?<strong>Chapter 405:</strong>


    There had been whispers around the office that Kristopher, who had recently seemed almost human thanks to his improving rtionship with Mrs. Norris, had reverted to his usual frosty demeanor. Naturally, tongues wagged, specting about cracks in their marriage.


    Oliver’s voice was calm, like a soothing balm. “Just keep an eye on the clock and make sure dinner isn’t dyed for Mr. and Mrs. Norris.”


    “Trust me, their rtionship is fine.”


    The others, sent back to salvage their work, caught wind of this exchange. A wave of realization swept through them, and they quickly chimed in, voices full of forced cheer. “Thanks for the tip, Oliver. Please remind Mr. Norris to head home early and spend some time with Mrs. Norris. We’ll email the revisions to you directly. Take a look for us, would you? And tomorrow’s coffee is on us.”


    With that, they scurried away, grateful to escape the st radius.


    Oliver shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Pushing open the door, he stepped into the empty meeting room. Kristopher, clearly aware of the chatter outside, looked up from his phone. “Have they cleared out?”


    “Yes,” Oliver replied, tidying the papers left behind. “So, are you heading home for dinner with Mrs. Norris?”


    Kristopher’s tone was as t as a calm sea before a storm. “She’s having dinner with her friend.”


    Oliver’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he suggested, “Then why not surprise her and pick her up?”


    Kristopher didn’t object, ncing again at his phone to read the message from Carrie. The mall she was at wasn’t far from the office.


    At the mall, Willow dropped to her knees before Carrie, her voice trembling with exaggerated grief. “Mrs. Norris, I’ve worked my fingers to the bone taking care of you! My family’s survival depends on me, and this is how you repay me? Firing me without cause? You rich folk treat us like we’re invisible!”


    Camille froze momentarily, her mind racing.


    Then, recovering her wits, she stepped in front of Carrie, her stance protective. “Enough of this theatrical performance. Your wages have been settled. It’s not our fault that—”


    But before she could finish, Willow raised her voice, her words ringing out like a bell in a quiet hall. “This so-called big star doesn’t even treat people as human! She exploits the poor!”


    Curious onlookers began to gather, their murmurs swelling like a rising tide. Carrie, freshly off a film set and still d in a mask and sses, felt their stares sharpen with spection. The crowd buzzed with guesses about her identity.


    Seizing the moment, Willow shifted tactics, dramatically sitting on the ground as if the weight of the world had crushed her. “Wages? What wages? I haven’t seen a single coin! The richer they are, the colder their hearts!”


    Camille and Carrie exchanged a nce, their unease growing. Leaning closer, Camille whispered, “Did her sry get paid?”


    Carrie shook her head slightly, her expression clouded. Willow’s wages were managed by Oliver, so Carrie wasn’t certain of the details. After a moment’s thought, Carrie addressed the growing crowd, her voice steady but firm. “If there’s an issue with your sry, you’re wee to contact the person in charge or file forbor arbitration. But spreading false usations in public couldnd you in court for defamation.”


    Initially nning to mention Oliver’s name, Carrie decided against it. With the way rumors spread like wildfire on social media, the situation could spiral out of control.


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