?<strong>Chapter 934:</strong>


    It was a calcted statement, pragmatic yet detached. The Hinks family’s arrival in Isonridge meant fresh opportunities—ones the Morrison family couldn’t afford to jeopardize. In a time where business was as cutthroat as ever, missing a golden chance was a mistake they couldn’t afford.


    Jacob, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.


    “Ms. Campbell, you have remarkable vision. You remind me of someone I once knew. But she’s long gone.”


    His gaze was distant, his eyes boring through Carrie rather than at her.


    Sadness and regret painted his features, like a man haunted by old memories.


    Jacob’s acquaintance must have been someone from his generation, possibly even older. If Kelsey hadn’t been beside him, Carrie might have wondered if he was speaking of a lost love.


    Carrie couldn’t be sure, but something about his tone made her tread carefully.


    “You tter me.” She inclined her head with careful grace before turning away with her family.


    As they walked further from the scene, Daxton’s voice broke the silence.


    “What exactly did their daughter do to you?”


    Carrie merely smiled, shaking her head.


    “Nothing serious. Just the tantrums of a spoiled woman.”


    Noticing their quiet exchange, the other Morrison family members tactfully stepped away, leaving the young couple a moment of privacy. Daxton studied her, his eyes burning with a quiet ache. Then, without warning, he turned fully to face her, taking both of her hands in his own.


    “Carrie, I hate seeing you put on a strong front around me. It makes me feel like I’m failing as your boyfriend. I want you to lean on me. Comin, cry, throw a fit if you need to. Whatever it takes. Just let me handle things for you.”


    Daxton’s words didn’t bring Carriefort. Instead, there was something in his tone—a quiet dominance—that unsettled her.


    A strange, inexplicable difort crawled up her spine, evenced with the faintest trace of fear. Instinctively, she took a step back, slipping her hand from his grasp.


    “Daxton, really, I’m fine,” she said, her voice cool.


    Daxton, catching the shift in her demeanor, immediately realized he had overstepped. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face before he quicklyposed himself, softening his expression.


    “I’m sorry, Carrie. I didn’t mean to pressure you.” His voice was low, almost gentle.


    “I just don’t want you to go through things alone anymore. I’m your boyfriend—I want to protect you.”


    His sincerity made Carrie hesitate. Was she overthinking this? She reyed his words in her mind. Objectively, they seemed harmless. He wasn’t forcing anything on her—was he?


    After a moment, she gave a small nod.


    “I understand. But really, I haven’t been bullied. If anything happens in the future, I’ll tell you.”


    Daxton exhaled, nodding.


    “Okay.” ncing at his phone, his expression shifted slightly.


    Guilt flickered in his eyes for a brief moment.


    “I’m sorry, something urgent just came up at work.”


    Carrie didn’t let him finish.


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