?<strong>Chapter 402:</strong>


    Kristopher didn’t spare her a nce. “Decisions regarding the household are entirely Mrs. Norris’s.”


    Out of options and consumed by fear, Willow dropped to her knees, pleading, “Mrs. Norris, I swear I won’t do it again. Please, have mercy. My family relies on this job to survive.”


    Abandoning any pretense, she bowed low, her forehead hitting the floor with an audible thud, the sound echoing with the weight of her desperation.


    Carrie stepped back, her gaze icy. “No one will know I fired you because of your wrongdoing. I’ll simply say we don’t need a housekeeper for the time being and will hire someer. You can look for work elsewhere. If you keep trying to guilt-trip me, I’ll expose your record. Let’s see which family or cleaning service in town would dare hire someone with a criminal record.”


    Willow froze in ce, her back straightening as a tremble ran through her body. Her forehead, scraped and bleeding, made her look pitiful, but Carrie’s unflinching tone left no room for sympathy.


    Oliver, standing nearby, stepped forward. “Go pack your things. I’ll help you leave,” he said firmly.


    With her head hung low, Willow followed Oliver back to Bayview Vi to gather her belongings. When she reached her room, her eyes lingered on a small pile of supplements tucked near the bed. Willow knew Oliver was standing by the door, watching her. Her fingers hovered, then clenched into fists. She discreetly shoved the supplements under the bed and resumed packing.


    If she took them now and got caught, it would be over for her. But if she left them there and let Lise know, Lise would figure out how to handle it.


    Willow had little to her name, so it didn’t take long. Soon, she was reluctantly walking out of Bayview Vi, her belongings in tow. As she passed Carrie, she shot her a venomous re. The hatred in her gaze burned.


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    Carrie sneezed. “Someone must be talking about me,” she muttered, rubbing her nose.


    Kristopher draped his coat over her shoulders and held her close. “Don’t be superstitious. It’s just cold tonight. Stop standing here and go inside.”


    Carrie leaned into his shoulder, findingfort in his warmth. “I don’t feel like cooking. Let’s order takeout from a hotpot ce.”


    Kristopher hesitated, thinking of the nutritionist’s advice about healthy eating. But when he saw the sparkle of excitement in her eyes, he relented with a small smile. “Alright.”


    “It’s just hotpot. It’s not poison,” he reassured himself inwardly. “Once in a while won’t hurt.”


    At home, Carrie changed into soft,fortable loungewear and made her way downstairs. She sprawled across the living room sofa, scrolling on her phone to check the delivery time. Kristopher came down shortly after. Noticing her thin silk outfit, he quietly adjusted the thermostat, turning up the heat.


    When Carrie spotted him, she hugged a pillow to her chest and smiled. “I don’t want to eat in the dining room. Let’s eat here in the living room while watching a movie.” She paused, lowering her voice like a child asking for permission. “Last time, Camille and I did the same. I promise I’ll clean up afterward, no mess left behind.”


    Kristopher sat beside her, his fingers gentlybing through her silky hair. “No need for you to clean up. We’ll have someone else take care of it.”


    Kristopher’s voice softened as he added, “We only have so much energy. It’s better to focus on meaningful things instead of wasting time on things that don’t matter.”


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