?<strong>Chapter 380:</strong>


    With a slight shift in demeanor, Billie’s tone softened as she said, “You should first check if he’s busy. If he is, we can reschedule the appointment. His job is demanding, and as his partner, supporting and understanding hismitments is crucial.”


    Internally, Carrie grumbled, frustrated that no one seemed to consider her own schedule.


    Carrie pressed the call button, and Kristopher’s deep, yful voice came through. “Missing me already after just leaving?”


    The car fell silent, and Kristopher’s voice clearly reached Billie. She was briefly startled, and then her expression turned disdainful. She looked at Carrie with suspicion, as if Carrie was leading Kristopher astray.


    Feeling the tension, Carrie nced at Billie, while Kristopher, unaware of the situation, continued, “What’s up? Feeling shy? Wait…”


    “I’m with Billie,” Carrie quickly interjected before Kristopher could make any further inappropriate remarks.


    Kristopher paused, and then his voice took on a more serious note as he said, “Howe you two are together?” Carrie nced at Billie, recalling her instructions, and avoided answering Kristopher’s question. “Are you busy this afternoon?”


    Kristopher quickly grasped the situation. He closed the folder he was working on, handed it to Oliver with a nod to take over, and responded smoothly, “I’m avable.” Only then did Carrie answer his initial question. “Billie wants to take me for a pre-pregnancy check-up. You should be there too.”


    Kristopher frowned, responding in the same way Carrie had, “Haven’t we always had regr check-ups?”


    Billie’s dissatisfaction intensified, her look sharpening. She was certain that Carrie was a bad influence on Kristopher.


    Your next adventure is at g  al n ovels . con


    Carrie helplessly pulled at the corners of her mouth, taking on a meek expression, and repeated Billie’s words, “How can a pre-pregnancy check-up be the same as any other check-up?”


    A hint of amusement flickered across Kristopher’s face. He recognized the subtle sarcasm in Carrie’s tone, a reflection of his mother’s words. Yet, he also felt reassured. Carrie, previously seen as docile within the Norris Mansion, was showing signs of savvy and initiative by seeking external support. Reflecting on their rtionship, especially after recent strains, he felt they were bing more genuinely connected as a couple.


    His voice warmed with affection as he said, “I’ll be there soon, and I’ll visit Gracie too. It’s been too long since Ist saw her.”


    Carrie nodded, ended the call, and looked up to meet Billie’s icy stare, sharp as if trying to slice through her. Carrie calmly opened WhatsApp and pulled up a work group, then waved her phone at Billie. “Billie, I need to take care of some work for a while.”


    Billie sneered, “The Norris family doesn’t need you to y the career woman. I won’t meddle anymore, but if you get pregnant, you must quit and focus on staying home.”


    Carrie had initially handled Billie with a purely businesslike approach, but over time, she realized that rigid adherence to such principles only brought her grief. If a more diplomatic approach could smooth things over, why continue to create tension?


    Carrie smiled faintly and said, “Billie, they say a happy mom makes a healthy pregnancy, but staying at Bayview Vi all day is making me feel down. Kristopher’s always caught up in work, and I wake up every morning to a big, empty house. Now that we have a housekeeper, I find myself with even less to do. You’ve heard that saying, right? No one is an ind. People are meant to be social, and you can’t be alone all the time.”


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