Chapter 715
Meanwhile, on the other end, Terrence had planned to claim credit for his recent work—how he’d taken care of the Delgados who’d come after her, and how he’d even captured Thea, the one scheming behind her back. But before he could get past that first word, the call had already been cut off. He tried calling back again and again, only to be met with silence. Eventually, no call would go through at all.
Since Christina couldn’t block calls from unknown numbers, she had simply turned her phone off, refusing to hear another word from him.
Terrence let out a low, irritated laugh, caught somewhere between amused and annoyed by her reaction. In his mind, women like Christina—defiant, stubborn—were the most troublesome, and yet somehow, she had managed to hook his interest even deeper. Everything she did only added to the mystery that kept pulling him in. Even when she slapped him, there was something strangely thrilling about it. Why had she hit him and no one else? That had to mean something.
Chuckling, Terrence tossed his phone onto the desk, leaned back in his chair, and lit a cigar. He took a long drag and then exhaled slow, perfect smoke rings. His sharp blue eyes narrowed behind the haze as he stared through it, his mind drifting back to the moment Christina had slapped him. Her faint scent had carried through the air before the crisp smack landed on his cheek. The sensation was not only physical but also etched into his heart.
That wild streak of hers only made her more fascinating. Maybe he hadn’t done enough yet. Maybe she still couldn’t see how serious he was about capturing her heart, and that was why she hadn’t let her guard down. But he believed—one day, Christina would come to him of her own will.
He blew another smoke ring and lifted a hand to gently brush the cheek she’d slapped. It still felt warm, as if her touch lingered.
As he smoked, the curve of his lips grew deeper, gradually drawing him into his memories.
Later in the afternoon, as everyone gathered together, Elliott quietly slipped over to Christina and leaned in. “When should we transfer the money we won to you?” he asked in a low voice.
“Use my share to build schools, open libraries, or support those who really need it,” Christina replied with quiet composure.
The money in question had come from a bet Elliott placed on Christina’s victory in the underground boxing match, and he’d insisted on splitting it with her—eighty percent in her favor. The stake had come from his own pocket.
Christina had always planned to set aside a portion of her earnings to help those in need, and she had no intention of pocketing even a single cent from the amount Elliott intended to transfer to her.
“Alright,” Elliott said simply, not pressing the matter, intending to use the money to help others in her name. His admiration for her already ran deep, but now it quietly grew into something more.
“Christina, the theme we picked is a mystery mansion. It’s got a six-person horror twist where we solve clues and unmask the killer,” Chloe chimed in excitedly as she walked up to Christina.
“This script can go either way—lightly spooky or downright terrifying. Have you all made up your minds?” Christina asked, her tone calm.
“We’re already here. Of course we’re picking the scariest version!”
“Has anyone got a problem with that?” Christina glanced around, her eyes scanning the group.