Quinton did not speak, his brow furrowed tightly. Meanwhile, Christina's side suddenly let out a mocking laugh.

Shawn's face flushed red with anger as he snapped, "Christie, what's so funny? Do you think my suggestion is a joke?"

Christina gave him a cold glance, her voice dripping with disdain. "That wasn't a suggestion—it was idiocy. A suicide mission."

Shawn clenched his fists, his temper flaring. "Christina, don't think just because Quinton favors you now, you can talk down to me."

He leaned in, his voice low and threatening. "Mark my words, one day, you'll be mine."

Christina's lips curled into a sneer, her eyes filled with contempt. "Shawn, did you forget how you slunk out of Jayrodale like a beaten dog after Andrew humiliated you?"

She tilted her head, her gaze icy. "Look at you now. What do you think you are in my eyes?"

Shawn exploded with rage. Christina had not spelled it out, but her look said everything—to her, he was nothing more than a pathetic mutt.

Quin