Chapter 986:
Edwin caught the message instantly and barked an order to the staff. “Not a single word of today leaves this place. If it does, you’ll pay the price.”
“Y-yes, of course,” everyone stammered, nodding frantically, too frightened to breathe a word to any outsiders.
Outside INQ, Christina said softly, “Thanks for stepping in earlier. I’ll transfer the payment for the necklace to you later.”
“There’s no need. Think of it as a small gesture to make up for the trouble you’ve endured,” Dylan replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. He knew handing the necklace over as a gift wouldn’t work, so he disguised it as compensation.
“But that kind of compensation feels excessive,” Christina murmured with hesitation.
“It isn’t much for me,” Dylan said with a faint smile. The moment he’d heard the necklace was called “the Heart of Romance,” he wanted her to have it. He wanted it to be something unique in their bond.
“Christina, just accept it. The amount is nothing to my brother. You shouldn’t feel burdened,” Chloe teased with a light laugh.
“But…” Christina still felt reluctant to accept such an expensive gift.
Before she could finish, Dylan cut her off. “Let’s keep things even. If you feel it’s too valuable, then give me something precious in return next time.” Through exchanging gifts, he hoped to draw her closer.
“Alright then,” Christina finally conceded, resolving that she would return something of equal worth in the future.
Suddenly, a figure lunged out of nowhere, brandishing a gleaming knife. Dylan reacted instantly, pulling Christina into his arms and twisting his body to evade the strike.
It was Jett, the male sales assistant from earlier. His face contorted with deranged fury, as though determined to drag all of them down with him. “If I’m finished, I’m taking you with me!” he roared.
𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠: gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⸰𝙘𝙤𝙢
Jett’s eyes were blazing with venom as he swung the knife again. Dylan instinctively thought of flooring Jett with a long kick, but a fleeting hesitation crossed his mind. In the next breath, he raised his arm to shield against the blade.
“Watch out!” Christina cried in terror. She lashed out with a swift kick of her own, knocking Jett to the ground and sending the knife clattering from his grip. Bystanders rushed forward at once, pinning Jett down with combined effort.
Dylan’s brow furrowed as he clutched his arm, crimson soaking through his hand.
“You’re hurt—we need to get you to the hospital,” Christina said, her brows knitted in worry.
She quickly instructed Edwin to take care of the aftermath, arranged for Chloe and Eloise to be escorted home, and then drove Dylan to the hospital herself. The car was heavy with silence.
Christina was certain she could have dodged the blow on her own, but she swallowed the words, afraid they might sound ungrateful. After all, Dylan had taken the blow for her. If she voiced such thoughts, it would only seem as though she didn’t recognize his good deed.
“Thank you for protecting me,” Christina said at last, her voice sincere.
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