Chapter 250

Christina recoiled. Gregory’s face was a mask of icy fury, utterly terrifying. His eyes held the cold fire of a sworn enemy; all affection vanished. This was worse than the time he’d banished Brittany.

"What's going on?" she whispered, stepping inside, needing to appease him. Brittany’s situation had exploded. Despite her efforts, the Levines were relentless, and Brittany remained at the police station. They claimed Daisy had a ruptured eardrum—absurd, Christina thought; it was just a slap—but the damage was done. Only Gregory could fix this.

Gregory’s voice was a venomous hiss. “I should be asking you! What did you and Brittany do? Dominick’s men took everything—everything he gave us!”

Christina gasped. The missing antique paintings now made sense. Panic seizing her, she raced to her hidden jewelry. Empty.

“My jewelry!” she choked, near collapse. She'd been secretly selling pieces to support Brittany, saving the most valuable Dominick gifts. Those were meant for Brittany's future, a down payment on a new life if Gregory remained unforgiving. Now, they were gone. An apology wouldn't appease the Levines; a substantial gift was needed. She’d planned to sacrifice one jewel, but now…all were gone.

“Why did you return my jewelry?!” she shrieked, her voice cracking. Without it, how could she save Brittany?

Gregory exploded. He kicked her hard in the shoulder. Christina cried out, falling back, her head hitting the floor. Pain lanced through her; she groaned, unable to move.

"Think I wanted to return them? Your stupidity! Why did you mess with Paisley again? Why?!" His voice vibrated with rage. Paisley was their family's only hope for a comeback, and Christina had sabotaged it.

“I kicked Brittany out! I ignored you supporting her, but now she’s assaulted someone—a Levine—and supposedly ruptured her eardrum! Don’t tell me you didn’t know!”

“I—I knew,” Christina sobbed, pain forgotten. She scrambled to her feet, clinging to his leg, tears streaming down her face. “Please, Gregory…”