menu had them tripping over themselves.

    Concern flickered through Christina¡¯s mind¡ªhow would their delicate appetites cope with the non-organic food? If either one wound up with a stomachache, she¡¯d feel at least a little guilty for dragging them into this pizza joint.

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    Davina, on the other hand, looked on with gleeful indifference. Their prospective digestive issues were their own problem. So long as she and Christina were enjoying the meal, nothing else mattered.

    Elbows propped on the table, Davina watched with a satisfied, cat-like grin. Her best friend was in her element¡ªexpert at keeping tempers cool and everyone content. Christina could run a harem and never break a sweat.

    Meanwhile, Christina had no inkling of Davina¡¯s runningmentary. When the two men finally finished muddling through their orders, she took back the menu and expertly added a few extra dishes, making sure everyone would have plenty to share.

    Elliott seized the moment, shifting the conversation toward racing. His words tumbled out effortlessly, andughter soon filled the space between them, as though they were old friends catching up after years apart. There was an immediate, easy rapport¡ªeach story or jokending perfectly, the air alive with energy.

    Dn¡¯s brows furrowed with each passing minute. Time and again, he seemed ready to jump in, only to fall silent as the conversation moved past him.

    A sudden, theatrical cough cut through the noise¡ªRalphy¡¯s not-so-subtle way of grabbing attention.

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 Chapter 138

    ?Chapter 138:

    Every head turned his way. shing a mischievous grin, Ralphy gestured in Dn¡¯s direction. ¡°You know, Miss Jones, Dn isn¡¯t just goodpany¡ªhe¡¯s a force on the track. You two ought to square off sometime and see whose nerves hold up better.¡±

    Ralphy had spent enough time watching Dn fumble for an opening¡ªnow he was determined to give his friend the spotlight.

    Caught off guard, Christina¡¯s eyebrows shot up as she nced at Dn.

    ¡°You race, too?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Dn replied, his tone measured, poker-faced.

    Ralphy, clearly unimpressed with Dn¡¯s curt reply, couldn¡¯t help himself. This was Dn¡¯s chance, and he wasn¡¯t about to let him blow it.

    Eager to raise the stakes, Ralphy added, ¡°No exaggeration¡ªDn¡¯s the best I¡¯ve ever seen.¡± He tossed a knowing look at Elliott, his grin widening. ¡°If Dn hit the track, even that legendary Darknight would have to watch his back.¡±

    Elliott let out a low, icy chuckle. ¡°Oh? Is that so?¡±

    ¡°Of course! You think I¡¯d lie about that? I¡¯d bet money on it!¡± Ralphy¡¯s faith in Dn was unshakable.

    Elliott smirked. ¡°Then have your friend test his luck with me first. If he can¡¯t beat me, he¡¯s got no business going up against Miss Jones.¡±

    Before Ralphy could respond, Dn stepped in. His face gave nothing away. ¡°Alright,¡± he said. ¡°Name the time.¡±

    Elliott challenged, his eyes locking onto Dn¡¯s. ¡°After your family¡¯s reunion banquet. We¡¯ll settle it then.¡±

    ¡°Deal,¡± Dn replied coolly. Elliott had no objections. With the banqueting up, he didn¡¯t have the energy to waste before then anyway.

    Your source for updates g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls

    ¡°These are amazing¡ªanyone wanna try?¡± Christina offered, holding out a te of chicken roll-ups.

    There were two vors. One was in, the other drenched in pesto.

    Dn and Elliott both frowned at the pesto ones. They weren¡¯t fans of basil leaves. But watching Christina dig in so happily, even they couldn¡¯t deny¡ªthe chicken roll-ups with pesto looked good.

    ¡°I¡¯ll give it a try,¡± Dn said, scooping up a piece. The food exploded in his mouth. The pesto gave a savory, rich, earthy umami vor to the dish. Not bad.

    Not wanting to be left out, Elliott tasted the food himself.

    ¡°Good?¡± Christina asked between bites. This ce really knew how to cook their signature dishes. She and Davina had been here before and loved it.

    Elliott nodded. ¡°Yeah. These folks know what they¡¯re doing.¡±

    ¡°The ravioli is even better. Here, try some,¡± Christina said, handing some to him.

    Dn spoke up. ¡°I¡¯d like some too.¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t dwell on Dn¡¯s request, assuming he just wanted to try the ravioli instead of seeing it as apetition with Elliott for her attention. Without hesitation, she served him some.

    ¡°They also do great baked ziti¡ªthe creaminess of the provolone cheese and sour cream, and a homemade meat sauce. I ordered two tes, but we can get more if it¡¯s not enough,¡± Christina kept chatting as she grabbed a morsel of baked ziti and consumed it in one bite. The dish was full of vor¡ªtop-notch. If only she had a cold beer to go with it, it would¡¯ve been perfect.

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 Chapter 139

    ?Chapter 139:

    Right on cue, Davina asked, ¡°Grab some beers?¡±

    Christina¡¯s eyes lit up. Davina always got her. No words needed¡ªjust vibes.

    But the light faded just as quickly. Christina remembered she had to drive. She sighed and shook her head. ¡°Tempting, but I¡¯ve got to drive. Next time.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Davina said with a small sigh. She¡¯d been hoping for aidback night with drinks.

    Dn noticed her disappointment. ¡°If you want one, go ahead. We can call a driverter.¡±

    Elliott chimed in, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a special night. A drink or two won¡¯t hurt. And if no one¡¯s avable, I can get us a ride.¡±

    ¡°Well then, why not go all out?¡± Ralphy jumped in, his eyes glinting. He saw an opening. If Dn got drunk, maybe he¡¯d crash at Christina¡¯s ce. After that¡ªwho knew what could happen?

    Davina lit up at the idea. She hid her grin behind her hand, already imagining it¡ªtwo handsome men, a little tipsy, caught up in Christina¡¯s world. Just the thought made her giddy. ¡°I¡¯m in!¡± she said, all smiles. ¡°How about the rest of you?¡±

    Christina hesitated. Everyone was looking at her. She didn¡¯t want to be a buzzkill. So, with a small smile, she nodded. ¡°Fine with me.¡± With her on board, there was no way Dn or Elliott would back out.

    ¡°No drinks without games!¡± Davina said, lifting her brows. ¡°Dice or cards?¡±

    Ralphy suddenly leaned forward. ¡°Why not Truth or Dare?¡±

    The table went quiet.

    Everyone at the table, regardless of their backgrounds, seemed to be carrying secrets of their own.

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    Oblivious to any tension, Ralphy just frowned at the group¡¯s sudden quiet,pletely confused by the shift in mood. A tentative smile spread across his face as he asked, ¡°No one¡¯s up for Truth or Dare?¡±

    Davina broke the ice with a teasing grin. ¡°Truth or Dare at a pizza joint? Next thing you know, I¡¯ll dare you to cook in the kitchen for free and cover the losses if the food doesn¡¯t sell!¡±

    That actually got Ralphy thinking. ¡°Fine by me. I¡¯ll take the challenge.¡±

    Left speechless, Davina blinked in disbelief. If it were up to her, Christina would stay far away from any games that risked exposing her discreet identities.

    Chewing on baked ziti, Davina pitched a new idea. ¡°Let¡¯s switch it up. How about we y cards? Everyone draws one, and whoever gets the lowest has to down half a ss of alcohol. Easy and painless!¡± Her eyes scanned the table, looking for approval. ¡°Any takers?¡±

    Ralphy grinned. ¡°Count me in. Doesn¡¯t matter what we y, as long as we¡¯re having fun.¡±

    Meanwhile, Dn and Elliott sat quietly, their stares locked on Christina.

    Feeling their focus, Christina nced around, caught off guard by the expectant silence. An awkward smile crept onto her lips. ¡°I¡¯m good with that, too.¡±

    ¡°Fine by me.¡± Dn gave a short nod.

    Elliott voiced his agreement, ¡°I¡¯m in.¡±

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 Chapter 140

    ?Chapter 140:

    ¡°I¡¯ll go find a deck.¡± Without missing a beat, Davina hopped up.

    Ralphy stood up as well. ¡°I¡¯ll handle the drinks.¡±

    The two left the private room. Davina had to leave the restaurant to find a pack of cards.

    Ralphy ced the drink order and then hesitated before trailing after her, determined to keep herpany on the errand.

    Back in the private room, only three remained.

    While savoring potato wedges, Christina picked up on a subtle change in the air¡ªa heaviness settling between Dn and Elliott. Whether it was her imagination or not, a strange tension seemed to be brewing between the two men. But when she looked up, but neither man appeared overtly hostile. If anything, they wore their usual unreadable expressions.

    Without a word, Dn slid a te of potato wedges toward her. At that exact moment, Elliott did the same, both of them silently vying for her attention.

    Elliott nudged the te closer. ¡°Best to eat while they¡¯re still warm. Cold food just doesn¡¯t hit the same,¡± he suggested.

    Staring at the two generous helpings in front of her, Christina hesitated for a split second, caught off guard by their eagerness. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said as she reached out and gathered both tes in front of her at the same time.

    Dn¡¯s icy stare met Elliott¡¯s equally cold gaze. For a moment, the tension between them crackled with a sharp, dangerous energy. Without a word, the air seemed to turn heavier, the tension practically humming between them.

    ¡°The garlic bread¡¯s worth a try too,¡± Elliott added, reaching for the serving tongs.

    Latest novels at g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s?c?m

    Before his words even settled, both Elliott and Dn moved at once, each about to drop a piece of garlic bread onto her te.

    Loaded down with potato wedges in both hands, Christina found herself unable to even hold out her te for the food they were offering.

    She barely managed to part her lips before Dn swooped in, snatched her te, and made room for the garlic bread he offered with practiced precision.

    A beat toote, Elliott hovered awkwardly, unsure where to set his offering.

    ¡°I appreciate it, but there¡¯s no need to fuss over me,¡± Christina assured them. ¡°I can help myself. You two should dig in as well.¡±

    Uncertain if some hidden rivalry was ying out, she turned her attention to Elliott and shed him a warm smile. ¡°You really should have more of the garlic bread. It¡¯s honestly delicious.¡±

    Her words seemed to put a spring in Elliott¡¯s step. He grinned and nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll have a couple more.¡±

    While Elliott nibbled on the garlic bread, he sent Dn a sly, triumphant look, clearly savoring his small victory. Seeing this, Dn¡¯s eyes narrowed, his mood souring.

    Christina nced Dn¡¯s way. ¡°You seem to like the ravioli. Here, have some more.¡±

    Dn epted the offer and said, ¡°Thank you,¡± taking the food as his gaze flickered pointedly toward Elliott, who now looked far less chipper.

    With the tables turned, a quiet satisfaction crept into Dn¡¯s expression, while Elliott was left stewing in frustration.

    Beyond the restaurant¡¯s glow, Davina stepped out of the convenience store, a fresh deck of cards in hand, only to find her path blocked by three middle-aged men with matching beer bellies.

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 Chapter 141

    ?Chapter 141:

    Davina frowned and stepped back. The smell of the three drunkards hit her hard¡ªsweat and alcohol mixed into a sickening stench. It clung to the air like rot.

    One of the drunkards spoke up. ¡°Hey, gorgeous. All alone? Join us for a drink¡ªit¡¯s on us.¡±

    Hispanions quickly jumped in. ¡°Yeah. And looks like you were expecting us. Even brought cards. How thoughtful.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re heading to the next round of fun, babe. Tag along. Keep us happy, and you¡¯ll be well paid.¡±

    Three pot-bellied drunkards stood grinning like wolves in cheap suits. Their eyes roamed Davina¡¯s body, hungry and shameless.

    Davina felt sick to her stomach. It was as if their stares could peel away her clothes¡ªlewd, disgusting, and invasive.

    One of the drunkards pressed on when she didn¡¯t reply. ¡°So, what¡¯s it gonna be, beautiful? Or do you want a little more cash thrown on you?¡± Then all of them broke into loud, sleazyughter. The sound scraped her nerves raw.

    The shortest one, chubby and sweating, rubbed his chin as he stared at her chest. ¡°As long as you make us climax, money¡¯s no issue.¡±

    The bald one chimed in. ¡°Please the three of us at the same time, and you get ten grand from each of us. More if you¡¯re worth it. We¡¯re generous guys.¡±

    The third drunkard smirked. ¡°You¡¯ve got the looks, sweetheart. That¡¯s why we¡¯re making the offer. Most girls don¡¯t get this chance.¡±

    Davina pressed her tongue against her cheek, gripping the cards tightly. Her patience was wearing thin. These drunk, ugly fools were now acting like they owned the world. Did they really believe she wouldn¡¯t put them in their ce?

    She stepped forward slowly, a small smile spreading across her face. Her eyes locked onto the shortest one. The three drunkards lit up, mistaking her smile for interest. Their excitement was almostughable.

    Fresh stories here g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m

    ¡°Ten grand from each of you?¡± she asked with a sweet smile.

    ¡°Of course!¡± They grinned widely, shing yellow, stained teeth. Their minds were deep in the gutter.

    The most eager one reached out, hoping to pull her in. ¡°Come here, gorgeous. Just one kiss. I can¡¯t hold back anymore.¡±

    Davina¡¯s smile turned cold. Without warning, she raised her leg and mmed her foot into him.

    ¡°Ugh!¡± he cried as he crashed to the ground, limbs iling like a stranded whale. He groaned in pain, rolling from side to side.

    Ralphy, watching from nearby, had been ready to step in¡ªbut froze mid-step. His brows lifted in surprise. He¡¯d seen Christina in action. Now, witnessing Davina¡¯s skills, he realized she was no damsel either. Judging by her stance, it seemed she didn¡¯t need his help at all. He leaned against the ss door of the convenience store and lit a cigarette. His eyes stayed fixed on her, narrowed with quiet interest.

    Davina crossed her arms and smirked. ¡°One kick, one fifty. One punch, a hundred. Step up if you¡¯ve got the guts.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there! Get that bitch!¡± the one on the ground roared, his face red with fury. He doubted this seemingly delicate woman could take all three of them down.

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 Chapter 142

    ?Chapter 142:

    The other two drunkards charged at her, fists clenched, eyes wild.

    Davina scoffed. She dodged the first and kicked him hard. ¡°One fifty,¡± she muttered.

    Thest drunkard swung. She ducked and came up with a clean uppercut. His jaw snapped back, and before he could fall, she kicked him in the gut. He hit the ground hard. She stared down at him with disgust.

    ¡°You¡¯re the fattest. Count it two-fifty.¡±

    Ralphy let out a low chuckle. Her boldness amused him.

    Davina turned, ready to speak¡ªbut then saw Ralphy¡¯s face change. The cigarette slipped from his lips. His eyes widened with rm.

    ¡°Watch out!¡± he shouted, dashing toward her.

    Davina barely turned her head before Ralphy pulled her into his arms, shielding her without a second thought. The sharp crash of shattering ss filled the air.

    It turned out that one of the drunkards had lunged, smashing a bottle at Davina. Ralphy had rushed over and swept her into his embrace, his arm raised just in time to fend off the bottle.

    The ss exploded against Ralphy. Without flinching, he spun around with Davina still in his arms. Then, he delivered the kick¡ªswift and brutal.

    His foot mmed into the drunkard¡¯s leg. A crack rang out, followed by a scream of pain. The drunkard dropped like a stone, clutching his leg and howling.

    If Ralphy hadn¡¯t acted fast, Davina would have been hurt. Maybe not by the ss, but the impact alone could have done real damage.

    Ralphy held Davina tightly, spinning them away from danger before stopping.

    For Davina, in that split second, everything else seemed to disappear. No voices. No chaos. Just the two of them. It felt like they were dancing. A dangerous, beautiful waltz in the middle of a fight.

    R34d th3 0r1g1n4l 4t g4ln0v3ls.c0m

    Pressed against Ralphy¡¯s chest, Davina stared up at him. His face was stern, a lethal intent flickering in his eyes as he kicked the drunkard hard.

    She had always thought of Ralphy asid-back, mischievous, even careless. But now, she saw something more. His sharp jaw. His striking features. His strong profile. His eyes, cold and calm as he kicked the drunkard down. There was something quietly heroic about him. Something that made her heart skip without warning. She found herself staring, unable to look away.

    ¡°You okay?¡± Ralphy¡¯s voice broke through, low and gentle.

    Davina blinked, snapping out of it. She quickly dropped her gaze, flustered. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m fine.¡±

    ¡°Let me check if any ss cut you.¡± Gently cupping her face with both hands, Ralphy furrowed his brows, inspecting her delicate skin that was now faintly flushed. ¡°No cuts. That¡¯s good. But check yourself¡ªanywhere hurt? Tell me if you feel any pain.¡±

    His barrage of concerned questions made Davina¡¯s heart race slightly faster. Then, she remembered. His arm had been struck by the bottle. She grabbed it gently.

    Ralphy hissed in pain and tensed up.

    Davina immediately released his arm, her panic evident as she apologized.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! Did I hurt you? Should we go to the hospital?¡±

    He gave her a crooked grin. ¡°Rx. It¡¯s just a minor injury.¡±

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 Chapter 143

    ?Chapter 143:

    As he spoke, he rotated his arm in front of her. ¡°See? No muscle or bone damage, just a small bruise. It¡¯s nothing,¡± he said, his tone light and dismissive.

    ¡°Let me take a look anyway,¡± she said, her voice soft but firm. She carefully rolled up his sleeve. A dark bruise was already blooming beneath the skin.

    Her face fell. ¡°This doesn¡¯t look like nothing.¡±

    Ralphy looked down and saw the worry in her eyes. Something stirred in him¡ªwarm and unfamiliar. Then came the teasing smile. He leaned closer, his voice yful. ¡°You care about me, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Davina froze. Their faces were close¡ªtoo close. His gaze held hers, deep and mischievous. His words echoed in her head. Her cheeks burned. Her heart fluttered like a trapped bird. A faint scent lingered between them¡ªa mix of tobo and something softer, something only his. It was his scent. Like him¡ªimpossible to ignore.

    Davina met Ralphy¡¯s gaze head-on, her expression unwavering. ¡°What? I¡¯m not allowed to worry about you now?¡±

    Her bluntness caught Ralphy off guard. He arched an eyebrow, a crooked grin tugging at his lips. ¡°Of course, you¡¯re allowed. I¡¯m notining.¡±

    Davina studied his face, concern lingering in her eyes. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re alright?¡±

    Ralphy waved off her worry, his voice light. ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. Just a scratch¡ªI¡¯ll be good as new in a couple of days.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to check if there¡¯s any ointment nearby. If not, I¡¯ll buy some for your wound,¡± Davina remarked, gently slipping out of his arms. Ralphy let her go without protest, a faint smile curving his mouth as he watched her walk away.

    The moment her back was turned, his warmth vanished. He pivoted toward the three burly drunkards sprawled on the pavement, his eyes glinting cold as steel. The drunkards immediately stiffened under his chilling stare. He pulled out his phone, dialing swiftly. When the line connected, his voice dropped several degrees as he revealed the current location. ¡°You have ten minutes to take care of this,¡± he said coldly, hanging up without waiting for a response.

    Ralphy leveled onest icy look at the drunkards before turning to follow Davina. Catching up, he let her steer him toward a weathered public bench.

    Your favorite tales live on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s

    Davina patted the seat beside her. ¡°Sit down. Let me take care of that for you.¡±

    A sly grin tugged at Ralphy¡¯s lips as he settled down. ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡ªjust a flesh wound. Don¡¯t make such a big deal out of it.¡± Despite his words, he extended his arm toward her.

    Davina eased up his sleeve, and her face fell when she spotted the ugly bruises mottling his skin. ¡°This must hurt like hell,¡± she murmured, smoothing ointment over the worst of it, her fingers gentle.

    Ralphy tried to wave it off. ¡°Please, I¡¯ve had worse. This? It barely feels like anything. Just a scratch, like being tickled¡ªah! Damn! It hurts!¡±

    As she applied more pressure, he sucked in a sharp breath, his face twisting in pain. ¡°Are you trying to finish me off?¡± he yelped, meeting her wide eyes.

    He instantly realized she had done it on purpose. She shot him an annoyed look. ¡°Didn¡¯t you just brag about it being ticklish? What happened to all that big talk?¡±

    Her patience had already worn thin from his stubborn act, so she pressed a little harder, watching to see how long he¡¯dst.

    ¡°It only hurts because you¡¯re practically digging into it! Anyone would yell,¡± Ralphy protested, pouting.

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 Chapter 144

    ?Chapter 144:

    Davina eased her touch, her tone softening. ¡°If it hurts, just say so. Why act tough?¡±

    ¡°Act tough? You think I¡¯m putting on an act?¡± Ralphy retorted, his tone yful again. ¡°I¡¯m seriously a tough guy¡ªthis little bruise is¡­ Ah! OW, ow, easy! Be gentle, okay?¡±

    Davina seized his arm and pressed down, determined to break through his bravado. ¡°Still acting tough now?¡± she demanded, arching an eyebrow.

    He gave in with a dramatic sigh. ¡°Not anymore.¡±

    ¡°No more big talk now?¡±

    ¡°No more,¡± he hurriedly answered.

    ¡°Still think you¡¯re some kind of iron man?¡±

    ¡°Not after what you put me through¡ªmy spirit¡¯s been totally broken.¡±

    Her earlier irritation vanished, reced by augh at his over-the-top surrender.

    Ralphy grinned as he watched her, drawn in by the way herughter lit up her whole face. Something shifted in his chest¡ªher brightness was utterly maic.

    Once finished massaging his wound, Davina let her fingers linger a second before pulling away. ¡°I¡¯ll apply the ointment on your injury again tomorrow. The bruises should fade in a few days. Let¡¯s go back; the others are probably done eating by now.¡±

    Ralphy replied with a nod, warmth softening his features. ¡°Sounds good.¡±

    They strolled back side by side. Ralphy sneaked nces at Davina, while azy breeze tugged yfully at her hair, carrying a delicate trace of her perfume.

    The moment they stepped into their private room at the pizza joint, an odd hush greeted them¡ªsomething about the room¡¯s mood had shifted.

    If Ralphy hadn¡¯t noticed Dn and Elliott sitting stiffly in silence, he might have assumed the two had juste to blows.

    Discover tales at g ? ln ¦Ò¦Í?? ?? s,

    Christina, clearly restless, looked up and asked, ¡°Got the cards? What took you so long?¡±

    She¡¯d been desperate to get the game started¡ªanything to cut through the heavy awkwardness settling in the private room. In an effort to keep things moving, she¡¯d even started drinking with Dn and Elliott. When Davina and Ralphy returned, she exhaled in relief. The atmosphere lightened a little. She wasn¡¯t exactly a pro at keeping things lively, but with them back, the vibe was bound to pick up.

    ¡°Yeah, we had to walk all the way to a convenience store just to find a deck,¡± Davina remarked with a breathyugh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She made no mention of themotion outside¡ªit was pointless to bring it up now that everything had been handled.

    Ralphy ripped open the new deck and grinned. ¡°Okay, ground rules: nobody¡¯s leaving this room sober tonight. No exceptions.¡± He shot a sly nce at Davina, silently acknowledging their unspoken agreement to keep the earlier events to themselves.

    With a practiced flick, Ralphy split the cards into two tidy piles and offered them up to the group. ¡°Here¡¯s how it goes. We¡¯ll each take turns drawing a card¡ªthe lowest number drinks. Simple enough, right?¡±

    Davina perked up, a yful spark in her eyes. ¡°Nope, let¡¯s change it up. Here¡¯s my suggestion¡ªeveryone has to guess who¡¯s got a card lower than theirs. Get it wrong, bottoms up.¡±

    Ralphy¡¯s eyes lit up, his knuckles cracking as he leaned in. ¡°Hell yeah! I¡¯m ready to crush it.¡±

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 Chapter 145

    ?Chapter 145:

    ¡°Noints? Great. Ralphy, you¡¯re first,¡± Davina dered, pointing at him. Ralphy shot her a cocky salute. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± He dove for a card, snatching it from the pile.

    Davina drew next, followed by Elliott, and the rest took their cards in quick session.

    ¡°So, who¡¯s kicking things off?¡± Christina asked, her voice cool and measured as she toyed with the Joker between her fingers, eyes sweeping the table.

    Ralphy shot his hand up before anyone else could react. ¡°Me! I¡¯m up. One sec¡ªif I make the right guess, the person I guess about has to drink, right?¡± He eyed the group, eager to lock in the rules.

    Davina gave him a nod. ¡°Exactly. And if someone guesses correctly that your card is lower than theirs, that¡¯s one drink. Two people? Two drinks. It¡¯s open season¡ªteam up as much as you want.¡±

    Ralphy nced down at the King of Spades in his hand, unable to hide his grin. Without hesitation, he pointed straight at Davina and dered, ¡°Easy. Your card¡¯s lower than mine, guaranteed!¡±

    Davina fired back, grinning as she locked eyes with him. ¡°Think so? I¡¯m saying yours is lower than mine!¡±

    Dn and Elliott exchanged looks, both turning toward Christina, quietly waiting to see which way she¡¯d jump.

    Christina¡¯s lips curled into a yful smirk as she pointed directly at Ralphy. ¡°I¡¯m guessing yours is lower too,¡± she stated, her voice smooth and certain.

    Without missing a beat, Elliott and Dn followed her lead, their arms locking onto Ralphy like a firing squad.

    Ralphy¡¯s jaw dropped as he stared, utterly stunned. ¡°Hold up¡ªare you guys for real?¡± he eximed. ¡°What is this, some kind of siege? This is outright cruelty!¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c§à??, your storytelling home

    He clutched his chest in mock agony, hamming it up so much that Davina burst outughing.

    Davina grinned, her eyes sweeping over the group. ¡°Alright, you get one shot to change your guess. But if you do, you owe half a drink. Anyone wanna switch?¡±

    Nobody moved. Their determination was written all over their faces. Ralphy tried onest time, waving his card with dramatic ir. ¡°Sure you don¡¯t wanna rethink this? My card is a beast. I¡¯m warning you!¡± But his cocky bravado bounced right off their collective resolve. With a yful nod, Davina said, ¡°Cards up, let¡¯s see what you¡¯re hiding.¡±

    Ralphy let out a theatrical groan, smacking his card down with enough force to rattle the table. ¡°Trust me, you haven¡¯t seen regret until now! Take a good look, everyone!¡±

    He revealed the King of Spades with a flourish, his grin sly as a fox as he folded his arms and leaned back. ¡°Didn¡¯t see thating, did you? King of Spades, right here! Come on, let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got¡ªno way you all top this.¡±

    ¡°No way! You¡¯re the King of Spades?¡± Davina gasped. Her smile faded.

    Ralphy smirked, proud as ever. ¡°I warned you all. I said¡ªpoint at me and you¡¯ll regret it. But no one listened.¡±

    Davina let out a long, dramatic sigh. ¡°What a shame.¡± She flipped her card over with a flick. ¡°Too bad for you¡ªmy card¡¯s bigger!¡±

    Then, she burst intoughter, loud and sharp, like she wasughing at a clown.

    Ralphy¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°Hearts Ace?¡± he cried, staring at her card. ¡°How is that even possible?¡±

    .

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 Chapter 146

    ?Chapter 146:

    ¡°Anything¡¯s possible,¡± Davina teased,ughter bubbling. ¡°You really thought a King was enough to beat me? Please.¡±

    Now, Davina was the smug one. Chin in hands, she beamed at him like a cat who got the cream.

    Ralphy tried to recover. ¡°Fine, yours is bigger. But what about theirs?¡± He looked at the three remaining yers. ¡°Flip your cards! You guys aren¡¯t considering cheating, are you?¡±

    Elliott smiled and slowly revealed his card. ¡°Spade Ace.¡±

    ¡°Ah!¡± Ralphy yelped. His eye twitched. He turned desperately to Dn and Christina. ¡°No way your cards beat mine too, right?¡±

    ¡°Joker,¡± Dn said with a smooth grin, turning his card over like a magician.

    Ralphy let out another howl. ¡°What kind of cursed game is this?¡± He stared at them in disbelief, his face a mix of shock and suspicion. Then, he turned to Christina, thest yer yet to reveal her card. Hope clung to him like a lifeline.

    ¡°You¡­ You don¡¯t have a higher card too, right? Come on, can¡¯t be that unlucky.¡±

    Christina gave a soft smile. Calm, unreadable. She held her card with two fingers and flicked it onto the table, face-down. ¡°See for yourself,¡± she said quietly.

    Ralphy hesitated. His hand hovered over the card, trembling.

    ¡°Oh,e on already! Just flip it!¡± Davina snapped.

    Ralphy shot her a look. ¡°Easy for you to say. You¡¯re not the one on the chopping block.¡±

    Davina couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°It¡¯s just a drink. Don¡¯t be so dramatic.¡±

    ¡°Seriously, all of you picked me! It seems every single one of you has a higher card. And now

    ¡°And now I¡¯m the only one who has to drink!¡± Ralphy cried, pulling a face like he was about to cry.

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    ¡°Alright, alright. Tone down the drama,¡± Davina said, rolling her eyes.

    Ralphy dropped his dramatic act in an instant. ¡°Fine, fine. A loss is a loss.¡±

    He let out a loud sigh and then pped the card onto the table. Hearts Eight. He blinked and stared at it. Then, he blinked again. Was he seeing things? No. It was real. Smaller than his card. For a moment, silence.

    ¡°YES!¡± Ralphy leapt from his chair, nearly knocking it over. ¡°I knew my luck wasn¡¯t that bad!¡±

    Davina rolled her eyes again. ¡°It¡¯s just one less drink. Do you really need to throw a party over it?¡±

    Ralphy grinned from ear to ear. ¡°Of course I do! This is my ray of hope after all that despair! Even if I drink, I drink with joy!¡± And with that, he snatched up his ss and downed it in one go.

    Christina smiled faintly as she watched him. Under the table, hidden from view, she held a card¡ªthe Joker she had initially drawn.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go!¡± Ralphy boomed, pounding the table. ¡°Round two! I¡¯m back, baby!¡±

    Christina¡¯s smile lingered. Quiet, knowing. She slid the Joker back into the deck.

    The game rolled on.

    The drinking games had gone on for far too many rounds, and everyone was more than a little drunk.

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 Chapter 147

    ?Chapter 147:

    ¡°Cheers!¡± Ralphy raised his ss high, his cheeks flushed. He clinked sses with Davina. ¡°Bottoms up! No one¡¯s going home until we¡¯ve had our fill!¡±

    Davinaughed, her voice slurred. ¡°You¡¯re already drunk.¡±

    ¡°Drunk?¡± Ralphy gave a tipsy grin. ¡°Me? Never! I¡¯ve never been drunk. Not tonight. Not ever¡­¡±

    Davina giggled. ¡°Ha-ha! You¡¯re definitely drunk. So, so drunk¡­ Hic!¡±

    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough. Let¡¯s stop here and head back to rest.¡± Christina said, standing up. Her voice was calm but unsteady.

    She tried to rise gracefully, but her bnce wavered. She nearly fell. Two pairs of hands reached out at the same time, steadying her just in time.

    ¡°Thanks¡­¡± she mumbled, cheeks pink as she looked at the two men beside her.

    She looked left and right, feeling like there were too many people around. She blinked slowly. Everything felt too close. Faces blurred. Her head swam. Yes¡ªshe was drunk. Truly drunk. If she had even one more drink, she might pass out cold.

    Trying to stay focused, Christina said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. Time to settle the bill. Is the driver here?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s waiting outside¡­¡± Ralphy mumbled, wobbling a little as he stepped forward.

    Their cars had already been sent back earlier. The driver had brought two business vans¡ªplenty of room for everyone.

    ¡°Then let¡¯s move,¡± Christina said softly.

    Dn, though drunk, was still sharp. He watched her carefully, keeping close.

    Elliott did the same, both men stepping in from time to time to remind Christina to be careful.

    Ralphy had nned to ride with Elliott, but before he could react, Davina shoved him into one of the vans. The door mmed shut behind him.

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    ¡°To Bayview Estates,¡± Davina told the driver.

    ¡°Elli¡ª¡± Ralphy started, but the name was cut short as Davina pressed her hand over his mouth.

    Her fingers were slender and cool, with a faint, sweet scent. The unexpected touch left Ralphy stunned.

    Davina raised her other hand and ced a finger on her own lips.

    ¡°Shhh.¡±

    The van began to move.

    Ralphy blinked, dazed. Whatever he was about to say slipped from his mind. The warmth of the van and Davina¡¯s perfume made him drowsy. Meanwhile, outside the second van, Elliott was about to climb in when Dn stepped in front of him.

    ¡°Call your driver to pick you up,¡± Dn said coolly. His tone was sharp, even through the haze of alcohol.

    ¡°He went to bed early. I didn¡¯t want to wake him,¡± Elliott lied calmly. Christina looked between them.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we all go together? There are extra rooms. I¡¯ll check with Davina and Ralphy.¡±

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 Chapter 148

    ?Chapter 148:

    She was worried that the two men, both proud and half-drunk, might end up arguing. If things got heated, it could ruin their friendship¡ªand more.

    Elliott smiled faintly. His eyes locked on Dn¡¯s, a spark of challenge there. Then, he turned to Christina. ¡°Thanks for letting me crash.¡± Dn¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. He held the van door, refusing to move.

    Christina swayed slightly. The alcohol was catching up fast. Her head ached. She felt the dizziness building. There wasn¡¯t time for this. She furrowed her brow, hesitated, and then took a step forward.

    Christina reached out and gave Dn¡¯s sleeve a gentle tug, as if coaxing a favor out of him. Her voice softened, smooth and calm. ¡°Everyone¡¯s had a little too much to drink. As the host, I should make sure everyone gets home safe. Let¡¯s take care of each other, okay?¡±

    Dn nced down at her. His expression stayed cold, but her clear gaze held his attention, cutting through the fog of alcohol. Her voice, sweet and calm, had a way of slipping past his guard.

    ¡°Okay?¡± she repeated, drawing the word out with a small tilt of her head. She tugged his sleeve once more, just a little.

    Dn¡¯s throat moved as he swallowed. His heart skipped. Did she even know how cute she looked right now? In an instant, his firm resolve crumbled. He said nothing, but let go of the car door. It was a quiet surrender.

    Christina beamed. Her smile lit up her face, yful and carefree. Feeling bold, she blew him a teasing kiss.

    Dn¡¯s mouth curved just slightly. She was impossible to resist like this. And he didn¡¯t want anyone else to see it. ¡°Get in the car,¡± he said, his voice low. Without missing a beat, he took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. ¡°You¡¯ll catch a cold.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± Christina smiled, hugging the jacket close. The warmthforted her.

    She hupped, her bnce swaying. With Dn steadying her, she clumsily climbed into the van.

    Elliott stepped up to follow, but Dn blocked his way.

    ¡°Backseat¡¯s tight. Take the front,¡± he said coolly. Without waiting for a response, he climbed into the car and firmly shut the door behind him.

    Elliott narrowed his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s a business van¡ªit fits three just fine.¡±

    Still, he didn¡¯t argue further. He circled around and got in the front. He knew if he hesitated even a moment longer, he¡¯d risk being left behind entirely.

    Meanwhile, in the other car, Davina and Ralphy had already reached the mansion. With arms slung over each other¡¯s shoulders, they stumbled through the door,ughing like lifelong friends.

    Ralphy suddenly stopped in his tracks. Davina, caught off guard, tripped over his foot. She pitched forward, about to fall. He reacted on instinct. He grabbed her hand and pulled her close.

    The tipsy Davina crashed into his chest. Their eyes met. The air shifted. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe something else¡ªbut their faces slowly drew closer.

    Just as their lips nearly touched, Davina suddenly gagged.

    The moment shattered like ss.

    Clutching her mouth, she groaned, ¡°I can¡¯t¡ªugh¡­¡±

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 Chapter 149

    ?Chapter 149:

    She swayed, eyes wild, and bolted toward the nearest door.

    ¡°The bathroom¡¯s this way!¡± Ralphy called out, rushing to guide her.

    A momentter, the sound of retching echoed through the hall.

    The smell hit Ralphy hard. He gagged, eyes watering. In the end, both of them were leaning over toilets in separate corners, vomiting in unison.

    The next morning, golden sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, soft and warm. Christina stirred. She blinked at the brightness, frowning slightly as she sat up.

    She stretched, slow and sleepy, and then slid toward the edge of the bed. But the moment her toes touched the floor, they bumped into something unexpected. She froze. Her foot recoiled like it had touched fire.

    Sleep vanished in an instant. Her senses snapped awake. Alert and wide-eyed, she stared down¡ªready to face whatever it was.

    A flicker of uncertainty crossed Christina¡¯s face as she paused and stared once more, still grappling with disbelief. Nestled together on the plush carpet, two meny intertwined in sleep beside the bed. Christina¡¯s attention lingered on the scene before her, eyes drawn and unmoving. Sleep had softened Dn¡¯s and Elliott¡¯s usual rigidity, stripping away that air of aloofness they always wore while awake. Rxed and peaceful, their faces lost all trace of harshness, the tension gone.

    Sunlight meandered in through the gauzy curtains, spilling gently across the room and illuminating the pair with golden warmth. Anyone would find their looks striking, but among the two, Dn¡¯s features were even more memorable.

    Hesitation made Christina falter. She weighed the idea of waking them, reluctant to cause difort. Seconds ticked by as she sat on the bed and then quietly resolved to slip out and let them have their privacy. Maybe, without a witness to the scene, their embarrassment might fade.

    Intent on making her exit unnoticed, Christina began to inch toward the far side, careful not to disturb the quiet. Just as she neared the edge of the bed, a faint noise from behind made her freeze, every muscle tensing at once.

    ???????? ???????????????? ??? g???????¦Í?????????????

    That softmotion stirred the two men. Alertness crept into their movements as their eyes snapped open. The moment they became aware of their embrace, an icy chill swept over their expressions. An instant of rm sent them scrambling apart, their arms practically flying away from each other as though the air had turned electric. Irritation shed in Elliott¡¯s eyes. ¡°Have you lost your senses?¡± he snapped, unable to hold it back.

    Dn answered with a re as cold as winter, ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s lost it.¡±

    ¡°You¡­¡± Just then, Elliott¡¯s words faltered. Realization hit him. He mped his mouth shut and shot upright in one swift motion. Casting a nce toward the mattress, he spotted Christina still lying there, appearingpletely undisturbed. His shoulders loosened with quiet relief.

    Truthfully, Christina had only slipped beneath the covers moments earlier. If anyone tried to drag her off to some dreadful ce now, she would still have feigned sleep without hesitation.

    Dn, not wanting to linger, stood up at once, his gaze glinting coldly as it darted toward the bed. Relief washed over him once he saw that Christina had not stirred and was still in her slumber.

    A stare as sharp as a knife was directed at Elliott from Dn, the air suddenly heavy between them. Despite acting tough, Elliott found himself wilting under that stare. It wasn¡¯t just his family who found Dn¡¯s presence daunting. Almost everyone thought twice before meeting his eyes for long.

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 Chapter 150

    ?Chapter 150:

    Snapping out of his unease, Elliott trailed behind Dn, both men trying to slip out as silently as possible. Dn, leading the way, straightened his cuffs, the gemstones catching a stray beam of sunlight, all while tiptoeing to avoid making a sound. Before they could breathe easy, the door across the hall opened, and Ralphy stepped out.

    Stealth seemed to be Ralphy¡¯s intention as he padded softly through the hallway. The sight of Elliott and Dn slipping out of Christina¡¯s room left him staring, eyes round with astonishment. Curiosity lit up his face as he lifted his hand, pointing the way. ¡°Did all three of you spend the night together?¡±

    Neither Elliott nor Dn gave anything away. They barely spared him a look and then brushed past as though nothing had happened.

    Watching them disappear down the corridor, Ralphy lingered, ncing back at Christina¡¯s door, a swirl of intrigue flickering across his features. But spection would have to wait. There were other priorities¡ªhe needed to wash up and shake off the night. Last night, he had shared a room with Davina, but he had spent the entire night in the bathroom. The good fortune that Davina remained asleep was not lost on him. If she had caught him, she would not have missed the chance to joke about his ¡°romance¡± with the toilet, spreading the story far and wide. Just the thought of her teasing made him shudder.

    A vague memory surfaced¡ªhe and Davina had staggered to the downstairs bathroom, the night ending in a blur of nausea and exhaustion. What came after that was lost in the fog. Overindulgence had clearly gotten the better of the group, leaving Ralphy¡¯s head pounding and his energy sapped.

    Meanwhile, tucked away in her room, Christina waited until all was quiet before daring to peek through half-opened eyes. Relief swept over her as she realized the coast was clear. The risk of being caught faking sleep had rattled her. If anyone had noticed, the embarrassment would have been unbearable for everyone involved.

    She burrowed under the covers for a moment longer, uncertain whether to rise or stay hidden, until the call of a hot shower finally won her over.

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    In the dining room, without a word, Dn set down two steaming bowls of rich porridge, each finding its ce on the long dining table.

    Spotting the bowls, Ralphy perked up and reached for one, asking, ¡°Is this one mine?¡± He had already guessed the other was meant for Christina.

    Stone-faced, Dn said, ¡°That bowl¡¯s for Chloe.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± A sigh escaped Ralphy as he let go of the bowl, forced to settle for the in offering a servant handed him instead. With a slouch, he propped his chin on his palm, saying, ¡°Looks like nd porridge is all I get today.¡±

    Laughter sparkled in Chloe¡¯s tone as she replied, ¡°Who told you that¡¯s all you deserve?¡±

    Thatment brought Ralphy to his feet, and he hurried over to relieve the servant of Chloe¡¯s wheelchair. A cheerful grin spread across his face as he guided her to the spot Dn had set with the heartier porridge. ¡°Chloe, your brother made you something special.¡±

    Though Chloe¡¯s sight still hadn¡¯t returned, she reached out, her fingertips skimming the table until she found the bowl. Then, she slid it gently toward Ralphy. Her smile was warm. ¡°I¡¯d rather have the simple porridge today. Take the good one for yourself, Ralphy,¡± she said, her smile not fading.

    Before Ralphy could decline, Chloe asked with augh, ¡°So, did Mr. Hubbard end up staying overst night?¡±

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 Chapter 151

    ?Chapter 151:

    Just then, Christina and Davina walked over, catching Chloe¡¯s question.

    ¡°Did you each get your own guest room?¡±

    After Chloe¡¯s question, silence fell. Utter, deafening silence.

    Chloe couldn¡¯t read the room¡ªher sight hadn¡¯t returned. She only felt the weight of the stillness, her brows knitting together in quiet confusion. Why the sudden silence?

    Ralphy finally broke the silence, his voice a shade too loud in the hushed space. ¡°Well, obviously, everyone gets their own room. No way I¡¯m bunking with another dude.¡±

    To mask his unease, Ralphy ducked his head and focused on his bowl, spooning the rich porridge into his mouth. Surprisingly, it was delicious¡ªDn had outdone himself. He hadn¡¯t nned on eating much, but after that first bite, he couldn¡¯t stop.

    Elliott sank into a chair without a word. His expression was frosted over, unreadable, as he reached for a bowl of the in porridge and began eating.

    Christina approached to do the same, but just as her hand hovered over the in fare, Dn quietly slid the heartier version in front of her. ¡°I made this one for you,¡± he said evenly, moving the in porridge in front of himself.

    Davina let out a soft chuckle, unbothered, and settled into her seat with a bowl of the in fare.

    Only then did it hit Dn¡ªhe¡¯d only prepared two hearty bowls,pletely forgetting about Davina.

    Still baffled by the awkward silence, Chloe tried again, her voice light but deliberate. ¡°Did you sleep well herest night, Mr. Hubbard?¡±

    Elliott just lifted a spoonful to his mouth. Every gaze in the room suddenly turned to him with Chloe¡¯s question, as though he¡¯d stepped into a spotlight. ¡°Yes.¡± He hesitated for a few seconds before continuing, ¡°I slept quitefortably.¡±

    Across the table, Christina¡¯s memory red with the image of Elliott and Dn embracing in their sleep from the night before. She quickly lowered her head and busied herself with her meal, hoping no one noticed the pink in her cheeks.

    ??a????????¦Í???????????????

    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. If there¡¯s anything our hospitalitycks, do hope you¡¯ll forgive us,¡± Chloe said with a warm, practiced smile.

    Elliott blinked. He hadn¡¯t expected such grace from her¡ªhe¡¯d assumed she¡¯d carry herself with an air of untouchable pride. ¡°Everything¡¯s fine,¡± he murmured, his voice barely brushing the air.

    And just like that, the silence crept back in.

    Chloe tilted her head, trying to catch a clue in the quiet. It was unusual¡ªRalphy, the ever-chatty whirlwind, had gone still, his silence stretching unnaturally long. Was something happening beneath the surface, something she couldn¡¯t see? The not-knowing gnawed at her. With her sight still absent, she was shut out from their faces, their subtle cues, the silent stories told through nces. It made her feel disconnected.

    Thinking about the possibility of dying anytime soon made Chloe¡¯s mood drop. But she caught herself before she spiraled. She thought of Christina¡ªof theirughter at the amusement park, the carefree snapshots captured in bursts of joy. She couldn¡¯t see the photos right now, but in her heart, she knew they must¡¯ve been glowing with happiness. That day had been full of light. The memory kindled a spark inside her, warm and steady.

    ¡°Christina, can we go shopping today?¡± Chloe asked, her voice brightening as she turned toward the gentle sounds she associated with her friend.

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 Chapter 152

    ?Chapter 152:

    ¡°Of course,¡± Christina replied, unwavering. ¡°Wherever you want to go, I¡¯ll be right beside you.¡±

    Whether her struggle was physical or emotional, Chloe hade to believe one thing above all: Hope was a kind of medicine. And joy¡ªjoy was power.

    ¡°Christina, you¡¯re the best!¡± she said, her smile blooming like sunlight after a storm.

    INQ was the crown jewel of Dorfield¡¯s luxury scene¡ªa sprawling haven where the world¡¯s most coveted brands came to shine. Designer handbags, glittering jewelry, elegant timepieces¡ªif it exuded opulence, INQ had it.

    ¡°Christina, choose anything you like. Today¡¯s on me,¡± Chloe said cheerfully from her wheelchair, her voice bubbling with excitement. If she hadn¡¯t abruptly lost her sight, she wouldn¡¯t have needed the wheelchair or Christina¡¯s steady hands guiding her. But she didn¡¯t dwell on that. Not today.

    ¡°That¡¯s quite generous,¡± Christina replied, shing a yful grin.

    ¡°I am! And I won¡¯t go back on my word!¡± Chloe replied, her tone bright and full of mischief.

    Christina raised a brow dramatically. ¡°You sure? I¡¯ve got expensive taste. You might end up bankrupt by lunch.¡±

    Chloe giggled, lowering her voice as if sharing a juicy secret. ¡°Spend away. My fortune isn¡¯t so easy to drain. And if you do manage it¡ªwell, I¡¯ll just get Dn to wire more. Besides, Dn¡¯s loaded. If you be his wife, we can burn through his bank ount together.¡±

    Christina burst outughing. ¡°Ah, matchmaking now, are we?¡±

    Chloe stuck out her tongue yfully. ¡°Let¡¯s hit the bags first!¡±

    ¡°You got it,¡± Christina said, still chuckling, as she steered them toward the nearest boutique.

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    Soon, they rolled into one of the most exclusive luxury bag boutiques within INQ¡ªa ce where the cheapest handbag could buy a car, and the priciest ones could fund a small vi.

    Some rare editions didn¡¯t even have tags. They were whispered about, not advertised.

    As the ss doors slid open, a sales assistant strode toward them with a rehearsed cheer¡ªuntil her eyes took in Chloe¡¯s wheelchair and their understated clothes.

    The gleam in the sales assistant¡¯s smile dulled instantly, reced by a thin veneer of politeness.

    ¡°Could you take that one down? I¡¯d like a closer look,¡± Christina said without missing a beat. She lifted a finger toward a sleek, newly released bag perched under a spotlight¡ªa bold piece worth over a million. She thought it would reallyplement Chloe¡¯s style.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but that particr model is reserved for VIP members only. Do you have a VIP card?¡± The sales assistant¡¯s tone was coated in sugar, but the condescension was impossible to miss.

    Christina arched a brow, amused more than offended. Chloe, however, was less patient. She was just about to inform the sales assistant that not only was she a VIP, but an elite VIP¡ªthe kind whose loyalty tier required a yearly spend most people wouldn¡¯t earn in a lifetime. If she wanted to, she could have the boutique emptied of customers with a single call. But before a single word left her lips, a voice chimed in from behind¡ªlight and smiling, yet drenched in mockery.

    Though delivered with a grin, the tone had ws. It sliced through the air with grating smugness, instantly souring Chloe¡¯s mood. Ugh. That voice again.

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 Chapter 153

    ?Chapter 153:

    ¡°Well, well, look who it is! Oh! If it isn¡¯t my shameless ex-sister-inw,¡± Katie¡¯s theatrical voice sliced through the boutique like a de wrapped in silk, instantly drawing every pair of eyes in the store.

    Customers turned, curiosity ring. A few sales associates exchanged knowing nces. All eyesnded on Christina. And then came the looks¡ªthe slow, deliberate once-overs. Judging. Measuring. Faces shifted into masks of disdain. Lips curled in veiled contempt, and in some, barely concealed jealousy simmered beneath the surface.

    ¡°Katie, is this the one you told me about?¡± A girl nking Katie raised her voice, toneced with derision. ¡°The ex-sister-inw who can¡¯t stop chasing men and stirring up drama?¡±

    But behind the scorn, beneath the venom, flickered something else: envy. There was something that didn¡¯t quite add up about the Christina Katie had described.

    Katie had always painted Christina as a dull, mousy housewife¡ªhair like a bird¡¯s nest, thick sses slipping down her nose, barely a whisper to her name. A ghost in the background of domestic life. But the woman standing before them now? Graceful,posed, striking. She didn¡¯t just stand there¡ªshe owned the space, as if she belonged in the spotlight, not in the shadows Katie once described.

    ¡°That¡¯s her,¡± Katie sneered, piling venom onto every word. ¡°My brother had the misfortune of marrying that tramp. She turned our whole family upside down.¡± Her tone was theatrical, exaggerated to draw attention. Spinning gossip was effortless for her.

    But Christina? She remained unbothered. Her expression unreadable, as if the scene unfolding around her was just background noise. It was Chloe who snapped, ¡°That¡¯s not true at all! Christina isn¡¯t like that!¡±

    ¡°And who¡¯s this? Someone who actually buys that tramp¡¯s act?¡± Katie raised a brow, amused by the outburst. She let out a mockingugh, hand daintily covering her mouth like a viin from a soap opera. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me she¡¯s seduced your dad too?¡±

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    The girl clicked her tongue mockingly. ¡°Yikes. He must be ancient. That your type now? No standards at all?¡±

    Chloe¡¯s eyes red with fury. ¡°That¡¯s a lie! My brother is¡ª¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Christina¡¯s voice sliced through the tension, cool andmanding. ¡°If you¡¯re done running your mouths, get lost.¡±

    Her gaze, as cold as frost, locked onto Katie and herpanion. Without a word, she reached for Chloe¡¯s hand, gently patting the back of it¡ªa quiet signal for restraint.

    But rage was already simmering across from Katie and the girl. ¡°Get lost?¡± the girl hissed, eyes shing. ¡°Do you have any idea who you¡¯re talking to? Who do you think you are?¡±

    The girl¡¯s re could¡¯ve burned through stone, but Christina didn¡¯t even flinch. ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are,¡± she replied evenly, her voice low andposed. ¡°I said leave. That¡¯s enough.¡±

    Before the tension could escte further, the sales assistant stepped in, her voice bubbling with ttery as she introduced, ¡°This is Miss Thea Reed. Heiress to Reed Group¡ªand one of our most valued premium customers.¡±

    There was almost a bow in her tone, as though Thea¡¯s presence alone was a privilege to witness.

    The Reed Group¡ªone of the five corporate giants of Dorfield. An empire built on wealth and influence.

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 Chapter 154

    ?Chapter 154:

    The sales assistant fully expected Christina to crumble and waited for panic, for groveling. But Christina didn¡¯t blink. Her expression remained still, unreadable¡ªalmost amused.

    The sales assistant frowned. Maybe Christina didn¡¯t hear what she had said?

    ¡°Did you catch that? She¡¯s a Reed. If you know what¡¯s good for you, you¡¯ll apologize. Quickly.¡± Katie brimmed with smug satisfaction.

    Thea crossed her arms, her nose tilted skyward in full aristocratic disdain. ¡°I¡¯m in a generous mood today,¡± she said haughtily. ¡°So here¡¯s your chance. Apologize, and I might overlook your little outburst. Otherwise¡ª¡±

    ¡°Otherwise what?¡± Christina¡¯s voice cut in, a soft chuckle threading through her words as she lifted a brow.

    Thea froze, stunned by the dismissiveness in thatugh. It wasn¡¯t defiant. It was worse¡ªit was amused. Like Christina didn¡¯t even register her as a threat.

    Thea¡¯s voice rose with indignation. ¡°Otherwise, I¡¯ll have the staff throw you out myself! Don¡¯t forget¡ªI¡¯m a premium client of this brand!¡±

    No answer came from Christina. Instead, she pushed Chloe up to the leather sofa and sank down with deliberate, unhurried ease.

    Confusion rippled through the room. Everyone watched Christina,pletely mystified by her behavior.

    Making herselffortable, Christina folded one leg over the other and draped her arm along the sofa¡¯s back as though she owned the ce.

    Katie¡¯s temper red. She stormed forward, saying, ¡°Did you hear me? That¡¯s a VIP client you¡¯re disrespecting!¡±

    Azy smile touched Christina¡¯s lips as she lifted a brow. ¡°So what?¡± she replied, her voice smooth and unbothered.

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    Thea¡¯s frustration reached its breaking point. Something in Christina¡¯s casual attitude and drawled words made it feel as if she wasn¡¯t even aware of the tension in the room.

    Katie¡¯s voice rose, sharper now. ¡°You¡¯d better apologize¡ªunless you want the embarrassment of being thrown out! You¡¯re not even on our VIP list. Don¡¯t think we can¡¯t show you the door!¡±

    Instead of reacting, Christina turned to the sales assistant. ¡°Is this your usual approach to customer service?¡±

    The sales assistant sized up Christina and Chloe, instantly pegging them as everyday shoppers with limited means¡ªespecially since Chloe¡¯s wheelchair hinted at hardship. Experience had taught her that families dealing with such challenges rarely splurged on luxury items, let alone high-end brands.

    Backing these two against Reed Group¡¯s treasured girl would be nothing short of reckless. With a choice between big spenders and guests who looked out of ce, her loyalty was already decided¡ªpremium clients always came first. After all, a heftymission would being her way if Thea splurged on a few more handbags.

    With a practiced smile, the sales assistant said, ¡°Apologies, but our premium members are entitled to private shopping. Unless you reach that status, we have to ask you to leave. That¡¯s simply store policy.¡±

    Despite the sales assistant¡¯s polite tone, contempt danced in her eyes. The words about leaving came out sharper, almost dripping with open scorn by the end.

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 Chapter 155

    ?Chapter 155:

    Judgment shed in her gaze. She was clearly convinced neither Christina nor Chloe could ever qualify as VIPs.

    Were it not for Christina¡¯s steady grip and gentle taps on her hand, Chloe might have erupted then and there. She had never realized just how condescending some salespeople could be. Shopping at home had always spared her this¡ªpersonal luxury teams catered to her every whim, bringing choices directly to her. On the rare asions she joined friends at high-end boutiques, no one had ever treated her this way.

    Maybe it had always boiled down to appearances. Her friends, dressed head-to-toe in high-endbels and announcing their names at the door, received wless hospitality wherever they went, with staff bending over backward and no one daring to challenge them.

    With a steadyposure, Christina murmured, ¡°If you insist on this, don¡¯t hold it against me when I y hardball.¡±

    A wave of surprise swept over the group. Katie narrowed her eyes, suspicion coloring her tone. ¡°What trick are you trying to pull now?¡±

    Suddenly uneasy, the sales assistant felt her confidence waver, worried she might have crossed someone she shouldn¡¯t. ¡°Could you rify what you mean?¡± she asked, her words cautious as she tried to feel out Christina¡¯s true intentions.

    A cold sweep of Christina¡¯s gaze traveled across the room, finallynding squarely on the sales assistant. ¡°I¡¯m not satisfied with your service. Bring out your store manager.¡±

    Laughter broke out at her request, with Katie tossing her head back in dramatic amusement. ¡°Is that all? I expected something dramatic, and all you want is to file aint?¡±

    Thea quickly piled on, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Honestly, I was ready to watch her pull some desperate stunt to make VIP status.¡±

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    Relief washed over the sales assistant¡¯s features, and any mask of politeness disappeared. Disdain colored her face, unmasked and unashamed. ¡°You need to leave now. This boutique doesn¡¯t serve your kind. If you keep refusing, we¡¯ll have no choice but to remove you by force,¡± she said, her tone turning rigid.

    Christina parted her lips, ready with a retort, but another voice suddenly cut through the tension, stopping her mid-breath.

    ¡°Please, hold on!¡± The voice rang out¡ªsoft, young, and a little unsure.

    Heads turned toward the sound. A young woman in a store uniform stood there, her wide eyes filled with nervous determination. She was clearly another employee at the luxury boutique.

    ¡°Oh great. What is it now, Valerie?¡± the senior sales assistant snapped, her voice dripping with irritation.

    Valerie Mitchell hesitated, her fingers twitching as every gazended on her. But despite the nerves tightening in her chest, she took a small step forward. ¡°I just think maybe we should wait for the manager before making any decisions,¡± she said cautiously. ¡°Didn¡¯t we learn during training that every customer deserves respect?¡±

    The senior sales assistant crossed her arms, clearly irritated. ¡°Are you using me of being disrespectful?¡±

    ¡°N-no, that¡¯s not what I meant¡­¡± Valerie stammered. ¡°I only remembered how they said we should make sure all customers feel wee.¡±

    The senior sales assistant cut her off with a sharp voice. ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Her tone turned icy. ¡°Who do you think you are, lecturing me? You haven¡¯t even finished your probation. If the manager were here, he¡¯d back my call. You should spend less time sympathizing with customers and more time learning how to sell¡ªunless you¡¯re looking to be fired for poor performance.¡±

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 Chapter 156

    ?Chapter 156:

    Valerie¡¯s shoulders slumped as she stood there, silently twisting her hands in distress.

    The senior sales assistant¡¯s message was loud and clear. Valerie felt for the customer because she understood their struggle. She wasn¡¯t well-off either.

    Valerie understood the implication but couldn¡¯t afford to fight back. With her parents¡¯ health declining and her father facing serious problems, this job meant everything to her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she nced at Christina.

    For a moment, their eyes met, but Valerie quickly looked away, ashamed of her own cowardice.

    Christina, however, wasn¡¯t about to let it slide. Turning to the senior sales assistant, she said firmly, ¡°I¡¯d like to speak to your manager. Let¡¯s see if your manager shares your snobbish demeanor.¡±

    The senior sales assistant bristled. ¡°Excuse me? Just so you know, clearing the store is something we do for premium clients. Why are you insulting me? You reallyck manners.¡±

    Katie eyed Christina like she was some kind of joke. ¡°Why don¡¯t you use the money you conned out of my brother to buy yourself VIP status?¡± she said with a mocking smile. She covered her mouth, her mockery evident. ¡°Then, when security tosses you out, you can scream, ¡®I¡¯m a VIP!¡¯ Just imagine it.¡±

    Thea burst outughing. She added, her voice dripping with sarcasm, ¡°Some people are just meant to serve, yet they still dream of bing rich and morous. It¡¯s honestly pathetic.¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch. She kept her cool, refusing to waste breath defending herself. Her expression remained calm as she stated, ¡°I¡¯m not leaving until I speak with the manager. I want to hear their opinion on this.¡±

    The senior sales assistant stared at Christina, both annoyed and surprised, realizing that despite Christina¡¯s good looks, she was stubborn and unyielding. ¡°Do you really want to be dragged out of here?¡± she snapped, her frustration mounting.

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    Christina replied, steady and unwavering, ¡°In any case, I¡¯m not leaving without speaking to the manager.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± the senior sales assistant growled. ¡°If you¡¯re so desperate to cause a scene, then don¡¯t me me for what happens next!¡± She reached for her phone to call for security.

    But just then, a man¡¯s voice rang out from near the entrance, deep,posed, andmanding enough to make everyone pause.

    ¡°Who¡¯s causing a scene in here?¡± A man in his thirties stepped through the entrance, his eyes narrowing as he took in the situation.

    ¡°Mr. Palmer!¡± the senior sales assistant called out quickly, pointing at Christina and Chloe. ¡°These two women have been creating a disturbance in the store.¡±

    ude Palmer, the store manager, turned his gaze toward Christina and Chloe, his eyes probing their appearance with the practiced scrutiny of someone used to judging on sight. Nothing about their outfits screamed luxurybels, but the fabric, the cut, the quiet elegance¡ªit hinted at quality. They didn¡¯t exactly radiate wealth, but they weren¡¯tmon either. Clients like them were wild cards: with a little finesse, they might just be long-term VIPs. But first, he needed to understand the situation. What exactly had gone wrong?

    ¡°It¡¯s not as serious as it seems. They just had a disagreement with a premium customer. An apology should smooth things over.¡± Valerie stepped forward before the tension could escte, her voice a bit shaky. She had wrestled with her thoughts for a while before finally speaking up in ude¡¯s presence, only to feel deted and somewhat regretful for her impulsiveness.

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 Chapter 157

    ?Chapter 157:

    At the mention of a ¡°premium customer,¡± ude¡¯s demeanor shifted in an instant. His tone grew sharper, louder. ¡°They got into it with one of our VIPs?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Palmer, the VIP we¡¯re talking about is Miss Reed,¡± the senior sales assistant remarked, lowering her voice slightly and motioning toward Thea, who stood with her back turned. ¡°The heiress of the Reed family.¡±

    That name hit like a jolt. ude nearly jumped to action, hastening toward Thea with an ingratiating smile. ¡°Miss Reed, we¡¯re truly honored by your visit. Please let us know if there¡¯s anything we can do for you.¡±

    To ude, Thea wasn¡¯t just another shopper¡ªshe was the crown jewel of the Reed Group, the chairman¡¯s beloved daughter. Securing even the smallest nod of approval from her could shift the trajectory of his career in the best way. In retail and business alike, connections often mattered more than skills. A single powerful endorsement could open doors that effort alone never would. Even the most modest favor from a corporate titan could breathe life into a struggling enterprise. Even if his title remained nothing more than store manager, ude knew that Thea was thedder he needed to climb higher.

    Arms folded and gaze cool, Thea tilted her head, a smug smile ying at her lips. ¡°Honestly, your store¡¯s service? It¡¯s mediocre at best.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re deeply sorry you feel that way. If there¡¯s anything specific you¡¯d like corrected, we¡¯ll make it right immediately.¡±

    ude hastily replied, his smile still in ce though a hint of strain lingered beneath it.

    Irritation shed in Thea¡¯s eyes as she looked toward Valerie¡ªthe one who dared to speak on Christina¡¯s behalf. The sight alone seemed to grate on her nerves. Without hesitation, she jabbed her finger toward Valerie. ¡°Start by firing her,¡± she said, her voice dripping with arrogance.

    Shock rippled across Valerie¡¯s face, her mouth parting slightly as tears began to gather. She turned to ude, her silent plea shimmering in her eyes. She didn¡¯t expect a defense, but a single word of fairness wouldn¡¯t have been too much to hope for.

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    But no sympathy came. ude gave her a frosty look and said without emotion, ¡°You¡¯re dismissed.¡±

    Justice, as Valerie had just learned, came with a cost she hadn¡¯t expected to pay so swiftly. The image of her father hooked up to hospital machines raced through her mind. Panic gripping her chest, she lunged forward and clutched ude¡¯s arm. ¡°Please, Mr. Palmer, don¡¯t let me go like this,¡± she cried out, her tears now falling freely. ¡°I¡¯m begging you. This job¡­ I fought hard to get it. My father¡¯s in the hospital, my mother¡¯s too ill to work, and my family depends on what little I earn. Just one more chance¡ªplease.¡±

    Across the room, Katie rolled her eyes, her expression curled into a sneer. ¡°Pathetic. So now you¡¯re trying to make us pity you?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t waste your breath. Sympathy doesn¡¯t pay sries,¡± ude said, t and final. The world was full of desperate people, but if he tried to rescue them all, how was he supposed to work and make a living?

    Valerie cast a nce at ude, but his face remained unmoved¡ªcold, unreadable. Despair crept in as she realized appealing to him was useless. If anyone could sway this situation, it was Thea.

    Valerie shifted her gaze from ude to Thea. ¡°Miss Reed, please¡­ Don¡¯t let Mr. Palmer fire me. If I lose this job, my whole family will be done for.¡±

    Tears welled in her eyes, desperation clinging to every word. She wasn¡¯t just begging for herself¡ªthis job was her lifeline. Finding another job might be possible, but time wasn¡¯t a luxury she had. The hospital bills were due soon. Rent wasn¡¯t going to wait. And her savings? Barely enough tost the month. She¡¯d only just started here, but she had managed to close a sale¡ªher first small victory with themission. With effort, she could¡¯ve earned even a livable sry if she weren¡¯t dismissed now.

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 Chapter 158

    ?Chapter 158:

    ¡°So now you realize what¡¯s at stake?¡± Thea¡¯s lips curled into a scornful sneer, her eyes gleaming with contempt. ¡°You have a family hanging by a thread, yet you still had the nerve to speak up for that tramp? The nail that sticks out gets hammered down, and you did this to yourself.¡±

    Katie scoffed, crossing her arms. ¡°What¡¯s the use of crying now? You think we¡¯re going to pity you? Dream on.¡±

    Valerie¡¯s voice broke as she pleaded, her face soaked with tears. ¡°Miss Reed, please. Tell me what I have to do for you to take back what you said. I¡¯ll do it¡ªanything.¡±

    ¡°Oh, really?¡± Thea chuckled darkly, as though entertained by a private joke.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Valerie nodded desperately. ¡°If it means keeping my job, I¡¯ll do whatever it takes.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit,¡± Thea said coolly, a wicked grin spreading across her face. ¡°Then show me your sincerity. Kneel.¡±

    Valerie froze. Her heart twisted with humiliation¡ªbut then her thoughts turned to her parents. All the years they had spent sacrificing for her. This was her turn to repay them. So, she drew a shaky breath, clenched her fists, and whispered, ¡°Alright.¡±

    Laughter erupted behind her¡ªmocking, gleeful.

    Katie smirked, tapping her wristwatch. ¡°Well? We don¡¯t have all day.¡±

    With a deep breath and eyes brimming with silent pain and unbending resolve, Valerie slowly dropped to her knees. If enduring this humiliation meant keeping her job and helping her family survive the month¡ªthen so be it.

    ¡°Serves you right!¡± the senior sales assistant sneered with satisfaction. ¡°That¡¯s what happens when people like you speak out of turn.¡±

    But just as Valerie¡¯s knees hovered above the floor, Christina moved. She stepped forward and calmly ced her foot beneath Valerie¡¯s knees, halting her descent without force¡ªjust quiet strength. Gasps swept through the store. Eyes widened. Even the sneering fell silent.

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    Valerie looked up in shock. She hadn¡¯t expected anyone, least of all Christina, to intervene. It might not change her fate, but in this moment, someone had chosen to step up for her.

    ¡°Christina!¡± Katie¡¯s voice shrieked like nails on ss. ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing? Are you seriously picking a fight with the Reed family?¡±

    Thea¡¯s expression turned to stone. Her voice wasced with warning. ¡°Think carefully. People who go against me never walk away unscathed.¡±

    Christina tilted her head and gave her a serene, razor-sharp smile. ¡°Perfect. Then I guess I¡¯ll be the first exception.¡±

    Thea¡¯s eyes zed with rage. ¡°You¡¯re really doing this?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been more sure of anything,¡± Christina replied, her tone a perfect blend of silk and steel. Since she was already seen as the enemy, she had no reason to tread lightly.

    That was when ude stepped forward, trying to y peacemaker. ¡°Ma¡¯am, I strongly advise you to reconsider. This is Thea Reed¡ªthe cherished daughter of the Reed Group¡¯s chairman. Offending her won¡¯t end well. Just let her blow off some steam, apologize afterward, and everything will¡ª¡±

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 Chapter 159

    ?Chapter 159:

    ¡°Shut up!¡± Christina¡¯s voice sliced through his words, cutting them off mid-sentence.

    ¡°You really don¡¯t know when to stop, do you?¡± Christina shot ude a sharp look.

    ude¡¯s jaw tightened. His anger burned too hot for words. How could she be so dismissive? He had only been trying to help, warning her not to mess with the wrong people, but she acted as if he were just whining. Since she didn¡¯t want to listen, then fine. He couldn¡¯t save someone determined to walk into trouble.

    ¡°I¡¯m only looking out for you,¡± ude said through clenched teeth. ¡°But if you want to be ungrateful, fine. Go ahead. Cross the Reed family and see what happens. You¡¯re heading for disaster.¡±

    Christina tilted her head, unbothered. ¡°Really, you talk too much.¡±

    ude nearly exploded. He gave a bitter snort and swallowed his rage, silently vowing to enjoy watching her fall.

    Katie barked at Valerie, clearly aiming to disgrace Christina through her. ¡°You idiot! Can¡¯t you just kneel already?¡±

    At Christina¡¯s intervention for Valerie¡¯s sake, Katie was determined to force Valerie to kneel, an indirect way to humiliate Christina.

    Terrified, Valerie lowered herself to kneel, her hands trembling, but her efforts were thwarted by Christina¡¯s lifted foot.

    Confused, Valerie looked up. Christina was standing firmly in front of her,pletely at ease. She wasn¡¯t even straining. Her calm gaze never wavered.

    Christina radiated confidence¡ªquiet, unshakable confidence. It wrapped around her like armor, natural and effortless.

    Valerie stared in awe. There was something powerful about Christina, something rare. Christina didn¡¯t need to raise her voice. Her very presence spoke volumes.

    ¡°I won¡¯t let her kneel,¡± Christina said softly, her gaze locking onto Katie¡¯s.

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    ¡°You¡¯ve lost your mind!¡± Katie snapped. ¡°Still ying hero when you¡¯re in trouble?¡± Her voice was thick with bitterness. How could Christina¡ªthis dull nobody¡ªoutshine her without even trying?

    Christina let out a low, amusedugh. ¡°Why does that bother you so much?¡±

    Worried the tension would explode, Valerie tugged at Christina¡¯s pants, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Miss, thank you. But I¡¯m okay. Please go¡­ I don¡¯t want you to get in trouble because of me.¡±

    Valerie figured Christina could leave right now. However, if security had to intervene, it would likely turn into a public spectacle. She didn¡¯t want to see her rescuer be disgracefully expelled.

    ¡°I should leave?¡± Christina arched an eyebrow, a soft, amusedugh slipping from her lips. ¡°No, darling. You¡¯ve got it wrong. It¡¯s them who should be leaving.¡±

    Katie scoffed, her eyes filled with disdain. ¡°What are you babbling about now? You think a few shy bags bought with the money you conned from my brother can lift you above Thea? Keep dreaming.¡±

    Growing impatient, Thea turned sharply to ude. ¡°Why are you still wasting time? Where¡¯s security? Get rid of these annoying people! They¡¯re ruining my mood. Honestly, they look like beggars. I don¡¯t want to see their faces in this store ever again.¡±

    ude immediately straightened, nodding obediently. ¡°Yes, of course. I¡¯ll take care of it right away. I¡¯ll call security to escort them out and cklist them from the store. I¡¯m so sorry for the inconvenience, Miss Reed. Please don¡¯t file aint¡ªwe truly value your business.¡± ude had tried to warn Christina, giving her a way out. But she didn¡¯t take it. So, she had no one to me but herself. Anyway, he couldn¡¯t afford to offend a high-profile customer like Thea.

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 Chapter 160

    ?Chapter 160:

    Panicked, Valerie clung to ude¡¯s pant leg, pleading, ¡°Mr. Palmer, please don¡¯t call security. It was my fault. I¡¯ll ask them to leave. Please don¡¯t do this.¡±

    ude yanked his leg away, his face twisted in contempt. ¡°You can scram as well!¡± he growled, barely restraining the urge to kick her. Letting her go unharmed was already an act of mercy in his eyes.

    Just as ude reached for his phone to call security, Chloe¡¯s sharp voice cut through the tension. ¡°That¡¯s enough! As long as I¡¯m here, this young salesperson and my friend are not getting thrown out!¡±

    Everyone¡¯s gaze fell upon Chloe. Despite the anger twisting her features, her eyes remained unfocused and empty, betraying no awareness of her surroundings. Katie and the others had never paid much attention to a person in a wheelchair. Recognition dawned quickly as they pieced together the truth¡ªChloe couldn¡¯t see.

    Katie couldn¡¯t resist the urge to belittle Chloe. ¡°Oh, she¡¯s blind? I assumed she was just a cripple in a wheelchair.¡±

    A snort escaped Thea as she burst intoughter. ¡°Blind and handicapped¡ªcould it get any worse? If I ended up like that, I¡¯d have given up ages ago. Where does she even find the will to live on?¡± Their harsh words stung. With King¡¯s prescription stillcking one final ingredient to cook into a potion, Chloe didn¡¯t have much time ahead of her after years of being gued by illness. The pain in her chest red up, and an ache spread through her empty gaze.

    ¡°Mr. Palmer, hurry up and call security to remove these rude women already! We can¡¯t let this chaos go on¡ªa stubborn woman and her blindpanion aren¡¯t good for our store¡¯s image,¡± the senior sales assistant interjected, leaning toward ude and struggling to mask her impatience.

    ¡°On it.¡± ude nodded without hesitation. Herint seemed reasonable enough. The threat of losing their premium customer hung in the air, making the situation feel even more tense.

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    ¡°Don¡¯t you darey a hand on Christina. My brother won¡¯t stand for it!¡± Chloe hissed, struggling to keep her voice steady.

    ¡°What¡¯s he going to do¡ªroll over in his wheelchair? Heard disability is a family tradition for you lot!¡± Katie taunted,ughter bursting out of her, sharp and echoing.

    Katie had no idea that the woman she was making fun of was none other than the beloved little sister of the chairman of the formidable Scott Group. The Scott family had gone to great lengths to keep Chloe¡¯s identity and appearance a closely guarded secret.

    Preconceived notions had led most to believe that a blind and disabled girl couldn¡¯t possibly be a member of the Scott family. After all, the Scotts had more money than they knew what to do with, and their wealth and power alone should be enough to secure any medical treatment if any one of them was bothered by health issues.

    Thea interjected with a mocking tone, ¡°Honestly, does it need spelling out? If one of them¡¯s disabled, the rest probably are too. Even if they aren¡¯t, what good are they?¡±

    Christina¡¯s eyes grew colder by the second. She cut through theirughter with a frosty voice. ¡°Have you finished running your mouth?¡±

    A sneer tugged at Thea¡¯s lips. ¡°¡®And if we haven¡¯t? What will you do about it?¡±

    In a sh, Christina seized Valerie by the cor and straightened her up. Her eyes zed as she issued a low, sharp warning. ¡°Don¡¯t kneel.¡±

    Valerie¡¯s head bobbed in a daze. ¡°¡®Alright, alright! I get it!¡± Confusion shed across her face as she struggled to process the sudden shift in Christina. No one would have guessed Christina could switch from gentle to menacing so quickly. Now she seemed like a drawn de¡ªdangerous and cold.

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 Chapter 161

    ?Chapter 161:

    Without missing a beat, Christina leveled her cold stare at Thea.

    For the first time, Thea felt her arrogance start to crack. That look was enough to make anyone¡¯s heart skip. There was something intimidating about Christina¡¯s presence.

    ¡°¡®Whether you¡¯ve finished or not, I¡¯m going to teach you a lesson,¡± Christina said, stepping forward and swinging at Thea.

    Thea barely managed to duck, the brush of Christina¡¯s fingers just ncing across her lips.

    ¡°¡®You¡¯ve lost your mind, Christina! You think you can hit a Reed and walk away?¡± Katie¡¯s eyes were huge, shock coloring her words. Christina seemed intent on pursuing Thea, but Katie¡¯s words shifted her focus.

    ¡°¡®Since you¡¯re so concerned for her, you can take the hit for her!¡± With that, Christina turned and lunged at Katie.

    A surge of relief ran through Katie when she realized Christina¡¯s moves weren¡¯t fast enough. She dodged, but still felt the whisper of Christina¡¯s fingertips grazing her lips.

    ¡°¡®She¡¯s lost her mind, Mr. Palmer! You need to get security right now!¡± the senior sales assistant cried to ude, her voice trembling with anxiety.

    ¡°¡®You must really want a fight!¡± Christina shouted, her anger boiling over as she rushed straight at the senior sales assistant and ude without hesitation.

    Christina lunged forward with wild abandon, causing the senior sales assistant to shriek in panic as she dove behind ude for protection. ¡°Ahhh! She¡¯s lost her mind! Mr. Palmer¡ªsave me!¡±

    Even ude felt a chill run down his spine. Mad or not, Christina¡¯s chaotic energy was enough to rattle anyone. Without thinking, he darted to the side, using the senior sales assistant as a human shield, mentally calcting the best moment to dash out and call security. The senior sales assistant, shoved into harm¡¯s way, couldn¡¯t believe her luck had turned so sour. She let out another terrified wail. ¡°Ah! Help! Don¡¯t hit me, I beg you¡­¡±

    A p seemed inevitable, but at thest second, the senior sales assistant twisted away, narrowly missing Christina¡¯s hand. She managed to evade the blow, her heart pounding with relief, too distracted to notice how Christina¡¯s fingers barely grazed her lips. ude made a break for it, but Christina nted herself in his path, cutting off his escape.

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    Having stumbled to the floor, the senior sales assistant gulped down a shaky breath. Thanks to ude drawing Christina¡¯s fire, she¡¯d avoided the brunt of the chaos. Had things gone differently, she would have been the one on the receiving end of Christina¡¯s wrath.

    A slow, menacing smile curled on Christina¡¯s lips as she locked eyes with ude, her gaze burning with manic intensity. ¡°Thought you could run? Not a chance!¡±

    ¡°You¡ªyou¡¯re absolutely nuts! Don¡¯t you realize you could get arrested for this? Lay a finger on me and see what happens!¡± ude¡¯s boldness was shaky at best, fear nearly rooting him to the spot.

    Christina only giggled, sounding every inch the lunatic. ¡°No biggie¡ªI¡¯ll have my fun beating you guys up before anyone shows up.¡±

    A shiver racked ude as he faced her, certain that she might really be unhinged. Assaults involving the mentally unstable rarely ended with jail time¡ªmost people just counted themselves unlucky for the encounter.

    When Christina suddenly aimed a savage kick toward his groin, panic washed over ude, and he barely leapt out of harm¡¯s way. As he scrambled back, Christina¡¯s handshed out with another wild p. He dodged, though not quickly enough¡ªher fingertips still grazed his lips as he twisted away.

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 Chapter 162

    ?Chapter 162:

    The prospect of being pummeled by this unhinged woman loomed in ude¡¯s mind, but before it could be reality, a squad of security guards stormed into the shop.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Who¡¯s causing this disturbance?¡±

    Immediately, those who had been terrorized by Christina wasted no time pointing fingers. ¡°She¡¯s the one! Over there!¡±

    Without hesitation, the security guards closed ranks around Christina, ready to bring order. ude and the others exhaled in collective relief, grateful that someone had finallye to put a stop to her rampage.

    Meanwhile, Chloe¡¯s voice trembled with worry. ¡°Christina¡­ Christina, are you alright?¡±

    Despite her blindness, Chloe tried to push herself upright, but an unfamiliar hand gripped hers. ¡°Christina?¡± She ran her fingers over the hand, and an uneasy jolt shot through her. She quickly jerked away. That touch didn¡¯t belong to Christina¡ªshe knew it instantly! She asked warily, ¡°Who are you?¡±

    ¡°I work here. Security has Miss Jones surrounded,¡± Valerie blurted, urgency coloring her voice.

    Worry knotted in Chloe¡¯s chest as she shouted at the guards, ¡°Touch Christina and you¡¯ll regret it¡ªthis won¡¯t end well for you!¡±

    Katie gave a derisive snort, her words dripping with scorn. ¡°What a joke. Blind and clueless, yet still pretending to be tough. Is talking all you¡¯ve got?¡±

    Thea sneered. ¡°Stuck in that wheelchair, can¡¯t even see the world. Why bother dragging yourself through life?¡±

    Tears stung Valerie¡¯s eyes as she faced them, anger ring. ¡°Enough! She¡¯s already been through so much¡ªdoes kicking her when she¡¯s down make you feel powerful? Where¡¯s your humanity?¡±

    With a cold grin, Thea moved closer, giving Valerie¡¯s cheek a mocking pat. ¡°Family barely scraping by, and you still have time to meddle in someone else¡¯s business? If you¡¯re so eager, why not just die along with her? I might even spring for a joint funeral¡ªif the mood strikes.¡±

    ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ????????: ????????¦Í?????????????

    Insulted by Katie¡¯s harsh words, Valerie struggled to form a reply. She felt like a doormat, pushed around and crushed by those with power. In the past, she had tried to fight back when being mistreated, but the more she resisted, the worse the bullying became.

    And the bullies didn¡¯t just go after her. They went after her family too. Her parents ran a small business¡ªuntil the bullies drove it into the ground. To pay off the debts, her family sold everything they had. Just when they managed to breathe again, her parents fell ill.

    Tears welled up in Valerie¡¯s eyes. Was it really worth it to stand up for those being bullied? Her parents had always taught her to be kind and do what was right, but doing good only seemed to bring her pain. For the first time, she began to question if her parents had been wrong.

    ring at Katie, Christina said with a smirk, ¡°You might not live as long as we do, so worry about your own funeral first.¡±

    The words snapped Valerie back to reality. Her teary eyes locked onto Christina¡¯s face. Christina looked so radiant, so bold. It was hard not to envy her.

    ¡°You witch! Who are you cursing with those malicious words?¡± Katie snapped, angrier than Thea.

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 Chapter 163

    ?Chapter 163:

    Christina arched a brow and smiled. ¡°Whoever takes offense is the one I¡¯m cursing.¡±

    Katie¡¯s eyes burned. ¡°Keep talking. Let¡¯s see how long that smug actsts.¡± She turned to the guards. ¡°Why are you just standing there? This lunatic is attacking people. Give her a solid beating and throw her out!¡±

    The guards nced at ude, waiting for his signal.

    ¡°Do as she says. The Reed Group¡¯s heiress is here. You won¡¯t be held responsible if anything happens,¡± ude said calmly.

    Thea folded her arms, full of herself. ¡°That¡¯s right. I¡¯ll take full responsibility.¡±

    Still, the guards hesitated. If theyplied and wounded Christina, they knew they¡¯d take the fall.

    ¡°Stop! Don¡¯t touch Christina!¡± Chloe called out, blind but sensing danger.

    Christina yawned lightly. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve had my fun. Let¡¯s wrap this up.¡±

    ¡°What are you nning now?¡± Katie asked, her voice tight. Christina¡¯s calm made her skin crawl.

    Christina slowly lifted her hand. A sleek ck card shimmered between her fingers. ¡°This is an exclusive VIP card,¡± she said, her lips curling into azy smile. She looked at Thea. ¡°Doesn¡¯t that mean I outrank you in this store?¡±

    Gasps filled the room. All eyes fixed on the ck card.

    ude and the senior sales assistant turned pale. Their palms began to sweat. A ck VIP card¡ªone that came with real power. If Christina truly owned this card, messing with her meant dire consequences. At best, they¡¯d lose their jobs. At worst, their careers would be over. Fear gripped them. Their legs felt like jelly. At the same time, anger simmered beneath their fear. Why hadn¡¯t she shown the card earlier? Was she ying with them on purpose?

    ¡°No way! That card has to be fake! If it were real, you would¡¯ve cleared the store before walking in!¡± Thea shouted.

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    Christina raised a brow and chuckled. ¡°But I like the presence of other customers. Besides, didn¡¯t you also choose not to clear the ce before walking in? You have that privilege too, so why didn¡¯t you use it?¡±

    ¡°You¡­¡± Thea stammered, struggling to speak. ¡°I like it this way! It¡¯s none of your business!¡±

    She couldn¡¯t admit the truth¡ªthat she enjoyed the envy in people¡¯s eyes, and that fed her pride.

    For a split second, Katie was thrown off bnce, though it didn¡¯t take her long to recover her swagger. ¡°That card is definitely a fake! Even if you spent every cent you¡¯ve got in this boutique, the best you¡¯d get is a VIP ount¡ªnot a ck card.¡±

    Quick mental math told Katie that even after counting the cash Christina had coaxed out of her family and adding in the divorce payout from her brother, it might total a few million at best. She reasoned there was no way that would buy a coveted ck card. Plus, who would throw their entire fortune into luxury handbags? That would be sheer lunacy!

    Sidling up to Katie, Thea dropped her voice to a whisper. ¡°You¡¯re sure that card isn¡¯t real?¡±

    ¡°No question¡ªit¡¯s a fake. Christina¡¯s nowhere near the kind of money it takes to own one,¡± Katie replied, her confidence unwavering.

    Reassured, Thea squared her shoulders and shot a nce at ude. ¡°Why not just have the staff check her card? If it¡¯s a forgery, she shouldn¡¯t just be kicked out¡ªwe should get the police involved too!¡±

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 Chapter 164

    ?Chapter 164:

    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± ude, still shaken, sided with Thea. Unlike Christina, Thea had long been recognized as a legitimate premium client, while Christina¡¯s supposed ck card had yet to prove itself genuine. Skepticism crept in, especially with Katie appearing to know so much about Christina¡¯s background.

    A quiet breath of relief escaped the senior sales assistant, who had felt like she¡¯d been on a roller coaster. If it turned out Christina used a counterfeit card, they definitely needed to involve the police.

    Withposure, Christina turned her attention to ude as he approached. Gracefully, she extended her hand, the ck card disyed between her fingers. ¡°You¡¯re wee to verify it,¡± Christina said, her voice gentle, her smile unwavering.

    Each time ude looked Christina in the eyes, something about her calm confidence made him feel strangely uneasy. Not wasting a second, he took the card and hurried toward the cashier to run it through the verification process.

    Everyone in the store watched his every move, waiting for the truth toe out. Suddenly, color drained from his face.

    A collective gasp seemed to run through Thea and the others, nerves suddenly stretched tight.

    Verifying the card left ude speechless, his hands shaking so badly that he nearly dropped it. The truth was unmistakable: this was an authentic ck card. No matter how hard he tried, his clearance couldn¡¯t reveal the identity of the cardholder.

    ¡°Well? What did you find out? Why are you just standing there?¡± Katie asked, unable to bear the suspense any longer as she shot a scowl at ude. Anxiety twisted inside her, and she nearly bounced on her toes, desperate for an answer.

    Jolted out of his stupor, ude stumbled toward Christina, knees wobbling with each step.

    ¡°Out of my way! Move aside, everyone!¡± ude ordered, waving frantically at the security staff to clear a path.

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    ¡°Please, take your card back,¡± ude said to Christina, handing the card over with both hands, his respect in to see.

    Raising one eyebrow, Christina epted it. ¡°I take it you¡¯ve confirmed my card isn¡¯t a fake?¡±

    ¡°Y-yes, absolutely! I¡¯m sorry for doubting someone of your standing. Please overlook my ignorance,¡± ude stammered, nodding vigorously, the apology spilling out as his whole body trembled.

    The senior sales assistant, realizing the blunder, hurried forward with watery eyes. ¡°Miss Jones, I¡¯m so sorry. Ipletely misjudged you. Please forgive me¡ªI swear it won¡¯t happen again!¡±

    Chloe, who could only hear what was going on due to her sight issue, let out a chilly littleugh under her breath. Hearing them trip over themselves to apologize to Christina was almostical. These people really needed a harsh lesson.

    Valerie just stared, utterly stunned and speechless, her mind struggling to process what she was witnessing. For Christina to turn out to be the exclusive ck cardholder was beyond anything she¡¯d imagined.

    With a calm, measured air, Christina slid the ck card back into her wallet. ¡°I want to speak with your superior,¡± she said, eyes locked on ude.

    ude and the senior sales assistant froze, shivering in fear.

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 Chapter 165

    ?Chapter 165:

    ¡°Please don¡¯t call my superior. I admit I was wrong. Please, forgive me,¡± ude begged.

    The senior sales assistant was even more shaken. She burst into tears. ¡°Please, give us a chance. We both have families to feed. If we lose this job, how will we survive?¡±

    Christina¡¯s eyes turned cold. Her lips curled into a sneer. ¡°If survival is that hard, then maybe you shouldn¡¯t bother trying.¡±

    The senior sales assistant looked stunned, caught off guard by the cruelty in Christina¡¯s voice. For a moment, she forgot to keep up her act.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t push us to the edge¡­¡± the senior sales assistant whispered, her voice trembling. She dropped to her knees, sobbing. ¡°I¡¯ll do anything. Just don¡¯t dismiss me.¡±

    ¡°Yes! If we lose this job, our families will starve. Please, have a heart,¡± ude chimed in, falling to his knees beside the senior sales assistant. Tears streamed down his face.

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch. Her stare was icy, and a mockingugh escaped her lips. She pointed at Valerie and raised a brow. ¡°She begged you before, didn¡¯t she? And you turned your back. So it¡¯s fine when you ignored her plea, but it¡¯s wrong when I do the same to you?¡±

    ¡°No, no, that¡¯s not what we meant!¡± ude cried, shaking his head desperately. ¡°I was wrong! I¡¯ll let her stay on the job. I¡¯ll even give her a bonus out of my own pocket.¡±

    The senior sales assistant quickly jumped in. ¡°Please, spare me too. I¡¯ll help her family. I¡¯ll donate a whole month¡¯s sry!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll donate two months!¡± ude added quickly.

    Both of them remained on their knees, begging and crying as if their lives depended on it.

    Christina remained still, calm as ice. ¡°No need,¡± she said.

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    They froze and looked up, confused. Did that mean she was letting them go?

    ¡°What¡­ What do you mean?¡± ude asked carefully.

    Christina smiled faintly. ¡°She¡¯s getting a promotion. Why would she need your pocket change?¡±

    ¡°Promotion?¡± The senior sales assistant¡¯s voice cracked. Her face drained of color.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. I¡¯ll rmend her to your superior for manager training,¡± Christina said smoothly.

    ¡°No way!¡± ude blurted out before he could stop himself. But one sharp look from Christina made him lower his head. ¡°I mean¡­ she doesn¡¯t have the experience. I¡¯m just afraid she won¡¯t manage¡­¡±

    ¡°Everyone starts somewhere. And I believe she¡¯ll surpass you one day,¡± Christina replied.

    ¡°But¡­¡± ude wanted to say more, but Christina cut him off. ¡°That¡¯s enough! I don¡¯t want to waste breath. Are you calling your superior, or should I?¡±

    ude and the senior sales assistant were frozen with regret. Their hearts sank. If only they had known she was the exclusive premium customer in the entire store, they would¡¯ve bowed to her from the start. But it was toote to fix the damage.

    Just then, Thea sneered from the side. ¡°Ha! You¡¯re just a customer! You don¡¯t get to decide who stays or goes!¡±

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 Chapter 166

    ?Chapter 166:

    Katie, finally snapping out of her daze, chimed in, ¡°Mr. Palmer, don¡¯t listen to her! That ck card probably isn¡¯t even hers. It could be stolen! Call the police! Arrest her now, and when the real owner shows up, you¡¯ll be the hero. You¡¯ll be rolling in rewards!¡±

    Katie¡¯s suggestion made sense to both ude and the senior sales assistant. With Christina refusing to let them off easily, calling the police suddenly felt like their best option. If it turned out Christina had actually stolen the ck card, they could simply let the authorities handle her¡ªher fate would be sealed. On top of that, a nice cash reward and brighter prospects awaited them if the usation proved true. That was a tempting prospect for anyone in their shoes. Both ude and the senior sales assistant stood up, shaking off any trace of desperation or pleading.

    Without hesitation, ude whipped out his phone and called the police, demanding Christina¡¯s immediate arrest.

    Christina¡¯s voice was cold as she warned, ¡°If you¡¯re bent on this, don¡¯t me me for whates next.¡±

    Katie scoffed, her lips twisting with contempt, ¡°Tough talk. I¡¯d love to see you try. Just remember, prison isn¡¯t a pleasant ce to grow old.¡± Augh came from Thea. ¡°We might even pay you a visit behind bars ¡ª if we¡¯re in a good mood!¡±

    Christina¡¯s original n had been simple: dismiss ude and the senior sales assistant. But after their stunt, cklisting them from the entire industry seemed only fair. As for Katie and Thea¡­ A steely glint flickered in her eyes, cold and calcting.

    Christina smirked. Right now, Katie, Thea, ude, and the senior sales assistant had already been poisoned. As night descended and sleep imed them, the symptoms would begin to creep in. This toxin was never meant to be lethal. Its purpose was pure torment¡ªa maddening itch would spread across their lips, impossible to soothe or scratch. They¡¯d find no relief, wing at a sensation buried deep within skin and bone, a restlessness that would gnaw at their nerves. Each night would be an ordeal, rest stolen by the incessant agony.

    The misery would linger for five days and then vanish without a trace, leaving them with no evidence of what had caused it.

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    Christina¡¯s concoctions had always been of various kinds¡ªthey could heal or simply make someone beg for mercy. Had these people not gone out of their way to insult Chloe, she might have spared them entirely. With her abilities, she could have delivered a physical blow with ease, but she¡¯d purposely held back, orchestrating their suffering without arousing suspicion.

    Christina¡¯s fingers danced over her phone as she quietly sent a message.

    Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, William Addams¡ªthe CEO of this very luxury brand¡ªwas deep in an important meeting when the alert shed across his screen.

    His assistant tapped on the door, entering with William¡¯s device in hand. A sh of annoyance passed over William¡¯s face, his demeanor cold andmanding as he nced up. A single look from him made it clear¡ªthis interruption had better be for something critical.

    His assistant hurried forward and lowered her voice. ¡°Mr. Addams, you¡¯ve got a message from Miss Jones.¡±

    William instantly reached for his phone, the hardness in his eyes melting away, reced by unmistakable respect. For a moment, the device seemed almost precious in his hands. He didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Meeting adjourned,¡± he said, rising and heading out of the conference room with the phone clutched tightly.

    Around the table, the meeting¡¯s attendees traded confused nces and soon began murmuring among themselves.

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 Chapter 167

    ?Chapter 167:

    ¡°Wow, who could message Mr. Addams and get a reaction like that?¡±

    ¡°Is it possible he¡¯s dating someone?¡±

    ¡°Has he even got a girlfriend? I haven¡¯t heard a thing.¡±

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s something to do with his family?¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem likely, maybe it¡¯s about thepany?¡±

    Meanwhile, though the police still hadn¡¯t arrived, the luxury brand¡¯s manager¡ªBrad Cohen, ude¡¯s superior¡ªcame rushing in, short of breath. He¡¯d happened to be close by, so his arrival was prompt and harried. Sweat poured down Brad¡¯s face as he paused to dab his forehead before making his way inside. A heavy sense of urgency drove him. After all, someone inside the store had reached all the way to the brand¡¯s CEO, who then called him. Whoever it was must wield enormous influence.

    And so, Brad knew¡ªthis was one customer he absolutely could not afford to upset.

    Brad knew that if this matter wasn¡¯t handled properly, he might as well hand in his resignation. The entire upper management team at the Dorfield store might even face an overhaul if things went wrong. Wiping the cold sweat off his forehead, he stepped into the store, his nerves apparent.

    Those who were waiting for the police immediately noticed him.

    Brad¡¯s eyes scanned the room andnded on Thea and Katie. William had been very clear that the important guest¡¯sst name was Jones. So, these two couldn¡¯t be her. But he wondered if they were connected somehow.

    ude and the senior sales assistant stiffened at Brad¡¯s abrupt arrival, their hearts racing.

    ¡°Mr. Cohen, what brings you here?¡± ude asked, approaching with an overly deferential smile.

    Brad¡¯s anger red at the sight of that ingratiating grin. Did ude not understand the seriousness of this situation? If this mess wasn¡¯t handled neatly, they¡¯d all lose their jobs. Yet, ude was smiling like nothing was wrong.

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    ¡°I happened to be passing by and heard there was somemotion,¡± Brad said coldly. ¡°So I came to see for myself.¡± His gaze locked on ude, sharp and unforgiving. ¡°How are you running this store, letting this chaos happen?¡±

    If William hadn¡¯t forbidden him from approaching Miss Jones, Brad would have done so. William had insisted that Miss Jones was extremely discreet and her identity must remain confidential. If she got upset, even William could face problems.

    Brad felt like a cat on a hot tin roof, anxious and unsure of how to fix the situation without upsetting Miss Jones.

    ude lowered his head, speaking quietly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. This is my fault. Someone tried to use a stolen exclusive VIP card to make a purchase. We caught her in the act, and we¡¯re waiting for the police to arrive now.¡±

    The moment ude finished exining, Christina burst outughing.

    ¡°Really? You just ept whatever baseless usation someone throws around? Owning an exclusive VIP card signifies a distinguished status. There¡¯s no way such a prized possession could be stolen so effortlessly. Even if a thief managed to steal it, it would be discovered almost instantly. Anyway, it wouldn¡¯t require you to involve the police. Those reckless enough to steal it always pay a heavy price.¡±

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 Chapter 168

    ?Chapter 168:

    Except, of course, for Christina herself¡ªthe unrivaled master of theft. If she wanted to swipe something, it happened so smoothly that no one ever noticed, and catching her was impossible.

    Brad¡¯s eyes flicked over to her, and he stered an ingratiating smile. ¡°Do you actually have an exclusive ck card?¡± he asked cautiously.

    ¡°Naturally.¡± Christina disyed the card again, holding it up confidently. ¡°If you doubt me, go ahead and verify it.¡±

    ¡°N-no need.¡± Brad quickly waved his hand, clearly not daring to question her further. The thought that she might be the Miss Jones William mentioned sent a jolt of worry through him¡ªa mistake here could ruin everything.

    Brad was just about to discreetly ask about her connection to Thea and Katie when Thea¡¯s sharp voice cut through the tension. ¡°How can you not verify it? What kind of manager are you? Do you just believe her every word?¡±

    Brad had a suspicion and smiled at her. ¡°Is it you who had the conflict with thisdy?¡±

    Thea held her chin up, her words dripping with self-righteousness. ¡°She stole someone else¡¯s VIP card, used it to buy a designer bag, and intended to flip it for profit. On top of that, she tried to fire an innocent sales assistant. I was only trying to uphold justice.¡±

    Brad chuckled. ¡°Without solid evidence, your usations won¡¯t stand. Be careful¡ªmaking baseless ims can backfire legally.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Thea shot him a fierce re. ¡°Are you defending her?¡±

    Before Brad could respond, Katie stepped in impatiently and pointed at Christina. ¡°Mr. Cohen, quit wasting time! Get security to catch this thief¡ªChristina Jones¡ªbefore she slips away. If the police arrive and she¡¯s gone, you¡¯ll be the one to me.¡±

    A wave of appreciation for Katie swept over Brad, even if it surprised him. Her words had given him just the insight he needed to recognize the Miss Jones William mentioned, all without upsetting Miss Jones in the midst.

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    Shifting his attention to Christina, Brad¡¯s entire demeanor changed. His smile became genuine, warm. ¡°Miss Jones, is there anything you¡¯d like to see improved in our store?¡±

    Confusion spread through the onlookers. Whispers rippled across the room as people tried to make sense of his sudden interest in Christina¡¯s opinion.

    Katie could hardly believe she was being ignored. Outrage made her voice rise above the murmurs. ¡°You should be asking for advice from us! Why waste your time on a thief?¡±

    Thea, scowling, tried to intimidate Brad. ¡°Keep this up, and you can kiss your job goodbye!¡±

    Brad paid them no mind, ignoring their anger as if they were invisible. His gaze never left Christina, and a steady smile lingered on his face. He studied every detail of her features, determined to remember her, knowing how important it was not to offend her in the future. After all, even the brand¡¯s CEO, William, would think twice before crossing her. Treading carefully around her seemed the right thing to do. For someone of Christina¡¯s stature, holding an exclusive ck card seemed only natural.

    Christina said without a moment¡¯s pause, pointing at ude and the senior sales assistant, ¡°Here¡¯s what I think: fire them and make sure they never work in luxury retail again.¡±

    Faces nched instantly, ude and the senior sales assistant, looking as though their fate was sealed then and there.

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 Chapter 169

    ?Chapter 169:

    ¡°Absolutely. Your request will be honored,¡± Brad replied quickly, his tone showing nothing but respect.

    Shock rippled through the store as they realized Brad was taking Christina¡¯s words asw.

    ¡°One more thing,¡± Christina added, her tone gentle but her authority unmistakable.

    Brad leaned forward, eager to carry out whatever came next. ¡°I¡¯m listening,¡± he said with sincere deference.

    One simple gesture from Christina set the wheels in motion. She lifted her hand and pointed at Valerie. ¡°Train her to be the store manager.¡± A jolt ran through Valerie as the words sank in, her chest tightening with disbelief. Gradually, excitement flooded in, and she waited anxiously, her eyes locked on Brad for any hint of confirmation.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make it my mission to help her excel as manager. You have my word,¡± Brad said without a hint of hesitation, his voice full of confidence.

    For a long moment, Valerie was lost for words. Everything felt surreal, as if she¡¯d stepped into someone else¡¯s dream. She had thought it would be just like thest time, stepping in to lend a hand and somehow ending up in trouble herself. But today had proved her thoughts wrong. Instead of trouble, she¡¯d earned an incredible chance. This chance might mean little to others, but to her, it meant the world. Tears threatened to spill as Valerie looked at Christina, gratitude shining in her gaze. Memories of her past hardship made her silently vow never to forget her benefactor. No matter what it took, she¡¯d repay Christina¡¯s kindness, even at great personal risk. Christina hadn¡¯t just changed her fate. Christina¡¯s intervention had given her entire family hope for a new beginning. Appreciation surged within her¡ªhow could she possibly feel otherwise?

    ¡°Alright,¡± Christina said with a nod. ¡°From now on, make sure you carefully check each employee¡¯s background and integrity. That¡¯s it. I have nothing else to add.¡±

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    ¡°Got it,¡± Brad replied, turning his gaze to Valerie. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be showing your gratitude to Miss Jones?¡±

    ¡°Oh!¡± Valerie snapped back to reality. She dabbed at her cheeks and then stepped forward, her voice trembling with emotion. ¡°Thank you, Miss Jones. You¡¯ve done more for me than I ever imagined. If there¡¯s ever anything you need¡ªanything at all¡ªI¡¯ll be there for you.¡± Nothing would keep her from honoring that promise, no matter how hard it might be.

    ¡°You earned this. Had you not stood up for what¡¯s right, I wouldn¡¯t have intervened. Work hard and prove yourself,¡± Christina replied, her voice steady yet gentle.

    Valerie straightened up, determination in her eyes. ¡°I will!¡±

    Just then, a sharp interruption cut through the room when the doors swung open. Two officers in uniform marched inside, their stern expressions scanning everyone as one of them asked, ¡°Who called the police?¡±

    Before anyone could speak, Brad stepped up to the police. ¡°One of our employees called, but it was a misunderstanding. Everything¡¯s been settled now. I¡¯m truly sorry for the trouble.¡±

    Brad bowed deeply, apologizing again and again. The officers¡¯ stern expressions softened. ¡°As long as it¡¯s resolved,¡± one of them said, and with that, they left.

    Christina turned to Brad, frowning as she pointed at Katie and Thea. ¡°Remove them. They¡¯re ruining my shopping mood.¡±

    ¡°Consider it done.¡± Without hesitation, Brad walked over to Thea. He gave a polite gesture. ¡°Miss Reed, I¡¯m sorry. Please leave.¡±

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 Chapter 170

    ?Chapter 170:

    His tone stayed respectful¡ªhe knew the weight of the Reed and Dawson family names. But anyone with sense from those families would know better than to cross Christina.

    ¡°You¡¯ll regret this!¡± Thea snapped, shooting daggers at him with her eyes.

    Katie followed suit, voice sharp. ¡°You¡¯ll regret taking her side! That ck card of hers can¡¯t be real!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not your concern. Please leave.¡± Brad remained calm, smiling as he gave another polite bow.

    ¡°You¡ª¡± Katie was too angry to finish her sentence.

    When Thea stormed off, Katie scowled and ran after her. ¡°Thea! Wait up!¡±

    As the two disappeared, Brad turned to ude and the senior sales assistant. ¡°You¡¯re both fired. Leave now.¡±

    ude dropped to his knees in front of Christina. ¡°Miss Jones, please, have mercy! Just forgive me. This error won¡¯t happen again!¡±

    The senior sales assistant dropped to her knees and crawled forward, trying to grab Christina¡¯s pant leg, but Christina stepped aside. Her hand caught only air, but she kept begging through tears. ¡°Miss Jones, please don¡¯t cklist us in the industry! We ept being fired, but cklisting us is too much!¡±

    ude also forced out tears. ¡°Yes, we ept being dismissed. Just don¡¯t go that far¡­ please¡­¡±

    Christina looked down at them, face cold as ice. ¡°I gave you a chance. You wasted it.¡± She tilted her head slightly, lips curled with the hint of a smirk. ¡°Everyone pays for their mistakes. This is your bill.¡±

    Realizing their pleas were useless, ude and the senior sales assistant dropped their pleading demeanor instantly, reced by eyes dripping with malice.

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    ude rose to his feet abruptly, ring at Christina. ¡°Are you really going to push us to the brink? Aren¡¯t you afraid of karma?¡±

    ¡°Karma?¡± Christina raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. ¡°I¡¯m just serving what you served. If karmaes, it¡¯ll find you first.¡±

    The senior sales assistant snarled, ¡°You slut! Who knows how many old men you¡¯ve slept with just to get that pathetic ck card? What¡¯s so special about it?¡±

    ¡°At least I have a ck card,¡± Christina said with augh, waving the card slowly. ¡°Do you?¡±

    ¡°Disgusting! Only shameless women like you would make out with old men for financial gains! Aren¡¯t you afraid they¡¯ll drop dead on you?¡± the senior sales assistant shouted bitterly.

    ude jumped in, his face twisted with anger. ¡°A ck card bought with your body¡ªthat¡¯s your pride? Pathetic!¡±

    ude¡¯s venom and the senior sales assistant¡¯s baseless usations could have ignited anyone¡¯s temper.

    But Christina? She stood untouched¡ªher smile unwavering, her eyes brimming with a serene poise that seemed to brush their insults aside like dust. With the elegance of someone fully in control, she cast her gaze downward and asked, smooth as silk, ¡°Is that so?¡±

    Both ude and the senior sales assistant blinked in confusion. ¡°What do you mean?¡± they asked, thrown off by herposure.

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 Chapter 171

    ?Chapter 171:

    Christina tilted her head slightly, her smile deepening. ¡°I mean, you¡¯re just jealous.¡±

    ude scoffed, his voice a sharp de. ¡°Jealous? Of you? You¡¯re just some cheap whore! What¡¯s there to be jealous of?¡±

    The senior sales assistant quickly followed, her words equally crude. ¡°Exactly. At best, you¡¯re a mistress. But everyone knows the truth¡ªyou¡¯re just a disgusting prostitute.¡±

    Christina¡¯s expression didn¡¯t falter. She simply raised a finger and pointed at ude. ¡°You once tried to be someone¡¯s boy toy. You pitched yourself to a wealthy boss¡ªremember? But your charm didn¡¯t make the cut. She passed.¡±

    Color rushed into ude¡¯s face. ¡°Lies! That¡¯s a filthy lie!¡±

    ¡°Is it?¡± Christina asked with a lightugh. ¡°Shall I ring up Ms. Carter? Should I say her full name for the room to hear?¡±

    ude opened his mouth, but no words came.

    ¡°I still have the video you sent her,¡± Christina added, her voice almost yful. ¡°Your private audition, remember?¡±

    Silence swallowed the room. ude dropped his gaze, every trace of defiance gone. He didn¡¯t dare meet her eyes now¡ªnot with the threat of that video looming. What unnerved him most wasn¡¯t just that she knew¡ªit was how she knew. That incident had been buried in the past. Or so he thought.

    As ude stood mute, the senior sales assistant broke the silence, her voice pitched in disbelief. ¡°Mr. Palmer, really? You¡¯re letting her rattle you? She¡¯s obviously making things up¡ªtrying to frame you!¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten about you.¡± Christina turned toward the senior sales assistant with a slow, deliberate grace. ¡°Remember that delivery you made not long ago? To that morous estate on the west side? You weren¡¯t just dropping off packages¡ªyou were busy seducing the husband of that wealthydy. He promised you a hillside vi, didn¡¯t he? And youughed behind the wealthydy¡¯s back, calling her a withered has-been. Said she couldn¡¯t keep up with you¡ªin or out of the bedroom.¡±

    The senior sales assistant flinched, lips quivering, breath caught in her throat. ¡°How¡­ how do you know that?¡± she muttered under her breath. Fear shimmered in her eyes now¡ªraw and real. Who was this woman? Had she peeled open their livesyer byyer beforehand?

    Find it at g?a??????¦Í????s.???????

    ¡°The truth has a nasty habit of crawling out, no matter how deep you bury it.¡± Christina let out a quiet, almost mocking chuckle. ¡°You used me without a shred of proof. But me? I¡¯ve got evidence. I don¡¯t invent stories¡ªI expose them. And I kind of tend to spread these juicy stories.¡±

    Christina had done her homework. ude and the senior sales assistant weren¡¯t exactly masters of discretion, and she had stumbled upon more than enough to weaponize. If they¡¯d simply walked away and kept their mouths shut, she might¡¯ve let it go. But they chose to push her¡ªso now, they¡¯d feel the sting of their own recklessness. They yed dirty. She wouldn¡¯t y nice. She had extended grace, more than once. But they had stomped on every opportunity she offered. Now, they had only themselves to me.

    ¡°You¡¯re just making things up!¡± the senior sales assistant snapped. ¡°Keep this up and I¡¯ll take you to court! Apologize now, and maybe¡ªmaybe¡ªI¡¯ll drop it.¡±

    Christina sighed, almost with pity. ¡°There it is again. That tragic inability to recognize a chance when it¡¯s handed to you.¡± She tilted her head. ¡°You¡¯re really going to make me put the evidence on the table, aren¡¯t you?¡±

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 Chapter 172

    ?Chapter 172:

    The senior sales assistant sneered, clinging to arrogance like a crumbling shield. ¡°Go ahead! Let¡¯s see this so-called evidence!¡±

    Christina gave a slow, deliberate p. Her smile never reached her eyes. ¡°Impressive. You¡¯re bold¡ªI¡¯ll give you that,¡± she said. ¡°But this¡­ this is your final chance.¡±

    Watching that Christina didn¡¯t immediately present any proof, the senior sales assistant felt her nerves rx ever so slightly. Relief flickered across her face as she convinced herself she¡¯d guessed right about Christina¡¯sck of evidence. Chances were that Christina had merely picked up a bit of gossip¡ªsurely she had nothing substantial.

    ¡°That wealthydy was right in the thick of it,¡± Christina said, a yful smile appearing on her lips and amusement coloring her voice.

    Her statement sent a ripple of conversation through the crowd. Interest peaked among the onlookers.

    ¡°Things are getting wild. Never imagined I¡¯d catch this juicy gossip.¡±

    ¡°Who would have guessed that the saleswoman is a mistress? Yuck! She delivered a handbag to me justst week.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s hardly young herself. Calling her client old behind her client¡¯s back¡ªshe¡¯s got some nerve.¡±

    ¡°Imagine dropping thousands on handbags, only for that tramp to set her sights on your husband and make out with him behind your back. Talk about bad luck!¡±

    ¡°Ugh! I bought bags from her too. The thought that my purchase helped someone like her get amission makes me sick!¡±

    Fear gnawed at the senior sales assistant, who desperately tried not to look at the wealthydy in question. Sweaty palms twisted together, her thoughts raced in panic. Absolutely not! She had to leave this ce right away! Making for the exit seemed like her only hope.

    Christina, however, had no intention of allowing an easy escape. Responsibility had finallye knocking¡ªthis was what the senior sales assistant had brought on herself.

    ?????????????? ????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í??????£®??????

    In a sh, Christina caught the senior sales assistant by the wrist, leaving her shocked and scrambling to get free.

    ¡°Let go! Let go of me!¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this what you were after? I¡¯m just helping you get what you wanted,¡± Christina retorted, her voice icy andced with mockery.

    Pure terror drained the color from the senior sales assistant¡¯s cheeks, but no amount of struggling freed her. Desperation made her try to bite Christina¡¯s hand.

    That effort failed as Christina yanked her arm away, avoiding the bite entirely. A quick twist sent the senior sales assistant stumbling aside,nding her out of reach.

    A calm, unwavering voice rang out from Christina. ¡°Mrs. Frazier, you¡¯ve spent years supporting this woman¡ªpiling upmissions with every purchase¡ªyet she¡¯s been sneaking around with your husband behind your back.¡±

    Color drained from the senior sales assistant¡¯s cheeks, leaving her looking ashen. Desperate, she shook her head, hoping Leona Frazier wouldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°Please, that¡¯s not true! She¡¯s framing me!¡± she hastily said, her voice trembling as she knew exactly what fate awaited the mistresses of Leona¡¯s husband, Clifford Frazier. No mercy ever came for those women¡ªjust years of misery.

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 Chapter 173

    ?Chapter 173:

    Trust shattered inside Leona as the truth unfolded so publicly. Humiliation and betrayal fanned the mes of her fury, making her seethe. She had always backed the senior sales assistant¡¯s efforts, and even on days when she had no intention of making a purchase, she found a way to lend support just to help out. Whenever the mood struck her, she would surprise the senior sales assistant with luxury items¡ªsometimes jewelry, sometimes designer clothes, or even high-end handbags. Discovering she had been pampering a traitor left her feeling sick.

    Without warning, Leona¡¯s anger erupted. She strode over and delivered a ringing p, snapping the senior sales assistant¡¯s head to one side. Sophistication and grace defined Leona, age never seeming to dull her radiance. Anyone seeing her would guess she was decades younger. Yet all the skincare in the world could not restore lost years.

    ¡°Mrs. Frazier, please! I¡¯ve been loyal to you! I swear, I would never do something like this!¡± the senior sales assistant said, reaching out desperately as her voice grew louder.

    ¡°You heard her say there¡¯s evidence. If there¡¯s proof, then you¡¯re still lying! How dare you protest? You¡¯re nothing but a traitor!¡± Leona¡¯s re was sharp as a knife, her fury spilling over as she kicked the senior sales assistant and knocked her to the floor.

    Wails of despair filled the store as the senior sales assistant hit the floor, sobbing for mercy. Tears streamed down her face as she doubted that Christina might actually have proof.

    ¡°Mrs. Frazier, please, don¡¯t let yourself be taken in by this woman¡¯s lies.¡±

    Pointing at Christina, the senior sales assistant continued, ¡°Just look at her¡ªshe¡¯s far more attractive than I am. She¡¯s probably the real mistress here. How else could she have gotten her hands on that exclusive ck card? Maybe many of your husbands have already fallen for her! You can¡¯t let yourself be fooled by someone like her. Mrs. Frazier, she¡¯s just trying to turn us against each other so you won¡¯t have any allies against her. I beg you, don¡¯t trust a word she says.¡±

    Christina hadn¡¯t expected the audacity¡ªthe senior sales assistant still had the nerve to nder her? Bold. And foolish.

    Explore fantastic tales on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s; ?¦Ïm

    Christina said, her voice cold and clear as she gazed at the senior sales assistant, ¡°I don¡¯t have Mr. Frazier¡¯s number, but you do, along with a trail of flirtatious messages and damning evidence. Sure, maybe he deleted them, but I¡¯d bet good money you didn¡¯t. After all, if the wedding doesn¡¯t happen, you¡¯ll need something to hold over him, right?¡±

    Christina turned to Leona with a pointed look. ¡°Check her phone. It¡¯ll all be there. And if she refuses? Well, that says more than enough. Wouldn¡¯t you agree, Mrs. Frazier?¡±

    Leona didn¡¯t hesitate and held out her hand toward the senior sales assistant. ¡°Give me your phone. Now.¡±

    The senior sales assistant flinched, panic shing across her face. ¡°I didn¡¯t bring it.¡±

    Leona¡¯s eyes narrowed, her voice rising with fury. ¡°Don¡¯t insult my intelligence. You use your phone every day to chase clients and pad your numbers. You expect me to believe you left it behind?¡±

    Leona was pissed off. Did this saleswoman take her for a fool? She might not be young anymore, but senile? Not even close.

    ¡°I¡ªI¡¯ll show you my phone, I swear, but my stomach¡ªit really hurts¡ªI need to use the restroom¡ª¡±

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 Chapter 174

    ?Chapter 174:

    The senior sales assistant didn¡¯t get to finish. The sharp crack of a p silenced the room.

    Leona¡¯s eyes zed with fury, her voice cutting through the room like a de. ¡°You still think you can fool me? Do I look like an idiot to you?¡± She stepped forward, her re unrelenting. ¡°Hand over your phone. Right now. If there¡¯s nothing incriminating, I¡¯ll apologize in front of everyone¡ªand I¡¯ll even give you a house aspensation.¡±

    The senior sales assistant¡¯s jaw clenched, her teeth digging into her lip. But she didn¡¯t move. She couldn¡¯t. The messages between her and Clifford were still there. Their exchanges weren¡¯t just explicit¡ªthey were dripping with contempt for Leona. She¡¯d mocked Leona in the worst ways and said things far crueler than what Christina had hinted at. If those messages were seen, it wouldn¡¯t just ruin her career¡ªit might destroy her.

    The senior sales assistant¡¯s hands trembled, her eyes darting around the room like a trapped animal searching for an escape. Then, suddenly, she bolted. Rushing toward the entrance, she let out a desperate, theatrical scream. ¡°Help! Someone help me! They¡¯re attacking me!¡±

    Gasps rose in the room, but Leona didn¡¯t chase after the senior sales assistant. She didn¡¯t need to. Everything was clear now. The panic, the refusal, the shameless performance¡ªit all pointed to one undeniable truth. That saleswoman must have really had an affair with her husband. The weight of betrayal struck Leona like a physical blow. She swayed as her knees buckled, and her vision blurred at the edges.

    Christina reached out just in time, steadying Leona before she could copse. ¡°Easy now, Mrs. Frazier,¡± she said gently.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Leona murmured, clinging to Christina¡¯s arm with more than just physical support¡ªthere was genuine gratitude in her eyes.

    Moments ago, Leona had nearly defended that vile saleswoman. If not for Christina, who had intervened, she might have wrongly turned on Christina. The weight of that near-mistake pressed heavily on her chest, like a stone.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s is where your journey begins

    ¡°I¡¯m grateful, Miss Jones,¡± Leona said earnestly. ¡°You¡¯ve helped me see certain people¡¯s true colors today. If you ever need anything¡ªanything at all¡ªjust say the word.¡±

    Christina smiled. ¡°Right now, the best thing you can do is go home and take care of your household matters. You may not be able to win your husband¡¯s heart back¡ªbut don¡¯t let go of your wealth.¡±

    The words hit like a quiet thunderp. Leona exhaled. At her age, if divorce had been an option, she would have taken it years ago. She knew she couldn¡¯t control her husband¡¯s wandering heart, but Christina was right¡ªshe could certainly control the purse strings. For herself. And for her children.

    ¡°Thank you for the advice,¡± Leona said softly, looking at Christina with newfound respect.

    Christina smiled. ¡°And take care of your health, Mrs. Frazier. That¡¯s your greatest asset, after all.¡±

    It sounded like a casual remark, almost too casual. But something about the way Christina said it¡ªthe glint in her eyes, the subtle weight in her tone¡ªmade Leona stiffen. She felt as if Christina¡¯s clear and sharp gaze had seen through something.

    Lately, Leona had been constantly tired, brushing it off as stress, poor sleep, and age. But now, unease prickled along her spine. She couldn¡¯t ignore it. Not anymore. If she didn¡¯t get an answer, she feared she wouldn¡¯t find any peace tonight.

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 Chapter 175

    ?Chapter 175:

    ¡°Miss Jones, I take it that you¡¯ve noticed something is wrong with me? Do you have any experience with medicine?¡± Leona asked quietly.

    ¡°Absolutely. A veterinarian is just as much a doctor as anyone else,¡± Christina said, a softugh slipping from her lips.

    Leona smiled, thinking Christina was merely joking. ¡°You certainly have a sense of humor.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not kidding¡ªI practice veterinary medicine, and I have the license to prove it,¡± Christina replied, her expression turning solemn as her smile faded.

    A flicker of awkwardness crossed Leona¡¯s face, but she didn¡¯t think Christina was ying her. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she sincerely asked, ¡°Miss Jones, have you sensed something? I trust your judgment.¡±

    ¡°Make an appointment at the hospital for a full examination¡ªand be mindful of everything you eat and drink,¡± Christina replied, her words measured yet straightforward.

    Christina had picked up on a faint trace of poison clinging to Leona, a hidden odor that no one else seemed to notice. Had Leona not stood so near, even Christina might have missed it, which meant the poisoning hadn¡¯t reached a dangerous stage yet.

    Christina understood medicine and toxins equally well, fully aware that with the right skill and dosage, a substance could heal just as easily as it could cause harm.

    Leona initially assumed Christina was simply worried about routine health concerns. The mention of being careful with food and drink, however, jolted her. Eyes wide, she struggled to process the grave danger. A terrible suspicion crept in. Was someone targeting her? Her voice unsteady, Leona sought a clear answer. ¡°Are you suggesting¡­?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Get screened for toxins and be wary of those around you,¡± Christina leaned in close and whispered. Whoever was slipping poison to Leona had to be someone she counted onpletely. When it came to the culprit¡¯s identity, that was a mystery only Leona could solve.

    R?????? f????m ???????? ?t g???????¦Í?????????????

    Christina knew her responsibility ended with the warning. She wasn¡¯t about to involve herself in Leona¡¯s family matters. If Leonacked the resolve to handle it, it wasn¡¯t her concern.

    Love, after all, could make even the sharpest woman blind to danger, regardless of age. Some women managed to save themselves from their troubles. Others waded in willingly, or chose to remain lost in denial.

    Leona¡¯s color drained, her fists curling slowly as dread settled over her. Could it be the person she suspected? After enduring for years, this was what she got?

    Steely resolve glimmered in Leona¡¯s eyes, even as heartbreak lingered beneath the surface. Refusing to endure any more betrayal, she made up her mind to fight for herself atst.

    Years of surviving as Clifford¡¯s wife had taught her more than enough strategy. Compassion had always been her weakness, leaving her unable to act with the necessary ruthlessness. Countless sacrifices from her family had kept her husband¡¯s name afloat when everything else had failed. Now that kindness had been repaid with cruelty, she saw no reason to continue being the bigger person.

    ¡°I understand, Miss Jones. Thank you. I owe you a debt of gratitude,¡± Leona said, a sense of calm washing over her.

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 Chapter 176

    ?Chapter 176:

    ¡°Make the hospital your first stop,¡± Christina said, her voice gentle yet unwavering.

    Leona answered with a simple nod. ¡°I will.¡±

    Soon after Leona¡¯s departure, Valerie pushed Chloe¡¯s wheelchair forward and stepped closer to Christina, her voice thick with gratitude as she offered thanks again and again.

    ¡°Don¡¯t waste this chance Christina¡¯s given you. Give it everything you¡¯ve got,¡± Chloe said, her smile warm and full of support. Valerie nodded vigorously. ¡°I will give it my all!¡±

    A spark of curiosity prompted Chloe¡¯s next question. ¡°What were you and thatdy talking about, Christina?¡± Distance had kept her from catching the conversation.

    ¡°Oh, Mrs. Frazier was just saying her housents had gotten a bit wild and needed some trimming,¡± Christina replied poignantly.

    ¡°Oh,¡± Chloe responded, missing the point entirely, her expression the picture of innocence. ¡°Leona is truly something else! I can¡¯t even keep a cactus healthy.¡±

    A sly smile tugged at Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°Certain things have a way of being prickly¡­¡±

    Before anyone noticed, Christina slipped the exclusive ck card back into Chloe¡¯s hand. Earlier, Chloe had secretly handed it to her. From then on, Brad stuck by their side, eager to impress and share everything he knew about thepany¡¯s long, storied past.

    Suddenly, a security guard rushed in, breathless and shouting, ¡°Mr. Cohen! There¡¯s an emergency!¡±

    Brad had just beenvishing attention on Christina and Chloe when a sudden, frantic cry from a security guard cut through the atmosphere. His expression tightened immediately. What could possibly warrant such panic?

    ¡°Excuse me for just a moment,¡± Brad said to Christina and Chloe before pulling the guard aside and lowering his voice. ¡°What¡¯s happened?¡±

    ?????????????????? ?????????? at g????????¦Í????.??0m

    The guard wasted no time. ¡°Miss Jones¡¯ car got smashed!¡±

    A wave of shock hit Brad, nearly making him lose his bnce. ¡°Are you certain it was her car?¡±

    ¡°Without a doubt! That cute Mini car stood out among all the Rolls and Bentleys. Plus, security footage shows Miss Jones parking it herself,¡± the guard exined breathlessly.

    Brad asked, ¡°Was it parked in the INQ lot?¡±

    ¡°Yes! And we¡¯ve already detained the culprits,¡± the guard replied quickly.

    ¡°Who in their right mind would dare wreck a car in INQ¡¯s lot? Are they begging for trouble?¡± Brad could hardly believe it. Everyone in the city knew INQ belonged to the Scott family. Trashing a car parked in the INQ lot was the same as spitting in the Scotts¡¯ faces. Whoever pulled this stunt must have a death wish.

    ¡°Beats me,¡± the guard replied, just as bewildered as anyone could be. Brad waved the guard away and made a beeline for Christina. ¡°What happened?¡±

    Chloe¡¯s head turned in every direction, her sightless eyes searching for the source of Brad¡¯s voice.

    ¡°Miss Jones, your car¡­ It¡¯s been vandalized,¡± Brad said cautiously. Although he bore no me, a wave of unease swept over him as he dreaded that Christina would hold him responsible.

    Chloe jolted upright, shock etched across her face. ¡°The car was wrecked? Who did it? Do they have a death wish? The nerve of pulling this at INQ!¡±

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 Chapter 177

    ?Chapter 177:

    Chloe couldn¡¯t process this. That Mini car was no ordinary ride¡ªit was a precious gift from her brother to Christina. Whoever did this had nerves of steel or a death wish.

    Each INQ branch across the country had been handed to Chloe by her parents. It wasn¡¯t just a chain of stores¡ªit was the Scott family¡¯s way of showing just how much she meant to them. And now, unbelievably, someone had the audacity to stir up trouble on her turf.

    Brad didn¡¯t waste a second. ¡°Security has already apprehended the two responsible,¡± he said, his words tumbling out in haste.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go take a look first,¡± Christina said, her voice hiding the storm of anger building underneath.

    ¡°Let me help you with that, Miss Jones,¡± Brad suggested, stepping forward to take charge of the wheelchair Christina guided. Christina nodded her thanks. ¡°I appreciate it.¡±

    Her unexpected politeness threw Brad off. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. It¡¯s the least I can do.¡±

    Waving Valerie over, Brad instructed her to gather up their shopping bags before ushering the entire group toward the exit.

    At the Scott Group¡¯s regional office, Edwin Green, Dn¡¯s secretary, walked into the CEO¡¯s office and quietly ced a file on the desk.

    ¡°Mr. Scott,¡± he called out.

    Dn nced up, eyes cold as steel, the sharp edge in his stare unmistakable. ¡°What is it?¡±

    Edwin¡¯s tone was grave. ¡°Just got word¡ªMiss Jones¡¯ car was vandalized in INQ¡¯s parking lot.¡±

    Dn froze. In an instant, the air in the office turned cold. His dark eyes turned cial, devoid of any warmth. Fingers clenched tight around his pen, knuckles straining as if he might snap it in half.

    Full cont3nt h3re: g??lnovels.??????

    Edwin couldn¡¯t help but shiver. One nce at Dn¡¯s stormy face already told him what fate awaited those idiots who had messed with the Mini car. Dn rarely looked this deadly, but when he did, the ones responsible always ended up regretting it. There was no mistaking it¡ªChristina meant more to Dn than he ever let on.

    ¡°Did Christina get hurt?¡± Dn asked, a subtle furrow cutting across his brow.

    ¡°She¡¯s fine,¡± Edwin replied. ¡°Security nabbed the vandals¡ªtwo men. They went straight for her car, but it¡¯s obvious they¡¯re just the hired hands. Both are keeping their mouths shut. We haven¡¯t managed to get a word out of them.¡±

    A quiet breath left Dn, tension easing only a fraction with the news that Christina was unharmed. But as he thought of the very first car he¡¯d gifted her being wrecked, his eyes darkened dangerously. His next words were cold and absolute. ¡°Get to the bottom of this¡ªimmediately.¡±

    ¡°Understood!¡± With a crisp bow, Edwin made his exit from Dn¡¯s office.

    Beneath the bright lights of the INQ parking lot, Christina stood in silence. What had once been her favorite car nowy twisted and mangled, the sight stirring anger in her usually unreadable eyes. Luxury vehicles filled her garages, but no other car had meant quite so much¡ªthis one was special because it was a heartfelt gift. Had it been any other high-end ride worth millions being wrecked, she wouldn¡¯t have batted an eye. But this one was different.

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 Chapter 178

    ?Chapter 178:

    ¡°Christina, how bad is the damage?¡± Chloe asked, her voice quivering with worry as she struggled to understand what was happening due to her sight issue.

    A gentle smile touched Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. We¡¯ll get it fixed.¡±

    Truthfully, the damage was nearly total¡ªwhoever had done this clearly wanted the car beyond saving. Recement would have been the easy route. Most people would have demanded payment and found a new toy.

    But not Christina. Even if she imed damages, she wouldn¡¯t swap it out¡ªthis was the first time she¡¯d ever received such a cute little gift. Teasing about deducting the car costs from her sry had only been half-serious. The sentimental value of the car was what truly mattered. A faint tremor ran through Christina¡¯s hand as she pressed her thumbnail into her finger, holding back her frustration.

    ¡°The culprits have already been turned over to the police,¡± Brad said, his voice cutting through the silence.

    The manager of INQ Mall had assured them that the mall would take full responsibility for Christina¡¯s loss, regardless of whether the culprits could afford thepensation.

    ¡°What did they say? Is there someone behind this?¡± Christina asked, her tone edged with curiosity.

    A quick shake of Brad¡¯s head followed. ¡°Nothing like that. They insisted it was just about the car¡ªthey trashed it because they hated the way it looked.¡±

    Chloe asked, ¡°Christina, do you believe someone hired them to do so?¡±

    ¡°Just a passing thought,¡± Christina replied smoothly. ¡°Let¡¯s head back now.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Chloe agreed. ¡°I would ask the driver to pick us up.¡±

    ¡°Let me give you a lift,¡± Brad suggested, his eagerness to help clear in his voice.

    epting Brad¡¯s offer without hesitation, Christina gave him a polite nod. ¡°Thank you for your kind offer. Sorry to trouble you.¡±

    A???????????? ????????: ga l no v els .co m

    ¡°No trouble at all! Really, it¡¯s an honor,¡± Brad said eagerly, grinning from ear to ear.

    With practiced enthusiasm, he escorted them to a sleek ck SUV, holding the door open with a small, respectful bow. ¡°Please.¡±

    Helping Chloe settle in, Brad made sure the wheelchair was folded and stored with care before climbing into the driver¡¯s seat.

    Rolling out of the INQ parking lot, he could hardly contain his excitement. Not only did he get to be their temporary driver, but he¡¯d also managed to get Christina¡¯s number. The thrill nearly had him pressing the gas too hard.

    ¡°If there¡¯s anything you ever need, Miss Jones, just let me know,¡± Brad said earnestly.

    Her response was short and unruffled. ¡°Alright.¡±

    Brad wasn¡¯t the least bit bothered by her aloofness¡ªif anything, he found it fitting for someone of her stature.

    When the ck SUV finally arrived at Bayview Estates, Brad watched as Chloe and Christina made their way up to a vi perched partway up the hillside. The choice of neighborhood matched everything he¡¯de to suspect¡ªChristina was a person of influence, someone who belonged in the city¡¯s upper circles.

    Only after Christina disappeared through the door did Brad pull away, feeling luckier than he had in years, Christina¡¯s contact details saved safely in his phone.

    Elsewhere, a pink convertible roared down the street, wind whipping Thea¡¯s hair. A scowl creased her face.

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 Chapter 179

    ?Chapter 179:

    ¡°You told me that woman was just your brother¡¯s useless ex. Then why does she have an exclusive ck card?¡±

    ¡°I¡ªI have no idea! She can¡¯t really own it. She must¡¯ve borrowed the card or stolen it just to show off!¡± Katie said quickly.

    Snatching off her sunsses with one hand, Thea kept the other tight on the wheel. ¡°And you¡¯re positive that car was hers?¡±

    ¡°Yes! I memorized that license te¡ªI¡¯d recognize it anywhere,¡± Katie insisted.

    An icy chuckle slipped from Thea¡¯s lips. ¡°Wrecking her car was only a warning. Next time, it won¡¯t just be the car.¡±

    Katie opened her mouth to respond, but then her eyes widened in horror. ¡°Ah¡­ Watch out!¡±

    Some thoughtless idiot had decided to park a damn truck sideways across the entire road. Sure, it wasn¡¯t exactly a high-traffic area, but one careless driver barreling through could end up in a wreck.

    Screeeeech! Thea mmed the brakes, the tires screaming in protest as the car lurched to a halt, just feet from disaster. Her breath caught in her throat. For a moment, all she felt was pure panic¡ªthen fury surged in its ce like a tidal wave.

    Beside her, Katie flinched and instinctively threw her arms up. Slowly, she peeked through her fingers, her pulse hammering in her chest, eyes wide as saucers. What kind of psycho would block the road like that? Thea was already out of the car, seething. Her heels clicked against the asphalt like war drums as she marched straight toward the truck.

    ¡°Hey! You up there!¡± she shouted, her voice sharp enough to cut ss. ¡°Are you trying to kill someone today, or are you just terminally stupid? What kind of idiot parks a truck across the whole damn road?¡±

    Her anger only escted. ¡°You got a death wish? Fine! But don¡¯t turn the rest of us into coteral damage, you reckless jackass! Or what¡ªare you an orphan with no one to mourn you if you crash and burn? Find some other ce to die in! Somewhere far away from me!¡±

    Full updat3z h3r3: g??lno¦Íels.??????

    Her tirade died mid-sentence. Her hands shot up, her face draining of all color. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.

    Katie, who had just stepped out of the sports car, frozen with her own fury ready to explode, locked eyes with a chilling sight¡ªa gun aimed squarely at Thea¡¯s head. Her breath caught. Oh no. Was this a kidnapping?

    Katie¡¯s instincts screamed for her to run. But as she turned around, she felt the cold, unmistakable press of steel against her forehead. Fear flooded through her, paralyzing her in ce. Her arms jerked into the air, her eyes widening in primal terror.

    ¡°M-mister! L-let¡¯s¡­ Let¡¯s talk, okay?¡± she stammered, her voice cracking under the weight of her fear.

    Her body trembled violently, her knees threatening to buckle. Only sheer willpower kept her upright. ¡°I-I-I¡­¡± she tried to breathe, but each gasp came out shallow and ragged. Why her? Why today? Of all the reckless adventures with Thea, why did this have to end like a horror movie?

    Tears blurred Katie¡¯s vision, pooling in the corners of her eyes. ¡°I-I didn¡¯t curse at you guys, right? P-please, don¡¯t shoot¡­ If it¡¯s money you want¡ªI have money! L-lots of it, I swear!¡± The words tumbled out, a sobced plea wrapped in panic.

    .

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 Chapter 180

    ?Chapter 180:

    Next to her, Thea was breaking. Silent tears streamed down her face as she stood frozen, her mouth mped shut in terror. ¡°I-I¡¯ve got money too,¡± she whispered finally, her voice barely audible. ¡°Please¡­ Please don¡¯t shoot¡­¡± Thea¡¯s voice trembled as she pleaded, her hands raised in surrender.

    Suddenly, a shadowy figure stepped forward¡ªd entirely in ck, his face concealed beneath a ski mask. The cold steel of his gun pressed firmly against Thea¡¯s forehead.

    ¡°Ahh!¡± Thea gasped, the scream ripping from her before she could stop it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m sorry! I shouldn¡¯t have yelled at you like that¡ªplease, don¡¯t kill me! Please!¡±

    Her panicked cry triggered Katie¡¯s own terrified yelp.

    ¡°Shut it!¡± The figure¡¯s voice cut through the chaos like a de¡ªicy, sharp, with no room for mercy.

    Both women snapped their mouths shut instantly, though tears streamed freely down their cheeks. Ransom or no ransom, the gnawing terror of death eclipsed all else. They knew too well the stories of kidnappers who took the money and still killed the hostages. They needed an escape, but their legs felt like lead. Running was impossible. Even if they could somehow flee, outrunning a bullet wasn¡¯t an option.

    ¡°L-look, my family¡¯s filthy rich! Just¡ªplease¡ªlet me go, and I swear, you can have anything you want!¡± Desperation wed at Thea¡¯s throat as she threw out her most valuable bargaining chip, her voice breaking.

    ¡°Enough with the chatter¡ªmove it! Into the car!¡± the figure shouted, waving his gun with growing irritation.

    Thea startled, fear tightening her throat. ¡°No¡ªokay! I¡¯m going! I¡¯m going!¡± she stammered.

    Desperation painted her face, tears carving fresh tracks down her cheeks as she shuffled closer to the truck.

    ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ?????????¦Í????????????

    A sharp blow from the gun barrel caught her off guard. ¡°Not that one!¡± the figure yelled, rapping her head to drive the point home.

    ¡°Please¡ªdon¡¯t shoot! Don¡¯t shoot!¡± Thea yelled, her voice breaking as panic sent her nearly to the ground.

    Trembling, Thea asked, ¡°If not that one, then where do you want me?¡±

    The figure¡¯s cold reply came quickly, ¡°Your own car.¡±

    Realization dawned, and Thea bobbed her head in frantic agreement. ¡°Right, right! I¡¯ll get in¡ªdon¡¯t shoot!¡± She scurried toward her sports car without looking back. A wild urge screamed at her to bolt, but with a gunman shadowing her and another keeping Katie under the muzzle, escape wasn¡¯t an option.

    Defeated, the two women raised their hands and climbed back into the low-slung car,pliance their only weapon.

    Once behind the wheel, Thea¡¯s mind raced¡ªshe considered mming the car in reverse and mowing these men down. It would have been a brilliant n, except fate wasn¡¯t on her side. Her car keys were somehow missing.

    A growledmand cut through the tension. ¡°Seatbelts. Now.¡±

    Both women fumbled nervously, buckling up with shaking hands. They couldn¡¯t guess what these men wanted, but for now,pliance seemed like their only hope¡ªmaybe if they stalled long enough, someone would spot the danger and intervene.

    Just as thest seatbelt clicked, one of the men snapped, ¡°Now!¡±

    At his order, several burly figures in ck masks leapt from the truck bed. Without hesitation, they started hauling down massive blue stic barrels¡ªeach one sending a new chill down Thea¡¯s and Katie¡¯s spines. What was in the barrels?

    .

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 Chapter 181

    ?Chapter 181:

    A horrible realization dawned on Katie, her face draining of color. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re not nning to burn us alive, are you?¡±

    The shock hit Thea next. ¡°Oh my god, are those¡ªare those gasoline barrels?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t! Please¡ªdon¡¯t do this!¡± Their screams echoed in the car as they fumbled frantically at their restraints¡ªuntil the cold press of gunmetal against their skulls stopped them cold. No escape.

    Tears streaming, heads shaking in frantic denial, they clung to their seatbelts, hearts thundering with terror.

    ¡°You¡¯re in it for the cash, right? I¡¯ll pay¡ªanything! Just name your price, but let me go!¡± Thea pleaded, desperation choking her words.

    Beside her, Katie¡¯s face was ghostly pale. ¡°I also have money¡ªplease, take whatever you want! Or if you need a favor, I¡¯ll do it. Just don¡¯t kill us!¡±

    But their sobbing pleas fell on deaf ears. The masked men remained stone-faced, unmoved by the fear in the car. Not even their frantic offers of cash or desperate bargaining for their bodies drew the slightest response.

    Katie and Thea trembled more violently. Could this really be their final moment? Panic had leeched every bit of color from their faces. Dread pressed down, suffocating them. All they could do was watch in paralyzed horror as the masked men wrenched open a blue barrel and hefted it toward their sports car. This had to be the end. There was no way out. Was this really how their lives would finish¡ªhere, like this?

    No, it couldn¡¯t be. Not this way!

    Then, the first wave hit¡ªliquid sttered across them.

    ¡°Ugh! Ugh¡­¡± Both women sputtered, coughing and retching. Wait¡ªthis wasn¡¯t gasoline at all!

    Earlier, caught in their terror, they hadn¡¯t even noticed the absence of fuel¡¯s sharp tang. Instead, a foul, overpowering stench crashed over them. It wasn¡¯t fire in those barrels¡ªit was sewage, thick and foul. Before the shock could even settle, the second barrel was already being dumped out, drenching them once again.

    ???????????? ???????? ????: g??????????¦Í???????.???????

    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Their bodies convulsed with dry heaves, gagging until tears pricked their eyes and everything blurred.

    Devastation etched across Thea¡¯s face as she watched her cherished sports car drown beneath waves of reeking waste. ¡°My car! Bluh¡ª¡± she eximed, but her cry was drowned out as the third barrel¡¯s contents sshed directly into her mouth. ¡°Ack! Ugh¡­¡±

    Katie was hit just as hard¡ªso violently that she identally opened her mouth and swallowed a mouthful of the vile sludge. ¡°Gaaah!¡± she gagged, choking on the foulness.

    Both Katie and Thea convulsed and retched, but their attackers showed zero mercy, relentlessly dumping barrel after barrel of putrid waste onto their heads. What kind of twisted lunatics were these? Complete maniacs¡ªall of them.

    Katie and Thea had thought they were kidnapped¡ªno, this was something far worse. They¡¯d been ambushed by a squad of sewer workers gone rogue.

    The relentless assault only ceased once thest drop of filthy sludge had been poured out.

    Thea and Katie sat frozen, too rattled even to scream, but the stench clung to them like a second skin, invading every breath¡ªno, it seeped into their pores. Disgusting beyond words. They were utterly wrecked, teetering on the edge of tears but too horrified to even sob.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 182

    ?Chapter 182:

    Just the thought of having identally swallowed that filth made them gag anew. They had no clue how long they¡¯d been vomiting when an ear-piercing honk shattered the chaos behind them.

    ¡°What the hell is wrong with you? Parked smack in the middle of the road! You wanna get yourself killed?¡±

    ¡°If you wanna die, we don¡¯t! Ugh¡ªwhat is that smell?¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­ no way¡ªthat¡¯s sewage, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Ugh¡­ You people are sick! Who the hell just stops in the middle of traffic to bathe in shit?¡±

    A few drivers crawled out of their cars, only to recoil instantly, gagging, faces twisted in pure disgust.

    The pink sports car ahead was a nightmare: sttered from bumper to roof with slimy, dripping filth. Its once-bright paintwork was barely visible beneath the stinking mess.

    But the real horror? The two women inside, drenched head to toe in sewage, the muck dripping and oozing from every inch of their clothes and hair.

    Just looking at them made stomachs churn. Nobody wanted to get close enough to catch the putrid smell that clung like a toxic cloud. With the roadpletely blocked, a line of cars piled up behind them, horns ring in frustration. Phones came out¡ªclick, click¡ªas people snapped pictures, holding their breath to avoid gagging.

    ¡°Holy crap, since when did shit be a fetish?¡±

    ¡°Drowning in literal crap. What kind of freakshow is this?¡±

    ¡°No way¡ªI¡¯m posting this. My friends have to see these ¡®shit-girls¡¯ live and in color!¡±

    ¡°Wait¡ªis that a Ferrari LaFerrari? Like, worth thirty million? What a total waste, soaking in sewage like that!¡±

    ?????????? ????????????: ?????????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°The paint¡¯s barely visible under all that muck. You think the factory will fix it? Bet it¡¯ll cost a fortune.¡±

    ¡°Looks like they were getting revenge¡­ Check it out¡ªthe wheels are gone!¡±

    Spection buzzed through the crowd, but Thea and Katie barely heard. They covered their faces desperately, silently begging no one would get a clear shot to post online. Humiliation beyond words. Not only were their wheels missing, but their phones were smashed to bits. No way to call for help. No escape.

    Thea finally crumbled, sobbing uncontrobly¡ªher charmed life shattered in an instant by this humiliating nightmare.

    Katie had been holding back¡ªsteady, strong¡ªuntil Thea¡¯s raw wails broke through her defenses. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks as she joined the chorus of grief.

    ¡°When I find out who did this, I¡¯ll skin them alive!¡± Thea screamed between sobs.

    Katie¡¯s voice dropped low, fierce with rage. ¡°Those twisted maniacs¡­ when we catch them, I¡¯ll make them beg for death.¡±

    Nothing short of savage vengeance would quell the fire raging inside them now.

    Meanwhile, inside the sleek, dimly lit CEO¡¯s office of the Scott Group¡¯s branch, ¡°Mr. Scott, it¡¯s done.¡± Edwin set a tablet down on the polished desk, its screen glowing with a damning photo of Thea and Katie, drenched in filth, broken and exposed.

    Dn lifted the device, flicking through the images with an air of cold detachment¡ªsatisfied, but not nearly enough.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 183

    ?Chapter 183:

    ¡°The mastermind is the daughter of the Reed family?¡± His dark eyes flickered with a sharp, dangerous glint.

    Edwin stood tall and answered with a respectful nod. ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s make the Reed Group¡¯s shares take a tumble.¡± Dn stared coldly, his tone clipped and emotionless, yet every syble hinted at danger.

    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Edwin straightened up. ¡°Understood, Mr. Scott. Is there anything else you need?¡±

    ¡°That will be all,¡± Dn replied curtly.

    Edwin stepped back with careful precision, his head slightly bowed as he moved away from the desk. Reaching the door, he turned to leave, quietly closing the office behind him.

    Thea had dragged her family into disaster by messing with someone Dn valued. It was predictable now¡ªtrouble was about to rain down on the Reeds. The Reed Group was doomed.

    In Bayview Estates, Christina had just ordered her staff to get to the bottom of who sent thugs to destroy her car when a sharp knock cut through her concentration.

    She tucked her phone away and went to greet whoever was at the door. Chloe appeared on the doorstep, her smile bright and full of excitement. ¡°Christina!¡±

    Chloe¡¯s eyesight had gotten a little better now. Fuzzy shapes had started to appear, but she still couldn¡¯t see everything clearly. Maybe it was just luck, maybe something more¡ªshe decided not to overthink it. Instead, she focused on making the most of every day.

    ¡°So, what¡¯s got you grinning like that? Something good happened?¡± Christina asked, running a gentle hand through Chloe¡¯s hair.

    Chloe thrust a tablet into Christina¡¯s hands, practically bouncing. ¡°You need to see this! The two women spewing harsh words from the store? They¡¯ve gone viral!¡±

    R?????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? g??????ov?????.?????

    A voice chat with Ralphy had tipped Chloe off about the juicy gossip. The moment she realized it was those two evil women, she had gotten the butler to pull up the news online before racing over to deliver the story herself.

    Christina scrolled through the articles, each headline more shocking than thest.

    Thea and Katie had been drenched in something unspeakable¡ªjudging by the pictures, it was filth. The sight practically sent the smell wafting off the screen.

    That wasn¡¯t the end of it. Their shy sports cars sat useless, every single tire gone, as if someone had stolen everyst bit of their pride and left them drowning in utter humiliation.

    Neither woman dared lift her head, hiding their faces behind trembling hands. Humiliation had pinned them down sopletely that they couldn¡¯t even nce up.

    Journalists stopped short of printing their names, and the license tes vanished beneath a digital blur. Despite those half-hearted attempts at privacy, crowds on the street had already snapped a dozen revealing photos.

    Inte detectives didn¡¯t waste a second. A few hours passed, and Katie¡¯s and Thea¡¯s identities were out in the open, pieced together by relentless strangers online.

    Social media exploded with taunts and theories, everyone eager to dissect the juicy details and point fingers at the mysterious mastermind behind the stunt.

    ¡°Any idea who they pissed off this time? Whoever did this knows how to humiliate without leaving a scratch. Those two won¡¯t get the stink off for weeks, I swear.¡±

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 Chapter 184

    ?Chapter 184:

    ¡°Only someone with real influence could pull this off. No way a regr person would dare take on people from families like theirs.¡±

    Flipping through more and morements, Christina let herself get lost in the online spection. Beside her, Chloe practically vibrated with excitement, urging her to read the best ones out loud.

    Chloe¡¯sughter burst out, her handsing together in cheerful apuse. ¡°They got exactly what wasing! That¡¯s karma in action. Serves them right!¡±

    A quickugh escaped Christina before she handed the tablet over.

    ¡°Anyway, what do you feel like for dinner tonight?¡±

    ¡°Steak sounds perfect,¡± Chloe replied, her eyes still sparkling.

    ¡°Steak it is.¡± Christina nodded.

    Once Chloe headed out, Christina didn¡¯t waste any time. She pulled out her phone and called Dn. He answered immediately, leaving her a little startled by how quickly he picked up.

    The silence stretched for a moment before Dn finally spoke. ¡°Is something wrong?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing big,¡± she replied. ¡°Just wanted to ask you something.¡±

    Curiosity had been gnawing at her ever since she saw the news, and she couldn¡¯t shake the suspicion that he had orchestrated that oundish payback.

    ¡°Go ahead,¡± Dn replied, voice even andposed.

    ¡°The whole mess with the¡­ well, the filth. Was that your handiwork?¡±

    A silence settled¡ªshort but weighted¡ªbefore Christina finally heard the faint rumble of Dn¡¯s voice.

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Step into a new world at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Christina said softly, the word barely more than a breath.

    Dn stood before the towering windows, the skyline stretching endlessly behind him. A flicker of amusement tugged at his mouth. He tried to contain it, but the corners kept twitching upward, betraying his amusement.

    Christina stayed on the line, letting the silence spool out longer than it should¡¯ve. She moistened her lips and then spoke again, voice tentative.

    ¡°Are you still there?¡±

    His smirk faded as he brought himself back to the moment. When he finally answered, his voice was steady.

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m still here.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal,¡± she said quickly, ying it cool. ¡°Chloe mentioned steak for dinner. Thought I¡¯d ask if you wanted in.¡± She made it sound like an afterthought, but even she didn¡¯t believe that.

    ¡°Sure,¡± Dn replied, his tone as crisp and effortless as ever. His lips curved again, slowly, inevitably¡ªlike a reflex he couldn¡¯t quite control. Was Christina inviting him to dine together?

    Before he could get lost in the thought, her voice sliced through¡ªsteady,posed.

    ¡°Well, I guess that¡¯s all then.¡±

    ¡°Hold on,¡± Dn interjected, the word slipping out before reason could catch it.

    ¡°Anything else?¡± Christina asked, her voice edged with curiosity.

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 Chapter 185

    ?Chapter 185:

    His gaze hardened, sharp as a de, cutting past the skyline beyond the ss.

    ¡°Do you want those two women gone?¡±

    Her reply came swift and certain.

    ¡°No need. That won¡¯t be necessary.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡± The ice in his tone thawed, just slightly.

    ¡°In that case¡­ I¡¯m ending the call.¡± Without another breath, she cut the line.

    The moment the line disconnected, her phone lit up again¡ªthis time, with Lauretta¡¯s name pulsing on the screen.

    Meanwhile, chaos erupted in the Reed Family Mansion.

    ¡°Ugh! Filthy vermin¡ªall of you!¡± Thea shrieked, snatching a bottle of luxury skincare from the vanity and flinging it with vicious force.

    The ss cracked against a maid¡¯s forehead with a sickening thud, splitting the skin. Blood spilled down her face, but she stood frozen, too terrified to even flinch.

    ¡°You¡¯re just a bunch of low-ss servants! Who gave you the right to wrinkle your noses at me?¡± Thea had scrubbed herself until her skin turned raw¡ªagain and again¡ªbut that revolting stench still clung to her like a curse she couldn¡¯t wash away. And these maids¡ªa group of nobodies¡ªhad the nerve to wrinkle their noses at her right in front of her face.

    The door burst open. ¡°What¡¯s all this noise?¡±

    Martha Reed, Thea¡¯s mother, stormed in, her eyes immediately taking in the chaos¡ªthe shattered bottle, the bloodied maid, the ruined decor. Her expression darkened.

    ¡°Mom!¡± Thea dissolved into sobs, throwing herself into her mother¡¯s arms. ¡°They¡¯reughing at me! Can you believe they¡¯re wrinkling their noses at me as if I¡¯m some sort of farm animal?¡±

    The moment Thea pressed close, a wave of rancid stench hit Martha full in the face. Her jaw tightened, her nose twitching involuntarily. She resisted the urge to recoil¡ªbut only just. Instead, she gently eased Thea back a step with a forced, motherly smile.

    Explore more on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s©q??????

    ¡°There, there, my darling. Don¡¯t cry.¡± Then, Martha¡¯s smile vanished as she turned to the trembling maids. ¡°What are you waiting for, you useless idiots? Out. Now. Not one of you eats tonight.¡±

    ¡°Y-yes, Mrs. Reed!¡± The maids bowed hastily and fled, stumbling over each other in their rush to escape.

    Everyone in the estate knew one thing: when it came to Thea, the Reeds could see no wrong. No matter how outrageous her behavior, me was always redirected¡ªnever hers to bear.

    ¡°I can¡¯t take this anymore!¡± Thea screamed, her sobs ragged and raw. ¡°My life is ruined! Everyone¡¯sughing at me! How am I supposed to go outside like this?¡±

    The memory alone made her gag. She could still feel it¡ªsmell it. That vile, stomach-turning stench that clung to her skin like a secondyer.

    ¡°It¡¯ll wear off in time, darling. I¡¯ve already sent people to wipe those posts from every tform,¡± Martha murmured, stroking her daughter¡¯s hair. ¡°And when we find the monsters who did this, I promise¡ªthey¡¯ll wish they¡¯d never been born.¡±

    ¡°Why is it taking so long?¡± Thea snapped, rage ring in her teary eyes. ¡°And whoever¡¯s behind this¡ªthey¡¯re dead. I¡¯ll make them beg for death before I¡¯m done with them!¡±

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 Chapter 186

    ?Chapter 186:

    ¡°We¡¯re looking into the matter. Don¡¯t worry,¡± Martha said, her voice like ice wrapped in silk. ¡°No one humiliates my daughter and gets away with it. They¡¯ll pay¡ªwith interest.¡±

    Just then, a timid knock interrupted the moment. A maid poked her head in, her face pale and her voice quaking. ¡°Sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Reed wants you both downstairs.¡±

    ¡°Your father¡¯s home,¡± Martha said softly. ¡°Perfect timing. Let him take over from here¡ªhe¡¯ll help you get your revenge.¡± She gave Thea aforting pat on the back and rose to her feet.

    Thea was desperate to track down those scoundrels¡ªshe burned with a fierce need to make them pay for what they had done. With her father¡¯s influentialwork, she was confident she could root those vermin out quickly, no matter where they hid.

    Before long, Thea followed her mother into the living room, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

    Grant Reed, Thea¡¯s father, looked tired, his face unusually serious. Thea noticed but didn¡¯t think much of it, assuming he was probably mad on her behalf.

    ¡°Dad! You¡¯re finally back,¡± Thea said,tching onto his arm with a bright smile. ¡°You have to help me teach them a lesson!¡±

    Grant¡¯s jaw tightened. He was ready to shut her down, but her childlike tone made him pause. He sighed, the frustration already bubbling inside him. ¡°Thea, I need you to be honest with me. Have you offended someone you shouldn¡¯t have?¡±

    Thea blinked. ¡°Offended someone? Me? No way. Even if I did piss someone off, it¡¯s not like they were big potatoes. They can¡¯t touch us¡ªwe¡¯re the Reeds.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m serious,¡± Grant said, staring at her. ¡°Are you absolutely sure the people you messed with were just nobodies?¡±

    ¡°Yes! If they were better than us, I¡¯d either be friends with them or at least avoid causing trouble,¡± she said, waving it off. ¡°Come on, Dad. I¡¯m not dumb.¡±

    Author¡¯s version avable at g??ln ov els.????

    Grant kept his voice calm, but his eyes narrowed. ¡°Think harder. Is there anyone¡ªanyone at all¡ªyou might¡¯ve offended recently? Someone you dismissed as nobody while the reality is otherwise?¡±

    Thea froze for a second, scanning her memories. Then, she shook her head confidently. ¡°No one important. Just the usual jealous losers.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s strange,¡± Grant muttered under his breath, the crease in his forehead deepening. Something wasn¡¯t right. Thepany had hit a crisis¡ªfast and hard. Everything was falling apart overnight, and he couldn¡¯t figure out why. And just before everything fell apart, his daughter had somehow be a target of retaliation. He couldn¡¯t help but suspect the two events were connected, but no matter how much he investigated, he couldn¡¯t find the culprit. That was why he came home¡ªto find out if Thea had identally stepped on the wrong toes.

    ¡°Dad, stop worrying about all that now! My problem is way more important. You have to help me get even!¡± Thea¡¯s voice took on a whining edge as she clung to his arm.

    Grant rubbed his temples, a headache threatening behind his eyes as he regarded his most spoiled child. ¡°Are you absolutely certain you haven¡¯t offended anyone?¡±

    ¡°NO! How many times do I have to say it?¡± she snapped, standing abruptly. ¡°Will you help me or not? They humiliated me¡ªthey threw dirt on me! Do you realize how disgraceful that is? They spat right in the face of the Reed family!¡±

    Grant let out a long, exhausted breath before slowly getting to his feet. ¡°You¡¯re grounded,¡± he said, his voice firm. ¡°Stay home. No arguments.¡±

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 Chapter 187

    ?Chapter 187:

    ¡°What?¡± Thea¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I asked you to help me get back at them, not lock me up like some prisoner!¡±

    ¡°Forget about revenge. You need to let this go and act like it never happened. Sometimes, swallowing your pride is the only way forward,¡± Grant said quietly but firmly, the weight of his concern evident. He feared his headstrong daughter might unwittingly cross a dangerous line and pay a far greater price than humiliation.

    ¡°I won¡¯t let it go!¡± she hissed, her voice rising. ¡°If you are not going to help me, I¡¯ll handle it myself! I¡¯ll track them down with or without you!¡±

    Martha, who had been silently watching from the side, stepped in quickly. She saw the storm building in her husband¡¯s eyes and gently pulled at Thea¡¯s arm. ¡°Thea, please. Just listen to your father for once. He¡¯s only trying to protect you,¡± she said softly. ¡°Apologize to him now.¡±

    ¡°Apologize?¡± Thea scoffed. Herugh was cold and sharp. ¡°For what? For demanding justice? If he wants to be a coward, that¡¯s his choice¡ªbut I won¡¯t be!¡±

    Grant¡¯s expression darkened. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, the veins on his temples pulsing. ¡°Do you really want to make things worse for yourself?¡± he warned, his voice shaking with suppressed anger.

    ¡°I will have my revenge!¡± Thea screamed. ¡°No one¡ªno one¡ªgets to humiliate me and walk away. You can¡¯t stop me! I will¡ª¡±

    Suddenly, a sharp p cracked through the silence, the sound echoing painfully in the room. Thea¡¯s head snapped sideways from the unexpected blow. A stunned silence fell.

    Even Grant looked shocked, disbelief flickering across his features. He had just struck the daughter he cherished most.

    Thea slowly turned her head, a crimson mark already forming on her cheek. Her eyes welled up, more in shock than pain. ¡°You hit me?¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible. ¡°You actually hit me¡­¡±

    Your imagination takes flight on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    It was unfathomable that the father who had always protected and adored her would raise his hand in anger.

    ¡°Thea¡­¡± Grant¡¯s voice cracked with regret, his arm reaching out on instinct. But she recoiled like his touch was poison.

    ¡°I hate you!¡± Thea¡¯s scream rang through the room, her face streaked with tears. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a coward,shing out at me while letting everyone else walk all over me! You don¡¯t even care!¡± Her sobs trailed her as she stormed up the stairs, leaving Grant rooted in ce, hollowed out and haunted.

    Silence descended on the living room like a funeral shroud. Grant dropped onto the couch, shoulders sagging under an invisible weight. The fight in him had vanished, reced by the brittle shell of a man who looked years older in an instant.

    ¡°What were you thinking?¡± Martha snapped, her voice sharp with reproach. ¡°She¡¯s our daughter. No matter how angry you were, that was¡ª¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re being targeted,¡± Grant cut her off, his voice grim and low.

    Martha blinked, confused. ¡°You mean¡­ someone¡¯s retaliating against us because of Thea?¡±

    Grant gave a slow, somber nod. ¡°Right after her humiliation hit the inte, thepany started spiraling. Our stock is tanking. Investors are panicking. If this keeps going¡­¡± He didn¡¯t finish the sentence.

    .

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 Chapter 188

    ?Chapter 188:

    Martha¡¯s face paled. She sank onto the couch beside him, her breath catching in her throat. ¡°No¡­ it can¡¯t be because of that. Maybe it¡¯s just market vtility¡ªsome bad timing?¡±

    Grant met her eyes, and what she saw there made her blood run cold. ¡°This isn¡¯t coincidence,¡± he said quietly. ¡°It¡¯s retribution.¡±

    Martha¡¯s breath caught. ¡°Then¡­ what are we supposed to do?¡± she asked, her voice trembling as panic slowly crept in.

    ¡°Keep Thea under strict watch,¡± Grant said, his tone steely. ¡°No matter what happens, she can¡¯te to harm¡ªnot before the Hubbards¡¯ reunion banquet. If my instincts are right, this isn¡¯t just about humiliation. Someone may be trying to take her life.¡±

    Martha¡¯s stomach twisted. ¡°I¡¯ll watch over her,¡± she promised quickly, though unease was already blooming in her chest. Only an hour ago, she had been picturing Thea dazzling at the Hubbards¡¯ reunion banquet¡ªeither catching the eye of one of the Hubbard men or forging a bond with their recently acknowledged daughter. A match, an alliance, a foothold into greater power. But now¡­

    ¡°I hope I¡¯m just overthinking this,¡± Grant murmured, rubbing his temples, his sigh heavy.

    Thea wasn¡¯t the only one suffocating. Katie was locked in her own nightmare.

    She had been in the shower so long her fingers were pruned, her skin rubbed raw and pink¡ªyet no matter how many times she scrubbed, the vile stench clung to her like a second skin.

    Worse still, after a vicious shouting match with her brother, her nerves were already in tatters. And now, the inte was on fire with cruel mockeryments piling in like vultures circling her shame.

    Just then, someone knocked.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s£®c????, a world of tales

    ¡°I said leave me alone! Are you all deaf or just in stupid?¡± Katie shrieked at the door.

    ¡°Katie¡­¡± Ynda¡¯s soft, gentle voice floated through.

    Katie¡¯s heart jolted at the sound. She leapt off the bed and yanked the door open without hesitation. The moment her eyesnded on Ynda¡¯s seemingly worried face, the dam broke¡ªtears welled up and threatened to spill over.

    ¡°I saw the news online. I was scared you might do something reckless. I had toe check on you,¡± Ynda said softly, her brows knitting in mock concern.

    A faint, sickening odor still hung in the air around Katie, making Ynda¡¯s stomach twist, but her expression remained carefullyposed¡ªmeasured sympathy etched into every line of her face.

    ¡°Ynda, everyone¡¯s mocking me. The entire damn inte saw me soaked in filth!¡± Katie¡¯s voice cracked, trembling as she fought back tears barely held at bay.

    ¡°Shh, don¡¯t cry. I¡¯m here now,¡± Ynda murmured, her hand resting gently on Katie¡¯s trembling shoulder. ¡°Have you asked your brother to track down who did this? It¡¯s just¡­ who would be so heartless?¡±

    ¡°He said he couldn¡¯t find anything. What a lie! He just doesn¡¯t want to look into it. It¡¯s not him who¡¯s been humiliated for the whole world to see!¡± Katie¡¯s gaze burned bright with rage.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure he genuinely can¡¯t track them down. You know how much he cares about you,¡± Ynda said softly.

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 Chapter 189

    ?Chapter 189:

    ¡°Cares about me? Then why won¡¯t he get those posts taken down?¡± Katie snapped. Her brother insisted he couldn¡¯t remove the news, but she wasn¡¯t buying it¡ªshe was convinced he just didn¡¯t want to spend the money.

    ¡°Actually¡­¡± Ynda¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper, hesitant. ¡°I heard even the Reeds themselves couldn¡¯t get those stories erased. Maybe your brother really can¡¯t do anything¡ªit¡¯s not that he¡¯s refusing to help.¡±

    Katie¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What? Even the Reed family can¡¯t scrub the news? Then¡­ what am I supposed to do? Am I doomed to be an online joke forever?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Ynda bit her lip, struggling with whether or not to say more.

    Katie leaned in, her voice urgent. ¡°What is it? You¡¯ve got something to help me, don¡¯t you, Ynda? You know a way out of this.¡±

    Ynda hesitated, words catching in her throat as if she were genuinely torn. ¡°I don¡¯t know. It might be wrong.¡±

    ¡°Ynda!¡± Katie¡¯s tone sharpened, frustration flickering in her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re about to be my sister-inw¡ªif I can¡¯t count on you, who else is there? If you¡¯ve got an idea, spit it out already. I¡¯m desperate.¡±

    With a heavy sigh, Ynda seemed to relent. ¡°Well, I really didn¡¯t want to suggest something so underhanded. But¡­ how can I stay quiet when I see you like this? You¡¯re like a sister to me. And if I don¡¯t step in, who will?¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Katie eximed, clutching Ynda¡¯s hand. ¡°You¡¯re the only one who can pull me out of this mess!¡±

    Ynda¡¯s expression shifted, her voice now calm and calcted. ¡°You know how it works in showbiz. When a scandal hits, the fastest way to bury it is to throw something even juicier out there. Give the public something bigger to chew on, and they¡¯ll forget all about yours.¡±

    Katie¡¯s eyes lit up with sudden rity. She pped her hands, beaming. ¡°Oh my god, that¡¯s brilliant! Why didn¡¯t I think of that? Ynda, you absolute genius¡ª¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ?¦Á??????¦Í??????£®??????

    But Katie¡¯s triumphant grin faltered. Her brows furrowed in confusion. ¡°Wait, where am I supposed to dig up a scandal worse than mine?¡±

    Ynda gave a delicate shrug, feigning innocence. ¡°Beats me. It¡¯s not like we¡¯re sitting on a pile of celebrity secrets or anything.¡± Then, with a sly nce and the ghost of a smirk, she dangled the bait. ¡°But, hypothetically, if an actress married into serious money and then cheated on her husband¡ªgot thrown out like yesterday¡¯s trash¡ªthat kind of juicy drama would blow up fast. Netizens eat that stuff alive.¡±

    Ynda said it as if it were just idle talk, a random what-if about some nameless starlet. But the real target was crystal clear¡ªChristina. The only question was whether Katie would pick up on it.

    For a heartbeat, silence hung between them, heavy with implication. Ynda was just about to give Katie a nudge¡ªsubtlety wasn¡¯t working¡ªwhen Katie suddenly gasped, her eyes widening.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got it!¡± Katie said, her mouth curling into a wicked smile. ¡°I know exactly whose scandal I¡¯m about to blow sky-high.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± Ynda blinked, her words dripping with mock caution. ¡°Katie, I hope you¡¯re not nning to ruin someone innocent just to save yourself¡ª¡±

    ¡°Hah! Innocent? That witch Christina?¡± Katie spat the name like poison, her sneer venomous. ¡°If she hadn¡¯ttched onto my brother for those three miserable years, you two would have been married by now!¡±

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 Chapter 190

    ?Chapter 190:

    ¡°What?¡± Ynda gasped, covering her mouth as if scandalized. Her eyes widened in feigned disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re actually going to go after Christina? Katie, no¡ªthat¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s too far. She hasn¡¯t really done anything.¡±

    Katie rolled her eyes and scoffed. ¡°Only someone as soft-hearted as you would still defend her. She hates you, Ynda. She¡¯s been bitter ever since the divorce¡ªalways pulling her little stunts, trying to worm her way back into my brother¡¯s life.¡±

    ¡°But¡ª¡±

    ¡°No buts!¡± Katie snapped, her tone sharp and unforgiving. ¡°Keep ying the good girl and watch her steal my brother right from under your nose. Wake up, Ynda. She¡¯s a snake. And she deserves everythinging to her.¡±

    A twisted grin slithered across Katie¡¯s face. ¡°Besides, I¡¯ve got the perfect bomb to drop¡ªpaparazzi photos, sold to me personally. Once I release those, no one will be talking about my mess. And Christina? She¡¯ll be done.¡±

    Katie could already taste the satisfaction. After everything¡ªevery smug look on Christina¡¯s face, every time Christina had made her feel small¡ªshe was finally holding the knife.

    ¡°Katie¡­¡± Ynda¡¯s fingers curled around her sleeve, her voice trembling just enough to make her performance more convincing. ¡°Maybe there¡¯s someone else¡ªanyone else you could use. Christina is¡­¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Katie barked, yanking her arm free and storming toward the desk. ¡°If you¡¯re really on my side, stop defending that slut!¡± She dropped into the chair with a huff, her back turned, too wrapped up in her scheming to notice the flicker of a smile on Ynda¡¯s face.

    Everything was going exactly as nned. Ynda had nted those photos herself, fed them to the paparazzi like bait, and now the fool was doing the dirty work for her. Soon, the inte would be aze, and Christina would be caught in the firestorm. Truth? It wouldn¡¯t matter. Not when outrage spread faster than facts.

    Ynda¡¯s eyes glinted darkly as she whispered inwardly, ¡°Burn.¡±

    Ch@pter updat3s at g??l??ovels.??o??

    ¡°Christina. Let¡¯s see if your perfect little image survives this storm.¡±

    In the CEO¡¯s office, Dn stood from his desk, methodically undoing the sapphire cufflinks at his wrists.

    Edwin entered, extending a neatly bound proposal. ¡°Mr. Scott, this is about the resort project.¡±

    Expecting Dn to nce over the paperwork and settle back down, Edwin was caught off guard when Dn simply took the file and strode toward the door.

    ¡°Mr. Scott, are you leaving for the day?¡± Edwin asked, keeping his tone respectful.

    Dn replied coolly, ¡°Yes.¡±

    That one word left Edwin reeling. He¡¯d never seen a harder worker than Dn¡ªrelentless, almost obsessed, and never one to leave before sunset. Whenever Dn burned the midnight oil, the whole secretarial pool was doomed to overtime, and thete-nightints were legendary. But today, for the first time ever, Dn had left early without any apparent crisis.

    Edwin stifled his curiosity and trailed behind in silence, determined not to push his luck with any more questions. As soon as they exited the office, he shot off a quick message to the secretary department group chat. ¡°Mr. Scott is heading out for the day!¡±

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    .

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 Chapter 191

    ?Chapter 191:

    His phone exploded with replies as the secretaries buzzed with disbelief and excitement.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on¡ªdid something major happen? Mr. Scott never leaves this early!¡±

    ¡°Wait, does this mean we get to go home on time for once?¡±

    ¡°No way, right? Edwin, you sure about this? Don¡¯t get us all excited if Mr. Scott¡¯s just stepping out for a minute¡ªhe practically lives at the office!¡±

    Edwin, being the lead secretary, was typing out a response when he suddenly collided with Dn ahead. He stuffed his phone away in a sh and blurted out, ¡°Apologies, Mr. Scott!¡±

    Nervously, Edwin nced up, bracing for a cold reprimand. To his amazement, Dn wasn¡¯t wearing that usual frosty mask. Instead, there was a genuine smile¡ªsomething he could hardly process. The infamous poker face, smiling? It felt like a glitch in the matrix.

    Dn, having just fired off a reply to Christina¡¯s message, hardly noticed Edwin¡¯s panic¡ªhe was still buoyed by a surprisingly good mood.

    In a rare disy of generosity, Dn granted the entire secretarial staff an unexpected half-day reprieve. ¡°You¡¯re all free to leave early once you finish up, and don¡¯t bothering in until after lunch tomorrow.¡±

    Dn¡¯s abrupt halt¡ªright in Edwin¡¯s path¡ªhad been triggered by a message from Christina, which he¡¯d paused to answer with unusual focus.

    After delivering his instructions, Dn strode away, a small but unmistakable smile curving his lips, leaving Edwin rooted in ce, wide-eyed and speechless.

    For Edwin, it was as if he¡¯d just witnessed something out of a dream. Could this really be the same Dn he¡¯d worked with all these years? It felt as if someone else had taken over his body.

    Buzzing with disbelief and anticipation, Edwin immediately dropped the news in the department group chat. He exined that Dn had not only approved an early dismissal but had also granted everyone a free half-day off the next day, as long as their work was done.

    ???¨¨?? ¡é?¦¤T?¦Å§Á? ?¦Ç ?a?§Úo¦Í???.???

    The announcement spread like wildfire, and the entire secretarial team erupted in disbelief.

    ¡°Is this a prank? Did someone hack Edwin¡¯s ount to mess with us?¡±

    ¡°Edwin, are you serious? Did Mr. Scott really say that? Maybe he¡¯s been bewitched or something! Or worse, is something wrong?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? Who cares? We¡¯re leaving early and getting a bonus morning off! This is basically a modern miracle!¡±

    ¡°Do you think Mr. Scott¡¯s finally found someone special? Maybe he¡¯s nning a big romantic date, and he¡¯s so happy that he¡¯s letting us go early. If so, his girlfriend is a godsend.¡±

    ¡°Not likely. Mr. Scott has always been all business¡ªhe doesn¡¯t care for dating, and he¡¯d never get giddy over anything so simple.¡±

    The truth was, Edwin himself was desperate to uncover the reason behind Dn¡¯s sudden generosity¡ªbut he didn¡¯t dare ask. His curiosity gnawed at him, an itch he couldn¡¯t quite scratch.

    Dn returned to the Banriew Estates vi with a rare spring in his step, but his good mood evaporated the instant he spotted a guest in the living room. The lines on his face sharpened, and his brows flickered just enough to reveal his displeasure. What was Elliott doing here, of all ces? Christina hadn¡¯t mentioned a word about Elliott¡¯s presence when they¡¯d spoken earlier.

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 Chapter 192

    ?Chapter 192:

    Catching Dn¡¯s confusion, Christina exined, ¡°Elliott just dropped by to chat about some drifting techniques¡ªsomething about racing.¡± Earlier that day, not long after Christina had ended her call with Dn, Elliott had shown up at her door. She still remembered how, back in Rd, Elliott had stepped up for her when Brendon tried to cause trouble. She hadn¡¯t forgotten that.

    ¡°It¡¯s nearly dinner,¡± Dn said, his underlying message impossible to miss. Of all the moments to show up, Elliott had chosen the most inconvenient one. Elliott¡¯s intentions couldn¡¯t be more transparent.

    Before Christina could respond, Elliott offered a grin at Dn. ¡°My apologies. I ran into an issue with my race car and couldn¡¯t figure it out. I thought I¡¯d drop by for Miss Jones¡¯s help. Didn¡¯t really think about the timing, to be honest.¡± Turning to Christina, he added with genuine regret, ¡°I hope I¡¯m not crashing your dinner ns, Miss Jones.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Christina replied without missing a beat. ¡°I¡¯ve got four servings of steak and pasta ready. If you don¡¯t mind, you¡¯re wee to join us for dinner.¡±

    Originally, Morse had been ted to join them after his session, but he¡¯d canceled at thest second. That extra serving of steak and pasta turned out to be just right for Elliott.

    ¡°Mind? Not in the slightest,¡± Elliott replied, shing a look at Dn that almost dared him to object. ¡°I¡¯d be delighted to stay.¡±

    Dn¡¯s expression hardened into something cial. Elliott¡¯s very presence rubbed him the wrong way.

    ¡°Food will be ready in a sec,¡± Christina said. ¡°You two grab a spot¡ªI¡¯ll go get Chloe.¡± With that, she slipped out of the room.

    The moment Christina disappeared, a heavy, electric silence fell between Dn and Elliott, as if the whole room was holding its breath. Neither man flinched. Both exuded an effortless confidence, each refusing to be the first to look away.

    For a second, Elliott felt his certainty flicker, but pride kept him firmly in ce.

    L?t??st ch¦Ápt?rs in ???lnovels.??????

    Christina soon wheeled Chloe into the dining area, instantly sensing something strange in the air¡ªa tautness that prickled at her nerves. Yet, with Dn and Elliott sitting calmly at the table, it was hard to pinpoint the cause. Were it not for theck of ck eyes or split lips, she might have assumed there had been a scuffle.

    A cheerful voice broke the tension. ¡°Dn,¡± Chloe called out, her smile warm and inviting.

    ¡°Dn.¡± He stood up smoothly, moving to take charge of the wheelchair and help settle Chloe at the table.

    ¡°I heard Elliott dropped by tonight. d to have you!¡± Chloe said, turning to him with a weing smile.

    ¡°Appreciate it, Miss Scott. And thank you, Miss Jones, for having me,¡± Elliott replied, polite and easygoing.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see if dinner lives up to your standards. Go ahead and dig in,¡± Chloe replied, her voice light.

    ¡°Okay,¡± Elliott responded, carefully cutting into his steak and sampling a bite. He took his time savoring the vor before offering an approving nod. ¡°This is really good.¡±

    ¡°Happy to hear that,¡± Chloe said with a smallugh, lifting her ss. ¡°Let¡¯s have a toast!¡±

    Dn, Elliott, and Christina joined her, sses raised, chiming together before each of them took a drink.

    .

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 Chapter 193

    ?Chapter 193:

    ¡°I¡¯ve got some updates to share,¡± Christina said, drawing all eyes to her.

    ¡°Is it good news, Christina?¡± Chloe asked, practically bouncing in her chair. ¡°Don¡¯t keep us in suspense!¡±

    A smile broke across Christina¡¯s face. ¡°Absolutely. There¡¯s finally a clue about Woodfort.¡±

    The bombshell left Dn and Chloe stunned for a moment. A flood of joy rushed through Chloe, her thoughts scattered, and happy tears slid down her cheeks.

    Chloe blinked in disbelief. ¡°Christina, are you serious? Is what you said true?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± Christina assured her. ¡°Once we secure the Woodfort, you¡¯ll finally have the prescription you need.¡±

    This lead had actuallye from Lauretta, who had called Christina earlier. However, Lauretta had kept the source a secret, stressing that Christina couldn¡¯t reveal her involvement to anyone.

    Lauretta had simply offered Christina two choices: Christina could either pick it up the next day or have it sent to any address she preferred.

    After mulling it over, Christina had decided to meet Lauretta the next day to collect it.

    Dn looked at Christina, genuinely taken aback. ¡°How did you manage to track it down?¡± He¡¯d pulled every string he could think of, but the Woodfort had remained elusive¡ªyet Christina had managed to get her hands on it.

    ¡°A kind benefactor stepped in for me,¡± Christina replied. ¡°I¡¯d helped her once before, and when she heard what I needed, she offered to help and found it. But she doesn¡¯t want to share how she got it, or who provided it.¡±

    Elliottmented, ¡°That¡¯s incredible. You¡¯re lucky to know someone so resourceful and generous enough to hand over the Woodfort.¡±

    ¡°Tell me how much she wants for it,¡± Dn said after thinking for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ll transfer you the money so you can pass it on.¡±

    ??????????? ??????????????? ¨À??????¦Í??????©q?????

    With the benefactor preferring to stay in the shadows, Dn decided to let Christina handle the rest while he covered the cost.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for payment right now,¡± Christina replied gently. She had tried to repay Lauretta, but Lauretta had been adamant¡ªif money changed hands, the Woodfort would be off the table. Christina had no choice but toply.

    ¡°If your friend ever needs anything, as long as it¡¯s within reason, I¡¯ll do whatever I can,¡± Dn said, his tone unwavering.

    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll let her know you¡¯re grateful,¡± Christina replied.

    Chloe¡¯s voice wavered with emotion, a bright smile breaking through. ¡°Christina, thank you¡ªand please thank your benefactor for me as well.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me. Your good luck is in the picture,¡± Christina responded with a reassuring smile. It felt as though the universe itself had orchestrated this moment.

    ¡°Let¡¯s mark the asion with a toast,¡± Chloe suggested, raising her ss high.

    Such a moment certainly deserved to be celebrated. Everyone lifted their sses in unison, the soft chime of crystal echoing through the room before each took a slow, celebratory sip.

    With wine flowing freely that evening, Dn decided to stay the night, while Elliott had his driver take him home.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 194

    ?Chapter 194:

    Muchter, under the cover of night, Katie stretched out, a satisfied smirk ying on her lips as she admired the mischief she had set in motion. She was certain Christina was doomed this time.

    Smug and self-assured, she powered down herputer and headed off to wash up.

    Exhaustion soon overtook her, and she slipped beneath the sheets, falling asleep instantly.

    The first part of the night passed in deep, dreamless sleep¡ªuntil a sudden, maddening itch struck her lips.

    Katie stirred, furrowing her brow as she began to w at her mouth in irritation. But no matter how much she scratched, the itch seemed just out of reach¡ªburied beneath the skin. It was as if something was wriggling deeper, tunneling through her lips, sending waves of difort through her nerves.

    With every desperate rub, the sensation only grew, turning into relentless agony¡ªlike some invisible worm gnawing at her very nerves and marrow.

    She wanted to scream¡ªher lips burned with the urge to scratch, the itching unbearable! The pain was overwhelming. It felt as though the searing itch and sharp stabs were conspiring to drive her insane.

    Snapping awake from the torment, Katie stared in horror at her bloodied hands¡ªshe had wed at her lips until they split open. Scratches crisscrossed her body, yet nothing dulled the twin assault of pain and itching that seemed to burrow even deeper. She couldn¡¯t take it anymore. Each new wave of agony was more than she could endure. She fought to keep her hands away from her mouth, but the urge to scratch was stronger than her willpower. What kind of curse made her lips throb and burn like this?

    Sobbing uncontrobly, Katie rolled off the bed, dragging herself across the floor. ¡°Somebody¡ªplease! Mom, help me! Brendon, where are you? It¡¯s¡ªoh, it¡¯s too much! Please, make it stop¡­¡±

    ?????????????? ?????? ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Katie¡¯s anguished screams tore through the night, jolting the entire Dawson family out of bed. They stood frozen, paralyzed by the horrifying sight before them. Blood streaked across Katie¡¯s skin, her lips torn and still oozing, crimson staining her nails. She begged for help, her eyes wild with pain, her entire appearance both heartbreaking and terrifying.

    ¡°Mom¡­ Brendon¡­ Help me¡­¡± Katie whimpered, barely able to speak.

    Joselyn rushed to her side, frantic, pulling her daughter close. ¡°Sweetheart, what happened? What did you do to yourself?¡±

    Brendon stepped forward, his face dark with concern. ¡°We need to get her to the hospital¡ªnow!¡±

    In record time, they rushed to the emergency room, but despite a battery of tests, the doctors found nothing.

    Outrage surged within Joselyn. ¡°What kind of doctors are you? Useless! Can¡¯t you see my child is suffering? There¡¯s clearly something wrong, and yet none of you can figure it out!¡±

    The attending doctor, not one to tolerate insult, snapped back, ¡°If you¡¯re so skilled, why don¡¯t you take her home and treat her yourself?¡±

    Joselyn shot back, ¡°If I could heal her, do you think I¡¯d bring her to the hospital? You¡¯d all be out of work!¡±

    The doctor, unwilling to argue any longer, replied curtly, ¡°You¡¯re free to take her to another hospital if you doubt our diagnosis,¡± before turning and walking away with the nurses.

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 Chapter 195

    ?Chapter 195:

    Deep down, even the doctor was baffled. Everything pointed to a genuine issue, yet every test came back clean.

    ¡°You¡¯re all useless! I¡¯m filing a formalint!¡± Joselyn shouted after the medical staff, her voice echoing down the hallway. Brendon stepped in, gently pulling her away.

    ¡°We need to focus on Katie,¡± Brendon said, his brow furrowed with worry. ¡°There¡¯s no point wasting time arguing with them.¡±

    ¡°But what now?¡± Joselyn¡¯s voice cracked, her nerves nearly giving way. ¡°This is the top hospital in the city, and even they can¡¯t find what¡¯s wrong. How are we supposed to help her?¡±

    Brendon¡¯s silence only deepened her panic. ¡°Maybe we should transfer Katie to the best hospital in Lorbridge,¡± she said, wringing her hands. ¡°They have the best specialists and technology in the country¡ªif they can¡¯t help, we¡¯ll look for treatment overseas.¡±

    A faint voice broke through the tension. ¡°Brendon¡­¡± Katie managed to speak up, her pain easing slightly. ¡°Isn¡¯t Dr. Emmett still in Dorfield?¡±

    ¡°But Emmett¡¯s a surgeon,¡± Joselyn blurted. ¡°Would he even know how to treat something like this?¡±

    ¡°Most doctors know the basics,¡± Brendon replied. ¡°Someone like Dr. Emmett probably knows more than most. We¡¯ve got to give it a shot.¡± He had nned to wait a couple more days before heading to Lorbridge, but Katie¡¯s mention of Calvin brought Dorfield back to his mind.

    ¡°I¡¯ll track down where Dr. Emmett is staying and see if I can get him toe by,¡± Brendon said.

    Katie briefly considered asking Christina to contact Calvin, but the thought of Christina exploiting her misery or setting impossible terms stopped her cold. She refused to let Christina find any satisfaction in her suffering, so she swallowed the idea.

    ?????????? ???????? ???? g???????¦Í?????????????

    Elsewhere, Thea, lost in sleep, was suddenly overtaken by the same maddening itch. At first, she managed to resist, but soon the crawling sensation gnawed at her nerves, and she couldn¡¯t stop herself from scratching. Each scratch only made things worse, the torment intensifying in a relentless cycle.

    The other two who had been poisoned were in no better shape, each struggling with agony that refused to relent.

    Worried about Leonaing after her, the senior sales assistant had quickly packed up and moved to a nearby city.

    ude, having lost all hope for his career in Dorfield, had also relocated.

    Both of them ended up in hospitals, with doctors baffled, unable to find any trace of what was causing their suffering.

    The next morning, Christina was still deeply asleep when her phone began ringing nonstop.

    Groaning softly, she reached out with her eyes still closed, blindly searching for her phone until her hand finally wrapped around it. ¡°Mm¡­ Hello?¡± she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

    ¡°Seriously, Christina? The inte is blowing up, and you¡¯re still sleeping like a baby?¡± Davina¡¯s yful voice came through the speaker, clearly amused.

    Hearing that tone, Christina immediately knew it wasn¡¯t a real emergency. If Davina was joking, it couldn¡¯t be that serious. With her eyes still closed, she askedzily, ¡°What happened?¡±

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 Chapter 196

    ?Chapter 196:

    Davina exined, ¡°Someone posted that you cheated during your marriage, and now you¡¯re living off some rich, older guy. It¡¯s all over the inte. People are tearing you apart. I sent you the link.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll look at itter,¡± Christina said calmly, unfazed.

    They chatted for a minute or two before ending the call.

    Still wrapped in her sheets, Christinay there for a moment before finally sitting up. Her hair was a mess, her eyes barely open, and she looked like someone who hadn¡¯t fully returned to the real world yet. She stretched her arms above her head, yawned quietly, and finally stood up.

    As she walked toward the bathroom, she opened the message from Davina and tapped the link.

    One look at the article was enough. The headline used her of infidelity during her marriage and imed that she became involved with a married man after her divorce. ording to the post, she was being ¡°kept¡± by an older man who spoiled her with luxury.

    Several photos were attached¡ªone of her stepping out of a sleek ck car and another of her walking into a high-end boutique, dressed casually. Below the article, thements were already piling up.

    ¡°She looks beautiful but has no shame! The man¡¯s wife stood by him for years, and this woman just shows up to enjoy the riches. Disgusting!¡±

    ¡°She cheated during her marriage, and now she¡¯s a homewrecker? She¡¯s always been like this. Any man who ends up with her is asking for trouble.¡±

    ¡°Women like her ruin families. A man should marry someone decent, not someone like that.¡±

    ¡°And where¡¯s the man in all of this? The entire post is just spection. People should stop judging without facts.¡±

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    ¡°Oh, please. If someone spoke up like this, they must have proof. If she tries to deny it, trust me¡ªsomeone will present the evidence!¡±

    As Christina scrolled through thements, she noticed something. The few people who dared to defend her were immediately attacked, mocked, dismissed, and even insulted by those who didn¡¯t care about the truth.

    Somementers shrugged off the entire situation, saying things like, ¡°Men cheat. It¡¯s normal. Boys will be boys.¡±

    ording to them, men worked hard to provide, so a ¡°moment of unfaithfulness¡± didn¡¯t really matter. As long as they came back home in the end, everything was supposedly fine. Betterte than never, they said.

    Christina let out a small, humorless smile. The absurdity was almostical. When men messed up, it was dismissed as natural, even forgivable. But when women did the same, the world turned savage. The bacsh was brutal, filled with venom, as if people wanted to tear her apart for daring to be wed. The hypocrisy was blinding.

    She exited the app, set her phone aside, and walked into the bathroom. Calmly, she began brushing her teeth and washing her face.

    Later, in the dining room, Chloe gazed at Christina, opened her mouth several times, but eventually mped it shut.

    After a pause, Chloe finally spoke up, her voice hesitant as she was unsure whether she should bring this up. ¡°Christina¡­¡±

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 Chapter 197

    ?Chapter 197:

    Christina nced up with a faint smile. ¡°You mean about me trending online?¡± She arched a brow, her tone light, almost amused. She was now among the top trends¡ªfor all the wrong reasons.

    ¡°Christina, don¡¯t take it to heart,¡± Chloe said quickly, her face flushed with frustration. ¡°Dn and I are here for you. It¡¯s all lies, and people are being cruel. You didn¡¯t do anything wrong.¡±

    She looked at Christina closely, thinking the smile Christina wore was just a mask, hiding how much it hurt inside.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to go viral so fast,¡± Christina replied with a chuckle. ¡°I guess I¡¯m officially an inte celebrity now.¡±

    Dn also thought that Christina was merely putting on a brave face, and he felt a pang of sympathy for her. The thought of all those strangers hurling cruel insults at her made his jaw tighten. A sh of anger flickered in his eyes.

    Dn gazed at Christina. ¡°Let me take care of it. I¡¯ll make sure the trending topics and the news get removed.¡±

    Christina shook her head, steady and unruffled. ¡°That¡¯s not necessary,¡± she replied, declining his help. ¡°If we take down the news or the trending posts now, it¡¯ll only make people suspect I have something to hide.¡± Removing those topics would only fuel the fire, turning public opinion even more vicious. That was exactly what the real culprit wanted. She wouldn¡¯t let them get what they wanted. Anyone bold enough to spread rumors and drag her name through the mud should be ready for the bacsh.

    Dn¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Then we¡¯ll track down whoever started this and set the record straight,¡± he said.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to get involved for now. I¡¯ll take care of it myself,¡± Christina replied.

    He exhaled and gave a small nod. ¡°Alright. But if things get out of hand, promise me you¡¯ll reach out. Don¡¯t carry this all by yourself.¡±

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    ¡°I promise.¡± A gentle smile touched Christina¡¯s lips. Gratitude and warmth welled up inside her.

    Chloe chimed in, her eyes shining with pride as she spoke of her brother. ¡°If tracking down the mastermind proves too tough, Dn¡¯s the one you should ask. He¡¯s incredible¡ªno way he¡¯d let you down.¡±

    Christina let out a lightugh. ¡°That sounds good. Should I hit a wall, I¡¯ll turn to him for sure.¡±

    Grinning, Chloe nudged a bowl closer to Christina. ¡°Have another helping of porridge. Dn was up before dawn just to make it for you, you know,¡± she added, ever eager to nudge her brother and Christina together.

    A brief pause passed before Christina smiled and picked up her spoon. ¡°Having Dn stay over does have its perks. Waking up to breakfast like this is a real treat.¡±

    Not missing the chance to give credit where it¡¯s due, Christina turned to Dn. ¡°Honestly, your food is incredible. If you ever wanted to switch careers, you¡¯d make an outstanding chef.¡±

    Puffing up with pride, Chloe jumped in. ¡°You bet it is! Dn¡¯s cooking is so impressive that top chefs want his secrets. Imagine it, Christina. If you and Dn get married, you¡¯ll never miss out on meals like this. Even if everything else fails, his food will keep everyone happy¡ªand well-fed.¡±

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 Chapter 198

    ?Chapter 198:

    Excitement radiated from Chloe, her words tumbling out in a stream.

    Had Dn not noticed the genuine delight on Christina¡¯s face, he probably would have stepped in and told his sister to dial back her matchmaking efforts. It was good to see Christina momentarily forget about the online drama, even if just for a brief moment.

    Meanwhile, Brendon stepped into the hospital room with a heavy burden on his face, Ynda trailing behind him.

    Ynda tried to ease his anxiety. ¡°Brendon, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll eventually meet Dr. Emmett,¡± she said gently.

    Watching Christina get dragged through the mud online had lifted Ynda¡¯s spirits today.

    Patience was wearing thin for Brendon. ¡°Eventually could mean forever. We can¡¯t let Katie suffer like this indefinitely,¡± he said, his brow creased. One nce at his sister¡¯s condition left him with a sharp ache in his chest.

    Annoyance flickered in Ynda¡¯s eyes at his impatience, though she masked it and replied, ¡°Katie mentioned that Christina might be able to contact Dr. Emmett and secure his treatment. Why not ask Christina for help?¡±

    Katie frowned, displeasure clear on her face. ¡°Do you really believe that? Christina just got lucky in getting Dr. Emmett¡¯s help. What makes you think she has enough pull to ask a favor and actually get it?¡±

    Ynda said, ¡°Even so, isn¡¯t it worth a shot? What if she pulls it off?¡±

    Deep down, Ynda secretly wished Christina would buckle under the online pressure and then take the fall if she failed to get Calvin involved.

    Dealing Christina a setback on two fronts, Ynda doubted Christina would hold up for long. A part of her even wondered just how far Christina¡¯s pride could carry her.

    Joselyn¡¯s heart tightened as she watched Katie shrink into herself in just a few days. A heavy sigh escaped her lips. ¡°Actually, Ynda has a point. Why not let Christina give it a shot? Otherwise, when will Katie finally heal? Besides, Katie can¡¯t skip the Hubbard family¡¯s reunion banquet.¡±

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    Initially tempted to reject the idea of seeking Christina¡¯s help, Katie changed her mind at the reminder of the approaching banquet. ¡°Fine. I guess I¡¯ll let Christina help, but don¡¯t expect me to repay her any favors.¡±

    Joselyn replied immediately, ¡°You will owe her nothing even if she helps you this time. Honestly, after all the assets and money we¡¯ve given her, it¡¯s the least she can do to repay us.¡±

    Katie scoffed. ¡°She definitely owes our family plenty. If it weren¡¯t for the generous settlement we gave her for the divorce, she¡¯d still be scrambling to survive after all those years as a housewife.¡±

    A cold re hardened Joselyn¡¯s features. ¡°Yet, even after all that, she refuses to show an ounce of gratitude. Ever since the divorce, she¡¯s done nothing but push back against us.¡±

    Measured hesitation flickered in Ynda¡¯s eyes. ¡°Maybe¡­ Maybe Christina had her reasons. Otherwise, why would she end up as someone¡¯s mistress after everything? Oh¡ªI didn¡¯t mean¡ª¡± Her voice trailed off as she pressed a hand to her mouth, pretending to regret the slip.

    Curiosity shed across Joselyn¡¯s face. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±

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 Chapter 199

    ?Chapter 199:

    Katie abruptly remembered the article she had posted online. With all the chaos surrounding her illness, she had nearly forgotten about her plot. She hadn¡¯t even checked the public reactions.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really,¡± Ynda shook her head, but her reaction only drew more attention.

    Brendon narrowed his eyes. ¡°Ynda, are you onto something?¡±

    A calcted tremor ran through Ynda¡¯s voice. ¡°I have no idea¡­¡± She bit her lip and avoided everyone¡¯s gaze.

    Brendon didn¡¯t back down. ¡°You know I¡¯ll dig up the truth, whether you tell me or not,¡± he said, his tone icy.

    Finally, Ynda revealed, her voice softening as if she were defending Christina. ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to say, but I think the online usations against Christina¡¯s nder. ims of her cheating during the marriage and being kept by an older man after the divorce should all be false¡­¡±

    With a perfectly timed sigh, Ynda managed to drop every detail right into theirps, feigning innocence even as she spilled the whole story.

    Rage red in Joselyn¡¯s eyes as she mmed her hand on the table. ¡°That woman has no shame whatsoever! After everything my son did for her, she turned around and betrayed him. Marrying into our family was the best thing that ever happened to her. Even when they divorced, she walked away with a small fortune¡ªand still, she refuses to show any gratitude!¡±

    Disgust crept across Brendon¡¯s face, the memory of Elliott defending Christina stinging far more than he¡¯d admit. That wound felt raw again. Never had it crossed his mind that Christina could have been so skilled at wrapping men around her finger.

    His lips pressed into a thin line. He snatched up his phone and started scrolling through headlines, searching for anything about Christina. Every article and spitefulment only fanned the mes of his anger.

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    ¡°Christina doesn¡¯t strike me as the frivolous type. Brendon, you can¡¯t believe those rumors.¡± Ynda made one more subtle attempt to smear Christina.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. I have my own judgment,¡± Brendon replied, his tone colder than ice.

    Ynda couldn¡¯t hide her delight as she watched Brendon¡¯s expression darken. She secretly hoped resentment would take root in his heart.

    Sprawled out on her hospital bed, Katie found it nearly impossible to suppress her joy. Watching the scandal she had set in motion gain momentum and seeing Christina dragged through the mud almost made herugh out loud.

    Brendon reached for his phone and dialed Christina¡¯s number. But the phone rang several times before being hung up. Unwilling to give up, he dialed again. Call after call ended with her hanging up, and eventually, she switched off her phone.

    Frustration threatened to boil over. Brendon gripped his phone so hard that his knuckles turned white, and the urge to hurl it across the room gnawed at him.

    ¡°Still couldn¡¯t get through? How will we get Dr. Emmett to treat Katie then? Maybe Christina¡¯s avoiding us because of all the chaos online?¡± Ynda said, her brow furrowed as she stressed once more Christina¡¯s supposed scandal.

    A deadly calm settled over Brendon as he ground out his response.

    ¡°Even if she won¡¯t take my call, I¡¯ll find a way to make it happen.¡±

    As the sun dipped lower, Christina prepared to leave, nning to meet Lauretta at the designated spot to collect the Woodfort. Ignoring Brendon¡¯s attempt to reach her, she switched off her phone and left it that way, determined not to be interrupted.

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 Chapter 200

    ?Chapter 200:

    A set of car keys dangled from Chloe¡¯s hand as she offered them up. ¡°Why don¡¯t you take my car, Christina?¡±

    One nce at the plush keychain made Christina smile as she epted the keys, expecting an ordinary sedan. Instead, she stepped outside and found a pastel pink supact parked in the driveway¡ªalmost a twin to her own, just in a brighter shade.

    A softugh escaped Christina. ¡°I have to say, this is the cutest car I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±

    Joy sparkled in Chloe¡¯s eyes. ¡°My parents gave me this car for my eighteenth birthday¡ªa custom job, just for me.¡±

    Anyone could tell Chloe had grown up surrounded by warmth and care. For a brief moment, Christina felt a pang of envy.

    Adopted by the Jones family, Christina had never truly known that kind offort or belonging. Small gestures, like Bethel¡¯s kindness, hade to mean the world to her. To Christina, Bethel was like a grandmother.

    Pushing aside the ache in her heart, Christina managed to keep her tone light. ¡°A custom model must have cost a fortune.¡±

    A proud smile tugged at Chloe¡¯s lips. ¡°It wasn¡¯t outrageous at all¡ªjust $9.99 million. To my parents, it was a small price for something special.¡±

    Nothing brought Chloe more joy than talking about her family. Love flowed between them, and it showed in every word.

    A gentleugh rose from Christina. In Chloe¡¯s world, that kind of money barely put a dent in the family fortune, though for most people, it would be unimaginable. Her thoughts drifted to the car Dn had gifted her, and curiosity bubbled up. ¡°Do you think my car cost that much too?¡±

    ¡°Yours? Not quite¡ªthere wasn¡¯t enough time to get a custom one ready.¡± Chloe gave her a yful grin. ¡°But if you want, I¡¯ll ask Dn to have a special one made just for you.¡±

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    Waving the suggestion away, Christina shook her head. ¡°That¡¯s sweet of you, but I¡¯m happy as long as my car gets fixed and runs. I really don¡¯t need anything more than that.¡±

    Christina had plenty of luxury cars in her own garage, and she could easily order another custom ride if she wanted. Yet, nothing on four wheels couldpare to the sentimental value of the car Dn had gifted her. That one was in a league of its own. Just thinking about it made her pause for a moment.

    A cold determination shone in Christina¡¯s eyes, sharp and unwavering, as if nothing could break her focus. The person behind the damage to her car would not walk away unpunished. She would make sure of it.

    ¡°Maybe I should use a different car,¡± Christina suggested, ncing at Chloe. ¡°This one means a lot to you, after all.¡±

    A cheerful grin spread across Chloe¡¯s face. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. My parents spoiled me with more cars than I can possibly drive. Honestly, sharing this one with you is the best part of having it.¡±

    Hearing this, Christina felt a rush of affection. She reached out and gently patted Chloe on the head, unable to resist. Such a lovely and wonderful girl¡ªhow could she bear to see Chloe pass away too soon?

    She felt a fierce determination to heal Chloe, no matter the odds.

    ¡°Fair warning, I can¡¯t guarantee it¡¯lle back without a scratch,¡± Christina teased, hoping to lighten the mood.

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 Chapter 201

    ?Chapter 201:

    ¡°That¡¯s fine by me. Scratches are easy enough to fix,¡± Chloe replied, meaning every word.

    For a moment, Christina eyed the little car with a wry smile. ¡°Looks can be deceiving. I bet a small scrape would cost a fortune to repair on this thing.¡±

    ¡°Anyone who scratches this ought to pay a steep price. The materials and paint are all custom-made and cost far more than what most families can afford,¡± Chloe said, pointing at the back of the car. ¡°Someone once scratched it on purpose, and that person paid heavily for it. After that, I put a warning sticker on the rear bumper. If anyone ignores it, they deserve whateveres their way.¡±

    With augh, Christina circled around to the back and found the sticker exactly where Chloe said it would be.

    The bold message read, ¡°Scratch it and you¡¯ll pay dearly. Stay away.¡± Before leaving, Christina told Chloe to rest and promised to return soon so they could spend more time together.

    Christina set off down the road, never imagining that her yful exchange with Chloe would so quickly be reality.

    Easygoing at first, Christina kept a steady hand on the wheel until a white sedan suddenly lurched into herne, nearly sideswiping her. And it didn¡¯t happen just once, but several times. Rather than risk even the smallest scratch on Chloe¡¯s car, she navigated every swerve and brake with steady nerves. However, each time she tried to get ahead, the other vehicle darted after her, blocking her way once more. Every attempt to avoid trouble seemed to provoke the white sedan, its driver growing bolder, sensing her caution and testing her limits.

    By the sixth time Christina was forced off course, a steely determination set into her eyes. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened with purpose. Tired of being toyed with, she resolved to take control. If these idiots wanted a fight, she¡¯d give them one.

    Without warning, the white sedan jerked across the lines yet again, forcing another confrontation. A sharp, panicked scream burst from Christina. ¡°Ah!¡± She floored the gas, ramming her car into the side of the sedan, and then hit the elerator again, pushing past the chaos.

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    Outwardly, she slumped forward over the wheel, shaking from head to toe as if the crash hadpletely rattled her. On the inside, however, she could barely hide her satisfaction. The dashcam had caught everything on video. Her dramatic scream and trembling hands were all part of the act¡ªnobody would suspect she¡¯d deliberately hit the gas. Drawing in a shaky breath, Christina lifted her head and scrambled from the car, her face a perfect mask of terror. Tears streamed down her face as she pointed an using finger. ¡°How could you drive like that?¡± she shouted, her voice cracking with emotion as two hulking men stepped out of the white sedan.

    Both men towered over her, their faces rough and weathered, each bearing a collection of old scars. Upon noting her beauty, their eyes lit up, and they gave a low whistle. They grinned at her with a look that carried nothing good. Their eyes traveled over her without a hint of restraint, screaming lecherous thoughts.

    ¡°Figures it¡¯d be a woman behind the wheel. Probably couldn¡¯t handle the pressure,¡± sneered one of the men, tossing a dismissive look her way.

    ¡°Bet she¡¯s a mistress, all right. Maybe she¡¯s clumsy on the road, but I¡¯d put money on her being skilled in bed,¡± the other man said with a smirk.

    Theirughter rang out, crude and lewd, as though the whole crash were nothing more than a joke.

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 Chapter 202

    ?Chapter 202:

    Christina kept her rage hidden beneath a discreet, cold smile. They could mock her now, but payback was already in motion, and soon, they¡¯d realize the joke was on them.

    A fierce re shot from Christina¡¯s eyes. ¡°You kept cutting me off! This entire mess is on you, and now you have the nerve to insult me?¡±

    Shrugging with indifference, one of the men snorted. ¡°Yeah, maybe we¡¯re at fault. What are you going to do about it? Just say a number¡ªmoney¡¯s all you want, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Arrogance oozed from the other man as he gestured dismissively. ¡°That car of yours doesn¡¯t even look pricey. Three hundred grand, tops. We could cover the whole thing right now, but¡­¡± A slow, mocking grin slid across his face while his eyes raked over Christina¡¯s curves. A silent exchange passed between the two men, followed by another round of crudeughter.

    Walking closer, the other man reached out to grab her chin. Christina sidestepped, avoiding his touch without hesitation. ¡°How about this?¡± he sneered, his voice low and suggestive. ¡°Why not keep uspany tonight? You¡¯ll walk away paid in full. Honestly, you¡¯d never make that kind of money any other way. You got lucky bumping into us.¡±

    Tears welled up in Christina¡¯s eyes, her whole body trembling as she put on a wless act of distress. Every detail was calcted. She was baiting them for what came next. Barely able to choke out the words, she replied, ¡°You two couldn¡¯t possibly pay what you owe. Let¡¯s get the traffic police here to settle this. And you should apologize for what you just said.¡±

    ¡°An apology? For talking? We didn¡¯t break anyws. Besides, maybe we¡¯re right about you. Who knows?¡± One of the menughed derisively and waved off her request.

    A sudden glint of recognition shed in the other man¡¯s eyes. ¡°Wait a second¡­ She looks really familiar. I swear I¡¯ve seen her somewhere before¡­¡±

    ¡°Come to think of it, I feel the same way now,¡± he said, his tone carrying a hint of surprise at the realization.

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    After a few tense moments, realization dawned, and their faces lit up. They finally remembered where they had seen this beautiful woman before!

    Recognition lit the two men¡¯s faces, and the way they looked at Christina became even bolder, stripping away any pretense of decency. Unspoken intentions lingered in their gaze, hungry and predatory, eager to undress her with their eyes. Their lecherous, beastly stares were deeply unsettling.

    With a twisted smile, one of the men rubbed his jaw and rejoiced. ¡°I told you! This woman must be kept by some rich old guy! I was right all along. She¡¯s the one from all those scandals¡ªcheated on her husband, got divorced, and then started messing around in someone else¡¯s marriage. With that pretty and innocent face, who would have guessed she is quite the wild one?¡±

    Nasty grins stretched across the two men¡¯s faces, their intentions turning more vile with every passing second.

    ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a toy for that old man, so why put on an act for us? Is there really any difference between letting him fuck you and letting us have our turn? We¡¯llpensate your car damage in full. All you need to do is spend time with us for a couple of days and please us with all your tricks,¡± the first man said, moving closer as he lifted his hand, reaching out to grope her.

    Reacting instantly, Christina darted out of reach. ¡°Stay away from me!¡±

    Fury darkened the first man¡¯s eyes. He spat at the ground, his voiceced with contempt. ¡°Drop the act, you slut! We¡¯re offering you good money, so don¡¯t get stupid.¡±

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 Chapter 203

    ?Chapter 203:

    ¡°Let¡¯s not waste any more time,¡± the other man added, shoving his hands in his pockets. ¡°Tell us how much you charge for two nights. We can throw in some extra money if you¡¯re good in bed. Money¡¯s no problem for us.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve called the police,¡± Christina said, raising her phone. She kept a careful distance, positioning herself so the dashcam would capture everything.

    A harshugh escaped the first man. ¡°And? You think that scares us? We haven¡¯t touched you yet¡ªwhat can you possibly use us of?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± the other sneered. ¡°Worst case, we spend a few days in a holding cell. Big deal.¡±

    Company ties gave the two men confidence. A little police trouble was nothing¡ªthey knew their jobs weren¡¯t in danger.

    ncing over at Christina¡¯s car, the first man scoffed at the barely visible dent. ¡°This? Not even worth an insurance im. I could pay for the repairs out of pocket. Are you sure you want to turn down our offer? A few days with us, and you¡¯ll walk away with a full wallet. You might regret passing this up.¡±

    Delicate and weak on the outside, Christina paid them no mind, letting their words bounce off her like raindrops on ss. With the traffic police already notified, she turned to them in a calm voice. ¡°You¡¯re the ones at fault here. You¡¯d better call your insurancepany before this gets worse.¡±

    A smugugh escaped the first man. ¡°Insurance? For a tiny scrape like this? Please. I could cover it with pocket change.¡±

    Boasting just as loudly, the other man shrugged. ¡°Fixing up your little car would barely cost me a skipped lunch.¡±

    Every bit of their arrogance, from their smug grins to their dismissive sneers, was caught crystal clear on the dashcam.

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    Christina yed the part of the helpless victim, while inside, she was positively delighted. She would just let them dig their own hole. Soon enough, they¡¯d realize what a mistake they¡¯d made. She had dodged their car at least six times, but they insisted on testing her patience¡ªand their wallets. Oblivious, these two men kept bluffing, tossing around their cash and egos like it would make them look good.

    Eventually, the traffic officers pulled up and quickly ruled that the me rested squarely on the two men. The police did more than point fingers. They handed out a hefty fine for reckless driving and made it clear that behavior like theirs had no ce on the road.

    Indifference lingered on the men¡¯s faces, as if the penalties and scolding meant nothing at all.

    ¡°Did you already call your insurance?¡± the traffic officer asked, eyeing the two men.

    Rolling his eyes, the first man replied, ¡°No need to involve the insurancepany over a little dent. We¡¯ll just settle it with her.¡± He scoffed, ncing Christina¡¯s way. ¡°So, how much is it going to cost us? I doubt the repairs are more than a couple grand.¡±

    Smirking inwardly, Christina widened her eyes in feigned innocence. As her lips parted, she dropped an amount that crashed into the two men¡¯s arrogance like a lightning strike, leaving thempletely stunned.

    ¡°The repairs for my car are at least a million,¡± Christina announced, her voice calm and steady.

    The words hung in the air, and everyone¡ªincluding the two men and the traffic officer¡ªstood silent, caught off guard.

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 Chapter 204

    ?Chapter 204:

    ¡°Are you out of your mind? A million bucks for a scratch? You must be joking!¡± one of the men blurted, his disbelief written all over his face.

    ¡°Did ying mistress fry your brain?¡± the other man barked, his face twisted in anger. ¡°Your little car isn¡¯t even worth that! Even crooks wouldn¡¯t dare pull this stunt.¡±

    Shock turned to outrage as both men raised their voices, unable to contain their frustration. If the traffic officer wasn¡¯t standing there, they likely would have unleashed a barrage of curses. For a sum that high, they could have bought a fleet of tiny pink cars like hers. Yet, here she was, calmly naming this staggering price. Sure, she looked attractive, but in their eyes, she was just as clueless as she was bold.

    The traffic officer couldn¡¯t hide his skepticism, and a deep frown appeared. ¡°Miss, they¡¯re responsible, but you can¡¯t demand the moon. That sounds like extortion to me.¡±

    Eyes wide and posture meek, Christina turned to the traffic officer with a soft voice. ¡°I¡¯m not making this up. My car is a limited custom build, every material top of the line¡ªnothing about it is ordinary¡­¡±

    Before she could finish, one of the men stomped the ground and cut her off, his voice rising with irritation. ¡°Enough with that charade! Special materials? What, do you think you¡¯re driving an armored truck? You¡¯re not getting away with scamming us. We¡¯ve got cash, but we¡¯re not fools! Try this, and you¡¯ll regret it!¡± Rage made his fists clench. Without the traffic officer watching, he might have tried something worse.

    Fury colored the other man¡¯s cheeks as he jabbed a finger at Christina. ¡°The most you¡¯re getting is ten grand. Not a cent more!¡±

    Had she been willing to spend time with them for a few days to please them, they might have upped the offer¡ªbut for a busted bumper? They weren¡¯t fools. She expected them to cough up a million for a small dent in her car? Did she honestly believe they would be so gullible?

    The traffic officer shook his head, concern in his tone. ¡°Miss, you¡¯re entitled to properpensation, but let¡¯s not cross the line. If this keeps up, you might end up with extortion charges yourself.¡±

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    Calm and unshaken, Christina offered a gentle smile. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, let the insurancepany handle the assessment. I said at least a million¡ªnot just a million.¡±

    The first man clenched his fists and took a threatening step forward, only for the traffic officer to block his path. Red-faced and nearly shouting, he yelled, ¡°Officer, did you catch that nonsense? That pile of junk isn¡¯t even worth three hundred grand! However, she wants a million for a tiny scratch? This woman¡¯s insane¡ªextortion must be her hobby!¡±

    Christina ducked behind the traffic officer¡¯s shoulder, shrinking back as if she were terrified. With a cautious nce from her hiding spot, she spoke up, refusing to back down. ¡°You¡¯re wrong¡ªmy car¡¯s worth far more than three hundred thousand. It¡¯s close to ten million.¡±

    The two men¡¯sughter filled the street, mocking and disbelieving.

    A hint of doubt crept into the traffic officer¡¯s eyes, and he couldn¡¯t help but inspect her small car a little closer. Could something that looked so ordinary really carry such a hefty price tag? But no matter how he squinted or where he looked, there was nothing about the vehicle that screamed luxury. Everything about it¡ªdown to the make and model¡ªappeared in, the opposite of expensive.

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 Chapter 205

    ?Chapter 205:

    Throwing up his hands, the angrier man blurted, ¡°I must be losing my mind arguing with you! What¡¯s the point of reasoning with an insane person? iming this cheap car¡¯s worth millions? Please! If you¡¯re so sure, say it for the camera¡ªtell the whole world your little toy is worth millions, and that a minor scrape costs at least a million to fix.¡± He pulled out his phone, pressed record, and aimed the lens straight at Christina, determined to catch her on video. He figured the video going viral would be easy, especially with the gossip swirling around her name.

    Eyes shining with a stubborn light, Christina faced the camera. ¡°My car costs $9.99 million¡ªbelieve it or not, that¡¯s the math.¡± Her finger pointed firmly at the rear of the car. ¡°There¡¯s a warning right on the back that says, ¡®Scratch it and you¡¯ll pay dearly, stay away.¡¯ I have warned you¡­¡±

    Keeping up her charade, especially since the camera was on, Christina began, her eyes wide, ¡°You kept recklessly swerving in front of me six times! I was terrified, and that¡¯s exactly what caused the crash¡­¡±

    Before Christina could finish, the burly man cut her off, his re sharp as a de. ¡°Reckless? We barely edged into yourne. If anything, that¡¯s what led to the rear-end collision¡­¡±

    He loomed over Christina, bristling with hostility, forcing her to shrink back behind the traffic officer for cover. She dropped her gaze, her entire posture small and meek, the perfect picture of someone cornered and shaken.

    A female officer caught Christina¡¯s trembling form and leaned in, her tone gentle and reassuring. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯re here. They won¡¯ty a finger on you.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Christina hoisted her head, sending the officer a look of gratitude. But when she met the man¡¯s menacing scowl, she flinched, quickly ducking her head as if she were terrified.

    Nobody caught the faint, almost sly curve to Christina¡¯s lips. She knew too well that in conflicts, even if one was in the right, appearing aggressive often provoked bystanders¡¯ instinctive opposition. Victims were always scrutinized for ws by many onlinementators.

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    ¡°Contact your insurance provider,¡± the male traffic officer demanded of the two men.

    The two men exchanged nervous nces, shifting their weight. After a tense silence, one finally replied, ¡°Our insurancepsed¡­ We didn¡¯t renew it.¡±

    The other man puffed out his chest and sneered, ¡°No need for insurance. I¡¯ll throw in a little extra¡ªthirty grand, how¡¯s that sound?¡±

    Peering out from behind the traffic officer, Christina spoke up, her voice barely carrying. ¡°Even ten times that amount wouldn¡¯t make up for the damage you caused.¡±

    The first man¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously, like he mightsh out at any moment. ¡°So that¡¯s it? You¡¯re just trying to exploit this mess?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just telling the truth. I¡¯ll call the insurancepany right now,¡± Christina replied, already reaching for her phone.

    ¡°Go on! See if I back down!¡± the first man snapped, his threatced with menace. ¡°Try anything shady and you¡¯ll regret it!¡±

    Feigning panic, Christina fumbled with her phone, her hands trembling as she switched it on. Instead of contacting Chloe, the real car owner, she called Dn, since Chloe¡¯s current sight issue meant handling this situation might be beyond her capabilities.

    In the conference room, tension was at its peak when a sharp ringtone shattered the silence.

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 Chapter 206

    ?Chapter 206:

    Every executive reflexively reached for their own device, not realizing the ringtone wasn¡¯t theirs. Their nerves were so frayed that they were almost paralyzed with fear, grateful they hadn¡¯t been thrown out by Dn.

    Before anyone could react, Dn had already drawn out his phone, his expression unreadable as he rose from his seat. ¡°That¡¯s all for today,¡± he dered, abruptly ending the meeting.

    He then answered the call before walking out of the conference room. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    His deep, alluring voice resonated through the conference room, the barest trace of a smile lighting his features. Whatever storm had brewed inside him moments before melted away, reced by an air of surprising calm.

    His shift in mood left the entire room reeling. Everyone traded startled nces. Did they just catch a flicker of a smile on Dn¡¯s lips? What incredibly good news could have broken through his steely exterior? The Dn standing there felt worlds away from the one they remembered.

    As the door swung shut behind Dn, the tension snapped. Everyone exhaled at once, shoulders dropping, nervousughter bubbling up.

    ¡°Holy hell, I thought my heart was going to stop¡ªI thought it was my phone.¡±

    ¡°Same here! Nearly jumped out of my seat. Good thing my phone¡¯s on silent, or I¡¯d be dead meat.¡±

    ¡°So, who called Mr. Scott? He¡¯s bursting with joy, and he sounds surprisingly gentle.¡±

    ¡°No clue! Maybe someone special? He never smiles like that even when it¡¯s his family on the line.¡±

    ¡°Oh my! Who could possibly tame our boss? I¡¯d pay to know who put him in such a good mood.¡±

    ???§ÁE ??P?¦«T¦®? I§ª G¦«?§ª?V¦®??.???

    ¡°Whoever it was, they¡¯re a hero in my book. If that call hadn¡¯te through, I¡¯m pretty sure we¡¯d all be toast. Whoever saved us deserves a medal.¡±

    Back when rumors about Dn¡¯s supposed rtionship started swirling around the office, nobody had taken them seriously. Now, though, everyone was beginning to believe there might be some truth in them. People pulled out their phones, eager to share the day¡¯s drama with their chat groups.

    ¡°I had a bit of an ident¡­¡± Christina didn¡¯t get to finish before Dn¡¯s worried voice broke in. ¡°Where are you? Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just the car took a hit. I need you to call the insurancepany for me to handle the damage assessment,¡± she answered calmly.

    Dn¡¯s nerves, tight as a wire, finally eased. He let out a breath. ¡°As long as you¡¯re safe.¡± His voice turned gentle, losing its edge. ¡°Was it your fault? Don¡¯t stress about it. If the insurance won¡¯t cover it, I¡¯ll handle everything.¡±

    Dn, like everyone else, assumed the one making the call was at fault. He wanted to make sure Christina knew he¡¯d take care of her, no matter what. His mind, consumed by concern,pletely forgot that Christina was Skybreaker¡ªthe legendary racer with driving skills so sharp that she¡¯d never get into a mess unless something had thrown her badly off.

    ¡°No, I wasn¡¯t at fault.¡± Christina quickly rified. ¡°But the other driver¡¯s insurancepsed. I just want our insurancepany to send someone to check the damage.¡±

    ¡°Got it. Text me your location. I¡¯ll call our insurance and get someone out there right away,¡± Dn replied, already making arrangements.

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 Chapter 207

    ?Chapter 207:

    With that, Christina hung up and fired off her location to Dn, making sure to mention it was Chloe¡¯s custom pink supact¡ªimpossible to miss.

    As she tapped out the message, the irritable man snapped beside her, ¡°Can you move it along? How much longer is this going to take? We¡¯re in a hurry!¡±

    The female traffic officer shot him a withering look as she stated firmly, ¡°You drove without valid insurance. Byw, we have to impound your car.¡±

    The man scowled, clearly itching for a fight. If not for the male traffic officer standing nearby, he might¡¯ve done something far worse. ¡°Unbelievable¡ªjust my luck to run into this fucking bitch!¡± he spat and then kicked his car in frustration.

    Christina smirked inwardly. Driving without insurance and daring to cause trouble on the road¡ªhe deserved it. Guys like him always assumed they could push women around, figuring the worst that could happen was a p on the wrist.and a small payout. Sure, a lot of women might have backed down and let themselves get trampled. But he wasn¡¯t so lucky today¡ªhe¡¯d tangled with the wrong woman.

    Momentster, a car rolled up to the curb. A suited man in his fifties, sses perched on his nose and a build unremarkable, hurried out and crossed the street with nervous strides. He was the insurancepany¡¯s manager, summoned urgently by his superior, who¡¯d warned him that this was no ordinary im¡ªtoday¡¯s client was someone the entirepany couldn¡¯t afford to upset.

    Panting from his dash, the manager mopped sweat from his forehead, scanning the scene. ¡°I¡¯m the insurance manager,¡± he announced, his voice slightly shaky. His eyesnded on Christina, the only woman present except the female traffic officer. ¡°Miss Jones?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s me,¡± Christina simply answered.

    The manager studied Christina for a moment, determined tomit her features to memory¡ªhe couldn¡¯t risk crossing her in the future. Impatient, the man barked, ¡°Where¡¯s your assessor? Let¡¯s move it along. I¡¯ll give you fifty thousand. Just get the damn thing fixed already.¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.??0??? ????????  novels

    The manager chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°Fifty thousand? That¡¯s funny. Last time Miss Jones¡¯ car got a scratch, the bill was over a million. The person responsible paid every cent.¡±

    A million might be pocket change to the elite, but for most families, it was enough to wreck their entire lives.

    ¡°What the hell?¡± The man¡¯s jaw dropped as he spoke. ¡°A million for a scratch? You people trying to rob me? That car isn¡¯t worth anywhere near that!¡±

    The other man shot Christina a look of disbelief. ¡°You really expect us to believe this is some luxury car? What a joke. Even highway robbers aren¡¯t this shameless!¡±

    The two men had been so sure the insurancepany would tear Christina, that conniving gold-digger, apart, exposing her for the shameless scammer she was.

    But then this gray-haired man strolled in, iming to be the insurancepany¡¯s manager¡ªand, to their disbelief, backing up every lie she said. Now their suspicions kicked into overdrive. Who the hell was this guy? He didn¡¯t act like a real employee of the insurancepany. For all they knew, he appeared to be some random retiree roped into ying along.

    One of the men jabbed a finger at the manager and then shot Christina a scornful re. ¡°Who is this guy, huh? Your sugar daddy? You seriously hired some old faker to pose as an insurance manager? That¡¯s a damn crime, you know!¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch. She met his gaze, her voice ice-cold. ¡°Keep spouting nonsense and I¡¯ll see you in court.¡±

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 Chapter 208

    ?Chapter 208:

    The man just scoffed, puffing out his chest. ¡°Oh, please¡ªtake me to court, why don¡¯t you? Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got!¡±

    Unfazed, the manager swiftly produced his official credentials, flipping them open for everyone to see. ¡°I¡¯m really the insurance manager. Feel free to double-check my identity.¡± He leveled a calm stare at the man. ¡°Miss Jones¡¯ car is valued at nearly ten million. If that¡¯s not a luxury car, what is?¡±

    Before the man could work himself up into another fit, a fleet of insurance staff and assessors poured onto the scene. After a quick but thorough inspection, the damage assessment came back: the repairs would cost roughly two million.

    ¡°Two million?¡± The man practically staggered, hand mped to his chest, veins bulging with outrage. ¡°You may as well be holding me at gunpoint! Repairs aren¡¯t worth a fraction of that! You¡¯re all running some kind of scam!¡±

    The other man¡¯s paranoia dialed up even higher, shooting wary nces at the traffic officers. ¡°I¡¯ll bet those ¡®officers¡¯ aren¡¯t even real! I¡¯m calling the actual police¡ªthis is obviously a whole criminal setup!¡± He whipped out his phone and made the call, his voice ringing with righteous fury. In the end, they were all hauled off to the precinct, confusion trailing in their wake.

    Christina finished her statement and stepped out of the station just as her car was being hauled off for repairs. Now all she could do was wait for the final bill.

    Meanwhile, the two men watched their own car get impounded and then found themselves cooling off in holding cells.

    Christina didn¡¯t bother herself with the fallout¡ªDn¡¯s team would clean up the mess behind the scenes. She waited outside the station, thete afternoon sunlight glinting off her hair as she scrolled through her phone, watching for her ride.

    A sleek ck van glided to a stop at the curb. The driver hopped out, and before Christina could react, Dn emerged as well, his sharp gaze finding her instantly. She couldn¡¯t hide her surprise.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s brings your imagination alive

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be at work? What are you doing here?¡± she asked with a soft smile.

    Dn¡¯s eyes flicked away. The real reason was written all over his face¡ªhe¡¯d been too anxious about her to get anything done today¡ªbut he¡¯d never admit that. ¡°Just happened to be in the area,¡± he muttered, his jaw set. ¡°Thought I¡¯d pick you up.¡±

    He instantly regretted how stiff he sounded, a flicker of annoyance tightening his brow.

    ¡°If it¡¯s out of your way, I can just grab a cab,¡± Christina suggested, trying to ease the tension.

    ¡°It¡¯s not.¡± His answer was curt.

    They hopped into the car. The silence between them stretched, heavy and ufortable.

    Momentster, Dn cleared his throat and spoke. ¡°Want me to handle those idiots for you?¡±

    Christina¡¯s lips curved into a practiced smile, though something darkened behind her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t bother. It¡¯s not worth your time.¡± She had already handled everything¡ªthose vile, foul-mouthed men would soon be paying the price. She¡¯dced their drinks with something nasty: not fatal, but cruel enough to make them beg for mercy. Soon, their bodies would rot from the inside out, reeking like garbage left in the summer sun.

    Dn fell silent, his expression clouded. After a beat, he let out a low sigh. ¡°You don¡¯t always have to let people off easy.¡±

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 Chapter 209

    ?Chapter 209:

    The unexpected softness in his voice surprised her. Her smile didn¡¯t waver, but something tightened in her chest. ¡°I know,¡± she replied, holding his gaze. Her tone was light, but her eyes unreadable. ¡°But I¡¯m really not as nice as you think.¡±

    Dn watched her closely, unwilling to let her dodge the truth. ¡°You are, though.¡±

    If she wasn¡¯t kind, how could she have endured the Dawson family for the past three years, taking every slight in stride and repaying cruelty with grace? She¡¯d carried Bethel and the whole Dawson family on her back, going above and beyond, even when they trampled her underfoot. If that wasn¡¯t kindness, what was?

    A cold shadow crossed his eyes as he recalled it all. The Dawson family were nothing but pathetic, blind morons. They had tossed aside a diamond and picked through the dirt like a pack of sniveling, small-minded rats.

    Christina met Dn¡¯s gaze with an easy smile. ¡°You are also kind.¡± People were never just one thing. Everyone carriedyers¡ªshadows tucked behind smiles, secrets buried beneath kindness. Even the best of them harbored darkness. But as long as someone had a decent heart, they usually didn¡¯t stray far from the right path.

    A smile flickered across Dn¡¯s face upon hearing her praise. He fought to hide it, but the happiness bubbling inside him threatened to spill over. The corners of his lips tugged upward, then faltered, only to lift again as his mood soared.

    When the car eased to a stop, Dn turned slightly toward her. ¡°This where you¡¯re getting off?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, right here¡¯s good.¡± Christina unbuckled her seatbelt with a rxed smile. ¡°You go handle your work.¡± Then, almost as an afterthought, she added, ¡°Want toe over for dinner?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Dn replied without hesitation, his mood lifting even more.

    Once Christina stepped out and disappeared into the alleyway, Dn pulled out his phone and dialed Edwin.

    Edwin picked up nervously, already bracing for a scolding for something he hadn¡¯t done well. But what Dn said caught him by surprise.

    ¡°Sorry, Mr. Scott, but what did you just say?¡± Edwin doubted his ears. ¡°You want to buy afternoon snacks for the wholepany?¡±

    Not only did Dn insist on treating everyone, but he also demanded it be from the city¡¯s priciest spot.

    Edwin couldn¡¯t process this. What the hell was happening? Was this really their CEO? Dn seemed like a brand-new man.

    After confirming Dn¡¯s instructions, Edwin raced off to spread the word, dropping hints and stoking spection among his fellow secretaries. Chatter rippled through the secretarial department within minutes.

    After that, Edwin darted over and finalized the snack order in a sh.

    When the official announcementnded in each department group chat, everyone¡ªfrom the executives to the janitors¡ªbuzzed with anticipation. Yes, even the cleaning staff would get to join in on the surprise treat.

    In every employee group chat that didn¡¯t include Dn, the gossip was relentless.

    ¡°Wait, is Mr. Scott really in love? My heart can¡¯t take this¡ªI always dreamed I¡¯d marry him!¡±

    ¡°Hah! Keep dreaming. Mr. Scott only has eyes for women who are just as rich and powerful as he is. He¡¯d never look our way.¡±

    ¡°Maybe he¡¯ll go crazy one day and marry an ordinary girl like us. Stranger things have happened!¡±

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 Chapter 210

    ?Chapter 210:

    ¡°Don¡¯t give up hope just yet! Anyone have any intel on his mysterious girlfriend? Which family does this heiress hail from? She must be incredible.¡±

    ¡°Of course she is. If she tamed someone as cold as Mr. Scott, she has to be beautiful, brilliant, and tough as nails.¡±

    ¡°Can anyone sneak into the secretarial department and get us the inside scoop?¡±

    ¡°Forget it¡ªthose secretaries are just as clueless about his mysterious girlfriend.¡±

    ¡°If we can¡¯t get any leaks, I guess we¡¯ll just have to wait for Mr. Scott to make it official. That could take forever! The suspense is killing me, I can¡¯t even focus on work!¡±

    While everyone at the Scott Group¡¯s branch office was desperate for details about Christina, she was already on her way home, carrying Woodfort in her arms.

    Inside the hospital room, Calvin studied Katie with a furrowed brow, his expression growing darker by the second. ¡°I can¡¯t diagnose her,¡± he said curtly, his tone edged with irritation.

    Katie¡¯s hands clenched the bedsheet, anxiety shing across her face. ¡°But you¡¯re supposed to be one of the top surgeons in the world. How can you not know?¡±

    If Calvin hadn¡¯t been famous for his brilliance¡ªand his powerful connections¡ªshe would have already used him of ipetence. Calvin¡¯s lip curled with a disdainful snort. His cold eyes swept the room and thennded back on her. ¡°Let¡¯s be honest¡ªit wasn¡¯t Christina who asked me to treat you, was it?¡±

    Had it not been for the failure to reach out to Christina to confirm her supposed request¡ªher phone switched off¡ªand Bethel¡¯s consistent begging, Calvin wouldn¡¯t have bothered to show up.

    Just like those doctors from the other hospitals, Calvin couldn¡¯t pin down Katie¡¯s symptoms with the clear test results, but he knew exactly what this was¡ªChristina¡¯s doing. Since it was Christina¡¯s way of punishment, she wouldn¡¯t let him.

    treat Katie. Besides, it was poison, and he was clueless about how to detoxify it. He recognized Christina¡¯s touch instantly because he had witnessed her methods before. Without that, he might never have spotted the subtle signs of poisoning. The Dawson family had the nerve to use Bethel to manipte him¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t forget that.

    ???l????v??????.c??m brings fresh updates

    A tense silence filled the room after Calvin spoke. No one dared meet his eyes, their unease written all over their faces.

    They had indeed taken advantage of Christina¡¯s unreachable phone to mislead Calvin. They had asked him to check on Bethel first and then smoothly slipped in a request for Katie.

    Brendon stepped forward, forcing a smile. ¡°Dr. Emmett, this was actually Christina¡¯s idea. She wanted to contact you, but something urgent came up.¡±

    Calvin let out a scornfulugh, eyes narrowing. ¡°Really? Should I call her right now and confirm?¡±

    ¡°Dr. Emmett¡­¡± Brendon tried to keep up the lie, but Calvin raised a hand to silence him.

    Calvin¡¯s gaze swept over Brendon and the others, piercing and unforgiving. ¡°From now on, both the Dawson and Mitchell families are no longer wee at my clinic. I won¡¯t be treating any of you¡ªonly Bethel is the exception.¡±

    Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and stormed away, leaving no room for argument. They wouldn¡¯t get a chance to see him again, much less receive any treatment.

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 Chapter 211

    ?Chapter 211:

    Stunned, Brendon and the others watched his retreating figure. Katie yanked the nket off her legs and scoffed. ¡°Was that really necessary? He¡¯s way too dramatic for a doctor.¡±

    Joselyn crossed her arms, bitterness in her voice. ¡°Look how defensive he gets when it¡¯s about Christina. You really think they¡¯re just friends? She must have something going on with him. Why else would he drop everything toe running whenever she calls? She¡¯s just the Jones family¡¯s adopted daughter, barely valued by them.¡±

    Katie nodded, her voice edged with annoyance. ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? Even our family couldn¡¯t get Dr. Emmett to visit, but Christina calls, and he immediately shows up. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if they¡¯re already sleeping together.¡±

    Just then, Ynda said gently, hardly meaning her words, ¡°Katie, you really shouldn¡¯t make such usations without proof. If Dr. Emmett hears something like that, things could get even worse.¡±

    Katie scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. ¡°Worse? How much worse can it get? Didn¡¯t he just put us all on his cklist?¡±

    To her, it was no big deal. Calvin was just a surgeon. Soon, younger talents would outshine him. Additionally, the Dawson and Mitchell families might not even need a surgeon. Once she secured a connection with the son of the wealthiest man in Dorfield, she¡¯d rise above everyone else¡ªgaining power, prestige, and influence.

    ¡°Katie¡¯s right. We¡¯re already cklisted. What worse could happen?¡± Joselyn agreed, settling beside Katie on the bed. She patted Katie¡¯s head proudly. ¡°You¡¯re brilliant, sweetheart. Once you marry into the Hubbard family, we¡¯ll have more influence than that cranky old man ever dreamed of. The Hubbard patriarch has ties with all the major yers in Lorbridge.¡±

    A smug smile spread across Joselyn¡¯s face, pride practically glowing from her. ¡°When that timees, our whole family will rise with you. And if the Hubbards be the leading force in Lorbridge, Brendon will be the richest man in Dorfield.¡±

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    Joselyn turned to Ynda, her voiceced with superiority. ¡°And that would make you the most envied woman in town¡ªBrendon¡¯s wife.¡± Ynda smiled politely. ¡°No matter what happens, you¡¯ll always have my respect.¡±

    But inside, Ynda felt a flicker of irritation. Joselyn¡¯s condescending tone and her need to act superior grated on her nerves. Being pushed into a subordinate role didn¡¯t sit well with her. Katie wasn¡¯t even married into the Hubbard family yet, and Joselyn was already acting like she ruled the world. What would it be like if the marriage actually happened?

    Ynda couldn¡¯t wait to see who¡¯d win Elliott¡¯s affection and secure a ce in Dorfield¡¯s richest family.

    Just then, a sharp knock echoed through the hospital room.

    Everyone¡¯s attention snapped to the doorway, their conversation falling silent as two uniformed police officers stepped inside.

    Everyone exchanged startled nces¡ªcould Calvin really be so spiteful as to call the police over nothing but a ruse? Surely tricking him into seeing Katie wasn¡¯t enough to warrant a visit fromw enforcement.

    As suspicion hung in the air, one of the officers cleared his throat and asked, ¡°Excuse me, which one of you is Ms. Katie Dawson?¡±

    Katie¡¯s lips parted, but nerves got the best of her. She hesitated, unable to immediately reply. A chill of dread prickled down her spine¡ªwhy did the police want her?

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 Chapter 212

    ?Chapter 212:

    Joselyn stepped forward protectively, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Why are you looking for Katie?¡± she demanded.

    The officer¡¯s tone remained calm and detached. ¡°Someone has reported her for nder and defamation. There are allegations she posted false statements on social media, and the issue¡¯s attracted considerable attention. We need her toe with us to assist in the investigation.¡±

    Katie¡¯s face drained of all color, her bravado evaporating. She¡¯d only posted what she believed was the truth. Was it really so serious? Christina had indeed been spotted with an older man¡ªwas it such a crime to use a little exaggerated scandal to distract from her own troubles?

    The officers scanned the room, pausing on both Ynda and Katie. ¡°So, which of you is Katie Dawson?¡±

    All eyes immediately turned to Katie, exposing her without a word.

    One of the officers took a step forward, his gaze fixed on Katie. ¡°Ms. Dawson, pleasee with us to assist in the investigation.¡± Katie jerked the nket up to her chin, her eyes wide and frantic.

    ¡°I¡¯m sick. I really can¡¯t go¡­¡±

    Her weak excuse lingered as the officers pressed for her medical records.

    Katie hesitated, heart pounding. She had no evidence to back up her im¡ªthe hospital hadn¡¯t found a thing wrong with her, and any record would only prove she wasn¡¯t sick.

    ¡°My medical file is missing,¡± she blurted, putting on her bravest face.

    The officer¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°If you don¡¯t cooperate, we¡¯ll check with the hospital ourselves. Faking an illness is a serious offense¡ªyou could be charged.¡±

    Brendon shot Katie a look, quiet but insistent. ¡°Just go with them. If you¡¯re truly innocent, you¡¯ll be cleared and back soon enough.¡±

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    Katie opened her mouth to protest, but under Brendon¡¯s steady eyes, her courage crumbled. Dragging her feet, she slipped out of bed, head bowed in defeat.

    Ynda grabbed Brendon¡¯s sleeve as the officers led Katie away, her voice trembling. ¡°What do we do now? Will Katie be alright?¡±

    Brendon tried to sound reassuring, though a flicker of doubt crossed his face. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The rumors online might not even be Katie¡¯s doing.¡±

    Ynda hesitated and then bit her lip. She whispered, ¡°But¡­ it could¡¯ve been Katie¡¯s doing. I think Christina found out and wants her to pay.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s brow furrowed as he pressed. ¡°How do you know that?¡±

    After a moment¡¯s pause, Ynda nced away and then murmured, ¡°That day, Katie told me herself that she nned to use Christina¡¯s scandal to distract everyone from her own trouble.¡±

    Brendon mmed his fist against the table, his eyes zing with frustration. ¡°How could Katie be so reckless? The Reed family¡¯s caught up in this mess¡ªthey won¡¯t just sit back and watch. She never should¡¯ve tried handling this on her own.¡±

    Spreading a few rumors online was bad enough, but leaving a trail behind was just asking for trouble.

    Ynda¡¯s voice trembled with anxiety as she leaned in. ¡°What should we do now? If she actually ends up in jail and the news gets out, her whole future at school is finished.¡±

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 Chapter 213

    ?Chapter 213:

    Joselyn¡¯s nerves frayed, but then a wild idea shed across her face. Without warning, she seized Ynda¡¯s arm, her grip firm. ¡°Ynda, why don¡¯t you take the me for Katie? I promise, we¡¯ll pull some strings and get you out in no time. You won¡¯t have a single stain on your record, and our family will think the world of you.¡±

    Ynda stared at Joselyn, jaw clenched in disbelief. Joselyn¡¯s so-called solution was outrageous.

    Brendon shot to his feet, his voice sharp with outrage. ¡°Absolutely not! Why should Ynda pay for Katie¡¯s mistake?¡±

    But Ynda forced a gentle, selfless smile, ying her role to perfection. ¡°Brendon, let me do it. I just want to help your family.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s tone softened, but his stance didn¡¯t budge. ¡°No. I won¡¯t allow it.¡±

    Ynda edged closer, affection glimmering in her gaze as she slipped her arm around him. ¡°I can¡¯t stand by and watch your sister¡¯s life get destroyed. Let me go instead¡ªthen you can work your magic and get me out fast.¡±

    Ynda put on a convincing performance, determined to make Joselyn and Brendon believe she was willing to take the fall for the Dawson family. She figured this way, Joselyn might finally treat her with respect¡ªand maybe Brendon would love her even more.

    Joselyn¡¯s voice trembled, her eyes shining with unshed tears. ¡°Brendon, even Ynda is willing to take the fall for Katie. Why are you still hesitating?¡± She clung to him, desperation etched across her face. ¡°Your sister is set to marry into the Hubbard family. If she¡¯s convicted, do you really think they¡¯ll still consider her? She¡¯s your only sister. One scandal will wreck her future, ruin her education, and drag our whole family¡¯s name through the mud.¡±

    Brendon had stood his ground at first, but Joselyn¡¯s words sank in like slow poison, corroding his resolve. Thepany was barely staying afloat¡ªif this scandal spiraled any further, the entire business could copse. His jaw tensed, brows knitting as the weight of their financial troubles pressed down on him.

    M?§Ô? ??????? ?? ??l????l?.???

    Watching him hesitate, Ynda misread his silence, assuming he was reluctant to let her bear the me. A sly smile flickered at the corners of her mouth. She¡¯d turned Joselyn¡¯s schemes upside down with just a handful of well-ced words.

    ¡°Brendon, really, I don¡¯t mind. I can handle this. Just¡­ don¡¯t look down on me after it¡¯s all over,¡± Ynda said softly, her voice trembling for effect.

    Brendon wrapped his arms around her, his tone gentle and reassuring. ¡°How could I ever look down on you? Don¡¯t be silly.¡± Then, his resolve hardened. ¡°Alright. Let Ynda take the fall for Katie.¡±

    Ynda froze. The blood drained from her face, icy shock rippling through her limbs. She¡¯d simply put on an act¡ªnever serious about being the scapegoat. Had her n just disastrously backfired?

    ¡°Ynda,¡± Brendon¡¯s gaze fell on her, his eyes heavy with sympathy and aching tenderness.

    Ynda bit back the torrent of curses rising in her throat and mustered a soft, sugary smile. ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry you¡¯re going through this,¡± he murmured, brushing a kiss against her forehead.

    ¡°Just say the word, and I¡¯ll do whatever you need.¡± She wore the mask of a selfless martyr wlessly, though she shredded him and Joselyn to pieces in her mind. Agreeing to take the fall had been a mistake. She never imagined Brendon would actually agree with Joselyn¡¯s proposal. But it was toote to walk away now.

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 Chapter 214

    ?Chapter 214:

    Pulling out would only make him think she was calcting, not loyal. And until shended a richer man, she couldn¡¯t afford to lose her hold on Brendon. He remained her safety¡ªher carefully chosen backup n.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ynda,¡± Brendon murmured again, his arms wrapping around her more tightly. ¡°We¡¯re about to be an item. You don¡¯t need to apologize.¡±

    Ynda¡¯s lips curved into a sugary smile, masking the bitterness wing at her chest.

    With the Dawson family nking her, Ynda marched forward and shouldered the me, confessing to Katie¡¯s crime without flinching.

    Katie, finally released, clung to Ynda with newfound gratitude. In her eyes, Ynda had be more reliable than blood¡ªher one true savior.

    Once Katie and the others returned to the Dawson family¡¯s estate, Finnegan and She came charging over.

    ¡°Why on earth was Ynda arrested?¡± Finnegan¡¯s fury erupted, his voice rattling the hall. ¡°She¡¯s barely settled from her father¡¯s ordeal, and now she¡¯s locked up herself? Is this some kind of sick joke?¡±

    She¡¯s re skewered Brendon. ¡°You swore you¡¯d protect her. This is what protection looks like to you?¡± she demanded.

    Katie, who had been shrinking behind Joselyn, finally mustered the nerve to step forward, shame coloring her cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ Ynda wouldn¡¯t be in this mess if it weren¡¯t for me.¡±

    Finnegan¡¯s gaze snapped to her, sharp and bewildered. ¡°What do you mean? Someone tell me what actually happened!¡±

    They¡¯d only been told Ynda was taken by the police¡ªnone of the ugly details had reached them.

    Katie stammered through a clipped summary, but as soon as the truth came out, Finnegan and She exploded. They tly refused to leave until the Dawson family offered a proper exnation.

    ?????????????? ???????????? ????: g????????¦Í??????©q?????

    Joselyn, scowling, had tried to stop Katie from spilling the truth, but the damage was done. With her temper fraying, she spun on her heel. ¡°You deal with this!¡± she snapped at Brendon before storming away.

    Left to clean up the disaster, Brendon finally caved, promising Ynda five percent of the Dawson Group¡¯s shares aspensation for Ynda¡¯s ordeal. Only then did Finnegan and She finally relent, retreating in a huff.

    Meanwhile, word of Ynda¡¯s sacrifice quickly reached Christina.

    A cold, satisfied smile flickered across Christina¡¯s lips as she read the news in the kitchen. Since Ynda was so desperate to y the martyr, she had no qualms about letting her¡ªshe¡¯d even make sure the charges couldn¡¯t be shaken off.

    Christina slipped her phone into her pocket and resumed chopping vegetables, her movements calm and unhurried, as though nothing unusual had happened at all.

    By the time Dn came home, the apartment was filled with the warm, savory scent of dinner.

    Chloe appeared in the doorway, nose sniffing around for the spread on the table. ¡°Oh my god, it smells incredible in here!¡± she gushed, her hands flying together in genuine delight. ¡°Christina, you¡¯re amazing!¡± By now, she could vaguely make out the dishes on the dining table.

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 Chapter 215

    ?Chapter 215:

    ¡°Don¡¯t expect too much. I¡¯m no chef,¡± Christina said, shing a modest smile as she set down a steaming bowl.

    She¡¯d deliberately kept the menu simple¡ªher confidence in the kitchen was shaky at best, and thest thing she wanted was to mess up something ambitious and look foolish, which would be quite embarrassing.

    ¡°I¡¯ll start with this one,¡± Chloe remarked, not entirely sure what it was but undeterred. She popped a bite into her mouth and brightened instantly. ¡°Wow! This is amazing! Seriously, Christina, you nailed it.¡± She then tasted every dish on the table, showering each one with glowing praise that made Christina¡¯s cheeks flush with pride.

    ¡°So? What do you think?¡± Christina turned to Dn, her eyes brimming with anticipation.

    His kitchen mastery left her worried her own dishes would taste dull byparison.

    Dn took his time, savoring each bite before finally saying, ¡°It¡¯s delicious. Honestly, this is just to my liking.¡±

    A genuine, radiant smile broke across Christina¡¯s face. ¡°You mean it? I must be getting better!¡±

    She had talent in many fields, and while perfection might be out of reach, she could certainly deliver a worthy attempt. But when it came to cooking, no matter how much effort she poured in, the kitchen always teetered on catastrophe.

    Christina eagerly lifted her fork, piercing a morsel and tasting it on her own. The moment the food hit her tongue, she almost did a double take. Was something wrong with her taste buds? Chloe and Dn seemed perfectly content, so she forced herself to keep chewing and tried the rest.

    Only then did she admit the truth¡ªsome dishes were salty enough to cure meat, while others tasted like they¡¯d forgotten seasoning entirely. Still, she decided to look on the bright side¡ªmaybe if shebined everything on one te, it would bnce out.

    Discover more

    ¡°You two really know how to tter,¡± Christina teased, shing them a yful grin.

    ¡°No, really¡ªthis is amazing!¡± Chloe insisted, piling her te high with greens and savoring every bite. She let out a dramatic sigh, as if she were dining at a five-star restaurant. ¡°It¡¯s honestly delicious!¡±

    Dn dug in with just as much enthusiasm, his utensils never pausing, his expression perfectly content. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s great. I genuinely like it.¡±

    Their tant ttery made Christinaugh. She could only shake her head, amused by how hard they were trying. If she hadn¡¯t already sampled her own cooking, she might have actually believed them.

    Still, Christina didn¡¯t mind. Everyone had their own talents. Maybe hers just didn¡¯t happen to be in the kitchen. That didn¡¯t bother her¡ªpeople had strengths and weaknesses, and as long as they yed to their strengths, that was enough.

    ¡°How about I ask someone to whip up a few more dishes?¡± Christina offered, not wanting them to feel obligated to eat only her food.

    But Chloe and Dn responded in perfect unison, ¡°No need!¡±

    ¡°Christina, seriously, Dn and I really do love your cooking,¡± Chloe said brightly, shing her a genuine smile.

    Dn nodded with quiet assurance. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

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 Chapter 216

    ?Chapter 216:

    Seeing they were determined, Christina relented and sat down to join them. It never crossed her mind they¡¯d actually finish all the dishes. Watching themugh and share the meal together, Christina felt a gentle warmth unfurl in her chest.

    For a moment, she almost forgot the awkwardness and self-doubt. Instead, she simply enjoyed the heartfelt, simple scene¡ªso different from her cold, distant days with the Dawson family.

    Christina¡¯s early attempts in the kitchen had been nothing short of catastrophic. Yet, she¡¯d persevered, learning by trial and error while still living with the Dawson family. Her progress had been hard-won¡ªher meals still weren¡¯t wless, butpared to where she¡¯d started, the improvement was undeniable.

    The Dawson family, however, had never acknowledged her growth. No matter how much effort she poured into a dish¡ªeven when a professional chef hovered at her elbow to ensure perfection¡ªthey always managed to pick it apart.

    With the lone exception of Bethel, not a single member of the Dawson family had ever offered a word of encouragement. Instead, Christina¡¯s every effort had been met with cold criticism and dismissive sneers.

    Only Bethel had shown Christina warmth and support. It was Bethel¡¯s kindness, rare and genuine, that touched Christina deeply, and she silently vowed that one day, she would repay Bethel in full.

    Noticing the shift in Christina¡¯s mood, Dn nced over with concern, his usually reserved voice growing gentle. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Chloe, though unable to see Christina¡¯s face due to her sight issue, picked up on the tension right away. She leaned in, her tone worried. ¡°Christina, did someone upset you?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Christina gave a light, practicedugh, brushing their concerns aside with ease. ¡°Not at all. I was just thinking about your car being damaged¡­¡±

    ?????? ?????????? ???? g???????¦Í??????£®?????

    ¡°Oh!¡± Chloe brushed off her concern with a carefree wave. ¡°It¡¯s no biggie. It¡¯s just a car¡ªit¡¯ll be fixed up and good as new soon. Nothing to stress over.¡±

    Dn gave Christina a reassuring look. ¡°Seriously, don¡¯t me yourself for this.¡±

    Before Christina could reply, Chloe jumped in, her eyes bright.

    ¡°Christina, I should be thanking you!¡±

    Christina turned to her, puzzled. ¡°For what?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been itching to repaint that car for a long time,¡± Chloe announced with a grin. ¡°Now, thanks to you, those two jerks got what wasing to them, and I get my dream color¡ªall without spending a dime. Honestly, I should be celebrating.¡±

    Chloe burst outughing, so pleased that she nearly started pping for Christina. Some men were downright vile¡ªintentionally targeting female drivers by swerving in front of them with bad intentions. She¡¯d dealt with it before: one smug jerk had cut her off, and she¡¯d made damn sure he paid dearly for it.

    Funny enough, when Chloe drove a shy sports car, no one dared mess with her. But the moment she switched to her adorable pink Mini¡ªsomething that looked inexpensive and harmless¡ªthey crawled out of the woodwork, full of spite.

    ¡°Christina, you handled it perfectly!¡± Chloe noted, full of admiration. ¡°If it were me, I¡¯d do the exact same thing. My car even has a warning sticker, but they still had the nerve to cut you off on purpose. Serves them right!¡±

    Chloe then huffed, her voiceced with disdain. ¡°Those guys think they can push around women who look soft or drive cheaper cars. They assume even if they scratch it, they¡¯ll only owe pocket change. That¡¯s why they act like they own the road.¡±

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 Chapter 217

    ?Chapter 217:

    Her temper red as she vented, her fists practically itching for a fight. If those guys had the nerve to show their faces now, she¡¯d have let them have it.

    Christina reached over, gently ruffling Chloe¡¯s hair. ¡°Let it go. It¡¯s not worth losing your cool over people like that. Honestly, draining them of a fortune hurts far more than any ck eye ever could.¡±

    A grin broke across Chloe¡¯s face. ¡°Exactly! They probably thought they¡¯d only have to shell out a little, but that bill hit them like a sledgehammer. Bet they¡¯re still fuming.¡±

    Dn, quietly taking it all in, couldn¡¯t help the faint smile tugging at his lips as he watched the two women get along.

    The following morning, Christina¡¯s phone buzzed. Without even looking, she picked it up. ¡°Morning, Davina. What¡¯s up?¡±

    Davina¡¯s voice came through in a rush. ¡°You told me you found out who¡¯s spreading those rumors. Why haven¡¯t you posted anything yet? The gossip¡¯s getting even uglier.¡±

    Christina, still half-awake, replied with her eyes shut, ¡°I¡¯ll handle it after breakfast.¡±

    Davina scoffed derisively. ¡°You¡¯re way too calm! If it were me, I¡¯d have already sted them all over the inte. Anyone who tries to trash my name online¡ªif I had proof, I¡¯d make them wish they never touched their keyboard¡­¡± Suddenly, her voice shot up an octave. ¡°Goddamn it¡ªwhat a scumbag!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Christina croaked, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She brushed her fingers through her tousled ck hair, stretching with thenguid ease of a cat fresh from a sunbeam.

    Davina¡¯s voice crackled with rage. ¡°They¡¯re dragging you through the mud online again! Some jerk is iming you¡¯ve got a sugar daddy paying your bills, and that you rammed your so-called ¡®mistress car¡¯ into them just to cash out¡­¡±

    She didn¡¯t even finish summarizing the malicious rumors before letting the insults fly. ¡°Mistress car, my ass! Why do idiots always go straight for the filthiest crap? Seriously, who raised those losers? I swear, their parents must¡¯ve been half-wits to produce such worthless idiots! If you¡¯d called me when your car got hit, I¡¯d have hauled those two scum back to whatever gutter they oozed out of and made them choke on their own lies. Ugh! The trash thates out of their mouths¡ªno way they grew up on anything but pure sewage.¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is your escape to fiction

    Christina listened to Davina¡¯s tirade, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She calmly reached for her toothbrush, waiting for Davina to run out of steam before giving a low, amused chuckle. ¡°Feeling better now?¡±

    A snort burst from Davina. ¡°I¡¯m still pissed, and you¡¯re over there acting like it¡¯s nothing? How are you not losing your mind right now?¡±

    ¡°Chill down. They¡¯ll get what they deserve very soon,¡± Christina responded, amusement flickering in her voice.

    ¡°You¡¯ve already taken action?¡± Davina¡¯s voice spiked, brimming with curiosity.

    ¡°I have. They¡¯ll be paying the price tonight,¡± Christina remarked, her tone calm but resolute.

    ¡°That¡¯s a relief. I thought you were going to let them off easy¡ªjust sit back while they trash you online.¡± Davina¡¯s energy shifted in an instant, her tone lifting with renewed cheer.

    ¡°Originally, I¡¯d only nned to make them cover the damages and be done with it,¡± Christina responded, her voice hardening. ¡°But they took it public and slung dirt. I¡¯ll just dig the grave and toss them in.¡±

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 Chapter 218

    ?Chapter 218:

    Christina was no pushover. Whenever someone targeted her, she¡¯d make sure they paid for it¡ªmaybe not right away, but always when it stung the most. She never rushed to retaliate. She waited until the drama reached its peak, savoring the satisfaction of striking when all eyes were on her. The way those two had run their mouths online only made it sweeter. Tonight, she would tear them to pieces.

    ¡°Crush them! Destroy them! They started this¡ªlet them reap what they sow!¡± Davina eximed, her voice bursting with excitement.

    Christina let out a low chuckle. ¡°Just sit back and enjoy the show.¡±

    Davina¡¯s impatience barely gave her time to respond. ¡°Well, hurry up and eat your breakfast! I can¡¯t stand waiting¡ªI need to get online and obliterate those trolls! Talkter!¡±

    The line snapped off before Christina could say a word.

    Shaking her head, Christina couldn¡¯t help butugh at Davina¡¯s fiery temperament. Hotheaded as Davina was, her fierce loyalty meant everything. To her, Davina was family.

    Christina stepped into the living room just as the maid wheeled Chloe over.

    ¡°Good morning, Miss Jones,¡± the maid greeted, all warmth and respect.

    Chloe¡¯s eyes lit up the second she spotted Christina. ¡°Finally! You¡¯re awake. I was just about to drag you out for breakfast!¡±

    With a smirk, Christina teased, ¡°Let me guess. Your brother cooked again, didn¡¯t he?¡±

    Chloe clung to Christina¡¯s arm, her delicate face pressed against Christina like an affectionate kitten. ¡°Of course! My brother always goes all out when making breakfast for you!¡±

    That drew a softugh from Christina. She noted Chloe¡¯s obvious attempt to y matchmaker. Anyone overhearing might get the wrong idea about her and Dn. But she dismissed it as Chloe¡¯s usual mischief. There was no way Dn cooked for her sake. He was just spoiling his sister, and she simply rode those coattails.

    Your next story starts here: g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°How considerate of him,¡± Christina replied, keeping her tone light and diplomatic.

    They made their way to the dining room¡ªthen paused, surprised by the scene before them. Dn stood at the table in a sharp ck suit, sleeves pushed up, and a pink apron tied over his broad shoulders. He was carefullydling steaming congee into a porcin bowl, his focus unshakeable.

    Under his rolled-up cuffs, a sliver of golden skin caught the morning light¡ªsmooth, lean, quietly exuding strength and an effortless kind of confidence.

    Dn¡¯s fingers were long and graceful, each joint clearly defined. His wrist muscles were firm, giving off a quiet strength that felt both powerful and strangely alluring. There was something about him¡ªan energy that stirred the air, making people feel restless without knowing why.

    Dn wasn¡¯t standing under a spotlight, yet in Christina¡¯s eyes, he seemed to shine with a gentle glow.

    ¡°Christina.¡± Suddenly, Chloe¡¯s voice cut in, snapping Christina out of her daze.

    Christina instinctively touched her nose, worried she might have looked silly being so lost in thought.

    ¡°We¡¯re having porridge today. Didn¡¯t you say you wanted to try itst night? Well, now you can!¡± Chloe said with a yful smile.

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 Chapter 219

    ?Chapter 219:

    Christina blinked in surprise. She hadn¡¯t expected anyone to actually make it based on a casualment. Warmth bloomed in her chest, but it came with a touch of sadness. Her thoughts drifted to her years with the Dawson family. Even when she made deliberate requests, Brendon never fulfilled them, let alone acted on something she said in passing. The difference was night and day. Her ex-husband hadn¡¯t shown her half the care her friends now did.

    ¡°Thank you. I only mentioned it casually. I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d actually make it,¡± Christina said with a grateful smile. When Dn cooked before, she had distributed it for Chloe¡¯s sake. But this time felt different¡ªlike it was just for her. She had only mentioned itst night, and here it was, warm and ready.

    Chloe grinned. ¡°No need to thank us. We¡¯ll be family once you marry my brother.¡± She gave Christina a yful wink.

    Dn looked slightly flustered and cleared his throat. ¡°Ahem. Come and eat.¡±

    ¡°Alright!¡± Chloe beamed, grabbing Christina¡¯s hand. ¡°Let¡¯s see if his cooking has gotten any better.¡±

    Christinaughed softly and gave Chloe¡¯s head a light pat. There was something so pure and sweet about Chloe. She was impossible not to like.

    Dn ced a steaming bowl of porridge in front of Christina and handed another to Chloe with a rxed motion. ¡°Try it. Let me know if it needs anything,¡± he said. His usually cool voice had a rare warmth to it.

    Not wanting to make Christina ufortable, Dn spoke up. ¡°I¡¯ll just drop by from time to time. Since it¡¯s just the two of you here, it might not be right for me to stay long-term.¡±

    ¡°Alright. If Christina thinks it¡¯s inconvenient, then forget it,¡± Chloe said, clearly disappointed.

    Noticing the look on Chloe¡¯s face, Christina guessed Chloe really wanted her brother around, so she said, ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s not inconvenient. Besides, this house belongs to you guys anyway.¡± Christina hadn¡¯t forgotten the fact that she was staying in this huge vi rent-free. There was more than enough space, and all of them had their own rooms. If anything, she was the one getting the sweet end of the deal.

    ???????? ???????????? ???? ?????????????????????????

    ¡°Can my brother move in, then?¡± Chloe asked, her eyes wide with hope.

    Christina suddenly felt like she had gone from being a guest to acting like the host. To someone watching, it might even look like the ce belonged to her. ¡°Of course. It¡¯s your home¡ªyou two decide,¡± she said with a smile.

    ¡°Really?¡± Chloe asked, still not fully convinced.

    ¡°Really.¡± Christina let out a smallugh.

    ¡°You¡¯re the best!¡± Chloe beamed. Then, she turned to Dn. ¡°Pack your bags after work and move in! I¡¯ll have someone get your room ready.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Dn replied in his usual cool tone. But deep down, he was pleased. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. After breakfast, he headed to the office in a good mood.

    Edwin took one look at Dn and almost asked what had him so cheerful. Before he could say a word, Dn made an announcement: anyone who finished their work for the day could leave two hours early.

    Edwin nearly fell out of his chair. The workaholic CEO had left work early several times recently. And now he was even letting his employees off early as well? Seriously? Was this the power of love?

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 Chapter 220

    ?Chapter 220:

    Meanwhile, Christina sat at herputer, setting up a new Twitter ount.

    The hate train against her had already been rolling full speed¡ªpeople calling her a homewrecker, a kept woman, a gold-digger¡­

    And now, thanks to two lying cowards twisting the story, things had gotten even uglier. They¡¯d conveniently left out the part where they were arrested. They also ignored the fact that the car she drove was worth a fortune and the repair quote had been right on the mark. Instead, they just posted photos of the car, lettingizens assume it was some beat-up junker, and, of course, the inte mob went wild.

    ¡°She has no shame! That trashy car needs a million in repairs? Give me a break.¡±

    ¡°Homewreckers should be crushed. Who does she think she is¡ªabove thew because of some sugar daddy?¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s backing her? Let¡¯s take down her sugar daddy¡¯spany. Wreck them both.¡±

    Christina scrolled through thements. Each one was nastier than thest, with likes in the hundreds of thousands. Some mocked her silence, calling her a coward for not speaking up. But even if she stayed silent, it wouldn¡¯t have made a difference. They wanted blood. They wouldn¡¯t stop until both she and the so-called ¡°sugar daddy¡± were ruined.

    A slow, dangerous smile crept onto her face. The two lying cowards probably thought she was just some meek woman, scared to fight back. Too bad for them¡ªthey¡¯d picked the wrong woman to mess with.

    Christina uploaded pictures of the car, along with its purchase receipt and insurance policy to prove its real value. She blurred out all sensitive details and casually tagged the two cowards¡¯ social media ounts.

    It didn¡¯t take long for the post to blow up. But most of thements were still full of hate, calling her shameless andbeling her a homewrecker.

    Magic begins at g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s

    ¡°That proof must be fake! Who are you going to believe¡ªme or the mistress?¡±

    ¡°She forged it for sure. No mistress tells the truth. She¡¯s just trying to cover up her lies.¡±

    ¡°You expect us to believe that car is worth nearly ten million? What a joke! It should be worth thirty thousand or so, at most. My friend has the same one, just in a different color. He paid a little over thirty grand! Report her for fraud! Let thew deal with her!¡±

    ¡°This woman is hrious. First, she hides like a coward. Then, shees out swinging with this nonsense. Nine million for that junk? She¡¯s clearly trying to scam someone.¡±

    Christina scrolled through the topments without flinching. Then, she stood up calmly and walked off to make herself a cup of coffee. By the time she returned, coffee in hand and a small te of dessert, the hate had only gotten worse. Likes on the meanestments had shot up into the tens of thousands. The insults continued to pour in under her post.

    Still unfazed, Christina took a slow sip of her coffee. The aroma was deep and warm, with a smooth, sweet finish. Simply perfect.

    She took a bite of dessert, enjoying the crisp crunch and rich vor. It melted in her mouth like springtime flowers blooming¡ªlight, fragrant, and sweet.

    After finishing her snack, she looked back at her screen. The two lying cowards had finally shown up. Her lips curved into a slight smile. Perfect timing. She posted another update, this time dropping the real bomb¡ªproof of the two cowards¡¯ detention. She tagged the Dorfield Police Department and the official insurancepany ount.

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 Chapter 221

    ?Chapter 221:

    Within moments, the inte erupted.

    ¡°Wait¡ªshe tagged the police and insurancepany? Is she actually telling the truth?¡±

    ¡°No way. She¡¯s just bluffing. A mistress will do anything to twist the story.¡±

    ¡°If she¡¯s lying, wouldn¡¯t the police or insurancepanye after her? Maybe she¡¯s not bluffing?¡±

    Some people began to hesitate. Others held back, waiting to see what would happen.

    Then came the responses. First, the insurancepany replied, confirming the documents were real. Next, the police department released an official statement with solid proof backing Christina¡¯s ims.

    Still, the insults didn¡¯t stop. Many continued to defend the two cowards, calling them heroes for ¡°putting a mistress in her ce.¡± They twisted the story, iming the two cowards were only trying to protect a marriage.

    A few even pushed wild conspiracies¡ªsaying Christina must have some powerful old man behind her, rich enough to bribe the police and the insurancepany.

    But Christina didn¡¯t blink. She wasn¡¯t angry. She wasn¡¯t shaken. In fact, her smile only grew brighter¡ªconfident and dazzling. Because it was time to y her final card.

    Christina let the chaos brew, holding back until the online smear campaign reached a fever pitch. Right on cue, her phone lit up¡ªDavina¡¯s name shing across the screen. No surprise there. Davina had definitely seen the filth people were spewing online and was ready to explode.

    The moment Christina picked up, Davina¡¯s outrage sted through the speaker. ¡°Goddammit! I can¡¯t take this! Those mindless keyboard monkeys are absolute garbage! The truth is staring them right in the face, but they¡¯re still fawning over those scumbags like they¡¯re some kind of saints! Seriously, are they braindead, or just willfully blind? Their heads must be filled with sewage¡ªpure, maggot-infested trash! How the fuck do people get this dumb?¡±

    Davina was going off so hard that she barely paused to breathe. When Christina didn¡¯t immediately jump in, she barked, ¡°Hello? Are you even there?¡±

    G  a lno  ve ls . is where the magic begins

    A quietugh slipped from Christina. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m still listening.¡±

    ¡°You should be cursing them out with me! You¡¯re way better at roasting idiotse on, unleash hell already!¡± Davina demanded, her voice brimming with righteous fury.

    The intensity in Davina¡¯s voice made Christina smile. She could practically see her friend pacing with her fists clenched.

    ¡°Wait, are you actuallyughing right now?¡± Davina nearly shrieked, incredulous. ¡°They¡¯re still trashing you everywhere, even after you dropped all that proof! You can¡¯t let those bastards get away with it¡ªgo destroy them, now!¡±

    Christina soundedpletely unfazed. ¡°Rx, I¡¯ve got everything under control. Seriously, step away from the inte before you burst a blood vessel.¡±

    ¡°Not happening! They picked a fight with you, so I¡¯ming for their whole damn family tree. I¡¯m off¡ªtime to drag these idiots into the dirt.¡± Davina ended the call, flung her phone onto the couch, and immediately went on the attack, her fingers flying across her keyboard in a storm of fury. She was ready to beat her keyboard into oblivion if that was what it took to shut these trolls up for good.

    With Davina on a warpath, Christina decided there was no point in waiting¡ªthis bullshit needed to end. She uploaded her trump card: dashcam footage thatid out the whole ugly scene in brutal detail, every vile word those two men had spat preserved for all to see. Within moments, theizens that had been howling for Christina¡¯s head went dead silent as her third update went live.

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 Chapter 222

    ?Chapter 222:

    ¡°Why the hell are you guys still wasting energy here? Didn¡¯t you see her new post? We¡¯ve been duped by those two scumbags! Go watch hertest upload!¡±

    ¡°Wait, what? Duped by who? Weren¡¯t they just putting that homewrecker in her ce?¡±

    The furiousmenters instantly dropped their bickering and stampeded toward Christina¡¯stest post. When they finally watched the full video, realization crashed over them¡ªthey¡¯d been tricked by those two despicable scoundrels. The footage the two scoundrels released had been spliced to twist the narrative, making them look innocent.

    But Christina¡¯s evidence revealed every sleazy maneuver: those two scoundrels had deliberately targeted the pink Mini Cooper because a woman was driving, cutting her off again and again with obvious malice.

    Women who¡¯d experienced the same crap behind the wheel absolutely lost their cool. The fooledizens instantly forgot all about the ¡°homewrecker¡± drama and swarmed the two scoundrels¡¯ profiles, tearing into them with a vengeance.

    A few even went berserk¡ªdigging up their real names, workces, and tagging their employers in a digital witch hunt, demanding ountability.

    Suddenly, the two scoundrels¡ªwho¡¯d been gloating in private¡ªwere blindsided as the inte¡¯s fury turned on them. Panic erupted as their workces got sucked into the scandal, the tables turning faster than they could process. The firestorm they¡¯d ignited against Christina now raged out of control, scorching them instead. The veryizens they¡¯d rallied morphed into an angry mob, flooding their feeds with pure wrath.

    Finally, the coup de gracended¡ªcalls from their superiors, voices cold and furious, ordering them to clean up the mess,pensate the victim, or pack their things and get out.

    Just then, Christina got a message from Davina. ¡°Your acting was wless! If I didn¡¯t know you, I would¡¯ve fallen for it too. You were so smart to set a trap from the start with feigned terror. If you had gone straight at those two scoundrels, the inte would¡¯ve torn you apart instead of them.¡±

    ??????????? ????¦Ñ???????? ?????????¦Í????????????

    Christina smiled as she read the message. She texted back, and the two chatted for a while.

    After venting their rage on the two scoundrels, the online crowd slowly turned their focus back to Christina. New posts began to surface, still calling her a homewrecker. The insults came pouring in again.

    But Christina remained calm. A quiet smile yed on her lips as she prepared to drop her final card. She had gathered evidence long ago¡ªenough to make the nderers pay for their lies.

    Yet, since Ynda had taken the me for Katie, Christina decided to let Ynda bear the brunt. She released proof showing Ynda confessing to the police that she had made up the rumors, and it was verified by the police department.

    In an instant, those who had insulted Christina were left speechless. They had been fooled all along, first by the two scoundrels, and now by Ynda. Realizing this made them feel like clowns. Their anger red again. They tracked down Ynda¡¯s social media and flooded it with bacsh.

    Then, someone dug up an old photo of Christina stepping out of a race car. She looked absolutely stunning.

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 Chapter 223

    ?Chapter 223:

    ¡°Wait¡­ Is this beauty a race car driver? No way! She looked so gentle when she got cut off on the road.¡±

    ¡°Why not? Just because she¡¯s gentle doesn¡¯t mean she can¡¯t race. Maybe she¡¯s soft in life, but fierce on the track.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. Some people are quiet offstage, but once the spotlight hits, they shine like stars!¡±

    Soon after, a short video surfaced. In the footage, Christina stepped out of a race car, slowly taking off her helmet. Her thick, ck hair tumbled down like a silk waterfall. She gave a gentle shake of her head, her hair swaying softly. She glowed with elegance¡ªand power.

    ¡°Whoa! She¡¯s not just beautiful. She carries herself with this effortless charm!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s so cool and graceful! I¡¯m in love. Her vibe on the track is totally different from real life.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s unreal! I¡¯d follow her anywhere. She¡¯s my queen!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s dazzling! Just one smile from her and I don¡¯t need sugar in my coffee anymore.¡±

    ¡°Wait a second¡­ She looks so familiar. Where have I seen her before?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got it! She¡¯s Rose¡ªthe shooting champion who beat Dn four years ago!¡± Aizen finally connected the dots. Christina was Rose¡ªthe legendary sharpshooter.

    The news exploded online like wildfire. Everyone was stunned. The woman they had once called a homewrecker had not only proven her innocence, but also turned out to be a race car driver¡ªand a champion shooter.

    Her real identity hit the inte like a storm, leaving the entire web reeling in shock.

    Theizens who¡¯d spent days tearing Christina apart had never imagined the inte would suddenly explode with such a dramatic reversal.

    Lose yourself in stories on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s

    Some, floored by the truth, scrambled to apologize for joining the digital witch hunt. But plenty still dug in their heels. Even as the evidence zed across their screens, they kept flinging usations, convinced Christina¡¯seback was nothing but a slick PR move to scrub her name clean.

    No matter how much proof she provided, these holdouts refused to believe she hadn¡¯t been a homewrecker. They dismissed her achievements as a racing and shooting champion, iming it was all smoke and mirrors¡ªsome secret ¡°sugar daddy¡± had to be bankrolling her sess, greasing palms, and orchestrating this entire campaign to rewrite her story online.

    Christina, however, had zero intention of wasting another ounce of energy on those conspiracy-obsessed haters. She¡¯d already dropped evidence that was impossible to dispute. If they still chose to howl at the moon, nothing short ofying down her life would ever sway them. And she was far too smart to martyr herself for a handful of trolls who would never be satisfied.

    People were always going to talk, and if she tried to battle every single uglyment, she¡¯d have crumbled under the weight of their venom ages ago. As long as most people finally saw the truth, that was enough for her. The stubborn skeptics didn¡¯t matter at all.

    And even if nobody stood by her side, it wouldn¡¯t have changed a thing¡ªher only goal was to crush the liars who¡¯d dared smear her name. Winning over strangers was never her mission.

    With the inte storm finally shifting in her favor, Christina closed herptop, feeling the tension drain from her shoulders.

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 Chapter 224

    ?Chapter 224:

    Meanwhile, a palpable unease settled over the Dawson family.

    ¡°Why are you back by yourself? Where¡¯s Ynda?¡± She demanded, sweeping past everyone to scan the hallway for any trace of her daughter.

    Brendon trudged inside, dark circles shadowing his weary eyes. ¡°They refused to grant bail,¡± he muttered, his voice drained.

    Finnegan¡¯s jaw tightened, irritation flickering in his gaze. ¡°You promised you¡¯d get Ynda out before leaving.¡±

    ¡°We tried¡ªGod knows we did. But the judge wouldn¡¯t even hear us out.¡± Joselyn instantly stepped forward, bristling with indignation. ¡°My son¡¯s run himself ragged for this family. Do you want him to copse? He did everything possible.¡±

    Finnegan started to snap back, but She clung to his arm, her eyes bright with desperation. She fixed Brendon with an imploring stare. ¡°Brendon, you have to get Ynda out. You¡¯re the only one who can.¡±

    Katie said in a gentle tone, trying to sound reassuring, ¡°We¡¯ll figure something out. Don¡¯t lose hope.¡±

    ¡°I know you will.¡± She forced a brittle smile, though resentment simmered just beneath the surface as she nced at Katie. If Katie hadn¡¯t stirred up so much trouble, her own daughter wouldn¡¯t be sitting in a jail cell now. But no matter how much she seethed, there was only one thing that mattered¡ªYnda had to be released before the Hubbard family¡¯s reunion banquet. Failure wasn¡¯t an option. With the Mitchell Group hanging by a thread and no real allies left in Dorfield, She realized that the Dawson family was all they had left. Crossing the Dawson family simply wasn¡¯t an option.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to get some rest,¡± Brendon announced tly. He paused at the foot of the stairs, fixing Ynda¡¯s parents with a cool stare. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll keep my promise.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Finnegan muttered, though his jaw was clenched in frustration. She forced a tight smile. Neither of them dared protest further. That five percent stake in the Dawson Group was the only thing keeping their hope alive. No matter how bitter they felt, they had no choice but to choke down their anger and y along.

    Your story source g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Brendon climbed the stairs, shoulders tense, when Katie darted after him, ncing nervously over her shoulder to make sure Ynda¡¯s parents were out of earshot. ¡°Brendon, have you seen what¡¯s blowing up online?¡± she whispered, anxiety etched into every line of her face.

    ¡°I saw it,¡± Brendon said quietly, his tone grim.

    Katie¡¯s voice dropped to a harsh hiss. ¡°That bitch Christina is actually trying to ruin Ynda! She posted proof¡ªactual evidence against Ynda! She¡¯s just jealous. She can¡¯t stand that you dumped her for Ynda, so now she wants payback. This is her twisted little revenge!¡± Her hands balled into fists, her entire frame shaking with barely contained fury. ¡°She wants everyone on the inte to turn on Ynda. That pathetic bitch won¡¯t stop until Ynda¡¯spletely destroyed.¡±

    Annoyance flickered in Brendon¡¯s eyes as he gave Katie a look sharp enough to cut ss. ¡°This mess is all your fault! If it weren¡¯t for you, would Ynda be locked up right now?¡±

    Sure, he was pissed that Christina had exposed Ynda online without seeking his permission. But resentment simmered for Katie. Her blunder was the real reason Ynda got hauled off by the police, yet somehow, Katie still found the nerve to call Christina names. That stung, especially because Christina used to be his wife.

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 Chapter 225

    ?Chapter 225:

    Katie folded her arms across her chest. With a steady gaze, she fired back, ¡°I only posted the truth online. You seriously believe Christina doesn¡¯t have some rich guy footing her bills?¡±

    That usation hung in the air, and Brendon mped his mouth shut. The scowl deepened, shadows gathering on his face. Any other day, pulling strings would have gotten Ynda out before lunch. But today was different. The police refused to cooperate, making it impossible to smooth things over. Doubt crept in. Was Christina¡¯s backer the one making trouble for him from behind the scenes? He couldn¡¯t imagine what kind of big shot would be obsessed with a woman who¡¯d gone through a divorce.

    Elliott¡¯s name popped into Brendon¡¯s mind, bringing back shes of the way Elliott had looked at Christina. Could Elliott be the one backing Christina?

    Brendon drew his brows together until they almost met. After a brief pause, he brushed the idea aside. It seemed unlikely. Someone as young and confident as Elliott would never be interested in a divorcee. The Hubbard family would lose their minds if that were the case.

    When Katie noticed his hesitation, she leaned in, her eagerness sparking as she urged him on. ¡°Brendon, you can¡¯t just let Christina get away with this! If you don¡¯t step in, she¡¯ll walk all over you.¡±

    ¡°This is my problem, not yours. I¡¯ll deal with Christina the way I see fit.¡± Brendon fixed her with a hard re. Without another word, he turned away and walked straight into his room.

    Once in his room, he fished out his phone and called Christina. Each ring felt like an eternity. The silence nearly convinced him to give up, but at thest second, the line clicked.

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Christina¡¯s tone was cool, almost mocking, every word dripping with detached amusement.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s has stories worth exploring

    Brendon didn¡¯t bother with pleasantries. ¡°Why¡¯d you have to go public with Ynda¡¯s mess?¡±

    A dryugh echoed from Christina. ¡°She wanted to y dirty and drag my name through the mud. If anything, I went easy¡ªshe¡¯s lucky all I did was tell the truth and not haul her into court.¡±

    ¡°You know damn well she wasn¡¯t the one who started the rumors,¡± Brendon shot back, suspicions flickering in his eyes. There was no way Christina was clueless about Katie being the real instigator. After all, Katie had been the first person the police singled out when things went sideways.

    A dry smile yed on Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m well aware. But Ynda was so eager to swoop in and take the me for Katie. Since she wants the spotlight, she can have it.¡± Her tone dropped, sharp as broken ss. ¡°If you care so much about justice, why don¡¯t you go beg Katie to confess and swap ces with Ynda? I¡¯m the one who got dragged through the mud here. What exactly do you want from me?¡± A mocking tilt colored her words. ¡°Come on, Brendon. If your family really wanted to protect Ynda, they¡¯d have made Katie confess from the start. Don¡¯t act like your hands are clean in all of this.¡±

    It was clear to Christina that Ynda taking the me had suited the Dawson family just fine. Any real concern for Ynda would havended Katie behind bars instead.

    ¡°None of this gives your mysterious backer the right to keep blocking Ynda¡¯s bail!¡± Brendon¡¯s anger snapped through, his frustration finally spilling over. ¡°This was supposed to be a minor issue.¡± Nothing made his blood boil more than picturing another man getting close to Christina, holding her close. He just couldn¡¯t understand how she could sink to this level.

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 Chapter 226

    ?Chapter 226:

    Mockeryced Christina¡¯sughter. ¡°You call this a minor issue? Brendon, do you even hear yourself? Your whole family dragged my name through the dirt and turned the public against me¡ªand you still think it¡¯s minor?¡±

    A bitter chuckle escaped her. ¡°Well then, by that logic, your precious Ynda being detained for a few extra days is minor too!¡± Her tone sharpened, each word cutting clean. ¡°Here¡¯s the bottom line, Brendon. Unless your sister admits what she did and apologizes to me in front of everyone, you can forget about using your connections. Ynda isn¡¯t going to be released.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s face twisted with fury at Christina¡¯s icy retort. His voice dropped to a spiteful snarl. ¡°Why do you always have to turn the smallest thing into a circus? If it weren¡¯t for that bastard backing you, you¡¯d have never kept me from bailing Ynda out! Christina, don¡¯t kid yourself¡ªyou survived on your adopted parents before we got married, and after that, you leaned on me. Without the Dawsons, you¡¯d be nothing. I¡¯m the one who handed you those settlements¡ªdo you really think you¡¯dst a day as just another washed-up housewife?¡± He spat the next words, each one dripping with contempt, ¡°Since our divorce, you¡¯ve done nothing but spread your legs for any man who¡¯ll have you!¡±

    Christina listened, her heart mostly armored against his poison, though a sh of indignation sparked behind her cool gaze. ¡°I¡¯ve got nothing else to say to you. My answer hasn¡¯t changed. Unless Katie steps up, confesses, and apologizes in front of everyone, you can forget about getting Ynda out early. As for this so-called man backing me¡ªso what if he exists? He¡¯s in a league you¡¯ll never touch. You¡¯re not even fit to lick his boots. Sucks to be you, huh?¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, she ended the call and blocked his number in one decisive motion.

    Brendon stared at the screen in disbelief, his fury ratcheting up another notch as he realized she¡¯d blocked him. He crushed his phone in his grip, jaw clenched, every muscle in his face rigid with rage. No way was the man backing Christina so untouchable that even he couldn¡¯t twist a few arms to get someone out of jail.

    The best reads are at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    Brendon seethed, vowing that once he dug up a new connection¡ªanyone powerful enough to free Ynda¡ªhe¡¯d change his number just so he could call Christina, gloat, and shove his victory in her face. But as the days dragged by, every favor he called in fell t. No matter how many contacts he exhausted, it was like mming into an invisible wall¡ªan unseen force crushing every attempt before it could gain traction.

    With each failure, his frustration with Christina twisted into something darker. How could she be this vindictive? How could she stand by and watch him flounder, humiliated and powerless? The humiliation ate at him, feeding a bitter resentment that refused to die.

    Meanwhile, in the Dawson family, Finnegan¡¯s re cut straight through Brendon, his tone icy. ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s the Hubbard family¡¯s reunion banquet, and Ynda still isn¡¯t out?¡±

    Finnegan had started to question whether the Dawson name actually meant anything anymore. But with Brendon dangling that promised five percent stake, he forced himself to swallow his anger and kept his harsher thoughts to himself.

    ¡°She¡­ She might not make it to the banquet.¡± Brendon¡¯s words came out thick and heavy, shame burning in his cheeks. He couldn¡¯t even smooth over a problem this basic in front of his girlfriend¡¯s parents. How pathetic did that make him look? What was meant to take one quick call had ended in a humiliating dead end.

    ¡°You told us she¡¯d be out before the banquet!¡± She eximed, barely able to rein in her fury.

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 Chapter 227

    ?Chapter 227:

    Katie lingered in the shadows, desperately hoping she could fade into the background. If anyone med her for Ynda¡¯s mess, she had no defense¡ªshe was the reason Yndanded in jail. Thest thing she wanted was to be on the receiving end of Finnegan and She¡¯s wrath.

    ¡°Stop putting this all on him!¡± Joselyn snapped, irritation sharpening her tone. ¡°You act like he¡¯s not doing everything he can. If there¡¯s me, it¡¯s that bitch, Christina, and that mysterious backer. God knows what kind of influence her new man has.¡±

    Icy dread crept through Joselyn¡¯s chest. What if Christina¡¯s supporter decided to make the Dawson family their next target? What if all their hard work copsed before they could secure the Hubbard family¡¯s support?

    ¡°So what do we do now?¡± Finnegan demanded, voice tight with frustration as he shot Joselyn a re.

    Joselyn shrugged. ¡°What else is there? We¡¯ll just have to wing it. Skipping one banquet won¡¯t kill anyone. You two can still show up.¡± Joselyn had no idea why Finnegan and She looked so desperate, but their disappointment was practically radiating off them.

    For Finnegan and She, the banquet had been everything¡ªtheir shot at helping Ynda catch the eye of a high-society guest, maybe even the Hubbard family themselves. But now, with their connections in Dorfield bone dry and the Dawson family proving useless, all they could do was stew in their resentment.

    Soon enough, the day of the Hubbard family¡¯s grand banquet finally arrived.

    The Hubbard family¡¯s grand reunion banquet glittered beneath the high ceilings of their Cloudcrest Heights mansion, a pce carved out at the foot of the city¡¯s most exclusive enve.

    Ordinary folks could only fantasize about stepping foot past Cloudcrest Heights¡¯ fortified gates. Tonight, though, invitations served as free tickets¡ªgiving a chosen few a rare peek behind the curtain at how the other half truly lived.

    I@te$t ¡é#@pter$ In g@!novel$.c0m

    Though the Hubbard estate ranked lowest on the Cloudcrest Heights socialdder, the mansion itself was an architectural marvel¡ªopulent, sprawling, and untouchable for anyone outside the world of the ultra-rich.

    Here, real estate wasn¡¯t just about deep pockets. It was about wielding power. The true elite lived even higher up the mountain¡ªat the legendary Scott estate, a ce whispered about in awed tones. Most people would have considered their livesplete if they ever glimpsed those rarified halls.

    For everyone else, even brushing against the lowest rung of Cloudcrest Heights felt like a victory.

    But ess was tightly guarded. Gaining entry meant passing through a gauntlet of checkpoints, each one manned by eagle-eyed security.

    Outside the first barrier, the parking lot glittered with automotive royalty¡ªsleek Rolls-Royces, roaring Lamborghinis, a few Bugattis, and even a Pagani or two. Chauffeurs and socialites milled about, invitations in hand, awaiting inspection.

    Katie lounged in her cherry-red Ferrari, watching the disy of wealth and status with thinly veiled ambition.

    Typical of the Hubbard family, Dorfield¡¯s reigning dynasty, tonight¡¯s guest list read like a roll call of the city¡¯s most powerful and well-connected. Every attendee was either obscenely rich or just a few handshakes away from someone who was.

    Katie let a slow, confident smile curl across her lips. Even if she failed tond a Hubbard, there were plenty of sharks in this golden sea. She intended to leave with a new target in her sights.

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 Chapter 228

    ?Chapter 228:

    All of a sudden, a car rolled to a stop right next to her, and she instinctively nced over, half-expecting to see some spoiled heir or glittering socialite behind the wheel. Instead, it was nothing but a nondescript ck sedan¡ªso in that it might as well havee from a used car lot.

    She squinted at the driver, her irritation ring when she recognized Christina behind the wheel. That battered old clunker looked ridiculous parked between rows of six-figure supercars.

    Katie raised an eyebrow. Seriously? Christina? Of all people? What the hell was this useless woman doing here, nosing her way into Cloudcrest Heights like she actually belonged? Did she honestly believe she could blend in with that worthless pile of metal in this crowd?

    The longer Katie stared, the more her temper simmered. If Christina hadn¡¯t sted Ynda all over the inte, Ynda wouldn¡¯t still be rotting in a cell! All of this¡ªevery bit of the scandal¡ªwas that bitch Christina¡¯s fault.

    Seething, Katie reached for the handle and flung open her door. ¡°Katie, what are you doing?¡± Brendon¡¯s frown was obvious as he watched her climb out.

    Katie¡¯s tone dripped with mock sweetness as she circled behind her Ferrari. ¡°Just saying hi to an old friend. We¡¯re not in any rush¡ªthe line¡¯s practically at a standstill.¡±

    With a leisurely smirk, Katie sauntered up to the ck sedan and rapped sharply on the driver¡¯s window.

    Inside, Christina was hunched over her phone, thumb poised above the screen, when the abrupt knock shattered her focus. She nced up, immediately catching sight of Katie¡¯s infuriatingly smug face hovering outside the ss.

    Christina¡¯s lips tightened in annoyance. Of all people, it had to be Katie¡ªrelentless, insufferable, and always in the way. She barely spared Katie a second look before dropping her gaze back to her phone, her fingers flying as she fired off a message, determined to ignore the provocation.

    The cold shoulder only stoked Katie¡¯s anger. She mmed her palm against the car roof, twice, her patience wearing thin. This fucking bitch!

    Your source of stories: g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í??s.c??m

    Katie¡¯s jaw clenched, her re burning with spite as she growled, ¡°Get out of the car!¡±

    Christina, however, didn¡¯t so much as flinch. Her apathy formed an invisible shield, leaving Katie¡¯s temper to ricochet back on itself¡ªutterly ineffective, like a fist swinging through fog.

    Katie¡¯s temper snapped, scorching hotter than ever. She sucked in a breath and then let her anger twist into a mocking grin.

    ¡°Hey, everybody, take a look over here!¡± she shouted, her voice sharp as broken ss. ¡°Recognize her? That¡¯s my ex-sister-inw. She cheated on her husband and got tossed out on her ass, but now she¡¯s crawling back, desperate for attention. Can you believe it? She¡¯s nothing but a washed-up housewife,pletely useless. My brother dumped her, and all she could manage is this pathetic wreck of a car. I¡¯m guessing her slimy boyfriend kicked her to the curb too. And now she¡¯s trying to sneak into the Hubbard family¡¯s party without an invitation, acting like she belongs here. Look at her¡ªjust lurking for her next target!¡±

    In an instant, luxury car windows slid down. Some guests even stepped out, drawn by the promise of drama. They craned their necks, curiosity gleaming in their eyes, hungry for the humiliation about to unfold. All of them stared, sizing up the outsider who dared show her face at such an elite gathering¡ªarriving in a battered old car, without so much as an invitation.

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 Chapter 229

    ?Chapter 229:

    For a breathless moment, Christina became the spectacle, a ma for ridicule. Every eye on her brimmed with silent mockery, each crooked smile dripping with contempt that cut sharper than any word.

    Christina had just lowered her car window when a familiar voice reached her. ¡°Christina, what are you doing here?¡± Brendon asked sharply, his brows furrowed.

    Christina turned her head slowly, amusement dancing in her eyes. ¡°Why? Is this ce reserved just for you?¡± she replied with a slight smirk.

    Brendon nced around nervously, clearly ufortable with the growing attention. He leaned in, his voice hushed but tense. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here. Leave before you make things worse.¡±

    Christina leaned an elbow on the window, rxed. ¡°If you¡¯re allowed here, I don¡¯t see why I¡¯m not.¡±

    Katie scoffed from beside him. ¡°We have actual invitations. What do you have? A n to flirt with the guards?¡± Her voice was thick with mockery.

    Christina gave azy shrug. ¡°How I enter is none of your concern. Try minding your own business¡ªyou might live longer.¡±

    Katie¡¯s eyes narrowed, bristling at the implication. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean? Are you cursing me?¡±

    ¡°Cursing you?¡± Christina replied with a soft, dismissiveugh, ncing at Katie from the corner of her eye. ¡°I don¡¯t have nearly that much spare time.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s expression darkened as more people began to notice the exchange. He stepped forward, frustration bubbling over. ¡°Do you always have to stir up drama? If you want to embarrass yourself, fine¡ªbut don¡¯t drag the Dawson name down with you!¡± He gestured toward her car with a look of disgust. ¡°Look at that heap you drove up in! This is the Hubbard family¡¯s g¡ªthey¡¯re unveiling their long-lost daughter tonight. Rolling up like this is practically an insult.¡±

    Christina¡¯sughter was cool, almost icy. ¡°If I¡¯m making a fool of myself, that¡¯s on me. But it¡¯s your choice to stand here and make it your problem. When people start whispering, don¡¯t me me for it.¡± She nced at her vehicle, her voice turning yful. ¡°And for the record, my car¡¯s brand new. Yours might cost more, but at the end of the day, both run on four wheels. So tell me¡ªhow exactly is mine an insult to the Hubbard family?¡±

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s£®?????? brings magic to life

    Frustration twisted Brendon¡¯s features, leaving him momentarily speechless.

    Katie, on the other hand, couldn¡¯t restrain herself. ¡°Because our car has ss, unlike yours. And it isn¡¯t just about the car. Everything about you screams cheap.¡±

    ¡°Our lives matter more than yours. Honestly, your life isn¡¯t even worth a few dirty bucks!¡±

    Christina¡¯s smirk deepened, slow and deliberate. ¡°So you¡¯re saying your lives are worth a pile of dirty money? That¡¯s a relief. Guess you two win¡ªwhen ites to filth, you¡¯re way ahead of me.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Katie¡¯s voice trembled with outrage at Christina¡¯s taunting words. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant!¡±

    Christina tilted her head, a spark of mischief in her gaze. ¡°Then enlighten me, Katie. Are you saying your lives are actually worth less than mine?¡±

    Katie¡¯s fists clenched at her sides, fury etched into every line of her face. ¡°You¡¯re the worthless one here!¡±

    Christina gave an exaggerated sigh, turning her attention to her freshly manicured nails. Diamonds glinted at her fingertips, catching the sunlight in a sh of brilliance. ¡°Such a shame,¡± she mused, her toneyered with mock regret.

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 Chapter 230

    ?Chapter 230:

    Katie, simmering, demanded, ¡°What¡¯s supposed to be such a shame?¡±

    Without missing a beat, Christina replied, her tone almost breezy, ¡°That no matter how hard I try, I could never sink as low as you. I guess that makes me a permanent loser in your little contest.¡± With a dazzling smile, she wiggled her fingers, sending tiny rainbows dancing from the jewels.

    Katie could only gape, her mouth opening and closing, words failing her as anger overtook reason.

    Brendon, unable to bear another second, cut in sharply, ¡°Enough. You can¡¯t talk your way through those doors, Christina. Save yourself the embarrassment and just go home.¡± He forced a tone of mock sympathy. ¡°Look, I¡¯m only telling you this for your own good¡ªfor old times¡¯ sake.¡±

    Christina¡¯s reply was honey-sweet, edged with sarcasm. ¡°Oh, why don¡¯t you save your kindness for those who want it? Maybe toss it to the stray dogs out back.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s cheeks flushed, frustration tightening his jaw and chest. He¡¯d tried to offer her an easy way out, and she¡¯d spat it right back in his face. Ungrateful woman.

    Joselyn, who had been watching the exchange with thinly veiled contempt, finally broke her silence. ¡°Why are you all even bothering?¡± she sneered, her eyes raking over Christina as if she were little more than a stain. ¡°She couldn¡¯t get in if she stripped naked and begged on the pavement.¡±

    Finnegan and She had approached, initially intending to enjoy the unfoldingmotion, but the sight of Christina proved too tempting for them to resist making a few barbedments.

    Finnegan smirked, his voice carrying just loud enough for others to hear. ¡°Honestly, even if this woman threw herself at me, I wouldn¡¯t take her, let alone the security at Cloudcrest Heights. Do you have any idea how tough their screening is? Every guard out front looks like he just left special forces training. She wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.¡±

    His gaze swept over Christina, aplicated mix of condescension and thinly veiled admiration. There was no denying her striking presence¡ªtall, her skin gleaming with an almost porcin smoothness, her movementsbining effortless grace with a hint of innocence that made her all the more maic. If only her temperament matched her beauty, she might have made the perfectpanion. Instead, her sharp wit and stubborn defiance rendered her intolerable in his eyes. He couldn¡¯t fathom any man willingly enduring such a fiery spirit for long.

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    She fixed Christina with a syrupy smile, her wordsced with poison. ¡°At least Miss Jones has the sense to use her looks while she still can. A woman needs to seize her opportunities when she¡¯s young, or they¡¯ll slip right through her fingers.¡±

    Christina¡¯s lips curled into a subtle smile, her tone airy yet barbed. ¡°Mrs. Mitchell, clearly, I could learn a thing or two from you. After all, you managed tomand an impressive price at your peak and even groomed your daughter to inherit your knack for, shall we say, profitable alliances.¡±

    She¡¯s face darkened in an instant, fury clouding her features. Christina hadn¡¯t just insulted her. The insinuation was unmistakable: her entire worth, and her daughter¡¯s,y in their ability to ¡°sell well¡± in society¡¯s marketce.

    Finnegan and She hade to belittle Christina, seeking a bit of petty satisfaction on their daughter¡¯s behalf. Instead, they¡¯d fallen headlong into Christina¡¯s verbal snare, left sputtering with indignation.

    But Christina wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°Really, Mrs. Mitchell, perhaps you should pass some of your experience along to Mrs. Dawson. She could use a few lessons on raising a profitable sessor herself. Imagine the unity it would bring to the bond between your families.¡±

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 Chapter 231

    ?Chapter 231:

    Laughter slipped from Christina¡¯s lips, her gaze sparkling with unrestrained amusement, each word stoking the mes further.

    ¡°You!¡± Joselyn, unable to take any more,shed out, her hand flying toward Christina¡¯s face.

    But Christina moved swiftly, intercepting Joselyn¡¯s wrist and gripping it with effortless strength.

    Joselyn gasped, her expression twisting in pain as she struggled in vain. ¡°Let go of me! You¡¯re hurting my hand!¡±

    Her cries drew Katie¡¯s frantic attention. ¡°Mom!¡± she shouted, scrambling to intervene.

    Katie rushed to free her mother, only for Christina to catch her wrist as well, pinning both women in an unyielding grasp. Their skin flushed red under the force, their struggles only fueling Christina¡¯s resolve.

    ¡°Let go, you witch! That hurts¡ªlet us go!¡± Katie shrieked, her panic mounting as she writhed in Christina¡¯s iron hold.

    Just as Brendon moved forward, prepared to intervene, a sly smile tugged at the corners of Christina¡¯s mouth. Without warning, she released their wrists. Caught off bnce, Joselyn and Katie lurched backward, crashing into Finnegan and She, sending them sprawling against the car like soft cushions.

    ¡°Oof!¡± Both She and Finnegan gasped, their expressions contorted as the sudden collision stole the breath from their lungs.

    The two families tumbled into a chaotic pile, eliciting muffled chuckles and suppressed grins from the spectators. Brendon¡¯s eyes swept across the crowd, the gleam of their amused expressions piercing him like searing acid. A burning flush of humiliation spread across his face. They had be nothing more than the evening¡¯s mockery.

    ¡°Christina Jones!¡± he hissed through clenched teeth, his voiceced with frustration and disbelief. ¡°Must you always stir trouble, even in such a refined setting?¡±

    ?????????????? ?????????? ???? ??????????¦Í??????©q?????

    Feigning innocence, Christina met his re with wide eyes. ¡°You approached me first. What was I supposed to do? Just stand there and take it?¡±

    Brendon was on the edge of losing it. Fighting to stay calm, he snapped, ¡°Get out of the car¡ªnow.¡±

    Christina sat motionless, not budging an inch. ¡°You expect me to just get out of the car on yourmand? Who exactly do you think you are?¡±

    Brendon¡¯s tone turned resolute and unforgiving. ¡°If you exit now and offer a public apology, I might consider letting this slide.¡±

    Christina¡¯s eyes sharpened with steely resolve. ¡°But I have no intention of letting this go. Listen carefully¡ªyou¡¯re just my ex-husband, so correct your misconceptions. You hold no authority over me, nor do you possess the right to dictate my actions.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s voice bore the weight of unyielding demand. ¡°Christina, this is your final warning. Step out and apologize immediately.¡±

    Katie¡¯s scornful smirk deepened as she piled on. ¡°And while you¡¯re at it, give yourself a couple of ps!¡±

    ¡°Exactly! She should p herself!¡± Finnegan and She joined in, their voices thick with derision.

    Brendon clenched his teeth, struggling to restrain the storm of anger rising within him. ¡°Leave the vehicle. Now. I¡¯m not repeating myself.¡± Then came Christina¡¯s sharp, unwavering reply. ¡°Absolutely not.¡±

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 Chapter 232

    ?Chapter 232:

    ¡°Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you,¡± Brendon retorted, menace dripping from every word. ¡°If I report you to security for causing a disturbance, you¡¯d better brace yourself. Without an invitation or official clearance, they¡¯ll treat you like any other trespasser. A night behind bars will be the least of your troubles.¡± His threat was a calcted gambit meant to break her resolve and salvage the battered dignity of both the Dawson and Mitchell families.

    Unfazed, Christina arched a brow. ¡°Who imed Ick an invitation?¡±

    Katie¡¯sughter was heavy with derision. ¡°You expect us to buy that? Prove it, then.¡±

    ¡°Probably a forgery,¡± Finnegan muttered.

    ¡°Exactly,¡± She spat with venom. ¡°She¡¯s desperate to slip in with a counterfeit invite, fooling herself that she¡¯s on the guest list. But no matter how much she tries, trash like her will never gleam like gold.¡±

    Joselyn¡¯s eyes sparkled with cruel anticipation as she challenged, ¡°If you really have an invite, disy it.¡±

    Joselyn had every intention of making things difficult for Christina. Should the invitation prove fake, expulsion would be swift and merciless. If authentic, even better¡ªthey could snatch it away before she set foot inside. Losing such a prized invitation would insult the Hubbards deeply, and once Christina had earned their ire, the Dawsons and Mitchells wouldn¡¯t need to finish her off. There were plenty of eager sycophants ready to do the job.

    ¡°Why should I reveal my invitation to you?¡± Christina scoffed. ¡°How about you show yours first, so I can see if they¡¯re the real deal?¡±

    Katie¡¯sugh cut sharply through the tension, dripping with usation. ¡°The only reason you refuse to produce it is because it¡¯s a fake.¡±

    Finnegan¡¯s patience snapped. ¡°Enough of this nonsense. She¡¯s bluffing¡ªjust summon security.¡±

    ???????? ???????? ???? ???????? ??????????¦Í??????[?]??????

    Brendon, grasping at thest threads ofposure, sought to defuse the mounting conflict, though he didn¡¯t believe for a second that Christina actually had a real invite. ¡°Apologize now, and you can leave without further trouble,¡± he said, his voice heavy with reluctant concession.

    ¡°In your fantasies,¡± Christina shot back, her tone icy and resolute. ¡°I will never apologize to any of you.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s jaw clenched, fury rising like a tide. He couldn¡¯t understand it¡ªhe was giving her a way out. A mercy. And she dared to spit it back at him? ¡°You!¡± He stepped forward, eyes zing. ¡°Why can¡¯t you just bend for once? Why is it so damn hard for you to say you¡¯re sorry?¡±

    A bitter ache welled in Christina¡¯s chest, and she released a cold, mockingugh that trembled with years of pent-up pain. Hadn¡¯t she once bowed enough? Hadn¡¯t she already swallowed her pride and extended apologies before? Hadn¡¯t she dimmed her sharpness and concealed her brilliance for the past three years?

    For three long years as Brendon¡¯s wife, she¡¯d suffocated every spark, buried every ounce of dignity, bending relentlessly to fit their mold. And what was her reward? Nothing but their ceaseless contempt¡ªher sacrifices taken for granted, her worth dismissed. Then, as the final, cruelest blow, Brendon had heartlessly flung divorce papers her way on their wedding anniversary, regarding her as nothing more than garbage to be discarded. Now that she had finally shattered that gilded cage, who were they to demand she kneel and plead? Never again. She would never allow herself to be crushed beneath their feet¡ªnot now, not again.

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 Chapter 233

    ?Chapter 233:

    Christina¡¯s eyes were like sharpened steel, icy and unwavering as they bore into Brendon¡¯s.

    For reasons Brendon couldn¡¯t quite grasp, that intense stare sent an involuntary shiver through him,pelling a hesitant step backward.

    ¡°You expect me to apologize? And who do you think you are to demand such a thing? I¡¯ve done nothing wrong¡ªso why on earth should I bow my head and say sorry?¡± Christina¡¯s voice was resolute, tinged with an unyielding chill.

    Her words struck Brendon sharply, flooding his pride with burning humiliation that contorted his features in fury. ¡°Very well! If your intention is to provoke the Hubbards and create a spectacle, then I will let you have it!¡± he snapped with biting finality.

    Turning swiftly, Brendonmanded Katie, ¡°Find security immediately. Inform them Christina is attempting to sneak in and cause disruption.¡±

    Katie didn¡¯t waste time. She shot off like an arrow, her lips curled in a victorious smirk. Atst, Christina was about to face the consequences. After countless times being outwitted, this was her moment to im the upper hand, and the thrill only made her grin wider.

    Brendon¡¯s patience thinned dangerously as he fixed Christina with ast warning. ¡°Are you certain you won¡¯t just apologize and leave quietly? Once security arrives, you won¡¯t escape without repercussions.¡±

    Despite his frustration, something about her unyielding defiance¡ªthe proud lift of her chin, the fierce determination in her eyes¡ªtugged at him in a way he couldn¡¯t fully understand. Was it the remnants of their past together? Or the years she¡¯d endured for the Dawsons? Whatever it was, he hesitated, unwilling to push too hard.

    ¡°Never,¡± Christina dered fiercely, rooted firmly as if daring fate itself. An unfamiliar ache tightened Brendon¡¯s chest¡ªwhether born of frustration or something more profound, he could not tell.

    ¡°Fine,¡± he replied with reluctant eptance, ¡°You bring what unfolds from here upon yourself.¡±

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    A fresh pang pierced his heart, his gaze shadowed by confusion. Why was she so stubborn? He¡¯d offered her chance after chance, only to have them met with defiance, arrogance, and no hint of remorse or gratitude. Despite his mixed feelings, he swallowed any flicker of pity. Maybe this was what Christina needed¡ªto be humbled, to understand the cost of refusing to yield. Perhaps only then would that relentless pride finally crack.

    Christina cast Brendon a sharp, sidelong nce before reclining effortlessly against the car seat, her demeanor cool andposed. Her gaze remained icy and unblinking, fixed steadily on the distance ahead. A faint, almost imperceptible smirk curled at the corner of her lips, a subtle spark of defiance shing dangerously in her eyes. Who would regret it when security showed up? That was still up in the air.

    Soon enough, Katie reappeared, leading two security officers behind her. A low murmur rippled through the crowd as onlookers began to whisper and crane their necks.

    ¡°Who¡¯s that woman in the car? What could¡¯ve happened to warrant calling security?¡±

    ¡°Hard to tell from here¡ªshe¡¯s just sitting quietly. But someone who got closer said she¡¯s stunning.¡±

    ¡°Ask the folks up front what¡¯s going on. This is going to be a show. Someone¡¯s definitely getting kicked out. But who?¡±

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 Chapter 234

    ?Chapter 234:

    ¡°Probably some gold-digger showing up in a clunker, trying to crash the elite party. Did she really think she could slip in unnoticed?¡±

    ¡°Well, her ride is in, but maybe she¡¯s keeping it low-key? Could she actually be someone important?¡±

    ¡°No chance! This is the Hubbards¡¯ event. Anyone invited to Cloudcrest Heights can easily afford a million-dor ride, even if they keep it subtle. That ck sedan of hers looks like it¡¯s worth no more than two hundred grand.¡±

    Amid the swirling gossip, Katie overheard someone say that whoever crossed the Hubbards was finished, and her thoughts jumped straight to Christina. Katie¡¯s lips curled into a self-satisfied smile, smugness radiating off her as she stepped forward with her head held high. Oh, Christina was finished. She had walked straight into her own downfall, and no one defied the Hubbards and got away with it.

    ¡°Who¡¯s behind all thismotion?¡± the lead security guard demanded, stepping forward with amanding presence. His eyes swept over the gathered crowd with calcted scrutiny.

    The security personnel looked every bit the part¡ªdisciplined, imposing, and radiating an aura that brooked no nonsense.

    The Mitchells and Joselyn shrank under their intimidating stares, unable to meet the vignt gazes that seemed to pierce right through them.

    ¡°That one!¡± Katie jabbed a finger at Christina, who remainedposed and seated in the car. ¡°She showed up without an invitation, trying to sneak in and stir chaos.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s voice cut through the air, cold and unyielding. ¡°Disturbances don¡¯t simply get ignored or waved away here. Anyone causing trouble faces serious consequences.¡± His eyes locked with Christina¡¯s, silently conveying that this was what she got for defying him.

    ¡°We don¡¯t require your instructions on handling this,¡± the lead security guard retorted, his tone clipped and unimpressed.

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    ¡°Who ims Ick an invitation?¡± Christina countered calmly.

    Katie scoffed, derision thick in her voice. ¡°If you had one, you¡¯d have shown it already.¡±

    The lead security guard¡¯s gaze hardened as he demanded, ¡°Present your invitation, please.¡±

    But instead ofplying, Christina met the security personnel¡¯s scrutiny unflinchingly and posed a challenge. ¡°Suppose I do have it¡ªwhat about those who wrongly used me? Will they face expulsion?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± the lead security guard answered without hesitation.

    No matter who caused a scene at Cloudcrest Heights, the rule was the same. Troublemakers got thrown out and banned¡ªunless someone vouched for them or the host personally intervened.

    ¡°Excellent.¡± Christina¡¯s lips curved into a leisurely smirk as she retrieved her invitation, holding it aloft for all to see. ¡°Here¡¯s my invitation.¡±

    Finnegan¡¯s voice erupted, sharp and dismissive. ¡°That¡¯s a forgery! Don¡¯t be fooled¡ªshe¡¯s nothing but a maniptor.¡±

    The lead security guard¡¯s withering nce silenced Finnegan instantly. She and Joselyn remained frozen, too frightened to utter a word, as the intensity of the lead security guard¡¯s gaze sent shivers down their spines.

    ¡°The authenticity will be confirmed right away,¡± the lead security guard said, taking the invitation and passing it to a subordinate. ¡°Have this verified immediately.¡±

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 Chapter 235

    ?Chapter 235:

    ¡°Understood!¡± The subordinate hastened away, invitation in hand.

    Every invitation was logged meticulously in the system. Authenticating one was a matter of moments. If the document proved counterfeit, Christina¡¯s attempt to enter would be swiftly halted at this first checkpoint.

    Meanwhile, Katie paraded with triumphant arrogance, strutting like a victor unting her conquest, head held high, chest thrust forward, dripping with contemptuous pride. She was already envisioning Christina¡¯s disgrace¡ªdragged out in ignominy, her reputation shattered for daring to offend the formidable Hubbard family.

    ¡°If you lower your pride and offer an apology now, I might consider speaking on your behalf,¡± Brendon said, his eyes clouded with a patronizing pity¡ªone more suited to a noble tossing crumbs to a beggar than a genuine offer of kindness. He never regarded Christina as an equal. Instead, he looked down on her from his self-appointed throne of superiority.

    ¡°You should focus on yourself,¡± Christina responded with a chilling smile, calm but cutting.

    Brendon¡¯s fury nearly choked him. ¡°You!¡± Her ingratitude was infuriating beyond measure.

    ¡°Brendon, why waste your sympathy on someone like her?¡± Katie snapped, irritation clear in her voice. ¡°Whatever fate she faces is well deserved.¡± In Katie¡¯s eyes, it was because of Christina that poor Ynda couldn¡¯t attend the Hubbard family¡¯s celebration. Compared to that, being tossed out and reprimanded was a light punishment for Christina.

    ¡°What a disgrace!¡± Joselyn muttered, her expression twisted in revulsion. ¡°How could my son¡ªso exceptional¡ªhave ever been married to such a despicable woman?¡±

    Despite the scornful looks thrown her way, Christina merely offered a faint,posed smile, patiently awaiting the return of the security guard with the results of the verification.

    New chapters now on .c?m

    Onlookers murmured among themselves.

    ¡°Security has been alerted¡ªher fate is sealed.¡±

    ¡°The audacity to sit there smirking as if she¡¯s fearless. Does she crave disaster, attempting to deceive them with a counterfeit invitation?¡±

    ¡°Her reputation is ruined. To cause chaos on such a momentous asion for the Hubbards¡ªshe¡¯s finished.¡±

    Murmurs swirled around Christina like a storm, yet her expression remained steady, unshaken. When the security guard finally hurried back, her smile deepened¡ªmore rxed, more radiant than before.

    A tense silence fell over the crowd as everyone held their breath, eyes locked on the security guard¡¯s every move. Spections ran wild among the onlookers, yet most were certain this was the end of the line for Christina.

    ¡°State your name,¡± the security guard who had justpleted the invitation check demanded, his gaze sharp and probing as he looked at Christina, carrying an unspoken gravity.

    Unflinching, Christina met his stare with steadyposure, a faint, unwavering smile ying at the corners of her lips. Her soft, crimson lips parted slightly as she answered clearly, ¡°Christina Jones.¡±

    After hearing her response, the security guard turned to the lead security guard and confirmed, ¡°Everything matches.¡±

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 Chapter 236

    ?Chapter 236:

    Leaning in, he murmured something almost inaudible into the lead security guard¡¯s ear.

    The lead security guard¡¯s face betrayed a subtle shift¡ªan almost imperceptible sh of surprise flickered in his eyes before he masked it with a calm, professional expression.

    With deliberate respect, the lead security guard returned the invitation to Christina using both hands. ¡°Verificationplete. Please keep your invitation safe.¡±

    The lead security guard was surprised to learn Christina had been personally invited by Elliott himself. Yet, she had arrived in an unassuming ck sedan¡ªremarkably understated. Thankfully, the Cloudcrest Heights security personnel were rigorously trained to look beyond appearances. Otherwise, they might have unknowingly offended a VIP.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Christina said softly, her lips curling in a quiet, knowing smile as she reimed her invitation.

    The Dawsons and Mitchells stood frozen, struggling to grasp the unexpected turn of events.

    Katie was the first to protest loudly. ¡°No way! That invitation can¡¯t be real! There must have been something wrong with the verification!¡±

    Joselyn, equally incredulous but hesitant to confront the guards, suggested meekly, ¡°Could the system have malfunctioned? Maybe it¡¯s worth double-checking?¡±

    ¡°Look at the shabby car she¡¯s driving! How on earth could she be on the guest list? This has to be an error!¡± Finnegan roared.

    She chimed in, ¡°Please, run the check once more¡ªthere has to be some glitch. Her invitation can¡¯t possibly be real!¡±

    Brendon stood rooted to the spot, utterly dumbstruck, as if time itself had frozen around him. A harsh tightness gripped his throat, choking him with a dry, ufortable pressure that refused to ease. Christina actually possessed a genuine invitation¡ªan authentic one.

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    For a fleeting moment, Brendon entertained the thought that the verification process might have erred. But then, memories struck him like a blow: Elliott had spoken up for Christina once before.

    Back then, Brendon had chalked it up to spite. He thought Elliott was only defending Christina to get under his skin. It never urred to him that Elliott might actually like her. But now it seemed Elliott might have genuinely been into her.

    Brendon¡¯s gaze drifted to Christina, who sat calmly, a faint, confident smile on her lips that only made his confusion worse. What was it about her? What kind of pull did she have to attract someone like Elliott, the Hubbard family¡¯s head?

    ¡°This has to be a joke!¡± Katie burst out, stepping toward the lead security guard. ¡°Check that invitation again. There¡¯s no way it¡¯s real. If she gets in and causes a scene, none of you will be able to fix it!¡±

    Her fury zed so fiercely that she didn¡¯t notice until a sudden, oppressive silence fell, heavy with thebined weight of their disapproving stares. A cold shiver crept down her spine, sharp and unyielding.

    ¡°Do you presume to judge the validity of an invitation better than us?¡± The lead security guard¡¯s voice cut through the tension like ice, his piercing re sweeping over Katie and her crew like a chilling winter gust,den with unquestioned authority.

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 Chapter 237

    ?Chapter 237:

    Katie¡¯s bravado faltered. ¡°We¡¯re just¡­ We¡¯re just trying to help. It would be terrible if you let someone in by mistake¡­¡±

    Before the lead security guard could reply, Christina let out a soft, amusedugh. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t they have been escorted off the premises by now?¡±

    The shift in the lead security guard¡¯s demeanor was unmistakable¡ªhis rigid stance softened, and subtle respect tinged his tone when addressing Christina, in stark contrast to the coldness he showed the Dawsons and Mitchells. ¡°You¡¯ve got ten seconds to leave,¡± the lead security guard said sharply. ¡°Stick around any longer, and we¡¯ll have you¡ªand your cars¡ªremoved by forklift.¡±

    The Dawsons¡¯ and Mitchells¡¯plexions drained of color instantly, terror shing wildly in their eyes.

    Joselyn stepped forward, her voice shrill and incredulous. ¡°No! You can¡¯t just throw us out like this!¡±

    ¡°This has to be some kind of mistake¡ªplease, check again!¡± Finnegan urged, his words stumbling over each other.

    ¡°We were invited!¡± She protested, her tone indignant. ¡°How dare you treat us with such disrespect?¡±

    Katie, caughtpletely off guard, cried out, ¡°You can¡¯t kick me out! I¡¯m¡ª¡± She bit her tongue, barely stopping herself from dering she was the futuredy of the Hubbard family. Recovering quickly, she scrambled for a safer angle. ¡°I¡¯m very close with Miss Reed¡ª¡±

    Before she could finish, the lead security guard interrupted with a sharp edge to his voice. ¡°I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re friends with the Reeds or any other families. You broke the rules. And now, you deal with the fallout.¡±

    Then, casting a meaningful nce toward Christina, the lead security guard added, ¡°Unless, of course, Miss Jones is willing to vouch for you.¡±

    Katie staggered back like she¡¯d been pped. ¡°What? That¡ª¡±

    The insult on the tip of Katie¡¯s tongue¡ªthat worthless bitch¡ªdied the moment Brendon barked, ¡°Shut up!¡± His voice was cold, his expression twisted with barely contained disdain.

    Brendon hated to admit it, but the reality was sinking in. If they wanted to stay instead of being dragged out, there was only one person who could save them¡ªand it was Christina. Whatever methods she¡¯d used to gain Elliott¡¯s attention didn¡¯t matter now. What mattered was that she held all the power.

    ¡°Brendon, you¡¯re not seriously considering begging her, are you?¡± Joselyn stared at him, disbelief etched across her face. To her, Christina was nothing¡ªuseless in every way. She couldn¡¯t cook a decent meal, spent her time buried in chores like a servant, and had no grace, no refinement. How could Brendon, brilliant and aplished as he was, even consider stooping so low as to beg Christina?

    Brendon was Joselyn¡¯s pride. The shining example of everything a person should be. And now, he was thinking of humbling himself before her? Her stomach turned at the thought, the image of her elite, dignified son lowering himself¡ªgroveling¡ªfor help from the woman she¡¯d always scorned? It was unthinkable.

    ¡°Christina,¡± Brendon said, ignoring his mother¡¯s protests, his eyes fixed intently on the woman inside the car. ¡°Could you find it in your heart to forgive us, for old times¡¯ sake? After all, we were once married. That has to mean something.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare y that card with me,¡± Christina said coolly, her voice cutting like ice. ¡°What kind of marriage did we even have, Brendon? We were little more than strangers bound by a piece of paper.¡±

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 Chapter 238

    ?Chapter 238:

    And calling them strangers was an understatement. In truth, they had been more like enemies, locked in a bitter silence disguised as a union. From the moment she entered that house, she had been treated unfairly¡ªscrutinized, ridiculed, and made to feel like an outsider. She¡¯d worked herself to the bone trying to earn their approval, sacrificing her pride, herfort, and her dreams. And what had it gotten her? Their scorn and cruelty.

    ¡°Christina, I know you harbor resentment,¡± Brendon pleaded, his voice tinged with regret, ¡°but haven¡¯t I done all I could to make amends? This time, we were mistaken¡ªwe used you unjustly. Please forgive us once and put in a good word for us. I¡¯m truly sorry.¡± His words held a desperate sincerity. The Hubbard g represented a golden chance to mingle with the upper echelon¡ªmissing it could hinder the Dawson family¡¯s ascent.

    Christina¡¯s gaze swept over Brendon and his crew coolly. ¡°Why is it only you who offers an apology? You¡¯re not the only one who has wronged me.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t push your luck!¡± Katie snapped, eyes zing.

    ¡°Oh?¡± Christina arched an eyebrow, a slow, sardonic smile curling her lips. ¡°So, now I¡¯m the unreasonable one? Very well. Security, perhaps it¡¯s time to summon the forklift.¡±

    ¡°Christina Jones!¡± Joselyn exploded, rage and disbelief in her voice. ¡°Are you seriously trying to pick a fight with the entire Dawson family? After everything we gave you? Brendon already gave youpensation after the divorce¡ªwhy are you still hounding us like this?¡±

    With a dramatic sway, Joselyn clutched at her chest like a wronged matriarch in an old drama, her knees buckling until Finnegan and She rushed to prop her up.

    ¡°Ah, Joselyn, so this is where your children learned their mastery of twisting the truth. They really took after you, didn¡¯t they?¡± Christina taunted with a cuttingugh.

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    Christina¡¯s mocking words hit their mark, and Joselyn¡¯s face turned crimson with fury. She opened her mouth tosh back, but Brendon raised a hand, silently halting her. His jaw clenched tightly. He was seething inside, humiliated by Christina¡¯s insolence toward his mother, but he dared not retaliate. Not now.

    Brendon forced himself to bow deeply before Christina. ¡°We were wrong. I apologize on behalf of all of us,¡± he said, his voice strained but respectful. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Christina.¡±

    But his crew stood stiffly, their expressions sour, unwilling to follow suit. Straightening, Brendon shot them a withering re. ¡°Well? What are you waiting for? Apologize.¡±

    Failure to appease Christina meant forfeiting any hope of attending the banquet. Reluctantly, the four muttered their apologies through clenched teeth. Brendon turned back to Christina, frustration simmering in his eyes. ¡°There. Happy now?¡±

    Christina tilted her head, her smile unfazed, calm, and cruel. ¡°Not particrly.¡±

    Katie snapped, ¡°Don¡¯t push it!¡±

    Brendon¡¯s warning nce shut her up instantly. He turned back to Christina. ¡°What will it take, then? Just tell us. What do you want from us?¡±

    Christina tapped her finger against her chin, pretending to consider. ¡°Hmm¡­ I don¡¯t know. Let me think¡­¡±

    Brendon ground his teeth. ¡°As long as you¡¯re willing to let this slide and your demands are reasonable, we¡¯llply with them.¡±

    She chuckled softly, crimson lips curving slyly. ¡°I assure you, it will be reasonable. How about this¡ªeach of you ps yourself twice?¡±

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 Chapter 239

    ?Chapter 239:

    ¡°What?¡± Finnegan exploded. ¡°You call that reasonable?¡±

    ¡°This is outrageous!¡± She cried, her voice cracking with disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re just humiliating us!¡±

    Christinaughed, sharp and cold. ¡°Humiliating you? Oh, please. When you all took turns stepping on me, mocking me, and excluding me, was that not humiliation? Or is it only humiliation when it happens to you?¡±

    Back then, their cruelty had been tenfold worse, and yet, they¡¯d never batted an eye. Now, after receiving only a fraction of that treatment, they whined like children.

    Joselyn scoffed, turning her head away. ¡°We¡¯re not doing it. You can forget it.¡±

    But Christina paid no heed to their posturing. Pretending to be tough before her was futile. She gave a nonchnt shrug. ¡°Alright, then I hope you enjoy the view from outside the gates.¡± She turned toward the lead security guard, clearly about to give the order.

    ¡°Christina, did you really have to push this so far?¡± Brendon¡¯s voice softened, thick with honeyed gentleness, his gaze lingering with an intensity that could melt hearts.

    Caught off guard, Christina paused briefly before her smile sharpened into icy resolve, bitterness rising within her chest. This was the first time Brendon had regarded her with tenderness¡ªa gaze once reserved only for Ynda. The more she reflected, the more absurd it felt. What Ynda received effortlessly was something Brendon had to be cornered into granting her.

    Christina wasn¡¯t tricked. Brendon¡¯s sudden tenderness was nothing more than ast-ditch performance¡ªan old trick wrapped in pretty words and seemingly affectionate eyes. He thought he could soften her resolve with that mock lovesick gaze, as if all the years of silence, betrayal, and humiliation could be erased by a few carefully chosen lines. What foolish fantasy had he trapped himself in? Did he really think she was still the same Christina¡ªthe one who used to crave even the smallest crumb of affection from him? No. That woman was long gone. If Brendon wasn¡¯t willing to pay the price now, then he could take his family and forget about rubbing shoulders with the elite.

    Misreading Christina¡¯s silence as wavering, Brendon¡¯s heart fluttered with hope¡ªperhaps his act had cracked her resolve. ¡°Christina, between us¡ª¡±

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    ¡°Enough,¡± Christina said sharply, slicing through his words like a knife through silk. ¡°Spare me the theatrics. We¡¯re done talking.¡±

    Her gaze swept across Brendon and his crew¡ªeach face marked with fury, embarrassment, and shame. She drank it in like the finest wine. ¡°Two ps each,¡± she said, her voice calm, almost cheerful. ¡°Put your backs into it. Halfhearted ones won¡¯t count. No do-overs. No mercy. This is your one shot to impress me. Only when I¡¯m satisfied with those two ps will you earn the right to stay for the party. Otherwise, one failed attempt, and you¡¯ll all be out of here¡ªcars, your asses, reputations tossed to the curb. Tomorrow¡¯s headlines will feast on your disgrace.¡±

    Brendon stood frozen, the remnants of that forced tenderness now clinging to him like shame. He had actually believed that a soft look and a few sweet words would sway Christina¡ªthat the Christina he once knew would resurface at his bidding. He almostughed at himself. She hadn¡¯t even batted an eye at his pathetic act. The Christina standing before him now was a different force entirely. Cold. Controlled. Unshakable. Back then, all it took was a breadcrumb of kindness, and she¡¯de running. But now? Now, she was slipping from his grip like sand, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

    ¡°I¡¯ll count to three¡­¡± Christina dered, indifferent to Brendon¡¯s and his crew¡¯s reactions, beginning immediately. ¡°One. Two¡ª¡±

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 Chapter 240

    ?Chapter 240:

    ¡°I¡¯ll do it! I will p myself twice!¡± Brendon burst out, cutting her off. His voice cracked under the strain, his face contorted in humiliation.

    ¡°What? Brendon?¡± Katie¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious!¡± Joselyn¡¯s voice trembled, scandalized. How could he consent to such degradation?

    ¡°If you still want to attend the party, do as she says. Or walk away now.¡± Brendon looked at his crew. He had made the situation clear. The choice now rested with them: how badly did they crave ess?

    With a sharp inhale, Brendon raised his hand¡ªand smack!¡ªstruck himself across the cheek. Then again.

    The sharp sound rang through the air like gunshots. His skin bloomed red instantly, and the sting ran deep, not just on his face but in his pride. He met Christina¡¯s eyes, jaw tight. ¡°There. Happy now?¡±

    Christina tilted her head, lips curling into a faint smile. ¡°eptable. You pass.¡± Her cool indifference was worse than any insult, and Brendon felt it like a p harder than the ones he¡¯d delivered to himself.

    Brendon¡¯s crew was livid. The cruelest blow was their impotence¡ªthey couldn¡¯t retaliate or curse Christina. They could only swallow their fury. One misstep, and she¡¯d have them expelled, perhaps even their vehicles bulldozed from the grounds. Such a scandal would dwarf this moment¡¯s humiliation.

    Seeing her brother capitte, Katie clenched her jaw and delivered two harsh ps across her own face. ¡°There! Content now?¡± she hissed, shooting Christina a venomous re. If not for the party, for the chance to ingratiate herself with the Hubbards, she would never tolerate such disgrace.

    She resolved that once she married into the Hubbard family, Christina would pay dearly. With these thoughts, her eyes zed with fury¡ªand something far darker.

    ¡°You pass as well,¡± Christina replied with a chuckle, ignoring Katie¡¯s seething rage.

    Joselyn hesitated, staring down at her palm. She raised her hand several times but couldn¡¯t summon the courage to p herself.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go!¡± Finnegan stepped forward suddenly. Without hesitation, he struck himself twice. The force behind it left his jaw twitching and his cheek ming red.

    She followed right after, not waiting for a beat. Her ps were loud and swift, echoing off the nearby walls. Both Finnegan and She red at Christina, their eyes full of venom. ¡°Is that satisfactory?¡±

    Christina gave a slow blink, utterly unmoved. ¡°Barely,¡± she said, stretching the word with a bored lilt.

    Then, Christina turned her attention to Joselyn. Elegant, glittering in high-end designer threads and dripping with diamonds, Joselyn looked like a queen. But now, she was thest one standing without pping herself twice.

    ¡°Mrs. Dawson,¡± Christina said sweetly, a mockingly warm smile curling her lips, ¡°you¡¯re thest one. Don¡¯t mess this up.¡± Her tone dripped honey, but every word wasced with poison. ¡°They all passed. If you fail, their ps will have been for nothing.¡±

    A sudden jolt gripped Joselyn¡¯s heart. The weight behind those words was unsettling. Damn it! Had she known the crushing pressure awaiting thest to act, she would¡¯ve pped herself sooner just to get it over with. Then, disbelief dawned as her eyes widened, locked onto Christina¡¯s. Was this a trap designed to pin all the me on her? No matter how fiercely she struck, if Christina remained unimpressed, wouldn¡¯t the entire fault fall upon her alone? Anger surged beneath Joselyn¡¯s skin. Christina was setting her up. The audacity!

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 Chapter 241

    ?Chapter 241:

    Katie¡¯s eyes narrowed, suspicion shing across her face as she fixed Christina with a sharp re. ¡°What the hell was that supposed to mean, huh?¡±

    Christina tilted her head, lips curling into azy smirk. ¡°You tell me¡ªwhat do you think I meant?¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯re going to bail on the deal now?¡± Katie pressed, her voice dropping dangerously low.

    ¡°Me? Break my word?¡± Christina snorted, shaking her head mockingly. ¡°Please. I¡¯ve got more integrity than the rest of you put together.¡±

    Augh slipped from her lips¡ªcrisp, unbothered. The truth was, she didn¡¯t mean anything else. She just wanted to keep Katie and her crew on edge and let them stew a little. As long as they yed by her rules, she¡¯d stick to her promise¡ªunlike them, who¡¯d twist any loophole to wriggle free.

    ¡°You!¡± Katie¡¯s jaw clenched furiously, but she couldn¡¯te up with aeback.

    Before the tension could thicken further, Joselyn jumped in, her voice strained and brittle. ¡°So, no matter how hard I p myself, you¡¯ll never be pleased, right?¡±

    ¡°Chill out. I already let the others off for just scraping by,¡± Christina replied, flicking her wrist as if shooing away a fly. ¡°Do what you¡¯re told, and I¡¯ll y fair.¡±

    Joselyn studied Christina, a knot of doubt tightening in her stomach, but in the end, she just clenched her fists and braced herself. There was no other way forward.

    Without any way to guess what Christina was thinking, Joselyn had no choice but to strike herself even harder than the others. The self-inflicting pnded with a sharp crack that echoed through the air, making her vision blur as the taste of blood burst on her tongue. But if this was what it took to w her way out of the humiliation of being dragged out of here, she¡¯d bear it.

    ¡°Mom!¡± Brendon and Katie shouted together, their voices shaking with panic and heartbreak.

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    ¡°I¡¯m alright,¡± Joselyn muttered, forcing a smile through clenched teeth as she steeled herself for another p.

    Brendon and Katie sent searing looks at Christina, who only beamed back at them, utterly delighted, practically glowing with cruelty. She looked like she was reveling in their misery, not an ounce of empathy left in her eyes.

    The second pnded with a crack that snapped Joselyn¡¯s head sideways, agony shing down her jaw and deep into her bones. Fiery red welts spread across her cheeks, throbbing in the silence. The pain cut through her like a spotlight.

    Joselyn swallowed her cries, hatred zing in her gaze as she red daggers at Christina. ¡°Happy now?¡± she snapped, forcing the words through gritted teeth. Smirking onlookers ringed the scene, their half-hiddenughter only stoking her anger, but she bit it back. This wasn¡¯t the ce for vengeance. Not now.

    One day, she¡¯d return this shame to Christina, ten times over.

    Every eye swiveled toward Christina, awaiting her next move.

    Christina gave a slow, exaggerated nod and then burst intoughter. ¡°Now that had some real bite¡­ eighty points out of a hundred! Well done, Mrs. Dawson!¡± She broke into mocking apuse, her grin radiating satisfaction. ¡°Just what I¡¯d expect from the queen of the Dawson family. Tonight¡¯s MVP, no contest.¡±

    Joselyn¡¯s expression contorted, outrage and disbelief battling for control. How could anyone be this insufferable?

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 Chapter 242

    ?Chapter 242:

    Around them, Katie and the others seethed, fists clenching in silent rage as they fought the urge to leap at Christina.

    The lead security guard, measuring the tension in the air, turned to Christina respectfully. ¡°Miss Jones, do you want to take this any further?¡±

    Christina dismissed him with a flick of her wrist. ¡°Nah. Their apology was entertaining enough.¡±

    The lead security guard¡¯s eyes turned cial as he faced Katie and the others.

    ¡°Get back in your cars. Now.¡± His tone brooked no argument as he dered, ¡°One more stunt, and you¡¯ll all be removed from the grounds.¡±

    Brendon cast Christina a lingering look. She was still grinning, lips curled with wicked delight, the victory lighting up her whole face. And for the briefest heartbeat, he caught himself thinking she looked absolutely radiant. The realization hit like a p¡ªhe nearly gagged. What the hell was wrong with him? He and his family had just been humiliated by her, and here he was, blindsided by how stunning Christina looked? He had to be losing his damn mind.

    Brendon clenched his jaw. He wasn¡¯t some lovesick fool¡ªor worse, a masochist. He tore his eyes away from Christina, jaw tight, and stalked off without another word.

    Katie let out a derisive snort, hurling onest venomous re at Christina before marching after Brendon. The others trailed behind, their faces twisted in silent fury.

    With the confrontation behind them, Katie and her crew breezed through thest security checks and finally arrived at the Hubbard family¡¯s grand estate.

    Guests filtered onto the estate grounds, free to roam as they pleased while the party remained in its opening act.

    The Hubbard family¡¯s estate towered over thendscape¡ªa sprawling sanctuary overflowing with every luxury one could dream up.

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    Yet, for all its attractions, nearly everyone had gravitated to the banquet hall, where the air shimmered with politeughter and the soft clink of crystal sses.

    In this crowd, business cards mattered more than genuine smiles, and small talk was the sport of the night.

    Brendon and the others slipped into the crowd, vanishing into the crush of tailored suits and practiced grins as if swallowed by the current.

    Meanwhile, Christina lingered near the entrance, surveying the clusters of guests, each group a knot of ambition and half-hearted charm. She had no patience for these social rituals¡ªthe calcted chatter, the alliances built on empty promises. With a faint smirk, she pivoted away from the hall and wandered outside.

    Christina plucked a ss of juice from a passing tray and slipped away from the crowd, letting the hum of conversation fade behind her as she strolled deeper into the estate.

    With each step, the world grew quieter. Soon, she wandered into a hidden garden¡ªlush, undisturbed, the kind of ce that felt wrapped in its own gentle hush. She breathed in the delicate scent of blooming flowers, savoring the rare tranquility.

    In a small pavilion at the heart of the garden, a solitary woman sat, poised with effortless grace, cradling a teacup as if she¡¯d stepped out of a painting. Christina paused, curiosity flickering in her eyes. After a beat, she crossed the gstones and called out, ¡°Hi there.¡±

    The woman startled, her head snapping up with the suddenness of a cornered animal, wide eyes darting to Christina. But as she studied Christina¡¯s face, her surprise melted into something softer¡ªa kind of hushed appreciation. All her life, she¡¯d considered her own cousin striking, but the woman standing before her was in another league entirely¡ªradiant, impossibly beautiful, the sort of woman who turned heads without trying. Radiant. Breathtaking. How could someone be so stunning? Her own younger brother was just as infuriatingly good-looking, but¡­

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 Chapter 243

    ?Chapter 243:

    Suddenly, the woman¡¯s gaze dropped. A shadow swept across her delicate features as she pressed her fingers gently to her forehead, instinctively shielding the spot she hated most. Buried beneath her heavy bangs, a bluish mark clung stubbornly to the edge of her brow¡ªa blemish she¡¯d spent years trying to hide from the world. Every gust of wind was a potential enemy, every careless movement a risk. She never ran wild or yed with abandon¡ªnot forck of longing, but out of bone-deep fear that someone would catch a glimpse of her w.

    She hadn¡¯t been born with it. The mark had crept in over time, along with the relentless taunts and whispered mockery. With every passing year, the istion grew. Real friends were nonexistent. All she knew was pity, or worse, cruelty disguised as kindness.

    Christina watched the woman closely, noting how her eyes dimmed and her hand hovered protectively at her temple. Even without a word, she sensed the weight of whatever scar the woman was hiding¡ªsomething that haunted her every waking moment.

    ¡°Why are you out here all by yourself?¡± Christina¡¯s tone softened, her voice warm and inviting. ¡°Do you work for the Hubbards?¡± She sidestepped the word ¡°servant¡± entirely, careful not to bruise the woman¡¯s fragile dignity. Thest thing she wanted was to make the woman feel small.

    Instead of replying, the woman only dipped her head, her luminous eyes lingering on Christina¡ªcurious, but haunted by something impossible to pin down.

    Christina held her gaze and offered an encouraging smile.

    But before Christina could say anything else, the woman¡¯s cheeks colored. She ducked her head, shoulders drawn in, hands twisting anxiously in herp.

    ¡°Would you like to be my friend?¡± Christina asked, easing onto the bench across from the woman.

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    Christina¡¯s gazended on the tea set nestled between them, and for the first time, she truly noticed the finer details. A sudden thought sparked¡ªmaybe she¡¯d gotten this woman all wrong.

    That wasn¡¯t just a simple tea set. The porcin gleamed, etched with borate designs, and every piece felt impossibly delicate, almost regal. An intoxicating, floral fragrance curled from the pot. No ordinary servant could afford tea this rare, let alone serve it from exquisite ceramics this refined. Also, this was the Hubbard family¡¯s estate. No servant here would dare touch something so precious unless they belonged to the Hubbard family or were treated like nobility themselves.

    The woman gazed at Christina, momentarily frozen, as if struggling to believe that Christina would genuinely want to be her friend. Then, almost too quickly, she gave a timid nod¡ªeyes wide, eager, like she was terrified the moment would vanish if she didn¡¯t seize it.

    Christina let out a softugh and gestured toward the elegant tea setup on the table. ¡°Did I misread things earlier?¡± she asked, her tone teasing but observant. ¡°This tea setup alone looks like it costs more than my first car, and that aroma? That¡¯s no off-the-shelf blend. I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re not just one of the estate staff.¡±

    The woman¡¯s eyes went round again, clearly taken aback by Christina¡¯s keen insight.

    Christina smiled and leaned in slightly. ¡°Whatever your role is, it doesn¡¯t matter now. We¡¯re friends now, right?¡±

    The woman nodded once more, her lips curving into a bashful but sincere smile.

    Christina¡¯s own smile lingered, but her gaze sharpened. She took in the woman¡¯s appearance with a more calcting eye¡ªher porcin skin, the faint bluish tint on her lips, the way a passing breeze stirred a delicate scent from her clothes.

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 Chapter 244

    ?Chapter 244:

    Others might¡¯ve mistaken it for perfume or the lingering scent of fresh linen, but Christina knew better. Her eyes narrowed, the realization settling like a cold stone in her stomach. She¡¯d encountered this odor before¡ªa subtle warning of a rare, insidious poison. This woman had been poisoned.

    Detecting the poison¡¯s presence was a challenge¡ªits fragrance was so faint, so slippery, that no one could ever tell how much had seeped into the body. Whether the dose was light or lethal, the scent never thickened.

    Christina could only guess at the damage, her unease sharpening as she watched the woman. She started to voice her suspicions, ¡°You¡ª¡± but before she could finish, a sharp voice sliced through the hush.

    ¡°Miss Hubbard! What are you doing out here? Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard need you back¡ªwe¡¯re on a tight schedule!¡±

    The woman sprang to her feet, nimble despite her nerves. She fumbled for her phone, typed a quick message, and turned the screen for Christina to see. ¡°Nice to meet you, friend. I¡¯m Eloise Hubbard. What¡¯s your name?¡±

    The message made Christina blink, momentarily thrown. Then, she managed a warm reply. ¡°Christina Jones. The pleasure¡¯s mine, Eloise.¡±

    In that instant, the truth clicked for Christina¡ªthis was the Hubbard family¡¯s long-lost daughter, the one everyone had whispered about.

    Eloise offered a small, apologetic smile as she typed again. ¡°I have to go. See you at the party!¡± She shed the message, gave Christina a quick wave, and dashed away.

    With every step, Eloise kept ncing over her shoulder, clearly reluctant to break the budding connection between them. This fleeting connection felt so precious, so rare, that it almost seemed unreal. The possibility that it could dissolve at any moment made her clutch it tighter in her heart.

    Eloise mused that Christina had suggested they be friends before knowing who she was, meaning Christina wasn¡¯t after the Hubbard name. Maybe this friendship could actually be real. Her spirits lifted. Suddenly, the looming ordeal of dressing up and mingling at the banquet felt less suffocating. She actually looked forward to the evening.

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    Christina watched Eloise¡¯s brightened expression and felt a pang of concern knot her stomach. Once the party was over, she¡¯d have to find Elliott¡ªand somehow, without drawing attention, figure out just how dire Eloise¡¯s condition really was.

    That faint bluish tint on Eloise¡¯s skin wasn¡¯t just some harmless blemish. It was a telltale sign¡ªone Christina recognized all too well. The residue of a rare, slow-acting toxin. This particr poison didn¡¯t cause pain. It didn¡¯t trigger fevers or weakness. It silenced. It stole its victim¡¯s voice, stripping them of speech without warning or obvious cause. From Eloise¡¯s gestures, her phone typing, herck of verbal response¡ªit was clear she¡¯d been mute for some time.

    With the toxin invisible to routine screenings, standard tests were rendered useless. Most victims never even knew they were sick. They lived as usual until it was toote. Surviving this long meant the poison had seeped into her system in minute, relentless doses, drip-fed over countless years. Someone hadn¡¯t just poisoned Eloise¡ªthey¡¯d been lurking close, patiently weaving a threat right under her nose.

    Christina¡¯s thoughts spun through thetest Hubbard family drama, her gaze sharpening as she caught a whiff of a plot. Victims of this particr poison never suffered by ident¡ªthey were silenced for a reason. Whoever the Hubbard family had angered had orchestrated this nightmare, building their trap piece by piece over the years.

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 Chapter 245

    ?Chapter 245:

    Christina slipped into the sprawling banquet hall, where clusters of elegantly dressed guests gathered beneath glittering chandeliers, each swirling wine in delicate crystal sses. She handed off her empty ss to a passing waiter, smoothly snatching a fresh pour of red before slipping toward a secluded corner.

    The event had struck her as a bore at first¡ªjust another hollow gathering of socialites. But the lingering mystery of the poison eating away at Eloise¡¯s health added a spark of fascination she hadn¡¯t felt in a long time. A sly smirk tugged at her lips as she idly twirled the stem of her ss, fingers itching for a challenge. It had been far too long since she¡¯d dealt with a case of real poisoning, and the prospect of diving back into antidotes sent a thrill through her veins.

    Hidden in the dim shadows, Christina let her gaze driftzily across the sea of glittering guests, mentally cataloging the possible antidotes she¡¯d need depending on just how deep the toxin ran.

    Meanwhile, at the heart of the festivities, Katie held her wine ss aloft, pasting on what she believed was an irresistible smile. She scanned the crowd for influential faces, ready to pounce on anyone exuding wealth or power¡ªhoping to forge connections that might finally tip fortune her way.

    Yet, each time she sidled up to someone promising, she caught a fleeting sh of difort in their eyes. Their reactions felt oddly familiar. With a flicker of self-consciousness, she discreetly studied her own reflection in a nearby window and then watched as, one after another, people subtly pinched their noses when she approached.

    Katie believed the others recoiled from her scent. She¡¯d spent days scrubbing herself raw, dousing her skin with expensive perfume, desperate to erase any trace of that old humiliation. How could they still smell anything? It had to be the headlines. They¡¯d seen the stories, recognized her face, and decided she had to be disgusting.

    Still, uncertainty gnawed at her. She discreetly lifted her wrist, inhaling. The only thing she smelled was a faint floral perfume¡ªno trace of anything foul. They were truly loathsome! She seethed, grinding her teeth as she gripped her wine ss hard enough to leave marks in the ss. How dare these people belittle her!

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    Katiemitted every mocking face to memory, silently swearing that when she finally became Elliott¡¯s wife, she¡¯d make every single one of them regret it. The thought of the mysterious orchestrator of her humiliation only fueled her rage. How despicable! She¡¯d uncovered nothing so far, but if she ever learned the truth, she would make sure the mastermind paid tenfold.

    Katie scanned the bustling banquet hall and quickly spotted Thea lingering near the edge of the crowd, isted and sullen.

    Without hesitating, she made her way over. ¡°Thea,¡± she called out, keeping her voice low.

    Thea shot her a sharp re. ¡°What do you want? Come to mock me with the rest of them?¡±

    ¡°Of course not. I would never mock you.¡± Katie mustered a brittle smile as she spoke.

    Thea¡¯s lips curled in disdain, but her eyes burned with something darker. ¡°If I ever find out who set me up, they¡¯ll pay for it. I won¡¯t let them off easy.¡± Lowering her voice, Katie leaned in. ¡°You still haven¡¯t found any leads?¡±

    Thea shook her head, her jaw clenched. ¡°Nothing. My dad won¡¯t let me investigate, but I¡¯m not dropping this. I don¡¯t care what he says¡ªI¡¯m going to get to the bottom of it.¡±

    Katie¡¯s frown deepened. Even Thea, with all her connections, had turned up empty-handed.

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 Chapter 246

    ?Chapter 246:

    ¡°Why¡¯s your dad so dead set against you looking into it?¡± Katie pressed on.

    A bitterugh escaped Thea. ¡°He says I ticked off someone way out of my league and that I should keep my head down for now. Like that¡¯s supposed to make me feel any better.¡± Thea¡¯s cheek still burned with the memory of that p, her fury mounting with every passing second.

    Upon hearing that, Katie¡¯s pulse spiked with anxiety. Even Thea¡¯s father was too afraid to investigate. Was she expected to just swallow her humiliation? Absolutely not! She refused to let this go. Someone would pay for this indignity. She forced her trembling hand to steady, resolve hardening. If she could just win over the Hubbard family, she¡¯d gain the power to strike back. With their backing, whoever orchestrated her humiliation would regret ever crossing her.

    A sly grin crept across Thea¡¯s face as she nudged Katie, eyes glinting with mischief. ¡°Look over there,¡± she whispered, inclining her head toward a dimly lit corner. ¡°Isn¡¯t that your ex-sister-inw trying to melt into the shadows?¡±

    Katie spotted Christina instantly, and her lips curled into a sneer. ¡°Trust my luck to run into that harbinger of bad news tonight.¡±

    ¡°How did she manage an invite?¡± Thea asked. ¡°Did she worm her way in through some sketchy back channel?¡±

    ¡°No doubt about it,¡± Katie muttered, her mind shing back to the angry red marks she¡¯d spent minutes concealing with makeup. Resentment simmered in her eyes.

    Thea, eager to vent her frustration at being shunned, smirked slightly. ¡°Come on¡ªlet¡¯s go liven things up for her.¡±

    Katie¡¯s temper simmered dangerously close to boiling over. The sting of being publicly humiliated by Christina at the gate of Cloudcrest Heights clung to her, fueling her need for payback and a shot at redemption. Now, with Thea¡¯s words ringing in her ears, her lips curled into a sly smile.

    Katie and Thea exchanged a conspiratorial nce and drifted across the banquet hall, their excitement barely masked behind feigned nonchnce. In a secluded corner, Christina had found a sliver of peace, not expecting that relentless adversaries were circling for another round.

    g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s, your storytelling home

    At the same time, Eloise¡ªfreshly styled and radiant¡ªwove through the glittering crowd, scanning faces, her heart pounding with anticipation as she searched for Christina. She longed to seek Christina out right away and couldn¡¯t wait for the party to kick off. Christina was different¡ªsomeone who¡¯d wanted to be her friend with no strings attached, no questions asked.

    Eloise clung to the hope that this time, she might finally have a real friend who saw her, not her family¡¯s name. If this fragile connection held, Christina would be the first person to care for her without ulterior motives¡ªa rarity in her world of counterfeit affection.

    Too many times, Eloise had dared to trust, only to watch supposed friends twist the knife, delighting in her pain as they tore her trust apart piece by piece. Eloise¡¯s wide-eyed sweetness and the soft pink of her princess dress made her look like a life-sized Barbie¡ªdreamy, gentle, and utterly harmless. The dress itself, custom-made for her eighteenth birthday and expertly tailored to her predicted adult measurements, still hugged her shape perfectly even after all these years.

    Her family had offered to buy her something new, dismissing the gown as a sentimental relic, but Eloise refused to trade it away. This dress, her very first princess gown, marked hering of age¡ªa memory she cherished fiercely. Each year, her family had prepared birthday gifts, but it wasn¡¯t until now, over twenty yearster, that she received them in person. Their unwavering search for her was the single reassurance that soothed the old ache of insecurity in her heart. She hadn¡¯t been cast aside for her mark on the forehead or her lost voice.

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 Chapter 247

    ?Chapter 247:

    Finally home, finally wanted, Eloise let herself hope¡ªmaybe, just maybe, she could have a real friend for the first time. Genuine happiness sparkled in her eyes as she gathered up her skirt and hurried toward Christina.

    Even though Christina stood half-hidden in the shadows, Eloise spotted her instantly¡ªdrawn to her like a moth to antern¡¯s glow.

    To Eloise, Christina was simply radiant.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Thea shrieked as wine sshed over the rim of her ss, droplets narrowly missing her pristine white dress. If she hadn¡¯t gripped the ss tightly, it would¡¯ve crashed to the floor, wine everywhere.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you watch where you¡¯re going?¡± Thea snapped, shooting a venomous re at Eloise.

    Katie eyed Eloise in the pink princess gown, her envy sharpening as she took in Eloise¡¯s delicate, doll-like beauty and wide, luminous eyes. That dress, though, was exactly the kind of outdated costume she hadn¡¯t touched in years.

    Katie sneered inwardly. Tacky as hell. Her face twisted with disgust. Who let this bumpkin into the Hubbard family¡¯s party? Was this woman so broke that she had to drag out antique hand-me-downs? Was she just another Christina¡ªsomeone desperate to weasel her way into high society?

    Unable to speak, Eloise raised her trembling hands and signed, guilt written across her face. ¡°Sorry, it was my fault. I wasn¡¯t watching where I was going.¡±

    Eloise instantly caught the scorn shimmering in Katie¡¯s and Thea¡¯s eyes, a look she knew too well¡ªone that belonged to the people who¡¯d trampled her trust for years. Years of relentless bullying had left her with a deep-seated instinct to flinch, and now she stood trembling, every muscle tense with fear.

    Thea noticed the princess dress Eloise wore was a relic from years past, instantly pegging her as someone who might¡¯ve sneaked in.

    L??t??¦Ó ch?¨»¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.?§àm

    ¡°Talk if you have anything to say! What¡¯s with the hand signals?¡± Thea barked, irritation shing in her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t you know how to apologize properly?¡±

    Katie leaned forward with a sly grin. ¡°Oh, haven¡¯t you caught on? She can¡¯t talk.¡± At that, realization flickered in Thea¡¯s eyes, her lips curling into a sneer.

    Eloise flinched, her shoulders quivering as she instinctively edged away. The contempt on Thea¡¯s and Katie¡¯s faces sent her spiraling back to all those years she¡¯d been cornered and mocked by heartless bullies. Visions of jeering faces shed through her mind¡ªwolves circling, ready to tear her apart with their words.

    ¡°So she¡¯s mute!¡± Thea noted, her voice thick with scorn. ¡°What a waste. All that beauty and not a word to show for it.¡±

    For a split second, Thea¡¯s envy shone through. No matter how outdated the dress, Eloise wore it with effortless grace.

    ¡°Who¡¯d she have to butter up to sneak in here? That antique thing she¡¯s wearing¡ªdoes she actually think it¡¯s some sort of treasure?¡± Katie huffed, her tone dripping with disdain.

    Thea¡¯s grin twisted into a sneer of amusement. ¡°She probably slept her way in. That dress looks like it¡¯s been passed around a dozen times. Disgusting.¡±

    Katie let out a snicker, eyes glinting with malice. ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s filthy and cheap. What a bitch.¡±

    Eloise froze, terror rooting her to the spot as a cold sweat prickled along her spine. Her legs trembled so violently that she nearly copsed. The leering faces of her childhood bullies flickered through her mind, each one warped by cruelty.

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 Chapter 248

    ?Chapter 248:

    ¡°What¡¯s her problem?¡± Thea asked, watching Eloise shake. ¡°She looks like she¡¯s about to faint.¡±

    Katie shrugged, lips curled into a mocking grin. ¡°Guess we hit a sore spot. She¡¯s terrified we¡¯ll let something slip. What a pathetic little coward.¡±

    Stepping in close, Thea lowered her voice, her eyes sharp with contempt. ¡°I¡¯d love to know how a mute even manages to slip into a party like this.¡±

    Heart pounding, Eloise made a desperate attempt to retreat, but Thea¡¯s hand mped around her wrist in a bruising grip.

    ¡°Not so fast,¡± Thea remarked, her tone dripping with menace. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll let you go¡ªafter you get down and lick away that spilled wine.¡±

    Eloise shook her head frantically, her throat straining as she let out raw, strangled sounds¡ªhelpless, desperate, not quite a scream.

    ¡°You¡¯re not leaving until you lick away every drop,¡± Thea sneered, shing a sly smile. ¡°Or maybe I¡¯ll just let everyone know a mute like you showed up hoping to snag some guy¡¯s attention.¡±

    Terror widened Eloise¡¯s eyes. As she tried to yank herself free, her nails raked Thea¡¯s arm by ident.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Thea shrieked, her face contorted in outrage as she shoved Eloise hard. Eloise hit the floor with a thud, her elbow mming against the polished tiles. Pain streaked up her arm, but she mped her jaw shut, refusing to let a sound slip out. Every nerve screamed for her to cry out, but silence was her oldest defense¡ªa survival reflex hammered into her by years of torment. She¡¯d learned long ago that the smallest whimper invited even crueler punishment, the slightest protest only egged her bullies on.

    ¡°Thea! Are you okay?¡± Katie rushed to Thea¡¯s side, seizing her arm. ¡°She scratched you. Look, you¡¯re bleeding!¡±

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    Thea¡¯s re turned murderous as she inspected the thin scratches on her skin. With a cold, venomous stare, she shot daggers at Eloise. ¡°You fucking bitch!¡± she spat, her voice shaking with fury. ¡°Who do you think you are, putting your hands on me?¡±

    Katie bristled, her voice rising with righteous indignation. ¡°She¡¯s nothing but garbage. Someone needs to put her in her ce.¡±

    Then, as Katie¡¯s gaze fell on the faint mark stamped across Eloise¡¯s forehead, her anger twisted into vicious glee. Her mockingugh bubbled out, sharp and triumphant. ¡°And here I thought she was some kind of beauty. Turns out she¡¯s just a freak.¡±

    Katie¡¯s biting words jolted Thea, drawing her attention to the faint mark on Eloise¡¯s delicate face¡ªa w Thea instantly seized upon. A crooked smirk twisted Thea¡¯s lips. ¡°No wonder you keep those heavy bangs. Afraid to show everyone that hideous mark?¡±

    The jeers hit Eloise like a tidal wave, dredging up every cruel memory she¡¯d tried so desperately to bury. Fingers trembling, she tugged her bangs lower, desperate to shield the mark, her palm pressed t against her brow in panic. Mockingughter swirled around her, each taunt stabbing into her skull like icy needles until pain exploded behind her eyes.

    Eloise¡¯s face contorted in misery, her body curling in on itself as she clung to her forehead, eyes squeezed shut against the agony.

    Seeing Eloise crumpled on the floor, clutching her forehead in pain, Thea¡¯s heart thumped with twisted satisfaction, her gaze alight with dark pleasure. ¡°You disgusting freak. Think you can just bump into me and get away with it?¡± she hissed, her voice sharp as a knife. ¡°You¡¯re about to learn what real pain feels like.¡±

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 Chapter 249

    ?Chapter 249:

    With glee shing in her eyes, Thea cocked her foot back, aiming straight for Eloise¡¯s hand¡ªdetermined to leave a mark that went far deeper than skin. She wanted to watch Eloise squirm, wanted to see those wless features contort in real suffering. Only then would she feel truly satisfied.

    Katie stood nearby, arms folded, her sneer unbothered as she silently rooted for Thea to deliver the finishing blow.

    Just as Thea¡¯s heel hovered over Eloise¡¯s quivering hand, Christina barreled through the crowd, her boot connecting sharply with Thea¡¯s calf.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Thea shrieked in pain, her cry slicing through the chatter and drawing startled looks from nearby partygoers. Some nced over with mild curiosity, while others crowded in, eager for fresh gossip. Yet, not a soul moved to intervene.

    Katie lunged forward to catch Thea before she toppled, her voice sharp with panic. ¡°Thea! Are you hurt?¡±

    Thea doubled over, clutching her throbbing leg, breath shuddering as she fought back a cry.

    Christina knelt beside Eloise, her tone gentle but urgent. ¡°Hey, are you alright?¡±

    Still dazed, Eloise blinked up at Christina through stinging, tear-filled eyes. The pounding in her skull refused to fade. Bathed in the warm light, Christina looked like a savior dropped straight into the chaos¡ªpoised, dazzling, utterly fearless.

    Eloise remembered the sh of Christina¡¯s kick, the split-second rescue that saved her from Thea¡¯s brutal stomp. Her own hand, pale and unbroken, trembled in herp. A silent wave of gratitude swept through her. She managed only a shaky nod, unable to speak past the emotion closing her throat.

    Relief flickered across Christina¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re okay, good.¡± With steady hands, she helped Eloise to her feet, supporting her as if she weighed nothing at all.

    Fresh chapters live g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í????s

    The crowd nursed their drinks, gossip rippling through the air as they eyed themotion from a safe distance.

    ¡°Hey, aren¡¯t those the Reed and Dawson girls? The ones who got sttered with shit and went viral?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s them. But who are those other two? One rings a bell, but the other¡¯s a total mystery.¡±

    ¡°Hold on¡ªisn¡¯t the one who just kicked the Reed girl Rose?¡±

    ¡°Rose who? Man, she¡¯s bold, picking a fight at a Hubbard family¡¯s party. They¡¯re all getting tossed for sure.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know Rose? She¡¯s the one who took gold at nationals¡ªboth a shooting champion and a race car driver. Didn¡¯t think she¡¯d show up here. Looks even better in person, honestly.¡±

    ¡°What about the one in pink? Never seen her before, and that outfit¡¯s straight out of a vintage catalog.¡±

    Thea, her jaw tight and her leg aching, shot Christina a venomous re. ¡°What¡¯s your problem? Why did you kick me, huh? You¡¯ve got some guts causing a scene at the Hubbard family¡¯s party! I¡¯m calling them over right now to throw you out!¡±

    Christina shot Thea a cold, contemptuous look, her lips curling into a smirk. ¡°By all means, drag the Hubbard family over. I can¡¯t wait to see who actually gets thrown out.¡±

    Without missing a beat, Christina slid an arm around Eloise¡¯s shoulders, steering her protectively behind her as a shield against the onlookers. ¡°I¡¯ll get the Hubbard family myself!¡± Katie chimed in, dashing off. She had finally found a chance to deal with Christina. With all these witnesses and Christina¡¯s brazen kick, she wasn¡¯t about to let the opportunity slip away.

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 Chapter 250

    ?Chapter 250:

    Thea straightened, the pain in her calf masked by a smug, taunting grin. ¡°Honestly, I hope you¡¯re ready to get booted straight out of the Hubbard family. It¡¯ll be fun to watch.¡±

    Christina let out a lowugh, her eyes shing with confidence. ¡°You¡¯re in for a letdown, Thea. But¡­¡±

    ¡°But what?¡± Thea instinctively responded.

    Christina¡¯sughter was soft but cutting. ¡°But if you really want a front-row seat to your own humiliation, I¡¯ll be happy to record it for you. We can y it backter if you need a reminder.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Thea sputtered, her jaw tightening as the pain in her leg pulsed sharply. She bit down her anger, letting out a venomous sneer. ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky. You¡¯re the one who¡¯s going to regret this.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s advice you should take yourself!¡± Christina shot back sharply.

    With the crowd¡¯s attention locked on their showdown, Thea swept her gaze over Christina and Eloise, her voice rising with biting malice. ¡°It all makes sense now. No wonder you two are friends. One loves to flirt around, and the other¡¯s an ugly freak who can¡¯t even speak. What a pathetic pair.¡±

    Before Thea could bask in her own self-importance, a calm voice sliced through the noise behind her, its tone impossible to read. ¡°Who are you calling a flirt? And who¡¯s this ¡®ugly freak¡¯ you¡¯re talking about?¡±

    A startled gasp swept through the nearby guests at the sound, but Thea¡ªtoo wrapped up in her own bravado¡ªmissed the shift in atmosphere. Still grinning, she jabbed a finger toward Christina and Eloise. ¡°Obviously those two tramps¡ªcan¡¯t believe they¡¯re making such a scene at the party!¡±

    Katie, eager to back Thea up, drew in a breath to speak¡ªonly to freeze when she caught Elliott¡¯s gaze. His eyes were cold, icy enough to send a shiver up her spine. She faltered, her words dying in her throat. Was Elliott furious? Fear prickled at her skin as someone yanked her into the crowd, pulling her safely out of sight.

    Gal n o v el s . is your destination for fiction

    ¡°Really?¡± Elliott¡¯s wordsnded like a threat, his voice low and sharp as he bore down on Thea. He fixed her with an arctic stare, the kind that made her skin crawl and her spine lock tight.

    A strange familiarity prickled at the edges of Thea¡¯s memory.

    All around them, the crowd held its breath, not daring to so much as blink in Elliott¡¯s presence.

    Thea slowly turned,ing face-to-face with Elliott¡ªhis impably cut ck suit framing him like armor, radiating authority. When she finally met his eyes, she felt a cold jolt, as if his gaze could slice straight through her. For one dizzying second, it was as if the ground had vanished beneath her, dropping her into a frozen void.

    Thea¡¯s lips twisted into a brittle imitation of a smile. ¡°M-Mr. Hubbard¡­¡± she stammered, every muscle in her face straining to hold itself together.

    Elliott¡¯s tone dropped to a deadly hush. ¡°Who did you just call tramps?¡± A dangerous light flickered in his eyes, making the hairs on Thea¡¯s neck stand on end.

    Thea¡¯s heart hammered wildly as suspicion wed at her. Did those two women have some hidden connection to Elliott? Was she actually picking a fight with his women? No, that couldn¡¯t be. One of them was a scandal-ridden divorc¨¦e, supposedly years older than Elliott. The other one was just an ugly mute with a birthmark. There was no way either woman could possibly interest someone like him, right?

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 Chapter 251

    ?Chapter 251:

    But then Elliott¡¯s lips curled into a faint, almost mocking smirk, and he spoke again, his voice deceptively gentle. ¡°Go on. Tell it like it is, and I¡¯ve got your back.¡±

    Nobody in the crowd caught the fleeting sh of bloodlust in his eyes¡ªa dark, venomous glint that vanished as quickly as it appeared.

    Elliott¡¯s words left the room in stunned silence. All eyes turned to Thea¡ªsome wide with envy, others narrowed with spite. Whispers followed. A few had already begun scheming how to get on Thea¡¯s good side. After all, it seemed likely that she would be Elliott¡¯s wife.

    Thea widened her eyes. Did she hear that right? Elliott himself had said he would back her up. The surprise hit her like a bolt from the blue. She couldn¡¯t even tell when she¡¯d caught Elliott¡¯s eye.

    Thea¡¯s heart raced with glee, her head spinning from the thrill. A smug smile crept across her face. She raised her hand and pointed confidently at Christina and Eloise. ¡°It¡¯s them! One¡¯s a shameless flirt, and the other¡¯s a mute with a rat¡¯s heart. They¡¯re both trash!¡±

    After the outburst, Thea stood tall, chin high, soaking in the attention like it was sunlight. For a moment, she felt invincible¡ªlike the world was hers for the taking. So, this was power. And it felt incredible.

    The crowd murmured among themselves, not daring to speak out. No one wanted to make the wrong move. Everyone watched and waited to see where the wind would blow before choosing a side.

    Thea didn¡¯t notice the storm building in Elliott¡¯s eyes. In her head, it was already a done deal¡ªElliott adored her. The title of Mrs. Hubbard was within reach. She imagined a life of luxury, high society bowing at her feet. The thought made her grin with pride.

    Elliott¡¯s silence only fueled Thea¡¯s fantasy. She assumed he was quietly plotting payback on her behalf. With a coy smile, she edged closer to him.

    ??¦Ñ??¦Á?????? ?????? ???? ????????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Oops!¡± Thea let out a dramatic gasp, pretending to trip as she flung herself toward Elliott. She fully expected tond in his arms, the perfect picture of chemistry.

    But just as Thea was about tond in his embrace, Elliott dodged sharply. ¡°Ah!¡± Thea¡¯s eyes went wide. She couldn¡¯t stop herself. She hit the floor with a loud thud.

    The impact knocked the air from her lungs. For a second, she saw stars. It hurt like hell. Mortified, she wished the ground would swallow her whole.

    Still, she told herself Elliott must¡¯ve moved to protect her image. They hadn¡¯t gone public yet, after all. Convinced by her own thoughts, she found his coldness oddly romantic. Blushing, she stood and snuck a shy nce at him.

    Then, Thea caught a few guests chuckling behind their hands. Her embarrassment quickly turned to anger. Trying to regain control, she swiftly shifted the topic. ¡°So, Elliott, what¡¯s the n? I say we kick them out and make sure they never step foot on Hubbard property again. Sound good?¡±

    Elliott gave a short, dryugh. His brow lifted slightly. ¡°What I think? Sounds like you¡¯ve already decided.¡±

    Thea blinked, uncertain. ¡°So, what¡¯s your call?¡±

    ¡°Whatever you want. No need to ask me,¡± Elliott said coolly.

    Thea missed the sarcasmpletely. Her face lit up. Spinning toward the security team, she pointed dramatically. ¡°You heard him! Toss these two tramps out!¡± she barked, basking in her moment.

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 Chapter 252

    ?Chapter 252:

    Everyone watched Elliott¡¯s posture and immediately assumed Thea had already wormed her way into the Hubbard family¡¯s good graces. But the Hubbard security detail didn¡¯t so much as twitch. What the hell was happening here? Wasn¡¯t Thea meant to be the future mistress of the Hubbard estate? Why did the Hubbard family¡¯s security guards ignore herpletely?

    A hush of confusion settled over the onlookers, their uncertainty mirrored on Thea¡¯s face. She was just as thrown off.

    ¡°Are you all deaf? Didn¡¯t you just hear Elliott? He said to follow my instructions!¡± Thea snapped, her re bouncing from one unmoved guard to another, all of them standing stone-faced and unbothered. What was wrong with these people? Were they deliberately ignoring her? Once she and Elliott were married, she swore she¡¯d teach them a lesson herself.

    Biting back her growing fury, Thea wiped the irritation from her face and spun toward Elliott. Her eyes shimmered with manufactured vulnerability, her voice as syrupy as honey. ¡°Elliott, just look at them¡­¡±

    Elliott¡¯s stare could¡¯ve frozen water. He swept a razor-sharp gaze across the line of guards, his voice slicing through the tension. ¡°Do it.¡±

    Thea¡¯s chest swelled with a surge of satisfaction. A triumphant smile broke across her face as she shot a gloating look at Christina and Eloise, her eyes glittering with smug delight. Who would have believed it? She had actually caught Elliott¡¯s attention!

    But before Thea could fully bask in her imaginary victory, a pair of security guards suddenly seized her arms. She went rigid, her mind struggling to process what was happening before she erupted in outrage. ¡°Are you people deaf or blind? Elliott told you to grab the two tramps over there, not me! Throw those two out¡ªdo you hear me? I¡¯m¡ª¡±

    She bit back the rest of her words, barely stopping herself from dering her future as Mrs. Hubbard in front of the entire crowd. Elliott would despise that kind of arrogance.

    ?????????????? ???????? g???????¦Í???????????????

    Elliott¡¯s gaze locked onto her, cold and razor-sharp. ¡°And what are you, exactly?¡±

    Her bravado crumbled in an instant. ¡°I¡ªI just¡­ That¡¯s not what I meant,¡± she stammered, her voice suddenly small. ¡°I was just passing along your instructions. Elliott, these people¡ªhow dare they ignore your orders? You really should have someone look into their backgrounds. Maybe they¡¯re spies sent by your family¡¯s enemies!¡±

    A faint, mocking smile touched Elliott¡¯s lips. ¡°Whether they¡¯re spies or not isn¡¯t your business. The one who needs to be thrown out is you.¡±

    At this, Thea¡¯s jaw dropped in utter disbelief. The entire crowd erupted into whispers, stunned by what they¡¯d just witnessed.

    Those gathered gripped their wine sses a little tighter, ncing nervously around as Elliott¡¯s words echoed through the hall. Had they overlooked something crucial? How could he flip sides so suddenly and without warning? A wave of relief swept through them¡ªat least they¡¯d kept their distance and hadn¡¯t rushed to support Thea, or else they might be the ones being dragged out.

    Thea forced herself to steady her voice, anxiety prickling beneath her calm veneer. ¡°Mr. Hubbard, what do you mean by this?¡± she queried, suddenly careful, her cockiness evaporating.

    Elliott didn¡¯t so much as nce her way. ¡°You don¡¯t get to pass judgment on my sister¡¯s appearance,¡± he stated, every word carrying the weight ofmand. The authority in his tone left no room for protest.

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 Chapter 253

    ?Chapter 253:

    ¡°Sister?¡± Thea¡¯s thoughts scrambled in shock, and a ripple of confusion swept through the assembled guests. Could that mute woman with the blue mark on her forehead¡ªso unremarkable until now¡ªreally be the long-lost eldest daughter the Hubbard family had recently found? No way! That was unthinkable! Absolutely out of the question!

    Thea¡¯s mind tly rejected the notion that she had just messed with Elliott¡¯s sister. She stood frozen, her eyes round with shock and denial.

    The crowd¡¯s whispers rippled out in a dozen directions, buzzing with confusion and curiosity.

    ¡°What is happening right now? Is one of those two women actually Mr. Hubbard¡¯s sister? Which one is it supposed to be?¡±

    ¡°Did you juste over? Guess it¡¯s thedy standing next to Rose. She has to be the Hubbard family¡¯s long-lost daughter.¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t really look like Mr. Hubbard, though. Maybe they each take after a different parent, or maybe the resemnce just skips a generation¡­¡±

    Katie, pulled into the crowd by her brother, had initially believed Elliott had eyes only for Thea. She¡¯d felt a twinge of jealousy but still wanted to help Thea shine in front of him. Now, her bold facade copsed. Cold dread washed over her, leaving her trembling from head to toe. Her hands turned mmy, and she struggled to stay upright.

    Elliott¡¯s quick switch-up left Katie floored. In hindsight, she realized she had almost found herself tangled in Thea¡¯s mess, nearly putting herself in danger of angering the notoriously influential Hubbard n.

    Word was, the Hubbard family would stop at nothing for their lost-and-found daughter,vishing her with everything she wanted since her return. Anyone who crossed Eloise would be asking for disaster.

    Instead of sticking around, Katie melted into the crowd, wiping her brow and silently praying no one remembered how she¡¯d badmouthed Eloise earlier. Letting Thea take the brunt of the me seemed like her only shot at staying out of trouble.

    ?????????? ?????????? ????: g???????¦Í????????£®??????

    A shaky voice rose from Thea, defiant to the end. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious, Mr. Hubbard. She¡¯s your sister? This is a joke, right?¡±

    Thea scrutinized Eloise, convinced there was no family resemnce, certain the Hubbard family had been duped. Doubt gnawed at her. Had the Hubbard family weed the wrong girl into their family? The very thought kept her clinging to denial, unable to ept she¡¯d actually targeted the real Hubbard heiress.

    Elliott¡¯s reply was cold and final. ¡°No one knows my family better than I do. She¡¯s my sister, and that¡¯s all there is to it.¡±

    Elliott turned to the assembled crowd, his face giving nothing away as he delivered his statement. ¡°Effective immediately, any rtionship or agreement between the Hubbard family and the Reed family is finished. Completely over.¡±

    Shock rippled through the room, the weight of Elliott¡¯s words settling heavily over everyone. Clearly, Eloise had major pull in the Hubbard family. For the Hubbard family, cutting ties with the Reeds was a price they seemed more than willing to pay.

    Grant and his wife,te to themotion, arrived just in time to hear Elliott¡¯s promation¡ªand looked as if they might faint from the shock.

    Fury zing in his eyes, Grant rounded on Thea. ¡°You fool!¡± he roared, bringing his hand down hard across her cheek in front of everyone.

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 Chapter 254

    ?Chapter 254:

    The sound of the p echoed, forcing Thea¡¯s head to the side and leaving blood trickling down her lip. That blow had real weight behind it.

    No protest left Thea¡¯s lips. Her thoughts spun in silent panic, finally realizing everything had unraveled. Messing with the Hubbard family hadn¡¯t just doomed her¡ªshe might have sealed the fate of the entire Reed family.

    Grant¡¯s voice thundered through the hall. ¡°Down on your knees! Apologize to Mr. Hubbard and Miss Hubbard right now!¡±

    Forced by the situation, Thea sank to the floor, her gaze glued to Elliott¡¯s shoes as she pleaded, her voice raw with desperation. ¡°I really messed up, Mr. Hubbard. Please¡ªgive me one more chance.¡± Tears streamed down her face, turning her apology into a barely controlled sob.

    Desperate to salvage what little dignity remained, Grant stepped in. ¡°Mr. Hubbard, I¡¯m begging you. Spare us, just this once. I¡¯ll take my daughter home and set her straight, I swear it.¡±

    Elliott stood there, unmoved, his gaze steely and his face unreadable.

    Silence met Grant¡¯s appeal, so he shifted tactics, turning to Eloise and dropping to his knees before her. ¡°I failed as a father, Miss Hubbard. Please forgive us. Don¡¯t let this mistake destroy us. Our family would be finished without the Hubbard family¡¯s support. I know you have a kind heart¡ªyou don¡¯t want that on your conscience, do you?¡±

    Grant poured on the humility, pleading repeatedly, hoping Eloise¡¯spassion might tip the scales. His earlier glimpse of Eloise¡¯s gentle nature gave him hope. Now, pride fell away in the scramble to save his family from ruin.

    While all this unfolded, Thea¡¯s humiliation grew. Watching her father humble himself before someone younger, her insides twisted with shame and fury. This was the misfortune that came from not having a position of importance. For as long as they remained at the lowest rung, others took every opportunity to trample on them.

    Thea promised herself she would fight her way upward, determined to reach the very top no matter how difficult it became. She vowed that when she finally achieved great sess, she would make the Hubbard family pay back a hundredfold for every moment they had shamed her.

    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

    With her jaw tightly set, Thea¡¯s anger simmered beneath the surface as she forced herself to kneel before Eloise, though every movement revealed her unwillingness.

    The desperate voices of Thea and Grant as they pleaded for forgiveness echoed through the room, sending Eloise¡¯s heart pounding in her chest. She started to worry they might hurt themselves if their groveling didn¡¯t stop soon.

    Unable to stomach another moment of the spectacle, Eloise made a quick gesture and slipped her phone into Elliott¡¯s hand. She had typed a brief message on the screen: ¡°Why don¡¯t we just drop it?¡±

    From Eloise¡¯s perspective, everything had spiraled after that idental run-in with Thea, who then shoved her aside. She and Thea were even now. And honestly, Thea and her father had groveled enough; their apologies had been over the top. Eloise saw no point in making things any messier.

    Turning to Christina, Elliott asked, ¡°How about you? You¡¯re cool with letting that woman off after she trashed you?¡±

    ¡°Since Miss Hubbard¡¯s fine with dropping it, I am good. Thea got what wasing to her.¡± Christina shrugged. Sometimes, going too hard on someone killed the vibe. It was better to keep things chill.

    .

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 Chapter 255

    ?Chapter 255:

    After a pause, Elliott nodded. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll do it your way.¡± Then, his gaze locked on Grant. ¡°Consider yourselves lucky. My sister¡¯s mercy just saved you.¡± Elliott¡¯s frosty stare swept through the guests, and the room grew tense and quiet. ¡°Anyone who dares to mess with my sister again will answer to me,¡± he warned.

    Nobody dared utter a sound. Every head dropped, and beads of sweat began to form as Elliott¡¯s re seemed to burn straight through them. The pressure from that look was enough to send chills down spines.

    Grateful for a lifeline, Grant rose from the floor and lowered himself in a deep bow to Eloise. ¡°Thank you for your kindness, Miss Hubbard. I¡¯ll swing by with a proper gift to make this right.¡±

    Martha, nerves on edge, reached for Thea¡¯s hand and squeezed it, urging her to show respect as well.

    Together, Thea and Martha gave Eloise a deep bow.

    While her body showed submission, Thea¡¯s eyes flickered with humiliation and barely disguised anger. Both fists clenched, her jaw tightened as she struggled to contain her rage.

    After that fiasco, Thea and her family didn¡¯t dare stick around the party. Having offered their bows to both Eloise and Elliott, the Reeds made a quick exit from the Hubbard estate. Lingering would have only led to further humiliation and whispered rumors¡ªthere was nothing left to gain.

    The Hubbard family¡¯s butler, Josh Baker, dered, ¡°Everyone, please stop gathering around here and enjoy yourselves before the banquet kicks off.¡± One by one, curious onlookers scattered quickly, eager to avoid any more drama. Within minutes, the gathering shifted back to its earlier liveliness, withughter, toasts, and cheerful chatter filling every corner of the hall.

    Concern flickered in Elliott¡¯s eyes as he turned to Christina and Eloise. ¡°Are you both alright?¡±

    ????? ??erfe???? check g???????¦Í???????????m

    Christina managed a small smile and took Eloise¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯m good, but Miss Hubbard¡¯s elbow took a bit of a hit.¡±

    Using the pretense offort, Christina discreetly checked Eloise¡¯s condition. What she discovered sent a jolt of rm through her¡ªthere were subtle signs of poisoning, and the severity worried her.

    Concern tightened Christina¡¯s features. She decided right then to pull Elliott aside for a serious conversation after the banquet ended. Letting this go unchecked could endanger Eloise¡¯s life and put the entire Hubbard family in jeopardy.

    Waving her hands quickly, Eloise tried to signal she was fine, hoping to ease the growing tension.

    ¡°Eloise, go with Josh and let him take care of that scrape.¡± Elliott spoke up, his voiceced with concern. Nothing hurt the Hubbard family more than remembering how Eloise had gone missing as a toddler, enduring hardships no child should face. Once a bubbly chatterbox, Eloise had mysteriously lost her voice, baffling every doctor her parents could find. Now, even the smallest injury to her sent the whole family into a panic, ready to protect her at any cost.

    With furrowed brows, Elliott inspected Eloise¡¯s arm, noticing dried blood. Fury boiled over. ¡°Letting the Reeds off so easily was a mistake.¡±

    Anxiously, Eloise clung to his sleeve and shook her head, silently begging him not to make things worse. It all traced back to a single idental collision with Thea. If more troublended on the Reeds because of her, she would be haunted by unease.

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    .

 Chapter 256

    ?Chapter 256:

    Noticing how startled his sister was, Elliott immediately softened his tone. ¡°Rx, Eloise. We¡¯ll let the Reeds go just as you wish.¡±

    Only then did Eloise exhale, a smile appearing on her face.

    Watching with concern, Josh¡ªdutiful as ever¡ªstepped forward. ¡°Miss Hubbard, your injury needs immediate attention,¡± he urged, brows knitted in worry. Thea truly deserved a harsh punishment for the way she had mistreated Eloise.

    Eloise held tightly onto Christina¡¯s hand, her gaze fixed on Christina, unwilling to look away even for a moment.

    A quietugh escaped Elliott. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Eloise, Miss Jones is here for the banquet. She won¡¯t leave anytime soon,¡± he assured her.

    Elliott noted something special had sparked between Eloise and Christina. Since reconnecting with the Hubbard family, Eloise had always kept to herself, drifting on the outskirts of every gathering, lost in her thoughts.

    Never before had Elliott seen Eloise depend on someone so naturally. Gradually, Eloise loosened her grip, though her gaze remained firmly locked on Christina.

    With a gentle coax, Elliott tried again. ¡°If you¡¯d like, I¡¯ll stay here with Miss Jones until you get back. I promise, Miss Jones isn¡¯t going anywhere.¡±

    Pain and hardship had made Eloise wary, easily spooked by even small disturbances. Despite Elliott¡¯s assurances, she hesitated, her hand still wrapped around Christina¡¯s.

    This made Christina smile. Covering Eloise¡¯s hand with her own, she said warmly, ¡°Go ahead, let Josh tend to your wound. I¡¯ll be right here when you return.¡±

    Seeking confirmation, Eloise quickly tapped out a message on her phone for Christina. ¡°You mean it?¡±

    ¡°Of course. When I give my word, I keep it,¡± Christina replied with conviction.

    ???????? ???????? ???????? ?????????????????¦Í??????????????

    Trust finally settled in Eloise as she released Christina, though she nced back at Christina again and again as she followed Josh from the room.

    ¡°She really likes you, you know.¡± Standing at Christina¡¯s side, Elliott watched his sister disappear down the hall.

    A soft smile curved Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°The feeling¡¯s mutual.¡±

    Elliott¡¯s expression grew thoughtful. ¡°If you¡¯re willing, I hope you¡¯lle visit often. Eloise needs friends she can count on after all she¡¯s been through.¡±

    ¡°Sure, I¡¯d love to be friends with her,¡± Christina answered, then cast a look at Elliott. ¡°By the way, do you have a moment for a private conversation after the banquet?¡±

    For a moment, Elliott was quiet, his gaze dropping as he studied her expression. Her face held a gentle smile, making it hard to guess what she was thinking. Elliott¡¯s curiosity sharpened. ¡°Does this have to do with my sister?¡±

    ¡°You catch on quick.¡± A sly grin appeared on Christina¡¯s lips.

    ¡°Can¡¯t we talk now?¡± Elliott asked.

    ¡°Let¡¯s hold off until after the banquet.¡± Patience glimmered in Christina¡¯s eyes. She knew that news this heavy would cast a shadow over the celebration if she dropped it now. Reluctantly, Elliott agreed. ¡°Alright. When everything wraps up, I¡¯ll have Joshe find you.¡±

    ¡°Sounds good.¡± A simple nod was her answer.

    Soon after, Eloise rejoined them, her wound properly bandaged, with Josh trailing just behind. That was when Elliott finally excused himself and slipped away.

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 Chapter 257

    ?Chapter 257:

    Meanwhile, inside the Hubbard family study, Josh extended a gift to Omar Hubbard, Elliott¡¯s father.

    ¡°Mr. Hubbard, Mr. Scott sent over a gift for you,¡± Josh spoke.

    Rising at once, Omar¡¯s expression lit up. ¡°Mr. Scott is here already? Why didn¡¯t anyone tell me so I could wee him myself? Let¡¯s go¡ª¡±

    A quick interruption came from Josh. ¡°Actually, Mr. Hubbard, Mr. Scott didn¡¯te. Mr. Samuel Graham and Mr. Ralphy Graham delivered the gift instead. Mr. Scott sends his apologies and asks for your understanding.¡±

    Understanding shed across Omar¡¯s face. ¡°Then I¡¯ll go greet Mr. Graham personally. Please let my father know that Mr. Graham is here.¡± With a respectful bow, Josh replied, ¡°Right away,¡± and slipped out.

    No time was wasted. Omar made a beeline for the door, leaving the study in a hurry. Entrusting the banquet¡¯s details to Elliott had made sense, but certain guests required a personal touch. He knew that for both the Scott family and the Graham family to show respect for tonight¡¯s banquet was a mark of deep respect for his father. It was only right for him to handle the greetings himself.

    Christina was having a st trading jokes with Eloise on the phone,pletely lost in the fun of their conversation, when Josh appeared without warning, his voice steady. ¡°Miss Hubbard, the celebration¡¯s about to start. Your parents are calling for you.¡±

    Eloise nced up and typed a quick message to Christina, her thumbs flying.

    ¡°I have to run, but we¡¯ll talkter.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Christina gave Eloise a nod and watched her head off.

    Out of nowhere, Christina sensed someone sneaking up behind her. She tensed up. The next second, a firm gripnded on her shoulder, and she was half a second from flipping the sneaky figure over her shoulder.

    But she stopped herself just in time when a familiar, teasing voice broke the tension. ¡°Miss Jones.¡±

    ???????? ?????????????? ????????: ?????????¦Í??????©q??????

    That single phrase was enough for her to recognize the speaker. She rxed, an amused smile spreading as she turned to face him. Good thing Ralphy spoke up fast, or he¡¯d have been eating floor.

    ¡°Dn didn¡¯te with you?¡± Christina asked, scanning the room but not spotting Dn anywhere. Chloe¡¯s eyes were still healing, so she¡¯d skipped the party. Dn had mentioned he¡¯d drop by once he clocked out, but oddly, he hadn¡¯t shown up with Ralphy.

    Ralphy¡¯s lips twitched as he asked her, ¡°What¡¯s this? Missing my buddy Dn already? Feeling like it¡¯s been forever?¡±

    Christina just shook her head andughed lightly. ¡°Don¡¯t go starting rumors. People might get the wrong idea.¡±

    That only made Ralphy lean in, squinting at her with growing curiosity. ¡°So you¡¯re saying you really don¡¯t have a thing for him at all?¡±

    Ralphy had never known a woman who could be around Dn and not at least secretly admire him. But he detected no deception from Christina¡¯s face, as if Dn wasn¡¯t even on her radar.

    Calm and collected, Christina replied, ¡°There¡¯s nothing between us except friendship.¡±

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 Chapter 258

    ?Chapter 258:

    She acknowledged Dn¡¯s appeal, but romance was thest thing on her mind.

    Ralphy kept his gaze locked on her, wine ss dangling from his hand. His careful observation found nothing but honesty in her demeanor. Actually, it seemed pretty fitting that someone as remarkable as Christina wasn¡¯t swooning over Dn. Beyond her sharpshooting reputation, she¡¯d managed to beat Dn twice when she yed as Rose. And the chances were that she was the legendary racer known as Skybreaker.

    In Ralphy¡¯s eyes, only a woman with Christina¡¯s grit could match up to Dn. Concerned that Dn¡¯sck of emotional finesse might ruin his chances, he figured he should step in to y wingman. With a tilt of his head, he said, ¡°Ever thought about giving Dn a chance? I¡¯ve known him forever. He mighte off cold, but he¡¯s the real deal. If he¡¯s with you, he¡¯s with you. Betrayal isn¡¯t his style.¡±

    The way Ralphy emphasized ¡°betrayal¡± made it clear he thought Christina should leave her ex in the past. When it came to loyalty, Brendon didn¡¯t hold a candle to Dn, not even close.

    Slowly, Christina began swirling her wine, a mischievous glint flickering in her eyes. Instead of answering directly, she joked, ¡°With all the gossip about you and your string of dates, why not hook Dn up with a few?¡±

    Ralphy threw his head back and said, ¡°Oh, please! Those women only want my money or a free ride. No way Dn would go for any of them. He wouldn¡¯t even consider it. He¡­¡±

    The words caught in his throat as realization set in. After a beat, he gave Christina a wary look. ¡°Wait¡ªyou don¡¯t think Dn and I are both yboys, and he just excels at hiding his yer side, do you?¡±

    Rather than reply, Christina just swirled her wine and let a sly, unreadable smile do all the talking.

    Ralphy caught the look on Christina¡¯s face, frantically waving his hands as he tried to clear the air. ¡°You¡¯ve got it all wrong! Dn¡¯s nothing like me. He¡¯s never even been on a date. People are even starting to whisper that he doesn¡¯t like women at all.¡±

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s, the heart of storytelling

    A teasing grin spread across Christina¡¯s face as she shot back, ¡°You two are so tight. Maybe you are¡­¡± She trailed off, arching a brow and giving Ralphy a look loaded with mischief.

    ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Ralphy yelled, pulling his brows together in protest. ¡°It¡¯s not what you think. We¡¯re just friends. That¡¯s it!¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Christina asked,ughter bubbling up as she watched him squirm.

    ¡°I swear I¡¯m telling you the truth!¡± Ralphy hastily said, every syble desperate for her trust. His insides churned with regret. His efforts in pumping up Dn¡¯s image had backfired spectacrly. Digging a deeper hole with each word, he realized he¡¯d made things worse. Could he possibly mess this up any more? There was a pleading note in his voice. ¡°Please, you have to trust me. Dn isn¡¯t into men, and neither am I¡­¡±

    Christina couldn¡¯t help it¡ªshe burst intoughter, shaking her head. ¡°Calm down, I¡¯m just teasing you.¡±

    Relief washed over Ralphy, and he wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead. ¡°You almost sent me into cardiac arrest,¡± he stated, feeling lucky he hadn¡¯tpletely ruined things for Dn.

    Staring at Christina, he asked, ¡°So, you believe Dn¡¯s a stand-up guy, right?¡±

    A shrug was all she gave. ¡°You are thepany you keep.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Ralphy stared, momentarily confused. Was she saying she didn¡¯t think Dn was a nice guy? Kicking himself inside, he realized his own reputation might be casting a shadow over Dn¡¯s.

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 Chapter 259

    ?Chapter 259:

    The thought of Dn finding out made Ralphy cringe. If Christina had reservations about Dn because of him, he¡¯d never live it down. ¡°Look, Miss Jones, I know I¡¯ve made a name for myself as a yer, but¡ª¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t let him finish. Her palm lifted to stop him mid-sentence. ¡°I know you¡¯ve got the whole bad-boy vibe going, but you¡¯re still a virgin,¡± she said, her tone full of certainty.

    Mortification crept over Ralphy, and the tips of his ears turned a deep shade of red. How the heck did Christina know that? It was downright spooky.

    For as long as he could remember, his family had painted him as a yboy sowing his wild oats. Behind the scenes, though, he yed along for appearances but never actually jumped into anything serious. Right now, being called out by Christina made his cheeks burn with embarrassment. The real question was how Christina, who barely knew him, had nailed something so private. ¡°How¡­ How did you even know that?¡± Ralphy asked, trying to y it cool but failing. The second he asked, he regretted it. He¡¯d just given himself away. Backpedaling, he added, ¡°Honestly, you¡¯re mistaken. I¡¯m not what you think.¡±

    Christina shot him a knowing smile. ¡°You can¡¯t fool me. I have a knack for reading people. Guess it¡¯s my vet instincts.¡±

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s quite something.¡± Catching himself, Ralphy paused. ¡°Wait, what? You¡¯re a vet? How does that exin anything? Are you kidding me?¡±

    Her grin widened. ¡°Yeah. I was just pulling your leg. Didn¡¯t expect you to give yourself up so fast. Look, I know you and Dn are straight shooters. Rx.¡± There was no way she would reveal her discreet identity as King. Plus, even if she dropped the news, nobody would buy it anyway.

    Ralphy exhaled, shoulders rxing. ¡°Knew you were messing around! But if it clears Dn¡¯s name, I¡¯m cool with it.¡±

    Just now, Ralphy was really rattled. If Christina had figured out something that private, he wondered what else she¡¯d pick up on.

    Christina gestured toward the hall. ¡°Let¡¯s get going. The party¡¯s about to kick off.¡±

    Ready to move on, Ralphy nodded and followed her lead, grateful to leave that awkward exchange behind.

    Omar stepped into the hall, his arm linked with his wife, as they kicked off the banquet. They introduced their long-lost daughter to the guests present.

    Instead of stopping there, Vanessa Hubbard, Omar¡¯s wife, turned the spotlight to a grand disy: a collection of birthday gifts she¡¯d prepared for Eloise, marking every year from infancy through adulthood. She insisted on cing each one directly in Eloise¡¯s hands.

    Holding up the first gift, Vanessa announced, ¡°This was meant for my daughter on the day she was born¡ªtwenty percent of the Hubbard Group shares.¡± A collective gasp echoed around the room as the guests took in the announcement. Even Elliott, known as the Hubbard heir, had only managed to secure ten percent of those coveted shares. It was clear¡ªEloise had always been destined to be cherished, receiving a fortune the moment she came into the world.

    Vanessa continued, picking up the next keepsake. ¡°When Eloise turned a month old, I set aside a manor at Estates for her. And for her first birthday¡­¡± Every milestone came with a new present, each one handed over personally by Vanessa.

    Tears sparkled in Vanessa¡¯s eyes as her voice trembled, while the rest of the Hubbard family looked just as emotional.

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 Chapter 260

    ?Chapter 260:

    One by one, Eloise took the extravagant gifts, unable to hold back her own tears. For her, this night was a miracle¡ªreal warmth and belonging after a lifetime without either.

    Guests leaned closer, captivated by Vanessa¡¯s words, and began murmuring in awe.

    ¡°Eloise would have been spoiled her whole life if she¡¯d never gone missing.¡±

    ¡°Who could¡¯ve guessed Eloise would walk away with more shares than Elliott?¡±

    ¡°Their grandfather still holds the majority, so nobody really knows how the final split will look.¡±

    ¡°Just that twenty percent means Eloise never has to worry about her future. She¡¯s set for life.¡±

    ¡°Whoever ends up marrying her will see their entire family¡¯s fortunes rise¡ªthose shares alone would change everything.¡±

    ¡°Small families shouldn¡¯t dream too big. For someone like Eloise, only another powerhouse family could ever be a suitable match.¡±

    Tucked in the middle of the crowd, Katie caught every hushed conversation and tightened her fists, trying to keep her frustration at bay. Each gift Vanessa unveiled stoked the fires of envy burning inside her. Never in her wildest dreams did she think an unattractive, mute girl was actually the gem of the Hubbard family.

    A yearning crept over Katie. If only she could stand in Eloise¡¯s ce and soak up all that affection. Jealousy flickered in her eyes, and she started plotting how to connect with Eloise. Having offended Eloise before, she needed a chance to set things right and do whatever it took to be friends with her.

    Apuse rippled through the room, and Katie had no choice but to p along, even if every beat of her hands betrayed her envy. Some people were born lucky, and it seemed Eloise had drawn the winning lot from birth.

    Speeches wrapped up, and the celebration flowed on, with guests splitting off into small, animated groups.

    ???????? ?????????????? @ ?????????¦Í?????????????

    Excusing herself, Eloise paused for a quick touch-up and then started searching for Christina, eager to reconnect. However, before she could spot Christina, someone blocked her path.

    Katie positioned herself right in front of Eloise, a seemingly apologetic look painting her face. ¡°I was wrong before, and I didn¡¯t mean those harsh words. Could you forgive me?¡±

    Katie bowed deeply, her face full of calcted sincerity, offering a heartfelt apology. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Eloise.¡±

    A jolt of surprise ran through Eloise. She stumbled backward, torn between lending a hand and simply freezing in ce, her uncertainty pinning her feet to the spot.

    Once Katie straightened up, Eloise hastily waved her hands, nervously signaling that she had already forgiven Katie.

    ¡°So, you¡¯ve forgiven me?¡± Katie¡¯s face lit up.

    Eloise gave a small nod. She kept ncing around, her mind busy scanning faces, intent on finding Christina among the crowd.

    ¡°You¡¯re such a gem, Miss Hubbard. There¡¯s so much goodness in you. People are bound to admire you,¡± Katie gushed, brimming with enthusiasm.

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 Chapter 261

    ?Chapter 261:

    Whatever Katie said drifted right past Eloise. All her attention remained fixed on the search for Christina.

    A sh of a familiar silhouette caught Eloise¡¯s eye. She turned, drawn toward what she hoped was Christina weaving through the guests.

    But Katie blocked Eloise¡¯s path just as Eloise took her first step forward. ¡°Miss Hubbard.¡±

    Annoyance flickered across Eloise¡¯s face. She grew impatient with Katie repeatedly blocking her path.

    ¡°I just want to say thank you for letting it go,¡± Katie said smoothly, reaching out to snag two sses of wine from a passing waiter. ¡°Let¡¯s have a drink.¡±

    With a quick shake of her head, Eloise signaled she¡¯d rather have something else, grabbing a ss of orange juice instead.

    ¡°Juice is fine too,¡± Katie remarked, her smile turning a little awkward as she put down one ss of wine. She raised her own ss, tapping it gently against Eloise¡¯s juice. ¡°Here¡¯s to starting over and brighter days ahead!¡± A broad smile lit Katie¡¯s face as she tipped back her wine.

    Eloise only managed a careful sip of orange juice, her expression guarded. Then, she offered Katie a polite smile, eager to slip away.

    Noting Eloise¡¯s intention to leave, Katie hurriedly reached for her wrist and said, ¡°What¡¯s with the rush? Could we talk for a while?¡±

    Eloise had zero interest in talking with Katie. Unable to speak, she waved her hands, trying tomunicate through signnguage, but Katie¡¯s puzzled frown showed she didn¡¯t understand a thing.

    ¡°Maybe we can text? How about we exchange numbers?¡± Katie suggested, pushing forward. ¡°After this banquet, I¡¯d love to buy you dinner at Morfort Restaurant to show my sincerity.¡± Determined to keep the conversation going, Katie blocked any escape, clinging to the opportunity she had finally found.

    Your favorite stories are on g?ln¦Ò¦Íe??s?c?m

    Eloise felt the sting of old memories¡ªshe remembered feeling this stuck before, back when bullies cornered her and she couldn¡¯t defend herself due to her muteness. She opened her mouth, desperate for words, but all she could manage was a strained, broken sound that failed to carry her meaning.

    Ignoring Eloise¡¯s feelings, Katie continued, ¡°Let¡¯s swap numbers.¡±

    Pulling out her phone, Katie smiled, acting as if Eloise had already agreed. Deep down, she counted on Eloise¡¯s gentle nature to stop her from rejecting this.

    Even with Eloise¡¯s brows knitted in frustration and her lips drawn into a scowl, Katie sailed along, pretending nothing was wrong.

    Thoughts of old wounds wed at Eloise, each memory of being bullied surfacing with an unwee rity. Katie mirrored those bullies, steamrolling right past her strained, broken protests as if her pain meant nothing. Those horrifying bullies hadn¡¯t bothered to consider her feelings. Worse, they¡¯d always twisted her words, making her hurt all the more.

    Katie¡¯s relentless insistence pressed on Eloise like an invisible hand, leaving her feeling breathless.

    Gritting her teeth, Eloise pulled out her phone from her pocket, dashed out a message, and shoved the screen into Katie¡¯s view.

    At first, Katie¡¯s face glowed with expectation, convinced Eloise was giving her contact details. But that hope flickered and died as her eyes scanned the message. Color rushed to her cheeks. Her mouth opened in shock, her confidence crumbling.

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 Chapter 262

    ?Chapter 262:

    Eloise¡¯s message read, ¡°I¡¯m not interested. I don¡¯t want to be friends with you, and I doubt we¡¯ll cross paths again.¡±

    ¡°Wait, Miss Hubbard¡ª¡± Before Katie could get another word out, Eloise lifted her phone a second time, cutting her off with another typed message. What Eloise had typed clenched Katie¡¯s fists in frustration.

    An ufortable storm of embarrassment, anger, and resentment twisted inside Katie, each feeling feeding the next until it all threatened to burst free.

    Eloise made sure Katie read her message before sweeping past her without a backward nce, her posture brisk and dismissive.

    After that hold-up, Eloise hastily scanned the bustling room, eyes flicking from face to face as she tried to locate Christina among the crowd again. But Christina was nowhere to be found.

    A scowl tightened Eloise¡¯s features, irritation simmering just beneath her skin, her dislike for Katie growing by the second.

    Katie, meanwhile, clung to her wine ss so tightly that her knuckles whitened, ring daggers at Eloise¡¯s fading silhouette, resentment simmering in her gaze. She¡¯d humbled herself to offer that apology, but Eloise had brushed it aside like a minor annoyance.

    In Katie¡¯s head, Eloise¡¯s curt message looped endlessly, each word slicing deeper than thest. ¡°I got your apology. My family won¡¯te after you. Now quit bothering me unless you¡¯re begging for trouble. Excuse me!¡±

    The more Katie stewed on those words, the deeper her grudge burrowed. Resentment twisted inside her, raw and searing. Born into money, Eloise strutted through life like she owned it. Without her family backing her, she¡¯d vanish into obscurity. And barely weed back to the Hubbard family, Eloise had already put on airs. If she gained even more power, how unbearable would she be?

    Katie¡¯s grip tightened around the wine ss. If she married into the Hubbards, she would be Eloise¡¯s sister-inw. Eloise already had a firm grip on twenty percent of the Hubbard Group¡¯s shares, and she would only gain more in the future.

    New updates live on g¦Ál¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe?s

    Katie¡¯s gaze turned sharp, something cruel flickering beneath the surface before she quickly suppressed it. She had made up her mind¡ªEloise needed to disappear for good. Once she finished squeezing out everything she wanted from Eloise, she¡¯d have to eliminate her entirely. That was the only way to ensure her future child would inherit the Hubbard family¡¯s fortune without rivals. ¡°Don¡¯t me me for getting ruthless, Eloise. You¡¯re far too naive and spoiled. Your days are numbered,¡± Katie sneered inwardly. A twisted smirk danced across her lips, the thought echoing through her mind like a wicked vow.

    Elsewhere, Eloise finally caught sight of Christina and hurried toward her, a hopeful grin lighting up her face.

    Eloise¡¯s lips parted in a breathy attempt to respond, only to remember she still couldn¡¯t speak. The thrill drained from her face in an instant. The silence hit her like a p. Her joy faltered, crumbling into quiet frustration. She often wished she could speak up for herself, but her voice remained trapped inside¡ªespecially whenever anyone tried to push her around.

    Christina, catching the way Eloise¡¯s smile flickered and faded, leaned in and asked softly, ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on?¡±

    Eloise mustered a half-hearted smile and shook her head, trying to brush off the question.

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 Chapter 263

    ?Chapter 263:

    Christina let out a gentle sigh, sensing Eloise might be quietly upset about not having a voice. Slipping her arm through Eloise¡¯s, she gave her an encouraging nudge and shed a grin. ¡°Hey, you¡¯re the main attraction tonight. Don¡¯t let anything get you down!¡±

    Christina¡¯s bright, reassuring voice broke through the gloom clouding Eloise¡¯s mind. For a moment, the tension eased, and a genuine smile lit up Eloise¡¯s face. Christina¡¯s presence was like magic¡ªwarm, easy, and safe. Just being near her made the world feel less heavy.

    Eloise tilted her head, looking at Christina with bright eyes. Finally, she¡¯d found her first real friend¡ªsomeone who felt like sunshine after a long, cold day. Knowing that Christina was close to Elliott, she felt reassured that she could trust her. And this confirmed the thought that she had indeed made a real friend, not just another phony pretending to care while messing with her.

    Eloise¡¯s face lit up with excitement as she pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message. ¡°You¡¯re my first real friend. Want to be besties for life?¡±

    The moment Christina saw the message, a gentle smile blossomed across her face. Her fingers flew across the screen as she typed out her reply. Then, in a soft voice, she read her response aloud. ¡°Of course I do! I don¡¯t mess around when ites to real friends.¡±

    Eloise¡¯s heart soared. She clung to her phone, eyes fixed on the screen, as Christina¡¯sforting words echoed in her head like a favorite song on repeat.

    Not far away, Katie lingered in the shadows, her eyes narrowing as she watched Eloise glow in Christina¡¯s presence, a re of jealousy twisting inside her. Then, without warning, Eloise copsed, her legs giving out beneath her.

    Hidden in the dim edges of the hall, Katie kept a relentless eye on Eloise, tracking her every movement with quiet intensity so that when Eloise crumpled to the floor due to the spiked drink, she would instantly notice it and bolt from her hiding spot.

    But Katie was still several steps away when Christina darted forward, managing to catch Eloise and gently lower her to the floor.

    ¡°Somebody help! Miss Hubbard¡¯s copsed¡ªshe was pushed!¡± Katie yelled, her voice slicing through the party¡¯s chatter, pulling every gaze toward her. Heads whipped around, and in seconds, the crowd surged toward the scene, their curiosity and panic mounting.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why is Miss Hubbard on the floor?¡± someone asked. ¡°I heard she got shoved! Is that true? Did someone actually push her?¡±

    ¡°Did she hit her head when she fell? Is there blood? If she¡¯s still out cold and there¡¯s no bleeding, it might be something even worse¡­¡±

    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s find out who had the nerve to shove Miss Hubbard. Whoever it was must have a death wish.¡±

    ¡°Miss Jones was nearby. Did she do it? No way¡ªshe knows Miss Hubbard, doesn¡¯t she? She even shielded Miss Hubbard earlier.¡±

    Guests traded whispered spection, scandalized that anyone would darey a hand on Eloise, especially here in the Hubbard family¡¯s own territory.

    Christina¡¯s brow furrowed with concern as she knelt beside Eloise, quickly assessing her state. rm spiked in her chest¡ªwhatever toxin had been lurking in Eloise¡¯s system was now racing through her veins, elerated by the emotional chaos of the evening. If the poison reached Eloise¡¯s heart, she might not make it. She needed treatment right away.

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 Chapter 264

    ?Chapter 264:

    With tense determination, Christina mapped out her next steps in her mind. They couldn¡¯t risk waiting for an ambnce. She¡¯d have to stabilize Eloise¡¯s heartbeat and draw out the poisoned blood right here, right now, before it was toote.

    Christina¡¯s fingers worked swiftly, pressing a series of pressure points on Eloise¡¯s limbs¡ªsteadying her pulse, keeping her heart safe for the moment.

    Just then, Katie barged in, shoving Christina out of the way. ¡°Get away! Don¡¯t touch Miss Hubbard!¡± she barked, shooting daggers at Christina. ¡°You¡¯re the one who pushed Miss Hubbard! And now you¡¯re pretending to be helpful? Who do you think you are¡ªthe legendary healer King?¡±

    Straightening up, Christina¡¯s expression sharpened. She met Katie¡¯s re head-on. ¡°You¡¯re saying you saw me push her?¡±

    Katie¡¯s lips curled into a scornful sneer. ¡°Exactly! You were the only one near Miss Hubbard moments earlier. If it wasn¡¯t you, who else could it be?¡± Katie¡¯s lie rolled off her tongue smoothly, brazen and unflinching. She deliberately made this scene to dy any prompt treatment for Eloise. If Eloise died and Christina was believed to be the culprit, it would be perfect¡ªtwo obstacles erased in one stroke.

    A few bystanders piped up, echoing Katie¡¯s usation.

    ¡°Miss Dawson is right. Miss Jones was the only one next to Miss Hubbard. If Miss Jones didn¡¯t do it, then who did?¡±

    ¡°Did anyone else catch what happened? Who made Miss Hubbard copse? If you point out the culprit, the Hubbard family will definitely reward you.¡±

    ¡°Miss Jones, if you¡¯re the one who pushed Miss Hubbard, just own up to it. If the Hubbard family finds out that you did, your fate will be worse.¡±

    Murmurs tangled as the spection swelled into a roar. Some even began urging Christina to confess, certain she was guilty.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is where dreams unfold

    With a steady gaze, Christina retorted, ¡°Why should I admit to something I didn¡¯t do? I have nothing to hide.¡± Her voice was clipped, and her expression cial, utterly unshaken by the crowd¡¯s hostility.

    Fixing the crowd with an authoritative stare, Christina spoke. ¡°Step back, all of you. Give Miss Hubbard some space¡ªthere¡¯s no air flowing in here, and you¡¯re only making things worse for her.¡±

    The guests bristled, unused to taking orders from someone with no standing among them¡ªor so they thought.

    ¡°Who do you think you are, barking orders at everyone? We¡¯re all people of status¡ªwhat makes you think you know better than us?¡± Katie quickly pushed her way to the front, her voice full of righteous indignation as she rallied to defend the group¡¯s dignity.

    Christina lunged and seized Katie by the throat, her fingers cold and unyielding. A razor-sharp glint shed in her eyes, her entire presence radiating an icy, predatory danger.

    Katie¡¯s breath hitched, paralyzed by the shock of Christina¡¯s attack. Christina¡¯s grip wasn¡¯t tight, but panic wed at her chest, stealing the air from her lungs. ¡°I can save Miss Hubbard. That¡¯s why!¡± Christina barked, her tone cutting, her stare drilling straight through Katie.

    Katie¡¯s shock curdled into scorn. She jerked her chin up and spat, ¡°Oh,e on! You¡¯re just a vet. What¡¯s your n¡ªgonna treat Miss Hubbard like she¡¯s one of your furry patients?¡±

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 Chapter 265

    ?Chapter 265:

    If it weren¡¯t for Eloise¡¯s status, Katie would have straight-up called her an animal. The word ¡°vet¡± hung in the air like a p. The crowd recoiled, startled murmurs spreading in a sharp wave.

    ¡°This woman¡¯s lost it. Does she actually think a vet can treat a human being?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s out of her mind! A vet daring to treat Miss Hubbard? That¡¯s just begging for trouble with the Hubbards.¡±

    ¡°Why isn¡¯t the Hubbard family doctor here yet? What¡¯s taking so long? If this drags out, it¡¯ll only get worse.¡±

    ¡°Somebody call 911! Miss Hubbard went down hard. If we keep waiting, it could get ugly fast.¡±

    ¡°Miss Jones, you¡¯re only a vet. Step away, or you¡¯ll just make things worse. The Hubbards won¡¯t forgive you.¡±

    Trapped in Christina¡¯s grasp, Katie broke into a sly, taunting grin, feeding off the crowd¡¯s panic. She had no intention of stopping Christina from ¡°treating¡± Eloise¡ªon the contrary, she was itching to see Christina dig her own grave by offering that supposed treatment. After all, what good could a vet possibly do? Christina was bound to screw up and would onlynd Eloise in even deeper danger. By then, Christina¡ªthat insufferable tramp¡ªwould be done for. The Hubbard family would destroy Christina, and she wouldn¡¯t even have to lift a finger.

    Katie sneered disdainfully. ¡°Christina, I know what you¡¯re capable of. Your skills as a vet are probably garbage. What makes you think you can pull off a miracle?¡± Katie narrowed her gaze, her lips barely moving as she icily mouthed, ¡°You¡¯ll only mess this up, loser.¡±

    Christina caught Katie¡¯s silent jab but didn¡¯t flinch. Her expression stayed unreadable, not giving Katie an inch of satisfaction.

    Before Christina could p back, Brendon¡¯s voice broke the tension. ¡°Christina, that¡¯s enough. Knock it off.¡± He stepped forward, brow furrowed, his hand closing gently but firmly around Christina¡¯s wrist. ¡°You¡¯re just a vet. Don¡¯t pretend you¡¯re some kind of hero. Miss Hubbard¡¯s life isn¡¯t a game.¡±

    Finish the chapters at g???????¦Í????s. ??o??

    Leaning in, Brendon¡¯s tone dropped to a near-whisper, low and urgent against Christina¡¯s ear. ¡°Just chill. Admit you¡¯re wrong for pushing Miss Hubbard and back down now. If youe clean, maybe the Hubbards will let you off easy.¡±

    Christina stared Brendon down, unflinching. He¡¯d always looked down on her¡ªa helpless charity case trailing in his shadow. ¡°Mr. Dawson, you also doubt I can save Miss Hubbard?¡± Her tone stayed measured, almost indifferent, but her eyes zed with silent defiance.

    That icy, level voice sliced through Brendon, and for reasons he couldn¡¯t name, something twisted sharply in his chest. Why did she always have to challenge him, always out to prove something? If she just yielded for once, he would plead for the Hubbard family for her.

    Brendon¡¯s patience snapped, his wordsing out harsh and clipped, ¡°Don¡¯t fool yourself, Christina. You¡¯re a veterinarian with nothing to show for it. You can barely keep pets alive, much less treat a human being. Look at Miss Hubbard¡ªshe¡¯s not some stray for you to practice on. You really want to gamble her life on your second-rate training?¡±

    Brendon wasn¡¯t the only one filled with doubt¡ªeveryone around looked on with skepticism. No one thought Christina could actually save Eloise.

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 Chapter 266

    ?Chapter 266:

    ¡°Christina! Let go of me! I¡¯m calling an ambnce! Can you live with yourself if Miss Hubbard¡¯s treatment gets dyed?¡± Katie shouted, struggling as Christina¡¯s grip tightened around her neck.

    Katie¡¯s face turned red. She was truly suffocating now.

    ¡°Are you out of your mind? Let Katie go before you strangle her!¡± Brendon yelled, rushing to pull Christina off as Katie gasped for air. But Christina wouldn¡¯t budge. Then, just as abruptly, she let go.

    Katie copsed, coughing hard, gasping like someone who had just escaped drowning. Christina was insane. She was nearly strangled to death by this crazy woman!

    ¡°Mr. Dawson, do you dare to make a bet with me?¡± Christina said coldly, her eyes locked on Brendon.

    Brendon narrowed his eyes. ¡°What kind of bet?¡±

    Christina gave a faint smirk. ¡°If I save Miss Hubbard, you give me five percent of the Dawson Group¡¯s shares.¡±

    Brendon froze. His eyes flew wide open. So that was what she was after¡ªthe Dawson Group¡¯s shares. She must have been eyeing them all along.

    Katie, still coughing, snapped her head toward Christina. ¡°Five percent? You think that¡¯s nothing? Do you think you can get those shares just by asking? Who do you think you are¡ªYnda?¡± She scoffed bitterly. ¡°You¡¯re not even close. Ynda holds a ce in Brendon¡¯s heart. She didn¡¯t need to ask¡ªhe gave it to her willingly. You? Dream on!¡±

    Joselyn¡¯s expression shifted the moment she heard Katie¡¯s words. She blinked, stunned. Without thinking, she grabbed Brendon¡¯s wrist. ¡°Is that true? When did you give Ynda five percent of the shares?¡±

    Joselyn¡¯s gaze shifted to Katie and then to Ynda¡¯s parents, catching their flickering eyes. They all knew about this. Only she was kept in the dark! ¡°Mom, Ynda made a big sacrifice. She deserved something in return.¡± Brendon didn¡¯t spell it out, but they all understood what he meant. Ynda had taken the fall for Katie¡¯s sake. This matter couldn¡¯t be spoken of publicly. Otherwise, Ynda would have suffered in vain, and Katie¡¯s future would still be ruined.

    g???????¦Í??????.????n ¨C ?????????? ???????????????? ????

    Joselyn¡¯s heart burned with anger. She hated that they gave away the shares without asking her. But she couldn¡¯t explode in public. She bit her tongue and slowly let go of Brendon¡¯s hand. Then, she turned her sharp gaze on Christina. Giving Ynda shares was understandable. She paid a price. But Christina? Trying to win those shares over a bet? Absolutely not.

    Joselyn stepped forward, her voice steady and cold. ¡°What exactly are you putting up for the bet? Waking Miss Hubbard doesn¡¯t automatically make you a winner. Even if you gave up everything you own, it wouldn¡¯t match one percent of the Dawson Group¡¯s shares.¡± She crossed her arms. ¡°If you want to gamble, bring something of equal value. Otherwise, this bet isn¡¯t happening.¡±

    Katie let out a smugugh, her gaze tinged with disdain as she looked at Christina. ¡°Damn right! All your assetsbined are still worth less than five percent of the Dawson Group¡¯s shares!¡±

    Christina kept her gaze steady on Brendon. Her voice was even. ¡°Then I¡¯ll trade you the one thing you want most.¡±

    Katie rolled her eyes. ¡°What could you possibly have that¡¯s worth anything?¡± While the others looked confused, Brendon understood right away. Christina was offering the chance to receive King¡¯s treatment. And that was worth far more than five percent of the Dawson Group¡¯s shares.

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 Chapter 267

    ?Chapter 267:

    ¡°You¡¯re really betting that?¡± Brendon asked, eyes sharp. Hadn¡¯t Christina said she already sold the chance for that treatment? So, she had been bluffing earlier.

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Christina said without hesitation.

    Brendon was about to agree when Joselyn¡¯s voice cut in, sharp and stern. ¡°No! I object. What exactly are you offering? How could anything you have be worth five percent of ourpany¡¯s shares?¡±

    A faint smirk yed on Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s worth it.¡±

    Katie scoffed. ¡°You say it¡¯s worth it, and it is? Who do you think you are?¡±

    Christina raised an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re saying the chance to be treated by King is not worth it?¡±

    Katie¡¯s face changed instantly. King¡¯s treatment¡ªit should¡¯ve gone to the Dawsons as a gift from Christina. And now Christina was using it as leverage? Someone in the crowd eximed, ¡°Wait, I remember now! King once announced that whoever won first ce in the shootingpetition would earn a single chance of receiving his treatment!¡±

    ¡°Seriously? But I thought he retired?¡±

    ¡°Who knows? He¡¯s unpredictable. Shows up when he feels like it.¡±

    ¡°Five percent of the Dawson Group¡¯s shares is nothingpared to a chance at King¡¯s healing. The Dawsons are getting the better deal.¡±

    ¡°Tycoons would kill for a chance like this.¡±

    Christina nced over at the murmuring crowd, her voice cool and steady. ¡°So? Is it worth it or not?¡±

    The crowd answered in unison, ¡°It¡¯s worth it! Totally worth it!¡±

    Read the rest on g??l nov els.????

    Someone even muttered sympathetically, ¡°Miss Jones is getting the short end of the stick here¡­¡±

    Christina looked back at Brendon. ¡°Well? Do you take the bet?¡±

    She found sce in her earlier actions, having already stabilized Eloise. Any more dys, and it might¡¯ve been toote to do anything.

    Brendon held her gaze. ¡°Fine. But let¡¯s be clear¡ªif anything happens to Miss Hubbard, you¡¯re taking full responsibility.¡±

    The Hubbards had showered Eloise with gifts¡ªit was obvious how much she meant to them. Brendon feared the Dawson family would be implicated if things went wrong.

    ¡°Sure,¡± Christina replied,pletely unfazed.

    Joselyn said nothing since the odds seemed to be in their favor. Any discontent from her would only make her appear greedy.

    Katie, on the other hand, couldn¡¯t help throwing in onest jab. ¡°Go ahead then. Let¡¯s see your magic.¡±

    Katie had purposely dyed things. Now, Eloise looked barely alive. And Christina was just a vet. What did she know about saving people?

    At Christina¡¯s silence, Katie sneered. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Cold feet? You¡¯re all talk, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Ignoring her, Christina turned to the guests. ¡°Everyone, I want you all to witness this bet.¡±

    Gathered onlookers nodded, voices rising in agreement until a cold,manding voice silenced them all. ¡°I¡¯ll be the one to witness this bet.¡±

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 Chapter 268

    ?Chapter 268:

    Everyone turned at once. A tall,manding figure was striding into view. ¡°It¡¯s Elliott! He¡¯s here!¡±

    ¡°With Elliott around, no one will dare back out of the bet¡ªwin or lose.¡±

    ¡°Who do you think will win? I¡¯m betting on the Dawsons. What can some random vet even do?¡±

    ¡°Wait, is that a doctor with Elliott? Let¡¯s hear what the doctor says first. If it¡¯s nothing serious, Eloise will wake up soon, and it has nothing to do with Christina¡¯s supposed treatment.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! You think Christina¡¯s trying to pull a fast one? Maybe she wants that five percent of the Dawson Group¡¯s shares.¡±

    The doctor who came with Elliott¡ªa man in his fifties¡ªrushed to Eloise with a medical kit. He knelt beside her, his face growing serious as he began his checks. The more he examined, the darker his expression became. ¡°Mr. Hubbard!¡± he eximed, standing quickly. ¡°Her condition is critical. She needs to get to the hospital right away¡ªher life¡¯s in danger!¡±

    Elliott stiffened. He had assumed she¡¯d just fainted¡ªwho knew it was this serious? Without a second thought, he bent down, wanting to scoop Eloise into his arms. ¡°Where¡¯s the ambnce?¡± he snapped at the security team. ¡°Find out how far out they are!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t move her!¡± Christina stepped forward and stopped Elliott. She had just stabilized Eloise¡¯s condition¡ªsome of the poisoned blood still needed to be drained before Eloise could be safely moved. If they jostled Eloise now, the toxins would rush straight to her heart. By then, she would be beyond saving.

    Elliott frowned at her, his voice urgent but controlled. ¡°This is my family¡¯s doctor. He¡¯s one of the best. If he says Eloise is in danger, I can¡¯t take that lightly. I won¡¯t let anything happen to her.¡±

    Just then, Omar and Vanessa came rushing over, clearly shaken. They had been busy entertaining Samuel inside the estate, never imagining their daughter could be in danger right under their own roof. The moment they heard she had been pushed and knocked out, they came running.

    Your storytelling begins at g ¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s,

    ¡°Who pushed Eloise? Who did this to my daughter?¡± Vanessa shouted. Her face burned with rage as her icy re swept across the crowd. Her eyes were sharp as des. People instinctively backed away.

    ¡°It was her!¡± Katie pointed at Christina, her voice loud and using. She was secretly thrilled. Christina was doomed this time.

    Omar had already noticed Christina just now. His brow creased. ¡°Is that true? Did you push my daughter?¡±

    ¡°No, we were just talking. She copsed all of a sudden,¡± Christina replied calmly.

    ¡°What nonsense are you spouting? Miss Hubbard can¡¯t even speak¡ªhow could she talk to you?¡± Katie yelled.

    Both Omar and Vanessa shot Katie a displeased look, sensing an underlying mockery in her words¡ªas if she were rubbing in the fact that their daughter was mute. That smug, superior tone of hers was downright grating.

    ¡°We exchanged contact info. We really were talking¡ªon our phones.¡± Christina held up her screen, showing Omar and Vanessa the chat log.

    The couple examined it carefully, and to their surprise, they found their daughter lively and engagingpletely different from the reserved, distant way she usually had with them. Once they confirmed it was her ount, they believed Christina.

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 Chapter 269

    ?Chapter 269:

    ¡°We believe you,¡± Vanessa said with quiet firmness. Then, frowning, she turned to Elliott. ¡°Elliott, carry your sister¡ªwe¡¯re taking her to the hospital now.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t move her,¡± Christina hastily said, standing in their way. Her voice was steady and firm.

    Elliott was a mess of worry, but deep down, something made him hold on to Christina¡¯s words. He didn¡¯t dare move his sister.

    Vanessa¡¯s eyes narrowed, filled with suspicion as they locked on Christina.

    ¡°Why can¡¯t I move my daughter? What are you trying to do?¡±

    Vanessa had just gotten her daughter back after years of separation. No way was she going to risk losing her again. Not a chance. When it came to her daughter, she wouldn¡¯t take any chances¡ªnot even a tiny one.

    ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard, we need to get Miss Hubbard to the hospital right now!¡± the Hubbard family¡¯s doctor urged, his voice strained. ¡°If we dy any longer, her life could be in real danger!¡± He had checked Eloise¡¯s vitals¡ªher pulse was erratic. Another dy could be fatal.

    ¡°Miss Jones says she can cure Miss Hubbard.¡± Katie spoke up, all too eager to stir the pot. She wanted Christina to sh with the Hubbards. If things went south, Christina¡¯s life would be a nightmare.

    ¡°You¡¯re a doctor?¡± Vanessa sized Christina up, her voice sharp and full of doubt.

    ¡°Oh, she¡¯s no doctor. She¡¯s just a veterinarian,¡± Katie chimed in with a smirk.

    ¡°A vet?¡± Vanessa blinked in shock. Her mouth hung open. ¡°You¡¯re a vet?¡±

    ¡°I am,¡± Christina said calmly, giving a small nod. ¡°But I can treat Miss Hubbard.¡±

    Gasps echoed around the room like thunder. This woman was quite bold¡ªadmitting she was a vet, yet she had the nerve to im she could save Miss Hubbard? And right in front of Miss Hubbard¡¯s parents? Was she looking to get beaten on the spot?

    ????t??st ch??pt??rs in g??lno¦Íels.??????

    ¡°No! Absolutely not! I¡¯m not leaving my daughter¡¯s fate in the hands of some veterinarian!¡± Vanessa snapped, her voice icy. Her daughter was her baby girl¡ªthe one she¡¯d cried herself sick over and prayed day and night to see again. No way was she letting a vety hands on her daughter. The pain of losing her once had nearly killed her. She wouldn¡¯t survive it a second time.

    ¡°Miss Jones, maybe you do know how to treat my daughter. But we can¡¯t gamble with her life,¡± Omar said, his tone firm. He stepped forward to lift his daughter. The family doctor had made it clear¡ªevery second mattered. His heart was racing. All he wanted now was to rush his daughter to the hospital.

    ¡°Mr. Hubbard!¡± Christina stepped in and grabbed his wrist. ¡°If you move her now, there¡¯ll be no saving her!¡±

    Omar was annoyed at being stopped, but when he met Christina¡¯s determined, clear-eyed gaze, he hesitated. She didn¡¯t seem like she was lying. Still, the doctor had warned them¡ªhospital, now.

    The Hubbard family¡¯s doctor growled, ring at Christina. ¡°Miss Jones, is it? If anything happens to Miss Hubbard, can you live with that? We¡¯re talking about a human life here!¡±

    Christina hadn¡¯t intended to reveal Eloise¡¯s condition in front of everyone, but if she didn¡¯t exin now, not only would she fail to stop them from moving Eloise, she¡¯d lose any chance to treat her. ¡°Miss Hubbard has been poisoned. The toxin blocks speech, but regr tests won¡¯t catch it. That ¡®mark¡¯ on her temple¡ªit¡¯s where the poison settled,¡± she said, her voice serious.

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 Chapter 270

    ?Chapter 270:

    Her words hit the room like a shockwave.

    ¡°Wait, what? Poisoned? What kind of poison doesn¡¯t show up on tests?¡±

    ¡°Is that why Miss Hubbard couldn¡¯t speak? Someone actually poisoned her?¡±

    ¡°Damn! Who¡¯d be that ruthless? Poisoning Miss Hubbard like that¡­¡±

    ¡°Could Miss Jones really cure Miss Hubbard? She¡¯s just a vet! Is she experimenting on Miss Hubbard right here, in front of everyone? Is she crazy?¡±

    ¡°Miss Jones must have lost it to entertain that notion! If things go wrong, she¡¯s finished. And this is Miss Hubbard we¡¯re talking about!¡±

    As the Hubbards stood frozen and the guests buzzed with spection, a booming voice cut through the chaos. ¡°Ridiculous! If it were poison, it would¡¯ve shown in the tests! You¡¯re stalling treatment! Move, or you¡¯ll regret it!¡±

    Christina pivoted at the sound of the voice, finding herself face-to-face with a middle-aged man whose scowl could sour milk. He was dressed in a sharply tailored suit, jaw clenched, exuding an icy authority. At his side stood a poised, impably dressed woman¡ªlikely his wife, judging by the aura with which she carried herself.

    To Christina, neither face rang a bell, but the young man trailing a step behind was unmistakable¡ªBruno, the guy she¡¯d raced against back in Rd. The resemnce between Bruno and the couple was unmistakable. The couple had to be his parents¡ªrtives of the Hubbard family.

    ¡°So you¡¯re the one keeping Eloise from the hospital?¡± Rayna Happer, Bruno¡¯s mother, shot a re at Christina that could¡¯ve shattered ss. Her voice, rich with usation, sliced through the room. ¡°Just what twisted stunt are you pulling here?¡±

    Christina met Rayna¡¯s hostility with unwaveringposure. ¡°I¡¯m doing everything in my power to save Miss Hubbard.¡±

    Rayna let out a sharp, contemptuousugh. ¡°Save her? You call this saving? From where I stand, you¡¯re doing your damnedest to finish her off!¡±

    Stories live now on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s.c¦Ïm

    Christina replied, her tone steady, ¡°Trust me, Miss Hubbard is in good hands. I won¡¯t let anything happen to her.¡±

    The truth was, even though the poison had reached Eloise¡¯s heart, she wouldn¡¯t keel over on the spot. But once the symptoms took hold, death woulde swiftly and without mercy. By intervening, Christina wasn¡¯t just saving one woman¡ªshe was shielding the entire Hubbard family from catastrophe.

    Rayna¡¯s lips curled in contempt. ¡°You think you¡¯re quite something, don¡¯t you? What makes you, a mere veterinarian, think you can cure Eloise?¡±

    Calm and resolute, Christina countered, ¡°My medical knowledge, of course. When I say I can save her, I can¡ªand I will.¡±

    Rayna rounded on the security staff, her voice slicing through the air. ¡°What are you waiting for? Get her the hell out of here!¡±

    But the guards hesitated, wary of acting without an explicit order from the Hubbard family. Rayna¡¯s re sharpened, her frustration boiling over.

    ¡°Move aside,¡± Christina remarked, her tone low. ¡°If you waste another second, Miss Hubbard might be beyond saving.¡±

    ¡°Who the hell do you think you are?¡± Eugene Happer, Bruno¡¯s father, snapped, his anger boiling over as he lunged, hand raised to strike Christina.

    Christina reacted in a blink¡ªher hand shot out, iron-strong fingers locking around his wrist before he couldy a finger on her.

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 Chapter 271

    ?Chapter 271:

    Eugene recoiled in shock, face contorting with fury as he tried to rip his hand away. But Christina¡¯s grasp was unyielding¡ªcold and unbreakable as iron. No matter how he strained, he couldn¡¯t budge her hold. The humiliation burned in his chest. Enraged at being subdued by a woman, he snapped, ¡°Let go of me!¡±

    Christina¡¯s eyes flickered with impatience. ¡°Step aside. I don¡¯t have time for this¡ªI need to save Eloise.¡± She released him without warning, causing him to stumble.

    Eugene staggered, arms iling as he fought to stay upright.

    ¡°Dad!¡± Bruno darted forward, catching his father just in time. He shot Christina a murderous re. ¡°How dare you make a scene in the Hubbard family¡¯s territory? Do you have a death wish?¡±

    Before Christina could answer, Elliott moved swiftly, sliding between them to shield her.

    ¡°Elliott! What¡¯s gotten into you? If you keep this up, Eloise could die!¡± Bruno¡¯s desperate gaze flicked to Omar, his voice cracking. ¡°Omar, are you just going to watch and do nothing? Your family¡¯s doctor already said Eloise needs the hospital right now!¡±

    Omar wavered, jaw clenched, caught between fear and uncertainty¡ªwhat if moving Eloise actually made everything worse?

    Christina stepped forward, her tone unwavering. ¡°Mrs. Hubbard, please¡ªlet me work. I swear on my life, Miss Hubbard will make it through this. As soon as I¡¯m done, you can rush her to the hospital yourself.¡±

    Vanessa¡¯s lips parted, but before she could speak, Eugene and Rayna exploded in outrage. ¡°Absolutely not!¡± they barked in perfect sync.

    Eugene¡¯s re cut like a knife as he whipped around to face Omar and Vanessa. ¡°How can you stand there and let aplete stranger take over? Eloise is your own flesh and blood! Are you really willing to put her life in the hands of someone you barely know?¡±

    ¡°And she¡¯s just a veterinarian! Are you honestly nning to trust her with your daughter¡¯s life? What if she screws up? If anything happens to Eloise because of your stupidity, you¡¯ll regret it for the rest of your life!¡± Rayna¡¯s voice trembled as she stated, her panic rising. ¡°Don¡¯t risk it! Just take Eloise to the hospital¡ªnow! We just got her back¡­ We can¡¯t lose her again!¡±

    Stay updated with g?ln¦Òv???s

    Just as Omar began to waver, Elliott¡¯s voice cut through the tension. ¡°I trust Miss Jones!¡±

    Vanessa turned to him with a frown. ¡°Are you sure she can save Eloise? She¡¯s just a vet.¡±

    ¡°Mom, the ambnce is on the way. Let¡¯s give Miss Jones a chance first,¡± Elliott replied firmly.

    The Hubbard family¡¯s doctor frowned in frustration. ¡°How can you put your faith in some veterinarian in a situation like this? Miss Hubbard is critical! We don¡¯t have time to gamble!¡±

    At that moment, Josh rushed over, bowed slightly to Omar, and spoke. ¡°Your father said to let Miss Jones handle it.¡±

    That ended the argument. Omar and Vanessa had no choice but to obey.

    ¡°Fine! Go ahead and try. But if you make my daughter¡¯s condition worse, you¡¯ll regret it!¡± Omar snapped, his re an icy warning. ¡°You know what happens to those who cross us.¡±

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 Chapter 272

    ?Chapter 272:

    Christina met his eyes without flinching. ¡°Understood. I won¡¯t let anything happen to Miss Hubbard.¡±

    Vanessa opened her mouth to object, but one look at Christina¡¯s calm, steady gaze made her fall silent. Still, her chest tightened with dread. Her heart raced. Eugene and his wife exchanged a nce but kept their thoughts to themselves. Elliott leaned in, his voiceced with worry. ¡°You said Eloise was poisoned. How are you going to save her?¡±

    Christina turned to the Hubbard family¡¯s doctor. ¡°Do you have a scalpel and hemostatic agents in your kit?¡±

    The Hubbard family¡¯s doctor blinked, confused. ¡°A scalpel? What do you need that for?¡± Was she really about to do bloodletting? Before the thought could settle, she confirmed it.

    ¡°I need to drain some of the poisoned blood before it reaches Miss Hubbard¡¯s heart,¡± Christina said, calm as ever.

    The Hubbard family¡¯s doctor exploded. ¡°What? You¡¯re going to bleed Miss Hubbard? Are you out of your mind?¡± He couldn¡¯t believe his ears.

    Guests nced at each other in disbelief. Whispers broke out.

    ¡°What is she trying to pull? Detoxing with bloodletting? I thought she had a real antidote.¡±

    ¡°Did she binge-watch too many hospital dramas or something? She seriously thinks she can just drain poisoned blood like changing engine oil?¡±

    ¡°Maybe someone paid her to sneak in and finish Miss Hubbard off.¡±

    Katie snapped out of her daze, ready to snap at Christina. But then, she paused. If Christina messed up, the Hubbards would deal with her.

    Brendon suddenly stepped in, grabbing Christina¡¯s wrist. ¡°Christina, have you lost it? Do you even hear yourself right now?¡± he hissed.

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    He didn¡¯t want the Dawson name caught in this mess. But deep down, a part of him couldn¡¯t just watch Christina crash and burn. They had once been married. His heart wasn¡¯t made of stone.

    ¡°I know exactly what I¡¯m doing,¡± Christina replied coldly.

    Brendon leaned closer, lowering his voice. ¡°Apologize to the Hubbards now, and maybe they¡¯ll go easy on you.¡±

    Christina yanked her arm back. ¡°Focus on your stock shares. This isn¡¯t your fight.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Brendon¡¯s concern turned to anger. ¡°Fine! I tried to stop you. When the Hubbard family goes after you, don¡¯t expect me to help you.¡±

    Christina¡¯s re could freeze fire. ¡°Shut it. Just mind your own damn business.¡±

    Brendon clenched his jaw, his face burning red. Why was she always this stubborn and ungrateful?

    Joselyn tugged him back with a re. ¡°If she wants to crash and burn, let her. Stay out of it.¡±

    Brendon stayed quiet, but his chest felt heavy, like it was full of stone.

    Christina turned to Elliott. ¡°You got a scalpel?¡±

    Elliott¡¯s face was etched with determination as he answered, ¡°Yeah. Whatever you need, just say the word.¡±

    Without hesitation, Christina said, ¡°I need a scalpel and hemostatic medication¡ªhave them ready. The second I¡¯m done, we¡¯ll get Eloise to the hospital so the wound can be treated properly.¡±

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 Chapter 273

    ?Chapter 273:

    ¡°Understood.¡± Elliott pivoted, his voice crisp as he gazed at the family doctor, Carson Ansell. ¡°Dr. Ansell, give Miss Jones the scalpel.¡±

    Carson¡¯sposure shattered. His words tumbled out in a rush¡ªpanicked, desperate. ¡°Mr. Hubbard, you can¡¯t be serious! You¡¯re really letting this woman operate on Miss Hubbard right here? This isn¡¯t an operating room¡ªthis is reckless!¡±

    Having been the Hubbard family¡¯s private physician for years, Carson had long viewed the Hubbard family like his own, their pain and joy entwined with his own life. The idea of losing Eloise was unbearable, especially after the kindness he had received from the Hubbard family.

    But Elliott¡¯s grip on his shoulder was steady, unyielding. ¡°Grandpa already gave the order. We¡¯re letting Miss Jones handle this.¡±

    Carson stared at Elliott, silent and torn. After several tense seconds, the weight of defeat settled on his shoulders, and he finally let out a long, reluctant sigh. He was beyond frustrated, but since there was no talking the Hubbard family out of it, all he could do was level Christina with a re cold enough to cut ss. Suspicion tangled with resentment in his eyes¡ªhe couldn¡¯t fathom what this woman¡¯s true intentions were. One thing was clear: if Eloise¡¯s condition took a turn for the worse, he¡¯d see to it that Christina paid dearly.

    Having made up his mind, Carson pressed the scalpel into Christina¡¯s hand, his movements stiff. ¡°Miss Jones,¡± he called out, his voice soft but edged with unmistakable threat. ¡°Miss Hubbard¡¯s life is in your hands now. Any mistake, and I will hold you responsible¡ªdown to yourst breath.¡±

    ¡°No worries. Miss Hubbard¡¯s going to make it,¡± Christina assured him, her tone steady, eyes burning with clear determination.

    There was something unshakeable in her manner¡ªso calm, so assured¡ªthat for a fleeting second, even Carson found himself wanting to believe her. Christina dropped to one knee beside Eloise, the scalpel glinting between her fingers.

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    Gently, she brushed Eloise¡¯s bangs aside and pinned them away from her pale forehead.

    Carson¡¯s eyes widened, his nerves stretched to the brink. ¡°You¡¯re not about to perform a craniotomy, are you?¡±

    Christina let out a breezyugh, the tension barely ruffling herposure. ¡°Rx. I¡¯m not opening up anyone¡¯s skull. I¡¯m just going to drain a bit of the poisoned blood¡ªnothing drastic. Plus, Miss Hubbard isn¡¯t injured in the head. Why would I go cutting into her brain? It¡¯s not like we¡¯re standing in an operating room or anything.¡±

    At the time, her words made perfect sense, and no one dwelt on them. Only muchter¡ªwhen Elliott finally pieced together that Christina was actually the legendary healer, King¡ªdid the memory strike him like a lightning bolt. She¡¯d never actually denied that she knew how to perform brain surgery.

    ¡°So where exactly do you intend to make the incision?¡± Carson pressed, suspicion sharpening his tone. He didn¡¯t buy a word about Eloise being poisoned¡ªshe looked perfectly fine, and every hospital test hade up clean. Christina calmly tapped the bluish mark at Eloise¡¯s temple. ¡°Right here.¡±

    Carson¡¯s scowl only deepened. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of anyone draining blood from the temple.¡±

    Christina gave a little shrug, her poise unshaken. ¡°Well, you¡¯re in for a treat¡ªtoday you get to see how it¡¯s done.¡±

    From somewhere in the crowd, a worried voice rang out. ¡°But if you cut her there, won¡¯t she end up disfigured?¡±

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 Chapter 274

    ?Chapter 274:

    Instantly, a ripple of anxious whispers swept through the guests. ¡°That mark might be treatable with new meds, but a scar? That¡¯s a whole other headache.¡± The air buzzed with doubt, but Christina stayed perfectlyposed. She looked up, her gaze sweeping the room with unshakable poise. ¡°I¡¯ve heard Dr. Emmett¡¯s ointment works miracles. Not even a trace of a scar left behind,¡± she dered nonchntly.

    At the mention of Emmett¡¯s name, the crowd erupted.

    ¡°Wait, did she just say Calvin Emmett?¡±

    ¡°She can¡¯t mean that Calvin Emmett, right? The best surgeon in the country?¡±

    ¡°Miss Jones, Dr. Emmett¡¯s basically retired. He lives all the way out in Lorbridge! You can¡¯t just call him up for a favor.¡±

    ¡°Even if that ointment is real, what are the odds she¡¯ll get her hands on it? Dr. Emmett only operates for the highest-profile clients. Last heard, some VIP pulled every string to get him for a single operation.¡±

    A voice from the crowd rang out. ¡°I heard Dr. Emmett has a small jar of that miracle scar cream¡ªbut it¡¯s nearly impossible to get. A high-ranking officer¡¯s daughter once got her face scarred, and even he had to beg forever before Calvin gave him a tiny bit. There¡¯s no guarantee the Hubbards could even get their hands on it.¡±

    As the whispers and doubts floated around the room, Christina spoke coolly. ¡°Well, that¡¯s not your concern, is it? Dr. Emmett is still in Dorfield, and I can have him personally stitch up Miss Hubbard¡¯s wound. I promise¡ªshe won¡¯t have a single scar.¡±

    The crowd sucked in a sharp breath and stared at Christina. Could this woman really summon Calvin at will?

    A skeptical voice chimed in, ¡°You¡¯ve got to be joking! People like us can¡¯t even get a glimpse of Dr. Emmett, let alone ask for a favor!¡±

    Christina¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile as her gaze drifted to Brendon. ¡°Why not ask the Dawsons? They¡¯ve met Dr. Emmett before because of me, and Dr. Emmett is still in Dorfield.¡±

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    Christina wasn¡¯t bluffing. Brendon had used Bethel as a front to trick Calvin, and now the Dawson and Mitchell families were both cklisted by Calvin. Calvin had been furious when he told her. He¡¯d ranted for minutes but then suddenly switched to begging her to take him on as an apprentice.

    All eyes turned to Brendon and his family.

    Brendon didn¡¯t dare lie¡ªnot now. Calvin was already livid with him. One more misstep, and if Calvin made their feud public, people would line up to take the Dawson family down just to win Calvin¡¯s favor.

    ¡°She can really get Dr. Emmett,¡± Brendon admitted through clenched teeth, his face dark.

    Another round of shocked gasps rippled through the crowd. Even Carson was looking at her differently now. The woman he¡¯d intended to hold ountable for any misstep actually had ties to Calvin.

    Omar and Vanessa exchanged a stunned nce. Even they might struggle to get an appointment with Calvin¡ªyet Christina spoke as if she could snap her fingers and summon him. Who was she?

    Freddie Hubbard, Omar¡¯s father, stood off to the side, taking in every word, his nerves stretched thin. He paced anxiously, hands twisting, heart pounding in his chest. ¡°They said they were going to drain the poisoned blood. Why hasn¡¯t it started yet? If they keep dying like this, what if something happens to my Eloise?¡±

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 Chapter 275

    ?Chapter 275:

    Nearby, Samuel stood still, hands folded behind his back, calmly watching Freddie fidget. ¡°Would you quit pacing in front of me? You¡¯re making me dizzy. My eyes aren¡¯t what they used to be at this age,¡± he muttered.

    ¡°I can¡¯t help it! My Eloise just got back to us¡ªafter everything she¡¯s been through, now this?¡± Freddie shot back. He was on edge, half-tempted to storm over and ask Christina exactly how this poisoned blood was supposed to be drained. If no one else would do it, he¡¯d take matters into his own hands.

    Samuel raised a brow. ¡°If you¡¯re that worried, go check on her. Worrying from here won¡¯t fix anything.¡±

    Freddie threw him a sharp look. ¡°Easy for you to say. She¡¯s not your granddaughter. If she were, you¡¯d be pacing too.¡±

    Just moments ago, they¡¯d been joking about pairing up their grandkids. Now, here they were¡ªdealing with the aftermath of Eloise being pushed and knocked out cold.

    Samuel¡¯s gaze stayed on Christina. ¡°Miss Jones seems capable to me. She¡¯s got this. No need to panic.¡± There was admiration in his eyes. Christina stood steady, calm under pressure, the kind of presence that drew people in. She looked like someone who could take on any storm. It was no wonder Dn had fallen for her.

    Samuel inwardly exhaled. Dn had some serious taste in choosing a partner¡ªmiles ahead of his useless grandson.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been sticking up for Miss Jones from the very start. If you two aren¡¯t close, then what¡¯s the real story?¡± Freddie asked, watching Samuel with shrewd suspicion.

    Samuel had vouched for Christina earlier, which was the only reason Freddie had taken the risk and let her step in. It wasn¡¯t that he trusted Christina¡ªfar from it. What he trusted was Samuel¡¯s judgment.

    ¡°We¡¯re not exactly close,¡± Samuel replied with a dryugh. ¡°But since she could get Calvin to jump at her word and has the guts to stand her ground in front of the Hubbard family and the skeptical voices, I¡¯d say she¡¯s more than capable.¡±

    M??? ?????????????? ???? g??l??ov?ls.??0??

    Freddie¡¯s expression turned grim. ¡°I¡¯m staking my granddaughter¡¯s life on this¡ªonly because I trust youpletely, Samuel.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s got real character. And besides, that cunning little fox raised by Herbert had taken a liking to her. There¡¯s no way she¡¯s trouble,¡± Samuelmented, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

    Freddie practically sputtered. ¡°Wait¡ªyou¡¯re telling me Dn actually has feelings for her?¡±

    It was no secret that Dn was always the type to keep everyone at arm¡¯s length¡ªaloof, self-contained, and entirely consumed by his work and family obligations. Romance, especially, seemed to hold no appeal for him. He moved through life like a monk, untouched and unbothered by emotion. If any woman could actually pierce that shell, it would be nothing short of a miracle.

    Freddie found himself watching Christina more closely now, and the longer he observed her, the more captivated he became. ¡°There¡¯s something about her, isn¡¯t there? That kind of presence is hard toe by,¡± he mused, a hint of approval in his tone. ¡°Honestly, she and my Elliott make a surprisingly handsome pair.¡±

    Samuel shot him a sharp look. ¡°Don¡¯t even start, Freddie. Dn already has his eye on her. If you so much as make a move, he¡¯ll consume every asset of yours to make sure you regret it. Neither of us is any match for that shrewd bastard.¡±

    Freddie just chuckled, undeterred. ¡°Love isn¡¯t a game of dibs. There¡¯s no ¡®firste, first served¡¯ when ites to the heart. It¡¯s not up to that Scott rascal who she chooses.¡±

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 Chapter 276

    ?Chapter 276:

    Samuel¡¯s eyes narrowed with suspicion. ¡°Are you actually considering tossing your grandson into the mix with that Scott devil?¡±

    Freddie shrugged, utterly unfazed. ¡°Why not? If Elliott wins her over, fantastic. If he doesn¡¯t, at least he¡¯ll get a little toughening up before he takes over the family business one day.¡±

    Freddie had never believed love was a one-way street. Even if Dn had already fallen, everything still came down to Christina¡ªwhat she wanted in a man, whether Elliott fit the bill. If Elliott never tried, he might regret it for the rest of his life.

    ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t want a woman like her in their family?¡± Freddie remarked, his eyes flickering as he tossed a nce Samuel¡¯s way. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me the thought never crossed your mind.¡±

    Samuel snorted, shoulders tensing. ¡°What¡¯s the point? You honestly think my useless grandson stands a chance? All he does is party and stir up scandals. What decent woman would ever like him?¡± A bitterugh slipped out as he continued, ¡°If some poor girl actually took a risk on my foolish grandson, I guarantee he¡¯d only end up breaking her heart.¡±

    Samuel fumed just thinking about it. That sly old fox from the Scott family, Herbert Scott, had groomed a ruthless, quick-witted grandson and sessor, while his own grandson couldn¡¯t spot an opportunity if it danced in front of him.

    Inside the banquet hall, the atmosphere crackled with tension.

    ¡°Everyone except Hubbard family members and Dr. Ansell, out,¡± Christina dered, her voice slicing through the noise, leaving no room for dissent.

    Katie bristled, snapping, ¡°Who the hell do you think you are, barking orders at us?¡± A handful of guests red, grumbling under their breath, though none dared challenge Christina as openly as Katie.

    ncing at her watch, Christina made it clear she had no patience for theatrics. Casting a cold nce at Katie, she fixed her eyes on Elliott. ¡°Get them out. Now.¡±

    Dive into tales at g¦Á? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s,

    A chill settled over the hall as Elliott surveyed the guests with a steely gaze. ¡°I¡¯d appreciate it if everyone could step outside now.¡±

    Not a soul dared defy Elliott. One word from him carried the weight of the entire Hubbard family¡ªanyone reckless enough to resist would instantly paint a target on their back.

    Katie opened her mouth to protest, but as the guests steadily filed out without a word, her bravado faded to nothing. Left without allies, she swallowed her objections. Besides, there was no point in challenging Elliott¡¯s authority¡ªcrossing him now would only make her look desperate. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she turned and left with the others, vowing to bide her time.

    Christina turned her attention to Bruno and his parents, her re sharp enough to cut. ¡°Why on earth are you still here?¡±

    Bruno bristled, standing his ground. ¡°We¡¯re family too! My uncle¡¯s right here¡ªyou think you can just throw us out?¡±

    A smirk flickered across Christina¡¯s face. ¡°Oh? Suddenly, you¡¯re a Hubbard by blood?¡±

    Bruno, stung, jabbed a finger at Carson. ¡°And what about him? Is he family now? Don¡¯t think I can¡¯t see what this is! This is just you settling a score!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s the doctor on call. Unless you¡¯ve got a medical degree I don¡¯t know about, keep your mouth shut,¡± Christina replied, her tone t and unyielding.

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 Chapter 277

    ?Chapter 277:

    Eugene¡¯s scowl deepened. He turned to Omar. ¡°You¡¯re really going to trust this woman? She¡¯s talking pure nonsense.¡±

    But Omar stood his ground, calm but resolute. His father had passed down clear orders through the butler, and with his father remaining unseen, it was obvious: Eloise¡¯s fate was squarely in Christina¡¯s hands.

    ¡°Eugene, I apologize for the inconvenience. Please.¡± Omar extended a hand, politely but insistently gesturing Eugene toward the door. ¡°Let me escort you to the inner hall.¡±

    By doing so, Omar spared Eugene the embarrassment of being stuck in the same ce as the guests, the outsiders Christina had cataloged.

    Eugene bristled, still resisting. ¡°And where¡¯s Freddie in all this? Is he really just going to stand by while some outsider touches Eloise¡ªafter all the years we spent searching for her? What if something goes wrong? Has anyone even thought about the consequences?¡±

    Eugene clung stubbornly to his spot, frantically name-dropping Freddie as if it might save him. After all, his mother and Freddie had been siblings. His mother had adored Freddie and had once even risked everything to pull him back from death¡¯s door.

    Eugene understood that it was because of his mother that Omar was being courteous. But those old ties would fade once his mother died, and the connection between their families would thin even more if Freddie passed away. Without the Hubbard family¡¯s support, nothing would remain but a hollow thread of kinship¡ªone that wouldn¡¯t stop the Happer family from sliding into irrelevance.

    Omar¡¯s tone hardened, leaving no room for argument. ¡°You don¡¯t get it, do you? This is Freddie¡¯s choice. Now, please¡ªdon¡¯t make this harder than it needs to be.¡±

    Reality crashed down on Eugene. So, that was why Freddie hadn¡¯te out himself, only sending Josh to deliver his decision. The truth was simple¡ªFreddie had already staked everything on Christina, trusting her with Eloise¡¯s fate.

    Eugene¡¯s hands balled into tight fists, his jaw set in silent fury. How could Freddie trust an outsider over him? If Freddie had just tossed him a sliver of the Hubbard family¡¯s empire, the Happer family would have meant something by now. They wouldn¡¯t have spent all these years groveling in the Hubbard family¡¯s shadow, forced to watch from the sidelines. He could¡¯ve shown everyone what he was capable of¡ªcould¡¯ve built the Happer family into a real dynasty, just like Omar had. But no. Every time the Happer family came up, the same words followed. ¡°They¡¯re only where they are because of the Hubbards.¡±

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    To Eugene, the phrase stung like salt in a wound. Was he truly that useless? What did Omar have that he didn¡¯t? Their whole lives had been one longparison¡ªevery sess, every failure, weighed and measured against each other. And now even their children were caught in the same cruel game. ¡°Bruno will never be as good as Elliott.¡±

    ¡°Has Freddiepletely lost it? What kind of lunatic hands Eloise¡¯s life over to a damn vet from the middle of nowhere?¡± Bruno, shaking with indignation, stepped forward to argue¡ªonly to be silenced by a sharp p that echoed through the room.

    Bruno staggered back, a crimson handprint blossoming on his cheek. The blow left his ears ringing and his pride in shreds. Stunned, he pressed a trembling hand to his face, shame burning hotter than the sting.

    ¡°You insolent brat! Who gave you the right to question your great-uncle¡¯s decision like that?¡± Eugene bellowed, his fury echoing off the walls. ¡°You may have lost your mind, but he never would!¡±

    Bruno¡¯s jaw tightened, swallowing every ounce of humiliation along with his outrage. He knew better than to talk back now, so he turned his scowl on Christina instead¡ªnothing ever went right when that woman showed up.

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 Chapter 278

    ?Chapter 278:

    ¡°Dad, I was out of line,¡± Bruno muttered, forcing himself to look contrite as he faced the Hubbard family. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I just¡ªEloise¡¯s situation got the better of me.¡±

    Omar waved him off with a brisk gesture. ¡°That¡¯s enough. All of you¡ªwait in the inner hall.¡±

    No one from the Happer family dared protest. Seething with frustration, they trailed after Omar, resentment thick in the air as they left the banquet hall.

    As soon as the door shut behind them, Christina moved with quiet, practiced focus. She sterilized her scalpel, the faint scent of antiseptic drifting through the tense air, and then pressed the de to Eloise¡¯s forehead, right at the spot where the poison had pooled beneath the skin.

    Carson hovered close by, every muscle taut, eyes narrowed in concentration. Ever since he¡¯d learned about Christina¡¯s connection to Calvin, his skepticism had given way to grudging respect¡ªand now he was quick to prep the next round of medication, ready to assist at a moment¡¯s notice.

    When Christina¡¯s scalpel sliced cleanly through Eloise¡¯s skin, a sickly, viscous liquid welled up from the incision¡ªa dark greenish ooze that looked nothing like normal blood.

    Carson felt his stomach clench at the sight. If he hadn¡¯t been standing there, witnessing the bizarre fluid seep from Eloise¡¯s wound, he¡¯d have thought it was all an borate setup, some magician¡¯s sleight of hand.

    By the time Omar returned, a small mountain of bloody gauze had already formed on the tray, every square scrap stained with that unnatural green.

    Omar stared, bewildered. If Vanessa hadn¡¯t quietly exined what had happened, he might have doubted his own eyes. His voice trembled as he turned to Christina.

    ¡°Why¡­ Why does my daughter¡¯s blood look like that?¡±

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    ¡°She¡¯s suffering from a rare poison. That dark patch isn¡¯t a mark¡ªit¡¯s a buildup of toxins,¡± Christina exined, her voice calm as she guided the scalpel with practiced precision.

    Omar¡¯s face clouded over. ¡°Is all of her blood like this?¡± he inquired worriedly.

    At once, Vanessa, Elliott, and Carson exchanged tense looks¡ªeach of them instantly grasping the real meaning behind his question. One by one, their attention snapped to Christina, silently pressing her for the truth.

    Without pausing in her work, Christina let a sly smile flicker across her lips.

    ¡°You¡¯ve had Miss Hubbard examined plenty of times. If all her blood looked like this, you¡¯d have sounded the rm long before now.¡±

    Only then did she raise her eyes, meeting Omar¡¯s gaze head-on. ¡°You were testing me.¡±

    Omar¡¯s face reddened, caught off guard by how quickly Christina had called him out. He forced a cough, floundering for dignity. ¡°Yes, I was. She¡¯s my daughter¡ªI had to make sure she was in safe hands.¡±

    Christina¡¯s eyes flickered with icyposure as her gaze swept past them. ¡°I understand you¡¯re worried about Miss Hubbard. But you don¡¯t have to question my intentions. She¡¯s been poisoned¡ªthere¡¯s no doubt about it.¡±

    Vanessa leaned in, desperation sharpening her tone. ¡°Could you cure her, Miss Jones?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Christina replied, her words light, as if she were promising to fix a scraped knee.

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 Chapter 279

    ?Chapter 279:

    Vanessa hesitated, anxiety tightening her features. ¡°What I¡¯m trying to ask is¡­ The mark on my daughter¡¯s temple and her voice, could you¡­¡±

    Without missing a beat, Christina refocused on Eloise¡¯s wound, her voice low and steady. ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry, Mrs. Hubbard. She¡¯ll be able to speak again. The mark, the scar¡ªthey¡¯ll both disappear in time.¡±

    Lifting her head, Christina met Vanessa¡¯s gaze squarely, every syble ringing with certainty. ¡°I promise.¡±

    That simple vow, uttered so confidently, rippled through the room¡ªleaving everyone in stunned, breathless silence.

    The hospitals had alle up empty, failing to pinpoint what triggered Eloise¡¯s muteness. Dozens of specialists had pronounced Eloise¡¯s case hopeless¡ªher voice was gone for good, they insisted. Yet now, Christina appeared, calmly dering she could cure Eloise.

    Shock rippled through the room, mingled with deep suspicion. Christina had imed she was a vet. Not once had she hinted at treating humans. Nothing about her appearance¡ªher youth, her seemingck of any human patients¡ªmatched anyone¡¯s idea of a medical prodigy. And still, she radiated a quiet authority that pulled people in, making it almost impossible not to believe her. Carson couldn¡¯t help but study Christina, weighing every gesture. If she truly could cure Eloise, maybe she was some kind of miracle worker.

    Vanessa nced at Omar, eyes wide with a hope she¡¯d barely let herself feel.

    ¡°Miss Jones, you¡¯re really certain my daughter will be able to speak again?¡±

    ¡°I am,¡± Christina replied, her voice steady as bedrock, her gaze unwavering.

    Vanessa¡¯s hands trembled as she clung to the possibility. ¡°How soon will she reim her voice?¡±

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    ¡°With my treatment n, she¡¯ll begin talking again within a week,¡± Christina answered with measured confidence. ¡°But she¡¯ll need to take things slow. Her vocal cords are fragile, so she must rest her voice. By the end of the month, she should be back to normal.¡±

    Of course, the real danger wasn¡¯t just the damage already done¡ªit was preventing anyone from ever poisoning Eloise again. But Christina kept that worry to herself. She wasn¡¯t about to reveal her suspicions, not with Carson standing so close. The gravity of the situation demanded a private discussion¡ªone that belonged solely to the Hubbard family, with so much hanging in the bnce for Eloise and every member of their bloodline. If Eloise¡¯s poisoning took a turn for the worse, it would be more than a single tragedy. The consequences could ripple out, touching every corner of their world.

    Omar¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°R-Really?¡± He looked as if the ground had vanished beneath his feet.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Christina offered a steady nod, radiating quiet assurance.

    Emotion welled up in Vanessa and Omar, so raw that they could barely speak. They exchanged nces, opening their mouths to reply but finding themselves utterly lost for words, left gasping in the silence, overwhelmed.

    Meanwhile, Elliott couldn¡¯t drag his gaze away from Christina. Something about her presence had shifted the entire atmosphere¡ªa living beam of sunlight, slicing straight through the haze of uncertainty. Wherever she stood, the room felt sharper, clearer, almost hopeful.

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 Chapter 280

    ?Chapter 280:

    But Carson wasn¡¯t so easily moved. His eyes tracked every flicker of Christina¡¯s expression, searching for any chink in her armor, any sign of a lie. Yet, her calm never wavered. Every answer rolled off her tongue with unwavering certainty, leaving him unable to find a single thread to pull loose. Either she was telling the truth, or she was so deep in her own lie that even she believed it. Carson nced uneasily at the mound of blood-soaked gauze, his anxiety building with every pad. He interrupted, his voice tight. ¡°Miss Jones, how much longer do you n to keep draining Miss Hubbard¡¯s blood? At this rate¡ªshe¡¯s not going to hold out much longer.¡±

    ¡°Almost finished,¡± Christina replied, not sparing him a nce. Her hands stayed steady as she worked. ¡°Is the ambnce here yet?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re already outside. As soon as you¡¯re done, we¡¯ll get Miss Hubbard straight to the hospital,¡± Elliott answered, his tone grave.

    ¡°Perfect.¡± Christina slid her phone from her pocket, tapping quickly. ¡°I¡¯ll let Calvin know to meet you there.¡±

    The moment Christina mentioned calling Calvin, the air seemed to freeze. Every eye in the room snapped to her in disbelief. Had she really just tossed out Calvin¡¯s name like he was at her beck and call? The idea was almostughable. Word was, not even the most influential dared approach Calvin without showing full respect. No one snapped their fingers and had him waiting like some doctor on standby. So who on earth was this woman, and what leverage did she have over Calvin? If she was bluffing, the truth would unravel the instant they reached the hospital¡ªthere¡¯d be no way to keep up the act. And if she dared try and failed, the Hubbard family would make sure she paid dearly for it.

    Freddie, watching Christina with an amused glint in his eyes, couldn¡¯t hide his astonishment. ¡°This girl really is something else,¡± he mused, shaking his head. ¡°She talks about calling Calvin to wait at the hospital like it¡¯s just no big deal.¡±

    Samuel, already making himselffortable with a steaming cup of coffee, let out a low chuckle. ¡°Doubt anything you want, but I¡¯d never question Dn¡¯s judgment,¡± he dered, exuding quiet certainty. By now, he had absolute confidence in Christina¡¯s capabilities.

    The tales you love are at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?c?m

    Freddie turned, curiosity piqued. ¡°Do you know how she¡¯s connected to Calvin?¡±

    Shaking his head, Samuel replied, ¡°Not exactly. But if she could summon him with one phone call, there¡¯s definitely a story there.¡±

    ¡°I heard she¡¯s the Jones family¡¯s adopted daughter,¡± Freddie remarked, brows knitting in thought. ¡°I can¡¯t help wondering¡ªhave her birth parents ever turned up?¡±

    Samuel arched an eyebrow, smirking. ¡°You thinking of finding them to pay her back for saving your granddaughter?¡±

    Freddie let out a dryugh. ¡°The thought crossed my mind. But if her diagnosis is true, even that wouldn¡¯t be enough to settle the life-saving debt.¡±

    Samuel drummed his fingers on the porcin cup, a faint note of warning in his voice. ¡°But what if she has no desire to see her birth parents? Maybe she was left behind for a reason. Tracking down her birth parents could just bring up pain she¡¯s already tried to bury.¡±

    Freddie¡¯s brows drew together, the gravity of Samuel¡¯s words sinking in. ¡°You¡¯re right. That¡¯s not something to take lightly.¡±

    ¡°If you really want to help, you should ask her first,¡± Samuel said, his tone casual but the advice firm. ¡°Some people don¡¯t want their past to be dug up, no matter how well-intentioned you are.¡±

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 Chapter 281

    ?Chapter 281:

    Freddie gave a slow nod, mulling it over. ¡°I¡¯ll have to give it some thought.¡±

    Meanwhile, Christina had already gotten Calvin on the line. Her voice was clipped and direct when he picked up. ¡°Dr. Emmett, it¡¯s Christina.¡±

    The seriousness in her tone instantly put Calvin on alert. ¡°What happened? Tell me everything.¡±

    ¡°I need you to head to the hospital and wait for Miss Hubbard. Once she arrives, I want you to personally stitch up her wound,¡± Christina said, her words brisk and to the point.

    ¡°That¡¯s easy enough,¡± Calvin agreed, though a flicker of confusion crossed his face. Why was she acting like this was some life-or-death situation?

    Her voice grew a shade gentler. ¡°And¡­ If it¡¯s not too much trouble, could you use some of your special scar ointment on her afterward?¡±

    Calvin almost asked why she was being so polite with the ointment¡ªshe was the one who gave it to him, after all. The realization dawned a split second before he spoke. She would never forget something like that. If she was phrasing it this way, someone must be listening in. So that was the reason behind her stilted, overly polite request.

    Rolling with her act, Calvin heaved a dramatic sigh. ¡°Christina, you know how rare that ointment is¡ªI barely let myself use it. You¡¯re really making things difficult for me.¡±

    Christina smothered augh, lips twitching as she scowled with mock annoyance. Her dramatic disy sent a current of anxiety rippling through the group. Every eye fixed on her, the air charged with suspense as everyone strained to catch any clue from the muted phone call. Was Calvin denying the precious ointment? Or had he outright refused to help at all?

    Since Christina hadn¡¯t put the call on speaker, only scattered fragments reached the anxious onlookers, and none could piece together the full exchange. The uncertainty gnawed at them. Calvin¡¯s name alonemanded a gravity few could ignore. He was no ordinary doctor, but a world-ss specialist who routinely turned away requests from the city¡¯s most influential families. Even people with immense power and connections couldn¡¯t secure his help. How could Christina possibly pull it off? Yet, here she was, calmly insisting Calvin not only assist but actually wait at the hospital like he was just another doctor on call. The thought was almostughable. With someone of Calvin¡¯s stature, a little resistance was only natural.

    Your story hub is g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s???????

    Vanessa, convinced Christina¡¯s request had already failed, fidgeted with her hands, twisting her fingers so tightly that her knuckles went white. But she bit her tongue, terrified that if she blurted out a single word and offended Calvin, the Hubbard family would lose their one shot at saving Eloise¡ªmaybe for good.

    ¡°Dr. Emmett, I¡¯m begging you¡ªplease help Miss Hubbard! The Hubbard family has always stood for integrity. They truly deserve your assistance.¡± Christina¡¯s brow remained furrowed in a wless disy of desperation, her lips pressed together as if she were barely holding back tears. In truth, she was dying tough¡ªstifling her amusement so fiercely that it almost hurt.

    Calvin, meanwhile, drew things out with a deliberate pause, acting as though he was genuinely weighing the decision.

    On Christina¡¯s side, the tension in the air was almost tangible. Every eye was fixed on her seemingly strained expression, searching for any hint of hope. The heavy silence on the other end of the line only ratcheted up their anxiety, turning their anticipation into agony. Would Christina really be able to convince Calvin to help? The uncertainty pressed down on the room, thick and suffocating, daring anyone to even breathe.

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 Chapter 282

    ?Chapter 282:

    Christina, hearing Calvin¡¯s overly dramatic pause, teetered between exasperation andughter. The urge to nudge him through the phone was almost irresistible.

    ¡°Fine. Just this once¡ªdon¡¯t ask me again.¡± Calvin¡¯s apparently reluctant agreement finally broke the tension.

    Christina¡¯s eyes sparkled with delight, her grin breaking free atst. ¡°Dr. Emmett, thank you! Really, thank you so much!¡±

    She couldn¡¯t hold back herughter any longer¡ªthe whole charade had nearly made her burst.

    ¡°Thank you so much, Dr. Emmett!¡± The Hubbard family and Carson chimed in at once, their voicesyering over each other as they bowed in deep gratitude. Even though Calvin couldn¡¯t see them from the other end of the line, their gestures brimmed with sincere relief.

    The moment Christina ended the call, she spun toward them, her expression crisp andmanding. ¡°Take Miss Hubbard to the hospital now. She needs stitches¡ªdon¡¯t waste a second.¡±

    Omar snapped to attention, barely containing his relief. ¡°Understood!¡± If Christina truly had this connection to Calvin, then every bold im she¡¯d made had to be real. She¡¯d just saved Eloise¡¯s life¡ªand now, the entire Hubbard family owed her everything.

    The moment Elliott shifted to follow, Omar shut it down with a firm hand. ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere. Stay here and entertain Miss Jones¡ªthe banquet still needs a host.¡±

    The party was in full swing¡ªkicking everyone out now would be chaos. Vanessa backed him up, her gaze decisive. ¡°Yes, you stay. Carson wille with us instead.¡±

    In truth, leaving Elliott behind served another purpose: it kept Christina from slipping away before they could confirm her story. Only when they arrived at the hospital and saw Calvin in person would they know if she¡¯d been bluffing.

    g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s, where stories thrive

    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll stay,¡± Elliott agreed, ncing at Christina.

    Carson, however, hesitated before asking Christina cautiously, ¡°Miss Jones¡­ is it really safe to move Miss Hubbard now?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Christina gave a quiet nod, her tone unshakable. She¡¯d managed to stabilize Eloise and draw out part of the tainted blood¡ªat least for now, the poison wouldn¡¯t touch Eloise¡¯s heart.

    Before long, the paramedics who¡¯d apanied the ambnce carefully transferred Eloise onto a stretcher and hustled her straight to the hospital. As the red-and-white vehicle pulled away, whispers rippled through the guests like electricity.

    ¡°What just happened? Was Miss Hubbard actually saved?¡±

    ¡°She must¡¯ve been¡ªlook at Miss Jones, standing there with Mr. Hubbard. If anything had gone wrong, would she still look that calm?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s incredible! All those specialists couldn¡¯t even give a diagnosis, and Miss Jones just figured it out and cured Miss Hubbard! And Miss Jones is so young. She¡¯s a genius, I swear!¡±

    With each excited voice, the mood shifted. One by one, guests beganuding Christina¡¯s talents until their admiration echoed through the room.

    Katie, lurking on the edge of the group, felt her mood plummet. Scowling, she muttered, ¡°Christina is nothing but a veterinarian. There¡¯s no way she actually cured anyone. Miss Hubbard probably just fainted and woke up¡ªChristina is just grabbing credit.¡±

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 Chapter 283

    ?Chapter 283:

    She snorted in agreement, her tone edged with contempt. ¡°Total fluke. Anyone could¡¯ve gotten lucky. Doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯s some miracle worker.¡±

    Standing nearby, a young woman let out a softugh. ¡°Funny, weren¡¯t you the ones betting she¡¯d fail? Of course you¡¯re desperate for her to mess up now.¡±

    The moment the young woman spoke, the spotlight shifted¡ªevery eye drawn to Katie and her crew like metal to a ma.

    Katie shot the woman a withering re, her voice practically vibrating with outrage. ¡°What the hell is that supposed to mean?¡±

    A sly smile tugged at the corners of the woman¡¯s mouth as she fired back, her tone breezy but razor-sharp. ¡°Oh? Did I hit a nerve?¡±

    Katie¡¯s cheeks drained of color, a sh of unease flickering in her eyes¡ªthough she¡¯d never dare admit it out loud. How was that any different from asking for humiliation?

    ¡°You¡¯re making baseless usations here!¡± Katie hissed, scrambling to recover. ¡°All I did was question if a veterinarian is really up to the task of saving someone¡¯s life.¡± She swept a disdainful nce at the woman. ¡°Let¡¯s be real¡ªeven the hospital staff couldn¡¯t figure out what was wrong. You honestly think Christina is more capable than a roomful of specialists and state-of-the-art machines?¡±

    Brendon¡¯s face iced over as he chimed in coldly, ¡°If Miss Hubbard truly had some mysterious, incurable condition, and all it took was handing over five percent of the Dawson Group¡¯s shares to save her, we wouldn¡¯t hesitate for a second.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s not throw around wild usations. No one here has any intention of wanting harm to befall Miss Hubbard,¡± Joselyn retorted sharply, her re fixed on the woman. ¡°Ms. Peyton, I¡¯d advise you to break that habit of making groundless ims.¡±

    Naomi Peyton just arched a brow, unbothered, her lips curling into a teasing smile. ¡°Oh, I wasn¡¯t using anyone. I was just making a reasonable guess¡ªsame as you.¡±

    g?????0¦Í??????.?????? ¨C Continue reading

    That left Katie and her crew seething, at a loss for words. Pushing the argument any further would only highlight just how groundless their skepticism of Christina¡¯s capabilities had been.

    ¡°Everyone, if you would, please head back to the banquet hall¡ªwe¡¯re ready to resume the party,¡± Elliott, having received word that the hall had been cleaned up, smoothly redirected the guests. ¡°If there¡¯s been any inconvenience, I sincerely apologize.¡±

    He didn¡¯t even make it through his apology before the guests started waving it off¡ªwho¡¯d dare let Elliott apologize to them?

    The crowd flowed back into the banquet hall. In minutes, the party returned to life, conversation andughter filling the air as if nothing had ever interrupted the evening. After all, business and social climbing mattered more¡ªfew cared whether the guest of honor was even present.

    Meanwhile, Elliott ushered Christina into the inner hall, where Bruno and his parents lounged in brittle silence.

    Bruno nced up, eyes narrowing on Christina as if she were an unwanted stray. ¡°Where¡¯s Eloise?¡± he demanded, his tone edged with usation.

    ¡°She¡¯s at the hospital,¡± Elliott answered evenly.

    A smug little smirk crept across Eugene¡¯s lips. ¡°Told you. In the end, the only solution was to haul Eloise off to the hospital. I said from the start you couldn¡¯t trust this woman.¡± He looked Christina up and down, his scorn impossible to miss.

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 Chapter 284

    ?Chapter 284:

    ¡°Elliott, you thought it was appropriate to bring an outsider into this room?¡± Rayna pressed a delicate hand to her nose, eyes narrowing in barely concealed distaste, making a show of shielding herself, as if Christina reeked of something rotten.

    Christina barely spared Rayna a nce, refusing to rise to the bait. She knew perfectly well she didn¡¯t stink of anything unpleasant. If someone was determined to despise her, even the way she breathed would be a crime in their eyes.

    Elliott¡¯s tone cut through the tension, crisp and unyielding. ¡°Miss Jones is my guest. She¡¯s wee anywhere in the Hubbard estate.¡±

    The look Elliott shot Rayna left no room for argument¡ªhis patience with her petty posturing had clearly run out. There was always a faint trace of clean, delicate perfume that lingered around Christina, subtle and refined. Rayna, on the other hand, nearly choked the air with her cloying scent¡ªa perfume so strong that it practically announced her arrival before she even entered the room.

    Color crept up Rayna¡¯s cheeks, but she swallowed her protest and edged to Eugene, lips pressed in a tight, sulky line.

    ¡°Elliott, what the hell is that supposed to mean? Your aunt is just concerned about outsiders wandering into private family spaces. Are you saying she¡¯s the one causing trouble now?¡± Eugene puffed up with indignation, slipping into the sanctimonious tone of a lecturing elder. ¡°Have you forgotten the rules of the Hubbard family?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a Hubbard. And I haven¡¯t forgotten the rules thate with that name. Like I said, Miss Jones is my friend. She¡¯s not an outsider,¡± Elliott said coldly, eyes locked on Eugene and his family. His words weren¡¯t just a defense. They were a warning¡ªaimed straight at Eugene and his family. The Happers had no right to say so.

    Eugene got the message loud and clear¡ªand it burned. Even though he tried to pull rank as an elder, Elliott didn¡¯t bow to him. Elliott¡¯s father might¡¯ve shown him some respect. But when it came to Elliott¡¯s generation, they wouldn¡¯t yield an inch to him. And soon enough, whatever connection the Happers once had with the Hubbards would be forgotten like a faded stain. If the Happers wanted power, they¡¯d have to w their own way to the top.

    ¡°Elliott, what¡¯s that supposed to mean? My grandmother was your great-aunt! We may be Happers, but we¡¯ve still got Hubbard blood!¡± Bruno snapped.

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    ¡°Please head to the banquet hall,¡± Elliott replied tly. He wasn¡¯t interested in arguing. If they hadn¡¯t disrespected Christina, none of this would¡¯ve happened. But they had. And for that alone, they¡¯d lost his goodwill.

    ¡°You¡¯re really choosing this woman over your own family?¡± Eugene demanded. Elliott¡¯s expression didn¡¯t budge.

    ¡°Mr. Happer, please don¡¯t make this harder than it needs to be. I¡¯d hate to trouble my grandfather over something this petty.¡± He dropped Freddie¡¯s name effortlessly, a quiet threat.

    Eugene¡¯s face darkened at Elliott¡¯s formal way of addressing him. And now, Elliott was tossing Freddie¡¯s name into the mix. He¡¯d gotten bold. And it was all for some random woman. Did his rtives mean nothing to him anymore?

    ¡°Please stop arguing. This is my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have spoken out of turn,¡± Rayna cut in softly, tears glistening in her eyes as if she truly regretted her actions. She turned to Christina with a shaky voice. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss Jones.¡±

    ¡°You did speak out of turn,¡± Christina said inly.

    Rayna froze as she hadn¡¯t expected this. Her charade almost slipped¡ªbut she quickly covered it up, clinging to the victim act.

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 Chapter 285

    ?Chapter 285:

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, darling,¡± she sniffled, tugging Eugene¡¯s arm. ¡°Miss Jones clearly doesn¡¯t want us here.¡±

    ¡°Humph!¡± Eugene sent onest re at Christina and stormed off.

    Bruno, still fuming, jabbed a finger at Christina. ¡°I don¡¯t know what kind of spell you¡¯ve cast on my cousin, but I¡¯ll expose you. Just wait.¡± Then, he turned and stomped after his parents.

    ¡°Sorry about that. You didn¡¯t deserve that,¡± Elliott muttered.

    With a sigh, Christina replied with a shrug, ¡°Doesn¡¯t bother me. Plenty of people can¡¯t stand me. A few more won¡¯t change anything.¡±

    And that was the truth. She had more enemies than most could count. Some hated her. Others were actively hunting her down. She sat at the top of the assassin rankings, and everyone beneath her wanted the throne. Once they eliminated her, they¡¯d rise to the top¡ªfeared and respected, with payouts fat enough to make anyone drool. Not that she med them. In their line of work, every job could be theirst. Blood money was still money, after all.

    Elliott listened to Christina¡¯s even voice,ced with just a hint of teasing. He couldn¡¯t stop his mind from drifting to her image on the racetrack¡ªcool, fearless, and absolutely unforgettable. There was no one quite like Christina. She radiated confidence and charm, facing every challenge with an unshakable certainty, as if she held the world in the palm of her hand. It made people believe, without a doubt, that she could conquer any obstacle.

    ¡°You¡¯re quite something else, Miss Jones,¡± Elliott said with a chuckle.

    ¡°Oh?¡± Christina raised an eyebrow, her gaze locking onto his. ¡°What makes you think that way?¡±

    Thepliment made his heart race. His signature poker face cracked, and his blush spread to the tips of his ears. After fumbling for a few seconds, he finally muttered, ¡°I just feel it that way.¡±

    L?t?st ch¦Ápt?rs in g??lnovels.??????

    Christina was about to respond when the sudden chime of a phone interrupted them.

    It was Elliott¡¯s phone. He took it out of his pocket and saw messages from his parents in the group chat, along with a candid photo of Calvin that they had taken.

    Omar had typed, ¡°Elliott, make sure you entertain Miss Jones! She¡¯s our family¡¯s savior!¡±

    Vanessa had added, ¡°We just saw Dr. Emmett! Miss Jones really brought him here to wait for us!¡±

    Omar had continued, ¡°Dr. Emmett confirmed it¡ªjust like Miss Jones had pointed out, Eloise was poisoned with a rare toxin. No regr test could find it.¡±

    Vanessa¡¯s anger had spilled through her words. ¡°Who could be so cruel? The mastermind had been poisoning Eloise for years. Dr. Emmett said this wasn¡¯t a one-time thing¡ªit¡¯s been building up in her system for years! If not for Miss Jones, we would¡¯ve lost Eloise forever. I just got Eloise back and nearly lost her again. Miss Jones is a real godsend to us. I don¡¯t care what anyone says¡ªif Miss Jones ever needs anything, I¡¯ll make it happen, even if I have to walk through fire. As long as I¡¯m breathing, no one could mistreat her!¡±

    At that moment, Freddie, who had been quietly reading, finally spoke up in the chat. ¡°From today on, Miss Jones is the most honored guest of the Hubbard family. No one is allowed to disrespect her.¡±

    The rest of the Hubbard family jumped in right away, filling the group chat with emojis to signal their agreement.

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 Chapter 286

    ?Chapter 286:

    Then, Freddie leaned back in his seat beside Samuel, finally breathing easier. ¡°Just got the news¡ªChristina really did get Dr. Emmett to the hospital, and just as she had pointed out, Eloise was poisoned. I owe Christina everything. And you too. If you hadn¡¯t stepped in, I never would¡¯ve believed someone so young could pull off something like this.¡±

    Samuel took a slow sip of coffee, a faint smile on his lips. ¡°No need to thank me. The real thanks goes to Christina.¡±

    Brandon raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh? Why the sudden use of that gentle tone when mentioning her name?¡±

    Samuel gave him a yful re. ¡°Why? Can¡¯t I show my appreciation to a talent like her?¡± He huffed dramatically and then added, ¡°Careful, old friend¡ªI might just urge my grandson to chase after her. Let¡¯s see if Elliott can handle thepetition.¡±

    Samuel turned away with a mock pout, like a sulking child. In terms of winning Christina¡¯s affection, Dn was already enough of a headache for Elliott, and things would be spiced up if Ralphy was thrown into the mix. Who knew¡ªmaybe Christina would actually fall for the yboy vibe Ralphy carried.

    ¡°No, no, no! Hell no! Chill out, Freddie!¡± he burst out, jumping to his feet in a panic. He adopted a pleading tone as he gazed at Samuel. ¡°Samuel, please, stop pulling my leg! It¡¯s already a struggle for Elliott topete with Dn for Christina¡¯s affection. If Ralphy joins the mix, my poor Elliott won¡¯t stand a chance!¡±

    Samuel remained stone-faced. ¡°Pour me a cup of coffee.¡±

    ¡°Right away!¡± Freddie scrambled over and poured a cup of coffee with a wide grin. Now that Eloise was safe, the heavy weight in his chest finally lifted. He felt lighter¡ªlike he could breathe again.

    Meanwhile, in the inner hall of the Hubbard family¡¯s estate, Elliott slipped his phone back into his pocket, his gaze settling on Christina, his eyes gleaming. ¡°My parents have met with Dr. Emmett. He confirmed my sister is stable for now, but she¡¯ll need to follow your prescription for the antidote going forward.¡±

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    Christina gave a small nod. ¡°Once Eloise wakes up, I¡¯ll prepare the proper form.¡±

    Elliott studied her, curiosity flickering in his eyes. ¡°How did you even recognize that poison? And more than that, you knew how to treat it. Not even the hospital specialists and those medical tests caught the poison.¡±

    Christina answered calmly, ¡°An elderly woman taught me about it years ago. I¡¯ve seen it before, so I knew what to do.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡± Elliott didn¡¯t dig deeper, but his tone grew solemn. ¡°You¡¯ve earned the Hubbard family¡¯s debt. Whatever you need, just say the word.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing I need right now. Let¡¯s wait until Miss Hubbard recovers fully,¡± Christina replied.

    ¡°Then the offer stands. Consider it an open debt,¡± Elliott said.

    Christina¡¯s voice softened. ¡°Can we talk somewhere private? There¡¯s something important I need to tell you.¡±

    ¡°Of course. Come with me,¡± Elliott stood.

    Soon, they stepped into a hidden chamber.

    ¡°Only a handful of Hubbards know about this room. Outsiders have no idea it exists¡ªit¡¯spletely secure. Now tell me¡ªwhat is it?¡± Elliott asked as he turned to face her.

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 Chapter 287

    ?Chapter 287:

    ¡°It¡¯s about the poison in your sister¡¯s system.¡± Christina¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°This toxin can be either slow-acting or fast-acting, depending on the dosage.¡±

    A chill ran down Elliott¡¯s spine. ¡°You mean someone¡¯s still poisoning her even after she reconnected with us?¡±

    Christina met his eyes. ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s only a theory. From now on, you need to monitor everything she eats or drinks.¡±

    ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll tell my parents¡ªwe¡¯ll rece every staff member in this estate,¡± Elliott said.

    ¡°That¡¯s not advisable,¡± Christina¡¯s voice was firm. ¡°That¡¯ll only tip off the culprit. Besides, even if you bring in new staff, there¡¯s no guarantee they won¡¯t be bribed.¡±

    Elliott frowned deeply. ¡°You¡¯re right. Still, rooting out the traitor won¡¯t be easy. And what if something happens to my sister before we do?¡± His thoughts raced, faces shing through his mind¡ªeach one now a suspect.

    ¡°If the poison in Miss Hubbard¡¯s system activates, she won¡¯t be the only one who will meet her end. You¡¯ll all be dragged down,¡± Christina said, her expression solemn with the gravity of the situation.

    Elliott froze. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°This poison, when used in small doses, doesn¡¯t just destroy the body. It breaks the mind slowly. By the time it reaches its peak, it causes violent psychosis¡ªhallucinations, delusions, and deep paranoia. When that happens, Miss Hubbard will see her loved ones as enemies. And the closer they are to her, the more monstrous they appear in her eyes.¡± Christina paused, her tone grim. ¡°She¡¯ll try to eliminate you all. If the poison is used as a fast-acting toxin, it won¡¯t cause those effects. But it¡¯ll lead to instant death. And it can be detected by medical tests.¡±

    Christina paused for a moment before continuing, her voice steady. ¡°When this poison is used as a slow-acting toxin, the victim won¡¯t die right away as it takes full effect, but there¡¯s no saving them. The horror is in what happens next. The victims turn on their loved ones, kill everyone close to them, and then, once it¡¯s done, they regain rity. That¡¯s when the real nightmare begins.¡±

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    Christina looked straight at Elliott. ¡°Most can¡¯t live with what they¡¯ve done. Some copse on the spot. Others take their own lives. By then, the poison is gone, undetectable. When the police investigate, they will find nothing but a brutal massacre and a trail that points to the victims. With Miss Hubbard¡¯s history of hallucinations and mental episodes, she will be seen as insane once the poison in her system takes full effect, and the case will be closed. The masterminds behind the scenes will just walk away scot-free, getting exactly what they wanted.¡±

    Elliott¡¯s heart dropped. His mind reeled. He stared at Christina, stunned. ¡°Are you saying the real target was never just my sister? They were after the entire Hubbard family from the very beginning?¡±

    Elliott felt a chill go down his spine. Whoever was behind this wasn¡¯t just ruthless¡ªthey were meticulous, patient, and terrifyingly calcting. If the poison had been used to wipe out every member of the Hubbard family at once, it would¡¯ve caused a scandal. The mastermind might not have gotten what they wanted.

    But this slow-burn n that dragged on for over twenty years was genius-level evil. The mastermind ensured the poison simmered unnoticed, letting the perfect scapegoat fall into ce, and then just watched the Hubbard family tear itself apart when the time was right. No one would suspect that Eloise¡¯s violent outburst was caused by poisoning. Instead, it would be written off as madness. Another tragedy. Another broken mind lost to history.

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 Chapter 288

    ?Chapter 288:

    The horror twisted deeper in his gut. Who could have nned something like this? Who had the patience to wait decades just to spring the trap?

    Christina¡¯s voice cut into his thoughts. ¡°Miss Hubbard¡¯s mysterious disappearance back then¡­ And her recent ¡®return¡¯ to the Hubbard family¡ªit was all part of the n. You see that now, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Elliott gave a slow, grim nod. ¡°Yeah. After everything you¡¯ve said, I pieced it together. I just never imagined someone would bide their time for so long, all to set up this inescapable trap.¡±

    He couldn¡¯t even fathom what would¡¯ve happened if he hadn¡¯t met Christina¡ªor if he hadn¡¯t invited her to today¡¯s party. What fate would have awaited the Hubbard family? Maybe one day, their tragic death would have ended up in the headlines. His mind painted the nightmare headline: ¡°Hubbard Heiress Goes Mad¡ªMurders Entire Family in Cold Blood, NO Survivors.¡± That would¡¯ve been their legacy. The proud Hubbard name would have been wiped from Dorfield forever, only remembered in whispered rumors and crime documentaries. No one would ever know the truth.

    Christina broke the silence. ¡°The couple who had raised Miss Hubbard¡­ They¡¯re dead, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    Elliott¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°Yeah. They drowned. The report said one slipped in, the other tried to help, and both died. Not long after that, we ¡®miraculously¡¯ found my sister again.¡± He let out a bitter chuckle. ¡°The couple were horrible people and treated my sister like trash. We thought their deaths were just karma finally catching up with them.¡± His face darkened. ¡°But now? Now I¡¯m sure they were murdered. It was all staged so my sister would be ¡®discovered¡¯ by us. That way, when the poison drove her to madness, she¡¯d be right there to ughter us all.¡±

    Christina¡¯s tone turned grave. ¡°You need to stay alert. They¡¯re in the shadows. And you¡­ you¡¯re standing in the light.¡±

    Elliott let out a sharp breath. ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll personally oversee everything my sister eats and drinks.¡±

    g¦Á ? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s has it all

    Christina shook her head. ¡°That won¡¯t solve the problem. I originally nned to tell you about the poisoning in secret, but after today¡¯s emergency¡ªhaving to drain Miss Hubbard¡¯s poisoned blood¡ªwhoever¡¯s behind this definitely knows we¡¯re onto them.¡±

    ¡°If you personally take over Miss Hubbard¡¯s meals, whoever¡¯s behind this will realize you suspect there¡¯s a mole in the Hubbard family,¡± Christina warned, letting her words hang for a moment. ¡°That¡¯ll spook them. They¡¯ll start covering their tracks¡ªand we¡¯ll lose our only lead. Since we¡¯re still in the dark, let¡¯s not rush into anything. Just act like everything¡¯s perfectly normal.¡±

    Elliott¡¯s jaw clenched, worry creasing his forehead. ¡°But what about my sister¡­¡±

    ¡°Trust me,¡± Christina cut in softly, her tone steady and assured. ¡°I might have a way to handle this, but you have to let me take the lead.¡±

    Elliott didn¡¯t hesitate as he pressed. ¡°What¡¯s your n?¡±

    Christina began to speak, but her phone suddenly buzzed, interrupting her mid-sentence.

    Elliott nodded, waving a hand. ¡°Take it. We¡¯ll pick this up after.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± she replied, checking the caller ID. Seeing Chloe¡¯s name sh across the screen, she pressed answer without dy. Chloe¡¯s panicked voice erupted through the speaker, raw and urgent. ¡°Christina! Something awful just happened! My brother¡­¡±

    A chill shot straight through Christina¡¯s chest, an icy knot of dread tightening in her stomach. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± she demanded, her tone sharp with rm as her brow furrowed deeper.

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 Chapter 289

    ?Chapter 289:

    But the only reply was Chloe¡¯s muffled sobbing, the line heavy with panic.

    ¡°Chloe, listen to me. Your brother will be fine. Just take a breath and tell me¡ªslowly, okay?¡± Christina said, her voice gentle.

    ¡°My brother went to Kitaso for a business meeting¡ªsomeone tried to kill him! He was shot, Christina! He¡¯s in emergency surgery at Kitaso Hospital right now!¡± Chloe¡¯s words tumbled out between ragged breaths. She was shaking so hard that her teeth nearly chattered,pletely undone by fear. She reached out to Christina because she had no idea what else to do.

    Christina¡¯s hand clenched around her phone. An anxious ache twisted through her chest. She couldn¡¯t hide her worry for Dn. A gunshot wound was no joke. If it hit a vital organ¡­

    ¡°I hear you. I¡¯m going to Kitaso Hospital right now. Stay home, Chloe. Don¡¯t go anywhere¡ªwait for my call,¡± Christina instructed, her voice leaving no room for argument.

    ¡°Should I send a driver for you?¡± Chloe¡¯s voice trembled, every word thick with anxiety.

    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. Just trust me¡ªonce he¡¯s stable, I¡¯ll call you myself,¡± Christina swiftly assured her.

    ¡°Okay¡­ Christina, please, take care of yourself.¡± Chloe¡¯s plea was almost a whisper.

    ¡°Will do.¡± With that, Christina ended the call and spun around to face Elliott, who hovered nearby, eyes brimming with concern. He stepped forward and inquired, ¡°What happened?¡±

    ¡°Dn¡¯s been shot. I need to get to Kitaso Hospital¡ªnow.¡± Christina¡¯s wordsnded sharp and urgent.

    ¡°I¡¯ll drive you.¡± Elliott¡¯s response was instant, almost instinctive.

    L§Ñ¦Ó??¦Ó ch?¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?ls.??????

    But Christina shook her head, determined. ¡°No, the party still needs you here. Miss Hubbard¡¯s out of danger for now¡ªlet¡¯s hold off on the discussion of how to handle the mastermind behind the poisoning.¡±

    Elliott hesitated, jaw tight, but finally relented. ¡°Alright. Just¡­ be careful out there.¡±

    He watched her, the tension in her shoulders obvious, her worry for Dn written all over her face. His own heart clenched with an unfamiliar ache. ¡°Tell Dn he¡¯s not allowed to die before we settle ourpetition,¡± he muttered, the wordsced with an unexpected sting of jealousy.

    ¡°Got it!¡± With a sharp nod, Christina took off without another word.

    She barely paused after leaving the hidden room, immediately gging down one of Elliott¡¯s drivers¡ªthere was no way she¡¯d risk driving after the wine she¡¯d had at the party.

    Digging out her phone, Christina rapidly thumbed out a message to Davina. ¡°Get me a helicopter to Kitaso ASAP. I need to be there in minutes, not hours.¡±

    Davina¡¯s response appeared almost instantly. ¡°Already on it! But what¡¯s happening? Why the emergency? Is something wrong with the Jones family?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not the Jones family¡ªDn was ambushed and shot. I have a bad feeling about this.¡±

    Davina¡¯s reply came with a teasing undertone. ¡°A bad feeling? Christina, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve actually started falling for him?¡±

    Christina shot Davina a quick text: ¡°Nothing like that. Don¡¯t overthink it. Dn and I are just friends, and I¡¯m definitely not looking to date anyone. I¡¯ll message you once I¡¯m there.¡±

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 Chapter 290

    ?Chapter 290:

    After sending that off, Christina fired a message to Calvin. ¡°Dr. Emmett, I need you at Kitaso. Bring your team and get there fast.¡±

    Calvin¡¯s reply came almost immediately. ¡°What happened? Do you need me to cover for your identity as King again?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m heading to Kitaso now to save someone. Might not be a big deal, and I may not need to step in, but I want to be ready just in case we¡¯re racing the clock.¡±

    ¡°Got it, I¡¯m on my way. But, hey¡ªthere¡¯s something odd going on with one of my patients. Once things settle down, can you help me take a look?¡±

    Christina agreed without hesitation. While mentoring a surgeon like Calvin was out of the question, she was happy to offer any insight she could.

    With her messages sent, Christina tucked her phone away, hoping to catch a few minutes of sleep in the back seat. But the moment she shut her eyes, the imaginary scene of Dn¡¯s bloodied body shed through her mind. She snapped awake, pulse hammering in her head, her palms cold and damp with dread. ¡°Dn, don¡¯t you dare give up now,¡± she whispered fiercely, forcing herself to steady her breathing as her fists curled tightly.

    Meanwhile, back at the banquet, Ralphy wove through the crowd, scanning for any sign of Christina. ¡°That¡¯s weird,¡± he muttered, ncing around. She was just here a second ago¡­

    As Ralphy stood puzzling over her disappearance, his phone lit up¡ªChloe¡¯s name shing on the screen with her signature ringtone. He answered with his usual teasing drawl. ¡°Hey, Chloe. Feel like crashing the party? Just a heads-up¡ªit¡¯s pretty dead. Miss Hubbard already fainted¡­¡±

    But Chloe¡¯s choked sobs cut him off mid-joke. His whole demeanor shifted, a frown creasing his brow as concern flooded his voice. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong? Chloe, talk to me¡ªwho upset you?¡±

    ¡°No one¡¯s upsetting me,¡± Chloe blurted, her voice ragged with panic. ¡°It¡¯s my brother¡­¡±

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    Ralph¡¯s pulse kicked up. ¡°What happened to Dn?¡± He forced his tone steady, but a cold weight settled in his chest. Had something gone wrong with Dn? Dn had just traveled to Kitaso for work¡ªthings weren¡¯t meant to go sideways.

    Chloe¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°Someone tried to kill him. He¡¯s at Kitaso Hospital now, fighting for his life. Ralphy, can you please take me? I can¡¯t just wait around¡ªI need to see him.¡± Her voice broke, trembling with fear. ¡°Christina told me to stay home. But I am freaking out. I can¡¯t reach Morse, and you¡¯re the only one I trust.¡±

    Ralphy stiffened, clutching the phone. ¡°Wait, Christina¡¯s already there?¡±

    ¡°She is. She promised to let me know when Dn pulls through.¡±

    ¡°Alright, hang tight. I¡¯m on my way. We¡¯ll go together,¡± Ralphy assured her, already grabbing his keys as he ended the call. He then dashed off a quick message to Samuel and tore out of the hall without a backward nce.

    Samuel¡¯s phone buzzed. The moment he saw Ralphy¡¯s text, he leapt to his feet, every line of his face tight with worry.

    Freddie, caught off guard, asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Samuel?¡±

    Samuel¡¯s voice was grim. ¡°We were just singing Dn¡¯s praises, and now he¡¯s been hurt.¡±

    Freddie¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°That can¡¯t be¡ªwasn¡¯t he just in Kitaso for a business meeting?¡±

    Samuel¡¯s jaw clenched as he stated, ¡°Someone ambushed him. There¡¯s no shortage of people looking to get rid of him.¡±

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 Chapter 291

    ?Chapter 291:

    With a furrowed brow, Freddie asked anxiously, ¡°Is he all right?¡±

    Samuel shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t know yet. I¡¯m heading to Kitaso Hospital. There¡¯s no time to waste.¡± With that, he strode out, his determination etched in every step.

    Freddie¡¯s eyes lit up as a sudden idea struck. ¡°Wait¡ªDr. Emmett¡¯s in town, isn¡¯t he? We should get him involved!¡±

    Samuel facepalmed. ¡°How could I forget? Dr. Emmett¡¯s right here?¡± He turned sharply to Freddie. ¡°Can you have your son and daughter-inw reach out to him?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely!¡± Freddie wasted no time, whipping out his phone to dial Omar.

    ¡°Dad, Eloise¡­¡± Omar started, but Freddie cut him off, his voice taut with urgency. ¡°Where¡¯s Dr. Emmett now? Is he still at the hospital?¡±

    ¡°He left after stitching up Eloise. She¡¯s stable now,¡± Omar replied, catching the tension in his father¡¯s voice. ¡°Did something else happen?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that right now. Do you have Dr. Emmett¡¯s number?¡± Freddie pressed, his tone edged with urgency.

    Omar hesitated, awkwardly rubbing his nose. ¡°No, we were so focused on Eloise¡¯s condition that we only thanked Dr. Emmett and promised to visit himter. We didn¡¯t get his contact details.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you!¡± Freddie stomped his foot, exasperated. ¡°Unbelievable! You let Dr. Emmett walk out the door without so much as exchanging contact details!¡±

    ¡°Rx, Dad,¡± Omar hurriedly assured him. ¡°Miss Jones has his contact, doesn¡¯t she? We¡¯ll just ask her for it.¡±

    ¡°Right, right! My mind isn¡¯t as sharp as it was,¡± Freddie groaned, smacking his forehead. ¡°Just send me Miss Jones¡¯s number, or reach out to her yourself.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about? I don¡¯t have Miss Jones¡¯s number. Isn¡¯t she still at our ce?¡± Omar asked,pletely thrown off.

    Discover more on g¦Á ? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s,

    Freddie widened his eyes. ¡°She¡¯s already left¡­¡±

    Freddie only knew that Christina and Ralphy had left not long ago. All Elliott mentioned was an emergency that pulled Christina away, but he stayed vague on the rest. A few momentster, word came in from Ralphy¡ªDn was shot in Kitaso. Christina probably heard about Dn¡¯s injuries and took off right away.

    After ending the call, Freddie nced at Samuel, his brow furrowed. ¡°Omar doesn¡¯t have Dr. Emmett¡¯s contact info. Miss Jones has it¡ªbut we don¡¯t know how to reach her right now.¡±

    Samuel mulled it over and then snapped his fingers. ¡°Didn¡¯t your grandson invite her to the party? He must have a way to get in touch.¡±

    Freddie¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Of course! It seems age is confusing my mind.¡±

    Samuel snorted, not missing a beat. ¡°That¡¯s your case, I am still sharp as ever, unfazed by age.¡±

    ¡°Yes, yes, you¡¯re right. Let¡¯s reach out to Miss Jones first and ask her to bring Dr. Emmett. That might be better,¡± Freddie blurted out the idea without pause. Not long after, they got Christina¡¯s number and dialed right away.

    Christina responded to their request to have Calvin join them in Kitaso with a simple reply, ¡°Dr. Emmett¡¯s already on his way to Kitaso.¡±

    Nobody knew how badly Dn was hurt yet, so they had no choice but to hurry over and see for themselves.

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 Chapter 292

    ?Chapter 292:

    Inside the banquet hall, Katie watched Brendon with growing impatience. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you out there mingling, making connections?¡± she inquired, her eyes narrowing as she caught him scanning the crowd yet again. ¡°Why do you keep ncing around like that?¡±

    Brendon shook his head, his voice distant. ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± he muttered, though his gaze kept drifting, searching for Christina¡¯s familiar face that stubbornly refused to appear.

    Katie¡¯s lips tightened. ¡°Are you looking for Christina?¡± She struggled to refrain from uttering harsh words.

    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking things,¡± he replied, his tone clipped.

    With a sigh, Katie¡¯s frustration seeped into her words. ¡°Brendon, after everything Ynda¡¯s done for us, you can¡¯t just turn your back on her now.¡±

    He opened his mouth to answer, but the sharp trill of his phone interrupted. He snatched it up, his expression shifting as he listened. ¡°What? Ynda¡¯s back in the hospital? Another rpse?¡± His voice jumped, allposure gone. ¡°I¡¯ll be there right away!¡±

    Without another word, Brendon bolted from the banquet hall, leaving Katie staring after him, stunned.

    Christina stepped briskly into Kitaso Hospital¡¯s lobby, only to be brought to a halt by a voice she¡¯d know anywhere.

    ¡°Well, well. Weren¡¯t you supposed to be in Dorfield?¡± Yvonne Jones sneered, arms folded, her voice sharp enough to cut ss. ¡°What brings you crawling back?¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t bother shifting her gaze. That icy tone, soaked in disdain, was all the identification she needed.

    Yvonne was the Jones family¡¯s biological daughter, while Christina was merely their adopted one.

    g¦Áln¦Ò¦Í?ls has fresh updates for you

    Back then, Mack Jones and Liza Lee had been two years into marriage and desperate for a child. Both were healthy, yet no child came. On someone¡¯s suggestion, they¡¯d turned to adoption, taking in baby Christina to fill the silence in their home.

    But fate had a cruel sense of timing. When Christina turned five, Liza gave birth to Yvonne¡ªtheir own flesh and blood.

    Once Yvonne arrived, the Jones family¡¯s warmth toward Christina vanished like morning mist. Kindness gave way to cold stares, scolding shouts, and cruel hands. And it wasn¡¯t just Mack and Liza. Even little Yvonne, five years Christina¡¯s junior, had quickly learned to humiliate Christina, delighting in her own superiority.

    The fleeting affection Christina once knew had fadedpletely, teaching her to cling tightly to the rare people who showed her real kindness.

    At just ten years old, Christina had been shipped off to a brutal overseas training camp. The Joneses had imed it was to prepare her for the family business. In truth, they hoped to erase her¡ªquietly and permanently.

    That first year had nearly killed Christina. But she endured and wed her way through the agony, refusing to disappear from the world in this way.

    Ironically, when Christina was fighting for her life in a foreign hellhole, the beloved daughter back home¡ªYvonne¡ªhad fallen desperately ill. A mysterious disease had stolen her vitality, leaving her dependent on powerful drugs just to make it through the day.

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 Chapter 293

    ?Chapter 293:

    Mack and Liza had turned desperate. When news spread of a renowned doctor, they scoured the earth in hopes of finding King, praying for a cure to save the daughter they truly loved. But that was an impossible task. They had no idea that the legendary King¡ªtheirst desperate hope¡ªwas none other than Christina, the daughter they had cast away without a second thought.

    Memories of her days in the training camp as a child surged through Christina¡¯s mind like a rising tide, vivid and unrelenting. She could still feel the sting of every cruel moment. That so-called training camp had been a graveyard in disguise. Even seasoned adults had vanished into the wilderness, their bodies never found.

    Lost in those dark recollections, Christina stood frozen, her expression distant and unreadable.

    Yvonne, of course, misread the stillness. With a wheezing breath, she staggered a step closer, her pale face flushed from the strain. Whenever emotions ran high, her body betrayed her¡ªanger brought on coughing fits that left her drained and trembling.

    ¡°How dare you ignore me!¡± she snapped, raising her hand to strike.

    But Christina was no longer the girl who flinched. She caught Yvonne¡¯s wrist mid-air, her grip steady and unyielding. Once, she¡¯d bowed her head. Once, she¡¯d knelt, crawled, obeyed¡ªall in the foolish hope that the Jones family might love her back. But that hope had long since rotted away. The day she was exiled at ten, left to survive a ce meant to break her, she had shed her former self like old skin.

    Yvonne was stunned. When had Christina learned to resist? The Christina she remembered was always meek, practically a doormat. As a child, she used to order Christina around like a servant, forcing her to kneel and crawl as if she were born beneath her. Christina had endured it all, not daring toin. But this woman before her now? Christina had changed¡ªbold and unbending like cold steel.

    Yvonne gaped at Christina, frozen for a split second before anger jolted her back. ¡°Let go of my hand!¡± she snapped, yanking against Christina¡¯s unmoving grip.

    The rest of the chapters at g??ln o vels.???? ??

    But Christina ignored Yvonne¡¯s request¡ªher fingers stayed locked around Yvonne¡¯s wrist, calm and unyielding.

    ¡°I said, let go!¡± Yvonne¡¯s voice pitched up, frustration boiling over until it rattled her chest in a fit of harsh coughing.

    Christina didn¡¯t so much as flinch. Her gaze stayed fixed on Yvonne, silent and impassive, her grip refusing to budge.

    ¡°What, did you forget how to talk, Christina?¡± Yvonne spat out a scornfulugh, bitterness curling her lips. ¡°Is that it? Ever since you wed your way into the Dawson family, you¡¯ve lost your tongue? I guess that¡¯s what happens when you¡¯re nothing but the Jones family¡¯s adopted stray. Landing in the Dawson house¡ªthat¡¯s the peak for someone like you, isn¡¯t it? Brendon must¡¯ve been out of his mind to marry you. What did he ever stand to gain from a nobody like you?¡±

    Christina¡¯s stare cut through Yvonne like ice, her dark eyes glinting with a cial chill that made the air feel heavier.

    ¡°W-why are you looking at me like that?¡± Yvonne stammered, shrinking back a half step, a prickle of dread running down her spine. She¡¯d never seen Christina this menacing before¡ªnot even close.

    In Yvonne¡¯s collection, Christina had spent years overseas in rigorous training, barely keeping in touch. She had only returned alone to inform them that she was about to marry Brendon. At that time, Brendon hadn¡¯t even bothered to apany Christina home or pay the Jones family a formal visit. Christina had brushed it off, iming he was swamped with work, but the Jones family had whispered behind closed doors that the Dawson family simply didn¡¯t like her.

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 Chapter 294

    ?Chapter 294:

    That day, all Christina had brought with her was a single suitcase and a million dors¡ªchump change to the Jones family. She¡¯d even dered, in that t, unppable tone of hers, that the one million squared her debt for being raised by the Jones family. The Jones family had scoffed. A million dors? Did Christina really believe that was enough to wipe the te clean? Naive didn¡¯t even cover it¡ªshe was lost in her own delusions.

    Christina let go of Yvonne¡¯s wrist, her icy stare locking onto Yvonne like a de. ¡°If you¡¯re finished spouting nonsense, get out of my way. I don¡¯t have time for your bullshit.¡±

    Yvonne darted in front of Christina again, her cheeks flushed with outrage. ¡°Hold it right there! I don¡¯t care where you heard about my father¡¯s illness, but you are not allowed to see him!¡±

    Yvonne panicked for a reason. Ever since her father¡¯s illness, he hadn¡¯t been himself. One feverish night, he even rambled that Christina had a natural gift for business, sharper than hers. He¡¯d mumbled that if Christina took the reins, maybe the Jones family¡¯s fortunes would finally turn around. What stung even more was that her own mother hadn¡¯t disagreed. She¡¯d quietly admitted that Christina¡¯s instincts were keener, her business sense more refined. If Christina came back and managed to win her parents¡¯ favor, it wouldn¡¯t be long before the Jones family business slipped right through her fingers. There was no way in hell she¡¯d sit back and watch it happen.

    Christina¡¯s eyes narrowed, her voice frigid. ¡°I told you before¡ªmy debt to the Jones family is paid in full. I owe you nothing now. You once said that even if I died out there, you wouldn¡¯t bother to im my body, and no matter how badly I messed up, it was none of your concern.¡±

    With that, Christina advanced on Yvonne, each slow, deliberate step forcing Yvonne to stumble back in panic.

    To Yvonne, Christina¡¯s gaze radiated a chilling menace. She had once lorded her status as the proud daughter of the Jones family. Now, she found herself utterly cowed, shrinking away under Christina¡¯s withering look. The Christina she remembered¡ªthe meek girl who bent at every hint of pressure¡ªwas gone. The woman before her had hardened into someone she could no longer manipte, someone genuinely formidable.

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    Christina¡¯s tone was as merciless as her expression. ¡°Whether it¡¯s you, Mack, or Liza¡ªanyone in the Jones family falling ill is no longer my concern. Whatever I owed, I¡¯ve already repaid.¡±

    The Jones family¡¯s rise wasn¡¯t some twist of fate or clever maneuvering. It had been Christina¡ªher silent contributions, her hard-won connections¡ªthat paved the way to their current sess. A final gesture of gratitude for the people who had once raised her. But that chapter was closed now. She owed them nothing. Though her name was still legally Jones, she no longer carried it in her heart.

    ¡°Repaid everything? What a joke.¡± Yvonne let out a coldugh, her voice edged with contempt. ¡°You seriously think a measly million settles the score? Don¡¯t be ridiculous.¡±

    Christina scoffed. ¡°A one-million-dor transfer is ridiculous? Tell me how much, in your definition, is not ridiculous.¡±

    Yvonne stood speechless, having meant to call Christina stingy, not expecting the burn tond on herself.

    Christina took a step forward, her tone frosty. ¡°While I still have patience, walk away, or don¡¯t me me if things get ugly.¡±

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 Chapter 295

    ?Chapter 295:

    Yvonne faltered, unnerved by the steely glint in Christina¡¯s eyes, but her pride refused to budge. ¡°Oh? What are you going to do? Hit me?¡± she snapped. ¡°Without my parents, you would have been long gone. You think a million dors can settle everything? Dream on!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve given the Jones family more than they ever deserved. Without me, you wouldn¡¯t have an ounce of the power you enjoy in Kitaso today. Every deal, every opportunity¡ªI opened those doors. So don¡¯t mention the supposed debt. That bnce was settled long ago.¡± Christina¡¯s expression hardened, her voice razor-sharp.

    Yvonne burst intoughter, as if Christina had just delivered the punchline of the century. Her amusement quickly dissolved into a violent coughing fit, her face reddening as she struggled to breathe. Still gasping, she shot Christina a venomous re. ¡°Who do you think you are? Without our family, you¡¯d be nothing! The Joneses are rising because it¡¯s our time to shine¡ªnot because of you. If you¡¯re so powerful, why didn¡¯t you make us the richest in Kitaso, huh?¡± She sneered, her voice thick with scorn. ¡°You¡¯re all talk. You think you can fool us into believing you had a hand in our sess? Don¡¯t tter yourself. No one¡¯s buying it.¡±

    Yvonne smirked. What did Christina have to do with the Jones family¡¯s sess? She was just a bitter outsider grasping for recognition that wasn¡¯t hers.

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch. Her voice was ice. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this. Move.¡± She knew it was useless to argue¡ªthey¡¯d already made up their minds, blind to the truth and deaf to reason.

    ¡°I won¡¯t move!¡± Yvonne barked, nting her feet and throwing her arms out to block Christina¡¯s way. ¡°What are you gonna do about it?¡±

    Christina¡¯s eyes narrowed. Her patience had run out. She stepped forward¡ªswift, silent¡ªand raised her hand sharply, aiming two fingers straight for Yvonne¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Yvonne shrieked, instinctively covering her eyes, fearing Christina might gouge them out. Her face turned even paler with fear.

    Your escape begins with ga ln ov els .

    Christina¡¯s fingers didn¡¯t touch Yvonne¡¯s hands or any other parts of her body.

    Yvonne, gripped by fear, dared not lower her hands. She peered cautiously through trembling fingers. But to her surprise¡ªChristina had vanished. Yvonne¡¯s hands dropped in disbelief as she scanned the empty hallway. Christina was gone. Damn it! She¡¯d been outwitted by that cunning, insufferable Christina.

    Rage surged through Yvonne¡¯s veins. She stomped her foot hard against the floor, frustration choking her until another hacking cough seized her body. Her illness was a constant shadow¡ªa relentless torment that made every breath a battle. Sometimes, the pain dragged her thoughts to dark ces, whispering escape through death. Yet, the instinct to survive held her back, shackled by fear.

    Doctors hailed around the world had all failed her. No cure, no miracle¡ªjust the fragile thread of life maintained by a cocktail of medications. Each day, her family clung to hope, cing their faith in finding King, the elusive doctor said to work wonders.

    And now, a sharp realization hit Yvonne¡ªChristina was probably heading straight for her father. Her heart pounded. She couldn¡¯t let that happen. With a fierce re, Yvonne spun on her heel and dashed off, determined to stop Christina from seizing control of the Jones Group.

    Christina was still several steps from the emergency room when she spotted Edwin pacing outside, his face drawn and anxious.

    ¡°Miss Jones,¡± Edwin called out, recognizing Christina at once. They¡¯d only met recently, but in the tense hours Dny unconscious, he had overheard Dn restlessly murmuring Christina¡¯s name¡ªproof enough of who mattered most.

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 Chapter 296

    ?Chapter 296:

    Christina didn¡¯t waste a second. ¡°How¡¯s Dn?¡± she demanded, her tone clipped and urgent.

    Edwin¡¯s hands twisted together. ¡°We don¡¯t know yet. The doctors are still inside¡ªno one¡¯se out.¡±

    She pressed Edwin, eyes narrowing. ¡°Where was he shot?¡±

    Edwin¡¯s throat tightened, but he forced the words out. ¡°Chest. The bullet caught him in the chest.¡±

    A chill ran through Christina, sharp as broken ss. Chest wound¡ªif the doctors were still working on him after all this time, the shot had to be dangerously close to his heart.

    Suddenly, the doors to the emergency room burst open. The doctor stepped out, face slick with sweat and exhaustion, but before he could get a word out, a small crowd swept down the corridor¡ªa stern-looking middle-aged woman leading a team of doctors and nurses in white coats.

    Christina immediately spotted Calvin among the crowd, his presence unmistakable.

    The doctor who¡¯d just stepped out of the emergency room stiffened, eyes darting to the middle-aged woman at the head of the group¡ªshe was the hospital¡¯s director, her authority evident in her posture.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am¡ª¡± the doctor began, only to be briskly cut off by the director. ¡°Dr. Calvin Emmett is here. He¡¯ll take over.¡±

    Calvin¡¯s name alone made the doctor¡¯s jaw drop. He was rendered momentarily speechless, his eyes fixed on the eldest man in the group.

    ¡°Fantastic! With Dr. Emmett here, the patient¡¯s got a real shot!¡± the doctor blurted, excitement and relief mingling in his voice. He couldn¡¯t hide his anticipation¡ªthis was a rare chance to watch a true master at work.

    ¡°Clear the emergency room,¡± Calvinmanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

    ???????????????? ????????: g???????¦Í?????????????

    ¡°I¡¯ll handle it right away.¡± The director¡¯s reply was immediate, her confidence in Calvin obvious.

    Christina exchanged a nce with Calvin before following Edwin out into the corridor.

    The doctor lingered by the door, crestfallen that he wouldn¡¯t get to observe Calvin¡¯s legendary technique firsthand¡ªbut just seeing the renowned surgeon in person was enough to spark his admiration. Maybe, after the operation, he¡¯d muster the courage to ask Calvin for advice on his trickiest cases.

    Calvin swept into the emergency room with his team in tow, and in an instant, the entire operation shifted under theirmand.

    Meanwhile, Dn, barely clinging to consciousness, kept mumbling Christina¡¯s name, his voice barely more than a whisper.

    Inside the bustling ER, Calvin¡¯s face tightened as he examined the scans. Even with all his experience, he knew he was out of his depth¡ªthis was a nightmare of a case. The bullet had lodged itself near Dn¡¯s coronary artery, threading the needle between life and death. One slip could send blood gushing everywhere, or worse, stop Dn¡¯s heart on the table.

    ¡°The patient¡¯s holding steady for now,¡± Calvin announced, his tone clipped and focused. ¡°Move him to the OR¡ªprepare for surgery.¡±

    A nurse blurted out, ¡°Dr. Emmett, I thought you said this was out of your league?¡±

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 Chapter 297

    ?Chapter 297:

    Calvin shot her a look, determination flickering in his eyes. ¡°It is. But there¡¯s someone out there who can pull this off.¡±

    His words sent a ripple through the surgical team¡ªeveryone knew who he meant. The name hung heavy in the air, unsaid but crackling with hope and disbelief.

    ¡°Are you talking about King?¡± someone eximed, hardly daring to believe it.

    Calvin replied with a firm nod, ¡°That¡¯s right. Take the patient to the OR immediately. I¡¯ll speak to the director and make sure the area is secure.¡±

    ¡°Understood!¡± The team sprang into action, adrenaline humming beneath their nerves. The chance to see King operate up close was a rare privilege¡ªfew had ever witnessed their work firsthand, and those who had still marveled at their skill.

    King was known for being particrly low-key and disliked having outsiders present during surgeries. Only Calvin¡¯s team had earned that trust, and even then, it was likely more out of respect for Calvin than anyone else. Just being part of Calvin¡¯s team was already an honor. Now, they were about to witness King tackle a surgery no one else dared attempt. The thought alone had their hearts racing.

    Dn¡¯s luck couldn¡¯t be overstated¡ªfew ever received King¡¯s help, and when it happened, it was entirely at King¡¯s whim. No amount of money or influence could force King¡¯s hand. Today, fortune had smiled on Dn, and the entire team was keenly aware of it.

    When Christina reappeared, she¡¯d transformedpletely. Her chest was tightly bound with cloth, and she wore crisp surgical scrubs, a mask concealing the lower half of her face. Her tall frame blurred any clear lines of gender, leaving onlookers uncertain.

    The moment she spoke, her voice was deliberately modted¡ªdeep, calm, and neutral¡ªconvincing everyone she was a man.

    With a focused, almost solemn expression, Christina began the surgery. Every movement was deliberate and wless, her hands steady as if guided by precision itself.

    L?t£åst ch?pt?rs in g??lnovels.??¦Ï??

    Calvin and his team moved seamlessly around her, their faces etched with concentration. Each member was attuned to the others, functioning like a perfectly tuned machine. No one dared look away, afraid to miss a single detail of the procedure performed by the legendary King.

    Many had imagined King to be an older, seasoned doctor, but the smooth, youthful skin told a different story. Despite being younger than most on the medical team, King wielded medical skills that rivaled¡ªand even surpassed¡ªthose of veterans. A prodigy among prodigies.

    ¡°Edwin, what¡¯s going on? Why are we made to wait out here?¡± Ralphy¡¯s brow knitted with worry as he paced restlessly.

    Beside him, Chloe¡¯s voice trembled with anxiety. ¡°How¡¯s Dn? Did the surgery go well?¡±

    Edwin lowered his voice, ncing around before replying, ¡°Mr. Scott is still in the operating room. Dr. Emmett is there with him¡­¡±

    Before Edwin could say more, Ralphy¡¯s face lit up with hope. ¡°That¡¯s a relief! With Dr. Emmett handling the surgery, Dn¡¯s in the best hands.¡±

    Edwin¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°It¡¯s not like that. Even Dr. Emmett is unable to perform this surgery.¡±

    Ralphy¡¯s hopeful expression faltered, reced by a deep frown. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you finish your sentence?¡±

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 Chapter 298

    ?Chapter 298:

    Edwin gave an awkward smile. ¡°You interrupted me, Mr. Graham.¡±

    Chloe¡¯s hand gripped Edwin¡¯s arm, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°So¡­ what does that mean for Dn? If even Dr. Emmett can¡¯t do it, then is he just¡­¡±

    The words waiting to die hovered unspoken, too heavy to voice. Chloe feared that naming death might somehow summon it. She feared her own death, and feared even more the death of her family.

    ¡°Miss Scott, try not to worry. Mr. Scott will pull through,¡± Edwin said gently. His expression twisted slightly. ¡°Could you maybe ease up? You¡¯re about to rip my arm clean off.¡±

    ¡°Oh!¡± Chloe jolted back, blinking as though waking from a trance. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, Edwin! I didn¡¯t realize¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± he replied with a calm smile. ¡°You¡¯re just worried about Mr. Scott. I get it.¡± Then, leaning in slightly, his voice dipped into a mysterious murmur. ¡°But do you know who else is in the operating room?¡±

    ¡°Who?¡± Ralphy and Chloe asked in unison, their curiosity and urgency evident as they stared at Edwin. In such a critical situation, how could Edwin still have the mood to keep them in suspense? If he weren¡¯t someone absolutely trustworthy by Dn¡¯s side, they might have suspected him of being a spy sent by enemies to infiltrate the Scott family.

    ¡°Go on. Take a guess,¡± Edwin said, entirely unbothered by their warning stares. He wasn¡¯t fidgeting like the rest of them because he knew King was in that operating room. Without that reassurance, he¡¯d be a bundle of nerves¡ªrestless and rattled like a cat on a hot tin roof.

    ¡°Edwina, spit it out already!¡± Ralphy snapped, fists clenched.

    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that!¡± Edwin hissed, clearly offended. ¡°It¡¯s Edwin!¡±

    Read the next part at ?????????¦Í??????o??

    Edwin¡¯s parents had expected a girl, so they gave him that nickname when he was born. And it stuck longer than he wanted it to, especially before his Adam¡¯s apple became obvious.

    Ralphy frowned and said, ¡°There¡¯s no difference.¡±

    ¡°Oh, there¡¯s a massive difference!¡± Edwin started, ready tounch into an enthusiastic exnation¡ªbut paused the moment he saw Ralphy¡¯s fist clench, his knuckles whitening like he was seconds away from decking him.

    Instantly, Edwin swallowed his speech. ¡°Okay, okay¡ªno need for violence. Let¡¯s keep things civilized.¡±

    Chloe, torn between nerves and curiosity, pressed. ¡°Then just tell us already, Edwin. Who else is in that operating room?¡±

    Edwin leaned in slightly, eyes scanning the hallway as if expecting hidden spies.

    ¡°Closer,¡± he whispered, motioning for Ralphy and Chloe to move toward him.

    Once they huddled in, he dropped his voice to a near-whisper. ¡°It¡¯s King.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Ralphy and Chloe eximed at the same time, their voices echoing off the hallway in shock.

    ¡°Shhh!¡± Edwin quickly brought a finger to his lips, eyes darting nervously around the hall. A few people looked over, mildly curious, but soon lost interest and returned to their own affairs.

    Ralphy leaned in, skeptical. ¡°Edwin, are you sure? You didn¡¯t get duped by some poser with a scalpel, right?¡±

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 Chapter 299

    ?Chapter 299:

    Edwin gave Ralphy an exasperated look. ¡°Not in a million years would I be duped. I¡¯m telling you¡ª¡± He lowered his voice, letting the name drop like a bomb. ¡°It¡¯s King.¡±

    Chloe blinked, unconvinced. ¡°But¡­ Isn¡¯t King known for saving people at his whim? No amount of money or pleading gets King to the table.¡±

    Edwin nodded solemnly. ¡°Exactly. King is as unpredictable as theye. Do you want to know what Dr. Emmett said to me?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Ralphy and Chloe asked in perfect unison again, their curiosity practically vibrating in the air. They both straightened, their attentionser-focused.

    Edwin leaned in closer, his voice just above a whisper. ¡°Dr. Emmett said Mr. Scott is lucky¡ªKing picked a patient at random, and Mr. Scott was the one King chose.¡± He then exhaled, envy flickering in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯d say Mr. Scott is born under a lucky star.¡±

    Ralphy nodded slowly. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s insane luck.¡± Having King step forward with his skills was like catching lightning in a bottle. Dn was really fortunate. ¡°I guess when you¡¯re that brilliant, you don¡¯t answer to anyone but yourself.¡±

    Chloe couldn¡¯t help but admire King¡¯s whimsical approach to saving lives. People begged, pleaded, and pulled strings trying to get King to save a loved one. And yet sometimes¡ªjust sometimes¡ªKing chose some patients on a whim, like a passing storm choosing where to rain.

    ¡°King ispletely capricious,¡± Edwin muttered with a hint of amusement.

    ¡°I wonder what King looks like and what kind of person King really is.¡± Chloe sighed, part admiration, part envy. If only she could be as skilled as King, life would be carefree and adventurous.

    Edwin nced around again, making sure no one was within earshot. Then, he leaned in and whispered, ¡°I heard he¡¯s a very young man with a calm, pleasant voice¡ªbut no one¡¯s ever seen his face.¡±

    Ralphymented, ¡°To have that kind of talent so young, he¡¯s got to be a freakin¡¯ genius.¡±

    Stay tuned at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s

    Chloe nodded slowly. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s enviable.¡±

    Time crept forward, each minute feeling like an hour. Still, no word came from the operating room. Yet, the tension had lessened¡ªnot because the fear was gone, but because they knew who was inside. King was there. If King couldn¡¯t save Dn, then it was unlikely anyone else could.

    Inside the Dorfield Hospital, Brendon¡¯s phone buzzed. He answered with a clipped tone. ¡°What did you say? King appeared at Kitaso Hospital?¡±

    Brendon spoke a few more words before hanging up the phone.

    ¡°Brendon, is it true King¡¯s actually at Kitaso Hospital? Or is that just another rumor?¡± Katie pressed, her brows furrowing with doubt.

    Brendon nced at Ynda, who had finally drifted into a restless sleep. ¡°Regardless of whether the news is true or not, I have to go. Time isn¡¯t on our side,¡± he said quietly, brushing a loose strand of hair from Ynda¡¯s forehead. ¡°Every day Ynda remains untreated is one more day she¡¯s trapped in pain. She doesn¡¯t have much time left.¡±

    Brendon exhaled. In the whole world, maybe only King could cure Ynda. But tracking King down was nearly impossible. Ynda¡¯s doctors had warned her that her life expectancy might not even reach ten more years¡ªand the next crisis coulde at any moment. If they didn¡¯t race against time to locate King, it would be toote¡­

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 Chapter 300

    Chapter 300:

    Brendon straightened and looked at Katie. ¡°Stay here and look after Ynda. I¡¯m going to Kitaso. I¡¯ll find King, no matter what.¡±

    ¡°Brendon, I¡¯ming too,¡± Katie insisted, determination lighting her face. He didn¡¯t argue. Without another word, the two of them rushed out of the hospital room, united in desperation and hope.

    At Kitaso Hospital, Chloe spotted Christina and rushed over, wrapping her arms around Christina in a tight embrace. ¡°Christina, you¡¯re finally back,¡± she blurted out, clinging to Christina for reassurance.

    Christina blinked in surprise, her arms instinctivelying up to hold Chloe. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± she asked, warmth softening her tone.

    After taking her medication, Chloe¡¯s health had improved significantly, and her vision had recovered enough to see clearly.

    Chloe¡¯s cheeks dimpled as she offered a sheepish smile. ¡°I was so worried about Dn that I begged Ralphy to bring me,¡± she exined. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I caused trouble.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly,¡± Christina remarked, ruffling Chloe¡¯s hair with a gentle hand. ¡°You don¡¯t need to apologize. I just didn¡¯t want you to wander around on your own and get into trouble.¡±

    Chloe¡¯s eyes darted to the elegant dessert box in Christina¡¯s hand. ¡°Is that the dessert Dr. Emmett wanted you to pick up?¡± she asked, curiosity lighting her face.

    Christina let out a soft chuckle and nodded. ¡°Yeah. This is the one Dr. Emmett loves, but it¡¯s nearly impossible to find. I had to hunt all over town before I finally tracked it down.¡±

    Edwin tapped the glossy dessert box, brows raised in mild disbelief. ¡°Do all brilliant mindse with their own set of quirks?¡± he mused, his toneced with curiosity. ¡°Who¡¯d have guessed Dr. Emmett insists on a particr dessert after surgery?¡±

    ¡°Probably,¡± Christina replied, casting a brief, searching look at the closed doors of the operating room. ¡°Is the operation still going?¡±

    g???????¦Í??????.????n ¨C ???????? ????????????????

    Chloe answered softly, ¡°It¡¯s not over yet.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Christina assured Chloe, her voice steady. ¡°With Dr. Emmett there, it should be fine.¡±

    Edwin¡¯s expression shifted, a glint of secrecy in his eyes. ¡°He¡¯s not the only one in there.¡±

    Christina yed along, feigning surprise. ¡°Oh? Is there someone even more skilled?¡±

    Leaning in, Edwin dropped his voice to a dramatic whisper. ¡°Yes. King is performing the surgery.¡±

    In Edwin¡¯s book, King hadn¡¯t shown up yet when Calvin sent Christina out for dessert, so naturally, Christina couldn¡¯t have known about King¡¯s involvement.

    Christina¡¯s calcted gasp echoed through the hall, eyes shing with measured disbelief. ¡°Wait, are you serious? You mean King¡ªthe legendary King?¡±

    Edwin nodded with all the confidence of someone announcing a miracle. ¡°Absolutely. It¡¯s really him. Dn¡¯s in the best hands possible.¡±

    ¡°With King here, Dn will definitely be fine!¡± Christina eximed, letting mock excitement dance in her voice.

    Christina slipped seamlessly into her role, never betraying a hint of her own secret. None of the three present had the faintest clue that King was standing right in front of them. Later, when the truth finally unraveled and they realized King was Christina all along, the revtion left them floored¡ªoutraged, awed, and just a little betrayed. And surely, they weren¡¯t the only ones Christina had managed to fool. Maybe knowing that would help ease the sting.

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    .<hr>

    Message from Noah: Have a great weekend dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? ¨C ? ) ?

    .

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 301

    ?Chapter 301:

    Roughly thirty minutester, a nurse finally delivered the news¡ªthe surgery was a sess, and Dn was out of danger.

    In reality, Calvin and his team had been sitting idle in the operating room before sending out the nurse to announce that the surgery was over, all to cover for Christina¡¯s discreet identity as King.

    Soon, Dn was moved to his ward¡ªalive and safe atst.

    In the private hospital room, Christina handed the elegantly wrapped dessert box to Calvin with a gentle smile, her words smooth as she slipped into her charade. ¡°Here are the desserts you asked for. And thank you, Dr. Emmett, for everything you¡¯ve done.¡±

    Calvin waved her gratitude away with a shake of his head. ¡°The credit isn¡¯t mine to take. If King hadn¡¯t unexpectedly decided to step in and operate on Mr. Scott, this surgery might not have been a sess. Truly, you should be thanking King. And frankly, Mr. Scott¡¯s luck can¡¯t be understated.¡±

    Chloe chimed in, her voice still tight with worry, ¡°Where¡¯s King now? He saved Dn¡¯s life¡ªwe should thank him face-to-face. And we haven¡¯t even paid him.¡±

    Calvin smiled faintly, a hint of admiration in his eyes. ¡°King isn¡¯t expecting any payment. He picked the case on a whim, so there¡¯s no bill.¡±

    ¡°Dn really was incredibly fortunate to catch King¡¯s attention just when it mattered most.¡± Ralphy finally exhaled, relief flooding his features as his shoulders rxed. Since King had assured them that, with proper recovery, Dn would be fine, there was no reason to worry.

    Word had it that King sometimes chose especially challenging cases to treat pro bono at hospitals, though these rare acts of generosity were typically reserved for patients in dire straits. No one had expected King to select someone as privileged as Dn.

    Ralphy had assumed King¡¯s kindness was reserved for people with nothing left. But this time, fate hadnded on Dn¡¯s side. It was true: King really did choose his patients at random, regardless of wealth or background.

    ???????????? ???????????????? ?????? ????????: g???????¦Í????????????

    ¡°Mr. Scott truly has fortune on his side,¡± Calvinmented, a knowing glint in his eyes. But only Christina picked up on the subtle message behind his words.

    ¡°If you see King again, please let him know how grateful we are. The Scott family owes him a great debt¡ªif there¡¯s ever anything we can do, we won¡¯t hesitate,¡± Chloe said sincerely, bowing to Calvin with deep respect.

    Calvin gave a tired smile and stretched, signaling the conversation was over. ¡°I need some rest now.¡±

    ¡°Let me walk you out,¡± Christina offered promptly.

    ¡°Alright.¡± Calvin gave her a quick nod, his attention shifting to Ralphy and Chloe. ¡°Make sure the patient gets plenty of rest. As long as nothing goes wrong before he wakes up, there shouldn¡¯t be any major issues. Just don¡¯t let him overexert himself in the future.¡±

    Ralphy and Chloe answered in unison, ¡°Understood!¡±

    Christina led Calvin out through the quiet corridors of the hospital, matching his brisk stride. At the entrance, she paused to watch as he climbed into his car and drove off, his taillights vanishing around the corner.

    Christina turned to head back inside, but before she could move, another vehicle glided into the parking lot. The car doors opened, and two people stepped out. What on earth were they doing at Kitaso Hospital? Her eyes narrowed for a fleeting moment, but she decided not to ignore them and strode away without a backward nce.

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 Chapter 302

    ?Chapter 302:

    Katie stormed over and stepped into Christina¡¯s path, her eyes shing with hostility. ¡°Christina! What are you doing here?¡±

    Christina tilted an eyebrow. ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t I be here?¡±

    Katie shot her a withering re and huffed. ¡°You just can¡¯t keep away, can you? How did you know Brendon wasing to Kitaso Hospital?¡±

    A faint smirk tugged at Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°How could I possibly know Brendon would be here?¡±

    Katie¡¯s stare sharpened, her toneced with threat. ¡°Let me give you some advice¡ªdon¡¯t get your hopes up. Brendon will never remarry you!¡±

    Christina let out a sharp, mocking chuckle. ¡°Did I ever say I wanted to remarry him? You¡¯re young, but your mind seems to be failing. While we¡¯re at the hospital, perhaps you should schedule a neurology consult,¡± she remarked nonchntly.

    Katie¡¯s cheeks flushed with fury, her whole body trembling with indignation. ¡°You¡¯re the one with a failing mind! Don¡¯t even think about getting close to Brendon again. It won¡¯t work¡ªno matter what you try, you¡¯ll never win Brendon back. He and Ynda are perfect for each other, and you¡¯re not going toe between them. So just stay the hell out of their lives, you hear me?¡±

    ¡°I never intend to win your brother¡¯s affection ore between him and Ynda. I¡¯m not here for your nonsense, so cut it out,¡± Christina shot back, her eyes steely and unflinching. ¡°Get the fuck out of my way.¡±

    But Katie stubbornly held her ground, blocking Christina¡¯s way. ¡°I won¡¯t budge!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Dawson,¡± Christina stated, her tone icy and controlled, her entire demeanor radiating a quiet, lethal threat. ¡°If you don¡¯t get your moronic sister out of my way right now, don¡¯t me me for what happens next.¡±

    Katie bristled, rage shing across her face. ¡°Who are you calling moronic?¡±

    g?????0¦Í??????.??????. ?????????????? ???????????????? ?????????? ?????? ??????????????

    Christina arched a brow, her voiceced with mockery. ¡°Is grasping humannguage a challenge for you?¡±

    ¡°You¡­¡± Katie¡¯s retort was cut short by Brendon¡¯s sharp, impatientmand. ¡°That¡¯s enough! We have more pressing matters to attend to. Let¡¯s not waste time here.¡±

    Katie shot Christina onest venomous re. ¡°Count yourself lucky today. If you dare follow us, you¡¯ll regret it.¡±

    Christina sent Brendon an icy nce, her lips curling in a faint, mocking smile. ¡°You might want to schedule a brain check for your sister.¡±

    Katie retorted, her tone sharp and defensive, ¡°You¡¯re the one who needs it!¡±

    Brendon¡¯s expression tightened, a deep crease settling between his brows as he stared at Christina for a long, silent moment. Suspicion flickered in his eyes¡ªhe couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that she had shown up at Kitaso Hospital just to cross paths with him, angling for his attention. But it didn¡¯t matter what games Christina yed. No amount of scheming would change his resolve. He would never remarry her. He was determined to marry the woman he loved, and that woman would only be Ynda.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have time to waste arguing with you,¡± Brendon said curtly, his voice colder than ever as he shot Christina a nce.

    Katie opened her mouth, ready for another round, but Brendon seized her arm and steered her firmly away.

    As the siblings disappeared down the hallway, Christina lingered, an amused smile curving her lips. Brendon was likely here to find King. Sadly for him, that was a lost cause. How pathetic! Just now, the legendary surgeon they were so desperate to find was standing just in front of them, yet neither of them had the faintest clue.

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 Chapter 303

    ?Chapter 303:

    Even if she revealed her discreet identity as King, Brendon and Katie wouldugh in her face and use her of pretending to be someone she could never be.

    Meanwhile, Brendon and Katie navigated the corridors until they arrived at the hospital director¡¯s office.

    Pam Welch, the director, looked up from her desk as they entered, her eyes crinkling with polite interest behind her wire-rimmed sses. ¡°To what do I owe the pleasure, Mr. Dawson?¡±

    Brendon wasted no time. ¡°Ms. Welch, I heard King is in this hospital today.¡±

    Pam¡¯s smile broadened with refined ease. ¡°News certainly travels fast in this city, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    Without missing a beat, Brendon flicked a card onto her desk with practiced ease. ¡°I¡¯m willing to pay very generously for King¡¯s contact information.¡±

    Pam¡¯sposure remained fixed and polite. ¡°Mr. Dawson, I¡¯d be happy to take your money if I actually had King¡¯s contact info. Unfortunately, I don¡¯t.¡±

    Katie shot her a skeptical re and pressed. ¡°You really expect us to believe that? Or are you just holding out for a higher offer?¡±

    Pam¡¯s expression turned frosty as she turned her attention to Katie. ¡°Miss Dawson, if I wanted to cash in, the Dawson family wouldn¡¯t even make the list. There¡¯s not much to gain from you.¡±

    Katie¡¯s eyes shed with indignation. ¡°How arrogant! My family is well-known in Dorfield. Who are you to look down on us?¡±

    A dryugh slipped from Pam¡¯s lips. ¡°Did I say anything untrue? If I actually intended to profit from selling King¡¯s contact, why would I waste time with your family? The crumbs from the tables of real power yers are worth more than anything you could scrape together.¡±

    Her tone was blunt and unbothered. If she genuinely possessed King¡¯s contact information and nned to sell it, the Dawson family would never even enter her consideration. She would aim straight for the city¡¯s elite¡ªthose with enough influence and wealth to offer both rewards and protection. Only a fool would try to squeeze a lesser family for pennies when there were much bigger prizes waiting.

    M??? ?¦Ñ?¦Á??? ?? ?¦Á??¦Ò¦Í???.?¦Ò?

    Katie¡¯s face turned crimson, but instead of backing off, she snapped, ¡°Seriously? Looking down on my family is one thing, but setting your sights on the city¡¯s elite? You think you can y with fire and not get burned?¡±

    Pam raised an eyebrow, her responseced with indifference. ¡°You made it sound like cozying up to you would do me any favors. Don¡¯t make meugh. And if I ever decided to y with fire, I would brace myself for the consequences.¡±

    Katie opened her mouth to argue, but Brendon quickly stepped in, gripping her arm. ¡°Couldn¡¯t you just shut it?¡± He frowned, ring at her.

    Turning to Pam, Brendon gave a tight, apologetic smile. ¡°I apologize on my sister¡¯s behalf. She doesn¡¯t always think before she speaks. She didn¡¯t mean any offense.¡±

    Pam¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t soften. ¡°No offense taken,¡± she said icily. ¡°But she could use a lesson in manners.¡±

    To Pam, Brendon¡¯s apology felt hollow. He hadn¡¯t stopped Katie when she initially mouthed off, so this felt like nothing more than an empty gesture. Katie, stung by the remark, opened her mouth to fire back, but Brendon pulled her back sharply, his eyes a silent warning.

    ¡°My sister crossed a line earlier, and for that, I truly apologize,¡± Brendon said. ¡°Please don¡¯t hold it against her. She¡¯s still too young.¡±

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 Chapter 304

    ?Chapter 304:

    Pam arched an eyebrow. ¡°Young? Isn¡¯t she an adult?¡±

    Calling a grown woman ¡°young¡± to excuse her behavior felt almostughable. Her family might indulge her forever, but outsiders wouldn¡¯t just let such disrespect slide. This overt protection would only set her up for serious trouble in the future.

    Brendon took a deep breath and then bowed his head respectfully. ¡°My sister made a mistake, I¡¯m asking for your forgiveness.¡± He tugged at Katie¡¯s hand, urging her to follow his lead.

    Katie¡¯s pride red, but the image of Ynda¡ªfrail and ill¡ªcut through her stubbornness. With a clenched jaw and lowered gaze, she finally spoke. ¡°Ms. Welch, I was wrong. I apologize.¡±

    Pam had already made her judgment. From Katie¡¯s temper to Brendon¡¯s weak defense, nothing about them impressed her.

    ¡°Now that you¡¯ve apologized,¡± she replied tly, ¡°you can leave if you have nothing more to say.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Welch, even if you can¡¯t give me King¡¯s contact information, could you at least point me in the right direction? I need to find King. My fianc¨¦e¡¯s condition is critical. Please, do you have any idea where King might be?¡±

    Brendon¡¯s voice was steady, but the desperation in his eyes was evident. He didn¡¯t back down, unwilling to leave without at least a hint.

    ¡°Even the smallest clue would mean more to me than you could imagine. I¡¯d owe you for it.¡±

    Pam¡¯s expression tightened. She shook her head slowly, her lips pressing into a thin line. ¡°I don¡¯t have his number. I don¡¯t know where he lives,¡± she said tly. ¡°Please don¡¯t make this difficult for me. All I can tell you is King seems to be a young man, or at least he appears that way. Always masked. No one¡¯s ever seen his real face.¡±

    She wasn¡¯t certain of King¡¯s gender¡ªthere weren¡¯t any telling signs.

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    Brendon leaned forward slightly, his voice growing more insistent as he asked, ¡°Is King still at the hospital?¡±

    ¡°He just took off,¡± Pam said, tossing out a lie to shake Brendon and Katie off. ¡°If you hurry, though, you might still catch him.¡± The truth was, Calvin had left a while back, and King had already slipped away. The odds of Brendon and Katie finding King now were next to none.

    ¡°Thank you, Ms. Welch!¡± Brendon said quickly, his words almost tumbling out as he spun on his heel, already turning toward the door. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure toe back and thank you properlyter.¡±

    Katie let out a quiet scoff and strode out after him without a word.

    Pam watched Katie¡¯s retreating back, her eyes turning cold. Katie¡¯s entitled attitude was a disaster waiting to happen. She bet Katie would end up facing the consequences of her actions one day.

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 Chapter 305

    ?Chapter 305:

    Stepping out of Pam¡¯s office with Katie in tow, Brendon hurried into the sunlight. They split up, each scouring a different corner, only to reunite in the parking lot, empty-handed and frustrated. No matter how hard they searched, King was nowhere in sight.

    A wave of frustration washed over Brendon as he remembered Ynda¡¯s constant battle with her illness¡ªhis chest tightened with worry.

    ¡°Brendon, we only know that King might be a young man, but we have no idea what he looks like. How are we supposed to pick him out from a crowd?¡± Katie¡¯s frown deepened. Not once during her search had she seen anyone who matched the mysterious air they expected from King.

    ¡°No one really knows what King looks like. He keeps his face hidden. Maybe we¡¯ll just have to trust our gut¡ªor hope that fate shines on Ynda and she bes the next person King helps.¡± Shrugging in defeat, Brendon let out a breath. Whether they trusted their instincts during the search or pinned their hopes on King voluntarily offering to treat Ynda, either choice felt unlikely to lead anywhere.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t King help someone at Kitaso Hospital? Maybe Ynda¡¯s luck wille through for her this time.¡± Katie perked up.

    Brendon¡¯s shoulders sagged. ¡°It¡¯s so frustrating! We finally got a lead, but showed up toote. Who knows when we¡¯ll hear another word about King?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t give up. If we keep trying, something will turn up. We¡¯ll find a way to save Ynda.¡± Trying to keep his spirits up, Katie ced a reassuring hand on his arm.

    ¡°I hope you¡¯re right,¡± Brendon replied with a weary nod.

    Katie hesitated, ncing back toward the hospital entrance. ¡°So, what now? Are we heading back to Dorfield?¡±

    ¡°Yes. King is nowhere to be found, and Ynda¡¯s still in the hospital back in Dorfield. I can¡¯t shake the worry she might have another episode.¡± Brendon nced toward the road. No doctor so far could exin Ynda¡¯s illness. The source of her suffering remained a mystery, baffling even the experts. Each episode came without warning¡ªsometimes clustered together, other times separated by months. There was never a pattern.

    Just as they turned to leave, a startled voice rang out behind them. ¡°Hey! What are you two doing here?¡±

    Neither Brendon nor Katie could ce the voice at first. Both turned to find Yvonne standing just a few steps away.

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    A flicker of annoyance crossed Katie¡¯s face. Of all people, why did Christina¡¯s sister have to show up now? She disliked anyone associated with Christina.

    ¡°Are you here looking for Christina?¡± Yvonne asked tentatively.

    Katie rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°As if we¡¯d waste our time on Christina.¡±

    Suspicion shed in Yvonne¡¯s eyes. ¡°Did something happen? Did you and Christina get into an argument?¡± she pressed, looking to Brendon for answers.

    ¡°No,¡± Brendon¡¯s reply was distant.

    A sneer curled Katie¡¯s lips. ¡°Hadn¡¯t she told you? She¡¯s been kicked out of our family. Brendon divorced her.¡±

    Shock widened Yvonne¡¯s eyes, but a glimmer of satisfaction hid just beneath the surface. Her emotions stirred, causing her to cough a few times. Inside, she was rejoicing at the notion that Christina had been dumped by Brendon! Ha-ha¡­ Katie misread the cough, thinking Yvonne was beside herself with sadness. A smug grin appeared. ¡°Guess Christina never saw you as real family. Something this big, and she didn¡¯t even bother to tell you.¡±

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 Chapter 306

    ?Chapter 306:

    ¡°What did Christina do to deserve all this?¡± Red-rimmed eyes stared usingly at Brendon as Yvonne feigned outrage, eager to squeeze out the details. The real story, Yvonne figured, had to be more shameful than Christina would ever admit¡ªand Yvonne was determined to drag the truth into the light.

    Katie began, her baseless usations flowing smoothly. ¡°Are you really unaware of what kind of person Christina is? She never stops running after men, not even when she¡¯s already married.¡±

    Brendon cut her off before she could go any further. ¡°That¡¯s enough, Katie.¡±

    Turning to Yvonne, he kept his tone level. ¡°Christina¡¯s not at fault here. She and I just weren¡¯t right for each other. Now, excuse me.¡±

    Brendon shot Katie a look and strode away.

    ¡°Christina is just the adopted daughter of the Jones family. She¡¯s not good enough for Brendon.¡± Katie tossed out this remark and hurried to catch up with Brendon.

    Left behind, Yvonne blinked back the sting in her eyes, but a tiny smile curved her lips as she watched the two depart.

    Katie¡¯s usations about Christina¡¯s supposed actions rang hollow. They didn¡¯t match what Yvonne knew of Christina. Given Christina¡¯s attitude toward men, it was unlikely she would actively pursue anyone. But the fact that Christina had always been treated as lesser by the Dawson family for being only the adopted child and never the true Jones heiress was understandable. Brendon must have realized that tying himself to Christina brought no advantage and likely regretted that decision.

    A sudden swell of satisfaction bloomed on Yvonne¡¯s face, her smile widening with each thought. ¡°Oh, Christina¡ªso proud once, now thrown away. How amusing!¡± she muttered under her breath, barely containing her delight. Memories of Christina¡¯s announcement of marrying Brendon shed in Yvonne¡¯s mind. Back then, jealousy had gnawed at her¡ªhow could an adopted girlnd a catch like Brendon? Today, however, upon learning about Christina¡¯s divorce, she felt triumphant. Curiosity bubbled up¡ªwho would Christina settle for next? Surely not anyone remarkable. There was no way she¡¯d end up with an aplished man.

    Once, Yvonne had always felt a step behind Christina. But things were different now. Where marriage prospects were concerned, she was determined toe out ahead. Surpassing Christina felt inevitable now¡ªafter all, divorce and disgrace had ruined Christina¡¯s reputation. No respectable family would take Christina seriously anymore. Even if anyone considered her again, it would only be for a fleeting affair¡ªnever for something real.

    Yvonne¡¯s spirits soared with each passing thought. She marched out of the parking lot feeling like she¡¯d finally imed a victory. Her pace quickened as she was eager.

    To share the news of Christina being kicked out of the Dawson family with her parents, who would likely never consider handing thepany over to Christina, was a delicate matter.

    Find what you love at g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s???????

    Meanwhile, in a quiet private hospital room, Chloe¡¯s voice was barely above a whisper.

    ¡°Christina, do you think Dn will be awake soon?¡±

    ¡°He shoulde around by tomorrow night at thetest,¡± Christina replied, her words soft and reassuring.

    Curiosity flickered in Chloe¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Did Dr. Emmett tell you that?¡±

    Christina nodded.

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s what he told me.¡± She looked at Chloe and Ralphy. ¡°Why don¡¯t you head home and get some rest? I can handle things here.¡±

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 Chapter 307

    ?Chapter 307:

    Worry pinched Chloe¡¯s features.

    ¡°Are you sure you can manage on your own?¡±

    ¡°Yes. There¡¯s a bed here for me, so I can get some sleep if I need it.¡± A soft smile appeared on Christina¡¯s face.

    Ralphy chimed in, his tone supportive.

    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll go for now. I¡¯ll drop byter so you can take a break.¡±

    Earlier, Samuel had stopped by to check on Dn. He had run into Christina and Calvin outside and left reassured after hearing that Dn was stable.

    ¡°Sounds good,¡± Christina replied.

    Ralphy gently nudged Chloe.

    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go.¡±

    Chloe looked back, reluctant to leave.

    ¡°Christina, we¡¯re heading out. If anything happens, promise you¡¯ll call us.¡±

    Christina gave a simple nod.

    ¡°I will.¡±

    The room settled into peaceful silence once their footsteps faded away, with only the steady hum of medical machines breaking the quiet.

    With onest nce at Dn, Christina prepared to rest, shifting onto the other bed¡ªonly to freeze when a soft, unexpected voice drifted through the room.

    ¡°Christina.¡± Dn¡¯s voice, soft as a midnight breeze, whispered her name into the stillness.

    ¡°Christina,¡± he called again, low and hoarse, as if reaching for her from the depths of a dream. His eyes remained closed, his expression tense. A crease marked his brow, and his head shifted slightly on the pillow, restless and uneasy, as if trapped in a troubled dream.

    The sight drew Christina forward before she could think. She slipped into the chair beside him and took his cold hand in both of hers, holding it with fierce tenderness.

    Once more, Dn¡¯s voice, thin and restless, echoed softly near her ear.

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    ¡°Christina.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m right here,¡± she whispered, leaning closer. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere. I promise.¡±

    Suddenly, his fingers mped down on hers, desperate¡ªclinging. His agitation began to ease, his shoulders losing some of their tension as hetched onto the sound of her voice. Gradually, his breathing steadied, though the furrow between his brows lingered stubbornly.

    Christina lifted one hand and, with infinite care, stroked his forehead, gently smoothing away the tension.

    Atst, his brow rxed beneath her touch, and his grip loosened, the fight ebbing from his body as he drifted into calmer dreams.

    Christina listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing and assumed the nightmare had finally passed. She tried to ease her hand free, moving slowly so as not to wake him.

    But before she could slip away, Dn¡¯s grip tightened suddenly, his fingers clinging desperately¡ªas if terrified she might disappear.

    ¡°Don¡¯t go¡­ Please, don¡¯t go¡­¡±

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 Chapter 308

    ?Chapter 308:

    His frail voice trembled, the words escaping in a half-dreamed plea. His brow creased again, tension flickering across his face as he held her hand tightly.

    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving, Dn. I¡¯ll stay right here with you,¡± Christina promised, her voice a gentle murmur meant to soothe.

    Yet her reassurance went unheard. Instead, his grip only grew stronger, his knuckles paling as he clung to her hand.

    A faint wince crossed Christina¡¯s face, and she let out a soft gasp.

    ¡°Dn, you¡¯re hurting me.¡±

    That quiet cry broke through wherefort had failed. Instantly, Dn released her, his fingers loosening. But a heartbeatter, his hand reached for hers again¡ªthis time tentative and tender, as if afraid she might break.

    Sitting in the chair, Christina gazed down at their intertwined hands, her thoughts lingering on that fragile, childlike panic in his touch. A faint smile tugged at her lips. For someone as guarded and distant as Dn, this vulnerability was strangely sweet¡ªand unexpectedly endearing.

    She cradled Dn¡¯s hand in hers, her voice barely above a whisper as she let out a softugh.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯m not going anywhere. I¡¯ll stay right here until you wake up.¡±

    Her gaze lingered on his face. Without the usual tension of consciousness, the sharp lines of his features had softened. He looked paler now, but that only made his handsomeness more striking¡ªthere was something otherworldly about him, even in sleep. The elegance of his figure and the refined angles of his face felt almost too perfect for reality.

    Usually so cold andposed, Dn now seemed utterly defenseless. The contrast stirred something in Christina¡¯s chest.

    ¡°Rx, or you¡¯ll end up with frown lines.¡±

    Her slender fingertips moved with slow tenderness, coaxing the tightness from his brow while whispering soothing words.

    L?t??t ch¦Ápt?rs ¦Én g??lnov?l??.???m

    Christina caught the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of Dn¡¯s lips, as if he were quietly amused. Had she not known better, she might have thought he was pretending to sleep.

    Time trickled by in silence. Christina couldn¡¯t bring herself to lie on the nearby bed. Instead, she stayed at his side, fingers stillced with his as she drifted off in the chair.

    A sudden sound jolted Christina awake¡ªthe soft click of the door opening. Her heart skipped a beat. Who wasing in at this hour?

    Christina¡¯s mind raced. Maybe it was just a doctor making rounds, or a nurse checking in, but something about this felt different.

    Her senses sharpened, her posture immediately shifting as years of training kicked in. The footsteps that approached weren¡¯t those of a typical hospital staff member. They were too controlled, too quiet¡ªmore akin to the stealthy steps of a professional assassin than someone here for a routine check.

    Blinking slowly as though waking from a nap, Christina let her gaze driftzily toward the neer. A white coat and a surgical mask concealed his features, offering her no clue as to his identity.

    Feigning drowsiness, she yed along. ¡°Doctor? Is it time for the IV already?¡±

    The man¡¯s response was neutral, ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s the IV bag, then?¡± she asked, her voice tinged with just the right amount of confusion to make her act believable.

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 Chapter 309

    ?Chapter 309:

    The man¡¯s expression remained unchanging as he replied calmly, ¡°A nurse wille to administer the IV soon. I¡¯m here to give him an injection first.¡±

    A flicker of wariness crossed the man¡¯s eyes, but he masked it quickly. He clearly underestimated Christina, assuming she was no more than a clueless woman who didn¡¯t realize the danger that was right in front of her. Even if he injected Dn with poison in front of her, he thought, she wouldn¡¯t notice. By the time she realized something was wrong, it would be toote. He assumed it would be after Dn¡¯s death that she would finally understand what had transpired.

    Christina stretchedzily and yawned indifferently, ying her part. ¡°Sure, do whatever you need,¡± she responded.

    A sly smile tugged at the assassin¡¯s lips. This woman was, without a doubt, foolish. His guard lowered even further, his confidence growing with each passing second.

    Silently, the assassin mocked the na?vet¨¦ of Dn¡¯s circle. After surviving a life-threatening ordeal, it was this ¡°useless¡± woman who stood guard over him. Against all odds, Dn had survived what should have been a fatal shot, saved only by King¡¯s intervention at thest possible moment.

    But now, with that unfinished business, the organization had sent this assassin to tie up the loose ends.

    The syringe in the assassin¡¯s hand gleamed in the dim light as he took a step forward, his smirk widening beneath the mask. One shot of that poison, and Dn¡¯s fate would be sealed. No miracle could change that oue.

    Just as the assassin prepared to inject Dn with the poison, a chilling breeze swept through the room. Instinct screamed a warning¡ªsomething was off. In an instant, he ducked, barely missing a punch aimed straight for his jaw, the air crackling with deadly intent. The woman he had dismissed as harmless was, in fact, a fighter. The force behind her blow was undeniable, her strength unmistakable.

    There was no time to second-guess. The assassin gritted his teeth, forced onto the defensive by Christina¡¯s furious assault. Letting his guard down had been a disastrous mistake. Beneath her calm exterior, she concealed the instincts of a seasonedbatant.

    Still clutching the syringe filled with poison, he lunged at Christina, his teeth bared in a snarl, aiming to strike with the needle.

    But Christina wasn¡¯t about to give him the chance. The opening she gave him had been intentional¡ªa calcted move to draw him in. He took the bait.

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    Triumph shed in Christina¡¯s eyes as she grabbed his hand holding the syringe and drove a powerful punch into his chest.

    Though his bones held firm, the blow sent a shock of agony through him, stealing his breath. The pain forced his hand open, and in one swift motion, Christina seized the syringe from his grasp.

    Shock registered in the assassin¡¯s eyes as he realized the syringe was gone. His reflexes kicked in, and he lunged for it. But before he could react, a swift, merciless kick sent him sprawling to the ground.

    Outssed at every turn, hey there, stunned and humiliated. Despite his reputation as one of the organization¡¯s elite assassins, he had been dismantled by her in mere seconds. The shame of failing a mission was one thing; being taken apart so easily by a woman stung his pride even more.

    Breathless, his scowl deepened. He spat out a single question, refusing to yield. ¡°Who the hell are you?¡±

    The assassin btedly realized that nothing about this woman was ordinary. Her mastery of bothbat and disguise was on another level entirely. Letting his guard down had been a fatal error¡ªhe had paid the price for underestimating her. Bitter humiliation gnawed at him. Losing to a woman stung in a way he couldn¡¯t stomach.

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 Chapter 310

    ?Chapter 310:

    ¡°Looks like I¡¯m the splinter you can¡¯t dig out.¡± Christina arched a brow and shed a taunting smile.

    Her attitude infuriated the assassin. Barely containing his rage, he muttered through clenched teeth,

    ¡°You¡¯re some kind of bodyguard hired by the Scott family, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Something like that.¡± Christina nodded. Dn had indeed hired her, though her role was to apany Chloe and help her enjoy life¡ªwith a very generous sry.

    Remorse twisted his features.

    ¡°I misjudged you. Thought you were just another ordinary woman.¡± He clenched his jaw.

    Christina pressed her advantage, nting a foot on his chest.

    ¡°Now it¡¯s my turn¡ªwho sent you after Dn? Did you have a hand in the shot to his chest?¡±

    A sneer curled the assassin¡¯s lips as he refused to give in.

    ¡°Good question!¡± he spat, suddenly producing a hidden dagger and swiping at her foot.

    Christina¡¯s fast reflexes saved her. She dodged with ease as he sprang up andunched another desperate attack. It was clear¡ªhe wanted to escape, not prolong the fight. Another round would only end in defeat for him.

    The assassin suddenly retreated, flinging the dagger her way to buy a few precious seconds.

    Christina ducked the de, but the danger escted¡ªa silenced pistol appeared in the assassin¡¯s grasp.

    ¡°Just die already!¡± the assassin growled, fury breaking through. Initially, his mission had been to eliminate only Dn. But Christina¡¯s interference pushed him to kill her without hesitation.

    Confidence painted a crooked smile across his face as he squeezed the trigger, sure of her demise.

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    But Christina moved with impossible speed¡ªthe bullet whistled past harmlessly.

    The sheer speed of her reaction stunned the assassin. How was that even possible? Frozen for a split second, he tried to fire again, but his strength abruptly failed him. His limbs turned to lead, and he crashed to the floor, powerless to continue. His grip faltered, and the gun slipped from his numb fingers, now useless.

    ¡°What¡­ what have you done to me?¡± The assassin¡¯s voice trembled, pure fear recing his earlier defiance.

    A sly grin tugged at Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°Just gave you a tiny dose of poison.¡±

    Disbelief twisted his features. ¡°No way! When did you poison me? I didn¡¯t sense a thing!¡±

    Christina let out augh. ¡°If you had figured out the moment I slipped poison into you, then I¡¯d fail to live up to the name Noxin,¡± she said with a hint of mischief.

    Astonishment widened the assassin¡¯s eyes as her words struck. ¡°Noxin? Holy shit!¡± he gasped, staring at her in a mix of horror and awe. ¡°You¡ªare you seriously that Noxin? The master of poisons who kills without a trace?¡±

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 Chapter 311

    ?Chapter 311:

    Christina¡¯s nod was slow, her smile never fading. ¡°That¡¯s me. But I do more than kill. My skills can also save a life, depending on my mood.¡±

    ¡°This can¡¯t be true¡­ Rumor has it that Noxin is an elderly man with white hair and a wrinkled face. You¡¯re just a young woman!¡± The assassin still refused to ept this. Rumors and whispers from his organization came flooding back, and every ount described Noxin as an elderly gentleman. There was no way Noxin was actually this young woman before him, unless their intelligence had suffered a major error.

    ¡°Ever wonder who started those rumors?¡± Christina asked, her tone yfully sinister.

    The color drained from the assassin¡¯s face. ¡°Wait¡­ Was it you who spread the false information?¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Christina replied, her voiceced with satisfaction. When she assumed the identity of Noxin, she would disguise herself as an elderly man. She had indeed nted the stories and led the world astray.

    Dread consumed the assassin. ¡°Noxin¡­¡± He trembled all over, as if caught in a winter gale. Stories of Noxin¡¯s cruelty haunted even the bravest assassins¡ªrumors of tortures so severe that victims begged for death. Even the toughest assassins couldn¡¯t withstand Noxin¡¯s merciless methods.

    The assassin¡¯s strength drained from his limbs, leaving him too feeble to even pick up the silenced pistol lying on the floor. At this point, fighting back was futile.

    ¡°Who the hell sent you after Dn?¡± Christina¡¯s voice remained level, her gaze sharp.

    ¡°You know we never reveal our client¡¯s identity,¡± the assassin muttered, a wry, almost defeated smile twisting his lips. He¡¯d epted his fate¡ªescape was impossible. What rotten luck, he thought, to fall into the hands of the notorious Noxin. Noxin wasn¡¯t just a master of toxins; her skills inbat were equally ruthless.

    Christina gave a cold, confident smile. ¡°Trust me. You¡¯ll be begging to confess before I¡¯m done.¡±

    Anyone who crossed her path would end up confessing every secret, unless death imed them first.

    The assassin let out a dryugh. ¡°Why are you so sure I even know the employer¡¯s information in the first ce?¡±

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    She arched an eyebrow, unruffled. ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but you¡¯ll reveal anything you know when the pain starts. Sooner orter, everyone breaks.¡±

    He coughed, his lips curling into a bitter grin. ¡°Nah, you won¡¯t get the chance.¡±

    Christina¡¯s expression shifted as she realized something. She darted forward just as the assassin¡¯s features contorted, his skin nching, his lips turning blue. Shit! He¡¯d bitten down on the poisoned capsule hidden in his mouth, choosing death over betrayal. She never imagined he¡¯d turn out to be a suicide operative.

    ¡°Ugh!¡± The assassin choked, spitting up a mouthful of inky blood as his body crumpled to the floor. Even as death crept over him, his eyes remained locked on her, a wry smile flickering across his lips.

    ¡°To meet the infamous Noxin in person before I go¡­ Not too bad,¡± the assassin murmured. And with that, the light faded from his eyes.

    The poison worked with terrifying speed. Christina hadn¡¯t even realized its existence until it was far toote. The assassin had probably crushed the capsule in his mouth just as she pressed him about his employer.

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 Chapter 312

    ?Chapter 312:

    Without hesitation, Christina pulled out her phone, stealing a nce at Dn, who stilly unconscious in the hospital bed. Her expression hardened. She turned on her heel and strode out of the ward, dialing Davina as she walked.

    ¡°Send the cleanup crew to Kitaso Hospital now,¡± Christina ordered quietly. ¡°There¡¯s a body that needs to disappear. And I want to know exactly which organization this assassin was working for.¡±

    ¡°Understood!¡± Davina¡¯s response was crisp and professional¡ªshe wasted no time alerting the team.

    After arranging the cleanup team, Davina called Christina back. Christina answered, already bracing for a barrage of questions.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Davina¡¯s voice was tense. ¡°Was this a hit on you? Is your cover blown?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Christina replied, her voice calm but steely. ¡°They were after Dn.¡±

    ¡°Oh, right! I almost forgot about his situation. Was his surgery a sess?¡± Davina inquired, her tone shifting.

    ¡°The operation went smoothly¡ªDn¡¯s stable now,¡± Christina remarked, her tone calm but brisk. ¡°But word got out. The organization sent another assassin to poison him while he was recovering.¡±

    Davina¡¯s concern sharpened. ¡°Were you injured?¡±

    ¡°Not a scratch. But I couldn¡¯t get a name. We still have no idea who¡¯s after Dn.¡±

    Davina let out a relieved breath. ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t care about anyone else. As long as you¡¯re safe, nothing else matters.¡±

    Christina felt a wave of warmth in her heart at Davina¡¯s words. No matter what she encountered, she knew Davina would always be in her corner, fierce and unwavering¡ªher loyalty unshakable.

    ¡°Hello? Christina, are you still there? Can you hear me? Say something¡ªare you alright?¡± Davina¡¯s anxious voice crackled through the phone, her concern bleeding into every syble.

    A softugh escaped Christina. ¡°I¡¯m fine, honestly. I¡¯mpletely unharmed.¡±

    ¡°You went silent abruptly and scared me half to death,¡± Davina¡¯s reliefsted only a second before her tone sharpened. ¡°You need to stay out of Dn¡¯s messes. He isn¡¯t your responsibility. Trust me, getting mixed up with men never ends well. And don¡¯t try to dodge the question¡ªhave you fallen for him? For an ordinary friend, is risking exposing your discreet identity really worth it?¡±

    Read it all on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Her wordsnded hard, crisp with worry and a hint of caution.

    A moment of stillness washed over Christina as memories of her panic resurfaced when she learned Dn had been shot. However, she reasoned that it wasn¡¯t about romance. If Chloe or Davina had been in danger, her reaction would have been just as fierce, and her help would havee just as swiftly.

    Dn¡¯s face shed in Christina¡¯s mind, and she steadied herself. A soft chuckle escaped her. ¡°You¡¯re reading too much into it. If something had happened to you or Chloe, I¡¯d be right there, too. You¡¯re my closest friends, and Chloe and Dn are worth saving in my mind. I wouldn¡¯t hesitate for any of you. It has nothing to do with romantic feelings.¡±

    Davina was silent for a moment before asking, ¡°Are you telling the truth?¡±

    Christina¡¯s response came without hesitation. ¡°Of course. I mean it.¡±

    ¡°Then exercise caution and don¡¯t risk exposing your discreet identity as an assassin. Plenty of people out there are waiting for a chance to kill you. The moment your identity slips, you¡¯ll have even more enemies than Dn,¡± Davina warned.

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 Chapter 313

    ?Chapter 313:

    Although Christina had stepped away from the assassin¡¯s path, her name still drew attention. Rivals and those she had surpassed in both reputation and skill were still hunting for a chance to settle the score. Her reputation as the top assassin was both a shield and a curse. The throne at the top of the assassin hierarchy demanded constant vignce. Anyone craving that title would have to challenge her first. Even those content with second ce would dly see her fall.

    Davina never cared about the Scott family¡¯s legacy. Her only concern was Christina¡¯s safety¡ªthe friend she cherished most. Trust ran deep between them. Of everyone in her world, Christina was the one she believed inpletely. That faith was mutual, unshakeable on both sides.

    A gentle promise followed. ¡°I understand,¡± Christina assured her, her voice quiet but resolute.

    Danger never truly frightened Christina, but being hunted by too many at once could wear anyone down. Out in the open, threats could be faced head-on. But hidden enemies? They left her constantly watching her back, never at ease. All she wanted was the quiet certainty of a simple life¡ªdays free of danger, filled only with peace. No one wished to spend every hour in the shadow of mortal peril.

    After chatting with Davina for a while longer, Christina ended the call and made her way back to Dn¡¯s ward. Upon entering, she noticed that every trace of the recent¡­

    The fight had vanished ¡ª the assassin¡¯s body gone, the space pristine, as if violence had never touched it.

    Christina¡¯s gaze drifted to Dn, still lost in a deep sleep, unaware of the chaos that had just unfolded. Her gentle eyes traced his features¡ªhis sharp nose, lips pressed together, their color a touch too pale.

    Morning arrived. Golden sunlight spilled through the window, casting soft patterns across the sheets. Dn¡¯s eyelids flickered as he drifted toward waking. He blinked, slowly adjusting to the light, and noticed his hand enveloped in another¡¯s grasp. Confusion creased his brow.

    Lowering his gaze, he spotted Christina slumped at his bedside, one delicate hand wrapped firmly around his. A smile cracked across his parched lips, faint but real.

    Though thirst gnawed at him, seeing Christina there made everything else fade into the background. Relief poured through him as he realized she was safe, real, and within reach ¡ª not just a fleeting dream.

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    The nightmare still clung to him ¡ª a horrifying scene where Christina had been in mortal danger, and he had been powerless to help. The heart-wrenching pain of losing her in that dream had left him with a hollow ache. As the fear subsided, a quiet understanding began to bloom. Somewhere along the way, his feelings for Christina had shifted, growing deeper than he¡¯d ever expected. Yet the exact moment of that change escaped him.

    It dawned on Dn that there was truly something unique about Christina, something that set her apart from everyone else. Right now, she was curled up beside him, the back of her head the only thing he could see, yet his heart raced as their hands remained intertwined. Never before had her presence felt so vital, and he realized, perhaps for the first time, that he was somewhat smitten.

    An impulse overtook him. His strong fingers tightened around Christina¡¯s slender hand. Letting go was unthinkable¡ªhe wanted to hold onto her forever. His gaze lingered on her peaceful form, as if by memorizing her in this moment, he could keep her forever.

    So absorbed in Christina, Dn remained oblivious to the world around him,pletely unaware of another presence in the room.

    Not far away, Ralphy stirred on the sofa and groggily opened his eyes, greeted by the sight of Christina sleeping in the bedside chair, her head resting gently on the edge of the bed.

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 Chapter 314

    ?Chapter 314:

    A crease formed on Ralphy¡¯s forehead¡ªwhy hadn¡¯t Christina simply taken the other bed to get some real rest? Memories from the night before flickered in his mind. He hade to relieve her, urging her to rest, but every time she tried to leave, Dn had called out her name. In the end, Christina had stayed by his side, waiting for him to drift off, before taking the spare bed.

    Morning came and went, but Christina had not moved from her post. Even after Ralphy had slept through the night, she remained there, her exhaustion evident.

    The sight struck Ralphy deeply. He was about to get up and insist that she switch to the bed, but he stopped short when he saw Dn¡¯s eyes wide open.

    Excitement lit up Ralphy¡¯s face. ¡°Dn!¡± he eximed, springing to his feet. ¡°You¡¯re finally awake!¡±

    That burst of joy shattered the morning calm, snapping Dn from his reverie and stirring Christina from her slumber.

    Dn¡¯s sharp gazended on Ralphy, a steely intensity in his eyes.

    Still basking in relief, Ralphy continued with augh, ¡°You have no idea how much trouble you caused while you were unconscious! Every time Miss Jones tried ¡­

    ¡°To withdraw your hand, you¡¯d call out for her, as if your life depended on it. She ended up stuck by your side the whole night. You really owe her for that.¡±

    Undeterred by Dn¡¯s icy re, Ralphy continued without pause. ¡°Miss Jones, you¡¯re awake! Why not get some proper rest? I bet your neck is killing you after sleeping like that.¡±

    Lying on the hospital bed, Dn¡¯s usually unppable expression flickered with awkwardness. He hesitated and slowly released Christina¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for making you stay by my side all night.¡± He gazed at Christina apologetically.

    Azy stretch and wide yawn escaped Christina as she straightened up. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± she replied, shaking off the stiffness. She offered Dn a reassuring smile. ¡°Dr. Emmett said that once you wake up, you¡¯ll be fine. Just focus on recuperating afterward.¡±

    Confusion crept into Dn¡¯s features. ¡°So it was Dr. Emmett who pulled me through?¡±

    After the nearly fatal shot, he had fallen into aa, trapped in nightmares with no awareness of reality.

    Ralphy jumped in, eager to break the news. ¡°It wasn¡¯t just Dr. Emmett! You got incredibly lucky¡ªKing was at Kitaso Hospital that day, randomly selecting a lucky patient. You were the lucky one King chose to treat. Without King, not even Dr. Emmett could have saved you.¡±

    Seriousness hardened Dn¡¯s features as the weight of Ralphy¡¯s words sank in. A trace of disbelief ran through his voice. ¡°King actually showed up here?¡±

    Dn couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that it was too coincidental. After he was shot, King just happened to be at the same hospital where he was rushed in, and at the critical moment, King had offered to treat him. Out of all the patients¡ªit was all a little too neat. Was fate at work, or had someone nned it all along?

    Dn couldn¡¯t wrap his head around why King had gone to such lengths just to save him. He had no idea what King wanted¡ªthere was nothing he possessed that someone like King might desire. A person of King¡¯s stature could have anything with just a word. People would fall over themselves just to please him. So why had King offered to treat him?

    The more Dn thought about it, the less sense it made. After much reflection and still without a logical exnation, he figured he might be overthinking it. It was probably just a coincidence¡ªa stroke of strange, unexpected luck.

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 Chapter 315

    ?Chapter 315:

    ¡°Could you get the doctor to have a look at Dn?¡± Christina turned to Ralphy and asked.

    ¡°On it,¡± Ralphy responded, already heading for the door.

    Once he left, silence filled the room, thick and heavy between Christina and Dn.

    Christina broke the silence, her voice gentle.

    ¡°Would you like some water? You must be thirsty.¡±

    Dn gave a slight nod.

    ¡°Yes, please.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll get you some water after the doctor finishes the examination,¡± Christina said.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± he murmured.

    Christina watched him for a moment, her eyes not leaving his. Then, as if wrestling with her thoughts, she spoke up.

    ¡°How did you end up being the target of an assassination while negotiating a business deal? Do you have any idea who¡¯s behind it?¡±

    Dn shook his head.

    ¡°No. Could be anyone, honestly.¡±

    This wasn¡¯t the first time. He had been targeted since he was a child¡ªkidnappings, ambushes, threats. Some attackers were enemies of the Scott family, others werepetitors, and some were desperadoes looking for a hefty ransom. Whoever was behind this assassination attempt was either an enemy or a rival. Desperadoes usually preferred kidnappings¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t risk killing the hostage before collecting payment.

    Christina leaned in slightly, her voice low but urgent.

    ¡°Whoever¡¯s behind this is hiding in the shadows. You need to be careful.¡±

    She didn¡¯t mention the existence of another assassin aiming to take him down during his post-surgery unconsciousness. She was such a bad liar that if she¡­

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    couldn¡¯t reveal that. If she did, he¡¯d start questioning how she managed to fend off a skilled assassin, and she wasn¡¯t sure how long she could keep up the lie without exposing her background as a retired top-tier fighter.

    ¡°I will,¡± Dn replied.

    As he reflected on how Christina had stayed by his side through the night without getting proper rest, he felt a pang of remorse.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for putting you through this.¡±

    Christina gave a gentle smile, brushing off his apology.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. I¡¯m just d you¡¯re okay.¡±

    She shifted the subject.

    ¡°Chloe was a mess. She couldn¡¯t stop worrying about you.¡±

    Dn blinked, surprised.

    ¡°Chloe was here too?¡±

    ¡°I told her to wait in Dorfield for updates,¡± Christina said softly. ¡°But she was too worried. She insisted Ralphy bring her here.¡±

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 Chapter 316

    ?Chapter 316:

    ¡°Kitaso probably isn¡¯t safe to stay in right now. She should head back to Dorfield as soon as possible,¡± Dn said. He had spent more time in Dorfield and knew its security was far better than that of most cities. Of course, the safest ce would be the Scott family estate in Lorbridge. But asking Christina to take Chloe all the way there? That might be asking too much¡ªand he wasn¡¯t sure she¡¯d agree.

    Christina looked at him.

    ¡°What about you? Should we arrange to move you to a hospital in Dorfield?¡±

    ¡°You all should head back first,¡± Dn said calmly. As long as he remained in Kitaso, the danger would stay focused on him, allowing the others to return to Dorfield without drawing attention. He couldn¡¯t shake the worry that the assassin organization might go after the people he cared about after the failed attempt on his life. Most didn¡¯t know Chloe was his sister, but organizations like that had their ways of uncovering information.

    Christina was quiet for a moment, then met his gaze with determination.

    ¡°Perhaps arrange for Chloe and Ralphy to return first. I¡¯m staying with you.¡±

    She was deeply worried. Two assassination attempts had already taken ce and failed. She had no doubt a third would follow. As long as the deal remained unfinished, more strikes woulde Dn¡¯s way. The only way to truly end it all was to dismantle the entire assassin organization.

    A slight crease appeared on Dn¡¯s brow as he murmured, ¡°You should leave. It¡¯s not safe for you here.¡±

    Christina shook her head, determination etched on her face. ¡°You¡¯re in no condition to be left alone. I can¡¯t just leave you behind. And who knows? Maybe the danger has passed.¡±

    Hesitation flickered in Dn¡¯s eyes. ¡°But¡­¡±

    Christina cut him off before he could finish. ¡°My mind¡¯s made up. Nothing you say will change it.¡± Her gaze was unwavering, her resolve shining through.

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    A quiet sigh escaped Dn. ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want you to stay. I¡¯m just worried you¡¯ll get hurt.¡±

    A faint smile tugged at Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°I know the risk. Still, you¡¯re my friend, and I¡¯m not leaving you behind. If anything happens to you, Chloe will be devastated. I won¡¯t let that happen.¡±

    Her wordsnded heavily. Dn pursed his lips. Was that really all he meant to her? She was merely worried about Chloe if something happened to him? What about herself? Would she feel any sadness? Questions circled in his mind, his eyes searching her face for any sign of concern aimed at him. Yet, detecting nothing from her wless fa?ade, an unfamiliar ache settled in his chest. So, she only viewed him as a friend, nothing more. It made sense, though. She had only just ended her marriage, had devoted years to Brendon¡ªmaybe her heart still lingered there.

    A spike of envy jabbed at Dn every time he remembered how much Christina had once loved Brendon. For the first time in his life, he felt jealousy towards another man¡ªnot for power or position, but for the privilege of having once received Christina¡¯s love.

    If it weren¡¯t for Christina, Dn wouldn¡¯t even spare Brendon a second thought, let alone feel envious. But that foolish Brendon had thrown away that precious love for a scheming woman, trampling on Christina¡¯s feelings ruthlessly.

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 Chapter 317

    ?Chapter 317:

    A silent sorrow swept over Dn as he watched Christina, sympathizing with the fact that she had poured her heart into a rtionship for three years, only to be met with scorn and ridicule instead of the love and respect she deserved. Now that he had finally recognized his own feelings for Christina, all he wanted was to keep her by his side and shield her from any harm.

    Dn vowed quietly, his heart pounding, while Christina remained unaware, only noticing that he seemed to drift off, his expression shifting from regret to stubborn resolve.

    ¡°Dn?¡± Christina¡¯s voice was gentle, pulling him from his reverie.

    Dn blinked, returning to the moment. ¡°What is it?¡±

    A teasing smile touched Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°Isn¡¯t it my job to take care of Miss Scott? You¡¯re paying me a small fortune, so looking after you is part of the deal too.¡±

    Whatever coldness lingered in Dn¡¯s eyes slowly faded, reced by a gentle glow. Softly, he replied, ¡°Your safety means more to me than my own.¡±

    Those words and that unmistakable gentle tone caught Christina off guard¡ªshe hadn¡¯t expected tenderness from him, especially given his usual aloofness. For a moment, their eyes met, and an unspoken spark danced between them.

    A flutter ran through Christina¡¯s chest, leaving her briefly unsettled. She questioned whether there was something wrong with Dn¡¯s mind, but quickly reminded herself that it was his chest that had been stitched, not his mind. So why was he suddenly so uncharacteristically gentle?

    Christina offered a smile. ¡°Rest assured, nothing is going to happen to me if I stay.¡±

    As Dn watched her hold firm to her decision, he felt slightly exasperated yet secretly pleased with the chance to spend more time with her. But that happiness was quickly drowned out by worry. Fresh from surgery, he doubted his ability to protect her if danger came knocking again. Still, faced with Christina¡¯s stubborn determination, he knew any protest would be pointless.

    He realized that beneath her gentle exterior and soft-spoken words, her resolve was as unbreakable as steel. To him, this was what set her apart. No matter her outward appearance, the fire inside her always managed to shine through, illuminating every room she entered.

    Christina noticed Dn¡¯s quietness and her voice softened. ¡°Please, just let me stay. I promise I won¡¯t be a burden if anything happens. Is that alright?¡± With each gentle word that left her lips, Dn felt his defenses crumble. It was almost as if she had cast a spell on him. He found it hard to say no to Christina, and the way she looked at him now could melt even the coldest heart. A fierce desire to im her as his own suddenly took hold. He couldn¡¯t bear the thought of another man witnessing this side of her. Yet, a wave of frustration washed over him as he realized he wasn¡¯t in a position to entertain such a thought. He wasn¡¯t her boyfriend or husband¡ªnot yet, at least.

    Forcing those tangled emotions down, Dn put on his usual distant facade and said, ¡°You can stay, but make sure you don¡¯t wander too far from me.¡± More than anything, Dn worried about Christina¡¯s safety. The idea of her getting hurt¡ªeven in the slightest¡ªwas unbearable. Now that he¡¯d agreed to let her stay, he vowed inwardly that, no matter the risk, he would keep her safe. Anyone who dared to harm her would have to face him first.

    Christina¡¯s face lit up at his agreement. ¡°Alright! I promise I¡¯ll behave!¡± Dn¡¯s mood lifted instantly. The brightness of her smile and the sound of her cheerful voice eased the lines of concern that had formed on his face.

    Soon after, Ralphy entered the room with the doctor and a nurse trailing behind. After the medical staff examined Dn, Christina poured him a ss of water. ¡°Here you go,¡± she said, offering the ss. Dn took it from her and said, his voice softer than before, ¡°Thanks.¡±

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 Chapter 318

    ?Chapter 318:

    Taking a seat on the sofa, Ralphy dropped his usual yful manner. Concern clouded his features as he asked, ¡°Did you figure out who was behind the attack?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Dn shook his head, savoring the water poured by Christina. Somehow, it tasted exceptionally sweet, just like her.

    ¡°If I ever find out who¡¯s after you, I¡¯ll make sure they regret it,¡± Ralphy said, his jaw tight with anger.

    Dn¡¯s voice remained steady, but there was no mistaking the authority behind it. ¡°You should take Chloe back to Dorfield first.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Ralphy refused instantly. ¡°I can¡¯t leave you alone here. Chloe can head back if she wants, but I¡¯m staying right here with you.¡±

    Their year-long friendship ran deep, and abandoning Dn when trouble was close simply wasn¡¯t an option for Ralphy.

    A spark of resolve shed in Christina¡¯s eyes. She faced Ralphy and said, ¡°That¡¯s not true. Dn won¡¯t be alone. I¡¯m staying by his side. Chloe needs you more than we do.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Shock registered on Ralphy¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re staying here? Absolutely not. We shouldn¡¯t pull you into this mess.¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°I¡¯m not scared,¡± she said, her tone steady as ever.

    ¡°You think you can handle this, but you simply don¡¯t realize how dangerous things are about to get,¡± Ralphy remarked, lowering his voice. ¡°The shooting range and racetrack are your domains, but this is a battlefield.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind, and Dn has already given his consent,¡± Christina responded.

    Ralphy¡¯s frustration spilled over as he turned to Dn. ¡°You actually agreed to this? How could you let her stay? You know she¡¯s¡ª¡±

    Ralphy wanted to remind Dn that Christina was Skybreaker. She was a legend both on the track and with a rifle, destined for even greater things. A promising talent like her should continue to excel in her field, not get caught up in this dangerous game. A single mistake could cost her life, and if that happened, both the shooting range and the racetrack would lose a rare genius. Though Ralphy kept quiet about his concerns, the fear wouldn¡¯t leave him, and it weighed heavily on his mind.

    A flicker of concern crossed Ralphy¡¯s face. Had Dn lost his senses after getting shot?

    Perplexed, Christina asked, ¡°You know I¡¯m what?¡± Her gaze bounced between Ralphy and Dn.

    After stealing a nce at Dn¡¯s icy expression, Ralphy quickly chose his words and lied. ¡°I just mean¡ªyou¡¯re not part of any of this, and it¡¯s not fair to drag you into the chaos and expose you to the shady tactics amid the ruthless businesspetition.¡±

    Ralphy exhaled silently. He had almost let slip something he shouldn¡¯t have but managed to swallow his words just in time.

    With a smallugh, Christina brushed it off. ¡°It¡¯s not that I am dragged into the situation. I decided to stay. Dn tried to talk me out of it, but I wouldn¡¯t budge.¡± Once her mind was made up, nothing could sway her. She handled endings the same way¡ªwhen she decided to walk away from a rtionship, she never looked back.

    ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want to rethink this? It¡¯s not safe to stay. I¡¯m dead serious.¡± Ralphy spoke, his brows drawn together in a frown.

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 Chapter 319

    ?Chapter 319:

    Unwavering, Christina replied, ¡°No need. My answer won¡¯t change.¡±

    Ralphy studied her face and finally understood why Dn had failed to talk her out of it. Christina¡¯s stubbornness was something fierce¡ªunyielding and absolute.

    One more time, Ralphy asked, ¡°Are you absolutely sure?¡±

    ¡°Completely.¡± Christina¡¯s nod was firm.

    Left with no other option, Ralphy threw up his hands. ¡°Alright, you win. I¡¯ll double the security around here.¡±

    He figured if he couldn¡¯t get through to Christina, he¡¯d make sure Christina and Dn were both protected, no matter what.

    ¡°Bring Chloe back to Dorfield with you. I won¡¯t feel at ease unless her safety is entrusted into your hands,¡± Dn said, his eyes locked steadily on Ralphy.

    ¡°All right, all right!¡± Ralphy answered, his toneced with resignation, realizing he couldn¡¯t sway the pair before him. ¡°I¡¯ll see to it that Chloe gets back safely myself, and after that, I¡¯lle right back here.¡± Even with extra people stationed to protect them, the thought of leaving just the two of them behind left him unsettled.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Dn replied. ¡°Then take Chloe to the Cloudcrest Estate.¡±

    Security at Cloudcrest Estate was unmatched. Every entryway bristled with checkpoints, each one more rigorous than thest. No ce could have been more imprable¡ªCloudcrest Estate was a fortress in its own right.

    ¡°Will do.¡± Ralphy nodded.

    Before letting Ralphy go, Dn added a final instruction, ¡°Make sure Chloe doesn¡¯t leave Cloudcrest until we¡¯re safely back.¡±

    ¡°Got it,¡± Ralphy replied, his tone resolute.

    Lingering a moment longer, Ralphy confirmed that Dn was stable before heading off to collect Chloe, casting onest, reassuring nce before they departed for Dorfield.

    Though reluctant to leave, Chloe knew her staying behind might onlyplicate things, so she eventually left with a heavy heart.

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    Aboard the helicopter, unease followed her like a shadow. ¡°Ralphy, do you think Christina will really be alright? I am a bit worried about her since she¡¯s staying behind.¡±

    Chloe¡¯s hands fidgeted restlessly in herp. The thought of more trouble finding Dn made her chest tighten, and the possibilities of Christina being caught in harm¡¯s way only added to her anxiety.

    Ralphy did his best to soothe her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve already arranged security for Christina and Dn. Besides, Dn would never let anything happen to her.¡± A gentle pat on her shoulder underscored his promise. ¡°Everything¡¯s going to be fine. Try not to worry so much.¡±

    Chloe said nothing, her eyes glued to thendscape whirring past the window. Her prayers drifted silently, wishing safety for Christina and Dn. If anyone had to make a sacrifice, she would do it for them without a second thought.

    Back in the hospital room, silence finally settled in. Exhaustion overtook Christina the moment shey down on the spare bed, and sleep imed her quickly.

    While she slept, Dn kept his eyes on her the entire time. He found himselfpletely drawn to her face, unable to look away for even a moment.

    Dn couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the peaceful rhythm of Christina¡¯s breathing, entranced by the gentle flutter of hershes. Gradually, a quiet, contented smile lit his face¡ªone that lingered, sweet and soft, as he watched her sleep.

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 Chapter 320

    ?Chapter 320:

    Christina wasn¡¯t sure how long she had been asleep, but when she finally opened her eyes, she found herself locked in Dn¡¯s deep gaze.

    They stared at each other for a while, the silence unbroken. Eventually, Christina broke it, asking, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is there something on my face?¡±

    She quickly reached up to wipe the corner of her mouth, thinking she might have drooled, but her mouth was dry, and there was nothing there.

    ¡°No,¡± Dn replied, his voice awkward. He looked away, having been caught staring at Christina. He tried to brush it off, keeping a straight face.

    ¡°Then why were you staring at me?¡± she asked, confused.

    ¡°I was just hungry and waiting for you to wake up. I thought you could help me grab something to eat,¡± he lied casually. He was hungry, yes, but he hadn¡¯t meant to ask her for help.

    ¡°Alright. I don¡¯t trust anyone else to do it anyway. And I¡¯d rather not order takeout,¡± Christina said, yawning as she stretched.

    ¡°Just get something from the hospital canteen. Don¡¯t leave the premises. It could be risky. And take someone with you,¡± Dn advised.

    Christina nodded. ¡°Okay. What do you feel like eating?¡±

    ¡°Anything you pick is fine,¡± he replied.

    ¡°You just had surgery. Better to keep it light. What do you think?¡± Christina asked.

    ¡°Fine by me,¡± Dn agreed. ¡°What about you? What do you want?¡±

    ¡°Some spaghetti and meatballs, perhaps,¡± she said with a smile.

    ¡°Okay. Be careful,¡± Dn replied gently.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve got someone with me. And we¡¯re still in the hospital. With all the protection around you, I doubt anyone would dare make a move,¡± Christina reassured him. After all, quite a few assassins had met their end at Dn¡¯s hands, and another had fallen at hers. With such a track record and tight security, it was unlikely anyone would risk it.

    ¡°Still, be careful,¡± Dn repeated. If he weren¡¯t injured, he would have gone with her himself.

    ¡°Got it!¡± Christina said with a grin before walking out of the room. Two well-trained bodyguards followed her at a discreet distance.

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    As Christina stepped out of the elevator into the inpatient wing, she unexpectedly ran into someone she had no desire to see. She tried to turn away and blend into the crowd, but Liza spotted her immediately.

    ¡°Christina!¡± Liza called out, surprise in her voice. ¡°It¡¯s really you!¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Jones,¡± Christina replied coolly, her tone distant.

    Liza flinched at the coldness. ¡°Christina, I know I was wrong before. Please forgive me. I¡¯m still your mother¡­¡± She reached out to take Christina¡¯s hand, but Christina stepped back.

    ¡°Thest time I was at the Jones family estate, I made it clear we no longer have any ties,¡± Christina said firmly.

    ¡°Christina, I know you still hold a grudge against me and your father. But we raised you. How can you be so cold-hearted?¡± Liza said, eyes filled with mock hurt.

    Christina almostughed. The nerve of her. ¡°Cold-hearted? Who made me this way?¡±

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 Chapter 321

    ?Chapter 321:

    ¡°Christina¡­ Can¡¯t you forgive us?¡± Liza asked, her voice cracking.

    Christina¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Did you ever consider that I might die when you heartlessly threw me into that brutal training camp overseas?¡± She paused, her voice thick with emotion. Back then, she had walked the edge of death more than once. Her adoptive parents hadn¡¯t sent her there to be trained. They had simply wanted to dispose of her quietly, viewing her as a burden.

    Liza froze, her act faltering for a moment before sheposed herself and slipped back into her maniptive role. Telltale redness clung to her eyes, unshed tears turning her gaze into something achingly sorrowful, as if she were truly upset by Christina¡¯s coldness.

    ¡°Christina, you took everything the wrong way. That training camp wasn¡¯t meant to break you. Your father and I sent you there to shape you into someone better. Only by building your resilience could you grow stronger. Then¡ªand only then¡ªcould we feel assured cing the Jones family legacy in your hands.¡± Liza¡¯s voice carried the weight of mock earnestness, painting her decision as purely instrumental for Christina¡¯s growth, as if sending Christina off to that brutal camp hadn¡¯t been a merciless act aimed at getting rid of her quietly.

    A sharp, bitterugh escaped Christina. ¡°That¡¯s your story now? Wow.¡±

    ¡°Christina, believe me, we only wanted the best for you. You¡¯re the one we chose among the children waiting for adoption. Of course, we love you. Some families in Lorbridge send their children to those camps as well,¡± Liza replied, her tears suddenly slipping free and tracing glistening paths down her cheeks.

    Anyone watching would have been moved by Liza¡¯s convincing disy. The sorrow in her eyes, paired with the gentle weight of her supposed good intentions, had a way of drawing others in. To every onlooker, her expression alone could stir pity and make her seem entirely meless.

    Spectators at the scene quickly began to murmur, forming their own conclusions as fingers pointed in Christina¡¯s direction.

    ¡°How could you refuse to acknowledge your parents¡¯ good intentions like this? Don¡¯t you see everything they¡¯ve done for you?¡±

    ¡°Talk about ungratefulness. Despite being solely an adopted child, she¡¯s been given so much love and resources, and yet she¡¯s still not satisfied.¡±

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    ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s rare enough for adoptive parents to even consider letting an adopted child inherit the family business. What more do you want from them? Your ingratitude is infuriating.¡±

    ¡°If I were in her mother¡¯s shoes, I wouldn¡¯t nce her way, let alone talk to her. Letting her run the family¡¯s business? She¡¯d probably abandon her parents in their old age.¡±

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, if you want my opinion, why bother considering handing the business to your adopted daughter? If there¡¯s truly no one in the family to take it on, why not just let me run it instead? I¡¯d make sure you were looked after when you¡¯re gone.¡±

    ¡°Ha-ha! I am also game for running the business for you. At least, I will treat you better than your ungrateful daughter ever did!¡±

    Hearing the jeers, Christina¡¯s lips curled up mockingly. To her, their words were nothing short of ridiculous. They weren¡¯t the ones living her life and hadn¡¯t gone through what she had endured. So, how could they possibly grasp the kind of hopelessness that came with being thrown into that cruel training camp, left to fend for herself and fight for survival every single day? Did they really think she couldn¡¯t tell? As if the shift in her adoptive parents¡¯ demeanor had gone unnoticed. Before Yvonne was born, her adoptive parents had oncevished her with affection, and that fleeting period remained the rare days she had received kindness from them.

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 Chapter 322

    ?Chapter 322:

    Thus, she had chosen to repay what little kindness she¡¯d received with money and then walk away instead of letting the Jones name vanish from Kitaso. The mistreatment and suffering caused by the Jones family far outweighed the tiny bit of kindness she¡¯d ever felt. In every way, she had shown leniency and enough gratitude toward the Jones family. The debt of them raising her until she was ten was long settled.

    Throughout her life, she had experienced two heartbreaking moments where her tolerance and sacrifice were met with heartlessness and cruelty. When she was only ten, her adoptive parents had exiled her to a foreignnd in the name of attending a training camp. They had simply wanted her gone silently that way, long viewing her as a burden after they gave birth to their biological daughter, as if her silence when the whole family ganged up and mistreated her still got under their skin.

    The second time marked Brendon¡¯s tant ingratitude for her three-year efforts in taking care of him¡ªhis legs unresponsive then due to an ident¡ªand his family. When she finally healed his legs and made him walk again, he hadn¡¯t hesitated to throw divorce papers in her face for Ynda, who had run abroad the instant she learned of his injuries, dreading he would be disabled and cling to her.

    Abandonment by her adoptive parents had left its deepest scar. That pain had toughened her, turning her colder and more wary of trusting. Her faultsy with the importance she¡¯d attached to every bit of kindness shown her way. No matter how tiny the kindness was, repayment was all she could think of.

    Christina slowly swept her gaze across the gathered onlookers. None of these people had bothered to know the full story or ask about what she had gone through, yet judgment had already been thrown her way. She had once assumed¡­

    Christina steeled her heart, determined not to let any old scars or the irrelevantments affect her. Still, she couldn¡¯t ignore the sorrow creeping in, and a dull ache blossomed in her chest. She realized then that she hadn¡¯t fully healed from the old wounds. Not yet.

    Liza, noticing the redness creeping into Christina¡¯s eyes, assumed she was giving in once again. A quiet smirk tugged at her lips, but she held back her satisfaction and pressed on. ¡°Christina, just this once, we¡¯re asking for your forgiveness. Come back home, take over the family business, and run thepany with your capabilities.¡±

    Liza smirked. There was never a time when an orphan¡¯s dread of losing their precious scraps of happiness truly disappeared. Trusting too easily had always been Christina¡¯s downfall. A tiny gesture of warmth, and Christina would soften again, giving in to whatever outrageous demands came her way.

    Striding forward with confidence, Liza made sure her eyes still looked watery to sell the performance. She reached out for Christina¡¯s hand, assuming a few honeyed words would be enough to sway her. But that hope was dashed when Christina brushed her hand away without a hint of hesitation.

    Find your next read at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°Get lost and don¡¯te anywhere near me! I don¡¯t give a damn about the Jones family¡¯s assets,¡± Christina hissed, her voice cold as steel.

    ¡°I¡¯ve said it before¡ªthe debt between me and the Jones family has already been paid. We¡¯ve been even for a long time. I owe you nothing.¡±

    Frozen in ce, Liza stared in disbelief,pletely unable to change the course of what was happening. It felt as though the Christina standing in front of her had be a different person.

    Back when Christina was a child, she had been known for her sensitivity and amodating nature. Since discovering she was merely an adopted child of the Jones family, she had be excessively submissive and tolerant. Not once had she dared to throw a tantrum or shed tears openly. Despite her own reluctance, she had obeyed everything she was told, striving to please everyone. Even when Liza and her husband¡¯s demands¡ªor little Yvonne¡¯s requests¡ªgrew excessive orpletely unreasonable, Christina had never voiced aint. She met every expectation and moved through each day with careful restraint. Timidity and humility had defined her for as long as anyone could remember.

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 Chapter 323

    ?Chapter 323:

    Over time, even the staff in the Jones household had treated Christina with contempt, yet she had simply doubled down on her efforts to please everyone, doing whatever she could to gain approval. Any gesture of goodwill, no matter how slight, would have filled her with joy thatsted for days.

    There had been a time when Liza had whispered to Mack about Christina¡¯s seemingly servile nature, pointing out that Christina would never walk away on her own despite the harsh treatment she received.

    Since the Jones name held some weight in Kitaso, and Christina showed no signs of leaving despite their deliberate hostility, Liza and Mack had hesitated to openly throw her out after weing their biological daughter¡ªa move bound to bring shame to their reputation. Thus, after much contemtion and¡­

    Arrangements had been made, and they had shipped Christina off overseas to a brutal training camp where survival for the ten-year-old Christina would undoubtedly be a challenge.

    Even after being brushed aside by Christina for a few seconds, Liza still stood rooted to the spot, her eyes red with shock and humiliation.

    Meanwhile, murmurs spread through the gathered onlookers. Oblivious to the full story and misled by Liza¡¯s maniptive words, they only saw Christina as ungrateful.

    ¡°You really have no idea how lucky you were! The Jones family brought you in out of kindness, hoping you¡¯d be someone remarkable, and this is how you repay them?¡±

    ¡°Clearly, you were born with a rotten heart! All you want is an easy life. You refuse to work for anything!¡±

    ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s unbelievable! Even an animal would show a bit more gratitude than you!¡±

    A storm brewed in Christina¡¯s eyes as she red at the crowd, her voice as sharp as ice. ¡°None of you live my life, so why do you get to pass judgment on me?¡±

    Her fierce words silenced many, an uneasy chill settling in the air. Still, a handful of people clung to their opinions, their voices sharp with contempt.

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    ¡°See that? Just look at her! There¡¯s nothing but malice in those eyes. She really is thankless.¡±

    ¡°Just because we¡¯re not you doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t see the truth. If you did wrong, you should own up to it!¡±

    ¡°Exactly right! You make mistakes and act like nobody¡¯s allowed to criticize you. Have you no shame at all?¡±

    Christina let out a cold, mocking smile. ¡°Mistakes? Tell me, what exactly have I done wrong?¡± Her piercing gaze swept across every face and finallynded on Liza. A deep sense of unease washed over Liza under the intensity of Christina¡¯s eyes.

    Word by word, Christina snapped, her gaze locked on Liza. ¡°When you had no love to give, you shouldn¡¯t have adopted me. When you no longer wanted to raise me, sending me back to the orphanage would have been a kind move. But to protect your name, you shipped the ten-year-old me off to a foreign camp and left me to survive alone!¡±

    Christina red at Liza and delivered her words in an icy tone.

    ¡°Now you dare mention the debt of raising me until I turned ten? That scarce kindness of yours was repaid long ago.¡±

    Liza, unfazed, stuck to her script.

    ¡°Everything we did was for your benefit. If the children from those ridiculously rich families can handle the hardships of the training camp, what made it especially challenging for you¡ªand ording to your ount, even a way to get rid of you?¡±

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 Chapter 324

    ?Chapter 324:

    Barely had Liza¡¯s words settled when a handful of onlookers eagerly chimed in, determined to side with her and belittle Christina.

    ¡°Exactly! If all those wealthy brats can survive it, then you should be able to as well. If they can tough it out, why can¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Ungrateful is the only word for you. Those pampered kids from wealthy families make it through, so what¡¯s your excuse? You don¡¯t even want some harmless hardship, yet you¡¯ve set your sights on your adoptive parents¡¯ fortune. You¡¯re delusional!¡±

    ¡°Seriously, what¡¯s there to be arrogant about when you¡¯re just an orphan? When fate throws you a chance, you¡¯re supposed to grab it. Instead, you just stand there wasting it. Pathetic!¡±

    A cold gleam shed in Christina¡¯s eyes as a mocking smile curved her lips.

    ¡°You people really have no idea. If I¡¯m pathetic, what does that make the rest of you? At ten, I fought my way through a war zone. Which one of you could have survived that?¡±

    Every wordnded like a p, bruising egos and silencing part of the crowd. A child of ten shouldn¡¯t have known a world so cruel. Yet here Christina stood, iming she¡¯d endured horrors they couldn¡¯t even imagine. To them, her story sounded like the wildest lie¡ªsomething no sane person would believe.

    ¡°What a load of nonsense! Ten years old, in a war zone? Does she really think we¡¯re that gullible?¡±

    ¡°I nearly lost itughing! She¡¯s got some nerve, making up stories and acting like the world owes her something!¡±

    ¡°Let her run her mouth. She ims she could manage that at just ten? I¡¯m in my thirties and have been in special forces¡ªno way I¡¯d ever brag like that!¡±

    Without blinking, Christina locked eyes with the three recent speakers.

    ¡°How about this? All¡­¡±

    of youe at me. If I win, you owe me a real apology¡ªand you keep your opinions to yourselves from now on.¡±

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    The burly man scoffed.

    ¡°Talk is cheap! You intend to take on all three of us at once? I could take you down solo with one hand!¡±

    The wiry man couldn¡¯t resist chiming in.

    ¡°Special forces training means I could tten you with zero effort. You¡¯re being arrogant just for suggesting this.¡±

    The slender man snickered.

    ¡°She couldn¡¯tst a second in a fight with someone as slim as me, let alone the rest of us.¡±

    Christina, unfazed by their jeers, kept her tone steady.

    ¡°Enough with the trash talk. Are you in, or are you just all talk?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s there to be scared of?¡± the burly man snapped.

    ¡°But say wee out on top¡ªthen what?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, exactly!¡± the wiry man said, jumping at the chance.

    ¡°If we beat you, what do we get? You want us to apologize if you win, but what¡¯s your deal if you lose?¡±

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 Chapter 325

    ?Chapter 325:

    Christina let out a sharp, mockingugh.

    ¡°Me, lose to you three losers? Not in a million years.¡±

    ¡°Got some guts, I¡¯ll give you that,¡± the slender manmented, shoving up his sleeves.

    ¡°Too scared to name your stakes, huh?¡±

    A chorus ofughter followed, all three reveling in their bravado. And it wasn¡¯t just those men who doubted Christina. The whole crowd seemed eager for a show, all waiting for her to fail spectacrly.

    Onlookers chimed in.

    ¡°Stakes only for one side? That¡¯s not fair!¡±

    ¡°Ungrateful types are always shady. Pretty obvious, right?¡±

    ¡°She couldn¡¯t beat even one of them in a fair fight. Where does she find the courage to take on all three at once? When the showdown begins, I bet she¡¯ll be the first to beg for mercy.¡±

    A thought suddenly struck Liza, snapping her out of her daze. Her gaze flickered anxiously over the watching crowd. Stepping forward in haste, she positioned herself between Christina and the three men. Her calcted words came out smoothly.

    ¡°If you have a problem, bring it to me. Leave my daughter out of it. She¡¯s done nothing wrong, and whatever she said came from frustration. There¡¯s no need to take it to heart.¡±

    Of course, Liza didn¡¯t mean a word of it. Her whole act of shielding Christina in front of the gathered crowd was nothing more than a tactic to sway her.

    But Liza had conveniently forgotten about exiling Christina to that foreign training camp years ago¡ªa cruel act that had put the ten-year-old through brutal circumstances. There, Christina had brushed shoulders with death more than once, her heart overwhelmed by despair. Any hope of rekindling the fleeting warmth from her adoptive parents had long since vanished. After every close call with death, whatever love she had once held for the Jones family had withered into dust.

    Noting Christina¡¯spleteck of reaction, Liza doubled down on her performance, her acting skills on full disy.

    ¡°Just name your price. I¡¯ll pay whatever you ask. Take it aspensation for my daughter¡¯s impulsive outburst. I apologize on her behalf¡ªplease, forgive her.¡±

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    She scanned the crowd, ensuring they took note of her reddened eyes and pleading expression, solidifying her image as a devoted mother¡ªa powerful tool to guilt-trip Christinater.

    Somewhere in the back, a bystander sighed.

    ¡°Parents always fret over their children, no matter the age.¡±

    The three men exchanged uncertain nces.

    ¡°Exactly how much are you offering us?¡± the slender man asked, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

    Liza thought for a beat, then finally answered,

    ¡°Would fifty thousand each be enough?¡±

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 Chapter 326

    ?Chapter 326:

    Gasps rippled through the onlookers. Fifty thousand? The idea of easy money made several people wish they¡¯d stepped up to challenge Christina themselves. Without lifting a finger, those three stood to pocket a small fortune. Even a p across the face wouldn¡¯t pay that well.

    Excitement flickered in the three men¡¯s eyes. The temptation was hard to resist.

    On the verge of epting, all three paused when an unexpected voice sliced through the tension.

    ¡°Step aside,¡± Christinamanded, her tone cial as she stared down Liza.

    ¡°Stay out of my business.¡±

    ¡°Christina, honey, I just don¡¯t want to see you get hurt. You¡¯re a girl¡ªwhat¡¯s the point in acting tough? If you go through with the challenge, you¡¯ll end up marred by bruises and wounds from merciless punches,¡± Liza said gently, still clinging to her facade of concern.

    ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard me? I said, step aside. Just mind your own damned business. Say one more word and I won¡¯t hesitate to hit you,¡± Christina warned, her tone sharper than ever.

    From the sidelines, onlookers murmured among themselves, convinced Christina had crossed every line. Threatening to strike her own foster mother when the woman was only trying to protect her? The nerve!

    A sudden, angry shout split the air.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡±

    Yvonne stormed into view, her rage barely contained as she shot daggers at Christina.

    ¡°Go ahead¡ªtry hurting my mom, and you¡¯ll regret it!¡± she snarled, her chin raised in defiance, her voice trembling with arrogance and anger.

    ¡°Like you¡¯re capable of fighting or withstanding a single blow from me. If you get in my way, I¡¯ll strike you too,¡± Christina replied, her words ice-cold.

    Find your adventure at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§àm (uso de ¡°?¡± y ¡°§à¡± cir¨ªlica)

    Fury made Yvonne sputter, her anger triggering a fit of coughing she could hardly control. Red flushed her usually pale cheeks, making her look almost lively for the first time all day.

    The watching crowd couldn¡¯t stay quiet. Voices rose with condemnation.

    ¡°Is this woman out of her mind? She¡¯d attack her foster mother and foster sister?¡±

    ¡°Jealousy and bitterness must have poisoned her. She can¡¯t stand that her foster parents had a daughter of their own¡ªshe thinks she¡¯s been robbed of love.¡±

    ¡°People need to know their ce. The family fortune should go to the real daughter, not some adopted outsider. She doesn¡¯t even realize she¡¯s out of line.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s never enough for her. Even after being promised an inheritance, she still wants more.¡±

    ¡°The anger in her stare says it all. She¡¯d probably trade ces with her foster parents¡¯ real daughter if she could. There¡¯s something truly dark about her.¡±

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 Chapter 327

    ?Chapter 327:

    The crowd¡¯s condemnation of Christina grew louder, their eyes filled with the desire to tear her apart on the spot, their faces twisted with contempt.

    Yvonne turned to Liza, her voice trembling with desperation that clung to every word.

    ¡°Mom, you gave birth to me! Why do you keep insisting that¡­¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s the one who should run our family business? She doesn¡¯t appreciate anything you¡¯ve done!¡±

    Liza patted Yvonne¡¯s head, her voice dripping with false sincerity. ¡°Sweetie, no matter what, Christina is still your sister.¡±

    Pausing for dramatic effect, Liza continued, acting the part of a caring mother. ¡°Because you¡¯re my own flesh and blood, I can¡¯t show favoritism. Otherwise, Christina might feel left out.¡±

    Truth had no ce in Liza¡¯s words. Not a single thing she said came from the heart. Behind every convincing act, Liza and her husband had one goal: to pull Christina back into managing the family business. It wasn¡¯t about making things right for Christina. They simply wanted to use her business savvy for their own gain. If she could boost the Jones Group, they nned to keep her around long enough to reap every ounce of her worth, and then cast her aside. By keeping all thepany shares out of Christina¡¯s reach, they figured Christina could never snatch thepany away, her contributions practically for free. She was a tool, not family.

    Had Christina not been far more capable than Yvonne, neither Liza nor her husband would have bothered dangling the offer of taking the helm of the Jones Group in front of Christina at all.

    Yet, oblivious to her parents¡¯ grand n, Yvonne couldn¡¯t wrap her mind around their sudden shift in demeanor toward Christina. Her parents could hardly tolerate Christina, so why were they so determined to have her take over the business? Were they nning to ditch Yvonne, their biological daughter?

    ¡°You¡¯re so worried about Christina¡¯s feelings, but what about me?¡± Tears pooled in Yvonne¡¯s eyes as she confronted her mother.

    Liza¡¯s heart tightened, but keeping Yvonne in the dark was essential for the charade to seed in fooling Christina.

    ¡°Yvonne, you have to remember that Christina is adopted. She¡¯s always been sensitive and needed extra care. I¡ª I¡ª¡±

    L?t??¦Ó ch¨»¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?????.??????

    Whatever honeyed words Liza had nned to say were cut short when Christina¡¯s re sliced through the conversation. ¡°Drop the act already! If you¡¯re finished, step aside. I¡¯ve got a wager to settle,¡± Christina snapped, her irritation barely concealed.

    Christina had long stopped falling for Liza¡¯s fake tears. Any trace of hope for real affection from the Jones family had vanished from her heart ages ago. Those empty promises Liza dangled? Christina only yed along because she chose to, never because she truly believed.

    Mock desperation filled Liza¡¯s voice as she reached for Christina. ¡°Christina, don¡¯t go through with the wager! You¡¯ll only end up hurt!¡±

    Stepping aside, Christina dodged Liza¡¯s grasp. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± she snapped, her eyes shing cold. ¡°Touch me again, and you¡¯ll regret it!¡±

    A shaky step backward sent Liza reeling, one hand pressed dramatically against her chest as tears threatened to spill.

    Seeing her act, the crowd¡¯s scorn toward Christina skyrocketed, their voices turning sharp and usatory.

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 Chapter 328

    ?Chapter 328:

    ¡°Called it. No gratitude at all! She¡¯s got a heart of stone!¡±

    ¡°With a whole family fortune waiting to be handed over to her, she still has the nerve to act out? If it were me, I¡¯d be thanking my adoptive parents right then and there!¡±

    ¡°Most people would know how to be thankful. But greedy folks? Nothing ever satisfies them¡ªnot even everything!¡±

    Each cold remark from the onlookers made Christina¡¯s expression harden. Nobody here bothered to understand the full story, yet they passed judgment like she was some hideous criminal. Spending just one day in her shoes would break most of them, and if they had even half of her capabilities, they¡¯d be far more ruthless than she was.

    Turning her attention back to the three men, Christina let a mocking grin slip. ¡°So what¡¯s it going to be? Are the three of you ready to make this bet, or are you just all talk?¡±

    ¡°Of course we¡¯re in!¡± the slender man snapped, puffing up his chest. ¡°But you¡¯ve got to put something on the line too!¡±

    The other two men quickly nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah, what are you willing to wager?¡±

    A sharp nod from Christina settled it. ¡°If I lose, I¡¯ll apologize to each of you and hand over five hundred thousand per person.¡±

    A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Half a million dors each! No one in the square could believe what they¡¯d heard¡ªsuch a sum was almost unfathomable.

    ¡°Has she lost her mind? It¡¯s like she¡¯s begging for trouble and tossing a fortune into the mix!¡±

    ¡°Seriously, can she even pay up? That¡¯s one and a half million if she loses!¡±

    The burly man, upon hearing an onlooker¡¯s doubt about Christina¡¯s financial ability, immediately asked, his voice booming with suspicion, ¡°Are you telling me you can really cough up 1.5 million just like that?¡±

    ¡°Not just 1.5 million. Try more if you really want to push it. With this many people watching, do you really think I could weasel out of it if I lose? What? You¡¯re uncertain whether even the three of youbined could handle me? That¡¯s pathetic,¡± Christina shot back with a smirk, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

    I@te$t ¡é#@pter$ In g@!novel$.c0m

    The wiry man, eager to jump in, jabbed a finger in her direction as he turned to the other two men. ¡°Folks, let¡¯s just take her on. If she loses, make her get down on her knees and apologize while handing 1.5 million over to us. Even if she doesn¡¯t have that much money, we won¡¯t suffer any loss.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! With all three of us here, she¡¯s not getting away if she loses,¡± the slender man chimed in, a false bravado coloring his words.

    Christina exhaled in mild irritation, her voice even. ¡°Enough chatter. Come at me all at once and quit wasting everyone¡¯s time.¡±

    The crowd traded uneasy nces, convinced she¡¯d just volunteered for a disaster.

    The wiry man curled his lip in contempt. ¡°Ha! Never seen anyone so eager to dig their own grave. We wouldn¡¯t want to be used of ganging up on a woman. Frankly, it¡¯ll only take one of us to put you in your ce.¡± He scoffed, shooting a look at the slender man beside him, ¡°Go on¡ªbet you can make her surrender within seconds.¡±

    Though the slender man bristled at the order, the prospect of humiliating Christina put a twisted smile on his face. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll go first!¡± he shouted, balling his fist and lunging at Christina.

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 Chapter 329

    ?Chapter 329:

    The slender man threw a punch straight at Christina¡¯s face, aiming to end it in one blow. Just as everyone thought she¡¯d be left bruised and battered, she dodged so fast that she was nothing but a blur.

    The slender man, reckless with momentum, hurtled past Christina and stumbled straight ahead. She slipped behind him in a blink and delivered a sharp kick to his backside.

    In an instant, the slender man went sprawling face-first, hitting the floor hard. The force of her kick left him gasping for air, and he only managed a strangled groan after several wheezing breaths.

    A hush fell over the crowd¡ªthis man hadn¡¯t evene close tonding a hit before getting floored by a single, brutal kick.

    The other two men exchanged shocked nces, stunned by Christina¡¯s speed and her ruthless counter.

    The burly man scoffed, stepping up with a swagger. ¡°Hah! Just a fluke. Let everyone witness how you¡¯ll crash and burn under my punches!¡±

    He rolled his thick shoulders, a cocky grin on his face, clearly convinced he could drop Christina with nothing more than a shove.

    Some onlookers rubbed their hands together, voices rising in anticipation. ¡°She¡¯s done for! Look at the size of that guy¡ªhe could snap her in half!¡±

    ¡°She brought this on herself, strutting around like she owns the ce. Just seeing her pisses me off.¡±

    ¡°Earlier was dumb luck¡ªshe dodged by chance. She won¡¯t be so lucky this time.¡±

    The crowd¡¯sments swelled as the burly man stared down Christina, his fists tight and his expression twisted with hostility. His approach was tant¡ªhe strode over, aiming to grab her by the throat and hoist her off the floor like it was nothing.

    But the moment his hand shot forward, Christina¡¯s fingers mped around his wrist.

    The burly man looked down, almost amused, at her slim hand wrapped around his thick wrist and let out a derisive snort. ¡°Oh? You really think those dainty hands can stop me and snap my wrist? You¡¯re overestimating yourself!¡±

    ¡°With just the slightest twist, your arm will¡ª¡± A sudden, searing pain from his arm cut the burly man off before he could finish.

    Every tale finds a home at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    ¡°Ahhh!¡± His scream echoed as agony forced cold sweat to break out along his skin. Any attempt to move his arm ended in failure. It hung uselessly, swinging by his side. Realization dawned all at once, terror etched across his features. Christina had already dislocated his arm. Her speed was astonishing! Before he could even react, his arm was already out of ce.

    Confusion spread through the crowd. ¡°What¡­ What just happened?¡±

    ¡°Did anyone else see that? Did she really dislocate his arm?¡±

    ¡°No way! He¡¯s got to be faking! There¡¯s no way a guy that size could get taken down by someone who looks so delicate!¡±

    Standing there, the burly man burned with humiliation, surrounded by voices that only deepened his defeat. Nothing wounded his pride more than being bested by a woman in front of everyone. A bruised ego left him restless, eachment in the crowd another jab at his dignity. Frustration shed in his eyes as he red at Christina. ¡°You hit me while I was talking! That¡¯s not fair!¡±

    Discussions swelled among the onlookers as theytched onto hisint. ¡°See? She caught him off guard! That¡¯s low. That woman is despicable!¡±

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 Chapter 330

    ?Chapter 330:

    ¡°If she really had what it takes, she would have squared up and fought him head-on.¡±

    ¡°Of course, she used surprise¡ªwomen can¡¯t beat men otherwise, right?¡± Christina raised her eyebrows, a cold smile ying on her lips. ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard? Loose lips sink ships. Sometimes, the element of surprise is your best weapon!¡±

    Condemnation against her grew louder, usations of her low tactics flying her way. Not a single voice in the crowd seemed to care that she¡¯d faced three men at once¡ªa fact that made their outrage more than a little ironic. Their criticism was no different from bullying.

    Thank goodness Christina had some skills. Anyone less skilled would¡¯ve beenpletely overwhelmed facing even one of these three men.

    With a sly smile, Christina locked eyes with the burly man. ¡°You think you could¡¯ve beaten me if I hadn¡¯t taken you by surprise?¡±

    His answer came fast, full of swagger. ¡°Absolutely! There¡¯s no way you¡¯d win in a fair fight!¡±

    Augh escaped Christina. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re still so confident with a second chance.¡±

    ¡°Second chance? How am I supposed to fight when my arm is useless?¡± The burly man tried to lift his dislocated arm, but it refused to obey. Total numbness had crept in, and the arm barely seemed attached to his own body anymore.

    ¡°That¡¯s easy. I¡¯ll pop it back in,¡± Christina replied, her voice steady and calm.

    Annoyance shed as the burly man snorted. ¡°You think you can just snap it back in? Be my guest!¡±

    A bystander piped up, eager to challenge her. ¡°Talk is cheap! If you¡¯re that skilled, put his arm back in ce¡ªlet¡¯s see it.¡±

    Before another word left the crowd, Christina made her move. One smooth motion, one audible pop, and the burly man¡¯s arm slid right back into ce.

    Stunned silence rippled through the bystanders. Disbelief hung in the air¡ªshe¡¯d actually fixed it right in front of them. She really made it! Nobody found words. Shock left their mouths open, silent as if they¡¯d all swallowed their doubts whole.

    Let your mind wander with g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s©q??????

    ¡°All set,¡± Christina said, lifting her hand and crooking her finger to beckon the burly man. ¡°Let¡¯s get round two started, shall we?¡±

    A stunned look lingered on the burly man¡¯s face, his mind scrambling to process what had just happened. Experimentally, he rotated his arm, expecting pain but feeling none. Everything felt as good as new¡ªno soreness, no lingering ache¡ªalmost as if nothing had ever gone wrong.

    Rather than jumping straight into a fight, the burly man eyed Christina with curiosity. ¡°Are you a doctor?¡±

    Something about Christina didn¡¯t fit the usual doctor image for the burly man. She carried herself more like a celebrity than someone in the medical field. If her seeming ingratitude wasn¡¯t so infuriating, and if she didn¡¯te off as so arrogant, her beauty would¡¯ve been the first thing anyone noticed.

    Christina simply shrugged. ¡°I guess you could say that. Vets are doctors, too, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    That answer left both the burly man and the onlookers momentarily speechless. Was she reallyparing him to an animal?

    The burly man¡¯s temper red. ¡°Hold on, are you treating me like an animal?¡± he demanded.

    ¡°Why, does it matter? If the goal is to get you better, who cares what kind of doctor I am?¡± Christina asked, her eyes wide with mock innocence and a casual shrug that only made her attitude more aggravating.

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    ?Chapter 331:

    ¡°I¡¯m not some stray for you to experiment on!¡± the burly man snapped, his pride wounded. ¡°I once considered letting you off the hook, but now I see that you¡¯re just begging for trouble!¡±

    He couldn¡¯t believe how someone so stunning could also be so infuriating. He could have let her off the hook just for being easy on the eyes, but she seemed determined to provoke him anyway!

    The burly man lunged at her, his fury written all over his face. ¡°Fine, if you¡¯re looking for a fight, let¡¯s go!¡±

    He swung a massive fist straight toward Christina, aiming for her face. One hit like that, and she¡¯d be lucky to walk away with just a broken nose.

    Christina smirked. This man¡¯s temper had snapped, his fury in for everyone to see. Hah! Loser! She held her ground without a hint of fear. Her expression stayed unreadable as she waited, refusing to flinch or retreat.

    Most of the crowd assumed she was frozen with fear, too stunned to even try dodging. But in truth, she felt no threat at all. She knew she could handle him easily and saw no need to rush.

    The burly man¡¯s fist cut through the air, nearly grazing her. Then, in a blur, she slipped out of harm¡¯s way at thest moment.

    Gasps echoed all around. Everyone struggled to believe she¡¯d actually dodged it.

    Moving with practiced precision, Christina stepped behind the burly man andnded a hard punch straight into his waist.

    ¡°Ah!¡± A guttural cry burst from the burly man as he curled over, clutching his waist, sweat beading on his brow.

    ¡°You! How malicious you are to go for my waist!¡± the burly man groaned, anger and pain twisting his face.

    Christina let out a coldugh. ¡°Since when did we agree on some no-go spots? And have you ever thought about that before you aimed for my face earlier?¡±

    The burly man¡¯s face went red with rage, nearly toppling over from the force of it. Was there anyone better at getting under someone¡¯s skin than her? The crowd sympathized with the burly man but found Christina¡¯s antics annoying yet oddly entertaining.

    ¡°Ready to call it quits? Or do you want me to finish the job and make you paralyzed for good?¡± Christina taunted, casually waving her fist in the air.

    Fear gripped the burly man as he clutched his waist, panic flickering in his eyes. There was no telling how long it would take for him to heal¡ªand if the damage was permanent, what would that make him in the end?

    Desperation made the burly mansh out at the wiry man. ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there! Get her!¡±

    The wiry man finally snapped to attention, jaw set as he lunged toward Christina. He threw a punch aimed at her face, but it was only a distraction. His real n was a sweeping low kick meant to take her down.

    An inward smirk yed on his lips when Christina appeared to fall for his trick. Now was his chance. With a swift move, he swung his leg around in a sharp, forceful kick aimed straight at her.

    Too bad for the wiry man¡ªhis n flopped. He attempted a wide sweeping kick, hoping to take Christina out, but she moved like lightning and dodged it cleanly. Then she mmed her foot down on his leg¡ªhard.

    ¡°Ahh!¡± the wiry man screamed. It felt like his bone had cracked clean in two. The pain was unreal.

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 Chapter 332

    ?Chapter 332:

    While he was still reeling, Christina kicked him square in the gut and sent him flying. Thud! He hit the floor hard, rolling in agony, groaning like his guts had been turned inside out.

    Christina stood tall, looking down at the three fallen men like a queen on a battlefield.

    ¡°I said you guys are all useless, but you wouldn¡¯t admit it. So, do you surrender now?¡± she asked, cracking her knuckles.

    ¡°If not, let¡¯s go for some more rounds. All three of you at once.¡±

    The three men exchanged nces, defiance shing in their eyes.

    ¡°Of course we won¡¯t surrender!¡± the wiry man shouted. He pushed through the pain, jumped up, and charged at her like a madman.

    The other two followed, all three rushing her as if they had something to prove. There was no pride left¡ªonly rage. They teamed up, hoping to beat down this cocky woman and salvage their dignity.

    ¡°Yaah!¡± they screamed, all fire and fury.

    Christina¡¯s movements were incredibly agile. With a dodge and a strike, she took down one¡ªthen quickly the second, and the third. Their little team-up was useless. She mopped the floor with them.

    In mere seconds, all three were moaning on the ground, wiped out and too hurt to move.

    Christina walked over, lifted her foot, and stomped on the wiry man.

    ¡°So, surrender now?¡± she asked, calm as ever.

    ¡°I surrender! I give up!¡± the wiry man cried out in panic. Earlier, she¡¯d eyed his groin and smiled¡ªa deadly smile. He hadn¡¯t imagined the threat. This woman was absolutely ruthless.

    Christina turned her icy stare to the other two.

    ¡°What about you guys?¡± she asked.

    L¨»¦Ó??¦Ó c§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ??n g??l??ov?l??.??o??

    The slender man turned red with shame but had no fight left.

    ¡°I surrender,¡± he muttered, barely above a whisper.

    The burly guy tightened his fists, clearly fuming.

    ¡°I don¡¯t¡­¡±

    But before he could finish that sentence, Christina lunged at him without warning, lifting her foot and aiming it straight between his legs.

    ¡°I give up! I give up!¡± the burly man yelped, panicking as his whole body went weak. Out of pure instinct, he reached out like he was about to grab her leg in a plea for mercy.

    Christina swiftly withdrew her leg, not letting him so much as brush her.

    ¡°Damn. That¡¯s a shame,¡± she said with a dramatic sigh, like she¡¯d just missed out on something fun.

    The burly man gulped hard.

    ¡°Wh¡­ What¡¯s so bad about that?¡± he asked, eyes wide.

    ¡°Too bad I didn¡¯t get to try out my castration skills,¡± she said casually, as if she were talking about cooking.

    ¡°Could¡¯ve been great hands-on practice.¡±

    Her eyes drifted to his crotch like she genuinely regretted missing the chance.

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 Chapter 333

    ?Chapter 333:

    That look alone made the burly man seize up in terror. He pped both hands over his groin, drenched in cold sweat.

    The two other guys quickly followed suit, shielding themselves without hesitation. This woman was clearly unhinged, and they weren¡¯t about to take any chances.

    Christina smirked, slowly scanning the onlookers like a queen surveying her defeated army.

    ¡°Anyone else feel like testing me?¡± she asked, her voice calm but sharp as a de.

    The onlookers, having witnessed the fate of the three men, met Christina¡¯s eyes and felt a cold shiver crawl up their backs. Her presence was like a warning siren¡ªdeadly and real. Who would be dumb enough to go up against this lunatic? No one wanted their junk stomped into next week. They could take a beating¡ªbut not that. A guy¡¯s private parts didn¡¯t survive that kind of damage.

    ¡°Nope! We¡¯re good. Totally convinced.¡±

    The onlookers shook their heads quickly, backing up a few steps just to create some distance. Their instincts told them that staying away from this crazy woman was the wisest move.

    Christina turned her focus back to the three men.

    ¡°Since you all surrender, get on your knees and apologize now,¡± she said, sounding like she¡¯d been in charge the whole time.

    The three men, bruised and shaking after the beating, were scared stiff. Deep down, they still didn¡¯t want to give in, but going another round against Christina wasn¡¯t an option¡ªthey knew they didn¡¯t stand a chance. They dragged themselves toward her, crawling and limping, and dropped to their knees without saying a word.

    ¡°We¡¯re sorry!¡± they shouted, voices cracking as they stayed kneeling, too afraid to even look up.

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch.

    ¡°Say it. Say you looked down on the wrong person and got exactly what you deserved.¡±

    Uncover new tales on g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s??om

    Her voice was calm but left no room for argument. Even though the three men hated it, her cold stare weighed on them like a boulder. It felt like being judged by something far greater than themselves. How could a woman who looked so delicate have such amanding presence? Just standing in front of her made it feel like their lungs were being squeezed.

    Her eyes were terrifying. They couldn¡¯t even maintain eye contact. Every nce felt like it cut straight through them. They remembered what she¡¯d said about slicing off their manhood, and cold sweat rolled down their backs. She wasn¡¯t bluffing¡ªthey knew it.

    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t have looked down on you! We deserved everything we got!¡± the three men cried in unison, practically shaking.

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t hold this against us. We¡¯re begging you. Let us off this once¡ªwe swear we¡¯ll change!¡±

    They weren¡¯t faking it. They were scared out of their minds. After that run-in with her, even if they didn¡¯t want to admit it, they finally understood¡ªshe was in a whole other league. She was unhinged, but she had real skills. No doubt about it.

    ¡°Get lost.¡± Christina flicked her wrist like they weren¡¯t even worth her time.

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    She then faced the onlookers, her eyes cold enough to freeze the air around her.

    ¡°Let me tell you something,¡± she said, voice rising with raw fury.

    ¡°Those rich brats? They get sent tofy training camps, fully protected¡ªno risk. But them¡­¡±

    She jabbed a finger at Liza and her daughter.

    ¡°They threw me into a survival camp. Out of a hundred kids, maybe ten came out alive. I was only ten years old when they dumped me there. Tell me¡ªhow the hell is that not aiming to eliminate me?¡±

    The onlookers stood frozen, no one daring to speak. Even the three men, halfway through crawling away, paused. Her words hit hard. Shame crept in, dulling thest bits of their pride.

    For a kid to survive a ce like that? It wasn¡¯t luck. It was pure grit, pain, and strength that most adults didn¡¯t have. At first, they looked down on her because of her seemingly delicate form. Even after she beat them down, they held onto that pride.

    But hearing her story now¡­ it felt like their loss wasn¡¯t just fair¡ªit¡­

    was inevitable. She was a force of nature. No question. Even grown-ups probably wouldn¡¯t have made it through a camp like that¡ªlet alone a ten-year-old child.

    The onlookers began to shift their stance, some now turning against Liza and her daughter.

    ¡°They were truly awful for sending a child to such a harsh camp!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been so foolish, so blind! The one who truly suffered was their adopted daughter!¡±

    ¡°I remember now! They were the Jones family! The news said they¡¯d sent their adopted daughter overseas for more schooling. But it turned out they¡¯d thrown her into a survival camp to make her disappear quietly. How incredibly cruel!¡±

    L§Ñt??t ch¨»pt?rs ?n g??ln¦Ïv?ls.??¦Ï??

    ¡°The Jones family now wants their adopted daughter back to take over the family business? Maybe the Jones Group is about to copse, and they n to use her as a scapegoat. Why else would they beg the daughter they treated so badly instead of trusting their own biological child?¡±

    ¡°Exactly! They were so mean to their adopted daughter. There¡¯s no way they¡¯d just hand over thepany to her. There has to be a trick!¡±

    Christina understood that if she didn¡¯t prove how strong she truly was, no one would believe her story¡ªno matter how many times she said she¡¯d been sent to a brutal survival camp at just ten years old. Only by demonstrating her real strength and skills would they quiet down and finally pay attention to what she had to say.

    ¡°You¡¯re full of it!¡± Yvonne barked, red in the face, her chest heaving as a coughing fit shook her whole body.

    ¡°My family business isn¡¯t failing. And we definitely don¡¯t need some adopted brat to take the me! We sent her overseas to study. That ¡®survival camp¡¯ Christina¡¯s talking about? Total bullshit. She¡¯s always lied through her teeth. She¡¯s apulsive liar! You all seriously believe her? Let¡¯s see if she can even prove a single thing she¡¯s saying.¡±

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 Chapter 335

    ?Chapter 335:

    Liza stepped up, eyes teary, voice shaky like she was rehearsing for a soap opera.

    ¡°Christina, I get that you¡¯re angry¡ªbut you can¡¯t just throw dirt on us like this. It was just a normal training program. Nothing harmful. Nothing life-threatening. Maybe something just went wrong along the way.¡±

    Liza didn¡¯t dare deny the camp¡¯s existence¡ªit had already been mentioned. Instead, she stuck to the narrative that it was perfectly safe and routine. She kept doubling down on the idea that Christina had misunderstood everything.

    ¡°Ungrateful little bitch!¡± Yvonne snapped at Christina.

    ¡°Mom did everything for you¡ªand this is your payback?¡±

    ¡°Yvonne, enough. Don¡¯t talk to your sister that way,¡± Liza scolded gently, pretending to be hurt by all the fighting.

    ¡°She¡¯s confused. She¡¯ll see the truth soon. We¡¯ve got nothing to hide.¡±

    Christinaughed dryly.

    ¡°Nothing to hide? That¡¯s hriousing from you people. Doesn¡¯t matter what I say¡ªyou¡¯ve already made up your minds to deny everything. Even with evidence, you¡¯ll just me it on some paperwork screw-up and walk away clean.¡±

    Christina saw right through it. Liza had already nted the excuse¡ªsome department somewhere messed up, and it wasn¡¯t their fault. So any evidence she brought would be dismissed as a clerical error that just happened to send her to that hellish survival camp.

    ¡°Then show us the damn proof!¡± Yvonne shouted.

    ¡°After everything we did for you, this is how you repay us? You ungrateful little snake!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve wasted enough breath on this circus.¡± Christina turned on her heel, ready to walk out.

    L?t?st ch¦Ápt?rs ¦Én g??l??ov§Ö???.????

    Liza quickly stepped in front of her, blocking the way.

    ¡°Please, Christina. Come home. We¡¯ll give you thepany¡­ the shares too. Everything. Juste back to us.¡±

    ¡°Mom!¡± Yvonne yelled, grabbing Liza¡¯s arm and pulling her back.

    ¡°Are you insane? Give her thepany? And the stocks? For what?¡±

    Her rage boiled over, sending her into another harsh coughing fit that wracked her body. Liza¡¯s face twitched, clearly annoyed. How was her daughter this stupid, failing to catch on to her well-crafted plot? But she stayed in character, keeping her big fake teary eyes on Christina.

    ¡°I¡¯m begging you, Christina. Do you want me on my knees just like those three men, for your forgiveness?¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch. Her voice was cold and t.

    ¡°Go ahead and kneel if that¡¯s what you want.¡±

    Liza¡¯s chest tightened. When had Christina be so cold? The girl she remembered used to be soft, easy to guilt-trip into anything. Now she stood there like stone.

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 Chapter 336

    ?Chapter 336:

    ¡°NO!¡± Yvonne snarled.

    ¡°You are not kneeling to her! Who the fuck does she think she is?¡±

    Tears streamed down Liza¡¯s face, but her hands stayed calm as she peeled Yvonne¡¯s fingers off her arm.

    ¡°Fine,¡± she said in a shaky whisper, her voice dripping with fake sorrow.

    ¡°Christina, if this is what I have to do to bring you back, and for you to take over thepany¡­ then I¡¯ll do it.¡±

    Liza slowly sank to her knees, ying up the drama like she was in a stage y. She fully expected Christina to stop her, to get soft at thest second.

    But Christina didn¡¯t budge. She just stood there, arms crossed, watching with a look that said,

    ¡°Are you done yet?¡±

    ¡°Mom, stop!¡± Yvonne cried, yanking her mother up like it physically hurt to watch.

    ¡°You can¡¯t kneel to this¡­ this snake!¡±

    Yvonne clutched Liza tightly, as if Christina might attack. Her voice cracked with rage as she red at Christina.

    ¡°Christina! Making your own mother kneel¡ªyou¡¯ve crossed the line! You¡¯re such a traitorous, ungrateful monster!¡±

    Christina stared coldly at Liza and Yvonne, both still lost in their dramatic little act. A sharp, icy smirk tugged at her lips as she locked eyes with Yvonne.

    ¡°That woman is your mother, not mine.¡±

    Liza¡¯s voice shook with fake emotion as she said,

    ¡°Yvonne, don¡¯t worry about me. As long as it can appease your sister, I¡¯ll do anything.¡±

    Exclusive updates avable g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    While Liza spoke, she made a big show of trying to push Yvonne away, dramatically struggling as if she were about to fall to her knees.

    Christina watched their over-the-top performance with a bored expression. If they wanted to kneel so badly, they could¡¯ve just done it already¡ªno need for all the fake tugging and pulling. Did they really think she was dumb enough to fall for such a lousy act?

    ¡°Mom, why are you doing this?¡± Yvonne cried, her voice shaking.

    ¡°It¡¯s the only way your sister might forgive us. I don¡¯t have another option,¡± Liza said, keeping up her charade while gently wiping Yvonne¡¯s tears.

    ¡°You two finished yet?¡± Christina snapped, slicing through their drama with her sharp voice. She didn¡¯t wait for an answer.

    ¡°If you¡¯re done, then move. Get the hell out of my way.¡±

    Then Christina shoved past them.

    ¡°For God¡¯s sake, spare me your antics. You two are such bad actresses.¡±

    Without even ncing back, Christina walked away¡ªcalm and steady.

    ¡°Christina! You ungrateful bitch¡ªkarma¡¯s gonnae for you!¡± Yvonne screamed, her voice breaking with pure rage.

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 Chapter 337

    ?Chapter 337:

    Christina froze mid-step. Then, slowly, she turned her head. Her eyes swept over the mother-and-daughter duo with nothing but disgust.

    ¡°If garbage like you hasn¡¯t been hit with karma yet, why the hell would ite for me?¡± she said coldly.

    With that final p of words, Christina turned back and walked off without saying anything else, disappearing from view.

    The onlookers began voicing their condemnation against Liza and Yvonne. They had been fooled by the fake show¡ªbut now, no one believed a single word from them.

    Liza stared after Christina, her brows tightly drawn, eyes dark with frustration. What were they supposed to do now? Christina had turned out to be even colder and tougher than they had ever expected. That girl had built walls around her heart made of steel.

    Ever since Christina walked away from the Jones family, their business¡­

    had been sinking like a stone. With Mack stuck in a hospital bed, Yvonne too weak and clueless to handle anything, and not a singlepetent soul in the family, the only person they could possibly lean on was Christina. But that girl¡ªthey¡¯d underestimated her. She¡¯d grown into a tough nut, and there was no softening her now.

    ¡°Mom?¡± Yvonne hissed, snapping Liza out of her daze.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re still dreaming about dragging Christina back to take over thepany?¡±

    Liza nced around, wary of all the curious stares. She grabbed Yvonne by the arm and yanked her away, storming toward Mack¡¯s private hospital suite without another word.

    Once inside, they spilled everything to Mack about running into Christina.

    ¡°What?¡± Mack¡¯s voice cracked with shock.

    Your escape is on g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s

    ¡°Christina actually said no to taking over thepany?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Liza muttered with a deep sigh, her face tightening.

    ¡°We were too ruthless back then. Now she doesn¡¯t trust us one damn bit.¡±

    ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought she¡¯d survive that damned camp?¡± Mack muttered bitterly.

    ¡°Even that harsh training camp couldn¡¯t eliminate her.¡±

    ¡°Wait¡ªif you guys hate her so much,¡± Yvonne said, brows furrowed,

    ¡°why are you this desperate to drag her back to run thepany?¡±

    Liza and Mack exchanged a long, tired look before letting out identical sighs of resignation.

    Liza gently took Yvonne¡¯s hand, her voiceced with motherly concern.

    ¡°It¡¯s all for your sake, sweetheart.¡±

    ¡°For my sake?¡± Yvonne frowned.

    ¡°How the hell does dragging her back help me?¡±

    ¡°The Jones Group is falling apart,¡± Liza said bluntly.

    ¡°You¡¯re delicate, baby, and business just isn¡¯t your thing. But Christina¡­ she might actually turn this around.¡±

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 Chapter 338

    ?Chapter 338:

    Yvonne¡¯s face twisted with jealousy.

    ¡°What capabilities does she even have? You think she¡¯s some kind of miracle worker who can make the Jones Group thrive again?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t get it,¡± Mack said, leaning back with a cynical grin.

    ¡°Even if she¡¯s clueless about business, she¡¯s got that pretty little face. It would be a shame not to use it.¡±

    His eyes slid over to Yvonne.

    ¡°Mr. Glyn happened to see a photo of her recently, and he¡¯s taken quite an interest in her.¡±

    The moment Yvonne heard that name, a truly disgusting image shed in her mind: a vile, greasy old man with a swollen face, teeth the color of old corn, and a belly so massive it looked as though he¡¯d swallowed a beach ball. Just imagining him, she could almost smell the repulsive stench that seemed to ooze from his very pores¡ªan odor so foul that it made her stomach churn. But if they could just deliver Christina straight into that loathsome old man¡¯s bed¡­

    Yvonne pictured Christina being tormented by that revolting pig, and a dark, twisted thrill of satisfaction coiled deep inside her. But then a harsh, racking cough seized her body, leaving her eyes streaming with tears and her throat raw and scraped.

    ¡°Are you okay? Feeling any better?¡± Liza asked, her hand gently patting Yvonne¡¯s back. ¡°The doctor warned you about getting too worked up. It¡¯s not good for you. Your father and I never actually intended for Christina to inherit the business. We¡¯re just using her, sweetie.¡±

    Once Yvonne finally managed to catch her breath, she wiped away her tears and sniffled. ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t want me, your own daughter, anymore.¡±

    ¡°How could we ever?¡± Liza reassured her, her voice soothing. ¡°As long as Christina doesn¡¯t get her hands on a single share of thepany, we can just dispose of her whenever we want.¡±

    ¡°I get it now,¡± Yvonne murmured, slowly nodding her head.

    M??? ?¦Ñ????? ?? ?????¦Í???.???

    Mack exined it simply. ¡°If we get Christina into Mr. Moss Glyn¡¯s bed, connections won¡¯t be an issue anymore. Mr. Glyn is working on a massive deal with the Millers¡ªyou know, the wealthiest family in this town. And I heard the Millers are very close with the Scotts.¡±

    Yvonne¡¯s eyes suddenly gleamed with excitement. ¡°Dad, does that mean we could use Mr. Glyn to get close to Mr. Scott?¡±

    She¡¯d seen Dn in the financial news¡ªthe man was a prodigy in the business world. Not only was he strikingly handsome, but his family background was incredibly distinguished, and his abilities were remarkable. Rumor had it he looked even more impressive in person than in his photographs. If she could meet Dn and somehow win him over, the Jones family could dominate Kitaso and rise into the most exclusive, elite circles of Lorbridge!

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Mack¡¯s brow furrowed, a troubled expression crossing his face. ¡°That might be a bit tough, unless we can first build a connection with the Millers.¡±

    Yvonne¡¯s shoulders slumped. How was she ever supposed to reach someone who seemed so far beyond her reach?

    ¡°Don¡¯t be sad, my dear,¡± Liza said gently, patting Yvonne¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You deserve only the best this world has to offer, and that means marrying into the richest family, at the very least.¡±

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 Chapter 339

    ?Chapter 339:

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Mack chimed in, nodding withplete agreement. ¡°Yvonne is truly worthy of everything wonderful the world has to give.¡±

    ¡°Mom, Dad, I love you both so much!¡± Yvonne eximed, wrapping her arms around them in a warm embrace.

    The family savored their loving moment together, all the while plotting against Christina.

    Christina returned to the exclusive VIP hospital suite, carrying a bunch of grapes and meals for both herself and Dn.

    ¡°Did something happen while you were out?¡± Dn asked, his brow furrowing with concern. Christina had been gone for quite some time. He had waited for her so long that he almost removed his IV drip to go search for her. He was worried that something bad might have happened to her.

    ¡°Yes,¡± she replied with a smile. ¡°I ran into some old acquaintances and ended up chatting with them for a while. You must be really hungry, right? I¡¯m so sorry for keeping you waiting.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Dn mumbled, the words slipping out easily. As long as she was safe, nothing else truly mattered.

    ¡°Here¡¯s your porridge.¡± Christina handed him the bowl and asked, ¡°Would you like me to feed you?¡±

    ¡°No, thank you.¡± Dn quickly adjusted the small tray next to his bed. ¡°Just put it down here.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± After setting the porridge down, Christina began eating her own meal with obvious enjoyment.

    At first, Dn didn¡¯t have much of an appetite. But seeing her eat with such delight made him feel hungrier the longer he watched. Before long, his appetite had returned.

    Once they¡¯d both finished eating and cleaned up, Christina washed the grapes and brought them over to Dn. ¡°I bought some grapes. Would you like to try them?¡±

    Dn didn¡¯t refuse. He picked up a grape and tasted it. ¡°It¡¯s sweet,¡± hemented, then picked up another and offered it to her. ¡°Here, give it a try.¡±

    Discover more

    He expected her to take the grape from his hand. Instead, she leaned closer and took the grape from him with her lips.

    Dn was caught off guard. The second Christina¡¯s soft lips made contact with his fingers, it was like he¡¯d been plugged straight into a live wire. His entire body lit up¡ªbuzzing, tingling,pletely thrown off track. His spine locked up. His fingers went stiff. Nothing felt like it belonged to him anymore¡ªnot his arms, not his legs. He just sat there,pletely paralyzed. His heart was going berserk, mming against his chest like it wanted to bust out and runps around the room.

    ¡°Mmm! Damn, that¡¯s good.¡± Christina¡¯s eyes sparkled as she licked her lips,pletely unaware of the storm she¡¯d just kicked up inside Dn.

    ¡°It¡¯s the perfect kind of sweet.¡±

    Dn yanked his mind back to the present, shoving every wild thought into a mental lockbox. He forced his face to stay neutral, like he hadn¡¯t just short-circuited from the touch of her lips.

    ¡°Here, open up.¡± Christina grabbed a grape, held it in front of his face, and opened her mouth like she was feeding a toddler.

    ¡°Come on. Say, aah¡­¡± she teased with a grin.

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 Chapter 340

    ?Chapter 340:

    Before Dn¡¯s brain even got the memo, his mouth had already opened instinctively.

    Her fingers brushed his lips¡ªsoft, warm, casual¡ªand just like that, another spark lit him up from the inside. Another jolt. Same powerful effect. He found himself leaning toward Christina, almost without thinking. His body was straight-up betraying him. Under the sheets, his fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles had gone white. He was doing everything in his power not to lose control. If he moved any closer, she¡¯d be caught off guard¡ªshe might even dislike him. He couldn¡¯t risk that.

    Christina just casually sat there,pletely unaware that she was driving him insane. She looked down, popped a grape into her mouth, and smiled faintly. Completely at ease.

    Dn¡¯s eyes stayed locked on her. Those same fingers that had grazed his mouth earlier were now touching hers. The sight opened the floodgates. His imagination went into overdrive. His throat tightened. He slowly reached up and touched his own lips, still warm from where she¡¯d brushed them.

    The thoughts rushing in now were nowhere near innocent. The more he tried to shut them down, the filthier they got.

    Right now, in Dn¡¯s eyes, Christina¡¯s every movement was in slow motion¡ªher plush lips movingnguidly, glistening with an irresistible sheen. He swallowed hard, feeling the heat rise in his body like someone had turned up the thermostat. Damn, it was getting hot in here.

    He leaned in a little, staring straight at her. His normally cold, guarded eyes looked different¡ªsofter, hotter, like they were burning just beneath the surface. Christinaughed lightly, noticing him move but thinking nothing of it.

    ¡°Oh¡ªalmost forgot to share!¡±

    Dn snapped out of it instantly, his body stiffening as he quickly straightened up. What was he doing? Was he seriously about to kiss her? The realization hit him like a truck. That was not right. Embarrassment punched him in the gut. He couldn¡¯t even look her in the eye now.

    ¡°Here, try another.¡± Christina held another grape to his lips.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s©q??o?? is where stories live

    ¡°These are really delicious. I¡¯ll grab some more next time I go out for food,¡± she murmured mostly to herself, still not picking up on Dn¡¯s odd behavior.

    ¡°Want me to get you any other fruit?¡± she asked, popping another grape into her mouth and making a mental note for her next grocery run.

    ¡°No,¡± Dn muttered. Fruit wasn¡¯t really his thing¡ªthis was the first time he¡¯d eaten so much in one sitting. But somehow, around Christina, his appetite always kicked in. Even foods he normally avoided suddenly seemed worth trying.

    ¡°Hey, uh¡ªI heard your family¡¯s in Kitaso. Want to go see them?¡± Dn scrambled for conversation.

    But as soon as the words left his mouth, a heavy, awkward silence settled over the hospital room.

    By the time Dn realized how inappropriate his words were, it was already toote. They had tumbled from his lips without a second thought.

    ¡°Oh, I cut ties with the Jones family a while back,¡± Christina responded, a small, tight smile ying on her lips. Even though she hadpletely severed all connections with the Jones family, the deep wounds they had inflicted still throbbed beneath the surface.

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 Chapter 341

    ?Chapter 341:

    ¡°Shit. Sorry,¡± Dn murmured, his brow furrowing slightly. He¡¯d only heard from Ralphy that Christina was the adopted daughter of the Jones family in Kitaso. He had no idea about the ugly,plicated history hidden beneath the surface. But judging by Christina¡¯s raw reaction, it was clear the Jones family must¡¯ve treated her terribly. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have cut ties. She certainly wasn¡¯t the ungrateful type. In fact, fierce loyalty was one of her most defining and admirable traits.

    ¡°It¡¯s really nothing,¡± Christina said, her faint smile not quite reaching her eyes.

    ¡°Home is wherever I am, you know? It¡¯s not a big deal.¡±

    She tried to y it cool, but Dn could hear a faint, almost imperceptible shadow of sadness in her voice.

    ¡°From now on,¡± he said, voice firm and unwavering,

    ¡°the Scott family has your back.¡±

    Christina froze for a moment, her movements stilled, before her gaze slowly lifted to meet his. After a short, weighted silence, she finally murmured, her voice soft,

    ¡°Thanks¡­ I really appreciate that.¡±

    ¡°Just know this,¡± Dn said, his eyes locking onto hers with serious intensity,

    ¡°if you ever run into trouble¡ªany trouble at all¡ªyou cane straight to me. I¡¯ll handle it. No questions asked.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Thank you,¡± Christina replied, a genuine smile finally breaking through.

    With a sudden, yful grin, she plucked a plump grape from the nearby bowl and practically shoved it toward his mouth.

    Dn¡¯s reflexes kicked in like lightning, and he snagged the grape cleanly between his teeth without missing a beat.

    The two of them exchanged afortable smile, and the tight, tense atmosphere that had hung in the room finally softened, easing into the quiet air.

    Find thetest stories g?ln¦Òv??ls

    For the next few days, no suspicious figures appeared anywhere in their vicinity. It seemed as though the assassin organization had retreated into the shadows¡ªgone¡­

    Christina was about to walk past the pavilion when she noticed a considerable crowd had gathered around the area. Not wanting to force her way through the throng of people, she decided to take the quieter, less-traveled path that wound alongside it instead.

    ¡°Ha-ha! You absolutely blew it again!¡±

    The triumphant voice, dripping with self-satisfaction, caused Christina to slow her pace. Her eyesnded on two men seated in the middle of the gathered crowd¡ªone was an elderly man with silvery streaks woven through his hair, and the other was a middle-aged fellow who was practically howling withughter.

    The one who had just spoken, his voice still ringing with glee, was the lean, middle-aged man. The elderly man, on the other hand, wore a slight frown, his face a canvas of stubborn defiance.

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 Chapter 342

    ?Chapter 342:

    ¡°Again! I¡¯ll absolutely beat your ass this time.¡±

    The elderly man, refusing to ept his loss, snatched up the dice cup and shook it with forceful determination.

    ¡°Ha-ha! Today must be my lucky day¡ªrunning into a schmuck like you!¡±

    The lean man let out a hearty chuckle as he picked up his own dice cup, shaking it with an arrogant, self-satisfied grin.

    Momentster, both cups were lifted, and the elderly man¡¯s roll was clearly lower than the lean man¡¯s.

    ¡°See? What did I tell you? You¡¯re just here to hand me your cash! I won again!¡±

    The lean man let out a harsh, piercing cackle, a few discolored, decaying teeth shing in the process. He aggressively extended his hand toward the elderly man, his voiceced with impatience.

    ¡°Fork it over. Pay up, old man!¡±

    The elderly man held a hundred-dor bill tightly in his hand, hesitating before offering it. But the instant the lean man¡¯s hand shot out to grab it, he sharply pulled his hand back.

    ¡°Hey! You trying to weasel your way out of paying?¡±

    A cruel, sharp glint shed in the lean man¡¯s eyes as he forcefully snatched thest hundred-dor bill from the elderly man¡¯s tight grip.

    ¡°A bet¡¯s a damn bet, in and simple. If you lose, you pay up¡ªthat¡¯s just how the game works.¡±

    As the lean man leisurely counted the thick wad of cash in his hand, a smug smirk twisted his lips, and he asked,

    ¡°Got any more money on you, old timer? If you¡¯re¡­¡±

    itching to keep ying, why don¡¯t you go home and shake down your kids for some more? I¡¯ll be sitting right here, waiting patiently.¡±

    Stay connected at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    The onlookers, who had clearly seen enough of the tant injustice, began to speak up.

    ¡°Dude, that¡¯s just too far. You¡¯ve already swiped thousands from him, and now you¡¯re telling him to go shake down his own family for more cash?¡±

    ¡°Yeah! An old man like him¡ªhow long do you think it took him to save up that kind of money, huh? You¡¯ve already fleeced his pocket, and now you¡¯re trying to dig into his life savings?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a real piece of trash, you know that? Seriously, have some conscience for once.¡±

    The lean man jumped up as if his seat had caught fire. He mmed one foot onto the stone bench, ring down at the crowd as if he owned the entire ce. ¡°Mind your own damn business! If you¡¯re all such bleeding hearts, why don¡¯t you sit down and try to win the elderly man¡¯s cash back from me? Go on, be heroes!¡±

    The crowd went quiet instantly. No one moved. A few had tried earlier, but they ended up humiliated and broke.

    The lean man smirked, feeling victorious since no one had dared challenge him. ¡°Figures!¡± he spat. ¡°Bunch of cowards. Not a single one of you has the guts to sit down and y the game with me. What a joke. Anyone? NO?¡± He fanned a stack of bills in the air like a peacock showing off. ¡°Come on! Here it is! You wanna be a hero? Try your luck! Try and win the cash back from me!¡±

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 Chapter 343

    ?Chapter 343:

    The moment hisst syble hit the air, a soft but sharp voice sliced through it like a knife. ¡°I will.¡±

    Two words. Calm. Unshaken. But they hit like thunder.

    Heads turned instantly.

    Everyone looked toward the voice and stopped breathing. A woman stood there, absolutely stunning. She looked like she¡¯d stepped straight out of a fantasy. She was unfairly beautiful.

    ¡°Hah! Which idiot just said¡ª¡± The lean man whipped his head around, his taunting grin freezing mid-sentence. His jaw dropped. He stared at her like she was a goddess carved from marble. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to tear his eyes away from her.

    ¡°What¡¯s she doing here? This ain¡¯t women¡¯s business,¡± someone mumbled from the back, their voice dripping with outdated misogyny. It was as if the world had silently agreed on certain unspoken rules that defined certain things as a man¡¯s domain.

    The lean man looked like he¡¯d forgotten how to blink. His eyes were wide, his mouth half-open. He was practically drooling. If his eyeballs had popped out and stuck to her, no one would have been surprised.

    ¡°Y-You wanna y against me?¡± he stammered, tripping over his words.

    Christina didn¡¯t even blink. ¡°Yeah. I do.¡±

    The elderly man who had just lost his money gave Christina a quiet once-over. His eyes shed with something sharp. She definitely had guts. But guts weren¡¯t enough to beat a cheater. Did she have real skills? That lean bastard had been rigging the game from the start. Taking him down wasn¡¯t going to be simple. Not by a long shot.

    Christina walked ahead, not missing a beat. People automatically moved out of her way, their eyes full of curiosity and disbelief.

    ¡°Miss, don¡¯t,¡± the elderly man pleaded, stepping in front of Christina. The calm he had earlier was gone. ¡°That guy¡¯s good. I¡¯ve already taken the loss¡ªdon¡¯t get involved.¡± His eyes were red, and his face seemed to have aged ten years. Losing that money had clearly hurt. It was probably everyst penny he had.

    ¡°Rx,¡± Christina said with a small smirk. ¡°I¡¯m not just getting your money back. I¡¯m sending you home with extra.¡±

    Your favorite tales are on g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§ànn

    The whole crowd sucked in a breath.

    The lean manughed out loud, looking her up and down as though she were a joke. ¡°You? You think you¡¯re gonna beat me?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, me,¡± she replied, her voice smooth as ss¡ªno fear, no hesitation.

    The lean man smirked, shaking his head in amusement. ¡°Tell you what¡ªI¡¯ll even give you three chances. If you can win one round out of three, I¡¯ll call it your victory!¡±

    The lean man was confident he could crush her. What could a woman know about the game? She was doomed to lose. People around them started running their mouths.

    ¡°Miss, don¡¯t do this. Plenty of others tried. Nobody¡¯s ever beaten him.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s slick. You won¡¯t make it past one round.¡±

    ¡°Be real. What are you even doing here? Shouldn¡¯t you be home feeding a baby or foldingundry or something?¡±

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 Chapter 344

    ?Chapter 344:

    Christina turned her eyes on thest speaker, her gaze cold enough to freeze the air. A slow, sharp smile tugged at her lips. ¡°Who decided women don¡¯t belong at this table? Who said we all belong at home, feeding babies and changing diapers? Who the hell made you the boss of what women can or can¡¯t do?¡±

    In Christina¡¯s book, if a woman had the strength and courage to stand her ground, she could do whatever the hell she pleased.

    Christina¡¯s attitude rubbed some men the wrong way, but the elderly man¡¯s eyes held nothing but respect for her.

    ¡°Oh wow, big words. Let¡¯s see if she can back them up. If I ever get married, I sure as hell won¡¯t choose this foolish type who burns through cash¡ª¡±

    The man who had just scorned Christina didn¡¯t get to finish. Christina¡¯s icy stare hit him like a p, freezing him in ce.

    ¡°W-what the hell are you looking at?¡± he stammered, trying to puff out his chest. But deep down, he was trembling. How could a woman¡¯s gaze feel so dangerous?

    Christina smirked.

    ¡°A woman like me is far out of your league¡ªnot just in this life, but in the next ten too. Stop fooling yourself. Just because I nced at you doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s love.¡±

    Her words stung. His face twisted.

    ¡°Hah! As if I¡¯d marry you¡ªeven if you got on your knees and begged!¡± he snapped, lifting his chin like a rooster about to fight.

    Christina chuckled.

    ¡°Ah, wounded ego talking. Please, spare me your bullshit.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± he sputtered, but Christina didn¡¯t even flinch. She continued, voice steady,

    ¡°Save it. With your three-second stamina, no woman wants to suffer through that. Instead of talking tough, go book a session with a urologist.¡±

    Her words exploded like fireworks. Every onlooker nearby turned to stare at the man. A fewughed, their eyes drifting downward, clearly curious.

    Updates loaded at g¦Ál¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe??s

    Flushed and panicking, the man barked,

    ¡°What the hell are you saying? I¡¯m perfectly fine! I canst at least an hour¡ªway longer than three seconds!¡±

    Christina raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°You sure about that? Want to ce a bet? I¡¯ll call a urologist right now. Let¡¯s see¡ªsmall, limp, and done in under three minutes. That¡¯s my wager.¡±

    ¡°Y-you!¡± he choked, face turning crimson as the room filled withughter. He wanted to fight back, but every word had hit the mark. If she actually brought a doctor, he¡¯d lose more than just pride¡ªhe¡¯d lose his dignity.

    After standing there awkwardly, he finally muttered a weak threat.

    ¡°Just wait! Step out of this hospital, and I¡¯ll smash your face in!¡±

    He turned and ran, shouting behind him,

    ¡°I¡¯ll get my people! Just wait!¡±

    The faster he talked, the quicker he moved¡ªlike he was scared someone might actually take him up on the bet.

    Christina watched him go and scoffed.

    ¡°Pathetic.¡±

    The lean man stepped forward, rolling dice in his palm with a sly grin.

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 Chapter 345

    ?Chapter 345:

    ¡°So, still in the mood to y?¡±

    Christina nodded.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. One round. Winner takes all.¡±

    ¡°Alright. What¡¯s the stake?¡± The lean man smirked, his eyes crawling over her.

    ¡°If you¡¯re broke, you can bet your body. I¡¯ll give you a thousand a night.¡±

    Christina¡¯s stare turned cold.

    ¡°Keep your thousand. Use it to buy meds. You¡¯re no better than Mr. Three Seconds.¡±

    Someone in the crowd couldn¡¯t hold back augh.

    ¡°You!¡± The lean man¡¯s face twisted in anger. Her words struck a nerve. Was she just making a wild guess, or was she actually a doctor?

    ¡°Are you a doctor or what?¡± he growled.

    ¡°You could say that,¡± Christina replied with a calm shrug.

    He frowned harder.

    ¡°What kind of answer is that? Either you are or you aren¡¯t!¡±

    Everyone stared at Christina,pletely confused, waiting for her answer.

    A faint smirk yed on Christina¡¯s lips as she said casually,

    ¡°I¡¯m a veterinarian.¡±

    Hearing this, the crowd blinked in disbelief. They couldn¡¯t tell if she was joking or serious¡ªbut somehow, they all felt like they¡¯d just been yed.

    The lean man, who had thought he¡¯d found a miracle doctor for his erectile dysfunction, looked especially furious.

    ¡°Are you messing with me?¡± he snapped, ring hard.

    Christina raised an eyebrow, her smile never fading.

    ¡°Why would you think that? I really can treat urologic issues, you know.¡±

    At that, several men¡¯s eyes lit up¡ªthe lean man¡¯s included. Hope sparked again.

    He hesitated, but curiosity pushed him forward.

    ¡°You¡­ you really know how?¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± Christina dered, radiating absolute confidence.

    The lean man almost let out augh. Whew. That was close. He had nearly exposed his condition in front of everyone.

    ¡°I don¡¯t buy it. Can that kind of issue really be cured?¡± he muttered, masking his curiosity with calcted skepticism.

    ¡°Absolutely. A guaranteed fix,¡± Christina said assertively.

    Some men in the crowd perked up, thoughts racing. She was a miracle worker. There was still hope for their impotence!

    The lean man shared that thought. Rubbing his hands together, he leaned closer.

    ¡°So¡­ how do you treat it?¡±

    Christina grinned.

    ¡°Easy. Chop it off. Problem solved for good. Cut it at the root¡ªno more worries.¡±

    Every man within earshot froze. Their faces twitched. Their legs mped shut.

    Well¡­ that would fix it. But the cost was too much.

    The lean man¡¯s expression twisted through every emotion¡ªshock, confusion, rage. He realized toote she¡¯d made a fool of him. The shame burned hotter than fire.

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 Chapter 346

    ?Chapter 346:

    ¡°You are messing with me!¡± he roared, lunging at her with his hand raised.

    But Christina was faster. Before he couldy a finger on her, she kicked him square in the chest and sent him flying backward.

    The crowd gasped in unison. This woman was something else.

    Before they could even blink, she stormed over with fire in her eyes and lifted her foot right above his groin.

    At this sight, the crowd sucked in a sharp breath. That was brutal.

    Panicked, the lean man threw up both hands, trying to block her stomp. But she didn¡¯t let up. Her foot kept pressing down, slow and steady, like she was crushing a bug. He was drenched in sweat. His face turned bright red. His teeth clenched so hard it looked painful.

    Most people didn¡¯t notice it¡ªbut the elderly man did. She was holding back. If she¡¯d really wanted to, the lean man wouldn¡¯t have had time to react at all. By the time his hands shot up to block her, it would¡¯ve already been toote¡ªhis penis would¡¯ve been destroyed. So, she was just teaching him a lesson. A flicker of respect shone in the elderly man¡¯s eyes. He¡¯d clearly misjudged her. This girl wasn¡¯t just bold¡ªshe had a sharp mind. No wonder she¡¯d stepped in to help him win his money back. She had the skills to back it up.

    Christina scoffed and pulled her foot away. She turned and walked to a stone bench, calm as ever. With a loud smack of her palm against the table, she gave a sharpmand.

    ¡°Let¡¯s roll with the game.¡±

    The lean man scrambled to his feet, still shaken. The crowd, who¡¯d held their breath the whole time, finally exhaled. Some shifted ufortably, suddenly aware of how frightened they really were.

    Anyone who had underestimated Christina before wasn¡¯t about to make that mistake again. One wrong move, and they might lose more than just a game.

    Cold sweat clung to the lean man¡¯s skin as he struggled to his feet, trembling. He shot daggers in Christina¡¯s direction, hostility written all over his face. But a single, frigid look from her turned that arrogance into raw, wide-eyed fear.

    ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m on my way!¡± he blurted out, approaching awkwardly.

    ???§ÁE ??P?¦«T¦®? I§ª G¦«?§ª?V¦®??.???

    Frustration twisted his expression as he clenched his teeth behind a shaky smile. Never before had a woman stripped him of his pride in public. He decided he¡¯d cheat his way to victory and reim his dignity.

    ¡°You said one round to settle it. Don¡¯t start whining when you lose the game,¡± he remarked, his voice tight with barely checked anger.

    ¡°I never go back on my word,¡± Christina replied calmly, setting her phone down on the stone tabletop. ¡°There¡¯s more than enough in my ount to cover whatever you¡¯re betting.¡±

    Without missing a beat, the lean man craned his neck to catch a glimpse of her screen. What he saw made his eyes widen in disbelief. He let out a shocked gasp. No way¡ªshe was loaded!

    The onlookers couldn¡¯t help but crowd in, curiosity taking hold. The sight of her ount bnce on the bright screen drew collective gasps. Who the hell would just leave that much money sitting in their ount? Was she clueless? Most people would¡¯ve invested it or at least parked it in a high-yield fund. But she just left it there like it was nothing.

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 Chapter 347

    ?Chapter 347:

    None of them dared linger too long, though¡ªjust a quick peek before shuffling back. The memory of how she handled thest guy still sent shivers down their spines. A bruised ego was one thing, but no one wanted to risk having her stomp on their groin.

    ¡°Th-that¡¯s gotta be a screenshot, right?¡± the lean man stammered, voice wobbling as he swallowed nervously. ¡°Who leaves millions just lying around in their ount?¡± She could¡¯ve been earning a fortune if she¡¯d invested properly. What kind of person just left 8 million sitting in a bank earning next to nothing?

    ¡°Take a look for yourself,¡± Christina said tly, tapping the screen and holding it out for him to see she wasn¡¯t bluffing.

    The lean man blinked. Unbelievable. That number staring back at him wasn¡¯t fake¡ªit was her real bnce. For most people, scraping together a million was a lifelong struggle. But she treated money like it was nothing¡ªlike it wasn¡¯t even real.

    It wasn¡¯t even worth the effort of investing. Given the same fortune, anyone else would¡¯ve rushed to invest or stash it away¡ªanything but leave it idle.

    A lump formed in the lean man¡¯s throat as thoughts of easy wealth filled his head. His gaze flitted nervously from her face to her bnce. An opportunity like this didn¡¯te around every day. Today might be the day his fortunes turned. If he cheated his way to victory and won all her money, he¡¯d be set for life.

    The thought made him crack a grin, excitement bubbling inside him.

    ¡°Why settle for just one round?¡± the lean man asked smoothly. ¡°How about we y a few more and really make it interesting?¡±

    Christina¡¯s mouth curled into a daring smirk. ¡°I don¡¯t mind. But one round is all it takes for me to wipe you out.¡±

    The lean man pursed his lips. That level of confidence was almost insulting.

    Plenty of onlookers silently agreed.

    Don¡¯t miss out g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m

    The lean man let out a quietugh. ¡°We¡¯ll just have to see about that.¡±

    ¡°High or low?¡± Christina asked, not blinking.

    ¡°High. No doubt about it,¡± he retorted.

    ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s y.¡± Without hesitation, Christina picked up the dice cup and gave it a loose shake, her face unreadable.

    A hint of triumph glimmered in the lean man¡¯s gaze as he pictured himself winning big. No matter how confident she seemed, she didn¡¯t stand a chance against his tricks. He had rigged both dice cups with expert precision, so subtle that nobody would ever know. As far as he was concerned, her victory was never even an option.

    Thud! Christina brought her cup down hard on the table, her stare sharp and unflinching.

    Thud! Almost instantly, the lean man followed, dropping his cup with a loud smack and wearing a grin that screamed confidence. His mind was already running wild with ideas for his new lifevish parties, new clothes, everything he ever wanted.

    She had walked right into his trap. There was no way she could win this game.

    With a loud smack, the lean man flipped his dice cup and sent the dice spinning across the table for everyone to see. Staring back at the crowd were three perfect sixes.

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 Chapter 348

    ?Chapter 348:

    ¡°That¡¯s a triple! The house takes it all! This woman is out of luck¡ªeven if she gets triple sixes too, there¡¯s no way she can beat him.¡±

    ¡°Why keep going? She should just ept defeat and save herself the embarrassment.¡±

    ¡°Good thing she only put up a few thousand. Imagine if she¡¯d risked everything¡ªshe¡¯d be left with nothing.¡±

    As the whispers swirled, the elderly man in the crowd fixed his eyes on Christina, worry etching lines into his forehead. She sat there,pletely unfazed¡ªno panic, no hesitation¡ªjust an unshakable confidence, like victory was already hers. Maybe even in a situation like this, she still had a way to win.

    Laughter erupted from the lean man. ¡°Hand it over. You¡¯re finished. No one beats the house. Triple sixes means it¡¯s mine¡ªeven if you match it!¡±

    Raising one brow, Christina¡¯s lips twisted into a sly grin. ¡°Who decided I lost? My dice haven¡¯t even been revealed.¡±

    Gasps rippled through the crowd. Was she serious? Triple sixes had sealed her fate. They struggled to imagine any scenario where she might win. Had she lost her mind?

    ¡°Quit stalling and just admit defeat!¡± the lean man snapped, impatience shing in his re. He half expected her to run off without paying up.

    ¡°Won¡¯t know unless I open it, right?¡± Christina replied, her tone yful.

    A mocking snort escaped the lean man. ¡°Get real. The house calls it. Triple sixes always win. Even if you roll the same, you still lo¡ªlo¡ª¡±

    He couldn¡¯t finish the word. Shock froze him in ce.

    Everyone watched as Christina lifted her cup. But instead of three dice, there were four. One die had split perfectly in two. Her roll showed three sixes and a one.

    ¡°Neen points. That¡¯s my win,¡± Christina announced, her expression calm and steady.

    Nobody could believe what they were seeing.

    L??t??st ch??pt??rs in g¦Ál??ovels.c?m

    ¡°No way! She actually won?¡±

    ¡°Can that even count as a win? She straight-up shattered the dice!¡±

    A chorus of doubts rippled through the crowd.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t this whole round be tossed out? Isn¡¯t this just a fancy trick?¡±

    Without missing a beat, the lean man hissed, ¡°This round doesn¡¯t count¡ªyou still lost!¡±

    Christina smirked. ¡°All that matters is what the dice show. Nothing says you can¡¯t break the dice. Unless you¡¯re trying to weasel out of paying?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous! How the hell does a broken die count? That¡¯s not how this works¡ªyou lost, end of story!¡± The lean man was clearly scrambling to avoid paying up.

    With a crack of her knuckles, Christina shot him a hard look. ¡°Go ahead and refuse to pay if you want. But here¡¯s a warning¡ªI don¡¯t mind settling things with my fists.¡±

    A pointed nce toward his lower half, paired with a sly grin, made it clear she wasn¡¯t bluffing.

    The lean man nearly jumped out of his skin, panic shing in his eyes as he mped his knees together. This crazy woman! Why the hell was she so obsessed with the idea of stomping on his crotch?

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 Chapter 349

    ?Chapter 349:

    Off to the side, the elderly man who¡¯d been quietly watching couldn¡¯t help but grin. This girl was a riot. Bringing her into the family as a granddaughter-inw might be the best decision he¡¯d ever make¡ªlife would never be dull again. Wasting money on hustlers just to spice up his day would be a thing of the past. He ran a hand along his chin, his expression shifting into a thoughtful frown. The real concern now was whether someone like her would even spare a nce at that spoiled grandson of his.

    ¡°Time¡¯s up,¡± Christina said coldly. ¡°You lost fair and square. Are you going to cough up the cash, or should I make you?¡±

    The lean man¡¯s spine stiffened, defiance flickering across his face, but in the end, he surrendered and reluctantly forked over the cash he¡¯d swindled from the elderly man.

    Once the moneynded in her hands, Christina passed it straight to the old man. ¡°Go ahead. Count it yourself and make sure it¡¯s all there. I got your money back for you, but I¡¯ve got one rule¡ªno more gambling. Nearly everyone who ys ends up with nothing. It¡¯s not a path to wealth. It¡¯s a shortcut to ruin.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely. You have my word!¡± the elderly man nodded. Now that he¡¯d found such an amusing firecracker, he had no reason to keep wasting money for fun.

    Still fuming, the lean man blurted out, ¡°Think you can handle another round against me?¡±

    Everyone¡¯s gaze was glued to the lean man, defiance practically radiating from his face. His disbelief in Christina¡¯s win still held him hostage. He refused to ept that she had actually outsmarted him.

    ¡°So, what kind of wager are you making this time?¡± Christina asked, her voice steady, her eyes unreadable.

    ¡°This round¡ªlowest roll wins!¡± The lean man whipped out his phone and thrust it toward the crowd, showing off his bank bnce. ¡°A hundred grand on the table!¡±

    His focus darted to Christina¡¯s phone, plotting hiseback. There was no way he¡¯d let her walk away a second time. Today, he told himself, that fortune sitting in her ount would be his. At the very least, he would walk away with a million from her.

    ¡°All right,¡± Christina responded, meeting his challenge head-on.

    gal¦Ç¦Ò¦Íe?s.c?m is your update source

    The lean man shed a smug grin and added a new condition. ¡°This round, no damaging the dice. Anyone who damages them loses on the spot¡ªkiss the hundred grand goodbye and cough up a million as a penalty for breaking the rules!¡±

    A collective hiss swept through the crowd. Everyone caught on¡ªthis was nothing but a setup, a greedy scheme to trip her up.

    Confidence gleamed in the lean man¡¯s eyes as he shed a taunting grin. ¡°Well? Are you scared?¡±

    ¡°Not in the slightest,¡± Christina answered, her voice cool as ice.

    His smirk stretched wider, convinced he¡¯d already won. ¡°And remember, if it¡¯s a tie, the house wins.¡±

    ¡°Agreed.¡± Christina barely blinked, a sly smile flickering across her lips.

    After fresh dice were brought out, she scooped them into her cup and gave it a sharp shake.

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 Chapter 350

    ?Chapter 350:

    Taking the lead, the lean man mmed his cup on the table, lifting it with a flourish. ¡°Triple ones¡ªadds up to three!¡± he dered, his grin stretching wide with self-satisfaction. ¡°That means you lose.¡±

    With practiced calm, Christina set her cup down with a clean thud right beside his. She leaned in, not at all rattled.

    ¡°You might want to hold your apuse.¡±

    Around them, the crowd hunched closer, every eye fixed on the table. No one could imagine beating three ones¡ªthe lowest roll there was.

    ¡°She thinks she can win with a lower roll than triple ones? She¡¯s lost her mind.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s just stalling¡ªshe knows there¡¯s no way out.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re beaten, own it. Faking confidence is pointless now.¡±

    ¡°Dragging it out will just make your embarrassment worse. What is she thinking?¡±

    Confidence in her chances was almost nonexistent among the onlookers. Nobody could imagine a roll lower than triple ones. Even if she matched it, the house still imed victory.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see it, then. This round¡¯s mine¡ªno suspense left.¡± The lean man leaned in, unable to contain his excitement.

    Unbothered, Christina held her serene smile.

    With every pair of eyes watching, she gently raised the cup¡ªand when the dice finally came into view, the space froze in stunned disbelief. A collective gasp sliced through the air. For a moment, everyone wondered if magic had taken over. A wless stack of dice stood upright, only the top face visible¡ªone bright red dot.

    ¡°She scored a single point! She actually beat him!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s something I¡¯ve only seen in movies¡ªnever in person!¡±

    ¡°Bncing dice is hard enough, but getting every face to line up? How in the world did she manage that?¡±

    Fresh updates loaded g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c?m

    A second wave of astonishment swept the crowd. Every face on those dice lined up with impossible precision. Had she not shaken the cup right in front of everyone, nobody would have believed it wasn¡¯t rigged.

    The lean man¡¯s jaw dropped, disbelief twisting his features. He looked like he¡¯d just seen a ghost.

    He used her, eximing, ¡°N-no! There¡¯s no way! You must have swapped the dice! They¡¯ve got to be glued together or something!¡±

    Desperation sent him lunging for the dice, eager to prove foul y¡ªif only to im victory by default.

    Instead of stopping the lean man, Christina watched withpleteposure while he inspected the dice.

    Turning each die over and inspecting every side, the lean man searched for evidence of a trick, but the dice came apart easily¡ªthere was nothing suspicious. Confusion tightened his features.

    ¡°How¡­ how did she do this?¡± he whispered, utterly bewildered.

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 Chapter 351

    ?Chapter 351:

    Meanwhile, the elderly man had fixed his eyes on Christina, certain she¡¯d yed fair the entire time. Pulling off a feat like that took genuine talent¡ªno ordinary gambler could manage it.

    A new thought crossed the elderly man¡¯s mind: if she ever joined his family as his granddaughter-inw, his wild grandson would finally be put in his ce. The idea of seeing his grandson¡¯s ego take a hit made his grin wider than ever. That boy had gone unchecked for too long, and now, someone might finally be able to knock him down a peg.

    The onlookers couldn¡¯t hold back their thoughts.

    ¡°I thought luck was all she had, but she¡¯s a real pro.¡±

    ¡°I looked down on her earlier ¡¯cause she¡¯s a woman¡ªnow I feel like pping myself twice. She¡¯s the real deal.¡±

    ¡°You think she could actually go toe-to-toe with Epic, the legendary gambler?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t kid yourself. Epic is on another level¡ªno one matches up.¡±

    ¡°Epic hasn¡¯t been seen at the tables since retirement, but I¡¯ve heard rumors Epic has been hanging around the Miller family¡¯s casino every night¡­¡±

    Each remark reached Christina¡¯s ears. A subtle twitch creased her brow, and an icy spark lit up her gaze. Someone out there was daring enough to impersonate her? A slow, sly smile crept onto her lips. Now things were getting interesting. Looked like a trip to the Miller family¡¯s casino was in order¡ªtime toe face-to-face with the fraud pretending to be Epic.

    ¡°You had to have cheated! There¡¯s no way you beat me fair!¡± the lean man shouted, his face twisted with fury as he suddenly jabbed a finger at Christina in usation. He still refused to ept defeat¡ªthe thought of losing 100 grand to her made his heart feel like it was being shredded.

    Challenge danced in Christina¡¯s eyes as she retorted, ¡°Where¡¯s your proof? Did you actually catch me cheating? Even if I did, so what?¡±

    She let her eyebrow lift, lips curling into a smirk.

    Curling into a cocky grin, Christina said,

    ¡°Every gambler knows the game¡ªif you don¡¯t get caught, it¡¯s called skill, not cheating.¡±

    Stunned into silence, the lean man had noeback¡ªher logic was wless.

    If he couldn¡¯t expose her, then she had simply yed better.

    The crowd echoed her im.

    ¡°She¡¯s right. There¡¯s no evidence she cheated.¡±

    ¡°Anyone here spot her pulling a fast one? Because I sure didn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Quit stalling and hand over the money. Act like a man.¡±

    The lean man¡¯s re swept across the group, instantly silencing them.

    Stubbornness took hold as he screamed,

    ¡°I don¡¯t care! You cheated! You lost the game, and you¡¯re paying¡ªone hundred grand, plus a million for cheating!¡±

    Christina nearly burst outughing at how ridiculous his words were.

    ¡°Unbelievable. Your shamelessness astounds me.¡±

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 Chapter 352

    ?Chapter 352:

    ¡°Pay up!¡± the lean man blurted out. ¡°Or I¡¯ll call my guys¡ªand believe me, they don¡¯t take long to show.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the one who should be handing over the cash,¡± Christina replied, her voice calm as ever.

    She lifted the dice cup and held it up for everyone to see.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been rigging the game from the start.¡±

    With a flick of her thumb, she pressed a button hidden in the cup¡¯s base.

    Instantly, the crowd saw how the dice could be forced to show any result.

    Cries of outrage broke out as the truth hit home.

    ¡°So that¡¯s how he kept rolling perfect sets! I thought it was pure skill!¡±

    ¡°I actually believed he was just lucky¡ªturns out he¡¯s nothing but a crook.¡±

    ¡°Rigging the game in front of us all? Someone ought to teach him a lesson!¡±

    The lean man staggered back, caught off guard.

    He hadn¡¯t expected her to expose his scam.

    A knot of dread twisted in his stomach.

    How did she spot his trick?

    Did she know about his cup from the very beginning?

    ¡°You¡ªyou knew the cup was rigged and still gambled with me! You set me up!¡± he roared, jabbing a finger at her.

    Rage and humiliation collided inside him.

    Dismissive, Christina shrugged and pulled out her phone.

    ¡°Excuses won¡¯t pay the bill. Transfer 1.1 million. Now.¡±

    L¦Á¦Ó??¦Ó ?§ß¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??om

    The lean man¡¯s eyes widened as he faced Christina.

    ¡°Have you even heard yourself? How outrageous of you to demand 1.1 million!¡±

    Losing a hundred grand was painful enough¡ªadding a million felt downright criminal.

    Rules were rules, and Christina didn¡¯t hesitate.

    ¡°You set the penalty yourself. Cheaters pay a million. You lost and rigged the game. Time to settle up.¡±

    A hollowugh escaped the lean man¡¯s lips.

    ¡°But you also cheated!¡±

    Christina let a sneer curl at her lips.

    ¡°Got anything to back that up? Show me where I cheated, and maybe I¡¯ll admit defeat.¡±

    She waspletely unfazed¡ªher win was all skill, no trickery.

    ¡°You!¡± he sputtered, frustration tightening his voice. He opened his mouth again, but nothing credible came out.

    Christina raised an eyebrow, her voiceced with mockery.

    ¡°Speechless? No proof at all?¡±

    The lean man threw out a desperate bluff.

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 Chapter 353

    ?Chapter 353:

    ¡°Cops areing! Right behind you!¡±

    A few onlookers instinctively scattered, unwilling to risk a run-in with thew.

    But Christina stood her ground. She wasn¡¯t about to let him run off without paying up.

    She lunged, grabbed him by the cor, and yanked him off his feet.

    Without warning, her fist mmed into his left eye, leaving him howling in pain.

    ¡°Ah¡ªdamn it!¡± the lean man screamed, clutching his face.

    ¡°Are you insane? What¡¯s your problem?¡±

    ¡°This is what you get for trying to dodge what you owe,¡± Christina shot back, driving him to the ground and nting her foot firmly on his chest.

    ¡°You lost. Time to pay. And if you¡¯re that low on cash, I¡¯m more than willing to take another form of payment.¡±

    Her smirk deepened as her eyes drifted deliberately to the space between his legs.

    Terror drained the color from his face. He scrambled to cover himself with both hands.

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t actually go that far!¡±

    Christina snorted. Men were all the same. Even with erectile dysfunction, they still treated their penises like they were priceless.

    ¡°You dare welsh on this bet, and I¡¯ll take what¡¯s left of your pride.¡±

    Her voice was ice-cold, her eyes daring him to test her resolve.

    An imposing aura rippled from Christina, suffocating the lean man and leaving him stunned.

    Nearby, the elderly man sensed her formidable presence, his gaze sharpening. Impressed, he thought to himself that maybe this fiery woman could actually keep his unruly grandson in line.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í???s is your story source

    The lean man had been ready to dig in his heels, refusing to pay up no matter what. But faced with the deadly fire in her eyes¡ªand her threat aimed squarely at his crotch¡ªhis defiance crumbledpletely. There was nothing in her eyes that hinted she was bluffing. She would follow through. No question. An absolute lunatic.

    Frustration warred with humiliation as he clenched his jaw. Reluctantly, he gave in.

    ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll transfer the money! Just get your foot off my chest!¡±

    ¡°Not until the transfer¡¯s done.¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t move, shoving her phone inches from his face.

    With no other choice, he begrudgingly sent the first hundred grand.

    She didn¡¯t miss a beat.

    ¡°That¡¯s not all. You owe another million,¡± she added, her voice cold as steel.

    Originally, the stakes were only a hundred thousand¡ªif neither of them cheated. But the moment he rigged the game and even had the audacity to use her, he brought this upon himself. After all, he was the one who¡¯d set the one-million penalty for cheating. His foul y only confirmed he¡¯d been plotting to steal her money all along with his low tricks.

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 Chapter 354

    ?Chapter 354:

    ¡°You!¡± the lean man tried to protest, but the moment her foot dug deeper into his chest and his ribs groaned under the pressure, he caved.

    ¡°Alright, alright! I¡¯ll transfer the money! Just get off me!¡±

    ¡°Make one wrong move, and you¡¯ll walk out of here short more than just cash.¡±

    Without hesitation, she held up her phone again.

    Shaking, the lean man tapped out the rest of the transfer. It took everything in him not to cry. Each digit he entered felt like a piece of his soul was being carved away. Years of savings, gone in an instant¡ªall because he had picked the wrong woman to mess with.

    Bitter regret chewed at him. If only he had never sat down at her table.

    The onlookers took one look at the lean man slumped on the ground and winced, pitying the poor guy. Lucky break for them¡ªthey hadn¡¯t challenged that woman. If they had, they¡¯d be walking out penniless and humiliated.

    ¡°Good,¡± Christina said, ncing at the transfer notification on her screen. Her lips curled into a crooked grin as she finally lifted her foot from the lean man¡¯s chest.

    The lean man watched her walk away, his eyes burning with disgrace and bitter defeat. What options did he have? She had crushed himpletely. All he could do was let a few angry, humiliated tears slip down his cheeks. Damn. That was brutal.

    The elderly man rushed forward, his creased face lighting up in a delighted smile as he hurried toward Christina.

    ¡°Youngdy, I truly appreciate your help winning my money back earlier. Let me treat you to a meal¡ªit¡¯s the least I can do.¡±

    Of course, he was actually hoping to pair her up with his rowdy grandson over dinner.

    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± Christina replied coolly. ¡°Just stay away from card tables. If I catch you at it again, you¡¯ll have me to answer to.¡±

    Her gaze sharpened like a de.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is your escape to fiction

    The elderly man blinked, then gave a sheepish grin.

    ¡°No more gambling, I swear! You¡¯ve got my word. Actually, the Miller¡ª¡±

    He caught himself mid-sentence and quickly changed course.

    ¡°Say¡­ are you seeing anyone?¡± he asked, his tone suddenly curious.

    Christina¡¯s expression tightened.

    ¡°Why do you want to know?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like to introduce you to someone! Great background, easy on the eyes¡ª¡±

    She cut him off before he could finish.

    ¡°I¡¯ll pass.¡±

    As the words left her lips, Dn¡¯s face flickered through her thoughts. As if anyone in this world couldpare to him.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t lied!¡± the elderly man said quickly.

    ¡°But he¡¯s¡­ well, he¡¯s¡ª¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s what?¡± she asked, one brow lifting.

    ¡°Kind of a handful,¡± he admitted, scratching his head.

    ¡°But you seem like the type who could whip him into shape!¡±

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 Chapter 355

    ?Chapter 355:

    ¡°I treat animals, not grown boys pretending to be men,¡± Christina shot back icily.

    If the man¡¯s own family couldn¡¯t rein him in, what made this elderly man think she could?

    The whole thing reeked of tired old ideas¡ª

    ¡°He just needs a good woman.¡±

    ¡°Marriage will mature him.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯ll turn him around.¡±

    Please. If a man had¡­

    Spent his life unchecked and untamed, expecting a woman to fix him was nothing short of delusional. Hah! It was a ssic deflection¡ªshifting the burden onto a woman and then ming her when he inevitably stayed broken.

    Christina smirked. Pathetic. The moment a woman convinced herself she could rescue a wreck of a man, she was already halfway down a bottomless pit. In rtionships, the rule was non-negotiable: pick someone solid and never y the savior. Deep character ws didn¡¯t vanish just because someone loved hard enough.

    The elderly man stiffened, clearly taken aback by her frosty shift in tone. He was just beginning to grasp what had prompted her change when someone suddenly shouted,

    ¡°Run! What are you doing just standing around? The cops are actually on their way!¡±

    With that warning, the person bolted.

    Christina hadn¡¯t nned on getting dragged into police business. She had only stepped in to help the elderly man recover his cash¡ªnot to end up in handcuffs. Without a word, she vanished into the crowd.

    The elderly man tried to follow her, but chaos had broken loose. People were running in all directions, jostling him from every side. By the time he made it through the stampede, she was already gone. He had no choice but to flee as well. Despite being the patriarch of the Miller family¡ªKitaso¡¯s wealthiest¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t be exempt from arrest.

    Yes, the Miller family had its share of legal gambling operations, but this particr venue wasn¡¯t one of them. An arrest here wouldn¡¯t just tarnish their reputation¡ªit would send their stock prices crashing and give his enemies the perfect opportunity to strike.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Òv???s hosts exclusive updates

    Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, a pair of cold, furious eyes followed Christina¡¯s exit. That meddling pest! If it hadn¡¯t been for that shouted warning, Christina would¡¯ve been in cuffs by now.

    Yvonne clenched her fists so hard her knuckles turned white. Rage surged through her in choking waves, her body convulsing with coughs fueled by fury. She¡¯d been so close to getting Christina detained for gambling and assault¡ªonly for some busybody to ruin it all.

    Damn it all to hell.

    Yvonne shot a sharp re at the path the lean man had vanished down before bolting after him without a second thought. Letting Christina walk away unscathed wasn¡¯t something she intended to allow. Elsewhere in the hospital, a different scene was unfolding.

    A brisk pace carried Christina down the corridor until, without warning, she collided with a solid, warm chest. Steady handsnded firmly at her waist, and her muscles tensed. She nearlyunched into a self-defense move when a low, familiar voice drifted by her ear. ¡°Are you alright? Did something happen?¡±

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 Chapter 356

    ?Chapter 356:

    Recognizing Dn¡¯s smooth voice, Christina rxed at once. That hint of concern always managed to slip into his words. Instead ofshing out, she gave him aid-back grin. ¡°Nothing serious. I just bumped into someone from my past and ended up gabbing too long. Now I¡¯m about to burst¡ªI need to find a restroom.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Relief flickered through Dn as he gave her a quick, subtle nod. His arm lingered around her waist for a moment too long, and she gave a gentle nudge. ¡°I, uh¡­ I really need to go.¡±

    Awkward realization dawned on him. His hand dropped immediately, a sheepish look shing across his features.

    ¡°See youter,¡± Christina remarked, turning to move past him. Then, she noticed a ssh of bright red blooming across his hospital gown, stark and fresh over his chest. Worry pulled her brows low. ¡°You¡¯re bleeding!¡±

    Regret spiked through her¡ªhad she hit him hard enough to reopen his wound? ¡°You need to see a doctor. Come on.¡± Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed his hand and pushed forward, her face tight with worry¡ªthere was no time for apologies.

    Nothing else mattered to her at that moment except getting him help. She hardly noticed how close they looked to anyone watching. To passersby, the two of them could have stepped right out of a romantic drama.

    The moment her fingers slipped around his, Dn went rigid with surprise. For a second, he simply let her tug him along, still stunned. Only after a moment did a quiet smile begin to pull at his lips. Gone was the usual cold sharpness in his gaze¡ªwarmth reced the icepletely.

    Any ache that had been lingering in his chest seemed to vanishpletely. Nothing couldpare to the effect of Christina¡¯s gentle grasp. With every step, he felt lighter, as if he were walking on air instead of cold hospital floors. Before the elevator doors slid open, Christina threw Dn a concerned nce. In an instant¡­

    Dn wiped away all signs of his grin. Where warmth had just flickered, only his usual frosty reserve remained. Anyone witnessing it would have been left astonished. That was the work of someone who had truly perfected the art of switching expressions in an instant.

    Dn felt his heart jolt. That was too close. If he had been a second slower, she might have caught on to his bright smile.

    Concern deepened in Christina¡¯s eyes. ¡°Does it hurt anywhere?¡±

    Feel the thrill at g aln  ov el s .

    A neutral mask stayed fixed on Dn¡¯s face. He nearly let a quick ¡°I¡¯m fine¡± slip past his lips, but hesitation held him back at thest second. His brows drew together, and he let out a soft sigh, pretending the pain bothered him. ¡°Yeah, it hurts a little. But I¡¯ll live.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡ªI didn¡¯t mean to! I had no idea you¡¯d being around the corner,¡± Christina said apologetically.

    Dn reassured her, ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. Just one of those things.¡±

    ¡°How about switching to a hospital in Dorfield once you¡¯re feeling better?¡± Christina suggested. The thought of remaining in Kitaso any longer made her uneasy.

    ¡°Alright. It won¡¯t take long,¡± Dn murmured. He recalled that Kurt Miller, the Miller family¡¯s patriarch, had a birthday celebrationing up soon. It would be best to attend it before leaving.

    This time, Dn had been caught off guard. If the Millers hadn¡¯t stepped in, he would have taken more than just one bullet. Even now, some of the security around him was courtesy of the Miller family. His hospital stay had been arranged by them, though they couldn¡¯t exactly visit openly, not with so many eyes watching. The more people who knew he was injured, the worse it would be for him.

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 Chapter 357

    ?Chapter 357:

    Actually, Kurt had managed to drop by for a brief visit while Christina was away from Dn¡¯s ward.

    Christina and Dn made their way back to the ward once his wound was treated.

    Elsewhere, Yvonne had already closed the distance between herself and the lean man.

    ¡°What do you want now?¡± the lean man barked, casting a hostile re her way. Yvonne didn¡¯t bother with pleasantries. ¡°Don¡¯t you want payback for losing to that woman earlier?¡±

    ¡°And how exactly?¡± His gaze turned sharp, scanning her from head to toe with suspicion. Was this pale stranger sent by that woman to mess with him?

    ¡°You¡¯ve got the transfer records for the money you gave her, right? Report her for ckmail, and she¡¯ll be behind bars in no time,¡± Yvonne proposed coolly.

    For a heartbeat, amusement crept onto his face¡ªbut then his smile died. He had a criminal record, and his hands weren¡¯t exactly clean. Contactingw enforcement could easily backfire andnd him in a cell himself. His eyes narrowed even more as he studied her. Was she trying to bait him? Even if she wasn¡¯t, it would be suicide to drag thew into this.

    ¡°Get lost, you psycho!¡± he hissed, spitting on the ground before storming past her.

    Stunned, Yvonne stood frozen. She had offered him an out, and he called her insane? Still, blowing up wouldn¡¯t serve her purpose. Gritting her teeth, she darted after him, cutting off his path once more. ¡°You¡¯d rather insult me than get even?¡± she snapped. ¡°Aren¡¯t you furious? Don¡¯t you want to see her rot in jail?¡±

    The lean man let out a humorlessugh. ¡°Do I look stupid to you? Turning her in would drag me down too! Go see a shrink and stop wasting my time!¡±

    She didn¡¯t budge. ¡°What if I pay you to report her?¡±

    He sneered, ¡°Not happening,¡± and shoved her aside like trash.

    ¡°Two million!¡± Yvonne blurted out before she could even pick herself up.

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    The lean man halted mid-step. Two million? That number made him pause. But what if it was a trap? He turned slowly, stepping closer. ¡°You actually have that amount of money?¡±

    Yvonne stared him down. ¡°Obviously.¡± As the only sessor of the Jones family¡¯s business, even in its decline, this wasn¡¯t a huge ask.

    ¡°And how do I know you won¡¯t disappear after doing your dirty work?¡±

    ¡°Easy. One million now. The rest after she¡¯s in custody,¡± Yvonne said as she stood up shakily, her body wracked with coughs.

    The lean man flinched and instinctively shielded his face, as though she carried some gue.

    His obvious disgust made Yvonne¡¯s blood boil. She coughed harder, rage bubbling just beneath her skin. Who did this lowlife think he was to look down on her? She wanted to tear him apart¡ªbut instead, she held back and wired him the first million.

    When his phone buzzed, and the digits confirmed her promise, his smirk returned. ¡°Well, since you¡¯re this sincere, I¡¯ll take the job.¡±

    Jail wasn¡¯t unfamiliar territory. He could handle it. Maybe he¡¯d even reim the million he lost¡ªand walk out richer. Better yet, he could use this deal to squeeze more from this woman once he was released.

    With a few final words, the lean man walked away, smug and satisfied. Yvonne¡¯s expression turned cold, her eyes gleaming with something sinister.

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 Chapter 358

    ?Chapter 358:

    Whistling to himself, the lean man exited the building, eager to share the news of his unexpected payday. But the second he stepped into a quiet alleyway, a hand mped over his face¡ªand he was yanked into a waiting van.

    Once back in the ward, Yvonne couldn¡¯t wipe the smirk off her face, relishing the prospect of Christina¡¯s imminent crash and burn.

    Her parents didn¡¯t miss her odd vibe. Liza, intrigued, prodded, ¡°Yvonne, what¡¯s with that cat-who-ate-the-canary grin?¡±

    Mack jumped in, ¡°Did you hit the jackpot or something? Don¡¯t keep us in the dark!¡±

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing to write home about,¡± Yvonne brushed it off. ¡°Just mulling over what to bring to Kurt¡¯s birthday bash.¡± No way was she spilling the beans about her under-the-table deal with that lean guy¡ªthe scheme to throw Christina behind bars.

    ¡°Make sure it¡¯s something top-notch!¡± Mack enthused. ¡°Something that¡¯ll knock Kurt¡¯s socks off. Who knows? You might just lock in your spot as his future granddaughter-inw!¡±

    ¡°But what should I prepare?¡± Yvonne furrowed her brow. ¡°Maybe an antique?¡±

    ¡°I hear he¡¯s got a thing for calligraphy and paintings. An antique masterpiece could be the golden ticket,¡± Mack proposed.

    Liza, though, had her doubts. ¡°But won¡¯t everyone else be thinking along the same lines? What if ours gets lost in the shuffle?¡±

    ¡°Who knows? Maybe we¡¯ll hit the jackpot and pick exactly what he loves,¡± Mack replied with hopeful optimism.

    Just as Yvonne opened her mouth to reply, her phone buzzed. She pulled it out and saw a transfer notification sh on the screen. Why would someone suddenly send her money?

    As she tapped on the message, her eyes widened. It was a transfer of one million, apanied by a note: ¡°Here¡¯s your money back. The deal¡¯s off.¡± Yvonne froze, her smile evaporating in an instant. She frantically typed a message back to the lean man. ¡°Why¡¯re you backing out? You already took the money¡ªwhy send it back?¡±

    No reply.

    Gritting her teeth, she sent another text. ¡°Where are you? Answer me!¡± Still nothing. She typed again, anger boiling over. ¡°Returning the money changes nothing. The deal stands, and if you don¡¯t honor it, I¡¯ll sue for fraud and extortion!¡±

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    But it was like shouting into a void. Her messages vanished into thin air. That lean man hadpletely ghosted her.

    When Yvonne tried again, she found he¡¯d blocked her. A tremor of rage shook her, triggering a harsh coughing fit.

    ¡°Yvonne!¡± Liza rushed over, patting her back with concern. ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m fine, Mom. Thanks.¡± Yvonne forced a smile, clutching her now-dark phone tightly.

    The more Yvonne dwelled on it, the hotter her anger burned. That wretched bastard had gone back on his word! What on earth had happened? Since when did a bottom-feeder like him pass up a cool two million? But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t wrap her head around his sudden change of heart.

    On the other end, the lean man jammed his phone into his pocket after blocking Yvonne. He hobbled along, his face a canvas of bruises and swelling, his ribs screaming as if they¡¯d been shattered.

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 Chapter 359

    ?Chapter 359:

    Moments earlier, under the harsh re of interrogation, the lean man had spilled the beans about his deal with Yvonne. The goons who¡¯d nabbed him had ordered him to back out¡ªand for the sake of his own skin, he¡¯d had no choice but toply. Two million was no good to him if he was pushing up daisies. What was the point of cash if he was six feet under?

    The goons had never let slip who they were working for, but the lean man knew better than to poke the bear. He never would¡¯ve pegged that wild card of a woman as having such heavyweight connections. Just who the heck was she?

    Oblivious to being pegged as a ¡°wild card¡± by the lean man, Christina hadn¡¯t the faintest clue about any of this. The muscle who¡¯d snatched the lean man were on Kurt¡¯s payroll. Kurt had stumbled upon Yvonne and the lean man¡¯s shady dealings and had the lean man scooped up for a grilling.

    Though the lean man was spitting mad, he didn¡¯t dare hang around. Scared out of his wits of being hunted down, he hightailed it out of Kitaso that very night, making a beeline for Dorfield, where he prayed he¡¯d be out of harm¡¯s way. Better to skip town than end up sleeping with the fishes.

    The following day, in the luxurious VIP ward, a series of knocks reverberated through the room.

    Christina immediately stood up and opened the door to find a nurse holding a tray of fresh bandages and medication for Dn.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Christina said warmly, offering a polite smile.

    The nurse barely acknowledged her, offering a quick, tight-lipped smile that quickly faded into an expression of quiet disdain.

    Christina noticed the contempt in the nurse¡¯s eyes, her brow furrowing in confusion. Had she somehow offended the nurse? This nurse was pretty, yes¡ªbutpletely unfamiliar. The nurses who had attended to Dn before had all been pleasant and professional, a stark contrast to this one¡¯s attitude. The way the nurse looked at her was almost dismissive, like she was something beneath her.

    The nurse ced the tray carefully on the side table and then turned to Dn. In an instant, her frosty expression melted into sugary sweetness. ¡°Mr. Scott,¡± she purred, her voice dipped in honey, ¡°I¡¯m here to change your dressing.¡±

    Dn¡¯s brows knitted together in immediate disapproval. His icy eyes scanned her, a cold flicker of distaste crossing his features. ¡°I don¡¯t need your help,¡± he replied, his voice t. ¡°I can manage it myself.¡±

    His tone, sharp andmanding, should have been enough to send the nurse away, but she didn¡¯t budge. After all, this was Dn Scott¡ªthe man countless women dreamed of marrying. This was her chance, the golden opportunity to entrench herself in high society and secure the life she dreamed of. She wasn¡¯t going to let it slip through her fingers.

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    ¡°Oh, please, let me help. This is my job, after all,¡± the nurse said with a yful giggle, stepping closer and reaching for the buttons of his gown. ¡°Let me help you¡ª¡±

    Dn leaned back, his expression hardening. His voice dropped to a dangerous calm. ¡°I said no. Don¡¯t make me repeat myself.¡±

    The nurse¡¯s eyes widened, quickly filling with tears. She blinked them back, her lips trembling as she tried to look both hurt and innocent. ¡°But I was only¡ª¡±

    ¡°Out,¡± Dn cut in sharply, his voice like ice.

    The nurse stiffened, caught off guard by the raw fury emanating from him. His presence felt suffocating, like a storm gathering strength, moments away from breaking.

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 Chapter 360

    ?Chapter 360:

    ¡°M-Mr. Scott¡­¡± the nurse whimpered, tears sliding down her cheeks as if hoping her dramatic disy might win sympathy.

    But it had the opposite effect. Dn¡¯s expression grew colder, his disgust palpable. Her performance didn¡¯t move him¡ªit repulsed him.

    Sensing she was losing control of the situation, the nurse inhaled shakily. In a moment of reckless desperation, she lunged toward him.

    Dn reacted in an instant. He snatched the nearest pillow and used it as a barrier, shoving her back with unfiltered force.

    The nurse hadn¡¯t expected such a swift response. She stumbled, losing her bnce, andnded hard on her backside with a loud thud.

    ¡°Security!¡± Dn¡¯s voice roared through the room like thunder. His eyes zed, barely held back by restraint.

    Within moments, two towering guards burst through the door. ¡°Yes, Mr. Scott?¡± one of them asked, already assessing the situation.

    Dn¡¯s gaze sliced toward the nurse like a de. ¡°Throw her out,¡± he ordered. ¡°Right away.¡±

    Without hesitation, the guards grabbed the nurse by the arms, lifting her with ease.

    ¡°Let me go!¡± the nurse screeched as she was hoisted off her feet. ¡°Put me down!¡± But her cries fell on deaf ears. The guards showed no mercy, dragging her out of the room with ruthless efficiency. When they reached the hallway, they unceremoniously tossed her onto the cold, hard floor outside.

    She was the first nurse in history to be physically thrown out of Dn¡¯s ward. Not long ago, she had been gloating to her coworkers, confident she would win Dn over. She¡¯d told them to expect good news, iming she¡¯d charm her way into his world. Now, not only had she failed, but she had been humiliated and discarded like nothing more than trash. The sheer embarrassment of it all was unbearable.

    The nurse caught sight of a few colleagues watching nearby, some struggling to hold back theirughter. Face burning, she scrambled to her feet and fled down the hallway.

    Back in the ward, Christina was still processing what had just unfolded when she heard Dn¡¯s voice¡ªthis time much softer, almost tender¡ªcalling her name.

    ¡°Christina¡­¡±

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    Christina stared at Dn, caught off guard by the sudden tenderness in his tone.

    Noticing her hesitation, Dn tilted his head slightly.

    ¡°Is that okay with you?¡±

    His voice was low and smooth¡ªlike silk draped in smoke¡ªcarrying a subtle charm that sent a warm tremor through her.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± she murmured after a moment.

    Without further exnation, he handed her the cushion the nurse had touched.

    ¡°Would you mind tossing this out?¡±

    ¡°You some kind of germaphobe?¡± Christina asked, eyebrows pulling together as she took it. Really? One quick touch and it needed to be discarded?

    ¡°Kind of,¡± he replied.

    Instead of heading to the trash, she casually flicked it onto a nearby couch.

    ¡°That good enough?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯ll do,¡± Dn said.

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 Chapter 361

    ?Chapter 361:

    A beat passed before Christina offered,

    ¡°Want me to bring you a fresh one?¡±

    ¡°No need.¡± His gaze shifted to the pair resting on her mattress.

    ¡°Just pass me one of yours.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡± Her voice trailed off.

    ¡°I¡¯ve already used them.¡±

    She didn¡¯t get it. If he was so obsessive about cleanliness that he couldn¡¯t tolerate a pillow someone else had touched for a second, why was he suddenly fine with one she¡¯d slept on? She probably drooled on it at some point.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Dn said.

    A faint twitch of a grin yed at his lips¡ªso subtle it nearly vanished as soon as it appeared. Both pillows had clearly been used by her, so there was no need to ¡°identally¡± pick the one she had.

    Christina eyed him suspiciously.

    ¡°You¡¯re absolutely sure?¡±

    ¡°No doubt,¡± Dn replied, his voice calm and steady.

    Still uncertain, she paused before stepping toward her bed and handing him one.

    ¡°If it¡¯s a problem, seriously¡ªI¡¯ll just get you a new one.¡±

    She remained puzzled. Most people avoided used things, and here he was¡ªMr. Clean Freak¡ªasking for the pillow she¡¯d slept on? Shouldn¡¯t this be triggering some kind of allergic meltdown?

    She watched closely, but he simply positioned the pillow behind his back like it meant nothing.

    ¡°Can you help change my dressing?¡± Dn asked suddenly.

    Christina froze.

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    ¡°I thought you said you would handle it yourself?¡±

    She distinctly remembered him insisting he didn¡¯t want the nurse¡¯s help and would take care of it alone. So what had changed? Her thoughts began to spiral. The nurse had just been thrown out¡ªif she tried to help, would she be next?

    Before her worries could deepen, his voice softened, tinged with disappointment.

    ¡°Forget it. I¡¯ll take care of it if you don¡¯t want to help.¡±

    She nced up¡ªhis eyes had lost their usual coldness. In their ce was something far more vulnerable. A flicker of pain, barely hidden.

    Her heart fluttered. Damn those eyes. How was anyone supposed to say no to that?

    ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to help,¡± she blurted.

    ¡°I just didn¡¯t want to end up banned, too.¡±

    She gave a dryugh.

    ¡°You won¡¯t,¡± he said without hesitation.

    ¡°Okay.¡± She nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help you clean and dress your wound, then.¡±

    Her gaze dropped briefly to his hospital gown. With care, she reached out and began unbuttoning it, one button at a time. She moved deliberately, keeping her distance. Thest thing she wanted was to identally brush against him and trigger another one of his cleanliness meltdowns.

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 Chapter 362

    ?Chapter 362:

    ¡°This might hurt a bit,¡± Christina murmured, her voice steady and low.

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    Dn watched her, his eyes lingering on her loweredshes, captivated by how focused she was. In that moment, something about her felt different¡ªmore maic.

    As Christina concentrated on cleaning the wound, she didn¡¯t realize how intently he was watching her. The memory of that idental contact in the car resurfaced, and she found herself oddly grateful he hadn¡¯t kicked her out then and there.

    But in that brief moment of distraction, her fingers brushed against his bare chest¡­

    A sh of panic shot through Christina as she jerked her hand away, instinct taking over. At the same time, Dn, who had just extended his hand¡ªitching to grasp hers¡ªfroze mid-motion. His fingers twitched slightly, caught between disappointment and relief. If he hadn¡¯t stopped himself in time, he might have startled her.

    ¡°That was an ident. Didn¡¯t mean to do that,¡± Christina said, ncing at Dn and trying to sound casual. A silent worry lingered. Would he throw her out over this? Sure, those guards outside wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against her, but being tossed out by Dn would still be humiliating.

    Dn¡¯s calm voice offered quiet reassurance.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡±

    A brief pause of uncertainty passed before Christina asked,

    ¡°Should I keep going?¡±

    ¡°Please do. And sorry for the trouble,¡± Dn replied, polite as ever, though his expression remained unreadable.

    He exhaled quietly as he watched her hands move more cautiously now. Maybe she was still rattled by how he¡¯d kicked out the nurse earlier. That might exin her extra carefulness. His lips parted several times, ready to say something¡ªanything¡ªto exin himself. But every attempt died before he could speak.

    A worry gnawed at him: what if she figured out how he felt and rejected himpletely? What if she distanced herself? If that happened, they¡¯d never return to how things were. He had never felt this hesitant before. He wanted nothing more than to close the space between them, but the fear of pushing her away held him back.

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    ¡°You¡¯re all set.¡±

    Christina smiled, her grin lighting up the room.

    ¡°You can button up now.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡±

    Dn nodded quietly and began buttoning his shirt, each movement calm and deliberate. His long, well-defined hands were a sight to behold. Something about the way he moved pulled at Christina¡¯s attention¡ªeach gesture sending a subtle ripple through her chest.

    She found herself staring, momentarily lost in the moment¡ªuntil Dn¡¯s gaze lifted and met hers.

    A jolt shot through her. It was like the moment snapped into perfect rity.

    Heat rushed to her cheeks, and her skin practically sizzled. With a nervousugh, she blurted,

    ¡°I should, uh, go wash some fruits. Be right back!¡±

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 Chapter 363

    ?Chapter 363:

    Without waiting for a response, she bolted from the room, grabbing a handful of fruit on her way out.

    The shock of cold water against her fingers finally dulled the fire beneath her skin. Drawing in slow breaths, she forced herself to release the anxious energy.

    Back in the quiet hospital room, Dn¡¯s hand instinctively rose to his chest, lingering over the spot where her touch still echoed. The warmth she left behind seemed to pulse against his palm, as if her presence hadn¡¯t faded at all. He eased himself down, letting the scent clinging to the pillow¡ªher unmistakable fragrance¡ªfill his senses. Surrounded by that gentle aroma, he felt thest traces of tension melt away,fort seeping through him with every inhale.

    Christina didn¡¯t dare return until she was sure her expression would give nothing away. Once herposure was firmly in ce, she walked back in, carrying the bowl of fruit.

    Later, as twilight stretched across the sky, Christina stepped out in search of dinner¡ªonly to find her path unexpectedly blocked.

    She studied the pair standing before her¡ªan elderly man beside a younger guy¡ªand a faint crease formed between her brows.

    ¡°Well, well! We cross paths again, youngdy,¡± Kurt chuckled, his eyes crinkling with delight.

    Robin Miller, Kurt¡¯s grandson, barely spared Christina a nce, irritation already tugging at his features.

    ¡°Grandpa, where do you even know her from?¡± he asked, frowning.

    Robin couldn¡¯t stand how his grandfather kept dragging unfamiliar young women into his life. Most of the time, it meant another failed attempt at matchmaking. None of them ever showed real interest in him. They were always eyeing the Miller family fortune, trying to secure a future as his wife. Usually, his grandfather stuck to women from elite families. But now? Robin couldn¡¯t tell if this was another of those rich girls pretending to be a ¡°chance encounter.¡±

    Gazing at Christina, Kurt beamed.

    ¡°Look closely at the gentleman beside me. He¡¯s not half bad, is he?¡± He turned to Robin next.

    ¡°Wanna give her a shot?¡± he asked, clearly eager to match them up.

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    But both Christina and Robin didn¡¯t hesitate. Their responses ovepped in perfect sync.

    ¡°Hard pass.¡±

    Simultaneously, Christina and Robin voiced their tant refusal to Kurt¡¯s matchmaking attempt, neither willing to yield an inch.

    Not a trace of surprise crossed Christina¡¯s face. She simply met Robin¡¯s rejection with a knowing smile, as if she had predicted it all along.

    Robin, however, was far lessposed. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Christina. She had actually rejected the idea of being with him? Part of him wondered whether she was truly different or just another woman ying the same tired game, hoping to stand out from the crowd.

    Suspicion red in his mind. Did she really think he was gullible enough to fall for such a weak act? If so, she was gravely mistaken. Yes, her looks were undeniable¡ªshe possessed a natural poise and beauty that easily outshone every wealthy girl he¡¯d met. That said, he found little reason to care.

    He believed himself destined for far greater things, unwilling to waste energy on fleeting distractions. His thoughts always circled back to one goal: bing Ace¡¯s sessor and iming a legacy of risk and reward.

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 Chapter 364

    ?Chapter 364:

    Love, to him, was pointless. Romance and even marriage felt like unnecessary detours. No thrill could match the rush of chasing that legendary title. His self-assurance ran deep. Nothing could shake his belief that greatness was his for the taking. He imagined the day when his name would be spoken alongside the masters of the game.

    ¡°Step aside. I want to eat, and you¡¯re blocking the way,¡± Christina said sharply.

    ¡°Perfect timing! I¡¯ve been meaning to treat you to a meal. Will you do me the honor?¡± Kurt beamed,pletely unfazed by the tension just moments before. In his mind, if this woman could keep his hard-headed grandson in check¡ªeven if it meant knocking some sense into him¡ªthen he was all for it.

    ¡°No thanks,¡± Christina responded coolly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

    Sure, she admitted to herself that the young man standing before her was striking. He had the height, the build, and the face to turn heads. But even with all that, he didn¡¯t hold a candle to Dn. What truly mattered was the person behind the looks. And anyone could tell this one wasn¡¯t the type to follow anyone¡¯s lead without a fight. Unless someone managed to impress him, he would never fall in line.

    Wasting her time on someone like that? Absolutely not¡­

    Wasting her time on handling a spoiled brat was thest thing Christina wanted. No amount of rewards that came with disciplining someone else¡¯s overgrown child could tempt her.

    Robin bristled with irritation.

    ¡°Are you even aware of who I am?¡± he asked sharply. ¡°How dare you speak to my grandfather like that?¡±

    He reasoned she might just be putting on an act, trying to set herself apart from the other privileged girls who had desperately tried to catch his attention.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about your name or your family. If you don¡¯t get out of my way, don¡¯t me me for what happens next,¡± Christina shot back, leveling him with an icy stare.

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    Despite having met countless people throughout his life, Robin had to admit her gaze shook him. Nothing had ever gotten to him quite like the chill in her eyes. For a brief moment, her re reminded him of Dn¡ªupromising, cold, and impossible to ignore.

    Dn had always been the only one capable of intimidating Robin, but surrender had never been in Robin¡¯s nature. Only Ace had ever truly earned his respect.

    nting his feet more firmly, Robin stood his ground.

    ¡°Move me if you can. Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got,¡± he taunted, daring her to make the next move.

    ¡°You little br¡ª¡±

    Kurt never got the chance to finish reprimanding his grandson. His words caught in his throat as he stared in disbelief¡ªChristina had smoothly thrown Robin over her shoulder, mming him to the ground without breaking a sweat.

    Kurt blinked, stunned by the scene before him. A secondter, his shock melted into delight. He burst into apuse and called out,

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 Chapter 365

    ?Chapter 365:

    ¡°That was incredible! Nicely done!¡±

    Robiny t on the ground, struggling to catch his breath, looking as if he had just been hit by a freight train. And his grandfather was standing there¡­ cheering?

    Christina, who had nned to walk away after the confrontation, was left momentarily speechless by the bizarre turn of events. She couldn¡¯t figure out what was going through the elderly man¡¯s mind. He didn¡¯t seem unhinged, but his behavior certainly didn¡¯t make much sense. Cheering while his own grandsony sprawled on the ground? It all feltpletely surreal. Had these two just escaped from a madhouse?

    With all these thoughts spinning through her head, she almost missed Robin scrambling upright, his finger pointed straight at her.

    ¡°You set me up! Who pulls a stunt like that without a heads-up?¡± he shouted, his voice thick with outrage.

    ¡°what if I deliberately caught you off guard¡ªwhat are you going to do, cry about it?¡± Christina¡¯s eyes sparkled with mischief as she threw Robin a bold, taunting look, utterly unfazed by his outrage.

    Robin was already seething, and her cheeky response sent his fury into overdrive. ¡°You¡­¡± he spluttered, but the words jammed in his throat. Trying to scold her was like yelling into a storm¡ªuseless and exhausting. She was infuriatingly unbothered, her skin thicker than armor.

    From the sidelines, Kurt watched the drama unfold with a grin of pure amusement. Finally, someone capable of knocking that arrogant brat down a peg. pping like an excited spectator at a prize fight, he beamed, ¡°Excellent! Beautifully said!¡±

    Robin jerked his head toward his grandfather, neck stiff like a rusted hinge, staring in disbelief. Whose side was the old man on, really?

    Christina gave Kurt a sidelong nce, brows drawing together ever so slightly. This elderly man seemed to have quite the knack for stirring up things.

    Trying to salvage his pride, Robin jabbed a finger toward Christina. ¡°That throw earlier? Total fluke. I wasn¡¯t guarded. You got lucky, that¡¯s all.¡± With an icy snort, he added, ¡°Do you dare to face me in a fair fight?¡±

    He wasn¡¯t just some pampered kid¡ªhe¡¯d trained. He could take on multiple opponents without breaking a sweat. A slip of a girl like her? Please. She had onlynded that move because he wasn¡¯t expecting it.

    ¡°Bring it on.¡± Christina didn¡¯t waste words and agreed immediately. She stood like a statue,pletely at ease, her eyes locked on Robin with cool, unshaken contempt.

    Robin¡¯s temper red up. Unbelievable. No one had dared stare him in the eye like that, let alone with that kind of nerve. Her unbotheredposure burned him alive inside, but his pride¡ªand his upbringing¡ªwouldn¡¯t let him strike first. ¡°I¡¯ll give you the first move,¡± he hissed, jaw clenched. ¡°Ladies first.¡± His only hope was that her skill matched her swagger.

    ¡°dly.¡± Her lips twitched into a cocky little smirk, and then she struck. A blur of motion. Her fist rocketed toward his face like a bullet.

    A faint sound sliced through the air¡ªa sound so subtle that only someone trained would have noticed it. Robin¡¯s eyes widened. His instincts screamed. If she had purposely muffled the sound, then her control was terrifying. Even if she hadn¡¯t, the¡­

    strike was naturally that fast and quiet. She was no ordinary fighter. Either way, this wasn¡¯t someone to take lightly. Still, his pride balked. No way a woman could be that good. But he wasn¡¯t dumb enough to bank on that belief. He jerked his head aside just in time, barely avoiding the iing punch.

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 Chapter 366

    ?Chapter 366:

    Before he could breathe, her leg came swinging up and aimed mercilessly at his groin.

    Robin¡¯s expression twisted into a scowl as he dodged again, heat rising to his face¡ªthis time from fury. ¡°You fight dirty!¡± he yelled, ducking another low blow. ¡°First my face, now my crotch? What kind of savage aims for a man¡¯s crown jewels? You¡¯ve got no decency!¡±

    There was no way¡ªno way¡ªhe¡¯d let her mess up his face ornd a hit below the belt.

    Christina just smirked, unbothered. ¡°If it gets the job done, it¡¯s a good move. What¡¯s wrong with aiming low? What, is your pride more important than winning?¡± she shot back with a mocking grin. ¡°Don¡¯t me me because your soft spots are easy targets.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re vile!¡± Robin barked, dodging again as she kept swinging for the kill.

    Every move was bold, fast, and ruthless¡ªand all below the waist. He gritted his teeth, still refusing to strike back in kind. No matter how aggressive she got, his hands wouldn¡¯t go there. He wasn¡¯t raised that way. If he were fighting a man right now, he would have already paid him back in his own coin.

    From the edge of the courtyard, Kurt doubled over withughter, pping like a gleeful spectator.

    Kurt erupted in boomingughter. ¡°Excellent! Perfectly put! If it delivers results, then it¡¯s a winning strategy!¡±

    The longer Kurt observed Christina, the more impressed he became. If she ended up with Robin, the Miller household would no doubt be far more spirited.

    Meanwhile, Robin was weaving between strikes, throwing counters while enduring his grandfather¡¯s infuriatingmentary. Agitation rolled off him in waves. ¡°Grandpa, are you confused or what? How could you cheer on while I am at a disadvantage?¡± he finally yelled, unable to restrain himself any longer. Kurt¡¯s expression brightened with unfiltered glee. ¡°You rascal. I am still sharp as ever.¡±

    Kurt was so overjoyed that he nearly summoned his subordinates to bring refreshments and toast to the asion. Atst, someone could put this troublemaker in his ce.

    Robin¡¯s irritation burned even more fiercely. ¡°Are you deliberately pissing me off?¡±

    ¡°Chill down, kiddo. You ought to learn how to master your fury. Look at me¡ªI have endured your nonsense for over a decade. You¡¯ve got a long way to go,¡± Kurt replied, hisughter ringing out heartily. He¡¯d been enduring Robin¡¯s antics for years, and Robin had barely tasted payback. Aside from his infancy, when he¡¯d actually been lovable, Robin had mostly been a walking stress factory for him.

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    ¡°Oh, finally! Somebody capable of cutting Robin down to size! Hah! What a blessing!¡± Kurt muttered, smacking his palms together in satisfaction. ¡°Yes! Go harder! Let him feel it!¡±

    Robin, burning with outrage, felt as if steam could erupt from his skull. In that sh of distraction, a well-timed kick from Christina knocked him t on his back.

    Robin grimaced, a pained hiss escaping through gritted teeth. His jaw locked, fury etched into every muscle of his face. This woman had no mercy¡ªhe genuinely thought this kick might¡¯ve cracked something vital.

    What he didn¡¯t realize was that Christina had held back¡ªshe hadn¡¯t gone all in. Had she fought seriously, he wouldn¡¯t havested half as long, and he¡¯d be lucky to stand again.

    The moment Robin hit the ground, Kurt froze. Once he confirmed that his grandson wasn¡¯t seriously injured, he pped with delight, his face shining like the sun. ¡°Fantastic! That strike was wless! That¡¯s the kind of skill I live for!¡± Heughed so¡­

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 Chapter 367

    ?Chapter 367:

    hard his features nearly split from the effort. He couldn¡¯t have been happier, as if the one lying on the ground in such a sorry state wasn¡¯t his own grandson.

    ¡°Grandpa, you¡­¡± Robin faltered, so furious that the words caught in his throat. He coughed a few times, choking on his own indignation. Had he not been the spitting image of Kurt in his youth, he might have doubted the blood tie altogether.

    Without sparing his grandson a nce, Kurt strolled toward Christina. ¡°Youngdy, you must be exhausted after all that. Let me buy you lunch¡ªyou¡¯ve earned it. And if you¡¯re not satisfied with how things went, we can eat first, and then you can pummel him some more,¡± he offered, grinning ear to ear.

    Christina looked from him to the disheveled boy on the ground, mildly entertained. Still, she had something more pressing¡ªDn was waiting on her for a meal. She couldn¡¯t spare the time for this sideshow. ¡°No thanks,¡± she said simply, striding forward without breaking pace.

    She had barely moved when a voice, sharp with irritation and resolve, shouted from behind her, ¡°Hold it!¡±

    Robin had gotten to his feet, his eyes locked onto her like a challenge. ¡°If my grandpa hadn¡¯t distracted me, I wouldn¡¯t have lost to you! This match doesn¡¯t count. We¡¯re doing this again!¡±

    Christina turned to Robin, her eyes sharp as ice. ¡°If it¡¯s a fight you want, I¡¯m game. Just not now¡ªI¡¯m busy.¡±

    Robin jumped in. ¡°Then when will you be free?¡±

    Christina shrugged. ¡°When I am not upied, obviously.¡±

    Robin blinked, frowning. ¡°That¡¯s your answer? Isn¡¯t that nonsense?¡±

    Christina stayed calm. ¡°How is it nonsense? If I¡¯m not upied, then I¡¯m obviously free. Simple as that.¡±

    ¡°Well said! Truly deep!¡± Kurtughed, nodding in approval.

    Robin rolled his eyes. ¡°Grandpa, since when did you be such a suck-up?¡± Kurt shot him a look. ¡°What do you know, you brat?¡±

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    Robin sighed, exasperated. He turned back to Christina. ¡°Give me your number. How else am I supposed to find you for a rematch?¡±

    Robin¡¯s body still ached all over. He figured it was smart to heal up before throwing himself into another round with her. It wasn¡¯t every day he met someone who could go toe-to-toe with him¡ªand not hold back. Still, he refused to believe he¡¯d lost fair and square. His grandfather¡¯s interference must¡¯ve thrown him off. Yeah. That had to be it.

    Kurt¡¯s eyes sparkled, his chest swelling with delight. For the first time, his hardheaded grandson was asking for a girl¡¯s number. He had a hunch¡ªthis girl might just be the one to finally knock some sense into his grandson.

    Christina paused for a moment and then gave Robin her contact. ¡°Myst name is Jones,¡± she added.

    ¡°Myst name is¡ª¡± Robin began, but she cut him off. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter to me.¡± And with that, she turned and walked away. By the time her words sank in, she was already gone.

    Robin snapped, ¡°Like I wanted to know yourst name!¡±

    Kurt burst intoughter, loud and hearty.

    Robin red. ¡°What¡¯s so funny? Your own grandson just got beat up, and you¡¯re stillughing?¡±

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 Chapter 368

    ?Chapter 368:

    Kurt grinned and winked. ¡°Well, you¡¯re still breathing, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Robin was steaming. But there was no point venting at his grandfather. All he could do was let out a sharp snort. ¡°Humph! Just wait! Next time, I¡¯ll crush her.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll wipe the floor with her!¡±

    Kurt raised a brow, his grin yful.

    ¡°Oh?¡±

    ¡°Of course! What, you don¡¯t believe in your own grandson?¡±

    ¡°I do believe in you. Don¡¯t let me down,¡± Kurt replied, turning to leave. He took a few steps, then paused and nced back.

    ¡°When you set the next fight with her, make sure to notify me. I want front-row seats.¡±

    With that, Kurt walked off, clearly in high spirits.

    Robin muttered under his breath,

    ¡°I¡¯m not notifying you. You¡¯ll just distract me again, and I¡¯ll end up face-down in the dirt.¡±

    Without warning, Christina¡¯s face shed in his mind. But instead of her beauty, all he could see was that smug look on her face. His jaw clenched. He swore to himself¡ªhe would beat her next time. He had to wipe that arrogance away.

    Right now, nothing else mattered to him. He had no idea he had just crossed paths with the very Epic he¡¯d been chasing all his life.

    Three dayster, at the Miller¡¯s Casino, Christina appeared disguised from head to toe, wearing a grotesque ck-and-white mask.

    Earlier that day, Dn had mentioned he¡¯d be meeting the Miller family to discuss business and wouldn¡¯t return to the hospital untilte. Seizing the opportunity, Christina slipped out quietly. It suited her perfectly¡ªshe didn¡¯t even have to make up an excuse.

    The casino pulsed with noise and energy. The sharp ng of coins, the shuffle of cards, and bursts ofughter filled the air.

    Crowds packed tightly around the betting tables, eyes glued to the action.

    ¡°I heard Epic is here again today! Let¡¯s go see for ourselves!¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t they say Epic always wears a mask? What¡¯s the thrill in not seeing Epic¡¯s real face?¡±

    ¡°I think it¡¯s pretty cool. Epic is ridiculously skilled! Just watching Epic y is already fun. Besides, isn¡¯t there a rule? Whoever beats Epic gets to see what¡¯s beneath that signature mask.¡±

    ¡°Come on, we¡¯re talking about Epic. Who¡¯s got the guts¡ªor the skill¡ªto beat a legend like that? If anyone actually did, Epic would have to step down.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s always someone better out there. No one stays at the top forever¡ªnot even Epic.¡±

    Christina listened quietly, following the excited crowd toward the source of the buzz. At Miller¡¯s Casino, masked gamblers were not umon. To find the impostor pretending to be Epic, she¡¯d need to keep a sharp eye.

    It didn¡¯t take long for her to spot the impostor in question. He stood out¡ªsharp, elegant, and oozing an air of superiority. Like her, he wore a ck mask, but his was designed to look like a snarling monster, with a blood-red mark on its forehead.

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 Chapter 369

    ?Chapter 369:

    Christina¡¯s gaze narrowed. Something about his height, posture, and especially his eyes felt oddly familiar. But she couldn¡¯t ce him.

    The masked man, whom Christina identified as the impostor, leaned casually against a gambling table, surveying the crowd with a cold, distant stare.

    ¡°The rules haven¡¯t changed. Beat me, and you can not only unmask me but walk away with $300 million.¡± He raised three fingers, slow and deliberate. Though his face was hidden, the faint smirk in his voice was unmistakable.

    The regrs had heard it all before. No one had ever beaten him. Not even close. Tempting as the prize was, they knew better. For now, they were content to watch from the sidelines.

    But the neers were hungry. Eyes wide, hearts racing, they were already dreaming about their winnings.

    ¡°Three hundred million? I could never make that in ten lifetimes! I don¡¯t care who he is¡ªI¡¯m getting that money!¡±

    ¡°You must be kidding. That¡¯s Epic! You really think you can beat him? Dream on!¡±

    ¡°How do we even know he¡¯s the real Epic? No one¡¯s ever seen his face. He could be bluffing. Maybe his skills aren¡¯t all that.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! What if he¡¯s a fake? And even if he¡¯s not, there¡¯s still a chance. If I win, I get the money and the crown of the gambling world!¡±

    ¡°Hah! Keep dreaming. Plenty of people thought the same thing. They all walked away crushed, and some were too embarrassed to show their faces again.¡±

    But the neers were stubborn, driven by pride and greed. One by one, they stepped forward to challenge the masked man. And one by one, they lost. And in this casino, losing wasn¡¯t just about money. It always came at a steep price.

    Ever since the masked man, rumored to be Epic, appeared at Miller¡¯s Casino, the ce had taken on a whole new level of excitement. Anyone who challenged the masked man and lost faced two options¡ªeither pay $300 million or get strapped up and tossed into arge ss tank filled with cold, intimidating water for a survival test.

    Many challengers barely made it out of the survival test in one piece, and the terror they experienced haunted them long after. A few came so close to dying they could almost taste it, but in the end, no one had actually perished. Still, the memory of nearly drowning never left them. Even a fleeting thought of that ordeal made their skin crawl and their bodies tense.

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    Wealthier challengers usually gritted their teeth and handed over the $300 million just to stay safe. Others, who couldn¡¯t gather that much money, had no choice but to gamble with their lives in the survival test.

    Until now, no one had lost their life during the survival test, but the possibility always loomed. The uncertainty was what truly filled everyone with dread.

    Even before being sent to the water tank, those who lost the challenge were pale-faced and trembling. No matter how good they were at swimming, the thought of beingpletely bound and thrown into a huge, deep tank terrified them.

    Among the spectators were both longtime watchers and neers.

    None of them had the courage to step up and challenge the masked man. Whenever a defeated yer was led away, some followed to watch the underwater challenge, while others lingered at the main area, curious to see if another brave soul would rise to challenge the masked man.

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 Chapter 370

    ?Chapter 370:

    ¡°No one else is stepping up to challenge Epic? Well, I¡¯m heading over to check out the underwater challenge then.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t see me volunteering. Water scares me to death. I¡¯d rather give up everything than end up near that tank.¡±

    ¡°Thest challenger was a riot. Did you catch his face when he realized he¡¯d lost? He went so white, you¡¯d think he¡¯d seen a ghost! Guess he¡¯s not so tough after all. $300 million is hard to earn.¡±

    A low murmur swept through the crowd as the masked man scanned everyone with a stare colder than winter itself. His words, even more chilling, rang out. ¡°Does anyone else have the guts to take me on?¡±

    As his challenge echoed through the room, heads turned and eyes darted around, each hoping that someone bold¡ªor perhaps reckless¡ªwould rise to meet him. The silence stretched on, seemingly endless, until a figure in a mask just as intimidating stepped forward. ¡°Count me in!¡±

    Instantly, every gaze fixed on him. He wore simple clothes, and the mask concealed every detail of his face, but when he spoke, his voice was fresh and surprisingly young.

    Christina, the masked challenger, stood there beneath a short wig, her chest tightly bound. At just over 5 feet 6 inches tall, she carried herself with confidence, and her voice, altered by a voice changer, made her disguise nearly perfect. Her carefully crafted headpiece covered her entire head and neck, even showing an obvious Adam¡¯s apple. Anyone watching would have a tough time guessing she was actually a woman.

    The moment Christina stepped forward, the masked man stiffened for a split second. He frowned behind his mask, clearly thrown off. There was something familiar about this new challenger, though he couldn¡¯t ce where he had seen them before.

    ¡°Dice or cards¡ªtake your pick,¡± the masked man said, his tone as frosty as before.

    Without hesitation, Christina answered, ¡°Cards.¡±

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    The masked man nodded immediately. ¡°Alright, but if you lose, your maskes off, and you¡¯ll have to take on the underwater survival test.¡±

    ¡°That works for me,¡± Christina replied, her lips curving into a subtle grin behind her mask. ¡°But I have one condition.¡±

    The masked man looked puzzled. ¡°What is it?¡±

    Christina lifted her chin, her voice steady and bold. ¡°If you lose, I want you to admit in front of everyone that you¡¯re a fake¡ªthat you¡¯re not the real Epic!¡±

    Christina¡¯s statement sent a shockwave through the room, capturing everyone¡¯s attention on her and the masked man.

    ¡°Did I hear that right? An impostor? So all this time, we¡¯ve been challenging a fake Epic?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see how that could be true. That guy has been here forever, taking on countless challengers, and no one has beaten him.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! Someone that skilled couldn¡¯t possibly be a fraud. Besides, he has that mysterious, unbeatable aura you¡¯d expect from a legend.¡±

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 Chapter 371

    ?Chapter 371:

    Whispers swirled among the crowd, caught in a storm of spection. The masked man froze for a split second, his reaction so slight it almost went unnoticed. Quickly regainingposure, he smirked slyly at Christina, lifted his brows, and chuckled low. ¡°And what makes you so sure I¡¯m not the real Epic? Are you saying you are Epic instead?¡± His words dripped with mockery.

    Laughter erupted from the crowd, apanied by scorn aimed at the disguised Christina.

    ¡°That reckless kid is Epic? That¡¯s a joke! Can¡¯t wait to see him eat those words when he loses.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, just imagine his face when the maskes off. That alone will be worth watching.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s so full of himself. The game¡¯s not even started, and he¡¯s already dreaming of dethroning Epic.¡±

    No one bought the idea that the masked man was an impostor. To them, Christina¡ªdisguised as a young man¡ªwas just another reckless challenger chasing an impossible dream.

    A small, secret smile yed on Christina¡¯s lips behind the mask. ¡°I never said I was Epic,¡± she replied calmly. ¡°But I have met Epic before. And I am more than capable of exposing anyone pretending to be him.¡±

    As her words hung in the air, the crowd collectively gasped. None had ever seen Epic¡¯s true face. Could this challenger really have? Suspicious nces were exchanged.

    The masked man let out a sharp, dismissiveugh. ¡°I won¡¯tment on your gambling skills, but your arrogance is certainly impressive. I¡¯ll give you that.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll see soon enough how good my skills are. Let¡¯s get this started,¡± Christina said, shing a confident grin.

    ¡°How do you want to y this game? I¡¯ll let you set the rules,¡± the masked man suggested, his tone tinged with curiosity.

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    After a quick pause to consider her options, Christina spoke evenly. ¡°Let¡¯s skip the standard games and make this fast.¡±

    The masked man arched an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. ¡°Oh? What did you have in mind, then?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll use a full deck, shuffle it well, and then toss all the cards into the air. Each of us will grab three cards as they fall, and we¡¯llpare what we get,¡± Christina replied.

    The masked man hesitated, thinking it over, then broke into a wide smile and gave a light p. ¡°I like it. So, the one holding at least two cards that outrank the other yer¡¯s hand ends up winning?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Let¡¯s get started,¡± Christina said, a sly smirk curving beneath her mask.

    A dealer stepped up and brought out a fresh, unopened deck for everyone to see. He cracked the seal right in front of the crowd, shuffled with care, and mixed the cards thoroughly.

    Standing between the masked man and Christina, the dealer¡¯s expression remained unreadable as he looked at both. ¡°Are you ready?¡±

    They both nodded in agreement. ¡°Ready.¡±

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 Chapter 372

    ?Chapter 372:

    The dealer began the countdown. ¡°Three¡­ Two¡­ One¡­ Go!¡±

    As soon as the dealer called ¡°Go,¡± he threw the whole deck high into the air. Cards fluttered everywhere, falling like scattered petals.

    Every eye in the room followed the cards as they drifted down. Nobody blinked. The suspense kept everyone on edge, hearts racing. To snag the highest cards before they hit the floor would take quick eyes and even quicker hands.

    The excitement in the air was thick. Everyone waited, breathless, eager to see who would win.

    Before anyone could react, both the masked man and Christina had already grabbed three cards each.

    As they held their cards, Dn appeared nearby, his arrival almost unnoticed. He paused briefly, his sharp, icy gaze fixing on the thoroughly disguised Christina on stage. A flicker of recognition stirred within him, though he couldn¡¯t quite ce it.

    The casino manager, noticing Dn¡¯s hesitation, leaned in and whispered, ¡°That¡¯s a match against Epic, the casino¡¯s legendary gambler. Interested in watching?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Dn replied coldly, shaking his head and swiftly turning his attention elsewhere.

    Perhaps Dn¡¯s gaze had lingered too long because Christina immediately sensed it. She nced his way and caught him looking at her again. A jolt of surprise ran through her, and she quickly looked away, not daring to hold his gaze. What was Dn doing at the casino? Was he searching for the Miller family? Despite her confidence in the disguise¡ªso thorough that even friends wouldn¡¯t recognize her¡ªshe felt nervous under Dn¡¯s piercing eyes.

    Meanwhile, Dn narrowed his brows slightly before silently walking away. He wasn¡¯t interested in this so-called Epic. Yet he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the masked challenger was somehow familiar.

    When Christina dared to look again, Dn had already vanished. A soft sigh of relief escaped her lips, but it carried a strange sting of disappointment. It seemed Dn had not recognized her at all, which was to be expected. Her mask and custom wig made her look like apletely different person. She had gone to great lengths to wear a skillfully crafted headpiece that covered her entire head and neck, even revealing an obvious Adam¡¯s apple.

    A voice from the stage broke her thoughts. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Are you too afraid to show your cards?¡±

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    Turning back, she saw the masked man holding up his three cards, while the audience waited expectantly for her move.

    ¡°Why is he just sitting there, clutching his cards and ncing around? Is he scared or something?¡±

    ¡°Ha-ha! He¡¯s definitely scared! Didn¡¯t I say he couldn¡¯t beat Epic? I can¡¯t wait for him to face the underwater challenge.¡±

    ¡°The whole thing is terrifying to watch, even if it¡¯s not deadly. Honestly, I wouldn¡¯t want to try it myself.¡±

    Through all the jeers and whispers, Christina remained perfectlyposed. None of the mocking fazed her in the slightest. Stepping onto that stage meant she was certain of her victory. She had no doubt the man before her would lose.

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 Chapter 373

    ?Chapter 373:

    ¡°If I had the guts toe up here, I¡¯m not about to back down now. King of Hearts,¡± Christina said, giving him a cool stare as she slowly revealed a card.

    Without hesitation, the masked man flipped one of his cards. ¡°King of Spades.¡±

    A wider grin spread across his face, amusement clear in his voice. ¡°Seems like I¡¯ve got you beat already.¡± He quickly turned over a second card. ¡°Joker.¡±

    Gasps rippled through the crowd, wide-eyed surprise written on every face.

    ¡°Was expected of Epic! Even with the cards tossed in the air, he managed to snag the Joker. He¡¯s amazing!¡±

    ¡°I told you before, nobody¡¯s managed to beat him. How could someone like that be a fake?¡±

    ¡°Whoever called him an impostor must be out of their mind! That challenger never stood a chance.¡±

    While everyone chatted and spected, Christina kept her second card hidden. To the spectators, her hesitation only made her look more afraid, as if she knew she¡¯d lost and couldn¡¯t bear to show her hand.

    The masked man spoke up, his tone light but teasing. ¡°Go on, show your second card.¡± It was easy to imagine the smug grin concealed behind his mask. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Afraid to reveal your card? If you stay quiet, I¡¯ll go ahead and im the win¡­¡±

    A quiet smile tugged at Christina¡¯s lips as she nced at the masked man and then revealed her second card for everyone to see. ¡°Not at all. You¡¯re the one who lost.¡±

    Someone in the crowd nearly called out the thoroughly disguised Christina for sounding so arrogant, but their words died instantly when they caught sight of her card.

    ¡°Holy crap! He¡¯s holding the Ace! Now they¡¯re tied¡ªeach with one win. Thest card is going to decide it. Whoever¡¯s card is higher will win everything.¡±

    ¡°I thought drawing a King was impressive, but this challenger managed to get an Ace! How did anyone pull that off with such speed?¡±

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    ¡°When those cards went flying earlier, I could barely see where theynded, much less grab the right ones. Yet, both of them stayed so calm and knew exactly which cards to pick.¡±

    Whispers of amazement rippled around the room. Most people assumed Christina referred to her opponent¡¯s defeat on the second card, not realizing she had already foreseen the masked man¡¯s downfall.

    The masked man stiffened, clearly thrown off by the reveal. Perhaps luck had simply favored the challenger this round. With a distant look, he locked eyes with Christina. ¡°You¡¯re done for with thest card!¡± he eximed. ¡°We¡¯ll reveal them together, on three.¡±

    Christina gave a cool nod. ¡°Go ahead and count.¡±

    ¡°One! Two! Three!¡± The audience joined in, voices ringing out as the tension climbed.

    On three, both the masked man and Christina flipped their final cards simultaneously. Both cards showed a two: one was the Two of Spades, the other the Two of Clubs.

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 Chapter 374

    ?Chapter 374:

    ¡°You¡¯ve lost.¡± A faint smirk yed on Christina¡¯s lips as she lifted the Two of Spades between her index and middle fingers, the motion smooth and full of quiet confidence.

    The audience couldn¡¯t hold back. ¡°Oh my! Epic actually lost! That was way too close!¡±

    ¡°Epic? If he ever was one, he¡¯s not anymore after this loss.¡±

    ¡°He promised to admit he was a fake if he lost. So, he really isn¡¯t Epic after all?¡±

    Excitement swept through the crowd again, but Christina stayed right where she was, her face calm and unreadable, untouched by the storm of voices around her.

    Honestly, there had never been any real contest between her and the masked man. She had thrown a round on purpose. If she had wanted to im victory from the start, there was no way she would have lost even a single round.

    The masked man remained motionless, as if he simply could not ept that he had lost. He had always believed only the real Epic could defeat him. The idea of losing to someone he had never even heard of shook him to his core. Doubt crept in, and he began to wonder if he was truly skilled enough to ever face the real Epic.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to keep your word,¡± Christina remarked, her voice cool and steady.

    The masked man gave a small nod, turning toward the crowd. ¡°I ept defeat and will honor the bet.¡± His gaze swept the room as he admitted, ¡°I¡¯m not Epic. I only put on this act to draw the real Epic out. I hoped to challenge Epic, but today I learned I still have a long way to go. I need to keep practicing.¡±

    He faced Christina again. ¡°The three hundred million belongs to you now.¡±

    She gave a casual shrug. ¡°I don¡¯t mind if you choose not to take your mask off. Your call. I won¡¯t force you.¡±

    Without a second thought, the masked man said, ¡°A deal¡¯s a deal. I¡¯ll stick to the rules.¡± He reached up and lifted the mask from his face.

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    The moment the mask came off, a strikingly handsome face was revealed, stunning everyone present. His expression was serious, his gaze cold and proud, exuding an air of defiance.

    The crowd gasped as they recognized Robin.

    ¡°Wait¡ªthat¡¯s Mr. Miller! He¡¯s the one who pretended to be Epic this whole time!¡±

    ¡°I heard Mr. Miller has been on the hunt for Epic, hoping to test his skills against him. I guess all those stories were true after all.¡±

    ¡°Do you think Mr. Miller might try to get even with that guy? Having three hundred million in your pocket sounds exciting, but with Robin involved, it feels more like a trap than a prize.¡±

    Recognition jolted through Christina. Surprise flickered in her eyes¡ªshe hadn¡¯t expected the impostor to be the same man she¡¯d faced just three days earlier. From what she¡¯d heard, he was known as ¡°Mr. Miller,¡± linking him directly to the influential Miller family¡ªpossibly even the heir to their fortune.

    ¡°Now that you¡¯ve kept your end of the deal and the check¡¯s already in my hand, I¡¯ll be going,¡± Christina announced, her voice altered by the voice changer, her disguise wless.

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 Chapter 375

    ?Chapter 375:

    Intent on leaving, she stepped toward the door¡ªonly to be blocked suddenly by Robin. ¡°Hold on a second!¡± The urgency in his tone was unmistakable.

    She fixed him with a steady gaze. ¡°Do you need something else?¡±

    Robin hesitated, a strange feeling nagging at him. Something about this challenger¡¯s poise stirred a faint memory. Before he could fully grasp it, the image of Christina shed in his mind. Heat rose to his face. The memory of losing to a woman in a fight was humiliating.

    Composing himself, Robin studied the figure before him, trying to understand why Christina¡¯s image surfaced when he looked at this challenger. The mask revealed little except sharp eyes and the subtle movement of an Adam¡¯s apple¡ªa clear sign this was a man. The voice, youthful and deep, left no doubt. This was no woman. Yet those eyes¡­ they bore an uncanny resemnce to Christina¡¯s, while everything else felt unfamiliar.

    Robin considered that some women might have prominent Adam¡¯s apples, but he knew well Christina wasn¡¯t one of them. It had to be the eyes that sparked such strong familiarity.

    He nearly scoffed at himself. The idea that Christina and this man could be the same person was absurd. If he voiced such a thought aloud, he¡¯d be mocked endlessly.

    Shaking off the thought, Robin asked, ¡°Have you ever met Epic?¡± His words tumbled out, full of anticipation. All other concerns faded¡ªright now, all he wanted was to learn anything about Epic. Dreaming of the day he could challenge and defeat Epic¡ªiming the highest glory in the gambling world¡ªconsumed him.

    ¡°Yes, I have. Why?¡± Christina replied with a nod.

    Robin didn¡¯t hesitate for a second before asking, ¡°What¡¯s your connection to Epic?¡±

    Burning with curiosity, Robin noted the challenger¡¯s voice and youthful skin, guessing they were about the same age. This raised one big question¡ªhow had this challenger ever met Epic? Even the most powerful figures in Lorbridge had never imed to have seen Epic. So how could this obviously young challenger have crossed paths with him? Maybe there was an unusual link between them.

    ¡°There¡¯s no connection between Epic and me,¡± Christina said, her voice t and devoid of emotion.

    Robin pressed on, ¡°Then how did you meet Epic?¡±

    Christina studied Robin for a moment, a sly grin hidden beneath her mask. It was amusing to see how his demeanor changed when Epic¡¯s name was mentioned. The entitled trust fund kid vanished, reced by someone almost unrecognizable¡ªearnest, even humble.

    ¡°How else? Through gambling, of course,¡± Christina replied casually.

    ¡°Gambling?¡± Robin furrowed his brow. ¡°Are you saying being skilled like you actually opens the door to meeting Epic?¡±

    She had nned to deny it but paused as an idea flickered through her mind. Instead, she simply nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    Watching him carefully, she saw a spark of curiosity in his eyes. Excitement surged, and Robin¡¯s words tumbled out fast. ¡°I¡¯ll pay you another three hundred million¡ªjust introduce me to Epic. I want to face him in a match!¡±

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 Chapter 376

    ?Chapter 376:

    ¡°You can¡¯t even hold your own against me, but you think you¡¯re ready to challenge Epic?¡± Christina¡¯s gaze swept over him, dry amusement and challenge shining through.

    With a confident tilt of his chin, Robin replied, ¡°I¡¯m not talking about right now. But once my skills match¡ªor even surpass¡ªyours, I¡¯ll be ready!¡±

    Robin¡¯s serious tone caught Christina off guard. It was hard to believe this was the same man she had dismissed as a spoiled heir. Now, there was no frivolity¡ªonly sincere determination to stand in Epic¡¯s shadow and prove himself.

    Robin noticed Christina¡¯s silence and mistook it for hesitation. A flicker of urgency crossed his face. ¡°All I need is for you to introduce me to Epic. I¡¯ll handle the rest,¡± he said quickly.

    After a moment of thought, Christina replied, ¡°Alright¡ªbut only if you can beat me first.¡±

    Robin lit up with excitement. ¡°Deal!¡±

    ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll take my leave,¡± Christina dered calmly.

    ¡°Alright!¡± Robin said eagerly, his voice still buzzing with energy. Caught up in the moment, hepletely forgot to ask for her contact details.

    Christina, meanwhile, had achieved her goal¡ªshe¡¯d exposed the imposter. It was time to leave the casino. But something felt off. Earlier, two men had passed her by. They lookedpletely ordinary¡ªaverage builds, in faces, nothing memorable. Yet, their steps had been far too quiet. Light. Controlled. Trained. Most people wouldn¡¯t have noticed, but her sharp instincts picked up on it instantly. She knew the signs. Assassins. Her thoughts raced to Dn. He had shown up here earlier. Were these assassins after him? Were those two the only ones? Or were others already nted inside, maybe even hiding among the staff?

    Her eyes narrowed, a cold glint shing through them. No. She couldn¡¯t walk away now. Dn might be in danger¡ªagain.

    After a quick decision, she turned and headed back to Robin. This was Miller territory, and Robin was the heir to the family business. With him, she could move freely, even into the restricted areas.

    When Robin saw the masked challenger return, he froze for a second. ¡°I thought you left. Why are you back?¡± he asked, puzzled.

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    Christina, her voice altered by the voice changer, replied, ¡°I realized I haven¡¯t really explored the casino. Could you show me around?¡±

    ¡°My pleasure!¡± Robin agreed right away. It yed perfectly into his hands¡ªhe had been dying to ask this challenger for gambling tips.

    As they strolled through the casino, Robin eagerly sought Christina¡¯s guidance on various gambling strategies. Their conversation flowed with ease, and he found himself enjoying it. It felt like meeting a kindred spirit.

    ¡°I feel like we really click. Want to be friends?¡± Robin blurted out, excitement spilling over.

    Christina stayedposed, her face unreadable. She had nned to refuse. But seeing the eager light in his eyes¡ªand knowing she needed his help¡ªshe hesitated and then nodded. ¡°Fine by me. But I¡¯m a bit older than you, if that doesn¡¯t bother you.¡±

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 Chapter 377

    ?Chapter 377:

    ¡°Of course not,¡± Robin replied, beaming. He didn¡¯t mind the age gap, especially with the prospect of improving his skills. One day, when he was skilled enough, he would take on Epic. He was determined to defeat Epic and be a legend. With admiration in his eyes, he looked at Christina, full of sincere respect.

    Christina smiled back gently. But in the quiet of her mind, a question lingered. If Robin ever found out that the friend he respected so much was actually the woman who had once beaten him in disguise¡­ would he be so mad that he¡¯d challenge her all over again?

    Christina chatted casually with Robin, all while discreetly keeping tabs on the two assassins.

    The two assassins blended in like regr gamblers, stopping now and then to ce bets at different tables. But their nces felt off¡ªtoo sharp, too focused. It was clear they were searching for someone.

    Under Robin¡¯s lead, Christina toured the public areas of the casino. ¡°Do you have a private lounge here?¡± she asked, as if it was a passing thought.

    Robin nodded. ¡°Of course. It¡¯s on the top floor. Want to see it?¡±

    That saved Christina the trouble of making up a reason. She gave a hesitant smile. ¡°Only if it¡¯s convenient. If not, forget it.¡±

    ¡°Convenient? You¡¯re my friend¡ªwhat could be inconvenient?¡± Robinughed, throwing an arm around her shoulders.

    Hidden beneath her thorough disguise as a young man, Christina stiffened slightly. Her shoulder twitched ever so slightly, but Robin didn¡¯t notice. Still grinning, he said, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± she replied, matching his energy. The two walked off, arms draped casually over each other¡¯s shoulders.

    Christina had one goal now¡ªfind out where Dn was. But asking directly would be risky. Too obvious. And she couldn¡¯t be sure if the assassins were tied to the Miller family.

    With Robin leading the way, Christina made it to the top floor easily. His status as the Miller heir opened doors without question.

    New chapters now on .c?m

    As they moved upward, Christina quietly studied everything. Security was tight. Sneaking inter would be nearly impossible. Even the casino staff didn¡¯t seem to have free ess here.

    Near the lounge, she noticed a room guarded by severalrge, grim-faced men. Their alert eyes missed nothing.

    Once inside the lounge, Christina nced around and asked with feigned nonchnce, ¡°No guards here?¡±

    Robin shrugged. ¡°I barely use this ce. Besides, I¡¯m not hosting any VIPs.¡±

    ¡°VIPs?¡± Christina echoed, feigning mild curiosity. ¡°What kind of VIP needs such heavy protection from the Miller family?¡±

    Robin smirked and leaned in, eyes glinting. ¡°Curious, are we?¡±

    ¡°Not really,¡± she said, deliberately downying her interest.

    Robin¡¯s yful spark fizzled out instantly. How boring. Then, as if testing her, he said, ¡°The Scott family¡ªever heard of them?¡±

    There was a flicker of caution in his eyes now. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something about this friend was off. While he wasn¡¯t particrly fond of Dn¡¯s standoffish attitude, he wouldn¡¯t stand idly by if someone harbored ill intentions toward Dn, even if that someone was the friend he had just made. After all, when it came to familiarity and trust, Dn still held the upper hand. He practically knew nothing about this friend he¡¯d made impulsively.

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 Chapter 378

    ?Chapter 378:

    ¡°The Scott family? Which Scott family?¡± Christina asked, feigning ignorance, her voiceced with mock confusion.

    ¡°The one from Lorbridge. You¡¯ve heard of them, right?¡±

    She responded quickly, ¡°Oh, of course! Who hasn¡¯t heard of the Scott family from Lorbridge?¡±

    She knew that denying knowledge of the Scotts would have raised too many questions.

    ¡°Dn¡¯s here,¡± Robin said, dropping the information deliberately. ¡°He¡¯s got some important business dealings to discuss with my family.¡±

    He said it on purpose¡ªto see his friend¡¯s reaction. Dn had survived one assassination attempt already, saved only by the mysterious King. But the assassin organization wouldn¡¯t give up so easily.

    Now that Robin had calmed down, doubt crept in. Was this newly-made friend part of the assassin organization that came for Dn once before? Was he here to finish the job?

    ¡°Oh,¡± Christina murmured, keeping her tone clipped and neutral. She said nothing more about this topic, as if she were entirely uninterested in Dn¡¯s presence here in the casino. Her whole charade, coupled with the voice changer, aligned with her thorough disguise as a young man.

    Despite the seemingly indifferent demeanor of his newly-made friend, Robin¡¯s suspicion remained. His eyes kept drifting toward Christina, hoping to decipher subtle cues in her posture and expression.

    ¡°Do you want to meet Dn? I could take you,¡± Robin offered, carefully watching her, his voice lined with a hint of persuasion.

    Christina¡¯s lips twitched into a faint, almost imperceptible grin, veiled by the polished mask she wore. Robin was testing her. Though he often yed the honest fool, there were sharper edges about him.

    ¡°Why would I bother meeting a man with whom I have no business dealings to discuss? What¡¯s the purpose? For all I know, he and I might never cross paths, and there¡¯s no need to force a connection,¡± Christina answered tly.

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    ¡°Getting to know him mighte in handy someday,¡± Robin suggested.

    Christina let out a lowugh,ced with a trace of mockery. ¡°You¡¯re probably more aware of how this game works than I am. Most people only extend a hand when there¡¯s something to gain. If I¡¯m of no benefit to him, why would he ever lend me a hand?¡±

    Robin faltered, caught off guard by his friend¡¯s brutal rity. Christina truly seemed indifferent to Dn¡¯s presence. Maybe she wasn¡¯t here to assassinate Dn.

    ¡°This lounge of yours is quite the cozy setup.¡± Christina shifted the topic casually, surveying the room with a pleasant smile. ¡°I think I¡¯ve seen enough. Shall we head out?¡±

    Just then, she caught the faint shuffle of footsteps beyond the door¡ªher instincts told her Dn and hispany had left. She had to follow them, no matter what.

    ¡°Alright.¡± Robin didn¡¯t say much more and left the lounge with her.

    The hallway greeted them with the sight of Dn and his entourage entering an elevator.

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 Chapter 379

    ?Chapter 379:

    Christina advanced at a leisurely pace, head held high, taking in her surroundings with an almost tourist-like curiosity, as though she hadn¡¯t noticed Dn at all.

    Her calm exterior put Robin slightly at ease.

    The two entered a separate elevator and descended toward the ground level. As soon as the doors opened, a loudmotion erupted ahead. Two men were locked in a fierce confrontation, voices raised in anger.

    Christina¡¯s gaze sharpened. She recognized the pair immediately. As anticipated, those two assassins in disguise were part of the hit squad targeting Dn.

    She lengthened her stride subtly, and Robin, without questioning, adjusted his pace to match hers.

    Suddenly, the slim assassin was shoved forcefully and staggered in Dn¡¯s direction.

    Dn¡¯s security detail instantly shifted, closing in tighter around their principal. The slim assassin hit the floor, scrambled upright, and with sudden rage lunged at the stocky assassin who had shoved him.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to end you!¡± he bellowed, charging forward.

    ¡°Like hell you are!¡± the stocky assassin growled, driving a crushing kick into the slim assassin¡¯s ribs that sent him flying once again.

    The slim assassin¡¯s body arced straight toward Dn. But instead of copsing, he mmed a palm against the floor and flipped himself upright with surprising speed. In a blink, hended a blow on the nearest guard and wrested the firearm from thetter¡¯s grip.

    As the pistol swung up and locked onto Dn, the slim assassin¡¯s finger tightened on the trigger.

    But Christina had already made her move. She snatched a ying card from the nearby poker table and, with a flick that seemed to bend reality,unched it through the air. It whistled with terrifying uracy, hurtling toward the slim assassin like a de.

    Everyone stood frozen in disbelief, including Robin, who hadn¡¯t yet realized his friend had intended to disarm a gunman with a single card.

    Your adventure awaits at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c©–m

    Just as the slim assassin was about to pull the trigger, a ying card zipped through the air like a thrown de, nicking his fingers. He gasped, his grasp faltering by reflex. The pistol ttered to the floor.

    At that instant, the onlookers collectively drew in breath, stunned.

    ¡°Did you see that? He just weaponized a card!¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the same guy who beat Mr. Miller earlier? That¡¯s insane¡ªhe can make a paper card deadly!¡±

    ¡°Insane uracy and strength¡­ What a badass!¡±

    While the audience buzzed with chatter, Dn turned toward the disguised Christina, something flickering in his eyes. He had this weird sense of familiarity as he studied this ¡®young man¡¯ more closely.

    Meanwhile, seeing the slim assassin stagger from the ying card¡¯s cut, one of Dn¡¯s bodyguards lunged forward, forcing the slim assassin down with a harsh blow.

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 Chapter 380

    ?Chapter 380:

    At this point, the stocky assassin had already retrieved the fallen pistol from the floor. Malice burned in his eyes as he took aim at the bodyguard and pulled the trigger.

    But the st never came.

    The stocky assassin stiffened, caught off guard that the pistol wasn¡¯t loaded. Desperation creeping in, he kept pulling, but the pistol only clicked uselessly. Realization dawned¡ªhe¡¯d been set up.

    With a furious roar, the stocky assassin hurled the pistol toward Dn and made a break for it.

    But Christina wasn¡¯t about to let the stocky assassin escape. Another card shot from her fingers, slicing through the air and embedding deep into his thigh.

    ¡°Argh!¡± the stocky assassin let out a pained scream as blood gushed from his thigh. That momentary stumble doomed him.

    With hatred gleaming in his eyes, the stocky assassin scanned the crowd, looking for a hostage. But before he could act, another card struck his other thigh, driving in like a steel-tipped dart. Whatever he had nned never materialized¡ªthe bodyguards had already subdued him.

    ¡°Who sent you?¡± Dn asked, his voice like ice, eyes fixed on the subdued assassins.

    Christina¡¯s eyes widened as something clicked in her memory, and she stepped forward to stop what wasing¡ªbut she was toote.

    The two assassins convulsed, ck blood pouring from their mouths as their bodies went still.

    The sequence of events had unfolded so swiftly that most had barely grasped what had just urred.

    ¡°They took their own lives with poison,¡± one of the bodyguards reported grimly.

    Dn¡¯s expression darkened. His jaw tightened as he ordered, ¡°Clean this up.¡±

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    ¡°Right away!¡± The bodyguardsplied.

    Dn scanned the crowd with chilling intensity, the weight of his presence suffocating. His presence here tonight had been a ploy¡ªa stage set with the Millers to draw out whoever was after him. But these two assassins had chosen death over exposure.

    Dn reasoned that if only these two assassins were all that had been sent, the mastermind was being extremely cautious. Maybe this wasn¡¯t even a real strike¡ªjust a probe. A few operatives might have blended into the curious onlookers, quietly observing everything to report to the mastermindter on. Now that their ambush had been exposed, any further elimination attempts would likely be executed with careful precision and thorough preparation.

    Christina had already pieced together Dn¡¯s strategy the moment she discovered the pistol was unloaded¡ªhe¡¯d set a lure to flush out the assassins.

    ¡°That was amazing! Seriously, you were incredible back there!¡± Robin finally snapped out of his shock, beaming with admiration as he gazed at the disguised Christina.

    ¡°It was nothing,¡± Christina said lightly, brushing off the praise.

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 Chapter 381

    ?Chapter 381:

    As Christina raised her head, her gaze collided with Dn¡¯s¡ªcool and calcting, his expression unreadable but clearly mistrustful. Did he think she was entangled with the very organization responsible for the ambush?

    The disguised Christina and Dn locked eyes for a moment before he started advancing toward her. ¡°Thanks for earlier,¡± he said tly, his tone cool and detached.

    Dn¡¯s sharp eyes subtly assessed the young ¡°man¡± standing across from him, face obscured by an intimidating mask. It was unmistakably a ¡°man.¡± Yet, something about this ¡°man¡± kept nudging his memory of Christina. The height matched Christina¡¯s, and the eyes mirrored a familiar intensity. But the person before him was definitely a ¡°man.¡± His Adam¡¯s apple was distinct, and his demeanor didn¡¯t quite match Christina¡¯s.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Christina responded, her voice altered by the voice changer, sounding even and unbothered.

    Dn¡¯s brow creased at the masculine voice. He stepped closer, catching a trace of perfume¡ªrefined and hauntingly familiar. It bore a resemnce to Christina¡¯s signature scent, though not identical¡ªfainter, more woodsy. Was his mind ying tricks? There was no usible reason to think Christina stood before him in disguise.

    But then came a memory¡ªChristina¡¯s discreet identity as Skybreaker¡ªand instinct took over. Dn reached forward, aiming to remove the eerie mask. But Christina reacted in a blink. As his fingers moved, her grip mped onto his wrist¡ªswift, exact, unhesitating. ¡°You¡¯re crossing a line,¡± she snapped, her wordsced with warning.

    Dn¡¯s face stayed unreadable as his eyes dropped to the hand gripping his wrist. Even this hand bore a resemnce to Christina¡¯s. But while Christina¡¯s hands were smooth and unblemished, this ¡°man¡± bore a faint mark just beneath the thumb.

    Dn narrowed his eyes. The scar looked authentic¡ªtoo precise to be artificial. What he didn¡¯t realize was how masterful Christina had be at disguises. Her crafted scars were nearly wless, down to the finest imperfection.

    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± Robin barked from nearby, stepping forward with a re.

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    ¡°Just curious,¡± Dn replied calmly, keeping his stare locked on the disguised Christina. ¡°You resemble someone I once knew.¡±

    ¡°Lookalikes aren¡¯t exactly rare,¡± Christina countered with a steady tone.

    ¡°I suppose not,¡± Dn said coolly.

    She let go of his wrist slowly. ¡°Next time, keep your hands to yourself.¡±

    Dn didn¡¯t answer. His stare lingered, expression unreadable. A strange tension brewed in his chest¡ªunsettling and inexplicable. Why did this ¡°man¡± trigger such a sharp d¨¦j¨¤ vu? Why did Christina¡¯s image keep surfacing in his mind when he looked at this ¡°man¡±? It made little logical sense. The simrities existed, sure¡ªbut the differences, especially the gender, were just as obvious. And yet, the feeling lingered, gnawing at him like smoke.

    Robin noted Dn¡¯s intense scrutiny of the disguised Christina, who appeared to be a young man to him. A bold notion hit like a hammer, and his eyes widened. He swiftly stepped between them, creating a firm barrier with his body.

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 Chapter 382

    ?Chapter 382:

    Like an overly defensive sibling, Robin moved protectively in front of the disguised Christina, casting a hard look at Dn. ¡°You¡¯re not thinking of making a move on my friend, are you?¡± he asked in disbelief, scanning Dn head to toe. ¡°Wait¡ªare those rumors about you true?¡±

    The notion that Dn might be drawn to men made Robin¡¯s stomach twist. Goosebumps dotted his arms, and he had the sudden urge to vault backward¡ªbut he held his ground, unwilling to abandon Christina.

    ¡°I¡¯m serious¡ªmake a move on my pal, and I¡¯ll take you down. I don¡¯t care who you are,¡± Robin warned, voice shaking with a mix of fear and determination.

    Dn cast a chilly stare at Robin, then pivoted sharply and started walking off.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got this. Nobody¡¯s pestering you while I¡¯m around,¡± Robin dered, stepping nearer to the disguised Christina, his tone unwavering.

    A faint curl formed at the corners of Christina¡¯s mouth as her gaze followed Dn¡¯s retreating form.

    Abruptly, Dn halted mid-step.

    Robin tracked the same line of sight, watching Dne to a sudden stop and turn back around.

    ¡°What now?¡± Robin barked, moving to step between Dn and the disguised Christina once more. ¡°I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re into a man¡ªjust leave my pal out of it. He¡¯s a straight man. He wouldn¡¯t¡ª¡±

    Robin stopped himself abruptly when Dn, without warning, produced his phone, his eyes slicing past Robin and fixing on the disguised Christina standing behind.

    Robin was baffled. What in the world was Dn nning? Why did he return, only to pull out a phone and start dialing?

    Unbeknownst to Robin, Dn couldn¡¯t shake off his doubts and wanted to call Christina in front of this ¡°man¡± to verify his suspicion.

    Christina remainedposed, face unreadable, as though the ongoing tension didn¡¯t concern her in the slightest. She¡¯d already figured out Dn¡¯s intention, but she wasn¡¯t bothered.

    Dn dialed Christina¡¯s number and waited. After a few rings, someone finally answered. ¡°Christina is feeling sick¡ªstomach¡¯s acting up. She¡¯s in the restroom. Try againter.¡±

    The voice wasn¡¯t Christina¡¯s. It was Davina.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Dn muttered, brow furrowing slightly as he gave a short nod. Since when had Davina arrived in Kitaso? Christina had never mentioned her being around.

    Once the call ended, Dn shot a lingering, wary nce at the masked ¡°man,¡± then turned on his heel and marched off. Maybe he was reading too much into this. This ¡°man¡± probably wasn¡¯t Christina in disguise. Since Christina was unwell, he figured it was best to check in personally.

    Christina observed Dn vanish from sight and then faced Robin. ¡°I need to bounce.¡±

    ¡°How do I stay in touch?¡± Robin asked, still oblivious to Christina¡¯s disguise as a young man.

    ¡°Let me have your digits,¡± she replied.

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 Chapter 383

    ?Chapter 383:

    ¡°Sure.¡± Robin quickly shared his contact details.

    Using a backup device, Christina saved his number. ¡°If anythinges up, send a text. NO voice or video calls,¡± she instructed.

    Robin gave an immediate nod. ¡°Alright.¡± Despite his agreement, he was slightly baffled. Why all the secrecy?

    He escorted her to the exit, watched her slide into her ride, and stayed there until the vehicle disappeared into the night before turning away.

    Not long after hitting the road, Christina got a call from Davina.

    ¡°You heading back? Dn ising to see you. I gave him the address, so hustle,¡± Davina said quickly.

    Davina had handed over the address to Dn without hesitation, afraid that any dy might rouse his suspicion.

    ¡°Got it,¡± Christina replied before ending the call and speeding through a side road to beat Dn to the destination.

    When the buzzer sounded, Davina moved to answer. A tall figure with a sharp presence stood beyond the doorway. It was Dn. His usually steely eyes now shimmered with unease.

    ¡°How¡¯s Christina holding up?¡± Dn asked tensely. ¡°I came to take her to the hospital.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s resting now. Took some medication, finally knocked out. Probably best if you let her sleep,¡± Davina lied smoothly, voice steady and convincing.

    Davina barred Dn¡¯s path at the threshold, making it clear she had no ns to grant him entry.

    Dn¡¯s suspicion intensified. With a chilling tone, he abruptly asked, ¡°When did you arrive?¡±

    ¡°Earlier today,¡± Davina lied smoothly. ¡°I invited Christina to join me, but she suddenly didn¡¯t feel well¡­¡± Her face was unreadable, her voiceced with a delicate mixture of lies and truth, making it nearly impossible to determine what was real.

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    ¡°I would like to check on Christina,¡± Dn said, his eyes locked on Davina¡¯s face, searching for cracks in her facade.

    Davina calmly stepped aside, finally allowing him to get in. ¡°You may look in on her, but be quiet. She¡¯s resting,¡± she instructed softly and walked ahead to lead the way.

    ¡°Okay,¡± he replied, his suspicion subsiding a little. Maybe he had read too much into it? Had Christina truly been staying with Davina in this building the whole time, simply feeling under the weather?

    ¡°She¡¯s through here. Keep your voice down,¡± Davina whispered, slowly turning the handle.

    As the hinges groaned, tension coiled in Dn¡¯s chest. He tiptoed inside, each step deliberate and silent. His gaze immediately found Christina lying on the mattress, seemingly fast asleep. Curled into herself, her face pale and drawn, her lips colorless, she looked deeply unwell¡ªher sleep restless and uneasy.

    An invisible weight pressed against Dn¡¯s ribs, stealing the air from his lungs. His mouth opened slightly, yet no words escaped. He didn¡¯t want to disturb Christina¡¯s rest.

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 Chapter 384

    ?Chapter 384:

    He approached the bed cautiously, squatting down beside it. His brows knitted in concern as he looked at Christina. Looking at her now¡ªfragile and unwell¡ªit was almostughable to still entertain the notion that she might be the masked ¡°man¡± from the casino, full of strength and charisma. That ¡°man¡± was bold andmanding. The woman before him seemed weak and frail.

    Dn quickly dispelled his doubts, his heart aching as he gently raised his hand. He gently brushed the space between her eyebrows, hoping to ease the tension in her ¡°sleeping¡± features.

    Christina, feigning slumber, felt the warmth of his touch and the gentleness of his actions. She tried and failed to quell the emotions that began to stir inside her. Dn, usually so aloof and unyielding, now disyed unexpected tenderness. Yet, her heart, long shut off from countless scars from before, wasn¡¯t thawed by the warmth he gave off.

    Still, his quiet care brought her sce, and for the first time in days, she finally rxed. Weariness embraced her, and genuine rest slowly imed her. The past few nights she had remained at Dn¡¯s side in the hospital, her nerves frayed with fear that another assassin might attack. She had slept only in brief, anxious bursts. But now, with danger seemingly gone and feeling safe around him, her defenses lowered.

    Her thoughts fluttered like leaves in a storm and then slowly faded as her mind drifted into unconsciousness. Bit by bit, the lines on her face rxed, and a faint calm washed over her.

    Dn observed the change, the tension finally slipping from her body. Relief swept through him like a breeze. He exhaled softly, his shoulders loosening. Still, he stayed there, unwilling to leave her alone. Not until her breathing turned slow and steady, her skin no longer ghostly, did he carefully rise to his feet. But after crouching for so long, his legs betrayed him, and as he tried to rise, they gave out, making him stagger forward.

    Dn¡¯s legs were numb from crouching for so long, and he stumbled forward the moment he rose to his feet. He couldn¡¯t support himself with just his palms, so, reacting fast, he propped his forearms onto the mattress for stability. His forearms caged the sleeping Christina in, their foreheads nearly brushing, every breath shared in the narrow space between them. His heartbeat thundered like a war drum, pounding violently inside his ribcage.

    His eyes locked onto her features, eventuallynding on her inviting lips. Color had returned to them, soft and full, like they were waiting for a kiss.

    His throat bobbed, nerves firing off like sparks. Without thinking, he leaned in, pulled by the gravity of his desire to kiss her.

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    But a split second before their mouths met, he snapped out of it, jolting backward to put space between them. His pulse still surged, roaring in his ears like a flood. He had slipped right back to his usual straight face, yet his ears burned crimson. He¡¯d almost made a mistake, and shame made it impossible to gaze at her again.

    He loosened his cor with a tug, trying to shake the adrenaline. Turning away, he drew long, steady breaths to regainposure. Once his nerves calmed, he nced at her slumbering quietly.

    After a moment¡¯s pause, Dn assigned two men to guard her and led the others away.

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 Chapter 385

    ?Chapter 385:

    ¡°Mr. Scott, the surveince is toast. No entries, no exits recorded,¡± one of Dn¡¯s subordinates reported.

    ¡°No point digging deeper,¡± Dn replied tly. Seeing the pale-faced Christina resting on the bed had erased any lingering doubts. The ¡°man¡± from the casino likely just bore a resemnce¡ªnothing else.

    ¡°Understood!¡± his subordinate replied.

    With that, Dn and his men pivoted and returned to the medical wing.

    By the time Christina stirred, daylight had given way to twilight. She blinked groggily, scanning the room, and the unfamiliar surroundings jolted her alert. Then, it clicked¡ªthis was Davina¡¯s apartment. She recalled Dn had shown up to check on her before she¡¯d dozed off. Initially, she¡¯d only pretended to be asleep¡ªbut her body had given in for real. Now fully awake, the fog in her mind had clearedpletely.

    She cracked the door open to find Davina prepping ingredients in the kitchen.

    ¡°You¡¯re finally alive,¡± Davina said with a nce, juggling a handful of vegetables.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Christina mumbled mid-yawn. ¡°Smells good in here.¡±

    Davina chuckled. ¡°Didn¡¯t want to wake the dead, so I let you be.¡± She looked over. ¡°Eat with me before you vanish.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Christina replied, eyes catching the phone Davina had nudged across the counter. She picked it up and read the pre-typed text. ¡°Dn seems to have dropped his suspicions about you, but stay sharp. None of them are easy to handle. They¡¯re sneaky as hell.¡±

    Christina slid the phone back, giving a small nod. ¡°Whoa, you made all my favorites?¡± she said with mock excitement.

    ¡°Duh. I¡¯m your number-one fan,¡± Davina teased, tossing her a wink. ¡°Help me chop and I¡¯ll make magic happen.¡±

    ¡°You got it!¡± Christina replied, raising a yful thumb.

    Your escape begins at g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s

    Davina¡¯s food was on point. Not five-star like Dn¡¯s, but miles ahead of Christina¡¯s culinary chaos.

    The two bantered and cooked, the kitchen filled withughter that turned a simple task into something joyful.

    It was ten o¡¯clock. Night air pressed against caf¨¦ windows.

    Christina sat opposite someone, her voice cutting like ss. ¡°Spit it out. I¡¯ve got better things to do.¡±

    Yvonne shed a charming grin and said, ¡°Christina, take a moment and enjoy a mug of coffee. No rush¡ªlet¡¯s ease into our discussion.¡±

    With that, Yvonne nudged the mug toward Christina, a glimmer of cunning flickering in her expression. When she had fetched the coffee earlier, she had covertly slipped in a little something. Otherwise, why would she have been so eager to wait at the counter just to personally hand over the mug of coffee to Christina?

    Christina nced downward, her eyes falling on the freshly served mug of coffee. Beneath the inviting fragrance lingered a faintly abnormal trace. As Noxin, her olfactory senses were far keener than most¡ªwhat went undetected by others was often clear to her, especially when it came to chemical agents. She could identifypounds others wouldn¡¯t even notice, especially those with sedative or stimting effects.

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 Chapter 386

    ?Chapter 386:

    ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood to draw this out. If there¡¯s a point to this meeting, say it now,¡± Christina remarked, lightly swirling the contents of her mug with an indifferent expression, though she made no move to drink.

    Watching her idly toy with the coffee without drinking it gnawed at Yvonne¡¯s nerves. ¡°Christina, the coffee at this ce is exceptional. Just give it a try,¡± she urged.

    ¡°I was wrong before, alright? I shouldn¡¯t have treated you that way. I¡¯ve been reflecting on everything, and I realize I messed up. That¡¯s why I¡¯m here¡ªto say sorry.¡± Yvonne¡¯s tone softened further as she added, ¡°Dad¡¯s still hospitalized, and Mom¡¯s been falling apart from all the worry¡­ We¡¯re blood, Christina. Can¡¯t you let it go, just this once?¡±

    Yvonne tried to mask her growing anxiety with a mock appeal, hoping to coax Christina into sipping the drink.

    But Christina remained unhurried, stirring slowly without raising it to her lips. Inwardly, Yvonne was seething. Still with the stirring? What was Christina waiting for? Just drink the damn thing already! Despite her inner irritation, her expression stayedposed. To keep up appearances, she lifted her own mug and took a showy sip, feigning delight. ¡°Mm! This is amazing! You seriously don¡¯t know what you¡¯re missing.¡±

    But the more Yvonne pushed, the more it confirmed Christina¡¯s doubts. Even if Christina hadn¡¯t picked up on theced vor, Yvonne¡¯s insistence alone would have been enough to raise rm.

    Christina¡¯s mouth curved faintly as she slid her mug toward Yvonne. The two mugs clinked together with a crisp sound.

    In that fleeting motion, Christina had deftly introduced something into Yvonne¡¯s coffee. Her swift, subtle movements wentpletely unnoticed.

    ¡°If it¡¯s that delicious, why not help yourself to another taste?¡± Christina said with a casual smirk.

    Yvonne was caught off guard by Christina¡¯s wariness. Pursing her lips, she wondered whether Christina had already grown suspicious.

    Find your favorite stories at g ? ln ¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s., conn

    ¡°I¡¯ve had plenty,¡± she said, forcing a chuckle as she edged the mug back across the table. ¡°I¡¯ll be up all night if I go for seconds. You should enjoy it instead.¡±

    Christina was unbothered as she had already ingested a countermeasure earlier¡ªone that neutralized a wide spectrum of tampering agents. From what she knew of Yvonne¡¯s methods, the substance that had slipped into her coffee was likely an incapacitating drug or aphrodisiac, or a mix.

    Maintaining a cool exterior, Christina lifted the mug and let a drop touch her lips. Yvonne¡¯s eyes followed every move, eager and tense.

    ¡°So, you asked me out just to say sorry?¡± Christina asked, her brows slightly raised, her tone unreadable.

    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Yvonne nodded quickly. ¡°Can¡¯t we move on from all that? Let¡¯s fix things. I promise¡ªI¡¯ll never upset you again.¡±

    Seeing Christina finally take a taste, Yvonne¡¯s shoulders lowered in relief. The drug acted fast¡ªeven the tiniest dose would be enough. All that remained was to wait.

    ¡°Heh. That¡¯s it, Christina. You¡¯ve walked straight into my snare. There¡¯s no getting out of this now. You¡¯re mine to break¡ªslowly, painfully,pletely,¡± Yvonne murmured to herself, her eyes narrowing.

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 Chapter 387

    ?Chapter 387:

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Christina arched an eyebrow, her lips curling into a mocking smile as she took another slow sip of coffee. ¡°You¡¯ll never upset me again?¡±

    ¡°I mean it! I promise!¡± Yvonne responded immediately.

    Seeing Christina take another sip of coffee, Yvonne was barely able to contain her glee. Christina had no idea what wasing.

    Coldly, Christina set her mug down and narrowed her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t buy it for a second.¡±

    ¡°Christina, I swear I¡¯m not lying to you¡ª¡± Yvonne said, but Christina cut her off, her patience gone. ¡°Save the performance. You¡¯re terrible at pretending, you know.¡±

    Without another word, Christina pushed herself up from the chair, signaling she was done with the conversation.

    Just as Christina tried to leave, a look of calcted confusion crossed her face, and she made an act of stumbling, struggling to stay upright. Her hand shot to her forehead as she swayed, then, unable to fight the apparent dizziness, she slumped onto the sofa, seemingly all the strength leaving her body.

    Fake rm shed across Yvonne¡¯s face. ¡°Christina! Can you hear me? What¡¯s happening?¡± Her voice trembled with manufactured panic, though inside, she could hardly contain her delight. Hurrying over, she shook Christina¡¯s arm a few times, checking for any sign of awareness.

    After a moment, when Christina didn¡¯t respond, Yvonne finally allowed herself a quiet breath of relief. Everything had unfolded exactly as her plot. The drug had worked just as intended¡ªChristina would bepletely at that lewd man¡¯s mercy.

    Yvonne felt a surge of triumph as she imagined the scene of Christina being delivered to Moss¡¯s bed, assaulted and humiliated. For so long, Christina had put on an air. Now, she couldn¡¯t wait to see how that proud fa?ade would crumble once Moss had his way.

    ¡°You guys, hurry over here! My sister has fainted¡­¡± Yvonne called the two men she had arranged in advance, her voice filled with fake urgency. It didn¡¯t take long for the two men to show up.

    ¡°Quick, help me get her to the car,¡± Yvonne said, still keeping up her frantic act. Anyone looking on would have seen nothing but a desperate sister trying to help, never suspecting what was really happening.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s??§àm, where stories thrive

    Before long, the ¡°unconscious¡± Christina was lifted and carried to the waiting car.

    The car doors mmed shut, the engine revved, and the car sped off into the distance.

    A sly grin yed on Yvonne¡¯s lips as she tapped Christina¡¯s cheek with practiced ease. ¡°Oh, Christina, don¡¯t me me for being so cruel. Instead, me your knack for shining everywhere you walk, drawing those old lewd men¡¯s attention,¡± she taunted. A bubblingugh slipped out, her amusement quickly turning into a rough cough.

    Satisfaction glimmered in Yvonne¡¯s eyes while her fingers traced along Christina¡¯s wless face, which she envied so much it drove her crazy. ¡°You know, with a face like this, it¡¯ll be a waste if it¡¯s not used to secure the greatest benefits. It¡¯s time for you to repay the Jones family for all we¡¯ve sacrificed for you. Honestly, I suppose you and that filthy old Moss make quite the pair! Ha-ha!¡±

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    .

 Chapter 388

    ?Chapter 388:

    A fit ofughter overtook Yvonne, stronger than before, feeding the dark thrill inside her. Nothing delighted her more than picturing Christina¡¯s perfect life unraveling.

    Soon, the car pulled up in front of a hotel, and the two men carried the ¡°unconscious¡± Christina into a room, with Yvonne trailing behind.

    ¡°Here¡¯s your reward. Not a word to anyone¡ªam I clear?¡± Yvonne fixed the two men with a warning stare.

    ¡°Absolutely! We know how to keep our mouths shut,¡± one of the two men replied without hesitation.

    ¡°Right, right! You can count on us. Not a soul will ever hear about this,¡± the other hastily stated, shing a fawning grin.

    Yvonne transferred the rest of the payment into their bank ount.

    ¡°If you need our help again, Miss Jones, just let us know,¡± the two men suggested, eager for future coboration.

    Yvonne responded with an air of superiority. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that. Now leave.¡±

    ¡°Of course, we¡¯ll take our leave.¡± The two men hurried out of the room, ted and chattering to themselves.

    Once the door clicked shut, quiet settled over the space¡ªonly Yvonne and the ¡°unconscious¡± Christina remained.

    Yvonne glided toward the bed and perched on its edge, malice flickering in her smile as she tapped Christina¡¯s cheek. ¡°Christina, guess what? Moss will be here soon. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll make sure you enjoy it.¡±

    ¡°Christina, how about you enjoy some alone time with Moss?¡± Yvonne purred with a fake smile. ¡°Starting tonight, you¡¯ll be his woman. And thanks to you, the Jones family¡¯s about to rise up on his name.¡±

    Yvonne wanted to let out a triumphantugh, but something hit her first¡ªa sudden, nasty cough. It came out of nowhere, hard and rough. Her cheeks turned red, her chest was tight, and she couldn¡¯t catch her breath.

    When the coughing finally eased up, she felt lightheaded as hell. Her whole brain felt shaken up, like someone had knocked her around. She lifted a trembling hand to her forehead, barely staying upright. Her legs were jelly. She stumbled forward like someone drunk. What was going on? Her head was spinning like a carousel, and now she couldn¡¯t even keep her eyes open. Everything in her body screamed for sleep.

    ?¦Ò???? ¦Ô???????????? ¦É?? ?????????????????.??????

    Before she could even finish that thought, her world went ck. Her knees gave out, and she hit the bed like a rag dollpletely out cold.

    Christina, who had been pretending to be knocked out, immediately sat up the second Yvonne dropped. She stared at Yvonne¡¯s limp body spread across the bed and smirked. ¡°Really, Yvonne? You thought you could scheme against me? Sweetheart, you¡¯re too dumb for this game.¡±

    Christina got off the bed slowly, her eyes never leaving Yvonne¡¯s knocked-out body. Her look was cold enough to freeze steel. ¡°Three¡­ Two¡­ One¡­¡± she whispered like she was counting down a little show.

    And just like clockwork, Yvonne started mumbling, ¡°Hot¡­ It¡¯s so hot¡­¡± Yvonne began fumbling at her clothes, wing at them like they were burning her skin. She was practically tearing them off. She felt like she was on fire. Her body couldn¡¯t take it.

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 Chapter 389

    ?Chapter 389:

    ¡°You made your bed, now burn in it,¡± Christina muttered, icy as ever, and turned to walk out. Whatever happened next? Yvonne brought it upon herself. A taste of her own medicine.

    If Yvonne hadn¡¯t tried to serve her up to that creep Moss, Christina wouldn¡¯t have flipped the whole setup on Yvonne. But Yvonne did. So now, Yvonne was getting exactly what she deserved.

    Christina shut off the lights behind her, no emotion, no hesitation. She walked out like nothing had happened. She stepped calmly into one elevator, right as another one dinged open just across the hall.

    Moss stepped out, wearing a greasy grin that showed off yellow teeth, like paper stained with age. His oversized belly strained against his shirt, jiggling like a half-filled water balloon. ¡°I¡¯ming for you, baby!¡± he said with a creepy chuckle, rubbing his hands together while double-checking the hotel room number.

    He pushed open the hotel room door, still grinning like a pervert. As soon as he stepped inside, a warm, bare body wrapped around him before he even had a chance to switch on the light.

    ¡°It¡¯s so hot¡­¡± Her voice was soft, breathy, and seductive, sending a wave of sensation across him.

    And the biggest surprise? The woman was totally naked¡ªher bare skin pressed tight against him, rubbing up like she was starving for attention. Her hands slid over his bby frame, slow and teasing, sparking a wave of heat inside him.

    Moss was instantly ovee with lust. His whole body heated up, especially down below¡ªhe could barely hold it together. He kicked the door shut without turning on the lights and grabbed the woman like he couldn¡¯t wait another second. ¡°Sweetheart, let me take care of you,¡± he whispered with a grin. ¡°You¡¯re bold as hell, aren¡¯t you? I can¡¯t take it anymore¡­¡±

    Moss let out a grossugh and tore his clothes off like his life depended on it, his heavy body copsing on top of her.

    Soon, the whole room echoed with his loud, panting breaths and her low moans. The air was thick, hot, sweaty, and charged with unspoken desire.

    Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Christina had just walked into the lobby when a tall,manding figure caught her eye.

    L¦¡¦Ó??¦Ó ch¦Á¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??????

    Dn strode toward her, his eyebrows pulled together in concern. His long strides radiated an air of authority, each step purposeful and unyielding.

    ¡°Where were you? I tried calling a bunch of times but couldn¡¯t get through to you,¡± Dn said, his eyes scanning her from head to toe, checking if she was hurt. Once he was sure she wasn¡¯t hurt, his expression finally rxed a little.

    After scanning Christina from head to toe for any injuries, Dn ced his firm hands on her shoulders, an inappropriate action he himself hadn¡¯t noticed yet. Even now, he hadn¡¯t let go.

    ¡°Are you worried about me?¡± Christina tipped her head and shed a yful grin, her tone intentionally light.

    Dn stiffened for a second, warmth creeping into his cheeks. ¡°I am.¡± He pressed his lips together, ncing away, unable to look her in the eye. Even though her eyes looked calm, to him, her gaze felt as intense as a me.

    ¡°I just grabbed a coffee with someone. My phone must have died and switched off,¡± Christina said smoothly, keeping her tone easy as she tossed out the harmless fib. The truth was, she had powered down her phone on purpose so no one would bother her. She had already figured that Yvonne woulde looking for her with nothing good in mind. Sure enough, trouble had followed right after.

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 Chapter 390

    ?Chapter 390:

    ¡°Who were you with?¡± Dn¡¯s voice stayed cool, but the curiosity in his eyes was hard to hide. He was itching to find out who had been sitting across from Christina at that coffee shop. Was it a man? A quiet sense of worry started to build up inside him.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you take a guess?¡± Christina replied, deliberately keeping him in suspense.

    Dn fell silent for a moment before replying, ¡°I have no idea.¡±

    ¡°It was Yvonne,¡± Christina answered, a small smile on her lips. Her expression seemed calm, devoid of any visible emotion, as if she were truly unbothered. But Dn saw right through her calm facade, and his chest tightened. After that awkward conversation about her family, he had gone digging into her history with the Jones family, and what he uncovered left him shaken. The Jones family had sent a ten-year-old Christina off to a harsh training camp overseas, a ce that swallowed people whole and left nothing behind¡ªa veritable hell on earth. Anyone sent to that camp might as well have been sent to their own funeral. Almost no one managed to make it out alive.

    Dn still couldn¡¯t imagine how Christina, at just ten years old then, had managed to survive in such a nightmare. For her to havee through it, her will to live had to be something truly incredible. Perhaps her deep dislike for violence was a scar left over from those days. What never crossed his mind was that her fear of blood was nothing but an act.

    ¡°Just say the word, and I will make the Jones family disappear,¡± Dn said, his eyes locked on hers.

    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. I¡¯ll settle things myself. I don¡¯t want to trouble anyone,¡± Christina replied, standing her ground.

    Dn¡¯s brow creased, not liking her answer. ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all. I am more than willing to help you handle the Jones family.¡±

    Herugh was gentle. ¡°Then tell me¡ªfrom what position are you in to intervene like that?¡±

    Dn paused, choosing his words carefully. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady and sincere. ¡°I could be the most important person in your life.¡± He deliberately opted against using the word ¡°friend.¡± He didn¡¯t want to settle for the friend zone. He longed to be her boyfriend, the one she trusted most and meant everything to her. But those feelings got stuck somewhere between his chest and his lips. He never found the courage to say them outright, worried she¡¯d pull away if he pushed too hard. Whenever Christina was involved, he handled everything with extra care, always afraid of upsetting her with a single misstep.

    ¡°But even if we are best friends, there are still matters I have to take care of on my own.¡± She offered a gentle smile and asked, ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±

    Dn didn¡¯t protest. ¡°Yeah.¡± Some things, he realized, could only be resolved by her, and it would never feel the same if someone else stepped in. He understood that about her.

    After a short pause, Dn added, ¡°But if you ever run into something you can¡¯t deal with on your own, promise me you¡¯ll let me help.¡±

    Without missing a beat, Christina replied, ¡°Alright.¡±

    She looked at his hands, still resting on her shoulders, and grinned. ¡°So tell me, how long are you nning to hold onto my shoulders?¡±

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 Chapter 391

    ?Chapter 391:

    When Christina said those words, Dn¡¯s hands sprang away, as if he¡¯d burned himself on something hot. For once, a faint blush and awkwardness reced his usual stoic expression.

    Watching him, Christina let a small smile curve her lips. The always aloof Dn suddenly looked almost charming.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Dn murmured after a moment, his voice low and honest.

    Christina waved off his apology with an easy tone. ¡°No big deal,¡± she said, walking ahead. ¡°I¡¯m heading back to get some rest. I¡¯m worn out.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Dn fell in step behind her at once.

    With his long legs, he could have quickly caught up, maybe even passed her. But instead, he chose to linger just a step behind, quietly keeping watch over her like a silent guardian.

    A gentle wind picked up, making Christina¡¯s dark hair dance around her shoulders.

    Her delicate, fresh fragrance trailed in the air, drifting toward Dn and putting him strangely at ease. For reasons he couldn¡¯t exin, a memory shed in his mind¡ªthe young ¡°man¡± wearing a chilling mask from the casino. That ¡°man¡± had a simr faint scent, though it carried a different edge.

    Dn¡¯s intense eyes stayed locked on Christina¡¯s back. Then, once again, the silhouettes of the young ¡°man¡± and Christina ovepped in his mind. The thought was so ridiculous that he almostughed at himself for ever entertaining such an absurd notion. Their scents were simr but not identical. There was no way they were one and the same.

    Just then, Christina came to an abrupt stop. She nced over her shoulder, her hair drifting softly around her face, and sent Dn a brilliant smile. That dazzling grin seemed to brighten the whole room, and her eyes were so clear, so untouched by the world, that they seemed almost otherworldly.

    Dn¡¯s steps halted as well, his deep gaze locking onto hers. For a split second, it felt as though everything else had faded away. In that instant, he silently vowed that he would never let anyone upset her. Someone as wonderful as Christina deserved to stand out and shine in this world.

    ¡°Howe you¡¯re walking so slowly today?¡± Christina asked, her voice full of curiosity.

    Step into new worlds at g ? ln¦Ò ¦Í?? ?s?conn

    The question snapped Dn out of his thoughts. He moved closer, his face calm and unreadable. ¡°I was lost in thought.¡±

    Christina tipped her head, studying him. ¡°Were you thinking about who was after you?¡±

    Dn answered, ¡°I was.¡± In truth, he wasn¡¯t thinking about the mastermind behind those assassins at all. His mind had been entirely consumed by thoughts of Christina.

    Christina¡¯s tone grew gentle. ¡°I hope you can catch whoever¡¯s behind this soon. But until then, you have to be careful.¡±

    Dn nodded. ¡°I will.¡±

    Together, they made their way back to the hospital room. Not long after, Christina slipped into a peaceful sleep.

    .

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 Chapter 392

    ?Chapter 392:

    Dn rested on his own hospital bed, his eyes fixed on Christina¡¯s sleeping form. Around her, the chill that always surrounded him faded away, reced by a quiet tenderness, mixed with an affection he never quite put into words. To him, Christina had a quiet brilliance, shining effortlessly even in her sleep, as if simply existing was enough to light up the room.

    Without realizing it, Dn¡¯s lips curled into a soft, rare smile¡ªa gentle look that seldom appeared on his face. Anyone watching would have been shocked seeing him grin like that.

    Morning arrived. Inside the hotel, Yvonne woke up with a groan, her whole body aching.

    The moment her eyes fluttered open andnded on the hefty, snoring figure next to her, a jolt of shock rooted her in ce. It only took a second for her to recognize Moss¡¯s disgusting face, and she let out a sharp scream.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Yvonne¡¯s scream grew even louder when she realized she had no clothes on. Fury and shame flooded her all at once, and she began to hit and kick Moss with everything she had.

    Moss woke up in confusion, only to catch a punch to the eye before he even understood what was happening. Blinded by anger, he didn¡¯t even check who was attacking him, and he swung back with a heavy p.

    Moss hissed, his words sharp and vicious. ¡°You filthy glut! Do you really think you can treat me like this? Who do you think you are, hitting me? If I don¡¯t teach you a lesson now, you¡¯ll really start thinking you¡¯re something special!¡±

    Terror etched on Yvonne¡¯s face. She grabbed her head with shaking hands, screaming as she scrambled backward. Tears poured down her cheeks, turning her eyes red and swollen. She desperately wanted to understand what had happened. Hadn¡¯t she drugged Christinast night? Christina should have been the one waking up in this bed, not her. How had it all gone so wrong?

    Fear and confusion twisted inside Yvonne until she lost all control. She began coughing, struggling to breathe.

    Moss, hand raised to strike again, suddenly froze as he realized something was off. This woman wasn¡¯t Christina¡ªthe woman he¡¯d been promised. Yvonne didn¡¯t evene close to matching Christina¡¯s stunning looks.

    Moss¡¯s expression grew even darker, fury burning in his eyes. ¡°So this is how the Jones family does business? I was told I¡¯d be getting Christina, and instead, you send yourself? Do you think you can just throw any woman into my bed and I¡¯ll go along with it?¡±

    M¦Òr¦Å ¦Ôpd¦Á§äes ¦Én G¦Áln¦Ò¦Íels.c¦Òm

    Still seething, he yanked Yvonne by the hair and red at her. ¡°Tell me! What on earth is going on?¡±

    Yvonne had never been handled so roughly before. She shook uncontrobly, struggling to form words. ¡°You¡­¡±

    Fear gripped her so tightly that she couldn¡¯t get a single coherent sentence out, no matter how hard she tried.

    Moss¡¯s patience snapped. ¡°What are you mumbling about? Where¡¯s that old man Mack? Go get him right now!¡± His voice boomed through the room.

    Inside, Yvonne was seething, her teeth clenched tight with rage. If she had a de in her grasp, she would have gone after Moss without a second thought. Still, her anger toward Moss couldn¡¯tpare to the burning resentment she felt for Christina. If it weren¡¯t for Christina, she wouldn¡¯t have ended up in this humiliating situation. She med Christina for everything.

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 Chapter 393

    ?Chapter 393:

    Right then and there, Yvonne vowed to make Christina suffer a thousand times over for this humiliation.

    Yvonne, now trembling and stripped of her usual arrogance, stammered, ¡°I¡¯ll call¡­¡±

    She choked back sobs while fumbling for her phone, her hands trembling as she dialed her mother¡¯s number.

    The instant the call connected and her mother answered, all her strength vanished and she broke down. ¡°Mom¡­ Mom¡­¡± she cried out, her words thick with tears.

    On the other end, Liza¡¯s voice turned frantic. She heard her daughter¡¯s sobs and her heart twisted with worry. ¡°Yvonne, what¡¯s the matter? Tell me what happened!¡±

    ¡°Your mom? I said to call Mack, not your mother!¡± Moss shouted, his temper ring all over again.

    Liza¡¯s face drained of color as Moss¡¯s voice red through the line. Her hand shook so much that she nearly dropped it.

    Onlyst night, Yvonne had messaged both Liza and Mack, bragging that the n had gone off without a hitch and that Christina had been taken to the hotel. Liza and Mack had even raised a toast, imagining how their plot would finallynd them a profitable partnership with Moss. But now¡­ Wasn¡¯t Christina supposed to be with Mossst night? How had it all gone so terribly off track?

    ¡°I¡­¡± Yvonne stuttered, her voice shaky as a fit of coughing wracked her body, fear making it impossible to speak clearly.

    Moss shot Yvonne a look of utter disgust. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? Are you sick or something? Don¡¯t you dare get me sick! If anything happens to me, I¡¯ll make sure your whole family pays for it!¡±

    Liza felt her heart wrench in pain while she listened to Moss threaten her daughter. Concern washed over her, but she was unable to do anything to Moss. In the past, the Jones family could have matched the Glyn family¡¯s strength. However, that was no longer the case. These days, the Jones family depended on the Glyn family much more than the Glyn family relied on them.

    ¡°Yvonne, pass the phone to Mr. Glyn. I need to speak with him,¡± Liza hastily said, her words shaky with anxiety.

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    With trembling hands, Yvonne did as she was told and passed the phone to Moss. ¡°M-my mom wants to speak with you,¡± she stammered.

    A cold re flickered in Moss¡¯s eyes as he grabbed the phone from Yvonne, his irritation in on his face.

    ¡°I asked for Christina, not some reject you scraped off the street!¡± Moss frowned, pinching his nose in disgust as he barked into the phone. ¡°She sounds like she¡¯s on herst breath every time she coughs. Are you trying to infect me or what?¡±

    On the other end, Liza¡¯s voice quivered with panic. ¡°Please, chill down. There¡¯s nothing contagious. Yvonne is just not in the best health, but she¡¯s not sick.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d better be telling the truth. If I find out you¡¯re lying, your whole family will regret it!¡± Moss warned, his arrogance unmistakable.

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 Chapter 394

    ?Chapter 394:

    Inside the room, Yvonne shrank further into the shadows, hatred simmering in her eyes as she red at Moss¡¯s lumbering figure. Nothing would have stopped her from plunging a de into his back if only she¡¯d had the chance.

    At the same time, Liza¡¯s expression twisted with the same bitterness as she gripped her phone tightly. Payback woulde¡ªshe¡¯d make sure everyone who¡¯d mistreated her daughter suffered for it.

    Determined to keep Moss cated, Liza forced out a honeyed reassurance. ¡°We wouldn¡¯t dare deceive you. Christina will be in your room, just as promised.¡± Once that assurance left her lips, Moss ended the call with a grunt of satisfaction.

    ¡°Finally, someone who knows how to listen,¡± Moss sneered, tossing out a threat as he finished getting dressed. ¡°Deliver Christina to my bed, and I won¡¯t let you suffer.¡±

    Without looking back, Moss strode out of the hotel room.

    As soon as the door mmed shut, Yvonne stumbled to the bathroom and emptied her stomach, sobs wracking her frame. The disgust in Moss¡¯s eyes as he left burned in her memory.

    Rage twisted her features as she pressed clenched fists to her mouth, hatred consuming her. One day, she promised herself, all these debts would be settled. Copsed on the cold tile, Yvonne¡¯s fury exploded in a raw scream. ¡°You¡¯ll all pay for this! Just wait and see!¡±

    Night had fallen. After dinner, Christina wandered outside, trying to clear her mind, only to cross paths with a person she desperately wanted to avoid. Instinct drove Christina to turn away, but Yvonne¡ªintent on confrontation¡ªhurried over, cutting her off.

    ¡°Christina! Tell me what you did to mest night!¡± Yvonne demanded, her re brimming with resentment.

    ¡°I didn¡¯ty a finger on you.¡± Christina gave Yvonne a mock innocent look, her eyes wide. ¡°You were asleep at the hotel when I left. I only made sure you were okay before heading out.¡±

    An usatory re shed from Yvonne. ¡°That¡¯s a lie! There¡¯s no way I just dozed off like that. I distinctly remember¡ª¡± Her words caught in her throat as she realized she was about to reveal too much.

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    Before Yvonne could recover, Christina pounced. ¡°You distinctly remember what, exactly?¡±

    ¡°I watched you copse in the cafe and, being the good sister, took you to the hotel to rest,¡± Yvonne insisted, her frustration peeking through. ¡°But you turned on me and hurt me the first chance you got!¡±

    A fake puzzled look crossed Christina¡¯s face. ¡°If I had fainted, wouldn¡¯t a hospital have made more sense? Why bring me to a hotel, Yvonne? And what did I supposedly do to hurt you?¡±

    That question knocked Yvonne off guard, and she fumbled for words, growing more flustered by the second. After a long pause, she finally blurted out, ¡°Why¡¯d you just leave me there and disappear?¡±

    ¡°There was nothing keeping me there,¡± Christina replied, shrugging. ¡°You were out cold in that hotel bed. Unlike you, I have no interest in spending the night in hotels for no reason.¡±

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 Chapter 395

    ?Chapter 395:

    Fury reddened Yvonne¡¯s cheeks. She was certain Christina had slipped her something but refused to admit it.

    ¡°Don¡¯t pretend you don¡¯t know what you did!¡± Yvonne hissed, voice low and bitter.

    A nonchnt shrug answered her. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m at a loss. I left you to sleep. That¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°Drop the act!¡± Yvonne coughed violently, her anger boiling over.

    ¡°Try to rx,¡± Christina said, brow furrowing. ¡°If you hack up a lung right here, your parents might pin it all on me.¡±

    Although Christina sounded almost sympathetic, her words only fanned Yvonne¡¯s fury.

    For a moment, Yvonne nearly lost control, but she pulled herself together with great effort. ¡°If you want this to end, you¡¯lle back with me for dinner tonight. Mom and Dad expect you,¡± she said, swallowing thest of her anger.

    Yvonne adjusted her voice, trying to hold back the frustration bubbling inside her, and fixed Christina with a pleading look. ¡°Today is Dad¡¯s birthday. His health has been declining¡ªcould you please not upset him today by agreeing to dine with him?¡±

    ¡°Today is Mack¡¯s birthday?¡± Christina asked deliberately.

    ¡°Yes!¡± A flicker of hope appeared in Yvonne¡¯s eyes as she nodded with extra enthusiasm, a few tears slipping down her cheeks to sell the performance. ¡°Christina¡­ Dad isn¡¯t getting any younger. Even some of his hair has turned gray. All he wants is for us to sit down for a peaceful family meal, like we used to. Can you just grant him this one birthday wish? We haven¡¯t gathered for dinner for ages.¡±

    Yvonne waspletely unaware that her emotional appeal had absolutely no effect on Christina.

    ¡°Alright. Since he¡¯s getting older, I¡¯ll agree to it,¡± Christina answered, but her mind was already working on a different n. She was honestly just bored, wanting to see what new tricks the Jones family might attempt this time.

    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Yvonne looked at Christina in shock. ¡°You¡¯re reallying home for dinner?¡±

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    ¡°I am.¡± Christina¡¯s eyes narrowed, her voice sharpening. ¡°But if you keep asking questions like this, I¡¯ll change my mind.¡±

    ¡°No! Please, I won¡¯t ask another thing!¡± Yvonne blurted out, struggling to hide her excitement as the corners of her mouth curved upward. ¡°Ten o¡¯clock. Meet me in the parking lot, and I¡¯ll drive you home.¡±

    Christina responded carelessly, absentmindedly tapping her nails, her gaze driftingzily over to Yvonne. ¡°If you don¡¯t need anything else, I¡¯m heading out now.¡±

    Yvonne quickly replied, ¡°Alright! Go and finish whatever you need to do. Remember, ten o¡¯clock in the parking lot!¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Christina responded before turning around and leaving.

    Yvonne¡¯s gaze followed Christina¡¯s retreating form, a cold smirk curling on her lips while her eyes burned with resentment. Everything was going smoothly. There was no way Christina could escape this time. The venue for the supposed dinner was the Jones family estate. With every family member and staff member present, it would be impossible for Christina to break free even if she sensed something amiss.

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 Chapter 396

    ?Chapter 396:

    Yvonne was sure Christina was doomed this time. She made a silent vow to make Christina pay back every ounce of humiliation she had suffered. Nothing else would bring her peace of mind.

    At exactly ten o¡¯clock, Christina reached the parking lot right on time. She had already informed Dn that she would be returning to the Jones family¡¯s estate.

    ¡°Christina!¡± The moment Yvonne spotted Christina, she exhaled in relief and greeted her with exaggerated cheerfulness. ¡°Where did you park your car?¡± Christina asked.

    Yvonne motioned toward a white Porsche and clicked the button on her key fob.

    When the car door swung open, Christina swiftly took the keys from Yvonne¡¯s grasp. ¡°I¡¯ll be the one driving,¡± she remarked, sliding into the driver¡¯s seat without waiting for Yvonne¡¯s reply.

    Yvonne froze for a moment, still holding the keys, her anger simmering beneath the surface. Her jaw locked tight as she sent a hateful re in Christina¡¯s direction. She muttered to herself, ¡°Christina, just wait. I¡¯ll make you pay for this!¡±

    Christina nced over with a teasing grin. ¡°What¡¯s the holdup? Aren¡¯t you getting in?¡±

    Suppressing her frustration, Yvonne forced a smile and replied, ¡°I¡¯m on my way.¡± Yvonne slipped into the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, and before she could settle in, the car lurched forward.

    ¡°Ah!¡± A startled scream escaped Yvonne as her face drained of color and she clung desperately to her seatbelt. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? Couldn¡¯t you see I wasn¡¯t ready yet?¡±

    Christina¡¯s response came with azy drawl, thick with sarcasm. ¡°Oops, must have missed that.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Yvonne sputtered, so overwhelmed by rage that she could hardly speak. But remembering her goal of luring Christina back to the Jones family¡¯s residence, she swallowed her anger and forced herself to keep a calm facade.

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    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Christina asked, her eyes fixed on the road.

    Yvonne put on her best smile and replied, ¡°Nothing at all. Honestly, Christina, you drive so well. Maybe you could teach me a few tricks sometime.¡±

    A single eyebrow lifted as Christina nced over, her lips curling into a subtle, mocking grin. ¡°Oh, really?¡±

    The way Christina nced over sent a shiver running down Yvonne¡¯s spine, and a deep sense of unease began to take hold inside her.

    Just as Yvonne feared, her foreboding feeling became reality. The car suddenly sped up, catching herpletely off guard and terrifying her to the point of nearly fainting.

    White-knuckled, Yvonne gripped the seatbelt and shrieked, terror distorting her features. ¡°Ahhh! Slow down! For heaven¡¯s sake, slow down!¡±

    With an easy tone and no sign of concern, Christina answered, ¡°Sure.¡± She eased up on the gas, and the car slowed down¡ªbut only for a moment. Momentster, Christina pressed the pedal again, weaving between bursts of speed and sudden brakes. The jerky motion left Yvonne feeling dizzy and sick. Gagging, Yvonne fought to keep herposure. ¡°You¡­ Ugh¡­¡± The urge to vomit wed at her throat, but with a frantic hand mped over her mouth, she stopped herself, unwilling to soil her prized car.

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 Chapter 397

    ?Chapter 397:

    Attempting to speak, Yvonne could only manage a strangled gasp. ¡°Christina! You¡­ Are you messing with me on purpose?¡±

    A look of perfect innocence met her usation. ¡°I swear, I¡¯m not trying to make you sick. My driving¡¯s just not great. Try to hang on.¡±

    Another retch interrupted Yvonne¡¯seback, and she groaned in frustration. ¡°Ugh¡­¡±

    With a light shrug, Christina offered a way out. ¡°If this is too much, I can just get out of the car. It¡¯s not like this dinner is a must.¡±

    Defeated, Yvonne pressed her lips together and said nothing, ring with mounting frustration. She could tell Christina was being deliberate with every move, but no matter how much it grated on her, there was nothing she could do to stop it. They were almost at the Jones estate, and if Christina slipped away at this point, all the effort she had poured in would amount to nothing. Yvonne¡¯s patience ran on fumes. She forced herself to be quiet, unwilling to give Christina the satisfaction of seeing her lose control.

    Christina hid a satisfied grin, her eyes twinkling as she guided the car on the final stretch.

    Atst, the Jones family estate came into view, and the vehicle rolled to a stop. Already outside the estate, Mack and Liza hurried over, dressed to impress and smiling in anticipation.

    Hardly had the car door opened before Yvonne leaned out, her self-control shattering. She emptied her stomach right there, and the mess sttered Mack and Liza, catching thempletely off guard. Disgust overwhelmed them as they gagged, their special asion outfits ruined in an instant.

    Yvonne didn¡¯t care about any of that. Lost in the throes of nausea, she cared only about catching her breath.

    Finally, once her stomach settled, she managed to straighten up, her face pale and exhausted. Spinning around, she barely caught a glimpse of Christina and the car before nausea surged again, sending her into another round of dry heaves.

    ¡°Are we still having dinner?¡± Christina asked, lounging against the hood as if she hadn¡¯t a care in the world.

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    Dark looks clouded both Mack¡¯s and Liza¡¯s faces, and Yvonne was still pale and shaky, the ordeal far from forgotten.

    ¡°Absolutely! You¡¯ve made the trip, so of course, we¡¯ll go ahead,¡± Mack said, forcing a cheerful grin as he stepped forward, trying to salvage the mood.

    With a quick wrinkle of her nose, Christina took a step back and lifted a hand to shield herself. ¡°Honestly, you should probably get changed first.¡±

    A sh of embarrassment froze Mack in ce. His forced smile faltered before he nodded stiffly. ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. I¡¯ll just go clean up.¡±

    Turning away, Liza hurried off as well. ¡°I¡¯ll change too. You girls go on ahead to the dining room.¡±

    A faint, knowing smile yed at Christina¡¯s lips as she met Yvonne¡¯s sour re, then she turned and strolled toward the house.

    For a moment, Yvonne couldn¡¯t move. Her fists curled at her sides as she shot daggers at Christina¡¯s back, fury smoldering in her chest.

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 Chapter 398

    ?Chapter 398:

    ¡°Christina! Once you step through that door, you won¡¯t be getting away again. You let that revolting old man rape me, and I¡¯ll never forget the humiliation. Don¡¯t think for a second you¡¯ll escape this time!¡± Yvonne screamed inwardly as her anger gnawed at her from the inside, her mrs grinding.

    Several slow, shaky breathster, Yvonne finally managed to rein in her anger.

    Christina had barely stepped into the Jones family¡¯s estate when she spotted a man slumped in one of the chairs. A stretched suit clung awkwardly to his bloated frame, and his grin revealed crooked, yellow teeth. Squinting, his beady eyes almost vanished into puffy cheeks.

    Disgust hit Christina instantly.

    Rising to greet her, Moss called out, his tone slick and insincere, ¡°So you¡¯ve finally arrived.¡± In a sh, he stepped over and reached for her, aiming to snake an arm around her waist before she could react.

    Catching on to Moss¡¯s intention, Christina quickly stepped aside, her gaze hardening with cold determination.

    As soon as she moved away, someone shoved her forcefully from behind, trying to push her straight into Moss¡¯s grasp.

    A chill swept across Christina¡¯s face, but she reacted swiftly, steadying herself. When she regained her footing, she seized her attacker¡¯s wrist and, with a sharp motion, pushed the attacker directly toward Moss.

    Yvonne never expected Christina not only to react to the push but also to counter with such precision.

    ¡°Ah!¡± A startled shriek escaped Yvonne as she tumbled right into Moss¡¯s arms. Expecting to catch Christina, Moss found himself holding Yvonne instead, his face twisting with annoyance. Irritated, he shoved Yvonne away and red in frustration.

    At that exact moment, Mack and Liza entered the room, immediately noticing the displeasure on Moss¡¯s face.

    Trying to smooth things over, Mack looked at Moss with a submissive smile, then turned toward Yvonne and Christina. ¡°What exactly did you say to upset Mr. Glyn?¡± He straightened, adopting an authoritative air. ¡°Each drinks a full ss of whiskey without ice as punishment.¡±

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    Liza exchanged a nce with Yvonne before stepping over to Christina, her face arranged in a calcted smile. She gently took Christina¡¯s hand and asked in a sweet, coaxing voice, ¡°Christina, dear, I¡¯ll help you by drinking half the ss. You just have to drink the rest, alright?¡±

    With a slight, knowing curve of her lips, Christina turned to Liza and said, ¡°How about you be a dear and finish it all on my behalf?¡±

    For a split second, Liza¡¯s smile faltered, her confidence wavering. ¡°That wouldn¡¯t be proper. Mr. Glyn might see it as disrespect. Here¡¯s a better idea¡ªhow about I drink two-thirds, and you just take the rest? Would that be alright?¡± she suggested uncertainly.

    Mack and the others had already nned to tamper with Christina¡¯s drink with an overdose, so how much she drank didn¡¯t really matter¡ªjust a single sip would be enough to take her down.

    Christina saw right through their plot. She pretended to weigh the offer and then gave a slow nod. ¡°Sure, that¡¯s fine with me.¡±

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 Chapter 399

    ?Chapter 399:

    Mack exhaled quietly, relieved that Christina agreed. He exchanged discreet nces with his crew before Liza, her smile back in ce, guided Christina toward the dining table.

    ¡°We knew you¡¯d be joining us, so we made sure to cook all your favorite dishes. Make sure you help yourself,¡± Liza said cheerfully.

    Scanning the table, Christina noticed that every dish was indeed one she liked. She settled into her seat and listened as Mack remarked, ¡°Our family has entered some business partnerships with Mr. Glyn. We asked him to join us for dinner tonight. I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡±

    ¡°Would it make a difference if I did? You¡¯ve already invited him, so my opinion doesn¡¯t really count, does it?¡± Christina retorted, one eyebrow raised as she looked at the hypocritical family before her, silently mocking them.

    At her words, both Mack¡¯s and Liza¡¯s expressions turned sour. Trying to ease the tension, Yvonne quickly smiled and said, ¡°Christina, Mr. Glyn has supported our family so much. Please let it slide and don¡¯t speak like this.¡±

    ¡°If I choose not to let it slide, will you actually kick him out?¡± Christina asked, her voice sharp and direct.

    Awkwardness flickered across everyone¡¯s faces, Moss included.

    Moss put on a long face, his tone cold as he stood up, pretending he intended to leave. ¡°Clearly, I¡¯m not being treated with any respect. If that¡¯s the case, perhaps I need to rethink our partnership.¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t bother ying along. She quietly reached for her utensils and started eating without missing a beat. ¡°Walk yourself to the door. Safe travels,¡± she responded, not even ncing up from her te. ¡°The food here is actually pretty decent.¡±

    Moss¡¯s face darkened further as she showed him not an ounce of respect. Couldn¡¯t she see that if the Jones family lost everything, she, as the eldest daughter, would be dragged down with them? Didn¡¯t she feel even a flicker of fear?

    What Moss failed to realize was that Christina had already cut all ties with the Jones family. He had assumed that threatening her with the family¡¯s future would have the same effect on her as it did on everyone else.

    Mack forced a tense smile and hurried forward, trying to calm Moss down. ¡°Please don¡¯t be upset, Mr. Glyn. I¡¯m sorry for how my eldest daughter spoke. She can be a bit headstrong sometimes. I hope you¡¯ll let it go.¡±

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    If Mack hadn¡¯t needed Christina for his plots, he would have snapped at her much earlier.

    Seeing Christina take a bite of the tainted food, a wave of self-satisfaction washed over him, filling him with renewed patience.

    ¡°Just wait, Christina. This time, there¡¯s no way you¡¯ll escape what I have nned,¡± Mack muttered to himself.

    ¡°Mr. Glyn, please forgive us if our hospitality falls short of your standards,¡± Liza remarked, lifting her ss high. ¡°Let¡¯s toast to Mr. Glyn tonight.¡±

    She nced at her husband and then at Yvonne, making sure both understood her silent cue.

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 Chapter 400

    ?Chapter 400:

    Mack gave a quickugh. ¡°Christina, join us for a drink,¡± he said, raising his own ss.

    Yvonne rose to her feet, ss in hand. ¡°Christina, let¡¯s toast to Dad¡¯s birthday.¡±

    One by one, everyone stood for the toast. Christina, however, remained seated. She simply lifted her ss of red wine and finished it in a single swallow. Without a word, she turned her attention back to her te, showing no interest in the others at the table.

    That left Mack and the others shifting ufortably in their seats. Moss looked like a storm was brewing behind his eyes.

    Christina paid no mind to the sour looks around her. She continued eating and drinking as if nothing in the world could bother her. She figured that since she was here, she might as well enjoy herself.

    Unbeknownst to these fools, she had already taken the antidote for any poison they might have added to her dishes and drinks. And she didn¡¯t stop there. While no one was watching, she slipped her own concoction into every dish. If they thought they could pull a fast one on her, they were dreaming.

    Moss, itching to bring Christina under his control, forced himself to swallow his frustration. He silently wondered if she would keep up that defiant attitude when she was locked in the same room with him and the drug¡¯s effects kicked in.

    When Christina had eaten enough, she nced at the clock. She could tell the drug was about to take effect. ¡°I¡¯m finished. Have the driver take me home,¡± she said, setting her fork down with finality.

    A silent wave of confusion passed between the four of them. None could figure out how Christina was still standing after consuming so much of the spiked dishes and wine. Could the new drug be ineffective?

    While they traded uneasy nces, Christina rose to her feet. She made a show of swaying slightly, and her eyes lost focus, as if the room had started spinning.

    Excitement flickered across their faces. The drug was taking effect! For a moment, they could not hide their satisfaction.

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    A scowl crossed Christina¡¯s face as she wobbled. ¡°What did you give me?¡± she asked, her voice edged with fake outrage.

    With a smug grin, Yvonne leaned forward. ¡°Christina, you¡¯re about to start a new life. Mr. Glyn will treat you like royalty.¡±

    Christina mmed her palm on the table, ring at them. ¡°You¡ª¡±

    But before she could finish, she crumpled onto the floor,nding right beside the dining table. Nobody doubted her act for a second. They all bought it, convinced she was under the drug¡¯s spell.

    An irritated groan came from Moss. ¡°What is taking this stuff so long? I¡¯m getting overheated waiting around,¡± he said, wiping his brow.

    ¡°Patience, Mr. Glyn. The drug will bring you the perfect experience when its effects peak,¡± Liza responded with a shortugh.

    Mack shed a wide, sycophantic grin. ¡°Exactly, Mr. Glyn. Now you can finally have what you wanted.¡±

    ¡°Mom and Dad, let¡¯s not drag this out,¡± Yvonne chimed in. She hurried them along, determined to drag Christina upstairs and let Moss have his night. Deep down, she was eager for Christina to experience the same humiliation she once did.

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 Chapter 401

    ?Chapter 401:

    Mack wasted no time. ¡°Right, let¡¯s move her,¡± he said, nodding furiously.

    But just as they started toward Christina, Moss buckled and copsed without warning.

    A chorus of shocked voices filled the room. ¡°Mr. Glyn!¡±

    At first, everyone assumed Moss had simply had too much to drink, so they hurried to his side. Only when his body refused to respond did it dawn on them that something was seriously wrong.

    Soon, a heavy dizziness swept over them. Their limbs felt strangely weightless, and their thoughts began to slip away.

    ¡°We¡­¡± Yvonne struggled to stay alert, but the wave of exhaustion was too much to fight. A familiar dread crept in. This was exactly how she had felt that night at the hotel. But by the time the realization truly sank in, there was nothing she could do. As she fell, her parents followed suit.

    Across the room, Christina, who had seemed to lose consciousness first, suddenly opened her eyes. A victorious smirk curved her lips as she rose from the floor with deliberate ease.

    Christina nced over the four people who had fallen, a sneer curling her lips. ¡°You thought you could outsmart me but ended up worse off.¡±

    At this moment, the Jones Vi was unusually quiet. Earlier, Mack and the others had sent all the household staff away, instructing them not to return without explicit orders. That decision had inadvertently made things easier for Christina.

    Yvonne and Liza, along with Moss, had been transferred and locked in a room by Christina, while Macky alone and unconscious in the dining room.

    Before leaving, Christina walked back into the dining room for a final look at Mack. She smirked and gave his face a few dismissive pats. ¡°You old fool,¡± she muttered. ¡°Just wait till tomorrow¡ªwhen you realize your wife and daughter have slept with another man. I didn¡¯t want it toe to this, but you pushed me. So don¡¯t me me for doing what had to be done.¡±

    Without another nce, she turned and walked out.

    This wasn¡¯t cruelty for its own sake¡ªit was payback. They had tried to bring her down. Now they¡¯d know what it felt like.

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    Outside the Jones family¡¯s estate, Christina pulled her coat tighter and called Dn. The wind bit at her skin, making her shiver slightly. She thought she¡¯d be immune to the cruelty of the Jones family, but clearly, some part of it still got to her.

    As the call connected, Dn¡¯s voice came through clearly. ¡°Had dinner already?¡± His voice was smooth, calming in a way that made her shoulders ease a little.

    Maybe it was the wine, but Christina¡¯s voice had a slightly yful edge. ¡°Dn, I¡¯m feeling a bit cold.¡±

    It was the first time she¡¯d ever used this tone talking to him, and it caught him off guard. Just hearing it made his heart skip slightly, but his concern came first. He was more worried about her health, asking with a small frown, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Have you left the Jones residence yet? Did they bully you?¡±

    She had mentioned the dinner at the Jones family¡¯s estate. He¡¯d offered to go with her, but she¡¯d said no, promising instead to call afterward so he could send someone to get her.

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 Chapter 402

    ?Chapter 402:

    ¡°No, they couldn¡¯t bully me,¡± she said with a smallugh. ¡°I¡¯m no longer the little girl anyone can just push around.¡±

    ¡°Where are you now? I¡¯lle get you myself,¡± Dn said, his voice tightening with concern. He was worried something might happen to Christina. Moreover, her voice sounded different from usual.

    ¡°Just walking a bit. Send the driver. I¡¯ll text you the location,¡± Christina said softly.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been drinking, haven¡¯t you?¡± Dn guessed.

    Christina let out a quietugh. ¡°Yeah, you caught me.¡±

    ¡°Is there a 24-hour store nearby? Wait inside¡ªit¡¯s not safe walking alone at night,¡± he said. He could tell she¡¯d had more than a few sips, and the idea of her walking alone unsettled him.

    ¡°I¡¯m still inside the neighborhood. It¡¯s a wealthy area¡ªshould be safe,¡± she answered lightly.

    ¡°Then wait at the security booth by the gate. I¡¯ll be there soon. Don¡¯t wander off, okay?¡± Dn said gently.

    Christina gave a tinklingugh when she heard his voice. ¡°You know what? It sounds like you¡¯re talking to a child right now.¡±

    Dn paused for a moment before saying, ¡°Stay on the line with me. I¡¯m already on my way.¡± He nced coldly at the driver. ¡°Faster.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll send the location¡­¡± Christina began, but her words were cut off when a sports car pulled in front of her, blocking her path.

    ¡°Hey, gorgeous. You out here all alone?¡±

    The sleek sports car rolled to a stop, and the two young men inside let their eyes rake over Christina without a shred of subtlety. One had the audacity to whistle¡ªloud and crude.

    Christina hadn¡¯t ended the call, and on the other end, Dn caught every sound. His jaw tightened, brows snapping together as his gaze darkened to cial steel.

    Just as Dn was about to say something, the line suddenly went dead. A thud echoed in his chest, tight and urgent. For a heartbeat, he forgot that he¡¯d seen Christina handle troublemakers at the bar before.

    ¡°Pull over. I¡¯m driving,¡± Dn said to the driver, his voice t and thunderous.

    The driver obeyed at once.

    Dn slid behind the wheel and mmed the elerator, the engine growling in response.

    The car sped off so fast that the driver, now in the passenger seat, felt as if his body had taken off, leaving his soul scrambling to catch up.

    Back at the curb, Christina didn¡¯t flinch. She stood still, her expression carved from ice. A faint flush colored her cheeks from the alcohol, and her narrowed eyes glinted with a sultry edge. She didn¡¯t speak or blink. She gave nothing away with her nk face.

    Yet somehow, the two men felt their hearts thudding wildly, as though she¡¯d cast a silent spell over them.

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 Chapter 403

    ?Chapter 403:

    ¡°Hey, gorgeous, wannae for a ride?¡± one of them said with a crooked grin.

    Christina suddenly smiled¡ªa slow, syrupy curve of her lips. Her voice, when she spoke, was all honey and velvet. ¡°And where would we go?¡± The sound of her voice was like a heatwave washing over the two men.

    ¡°Anywhere that¡¯s fun,¡± the square-jawed man said, his hand gliding across his chin with a cocky ir. ¡°Whatever you¡¯re into, we¡¯ll make it happen.¡±

    The round-faced one jumped in eagerly. ¡°We¡¯ve got a ce nearby. Or maybe a bar? Your call.¡±

    Christina tilted her head, her smile deepening. ¡°I was thinking something bold. Thrilling. Right here.¡±

    Her wordsnded like sparks on gasoline. Their eyes widened, their imaginations leaping into overdrive. The lewd smiles they wore stretched even wider, their eyes

    Gleaming with anticipation. Was this real? A woman like her¡ªdrop-dead gorgeous and apparently game for anything¡ªdropping this kind of invitation? It felt like the universe had hand-delivered them a fantasy. The idea of pulling off something wild with a knockout like her, right then and there, had them drooling.

    ¡°Damn, didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be this bold,¡± the round-faced man chuckled, practically drooling.

    The square-faced man was already out of the car, pacing toward her with a hunger he didn¡¯t bother to hide. ¡°Tell me,¡± he said, his voice husky with desire, ¡°do you want to get wild in the car or should we find somece more private?¡±

    He could hardly keep himself together¡ªdrunk on her beauty, high on the thrill, teetering on the edge of restraint.

    Christina lifted a hand and pointed wordlessly toward a small grove nearby, its manicured trees casting long, dappled shadows beneath the streetlights. She didn¡¯t need to speak. The two men lit up like slot machines hitting the jackpot.

    ¡°ssy choice!¡± the square-jawed man said with a wolfish grin. ¡°That spot¡¯s got just the right kind of thrill.¡±

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    The round-faced man was already breathing hard, too far gone to mask his hunger. ¡°So what¡¯s your style? One-on-one, or both of us at once?¡±

    ¡°Together,¡± Christina replied, her voice feather-light, as if she were discussing the weather. Without another nce, she turned and began walking.

    The two men exchanged a nce, their grins twisting into something uglier. Lust clouded whatever little sense they had left, and they followed her eagerly like moths rushing toward an open me, too enchanted to sense the heat.

    They stepped into the grove, shadows swallowing them whole. Then, without warning, the round-faced man lunged, arms outstretched. ¡°We¡¯re here, gorgeous! Let¡¯s get started!¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch. Her back to them, she let a slow, wicked smile unfurl across her face. Her fingers curled one by one into tight fists.

    The truth was, her day had been dragging¡ªher mood sour and her hands itching for release. And now, here they were: two pests strutting straight into her kill zone. Like gifts, delivered right on time.

    The round-faced man lunged forward, aiming to grab Christina from behind¡ªbut she spun around in one swift, practiced motion and drove her foot hard into his side.

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 Chapter 404

    ?Chapter 404:

    The kicknded before the round-faced man could even brace himself. His body jerked sideways and crashed to the ground, stunned.

    Behind him, the square-jawed man came to a dead halt, eyes wide, confusion etched into every line of his face. What had just happened? Wasn¡¯t this woman the one who moments ago had suggested doing something exciting with them?

    ¡°What the hell is this?¡± the square-jawed man snapped, his tone tight with irritation as he red at Christina.

    ¡°I told you earlier, didn¡¯t I?¡± Christina said lightly, a smile ying on her lips as she rolled her neck and pressed her tongue against the inside of her cheek. ¡°I wanted something really exciting.¡±

    The square-jawed man shot a quick nce at hispanion, who was still groaning on the ground, dazed and trying to push himself upright. His brow furrowed. ¡°This is your idea of excitement?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Christina said, her smirk tinged with mockery. ¡°What else did you think I meant?¡±

    The square-jawed man¡¯s expression darkened as realization dawned¡ªthey¡¯d been tricked. And by a woman, no less.

    ¡°You think you can screw with us? Do you even know who we are?¡± he barked, his voice rising, jaw clenched tight with rage.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are,¡± Christina replied calmly, raising her fist. ¡°Now it¡¯s your turn.¡±

    Before he could say another word, she closed the distance and threw a punch thatnded squarely across his face. One blow led into another. Her fists moved fast, each strike packing enough force to stagger him. He stumbled, his face already bruising, arms barely able to block the flurry of attacks.

    ¡°You psycho!¡± the round-faced man shouted as he finally staggered to his feet. ¡°Do you even know who he is? That¡¯s Mr. Glyn!¡±

    Christina¡¯s brow twitched. Glyn? Could he be the son of that pompous sleaze, Moss? Like father, like son¡ªcut from the same filthy cloth.

    The round-faced man lunged again, aiming a wild punch at Christina. She sidestepped it with ease and delivered a quick, brutal kick to his groin.

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    ¡°Ugh!¡± the round-faced man gasped, the sound caught halfway between a scream and a choke. His hands flew to his crotch, face flushing an ugly red as he dropped to his knees, breath knocked clean out of him.

    ¡°You bitch, I¡¯ll kill you!¡± the square-jawed man roared. In a fit of rage, he snatched a wooden stick from nearby¡ªwhere it hade from, no one knew¡ªand swung it at her like a man possessed. To him, she was nothing. If she died, so what? He¡¯d done worse before. His family had more than enough money to make any problem disappear.

    But Christina didn¡¯t move. Not yet. She stood rooted, watching the sticke toward her with a glint of calm calction in her eyes.

    Just as the stick came whistling through the air, Christina moved. Her hand snapped up and seized it mid-swing, her grip firm and unyielding.

    The square-jawed man had been so sure of his strike¡ªbut now, to his utter disbelief, the stick was caught fast in her grasp. No matter how hard he yanked or twisted, it wouldn¡¯t budge. What the hell? Where had this woman gotten such strength?

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 Chapter 405

    ?Chapter 405:

    With a sharp pull, Christina wrenched the stick from his hands, throwing him off bnce. She followed it up immediately¡ªone quick blow to his wrist forced his fingers to open in reflex. In one fluid motion, she turned and drove the stick directly into his groin.

    ¡°Ugh!¡± The square-jawed man released a low, broken groan. His face twisted grotesquely as he copsed forward, both hands flying to cradle the searing pain. Was she trying to make sure he¡¯d never father a child? The pain was unreal¡ªhot, piercing, and relentless. He sank to his knees, face drained of color, gasping like a fish out of water.

    Nearby, the round-faced man wasn¡¯t faring any better. Still doubled over, he writhed in silence, breath catching in his throat as waves of agony rippled through him.

    Christina stood over them both. She twirled the stick once in her hand and tossed it aside with a flick. ¡°Well, that was fun. I¡¯d say my work here is done,¡± she said cheerfully, offering them a mock-sweet smile. ¡°Bye-bye!¡±

    Without sparing them another nce, she turned and strolled away, her steps light and unbothered. A soft hum escaped her lips¡ªsomething tuneful, carefree, with just the right touch of mischief.

    But she had barely gone a few paces when the square-jawed man¡¯s hoarse voice rang out behind her, soaked in pain and burning with spite. ¡°You vile woman! Just you wait! You¡¯ll regret ever messing with me!¡±

    Hearing that threat, Christina stopped in her tracks, and the square-jawed man¡¯s expression shifted in an instant. Just as a sinking feeling took hold, she turned her head and looked back at him, wearing a half-smile that was anything but reassuring.

    ¡°Wh-what do you want to do?¡± the square-jawed man stammered, retreating two steps in fear.

    Christina¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°What do you think I want to do? You looked disappointed¡ªthought it wasn¡¯t thrilling enough. So I figured I¡¯d turn it up a notch.¡±

    She gave the two men another thorough beating, finishing it off with a brutal kick to their groins. What might have been a case for a quick urologist visit was now a total write-off. Unless she, King herself, decided to step in, no doctor on the could fix what had just been shattered.

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    The pain was overwhelming. Both men dropped like puppets with their strings cut, knocked out cold.

    Christina looked down at the unconscious pair with a cool gaze, pping her hands slowly, deliberately. ¡°Two weak morons, already down for the count,¡± she said with a dry chuckle, tossing the line over her shoulder as she walked away without a second nce.

    Just as Christina pushed through the gate of the neighborhood, a car screeched to a stop at the curb. A tall, broad-shouldered figure stepped out quickly, his face tight with worry, his long strides urgent. It was Dn.

    Christina paused, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she raised a hand to greet him. But he strode over and pulled her into a strong embrace. His brow furrowed as he held her close, like he¡¯d nearly lost something irreceable and couldn¡¯t believe it was back in his arms.

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 Chapter 406

    ?Chapter 406:

    Christina hupped, and the soft scent of wine on her breath mingled with her natural fragrance, wrapping around Dn in a strangely intimate moment. Christina¡¯s cheeks, already tinged pink from the alcohol, deepened in color. Her heart started to race from the hug, and before long, she felt slightly breathless. He was hugging her too tightly¡ªtoo closely¡ªlike he was trying to absorb her into his own skin.

    ¡°I can¡¯t breathe,¡± Christina murmured, gently pressing her hands against his chest to ease his grip.

    Only then did Dn realize he had hugged Christina without warning and with too much force. His hands dropped away quickly, and a rare flicker of embarrassment crossed his usuallyposed face. The tips of his ears turned slightly red.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± he said, clearing his throat. ¡°I thought something had happened to you. I lost control for a second. That was over the line.¡±

    ¡°You thought those two clowns managed to get the better of me?¡± Christinaughed, her eyes sparkling.

    ¡°Why yes,¡± Dn replied, his deep, attractive eyes scanning her up and down. ¡°Are you hurt anywhere? Did they do anything inappropriate?¡±

    Christina shook her head, still smiling. ¡°Their mouths were filthy, and their thoughts even worse. So I gave them a little cleanse.¡±

    Dn frowned slightly, his curiosity piqued. ¡°A cleanse? What kind of cleanse?¡±

    ¡°I gave them a proper beating,¡± she said matter-of-factly. ¡°Knocked the filth right out of them.¡±

    Dn exhaled, the tension leaving his shoulders. ¡°You really can¡¯t keep doing that.¡±

    Christina¡¯s brow creased. ¡°You don¡¯t want me to hit guys like that anymore?¡± Her tone carried a trace of dissatisfaction.

    ¡°No,¡± Dn replied, a soft sigh escaping him. ¡°I¡¯m just worried you¡¯ll injure your hands. Next time, call me¡ªor at least grab something to hit with.¡±

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    Christina was momentarily stunned by his gentle and slightly affectionate gaze. Was her mind hazy from the alcohol? Why was she seeing such an expression on Dn¡¯s face? He seemed to be coaxing his girlfriend with his soft, loving tone.

    Christina scowled in perplexity as her cheeks turned red.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked. Why she was staring at him so attentively was beyond hisprehension.

    Christina abruptly leaned in, their faces just inches apart¡­

    Dn could feel the warmth of Christina¡¯s breath, tinged with a hint of alcohol and a soft, pleasant scent. His heart pounded wildly, as if it might leap out of his chest. He wasn¡¯t just tempted to embrace her¡ªhe was gripped by a deep, aching need to kiss her then and there.

    At his side, his fingers curled slowly into a tight ball, his entire body tense as he battled the flood of yearning, making every bit of effort not to surrender to it. His restraint came from something deeper than attraction¡ªhe genuinely cared. One misstep, one reckless move, could ruin everything between them, driving a wedge too wide to cross.

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 Chapter 407

    ?Chapter 407:

    But Christina was unaware of the emotional minefield they stood on. Herrge eyes locked onto his, her face unreadable but intense. They stood close¡ªfar too close. Their noses were almost touching.

    Then, after a long pause, her lips parted. Her voice came out low and probing, ¡°What¡¯s with you? You¡¯re acting soft. That¡¯s not like you.¡±

    He didn¡¯t reply. His jaw tightened. Her question caught himpletely off guard. He had no words ready.

    Originally, he hadn¡¯t even been fully conscious of what he felt for Christina until he¡¯d brushed death not long ago. It was only then, in the face of losing her forever, that he realized just how much she meant to him. Even thinking about a future without her sent pain through his chest. Despite the short time they¡¯d known one another, something inside him had already chosen her.

    Oddly enough, he found himself grateful for that brush with danger¡ªit gave him rity. Without that moment, he might¡¯ve buried these feelings for good and missed the one person who stirred something real in him.

    Dn¡¯s mouth opened as if to speak, but no sound followed. He bit back the desire to confess his feelings for Christina. He had no idea if her heart leaned toward him. A bold move now might ruin whatever they had. He wasn¡¯t one to engage in actions where sess was uncertain.

    So, he resisted the temptation to throw caution to the wind and dere his love. He worried that speaking up now might create an irreparable rift between them. Moreover, Christina had just ended a rtionship¡ªleaping into something new might feel too soon for her. He honored her choices and wished whatever grew between them would unfold at its own pace, without pressure or expectations.

    The moment Christina noticed Dn¡¯s withdrawn expression, she lost her yful mood. ¡°That¡¯s more like you,¡± she remarked, smiling faintly as she took a step back to give him some space. ¡°Come on, we should get going.¡±

    Her abrupt withdrawal stirred a quiet ache in Dn¡¯s chest. His fingers, which had only just uncurled, slowly tightened again as he exhaled in silence. Bridging the emotional gap wouldn¡¯t be simple. He¡¯d have to put in real effort. Yet, for someone who had never been in a rtionship, even the basics of courtship felt foreign.

    Confronted with this emotional maze, Dn feltpletely out of his depth. Compared to reviving a copsing business, love felt like an impossible equation. Then a thought surfaced¡ªRalphy. Maybe he¡¯d have some wisdom to offer.

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    ¡°You¡¯re not moving?¡± Christina tilted her head, noticing Dn¡¯s stillness and nk face. ¡°nning to stand here until morning?¡±

    Snapping out of his trance, Dn responded with steadyposure, ¡°No. Let¡¯s head out.¡±

    ¡°Okay then!¡± she replied with a nod.

    He walked ahead and opened the car door for her, gently cing his hand above her head as she stepped in. ¡°Careful. Don¡¯t bump your head.¡± She¡¯d had a few drinks¡ªhe didn¡¯t want her to get hurt from a clumsy moment.

    Christina didn¡¯t dwell on it and hopped in cheerfully.

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 Chapter 408

    ?Chapter 408:

    But the driver, witnessing this small, unexpected gesture, lookedpletely taken aback.

    The driver had never witnessed Dn act with such tender care. If he hadn¡¯t been stone-cold sober, he might have questioned his own eyes. Was this truly the same Dn he¡¯d known all along?

    Dn settled into the back seat beside Christina, and once they were both situated, the engine hummed to life and the car rolled smoothly into motion.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to take a nap,¡± Christina mumbled, leaning her head back and letting her eyelids fall like velvet curtains.

    Sleep swept over her like a calm tide, deep and undisturbed, as though she could always unwind fully and feel secure in her surroundings by just being close to Dn.

    Christina slept soundly, her head inching ever so slowly toward Dn, drawn as if by gravity. Momentster, it came to rest on his shoulder.

    Dn stiffened, unsure whether to breathe or freeze in ce. He sat there, tense as a wire, afraid that even the faintest twitch might stir her awake.

    Then, the car jerked unexpectedly. Christina, slumped peacefully against Dn, lurched forward. He reacted on instinct, catching her chin with both hands before she could slump too far.

    Dn braced for Christina to wake, but instead, she only murmured¡ªsoft and vague¡ªbefore sinking right back into sleep¡¯s cradle.

    With care, Dn adjusted her, gently easing her down onto hisp, letting her rest there. His hand hovered over her in quiet protection, ready to steady her should another sudden jolt rock the car.

    He looked down at her, the icy detachment in his eyes melting beneath the fringe of hisshes. He brushed away a stray lock of her hair, eyes softened with an emotion that felt too foreign to name. He remained unmoving, as though even shifting his weight might shatter the stillness.

    The driver discreetly watched Dn through the rearview mirror several times, visibly stunned. That Christina could soften a man like Dn¡ªit was almost unbelievable. She had to be Dn¡¯s future wife.

    When the car finally pulled into the hospital parking lot, the driver lowered his voice and asked, ¡°Mr. Scott, should I wake Miss Jones?¡±

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    ¡°There¡¯s no need,¡± Dn replied coldly.

    The driver stepped out quickly and opened the car door. ¡°Should I call a nurse to carry Miss Jones upstairs?¡±

    ¡°No need.¡± Dn refused once more, clearly intending to carry Christina himself.

    ¡°Mr. Scott!¡± the driver eximed in rm, hurrying to stop him. ¡°Your injury hasn¡¯t healedpletely. If you carry Miss Jones, it might tear open again.¡± Dn¡¯s condition allowed him to walk short distances, but anything that required effort was risky. Carrying someone in his state could easily worsen his wound.

    ¡°I¡¯ll manage,¡± Dn said tly, lifting Christina into his arms without flinching. He strode toward the hospital with calm determination.

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 Chapter 409

    ?Chapter 409:

    The driver followed close behind, worry etched across his face. If it weren¡¯t for fear of angering Dn, he would¡¯ve dly carried Christina himself.

    Once reaching the ward and seeing Dn show no visible signs of strain, the driver finally rxed and left quietly.

    Now the room held only Dn and Christina. Shey sleeping peacefully on the bed, her expression calm and at ease.

    A faint smile tugged at Dn¡¯s lips as he gently adjusted her nket. He pulled a chair closer, his gaze locked on her face, drinking in every detail like it was something he could never grow tired of.

    The next morning arrived.

    At the Jones residence, Moss stirred awake to find two women lying beside him¡ªLiza and Yvonne.

    He sat up abruptly, scanning the room in a daze, but the woman he¡¯d been hoping to see was nowhere in sight. As the haze cleared and he took in the scene before him¡ªall three of them bare¡ªhe felt a wave of disbelief and fury.

    He had slept with the wrong women. Again. And this time, Liza too? A cold suspicion crept into his thoughts. Had the Jones family set him up on purpose?

    Enraged, Mossshed out, pping both women awake.

    Liza and Yvonne were still fast asleep when a sudden, stinging p jolted them awake. Blinking in confusion, they sat up¡ªonly to find Moss towering over them, his hulking frame trembling with fury. They exchanged a stunned nce before a blood-curdling scream tore from their throats.

    Moss, rattled by their shrieks, hesitated for a split second, uncertain whose mouth to cover first. ¡°Shut up!¡± he roared, his voice echoing through the room like thunder.

    Startled into silence, Liza and Yvonne instantly quieted.

    Yvonne¡¯s voice shook as tears welled in her eyes. ¡°What¡­ What happened? How did this even¡­¡±

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    She couldn¡¯t finish. Tears streamed down her face as her thoughts spiraled. Everything had been nned outst night, hadn¡¯t it? Christina was supposed to be the one sent to Moss¡¯s bed. How had things gone so horribly wrong? How had she and her mother ended up here instead?

    Yvonne¡¯s tears flowed freely. Back at the hotel, things had already taken an inexplicable turn when she was swapped in. And now¡ªagain? Christina had escaped once more? Once might¡¯ve been an ident, but twice? Impossible. No doubt about it¡ªChristina was deliberately sabotaging them.

    Yvonne¡¯s fists curled tightly. Christina must¡¯ve been the one behind it all. Even at the hotel, when she fainted, there had to be more to it. But how? Back at the hotel incident, only she had been there, so it was usible that Christina could pull something off then. But this time, there had been three people watching Christina. How had Christina slipped away again?

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t Christina supposed to be the one lying here? How did it end up being us?¡± Liza¡¯s voice cracked with panic. She looked down at herself, mortified. ¡°If my husband finds out, he¡¯ll kill me!¡±

    ¡°I should be asking you that!¡± Moss snapped, his eyes zing with fury. ¡°Is your entire Jones family trying to set me up? What kind of stunt are you pulling?¡±

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 Chapter 410

    ?Chapter 410:

    ¡°No! Of course not!¡± Liza and Yvonne cried out, shaking their heads desperately, their faces pale with fear.

    ¡°We wouldn¡¯t dare deceive you, not for anything!¡± Liza added quickly.

    ¡°It¡¯s Christina!¡± Yvonne growled, her voice thick with hatred. ¡°She flipped the n on us. She must¡¯ve drugged us instead.¡±

    ¡°But we saw her eat the drugged dish,¡± Liza said, her brow creased with confusion. ¡°We didn¡¯t even touch it.¡±

    Yvonne¡¯s mind reeled. Christina had consumed the drugged food right in front of them¡ªyet somehow, they were the ones left unconscious and ended up in this mess. How?

    Seeing the genuine bewilderment on their faces, Moss reluctantly began to believe they hadn¡¯t set him up on purpose. Still, his fury simmered. He didn¡¯t care about these two. The only woman he wanted was Christina.

    ¡°You¡¯re both pathetic!¡± he growled, rising and yanking on his clothes. ¡°How could you screw this up sopletely?¡±

    He buttoned his shirt with quick, angry motions. ¡°Let me make this very clear¡ªif I don¡¯t get Christina, there¡¯s no deep coboration between us. At best, you¡¯ll get a scrap.¡±

    Liza and Yvonne shared a look, their chests heaving with rage. Though they held their tongues, their eyes shimmered with a flicker of cold resentment¡ªresentment toward Moss. They¡¯d been humiliated and defiled, and now they had to swallow the pain for the sake of the Jones family¡¯s interests. It was almost unbearable.

    ¡°Please rest assured, Mr. Glyn,¡± Liza said through gritted teeth, managing a smile. ¡°We¡¯ll deliver exactly what you want.¡±

    The three of them dressed quickly and exited the room, only toe face-to-face with Mack, pacing anxiously in the hallway.

    Mack stopped cold the moment he saw them. His face turned ghostly white, his body frozen in disbelief. His worst fear had just been confirmed. His wife. His daughter. Both of them had slept with Moss¡ªand in his own house.

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    His blood boiled, humiliation washing over him in waves. His hands curled into trembling fists, his rage barely restrained.

    ¡°Mr. Glyn¡­ How could you¡­¡± Mack¡¯s voice cracked, barely able to form words.

    ¡°Hah!¡± Moss scoffed, shing a bitter smile. ¡°You think this is what I wanted? I¡¯m disgusted. Christina¡ªthat¡¯s who I wanted. Didn¡¯t you know?¡±

    He swept a seething gaze over the trio, eyes narrowing. ¡°I was just starting to believe this wasn¡¯t a setup. But now? You¡¯re making me think otherwise.¡± His tone sharpened with usation. ¡°What is this? Are you trying to set me up?¡±

    Upon hearing Moss¡¯s question, Mack broke into a cold sweat. He quickly bowed his head, forcing a respectful tone. ¡°We wouldn¡¯t dare, Mr. Glyn. How could we possibly try to set you up?¡±

    Though his heart seethed with bitterness and humiliation, Mack dared not show a trace of it. In front of Moss, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and endure the disgrace.

    ¡°You¡¯d better not!¡± Moss snapped, his expression dark with displeasure. ¡°I¡¯ll give you onest chance. Send Christina to my bed! If you want to secure a partnership with the Glyn Group, then deliver that woman. Otherwise, don¡¯t expect anything more than a symbolic reward.¡± His words cast a grim shadow over the entire Jones family.

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 Chapter 411

    ?Chapter 411:

    ¡°Understood. Thank you, Mr. Glyn, for still giving us this opportunity. We promise¡ªwe won¡¯t fail again,¡± Mack said, stering a strained smile on his face.

    Moss¡¯s mood eased slightly. He pped Mack¡¯s shoulder, grinning. ¡°As long as you get me Christina, I¡¯ll treat you well. I¡¯ll make sure your family rises to new heights.¡±

    Encouraged by the promise, Mack nodded eagerly. ¡°Rest assured, you can count on us. We won¡¯t let you down.¡±

    ¡°Exactly, Mr. Glyn,¡± Liza added quickly, her tone overly eager. ¡°We¡¯ll get her to you, no matter what. If we have to tie that little brat up ourselves, we will.¡±

    Yvonne clenched her mrs so tightly that her jaw began to ache. She longed to stab Moss right there and then. But she knew better. The Glyn family¡¯s power was still useful. She would endure for now, but one day, when their value ran dry, she swore she¡¯d make Moss pay in full.

    Seeing how cooperative the Jones family was, Moss looked pleased. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, his phone rang. ncing at the screen, his face twisted in irritation. It was his wife again. She had been calling nonstoptely¡ªlike a broken record. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that she had given birth to the Glyn family¡¯s only heir¡ªand that he himself had difficulty fathering another child¡ªhe would have discarded her long ago.

    As soon as Moss answered the call, he snapped impatiently, ¡°Calling me this early¡ªare you trying to drive me insane?¡±

    On the other end came the choked sobs of Alexa Glyn, Moss¡¯s wife. ¡°Honey, our son¡­ He¡­ He¡­¡±

    Moss¡¯s stomach dropped. His brows furrowed in rm. ¡°What happened to Balfour?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s been hurt¡ªseriously hurt. He¡¯s unconscious, and¡­¡± Alexa broke down again, unable to continue.

    Panic surged through Moss. His voice rose in fury. ¡°Enough with the crying! Can¡¯t you speak properly for once?¡±

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    Frightened by his shout, Alexa bit back her sobs. After a moment of silence, she spoke in a trembling whisper. ¡°Balfour¡¯s injury¡­ It¡¯s down there. The doctors say he¡¯s lost his fertility. They don¡¯t know what to do. Our Glyn family line¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s at risk of dying out. They say there¡¯s only one hope¡ªKing, the legendary healer¡­¡±

    Moss¡¯s grip on his phone tightened until the veins on his hand bulged. His face turned ghostly pale, his jaw clenched in fury. Balfour was the only heir of the Glyn family. If Balfour couldn¡¯t father children, then the Glyn bloodline would end with him.

    Moss¡¯s thoughts spun rapidly. King! Yes¡ªKing was their only hope. King¡¯s reputation in the medical world was unmatched. If they could find King, maybe, just maybe¡­

    Moss suddenly remembered hearing whispers that King had recently appeared at Kitaso Hospital. There might still be a lead there.

    ¡°I¡¯m heading to the hospital now,¡± he said abruptly and then hung up.

    Mack, sensing the urgency, asked cautiously, ¡°Is everything alright, Mr. Glyn?¡±

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 Chapter 412

    ?Chapter 412:

    But Moss shot him a re that could freeze blood. ¡°Stay out of matters that don¡¯t concern you. Focus on delivering Christina to my bed. That¡¯s your only task.¡±

    With that, he stormed off without another word.

    Mack watched Moss go, his expression darkening. He had failed to send Christina to Moss¡¯s bed¡ªand unwittingly allowed Moss to vite his wife and daughter under his own roof. The more he thought about it, the more his blood boiled.

    He turned slowly toward Liza, his gaze sharp and cold as steel.

    Liza felt a shiver crawl down her spine under the weight of Mack¡¯s stare¡ªit was like he could swallow her whole. ¡°Why are you staring at me like that? It¡¯s not on me. We were all tricked by that scheming bitch.¡±

    Yvonne tightened her jaw and jumped in. ¡°Exactly! Christina yed all of us. She even screwed me over back at the hotel. This mess? It¡¯s her doing, no doubt about it. We¡¯ve got to hit back.¡±

    Mack¡¯s frown deepened just a little. ¡°But how did she even pull it off? When did she give us the drug?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got no idea,¡± Yvonne admitted, clearly baffled. She¡¯d gone over it in her head more times than she could count, but she still couldn¡¯t figure out when Christina had made her move.

    ¡°The main thing now is shoving Christina to Moss¡¯s bed. That¡¯s our ticket to secure the partnership,¡± Mack said firmly.

    ¡°But we¡¯ve already messed up the drug n twice¡­¡± Yvonne said, her voice uneasy.

    Liza went silent for a moment. Then, her eyes narrowed, sharp with intent. ¡°Then let¡¯s just kidnap her.¡±

    If the sneaky route wasn¡¯t working, Liza was ready to go straight for the throat.

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    ¡°We can¡¯t do it ourselves. We need professionals for something like that,¡± Yvonne said, keeping it practical.

    Mack nodded. ¡°She¡¯s right.¡±

    The three of them leaned in closer, heads together, nning out exactly how they¡¯d take Christina without a single slip-up this time.

    At the hospital, Christina¡¯s longshes fluttered as she slowly woke, still foggy. When her eyes met Dn¡¯s deep, steady gaze, she snapped fully awake.

    ¡°You¡¯re up,¡± Dn said gently.

    Christina gave a nod. ¡°Yeah.¡± Thinking back tost night, she felt a little awkward. ¡°I totally knocked out. Sorry you had to deal with that.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Dn said coolly, still watching her. ¡°You sure you¡¯re alright?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, really. Nothing¡¯s wrong,¡± Christina replied with a smile.

    ¡°They didn¡¯t mess with you, did they?¡± Dn asked, not entirely convinced.

    Christina kept her smile and gave a small nod. ¡°They didn¡¯t.¡±

    Dn could tell Christina wasn¡¯t being honest with him. But if she wasn¡¯t ready to talk, he wasn¡¯t going to push it.

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 Chapter 413

    ?Chapter 413:

    ¡°What do you feel like eating?¡± he asked, shifting the mood. ¡°I can have someone bring it.¡±

    ¡°No need. I¡¯ll step out and get something myself,¡± Christina said.

    ¡°All right,¡± Dn said with a nod.

    Christina stretched a little and then got up to freshen up. She asked Dn what he wanted for breakfast and then left to pick it up.

    When Christina returned with a bag of donuts and two cups of coffee, she noticed a man and a woman standing outside Dn¡¯s hospital room door. The bodyguards blocked them, refusing to let them in.

    Christina recognized the heavyset man instantly¡ªshe¡¯d seen him justst night. It was Moss.

    Moss and the woman beside him were clearly agitated, arguing with the bodyguards. But the bodyguards stood firm, unmoved by anything being said.

    As Christina approached, she caught Moss¡¯s voice, loud and bitter. ¡°Who do you think you are? Just a bunch of security! What¡¯s with the attitude?¡±

    Moss jabbed a finger at the bodyguards, furious and embarrassed. He didn¡¯t know who was inside the room, but judging by the security, it had to be someone important.

    If he hadn¡¯t failed to squeeze information about King out of the hospital director, he wouldn¡¯t have ended up at this door. He¡¯d found out King had chosen the patient inside to offer treatment. Maybe, just maybe, this patient might be the link he needed to get to King.

    Moss had slipped the nurse a bribe, hoping to dig up some information. But even after greasing the wheels, he still had no idea who was inside the ward. The nurse had only said it was a handsome, wealthy man, rescued personally by King.

    Moss figured it was just some rich guy. What he didn¡¯t realize was that he was standing at the edge of a world far beyond his own.

    ¡°Do you even know who I am? Step aside if you know what¡¯s good for you!¡± Moss snapped at the bodyguards stationed at the doorway of the ward, trying to assert his authority. He was desperate. Without King, his family¡¯s line was hanging by a thread.

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    ¡°Honey, don¡¯t be so forceful¡­¡± Alexa whispered, tugging at his sleeve. She was worried his temper would blow up theirst chance.

    Moss nearly barked at her but bit it back, reminded of what was at stake for their son.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± Alexa said with a polite smile directed at the bodyguards. ¡°My husband¡¯s temper isn¡¯t the best, but he doesn¡¯t mean harm. Our son¡¯s in trouble, and we need to find King urgently. We heard the person in this room was saved by King. We just want to ask a few questions. Could you please check if the person inside might be willing to speak with us?¡±

    She hesitated and then clenched her jaw. ¡°We¡¯ll pay. A million each. Just for passing the message and letting the patient insidee out. Whether or not he gives us any information, the reward stands for you and him.¡±

    Money talked¡ªAlexa knew that. Surely someone would be tempted by that kind of offer.

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 Chapter 414

    ?Chapter 414:

    Moss thought the same. It stung to offer so much, but it would be worth it if it meant keeping their family line growing.

    But the bodyguards didn¡¯t flinch.

    ¡°Are you seriously turning down a million each?¡± Moss snapped. ¡°We¡¯re not offering more. That¡¯s plenty.¡± He was willing to spend, but not to be shaken down¡ªespecially not by a bunch of stone-faced men acting like they held all the cards.

    Alexa was also reluctant, but thinking of their son¡¯s future, she tugged at Moss¡¯s arm. ¡°Fine, we¡¯ll add another million each. That¡¯s our final offer. Please, try to understand how desperate we are.¡±

    Still, the bodyguards didn¡¯t budge. Their silence was louder than words. Moss¡¯s patience snapped. ¡°You¡¯ll regret this! Do you have any idea who you¡¯re messing with? Our family isn¡¯t¡ª¡±

    He stopped mid-sentence, the color draining from his face. His whole body went stiff, hands instinctively raised in surrender. One of the bodyguards had drawn a gun without a sound and was now pressing it to his forehead.

    Alexa froze, terrified, lifting her hands too. She didn¡¯t dare move. Who was in that room? Why did they need this level of security?

    ¡°L-let¡¯s not do anything drastic!¡± Moss stammered, drenched in sweat. ¡°We¡¯ll leave. Right now. No trouble.¡±

    The moment Moss sensed the bodyguard wasn¡¯t going to pull the trigger, he turned on his heel and bolted.

    ¡°Wait¡ªwait for me!¡± Alexa called after him, legs wobbling as she struggled to keep up.

    Christina watched the entire scene unfold from the end of the hall, a quiet smile touching her lips. They actually had the nerve toe begging her to save their son¡ªwithout realizing she was the one who had brought this to Balfour. There wasn¡¯t a chance in hell she¡¯d lift a finger to treat Balfour.

    After the Glyn couple fled in a panic, Christina returned to Dn¡¯s hospital room with a bag of breakfast in hand.

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    ¡°You were outside just now?¡± Dn asked as she walked in, his brows drawing slightly together.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Christina said with a grin, unpacking the breakfast while casually recounting how the Glyn couple had been scared off by the bodyguards.

    Dn, ever perceptive, caught on immediately. ¡°The guy you roughed upst night¡­ He¡¯s their son, isn¡¯t he?¡± If his memory served him right, back at the barn Christina had seriously injured Jacob¡¯s private parts.

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Christina confirmed, sipping her coffee while watching him closely. ¡°Do you think I went overboard?¡±

    Dn¡¯s face gave nothing away. His voice remained even. ¡°No. Not at all.¡±

    Christinaughed. ¡°Most men say I¡¯m vicious. You¡¯re the only one who doesn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°They started it. They got what wasing to them,¡± Dn said coldly.

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Christina said, nodding in agreement.

    Then, Dn added, almost offhandedly, ¡°If you ever end up outmatched, don¡¯t face it alone. Bring backup.¡±

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 Chapter 415

    ?Chapter 415:

    Christina paused mid-bite, blinking at him. ¡°And who exactly am I supposed to call for backup?¡±

    ¡°Me,¡± Dn said without missing a beat.

    Christina burst outughing. ¡°That¡¯s perfect. If we team up, we¡¯d be invincible!¡±

    Dn, usually donning a poker face, couldn¡¯t help the faint upward curve at the corners of his mouth.

    Christina caught it right away and paused. ¡°There! You should smile more often¡ªyou look good when you do,¡± she said.

    Dn¡¯s smile froze halfway, unsure if he should keep going or shut it down.

    ¡°Rx a bit. Right now it looks like you¡¯re trying too hard,¡± Christina teased.

    Dn lowered his gaze and picked up his food, biting into it instead of replying. As soon as he took that first bite, his expression shifted slightly.

    ¡°This is really good,¡± he said in a neutral tone¡ªa clean subject change.

    ¡°It is. The line was insane. I waited forever to get them. A few minutester, and they would¡¯ve been gone,¡± Christina replied.

    ¡°Thanks for going through the trouble,¡± Dn said quietly.

    ¡°Waiting for breakfast isn¡¯t much, but taking care of you? Now that¡¯s exhausting,¡± Christina joked, giving him a quick side nce.

    ¡°You like racing, right?¡± Dn said, suddenly thoughtful. ¡°As a thank-you, how about I get you a race car?¡± He had deduced that Christina was Skybreaker, top of the racing world and far from short on cash. Handing her money felt impersonal. A race car, on the other hand, should match her preference.

    ¡°Can¡¯t I just have the cash?¡± Christina asked, locking eyes with him.

    Dn froze. He hadn¡¯t seen thating. He realized that he had no understanding of Christina.

    ¡°What? Is that not an option?¡± Christina asked, mock disappointment in her voice. She let out an exaggerated sigh. ¡°Well then¡­¡±

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    ¡°It¡¯s an option,¡± Dn cut her off, watching as her face flipped from yful despair to bright enthusiasm. So, she did prefer money after all.

    ¡°Awesome! Another bio Davdav!¡± Christina grinned.

    Seeing her so happy made Dn feel oddly at ease. If money could make her this cheerful, that made things a whole lot easier. He started thinking about how he could keep giving herrge sums without making it feel like charity.

    The next day, Robin approached Christina reluctantly.

    ¡°My grandfather asked me to give you this,¡± Robin said, handing Christina a gold-trimmed invitation. His expression was far from weing.

    ¡°From that look on your face, I¡¯m guessing you¡¯d rather I not show up to your grandfather¡¯s party,¡± Christina said with a smirk, making no move to take it.

    ¡°That much is pretty obvious,¡± Robin said tly.

    ¡°I definitely have to go,¡± Christina replied and snatched the invitation from his hand. If he hadn¡¯t looked so reluctant, she might not have even considered attending.

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 Chapter 416

    ?Chapter 416:

    ¡°I¡¯m warning you¡ªdon¡¯t try anything,¡± Robin said sharply. ¡°Even if you somehow win over my grandfather, there¡¯s no chance I¡¯ll ever have anything to do with you.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Christina raised an eyebrow, a sly smile tugging at her lips as she locked eyes with him.

    Robin frowned, watching her closely. ¡°What are you plotting?¡±

    ¡°Nothing serious,¡± Christina replied with a lightugh. ¡°I just wanted to say¡ªdon¡¯te crawling backter, looking for any connection with me.¡±

    She smirked. Wasn¡¯t Robin nning to take on Epic and be the next gambling master? Little did he know, the very person he wanted to beat was standing right in front of him. When he found out, it was bound to be a show.

    Robin, oblivious to her discreet identity as Epic and suspicious of her intentions, was caught off guard by her words and burst outughing. ¡°Please, don¡¯t make meugh.¡±

    ¡°You never know,¡± Christina said with a shrug.

    ¡°Keep dreaming! I wouldn¡¯t want anything to do with you in a million years, so don¡¯t even try getting close to me,¡± he dered confidently.

    Christina tilted her head slightly. ¡°What if you change your mind someday?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no ¡®what if!¡¯¡± Robin snapped. ¡°If I evere crawling to you, I¡¯ll eat my hat!¡±

    ¡°Couldn¡¯t wait to see that,¡± Christina said, her tone teasing.

    ¡°You!¡± Robin¡¯s face darkened, clearly irritated. ¡°That scenario will never happen. Stop harboring hope for the impossible!¡±

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be so certain. It will happen,¡± Christina said with a calm, confident smile.

    Robin, who had been fuming, found himself momentarily dazed by her confident, radiant smile. She was already stunning, and when she smiled like that, it resembled the warm glow of sunlight¡ªbright and inviting, radiating a warmth that drew people in.

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    ¡°If that¡¯s all, I¡¯ll be going,¡± Christina said as she turned to leave.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Robin snapped out of it. ¡°I came for something else.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not challenging me now, are you?¡± she asked.

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m here!¡± Robin said firmly. ¡°I¡¯m all healed up. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m losing to you again, not when I am ready!¡±

    Christina nced around. ¡°Let¡¯s find somewhere quieter. I wouldn¡¯t want to embarrass you in front of everyone.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not losing,¡± Robin shot back confidently, though he still followed her to a more secluded area.

    ¡°Here¡¯s fine,¡± Christina said, stopping.

    Robin took his stance seriously, his face focused. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got!¡±

    Without waiting, Christinaunched a punch straight at him. Her fist sliced through the air with speed and force.

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 Chapter 417

    ?Chapter 417:

    Robin didn¡¯t dodge. He threw his own punch, aiming to sh directly with hers. He was confident in himself. No way his punch would lose to hers.

    Christina had the option to sidestep and strike back with precision. But she didn¡¯t. She let their fists collide.

    The moment their knuckles met, her expression remained steady, while Robin flinched, his jaw tightening and brows pulling together in pain. Her strength was unbelievable.

    Robin¡¯s knuckles pulsed with agony, and under the impact of their colliding fists, his arm felt so numb that it seemed like it no longer existed. He never imagined a punch from ady could be so forceful.

    ¡°If it stings, feel free to scream¡ªI won¡¯t chuckle, I promise,¡± Christina said, drawing her fist back, her grin yful andced with mischief.

    Robin locked his teeth, braving the scorching ache that surged through his hand like cracked stone. He needed a few seconds to pull himself together before managing aposed look.

    ¡°Tch.¡± Robin gave a bitter chuckle, masking his difort with smug pretense. ¡°That punch of yours? It felt like a weakling¡¯s tap.¡±

    Quietly, he slipped his aching hand behind him, giving it a subtle tremor. The torment was almost unbearable.

    ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± Christina asked with a light smirk.

    ¡°What? You think it was impressive? Your skills are nothing to me,¡± Robin retorted, keeping his face calm. Inwardly, though, he was reeling. Had his fingers not still curled, he would¡¯ve thought they had been crushed.

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Christina arched her brow, amusement dancing in her eyes.

    ¡°Seems your pride¡¯s harder than your punches.¡±

    ¡°Obviously!¡± he shot back automatically. Then, a beatter, he realized his blunder.

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    ¡°Wait¡ªwhat¡¯s that supposed to mean? I don¡¯t go around bragging,¡± Robin mumbled irritably.

    ¡°Care to go again?¡± she asked, still smiling.

    His injured limb, tucked out of view, hadn¡¯t recovered in the slightest. He wasn¡¯t about to repeat that mistake. Had he known challenging her would end in such misery, he¡¯d never have bothered. His so-called ¡°mighty blows¡± had proven useless against her.

    ¡°We¡¯ll definitely have a rematch¡ªbut not now. I¡¯ve got pressing matters to handle, and wasting minutes on you isn¡¯t one of them,¡± Robin said coolly.

    ¡°All right then, I¡¯ll be waiting,¡± Christina replied, gaze steady. ¡°Just make sure it¡¯s before your grandfather¡¯s birthday celebration. After that, I¡¯m returning to Dorfield.¡±

    Something tightened in Robin¡¯s chest. He asked quickly, ¡°Why go back to Dorfield? Can¡¯t you stay here?¡±

    ¡°Not at the moment,¡± she responded inly.

    Robin¡¯s features clouded. ¡°Fine, leave then! Just don¡¯te back to Kitaso again. That way, I won¡¯t get a scolding from my grandpa just because of you.¡±

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 Chapter 418

    ?Chapter 418:

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been the reason. And for the record, I¡¯ll visit Kitaso whenever I please. You have no say in it,¡± Christina replied.

    Her final statement hit a sensitive spot, making Robin bristle. She was correct¡ªhe had no authority over her choices. But hearing it still bothered him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself! I don¡¯t give a damn about you!¡± Robin barked. ¡°Who do you even think you are? You¡¯re not important to me!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right¡ªI¡¯m not. Farewell,¡± Christina said as she turned around and strode away.

    Herck of a spicy retort caught Robinpletely off guard. He stood frozen, watching her disappear into the distance. Why the sudden change? She didn¡¯t even bother to argue back after being used. That wasn¡¯t like her at all.

    A shadow of doubt crept across Robin¡¯s eyes. He rubbed his temple and frowned. Something felt wrong. She was acting too strange. Was this another ploy? Maybe she was trying to win over his grandfather to get the green light for marrying him and then im the role of the next family matriarch. The idea made his skin crawl.

    His jaw clenched, and he stepped forward to confront her. But just as he raised his head, he spotted her being blocked by several unfamiliar faces ahead.

    Christina was forced to halt, her stare sharp as steel as she locked eyes with the trio standing ahead.

    ¡°Mom, Dad! That¡¯s her! She¡¯s the reason I became infertile and suffered from erectile dysfunction!¡± Balfour¡¯s finger shot out, his voice dripping with venom. His re was wild, as though he¡¯d rip Christina limb from limb if given the chance.

    Moss stood stunned, disbelief registering on his face. The woman who had ruined his son¡¯s penis was none other than the dazzling woman he wanted to getid with.

    ¡°You wicked creature! What gave you the right to hurt my boy?¡± Alexa lunged forward with burning rage, hand poised to strike Christina.

    Blinded by fury, Alexa forgot that the woman in front of her had single-handedly taken down two fully grown men. Predictably, Alexa¡¯s hand never met its mark. Christina intercepted it mid-air effortlessly, her grip like a vice.

    ¡°You failed to raise your son right. I simply filled the gap,¡± Christina said coolly, her face devoid of emotion.

    Alexa attempted to wrench her hand back, but it was in vain. She might as well have been trying to pull free from iron shackles. The strength in Christina¡¯s grasp was terrifying.

    Fear crept into Alexa¡¯s chest. She nced sideways at her husband, desperate for assistance. ¡°Darling¡­¡±

    But the moment Alexa turned, she froze. Moss was staring at Christina¡ªnot with anger, but with unmasked desire, eyes practically aze.

    Alexa¡¯s stomach turned. She had endured his infidelities before and had battled women off him more times than she could count. Yet, never had she felt this unease¡ªa dread that wed at her bones. Her son, once her only and most valuable leverage, had been shattered by the very woman now drawing her husband¡¯s attention like a ma.

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 Chapter 419

    ?Chapter 419:

    She dreaded the scenario where Christina bore Moss a child. If that happened, she and Balfour would be nothing but shadows in the Glyn family¡¯s legacy. No. She couldn¡¯t let that happen. rm surged through her like wildfire.

    ¡°This vile woman has made it impossible for our family to continue its legacy! Honey, you must stand up for Balfour!¡± Alexa wailed, her arrogance reced by tears and a pitiful plea for sympathy.

    Moss blinked, as if emerging from a daze. The Glyn name¡ªhis name¡ªwas at stake. More than that, he knew the truth. His ability to sire children was gone. No matter how much Christina tempted him, she could not salvage his lineage. His son was thest hope. Revenge was not just personal¡ªit was necessary.

    ¡°My son will never have children of his own. What do you propose to fix that?¡± Moss demanded, his voice low and full of menace as his gaze bore into Christina.

    Christina let out a frigidugh. ¡°He tried to vite me. Losing just his manhood was mercy.¡± Any man who sought to defile her would face the music, manhood ruined being the most merciful oue. She didn¡¯t fear retaliation. Let them try.

    ¡°You venomous wretch! You¡¯ve cut off the Glyn family¡¯s line! We won¡¯t let you get away with this!¡± Alexa¡¯s face was blotched with fury, tears streaking down as she grabbed Moss¡¯s arm. ¡°You must do something! If your father hears about this¡ªhe¡¯ll erupt¡­¡± she whispered, voice trembling.

    Miguel Glyn, Balfour¡¯s grandfather, had always favored Balfour. His influence had kept Alexa in her ce beside Moss all these years. Alexa invoked Miguel¡¯s name with purpose¡ªa warning directed at Moss¡ªnot to let lust outweigh loyalty to blood. Miguel was still breathing. The lineage of the Glyn family had to be preserved.

    ¡°You¡¯ve destroyed my house¡¯s legacy. You won¡¯t walk out of Kitaso until you pay what¡¯s owed!¡± Moss dered, face dark as a storm. He didn¡¯t fear Miguel¡¯s wrath¡ªin fact, he saw an opening. If Christina was backed into a corner, he could control her.

    Anyway, retribution or not, he would hunt down King and fix his son. And as for the stunning force of nature standing before him¡ªhe would make her his, no matter the cost.

    Christina stood firm,posed as ever, not a flicker of fear or nerves on her face. Just as she parted her lips to respond, a piercing voice sliced through the air from behind.

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    Robin¡¯s frosty remark came. ¡°Plenty of bark for a crowd with no bite.¡± He strode beside Christina, jaw set, his stare like a winter de fixed on the trio before him.

    Moss nearly snapped at Robin to stay out of it, but when recognition hit, his words crumbled before they left his mouth.

    But Balfour wasn¡¯t as restrained. ¡°Robin! Keep your nose out of this! Miller name or not, this doesn¡¯t concern you!¡± he shouted. ¡°She ruined my cock, and I¡¯m settling this today! Just because your family¡¯s got clout in the city doesn¡¯t mean you get to trample logic. If this explodes, the fallout hits your family too.¡±

    Robin tilted his head with a crooked grin, tongue tucked in cheek, clearly amused. His eyes drilled into Balfour with unwavering intensity, his whole stance daring Balfour to keep going. ¡°You threatening me?¡± he asked, cocking an eyebrow.

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 Chapter 420

    ?Chapter 420:

    ¡°And what if it is?¡± Balfour snapped, fury bubbling to the surface.

    Robin turned his attention to Moss, his expression razor-sharp. ¡°You really gonna let your boy spout off like this? If memory serves, our families still have that major arrangement pending, right?¡±

    Robin let out a low, humorlessugh, fingersbing through his hair, his energy crackling with wild unpredictability. ¡°You know my grandfather dotes on me. I¡¯m the one he holds dearest. With a single suggestion from me, the Millers could pull the plug on your deal. Sure, we¡¯d feel the blow¡ªbut it¡¯s hardly more than a scratch for us. But your n? Defy ours, and you¡¯ll wish you hadn¡¯t.¡±

    Robin¡¯s chuckle was a deliberate taunt, his posture radiating indifference as he coolly scanned their faces. He¡¯dnded a brutal blow, and though Moss was seething inside, he had no outlet to retaliate.

    Moss often told himself that without that powerful surname, Robin would be insignificant. If the Miller influence vanished, he was certain he could crush Robin with ease. He had long been scheming to topple the Millers and im their throne. But for the time being, diplomacy was his only option.

    Forcing himself to remain calm, Moss stretched his lips into a tense grin. ¡°Mr. Miller, let¡¯s have a civilized conversation. Your associate roughed up my kid. Surely we¡¯re owed some fair form of justice?¡±

    ¡°Your son came at me first,¡± Christina chimed in inly.

    ¡°My boy would never!¡± Alexa shot back. ¡°You must¡¯ve seduced him!¡±

    ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve spoiled him into stupidity. Bravo to you and your partner. The Glyns really raised a champion of failure,¡± Christina¡¯s voice dripped venom, her grin razor-sharp. The constant pampering had clearly convinced Balfour he could act without ever facing the consequences.

    ¡°Miss Jones, please refrain from running your mouth!¡± Moss growled, struggling to suppress the fury boiling within.

    ¡°I¡¯m just telling it like it is.¡± Christina nced at Robin, raising an eyebrow. ¡°You agree, right? Mr. Miller?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s got it nailed,¡± Robin responded coolly, his stare slicing through Moss. ¡°Your son¡¯s torn apart more lives than I can count. And every time, you¡¯ve swept it under the rug. He¡¯s only still around because you¡¯ve bailed him out. He started it and got his penis ruined. Honestly? He¡¯s lucky this is all he got.¡±

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    Moss felt gutted, humiliated by some smug kid¡ªand even worse, powerless to defend his own blood.

    ¡°And what if I say she¡¯s gotta pay for this? You really ready to blow up the partnership over this girl, Mr. Miller?¡±

    Robin retorted without hesitation, ¡°Losing a little money won¡¯t hurt us. But if the Glyn family is itching for a fight, you¡¯ll be the ones to pay. If you really want to disappear from Kitaso forever, we¡¯ll make it happen. Money means nothing if ites down to that.¡±

    Moss found himself stunned that Robin would take things this far over a woman. The fallout from the Miller family pulling out of their joint ventures with the Glyns would be nothing short of disastrous. The breach-of-contract penalties alone would be staggering, not to mention the long-term damage to their reputation.

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 Chapter 421

    ?Chapter 421:

    Moss kept his voice low and cold. ¡°I¡¯m sure you can handle the loss. But is it truly worth it, risking everything for a woman?¡±

    He let out a derisive smirk. Who in their right mind would let their family take such a blow over a woman? If Robin¡¯s idea of leadership looked anything like this, then there was no question the Miller family was headed straight for ruin. Soon enough, the Glyns would rise and im their ce at the top.

    ¡°It¡¯s worth it.¡± Robin spoke with conviction, his voice even and his eyes locked in ce.

    Christina shot him a look of disbelief.

    ¡°Have youpletely lost it, Robin Miller?¡± Balfour snapped, jabbing a finger at him. ¡°The moment your grandfather catches wind that you¡¯re tossing everything aside because of some woman, he¡¯ll snap your legs without a second thought! He might be soft on you today, but if you keep wrecking the Miller family for some girl, don¡¯t be surprised when he cuts you off and yanks that heir title out from under you.¡±

    Robin almostughed out loud. In truth, his grandfather would probably be thrilled if he married Christina. The old man had looked downright thrilled when she roughed him up, even throwing in a few cheers like he was rooting for his favorite team.

    Still, Robin kept that to himself. Instead, he shot them a look as cold as ice. ¡°My choices are not up for debate.¡± He swept his gaze over the Glyns, making sure his wordsnded. ¡°Let¡¯s be clear about one thing. Anyone who tries to hurt Miss Jones will have to deal with the entire Miller family. Think twice before you act.¡±

    The warning in Robin¡¯s voice was sharp enough to sting. His authority, undiminished by his young age, forced everyone in the room to second-guess their next move.

    Moss felt an invisible pressure bearing down on him, a chill creeping up his spine. After weighing his options, he realized he had to back down, at least for now. Taking on the Miller family head-to-head was a battle the Glyns were bound to lose. Patience was his only weapon.

    Moss pasted on a smile that looked generous from afar. ¡°Very well, Mr. Miller. I¡¯ll let Miss Jones off the hook today for your sake.¡±

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    Moss was far from really willing to let this slide. Just because he wore a friendly face in the spotlight didn¡¯t mean he wasn¡¯t ready to hit hard when no one was watching. So long as there was no evidence, he believed he could move unseen and untouched.

    ¡°Honey!¡± Alexa¡¯s voice rose, shrill with anger. ¡°How can you let her walk away after what she did to our son?¡±

    A cold re from Moss silenced her. ¡°What do you want me to do? Throw away everything for revenge? Or let the whole family suffer just because of our son?¡±

    Balfour stood on the sidelines, his eyes rimmed red, staring at his father with pure hatred. In his father¡¯s eyes, even his own flesh and blood meant nothingpared to the reputation and interests of the entire Glyn family. He was left impotent¡ªand they were just going to sweep it all under the rug like it was nothing. The thought made his blood boil. He refused to let it end so easily.

    Alexa started to speak up. ¡°But¡ª¡± Her words were cut short when Moss exploded. ¡°Enough! Do you see what all your spoiling has led to? If you hadn¡¯t let our son get away with everything, would we even be standing here now?¡±

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 Chapter 422

    ?Chapter 422:

    After unleashing his frustration, Moss quicklyposed himself and faced Robin again, his voice turning overly polite. ¡°Mr. Miller, let¡¯s leave it at that. I¡¯d appreciate it if we could both forget what happened here today.¡±

    ¡°Go on.¡± Robin motioned with his hand, a polite gesture on the surface, though deep down, it was nothing more than his way of saying, ¡°I¡¯m done looking at you. Get lost.¡±

    Moss could barely contain his anger, but with no other option, he bit back his fury and stalked away.

    Alexa¡¯s re at Robin and Christina was as sharp as knives. Still brimming with resentment but powerless to do anything yet, she clenched her jaw in frustration. She grabbed Balfour by the arm. ¡°Come on, we¡¯re leaving.¡±

    Dragged along, Balfour tightened his fist, his chest burning with humiliation and a thirst for payback. In his mind, this was far from finished. He would make sure Christina and the Millers regretted this day.

    Once the Glyns had finally exited, Robin turned to Christina with a casual nce. He delivered a warning that sounded almost light. ¡°You¡¯re better off steering clear of the Glyns. Don¡¯t go running around on your own unless you want to end up stuffed in a trunk somewhere.¡±

    Christina shot him a yful grin. ¡°What¡¯s this, Robin? Are you actually worried about me?¡±

    A faint flush crept up Robin¡¯s neck, and he muttered irritably, ¡°Who¡¯s worried about you? I couldn¡¯t care less if you dropped dead somewhere.¡±

    ¡°Sure, keep telling yourself that. You¡¯re not fooling anyone,¡± Christina teased,ughter in her voice.

    Robin crossed his arms, and his expression darkened. ¡°That¡¯s not it at all. I just don¡¯t want my grandfather to be annoyed if something happens to you. Take it as friendly advice, nothing more.¡±

    Christina¡¯s smile never wavered as she replied, ¡°However you phrase it.¡± Amusement danced in Christina¡¯s eyes as she continued to fix Robin with her gaze, which only made him more unsettled.

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    ¡°Fine! Go ahead and make your own mess¡ªdoesn¡¯t matter to me!¡± Robin spun around without waiting for a response and began to walk off.

    Christina remained rooted to the spot, a smirk curving her lips as she watched him walk away. In spite of all his bluster, he really wasn¡¯t such a bad guy.

    Robin barely made it a few paces before second thoughts slowed him down. Suddenly, he stopped, turned back around, and strode right up to her. He leveled a stern look at her.

    Her. ¡°You need to stay out of trouble until after my grandfather¡¯s birthday banquet. If something happens, and his celebration is ruined, you¡¯ll answer to me.¡±

    ¡°Try talking nicely for once,¡± Christina retorted, her chin lifted. ¡°Why do you always have to sound so harsh?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not wrong. Maybe if you didn¡¯t run headfirst into trouble, you wouldn¡¯t keep making enemies. Out here, power and influence matter more than anything. Without them, no one¡¯s going to cut you any ck,¡± Robin replied, voice crisp.

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 Chapter 423

    ?Chapter 423:

    A grin tugged at Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°Hate to disappoint you, but I do have every right to hold my head high.¡±

    Robin¡¯s scowl deepened as he studied her. She seemedpletely unaware of just how dangerous it was to cross the Glyns. He wondered how someone could be so foolish.

    Robin shot her a sharp look. ¡°Want to know what the Glyn family really excels at? Underhanded schemes, ruthless moves, and ying dirty from the shadows. Even if I try to watch your back, they might pull something when you least expect it.¡±

    Concern etched deep lines across his forehead. ¡°You might handle yourself in a fight, but sheer numbers and heavy firepower will always tip the scales. It¡¯s never the obvious enemy that gets you¡ªit¡¯s the one hiding where you can¡¯t see.¡±

    Augh escaped Christina as she gave his shoulder a friendly pat. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. They won¡¯t stand a chance.¡±

    Robin rolled his eyes in exasperation. ¡°Sure, keep talking big. Just promise me if you¡¯re ever in real danger, reach out to me first. Until my grandpa¡¯s birthday banquet, I¡¯ll bail you out. After that, you¡¯re on your own.¡±

    Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.

    Later that day, Christina¡¯s phone buzzed with a message from Robin, instructing her to meet at a specific location.

    She followed his instructions, only to be greeted by two massive bodyguards looming by the entrance. One stepped forward and addressed her formally, ¡°Miss Jones, Mr. Miller sent us. We¡¯ll be protecting you until the banquet.¡±

    At first, Christina considered dismissing them, but then a thought made her pause. It looked like that stubborn Robin actually had a soft spot after all. She decided to ept his gesture and let them stay.

    A few days slipped by before Christina made her entrance at the Miller family¡¯s estate, dressed to stun in a pristine white gown for Kurt¡¯s birthday celebration. At the front, an attendant stood ready, epting each guest¡¯s gift and ushering them inside.

    Yvonne stepped into the grand entryway and immediately noted Christina, who stood out among the crowd, radiant and impossible to miss. She was mildly surprised by Christina¡¯s presence at Kurt¡¯s birthday banquet.

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    The sight of Christina turning heads in that gorgeous dress made Yvonne¡¯s jealousy twist inside her. None of the other high-societydies at the banquet could hold a candle to Christina.

    With envy flickering in her gaze, Yvonne marched straight toward Christina. ¡°Christina, what brings you here tonight?¡± she asked, her voice sugar-sweet but her eyes cold.

    Christina regarded her coldly. ¡°I see you¡¯re here. Why shouldn¡¯t I be?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant,¡± Yvonne responded, forcing a wider fake smile. ¡°Did you actually receive an invitation from the Miller family? Or did someone bring you along?¡±

    Yvonne¡¯s eyes darted around, scanning the crowd. None of the people nearby seemed toe with Christina. Was Christina really invited by the Millers? But that couldn¡¯t be. Everyone knew Christina was nothing more than her family¡¯s foster daughter. She had only managed to get in because of a friend who vouched for her at the entrance. Someone like Christina, with no status and not a single powerful connection, shouldn¡¯t have made it onto the Millers¡¯ guest list for Kurt¡¯s big night.

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 Chapter 424

    ?Chapter 424:

    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business,¡± Christina shot back.

    Yvonne choked on her words, fury bubbling inside her. ¡°Christina¡­¡± she began, syrupy sweet, but Christina cut her off cold.

    ¡°Don¡¯t pretend we¡¯re close,¡± Christina snapped, eyebrows pulling tight in annoyance.

    Yvonne¡¯s face instantly twisted into a wounded expression, her eyes glistening as if she were about to cry¡ªa perfect picture of calcted sadness.

    Before Christina could react, Lorraine Reynolds barged in, eyes snapping with irritation. ¡°Seriously, what¡¯s your deal? Yvonne¡¯s just trying to be polite, and this is how you treat her?¡±

    Christina tilted her head and gave Lorraine a slow once-over, taking in every bit of designer jewelry and expensive clothes. ¡°That¡¯s right. That¡¯s my attitude. If you have a problem with it, feel free to keep your distance from me. Saves me the trouble.¡±

    Christina inwardly rolled her eyes. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that they were standing on the Miller family¡¯s property, she would have called for security to toss these pests out already.

    Lorraine¡¯s voice trembled with rage as she responded sharply, ¡°Do you even realize who you¡¯re talking to? Who do you think you are?¡±

    Yvonne gave Lorraine¡¯s sleeve a gentle tug. ¡°Lorraine, please, don¡¯t get mad on my behalf. I¡¯m really alright¡­¡± Then, with fake concern, she turned to Christina. ¡°You probably don¡¯t know, but Lorraine hails from the Reynolds family. Because she once saved Mrs. Miller¡¯s life, Mrs. Miller took her in as a goddaughter.¡±

    Lorraine crossed her arms, looking down her nose at Christina with pure arrogance. ¡°Since you¡¯re Yvonne¡¯s sister, I¡¯ll let this slide if you apologize.¡±

    Christina¡¯s only response was a faint, cold smirk. She stood her ground, amused rather than intimidated.

    Seeing her tant refusal to back down, Lorraine¡¯s temper red even hotter. ¡°Christina, just say you¡¯re sorry to Lorraine,¡± Yvonne urged, feigning panic. ¡°If you refuse, she can have you tossed out in seconds. All it takes is one word from her, and you¡¯ll never be wee by the Miller family again!¡±

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    Deep down, Yvonne knew perfectly well that Christina¡¯s stubborn streak would make her even less likely to apologize. It was exactly the result she wanted. She wanted to watch Christina dig herself a deeper hole by challenging Lorraine.

    Lorraine hissed, ¡°If you know what¡¯s good for you, apologize quickly! I¡¯ll give you three minutes to think it over. If you keep acting like this, even being Yvonne¡¯s sister won¡¯t save you.¡±

    To Lorraine, the idea of a foster daughter of the Jones family daring to stand against her wasughable. If it weren¡¯t for Yvonne¡¯s sake, she would have already snapped her fingers and had the guards remove Christina.

    A wave of whispers swept through the crowd gathered nearby, stunned by Christina¡¯s audacity in challenging Lorraine.

    ¡°This woman is quite reckless, showing tant disrespect toward Lorraine like that. She¡¯s just asking to get tossed out.¡±

    ¡°She probably thinks Lorraine won¡¯t touch her. Just watch¡ªthis will be entertaining.¡±

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 Chapter 425

    ?Chapter 425:

    ¡°If she just says sorry now, she might save herself. Drag this out, and not even groveling will get her back in.¡±

    Most people lingered for the spectacle, eyes gleaming with anticipation, eager for Christina to fall t on her face.

    However, Christina didn¡¯t even flinch. ¡°Idiot,¡± she remarked, her re at Lorraine as icy as ever.

    The onlookers gasped in shock at Christina¡¯s audacity. By insulting Lorraine, Christina was practically spitting in the face of the entire Miller family. Was she simply reckless, or did she actually have some kind of backing?

    Yvonne, ever the actress, dabbed at her eyes, letting out a theatrical string of coughs as if she were concerned for Christina. ¡°Ahem¡­ Ahem¡­ Christina¡­¡±

    Lorraine, annoyed, grabbed Yvonne¡¯s arm and shot her a warning look. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re still trying to defend her?¡±

    Yvonne pretended to plead on Christina¡¯s behalf. ¡°After all, she¡¯s still my sister¡­¡±

    Lorraine scoffed and said coldly, ¡°I¡¯ve already given her a chance, but she threw it away, so don¡¯t me me for whates next. Yvonne, if you keep defending her, consider our friendship over.¡±

    Yvonne doubled on her performance and turned to Christina with trembling lips and reddened eyes, the picture of a concerned sibling. ¡°Christina, you heard that. Just say you¡¯re sorry to Lorraine¡­¡±

    Christina shot Yvonne a look and let out a derisive smirk. ¡°Drop the act. Your acting skills suck.¡±

    Yvonne¡¯s expression crumbled even further, tears threatening to spill over, her inward glee masked.

    To any onlookers, Christina came off as downright viinous. Aside from showing no gratitude for her sister¡¯s plea¡ªa move seemingly out of pure concern¡ªshe even sneered and used her sister of putting on an act. It was infuriating to watch.

    Lorraine turned to Yvonne. ¡°See that, Yvonne? You treat her like a real sister, but she acts like you¡¯re her sworn enemy. She doesn¡¯t appreciate your kindness at all.¡±

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    Lorraine despised Christina even more. She¡¯d heard from Yvonne that Christina was actually the Jones family¡¯s adopted daughter. Stories from Yvonne had painted Christina repaying the Jones family¡¯s unwavering kindness by mistreating Yvonne after Yvonne¡¯s arrival¡ªa bitter move over Yvonne¡¯s supposed stealing the family¡¯s affection. Still, Yvonne made it clear she had never held it against Christina, feeling it was the Jones family¡¯s fault that Christina felt left out.

    Lorraine snorted in disgust. Being just the adopted daughter, Christina should know her ce and be grateful for the Jones family¡¯s kindness instead of resorting to low tricks just for attention. Christina was a total ingrate.

    Lorraine fixed Christina with a cold stare. ¡°Still refusing to acknowledge your fault? Huh. Unless you get on your knees and apologize, I won¡¯t let this slide!¡±

    Christina let out a coldugh. ¡°Go ahead and do your worst. Let¡¯s see if you can get me kicked out of the Miller family¡¯s estate.¡±

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 Chapter 426

    ?Chapter 426:

    A collective gasp rippled through the room, everyone snapping to attention.

    Murmurs broke out among the guests.

    ¡°Damn, she¡¯s got some nerve! But kinda badass. I¡¯m into it.¡±

    ¡°Who is she anyway? She looks like she isn¡¯t afraid of Lorraine at all.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you know? She¡¯s the Jones family¡¯s adopted daughter. Word is she cut them off. Maybe she¡¯s angering the Millers on purpose just to drag the Jones family down.¡±

    Lorraine stared in disbelief, thrown off by Christina¡¯s reaction. Not even a hint of fear clouded Christina¡¯s face. Was Christina truly that bold or just bluffing? A sh of doubt flickered through her mind. Maybe Christina had someone powerful watching her back. But no matter who might be behind Christina, causing a scene at Kurt¡¯s birthday party was reckless. No one would dare protect Christina from the fallout.

    Lorraine sneered, ¡°Since you¡¯re begging for trouble, I am happy to oblige.¡± She whirled around and marched off, fully intent on summoning the Miller family¡¯s security. She was hell-bent on throwing Christina out in the most humiliating way possible.

    Every eye in the room stayed glued to the unfolding spectacle, guests practically holding their breath as they watched Lorraine and Christina face off. Soon enough, Lorraine swept back into the hall, trailed by a squad of security guards.

    The head of security approached with measured respect. ¡°Ms. Reynolds, who¡¯s causing trouble here?¡±

    Lorraine wasted no time, her finger jabbing in Christina¡¯s direction. ¡°That one! Get her out before she ruins Mr. Miller¡¯s birthday.¡±

    With a curt nod, the head of security approached Christina, his team members following suit.

    Gazing at Christina, the head of security said politely, ¡°Miss, may I see your invitation, please?¡±

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    The head of security had learned that, in gatherings like this, it was always safer to check credentials first. No one wanted to make the mistake of ejecting a VIP. After all, Kurt had personally invited certain guests to tonight¡¯s event.

    Lorraine huffed, growing impatient. ¡°Why bother checking if she has an invitation? She¡¯s clearly causing trouble¡ªjust get rid of her!¡±

    The head of security held his ground, keeping his tone respectful but firm. ¡°Ms. Reynolds, I have to do things by the book. If the Miller family asks for exnations, I¡¯ll be the one left answering for it.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s there to worry about? I¡¯ll just have a word with Celine if something happens,¡± Lorraine remarked, her chest rising a little with pride as she basked in the thought of her connection with Celine Miller, Kurt¡¯s daughter-inw.

    With a calm but unwavering expression, the head of security responded, ¡°We understand, but Mr. Miller himself has personally invited some guests. I can¡¯t take any risks by acting too quickly¡ª¡±

    Lorraine didn¡¯t wait for the head of security to finish. ¡°Oh,e on! I mean, 100k at her! Does she strike you as someone who belongs on the VIP list?¡±

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 Chapter 427

    ?Chapter 427:

    Just then, the steward in charge of logging the gifts raised his voice and asked, ¡°Excuse me, is Miss Christina Jones here?¡±

    ¡°Here.¡± Christina stepped forward calmly.

    Hiding the unrefined gift box brought by Christina behind him, the steward rubbed his nose and stammered, hesitant to hold out the gift, ¡°Miss Jones¡­ Uh, is this really your gift for¡ª¡±

    The steward couldn¡¯t bring himself to finish. Never in his years had he seen a gift package so humble.

    Curiosity swept through the room, with guests craning their necks and whispering, hungry for gossip about a gift so awkward that the steward trailed off.

    Lorraine caught the hesitation and couldn¡¯t resist stirring the pot. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Don¡¯t stop now. Tell us what¡¯s with her gift!¡±

    The steward shot Christina an awkward nce as he fumbled to respond.

    Thrilled by the tension, Lorraine marched behind the steward to see Christina¡¯s gift. Unlike the others, she wasn¡¯t afraid of offending the Millers¡ªafter all, Celine adored her.

    A quick 100k nearly made Lorraine double over withughter. How could anyone show up to Kurt¡¯s birthday with a roughly packed gift? The sheer audacity was almost impressive. A triumphant smile stretched across her face as she dered, ¡°Christina¡¯s gift is worth, at best, a whopping eighteen hundred dors.¡±

    The words barely hit the air before the entire crowd erupted in disbelief. Eyes widened, jaws dropped, and people turned to one another as if to confirm they¡¯d actually heard right. Could Christina really be this bold, or was she justpletely clueless? Some onlookers began to doubt their own hearing. Was it really one thousand eight hundred? Maybe Lorraine had mistaken eighteen million for eighteen hundred.

    Lorraine wouldn¡¯t let it go. ¡°Christina, I have to hand it to you,¡± she blurted out, her re sharp. ¡°You marched into Mr. Miller¡¯s birthday with a gift worth less than two grand? Are you out of your mind?¡±

    Christina answered without missing a beat, ¡°Who says a gift¡¯s valuees from the price? What matters is the meaning behind it.¡±

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    Yvonne, shocked at first, soon had to bite back augh. Was Christina actually serious? Nobody in their right mind would show up at Kurt¡¯s party with a present that cheap. One meal at this party probably cost more than her entire gift.

    At first, Yvonne had worried that Christina might somehow catch Kurt¡¯s attention and worm her way into the Miller family. Now, those worries seemed almostughable. Clearly, Christina wasn¡¯t here to win anyone¡¯s approval. She was just out to stir up trouble.

    Yvonne could barely hide her glee, convinced this was the moment Christina would finally be disgraced. A public humiliation like this, especially with so many powerful guests watching, would stick with Christina forever.

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 Chapter 428

    ?Chapter 428:

    Lorraine¡¯s excitement grew with every second of Christina¡¯s stubborn resistance. One way or another, she thought, Christina was about to get tossed out. What kind of person walked into an event like this, bringing nothing more than a modest gift worth a thousand dors? Pathetic.

    Lorraine¡¯s voice dripped with scorn as she pointed at Christina and said to the head of security, ¡°See? She¡¯s only here to cause trouble. Let¡¯s not waste time ¡ª just throw her out!¡±

    By now, Lorraine was certain Christina wasn¡¯t some VIP personally invited by Kurt. Whoever brought Christina in couldn¡¯t have been anyone important. Otherwise, Christina wouldn¡¯t have shown up with such aughably cheap present.

    The head of security nced around the room, then walked over to Christina and asked with measured courtesy, ¡°Miss Jones, may I see your invitation, please?¡±

    Not everyone in the room knew this, but the true guests of honor received invitations handwritten by Kurt himself. Outwardly, all the invites looked identical, except for that small detail.

    Christina didn¡¯t argue. She simply reached into her purse and handed over her invitation.

    Before the head of security could take it, Lorraine lunged forward and snatched it out of his reach. Sheughed. ¡°Looks like a regr invite to me,¡± she said, waving it for all to see. To her eyes, it looked exactly like every other invitation ¡ª absolutely not some VIP invitation.

    Turning back to the security team, Lorraine¡¯s tone turned threatening. ¡°Get rid of her now, or I¡¯ll have my godmother make sure every one of you is dismissed.¡±

    The security team exchanged uneasy nces. Nobody wanted to make a mistake, not when a real VIP might be involved. Mishandling this could cost more than just their jobs.

    ¡°Ms. Reynolds,¡± the head of security responded firmly, ¡°please hand me the invitation so I can check it properly.¡±

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    Lorraine clung to the invitation, defiant. ¡°What¡¯s the point? It¡¯s exactly the same as all the rest!¡±

    A ripple of curiosity swept through the crowd as guests began pulling out their own invitations, holding them up topare with the one Lorraine waved around. To everyone¡¯s eye, there was no difference at all. Every card looked perfectly ordinary, with no special marks or distinguishing features anywhere.

    Lorraine¡¯s lips curled into a smug grin as she pped the invitation against her palm. ¡°Are you all deaf? Stop wasting time!¡± she snapped, her voice rising. ¡°If this dys Mr. Miller¡¯s party, don¡¯t think for a second you¡¯ll escape the fallout.¡± She fixed the head of security with a hard stare. ¡°Or should I bring Mrs. Miller down here to teach you how to do your job?¡±

    Unfazed, the head of security kept his voice even. ¡°Ms. Reynolds, there are rules we have to follow. Please hand over the invitation.¡±

    A sharp ¡°No!¡± was Lorraine¡¯s answer. She crushed the invitation in her fist, twisting it into a crumpled ball before tossing it onto the floor. For added effect, she drove her heel down, grinding the card beneath her shoe until it was wrinkled beyond recognition.

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 Chapter 429

    ?Chapter 429:

    The head of security¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Ms. Reynolds!¡± He raised his voice but couldn¡¯t do anything to her. Inside the Miller household, Lorraine carried privileges that came from saving Celine¡¯s life. Unless Lorrainemitted some unforgivable offense, she could do whatever she pleased within the Miller household.

    Lorraine¡¯s voice dripped with mockery. ¡°You want it so bad? Pick it up yourself. It¡¯s just a regr invite ¡ª not even worth checking on it. Or maybe you¡¯re just making excuses because you have a thing for Christina?¡±

    Offense flickered across the head of security¡¯s face. ¡°That¡¯s not true, Ms. Reynolds. I follow the rules ¡ª nothing more.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s see what Celine has to say about your loyalty,¡± Lorraine retorted, pulling out her phone. ¡°By the end of tonight, you¡¯ll be out of a job.¡±

    She had barely tapped her screen to dial the number when a cold,manding voice called out over themotion, ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Why has everyone gathered in here?¡±

    The moment Lorraine saw Celine approaching, she quickly pocketed her phone and hurried toward her. ¡°Celine!¡± she greeted cheerfully, a bright smile lighting up her face.

    Celine, who had been wearing a stern and authoritative expression just seconds earlier, rxed at the sight of Lorraine. A gentle smile curved her lips.

    ¡°Lorraine,¡± she said warmly, ¡°why haven¡¯t you walked inside?¡±

    ¡°I got held up by something,¡± Lorraine replied, her tone syrupy.

    ¡°Oh?¡± Celine arched a brow, mildly curious. ¡°What could¡¯ve possibly held you up?¡±

    ¡°Someone tried to stir trouble at Kurt¡¯s birthday banquet, but I handled it,¡± Lorraine said, lifting her chin proudly.

    Celine¡¯s eyes narrowed, her gentle expression vanishing as her gaze swept sharply across the hall. Her voice turned cold. ¡°Who dared create trouble at a Miller family event?¡±

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    The room seemed to shift. Even those with no part in the situation instinctively lowered their eyes, avoiding her icy stare. Meanwhile, those who had been secretly enjoying the drama turned their attention toward Christina.

    Following their gaze, Celine¡¯s eyesnded on Christina.

    Christina stood tall andposed. Her pristine white evening gown made her presence impossible to ignore, and the quiet confidence in her eyes was even more striking. She looked like she belonged here, and nothing about her seemed shaken or guilty.

    Celine studied Christina for a moment, intrigued by her poise.

    ¡°She¡¯s the one,¡± Lorraine said suddenly, pointing an using finger at Christina. ¡°She¡¯s the one causing trouble.¡±

    Christina stayed perfectlyposed, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

    Celine stepped forward, voice calm but firm. ¡°Do you have anything to say for yourself?¡±

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 Chapter 430

    ?Chapter 430:

    Christina met her eyes, unfazed. ¡°Do you believe I came here to cause trouble?¡± she asked smoothly.

    Lorraine and Yvonne nearly burst with excitement. What a stupid response! She had just sealed her own fate.

    Celine¡¯s face, however, revealed nothing. After a pause, she turned to the head of security. ¡°Tell me everything,¡± she ordered.

    ¡°Yes, Mrs. Miller,¡± the head of security replied, stepping forward and recounting the events as he had witnessed them.

    ¡°She did it on purpose,¡± Lorraine interrupted, her voice rising. ¡°Who brings a tacky $1,800 ornament to a formal banquet and has the audacity to say ¡®it¡¯s the thought that counts¡¯? She wanted to insult the Millers!¡±

    Celine said evenly, ¡°¡®It¡¯s the thought that counts¡¯¡ªthat part is true.¡±

    Lorraine blinked, confused. ¡°Wait¡­ you mean you don¡¯t think she was trying to cause a scene?¡±

    ¡°Whether she made a scene or not will depend on the evidence,¡± Celine said, her tone cool andposed. Her gaze drifted to the crumpled invitation lying nearby on the marble floor.

    Not missing the subtle cue, the head of security quickly bent down and picked it up.

    Lorraine¡¯s eyes widened, and she rushed to speak. ¡°Celine, that¡¯s just a regr invitation!¡± she said quickly, a slight panic rising in her voice. ¡°There¡¯s no way someone who gives a cheap gift like that could be a personal guest of Kurt¡¯s.¡±

    Lorraine doubted anyone offering a measly eighteen-hundred-dor gift had any true status. In her mind, Christina had to be just another gold-digger¡ªone of those women who slipped into elite banquets hoping to charm a wealthy man and climb thedder of high society.

    Celine slowly turned to face Lorraine. Her expression turned frosty. ¡°Lorraine, the Miller family has rules. And no one is allowed to break them, especially not over personal grudges. Are we clear?¡±

    Lorraine flinched under Celine¡¯s chilling stare, and whatever she¡¯d been about to say died in her throat. A spike of fear shot through her. ¡°I¡ªyes¡­ I understand,¡± she muttered, her voice small. ¡°I got ahead of myself. I¡¯m sorry.¡± She lowered her head, trying to mask the unease tightening in her chest.

    g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s is where magic happens

    Lorraine had worked too hard to earn the Miller family¡¯s favor. Her family¡¯s entire social standing hinged on her connection to Celine. One wrong move and it could alle crashing down. Kurt and Robin had never liked her. The only reason they tolerated her presence was that she had once saved Celine. If Celine turned cold¡­

    If Celine turned cold toward her now, the doors of the Miller family would m shut. And with them, so would her family¡¯s future.

    Celine shot a frosty look at the head of security. He caught the message instantly, stepped forward without a word, and carefully retrieved the battered invitation from the marble floor. Holding it reverently with both hands, he offered it to her like a sacred relic.

    Unbothered by the grime clinging to the invitation, Celine unfolded it. The moment her gaze swept across the handwriting inside, a flicker of recognition crossed her face¡ªit was Kurt¡¯s. The script was sharp, deliberate, and dignified¡ªbrimming withmand and refinement. There was no mistaking it.

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 Chapter 431

    ?Chapter 431:

    Christina hadn¡¯t crashed the party¡ªshe had been invited by Kurt himself.

    Celine snapped the invitation shut and leveled a cial stare at Christina. The crowd sensed the shift¡ªlike a cold wind passing through velvet curtains¡ªand whispers broke out like wildfire.

    ¡°From the look on Mrs. Miller¡¯s face, it must be some ordinary invite.¡±

    ¡°I knew it. That woman only brought a modest gift¡ªthere¡¯s no way she¡¯s an honored guest of the Miller family.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s done for! Just wait, she¡¯ll be thrown out in shame any minute now.¡±

    The schadenfreude thickened. Those hoping to watch Christina fall from grace leaned in, eyes gleaming with anticipation. Among them were Yvonne and Lorraine. Celine¡¯s expression confirmed what they wanted to believe. They exchanged self-satisfied nces, already savoring the supposed scandal toe. If this got out, Christina¡¯s name would be scorched from every guest list in town.

    Lorraine stepped forward with barely contained glee. ¡°Celine, that must be an ordinary invite, right?¡±

    Celine didn¡¯t answer Lorraine. Instead, she turned and strode toward Christina. ¡°Miss Jones, this time, Lorraine¡¯s at fault. I apologize on her behalf¡ª¡±

    Before Celine could finish, Christina interrupted her, her voice calm but razor-sharp. ¡°Mrs. Miller, those who err should own their actions.¡± Her gaze held firm¡ªcold, steady, fearless. ¡°If she were tomit a crime one day¡­ say, murder¡ªwould you take the me for that, Mrs. Miller?¡±

    A stunned silence fell like a thunderp. The crowd gasped, eyes wide as her words echoed across the hall like a p. ¡°She¡¯spletely humiliating Mrs. Miller in public!¡±

    ¡°Even if she¡¯s a special guest, that¡¯s way out of line.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t she know how protective Mr. Miller is of his wife? She¡¯s ying with fire.¡±

    Unforgettable stories on g?ln¦Ò¦Í????s??o??

    ¡°And wasn¡¯t she just a foster daughter of the Jones family? Where does she get the gall to talk like that?¡±

    Lorraine¡¯s face twisted with rage. ¡°How dare you! Who do you think you are, talking to Celine like that?¡±

    Lorraine lunged forward, her arm arcing through the air, her hand poised for a brutal p. Venom seethed in her expression; the blow was meant tond with every ounce of spite she had.

    The sharp sound cracked through the air like a whip¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t Christina who was hit. It was Lorraine.

    In one swift, fluid motion, Christina caught Lorraine¡¯s wrist mid-swing, her grip like steel, stopping the p before it couldnd. Then, without hesitation, she struck back. Her palm connected with Lorraine¡¯s cheek in a clean, blistering arc that left Lorraine reeling, her head snapping to the side.

    Gasps rippled through the room like a shockwave. No one could believe what they¡¯d just witnessed. Not only had Christina wlessly blocked the assault¡ªshe had dared to retaliate. And not just in front of everyone, but right in front of Celine. The p didn¡¯t just sting Lorraine¡¯s pride¡ªit struck at Celine¡¯s authority.

    All eyes locked on Christina, the room holding its breath. She¡¯d crossed a line. Even if Celine had considered letting things slide before, she wouldn¡¯t now¡ªnot without losing face.

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 Chapter 432

    ?Chapter 432:

    ¡°Christina, have you lost your mind?¡± Yvonne shrieked, her face ashen as she darted forward. She grabbed Christina¡¯s arm, trying to wrench her hand off Lorraine¡¯s wrist. ¡°Let go! Do you even realize what you¡¯ve done? Lorraine is Mrs. Miller¡¯s goddaughter! You¡¯ve just stirred up trouble¡ªand you won¡¯t walk away from this unscathed!¡±

    Yvonne threw her weight into prying Christina¡¯s fingers loose, but it was like trying to bend iron. Christina¡¯s grip on Lorraine¡¯s wrist didn¡¯t waver¡ªnot even slightly.

    Lorraine, red-faced and seething, yanked at her arm in vain. Her frustration boiled over. With her free hand, she tried again to p Christina, but Christina was faster. She batted Lorraine¡¯s hand aside effortlessly and struck again. The second p rang out louder than the first, sharp and unrelenting.

    The room fell deathly silent, as if the air itself had frozen in disbelief. Christina had pped Lorraine twice, right in front of everyone. At this point, no one¡ªnot even someone with influence¡ªcould shield Christina from the consequences.

    ¡°Christina¡­ Are you insane?¡± Yvonne gasped, her voice trembling with theatrical horror. ¡°How could you hit Lorraine again? Do you not fear the Miller family¡¯s wrath? Get on your knees this instant and apologize¡ªto Lorraine and Mrs. Miller!¡±

    Yvonne¡¯s words wereced with urgency, but the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her. Deep down, she was thrilled. The more recklessly Christina behaved in front of Celine, the better. She doubted Celine would let Christina off the hook for this.

    ¡°Shut your mouth.¡± Christina¡¯s voice cracked like a whip, and she delivered a p to Yvonne without hesitation.

    Yvonne had been secretly basking in what she thought was Christina¡¯s downfall, her smirk barely concealed. But the sudden strike wiped it clean off her face. She staggered, stunned, her mind scrambling for reason. Why her? She¡¯d only been watching the chaos unfold¡ªshe hadn¡¯t lifted a hand. Why was she being hit?

    Still dazed, she looked to Christina, confusion etched across her face.

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    Christina let out a low, amusedugh. ¡°No reason,¡± she said coolly. ¡°Just felt like it.¡±

    Yvonne¡¯s chest heaved with fury, her pride erupting into a violent cough. She was livid. This woman was unhinged.

    Even Celine looked caught off guard. She hadn¡¯t expected Christina to so casually¡ªand confidently¡ªp both Lorraine and Yvonne in front of everyone.

    ¡°Celine¡­¡± Lorraine whimpered, eyes ssy, her voice trembling as she clutched her flushed cheek. Sympathy stirred among the onlookers.

    But Celine merely sighed. ¡°This situation is indeed your fault, Lorraine,¡± she said, her tone steady. ¡°You owe Miss Jones an apology.¡±

    Lorraine blinked, stunned into silence. Apologize? After being pped¡ªtwice? Gasps swept through the crowd. Celine wasn¡¯t defending Lorraine at all.

    And Celine wasn¡¯t furious at Christina! Whispers erupted as everyone tried to make sense of what they were witnessing and who Christina really was.

    ¡°Mrs. Miller isn¡¯t holding her ountable? Who is she, really? There¡¯s more than just being the adopted daughter from the Jones family¡ªthat much is obvious now.¡±

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 Chapter 433

    ?Chapter 433:

    ¡°Could she actually be a distinguished guest personally invited by Kurt? That would exin everything. Why else would Mrs. Miller take her side after all that chaos?¡±

    ¡°I thought she was finished¡ªbut no. She¡¯s caused a scene, humiliated two people, and still walks away untouched.¡±

    The crowd buzzed with spection, their voices a low hum of disbelief.

    Meanwhile, Yvonne stood rigid, her face darkening with every passing second. She clenched her teeth, the corners of her mouth twitching in frustration. It was infuriating that Christina actually got away with this scot-free. But then, a thought flickered in her mind, calming the storm inside her. Perhaps Celine was simply putting on a show of tolerance and grace in front of the crowd. That had to be it. Celine would never let a slight like this slide¡ªnot in private. Sooner orter, Christina would pay.

    That certainty brought Yvonne a grim sense of peace.

    ¡°Celine¡­¡± Lorraine choked out, her voice ragged, tears spilling freely now.

    ¡°Lorraine,¡± Celine said gently, yet with unmistakable weight, ¡°when you make a mistake, you apologize. It takes strength to admit when you¡¯re wrong. Owning your actions and correcting them¡ªthat¡¯s the mark of real character.¡±

    Lorraine opened her mouth to object, but nothing came out. How could she? Her family¡¯s standing still hinged on the Miller family¡¯s goodwill. One word of disapproval from Celine could undo everything. So she swallowed her pride. For now. But deep inside, resentment bloomed like poison. It was only a matter of time before she took control of the Miller fortune, and that was when she would get her vengeance.

    With trembling breath and bloodshot eyes, Lorraine turned stiffly toward Christina.

    ¡°Miss Jones,¡± she muttered, each word scraped from her throat, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I misunderstood you.¡±

    A slow, mocking smile yed on Christina¡¯s lips as she spoke. ¡°Now that¡¯s how an apology should sound. It only means something when the person at fault says it themselves.¡±

    Every journey starts at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s?c????

    Not a word escaped Lorraine. Her lips stayed pressed together, but anger roared in her chest. How could Christina be so smug? The nerve of her!

    Celine quickly stepped in, her voice breezy as she addressed the group, ¡°Alright, everything¡¯s been handled. Let¡¯s all disperse.¡±

    Turning to Christina, Celine offered a polite gesture. ¡°Miss Jones, you first.¡±

    Christina nodded graciously. ¡°Mrs. Miller, I appreciate you standing up for me.¡±

    With that, she walked away, exuding confidence with every step.

    Once Christina disappeared down the hall, Lorraine met Celine¡¯s eyes. The moment their gazes locked, Lorraine¡¯sposure broke, and tears spilled down her cheeks, her face twisting with humiliation and hurt.

    Celine took in the sight with a sigh and then gently pulled Lorraine aside, away from prying eyes.

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 Chapter 434

    ?Chapter 434:

    Softening her tone, Celine brushed off Lorraine¡¯s tears. ¡°Lorraine, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to help you, but you really were in the wrong this time.¡±

    Lorraine nodded, swallowing her displeasure and pretending to ept it. ¡°I get it, Celine.¡±

    Leaning in, Celine squeezed Lorraine¡¯s hand. ¡°Christina wasn¡¯t just any guest. Kurt invited her personally. If you upset her, you¡¯re only hurting yourself in Kurt¡¯s eyes.¡±

    Her grip tightened as she continued, ¡°If you make an enemy of Christina, not even I¡¯ll be able to protect you.¡±

    In Celine¡¯s book, taking a few ps to smooth things over was, all things considered, a minor cost. Public shame stung, no doubt, but it was far safer than letting Kurt deal with things his own way. If it ever came to that, the Reynolds family would disappear from Kitaso without a trace.

    No one understood Kurt¡¯s ruthlessness better than Celine. She¡¯d seen firsthand what happened to those who¡¯d crossed him, and once he was furious, there was no telling where the damage would end. Her concern for Lorraine ran deep, especially with the debt she carried for the day Lorraine had saved her life.

    Lorraine, however, didn¡¯t see it that way. In her eyes, Celine was ungrateful, more focused on pleasing a high-profile guest than standing by her savior. All that talk¡­

    About being unable to shield her? Just excuses. If Celine had truly meant to defend her, no one could have stood in her way. It was simply that Celine didn¡¯t care enough to try.

    Lorraine¡¯s response came in a gentle, submissive tone. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Celine. I acted without thinking. I never should have spoken out of turn or insulted a guest that Kurt personally invited.¡±

    Celine offered a reassuring smile. ¡°I¡¯m d you realize your mistake. Remember, it¡¯s dangerous to judge by appearances. Some people have more power than you think¡ªone wrong move can cost you dearly.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I understand. I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± Lorraine responded, though she inwardly brushed off Celine¡¯s advice.

    L?t£åst ch?pt?rs in g??lnovels.??¦Ï??

    After a few more heartfelt admonishments, Celine took her leave.

    The moment Celine was gone, Yvonne hurried to Lorraine¡¯s side, mock worry etched into her features. ¡°Lorraine, are you okay? Does your face still hurt? I¡¯m so sorry¡ªit¡¯s all my fault. I should¡¯ve stopped my sister from pping you.¡± Yvonne¡¯s voice trembled dramatically, and her eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at Lorraine, a sh of gleam flickering in her eyes. Christina might have escaped Celine¡¯s wrath this time, but Lorraine had undoubtedly marked Christina as an enemy. Christina¡¯s days ahead would not be easy.

    Irritation flickered across Lorraine¡¯s face. ¡°This has nothing to do with you, Yvonne. Why are you still calling her your sister after what she did to you?¡± Chewing her lip, Yvonne hesitated, as if she genuinely viewed Christina as family. ¡°But she¡¯s still the daughter my parents adopted. In name, she¡¯s my sister¡­¡±

    A stern look crossed Lorraine¡¯s features. ¡°If you keep insisting she matters to you after all this, I don¡¯t see how we can stay friends. She¡¯s proven she doesn¡¯t care about you at all.¡±

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 Chapter 435

    ?Chapter 435:

    Yvonne¡¯s acting skills kicked in. Tears pooled in her eyes as she seemed troubled to cut ties with Christina. Silence hung between them before she finally nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll listen to you. I don¡¯t want to lose you as a friend. Since my sister¡­¡± She paused, her voice shifting with resolve. ¡°Since she¡¯s chosen to ignore what it means to be family, then I¡¯ll do the same. Whatever connection she and I once had as family ends right now.¡±

    Lorraine listened to Yvonne¡¯s words and felt relieved that Yvonne had finallye to her senses and wouldn¡¯t be the endlessly generous fool anymore.

    ¡°Let¡¯s head to the banquet hall,¡± she said briskly.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Yvonne replied, quick to follow at her heels.

    Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, Christina scanned the elegant room whereughter rippled like music and clusters of guests floated from one conversation to another. sses clinked,pliments were exchanged, and polished smiles were worn like armor.

    She plucked a ss of juice from a waiter¡¯s tray and quietly retreated to a secluded corner. These kinds of events were always loud, always glittering¡ªand she preferred the shadows to the spotlight. For a moment, it almost felt peaceful¡ªuntil a figure sauntered over.

    With a sigh, Christina nced sideways and offered a forced smile. ¡°Mr. Miller, could you stand elsewhere? Those socialites look like they want to skin me alive.¡± She might as well have been holding a sign that said, ¡°Please leave me alone.¡±

    But Robin had always been the defiant type. ¡°I think this spot is just right,¡± he said with that maddening calm of his, nting himself beside her like a permanent fixture.

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave this spot to you,¡± Christina said coolly, lifting her ss and gliding off to another corner of the hall.

    But peace, once again, was short-lived. Robin trailed after her like a persistent shadow, wine ss in hand, and took up his ce beside her without missing a beat. ¡°I like this spot too,¡± he said with a sly grin, his voice light but teasing.

    Christina shot him a sharp look. ¡°You¡¯re doing this on purpose.¡±

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    ¡°Not at all,¡± Robin replied smoothly, still grinning. ¡°I just happen to enjoy your taste in corners.¡±

    He was clearly enjoying himself. It wasn¡¯t every day he saw Christina ruffled and evasive¡ªso of course, he couldn¡¯t resist teasing her this way.

    Christina could see exactly what he was up to, but she didn¡¯t rise to the bait. She sipped her juice in silence, refusing to give him the satisfaction.

    But even tucked away in the quietest corner of the banquet hall, the two of them stood out like a beacon. Eyes began drifting toward them. nces turned into stares, and stares turned into hushed whispers.

    The guests weren¡¯t just watching. They were dissecting, each nce filled with silent guesses about the true nature of Christina and Robin¡¯s rtionship.

    ¡°Who¡¯s that woman standing next to Robin? Is she his girlfriend?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of him dating anyone. He¡¯s always beenser-focused on work. Cold as stone when ites to romance.¡±

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 Chapter 436

    ?Chapter 436:

    ¡°Exactly! Kurt¡¯s been trying to marry Robin off for years, but no one¡¯s ever caught Robin¡¯s eye.¡±

    ¡°Well, look at them! Laughing and standing that close¡ªshe has to be someone special. They look good together too. He wouldn¡¯t just linger like that for no reason¡­¡±

    ¡°You must¡¯ve gotten here early and missed the drama outside! That woman beside Robin? Personally invited by Kurt himself. She¡¯s clearly someone of significance.¡±

    At that, nearby guests straightened, their curiosity instantly piqued, hungry for every detail of the earlier drama. When the truth surfaced¡ªthat Christina was nothing more than the Jones family¡¯s adopted daughter yet had the audacity to p Celine¡¯s goddaughter right in front of Celine¡ªa collective gasp of disbelief rippled through the crowd. Bold. Reckless. Fearless. Christina¡¯s brazen defiance stunned them all. She showed no sign of trembling before the looming threat of the Miller family¡¯s retribution whispered behind closed doors.

    Whispers turned to murmurs of doubt. Could Christina really be just an adopted daughter? Or was there a secret identity lurking beneath her calm facade, one that linked her more deeply to the Millers than anyone had guessed?

    Not long after, Lorraine swept into the banquet hall. Her sharp ears caught the chatter drifting through the air¡ªrumors about Christina and Robin weaving through the guests like wildfire. By the time the tale reached her, it had splintered into countless versions. What began as casual spection about Christina being Robin¡¯s girlfriend had blossomed into full-blown gossip, painting them as a destined pair on the cusp of making it official.

    A surge of fury and urgency mmed through Lorraine¡¯s chest. She couldn¡¯t let Christina have Robin¡¯s affection¡ªnot now, not ever.

    Yvonne kept her eyes fixed on Christina, who was chatting with Robin andughing as if nothing in the world could break their bond.

    A wave of jealousy rose within Yvonne, and for a moment, she had to fight the urge tosh out at Christina. From her point of view, Christina was merely an orphan whom the Jones family had pitied enough to take in. She was far from being a noble heiress. There was no reason for her to gain Robin¡¯s attention. With her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles ached, Yvonne struggled to keep her feelings under control.

    L??t??¦Ó ?h??¦Ñ¦Ó?rs ¦Én g??l??ov?l??.??§àm

    As she turned her head, she noticed the fire zing in Lorraine¡¯s eyes and smirked to herself. It hadn¡¯t been long since Christina had upset Lorraine, and now here she was, getting close to Robin¡ªthe man Lorraine had set her sights on. Wasn¡¯t Christina just setting herself up for trouble?

    A flicker of satisfaction crossed Yvonne¡¯s face as she realized she didn¡¯t need to lift a finger; Lorraine would surely make things difficult for Christina. Masking her glee, she furrowed her brows and said deliberately, ¡°Lorraine, try not to let those rumors get to you. They¡¯re probably nothing more than idle gossip. I don¡¯t believe Christina and Robin are that close anyway.¡±

    Lorraine let out a harshugh, her eyes full of scorn. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what they have going on now. Soon enough, there won¡¯t be anything between them.¡±

    Dropping her voice, Yvonne asked cautiously, ¡°So what exactly are you nning to do? Robin already dislikes you. You¡¯re not seriously thinking of a confrontation, are you?¡±

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 Chapter 437

    ?Chapter 437:

    Lorraine lifted her hand and gave a small beckon, urging Yvonne toe closer.

    Wondering what Lorraine had in mind, Yvonne leaned in, listening as Lorraine whispered her n. As Yvonne took it in, her brows drew together in a deep frown.

    After a moment, Yvonne¡¯s gaze met Lorraine¡¯s, looking both uncertain and hesitant. ¡°Are you sure about this? I don¡¯t think I can do it.¡±

    Yvonne found herself caught in a situation she couldn¡¯t control. Lorraine wanted her to spill red wine on Christina on purpose. If she went through with it, Robin would definitely see her in a negative light. It was clear Lorraine was setting her up, pushing her into the line of fire and making her take the me for whatever happened next.

    ¡°What¡¯s there to be afraid of? Remember, I¡¯m the one who brought you to this exclusive event for Kurt¡¯s birthday. Celine has epted me as her goddaughter. Nothing bad will happen to you as long as you¡¯re with me,¡± Lorraine said,

    Lorraine locked her eyes on Yvonne. ¡°Also, don¡¯t forget how your family¡¯spany has been struggling. Do what I ask, and I¡¯ll make sure my parents agree to work with your family¡¯spany.¡±

    For a moment, Yvonne wavered. Forming a business rtionship with the Reynolds Group would definitely bring more opportunities than anything the Glyn Group could offer.

    Noticing Yvonne¡¯s hesitation, Lorraine leaned in slightly. ¡°Take your time and think about it. You won¡¯t get another shot like this.¡±

    A doubtful look crossed Yvonne¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re really certain you can convince your parents to work with my family¡¯spany?¡±

    Lorraine answered without missing a beat, ¡°Absolutely. Have I ever lied to you?¡± That question lingered in Yvonne¡¯s mind. Every promise Lorraine had made before, she had kept. After mulling it over, Yvonne¡¯s nerves settled. Finally, she nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go along with it.¡±

    Without another word, the two women grabbed sses of red wine, putting on friendly smiles as they made their way toward Christina.

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    When they were nearly at Christina¡¯s side, Lorraine subtly stuck out her foot, tripping Yvonne.

    The move caught Yvonnepletely off guard. She lost her bnce, and her wine sloshed forward, heading straight for Christina.

    Lorraine¡¯s lips curled into a satisfied smile, convinced Christina was about to be soaked in red wine and thoroughly embarrassed in front of the entire crowd. But right then, someone stepped in. He was tall, well-dressed, and moving fast. Robin rushed over, shielding Christina with his back and letting the wine spill all over him instead.

    At that very moment, another tall, broad-shouldered figure stepped in, quickly pulling Christina to safety and out of the way.

    The whole scene unfolded in a blur, leaving everyone around them stunned and unable to process what had just happened.

    Yvonne, panicked and flustered, fell forward and instinctively clung to Robin¡¯s back.

    At the same time, Christinanded safely in someone¡¯s arms,forted by the familiar warmth and scent she recognized right away.

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 Chapter 438

    ?Chapter 438:

    Christina lifted her head and met those unmistakably familiar eyes. Dn had arrived.

    Robin¡¯s gaze lingered on the moment Christina sank into Dn¡¯s embrace, a knot tightening uneasily in his chest. The scene pricked his nerves, and Yvonne¡¯s sudden cling from behind only fueled his irritation. His eyes dropped to the delicate arms wrapped possessively around his waist.

    With a sharp edge, he asked, ¡°Are you going to let go?¡±

    Yvonne hesitated but reluctantly loosened her grip. Mock panic flickered in her voice as she stammered, ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Miller! I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡±

    Not far off, Lorraine¡¯s eyes burned with quiet fury, dark and venomous as they bore into Yvonne. Her fingers clenched around her wine ss, knuckles whitening with the force¡ªready to shatter.

    Lorraine¡¯s original n had been simple: trip Yvonne so that she would identally ssh red wine over Christina, making it look like an unfortunate ident rather than a deliberate sabotage. But fate had other ns. Not only had Christina avoided embarrassment, but Yvonne had somehow gained the upper hand.

    Lorraine¡ªthe goddaughter of Celine, Robin¡¯s mother¡ªhad neverid a finger on the edge of Robin¡¯s suit. Yet here was Yvonne, boldly wrapping herself around him like she owned the moment.

    Robin didn¡¯t spare Yvonne even a nce. With cool detachment, he shrugged off his jacket and handed it to a nearby waiter. ¡°Throw it in the trash,¡± hemanded, his brow knitting into a sharp frown. He didn¡¯t want anything touched by someone else.

    The words sliced through the room, turning the envious nces aimed at Yvonne into scornful mockery. That jacket¡ªmerely touched by Yvonne¡ªwas now discarded by Robin. His contempt was unmistakable.

    Lorraine exhaled quietly, relief hidden beneath her calm exterior. She had feared Yvonne might be a rival in love, but with Robin¡¯s dismissive gesture, the threat was erased before it even took root.

    Yvonne¡¯s lip trembled as tears welled in her eyes, humiliation burning deep inside. She clenched her fists tight, tasting defeat bitterly. She had thought pressing close to¡­

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    Robin might have ignited a spark, a chance for Christina to weave herself into his world. Instead, she had been exposed and shamed, her hopes dashed in the re of the crowd.

    Though whispers floated around Yvonne like venomous bees¡ªsoft yet stinging¡ªshe caught every cruel word. She wished the floor would swallow her whole.

    ¡°How absurd! Did she really think that would seduce Mr. Miller? She should know better than to y such foolish games.¡±

    ¡°Look at Mr. Miller and that stunning woman¡ªsuch a perfect pair. Yvonne¡¯s got no chance. But wait¡­ Who¡¯s the man holding that stunning woman? He¡¯s even more handsome than Mr. Miller!¡±

    ¡°Wait, are you kidding? You seriously don¡¯t know who he is? That¡¯s Dn from the Scott family in Lorbridge. His family is one of the most powerful families in the region!¡±

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 Chapter 439

    ?Chapter 439:

    Eyes that had once flitted between Christina and Robin now locked onto Dn, wide with shock and curiosity. But what truly caught their attention was Christina. From the looks of it, her interactions with Dn were far more intimate. The earlier theory¡ªthat she was Robin¡¯s secret girlfriend¡ªwas now thrown into question. Could it be that Christina wasn¡¯t Robin¡¯s girlfriend, but rather Dn¡¯s?

    This spection sent a ripple of shock through the crowd. Their gazes toward Christina became a mix of envy and curiosity.

    Christina became the focus of envious stares and hushed spection. Feeling the weight of the crowd¡¯s gaze, she subtly stepped out of Dn¡¯s arms.

    The small gesture, meant to deflect suspicion, didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Dn. A flicker of disappointment passed through his eyes, but he remained silent. He knew her well. He knew how much she loathed being in the limelight. So he did what he did best. With a barely perceptible smile, he parted his lips and spoke a few measured words. Just like that, the attention began to shift.

    ¡°Mr. Miller, how do you n to handle the woman who stirred up trouble at your family¡¯s banquet?¡± Dn asked calmly.

    The moment he spoke, everyone¡¯s gaze shifted to Yvonne.

    Yvonne had been on the verge of tears due to the humiliation, but now panic gripped her. Her act of looking pitiful crumbled as fear took over. ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t do anything wrong!¡± she stuttered, her voice shaky. She shook her head quickly, eyes glistening with tears. ¡°I just tripped¡­ That¡¯s all. I wasn¡¯t trying to make a scene¡ªI swear!¡±

    Hiding in the crowd, Lorraine felt her heart thud nervously. She hadn¡¯t expected Yvonne to panic so quickly. What if Yvonne blurted out her involvement? Just now, she¡¯d purposely tripped Yvonne to make her fall and ssh the ss of wine on Christina, concerned Yvonne¡¯s act wasn¡¯t enough to create the drama she wanted. But now things were getting out of control.

    Robin, however, had no interest in hearing excuses. His cold gazended on the approaching head of security. ¡°Throw her out,¡± he ordered coldly.

    Robin had no patience for any exnation from Yvonne. Maybe the fall had been an ident, but the way she had fallen onto him¡ªclinging and even leaning in¡ªleft no doubt in his mind. He could still feel how she pressed close, as if trying to use her body to catch his attention. That was precisely why he was angrier. He disliked women who used such cheap tricks. Just the thought made his skin crawl.

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    ¡°No! Please, Mr. Miller, don¡¯t do this to me!¡± Yvonne cried out, struggling as the guards moved in. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to cause trouble¡ªI really didn¡¯t!¡± She broke down in tears, but her sobbing did nothing to change her fate. The guards grabbed her arms, firm and unrelenting.

    In onest desperate attempt, Yvonne turned her tearful eyes to Lorraine. ¡°Lorraine! Please! You know I tripped! Say something¡ªhelp me!¡±

    But Lorraine stepped forward with a cool expression. ¡°Yvonne, I¡¯m truly disappointed. I brought you here out of goodwill, and yet you deliberately caused trouble.¡±

    Yvonne blinked at Lorraine, stunned. What? Had Lorraine just thrown her under the bus? Hadn¡¯t Lorraine promised that with Celine¡¯s backing, nothing would happen to her?

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    ?Chapter 440:

    Yvonne opened her mouth to defend herself, but Lorraine shot her a sharp, warning nce.

    Yvonne hesitated, reminded of the vast gap in their social standing. She had nothing and no one, while Lorraine had Celine¡¯s backing¡ªa powerful shield. She bit down hard, forcing herself to stay silent. As much as she despised Lorraine, she knew she couldn¡¯t afford to make her an enemy¡ªnot yet. If she wanted to rise in status, she¡¯d have to keep using Lorraine as her stepping stone.

    After a moment¡¯s bitter silence, Yvonne lowered her head, silently epting the me. Stripped of dignity and shamed beyond measure, she was dragged out of the Miller estate.

    As soon as Yvonne was gone, Lorraine hurried over to Robin. ¡°Robin, are you alright?¡± she asked softly, concern in her voice as she looked him over.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± Lorraine continued, her tone carrying a hint of false remorse. ¡°I didn¡¯t know she would do something like that. It¡¯s my fault. If you want to punish me, I¡¯ll ept it.¡±

    ¡°And what if I told you never to set foot in the Miller estate again?¡± Robin asked coolly, a faint, mocking smirk curling on his lips. ¡°Would you ept that too?¡±

    Lorraine froze. Her smile vanished, reced by a flicker of hurt as her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. ¡°Robin, do you really despise me that much?¡± she asked softly, voice cracking with disbelief.

    ¡°d you figured it out,¡± he replied without hesitation. ¡°Saves me the trouble of saying it outright.¡±

    His brutal honesty hit like a p. Lorraine¡¯s eyes flicked around the room. The guests weren¡¯t even trying to hide their amusement. Some exchanged nces, others smirked. Her face burned. In a single moment, all the pride she carried shattered.

    ¡°Just tell me what I did wrong,¡± Lorraine said, her voice trembling. ¡°Whatever it is, I¡¯ll fix it. I¡¯ll do anything if it means you¡¯ll stop looking at me like this.¡± Lorraine reached for his arm, desperate, but Robin stepped aside, avoiding her touch without hesitation. ¡°No matter what you do,¡± he said coldly, ¡°you¡¯ll still be the same¡ªannoying and unbearable.¡±

    Robin¡¯s words were sharp and unyielding, cutting through Lorraine like ice. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her heart aching with humiliation. She had lowered herself time and again just to earn a sliver of warmth from Robin, but all he ever gave her was indifference or, worse, disgust. What had she done to deserve such treatment? Moreover, Robin¡¯s attitude toward her was starkly differentpared to how he treated Christina. Just what did he see in that woman? Lorraine¡¯s gaze drifted toward Christina and then stopped at the handsome man standing beside her¡ªsomeone who had been whispered about earlier as Dn Scott.

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    Lorraine¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Could Dn also be interested in Christina? But that made no sense. Christina was adopted by the Jones family and long regarded as an unwanted daughter. Being a divorced woman with nothing to offer, how could she possibly catch the attention of Dn and Robin? Both men came from prestigious, well-established families¡ªpeople of status, wealth, and influence. Why would they want a woman like that?

    Spotting Celine nearby, Lorraine hurried over, tears still streaming. ¡°Celine¡­¡± she choked out, her voice filled with sorrow, ying the part of a heartbroken victim.

    Celine raised a brow slightly, her tone gentle but curious. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Lorraine? Who bullied you?¡±

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 Chapter 441

    ?Chapter 441:

    Lorraine wiped her tears and shook her head. ¡°No one¡­ It¡¯s all my fault,¡± she said between sobs. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have brought Yvonne here. I gave her the chance to ruin the celebration. Of course, Robin is upset with me¡­¡± Her voice cracked with emotion, and anyone watching would think she had been deeply wronged.

    Celine knew well that both Kurt and Robin had little affection for Lorraine. And truth be told, Celine herself wasn¡¯t particrly fond of Lorraine either. Lorraine had a way of making people ufortable. Had Lorraine not saved her back then, she wouldn¡¯t have felt any obligation toward her.

    Turning toward Robin, Celine sighed, her expression mildly troubled. ¡°I don¡¯t care what kind of opinion you have about Lorraine,¡± she said, ¡°but you can¡¯t treat her like this in front of everyone. After all, Lorraine once saved my life. If you continue acting so harshly, people might think the Miller family is cold and ungrateful.¡±

    Robin frowned. ¡°I didn¡¯t bully her,¡± he said tly, his voice low with irritation. ¡°She brought someone who caused a scene at Grandpa¡¯s birthday. I simply handled it the way I was supposed to.¡±

    ¡°This matter had nothing to do with Lorraine,¡± Celine said calmly, her tone firm but measured. ¡°Still, you spoke to her too harshly. Apologize.¡±

    Robin¡¯s jaw tightened. He clearly didn¡¯t want to¡ªbut with so many guests watching, he couldn¡¯t openly defy his mother. Reluctantly, he stepped toward Lorraine, his face cold and unreadable. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said tly. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have spoken to you that way.¡±

    Lorraine quickly wiped her tears and forced a soft smile. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Robin. I don¡¯t me you,¡± she said sweetly, pretending to be generous, though bitterness still stirred inside her. She had no intention of letting this humiliation go.

    ¡°Is that enough? I need to go change my clothes,¡± Robin said coolly, shooting his mother a nce before shifting his gaze toward Christina and Dn. Seeing them standing side by side¡ªwith an easy familiarity and effortless elegance¡ªsomething in him twisted. They looked perfect together. And for some reason, that irritated him more than he cared to admit.

    ¡°Excuse me,¡± Robin muttered, brushing past them without another word.

    Celine¡¯s attentionnded on Christina and Dn. A flicker of surprise crossed her face. Dn stood close to Christina with the quiet confidence of someone ready to shield her from anything. It was unexpected. Dn was known for being distant, a man whose emotions rarely showed. People often called him cold and unfeeling.

    But seeing Dn now, standing so protectively beside Christina, made Celine wonder. Maybe Dn had only seemed aloof because he¡¯d never met the right one until now.

    Celine cast Lorraine a pointed nce before steering her toward Christina and Dn.

    ¡°Offer your apologies to Miss Jones and Mr. Scott. After all, it was someone you brought who caused the offense,¡± Celine said, her lips curving into a restrained smile.

    Lorraine bristled inwardly. Why should she lower herself before Christina? Still, with both Dn and Celine watching, she swallowed her pride. ¡°My sincerest apologies, Mr. Scott, Miss Jones. I take full responsibility for inviting someone who behaved poorly.¡±

    As she spoke, she dipped into a formal bow¡ªthough beneath the gesture, her eyes glittered with spite.

    Dn¡¯s face remained expressionless. He didn¡¯t even nce her way.

    ¡°Since you¡¯ve apologized, I will let this slide,¡± Christina said evenly.

    ¡°Mr. Scott, Kurt would like a word with you¡­¡± Celine then turned to Christina.

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 Chapter 442

    ?Chapter 442:

    ¡°Would you care to join the conversation, Miss Jones?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll pass,¡± Christina replied curtly. ¡°Go ahead. I¡¯m content here.¡±

    Celine then spoke to Lorraine, ¡°Stay with Miss Jones and see that she¡¯s well attended. The tension between you two is behind us now. Who knows? You might even form a bond. She¡¯s someone truly impressive.¡±

    Celine was subtly signaling to Lorraine that no matter what Christina¡¯s present position might look like, her future standing would undoubtedly carry weight.

    Given the immense debt Lorraine owed, Celine was determined to nudge her toward a shift in mindset¡ªone that would open her eyes to the importance of aligning herself with favorable prospects. But if Lorraine failed to catch the underlying message, the me wouldn¡¯t rest on her shoulders.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Lorraine answered with practiced submission. ¡°You can take Mr. Scott to meet Mr. Miller. I¡¯ll take good care of Miss Jones.¡±

    ¡°Very well.¡± Convinced that her point hadnded, Celine dropped the topic. The sharpness in Dn¡¯s gaze softened noticeably as it fell upon Christina.

    ¡°I won¡¯t be long,¡± he murmured gently in her direction.

    Christina offered aposed nod. ¡°Okay.¡±

    Celine discreetly observed the two, her lips curving into a faint, knowing smile. Her seasoned intuition told her clearly¡ªthere was something between Christina and Dn, something more than appearances suggested.

    After Celine stepped away, Lorraine turned to gaze at Christina, her expression tinged with displeasure. Predictably, she hadn¡¯t deciphered Celine¡¯s undertone. Instead, she twisted it into an insult, as though Celine had reduced her to nothing more than a handmaid tasked with entertaining Christina, far beneath Christina. In her view, Celine must have foolishly misread the rtionship between Christina and Dn, thus currying favor with Christina by assigning her this demeaning role. It was truly maddening.

    Unable to confront Christina head-on now, Lorraine forced a strained smile. ¡°Miss Jones, we might have started off on the wrong foot, but if there¡¯s anything you need, just let me know.¡±

    ¡°Anything at all?¡± Christina asked, her voice calm yet piercing, her gaze like a de.

    ¡°Of course,¡± Lorraine replied without hesitation, still wearing her smile.

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    Christina leaned in ever so slightly and spoke deliberately. ¡°In that case, I want the Miller family¡¯s casino. Can you make that happen?¡±

    Lorraine¡¯s entire frame went rigid, momentarily frozen in disbelief. Had she heard correctly? Christina was asking for the Miller family¡¯s casino? So that was her game all along.

    Once the shock settled, Lorraine¡¯s lips curved in a quiet, inward smirk. She finally had leverage against Christina!

    ¡°Miss Jones, please refrain from making unwise remarks like that. If Celine and the other members of the Miller family catch wind of it, they might twist your meaning,¡± Lorraine said, wearing a mask of concern.

    Sensing the insincerity, Christina gave a meaningful grin. ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. Just a bit of banter¡ªforget I said a thing.¡±

    At this point, Lorraine¡¯s phone was already secretly recording, her finger having tapped the button moments earlier.

    ¡°Miss Jones, earlier you spoke about desiring Miller¡¯s Casino. That wasn¡¯t serious, was it?¡± Lorraine inquired with mock innocence.

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    ?Chapter 443:

    ¡°Of course, it was a joke.¡± Christina leaned in slightly, her voice calm as she said, ¡°But truth be told, if I ever wanted that ce, it wouldn¡¯t take much effort.¡±

    Lorraine blinked, startled by her confidence. Her tone was light, but the message was unmistakably audacious.

    ¡°Miss Jones, is a fever or something messing with your thinking? That ce isn¡¯t some roadside snack cart you can just grab,¡± Lorraine scoffed, clearly not believing her words. If Christina truly had the clout to buy such a major establishment, she wouldn¡¯t have been ousted by the Joneses. Moreover, she had only been an unimpressive housewife before her husband threw the divorce papers in her face. Who gave her the nerve to speak so boldly? No surprise the Dawsons had cast her aside.

    ¡°Believe whatever suits you,¡± Christina replied, unfazed.

    Having captured Christina¡¯s admission of wanting Miller¡¯s Casino on her phone, Lorraine said no more and simply followed her closely.

    Suddenly, the day¡¯s entertainment crossed Lorraine¡¯s mind. ¡°Miss Jones, are you any good with a piano?¡± she asked sweetly.

    ¡°A bit,¡± Christina responded modestly.

    Lorraine took Christina¡¯s answer seriously, her eyes lighting up at the thought of finally outshining Christina in front of the guests. ¡°What a coincidence. I¡¯m also just a beginner,¡± she replied, hiding her full ability behind a pleasant facade. Her goal? To lure Christina into a musical trap. If Christina sensed her real talent, she might back out.

    ¡°I¡¯m nning to perform for Kurtter. Want to do a duet together?¡± Lorraine suggested casually.

    ¡°Why not?¡± Christina answered without hesitation. She hadn¡¯t yed in years, but the thought excited her. It would be a good chance to reacquaint herself with the keys.

    Lorraine hadn¡¯t expected Christina to agree so easily. All her carefully nned jabs were now useless. ¡°What song would you like us to y?¡± she asked, concealing her strategy.

    ¡°Let¡¯s keep it simple,¡± Christina replied with a warm smile. ¡°We wouldn¡¯t want to make fools of ourselves at a celebration.¡±

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    Christina saw right through Lorraine¡¯s setup but yed along, letting Lorraine think she had fallen into the snare. A trap to embarrass her in public? Please. Lorraine¡¯s n was doomed to fail. She was a star on global stages, and outying her on the piano wasughable.

    ¡°Great! I¡¯ll pick a simple piece, and you can follow along,¡± Lorraine said quickly.

    They settled on a basicposition, but Lorraine already nned a switch-up mid-performance, imagining Christina would stumble. The image of Christina faltering, struggling to keep up, made her inwardly gleeful. She was certain Christina would lose face, with no oneing to her rescue.

    Just then, Robin reappeared, now dressed in fresh attire, with Kurt walking alongside him.

    Lorraine promptly approached, brimming with enthusiasm. ¡°Kurt, I¡¯ve arranged a piano number in honor of your special day.¡±

    Kurt¡¯s first instinct was to refuse. To be frank, concerts weren¡¯t his preference¡ªhe¡¯d rather sit at a poker table. But before he could voice that thought, Lorraine went on and pointed at Christina, who was not far away. ¡°I¡¯ll be ying alongside Christina.¡±

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 Chapter 444

    ?Chapter 444:

    The objection hovering on Kurt¡¯s lips vanished. With Christina involved, he was suddenly interested. ¡°Have you two discussed this?¡± he asked, concerned Lorraine hadn¡¯t secured Christina¡¯s agreement.

    Lorraine nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Yes, we¡¯ve agreed to y as a duo.¡±

    ¡°Then go y a piece together,¡± Kurt said, shing a bright grin.

    Noticing his delighted expression, Lorraine mistakenly assumed her performance idea had brought him joy, unaware that his excitement stemmed from Christina¡¯s participation, totally irrelevant to her.

    Lorraine turned around, smiling sweetly as she searched for Christina. Meanwhile, Celine felt relieved as Lorraine and Christina seemed to get along. If Lorraine could truly change her insufferable demeanor, it would be a good thing.

    Celine looked over at her spouse, and they shared a knowing smile, contentment written across their faces.

    ¡°Miss Jones, Kurt would like us to y our piece now. Shall we?¡± Lorraine called out, her tone cheerful, though her eyes gleamed with calction.

    ¡°Sure,¡± Christina answered calmly, walking with her to the piano.

    Two seats had already been arranged, and as they settled in, Lorraine leaned in slightly, shing a polished smile.

    ¡°Miss Jones and my goddaughter Lorraine will now perform a duet in honor of Kurt¡¯s birthday,¡± Celine dered to the crowd.

    Immediately, apuse erupted, with the guests pping enthusiastically.

    ¡°Do you know who trained Lorraine in piano?¡± someone whispered.

    ¡°No idea.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s rumored she is one of the legendary pianist Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦s¡ªthe most mysterious one, it seems.¡±

    Gasps spread through the hall as guests turned curious eyes toward Lorraine.

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    ¡°Then Lorraine must be quite skilled at the piano.¡±

    ¡°If her mentor is really one of Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦s, she can¡¯t be too far off.¡±

    ¡°It seems we¡¯re in for a treat today. Who would have thought attending Kurt¡¯s birthday banquet would bring such a pleasant surprise?¡±

    Seated gracefully, Christina listened to the surrounding chatter with mild amusement. A subtle smirk yed on her lips, her gaze half-lidded and sharp with intrigue. Lorraine¡¯s mentor was one of her prot¨¦g¨¦s? Howe she didn¡¯t know? She had only ever taken on three prot¨¦g¨¦s in the musical field. Two had made public appearances, while the remaining one¡ªan Eighshire royal¡ªwas carefully shielded from attention.

    The outside world only knew Tiana mentored three prot¨¦g¨¦s, with two of them widely recognized as celebrated musicians. The identity of the remaining one was kept secret.

    Still, Christina knew none of her three prot¨¦g¨¦s would mentor Lorraine. That meant only two exnations remained¡ªeither Lorraine fabricated the story and spread it on purpose, or someone was posing as one of her prot¨¦g¨¦s.

    Christina¡¯s gaze narrowed slightly, catching the light with a steely shimmer. Such audacity!

    ¡°Miss Jones, I¡¯ll start the tune, and you follow,¡± Lorraine said with a measured smile that masked her real intentions.

    ¡°Okay,¡± Christina replied casually, utterly unfazed. As a world-renowned piano maestro, this minor challenge hardly shook her.

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 Chapter 445

    ?Chapter 445:

    Lorraine deliberately chose a pieceposed by Tiana. It was suitable for a birthday event but notoriously difficult to y. Before she even began, a smug smile appeared on her face, full of confidence. She started the tune confidently, certain Christina would be thrown off and unable to keep up.

    But to Lorraine¡¯s surprise, Christina followed seamlessly, ying with wless technique and ease.

    Christina¡¯s expression stayed calm, a faint smile on her lips as her fingers moved smoothly across the keys. She hadposed this piece herself¡ªhow could she not y it perfectly?

    Lorraine¡¯s confidence quickly shifted to panic. She could y the piece, of course, but sitting next to Christina, she felt an inexplicable pressure. What made it worse was that she had secretly changed the agreed-upon piece, but Christina didn¡¯t seem the least bit bothered. Instead, Christina kept ying along with that calm, smiling look.

    Every time Christina nced at her with rxed amusement, Lorraine¡¯s heartbeat quickened. Several times, her nerves nearly caused her to hit the wrong notes.

    Lorraine cursed Christina silently. Hadn¡¯t Christina said she only knew simple songs? How was she managing this piece so confidently? She wasn¡¯t even looking at the sheet music. And the way she yed¡ªit sounded almost identical to Tiana herself.

    When Lorraine finally slipped up, some guests began to whisper.

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t Lorraine¡¯s mentor supposed to be one of Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦s? Yet, she made a mistake. Compared to Miss Jones, she¡¯s clearlycking.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know much about piano, but Miss Jones¡¯ ying was smooth and enjoyable. It felt like a professional performance.¡±

    ¡°Miss Jones certainly yed better. And for a second, I almost thought she was Tiana.¡±

    The crowd¡¯s quiet praise was unanimous. Even Kurt and Robin, who usually didn¡¯t care for music, were impressed and listened with great interest.

    Christina had intentionally adjusted her ying style so that no one could figure out she was the world-ss piano maestro Tiana.

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    By the end of the piece, Lorraine was drenched in sweat. Her nerves hadpletely unraveled, and she lost her rhythm again toward the end. On top of that, Christina had asionally given her a few nces with a mild smile. Lorraine was certain Christina had done it on purpose¡ªto shake her, make her slip, and make the crowd criticize her.

    ¡°Thank you all for listening,¡± Christina said with a smile, standing to face the guests.

    ¡°Wonderful! That was amazing!¡± Kurt said, starting the apuse.

    In seconds, the room was filled with ps and admiring looks aimed at Christina. Lorraine, in contrast, was left standing in the background, ignored and overlooked.

    Lorraine was frustrated. She was supposed to be the one in the spotlight, yet Christina had stolen it all. How had it ended like this? Christina should have been the one humiliated.

    Lorraine couldn¡¯t ept it. She clenched her fists, her expression dark. After all, her mentor had been a prot¨¦g¨¦ of Tiana¡¯s! She had always been praised by her mentor for her exceptional piano skills. How could she lose to a typical housewife when she was the mentor¡¯s favorite pupil?

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 Chapter 446

    ?Chapter 446:

    Noticing Lorraine¡¯s distress after her mistake, Celine approached her with gentle concern. She reached out and softly stroked Lorraine¡¯s head with aforting smile. ¡°Everyone makes mistakes now and then. Don¡¯t dwell on it¡ªyou yed beautifully. To me, you¡¯re still the best.¡±

    Lorraine looked up at her, eyes dim. ¡°Celine¡­ I¡¯m really useless.¡±

    Celine¡¯s expression remained kind. ¡°How could you be useless? You¡¯re already so impressive.¡± She paused, then added with encouragement, ¡°Your mentor is a prot¨¦g¨¦ of Tiana. You have a bright future ahead of you. Didn¡¯t your mentor always say you have natural talent for the piano? Even if you don¡¯t reach Tiana¡¯s level, you¡¯ll at least match your mentor¡¯s one day.¡±

    Celine deliberately raised her voice at the mention of Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, clearly trying to remind the guests of Lorraine¡¯s potential. Her subtle emphasis had its intended effect¡ªthose who had been mocking Lorraine fell silent.

    ¡°Yes! I¡¯ll work harder.¡± Lorraine nodded firmly, her spirit reigniting. She was determined now more than ever to prove herself and silence the voices of doubt.

    Just then, Christina stepped forward, her tone light but tinged with curiosity. ¡°I overheard Mrs. Miller say your mentor is Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦. Is that true?¡±

    Lorraine straightened with pride. ¡°Of course! My mentor is exceptional. Tiana only ever epted three prot¨¦g¨¦s. My mentor is the most mysterious one¡ªhe never appears in public. The other two are already world-famous pianists who trained alongside him.¡±

    Christina raised an eyebrow, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. ¡°If Tiana¡¯s most mysterious prot¨¦g¨¦ has never appeared in public, how can you be sure your mentor is that person?¡±

    Her calm question sent a ripple through the crowd. Guests began to murmur again.

    ¡°She has a point¡­ How does the Reynolds family know for sure?¡±

    ¡°Could the Reynolds family have been lying? Fabricating such a lie woulde at a great cost.¡±

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    ¡°If Lorraine¡¯s mentor really is Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, why isn¡¯t her ying more refined?¡±

    Lorraine was momentarily caught off guard. The question had never crossed her mind before. She had simply believed her mentor was who he imed to be. His talent and mystique were convincing.

    ¡°There are certificates! And a photo with Tiana!¡± Lorraine shot back quickly, her voice rising defensively. Her family had seen both¡ªthe official-looking certificates and a photo of her mentor beside the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Tiana.

    What no one knew was that the blonde hair and blue eyes were all part of Christina¡¯s disguise when she yed as Tiana.

    Christina¡¯s lips curled into a faint, teasing smile. ¡°Certificates can be forged. And photos? Easily edited. I heard Tiana was famously private and disliked taking pictures.¡±

    The guests stirred again, exchanging skeptical looks.

    Lorraine¡¯s face stiffened. ¡°And you said, ¡®I heard.¡¯ Do you have any proof? Do you have evidence that my mentor isn¡¯t Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦? Even if Tiana disliked taking photos, surely she wouldn¡¯t refuse if her own prot¨¦g¨¦s wanted one as a keepsake. Where¡¯s your proof that the photo and certificates are fake?¡±

    Lorraine¡¯s voice trembled with fury. Her mentor was the only person she could boast about and feel proud of, and now he was being called a fraud? That was something she couldn¡¯t stomach. She red at Christina, unwilling to back down.

    ¡°How am I supposed to produce evidence when I haven¡¯t seen the certificate or the photo?¡± Christina asked.

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 Chapter 447

    ?Chapter 447:

    Lorraine let out a sharp, mockingugh. ¡°Oh, please! No proof? Then you¡¯re just slinging mud.¡±

    The guests listened to their exchange and murmured among themselves, each weighing the scales of truth.

    ¡°Miss Reynolds has a point. No evidence? That¡¯s just nder, in and simple.¡±

    ¡°How dare Miss Jones call Miss Reynolds¡¯ mentor a fraud without a shred of proof? Isn¡¯t she afraid of getting pped with awsuit for spreading lies?¡±

    ¡°Such a shame Tiana¡¯s such a recluse. If she weren¡¯t, she¡¯d probably swoop in and shut any impostor down.¡±

    The room buzzed with spection. Some leaned toward Lorraine, others toward Christina, while a few simply savored the drama unfolding.

    Christina¡¯s lips curved into a sly smirk. ¡°I¡¯ve got a foolproof way to settle whether your mentor is really Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦.¡±

    Celine, quick to pounce, chimed in, ¡°Oh? Do tell.¡±

    Nearby, Dn observed theposed Christina with an unwavering gaze. She stood at the heart of the storm, radiant and unshakable,manding attention like a star in a crowded sky. He didn¡¯t care if the crowd doubted her¡ªhe believed she wouldn¡¯t toss out usations without something solid up her sleeve. She was poised to unravel the lie, and he trusted her to do it with ir. Robin, too, had faith in Christina. Sure, she still got under his skin, but her words carried weight he couldn¡¯t dismiss. His gaze remained locked on her, and he failed to realize he was actually reluctant to look away.

    ¡°If you¡¯ve got a n, spit it out!¡± Lorraine snapped, ring at Christina with barely concealed irritation. ¡°If you can¡¯t prove my mentor¡¯s faking it, you¡¯ll hold a press conference and apologize publicly to us!¡±

    Christina¡¯s smile widened, cool and confident. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve said something wrong to apologize for.¡± Her gaze swept the room,manding silence as she spoke with deliberate calm.

    ¡°It¡¯s simple, really. Have your mentor go online, right now, and publicly im he¡¯s Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦. If he¡¯s lying, I¡¯m betting Tiana¡¯s real prot¨¦g¨¦s, or maybe even Tiana herself, won¡¯t sit quietly. They¡¯ll call it out faster than you can blink.¡±

    Her idea made sense. It was airtight¡ªno one would let their name be hijacked without a fight, least of all someone as legendary as Tiana.

    Your escape begins with g?ln¦Ò¦Í???s?????m

    ¡°Miss Jones made a solid suggestion. I¡¯m dying to know if Miss Reynolds¡¯ mentor is the real deal.¡±

    ¡°Come on, Miss Reynolds, bring your mentor here. Let him prove it in front of us.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, if he¡¯s the real prot¨¦g¨¦ of Tiana, he won¡¯t dodge the spotlight.¡±

    Lorraine¡¯sposure cracked under the weight of the crowd¡¯s chatter, a tide of panic swelling inside her. Christina¡¯s unshakable confidence rattled her, nting a seed of doubt. Could her mentor actually be a fraud?

    Celine, sensing Lorraine¡¯s hesitation, stepped in, gently taking her hand and whispering, ¡°Lorraine, call your mentor. Invite him to the banquet, but don¡¯t tip him off about this. Just get him here. If he¡¯s a fake, it¡¯s not on you¡ªyou¡¯re just a victim of deception. But if he¡¯s the real deal, I¡¯ll make sure Miss Jones eats her words at a press conference.¡±

    Before Lorraine could respond, Kurt said, ¡°If Miss Jones has falsely used you, I¡¯ll see to it that you and your mentor each get five percent of Miller¡¯s Casino shares aspensation.¡±

    .

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 Chapter 448

    ?Chapter 448:

    At Kurt¡¯s deration, the crowd gasped in unison, their gazes sharp with envy directed at Lorraine. Five percent ownership in Miller¡¯s Casino? That kind of reward would ignite jealousy in even the mostposed onlooker. Should Lorraine acquire it, the Reynolds family would bask in effortless affluence for the rest of their days.

    Someone muttered with a bitter chuckle, ¡°Why doesn¡¯t fortune ever shine on me the way it does on Miss Reynolds?¡±

    ¡°I seriously envy this unbelievable stroke of luck.¡±

    ¡°I believe Mr. Miller has faith in Miss Jones. He¡¯s counting on her to seed¡ªthat¡¯s the only reason he made such an offer.¡±

    Voices shed, opinions varied, and necks stretched toward Lorraine, everyone curious to see her next step. Had they been given a simr chance, none of them would hesitate. After all, what if victory was within reach?

    The majority held tight to the chance of securing that fortune¡ªso did Lorraine, despite her uncertainty about her mentor¡¯s real connection to Tiana. With so much on the line, anyone might take the risk.

    Pretending to be troubled, Lorraine responded, ¡°I hadn¡¯t nned to bring any inconvenience to my mentor, but since my words are being questioned, I must invite him here to rify matters.¡±

    She spoke with such righteousness, yet a number of attendees doubted her motives, whispering that she might be eyeing those lucrative shares.

    ¡°Go ahead and invite your mentor over. I¡¯d love to meet this so-called master of the keys,¡± Christina said slyly, lips curled in a teasing smile.

    Lorraine returned a frosty re before pulling out her phone. Once the line connected, she asked quietly, ¡°Are you avable today?¡±

    ¡°I am. What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°Kurt heard about your talent on the piano and wishes to meet you. Would you minding over¡­¡±

    Silence lingered for a beat, and then came a solemn answer. ¡°I cane, but it will take some time.¡±

    Discover more at g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í??s

    ¡°That¡¯s perfectly fine. I will just wait for you.¡±

    Ending the call, Lorraine looked around, her expression brimming with confidence. ¡°My mentor agreed toe. Once he¡¯s here, everyone will be convinced beyond a doubt.¡±

    To Lorraine, her mentor¡¯s agreement toe alone proved he wasn¡¯t a fraud. After all, a fraud wouldn¡¯t dare approach the Miller estate¡ªit would be far too dangerous if exposed.

    The guests shared the same thought. No impostor would risk such a high-stakes exposure. If exposed, the consequences would be dire.

    ¡°Well, with Lorraine¡¯s mentor en route, why don¡¯t we begin the festivities?¡± Celine proposed diplomatically.

    Once Kurt settled into his seat, well-wishers lined up to extend their greetings. Presents began to pile up around him in no time.

    ¡°I brought this ssical scroll painting. I hope it brings you joy,¡± Lorraine said politely, motioning for the attendant to present the artwork.

    As the scroll was revealed, a tranquilndscape emerged, its elegance evident in every brushstroke.

    Kurt examined it and gave a pleased smile. ¡°Excellent. This suits my taste perfectly.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 449

    ?Chapter 449:

    ¡°Christina,¡± Lorraine said deliberately, ¡°isn¡¯t it time to show Mr. Miller your birthday gift?¡±

    The room immediately went still. Everyone already knew Christina¡¯s gift was a modest one, barely worth eighteen hundred dors. Several guests turned to her with amused smirks, waiting for the awkward moment. Cataloging presents beforehand was one thing¡ªhanding them over in person to Kurt was an entirely different matter. It was bound to be memorable, and the crowd waited eagerly to witness what would unfold.

    The crowd buzzed with hushed gossip, many secretly delighting in Christina¡¯s seeming blunder.

    ¡°Is it true Miss Jones gave an ornament worth a measly eighteen hundred bucks?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely! I saw it with my own eyes. Those of you who got into the banquet hall early missed the whole fiasco.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s see if she¡¯s got the nerve to hand it to Kurt herself.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± Kurt¡¯s eyes twinkled as he turned to Christina with a warm gaze. ¡°You brought me a gift? Well, don¡¯t keep me waiting¡ªlet¡¯s see it!¡±

    His face radiated genuine enthusiasm, as if even a pebble from Christina would be treasured like gold. The onlookers, however, misread his warmth as mere courtesy, convinced Christina was about to crash and burn.

    ¡°I¡¯ve brought you an ornament,¡± Christina said, gesturing to a waiter to fetch it. The waiter presented an ornate box, revealing a golden ornament nestled under a clear cover, unremarkable to the untrained eye. To the guests, it screamed bargain-bin cheapness. If decorum hadn¡¯t held them back, they¡¯d have erupted inughter at the sight of such ackluster gift. How could she dare present that?

    Even Kurt hadn¡¯t anticipated something so understated, caught between amusement and mild exasperation. Yet, the more he looked at Christina, the more she grew on him. In his mind, she was already destined to be the future matriarch of the Miller family.

    Kurt had a hunch¡ªcall it a gambler¡¯s instinct¡ªthat Christina could rein in his wayward grandson, Robin. If Robin weren¡¯t so hell-bent on outwitting Ace, the legendary gambling maestro, and if the Miller family didn¡¯t run a sprawling casino empire, Robin would probably ditch the family business without a backward nce. But Christina? She could keep that rebellious scamp in line.

    Kurt¡¯s thoughts swirled like a storm, and the smile that once lit his face had faded. His change in expression led the guests to believe he was angry, increasing the number of people eager to see Christina embarrassed. The chorus of whispers grew louder, all certain Christina was toast.

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    Lorraine smirked inwardly, certain Kurt would be mad over such a trivial offering. After offending Kurt in front of so many people, Christina¡¯s fate looked grim.

    ¡°Christina, I did warn you that gift was all wrong for Mr. Miller,¡± Lorraine said, her voice dripping with feigned concern, ¡°But you wouldn¡¯t listen¡­¡±

    She pivoted to¡­

    Kurt looked at Lorraine. ¡°Please don¡¯t hold it against her. She just wasn¡¯t prepared, that¡¯s all. An eighteen-hundred-dor ornament isn¡¯t much, but it¡¯s the thought that counts, right? That¡¯s what Christina said, and I couldn¡¯t agree more.¡±

    Lorraine¡¯s defense was a masterss in sabotage, cloaked in kindness to make Christina look even more foolish.

    From his elevated seat, Kurt fixed his gaze on Christina. ¡°This ornament¡ªis it really worth eighteen hundred dors?¡±

    Dn, ever stoic, kept his eyes locked on Christina. To him, the gift¡¯s price tag was irrelevant. If she chose to give it, even a dandelion plucked from a field would be weed with open arms by the Miller family¡ªhe would make sure of it. But one look at Christina¡¯sposed expression told him she had an ace up her sleeve. It wasn¡¯t his moment to step in¡ªnot yet.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 450

    ?Chapter 450:

    Robin, meanwhile, furrowed his brow, staring at Christina in utter bewilderment. He couldn¡¯t quite crack her code. She knew who they were, yet she¡¯d chosen this in, eighteen-hundred-dor trinket. The ornament seemed ordinary, with nothing special about it. Why wasn¡¯t she like the others, bending over backward to impress Kurt, angling for a foothold in the Miller family¡¯s legacy, dreaming of bing its next leadingdy?

    Under the curious gazes of the guests, Christina remainedposed. ¡°Yes,¡± she said, ¡°this birthday ornament cost me eighteen hundred dors.¡±

    A ripple of surprise swept through the room. The guests hadn¡¯t expected such honesty. But her next words made jaws drop. ¡°Honestly, for something like this, eighteen hundred is already overpriced. It only looks like gold¡ªit¡¯s just painted, not real.¡±

    Gasps followed. Eyes widened. Murmurs broke out. Did she really just say that? Not only had she admitted the price, but she also bluntly called out the ornament¡¯s fake golden sheen. Was she trying to make her downfall even more dramatic?

    Lorraine¡¯s heart leapt with excitement, though she dared not let it show, eagerly awaiting Christina¡¯s inevitable downfall.

    The guests whispered feverishly, some already writing Christina off as doomed. ¡°She must be out of her mind. Does she not realize she¡¯s insulting the Miller family?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s either bold or foolish¡ªchallenging the Millers this way. What is she thinking?¡±

    ¡°Honestly, she brought the inevitable downfall on herself. Just a little more effort, a more expensive gift, and she could¡¯ve avoided this embarrassment.¡±

    Just when everyone was waiting for Kurt to snap at Christina, the sound of his loud, heartyughter echoed through the hall.

    People exchanged confused nces. Was heughing out of anger? But no¡­ His expression didn¡¯t show even a hint of rage.

    ¡°This is perfect,¡± Kurt said to Christina with a cheerful smile. ¡°It¡¯s exactly what I like.¡± He waved at the server holding the ornament. ¡°Bring it here¡ªI want a closer look.¡±

    I??€?? ¡é§ß?¦Ñ§ä¦Å?? ?¦Ç g?l§Ú¦Ò¦Í¦Å??.c?m

    The server hurried over and carefully handed it to him.

    Kurt held the ornament in his hands, turning it over with interest. The more he looked at it, the more pleased he seemed.

    The room fell into stunned silence. Guests stared in disbelief, eyes wide and mouths slightly open. Seriously? Kurt liked the ornament? That simple, inexpensive thing had won his approval? It didn¡¯t make sense¡ªespecially when they remembered how he¡¯d barely nced at the extravagant gifts others had brought, casually waving them aside like clutter.

    Lorraine stood frozen, unable to hide her confusion. This wasn¡¯t how things were supposed to go. Kurt should¡¯ve been furious with Christina, and the Miller family should¡¯ve turned their backs on her by now. But instead, Christina had won Kurt¡¯s favor with that. Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous.

    ¡°I¡¯ve grown tired of shy, over-the-top gifts,¡± Kurt said, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. ¡°This little ornament? It¡¯s just what I wanted. I¡¯m cing it where everyone can see it.¡±

    He held the ornament up, admiring it with genuine warmth before turning to Robin. ¡°Find a proper spot for it¡ªsomewhere everyone can see. And be careful¡ªit¡¯s one of a kind. Don¡¯t you dare break it. This gift is priceless.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Grandpa,¡± Robin replied as he stepped forward to take the ornament. Unlike the others, he didn¡¯t seem shocked by his grandfather¡¯s reaction. He understood exactly what was going on. His grandfather was determined to match him with Christina. Even if she had gifted Kurt a rock, Kurt would¡¯ve praised it like a treasure.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 451

    ?Chapter 451:

    That said, Robin had to admit¡ªthis ornament wasn¡¯t garbage. Eighteen hundred dors for a handmade piece wasn¡¯t cheap. Still, his grandfather¡¯s enthusiasm seemed a little exaggerated.

    Robin found his feelingsplicated. He was d Christina hadn¡¯t provoked Kurt¡¯s anger¡ªbut at the same time, something about all this made him uneasy. What had Christina done to earn Kurt¡¯s appreciation? What had she said to make Kurt y matchmaker so aggressively?

    ¡°If only I¡¯d realized sooner that Kurt had a fondness for trinkets like that, I might¡¯ve brought him a dozen pieces just to brighten his day.¡±

    ¡°Too many of the same kind ruins the charm. Kurt clearly values the rarity of this item¡ªit outshines every other birthday present by a mile.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got real respect for Miss Jones. She¡¯s bold. This decision could¡¯ve gone south fast, but the payoff is enormous. If it had bombed, the damage wouldn¡¯t have been minor.¡±

    The attendees murmured in hushed tones, their eyes asionally drifting toward Christina, some with clear jealousy. Who would have imagined that something so modest and affordable would catch Kurt¡¯s eye and be the best gift at the celebration?

    Though irritation simmered beneath Lorraine¡¯s calm exterior, she dared not let it surface. With an amiable expression, she turned to Kurt. ¡°So that¡¯s your style, huh? Well, if that¡¯s what you like, I¡¯ll grab a few more for you after the event.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s considerate,¡± Kurt replied, sparing Lorraine a nce before his eyes softened once again in Christina¡¯s direction.

    Lorraine¡¯s mood lifted, but her excitement quickly faded when Kurt added, ¡°One is more than enough. More would just lose meaning.¡±

    His tone was gentle, but the message was unmistakable¡ªhe wasn¡¯t interested in more.

    ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right,¡± Lorraine said slowly with a strained smile, her chest tightening with frustration. Biting the inside of her cheek, she stared daggers at Christina.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got an eye, Christina. You managed to impress Kurt instantly. Compared to your little offering, ourvish presents look almost ridiculous.¡±

    £í????£å £õ??£ä??£ô£å£ó ??£î ???£ì????£ö??£ì??.??????

    Lorraine kept her smile intact, but her tone carried a sharp edge, subtly hinting it was illogical and unfair for Christina¡¯s cheap present to outshine their costly ones. She was using Christina of using some underhanded method. Some guests privately agreed, though none dared voice it aloud during the festivities.

    ¡°Of course,¡± Christina replied, lips curling slightly, her tone light and unapologetic as if she didn¡¯t understand the underlying meaning of Lorraine¡¯s words. ¡°Naturally, my gift stood out.¡±

    Lorraine was momentarily stunned by Christina¡¯s brazen words. Then, she smirked inwardly. Could Christina be more foolish? Christina had no issue being the center¡­

    ¡­ of controversy, nor did she seem concerned about offending an entire crowd. That tacky trinket she presented¡ªshe had the gall tobel it the finest offering? Wasn¡¯t that an outright p in the face to those who had broughtvish items?

    Most of the guests, already somewhat irritated, grew even more ufortable after hearing Christina¡¯s deration. Still, no one dared to challenge her openly. Kurt¡¯s partiality was no secret, and Dn appeared to back her as well. Who would risk crossing her? Regardless of how tone-deaf or tactless she sounded, no one had the nerve to call her out. Nobody wished to stick their neck out and be the next object of ridicule.

    .

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 Chapter 452

    ?Chapter 452:

    What none of them realized, however, was that Christina hadn¡¯t exaggerated in the slightest. Her contribution, priced at a mere eighteen hundred, was indeed a pittance in the eyes of the elite. And yet, with just the right ir, she could transform what seemed ordinary into something breathtaking¡ªsomething none of them could replicate.

    Lorraine, unwilling to let this go, assumed others shared her indignation. She decided to confront the matter head-on. ¡°Christina, how could you say that? Are you suggesting that our gifts¡ªcosting millions or more¡ªdon¡¯t measure up to that item you brought, which isn¡¯t even worth eighteen hundred dors?¡±

    As Lorraine stepped forward, murmurs resumed among the displeased guests.

    The displeased guests murmured among themselves.

    ¡°Honestly, even if Kurt really does favor Christina¡¯s present, she shouldn¡¯t dismiss all the effort we put into choosing the costly gifts.¡±

    ¡°My own offering might not be the priciest here, but it¡¯s still worth over ten million. Compared to that, her gift seems insignificant. Frankly, I can¡¯t help feeling a little slighted.¡±

    ¡°She just lucked out. Kurt has probably had his fill of extravagant presents. This time, something simple just happened to catch his eye.¡±

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s not about the novelty. For all we know, she¡¯s connected to Dn, and Kurt is just being careful not to cross her. That¡¯s how things work in these circles.¡±

    ¡°Keep your voice down! Are you out of your mind? You can¡¯t go around makingments about Kurt and Dn. You¡¯re looking for trouble if you do that!¡±

    Although Kurt didn¡¯t catch the guests¡¯ quiet grumbling, the looks on their faces gave away their dissatisfaction.

    Christina, however, heard plenty. Her sharp senses caught bits of the whisperedints¡ªalmost all of them directed at her. Plenty of guests assumed she was using her connections to prevent Kurt from getting angry, and her gift was embarrassingly cheap for such an event.

    Rather than let their opinions bother her, Christina allowed a faint smile to tug at her lips. As she nced at her watch, she realized her n was nearly ready to set in motion.

    Robin, having picked up on the undercurrent of discontent, frowned in irritation. His own family had noints, and the gift had delighted his grandfather. Why couldn¡¯t everyone just let it go?

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    Across the room, Dn stood apart from the crowd, his gaze icy but strangely soft whenever it settled on Christina.

    Robin¡¯s jaw clenched as if preparing to defend Christina, and Dn¡¯s lips parted at almost the same moment. But before either could speak, a strange burst of static cut through the air.

    Attention in the banquet hall snapped to the big screen. Instead of cheerful messages, the disy was now just flickering with static and ring out a sharp, grating noise.

    Celine exchanged a nce with her husband and then quickly waved over an attendant. ¡°Can you get someone to fix the screen?¡±

    All around the room, guests leaned in closer, their attention glued to the darkened disy.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening? Did the screen break?¡±

    ¡°No idea. Could it be hacked?¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 453

    ?Chapter 453:

    ¡°What would a hacker even want here? There¡¯s nothing worth stealing¡­¡±

    Suspicion crept into Kurt¡¯s mind, a faint wrinkle forming on his brow. Was someone really trying to disrupt his birthday celebration?

    Robin slipped over quietly and spoke in a low voice. ¡°Grandpa, it¡¯s probably just a technical problem. They¡¯ve already called someone to take care of it.¡±

    Kurt gave a nod. ¡°Let¡¯s hope that¡¯s all it is.¡±

    Still, a nagging sense told Kurt the situation was far from ordinary¡ªhacking wasn¡¯t out of the question.

    Momentster, the static vanished, and the entire screen went pitch ck. Nothing but emptiness remained where the messages once were.

    ¡°Did the screen just give out? Maybe it overheated.¡± Lorraine pressed her lips together in concern.

    Right on the heels of her words, enormous letters materialized on the ck screen, bold and impossible to miss. ¡°First of all, may Mr. Kurt Miller enjoy endless health and a long, happy life.¡±

    Murmurs rippled through the guests as they exchanged bewildered looks. Was this someone¡¯s idea of a prank? Had a hacker really gone through all this effort just to offer a birthday greeting? The longer they puzzled over it, the stranger it seemed.

    While everyone tried to make sense of the odd turn, another line of text shed across the screen, shocking the entire hall into silence. Eyes went wide, and a collective gasp swept the room.

    The screen read, ¡°Secondly, I¡¯d like to strike a deal with the Miller family. So¡ªare you in or out?¡±

    The brazen confidence radiating from the message was unmistakable, and the guests could feel it with every word on the screen.

    ¡°Who dares pull a stunt like this at Kurt¡¯s birthday? This is practically a p in the face for the Miller family. They¡¯re basically issuing an ultimatum!¡±

    ¡°Deals like this should be made in person, not sted out from behind a screen. And half the time, they don¡¯t even pan out! Whoever¡¯s behind this clearly doesn¡¯t know how things work around here¡ªthey¡¯re just begging for trouble. Probably some rookie with a little tech skill and a big ego. They must think they¡¯re untouchable, but arrogance like that always brings a hardnding.¡±

    Your next chapter awaits g?ln¦Ò¦Í??ls?c?m

    Around the room, guests muttered and sneered, dismissing whoever was behind this as a coward¡ªsomeone hiding in the shadows because theycked the nerve or power to show up in person.

    Confusion flickered across the faces of the Miller family members as they traded uneasy nces. No one had a clue about the intentions of the person behind the screen.

    ¡°Are you in or out?¡± The message shed again, this time the enormous letters tinged with clear impatience.

    Kurt rose to his feet, his gaze turning steely as he studied the screen. ¡°Before I answer, I want to know the terms. What¡¯s this deal you¡¯re after?¡±

    All eyes locked on the screen, tension rising as everyone waited for the reply.

    Lorraine broke the silence, her voice slicing through the room. ¡°Kurt, nothing good everes from people too scared to show their faces. We should focus on tracking this person down¡ªthis is illegal hacking, in and simple.¡±

    No sooner had Lorraine finished than a cold, mechanicalugh rippled through the room, its sound echoing around the banquet hall. ¡°Ha!¡±

    Then, the androgynous, synthetic voice boomed overhead, dripping with contempt. ¡°Idiot.¡±

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 Chapter 454

    ?Chapter 454:

    Disdain radiated from the voice, making it clear Lorraine¡¯s words had been dismissed entirely. That only fueled her temper. ¡°Who are you calling an idiot?¡± she retorted, her re fixed on the giant screen. ¡°If you¡¯ve got the guts to hijack this¡ª¡±

    ¡°Then show yourself! Come here, right now. Let¡¯s see what kind of deal you¡¯re really after!¡±

    Lorraine burned with indignation, daring the shadowy figure to step forward. If she could just flush out whoever was behind this, capture them, and save the day, Kurt and Robin would undoubtedly look at her in a positive light.

    Kurt¡¯s patience began to wear thin, his frown deepening as he turned to Lorraine with barely concealed annoyance.

    ¡°Arguing with me only proves my point,¡± the synthetic voice taunted, each wordced with even more mockery than before.

    Before Lorraine could muster anothereback, Kurt intervened and cut her off. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Issues involving the Miller family are our concern,¡± he said, voice cool and final. ¡°We don¡¯t need outsiders meddling in our affairs.¡±

    Truth be told, Kurt hadn¡¯t intended to humiliate Lorraine in public, but her constant interruptions left him no other choice. He had been nursing his simmering irritation from Lorraine¡¯s sarcastic remarks about Christina¡¯s gift.

    Instantly, Lorraine¡¯s eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling with hurt. ¡°Kurt, I was only trying to help the Miller family, I¡ª¡±

    Kurt cut her off sharply. ¡°If you mean your words, then I need you to hold your tongue!¡± His words came with a pointed look in Celine¡¯s direction.

    Picking up on his silent cue, Celine moved quickly, guiding Lorraine away from the crowd. Quietly, she spoke with gentle concern. ¡°Lorraine, this isn¡¯t the ce for impulsive words or actions. Sometimes, the more you try to fix things, the messier they get.¡±

    Celine inwardly sighed. She couldn¡¯t help but think how much smoother things would be if Lorraine possessed even a fraction of Christina¡¯s sharp mind.

    Desperate to defend herself, Lorraine tumbled out her words, her voice shaky and thin. ¡°Please believe me, Celine, I meant well. I only have the interests of the Millers in mind. Who knows what tricks that person behind the screen is plotting?¡±

    Her apology came out broken, her eyes pleading for understanding. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for causing a scene. I only acted out of pure worry.¡±

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    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯re not upset with you,¡± Celine said gently, her tone calm andposed. ¡°It¡¯s just that in situations like this, it¡¯s better to let the elders take the lead. We, the younger generation, should observe and learn.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Lorraine replied softly, though her heart wasn¡¯t in it. Since Celine was a member of the Miller family, she obstinately thought that Celine would naturally favor the Miller family, and that Celine¡¯s remarks were only a covert jab at herck of decorum.

    Kurt¡¯s sharp eyes moved away from Lorraine andnded on therge screen. ¡°What kind of deal are you proposing?¡± he asked coolly, his voice calm despite the tension in the room.

    The mechanical voice echoed once more, clear and cold. ¡°I am King, the legendary healer you all know. Trade anything from your family for a chance at my treatment.¡±

    Gasps filled the room like a sudden gust of wind. Had they heard that right? King¡ªthe mysterious healer whose name was more rumor than fact¡ªwas now reaching out to the Miller family this way, offering them the rare opportunity of healing in return for something personal.

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 Chapter 455

    ?Chapter 455:

    King had always been known for their elusive nature and unconventional methods. Encounters with King were rare, but those who caught King¡¯s attention were seen as incredibly lucky. The Miller family was incredibly lucky to have King approach them.

    ¡°Could that really be King? Or is some impostor?¡±

    ¡°Who can say? No one¡¯s everid eyes on King or knows what King looks like.¡±

    ¡°If it really is King, then the Millers just hit the motherlode. Trading a few family heirlooms for the chance at a cure? That¡¯s more than fair.¡±

    The guests murmured among themselves, excitement building like a rising tide. Their voices ovepped, fueled by envy and curiosity. Secretly, each of them hoped King might reconsider and pick them instead. Luck like that didn¡¯te around twice.

    Even Dn, who was usually the picture ofposure, showed a subtle shift in expression.

    Kurt exchanged nces with his family, trying to mask his growing excitement. ¡°How do I know you¡¯re really King?¡± he asked, his tone steady and restrained.

    The mechanical voice responded, cool and unbothered, ¡°No worries. When your¡ª

    ¡°Family truly needs me, I¡¯lle¡ªand I¡¯ll take what I want then.¡±

    ¡°What exactly do you want?¡± Kurt pressed, not wasting a moment.

    The mechanical voice fell silent. It felt less like hesitation and more like contemtion, as if the unseen figure was carefully deciding what to im from the Miller family.

    The guests grew still, not daring to breathe too loudly. Every eye remained locked on the screen, waiting, listening, hoping not to miss a single word.

    Finally, the mechanical voice returned. ¡°Just that golden ornament.¡±

    Gasps spread through the room like wildfire.

    ¡°What? King only wants that cheap thing?¡±

    Uncover new worlds at g   alnov els

    ¡°Maybe King means another ornament. It doesn¡¯t have to be that one¡ªthe one barely worth eighteen hundred.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no way King is talking about the piece under two thousand. King wouldn¡¯t be foolish enough to trade something as valuable as a cure for that.¡±

    No one could wrap their heads around it. King, the legendary healer, choosing such a lowly, often-dismissed trinket as payment? It was hard to believe.

    The Millers looked at one another, just as stunned as everyone else.

    But Dn remained calm, unsurprised by the announcement. He understood something the others didn¡¯t. King never chose based on money or appearance. King¡¯s selections had nothing to do with logic or worth. What King asked for always came down to one thing¡ªKing¡¯s own unpredictable desires.

    Kurt paused in thought, then turned to Robin and said, ¡°Fetch that golden ornament which had just been ced.¡±

    ¡°On it.¡± Robin headed straight to the most prominent spot and retrieved the golden ornament that had been carefully arranged earlier.

    Holding it up toward the towering screen, Kurt asked, ¡°Is this the ornament you meant?¡±

    The mechanical voice replied without hesitation, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s the eye-catching little thing. I noticed it the moment I saw it.¡±

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 Chapter 456

    ?Chapter 456:

    As soon as it was confirmed¡ªthis truly was the inexpensive birthday ornament from Christina¡ªthe entire room erupted again.

    ¡°I thought there had to be some mistake! So it really is that in, cheap birthday ornament.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not cheap anymore. That ornament just bought a treatment chance from King. That makes it priceless. All the high-end gifts today can¡¯t hold a candle to this one.¡±

    ¡°Pfft. I think Christina just got lucky. She ced it front and center. If it had been any other gift in that spot, King would¡¯ve picked that instead.¡±

    While some guests scoffed with veiled contempt, the envy in the room was impossible to ignore. Even if it had alle down to luck, it was Christina¡¯s luck.

    Now, a new thought was spreading among the guests. Since King had chosen that ornament, which suddenly turned it into a rare treasure, would Christina want it back?

    ¡°Would you like to proceed with the exchange?¡± the mechanical voice asked, its tone devoid of any emotion.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Kurt answered immediately, his voice full of delight.

    ¡°Then I wish you all an enjoyable evening. Goodbye.¡± With that final message, the connection was severedpletely, and the screen went nk.

    Far away, in a secret location, two men and a woman exchanged amused nces before grinning and high-fiving one another. ¡°Hurray! Christina¡¯s mission went off without a hitch.¡±

    ¡°Christina is awesome, having such a good rtionship with King. Every time King needs something done, King lets her handle it.¡±

    ¡°Christina has been off the grid for three years now. I wish she¡¯de back already. It¡¯s getting boring without her.¡±

    The three of them eagerly hoped for Christina¡¯s return,pletely unaware that Christina was actually King. Not only was she a genius-level hacker, but she also carried countless identities that no one had ever linked to her. In fact, many of the biggest names across various fields were just aliases she operated behind the scenes.

    The trio sent Christina a coded message¡ªone that only she could decipher.

    When Christina received the seemingly random string of characters, she instantly understood. The assignment she¡¯d delegated had beenpleted perfectly. Slipping her phone back into her bag, she moved without drawing any attention to herself. Even if someone had been standing right next to her and caught sight of the message, the meaning behind the jumble of letters would have eluded anyone.

    ¡°Congrattions to Mr. Miller for securing a treatment from King!¡± someone suddenly shouted, and the crowd burst into apuse, cheering in unison.

    Kurt raised his hand slightly, motioning for the room to settle. ¡°Let¡¯s all quiet down for a moment,¡± he said.

    The guests immediately quieted down, their eyes fixed on Kurt. Then, they noticed his gaze shift,nding squarely on Christina. A ripple of confusion spread through the crowd.

    ¡°What¡¯s Kurt looking at her for?¡±

    ¡°Is he nning to give the ornament back?¡±

    ¡°But that was a gift. Once you give something, you can¡¯t ask for it back. Even if it¡¯s priceless now, she can¡¯t exactly just demand it. That¡¯d be shameless.¡±

    Amid the low hum of whispered spection, Kurt turned to Christina and asked, ¡°Do you want to take back this golden ornament?¡±

    .

    .

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 Chapter 457

    ?Chapter 457:

    Not long ago, the ornament had seemed like nothing more than a thoughtful trinket. But everything had changed. Kurt could understand if Christina wanted to take it back. After all, it now represented a rare chance for medical treatment from King, something that was nearly impossible toe by.

    Every gaze in the room shifted to Christina, waiting. But before she could utter a word, Lorraine¡¯s voice broke through,ced with displeasure. ¡°A gift, once given, has no reason to be taken back. I doubt Christina would be shameless enough to demand the ornament back.¡±

    The moment Lorraine finished, Kurt¡¯s expression darkened visibly. Were it not for the need to verify Lorraine¡¯s mentor¡¯s identity, she would¡¯ve long since been cast out of here.

    ¡°Lorraine,¡± Celine snapped, frowning as she reached out and tugged Lorraine back.

    Kurt¡¯s anger toward Lorraine simmered just beneath the surface.

    ¡°Celine, I only said what everyone¡¯s thinking,¡± Lorraine muttered under her breath, resentment flickering in her eyes. Why was everyone siding with Christina? Had they forgotten who had once saved Celine?

    ¡°If Kurt loses his temper, I won¡¯t be able to protect you,¡± Celine warned, her patience thinning. Kurt held the final say in all matters concerning the Miller family. And when his temper red, not even she dared challenge him over something so unreasonable.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Celine,¡± Lorraine said quickly, though her tone held a tinge of defiance.

    Christina turned to Lorraine with a faint smile, brow arched, and said lightly, ¡°I could be more shameless than you imagine.¡±

    The guests immediately assumed Christina intended to reim the ornament. Disdain flickered across their faces. Yet, with the Miller family silent, no one dared openly voice their criticism.

    Dn, silent the whole time, made up his mind. If Christina wanted the ornament back and the Millers refused, he would stop at nothing to get it for her¡ªeven if it meant bing the Miller family¡¯s enemy.

    ¡°If you want it back, I understand,¡± Kurt said sincerely. He turned to Robin.

    ¡°Return the ornament to Miss Jones.¡±

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    ¡°Understood.¡± Robin agreed without objection. A treasure like that¡ªan item that could be traded for a treatment chance from King¡ªwas not something most people would give up without a second thought.

    Holding the ornament carefully in both hands, Robin stepped forward. ¡°Miss Jones, here you are.¡±

    ¡°Why are you handing it to me?¡± Christina asked, her tone calm but firm. ¡°I don¡¯t take back gifts I¡¯ve already given.¡±

    A wave of confusion swept through the room.

    Robin hesitated, brows knitting together. ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say you could be more shameless? So then, this means¡­¡±

    ¡°I am thick-skinned,¡± Christina said, lifting her chin slightly. ¡°But that has nothing to do with this. I have my own principles.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re really not taking it back?¡± Robin asked, his gaze sharpening. ¡°This is a treatment slot from King we¡¯re talking about¡ªsomething even most powerful people in the world desire¡­¡±

    He worried it was the crowd¡¯s watching gaze that had prompted her to utter words she didn¡¯t mean at all, and that she would regret her choiceter. And once the moment passed, there would be no reversing it.

    .

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 Chapter 458

    ?Chapter 458:

    ¡°I know exactly what it is,¡± Christina said with unwavering calm. ¡°But I¡¯ve already given it away.¡±

    ¡°You should think it through,¡± Robin urged, his voice softening. ¡°If you change your mindter, it¡¯ll be toote.¡±

    Christina only smiled, shaking her head. ¡°A gift, once given, is never taken back. Don¡¯t worry¡ªI won¡¯t regret it.¡±

    The crowd fell into stunned silence. No one had expected this. A quiet wave of guilt passed through the guests. They had misjudged her, measuring her by their own narrow expectations. They had assumed too quickly, failing to see the strength and dignity beneath her smile.

    Kurt asked a second time, ¡°You really don¡¯t regret it?¡±

    Christina met his gaze and answered simply, ¡°Yes.¡±

    Noting her unwavering stance, Kurt understood she meant her words. A thoughtful pause lingered before he spoke again. ¡°If you ever change your mind, the offer still stands until I use this treatment chance. Once it¡¯s used up, though, there¡¯s no getting it back.¡±

    A lightugh escaped Christina. ¡°Rest easy, Kurt. I won¡¯t be asking for it.¡±

    With that, the conversation faded into the background, and the birthday festivities carried on.

    Not long after, Lorraine¡¯s phone rang with a call from her mentor. Ending the call, she turned to the group. ¡°My mentor just arrived. I¡¯ll go escort him inside.¡±

    Celine immediately volunteered, ¡°Let me join you.¡±

    Together, the two women exited the banquet hall to greet Lorraine¡¯s mentor.

    Out front, just beyond the iron gates of the Miller estate, Lyman Patel stood waiting, a deep furrow in his brow betraying his irritation. As a self-imed prot¨¦g¨¦ of Tiana, he hadn¡¯t expected this sort of treatment from the Millers. Kurt had invited him over for a meeting, yet the moment he arrived, he was halted at the gate and told to wait until Lorraine came out to escort him. How maddening!

    His patience wore thin, and his displeasure showed more with every passing second. On his journey over, pride had filled him at the thought of being recognized by someone of Kurt¡¯s standing. But now, all he felt was indignation.

    Lorraine¡¯s cheerful voice broke through his grumbling thoughts. ¡°Mr. Patel!¡± She hurried forward with a bright smile.

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    As soon as Celine appeared, the security personnel opened the ornate, vintage gate, allowing Lyman to enter.

    Lyman¡¯s expectations had been different¡ªhe¡¯d imagined Kurt himself would be there to greet him. Instead, only Lorraine and Celine came to wee him, which he saw as a clear sign of disrespect.

    Wearing a frosty look, Lyman turned to Lorraine and let his irritation show. ¡°Is there a reason it¡¯s just the two of you here to meet me?¡± he asked, voice clipped and sharp.

    Lorraine offered an exnation in a gentle tone. ¡°This is Mrs. Celine Miller, my godmother. Mr. Kurt Miller asked us to greet you since he¡¯s currently entertaining important guests.¡±

    The excuse eased Lyman¡¯s irritation. After all, mingling with distinguished visitors was understandable.

    Lyman reined in his displeasure and turned to Celine with a smile. ¡°Mrs. Miller, I¡¯m Lorraine¡¯s piano mentor. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you,¡± he said smoothly, though his expression remained distant and his respect for women ran shallow.

    .

    .

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 Chapter 459

    ?Chapter 459:

    Despite standing before the Miller family¡¯s matriarch, Lyman couldn¡¯t help but judge her through the narrow lens of his own prejudices. Regardless of how powerful the Miller family might have been, he didn¡¯t see it as a ce where a woman should be calling the shots. In his eyes, her position had little to do with merit and everything to do with the luck of marrying a man both powerful and well-bred.

    ¡°The pleasure¡¯s mine,¡± Celine returned his greeting with steady grace. ¡°Lorraine speaks very highly of your talent and expertise in music.¡±

    Though Lyman didn¡¯t openly sneer, a trace of contempt flickered in his eyes¡ªa detail not lost on Celine. Years within the Miller family had taught her how to read people, even though she didn¡¯t quite match Kurt¡¯s perceptiveness.

    ¡°Lorraine always gives me too much credit,¡± Lyman¡¯s lips curled into a falsely humble grin, and he stood a little taller as he absorbed thepliment and subtly looked down his nose.

    Not missing a beat, Celine kept up the polite fiction. ¡°Actually, it was Kurt who was so impressed with Lorraine¡¯s praise for your piano ying that he insisted on inviting you.¡±

    A low chuckle escaped Lyman. ¡°If Mr. Miller would enjoy it, I¡¯d be delighted to y something at the banquet¡ªconsider it my gift for his birthday.¡±

    A gracious smile touched Celine¡¯s lips. ¡°Then I¡¯ll take you up on your offer.¡±

    ¡°Well, ying for someone who appreciates music is a pleasure, especially for Mr. Miller. Truly, it¡¯s my honor.¡± Lyman waved with augh.

    Little did he know, Celine¡¯s earlier words had been nothing more than polite small talk. Kurt had never cared for music or instruments. If given the choice, he¡¯d much rather pass the time at the card table or lose himself in some other distraction. Calling Kurt a true music enthusiast was, in Celine¡¯s mind, almostughable.

    The scene shifted as they stepped into the banquet hall. All conversation seemed to freeze, every pair of eyes tracking their entrance with rapt attention.

    Standing in that spotlight, Lyman felt a rush of pride swell in his chest, and his stride grew even more self-assured. Convinced that Kurt must have already introduced him to the other guests, he basked in the attention and convinced himself it was out of respect. To be invited by Kurt to a birthday celebration was no small matter. Now, as a guest of honor, he was certain every person in the room owed him deference.

    A surge of satisfaction ran through him as he realized that a bit of big talk¡ªand his piano skills¡ªhadnded him among the city¡¯s elite. These high-society types seemed oblivious, easily taken in by appearances and unable to verify his credentials. Gratitude even flickered for Tiana¡¯s enigmatic prot¨¦g¨¦¡ªwithout that elusive prot¨¦g¨¦, impersonating would have been impossible. Even if someone suspected his identity, no one could prove he¡¯d been lying.

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    A smug smile tugged at his face. If he managed to fool the Miller family this time, the doors to society¡¯s upper ranks would swing wide open for him. He¡¯d earn a ce among Lorbridge¡¯s elite, gaining not just status but a steady stream of advantages that came with it.

    Ambition gleamed in Lyman¡¯s eyes as he strutted across the hall, every step radiating self-importance, like a peacock in full disy. He regarded the guests with thinly veiled contempt, carrying himself as though no one in attendance could measure up.

    Annoyance flickered in the eyes of several guests, their expressions souring beneath the weight of his arrogance.

    .

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 Chapter 460

    ?Chapter 460:

    ¡°Look at him¡ªhe¡¯s not even verified, yet he already acts so full of himself. If he¡¯s proven to be Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, he¡¯ll be even more conceited.¡±

    ¡°That kind of disdain for everyone actually fits the bill. Only someone with serious credentials would dare to act that way.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s just bluffing. Tiana¡¯s known for her humility. She¡¯d never ept someone that conceited into her circle.¡±

    Murmurs rippled throughout the hall, each nce directed at Lyman brimming with skepticism and silent criticism.

    Privately, Lyman relished their disapproval, his steps growing even more self-important as he made his way toward Kurt. He donned a mask of courtesy. ¡°Mr. Miller, it¡¯s an honor to attend your birthday banquet as Lorraine¡¯s mentor. Thank you for your invitation. If you appreciate piano music, I¡¯d love to y a piece as my gift¡ªif you¡¯ll permit me.¡±

    Though the words sounded respectful, an undercurrent of arrogance hinted at his need to appear superior.

    A casual wave of Kurt¡¯s hand apanied a smile. ¡°No need to rush,¡± he replied, seemingly unfazed by Lyman¡¯s arrogance.

    Unaware of the storm brewing, Lyman kept his pleasant facade, oblivious to the true mood in the room. His gaze traveled until itnded on Christina, and for a moment, he seemed entranced. None of the other women couldpare to her allure¡ªher beauty, her aura, she stood out from the rest.

    Christina offered only the faintest of smiles, one that never reached her eyes. Had she been aware of the thoughts swirling in Lyman¡¯s head at that moment, there was no doubt she would surely step forward and bring this delusional fool back to reality.

    A slight furrow appeared on Dn¡¯s brow as he caught Lyman¡¯s shameless stare on Christina. His voice was firm and direct. ¡°Are you really a prot¨¦g¨¦ of Tiana?¡±

    Only then did Lyman finally register Dn¡¯s presence¡ªhe¡¯d been far too busy scanning the room for the most eligible socialite. And the moment his eyes settled on Dn, a jolt of surprise ran through him, catching himpletely off guard.

    Lyman studied Dn with careful eyes, taking a long moment before he dared to speak the name and confirm who he truly was. ¡°You¡¯re Mr. Scott, aren¡¯t you?¡± With that, he stepped forward, still managing to project an air of self-importance.

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    Dn¡¯s response came cold as ice. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°Answer the question¡ªare you Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦ or not?¡±

    Robin nced at Lyman with displeasure.

    Earlier, Lyman¡¯s hungry gaze toward Christina had left Robin deeply annoyed. Disapproval of Christina aside, Robin had no intention of letting someone disrespect her, especially with such brazen interest. He considered it an act of restraint not to knock Lyman out on the spot.

    Irked by Robin¡¯s confrontational tone, Lyman shed a provocative grin, deliberately ignoring him.

    That insolent attitude made more than a few guests itch to take him down a peg.

    A knowing smirk yed on Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°You¡¯re no prot¨¦g¨¦ of Tiana.¡±

    Lyman bristled instantly. ¡°And what makes you say that? Do you have proof, Miss? usations without evidence are grounds for awsuit.¡±

    Lorraine wasted no time jumping to his defense. ¡°That¡¯s right! Mr. Patel really is Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦. Keep making baseless ims, and you¡¯ll have to answer to thew.¡±

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 Chapter 461

    ?Chapter 461:

    Eagerness shed in Lorraine¡¯s eyes as she imagined Christina being forced to admit defeat. If Lyman truly turned out to be Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, Christina would have to issue a public apology, and Kurt would owe her five percent of Miller¡¯s Casino shares. That kind of windfall could guarantee her family¡¯s future for generations.

    Fixing her gaze on Lyman, Christina spoke. ¡°So tell us¡ªhow do you n to prove you¡¯re really Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦?¡± Before Lyman could answer, she pressed on. ¡°And don¡¯t bother mentioning certificates or photos¡ªthose are too easy to fake.¡±

    Stuck for a response, Lyman faltered, realizing that Christina had just spoiled his intended exnation. After a brief hesitation, he replied, ¡°Then what kind of proof do you want?¡±

    Christina¡¯s lips curved in a sly smile. ¡°It¡¯s actually very simple. Announce it publicly¡ªdere to everyone that you¡¯re Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦. There¡¯s no need to do anything else. Someone will verify it for you soon enough.¡±

    Dread churned in Lyman¡¯s stomach. Making such a deration would only speed up his exposure as an impostor. He forced himself to keep up his cool facade and replied with a serious tone, ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t do that. My mentor gave me strict instructions to keep my identity under wraps.¡±

    A single eyebrow lifted as Christina¡¯s expression turned mocking. ¡°Is it really that your mentor forbids you to do so, or are you just a fake?¡±

    Outrage red on Lorraine¡¯s face. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous! I know I¡¯ve offended you before, but you have no right to nder my mentor. Mr. Patel already exined that he must keep a low profile. Are you going to keep pressuring?¡±

    A dry, scornfulugh escaped Christina. ¡°Pressure? I¡¯m only asking for proof that he¡¯s not lying.¡± Her voice sharpened as she continued, ¡°Let¡¯s not forget¡ªif he can¡¯t prove he¡¯s really Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, there won¡¯t be any public apology, and as for the Miller family¡­¡± She paused, shing a cool smile. ¡°No one will be handing over five percent of the casino shares.¡±

    Lyman¡¯s brow furrowed at those words, and he turned a sharp re on Lorraine, his voiceced with suspicion as he asked, ¡°What exactly is she trying to say?¡±

    A surge of irritation washed over Lyman as he felt he had been tricked, his gaze toward Lorraine carrying a hint of coldness and dissatisfaction.

    Feeling the intensity of his gaze, Lorraine instinctively stepped back, her nerves suddenly on edge. It took her a while to gather her thoughts before she found the right words to exin the situation without confirming her role in luring Lyman over just to verify his identity as Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦.

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    Drawing a little closer, Lorraine dropped her voice and whispered to Lyman, ¡°If you can prove you¡¯re Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, the Miller family will hand over five percent of their casino shares.¡±

    Lyman¡¯s expression didn¡¯t soften, so Lorraine tried again, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°You have no idea how difficult it was for me to pull this off. Five percent in Miller¡¯s Casino is no small amount¡­¡±

    The casino business was a gold mine. Right up there with stocks and real estate. Owning a share meant never having to worry about money again.

    Although Lyman found himself tempted, announcing to the world he was Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦ came with its own risks. There was always a chance Tiana might show up and expose his lies, or perhaps her true prot¨¦g¨¦ would step forward to question his im, and then everything would copse. And if that happened, he wouldn¡¯t just fail to secure the Miller¡¯s Casino shares, but he¡¯d wind up with powerful enemies and watch his own reputation crumble.

    Lyman said nothing, weighing his options, caught between declining just to keep up his lies and taking a risky gamble for fortune.

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 Chapter 462

    ?Chapter 462:

    ¡°You are Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, aren¡¯t you? This is your chance. Reveal who you are and im that five percent of Miller¡¯s Casino shares. It¡¯s the best of both worlds.¡± Lorraine tried to sway him, her voice low and earnest.

    Lorraine held firm in her conviction that Lyman truly was Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, unwilling to even consider the possibility that her mentor was actually a fraud.

    Just then, Christina piped up, a sly grin on her face. ¡°You¡¯re hesitating. What, feeling guilty?¡±

    That seemed to open the floodgates for every watching guest.

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t act like someone who¡¯s learned from an acimed pianist. No way he is Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦.¡±

    ¡°That acting low-key must be an excuse. He¡¯s just scared of getting caught.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t like him from the start. All that posturing, and it turns out he¡¯s nothing but a phony.¡±

    As the usations against Lyman piled up, Lorraine grew more frantic, a storm of frustration and worry shing across her face. She snapped at the crowd, unable to contain herself any longer. ¡°Enough! Everyone just stop talking!¡± Lorraine¡¯s re swept over the guests. ¡°You have no idea what you¡¯re saying. Mr. Patel is Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦¡ªhe just doesn¡¯t show off about it. He¡¯s a true artist, with the kind of talent and presence none of your rude business types could ever hope to understand.¡±

    Her outburst stung the businesspeople in the room, every wordnding like an insult.

    Celine let out a silent sigh, feeling a headacheing on thanks to Lorraine¡¯s careless remarks. The Miller family and the Reynolds family had built their lives around business, yet Lorraine had just insulted all of them.

    Kurt¡¯s expression hardened. His gaze shifted away from Lorraine, clearly fed up with her impulsiveness. Trying to smooth things over, he forced a thin smile and addressed Dn, ¡°Mr. Scott, please ignore her. She spoke in anger and didn¡¯t mean any disrespect.¡± He would never have bothered to defend Lorraine if she hadn¡¯t once saved Celine¡¯s life.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care about the nonsense spouted by insignificant people.¡± Dn¡¯s expression was icy. ¡°If you can¡¯t make this supposed prot¨¦g¨¦ prove his identity, I will step in.¡±

    Gasps rippled through the room. Dn was about to step in. Everyone¡¯s attention immediately shifted to Lyman and Lorraine, curiosity and anticipation lighting up their faces. It was obvious that Lyman and Lorraine were backed into a corner now. Lyman was suspected of being a fraud, and Lorraine had managed to offend every businessperson in the room just to defend him. Honestly, for someone like Lorraine to insult Dn¡ªa businessman himself¡ªwas just reckless.

    L?t§Öst ch¦Ápt?rs in g??lnovels.??m

    Dn dered he would take matters into his own hands and dig into Lyman¡¯s background, sending Lyman spiraling into a quiet panic.

    Lyman was genuinely flustered. Word had it that the Scott family¡¯swork was a force to be reckoned with, with a web of connections so vast that it could unravel almost any secret. They might not be able to pin down Tiana¡¯s true identity, but if they zeroed in on him instead of chasing Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦s, his house of cards would copse in no time.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for someone of your status to get involved in something so trivial, Mr. Scott,¡± Lyman said, shing a grin as he stepped forward. ¡°I¡¯d nned to fly under the radar, but since trust seems to be in short supply¡­¡±

    Lyman swept his gaze across the skeptical crowd and continued, ¡°I¡¯ll give you all the proof you¡¯re moring for.¡± His words came slowly and deliberately. ¡°Here¡¯s the deal: one week from today, I¡¯ll hold a press conference and publicly reveal my identity as the prot¨¦g¨¦ of Tiana to the entire world.¡±

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 Chapter 463

    ?Chapter 463:

    He was stalling, buying precious time to weigh his options¡ªtake a risky gamble by lying at the press conference or make a run for it.

    Suddenly, a voice cut through the tension like a lightning bolt. ¡°Holy smokes! The news! Check your phones. It¡¯s blowing up! Number one trending topic, this is wild!¡±

    Confusion rippled through the crowd, but instinct kicked in, and everyone scrambled for their phones. Even the Miller family members exchanged baffled nces before joining the digital frenzy.

    ¡°What¡¯s all the fuss?¡± Christina asked, her toneced with mock curiosity as she sidled up to Robin.

    Dn¡¯s brow creased, his expression as cold as a winter storm. He stepped forward, subtly wedging himself between Christina and Robin. ¡°I¡¯ve got a phone,¡± he said, his voice clipped as he handed his device to Christina, his demeanor frosty.

    Christina had her own phone tucked away but yed the part of a nosy onlooker to keep suspicion at bay. After all, she was the mastermind behind both the earlier hacking stunt and this explosive trending news.

    Robin shot Dn a sour look, his irritation ring at the intrusion. Dn was fast bing a thorn in his side. He tried to nudge Dn aside, but Dn stood like an unyielding oak, impossible to shift.

    Annoyed, Robin pivoted to Christina¡¯s other side and thrust his phone toward her, the news already pulled up. ¡°His phone¡¯s not even unlocked. Look at mine. I¡¯ve got the scoop right here.¡±

    Christina epted Robin¡¯s phone with a warm smile, which sent a spark of triumph through him. He shot Dn a smug, defiant nce, his boyish huffiness lending him an oddly charming air.

    ¡°Let¡¯s check this out together,¡± Christina said, her smile unwavering.

    Dn¡¯s face remained a mask of ice, his piercing eyes narrowing with a flicker of menace. The air around him crackled with unspoken danger. A twinge of unease gnawed at him¡ªRobin was proving as pesky as Elliott. How he wished he could sweep both nuisances out of the picture.

    Christina, oblivious to the quiet tug-of-war between the two men, found it simpler to nce at the news Robin had already loaded. Besides, she didn¡¯t know Dn¡¯s unlock code, and grabbing his hand to open the screen would only spark rumors about their rtionship.

    hosts great stories

    The trending news revealed Tiana¡¯s mysterious prot¨¦g¨¦ had stepped forward to unveil his identity.

    Upon seeing the news, Lyman¡¯s and Lorraine¡¯s faces drained of color, shock washing over them in waves ofplex emotions. This¡­ How could this be possible?

    Lorraine¡¯s expression turned ashen, disbelief etched across her features as she clutched her phone tightly. Tiana¡¯s mysterious prot¨¦g¨¦ turned out to be the prince from Eighshire! Then, was her mentor truly a phony? No way! She refused to ept it!

    The guests hummed with curiosity and intrigue.

    ¡°Is this true? Tiana¡¯s enigmatic prot¨¦g¨¦ turns out to be nobility from Eighshire?¡±

    ¡°But isn¡¯t the young Prince of Eighshire known for stayingpletely out of the media spotlight? The royal family guards his privacy obsessively. What reason would he have to expose his identity as Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦?¡±

    ¡°So who is spinning tales? Lyman or the supposed Prince? There¡¯s no solid confirmation backing either person.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 464

    ?Chapter 464:

    Eyes fixed on the screen, murmurs broke out across the room, heads subtly tilting toward Lyman. Nobody dared make an outright usation, but suspicion gravitated toward Lyman. After all, the young Prince of Eighshire had never made a public appearance¡ªwhy suddenly step into the spotlight now, and for something so trivial? Endangering his protection for the sake of a merebel seemed illogical. Safety surpassed everything.

    Lyman¡¯splexion drained of color, his expression frozen, eyes locked on the viral headlines. Why did this have toe out now, of all times? Was someone out to get him? Panic took over, and he racked his mind for a way to fool these guests and slip away with whatever excuse he could find before he collected the essentials and vanished.

    ¡°Mr. Patel, what¡¯s going on? Are you really mentored by Tiana? I trust you¡¯ll tell me the truth,¡± Lorraine asked, her emotions stirred as she grabbed his arm. She had battled doubt for a while, but the thought of epting the truth terrified her. If Lyman wasn¡¯t Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, she and her rtives would be mocked relentlessly¡ªshe wouldn¡¯t be able to endure the disgrace.

    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦! That so-called Prince is nothing but a pretender with outrageous nerve!¡± Lyman eximed, appearing deeply agitated and furious. ¡°I swear to bring charges against this brazen liar who not only impersonates the young Prince but also attempts to steal my identity!¡±

    After venting, he turned toward Kurt, his tone shifting. ¡°Mr. Miller, I deeply regret having to leave your birthday party, but I must consult my attorneys and ensure this impersonator pays for his actions.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me,¡± Lyman added, pivoting toward the exit, desperate to leave and make a run for it.

    ¡°Hold it.¡± Dn¡¯s tone sliced through the room like ice.

    A wave of unease swept over the crowd, goosebumps forming as anxiety mounted. They dared not meet his piercing gaze.

    Dn¡¯s aura was undeniable¡ªhe carried an authoritative intensity that unsettled everyone, leaving them stiff and shaken.

    Discover your escape on g  aln ov el s

    Lyman halted, legs trembling. He inhaled slowly, willing himself to stay calm. He swiveled to face Dn with aposed facade. ¡°Mr. Scott, is there something else?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been masquerading as Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, deceiving others with that false im. You¡¯re not walking out today,¡± Dn replied without emotion.

    Lorraine, still unwilling to ept the truth, hurriedly interjected, ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous! Mr. Patel is Tiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦! No one has ever seen the young Prince of Eighshire. Why should we trust a stranger¡¯s word? And even if he is royalty, how does that prove he studied under Tiana? Maybe he¡¯s the con artist!¡±

    For Lorraine, conceding that Lyman had lied meant public humiliation that would stain her family forever, and she couldn¡¯t let that happen.

    Lyman¡¯s expression turned stormy as he snapped, ¡°I¡¯m the genuine article¡ªTiana¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦. And you gullible fools fell for a fraud¡¯s im!¡±

    Just as his voice fell silent, a guest eximed, ¡°Check it out¡ªthere¡¯s a new trending topic!¡±

    The room instantly buzzed with guests scrambling for their phones.

    ¡°Turns out the Prince of Eighshire is really Tiana¡¯s elusive prot¨¦g¨¦! Oh man, this is so hrious. Let¡¯s see what Lyman has got to say!¡±

    ¡°No kidding. Tiana¡¯s two other prot¨¦g¨¦s just backed the Prince of Eighshire up publicly. They even reposted it.¡±

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 465

    ?Chapter 465:

    ¡°Those two? They¡¯ve been around for years. Everyone knows they¡¯re authentic¡ªverified and everything.¡±

    Murmurs rippled through the crowd. All eyes drifted toward Lyman, full of disdain.

    ¡°This guy¡¯s a straight-up con. Showing up at the Miller estate with a con game? He¡¯s finished.¡±

    ¡°He and Lorraine thought they¡¯d snag five percent of Miller¡¯s Casino shares? Delusional.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Scott¡¯s already paying close attention. Even if the Millers let this pass, Lyman¡¯s done for.¡±

    Spection buzzed like a swarm of bees, thick with Lyman¡¯s imminent ruin. Lyman¡¯splexion drained, lips trembling, his hands visibly shaking. His gaze stayed locked on the screen, disbelief etched across his face. He couldn¡¯t wrap his head around how his deception unraveled so quickly. Why did the Prince of Eighshire suddenly go public, with the news spreading like wildfire? Someone must have pulled the strings behind the scenes. Could it be¡­

    His nce flicked to Christina, who wore a quiet, almost smug smirk. Was she the mastermind?

    The idea crept into Lyman¡¯s mind, but he dismissed it just as fast. That gorgeous woman pulling strings like this? Impossible. She didn¡¯t have that kind of reach. The Prince of Eighshire was guarded like a fortress since birth. He wouldn¡¯t risk his neck for her. If not her, then who?

    Lyman¡¯s eyes shifted to Robin, but dismissed Robin instantly. His attention finally settled on Dn. It seemed possible that Dn had orchestrated the whole thing, but the scale of it all¡­ Was that really worth it just to unravel his false im?

    Meanwhile, Lorraine repeatedly scrolled through the feed, staring at the harsh truth. Her mentor¡ªthe person she¡¯d trusted¡ªwas a fraud. Her hands clenched as she looked up at Lyman, rage and betrayal burning in her eyes. ¡°Are you really a fake?¡±

    Lyman didn¡¯t respond. He stood there, stiff and silent.

    That was all Lorraine needed. Her restraint shattered like ss. Eyes zing, she lunged forward, seizing his cor and shouting, ¡°Why? Why did you deceive me like that, you filthy liar?¡±

    ?@???? ??@t?¨¨?? ¨ª¨½ ??????????????????.??????

    She seethed with humiliation. She¡¯d sung his praises, proud and loud¡ªnow she looked like a fool.

    Lyman was in no better state¡ªhis pride wounded by the scene. Being manhandled in front of everyone by a woman was more than he could tolerate. With a hard grip, he tore her hands away and gave her a violent shove.

    Lorraine stumbled backward, crashing onto the floor with a yelp.

    ¡°You wanna know why?¡± Lyman growled, venom dripping from his voice. ¡°Because you¡¯re a damn fool. And your whole n¡¯s just as clueless!¡±

    Lorraine was shoved to the floor, hitting hard, the sting of betrayal coursing through her, apanied by the insult of being called an idiot. Angry and upset, she struggled to her feet without a word and charged at Lyman, engaging him in a scuffle.

    ¡°Idiot, huh? You¡¯re the real idiot here!¡± Lorraine shouted as she grappled with Lyman. Despite being at a disadvantage, she refused to back down.

    In mere moments, they were a disheveled mess, entangled in each other¡¯s grasp.

    Celine, unable to watch the chaos any longer, signaled the security personnel to help Lorraine.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 466

    ?Chapter 466:

    Just as Lyman prepared to kick Lorraine away, the security team quickly subdued him, rendering him immobile.

    ¡°Let go of me! I need to teach this idiot a lesson!¡± Lyman shouted, anger boiling within him. Realizing he couldn¡¯t escape the Miller family estate, he resigned himself to his fate, thinking that beating up Lorraine would at least relieve some of his frustration. If it weren¡¯t for her tricking him intoing here, he wouldn¡¯t have been in this predicament!

    Desperately, Lyman attempted to kick Lorraine, but with security holding him back, his kicks only struck air. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, moron, fooling me, I wouldn¡¯t have been in this mess!¡±

    Furious, Lorraine lunged forward and pped him several times.

    The blows were so powerful that Lyman tasted blood in his mouth, momentarily stunned and forgetting his anger. ¡°You dare hit me?¡± He stared at her in disbelief.

    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I? You¡¯re the fraud who deceived me first! You deserve this!¡± Lorraine retorted, feeling a surge of vindication.

    ¡°Enough.¡± Kurt¡¯s authoritative voice cut through the tension. ¡°Take him to the police station.¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± the security personnel responded, escorting Lyman away.

    Lorraine turned to Celine, tears streaming down her face as she said, ¡°Celine, I was deceived. I didn¡¯t know he was a fraud. If I had known, I wouldn¡¯t have¡­¡± She choked up, unable to finish, her tears falling like pearls from a broken string.

    ¡°I know you were misled as well. None of us me you,¡± Celine reassured her gently.

    ¡°Take her away and have her bruises treated,¡± Kurt instructed sternly.

    Celine was about to lead Lorraine to freshen up and apply some ointment when several voices halted her.

    ¡°Wait.¡± The voices of Kurt, Robin, and Dn sounded in unison, each wearing a cold expression, their eyes fixed sharply on Lorraine.

    g¦Á?¦Ç¦Ò¦Í????s, where the best stories live

    Celine nced at them, confusion etched on her face as she awaited their words.

    ¡°Have Lorraine apologize to Miss Jones first,¡± Kurt dered, his tone resolute and unwavering.

    Robin and Dn remained silent, clearly in agreement.

    Reluctant but cornered, Lorraine had no choice but to bow her head in submission.

    ¡°Go apologize to Miss Jones, Lorraine,¡± Celine urged gently, squeezing her hand for support.

    Lorraine gave a stiff nod, her voice still thick with emotion. ¡°Fine.¡±

    Lorraine trailed Celine toward Christina, her jaw clenched so tightly it might have cracked under the pressure. This moment, she knew, would cast a long shadow of shame over her and her family.

    Steeling herself, Lorraine summoned a strained, apologetic smile and faced Christina. ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry for what happened earlier. I hope you can let it slide.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Christina replied, offering a faint smile in return.

    Soon after, Lorraine was whisked away. Kurt then ushered Dn and Christina into the inner hall.

    Meanwhile, Christina¡¯s two prot¨¦g¨¦s were practically vibrating with excitement, their voices buzzing over the phone.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 467

    ?Chapter 467:

    ¡°Our mentor¡¯s finally stepped out of the shadows!¡±

    ¡°Yeah! She¡¯s been off the grid for so long that I was starting to think our junior would keep his identity under wraps forever.¡±

    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for that impostor stirring up trouble, our junior probably would¡¯ve stayed hidden.¡±

    ¡°Our mentor said we might get to meet her soon. I¡¯m dying to know when! I can¡¯t wait! We¡¯re finally going to see her in the flesh!¡±

    Inside the hall, Kurt had a premium roast prepared and motioned for the guests to rx.

    Hardly had Christina settled in when Robin lunged forward, snatching the adjacent seat with reckless speed.

    Dn, everposed and calcting, found himself sidelined by Robin¡¯s brazen grab.

    Kurt masked any reaction, maintaining a nonchnt air, though amusement flickered in his eyes. A subtle arch of his brow hinted at silent approval. Finally, it looked like his grandson was showing grit, pursuing a woman and going toe-to-toe with a rival from the prestigious Scott lineage. Impressive initiative.

    Of course, the Millers couldn¡¯t rival the Scotts in legacy, but Kurt wasn¡¯t concerned about such distinctions when it came to winning a bride. If Robin seeded in winning Christina¡¯s heart, he would back Robin wholeheartedly. Christina struck him as an ideal fit for Robin¡ªhe was already quite taken with her. If Robin could win Christina¡¯s hand, it would be a major victory for their side.

    The Scott family¡¯s status didn¡¯t faze Kurt. He wouldn¡¯t want to miss a catch like Christina. Besides, Dn had the charisma and reputation to attract someone else easily. And ultimately, Christina¡¯s affection would decide everything.

    Kurt nursed his drink, keeping his musings private. Even when the hot brew scalded his tongue, he said nothing, flinching just slightly.

    Robin, who had aggressively secured his ce beside Christina, tossed a cocky look Dn¡¯s way.

    Dn¡¯s jaw clenched, a chill emanating from him that could¡¯ve frosted the windows.

    g¦Á ? ¦Ç¦Ò ¦Í?? ??s has it all

    Unbothered by Dn¡¯s frozen stare, Robin turned toward Christina and said, ¡°Only the best blend makes an appearance when my grandfather hosts. You should try it.¡±

    ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll make sure to enjoy every drop,¡± Christina answered, bringing the cup to her lips.

    But before she drank, she noticed Dn standing motionless, his gaze locked onto Robin with quiet fury. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to join us, Mr. Scott?¡± she asked, a crease forming between her brows. She was baffled. The room had no shortage of seating, yet Dn remained on his feet.

    Dn didn¡¯t respond immediately, though his features softened ever so slightly as he nced at her, lips tightly drawn. Watching her clueless face, a stifling weight settled on his chest. He hadn¡¯t known this kind of emotional chaos until Christina entered his life. Yet, she didn¡¯t seem to see any of it¡ªand that realization crushed him. He was clueless about romance, and was Christina even more emotionally unaware?

    Dn¡¯s thoughts wandered to the years she spent with the Dawsons¡ªall her efforts poured into Brendon¡ªand a bitter stab of envy hit him hard. She wasn¡¯t incapable of loving. She simply hadn¡¯t chosen him. The sting in his chest deepened, a slow-burning ache that refused to fade.

    .

    .

    .

 Chapter 468

    ?Chapter 468:

    Dn was jealous, and the more he dwelled on it, the more it burned, sharper than a shot of vinegar.

    Christina, unaware of the storm she¡¯d stirred, looked at him with wide, unknowing eyes. ¡°Come on, take a load off,¡± she said, tapping the ornate chair at her side.

    Dn¡¯s bitterness and jealousy ebbed away in an instant, and a tentative smile touched his face before he could stop it. But the moment he sat and allowed himself a flicker of optimism, her nextment washed over him like cold water, reigniting the ache and jealousy he¡¯d tried to bury.

    Christina teased Dn with a grin, ¡°If you keep standing there, folks might assume the Millers are neglecting you.¡±

    That remark struck a nerve in Dn. Was Christina still looking out for Robin? Did that mean she harbored feelings for Robin? The thought gnawed at him, irritation ring.

    Dn¡¯s gaze cut toward Robin, icy and piercing. Robin was immature, impulsive¡ªpractically a boy. What did Christina see in someone like that? Was it Brendon¡¯s betrayal that pushed her toward someone carefree and naive? Damn Brendon!

    Dn¡¯s mind spiraled, his forehead creasing under the weight of it. For the first time, he had begun to feel uneasy about the age gap. Age wasn¡¯t something he could outpace. He and Christina were close in years, while both Elliott and Robin trailed behind them in age¡ªRobin even more so, barely more than a teenager. And yet, Robin carried an easy, radiant charm he could never mimic.

    These thoughts only deepened Dn¡¯s disquiet, his expression darkening with each passing second. Nothing had ever fazed him like this before, yet now he felt totally at a loss.

    ¡°That¡¯s nice,¡± Christinamented on the coffee, oblivious to the storm inside Dn. She turned to him with a soft smile. ¡°Mr. Scott, you should try it before it gets cold.¡±

    Dn stared at the coffee nkly, not in the mood to savor it. He replied tly, ¡°Sure.¡±

    He took a sip¡ªonly to find bitterness spreading across his tongue. His face tightened.

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    ¡°Is it that bad?¡± Christina asked, taken aback by his reaction.

    Dn lowered the cup, his tone t. ¡°Not really to my taste. It¡¯s overly bitter.¡±

    ¡°Bitter?¡± Christina repeated, puzzled. She took another taste. To her, it was silky, subtly sweet, rich in aroma¡ªeverything good coffee should be.

    Kurt let out a knowing chuckle. ¡°The vor of coffee often reflects your mood. Seems like Mr. Scott¡¯s got something weighing on him.¡±

    Kurt understood perfectly well what was bothering Dn, but he wasn¡¯t about toy it bare. Winning a woman¡¯s affection was a personal challenge¡ªa contest of appeal and finesse. Helping Dn would be no different from undermining Robin. Robin already had fewer cards to y. Robin¡¯s youth was his strongest asset, but

    That would only matter if Christina had a taste for younger men. If not, Robin had nothing topete with. Given all that, there was no reason for Kurt to help Dn.

    Christina understood Kurt¡¯s meaning right away and seemed to pick up on what was bothering Dn. ¡°Ah,¡± she said, casting a nce toward Dn.

    Kurt¡¯s pulse skipped. He hadn¡¯t spelled it out¡ªhow did she figure it out so fast? Had he known she was this sharp, he would have kept quiet. He silently cursed himself for not holding his tongue. Why did he have to say anything at all?

    Dn, meanwhile, thought she had finally figured out what was troubling him. His typically unreadable eyes lit up with a quiet hope as he studied her.

    .

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 Chapter 469

    ?Chapter 469:

    Robin hadn¡¯t even considered the possibility that Dn¡¯s mood was tied to anything romantic. He was simply intrigued by what could possibly throw someone like Dn off bnce.

    Just as Kurt was stewing in his regret, Christina began to speak.

    ¡°You¡¯re still hung up on the assassination attempt, aren¡¯t you?¡± Christina faced Dn and said with conviction. It seemed the only thing troubling Dn was the invisible hand orchestrating it all. After all, the incident had left him severely wounded, and the perpetrator remained unidentified. It lingered like a falling axe suspended in midair, ready to strike at any moment.

    Neither Dn nor Kurt said a word. Only Robin, who was just as unaware as Christina, suddenly lit up as if he had cracked a puzzle.

    ¡°Why panic? Dn¡¯s got this. He¡¯s a pro,¡± Robin said with a casual shrug. Encounters with danger weren¡¯t new territory for Dn. His expertise kept him a step ahead. To men like him and Dn, raised in cutthroat circles, ambushes and abductions were upational hazards. Their upbringing had forged them into survivors, prepared for mayhem.

    Kurt chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it. We¡¯ll deal with it when the timees.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! We face problems head-on¡ªwith smarts and grit,¡± Robin nodded.

    Dn gave no reply; his features remained unreadable.

    ¡°They¡¯re right. Don¡¯t let it eat at you¡ªbut stay alert,¡± Christina added, hoping tofort Dn.

    Before Dn could speak, Kurt leaned in enthusiastically. ¡°Christina, sorry for the chaos today. Let me make it up to you with a gift. What do you have in mind? Say the word¡ªanything at all.¡±

    Christina¡¯s grin was mischievous. ¡°Anything at all?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Kurt assured her.

    ¡°Alright then. I want ten percent of Miller¡¯s Casino shares,¡± she replied, deliberately throwing out a bold request.

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    Robin practically choked. ¡°Are you trying to loot us? You¡¯re like a bandit, and the most shameless one at that.¡± Even the criminals who once held him hostage hadn¡¯t asked for that much. Christina was treating equity in the casino like spare change.

    ¡°You said I could name anything. What¡¯s the matter¡ªfeeling stingy?¡± she taunted, provoking him.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t about money. You¡¯re just ridiculously daring!¡± Robin shot back.

    Kurtughed heartily. ¡°If that¡¯s your pick, I¡¯ll tack on another five percent.¡± He had his own reasons for this decision. He knew Christina wasn¡¯t the type to ept handouts without giving something back.

    ¡°Grandpa! Have you gone off the rails? You¡¯re handing out fifteen percent just like that? I don¡¯t even own that much!¡± Robin eximed, his brow furrowed. He couldn¡¯t fathom Kurt¡¯s level of generosity. He suspected Kurt was still ying cupid, throwing in a hefty gift for what he hoped would be his future granddaughter-inw. Kurt clearly wanted him to settle down soon.

    ¡°I feel like giving her those shares. Your opinion is irrelevant,¡± Kurt snapped, shooting Robin an annoyed nce. Just earlier, he had assumed Robin had finallye around and started to pursue Christina, but clearly, Robin hadn¡¯t. Robin remained oblivious in matters of the heart. s! It seemed unlikely Robin could win Christina¡¯s affection.

    Robin frowned, frustrated by his grandfather¡¯s reaction. It felt like Christina had stolen the ¡°favorite¡± title right from under him.

    .

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 Chapter 470

    ?Chapter 470:

    ¡°Grandpa¡­¡± Robin began, but Dn¡¯s voice cut clean through.

    ¡°Miller¡¯s Casino doesn¡¯tpare to the Scott Group,¡± Dn said, his tone frosty, eyes fixed on Christina. ¡°If it¡¯s stock you want, I¡¯ll hand over thirty percent of the Scott Group¡¯s.¡±

    Dn¡¯s first impulse had been to dere that, should Christina express any interest, he¡¯d hand over every single one of his shares without hesitation. Yet, not wanting toe across as too intense, he instead proposed a deal that offered her twice as much as what the Millers had offered.

    Robin blinked in shock, eyes glued to Dn as if witnessing madness unfold. What was Dn¡¯s rtionship with Christina? Thirty percent of the Scott Group shares, tossed out like a party favor? If that much went to Christina, what was left for Dn himself? Did she pull Dn out of a burning building or something?

    The possibility of Dn harboring feelings toward Christina didn¡¯t even cross Robin¡¯s mind at that point. Giving everything in the name of affection? That sounded like the stuff of screenys, not real life. This was reality¡ªlogic, responsibility, and self-preservation came first.

    Even Kurt hadn¡¯t seen iting. Dn¡¯s casual, unflinching offer to give Christina nearly a third of the Scott Group shares left him visibly unsettled. His forehead creased slightly as concern crept in. It seemed his clueless grandson didn¡¯t stand a chance against Dn in terms of winning Christina¡¯s affection. At this point, they were ying inpletely different leagues. Robin was still gasping over his offer of fifteen percent of Miller¡¯s Casino shares, while Dn had already thrown thirty percent of the Scott Group shares into the ring. To any onlooker, Dn¡¯s gesture appeared far more earnest and bold. Robin could mock Dn all he wanted, but he was the onecking perspective.

    Christina¡¯s gaze locked on Dn. She was stunned. He wasn¡¯t grinning or being yful. He meant every word. But why did he offer to give her so many shares for no reason? She hadn¡¯t considered the possibility that this was his way of pursuing her. To her, the whole situation just felt surreal.

    ¡°Why are you suddenly handing mepany stock?¡± Christina asked, genuinely confused.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you want shares?¡± Dn responded, voice calm.

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    ¡°I was just messing with them! What would I even do with shares?¡± she replied, giggling uncontrobly.

    Still donning a serious face, Dn said, ¡°If you want them, they¡¯re yours.¡±

    That sentence caught herpletely off guard. Then, a beam spread across her face.

    ¡­ and with a chuckle, she said, ¡°You¡¯re kind of charming.¡± That offhandedplimentnded differently for Robin and Dn.

    Dn¡¯s face remained still, but the corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly, and the heaviness in his chest evaporated like morning mist. Christina¡¯s words lit something inside him.

    Robin, on the other hand, felt a jab in his chest. Watching her light up for someone else stung. ¡°Charming? Are you serious right now? You need your vision checked,¡± he muttered under his breath, bitterness seeping through.

    Christina didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°As long as I think so, that¡¯s what matters. But if you¡¯re worried about your eyesight, I know a good specialist.¡±

    Robin scowled, feeling worse by the second. He grumbled, ¡°I¡¯m not wrong. No way others would agree that Dn is whatever you just called him.¡±

    To Robin, Dn was ice-cold and stone-faced, never smiling, always calcted.

    .

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 Chapter 471

    ?Chapter 471:

    That kind of person? Charming? Only Christina could think that.

    Dn felt like he was on cloud nine, his heart sweetened. Robin¡¯s jealousy only made him feel better. He had Christina¡¯s praise. Did Robin have that?

    Dn usually kept a stoic front, but now there was a spark of quiet triumph in his eyes.

    Noticing Dn¡¯s smugness, Robin felt his irritation swell. Seriously? What was so great about it? Onement and Dn was acting like he¡¯d won the lottery?

    Robin found Dn even more annoying than usual.

    ¡°Mind your own business,¡± Christina snapped, shooting Robin a sharp look.

    Dn¡¯s lips curled into a slight smile as Robin¡¯s frustration grew. And Christina had just praised him! The phrase ¡°You¡¯re kind of charming¡± echoed in his thoughts, lifting his mood even more.

    Seeing Robin¡¯s sour face, Kurt immediately realized Robin was about to start another pointless argument with Christina. He quickly interjected with a friendlyugh, ¡°Christina, have you picked out what you want yet?¡±

    Kurt knew if he didn¡¯t step in now, Robin¡ªthe emotionally stunted fool¡ªwould definitely end up bickering with Christina again. Sure, Robin wouldn¡¯t get the upper hand in the argument, but what kind of girl would enjoy being constantly challenged by a guy?

    ¡°I want the oil painting from the grand hall,¡± Christina said without hesitation. The grand hall disyed many antiques, but only one battered oil painting stood apart from the rest. She couldn¡¯t look away from it the moment she saw it.

    Hearing her request for the damaged oil painting, both Kurt and Robin gave puzzled looks. The painting, dating back several centuries, was clearly a masterpiece. Still, with the artist unidentified and its condition severely deteriorated, it carried little worth and held almost no real value. Kurt raised his eyebrows and asked, ¡°Are you sure about that?¡±

    Christina gave a firm nod. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure.¡±

    Robin quickly chimed in, ¡°That piece might be centuries old, but it¡¯s in such bad shape that it really isn¡¯t worth anything.¡±

    Kurt nodded in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s right. I only bought it because I liked it for myself. The condition is so poor, though, that keeping it from falling apart is a job in itself. Selling itter? Not a chance. You can forget about it ever going up in value.¡±

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    A bright smile spread across Christina¡¯s face. ¡°There¡¯s something about that painting that draws me in, especially with the missing part of the face of the armored girl with her sword. That mystery is what makes me want it most.¡±

    Unbeknownst to most, Christina was the world¡¯s leading expert in restoring artifacts, famous for her wless restorations that no one could rival. There was something captivating about this particr painting, and she had every intention of bringing back the full spirit of that noble, heroic girl.

    Robin couldn¡¯t figure out why Christina was so interested in the painting¡¯s missing features. After buying the painting, Kurt had brought in restoration specialists from all over the world, but each one had ended up walking away, saying the lost part of the girl¡¯s face was impossible to recover. Kurt had expected this before he ever purchased the painting, so he never pushed for a miracle. Instead, he disyed the damaged artwork in a clear ss case for everyone to see in the grand hall.

    Robin frowned and suggested, ¡°There are plenty of antiques there that are worth much more than that painting. You should really consider choosing something with greater value.¡±

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 Chapter 472

    ?Chapter 472:

    Kurt nodded. ¡°Robin has a point. I wouldn¡¯t feel right giving you a damaged painting, Christina. How about I give you shares in Miller¡¯s Casino instead?¡±

    Dn, always calm and graceful, spoke up in a gentle tone. ¡°For Christina, the most valuable thing is whatever she¡¯s drawn to. You should let her choose what she likes.¡±

    Christina¡¯s gazended on Dn, her eyes warm with gratitude as her smile widened. ¡°Mr. Scott always gets me.¡±

    When it came to wealth, Christina was on equal footing with both the Miller and Scott families. Money had never been an issue for her. Only a handful of things in this world managed to truly spark her interest. Maybe it came from her work as a restorer. She was always pulled toward antiques and artifacts that needed care. With each sessful restoration of an item steeped in history, she experienced a deep sense of fulfillment. That was one of the reasons she lived the way she did.

    Robin¡¯s mouth twisted into a scowl, feeling left out. Why did Christina always seem to have something nice to say about Dn? Didn¡¯t he and his grandfather just suggest she choose something far more valuable?

    Robin felt a knot of frustration, shooting Dn a re full of unfiltered irritation. Kurt offered a gentle smile. ¡°If you really want that old painting, I won¡¯t argue. I actually felt the same way as you years ago. The image of that girl with half her face missing really stuck with me.¡±

    Kurt¡¯s affection for Christina only grew, and his hopes of having her as a granddaughter-inw soared higher than ever. ncing at Robin, he let out a quiet sigh. Robin didn¡¯t stand a chance against Dn, making it uncertain if Christina would marry into the Miller family.

    Christina gave Kurt a grateful smile. ¡°I appreciate your kindness.¡±

    She hadn¡¯t expected to get such a valuable find after attending Kurt¡¯s birthday celebration. Once she got her hands on the damaged old painting, she¡¯d dive into restoring it, determined to bring back the full spirit and beauty of the girl in the painting.

    Kurt¡¯s reply was warm. ¡°As long as you¡¯re happy, that¡¯s what matters most.¡±

    After savoring their coffee, Christina and the others walked out of the room and made their way back to the main hall. As soon as they reappeared, every head in the room turned in their direction.

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    Kurt guided Christina over to where the oil painting was disyed. Up close, the damage was obvious. There were holes, corrosion, and the armored girl¡¯s face was half gone. Even the knight¡¯s sword the girl held had faded to almost nothing, leaving only a bit of the hilt and the tip.

    Despite its battered condition, the painting was famous far and wide. Almost everyone had at least heard its name¡ªHalf-Faced Warrior.

    As Kurt and Christina stood before it, more and more guests gathered around, all eyes fixed on the Half-Faced Warrior. The crowd wondered why Kurt abruptly paid attention to this damaged piece.

    Kurt exined to the crowd, ¡°Today¡¯s chaos has disturbed Miss Jones, so as an apology, I let her choose a few antiques. But she only wanted this painting, so it¡¯s hers.¡±

    When the guests learned Christina had passed over other valuable antiques only to im this ruined painting, confused nces spread among them.

    ¡°The painting might have a name, but it¡¯s so worn out that it¡¯s lost any real value, and keeping it intact is a constant headache.¡±

    ¡°If the Half-Faced Warrior were in perfect condition, it would easily fetch millions at auction.¡±

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 Chapter 473

    ?Chapter 473:

    ¡°But if it were perfect, it wouldn¡¯t be called the Half-Faced Warrior. It¡¯s a shame it¡¯s so damaged. Still, the Millers deserve credit for preserving it this long.¡±

    ¡°Is Miss Jones crazy? There are antiques here worth millions, with potential to grow in value, and she chooses this broken-down painting?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand her reasoning. This piece wouldn¡¯t even sell for two hundred thousand, and it¡¯s a pain to maintain. What¡¯s the point of bringing it home?¡±

    Whispers rippled through the crowd as they struggled to make sense of Christina¡¯s decision. To them, she wasn¡¯t thinking clearly. Choosing this damaged painting over more valuable items seemed downright foolish. She was letting a golden opportunity slip away. What a fool.

    A guest piped up with good intentions, ¡°Miss Jones, you might want to reconsider. Every other antique in here is better than that battered painting.¡±

    Another quickly jumped in, ¡°Honestly, that painting is beyond saving. If you bring it home, it¡¯ll just fall apart. You¡¯d be lucky to get a few thousand for it.¡±

    Several guests seemed genuinely concerned for Christina, suggesting she pick something else valuable from the hall.

    Christina shook her head with unwavering determination. ¡°I appreciate your suggestions, but I¡¯m set on this painting. Its value to me isn¡¯t about money.¡±

    When it became clear she wouldn¡¯t change her mind, those trying to sway her gave up with quiet sighs. Some, however, exchanged smug looks. ¡°She¡¯s just too stubborn. Let her regret itter.¡±

    ¡°Out of all the treasures in here, she picks the one thing nobody wants? There¡¯s no helping her. Let her be.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll beughing when she realizes how bad her choice was. Watching her regret it will be nice.¡±

    Some people were just eager to see her consumed by remorse, throwing out mocking remarks and watching her as if she didn¡¯t know any better.

    Ignoring the negativity, Christina turned to Kurt. ¡°My mind¡¯s made up. Could you have the painting packed up for me so I can bring it home after the party?¡±

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    Kurt gave her a reassuring nod. ¡°You got it. I¡¯ll have it ready in no time.¡±

    Christina smiled at him. ¡°Thank you, Kurt.¡±

    Christina¡¯s words brought a spark to Kurt¡¯s face, his smile shining with unmistakable warmth. He felt like the day Christina would be Robin¡¯s wife was fast approaching. Now, it was just a matter of whether Robin would rise to the asion.

    There were always whispers about Robin being too young and Kurt being too eager to push Robin to settle down. But Kurt¡¯s concern was grounded. Robin had no clue when it came to romance, and all he cared about was tracking down Epic to challenge. Without a little nudge, Robin might end up spending his whole life alone.

    Kurt knew age was catching up with him. He had no clue how much time he had ahead of him and longed to see Robin get married and develop a family before his ultimate demise.

    Lorraine, lurking in the crowd, absorbed in everything silently, curled her lips into a wicked smirk at Christina¡¯s choice of that seemingly worthless painting. Christina was a total moron. With priceless antiques everywhere, Christina had gone for the least valuable thing in the room. Moreover, the painting, with its battered condition, was unlikely to soar in value and might even lose what little value it had.

    Neither Lorraine nor the people mocking Christina ever imagined that in Christina¡¯s care, that battered painting would be brought back to its original glory, or that she could turn a discarded canvas into a masterpiece. The day Christina unveiled the restored painting, it left them all stunned, hit with a jaw-dropping shock they couldn¡¯t shake.

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 Chapter 474

    ?Chapter 474:

    When the banquet finally wrapped up, Christina made sure the painting was carefully sealed and packed, treating it with the utmost care.

    ¡°You really are attached to that painting, aren¡¯t you?¡± Dn asked, his tone even andced with curiosity. He hadn¡¯t missed the way Christina¡¯s gaze lingered on the artwork. Every time she looked at it, her eyes seemed to shine brighter, sparkling like a star and impossible for anyone to ignore.

    A light blush colored Christina¡¯s cheeks from the wine. She grinned. ¡°Absolutely! There¡¯s just something intriguing about a warrior whose face is half-missing, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    To her, the girl in the painting, with only part of her face visible, carried an air of mystery that drew people in and held their gaze.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Dn agreed quietly. Had he known that one day he would cross paths with Christina, and that she would be so drawn to the ¡°Half-Faced Warrior,¡± he would have purchased it without hesitation. He wished he could have been the one to present her with that painting, the one her eyes brightened with delight.

    ¡°There¡¯s a certain beauty in imperfection,¡± Christina said, her smile gentle. ¡°A piece that isn¡¯t whole has a story all its own. Life¡¯s full of rough edges and missing parts, but that doesn¡¯t take away from what makes it special. Every life, even with its gaps, still has meaning.¡±

    Hearing her words, Dn¡¯s serious look softened a little. He watched her, giving a thoughtful nod.

    ¡°We¡¯re leaving for Dorfield tomorrow, right?¡± Christina asked.

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Dn replied.

    They went on chatting, their conversation meandering without any real purpose. As they talked, Christina¡¯s eyelids grew heavy. Spending time with Dn always left her feeling calm. At some point, she drifted off, unconsciously leaning in closer to Dn, seeking a sense offort.

    The moment Dn noticed her leaning his way, he reached over to steady her and gentlyid her head on hisp. With her resting quietly, he made sure to cradle her with both hands, ready to keep her safe if the car ever jolted or stopped suddenly.

    During the ride back, Dn hardly moved, keeping his arms around Christina and watching over her the entire way.

    The driver, who had already witnessed Dn¡¯s concern for Christina before, checked the rearview mirror a few times, though the sight no longer caught him off guard like it once did. He figured it was obvious now. Christina would end up as the futuredy of the Scott family. After all, nobody had ever seen Dn act so attentive toward any woman before.

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    Time seemed to stretch endlessly, and Dn¡¯s limbs began to tingle with numbness before the car finally stopped in the parking lot.

    Moving carefully, Dn lifted the sleeping Christina in his arms and walked toward the hospital. There was a check-up scheduled for the next day, and once that was over, she could be discharged.

    As Dn waited for the elevator, Christina shifted, curling in closer and mumbling softly against his chest.

    Her movement stirred a warmth inside Dn, and his stern expression softened. A heat rose to his ears. Normally, his face was all hard angles and chill, but now a gentle flush softened his features, making him look even more attractive than usual.

    Completely unaware of her effect on him, Christina only burrowed further into his arms, her delicate features brushing against his shirt.

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 Chapter 475

    ?Chapter 475:

    Dn pressed his lips together, looking down at her with affection as she slept. He thought about saying something but ultimately stayed silent, not wanting to risk disturbing her peaceful rest.

    The moment the elevator arrived, Dn gently pulled his gaze away and pushed down the flutter of emotion, still letting her rest securely in his hold.

    Carrying her inside, Dn nced at her, who nuzzled against him from time to time, and he couldn¡¯t hide the tender smile on his lips. That easy smile softened his whole appearance, giving him a rare warmth and a distinct charm. He looked down at Christina, sleeping soundly in his arms, and a sudden thought shed across his mind. Without thinking, he leaned down just a little closer.

    All of a sudden, Christina¡¯s eyes fluttered open and she met Dn¡¯s gaze.

    A jolt of panic hit Dn, leaving him feeling as though he¡¯d been caught red-handed. He really only meant to nudge noses with her, nothing more, but meeting her wide-awake stare filled him with a strange guilt.

    Their faces were so close, just a breath apart, and each could feel the other¡¯s gentle exhale.

    Dn fumbled for words, breaking the quiet. ¡°You¡­¡±

    Before he could get another word out, Christina¡¯s eyes slipped closed again, and she tucked herself even closer to him. She seemed only half-awake, dazed and unaware of her surroundings, much like someone who stirred just enough to roll over before drifting back to sleep.

    Dn called out her name, his voice hushed and soothing, ¡°Christina.¡± He tried calling her several times but received no response. That told him all he needed. She had already slipped back into a deep sleep, totally unaware of their near encounter.

    A slow breath left him as the tension finally melted away. Even so, his heart still raced on, thudding in his chest with an energy he couldn¡¯t quite calm.

    Dn let his eyes linger on Christina¡¯s peaceful face, feeling a gentle fascination sweep through him. A faint, almost secret smile curved his lips as he watched her.

    By morning, inside the hospital room, Christina¡¯s longshes flickered before she blinked herself awake.

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    The very first thing she saw was Dn¡¯s striking face, every feature sharp and cool, the kind of handsomeness that left nothing to criticize. They locked eyes, silent for a moment.

    rity came over Christina as the memories ofst night slowly returned. She remembered falling asleep in the car, sinking deeply into rest.

    Thinking back, she recalled waking up partway through the night, Dn¡¯s face right in front of hers. At that time, she¡¯d chalked it up to a dream. But now, she realized their faces had actually been that close, and he had been holding her in his arms.

    A flurry of thoughts rushed through her mind. Did she do something strange in her sleep? Had she leaned in on her own?

    With a bit of hesitation, Christina quietly asked, ¡°I hope I didn¡¯t embarrass myselfst night?¡±

    All she could recall was how close their faces had been, but she couldn¡¯t tell who had moved first.

    ¡°No,¡± Dn responded, meeting her gaze steadily. ¡°I need your help with my bandages.¡±

    That answer made Christina freeze for a moment, and then she remembered he had carried her back to the hospital the night before. She sat up without dy. ¡°Sure,¡± she responded quickly.

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 Chapter 476

    ?Chapter 476:

    She¡¯d gotten used to helping Dn with his bandages, always taking care not to brush against him for fear of getting thrown out. Dn had a reputation for being a germaphobe, though he seemed to make exceptions for her. When he carried her home or when she touched him by ident, he never seemed bothered.

    While Christina started changing his bandages, her thoughts wandered. Her hand identally brushed Dn¡¯s chest, and she quickly drew it back.

    Dn had been quietly observing her, and when he noticed how fast she pulled away, his brow creased ever so slightly. Every time she helped with the bandages, she acted with such caution, afraid of identally touching him. Was she really so uneasy about getting close to him?

    Dn¡¯s chest twisted with a sharp, acidic ache, like swallowing something that scorched on the way down. A profound sense of sadness enveloped him, and the space separating him and Christina felt like a chasm impossible to cross. Maybe Christina still clung to Brendon¡¯s memory¡ªunable to sever that lingering attachment.

    Dn sighed silently and then inhaled to steady himself. It didn¡¯t matter. The journey ahead stretched long, giving him room to change the course. Slowly but surely, he would make his way into Christina¡¯s heart, eclipsing Brendon entirely. In due time, even the faintest memory of Brendon would fade from her soul.

    ¡°Sorry, I zoned out,¡± Christina murmured, slightly embarrassed.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Dn answered quietly. His face remainedposed, though a faint sting lingered beneath the surface. Who had imed her thoughts in that silence? Was it Brendon again? What made that fool¡ªsomeone who never valued her¡ªdeserve space in her mind?

    That idea alone made Dn¡¯s face cloud over, and his stare darkened with quiet hostility. If Brendon were standing there, Dn¡¯s re alone would be enough to tear him apart.

    ¡°Should I continue?¡± Christina asked hesitantly. She noticed the shift in his expression¡ªan edge of tension, maybe even fury.

    ¡°Yes, please,¡± he replied.

    Her tentative tone triggered a mix of frustration and resignation in him, and the hardness in his eyes eased.

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    Christina turned her attention back to the task, asking gently, ¡°Does the wound still hurt?¡±

    He meant to say it didn¡¯t, but the words changed course. ¡°It hurts.¡±

    ¡°Does it hurt a lot?¡± she asked, her brow furrowed. Based on her experience treating patients, unless Dn had strained the wound, it shouldn¡¯t be causing pain now.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± he said coolly, hiding the falsehood behind a t tone.

    ¡°But I checked it myself¡ªit doesn¡¯t look aggravated,¡± she said, puzzled. Her eyes narrowed, studying him. ¡°Did you strain it again?¡±

    He opened his mouth, intending to deny it, but stopped short. ¡°Maybe when I carried you backst night, I pushed it too hard.¡±

    ¡°You should¡¯ve nudged me awake,¡± she said softly, her features drawn with remorse. ¡°If you keep overexerting it, things could get worse.¡±

    ¡°It was a minor pull, nothing too bad,¡± he responded evenly, his voice betraying nothing.

    ¡°Next time I drift off, don¡¯t hesitate¡ªwake me,¡± Christina said with concern. She made a mental note not to fall asleep beside him again.

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 Chapter 477

    ?Chapter 477:

    She couldn¡¯t exin why¡ªwhen in Dn¡¯s presence¡ªher body would release every ounce of tension. After years of bracing herself for danger, uninterrupted rest had be foreign. But beside Dn, sleep came quickly¡ªdeep, dreamless, peaceful. Maybe it was the aftermath of surviving gunfire and chaos that conditioned her to always remain half-alert. Yet, during those moments near Dn, she could finally let go.

    ¡°I will,¡± Dn replied, though inwardly, he had no intention of waking her. If she drifted off next to him again, he¡¯d still carry her back without waking her.

    ¡°After today¡¯s appointment, we¡¯ll return to Dorfield,¡± Christina said, shifting topics.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Dn muttered, sounding indifferent. The thought of Brendon in Dorfield made his face fall a bit. When would that pathetic excuse finally vanish from her world? If he hadn¡¯t been so worried about upsetting Christina by interfering, he would have already taken action to wipe the Dawson name off the map. Brendon was nothing but a constant irritation.

    Afternoon arrived. Sunlight bathed the hospital lot as Christina pulled in, just moments before the thunderous arrival of a shy sports car that skidded into a space nearby.

    The door, marked with borate angelic designs, popped open, and out stepped someone unmistakable. It was Robin.

    ¡°Look who made it, kiddo,¡± Christina teased, waving as a grin spread across her face.

    Robin¡¯s brows knitted together at the term she used, clearly displeased. Although he was a few years her junior, thatbel irked him, stirring a wave of annoyance he couldn¡¯t quite suppress.

    In the background, Dn¡¯s typically frigid presence softened ever so slightly, a small upward curl twitching at his lips. Satisfaction flickered in his gaze. Maybe he¡¯d overthought things earlier¡ªperhaps Christina had no romantic interest in Robin, the man significantly younger than her. Still, he remained on alert around any man near her, even if it were an insect buzzing too close.

    ¡°Stop calling me that!¡± Robin snapped, unable to hide his irritation. Aware that Christina was heading back to Dorfield, he had made the trip just to bid farewell, only to have his mood dampened by her teasing tone. She sure knew how to rub him the wrong way before leaving.

    Robin stomped forward with a petnt huff. ¡°Don¡¯t bothering back once you leave.¡±

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    ¡°As if you could stop me,¡± Christina replied, rolling her eyes in amused defiance. ¡°Kitaso doesn¡¯t belong to you.¡±

    Robin¡¯s sulking expression made him resemble a pouting child, and Christina found herself amused by the thought. Maybe having a younger guy around just to tease wasn¡¯t so bad.

    ¡°I¡¯m serious. Stay away,¡± Robin muttered, his wordsced with petnce and obstinance.

    ¡°Sure, whatever. I wasn¡¯t nning to return anyway,¡± Christina shot back with a shrug, unexpectedlyplying.

    Robin blinked, stunned by her response. He had assumed she would argue, but now, faced with her sudden agreement, he faltered, silently wishing he could take back what he¡¯d just said. But doing so would be embarrassing.

    With a gentle pat on his shoulder, Christina smiled. ¡°Thanks foring all this way, even though I¡¯ve given you a hard time.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Robin scowled, momentarily distracted by her words. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have shown up if my grandfather hadn¡¯t insisted!¡±

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 Chapter 478

    ?Chapter 478:

    Last night, Kurt had firmly instructed Robin to escort Christina, but Robin had stubbornly declined despite his willingness. At dawn, Kurt had already been up and pushing Robin to go, despite Robin¡¯s repeated verbal objections. Eventually, Kurt¡¯s persistence broke through Robin¡¯s wall of resistance, and Robin ended up rushing over.

    Last night, Robin hadn¡¯t slept properly, tossing around in bed, debating whether to see Christina off, but feared his true feelings would be exposed. In the end, he used his grandfather¡¯s request as a shield to hide his real motivation.

    ¡°Drop by Dorfield sometime. I¡¯ll treat you to a meal,¡± Christina suggested warmly.

    Robin brushed her hand away, his face clouded with irritation.

    From a few steps back, Dn, who had quietly been observing Christina¡¯s touch on Robin¡¯s shoulder, eased the tension in his jaw the moment her hand moved away.

    ¡°Dorfield? No thanks. Nothing entertaining over there. I¡¯d rather stay put¡ªit¡¯s dull,¡± Robin dered defiantly. Yet, no sooner had the words escaped his mouth than he regretted them. His jaw clenched, itching to swallow his pride and admit he didn¡¯t mean it.

    ¡°Alright then. When you¡¯re in the mood and visit Dorfield, I¡¯ll treat you to a meal,¡± Christina said with a soft smile.

    Dn stepped in. ¡°We should get going.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± Christina turned to Robin. ¡°See you around¡­ Or maybe not.¡±

    Robin had nned to say ¡°until we never meet again,¡± but the words caught in his throat. His heart skipped a beat. Instead, he echoed quietly, ¡°See you around¡­ Or maybe not.¡±

    He watched as Christina got into the car. A flicker of reluctance showed in his eyes. Only when the car disappeared did he snap out of it. A strange emptiness crept in, like something important had slipped through his fingers.

    Robin rushed to his ck sports car, fired up the engine, and took off after them. Keeping a distance, he followed, restless and uneasy. His car finally stopped near the highway entrance. He watched as Christina¡¯s car merged onto the road and vanished from sight.

    A heavy feeling settled in his chest. Breathing suddenly felt harder. He furrowed his brows, confused by his own emotions. Christina wasn¡¯t exactly sweet or soft. In fact, she could really pack a punch. Aside from her beauty, she was fierce¡ªnothing like the gentle woman he once imagined.

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    Back in Dorfield, Christina took a cab alone to Davina¡¯s house to pick up a few things before returning to Bayview Estates. At the gate of Bayview Estates, she spotted Brendon. Just as she stepped out of the cab and walked toward the estate¡¯s grand archway with no n of acknowledging him, he appeared and blocked her path.

    Christina¡¯s brows drew together in irritation. She looked at him with clear displeasure. ¡°What do you want?¡± she asked with a half-smile that carried no warmth.

    Brendon frowned. Her distant tone and cold words stung a little. ¡°Where have you been? You were in Kitaso this whole time? You just got back today? I called so many times¡ªwhy didn¡¯t you answer?¡± he rattled off in frustration. Ever since returning from Kitaso, he¡¯d tried to reach her, but she ignored every call. He had no clue which man she had been running around with over there.

    The way he spoke, like he still had some im over her, made Christina¡¯s skin crawl. ¡°I go where I want, do what I want, and answer calls when I feel like it. What makes you think you get a say?¡± she shot back.

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 Chapter 479

    ?Chapter 479:

    ¡°I do have a say! We were once married, Christina. I¡¯m just looking out for you, making sure you¡¯re safe.¡±

    Christina rolled her eyes. ¡°So what? You¡¯re just my ex-husband. Even if I¡¯m tangled in someone else¡¯s sheets right now, it¡¯s none of your damn business.¡± She looked him up and down. ¡°If you¡¯ve got time to interfere in my life, maybe fix the disaster you¡¯ve got going on at home.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have any disaster! Christina, stop being so difficult. Can¡¯t we just sit and talk?¡± He reached for her arm.

    Christina dodged swiftly, her face turning cold. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to talk about. I said everything I need to say.¡±

    Brendon was about to respond when another voice called out. ¡°Brendon!¡± Ynda approached, dressed in head-to-toe designer, a limited-edition handbag on her arm and a bright smile on her lips. She pretended to just notice Christina and greeted her sweetly. ¡°Christina, what a surprise running into you here.¡±

    Ynda slipped her arm through Brendon¡¯s, leaning against him like the picture of bliss. ¡°Brendon and I are getting engaged next month. I hope you¡¯lle to the party.¡±

    Ynda leaned against Brendon, her face glowing with joy, though a spark of mischief danced in her eyes. Her gaze silently taunted Christina, as if to say, ¡°As long as I want him, he¡¯ll never be yours.¡±

    Christina met her look with a calm sneer. No men were worth the trouble ofpeting over, let alone a jerk like Brendon. She¡¯d rather pour her energy into herself¡ªgrowing, healing, and bing someone stronger. If the pain of the past three years hadn¡¯t taught her that, then nothing ever would have.

    ¡°Congrattions. I wish you both happiness and a beautiful future,¡± Christina said softly, a peaceful smile on her lips. There was no bitterness in her voice. Only quiet relief. In fact, she was curious to watch the drama unfold. A man who could be taken away¡ªhow good could he be? Brendon was just a bad chapter she¡¯d already closed. If Ynda wanted him, she could have him.

    Ynda, who had gone out of her way to show off, felt shaken by Christina¡¯sck of reaction. It was like shouting into an empty room.

    Even Brendon frowned, irritation creeping in. Christina wasn¡¯t jealous. She hadn¡¯t flinched. She had even smiled and offered her blessings. Had she really let go? His mood soured. He nearly snapped at Ynda for being too obvious. Her presence beside him suddenly felt irritating.

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    Still, in front of Christina, Brendon restrained the urge to pull his hand away. Perhaps Christina was just pretending. Deep down, she must be jealous. That had to be it. The thought gave him somefort.

    ¡°This is our engagement invitation,¡± Ynda said sweetly, pulling it from her purse and handing it to Christina. She had brought it just for Christina¡ªwanting to see Christina squirm. Despite three years of effort, Christina hadn¡¯t captured Brendon¡¯s heart, yet she had done so effortlessly. It was proof, in her mind, that Christina would never match up to her.

    ¡°Christina, you¡¯ll being, won¡¯t you?¡± Ynda asked with a bright smile.

    Christina¡¯s lips curved slightly. A thought flickered in her eyes. If Ynda was so eager to invite her, how could she say no? Not only would she attend¡ªshe would bring them a gift they wouldn¡¯t forget.

    Christina took the invitation with a smile. ¡°Of course. I wouldn¡¯t miss it.¡±

    ¡°Great! We¡¯ll be expecting you. Don¡¯t change your mind,¡± Ynda replied. Inside, she smirked, betting Christina was putting on an indifferent act. Once Christina saw the love between her and Brendon at the engagement party, the tears would¡ª

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 Chapter 480

    ?Chapter 480:

    Surely the tears would follow, and Christina would be humiliated in front of everyone.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be there,¡± Christina said, her smile widening as she cast Brendon a look. ¡°And I¡¯ll personally give you both a grand gift.¡±

    Ynda¡¯s heart skipped. Her grip on Brendon¡¯s arm tightened as she leaned in closer to him. ¡°Christina¡­ You¡¯re not still hung up on Brendon, are you? You¡¯re not nning to ruin our engagement, right?¡± she asked, her voice a little uneasy.

    ¡°I have better things to do,¡± Christina replied calmly.

    Ynda blinked in confusion. ¡°So¡­ You¡¯re not going to try and take him from me at the party?¡±

    Christina almost rolled her eyes when she heard that. To take Brendon, that scoundrel, away from Ynda? As if he was worth the trouble.

    ¡°There¡¯s no man in this world worth fighting over,¡± she said with a serene smile. Her disdainful gaze carried an air of superiority, making it clear she was above all that. If a man needed her to fight for him, then he wasn¡¯t worth having.

    ¡°Do you really mean that?¡± Ynda asked, still skeptical. After all, Christina had spent three years with the Dawson family, giving everything she had. How could a woman like that just walk away so easily?

    But what Ynda didn¡¯t know was that Christina¡¯s devotion during those years wasn¡¯t solely for Brendon. It was Bethel¡¯s kindness and sincerity that had truly touched her heart.

    Seeing the doubt and insecurity in Ynda¡¯s expression, Christina couldn¡¯t resist teasing her a little. Her lips lifted in a faint, amused smile as she leaned in slightly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Afraid you can¡¯t keep Brendon? Since you¡¯ve stolen him from me, you should have what it takes to hold onto him.¡±

    Ynda¡¯s face darkened, and something sharp flickered in her eyes. ¡°Christina,¡± she murmured, her eyes turning red with calcted sorrow, her performance right back. ¡°I didn¡¯t steal Brendon from you. I knew Brendon before you ever did. I don¡¯t need to hold onto him. All these years, he has always been devoted to me.¡±

    Ynda was clearly suggesting that Christina was the pathetic soul who had never been loved by Brendon, even after three years of marriage. Brendon¡¯s heart had always been with her, and Christina hadn¡¯t even imed a ce in it despite all her efforts.

    Ynda¡¯s aggrieved look stirred something in Brendon. His heart ached, but at the same time, he felt a wave of irritation. For a moment, he didn¡¯t even know what he was feeling.

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    ¡°Christina.¡± His brows pulled together as he shot her a cold look. ¡°Ynda never fights or argues. She¡¯s not like you. And yes, I¡¯ve known her longer¡­¡±

    Christina understood what they were trying to say, but she didn¡¯t feel like ying their game. ¡°Alright then. Don¡¯t let me down. Love each other for a lifetime,¡± she said with a smile.

    Brendon, of course, thought she was just pretending to be strong. In his eyes, her smile wasced with jealousy. He believed she still loved him and was just putting up a front. Women, he thought, always said the opposite of what they meant.

    ¡°Thank you for the blessing, Christina. We¡¯ll definitely love each other for a lifetime. Happily ever after,¡± Ynda said sweetly, leaning closer to Brendon.

    Christina turned to leave but paused, as if remembering something. ¡°Oh, one more thing,¡± she said, ncing back with a light smile. ¡°Don¡¯t forget to transfer five percent of the Dawson Group¡¯s shares to me. Let me know when the papers are ready.¡±

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 Chapter 481

    ?Chapter 481:

    Ynda froze, staring at Brendon in disbelief. ¡°Brendon, why is she getting five percent of the shares?¡± she asked sharply. Her heart skipped a beat. Was there something she didn¡¯t know? He had promised her five percent, so why was Christina getting the same? She had earned those shares aspensation for taking the me for Katie and spending days in detention. What had Christina done to deserve those shares? Everything in the Dawson family belonged to her! So why was Christina walking away with a piece of it?

    Ynda felt like she was about to lose her mind.

    Christina smiled as she looked at Brendon, waiting for him to speak.

    Brendon began, ¡°Ynda, it¡¯s a bet between me and Christina¡ª¡±

    But Ynda cut in before he could finish. ¡°What bet? Why would you even make a bet with her?¡±

    Ynda suddenly noticed Brendon¡¯s face darken. Her anxious, slightly using tone had clearly rubbed him the wrong way. She quickly softened her tone. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Brendon. I was just afraid you were being tricked, and I got a bit anxious¡­¡± She slipped right back into her character, and coupled with her measured words, her image in Brendon¡¯s heart remained unblemished.

    Brendon¡¯s expression softened. With a sigh, he exined, ¡°Yes, we made a bet. But I haven¡¯t lost yet, so there¡¯s no need to panic.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Brendon¡­¡± Ynda murmured, lightly brushing his chest with her fingers.

    The tension in him melted a little. His eyes warmed as he looked at her.

    ¡°You¡¯ve already lost. The mark on Eloise¡¯s face is nearly gone,¡± Christina said inly.

    Brendon frowned. ¡°She still can¡¯t speak. That means you haven¡¯t won.¡±

    ¡°Who told you that? She¡¯s already able to say a few words,¡± Christina replied calmly. She had said Eloise would speak within a week using her treatment, and she was certain of it. Moreover, while she was in Kitaso, Elliott had called to tell her the good news.

    The Hubbard family had been overjoyed when Eloise uttered her first word, and they hadn¡¯t been able to contain their tears while hugging her. They had even offered Christina ten percent of the Hubbard Group¡¯s shares to express their gratitude.

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    However, Christina had declined the shares, opting instead for a favor. In the future, if she needed the Hubbard family¡¯s help, as long as it didn¡¯t vite their principles, they would go to great lengths to assist her.

    ¡°Impossible! If Miss Hubbard could really speak, it would¡¯ve been all over the news!¡± Brendon eximed in disbelief.

    Christina gave him a sly smile. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, let¡¯s go see her now. We can even sign the share transfer agreement in front of the Hubbard family.¡±

    No way! ¡°How can you prove it was you who cured her?¡± Ynda cut in sharply.

    ¡°The Hubbard family will speak for me,¡± Christina replied without blinking.

    Brendon stopped Ynda before she could say anything more. She didn¡¯t understand the full picture, and her words might only bring more trouble to the Dawson family.

    ¡°You said you could cure her poison, but it¡¯s notpletely gone yet. That means you haven¡¯t won the bet yet,¡± Brendon said, trying to push back.

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 Chapter 482

    ?Chapter 482:

    ¡°Fine. Then wait until it¡¯s all cleared. I¡¯ll make sure you hand me that agreement yourself,¡± Christina said with a light shrug. She was confident she could clear Eloise¡¯s poison, and Brendon was bound to lose the bet.

    Her calm, confident tone irritated him. The Christina in front of him felt distant¡ªproud, untouchable, andpletely out of reach. She wasn¡¯t the woman he remembered. And for some reason, that stung.

    ¡°I¡¯ve taken the invitation to your engagement party. Is there anything else?¡± Christina asked, ncing at the two.

    ¡°No. That¡¯s all,¡± Brendon replied with a cold expression. He watched her turn and walk away without looking back, and a wave of frustration washed over him.

    Brendon pulled his arm away from Ynda and muttered, frowning, ¡°It¡¯s a bit warm.¡±

    Then, he turned and left. Ynda stood frozen, feeling both hurt and furious.

    Something about Brendon had changed¡ªand not in her favor.

    The moment Christina stepped into the courtyard of the vi, Chloe rushed toward her like a breeze of joy.

    ¡°Christina, you¡¯re finally home!¡± Chloe said breathlessly, throwing her arms around Christina. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you so much.¡±

    Christina smiled and returned the embrace, gently patting Chloe¡¯s head. ¡°I missed you too.¡±

    ¡°Are you hungry?¡± Chloe asked excitedly, pulling back. ¡°I asked the kitchen to prepare all your favorite dishes. Everything¡¯s ready.¡±

    Christina¡¯s lips curved into a gentle smile. ¡°A bit, yes, I¡¯d love that.¡±

    ¡°Great! Let¡¯s dig in,¡± Chloe said, linking her arm with Christina¡¯s as they headed inside. ¡°Dn¡¯s at the office, so it¡¯s just the two of us for now.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Christina nodded, walking with Chloe. After a brief pause, she looked at Chloe with gentle concern. ¡°How are you feeling today?¡±

    Chloe¡¯s face lit up even more. ¡°So much better! My vision has cleared, and I¡¯m in better shape than before. King is incredible. I still can¡¯t believe how quickly I recovered.¡±

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    She spoke with admiration, her voice full of awe. ¡°Seriously, how can someone be so skilled? King¡¯s medical abilities are beyond anything I¡¯ve ever seen. And Dn practically came back from the brink of death because of King. If I ever get the chance to meet King in person, I swear I¡¯ll thank him with all my heart. No gift would ever be enough.¡±

    She went on, her voice bright with emotion as she sang King¡¯s praises one after another. Her admiration deepened with every word, unaware that the person she admired so much stood right beside her. Christina listened in silence, a slight blush warming her cheeks.

    Suddenly realizing she might have gone overboard, Chloe grinned sheepishly. ¡°Oops¡ªI¡¯ve been rambling, haven¡¯t I? But honestly, Christina, you¡¯re just as incredible in my eyes.¡±

    Christina smiled, her voice calm and affectionate. ¡°And you, Chloe, are just as amazing.¡±

    The two walked to the dining room, chatting andughing along the way.

    As they sat down to eat, Christina felt truly content. To her, this was what life was really about: cherishing simple, beautiful moments. Hard work was just a path to such happiness. There was no need to search endlessly for life¡¯s meaning. Simply living it well and embracing its ups and downs was meaningful enough.

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 Chapter 483

    ?Chapter 483:

    In the hospital, Bethel held Christina¡¯s hand gently, her voice filled with concern. ¡°Christina, you don¡¯t need to push yourself so hard. The assets I¡¯m leaving you are more than enough. You¡¯ll be able to livefortably for the rest of your life.¡± Christina had cited her stay in Kitaso for work when she exined why she hadn¡¯t been visiting Bethel until now.

    Christina offered a calm smile, her tone light yet honest. ¡°Bethel, being idle isn¡¯t good for me either. Work gives me something to focus on¡ªit keeps me grounded and helps quiet my thoughts.¡±

    Bethel watched Christina with a sorrowful expression, assuming Christina was still affected by Brendon¡¯s betrayal. She sighed heavily. ¡°This is all Brendon¡¯s fault,¡± she murmured, her voice filled with frustration. ¡°I¡¯ve scolded and even pped him, but he¡¯s too stubborn, dead set on marrying Ynda.¡±

    As Bethel spoke, her weary eyes glistened with tears. Christina was such a gem¡ªkind, patient, graceful. Yet, Brendon had failed to see her worth and failed to cherish her.

    Christina reached out and gently squeezed Bethel¡¯s hand. ¡°Bethel, it¡¯s all in the past between him and me. Please don¡¯t be sad,¡± she said, her tone steady. ¡°I¡¯ve moved on. Since he truly didn¡¯t love me, then forcing anything would have only hurt more.¡±

    Bethel shook her head, her voice cracking. ¡°But how can I not feel bad? I was the one who pushed for your marriage, and in the end, that rascal hurt you.¡±

    Christina¡¯s eyes softened. ¡°Bethel, you¡¯ve already done so much for me. You¡¯ve been kinder to me than most people ever are. To me, you¡¯re like a real grandmother.¡±

    She felt deeply grateful to Bethel¡ªnot only for saving her life but for treating her with such warmth and care. For someone with no blood rtion to go to such lengths, it was rare. People like Bethel were few and far between in this world.

    Bethel¡¯s old heart ached with a sharp pang in her chest as she listened to Christina speak about how few people in the world had truly shown her genuine kindness.

    ¡°That¡¯s not on you,¡± Bethel said tenderly, her gaze full of deeppassion as she looked at Christina. ¡°Even if others don¡¯t value you, I¡¯ll always be by your side.¡±

    ¡°Bethel, why do you want me to take over thepany?¡± Christina asked, shifting the topic with a soft voice, tinged with bewilderment.

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    ¡°Because you¡¯re not just skilled, you¡¯re someone I can count on,¡± Bethel replied with a weary sigh. ¡°If someone else takes control of the Dawson Group, it won¡¯tst. I¡¯ve seen enough to know you¡¯re more capable than anyone else. Instead of watching thepany fall apart and my family lose their ce in Dorfield, I¡¯d rather give thepany to you.¡±

    She paused before continuing. ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m being a little selfish. You¡¯re smart, responsible, and I trust you. If it¡¯s in your hands, I know thepany won¡¯t fail. It¡¯ll grow. This is my way of protecting my family. As long as they get a monthly ie, they¡¯ll be okay.¡±

    Bethel gently patted Christina¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯m old now, and I don¡¯t have much time left. They¡¯re my blood, and I don¡¯t want to see them suffer too much. If they stay in theirne, I hope you¡¯ll go easy on them for my sake. But if they cross the line, don¡¯t hold back because of me. Do what you must.¡±

    Bethel knew Christina intimately. Due to her debt of gratitude, Christina wouldn¡¯t retaliate with undue harshness as long as her limits weren¡¯t severely tested. Compared to her own blood descendants, who were often a source of quiet exasperation, Christina was far more reliable.

    If it weren¡¯t for the impable kindness of herte husband and the undeniable fact that Katie and Brendon were her own grandchildren, Bethel wouldn¡¯t have bothered to expend her dwindling energy nning for their future at her advanced age. It was utterly exhausting. But now, she felt a profound sense of peace, knowing she hadn¡¯t disappointed her beloved husband with his dying wish. By entrusting the Dawson Group to Christina, she was certain thepany wouldn¡¯t vanish from thendscape of Dorfield.

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 Chapter 484

    ?Chapter 484:

    Christina felt a deep wellspring of emotion, genuinely touched. Even with all of Bethel¡¯s meticulous nning for the future of the Dawson family members, it was clear that Bethel still held her in a position of distinct favor.

    Christina had endured countless hardships, faced endless scorn, and suffered years of ridicule throughout her life. To find someone like Bethel, who genuinely treated her like family, was an incredibly rare and precious blessing.

    ¡°Bethel, I promise, if they don¡¯t cross the line, I won¡¯t start anything,¡± Christina said. ¡°But if theye at me first, I won¡¯t stay quiet.¡±

    Bethel softly touched Christina¡¯s face, her old eyes brimming with tears. ¡°Thank you, dear.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me,¡± Christina replied gently, her own eyes welling up as sheid her warm hand over Bethel¡¯s. ¡°You¡¯ve got to take care of yourself, Bethel. I¡¯ll bring you home in a few days. After Brendon¡¯s engagement party next month, I¡¯ll ask Dr. Emmett to go ahead with the surgery. Don¡¯t stress. Dr. Emmett knows what he¡¯s doing. He¡¯s one of the best, and he won¡¯t let anything go wrong. You¡¯re going to be fine for a long time.¡±

    Hearing Christina speak so calmly about Brendon¡¯s engagement made Bethel¡¯s chest tighten even more. She wished she could do something, but there was nothing in her power. Pushing Brendon to stay with Christina would only hurt Christina more in the long run.

    ¡°Find yourself someone better than Brendon just to piss him off. And don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got your back,¡± Bethel said, trying to shift Christina¡¯s thoughts, worried she might break down.

    Christina let out a softugh. ¡°Bethel, life¡¯s not just about romance or getting married. Finding a great guy isn¡¯t nearly as important as bing someone great myself. That¡¯s something no one can take from me¡ªand I sure as hell won¡¯t lose it easily.¡±

    Bethel froze for a moment, caught off guard and lost in thought. Then, as if a light had switched on, she let out a softugh. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right, Christina. I didn¡¯t even think of it that way. My first instinct was just for you to find a good man to make Brendon regret everything¡­¡±

    Bethel sighed deeply. ¡°This is the limitation of our times. Even though I like to think I¡¯m open-minded, I still fall into that old way of thinking without realizing it. But you¡¯re right¡ªthe brilliance of others belongs to them. It doesn¡¯t rub off on us. What really matters is learning to shine on our own. When we do, no one can take that away from us. Only then do we hold the reins in our hands.¡±

    Bethel smiled warmly at Christina, admiration filling her eyes. ¡°If you shine, others will be drawn to you,¡± Bethel and Christina said in unison, sharing a quietugh.

    Two women from different generations had found a connection¡ªreal and rare. They weren¡¯t just friends; they understood each other, heart to heart. Though shaped by different times, their thoughts collided, exchanged, and grew. And in doing so, they gained something new¡ªsomethingsting.

    Outside the hospital room, Katie had just arrived. She paused when she heard her grandmother¡¯s and Christina¡¯sughter. Through the ss, she saw her grandmother and Christina beaming at each other like they shared some special bond. Her eyes darkened. If she didn¡¯t know better, she would have thought they were real grandmother and granddaughter¡ªclose and loving. Katie couldn¡¯t remember thest time she¡¯d seen her strict grandmother so happy, not since childhood, maybe. Somewhere along the way, the gap between them had grown too wide to cross. They didn¡¯t get along. The dislike between them ran deep. But ever since Christina entered their lives, everything had changed. Her grandmother smiled more¡ªonly when Christina was around.

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 Chapter 485

    ?Chapter 485:

    Katie just couldn¡¯t understand what was so good about Christina. Why could Christina make her grandmotherugh, when she, her own granddaughter, never could? Since Christina married into the Dawson family, things had only gone downhill. Even her brother had lost their grandmother¡¯s favor. Christina must have twisted their grandmother¡¯s mind. What other exnation could there be? Why else would even Brendon fall out of favor?

    The more Katie thought about it, the angrier she became. Her fists clenched, her jaw tightened, and her eyes burned with hatred. She wished Christina would just disappear. That tramp was nothing but trouble¡ªa master maniptor. Everyone in the family saw through Christina¡¯s true colors, except for Bethel, who was too muddled to see through the deception.

    Katie seethed with resentment.

    Inside the ward, Bethel spoke to Christina. ¡°When you take me home from the hospital, I¡¯ll transfer the Dawson family house to you. Only then will I be at peace.¡±

    Bethel had spent her whole life in that house. Her roots were deep. The thought of it ending up in her grandchildren¡¯s careless hands¡ªsold off like nothing¡ªwas more than she could bear.

    Christina was about to respond when a loud crash rang out. The hospital room door mmed open, banging hard against the wall.

    Without warning, Katie burst in, her face twisted with fury. She didn¡¯t say a word. She simply raised her hand, aiming to strike Christina across the face. She wanted to tear Christina apart¡ªfor manipting her grandmother!

    Bethel was still in shock when she saw Christina grab Katie¡¯s wrist mid-air.

    ¡°You just never learn, do you?¡± Christina said coldly, her eyes filled with mockery as she flung Katie¡¯s hand away. She had no intention of fighting with Katie in front of Bethel.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been away for so long without checking on my grandma. Now you suddenly show up and try to convince her to hand over the Dawson family house? You¡¯ve got some nerve, Christina! If Brendon finds out how you¡¯ve been brainwashing my grandma, he¡¯ll hate you even more!¡± Katie sneered.

    Christina gave a faint smile. ¡°He¡¯d hate me?¡±

    Assuming her words had struck a nerve, Katie smirked. ¡°Of course! Brendon can¡¯t stand greedy women.¡±

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    ¡°You shoulde up with something else,¡± Christina said calmly, catching Katie off guard.

    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Katie frowned in confusion.

    Christina¡¯s tone was light, almost amused. ¡°It means your little threats don¡¯t work on me. Come up with something better next time.¡± Dragging Brendon into it was a weak move¡ªand honestly, a little pathetic.

    ¡°You!¡± Katie was so furious that she couldn¡¯t find the words.

    Christina raised an eyebrow and gave her a slow smile. ¡°You what, idiot?¡±

    ¡°You bitch! How dare you insult me!¡± Katie screamed, charging at Christina in a rage, not caring whether she could win or not.

    But just before Katie reached Christina, Bethel stepped in between them, shielding Christina.

    ¡°Katie,¡± Bethel said firmly, her eyes sharp with disapproval. ¡°Go home. I¡¯ve made up my mind. The family house will go to Christina. No one can convince me otherwise.¡±

    ¡°Grandma!¡± Katie¡¯s voice cracked, her eyes burning with fury. ¡°Are you insane? I¡¯m your granddaughter! How can you give the family home to some outsider? Before her divorce from Brendon, we didn¡¯t say anything when you favored her. But now? Brendon drove her out, and she¡¯s not even a part of the Dawson family anymore! What right does she have to the house?¡±

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 Chapter 486

    ?Chapter 486:

    Bethel¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Christina wasn¡¯t driven out. We simply didn¡¯t deserve her. And the house is in my name. I¡¯ll give it to whoever I please. Even if I donate it to charity, it¡¯s none of your business.¡±

    Katie screamed, ¡°Donate it to charity if you must, but not to her! She¡¯s not family!¡± She knew her grandmother would never give the house to charity. That old home meant too much to her grandmother. To her, it belonged to the Dawson bloodline, and Christina had no im to it.

    ¡°I¡¯ve said it already. It¡¯s my house, and I make the decisions. Keep this up, and I¡¯ll cut you off,¡± Bethel snapped, her voice ringing with authority. She was still kicking and holding power in the Dawson family, but her family had begun treating her like she was already gone, challenging her at every turn. They hadn¡¯t taken her power, but they had stopped respecting it.

    Katie shouted, ¡°Brendon covers all my expenses! Who do you think you are to cut me off? And you don¡¯t have much time ahead of you! Everything in this family should go to Brendon!¡±

    Bethel¡¯s chest tightened. Her face twisted in pain as she clutched her chest, staggering backward.

    ¡°Bethel!¡± Christina cried out, rushing forward to catch Bethel before she copsed.

    ¡°Bethel, are you alright?¡± Christina asked softly, concern etched on her face. Bethel nodded slowly. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she murmured, drawing in a shaky breath as the pain in her chest began to settle.

    Christina¡¯s expression hardened. She turned sharply toward Katie, her voice cold and steady. ¡°Katie Dawson, watch how you speak! That tone ispletely uneptable when addressing your grandmother.¡±

    Katie folded her arms, a mocking smile curling on her lips. ¡°Oh, please. How I talk to my grandmother is none of your business. Stay out of it, you outsider!¡±

    Bethel spoke firmly before Christina could respond. ¡°Christina is like a real granddaughter to me. She¡¯s no outsider.¡±

    Katie¡¯s eyes red with fury. ¡°You¡¯vepletely lost it! Age must have caught up with you and messed with your fucking mind!¡±

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    Without thinking, Bethel raised her hand and pped Katie across the face. A stunned silence fell over the room.

    Bethel had never raised her hand to her children or grandchildren before. The p shocked both her and Katie. Her palm stung, and she could only imagine how much more it hurt Katie.

    ¡°Katie¡­¡± Bethel began, stepping forward, her voice trembling. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t¡ª¡±

    But Katie, driven by rage, shoved Bethel hard before she could say another word.

    The push came out of nowhere. Christina hadn¡¯t expected Katie to be so rough¡ªespecially with an elderly woman. A sharp cry of pain escaped Bethel¡¯s lips as her body hit the floor.

    Christina rushed to her side. ¡°Can you hear me?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m alright, don¡¯t worry¡ª¡± Bethel began, but her sentence trailed off. Her eyes rolled back, and she copsed into unconsciousness.

    ¡°Bethel? Bethel!¡± Christina cried, panic seizing her chest. She hesitated to touch Bethel, fearing she might worsen the injury. With Bethel¡¯s brittle bones and fragile frame, a fall like that could be serious¡ªpossibly even a fracture.

    Katie stood frozen, staring nkly. Panic and guilt surged through her. She hadn¡¯t meant to cause serious harm. It was just a shove. How had ite to this?

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 Chapter 487

    ?Chapter 487:

    Then, out of nowhere, Katie felt a sharp sting across her face. She staggered, eyes wide. Before she could even react, another p struck the other side of her face. The blows left her reeling, her lips trembling, and her teeth aching from the impact.

    Katie clutched her cheek, eyes wide with shock. ¡°How dare you?¡± she shouted. ¡°Are you insane?¡±

    ¡°You better pray Bethel¡¯s okay!¡± Christina hissed, her voice sharp with fury. ¡°Because if anything happens to her, a few ps will be the least of your worries¡ªI¡¯ll make your life hell.¡± She turned and mmed her hand against the emergency call button.

    Within moments, a team of nurses and doctors rushed in. Bethel was swiftly lifted onto a stretcher and taken away for urgent care.

    Outside the operating room, Katie sat slumped in a chair, her arms crossed tightly. Her eyes burned with quiet resentment as they stayed fixed on Christina¡¯s back.

    Sensing the intense gaze, Christina slowly turned. Her cold, steady eyes met Katie¡¯s without flinching.

    Caught off guard, Katie quickly buried the hatred in her expression, recing it with barely contained anger. ¡°What are you staring at?¡± she snapped. ¡°If anything happens to my grandma, it¡¯s on you! None of this would¡¯ve happened if you hadn¡¯t turned her against me and Brendon!¡±

    Christina¡¯s voice was icy. ¡°Your talent for shifting me never fails to amaze me.¡± Her piercing re didn¡¯t waver. Katie¡¯s twisted logic had always been the same¡ªwhenever things went wrong, it was always someone else¡¯s fault. She never saw her own role in the chaos. If Katie had even half the wisdom and sense of responsibility that Bethel carried, the Dawson family wouldn¡¯t have been drowning in so many problems. But in that entire family, only Bethel had the strength and ability to hold everything together.

    A wave of sorrow washed over Christina. Bethel, at her age, deserved peace, not more heartache. Yet, here she was, still sacrificing for a family that didn¡¯t appreciate her efforts.

    Bethel had even gone so far as to entrust Christina with the Dawson Group, hoping to secure a better future for her ipetent descendants.

    ¡°What happened? Why is Grandma in surgery all of a sudden?¡± Brendon¡¯s voice rang out sharply as he rushed toward them, his face etched with panic and fury.

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    Before Christina had a chance to utter a single word, Brendon shot her a biting inquiry. ¡°How exactly are you taking care of my grandma? The second you showed up, she ended up like this!¡±

    His harsh tone shut down Christina¡¯s attempts to exin, and her mouth, which had parted to respond, sealed tightly again. Brendon had already cast his verdict¡ªnothing she said would ever change his opinion.

    ¡°She even coaxed Grandma into handing over our family house right after Grandma got discharged!¡± Katie jumped in, her tone thick with usation. Brendon¡¯s jaw clenched, his fury visibly intensifying. ¡°Why are you constantly circling that house?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re passing judgment without knowing the full story,¡± Christina responded evenly, her demeanor collected.

    ¡°Is that so? Didn¡¯t my grandma get hurt and end up in surgery? Is it untrue that she tried to give you the estate?¡± Brendon countered harshly.

    For a moment, Christina was left utterly speechless. Her lips lifted into a subtle, bitter smirk as she locked eyes with him, her gaze soaked in disdain. ¡°Yes, Bethel was rushed into the operating room after being shoved,¡± she replied coolly, voice firm. ¡°But it wasn¡¯t me who shoved Bethel. Katie was the one who knocked her down. And regarding the property, I never requested it from Bethel.¡±

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 Chapter 488

    ?Chapter 488:

    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, I wouldn¡¯t have identally pushed her!¡± Katie yelled, her fury bubbling over.

    In a sh, Christina¡¯s expression turned cial, and the air around her grew tense and suffocating. Her formidable presence was overwhelming¡ªboth Brendon and Katie found their lungs tightening, a chill crawling up their spines. This imposing side of Christina seldom surfaced, but whenever it did, her entire demeanor exuded an intimidating pressure. Her glinting stare could slice through steel.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care if it was deliberate or idental,¡± Christina said in a low and foreboding tone. ¡°Should anything happen to Bethel, I¡¯ll ruin you both¡ªand I mean every single word.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s throat bobbed as he swallowed, trying to hide his fear.

    ¡°You¡­¡± Katie faltered, her voice shaking as terror crept in. ¡°You¡¯re not scaring¡ª¡±

    Katie tried to calm herself. Just who did Christina think she was? Did Christina truly believe she had the power to destroy someone¡¯s life with mere threats?

    She refused to ept that. Surely, Christina was bluffing, right?

    ¡°Don¡¯t believe me? Try me,¡± Christina replied, her face devoid of any emotion.

    Katie¡¯s breath caught as their eyes locked, and cold sweat soaked her back under Christina¡¯s murderous gaze. Her defiant words repeatedly died on her tongue despite her efforts.

    After a while, Katie finally managed to form a coherent sentence, her voice shaky. ¡°Try what? As if I would ever hurt my grandmother¡­¡±

    Despite her bravado, Katie couldn¡¯t suppress the fear gnawing at her. Instinctively, she edged backward, her nerves betraying her tough front. Somewhere inside, she dreaded that Christina just might snap and do something unthinkable.

    ¡°There¡¯s no reason to blow this out of proportion,¡± Brendon interjected with a tense sigh. ¡°Katie is still young and prone to acting recklessly¡­¡±

    ¡°Young?¡± Christina echoed with a sharp, humorless chuckle. ¡°She¡¯s grown, Brendon. The way you constantly excuse her has made her believe she¡¯s untouchable.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°We¡¯re just being protective. She¡¯s family. It¡¯s only natural.¡±

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    ¡°Natural?¡± Christina¡¯s tone turned mocking, her re sharper than ever. ¡°I was never interested in your family house,¡± she stated, voice calm but edged with venom. ¡°But since you keep throwing baseless usations my way andbeled me a maniptor, fine. I¡¯ll do exactly what you used me of.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s frown deepened, suspicion flickering across his features. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Literally,¡± Christina replied, her tone unwavering. ¡°You said I¡¯m scheming to take your family house, right? Fine. Then I¡¯ll take it.¡± She let out a chillingugh, her posture radiating unwavering determination.

    Brendon and Katie were stunned. Neither of them had anticipated Christina¡¯s bold deration to snatch the Dawson family house from them. What authority did an outsider like her have to stake a im in their heritage? Had shepletely lost touch with reality?

    ¡°Christina, if you¡¯re about to spiral, do it elsewhere. I¡¯m not here for your little drama sessions!¡± Brendon snapped, his features taut with irritation.

    ¡°Call it whatever you want,¡± Christina replied evenly. ¡°I¡¯m just letting you know the estate will be under my name.¡±

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 Chapter 489

    ?Chapter 489:

    Brendon let out a humorlessugh. ¡°And what entitlement do you think you possess to im that ce? No matter your justifications, it¡¯s never going to be yours.¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Katie jumped in, her eyes gleaming with spite. ¡°Even if the Dawsons were wiped out, it still wouldn¡¯tnd in yourp! We¡¯d give it to strangers before letting it go to a disgrace like you.¡±

    Christina let out a low, amusedugh, lifting one brow. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that. Before your lineage fadespletely, you¡¯d better watch closely and see who ends up holding the keys.¡±

    ¡°Are you wishing death on us?¡± Katie shot her a venomous re.

    Christina grinned. ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. You brought up ¡®wiped out,¡¯ not me. Don¡¯t twist your own words to suit your outrage. Own what you say.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Katie¡¯s rage overwhelmed her, leaving her speechless.

    Christina eased back into the chair, her expression unreadable, and shut her eyes with deliberate calm.

    ¡°You better hope my grandmother pulls through, or I won¡¯t let you off easy,¡± Brendon warned, settling beside her.

    No reaction. Watching her recline, ignoring him altogether, only made Brendon¡¯s temper spike. ¡°Did you hear me, Christina?¡± he barked.

    She remained still, as though in deep slumber.

    ¡°Do you really have to act like this? Don¡¯t you know that avoiding the issue makes you really annoying?¡± Brendon added, his voice tight.

    Her stillness remained uninterruptedshes unmoving¡ªfueling his rising rage. ¡°Christina! You¡ª¡± Brendon reached to touch her shoulder, but in a blink, her hand snapped up and caught his wrist.

    ¡°What¡¯s your intention?¡± Brendon scowled, tugging to free himself¡ªbut she held firm.

    ¡°Let go!¡± hemanded.

    Christina didn¡¯t flinch, her grip only strengthening.

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    ¡°Agh!¡± Brendon gasped, his breath catching from the pain.

    She then shoved his hand away with a sharp jolt, rising to her full height, her presencemanding. ¡°If you have nothing better to say, maybe you should find a more useful way to upy your mouth.¡± With that, she drifted toward another seat by the wall.

    Before shutting her eyes again, she tossed them a sharp nce. ¡°Try me, and I¡¯ll tten both of you right here¡ªhospital or not. You won¡¯t even need to call an ambnce¡­¡± She tilted her chin toward the ER entrance. ¡°It¡¯s a short trip¡ªreal convenient.¡±

    With those words, she closed her eyes once more.

    Katie burned with rage, jaw clenched so tightly that her teeth ached¡ªbut she stayed rooted to the spot. She knew Christina wasn¡¯t bluffing. Her face still throbbed from theirst run-in.

    Brendon kept his distance, his nerves shot, still remembering how Christina had nearly crushed him with a vicious throw. Ever since the divorce, Christina had unraveled.

    Brendon thought back to her behavior after the separation, eyes narrowing. It was evident that the end of their marriage had deeply unsettled her mind¡ªand maybe even broken something permanent inside.

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 Chapter 490

    ?Chapter 490:

    Time passed by.

    As soon as the operating room entrance parted, Christina¡¯s eyelids fluttered open, and she dashed ahead.

    ¡°Dr. Emmett, how did my grandmother fare?¡± Brendon inquired.

    Calvin gave him nothing more than a frosty stare and then turned toward Christina, his demeanor warming. ¡°The surgery went well. Bethel is fine, but her operation scheduled for next month must be dyed. Her age works against her, and she¡¯s too frail for continuous interventions. She¡¯ll have to rest for a period before proceeding.¡±

    Christina inclined her head. ¡°I see. Much appreciated, Dr. Emmett.¡±

    ¡°My pleasure. Since Bethel isn¡¯t fit for another operation right away, I¡¯ll return to Lorbridge. Reach out when she¡¯s in condition for the next operation,¡± Calvin responded.

    Because of Christina, Calvin¡¯s stay in Dorfield had extended considerably. He had even taken on surgeries for individuals who had traveled to Dorfield just to be treated by him.

    Lauretta¡¯s family had visited Dorfield earlier, intending for her father¡¯s operation to take ce locally. Still, Lauretta preferred King¡¯s involvement, wanting to reduce the possibility ofplications during her father¡¯s surgery. She had helped King acquire the Woodfort and therefore asked Christina to speak on her behalf and convince King to assist. Eventually, Christina had informed Lauretta that King had agreed, but they needed to coordinate the right location and timing.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Christina replied.

    Brendon swiftly chimed in, ¡°Much obliged, Dr. Emmett.¡±

    Yet, Calvin ignored him entirely, departing with a stone-cold face.

    Katie couldn¡¯t resist murmuring under her breath, ¡°What¡¯s with the pride? He¡¯s merely a surgeon! Even King isn¡¯t this smug. I refuse to believe no one can surpass his skills.¡±

    Brendon shot her a harsh look. ¡°Katie! Be quiet! If Dr. Emmett hears you, we¡¯ll lose a key resource should we ever face a critical illness. Bear in mind, some professionals are lifesavers¡ªyou don¡¯t provoke those.¡±

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    Though Brendon also disliked Calvin¡¯s arrogance, he knew future emergencies could arise, and he didn¡¯t want to risk losing ess to him. Angering Calvin could mean real danger if they needed his skill down the line.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t hold it in. He¡¯s so rude. You politely showed gratitude, and he acted like you didn¡¯t exist. I¡¯m fed up! Our household isn¡¯t beneath him. Who does he think he is?¡± Katie grumbled.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough! Stop talking!¡± Brendon snapped sharply, his brows drawn. ¡°Did you forget what I just said?¡±

    ¡°Apologies. I shouldn¡¯t have said that,¡± Katie muttered, her voice quiet.

    Christina didn¡¯t bother with them and joined the medical staff in wheeling the unconscious Bethel to her ward.

    In the hospital room, Katie turned to face Brendon.

    ¡°Brendon, since Grandma¡¯s doing better, I¡¯ll leave now. I have to finalize my slideshow for tomorrow. It¡¯s really important, and there¡¯s no room for slip-ups,¡± Katie said.

    ¡°Alright. Do your best. Whether or not you grab Professor Wright¡¯s notice relies on this. Don¡¯t fail me,¡± Brendon answered.

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 Chapter 491

    ?Chapter 491:

    He¡¯d discovered that Cassandra Wright was Lauretta¡¯s kin, and building that connection might bring them closer to Lauretta. Lauretta was adored by the Gomez household, and Katie forming ties with her would yield major advantages.

    Katie nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to impress, Brendon!¡±

    While tending to Bethel and dabbing her forehead with a damp cloth, Christina overheard their conversation and gave a frosty smile. She excelled at thwarting others¡¯ ns.

    Once Katie exited, the hospital suite held only Brendon, Christina, and the unconscious Bethel. A heavy stillness settled over the room.

    Brendon¡¯s eyes remained fixed on Christina¡¯s back, the way she ignored him making him feel invisible, and that infuriated him. Still, he found himself unable to tear his eyes off her. Even from behind, her figure radiated quiet grace and allure, each motion fluid and poised. How had he gone all this time without realizing even her posture possessed such charm? Maybe he¡¯d never truly looked before¡ªor maybe she¡¯d transformed since they separated. Christina no longer resembled the woman he had once known.

    He observed Christina meticulously tending to Bethel¡¯s arms, and something inside him softened without warning. He took a few steps forward and said quietly, ¡°I was wrong. I used you without knowing the facts.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s nothing new. You always jump to conclusions,¡± Christina answered without lifting her gaze, her tone frostbitten.

    ¡°Must you always be so biting? I¡¯ve already apologized. What more do you want?¡± he said, his earlier gentleness curdling into anger. Her tone, alwaysced with disdain, never failed to get under his skin.

    ¡°I never asked you to apologize,¡± she shot back coolly, sparing him only a disinterested nce.

    His chest throbbed, as if gripped by unbearable rage, not unlike the onset of a cardiac arrest. The knowledge that she spoke so warmly to others, but always reserved contempt for him, made him feel like a thorn caught under his skin. Frustration wrapped around him like a vice. Part of him wanted to walk away, but recalling how irrational she¡¯d be since their divorce, he stayed put.

    ¡°Christina¡­¡± he murmured, his voice gentler now, reaching out before pausing mid-motion. The memory of the brutal force she applied every time he reached out prompted him to retract his hand swiftly.

    He remarked, ¡°Do you still love me? If my uing engagement celebration with Ynda bothers you deeply, I¡¯ll dy it until you¡¯re okay with epting it.¡± His voice carried a blend of softness and resignation, but Christina found him repulsive. She felt even more convinced that leaving this scoundrel was the right choice. Had he stood by Yndapletely, she might¡¯ve admired him for taking a stand. But he wavered¡ªalways trying to hold on to both her and Ynda.

    Christina didn¡¯t bother answering, returning to cleaning Bethel¡¯s skin without a word.

    But that quiet response made Brendon believe he¡¯d struck a chord. Joy swelled in him, the earlier bitterness evaporating, reced by a smug assurance in his own maism. No doubt about it. Christina still harbored feelings for him¡ªshe had once loved him deeply, after all. She often voiced one opinion while hoping he¡¯d decode the opposite. He was sure he had read her perfectly. Smirking, Brendon said, ¡°Since it really bothers you, I¡¯ll hold off on the celebration. That should make you feel better, right?¡±

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 Chapter 492

    ?Chapter 492:

    Convinced he remained central to her world, Brendon¡¯s ego ballooned. ¡°Christina, I might not be able to offer affection the way you want, but maybe we can¡­¡± He smugly slipped an arm around her shoulders.

    But before he could finish, she clutched his wrist with a grip like iron.

    Without warning, Christina seized Brendon¡¯s wrist and shot to her feet, driving her elbow squarely into his chest. A choked gasp left him as the blow stole his breath. She didn¡¯t hesitate. A strong shove sent him stumbling backward, putting a solid gap between them.

    Gasping, Brendon needed a moment to recover before he found his voice. His shout rang out, sharp and angry. ¡°Christina! Have you lost your mind? Trying to kill your own husband now?¡±

    A smirk tugged at Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°Correction. Ex-husband,¡± she said, her voice sharp with frost.

    His face twisted, fury deepening the color in his cheeks. He jabbed a finger at her, speechless for several seconds. ¡°You are absolutely rude!¡±

    shing a broad grin, Christina let the criticism slide right past her. ¡°Appreciate thepliment. Keep theming.¡±

    Once again, Brendon¡¯s temper spiked. He found her attitude infuriating. He couldn¡¯t recall when she¡¯d picked up such self-defense moves.

    ¡°If you¡¯re done making a fool of yourself, get lost,¡± Christina warned, her eyes hard. ¡°Otherwise, you¡¯ll find out what else I¡¯m capable of.¡±

    Humiliation burned in Brendon¡¯s chest. He forced augh, trying to hide how rattled he felt. ¡°Really? I¡¯m not going anywhere. Want me gone? Toss me out, then.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the most ridiculous dare I¡¯ve heard yet.¡± Rolling her wrists, Christina advanced a step, amusement flickering in her eyes.

    The 100k she gave him sent a shiver down his spine. Could she be serious about tossing him out? His bravado wavered as he said, ¡°Don¡¯t think I won¡¯t call the cops on you, Christina.¡±

    ¡°Go ahead. It won¡¯t be any less satisfying to end up in detention after beating you up,¡± she replied with a careless shrug.

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    Herplete disregard for consequences left Brendon fuming and terrified. One thing was certain: she wasn¡¯t bluffing. If pushed, she really wouldnd another punch.

    A sudden ring jolted Brendon out of his anxious thoughts. Perfect timing. He was just searching for an excuse to leave. Snatching up his phone, he answered in haste. The caller¡¯s words made his expression tighten with worry. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Ynda¡¯s having another episode? Okay¡­ I¡¯ll head over right now.¡± After hanging up, Brendon shot a cold nce at Christina. ¡°Let¡¯s get one thing straight¡ªI¡¯m leaving because Ynda needs me, not because you scared me off.¡±

    Spinning on his heel, he disappeared through the doorway, not bothering to look back.

    Christina couldn¡¯t help but let out a scornful snort as she watched him go. ¡°Coward,¡± she muttered under her breath.

    Stillness filled the space once he was gone, leaving Christina alone at Bethel¡¯s bedside. The only sound was the faint rustle of bed sheets as Christina gently sped Bethel¡¯s delicate hand.

    ¡°Bethel,¡± Christina murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, ¡°family is supposed to stand by you, aren¡¯t they? So why did you give them everything and end up with nothing in return? Does that kind of sacrifice ever bring real happiness? If you knew they left while you were still unconscious, would it break your heart?¡±

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 Chapter 493

    ?Chapter 493:

    Thoughts of the Dawson family left Christina fuming. Across the ocean, Bethel¡¯s son lived without a care, untouched by any sense of responsibility. Coming home was never his n, unless the money stopped flowing. Only when his bank ount dried up would he show his face, ready to plead for more. Refusing to return to help with the Dawson legacy, he cared only aboutfort and cash. Unless Bethel surrendered control, he¡¯d keep living abroad, oblivious to the family¡¯s struggles.

    Bethel understood the danger well enough. Giving him the reins would spell disaster for the Dawson family in no time. Handing over control to Brendon¡¯s father would be a disaster waiting to happen. The man was utterly ipetent and a hopeless case.

    Fingers trembling with tenderness, Christina brushed her hand over the silver strands of Bethel¡¯s hair. Years of worry had etched deep lines across Bethel¡¯s face, each wrinkle a testament to a lifetime spent caring for her family.

    Leaning in, Christina pressed Bethel¡¯s hand between her own, a gentle smile warming her features as she traced the contours of Bethel¡¯s weathered cheek. A quiet promise slipped from Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°You¡¯re not alone. You still have me.¡±

    Bethel seemed to hear Christina¡¯s words, her hand moving slightly in Christina¡¯s grasp.

    A soft reassurance followed from Christina. ¡°I won¡¯t let anything happen to you. Not ever.¡±

    Meanwhile, in a separate wing of the hospital, tension filled the air as Brendon¡¯s frown deepened. Pacing at the end of Ynda¡¯s bed, he couldn¡¯t hide his frustration. ¡°Why is Ynda¡¯s illness returning so quickly?¡±

    She, arms folded, shook her head in confusion. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Her rpses never used toe this often.¡±

    Anxious concernced Brendon¡¯s next question. ¡°Has the doctor given any answers? Any diagnosis at all?¡±

    Finnegan met Brendon¡¯s gaze, a worried crease in his brow. ¡°There¡¯s still nothing. The doctor only said if her condition keeps spiraling, things will get even worse.¡±

    ¡°Is there any word about King? King is the only one who can help Ynda now.¡± She urgently grabbed Brendon¡¯s arm.

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    Frustration escaped Brendon in a weary sigh. ¡°We heard King wasst seen in Kitaso, but by the time we arrived, King was gone¡ªvanished without a trace.¡±

    Finnegan¡¯s voice turned pleading. ¡°We¡¯re not trying to add pressure, Brendon, but Ynda is slipping fast. Finding King is the only hope we have left.¡±

    She added her agreement with a determined nod. ¡°We¡¯ll pay any price. Just bring King to her, no matter what it takes.¡±

    ¡°I know how desperate things are. If I could track King down, I would,¡± Brendon said, rubbing his temples. ¡°But King is like a ghost¡ªno one can catch him unless he wants to be found. The engagement party is just around the corner. Healing Ynda is all I care about, and I¡¯m willing to do whatever it takes.¡±

    Tracking down King required more than determination¡ªoften, it came down to sheer luck. Regret gnawed at Brendon as he couldn¡¯t forgive himself for missing King during thest trip to Kitaso. A few minutes earlier, a faster arrival, and everything might have changed.

    A look of resignation passed between She and Finnegan. Their only choice now was to hope King surfaced soon¡ªonly then could they dream of Ynda¡¯s recovery. Otherwise, any im to the Dawson inheritance would vanish if disaster struck before Ynda married Brendon.

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 Chapter 494

    ?Chapter 494:

    As night settled in, Katie wrapped up the final tweaks to her presentation slides, powered down herputer, and stepped out of her room. Visiting Ynda at the hospital was next on her list. She nned to copy her slidester, once she got back.

    Unknown to Katie, herputer hummed back to life the moment she left. An eerie blue light filled the room as the cursor began to dance across the screen, moving with uncanny purpose as if guided by an invisible hand.

    Her carefully prepared slides shed open and were swiftly altered, the content changing line by line. Before long, the device powered off once again, swallowing the room in darkness.

    Across town, Christina withdrew her hands from her ownptop, a quiet satisfaction gleaming in her eyes as she closed it gently. She had carefully prepared a grand ¡°surprise¡± for Katie, something she wouldn¡¯t seeing, leaving it to be uncovered the following day.

    Afterward, Christina headed for a shower, nning to visit the hospitalter. Despite having hired a caregiver, leaving Bethel alone in the ward never sat right with her. The urge to be nearby, just in case, kept pulling her back.

    Christina had just finished her shower, running a towel through her hair. Before she could reach for the hairdryer, someone knocked at the door. She didn¡¯t think much of it¡ªprobably just Chloe stopping by. After all, Dn hadn¡¯te here today, and at this hour, Chloe was the only one who ever knocked. With a cheerful grin, Christina twisted the doorknob. ¡°Chloe¡ª¡±

    The greeting faded as soon as she recognized the person standing outside. It was Dn! If there was a contest for bad timing, this was it. She stood there in nothing but a ck silk robe, the fabric still clinging to her damp skin.

    Dn¡¯s eyes darted over her for a second before he spun away, a flush creeping up his neck. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry!¡± he said in a rush, his ears going red. He hadn¡¯t expected her to have just gotten out of the shower.

    Trying to stay calm, Christina gently shut the door and let out a shaky breath. Her back pressed against the wood as she tried to slow her pounding heart.

    Out in the hallway, Dn looked like he¡¯d been struck by lightning, standing stiff with his back to the door. Every inch of his face seemed to flush with embarrassment. No matter how hard he tried, the image of her curves wouldn¡¯t leave his mind. His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed, only making his fluster more obvious.

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    Inside the room, Christina stood frozen for a beat before looking down at her robe with a frown. He probably didn¡¯t see anything, right? Tugging the fabric a little tighter, she peeked down just to check. But even if he had caught a glimpse, it didn¡¯t faze her. If anyone was embarrassed, it was going to be him.

    A few calming thoughts helped steady Christina¡¯s breathing. Without wasting a second, she yanked a white T-shirt and a pair of jeans from her closet and slipped into them.

    Christina pulled open the door again, now fully dressed and feeling moreposed.

    Outside, Dn remained rooted in the hallway, his posture straight, still keeping his back to her.

    Her eyes took in his shape¡ªthose wide shoulders, trim waist, the kind of athletic build that seemed almost hidden under regr clothes but promised so much strength. Every detail about his frame tugged at something in her, making her stare a little too long. No matter how hard she tried, her thoughts kept wandering¡ªimagining the definition of his chest, the tautness of his abs, and the steady power behind his movements.

    Even now, those images lingered, sparking a quiet thrill inside her that she wished she could ignore.

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 Chapter 495

    ?Chapter 495:

    ¡°Why did you show up out of the blue? You said you wouldn¡¯t be around today,¡± Christina asked, eyeing him with open curiosity.

    Halfway into a turn, Dn froze and then quickly looked forward again, determined not to meet her eyes just yet. ¡°I came to check on Chloe, but she¡¯s already asleep,¡± he responded, the excuse tumbling out, barely believable but simple enough.

    A sudden longing for Christina had pulled Dn away from his work, and before he could stop himself, he was already out the door, chasing the chance to see Christina¡¯s face. Nothing seemed to quiet the ache inside him quite like being near her. Every spare thought seemed to circle back to her, and the urge to see her never let up for long. If only Christina worked at hispany. If that happened, he could be near her all the time. Or maybe she didn¡¯t need to work for him¡ªjust the thought of being in the same building, close enough to bump into her in the halls, brought himfort.

    Possible ways to convince her ran through his mind, each n more farfetched than thest. Of course, he needed an excuse that wouldn¡¯t make Christina suspicious or push her away.

    Lost in these thoughts, Dn missed everything Christina was saying, her words slipping right past him.

    ¡°Dn?¡± Christina¡¯s voice gently pulled him from his thoughts.

    Blinking back to awareness, Dn realized she was standing close, her presence impossible to ignore. ¡°Yeah? What¡¯s up?¡±

    Dressed in a in white T-shirt and fitted jeans, Christina still carried herself with quiet grace and poise. Nothing extravagant was needed for her to radiate charm¡ªher effortless elegance was always striking.

    ¡°What did you say to me just now?¡± Dn asked, his voice low and smooth, genuinely appealing to the ear.

    A smile yed at Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°I said that it¡¯s unusual for Chloe to turn in so early,¡± she replied, her gaze turning thoughtful. ¡°I actually thought she was the one knocking earlier¡­¡±

    Midway through her words, she faltered, a hint of color rising in her cheeks. The moment wasn¡¯t lost on Dn. Heat crept up his own neck, leaving him uncharacteristically unsure of what to say.

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    ¡°So, are you nning to stay over tonight?¡± Christina ventured, breaking the awkward silence.

    ¡°I still have some work to finish at the office¡ªprobably pulling an all-nighter,¡± Dn replied.

    A beat passed before Christina offered, ¡°Are you hungry? How about we grab a bite together?¡±

    He didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d like that.¡±

    Christina nced at him, her expression brightening. ¡°Anything you¡¯re craving in particr?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m easy,¡± Dn said. ¡°Just pick whatever you feel like.¡±

    A softugh escaped her. ¡°I feel like going for something spicy. Is that alright?¡±

    ¡°That works,¡± Dn replied, though he secretly braced himself¡ªhe¡¯d never been a huge fan of spice, but he¡¯d learned to keep up. By now, he could handle a bit of heat, and sharing a meal with Christina was worth it.

    ¡°Perfect. Let¡¯s get moving,¡± she said, energy returning to her voice.

    Although Christina had thought about driving herself, she rode with Dn since he offered to drop her off at the hospital afterward.

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 Chapter 496

    ?Chapter 496:

    Soon enough, the two of them found themselves in the quietfort of a private dining room at a stylish restaurant.

    Christina usually preferred street food, but tonight she steered clear of it because of the noisy crowds and unpredictable hassles that came withte-night eats. She needed to get to the hospital afterward and didn¡¯t have time for any distractions. Spending a bit more for a quiet, ssy environment was worth it to avoid unexpected problems.

    ¡°I¡¯d like to have the spicy shrimp skillet and the sausage skillet. What about you?¡± Christina nced at Dn after she ced the order.

    The waitress taking their order nced at them discreetly, her eyes gleaming with barely contained excitement. She admired their good looks, silently wishing she possessed even a fraction of their striking beauty. Aside from being pleasant to the eyes, they carried themselves with an effortlessly graceful vibe. From the moment they walked in, she¡¯d felt they were such a perfect match¡ªmade for each other. If they tied the knot, their babies would be breathtakingly adorable.

    Dn voiced his order, ¡°I¡¯d like two servings of chicken soup. Thanks.¡± The chicken soup here was famous for its slow-cooked herbs and personal portions, aforting touch on a busy night.

    Raising an eyebrow at Dn, Christina asked, ¡°Anything else you want to add?¡± A gentle shake of his head answered her. ¡°No, this is fine.¡±

    With a friendly smile, she closed the menu and faced the waitress. ¡°That¡¯s everything for now¡ªthank you so much.¡±

    Polished and bright, the waitress responded, ¡°It¡¯s always a pleasure to serve attractive guests. I hope you enjoy your meal.¡±

    A warmpliment left Christina¡¯s lips. ¡°You¡¯re very pretty yourself.¡±

    Such kindness took the waitress by surprise. Few guests ever offered that kind of praise. ¡°Thanks, miss! I¡¯ll have the kitchen get right to it. Please rx, and your food will be out soon,¡± she said, nearly floating out the door on a wave of happiness. Watching the waitress bounce away, Christina¡¯s smile lingered, the good mood infectious.

    From across the table, Dn barely breathed, captivated by Christina, unwilling to miss a single moment.

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    A small, genuine smile tugged at Dn¡¯s lips as he watched Christina with steady attention.

    Across the table, Christina turned her head and nced his way. Their eyes locked. There was something maic in his intense gaze¡ªa kind of pull she couldn¡¯t resist.

    ¡°You¡­¡± Both of them spoke up simultaneously, which made Christinaugh, her cheeks blooming with a rosy flush.

    Herughter made Dn¡¯s smile grow even wider, softening his features and brightening his whole face.

    ¡°I wish you¡¯d smile like that more often. It suits you,¡± Christina remarked, letting her own grin linger.

    Dn pressed his lips together, a hint of bashfulness in his expression. He tried to hold back the smile tugging at his mouth but couldn¡¯t help it.

    To Christina, his attempt at hiding his grin only made him seem even more endearing. For a split second, she froze. The cool, reserved Dn she knew seemed to vanish, reced by someone unexpectedly bashful. No other word came to mind except adorable. Right now, Dn looked like a high school boy with a crush, unable to hide his excitement or the awkward energy in his movements.

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 Chapter 497

    ?Chapter 497:

    A curious thought crossed Christina¡¯s mind. Had Dn ever acted like this around his crush back in his school days? Her heart gave a small, inexplicable jolt.

    Unbeknownst to Christina, this side of Dn was reserved for her solely. She was the first¡ªand would be thest¡ªto witness it.

    Just then, a gentle knock on the door rang out, and the waitress stepped in only after receiving their permission. ¡°Everything has been served. If you require anything else, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask. Enjoy your meal.¡±

    Christina answered with an easy smile, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Once the waitress left, Christina gave Dn an encouraging look. ¡°Come on, give it a try.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Dn nodded, then reached for his fork and picked up a shrimp, leaving the sausage untouched. The instant he tasted it, a spicy heat rushed through his mouth and up into his nose. Nothingpared to his very first run-in with spicy food, which had nearly brought him to tears. That time, he had sworn the chili was waging a personal vendetta.

    Curiosity sparkled in Christina¡¯s eyes as she leaned in. ¡°Is it good?¡±

    A smile broke out on Dn¡¯s face. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s good.¡±

    ¡°Try the sausage too. It¡¯s actually really tasty,¡± Christina said, serving Dn a piece with a separate fork.

    Dn¡¯s eyebrows gave the smallest twitch in response. Truthfully, he had never been a fan of sausage, but with Christina being the one offering it to him, he decided to give it a shot.

    Taking a steady breath, Dn popped the sausage into his mouth and waited for the vor to hit.

    Eager for his verdict, Christina watched his reaction closely. ¡°Well? What do you think?¡±

    From what she remembered, Dn could handle bacon without a problem, so his reservations about sausage never crossed her mind.

    ¡°The vor kind of grows on me the more I chew,¡± Dn responded. His praise was honest, even though the spice left him a little breathless. Beaming, Christina suggested, ¡°Then try the chicken soup.¡±

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    Dn nodded, took a spoonful, and smiled in approval. ¡°That¡¯s excellent. Really hits the spot.¡±

    Fond memories of his cooking came to mind, and Christina couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Nothing beats your food. If you made all of this, I¡¯d probably never stop eating.¡±

    A hint of pride flickered in Dn¡¯s eyes. ¡°How about I cook a meal for you sometime? Once I wrap up what¡¯s been on my te.¡±

    Dn then tapped out his phone to pull up an electronic menu for her to name what she craved.

    Blushing a beat, Christina replied, ¡°I was kidding. There¡¯s no way for me to make you cook, not with your packed schedule.¡±

    Dn brushed off her concern. ¡°It¡¯s alright. I kind of enjoy cooking and the smiling faces of those consuming my food.¡±

    Christina¡¯s mood swelled at the prospect of savoring his cuisine, swallowing without realizing it. She casually picked a few dishes.

    When their meal ended, Dn drove Christina straight to the hospital. No sooner had she stepped out of the car than someone dashed toward her from across the lot.

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 Chapter 498

    ?Chapter 498:

    Phone raised and already recording, Katie barreled toward Christina, determination written all over her face. ¡°Well, look what we have here¡ªcaught you and your sugar daddy red-handed! Shame on you!¡±

    ¡°Delete the video now,¡± Christina snapped, reaching to grab the phone.

    Katie saw the moveing and jerked her arm away, her smirk deepening. ¡°Nice try. But you¡¯re not getting anywhere near my phone.¡±

    Mockery danced in Katie¡¯s eyes as she sneered, ¡°Let¡¯s see how you like it when everyone sees just how low you can go.¡±

    Katie¡¯s eyes narrowed into a re, fixed on Christina, who stood nted in front of the car door, deliberately blocking her view of the driver. ¡°Get out of the way, you tramp!¡± Katie snapped, her voice sharp with fading patience.

    Christina¡¯s voice remained steady, her stance unyielding. ¡°Not a chance. What¡¯s your next move, Katie?¡±

    Rapid, angry breaths betrayed Katie¡¯s growing frustration as she red daggers at Christina. ¡°Pathetic, your sugar daddy is!¡± she spat, dripping venom. ¡°Hiding out there like a coward, too ashamed to show his face. I see he¡¯s left you to deal with all of this¡ªfigures he¡¯d bail when things get tough.¡±

    Icy indifference crossed Christina¡¯s face. ¡°Erase the video. Trust me, if you don¡¯t, even the Dawson family can¡¯t protect you from what¡¯sing.¡±

    A barkingugh erupted from Katie, dripping with ridicule. ¡°Bluff all you want. I¡¯m not scared of your empty threats. This footage is going straight to my brother and then online. Can¡¯t wait for everyone to see how disgraceful you two are.¡±

    Katie¡¯s arrogance only grew as Christina remained rooted to the spot without a word, mistaking stillness for surrender. ¡°Cat got your tongue? You look scared. Here¡¯s a deal¡ªcrawl around this parking lot and scream that you¡¯re a tramp. Maybe then I¡¯ll reconsider posting.¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you try me and see what happens?¡± A cool smile barely flickered across Christina¡¯s lips.

    ¡°Oh?¡± Katie stopped mid-taunt as the driver¡¯s side door burst open. A wicked grin spread across her face as she lifted her phone, angling for the perfect shot¡ªshe was finally going to unmask the man Christina had been hiding behind that car door. Exposing his identity would be her crowning moment, the solid evidence her brother needed to finally move on from Christina for good. Ruining Christina¡¯s life¡­

    Reputation was all she cared about now, and this video would ensure everyone saw how shameless Christina was.

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    Yet, as the car door opened, the man who stepped out caught Katie by surprise. Commanding the scene with quiet confidence, his presence was unmistakable¡ªthere was something familiar about him, though she couldn¡¯t quite ce it.

    Expecting to find a balding, overweight man well past his prime, Katie was blindsided by the reality. Instead, the man was young, striking, and carried himself with a maic kind of power.

    As confusion flickered in her eyes, the man turned to face her. A jolt of recognition sent shock through her. It was Dn! Holy crap! How could that be? For a moment, Katie stood rooted in ce,pletely at a loss. How could Dn¡ªa man with influence and status¡ªbe involved with Christina, the woman her brother had thrown away? Logic failed her. Nothing about this made sense. She wondered if she was seeing things.

    An icy edge crept into Dn¡¯s voice as he broke the silence. ¡°Who just used me of being a sugar daddy? Who threatened to broadcast this to the world?¡± His gazended on Katie, razor-sharp and unforgiving.

    Words dried up in Katie¡¯s throat as she stumbled backward, phone wobbling in her grip.

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 Chapter 499

    ?Chapter 499:

    ¡°Take a good look.¡± Dn spoke in a low, menacing tone, every word carrying the weight of a silent and deadly threat. ¡°Am I the one you¡¯ve been trying to expose?¡±

    Tightly gripping her phone, Katie¡¯s knuckles turned white. Fear drained the color from her face, while every inhale felt shallow and uneasy. Words refused toe out smoothly. ¡°I¡ª¡± she stuttered, fighting to regain control of herself. After a shaky pause, Katie forced herself to speak. Her voice quivered. ¡°Mr. Scott, that¡¯s not what I meant at all¡­¡±

    A single eyebrow arched as Dn regarded her. His voice dropped low. ¡°Really? Then what exactly were you trying to say? You just used me of being Christina¡¯s sugar daddy, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    Katie¡¯s lips trembled. ¡°I just thought Christina was here to meet some unknown man in secret. That¡¯s all I meant¡­¡±

    The cold fire in Dn¡¯s eyes made her stop talking altogether, the icy stare freezing her words. ¡°Who taught you to make wild usations like that with nothing to back it up?¡± he asked, his tone unwavering.

    Tears welled up in Katie¡¯s eyes, panic rising. She shook her head and begged, ¡°No, you¡¯ve misunderstood me, Mr. Scott! I never meant it that way. Please believe me.¡±

    Dn¡¯s voice stayed cold. ¡°Why am I not hearing an apology now?¡±

    Katie faltered, her chest tightening with resentment at the thought of apologizing to Christina. She pointed at Christina. ¡°I¡¯ll say sorry to you, Mr. Scott. But don¡¯t expect me to apologize to her.¡±

    Katie didn¡¯t think she¡¯d said anything wrong about Christina. Christina was nothing but a loose woman who leapt at any man if even a hint of attention was shown her way.

    Dn reached for his phone, his demeanor aloof. ¡°If that¡¯s how you feel, then your family will be wiped off the map soon.¡±

    Instant dread washed over Katie, making her skin go even paler. ¡°Why are you defending her? What is she to you?¡±

    Dn met her gaze, each word sharp. ¡°The whole Scott family has her back.¡±

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    Shock muted Katie. Could it be that Christina had managed to win over Dn and secure her ce in his life? How could that be possible?

    Christina chimed in, ¡°Mr. Scott employed me to look after Miss Scott, so yes, right now, for the sake of my continued service, the Scott family has my back.¡±

    A slight twitch in Dn¡¯s brow betrayed the frustration he tried to hide. His expresi¨®n briefly revealed¡­

    A hint of bitterness briefly surfaced. Even now, Christina was still drawing a line between them¡ªlikely to avoid giving Brendon the wrong idea. She still cared about Brendon.

    The thought gnawed at Dn. Jealousy simmered beneath his calm exterior, the urge to erase Brendon from Christina¡¯s thoughts growing stronger by the second. Until Christina entered his life, he had never been so unsettled by something he didn¡¯t know how to change.

    Meanwhile, Katie¡¯s mind worked quickly. Moments ago, she had wondered if Christina had somehow captured Dn¡¯s interest and might one day be his wife. But the truth deted that hope instantly¡ªChristina was nothing more than a hired caregiver. She sneered inwardly, a sh of contempt flickering in her eyes.

    She realized she had been giving Christina too much credit. There was no way a castoff like Christina could ever hold Dn¡¯s attention.

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 Chapter 500

    ?Chapter 500:

    Ice settled in Dn¡¯s voice as he spoke. ¡°Apologize to both me and Miss Jones, or your family¡¯s name will vanish from Dorfield. You decide.¡±

    Katie¡¯s hands clenched into fists, anger and fear warring within her. In the end, she gave in. ¡°Just tell me how you want me to apologize, Mr. Scott.¡±

    She had no choice. If she didn¡¯t bow her head now, her entire family could vanish from Dorfield overnight. Still, her mind turned to the future. Once she earned Cassandra¡¯s approval, became close to Lauretta, and built connections with the Gomez family, she believed even the powerful Scott family would be forced to respect her. By then, she would crush Christina under her foot without mercy.

    Dn shifted his attention to Christina. ¡°That¡¯s up to Miss Jones,¡± he said, his tone losing its earlier edge. A brief warmth lit his usually frosty gaze before disappearing as quickly as it appeared.

    By letting Christina decide, Dn was giving her the freedom to handle the situation as she wished, allowing her to release every bit of frustration.

    Ice shed in Katie¡¯s eyes as she shot Christina a furious look. How could Christina¡ªa mere live-in caregiver employed by the Scott family¡ªhave Dn stepping in to defend her?

    A sly grin tugged at Christina¡¯s lips as she shifted her gaze toward Katie. ¡°So why not take your own advice? Drop down, crawl around the hospital, and shout those three little words. Go on, Miss Dawson¡ªremind me, what were they again?¡±

    Katie fought to keep her anger in check, her jaw set tight. ns to embarrass Christina hade back to bite her.

    ¡°You have a sharp memory. Help me out¡ªwhat exactly did you want me to shout again?¡± Christina said, her smile deliberately taunting.

    ¡°You remember those three words! You¡¯re just doing this on purpose!¡± Katie snapped, stamping her foot.

    ¡°Yeah, I am,¡± Christina replied, an eyebrow arched in open challenge. ¡°Is that a problem? Not wanting to go through with it and preferring your family¡¯s downfall?¡±

    Katie clenched her jaw, shooting Christina a look filled with venom. The only reason Christina dared act this smug was because Dn had her back. Christina was just a lowly caregiver working for the Scott family, yet she carried herself as if she were his wife.

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    A chill entered Dn¡¯s tone as he addressed Katie, ¡°Then go with Miss Jones¡¯ suggestion. You have three seconds to start, or I¡¯ll assume you have second thoughts and prefer to see your family fall.¡±

    Without giving her a chance to react, Dn began counting down. ¡°Three¡­ Two¡­¡±

    There was no time for Katie to think of a way out. As Dn¡¯s count reached its final beat, she sank to her knees. Humiliation burned hotter than rage as she lowered her head, her fists trembling with shame.

    Vengeance simmered beneath her humiliation. One day, she vowed, she¡¯d make Christina suffer miserably. She thenforted herself. Once she managed to get close to Cassandra and climb into the Gomez family¡¯s good graces, bringing Christina down would be child¡¯s y.

    In her mind, Katie pictured herself rising to the top while Christinay groveling at her feet. The thought gave her a dark, twisted sense of satisfaction. Little did she expect that not only would she fail to impress Cassandra the next day, but she would end up offending Cassandra beyond repair.

    Beneath her breath, Katie mumbled, ¡°I¡¯m a tramp,¡± shuffling forward on her knees, mortified.

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 Chapter 501

    ?Chapter 501:

    Christina¡¯s lips curled into a taunting smile. ¡°That¡¯s barely a whisper. Let¡¯s hear it loud and clear,¡± she remarked, arms crossed. ¡°Or is your voice as empty as your backbone?¡±

    Fury nearly choked Katie, but Dn¡¯s presence kept her in check. Pushing back would risk everything¡ªher family¡¯s future was on the line. Recklessness wasn¡¯t an option. Surrendering her pride, she did what was necessary.

    Forced into humiliation, Katie clenched her jaw and bellowed, ¡°I¡¯m a tramp!¡± Eyes on the ground, she crawled onward, her voice ringing out. ¡°I¡¯m a tramp! I¡¯m a tramp!¡±

    Turning away from the scene, Christina said to Dn with gentle warmth, ¡°Don¡¯t you have work waiting for you? You should get going.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Dn replied. ¡°And you should get some rest. No need to watch her¡ªshe wouldn¡¯t dare stop halfway.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡± Christina nodded. Tipping her head with yful grace, she waved. ¡°Thank you for stepping in, Mr. Scott. See you soon!¡±

    Dn couldn¡¯t help but smile at her cuteness, the corners of his lips curling up without him realizing. His heart brimmed with so much warmth that it felt like sweetness was pouring out of him, lifting the air around him until it seemed almost weightless. That lingering sweetness made even the prospect of office drudgery seem easier to bear.

    Upstairs, inside a private hospital room, Ynda¡¯s face turned pale as she stood on the balcony, pointing at the figure crawling on the ground below. ¡°Brendon, look! Isn¡¯t that Katie?¡±

    A ss of water in hand, Brendon stepped forward, trying to get a clearer view. The figure crawling on the ground of the parking lot bore an unmistakable resemnce to his own sister. Shock shed in his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s Katie! Who the hell dared bully my sister?¡± His grip tightened around the ss, fury surging.

    Ynda¡¯s face clouded with fake concern. ¡°We should head downstairs and see what¡¯s going on.¡±

    Brendon agreed, and they quickly headed down together.

    Once downstairs, Brendon¡¯s first instinct was to rush to Katie¡¯s side to help her up. She crawled there, her head bowed low, not daring to meet anyone¡¯s gaze. Before he could move, Ynda caught his arm, holding him back.

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    Confusion twisted across Brendon¡¯s face. ¡°Why are you stopping me, Ynda?¡± A moment of hesitation passed before Ynda tightened her hold, unwilling to let go.

    Frustration leaked into Brendon¡¯s voice. ¡°Just say the word, for God¡¯s sake!¡± In that moment, the sight of his sister crawling forward and calling herself a tramp tore at him. It felt like watching the Dawson family¡¯s name being dragged straight through the dirt.

    Ynda flinched, hurt by his tone, tears brimming in her eyes.

    Seeing her distress, Brendon quickly softened. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ynda. I didn¡¯t mean to snap. I was just too worried.¡±

    Ynda¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°I get it. It¡¯s just¡­ I realized something all of a sudden.¡±

    Brendon¡¯s puzzlement grew. ¡°What are you trying to say? Shouldn¡¯t we go help Katie now?¡±

    A serious look crossed Ynda¡¯s face as she met his eyes. ¡°To think even Katie was forced to bend the knee. Whoever is behind this is probably way more powerful than you.¡±

    Instantly, Brendon¡¯s thoughts shifted to Katie¡¯s pride. For her to go through such humiliation, someone with real power must have left her no choice. Ynda¡¯s words hit home, forcing him to pause and think. Earlier, in his rush, he hadn¡¯t thought it through.

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 Chapter 502

    ?Chapter 502:

    A warning slipped from Ynda¡¯s lips, barely louder than a breath. ¡°Whoever¡¯s behind this might be watching us right now. Charging forward to help Katie could ruin the entire Dawson family.¡±

    Anger boiled in Brendon¡¯s chest. ¡°So what am I supposed to do? Just stand back and watch my sister get humiliated?¡±

    Just as he was about to move, Ynda tightened her grip on his arm, holding him in ce. She shook her head, her eyes teary. ¡°Sometimes you have to pick your battles, Brendon. Don¡¯t throw everything away for a single moment.¡±

    Reluctance etched across his features, Brendon held himself back. His fists stayed clenched and his jaw set with frustration.

    Quiet hung over the private hospital room.

    As soon as the door swung open from the outside, Brendon burst forward, eyes filled with concern. ¡°Katie, tell me who did this to you,¡± he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

    Tears ran down Katie¡¯s cheeks as she whimpered, ¡°Brendon, my knees hurt so much¡­¡±

    Every word tore at Brendon¡¯s heart. All he wanted was to find the person responsible and make them pay. He dabbed away her tears, his voice soft. ¡°I¡¯ll call the doctor to treat your wounds. Just tell me who bullied you, and I¡¯ll make them pay.¡±

    A shudder ran through Katie. Fear knotted her words. ¡°Brendon¡­¡±

    He caught her hesitation and asked gently, ¡°Why are you so scared? Who was it?¡±

    Broken sobs spilled out as Katie whispered the truth, ¡°It was Dn Scott. We can¡¯t fight someone like him.¡±

    Both Brendon and Ynda gasped in disbelief.

    Panic edged into Brendon¡¯s voice. ¡°How did you end up crossing Mr. Scott?¡± If Dn made up his mind to ruin the Dawson family, every paper in the city would be screaming about their downfall by morning. Going up against the Scott family right now felt as useless as showing up to a battlefield with nothing but a kitchen knife.

    Twisting the truth with every word, Katie painted Christina as the viin while recounting the ordeal. ¡°I was convinced I¡¯d catch Christina and her sugar daddy, but the reality waspletely different. There¡¯s no lecherous old man, only Mr. Scott. And she turned out to be a caregiver for the Scott family. Still¡­¡±

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    ¡°Mr. Scott came to her defense and humiliated me for her.¡±

    Red-rimmed eyes fixed on Brendon, Katie filled her voice with grievance. ¡°Brendon, I just wanted to confirm my suspicion of her being a kept woman¡­¡±

    Dark clouds crossed Brendon¡¯s face as he processed the news. Christina worked for the Scotts and somehow earned Dn¡¯s support? The thought left him reeling. A bitter realization struck him¡ªChristina had be shrewder than he ever imagined. She worked for the Scott family to get closer to Dn. Was it a ploy just to get back at him?

    Curiosity piqued, Ynda interjected, ¡°What about the video you recorded?¡±

    A quiet, defeated tone crept into Katie¡¯s answer. ¡°It was erased. If I¡¯d kept it, the Dawson family would be ruined by tomorrow morning.¡±

    Ynda reached over, offeringfort. ¡°You¡¯ve endured much, Katie, all for the Dawson family¡¯s sake. Just look at your poor knees.¡±

    Tears shimmered as Katie soaked in the sympathy. ¡°Ynda, you¡¯re always so kind. That snake Christina just set me up. It had to be intentional, leading me to offend Mr. Scott like that!¡±

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 Chapter 503

    ?Chapter 503:

    ¡°Maybe Christina didn¡¯t mean any harm¡­¡± Ynda suggested, sounding like she was defending Christina while she was actually fanning Katie¡¯s mes.

    ¡°Of course she did!¡± Katie snapped back, her jaw tight. ¡°She could¡¯ve warned me that it was Mr. Scott who was behind the wheel, but no, she provoked me into uttering those impulsive words. If it weren¡¯t for her, I wouldn¡¯t have offended Mr. Scott and been humiliated like this. It¡¯s all her fault!¡± Katie inwardly vowed that she would make Christina pay.

    A dramatic sigh escaped Ynda as she feigned sympathy toward Katie. She nced at Brendon, his expression grave. A flicker of satisfaction danced behind her eyes. Life as a caregiver left Christina scrubbing floors and running errands for the Scott family¡ªhardly the future anyone envied. None of this mess would have yed out if Katie hadn¡¯t run her mouth and insulted Dn. Any hope Christina might have had of remarrying Brendon was gone now, swept away for good.

    Which wealthy man would risk his reputation for someone earning her keep doing lowly chores?

    A smug sense of victory curled through Ynda. She was convinced her engagement to Brendon was now inevitable. Even if Christina begged to return to him, Brendon would never take her back.

    Tears streaming down her face, Katie turned to Brendon, her voice trembling. ¡°Christina set me up, Brendon. You have to stand up for me!¡±

    A cruel smile touched Brendon¡¯s lips. ns for payback were already forming in his mind. ¡°Leave it to me. If she dares to show up at my engagement party with Ynda, I¡¯ll see to it she¡¯s humiliated in front of everyone. You¡¯ll get your revenge.¡±

    Relief washed over Katie. She smiled through her tears. ¡°You and Ynda are the best to me. I love you both so much!¡±

    Waving off her worries, Brendon motioned for her to sit. ¡°Now, take a seat and rest for a bit. I¡¯ll have a doctor check you over and then get you home. Make sure you¡¯re ready for your speech tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Rest assured, I am well prepared¡ªCassandra is going to love what I have to say,¡± Katie replied, her confidence returning.

    A gentle pat on her head showed Brendon¡¯s affection. ¡°This isn¡¯t just for our goal of bing part of Lorbridge¡¯s upper crust. We¡¯re aiming for the very top. If we pull this off¡­¡±

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    Daydreams of power danced in Brendon¡¯s mind. The taste of victory was sweet. ¡°By then, nobody will ever dare cross you again.¡±

    Happiness glowed on Katie¡¯s face as she let herself imagine their shared, impossible ascent.

    Morning sunlight spilled through the school windows as Katie¡¯s moment in the spotlight finally arrived, or so she thought. Confidence radiated from her as she strode to the front, certain that her presentation would overshadow every speaker before her.

    A brilliant smile lit her face as she sent a hopeful nce in Cassandra¡¯s direction. With practiced ease, she said, ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Katie Dawson¡ª¡±

    Fingers danced over the clicker, moving to her first slide, and suddenly the auditorium erupted with startled gasps.

    Scanning the audience, Katie mistook their wide-eyed shock for admiration. Pride surged in her chest, certain that her slide had dazzled the room¡ªuntil a ripple of pointed fingers and low voices reced silence with mocking whispers and snickers.

    For a moment, Katie convinced herself it was nothing but envy fueling their reactions. Curiosity soon overtook herposure. Spinning toward the giant screen, she felt her heart stop.

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 Chapter 504

    ?Chapter 504:

    All her hard work and careful preparation had vanished. In its ce, the screen was filled with images of overflowing dumpsters and scattered litter. Not a single proper slide remained¡ªnothing but piles and piles of trash. Somebody had sabotaged her entire presentation, turning it into a public disaster! A strangled whisper escaped Katie. ¡°This¡­ This isn¡¯t my work. How did this even happen?¡±

    Murmurs erupted through the auditorium.

    ¡°She¡¯s lost her mind, hasn¡¯t she? What¡¯s this supposed to be?¡±

    ¡°Is this her idea of making an impression? This is a disaster, not a speech.¡±

    ¡°How¡¯d she even pass the selection process if this was what she nned to show?¡±

    Confusion and disbelief washed through the student body, each voice echoing the same shock. This event was the highlight of the semester¡ªonly those who¡¯d survived countless rounds of judging could present.

    Hands shaking, Katie frantically clicked to the next slide, desperate to regain control. But the next slide brought the final blow. Across the screen, bold letters screamed, ¡°Professor Wright is nothing but trash.¡±

    A collective gasp swept through the auditorium, a wave of disbelief and ufortable sympathy rippling across the crowd.

    ¡°Did she really just do that? She¡¯s finished¡ªthere¡¯s no way she¡¯ll get away with insulting Professor Wright.¡±

    ¡°Just now, I thought maybe she was trying to be funny, but this is outright disrespect. No one¡¯s ever insulted Professor Wright like this.¡±

    ¡°Professor Wright is infamous for her high standards and strict discipline. Most students wouldn¡¯t even risk a joke behind her back. But Katie just insulted her in public. I have to admit, that takes guts.¡±

    Panic overtook Katie as she scrambled in a futile attempt to stop the presentation. But no matter what she tried, the slides wouldn¡¯t stop rolling automatically.

    Each new slide worsened the situation¡ªone after another, the screen disyed not only cruel barbs aimed at Cassandra but also a string of private messages between Katie and Thea, revealing their harsh jokes and mean-spirited gossip about Cassandra.

    Katie felt like screaming. ¡°No!¡± She couldn¡¯t let people see this! Desperation gripped her. She threw herself in front of the projection, arms outstretched, hoping to shield the screen, but she was powerless. The slides kept ying, and the system ignored everymand to shut down. Humiliation burned as the horrifying realization set in: someone had orchestrated her downfall.

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    The crowd¡¯s whispers grew louder, each new voice adding to the sting.

    ¡°Whoever set this up really had it out for Katie. One doesn¡¯t end up on st like this by ident.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no way Katie would tank her own future like this. But now that those messages are public, she¡¯s dragging whoever chatted with her online down with her.¡±

    ¡°Just who did Katie offend? Exposing her private chat logs in front of the whole school¡­¡±

    ¡°This is pure self-sabotage. Professor Wright is strict, but this level of nder? Katie practically dug her own grave.¡±

    ¡°Disgusting! Insinuating Professor Wright only got her job at such a young age by using connections? Katie hailed from the Dawson family, yet acts with zero ss. The things she wrote were vile¡­¡±

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 Chapter 505

    ?Chapter 505:

    Tremors rattled through Katie as panic and fury twisted inside her. Tears blurred her vision, and her knees threatened to give out. No matter how hard she tried, the slides on the screen refused to disappear. Why couldn¡¯t she stop this? Who had turned her presentation into a spectacle?

    Katie¡¯s voice quivered as she said into the microphone, ¡°Please, Professor Wright, you have to believe me. I¡¯m being framed. Someone faked those chat logs! My family saw how hard I worked. I would never disrespect you like this.¡± Her words rushed out in a desperate plea. ¡°Give me a chance to find the person who did this. Please don¡¯t trust those screenshots¡ªthey¡¯re nothing but lies!¡±

    Katie¡¯s voice cracked with emotion, each word a desperate attempt to deny the authenticity of the chat logs.

    On the other side of town, Christina snapped herptop shut, a faint smile ying at her lips. She had just posted a screen recording of the chat history between Katie and Thea, taken from Thea¡¯s screen.

    The video caught fire almost instantly, rising straight to the top of the trending lists.

    Katie¡¯s teary protests echoed around the auditorium, but across the inte, the recording had already spread far and wide. People who caught the video early wasted no time sharing it. The news zipped from phone to phone in a matter of minutes. Within moments, nearly everyone in the auditorium had seen the video.

    Disbelief spread among the students. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I trusted a single word she said. She was lying to all of us.¡±

    Another student¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°She looked so aggrieved up there, but not a single thing she said was true. The second she called the logs fake, boom, this video dropped.¡±

    ¡°Katie¡¯s always been arrogant and entitled, shing her family name around. This was bound to happen.¡±

    Anger simmered among the students. The tears they once believed now looked like nothing more than a performance. Any sympathy for Katie vanished in an instant, reced by open scorn. Suddenly, every stare in the room carried the sting of betrayal. A few people even looked ready to drag her offstage themselves.

    Confusion clouded Katie¡¯s mind as she struggled to process what had just unfolded. Her phone vibrated nonstop, each buzz ratcheting up her anxiety. She snatched it from her pocket, fingers shaking.

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    A message from Ynda shed on the screen. ¡°Katie! You¡¯re in serious trouble! Your chat got screen-recorded and posted online!¡± A single link followed.

    Sniffling, Katie tapped it and nearly let her phone slip through her grasp. The video yed in full view, showing the entire conversation between her and Thea, all from Thea¡¯s device. Panic set in. Why would Thea throw both of them under the bus? Wouldn¡¯t this hurt her too? What could possibly be Thea¡¯s motive? If Thea hadn¡¯t recorded it herself, then how had it even gotten out?

    Burning with anger, Katie fired off a message to Thea without a second thought. ¡°Thea, what¡¯s with that video? Are you out to ruin my life?¡±

    A reply came back almost instantly. ¡°I was about to say the same to you! Who did you piss off, Katie? Now I¡¯m getting dragged down with you! People are gonna realize I¡¯m involved too!¡±

    Katie retorted, ¡°You¡¯re the only one who could¡¯ve recorded it. Why would I even do that?¡±

    Thea¡¯s response was sharp. ¡°Why would I risk everything? Your speech blew up before anything else did! Think for a second¡ªwho did you crosstely?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t make any enemies,¡± Katie responded, though doubt was creeping in. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re the real target and I just got caught in the middle¡­¡±

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 Chapter 506

    ?Chapter 506:

    ¡°That¡¯splete bullshit! I haven¡¯t even stepped foot on campus! I¡¯ve been holed up at home this entire time! My dad just tore into me. He said Professor Wright has ties to the Gomez family. We¡¯re in deep trouble. No joke!¡±

    Katie¡¯s face went pale as she stared at her chat history with Thea. Could it be that she had offended someone, not Thea? But Katie thought hard and couldn¡¯t recall offending anyone important. Then, one name suddenly came to mind. Was it Dn?

    She quickly shook off the thought. If Dn wanted to get back at her, he wouldn¡¯t need to go through all this. With his power, he could have easily erased the Dawson family from Dorfield. If it wasn¡¯t Dn, then who else could it be?

    Another name came into her thoughts. That sneaky Christina! Recently, the only person she had truly upset was that awful Christina. Christina had tricked her into unwittingly insulting Dn, and now she was trying to destroy her reputation. What a cruel snake Christina was!

    ¡°Everyone, please don¡¯t believe these rumors¡ªthey¡¯re not true¡­¡± Katie looked at Cassandra, who showed no emotion, and gave a nervous, apologetic smile. ¡°Professor Wright, please trust me. I¡¯ll find out who set me up and tell you the truth. I hope you¡¯ll give me another chance after that. I¡¯m sorry for wasting your time, everyone. I¡¯ll start looking into it right now¡­¡±

    After saying that, Katie rushed off the stage, filled with anger.

    Storming toward Bethel¡¯s ward, Katie kicked the door open in fury and marched in, leg raised to deliver a kick to Christina, just like Christina had once done to her.

    As the kick was about tond, Christina, quick as a sh, easily sidestepped the attack.

    Katie had thrown her kick with such fierce force that when she missed her target, shepletely lost her bnce and ended up in a painfully awkward split on the floor.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Katie gasped, a jolt of searing pain erupting through her legs. The agony was so intense that it felt almost unbearable, threatening to pull her into unconsciousness. How dare that wicked bitch Christina inflict such pain upon her?

    Once the initial wave of pain began to recede, Katie unleashed a furious scream. ¡°Christina! You scheming wench! Why the hell did you plot against me? Today¡¯s speech was absolutely vital for my future, and youpletely ruined everything!¡±

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    Christina simply leaned back, an almost unsettling calm about her. The suddenmotion jolted Bethel awake.

    ¡°I honestly have no idea what you¡¯re even talking about,¡± Christina stated, her voice remarkably calm and level.

    Bethel¡¯s brow furrowed into a deep frown, and she shot a piercing re at Katie. ¡°What in the world is going on here? Christina has been right here with me, in this very hospital room, the entire time. So, how in God¡¯s name could she have possibly ruined your speech? You need concrete proof before you start throwing around usations like that. You just burst in here, started ming Christina without a shred of evidence, and even tried to kick her. Don¡¯t you think you owe her an apology for your behavior?¡±

    Bethel found herself wishing, with a heavy sigh, that her own granddaughter possessed even half the sharp wit and intelligence that Christina had.

    ¡°An apology?¡± Katie sneered, a venomous edge to her voice. ¡°Why the hell would I apologize? I didn¡¯t do a single goddamn thing wrong!¡±

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 Chapter 507

    ?Chapter 507:

    ¡°You just burst in here and tried to kick Christina. How is that not wrong?¡± Bethel asked, her gaze fixed on Katie, disappointment clear and unmistakable. If only the Dawson family had just one truly capable descendant, she wouldn¡¯t be forced to deal with this endless drama at her advanced age.

    ¡°She absolutely deserved it! She set me up!¡± Katie snapped back, her voiceced with bitterness.

    ¡°That¡¯s utterly impossible! Christina has always been such a sensible and well-behaved young woman. She would never, ever do something like that,¡± Bethel dered, her trust in Christina unwavering and absolute.

    Christina offered Katie a small, meaningful smile. ¡°Miss Dawson, you need actual proof to back up those ims. Do you have any solid evidence that I sabotaged your speech?¡±

    Katie curled her lips into a confident, almost triumphant sneer. ¡°Of course I do! Theputer you used to post that video has to be somewhere in this room. And let me tell you, once I find it, you are going to be in deep, serious trouble!¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t search this room!¡± Christina stepped forward, deliberately blocking Katie¡¯s path.

    Katie¡¯s lips curled into a nasty smirk. ¡°What, scared I might actually find yourptop and the damned evidence you schemed against me?¡±

    Christina remained perfectly calm, a cool mask on her face. ¡°Not at all. Tell me, if you can¡¯t find anything to back your ims, what are you going to do?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll p myself ten times,¡± Katie stated coldly, her eyes locked on Christina¡¯s with an intense stare. ¡°But if I find it, then you¡¯ll have to p yourself ten times and do whatever I tell you.¡±

    ¡°Deal,¡± Christina said, a simple gesture of her open hand inviting Katie to continue. ¡°Go on then.¡±

    Katie let out a dismissive snort and immediately started tearing through the hospital room like a whirlwind. She ripped through every single drawer, every cab, even the bathroom, but came uppletely empty-handed. Noptop. Not even the slightest trace of one.

    Katie stood utterly bewildered. How could it not be here?

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    ¡°I told you it wasn¡¯t me, didn¡¯t I?¡± Christina said, a triumphant smile now gracing her lips. ¡°Now, time to keep your end of the deal.¡±

    Katie¡¯s face flushed crimson with rage, and she screamed at Christina, ¡°You must¡¯ve hidden the damnptop somewhere!¡±

    ¡°You just searched every inch of this entire room,¡± Christina shot back, her voiceced with cutting sarcasm. ¡°So, where exactly would I even hide it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know! But you did!¡± Katie snapped, her voice tight with frustration, before she abruptly spun on her heel to storm out.

    ¡°Hold up,¡± Christina¡¯s voice cut in, sharp andmanding. ¡°You haven¡¯t struck yourself yet, have you?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve kept theptop away! Why should I p myself then?¡± Katie snapped, her face twisted into a stormy, defiant mask. ¡°Out of my way!¡± She red at Christina, her eyes zing with pure, venomous spite.

    ¡°A deal¡¯s a deal. If you¡¯re going to back out now, don¡¯t me me for getting a little rough,¡± Christina said, her eyes narrowing into dangerous, sharp slits.

    Katie scoffed, a derisive sound escaping her lips. ¡°Oh please. Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got then, huh?¡±

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 Chapter 508

    ?Chapter 508:

    ¡°dly.¡± Christina, without a moment¡¯s hesitation, pulled out her phone, the screen glowing. ¡°I¡¯ll just make a quick call to Mr. Scott.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± Katie nched, her face draining of color as she instinctively pped her hand down over Christina¡¯s phone, trying to stop her.

    ¡°Stick to the bet we made, and I won¡¯t call him,¡± Christina said, her voice steady and unwavering.

    ¡°Christina, you¡¯re being too over the top!¡± Katie snapped, her words forced through clenched teeth.

    ¡°So what?¡± Christina sneered, a cold, mocking glint in her eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s not drag this out, shall we? Just get it over with.¡±

    ¡°You¡ª¡± Katie was furious, but the second she remembered the threat of Christina calling Dn, she froze. After all, Christina was now working for the Scotts. And Dn? He¡¯d back her no matter what.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got three minutes,¡± Christina said as she tapped her phone screen to start the timer. ¡°Skip one p, and I¡¯m calling him.¡±

    Katie stared at the timer, watching each second tick away. She clenched her jaw, lifted her hand, and pped herself. The ps echoed through the room, each one loud and clear. She didn¡¯t stop.

    Just as Katie was about to deliver the final one, a voice rang out. ¡°Stop!¡±

    Ynda rushed in and grabbed Katie by the wrist, stopping her mid-motion. ¡°Katie, what the hell are you doing?¡± she asked, her voice full of feigned concern, eyes already welling up. Then, she turned to face Christina. ¡°Christina, how can you do this to her? Katie¡¯s Brendon¡¯s sister¡ªand you were her sister-inw!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with you?¡± Christina shot back, barely ncing at Ynda. She checked the timer and let a slow smirk appear. ¡°Katie, you¡¯ve got fifty seconds left. And one more p to go. Don¡¯t finish it? I¡¯ll call him.¡±

    ¡°What is the meaning of this? Who are you even nning to call?¡± Ynda asked, her voice edged with confusion as she gazed at Christina.

    Christina didn¡¯t answer, so Ynda turned to Katie instead. ¡°Katie, seriously¡ªwhat¡¯s going on?¡±

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    Just as Katie opened her mouth, about to blurt out an answer, the distinct sound of hurried footsteps echoed loudly down the hospital hallway. A familiar voice rang out. ¡°Ynda! Katie!¡±

    Brendon burst into the room, his eyes immediately zeroing in on Katie¡¯s rapidly swelling cheek and Ynda¡¯s tear-reddened, glistening eyes. ¡°Christina! What the hell did you do to them?¡± he shouted, his voice tight with fury.

    Christina didn¡¯t even bother to nce at him. Instead, her eyes calmly dropped to the glowing timer on her phone. ¡°You¡¯ve got twenty seconds,¡± she stated, her voice unnervingly calm.

    Brendon stared at her, utterly bewildered, his mind reeling. ¡°Twenty seconds until what?¡±

    ¡°Brendon, don¡¯t get upset with Christina. I¡¯m sure she didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡± Ynda jumped in, pretending to defend Christina.

    ¡°Ynda, stop covering for her!¡± Brendon snapped as he stepped forward. ¡°Exin yourself, Christina!¡±

    Completely unbothered by his outburst, Christina calmly began her countdown. ¡°Five¡­ Four¡­ Three¡­¡±

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 Chapter 509

    ?Chapter 509:

    Before Christina could even utter the number one, Katie, absolutely ovee with terror, pped herself hard across the face. The blow was so forceful that it almost sent her stumbling off bnce.

    Brendon stood utterly frozen for a single second, and then exploded, his rage ignited by Christina¡¯s chilling indifference¡ªand by the horrifying sight of her making his own sister p herself right in front of him. He spun his furious gaze onto Christina, who remainedpletely unfazed, a picture of calm. ¡°Christina Jones!¡± he barked, his voice raw with fury.

    ¡°Lower your damn voice,¡± Christina said smoothly, rubbing her ear. ¡°Bethel just woke up, and I doubt other patients want to hear your tantrum.¡±

    Brendon dropped his voice, but the anger still burned in every word. ¡°Why the hell are you going after them like this? What did they do to deserve this?¡± Christina didn¡¯t even spare him a passing nce. Instead, she simply turned and settled herself into the chair beside the hospital bed.

    ¡°You¡ª¡± Brendon was shaking, breathing hard, so furious that he could barely get the words out. His ex-wife was bing increasingly difficult to handle, a real nightmare.

    Bethel, who had quietly observed the entire scene, finally spoke up. ¡°Katie burst in here and tried to kick Christina. She missed, thankfully. Then, she made a bet with Christina, and she lost. Those ps? They were just the consequences she agreed to face. That¡¯s the whole story, in and simple. I was right here in this room for every second of it. Christina didn¡¯t touch Katie once. Since Katie made that bet, she has to live with what came next.¡±

    Bethel¡¯s blunt words made Katie feel especially wronged, and her eyes burned with intense jealousy. ¡°Grandma! Why are you always siding with her instead of me?¡±

    Bethel gave her a sharp, cold look. ¡°I¡¯m not picking sides, Katie. I¡¯m just telling you the truth. Just because I won¡¯t blindly defend your every action doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m choosing her over you.¡±

    ¡°Do you even know what she did? My whole speech was absolutely ruined because of her!¡± Katie yelled, her eyes practically glistening with uncontrolled rage.

    Bethel stayed firm, her expression unyielding. ¡°You have absolutely no proof that Christina was responsible for this, so stop throwing around wild usations.¡±

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    Brendon¡¯s face clouded over, a dark storm brewing as the unspoken implication finally sank in. He instinctively grabbed Katie¡¯s arm. ¡°Wait¡ªwhat happened with your speech?¡±

    ¡°Brendon! You¡¯re hurting me! Let go!!¡± Katie tried to yank her arm free from his grasp. Then, pointing a trembling, using finger at Christina, she shrieked, ¡°She tampered with my slides, and now I¡¯ve pissed off Professor Wright! And it¡¯s all because of her!¡±

    Brendon spun around to face Christina, his eyes bloodshot and zing with pure fury. ¡°Is that true? What do you have to say for yourself about all this?¡±

    Christina remainedpletely calm, not a single tremor in her voice. ¡°It seems like you¡¯ve already made up your mind about all this. So what exactly do you expect me to say?¡±

    Blinded by a wave of intense rage, Brendon stormed toward Christina, his hand already raised, ready to strike.

    But Christina, with surprising swiftness, caught his wrist midair¡ªand then, in one fluid motion, pped him hard across the face. She frowned deeply, a clear look of disgust etched on her face, and then shoved him forcefully away from her. ¡°Get out of here, or I won¡¯t y nice.¡±

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 Chapter 510

    Chapter 510:

    After being pped and almost pushed to the floor, Brendon was furious, feeling a fire burning in his chest.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you leaving already?¡± Christina asked, her voice cold.

    Brendon narrowed his eyes, anger clear as he said, ¡°Are you sure you want to treat me this way? You should think twice, Christina.¡±

    Christina replied firmly, ¡°I already thought about it. Now, get lost.¡±

    ¡°Fine, then! But don¡¯te crawling back, begging me for helpter. You¡¯ll absolutely regret this, I promise you,¡± Brendon said sharply.

    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Christina answered, her voice sharp and full of defiance.

    ¡°Good!¡± Brendon bit out through gritted teeth. ¡°You said it yourself, so don¡¯te crying to meter, because I won¡¯t be there to help you!¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t all get out of here right now, I swear to God, I¡¯ll shove this toilet brush straight into each of your mouths,¡± Christina said, turning slowly to fix Brendon, Katie, and Ynda with a venomous re.

    The sheer intensity of the look in her eyes made all three of them instinctively recoil, taking a swift step backward. They knew, with a chilling certainty, that Christina was precisely unhinged enough to actually follow through on such a deranged threat. The mere thought of a dirty, grimy toilet brush being forced into their mouths made their stomachs churn with unbearable nausea.

    ¡°Bethel.¡± Ynda spoke up, her voiceced with incredulity. ¡°Brendon and Katie are your own flesh and blood, your grandchildren. How can you possibly not be on their side? How can you just stand there and let Christina throw them out like this?¡±

    Bethel had been smiling warmly as she held Christina¡¯s hand, but Ynda¡¯s words instantly wiped the cheerful expression from her face.

    ¡°Whatever Christina wants, I want too! I want all of you out of here, right now. I¡¯ve had it up to here with all this incessant noise and drama. It¡¯s absolutely exhausting!¡± Bethel snapped, fixing Ynda with a sharp, piercing re. ¡°Especially you, Ynda. You¡¯re nothing but a meddling, gossiping pain in the neck!¡±

    ¡°Bethel¡­ How could you call me something like that?¡± Ynda¡¯s voice trembled, almost breaking, as she turned to Brendon, tears already streaming down her face.

    ¡°Am I wrong, then?¡± Bethel shot back, her tone chillingly cold.

    Ynda stood rigidly beside Brendon, trapped in an agonizing vice between her simmering anger and profound humiliation.

    ¡°Grandma,¡± Brendon said, his brow furrowed in confusion, his voice tight with disbelief. ¡°Are you really siding with Christina?¡± Christina had just pped him hard across the face, and his own grandmother hadn¡¯t uttered a single word of protest. She had even smiled. He simply couldn¡¯t make sense of what was happening.

    Bethel looked them over with a cold stare and said, ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I? Christina means as much to me as my own granddaughter. I¡¯m exhausted. I just want some peace. All of you, get out.¡±

    Brendon called out firmly, ¡°Christina,e out here. We need to talk.¡±

    Christina didn¡¯t even look his way. ¡°Not feeling it.¡±

    Brendon struggled to keep calm. ¡°You¡¯re really noting out? Just so you know, if you end up losing something, don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you.¡±

    Christina said calmly, ¡°If you try to take anything from me, I swear, I¡¯ll make you pay twice over.¡±

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