?<strong>Chapter 168:</strong>


    Several of the younger women in the room exchanged nces, some of them on the verge of apuding, though they hesitated due to Lise’s presence. Oliver, who had watched Carrie confront Kristopher time and again, remained rtively unflustered. But even he couldn’t help but admire how easily Carrie had regained control of the situation.


    Lise’s smile faltered, her grip tightening on the dress. She was momentarily thrown off by Carrie’s sharp response, a reaction she wasn’t ustomed to. Carrie, with slow precision, continued, “If you still wish topete for this title in the future, I suggest you stay far away from my life…”


    Carrie’s eyes briefly flickered over Lise’s dress, her voice dropping just a bit, but her words were as cutting as ever. “And as for that dress, I could’ve bought it myself without relying on Kristopher. Spending millions just to indulge in petty rivalries isn’t worth it—for you or for him.” With that, she turned away, walking toward Oliver. “Let’s go to the Norris Mansion.”


    “I’ve had enough of this ce.” Oliver quicklyposed himself, suppressing the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Understood, Mrs. Norris,” he said, following her brisk pace. As they walked away, he cast a brief nce back at Lise. She was standing there, still gripping the dress, her face pale and twisted with frustration. Her eyes burned with fury as she watched Carrie leave.


    Oliver quicklyposed himself and, with a knowing nce, texted Kristopher: “Mrs. Norris is ready. We’re heading to the mansion.”


    Meanwhile, Kristopher, who was on his way to pick Carrie up, frowned as he read the message. He immediately instructed his driver, “Head straight to the mansion.”


    As the car approached the base of the hill leading to the Norris Mansion, Carrie noticed the silver Maybach parked by the roadside. It wasn’t hard to spot; the sleek, polished car stood out in the dusk light. When Kristopher stepped out of the vehicle, it clicked in Carrie’s mind that this was why everyone had chosen to wear silver-white for the event.


    Kristopher’s bespoke ck suit, embroidered with subtle silver-white patterns,plemented her dress perfectly. The pearlescent threads glimmered as if designed to match, creating an understated yet harmonious couple’s look. This understated coordination was more affectionate than matching colors.


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    Oliver parked the car as Kristopher approached, opening her door with practiced ease. “Grandma specifically asked me to pick you up,” Kristopher said, his deep voice steady as he leaned in slightly.


    Carrie pursed her lips, silently cursing him for putting on a show. Kristopher’s sharp eyes flicked over her dress, a frown appearing. “Why aren’t you wearing the one I ordered? Don’t you like it?”


    Carrie turned to him, her tone biting. “How could I not like such a beautiful dress? It’s not every day that I get to see your first love so passionately invested in it.”


    “Naturally, I had to be the bigger person and let her have it.”


    She paused, letting her words settle before adding, “Besides, I wouldn’t want to be responsible for her fainting from the stress ofpetition. Hospitals are busy enough without adding her theatrics to the mix. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for causing anyone trouble.”


    Kristopher gave her a sidelong nce. “I asked a question, not for an entire monologue.”


    Seeing that he wasn’t putting up a fight, she relented. She took her phone out of her clutch, scrolling through WhatsApp absentmindedly. Camille had messaged her about a new durian shop near the Ripples Complex, asking her toe by. But Carrie had already declined, choosing to attend Mny’s birthday banquet instead.


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