Chapter 556 Testing The Waters

Arriving at the venue, Christina and Rayne entered the hall together.

The place was filled with guests who were prominent figures from Jadeborough and influential people who had come from all over the world to attend the show.

“I just saw an acquaintance. I’ll go and say hello. You find a place to sit and rest, and I’ll come back to you soon,” Rayne said, getting up and walking toward a foreign woman not far away while holding the skirts of her dress.

They greeted each other and exchanged pleasantries.

Christina didn’t like socializing with people in such a manner. She casually found a secluded. spot to sit down, then grabbed a bite to appease her hunger since the fashion show was still half an hour away. With her pregnancy, she couldn’t afford to go hungry.

Suddenly, Christina caught a glimpse of Anya’s figure weaving through the guests. Anya was heading straight in Christina’s direction.

As Anya approached and finally caught sight of Christina, her breath hitched. Feeling panicked, she quickly turned her head and hurriedly walked away in another direction.

Christina stared thoughtfully at Anya’s fleeing figure. She couldn’t help but feel that the latter was intentionally avoiding her.

Taking out a tissue, she wiped the dessert crumbs from her hands. Then, she got up walked in the direction where Anya had disappeared.

As the fashion show prepared to begin, the guests were busy finding familiar companions to sit with.

Feeling restless, Anya held a glass of red wine and drank it while lost in her thoughts, completely unaware that there was now someone in the empty seat beside her.

Christina observed Anya’s peculiar behavior and greeted, “Hello, Anya. Long time no see.”

Splash!

Startled, Anya lost her grip on her glass and spilled the red wine not only on herself but also Christina.

Ignoring the incident, Christina leaned closer. “Anya, you seem afraid to see me.”

Anya stood up abruptly, glaring at Christina. “What nonsense are you talking about? Why would I be afraid of you? Don’t overestimate yourself!”

Christina tilted her head, taking in Anya’s pale face with a mocking expression. “If you’re not afraid of me, then why did you run away as soon as you saw me? Even now, I’ve only said a few words, yet you appear as if you’ve seen a ghost. Look, you’re all pale with fright.”

Anya’s heart skipped a beat.

Christina continued in a cold tone, “Anya, could it be that you’ve done something wrong by me, so now you’re so afraid that you’re actively trying to avoid me?”

“Are you crazy?” Anya angrily retorted, trying to leave. However, her wrist was forcefully grabbed by Christina.

They were in a relatively remote location, and besides the two of them, there were no other guests at this particular table. Thus, Christina had no need to hold back.

Christina looked at Anya coldly. “I heard that you’ve been visiting Lucas and Camila’s kindergarten frequently of late and that you’ve been giving them gifts. That’s not something I would expect you to do.”

Anya’s face turned pale. “Do you think I wanted to? Just because you’re not filial and don’t care about family doesn’t mean I’m heartless like you. Grandma and Uncle Timothy miss the children. Is it wrong for me to fulfill my duty to them?”

Her words sounded righteous, and her tone was confident.

“You did those things willingly; no one forced you.” Christina narrowed her eyes. dangerously. “If you care so much about Lucas and Camila, why haven’t I seen you. Lucas in the hospital?”

Anya was speechless at those words.

At that time, she was busy returning to Hallsbay to seek her father’s help and had no time for anything else.

It was only a few days ago when Nigel told her that everything had been taken care of and no one would trace it back to her that she dared to set foot in Jadeborough again.

The Taggart family had already been defeated, and there wouldn’t be much attention given. to Madison’s death. It was precisely because of this realization that Anya became so reckless.

Anya wasn’t afraid of the Taggart family, but she dreaded Christina.

Christina was too clever, and if she suspected anything, Anya’s future would be ruined. Thus, when she saw Christina, she couldn’t control her instincts and desperately wanted to keep a distance from the latter.

Christina’s tone became more intimidating. “Are all those things you said earlier just lies?

When you privately contacted Lucas and Camila, it was never about being nice to them on behalf of Grandma and my father but about harming the children.”

Anya looked at her in shock. “I didn’t harm the children. Don’t falsely accuse me. Your son fell ill and was hospitalized, but what’s that got to do with me? I never harmed him.”

She was at risk of losing control of her emotions as she continued, “Yes, I gave them gifts, but those were just some small toys.

They didn’t even spare a glance and casually threw those gifts away. Since they belittle me and waste my good intentions like that, why should I keep trying to please them? During the time your son was hospitalized, I was in Hallsbay. Why would I fly over just to please an ungrateful brat like him? It’s ridiculous!”

Anya only gave them some small toys as gifts?

Christina seized on that point and fabricated a story to deceive Anya. “You knew Lucas has a respiratory illness and can’t tolerate anything with fragrance. Why did you give him a velvet flower?”

Anya’s anger surged. “Can’t you understand human language? I only gave them a few sets of toys like toy excavators and Transformers. They’re just toys that little boys like. I detest fluffy things the most, so there’s no way I would give them velvet flowers. Maybe it was at promotional gift from the toy store, and the store clerk put it in the bag without my knowledge.”

She noticed the curious gazes from the surroundings and quickly left, leaving Christina behind.

Christina furrowed her brows, deep in thought.

Could Lucas’ poisoning be unrelated to Anya? Then does that mean I’m at a dead end?

No, I still have to confront Anya and clarify the situation. Maybe I missed some crucial clues.

Thus, Christina stood up to chase after Anya. As she passed through the backstage area, she accidentally collided with one of the staff members.

Instinctively, Christina covered her belly, shielding it. Fortunately, she fell backward onto a soft couch, which cushioned the impact to some extent. She was unharmed, but the other person fell to the ground instead and ended up with a scraped elbow.

“Sorry. Are you okay?” Christina realized the person was a runway model, and she felt guilty.

“Don’t you have eyes? Watch where you’re walking! I’m injured now, so how am I going to go on stage later? Oh, Christina! It’s you!” Emilia looked up and recognized the culprit. At that moment, her gaze turned venomous, and she gritted her teeth. “What bad luck to run into you everywhere!”

The trace of guilt in Christina’s heart vanished instantly when she heard Emilia’s spiteful words “Emilia, this place is bustling with people. I bumped into you, that’s true, but it doesn’t mean I did it on purpose. You also have your share of responsibility. Was there a need to resort to abusive words?”