?<strong>Chapter 270:</strong>


    Care So Little About Me


    Carrie stepped into the corridor, her eyesnding on Lettie and Lettie’s mother, Charis, perched on a bench like a pair of forlorn statues. Lettie, once poised and polished, now resembled a shattered porcin doll—her hair a windswept mess and her once-crisp outfit caked in dust.


    Charis’s eyes brightened when she saw Carrie. She rose quickly, her voice pleading. “Carrie, please talk to your husband. Lettie didn’t intend to cause trouble! These roads are treacherous, and idents happen constantly.”


    Kristopher and Oliver walked in. Oliver stepped forward, his tone precise. “Mrs. Norris, this wasn’t an ident. She deliberately drove into our vehicle. As a truck passed, she panicked and elerated, smashing our side mirror and leaving a meter-long scratch. The car’s custom paint and interior can’t be repaired locally—it will need to be sent abroad for restoration.”


    Lettie’s vacant eyes suddenly focused. She stood abruptly, interrupting Oliver with disbelief. “Mrs. Norris? Isn’t she your wife? Didn’t you share a bottle of water with her?” Her words hung in the air, revealing her shock at discovering Carrie’s rtionship with Kristopher.


    Lettie gazed at Kristopher, whose anger-darkened face remained devastatingly handsome—almost celestial in its beauty. How could such a man be married to Carrie?


    Oliver’s face turned ghostly pale, and beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. “Miss, you can’t go around saying things like that!” he blurted, his words tripping over each other. “I never shared a bottle of water with Mrs. Norris!”


    Turning to Kristopher, he hastened to rify. “Sir, I did hand Mrs…


    Charis froze, the realization hitting her like a thunderp. Her mind shed back to that morning when Lettie had dressed with unusual care. She pped Lettie’s arm repeatedly, her voice trembling with both anger and despair. “How could you? Your father and I have always lived honest lives—how did we end up with a daughter who covets another woman’s husband? Look at you! Why would Carrie’s husband ever pick you over her?”


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    Lettie, humiliated and cornered, finally snapped. Tears streaming down her face, she screamed, “What’s wrong with me? Are you even my real mom? I’ve had more admirers than Carrie since we were kids! Why am I not as good as her? Why can’t he like me?”


    Charis, stunned by the outburst, took a step back before snapping, “It’s not about admirers! People didn’t pursue Carrie because they were too intimidated by her! She’s a top student, a living legend in academics! Who would dare to approach her? Who could possibly be good enough for her?”


    Lettie slumped onto the bench, the weight of Charis’s words crushing her fragile defenses. The truth had been exposed, and it cut deeper than she had ever imagined.


    Charis, still shaken, tried to steady herself. But it was Carrie who broke the silence first. Her voice was measured and thoughtful. “Let’s let the insurance handle it,” she said, addressing Kristopher. “It happened here in Esterhall—no one outside this town will know, so there’s no risk of copycats. And you have the means to keep it quiet, don’t you?”


    Carrie then turned to Charis, her tone softening. “Take Lettie home, Charis. It’s over now.”


    Charis’s shoulders sagged in relief as she thanked Carrie profusely. Grabbing Lettie by the arm, she dragged her away. Lettie cast onest nce at Kristopher, her heart twisting with bitterness. She had dreamed of standing by his side, eclipsing Carrie. Now, she was leaving in disgrace, the punchline of a cruel joke.


    Kristopher, however, didn’t spare her a second nce.


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