Chapter 457
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 to come by.
Every gaze in the room shifted to Christina, waiting. But before she could utter a word, Lorraine’s voice broke through, laced 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 flared, 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 reclaim the ornament. Disdain flickered across their faces. Yet, with the Miller family silent, no one dared openly voice their criticism.
Dylan, 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—even if it meant becoming 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—an item that could be traded for a treatment chance from King—was 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—something 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 choice later. And once the moment passed, there would be no reversing it.
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