?<strong>Chapter 448:</strong>


    Undeterred, Emilio dered, “You’ll have to cough up twenty thousand for my medical check-up.”


    Kristopher, his voice cold and cutting, suggested, “Why don’t we call the police? They’d love to handle an extortion case like this.”


    At his words, Emilio’s confidence evaporated. His defiant expression melted into a nervous grin as he stammered, “Wait, no need for that. Mr. Norris, it’s me! My mom works for your family as a housekeeper. I’ve been to Bayview Vi, and you’ve seen me before. Remember?”


    Carrie raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. Despite the controversy surrounding Willow’s dismissal, it seemed her son had no idea about her termination.


    Intimidated by Kristopher’s icy demeanor, Emilio backtracked. “I’m serious, Mr. Norris. I did get hit, but just a little. How about two thousand? That’s all I need for a doctor’s visit.”


    “It’s not much to ask, right?” Emilio pressed, a hint of arrogance still lingering in his voice.


    Carrie shot a nce at him, a dull headache starting to creep in. She couldn’t tell if it was from the stress of recent events or the biting chill of the wind, but she felt unwell, her body heavy with growing drowsiness. Letting out a weary sigh, she waved her hand dismissively. “Just give him the two thousand, Oliver,” she said.


    Turning toward Kristopher, she added, “I’m not feeling well. I don’t have the energy for this. Just handle it and get rid of him, please.”


    Kristopher, unfazed, gave a short grunt in acknowledgment. He despised being manipted, but it was clear Emilio feared him enough not to push his luck further. Besides, Emilio had already dropped his outrageous demand from twenty thousand to a far more reasonable two thousand. Given how minor the situation was, two thousand seemed like a small price to pay for some peace. He decided it was worth the expense to avoid further drama.


    Oliver, acknowledging the decision made by Kristopher and Carrie, pulled out his phone. His tone was curt as he addressed Emilio. “Name and bank ount.”


    Emilio’s demeanor shifted to one of exaggerated gratitude. He bowed slightly, shing a sheepish grin. “Thank you, Mr. Norris. Thank you, Mrs. Norris.” Then, turning to Oliver, he added, “Emilio Reed. The ount number is 34…”


    When she heard his name, Carrie hesitated, finding it vaguely familiar. However, the difort weighing on her was too much to dwell on. She simply drew her legs closer and sank deeper into herself.


    Kristopher noticed her unease immediately.


    Without a word, he picked up a nket and draped it over her. “Should I have Dr. Molinae by the house?” he asked softly.


    Carrie shook her head weakly, her words barely audible. “No need. I think I just caught a chill standing outside. It’s nothing serious. I had some fish on set earlier—it was way too fishy. I’ve been feeling nauseous since. I just need to rest.”


    Meanwhile, Oliver finished the transfer and nced back at Emilio with a sharp warning. “The money’s been sent. But let me be clear—everything today was captured on the dashcam and street cameras. If you try anything like this again, you won’t get off so easily. Also, your mother, Willow, was dismissed long ago. She has no ties to the Norris family anymore.”


    “Dismissed?” Emilio muttered, pulling out his phone to check his mobile banking app. The transaction alert stared back at him.


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