?<strong>Chapter 404:</strong>


    Camille tilted her head curiously. “So, are you actually going to do it?”


    With a casual shrug, Carrie responded, “I gave my word to Mr. Rodgers. A lot of people have put in effort to support me, so backing out isn’t an option. Besides, the entertainment world is tiny. If I keep dodging her, I might as well give up on this career altogether.”


    Camille nodded in agreement. “Right. She’s the one who should be sweating, not you.”


    She clicked her seatbelt into ce with a grin. “Let me spoil you, Carrie! How about we go grab you a stunning outfit so you can totally steal the spotlight on the show?”


    Carrie waved her hand, brushing off the idea. “I just wanted a quiet dinner with you. No need to splurge on clothes. Kristopher has already sent me a ton of designer outfits from the boutique. I’ll just grab something from those.”


    Camille clicked her tongue in yful disapproval. “You’re giving off that all-too-familiar lovebird vibe; you just can’t help talking about Kristopher.”


    Carrie shot back, calm but with a hint of sharpness, “I’m just stating the truth. Love-struck people see everyone else as love-struck too.”


    Camille threw her hands up in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Let’s not fight over who’s more head-over-heels.”


    Carrie smirked, not letting up. “Nope, you’re the one who’s more smitten.”


    Camille shed a yful smile and gave in. “Okay, okay, you win.”


    She couldn’t help but smile to herself, realizing how endearingly childish Carrie had be since reconciling with Kristopher.


    The drive to the mall was filled withughter and casual conversation. The mall was alive with energy, crowded with people as dinner time approached.


    Out of nowhere, a figure rushed toward them, and with a loud thud, someone dropped to their knees in front of Carrie. A crowd of onlookers quickly gathered, whispering among themselves, “What’s happening here?”


    Carrie instinctively took a step back, squinting for a better look. She soon recognized Willow, the woman she hadn’t seen in quite some time.


    Kristopher skimmed through the proposal with a re sharp enough to cut ss. His voice, cold and clipped, sliced through the air. “Do you think I stayedte just to entertain this half-baked nonsense?”


    Without so much as a second nce, he flicked the folder from his hand, sending its contents fluttering to the floor like fallen leaves in a storm.


    The executive,posed just moments ago, felt his confidence evaporate like dew under a harsh sun. Beads of cold sweat dotted his forehead as panic began to bubble beneath the surface. Dropping to his knees, he scrambled to gather the scattered papers. “Mr. Norris, I’ll redo it immediately and have it back on your desk for review,” he stammered, desperation creeping into his voice.


    Kristopher’s face became even sterner than before. The executive, unsure which of his words had poured gasoline on the fire, clutched the disheveled folder to his chest and made a hasty retreat.


    As he opened the door, he nearly collided with Oliver, who was just entering. The executive’s eyes lit up with a flicker of hope. He shut the door behind him and pulled Oliver aside as if holding onto a lifeline. “Oliver, has Mr. Norris been fighting with Mrs. Norristely?”


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