?<strong>Chapter 331:</strong>


    Soren’s voice crackled through the phone, a mix of surprise and curiosity threading through his words. “Hmm? Why the sudden change of heart? Is it because of Kristopher?”


    Carrie paused, her fingers tightening slightly around her phone.


    Nearby, the woman with the surgically enhanced features caught the tail end of the conversation, her eyes widening in disbelief.


    “Mr. Rodgers…” she murmured under her breath, her voice a mix of shock and apprehension. She hadn’t expected Carrie to pull such a move and felt a wave of panic, afraid Carrie mightin to Soren.


    Carrie could feel the tension in the air, the woman’s unease palpable. She didn’t want to drag Kristopher into the conversation, especially not with the woman eavesdropping.


    “We’ll talkter,” she said quickly, ending the call before Soren could press further.


    The woman, who had been holding her breath, exhaled in relief. But the sense of unease crept back when she recalled Carrie’s earlier statement about joining the reality show.


    The realization hit her like a wave, and her voice faltered as she stammered, “You… you…”


    Carrie, her fingers absentmindedly twirling her phone, let a faint, almost imperceptible smile y on her lips. She looked at the woman, unbothered by her anxiety.


    “I never nned on joining that show,” she said in a measured tone. “But…”


    Carrie dragged the word out, watching the woman closely, before continuing in a tone that was almost too casual. “Since you’re under the impression I stole your opportunity and decided to pull this ridiculous intimidation stunt today, there’s no taking it back. If I back out now, doesn’t that mean I’ll be taking the fall for nothing?”


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    The woman’s earlier confidence crumbled.


    She bit down hard on her lower lip, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I… I’m sorry,” she muttered, though her apologycked conviction, her eyes brimming with barely concealed resentment.


    Carrie had dealt with insincerity enough to recognize it instantly, and the woman’sck of genuine contrition only served to sharpen her resolve.


    Unfazed, Carrie abruptly stopped twirling her phone. She dropped it into her bag with a swift, dismissive motion, her gaze cool and unyielding. “Do you really think an apology fixes anything?”


    The woman hesitated, but her pride wouldn’t let her back downpletely. She shifted tactics, trying to find some leverage. “If you never wanted to join the show, you must have your reasons. You don’t have to do this just because of me, right?”


    Carrie’s lips curled slightly as she fixed the woman with a steady stare. “Why not? Why should I pretend to be above it all? I’m not.” Her voice dropped a fraction. “I’m petty. And I’m vengeful.”


    Carrie shrugged nonchntly, the barest flicker of a challenge in her eyes.


    Before the woman could respond, a car pulled up, its engine humming to a stop in front of them. Carrie nced at the license te, her eyes squinting in confirmation. Without a second nce, she strode past the woman and opened the back door.


    The moment she was inside, she mmed it shut, rolling down the window to look out at the woman onest time. “Cut the cheap tricks,” she said, her voice a soft warning. “Even if no one’s around right now, you know I have connections. Getting my hands on some surveince footage wouldn’t be hard.”


    Before the woman could react, Carrie’s car was already pulling away, disappearing into the traffic.


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