?<strong>Chapter 169:</strong>
Camille’stest message made Carrie pause for a moment: “Family dinners, birthday banquets, you attend them all under the title of Mrs. Norris. You’ve fulfilled all the duties of this role, but haven’t enjoyed any of the benefits. You might as well just sleep with him. Just in terms of looks, Kristopher is definitely better than the pretty guys at the club. You might as well get something out of it.”
She was about to reply to Camille when she noticed Kristopher’s gaze on her phone.
Carrie’s fingers trembled as she switched off her phone screen, a wave of mortification washing over her. The revtion felt utterly devastating. Kristopher remainedposed, his gaze deliberately averted, saying nothing. Tension coiled within her like a tightening spring, an unspoken anxiety threatening to detonate at any moment. She couldn’t predict when or how it would finally break.
His eyes wandered to the simple diamond ne adorning her neck. Abruptly changing the subject, he interjected, “It doesn’t quite suit you. Allow me to offer an alternative.”
“Pardon?” Carrie blinked, momentarily bewildered. Kristopher had already retrieved a velvet box from his suit pocket. With practiced elegance, he opened the container, revealing a breathtaking pink diamond ne. Even in the car’s subdued lighting, the gem’s meticulously cut facets captured and reflected an almost ethereal fire.
She epted the ne without hesitation. Deep down, Carrie understood this was merely a performance—maintaining the Norris family’s impable image. She wasn’t nning to keep it, merely indulging in a fleeting moment of luxury. After all, their impending divorce would soon erase such opportunities.
Attempting to fasten the ne, her fingers fumbled awkwardly behind her neck, struggling to connect the delicate sp. Unexpectedly, Kristopher leaned closer, gently taking the ne from her hands. His proximity was overwhelming—his distinctive woody cologne enveloped her, his breath warm against her neck. His fingers brushed her skin with unexpected tenderness, sending tremors through her body.
The intimate moment dissolved as quickly as it emerged; Kristopher swiftly secured the ne and retreated to his original position. Flustered, Carrie turned toward the car window, hoping to conceal her rising blush. Internally, she chastised herself for such a visceral reaction. How pathetic! She rationalized her response, thinking to herself, “I simplyck experience with men. With time, such reactions will surely diminish.”
The car arrived at the Norris Mansion. Kristopher exited first, considerately shielding the car door’s edge with his hand. Snapping herself out of her reverie, Carrie stepped out gracefully, her dress brushing against the cool evening air. As Carrie emerged, the gathered socialites momentarily froze. Their gazes flickered with aplex mixture of surprise, envy, and barely concealed jealousy.
Throughout her marriage, she had rarely dressed up, prioritizingfort over style. Initially celebrated for her beauty, she had gradually been reduced to near invisibility, treated almost like a household servant. Now, with minimal effort, she radiated a luminous elegance—like a pearl meticulously polished to reveal its true, breathtaking luster.
Kristopher’s arm encircled her waist, and together they embodied the epitome of a picture-perfect couple—so seamless they could have stepped directly from a high-fashion magazine’s glossy pages. Even those who had previously scorned her background now grudgingly acknowledged their collective beauty. Among the assembled guests, Carrie and Kristopher were undeniably the most striking pair.
Noticing how her dress perfectlyplemented the pattern of his suit, Kristopher leaned close, whispering softly, “This dress looks remarkable.” Recognizing the performance required, Carrie responded with a sweetly calcted smile, her eyes brimming with seemingly genuine affection.
The crowd joined in with lighthearted teasing. “Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Norris are as inseparable as newlyweds! It’s almost sickeningly sweet,” one quipped with augh.
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