?<strong>Chapter 175:</strong>


    “Do you think I would embarrass Carrie in front of everyone?” she snapped.


    “That’s not what I meant,” Kristopher responded calmly.


    Carrie cast him a brief nce before she turned to follow Billie.


    Thete-arriving guests were individuals of higher status, those with closer ties to the Norris family. Many had heard whispers of Carrie’s rumored divorce. In their eyes, a Cindere daring to divorce her wealthy husband was likely ying a calcted game to secure greater benefits.


    Earlier, some had overheard gossip about the pink diamond Carrie wore. Now, seeing her standing beside Billie, they couldn’t help butpare. Billie’s exquisite violet jade ne, while elegant, paled inparison to the brilliance of the diamond around Carrie’s neck.


    Onedy, known to be on friendly terms with Billie, took the opportunity to approach. She gave Carrie a cursory nce before turning to Billie with a probing smile. “I heard the young couple had a bit of a quarrel recently.” The fact that she brought up such gossip in front of Carrie showed how little regard she had for her.


    But her intention wasn’t to create drama; rather, she wanted to gauge the situation. If Kristopher and Carrie divorced, it might open the door for someone from her own circle to step in.


    Billie sighed, her tone deliberate. “Young people these days are bing more independent. I can’t control their decisions. They got married without my consent, and whether they quarrel or divorce, it’s beyond my influence. They have their own paths to follow.” Her words were clear—she did not support Carrie’s ce in the Norris family, and she hinted that divorce was not just a possibility but an eventuality.


    Thedy, sensing Billie’s disapproval, smiled knowingly. Feigning sincerity, she turned to Carrie and said, “My dear, since you’ve married into the Norris family despite your background, you should be sensible. Don’t let greed blind you to reality.”


    Her gaze fell conspicuously on Carrie’s pink diamond ne as she spoke.


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    Carrie’s fists clenched at her sides, her nails biting into her palms. Despite the sting of the veiled insult, she maintained herposure. This was Mny’s birthday banquet; causing a scene here would only reflect poorly on her. She forced a smile and nodded as though she hadn’t caught the implication.


    Not far away, Kristopher watched the interaction, his sharp eyes darkening. Mny, noticing his reaction, leaned in and whispered, “Carrie has endured a lot since marrying into our family.”


    Kristopher’s jaw tightened, and he brushed off her concern with a cool tone. “You haven’t seen how quick-witted and articte she can be.”


    Mny pressed further, her voice tinged with reproach. “No matter how sharp she is, she can’t silence the relentless tide of gossip alone. She’s your wife. Only if you love and respect her will others follow suit.”


    Kristopher’s expression shifted subtly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face.


    Seizing the moment, Mny nudged him gently. “Go to her. Stop lingering here and being an eyesore. I have some old friends to greet.”


    Kristopher hesitated only for a moment before striding toward Carrie. Approaching the small circle ofdies, he nodded politely at them before turning his full attention to his wife.


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