Chapter 549
“No! I’m going to tell my brother to bankrupt that scoundrel before the engagement party!” Chloe declared, pulling out her phone to call Dylan.
Christina quickly intervened with a reassuring smile. “Your brother is swamped with work. Don’t disturb him. Besides, letting that jerk rise higher might just make his fall all the more spectacular.”
“What do you mean?” Chloe asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
Eloise, unsure of Christina’s angle, watched with admiration glowing in her eyes. “Think about it. The higher someone climbs, the harder they fall, right?” Christina said, her smile brightening.
“Right! Why didn’t I think of that?” Chloe’s frown transformed into a grin as she affectionately linked arms with Christina. “Christina, you’re brilliant. You really are amazing.”
Eloise nodded fervently. “Absolutely! Christina is truly remarkable.”
“Let’s go shopping later! And then maybe a spa session! Oh, and I could really go for some soft drinks,” Chloe suggested, her spirits lifting.
“Definitely!” Christina and Eloise replied in unison.
Later, the trio strolled out of a high-end boutique.
Chloe, practically bouncing with joy, clutched an elegant gift bag and didn’t notice the two figures rounding the corner until she crashed into them, causing the gift bags to tumble to the floor in a chaotic cascade.
“Watch where you’re going!” Katie snapped, her voice sharp.
Yolanda, steadying herself, spotted Christina and plastered on a syrupy smile. “Christina! What a delightful surprise running into you here!” Her gaze slid to Chloe, who had bumped into them, and she asked with a smile, “Oh, is this your friend?”
Before Christina could answer, Katie’s eyes narrowed as she recognized Chloe. “Well, well, if it isn’t the pathetic cripple,” she sneered, her words dripping with venom. “What, no wheelchair today? Or are you just blind and clumsy now?”
Chloe’s cheeks flushed crimson, her temper flaring. “I’m not blind or clumsy! I’m perfectly fine!”
“Still in denial?” Katie taunted, her eyes glinting with malice. “Last time, I saw you in that wheelchair, fumbling like a fool. Just admit it—you’re a blind cripple!”
“I’m not!” Chloe shot back, her voice trembling with hurt. “Say that again, and I’ll call my brother!”
Katie laughed, a cold, cutting sound. “Oh, hiding behind your brother? Newsflash, sweetheart, you’re not the only one with a big shot sibling. Your brother’s nothing compared to mine, so zip it!”
The moment the news broke that Tiana’s three protégés would be attending Brendon’s engagement party, the Dawson Group’s stock soared.
Katie was brimming with arrogance. She even started looking down on Dylan, though she didn’t voice it.
“My brother—” Chloe began.
Katie cut in with a scoff, “Your brother? Please. He’s a nobody! Next month, at Brendon’s engagement, not only will Tiana’s three protégés attend, but Tiana herself might show up. Yes, the world-famous piano maestro. And one of Tiana’s protégés is a prince from Eighshire!” She turned to Eloise with a smirk. “Even the Hubbards couldn’t manage to invite the prince from Eighshire. And Tiana’s the kind of guest even top-tier people can’t just invite.”