Chapter 96

"Why should-" Katie was mid-sentence when Brendon cut her off. She threw her hand up in frustration, shooting a withering look at Christina.

"Fine. I'll agree," Brendon said, his voice gentler now. "Just take care of my grandma."

"I will," Christina replied, her tone frosty, her eyes distant. There was no warmth in her words.

Brendon shifted uncomfortably. The chill in her voice stung, but he still clung to the hope of mending things so that he could establish a connection with someone as powerful as Calvin.

After Bethel regained consciousness, Brendon left her hospital room with Yolanda and Katie.

The moment they returned to Brendon's ward,Katie's fury erupted like a storm.

wny are we even listening to Christina?" she snapped, seething with anger.

Brendon turned sharply,fixig Katie with a stern glare. "Because she knows Dr. Emmett. You can't keep lashing out at her like that."

Katie folded her arms, defiant. "Who knows how they even know each other? For all we know,there might be something shady going on between them." she spat out, dissatisfied, as she started to spread rumors.

"Katie, that's not fair," Yolanda said gently, her brows knitting together as she feigned disagreement. "We don't know their relationship. No matter how close they are,we shouldn't jump to conclusions."

Katie turned toward her, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. "You're too soft,Yolanda. If you keep letting things slide,Christina's going to bleed the Dawson family dry."②

"L..." Yolanda's gaze fell to the floor, her voice

barely above a whisper, her next words calculated to make her appear gentle and considerate. "I just want Brendon. As for the Dawson family's assets, Brendon can give them to whoever he wants. Whatever decision Brendon makes, I'll support him, as long as he doesn't let you suffer."

Katie's eyes shimmered with emotion, touched by Yolanda's quiet devotion. "Yolanda, you're too good.If Christina had even a shred of your kindness and consideration, we wouldn't be drowning in all this chaos."

Yolanda gave her a mild, mock-scolding glance."Don't talk like that. Christina has her own merits too."

"Merits?" Katie scoffed with an icy laugh. "She's just a housewife who only knows how to scrub dishes. She's not even in your league."

Yolanda offered a soft smile. "Christina's actually a great shot, isn't she? DidIn't she win a championship once? I think that's pretty

impressive."

"Impressive?" Katie snorted. "Please. She probably slept with the shooting range owner to rig the competition. No way she earned that title fair and square."

Brendon stiffened. Her words dragged his mind back to that very competition-the image of Christina, poised and fierce, a far cry from the quiet, unremarkable woman he thought he knew. The memory lingered, unshakable.

"Yolanda!" Katie's tone sweetened as she hooked her arm through Yolanda's with affection. "Didn't you always dream of becoming a fashion designer?"

Yolanda tilted her head. "Yes, I did. Why?"

"I just heard something exciting," Katie said,lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret."The Hubbard Group is about to launch a fashion design competition. First prize? You become their lead designer and the Hubbard family's exclusive stylist."

Yolanda paused, taken aback, before regaining her composure with a smile. "Where did you hear that? I haven't heard anything about the Hubbard Group hosting a fashion design competition."

"My friend knows Mr. Hubbard's cousin-he let it slip," Katie whispered with a conspiratorial wink.

"It sounds like fun. If it's true, let's enter together. It's not about winning. Just participating would be amazing." Yolanda's eyes sparkled, though she masked the fire beneath her calm expression.

"Fun?" Katie threw her head back with a laugh."No, no, no-you have to win. Once you're the Hubbard family's designer, you'll get me in the door. And once I'm close to Mr. Hubbard..." Her eyes gleamed as she clutched her hands to her chest like a girl dreaming of her fairy-tale prince."Boom!Mrs.Hubbard!"

Katie twirled dramatically, already swept away

by the fantasy. "Once I'm Mrs. Hubbard,the Dawson family will be untouchable. And when that happens, I swear I'll buy you a super-yacht.We'll throw yacht parties every day like queens!"