Exposed

"Sir Chen Rui," Christina said evenly, "I have been entrusted by someone to relay a few words to you in private. Would that be convenient?"

Before Chen Rui could speak, he felt his arm being viciously pinched. He could only steel himself and say, "What if I say it isn't convenient?"

Christina fell silent for a moment. "Then I was being presumptuous. Please forgive the disturbance. I shall take my leave."

"Wait." Isabella spoke up. When Christina had said she was leaving just now, she had keenly sensed the flicker in the man's emotions, though it had been swiftly hidden away. Auntie was a clever woman; she knew when to be unreasonable and when to be understanding.

"It sounds as though it is something important. Chen Rui, go hear her out. Don't let a lady travel all this way for nothing." Auntie smiled faintly. "But Miss Christina... next time you ask something of someone, you ought to be a little more polite and a little more low-key. No man would dare want a woman who thinks so highly of herself."

Chen Rui felt rather embarrassed. Auntie was speaking without feeling the pain now that she was standing on the sidelines. Back then, Lady Mandrake had been far more overbearing and prideful than Christina was now.

"Thank you for the advice." Christina still wore that serene expression and spoke in that calm tone. She was plainly ignoring her.

Auntie snorted coldly, secretly twisted Chen Rui again, then went to Delia. Without even sparing Christina a glance, she took her niece-in-law's hand and turned to leave.

"Sir Chen Rui truly is never short of women by his side—and exceptional women at that." Christina watched Isabella's retreating back and remarked calmly. Though she seemed to have gained the upper hand just now, she