Chapter 476
Bryanna’s expression hardened at the response. She turned to Colton, who normally bristled at any challenge to his pride — but he didn’t so much as blink. She let out a tight, irritated breath.
“Colton. Remember our arrangement. You have two weeks to give me the answer I’m waiting for.”
Colton set down his napkin with perfect composure. “We’re leaving.” He lifted Kristine and walked out.
Bryanna remained at the table, staring after them, her fingers whitening around the edge of it.
“Bryanna.” Victoria’s voice cut through the silence, pulling her back.
She turned. Victoria looked shaken to her core. “What is it?”
Victoria hesitated, her voice unsteady. “Are we really just going to let them walk out like that? What if Colton chooses her when the two weeks are up?”
Bryanna fixed her with a look of pure ice. “And what would you suggest? That I lock her away and starve her until she flees?”
Victoria had actually begun to nod — and stopped the instant she registered the expression of complete contempt on Bryanna’s face.
“Good. So you’re not entirely without sense. Listen to me carefully: if you — or anyone else in this family — does anything to interfere with Kristine right now, you will answer to me personally.”
“But why?” Victoria pressed, unable to conceal her frustration.
“Think,” Bryanna said sharply, her patience gone. “Kristine is not the one pursuing Colton — he is the one consumed by her. Tormenting her will not make her leave. She has been trying to escape him for a long time already. She simply hasn’t found a way out yet.”
Victoria stared at her, mouth slightly open, struggling to process it.
The woman who had once worshipped Colton — who had shaped her entire life around winning his love — was now desperate to get away from him?
“See for yourself,” Bryanna said, tossing a stack of papers toward Victoria.
Even Bryanna had struggled to believe it at first. But when Colton collapsed the night before and Kristine watched him fall with those cold, indifferent eyes, something had nagged at her. She had looked into it — and discovered that Kristine had not come back willingly. Colton had forced her return, going to extraordinary lengths to track her down before bringing her home.
“This can’t be right,” Victoria murmured when she finished reading, unwilling to accept that Kristine no longer loved Colton. “What if she’s just pretending not to care to make him chase her harder? She pulled that same act in Peudon once, and Colton was foolish enough to fall for it. She’s probably running the same game again.”
Bryanna’s expression soured. “Whether she’s playing games or not is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is the decision Colton makes in two weeks.”
A cold dread moved through Victoria’s chest. “If Colton actually chooses her—”
“There it is,” Bryanna said, looking away. “You’re frightened now. If you genuinely care about his future, you’ll stay home and keep your mouth shut.”
It was a politely worded order. Victoria was not to leave the house.