?<strong>Chapter 447:</strong>


    Just as she grasped it, Kristopher gently took it from her, setting it beside him. His touch was soft, almost reverent, as he carefully smoothed out the creased corner, treating it like something precious. The streetlights outside bathed the car in their soft glow, highlighting the sharp angles of his face, every feature striking and defined.


    Whenever Carrie wrote about a male protagonist with sharp brows and bright eyes, this face always appeared in her mind. Every detail seemed to align perfectly with what she found appealing, as though he was the embodiment of her ideal. His looks alone could make anyone swoon, but it was his skill and abilities that truly set him apart from the rest.


    Kristopher yfully pinched her cheek, a teasing smirk pulling at his lips. “What’s got you staring?”


    Before she could answer, Kristopher’s hand shifted to her chin, tilting her head up as his lips met hers. Their kiss lingered for a heartbeat before he pulled back, his gaze still locked on hers. The air inside the car grew warmer, and Carrie’s cheeks flushed, a mix of innocence and subtle allure. He let go of her, straightened his jacket, and leaned back in his seat, crossing his legs to fight the growing desire within him.


    He had always been indifferent to matters of romance, even avoiding simple pleasures. His rational mind had always kept his instincts in check. But with her, reason slipped away. All he could think about was having her, hearing her voice break as she begged him.


    Kristopher then changed the subject, saying, “I had Oliver reach out to Katrina, but there’s still no reply. Writing often oveps in inspiration. If there are simrities, it’s not the end of the world—just exin it clearly.”


    Carrie froze for a moment, surprised that he believed in her so strongly. She asked, “Why did you think I wouldn’t giarize?”


    Kristopher looked at her briefly and replied, “Even though I haven’t seen your work, I know your character wouldn’t resort to something like that.” The trust he showed her, without her needing to prove herself, was something they had always been missing.


    A rush of warmth flooded her chest. Carrie started, but before she could reveal her secret, Kristopher’s phone rang. He nced at Albin’s name, hesitated for a moment, and then answered. His voice turned icy. “You have one minute to talk business. Cut the nonsense.”


    Albin, taken aback, quickly blurted, “Kristopher, forget about Katrina. I found something on Camille’s phone. You won’t believe who Katrina really is.”


    Kristopher’s face hardened. “If you keep dragging this out, I’m hanging up.”


    Before Albin could say another word, Oliver mmed on the brakes, causing Kristopher to lose his grip on his phone. Ignoring the phone, Kristopher swiftly reached out to steady Carrie, who almost collided with the front seat from the sudden stop. The car came to a halt, and a familiar, mischievous voice called out from the front. “Is the great CEO of the Norris Group nning to simply run away after hitting someone?”


    Sun Emilio, Willow’s son, braced himself against the car’s hood before awkwardly shuffling toward the backseat. “Boss, he ran out from the side alley so suddenly, I barely had time to hit the brakes,” Oliver said, his toneced with frustration as he unbuckled his seatbelt.


    As Oliver stepped out of the car, Emilio clutched his leg dramatically. “You broke my leg! You think you can just drive off like nothing happened?” he used, his voice rising with indignation.


    Oliver nced skeptically at Emilio’s leg, noting that it appearedpletely fine. A quick check of the car’s front confirmed there wasn’t even a scratch. Besides, he had hit the brakes in time. The so-called “impact” had been nothing more than a soft nudge, barely enough to make an impression.


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