?<strong>Chapter 410:</strong>


    Carrie crossed her legs and rested a hand on Kristopher’s arm. The effortless authority in her movements was unmistakable, reminiscent of a household matriarch scolding an overreaching concubine. Her tone was cool but sharp. “You are the one with poor acting skills. Even if it trends again, how would that hurt me? If the topic hadn’t been suppressed so quickly, I might’ve gained even more attention for my looks and acting skills. I could’ve had more opportunities. And since you don’t want to bepared to me, why don’t you step back instead? Why should I?” She didn’t even spare Lise a nce. Her words struck with pinpoint precision.


    Lise’s expression crumbled for a moment before she forced herself to stay calm. Slowly, she walked to another chair and lowered herself into it. “Ms. Campbell, I’ve been trying to stayposed. Please don’t provoke me like this. My heart isn’t well, and if something happens, it’ll be dangerous.”


    “Enough, Carrie,” Kristopher snapped suddenly, his tone cold and sharp. “Don’t be so aggressive!” The words cut through the tension like a whip.


    Carrie froze. Her normallyposed face flickered with surprise, her train of thought momentarily derailed. The familiar sting of his reprimand sent a wave of bitter realization washing over her.


    The scenario was painfully familiar—an echo of countless arguments from their past. Could it be true? Could all the progress Kristopher had made, all the steps they’d taken toward understanding, be nothing more than an illusion?


    Across the table, Lise’s lips curled into a faint smile, her earlier panic reced by a quiet sense of victory. Though there had been some twists along the way, the oue was exactly as she had predicted. Between herself and Carrie, Kristopher would always choose her. He would always feel obligated to defend her, to protect her fragile heart.


    When Kristopher saw Carrie freeze, he softened his tone and said, “Lise has agreed to go to Izrosa.”


    Upon hearing this, all the pride within Lise crumbled. Her eyes widened in disbelief. She was shocked to hear Kristopher discuss the agreement so openly with Carrie, exposing the murky nature of their terms. Previously, he had hardly ever exined himself to Carrie, leading to what seemed like an immense distance between him and her.


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    As a woman, Lise understood that enduring such a quiet rtionship could eventually wear a woman down, burdened by doubt and inner conflicts. They say it’s hard to break old habits, yet Kristopher had altered significantly for Carrie. His concern for her was evident; he cared deeply about her feelings and emotions… Kristopher had fallen in love with Carrie!


    When Lise came to this realization, her heart fluttered.


    Carrie, however, didn’t want to deepen her involvement with Lise. She knew that too many controversial topics couldbel her as a troublemaker. Still, she didn’t immediately consent; she didn’t want Kristopher to see her as overly impressionable. She feigned contemtion for a moment, then said calmly, “Just this once. It won’t happen again.”


    Kristopher responded with assurance, “Yes, don’t worry. Lise won’t be taking any other contracts for a while, so this won’t happen again.”


    Carrie asked, “What if it does?”


    Kristopher nced at Lise and said on her behalf, “If it happens again, I’ll ensure she withdraws.”


    “Alright,” Carrie finally responded, her voice carrying a hint of disinterest and reluctance.


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