Christina’s POV
Cassian let out a cold laugh. "It seems we’ve spoiled you. What you did was underhanded, and I’m not the only one disappointed. Apologize.We looked out for you for Timothee’s sake, but that doesn’t give you permission to hurt people."
Genevieve clenched her jaw.
"Mr. Howard," I turned to our host, "now that we know who really stole the ruby, shouldn’t the police be involved?"
"Apologize," Hudson repeated. "This is the last ti I’m asking."
Genevieve pressed her lips together and finally muttered sothing barely audible that vaguely resembled, "Sorry."
"What was that?" Naomi jumped in, not about to let her slink away that easily. "I’m standing right here and didn’t catch a word. Did any of you hear her?"
She glanced around. "Christina, did you hear what she said?"
"Not a thing," I replied.
Hudson shot Genevieve a warning look.
She quickly tried again, louder this ti. "Christina, I’m sorry."
"Happy now?" she snapped, still glaring daggers at .
I gave her a thin smile. "Even so, I won’t forgive you."
"You—!" Genevieve’s face twisted with rage when she realized she’d humiliated herself for nothing.
"I apologized. That should be enough," she shouted at Hudson, turning to storm off.
But as she tried to leave, Mr. Howard’s bodyguards stepped into her path, blocking her exit.
"You can’t leave yet, Miss," one of them said firmly.
"Why the hell not?"
"Because you stole a billion-dollar ruby.I don’t care who your family is. You committed theft, and we will be involving the police."
"Hudson!" Genevieve called out to him.
He didn’t even flinch. "You made your choice. Now face the consequences."
"But I did what you asked—I apologized!" Her voice rose to a near-shriek. "You’re really going to let them call the police? You’re just going to stand there?"
I watched Hudson closely, curious how far his newfound backbone would go.
"If I keep protecting you, I’m only making things worse. You need to learn," he said.
"You could help if you wanted to!" Tears welled in her eyes.
"If you tell Mr. Howard not to call the police, he’d listen to you. He’d do it as a favor. Why won’t you help ?"
"Because I won’t," Hudson said bluntly.
"Why? You always used to protect . Why not now?"
"Because this ti you tried to fra my wife."
"Hear that? Maybe don’t ss with married n next ti," Naomi cut in.
Genevieve looked so furious I thought steam might start pouring from her ears.
"So none of you are going to help ? You’ll just stand there while they take away?"
Hudson remained silent.
"Cassian," she tried again.
Hudson shot Cassian a warning glance.
"If Hudson says no, there’s nothing I can do," Cassian said with a casual shrug.
After Mr. Howard explained the situation to the officers, Genevieve was led away, throwing one last venomous look over her shoulder.
"My apologies for the interruption, everyone. Please, enjoy the rest of the evening," Mr. Howard announced.
"Co on, let’s go sit down." Naomi linked her arm with mine. "I need to tell you sothing."
Niall approached. "Christina, let introduce you to so friends."
"She’s not available," Hudson said coldly.
"She’s my date for the evening," Niall shot back.
"I need to talk to Naomi," I said, giving Niall a pointed look.
"Of course. Take your ti. I’ll find you later. But first, let bring you sothing to eat."
"That’s alright, I’m not hungry."
But Niall completely ignored my refusal. "You should still eat sothing. I’ll be right back."
Before I could object again, he was already heading toward the buffet.
I glanced at Hudson. He stood rigid, his jaw clenched tight enough to crack walnuts.
"Let’s get you off your feet," I turned to Naomi. "You must be tired, standing all this ti while you’re pregnant."
"God, yes, I really am," Naomi said, quickly picking up on the tension crackling between Hudson and .
I dragged Naomi away with , eager to escape the testosterone-fueled standoff.
Once we’d found a quiet spot to sit, Niall reappeared with a plate of food, even handing silverware like we were having a romantic dinner.
"Thanks, but I’m really not hungry," I said, shaking my head.
Niall sat down anyway, completely ignoring the hint.
"You can leave now. Don’t make this awkward," Naomi said. "I don’t care who you are, what you were to Christina, or what you think you’re doing. But you need to understand—she’s married to Hudson. They’re happy. So please—"
Niall cut her off with a scoff. "Happy? Is that what you call it? That’s not what I’ve seen."
"Then you must be blind. Or completely delusional."
"Niall, I love Hudson. I’m not leaving him," I said firmly, looking him straight in the eyes.
"He doesn’t care about you," Niall insisted, his brow furrowing. "Being with him will only hurt you. He’ll never make you happy."
"That’s my choice to make. I think I’ve made myself pretty damn clear."
"What’s with this guy?" Akira growled inside my head. "Can’t he take a hint?"
"Apparently not," I replied silently.
"Christina, I just... I care about you," Niall continued. "You deserve better than this. You deserve to be happy."
"If you really want what’s best for , then leave alone." Had he always been this persistent? I didn’t rember him being so incapable of taking no for an answer.
"Christina, I know you’re still angry about the past, but I’ve changed. Really—" he began, but Naomi cut him off.
"Are you seriously not listening? It’s over. She’s married. She’s moved on. Now please, just go. If Hudson cos back and finds you here, there’s going to be a scene."
"You think I’m afraid of him?" Niall’s voice simred with anger.
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