?strongChapter 51:/strong

The store owner was engrossed in videos on his iPad, but a headline mentioning familiar names snatched Carrie’s attention. “Norris Group CEO spotted at the hospital visiting Lise, candidly allowing paparazzi snapshots, igniting rumors of an imminent rtionship deration…”

Mid-chew, Carrie froze, her gaze locked on the screen. The footage revealed Kristopher hastening toward the hospital, his expression etched with worry.

The store owner caught her intrigued look and let out a chuckle. “That actress finds herself in the hospital every few days, and he’s always on her heels. These rich folks really must be bored. Don’t they ever get sick of these shenanigans?”

Indeed, it was the third hospital visit for Lise in just two weeks. The drama felt overyed and transparent, yet Kristopher seemed to invest every ounce of his emotion into supporting Lise’s recurring episodes.

“Perhaps it’s true love,” Carrie mused with a lighthearted tone, finishing off thest of her chips.

The recent burst of gossip quickly sapped her enthusiasm for shopping, prompting her to approach the roadside to g down a taxi to head home. However, before she could even lift her arm, a Rolls-Royce smoothly glided to a stop before her.

As the window lowered, Kristopher’s striking yet unreadable face came into view.

“Did you leak the audition tape?” Kristopher pressed, his voice taut with urgency.

Carrie’s mind raced, piecing together the puzzle with the day’s viral news. As expected, it had always been this way. Whenever Kristopher’s cherished Lise spiraled into a crisis, he found sce in unleashing his frustrations on her. It was aughably predictable twist, straight out of a cliched melodrama.

Was she nothing more than his helpless pawn, his convenient scapegoat? The more she dwelled on it, the more her irritation red.

She folded her arms and peered down at Kristopher with a taunting grin. “Yes, I leaked it. What about it? She tramples over me to capture the spotlight, and I’m expected to just endure it? Do I look like a freaking doormat to you?!”

Kristopher’s expression darkened as he noticed the gathering crowd. “Get in the car. Don’t you see you’re bing quite the diva yourself?”

As Oliver absorbed the weight of the conversation, he hastily exited the vehicle and swung open the rear door. “Mrs. Norris…”

“So, I’m the one who’s caused you embarrassment now, isn’t that it? Why not just sign the divorce papers? Once we’re separated, my actions will no longer tarnish your reputation, Mr. Norris.”

Carrie remained resolute, her stance firm, showing no signs of climbing into the car.

At the mention of “divorce,” a shadow fell over Kristopher’s face, his eyes clouding with contempt. “Do as you please. However, consider this a final warning—Lise’s heart is fragile, and she struggles with emotional turmoil. Stay away from her if you know what’s good for you.”

“She’s not someone you can mess with.”

Her voice thick with irony, Carrie retorted, “Oh, so now I’m the one who’s messing with her, huh? Why don’t you go and tell her to stay the hell away from me? Ah, I see how it is, Mr. Norris—you can’t seem to get enough of this kind of drama.”

“What bullshit are you rambling about now?! I regret ever allowing you into show business. It’s changed you.” A headache began to build in Kristopher’s temples. Each exchange with Carrie had be a war of words, her remarks sharp and pointed, ready to draw blood.

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