Chapter 601
A look of deep displeasure darkened Brendon’s face. “Christina, sort out your own mess,” he said sharply. “You should be the one on your knees offering an apology. Don’t always count on others to bail you out.”
A sharp retort came instantly. “Why should I apologize? Unlike some people, I don’t kneel just because someone tells me to,” Christina replied.
“Christina! How can you be so heartless?” Brendon’s anger flared. “If it weren’t for you, Yolanda wouldn’t have knelt in front of everyone, and this is how you repay her?”
“I never once asked her to kneel. If she wants to put herself through that, nobody’s stopping her,” Christina said, her sarcasm cutting through the tension.
Upon hearing this, Yolanda put on an even more aggrieved expression. She bit her lip and let her eyes fill with tears, as if she might break down at any moment.
“You’re not leaving here without apologizing!” Brendon insisted, lunging for Christina’s arm to force her to kneel as well.
But his hand grasped only empty air. Christina had swiftly dodged and let out a laugh. “Do you really believe you can boss me around?”
Brendon’s eyes flashed dangerously, anger simmering just beneath the surface. “So you’re refusing to apologize for your actions?”
Confidence radiated from Christina as she replied, “I’ve done nothing wrong. I have no reason to apologize.”
A dark scowl overtook Brendon’s face. “If that’s how it’s going to be, then I’ll make sure you kneel, one way or another!” He snapped his fingers and summoned security to the stage. “Get her and make her kneel!” Uniformed guards hurried forward, ready to seize Christina.
At that moment, the three maestros who had been quietly observing sprang into action. Positioning themselves around Christina, they faced down the security team, their eyes cold and unyielding.
Gasps swept through the crowd. Nobody had expected the trio to defend Christina, especially after all the earlier skepticism. Confusion rippled among the guests. What exactly was happening?
Security hesitated, unsure if they should challenge such prominent figures. Their gazes darted anxiously toward Brendon for direction.
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“What is the meaning of this?” A frown etched deeper on Brendon’s brow as he addressed Perla and her companions.
The Prince’s answer was swift and sharp. “Can’t you see? I’m standing here to protect my mentor.”
Shock froze Brendon in place. “She’s your mentor?” he repeated, disbelief echoing in the room.
Perla and Ashton immediately added, “She’s my mentor, too.”
Awkward laughter escaped Brendon as he tried to reason. “How could she possibly be your mentor? Are you all saying she’s really Tiana?”
A cold, withering look from the Prince settled any doubts. “That’s exactly who she is,” he said, voice dripping with contempt toward Brendon. His glare could cut glass, brimming with outright hostility. “Anyone who lays a hand on my mentor goes up against the royal family of Eighshire. While I’m here, no one can lay a finger on her!”
A stunned silence swept through the crowd. No one could believe that Christina was actually Tiana.
Katie’s voice trembled with emotion. “Are you serious? That can’t be true… How could Christina be Tiana?”