Chapter 579:
“Holy hell, he’s even more handsome in person.”
“This trip turned out amazing! Ashton’s fine too, but he’s already off the market.”
“Sure, the Prince is handsome, but he’s as frosty as they come—and his security detail’s like a moving wall.”
Christina turned her gaze toward the prince, one of her three protégés, her lips curling in a faint expression of amusement. He seemed even more aloof and severe than when she had last laid eyes on him.
“He’s so perfect… If only he’d choose me,” Yvonne murmured. Her stare clung tightly to the Prince.
Lorraine rolled her eyes. “He’s royalty. You think he gets to pick his wife? That guy’s headed for a political union, not someone like you.”
“I know. Doesn’t stop me from hoping,” Yvonne grumbled, her voice tinged with bitterness. Lorraine always acted high and mighty. But without the Miller clan’s influence, the Reynolds name couldn’t compare to the Jones dynasty. So where exactly did Lorraine get her sense of entitlement?
Yvonne’s resentment toward Lorraine had been intensifying with every passing day.
Christina heard their conversation, the smirk on her face growing more scornful. With tension mounting like this, it wouldn’t be long before Lorraine and Yvonne started tearing into each other. Still, with her in the mix, all their animosity would stay aimed at her. Not that they’d ever get the satisfaction of seeing her fall. The Jones Group already belonged to her in all but name.
Christina could have claimed the Jones Group through countless methods, but she far preferred watching Yvonne sabotage herself with her own stupidity.
Yvonne bitterly learned she had lost the Jones Group over a foolish bet, and she’d be drowning in regret. Christina imagined the expressions Mack and his spouse might wear when the truth hit home. The very girl they’d adored beyond reason had just singlehandedly gambled away the Jones Group.
Christina slowly twirled her wine glass, a frosty grin forming as her gaze shimmered with cruel satisfaction.
Shortly after, the engagement ritual officially commenced. Brendon and Yolanda stepped into the spotlight, relishing every moment of attention.
The entire affair was lavish and majestic—crafted to crown Yolanda with boundless attention.
Brendon and Yolanda exchanged heartfelt declarations and shared weepy recollections of their journey. Of course, they’d embellished the story.
“Their romance is so genuine, no greed involved. I wish I had that.”
“From childhood crushes to soulmates—like a dream come true.”
“They stayed apart for so long and still ended up together. It’s giving real hope.” The audience murmured with awe and excitement.
But for Christina, every sugary line, every claim of love, made her stomach churn. Brendon was a cold-blooded bastard. Yolanda? A brazen homewrecker without an ounce of remorse. And now the two of them dared to perform this charade of “soul-deep passion.” What a miserable joke. If their bond was so “eternal,” why had Yolanda dumped Brendon when things got rough years ago?
“Envious, are you?” A voice softly murmured beside Christina’s ear.
No turning around was needed for Christina to confirm the presence of her least favorite person, Katie. Without offering even a hint of acknowledgment, she kept her focus on Brendon and Yolanda, her expression unreadable. Resentment simmered in Katie as her fingers tightened around the wine glass, the sting of being ignored fueling her irritation.
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