Chapter 577:
For a brief instant, Lorraine hesitated—she nearly believed Christina. But then she let out a short scoff. What a joke. Aside from some business savvy and decent looks, what exactly did Christina bring to the table? Christina had wasted three years trapped under the Dawson name, doing chores with no return. That musical performance she’d played earlier? Just a shallow copy. She wasn’t even qualified to learn from one of Tiana’s three protégés, much less capable of leading them.
Lorraine laughed uncontrollably, as if she’d just heard the most absurd thing imaginable. “I’ve never seen anyone so detached from reality. Honestly, do you really believe becoming someone like Tiana is that simple?” she said mockingly.
A devious smirk tugged at Christina’s mouth, her gaze gleaming with sharp resolve. “How about a little bet, then?”
“Gladly! What do you have in mind?” Lorraine shot back without hesitation. She was confident she’d win—finally, a chance to flip the script and restore her image by bringing Christina down a notch.
“If I am capable of leading them as their mentor, I win. And the Jones Group becomes mine,” Christina declared flatly. Yvonne was the instigator of this clash—so she had no right to complain when it spiraled.
Christina knew if she didn’t crush Yvonne’s inflated ego now, Yvonne would just keep yapping like an irritating court jester.
“Deal!” Lorraine responded instantly.
Yvonne froze in disbelief. She hadn’t even opened her mouth, and Lorraine had already sealed the deal! That was the Jones Group—this wasn’t a minor gamble like the Reynolds Group! Who did Lorraine think she was, tossing around someone else’s family company as if it were pocket change?
But Yvonne didn’t say a word. She couldn’t afford to lose Lorraine’s support. Until she found a stronger backer, she had to keep Lorraine close.
“Lorraine, how could you commit to that so easily? That’s the Jones Group we’re talking about—Christina didn’t even offer anything comparable…” Yvonne whispered under her breath.
“What’s causing you distress? Do you honestly believe Christina might actually pull it off? Those three protégés are tutored by Tiana, for God’s sake! Why would they ever regard Christina as their mentor?” Lorraine questioned.
Your imagination begins with gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s﹒ç𝗈𝗺
Yvonne reflected on her argument and found it somewhat convincing, though an uneasy tightness lingered in her chest.
“What are you placing on the line?” Yvonne inquired of Christina, aiming to determine the wager before moving forward.
Christina’s lips curved slightly. “A chance of receiving treatment from the esteemed healer, King. Tempted yet?”
“And if you can’t deliver on that promise? What proof do we have that you’re not deceiving us? Why should we place faith in your words?” Yvonne’s expression tightened with skepticism, her pulse accelerating. Should Christina truly possess the chance of receiving treatment from King, her illness, which had endured for countless days and nights, might finally come to an end.
“If what I promised falls through, I’ll leave the outcome to your discretion,” Christina responded without flinching.
Yvonne paused briefly before clenching her jaw. “Fine! I’ll take the bet! If you fail, King treats my ailment. And if you’re lying, I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life!”
“Agreed. If I succeed, I claim the Jones Group,” Christina replied with a glint in her eyes.
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