?strongChapter 64:/strong

Back then, her reticent nature had masked her allure, yet now, she captured his gaze and unexpectedly melted his heart a little.

Kristopher’s voice softened as he admitted, “I didn’t abandon you there because of anyone else. It was because of mymitments to the Norris Group. This isn’t just about finances; it requires my direct involvement and my signature.” He rarely opened up like this to her.

Carrie understood he was referring to his dealings with zing Sun. Yet, in her heart, she couldn’t help but wonder, wasn’t this just another excuse for his actions concerning Lise? How was it any different from leaving her for Lise?

His exnations seemed pointless to Carrie at this point. Since she had resolved to divorce him, his business dealings and justifications had ceased to matter to her. With a heavy heart, she averted her gaze, continuing to dry her hair, letting the silence between them grow.

Disregarding Kristopher’s attempts at exnation, Carrie instead directed Oliver to the nearestmunity center near her new residence. Oliver remained still, casting an inquiring nce at Kristopher.

Kristopher, having not anticipated that his words would only harden Carrie’s resolve, was momentarily taken aback and fell into a frustrated silence.

Oliver, after a brief pause and realizing the conversation had stalled, relied on his seasoned understanding of Kristopher to take matters into his own hands.

Fifteen minutester, Carrie finished drying her hair and gazed out the window, struck by a sense of déjà vu. After a while, she realized they were headed toward Bayview Vi.

She confronted Oliver, her voice rising. “Oliver! You’re going the wrong way—my ce isn’t this way. Turn back!”

Observing Kristopher’s indifferent reflection in the window, Oliver chose to continue their journey towards Bayview Vi.

“Are you not listening? I said turn around and take me back home!” Carrie’s voice cracked with irritation as she thumped the back of Oliver’s seat.

Yet, Oliver pressed on toward their destination without response.

Feeling slighted by both Kristopher and Oliver, Carrie’s regret for joining them in the car deepened. After a moment’s hesitation, she noticed the car door wasn’t locked.

Resolute, she reached for the handle, ready to open the door and leap from the moving vehicle.

As Carrie opened the car door, a sharp st of wind,ced with icy rain,shed against her face. The cold droplets stung her skin like needles. She barely managed to angle herself outward when, suddenly, a strong force yanked her backward, pulling her into a warm and secure embrace.

Meanwhile, Oliver, reacting swiftly, mmed on the brakes and swerved sharply to the side. The car’s abrupt motion sent a stic warning sign hurtling into a nearby stone pir with such force that it shattered on impact. If Kristopher hadn’t acted quickly, pulling her back, Carrie might have met a fate simr to the demolished sign.

A surge of fear rippled through her, but determined to mask her vulnerability, she maintained a facade of indifference, her expression as frosty as the biting wind.

Once the vehicle came to a halt, a palpable tension filled the air inside. Trapped tightly in Kristopher’s arms, Carrie found herself immobilized. She tilted her head back, her eyes locking with his. Kristopher’s gaze initially burned with anger but soon cooled to a chilling, distant ze.

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