?<strong>Chapter 353:</strong>


    Kristopher cast a brief look over his shoulder and murmured, “Ignore her.”


    Carrie replied, her voice steady, “You were right before. Some battles are inevitable.”


    Hearing this, something within Kristopher stirred, and he straightened, his expression softening. He had grown ustomed tomand, often met with either fear or mindlesspliance, but Carrie’s agreement resonated with a sincere alignment of thoughts. After years of fighting on his own, he finally saw that the delicate blossom he had protected all this time was capable of standing tall beside him.


    Facing Vicky, Carrie’sposed facade barely masked her growing impatience. Whether it was Vicky’s own erratic nature or Lise’s meddling, she couldn’t say, but Vicky’s relentless pursuit of her was undeniable. Carrie pondered if this confrontation was another of Vicky’s aggressive tactics.


    “Bridges shouldn’t be burned. Paths may converge once more.”


    Vicky stepped forward, confidence emanating from her stance. “Last time, you left unscathed, and now, you’ve overshadowed me on the show.”


    “Must you drive me to desperation?”


    Her voice was tinged with bitterness as she continued, “Right after the show wrapped up, I received calls from several advertisers withdrawing their contracts. I have a mother and grandmother who depend on me.”


    Carrie’s expression morphed into a puzzled frown. “Withdraw their contracts? Why are you bringing this concern to me and not directly to the advertisers?”


    Vicky, clearly exasperated, threw her hands up. “Really, Carrie? Must you feign ignorance? The show was pre-recorded; the advertisers couldn’t possibly have reacted so swiftly without a heads-up. It had to be you!”


    galnoν?ls is your update source


    She bit her lip, almost whispering, “You had Kristopher do it.” Her eyes darted suspiciously toward Kristopher.


    Kristopher turned to Carrie. “‘Left unscathed’? What happened?”


    The atmosphere fell silent as Vicky’s mind whirled with disbelief. Kristopher was clueless? If Carrie hadn’t told him about theirst unpleasant encounter, what had prompted the advertisers’ abrupt change of heart?


    Carrie stated coldly, “Last time, she nearly ran me down with her car, trying to frighten me, perhaps as a twisted form of reprimand.”


    She had no intention of making excuses for Vicky.


    Vicky gasped, her face a mask of disbelief as Carrieid out the facts so bluntly. “You!” she blurted out.


    Carrie met her gaze squarely, her voice devoid of warmth. “Am I lying? Isn’t that exactly what happened?”


    Vicky, flustered and desperate, stammered, “You never brought it up before. Why now?”


    Carrie’s eyes narrowed slightly, her voice chilling as she replied, “Because now, I think it’s time everyone knew the truth.”


    The air grew tense as Kristopher’s demeanor shifted abruptly, his face setting into a mask of cold resolve. A perceptible chill seemed to sweep through the atmosphere as he slowly, deliberately raised his eyes to meet Oliver’s anxious gaze.


    Oliver, sensing the urgency, whipped out his phone with a swift motion. “I’m putting in a call to Silver Elephant Media this instant,” he said, his voice tinged with a mix of determination and concern.


    Kristopher’s voice was a frosty de, slicing through the thick atmosphere. “And make sure the police are informed.”


    .


    .


    .