Chapter 747:
Right then, Yolanda panicked, overwhelmed by a sudden dread as if something vital had slipped away. Her hands reached out instinctively, but the air offered no comfort, and a hollow ache settled in her chest.
“Brendon!” Yolanda rushed to him and seized his sleeve, her eyes trembling. “Where are you going? Please don’t leave me alone here. Please, tell me what you’re planning…”
Brendon finally snapped out of his trance. A moment ago, his thoughts had been completely focused on stopping Christina from agreeing to the death race, making him forget Yolanda’s presence entirely.
The quiver in Yolanda’s tone and her pleading expression stirred a cocktail of regret and sorrow in him. He realized he had just wounded her deeply. A sense of fragile sympathy blossomed within him.
“Before heading anywhere, could you intervene and keep Christina from going forward? If she participates in the death race, she might meet her end. We must stop her!” Yolanda pleaded, her voice filled with concern, though deep inside, she longed for Christina’s demise.
Her look of gentle concern and false sweetness only intensified Brendon’s sense of remorse. She seemed so genuine, so admirable, and yet he’d ignored her because of his former partner. What blindness had taken hold of him?
Brendon brushed away the wet streaks on Yolanda’s cheek with his fingertips, his heart aching inside.
“Go quickly and stop Christina. I’ll wait here for you,” Yolanda said, keeping up her charade of understanding and thoughtfulness.
Brendon’s remorse only deepened. The more he thought about it, the more he realized his focus had been misplaced. Now that Christina had accepted Alfred’s provocation, she should own her decision. Why should he bother trying to dissuade her? She might even scorn his attempt to help.
With that thought, Brendon chose not to involve himself any further. He looked at Yolanda warmly and said, “I wasn’t leaving. I only needed to go to the bathroom.”
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“Then, once you’re done, please go stop Christina,” Yolanda added, feigning panic as she nudged him.
Brendon cupped her fingers delicately, his voice soft and certain. “I’m not leaving. I’ll remain beside you. Right now, you are what matters. That’s all. Let’s not burden ourselves with unnecessary pity.”
He playfully tapped her cheek and added, “You’ve always shown kindness to her, and she never appreciates it. Someone as ungrateful as her? Not worth stepping in for.”
Yolanda paused, as if uncertain. “But…”
“No buts. She’s grown, and grown folks must live with the consequences of their decisions. Whatever happens, she brings it upon herself,” Brendon replied, his tone firming.
His earlier urgency to stop Christina was now completely overshadowed by his affection for Yolanda. He didn’t want to see Christina perish, but he also didn’t want his good intentions to be met with scorn. Since Christina had made her own decision, he should respect it. Whatever followed would be her burden.
“Brendon…” Yolanda whimpered, melting into his chest. Yet beneath her mask of sorrow, her lips curled with satisfaction. Her attention drifted to the massive screen where Christina appeared, her stare glowing with victory. No matter how hard Christina fought, it would never rival what a few tears from Yolanda could accomplish.
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