Chapter 77

They hung out in the VIP lounge for a bit before Christina's boarding call came through.

One of the bodyguards motioned for her to go ahead.

Christina nodded, got up, and walked briskly toward the boarding gate. As she got in line, she suddenly clutched her chest and started gasping for air.

She grabbed the nearby railing and collapsed, her body shaking.

Airport staff quickly noticed the commotion and rushed over.

"Ma'am, are you okay? Someone call the medical team, now!"

The bodyguards hadn't expected her to pull this stunt.

"Get on the plane first. We can't delay this flight!"

As the staff member approached her, Christina gripped her wrist tightly. "I've been kidnapped. Please call the police."

The staff member heard her clearly and immediately used her radio to call for airport security.

"We have an emergency here. Get here fast!"

The staff member then turned to the bodyguards with a stern look. "There's a problem here. Until we figure this out, don't make any sudden moves, or you'll regret it."

The bodyguards, worried about the potential fallout for the Cavendish family, didn't dare to act rashly.

Soon, medical personnel and police officers arrived and surrounded Christina.

Finally feeling safer, Christina stopped pretending. "They're traffickers trying to smuggle me out of the country. Please help me."

"Are they really that bold?"

But something seemed off. They were using the VIP channel. Would traffickers really go to such lengths?

Paparazzi, always on the lookout for a scoop, noticed the commotion and started snapping photos.

The bodyguards, feeling awkward, quickly tried to explain. "How could we be traffickers? She's our family's young lady."

"You never asked for my consent. How is this different from trafficking? If it weren't for these kind people helping me, I'd already be out of the country, possibly dead in a foreign land."

Christina didn't hold back. "As an adopted daughter, I'm clearly not as valued as a biological one. For the sake of their own daughter, I'm just a pawn."

She couldn't muster any tears, so she sniffled softly. "My mom only has me. We've already been living cautiously in that big family, and now they want to send me abroad. How can I leave my mother alone?"

Her words hinted at a deeper story.

The crowd took more photos, speculating about her family's background.

Fine, if they wanted to secretly send her abroad, she'd make a big deal out of it.

Who would be embarrassed then?

She had nothing to lose. If she couldn't have a good outcome, neither would anyone else.

One of the bodyguards called Nicholas for instructions.

Nicholas was furious.

"I didn't expect Christina to pull this. She's really become a firecracker."

"What should we do? Should we still force Ms. Windsor onto the plane? The flight's about to take off," the bodyguard asked.

"Forcing her now would just make everyone hate me," Nicholas sighed, though reluctantly. "Get rid of all the paparazzi's photos."

The bodyguards teamed up to chase away the paparazzi.

Christina narrowed her eyes.

"Why are you so scared? Afraid to face the consequences? If you think I'm wrong and insist on sending me away, let the media judge."

With so many people gathered, the airport police also advised, "Maybe you should resolve this privately."

"Fine, but unless it's in a fair and open setting, I won't feel safe." Christina looked at the reporters. "Don't chase them away."

These reporters were her lifeline!

The airport police nodded in agreement and took everyone to a conference room inside the airport.

The bodyguards, not wanting to escalate the situation, quickly said, "I just spoke to Nicholas. He said we can put this matter on hold."

"Really?" Christina sneered. "You've already used force. Forgive me if I find that hard to believe."

"What do you want?" the bodyguard frowned.

Christina looked at the reporters and the police, speaking clearly:

"There might not be any breaking news today, but if you leave your contact information, and I disappear from the country, you'll have a story to follow. Also, I want the police to keep my information. If there's any record of me leaving the country, you must verify it with me in person."

Nicholas didn't want this to blow up, so the bodyguard reluctantly agreed.

"Fine."

"In that case, I have nothing to worry about. There's no need for family disputes to escalate. Nicholas means well, but his methods are wrong." Christina started saying polite things.

She wasn't saying this for Nicholas but for the reporters.

The bodyguards had no choice but to agree.

After everything was settled, they called Nicholas and reported the incident.

Nicholas snorted.

"She's really cunning. We'll have to put this matter on hold."

Christina called Elisa to let her know she was safe.

She returned to the architecture firm.

She had been busy the past few days and had already lost a lot of time yesterday. Thankfully, she was on time for today's meeting.

"You're Mr. Ethan Fisher, right? Sorry to keep you waiting." Christina quickly greeted him.

But she noticed something odd about his last name and instinctively asked.

"Is Mr. Fisher your...?"

Ethan didn't hide it.

"He's my great-uncle."

That made sense. Christina nodded. "Mr. Ethan Fisher, let's discuss the design plans."

Ethan glanced at his watch. "I have a lunch meeting related to this project. Why don't we continue our discussion there? It's just about lunchtime."

Christina hesitated but then nodded.

"Alright."

The lunch was at an upscale restaurant on the top floor, with a scenic elevator that seemed to soar into the clouds.