?<strong>Chapter 263:</strong>


    Seeing her awake, he rolled over and pressed down on her.


    A soft knock came from the living room.


    Carrie pushed weakly against his chest. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”


    Her voice was hoarse and strained from the night before.


    Her face burned as fragments ofst night’s events flooded her memory.


    He chuckled, the deep, maic sound vibrating against her skin. “Missing a deal won’t change anything,” he murmured.


    Carrie’s cheeks flushed even deeper.


    She pressed against his hips, trying to put some distance between them.


    “We’ll… continue when you get back,” she stammered.


    Kristopher tilted his head, studying her. “Promise?”


    The knock came again, and Oliver’s voice came through. “Mister.


    Norris, Mrs.


    Norris, I brought breakfast.”


    Carrie froze, her eyes widening in rm.


    Taking advantage of Kristopher’s momentary distraction, she quickly slipped away and grabbed a set of long-sleeved sportswear from the nearby chair.


    She pulled it on quickly, avoiding his gaze as she hurried towards the door.


    Kristopher watched her retreat with an amused chuckle, taking his time as he leaned back against the headboard.


    Slowly he began to dress, his movements unhurried.


    Oliver entered quietly, bncing several elegant insted bags in his hands. As soon as he stepped into the apartment, a shiver ran down his spine. He looked up and found himself meeting Kristopher’s piercing gaze— a look that was both unreadable and unnervingly sharp. His heart skipped a beat. Had he done something wrong? Frantically, he reyed the morning in his mind, searching for any mistake.


    cing the bags neatly on the table, Oliver nced discreetly at his watch. Eight o’clock on the dot—exactly the time Mr. Norris had instructed.


    Kristopher emerged from the bedroom, his sleeves casually rolled up. He exuded a rxed yetmanding presence as he remarked, “Didn’t I tell you to wait for me at the alley entrance?”


    Oliver straightened, his tone respectful but hurried. “You didn’t eat dinnerst night, so I thought I’d bring breakfast early today.”


    Kristopher’s gaze shifted to Carrie, who had just stepped out of the bathroom. She was brushing her teeth in quick, almost frantic movements. Within a minute, she had rinsed and washed her face, her speed making it clear she was famished.


    Carrie wasted no time. She walked to the table, tore open one of the bags, and pulled out a freshly baked bun. Without ceremony, she took arge bite, chewing quickly.


    Kristopher leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed, watching her with faint amusement. Her cheeks puffed out as she stuffed another bite into her mouth, reminding him of a hamster storing food. Her single-minded focus on eating gave her an oddly endearing look.


    “Mm.” He hummedzily in acknowledgment of Oliver’s exnation, reaching out to touch Carrie’s cheek. Carrie instinctively tried to dodge, but she was a beat too slow. His fingers grazed her skin before pinching her cheek lightly. Her brow furrowed as she red at him.


    Kristopher’s fingers lingered in front of her face, now smudged with a trace of her facial cleanser. “Cleanser,” he said casually.


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