Chapter 316
Chapter 316:
Kristine’s gaze drifted toward Elyse, still leaning against Colton as he helped her upright. A faint, knowing smile touched Kristine’s lips.
So it was not simply about faking a fall to make her look cruel. This was what Elyse truly wanted — another performance, another calculated move. She almost found it impressive in a twisted way. Elyse seemed to spend every waking moment inventing new ways to destroy the people she resented.
Kristine turned her eyes back to Colton, her voice calm. “And how are you so sure her intentions were pure? What if this was exactly what she planned p>
Elyse’s face lost what little color it had left. She tightened her grip on Colton’s sleeve, looking so fragile she seemed ready to crumble.
“You have it wrong, Kristine,” she whispered. “I really did want to help you handle all of this. I just — I did not realize it would make things worse p>
Her voice trembled. “Colton.” She lifted her tear-filled eyes to him, her expression fragile and pleading, as though she were the one being hurt most of all.
Colton’s face tightened as he fixed his eyes on Kristine. “You’ve really misunderstood Elyse and judged her unfairly. If you could let go of those feelings, maybe you two could actually get along p>
A wave of nausea swept through Kristine. She ran her hands over her arms, trying to chase away the chill. “She might mean the world to you, but all I see is someone who manipulates everyone around her p>
Y𝗼𝘶𝗋 𝗱ai𝗅𝗒 𝘥𝘰s𝖾 o𝗳 𝗇о𝘷е𝗅𝘴 𝘰𝗻.сo𝘮
Colton’s brows drew together, his tone turning firm. “Kristine, isn’t this a bit much? You’re being completely unreasonable p>
Unbothered, Kristine gave a casual laugh. “If my honesty bothers you, I can just leave p>
“Don’t go.” Colton quickly moved to block her path, seizing her arm. “The PR team made a mess, and I’ve already handled that. But blaming Elyse was out of line, and you owe her an apology p>
Kristine’s gaze dropped to where Colton gripped her arm, his frustration plain. With a mocking look, she replied, “Colton, you claim to be fair — but when Elyse’s name comes up in connection with several deaths, I never see you do anything about it p>
The accusation brought tears to Elyse’s eyes, her voice trembling. “Kristine, I know you dislike me, but accusing me of murder is too much. I haven’t harmed anyone p>
Seeing Elyse cry only deepened the furrow in Colton’s brow. “Kristine, we’ve been through this. Elyse wasn’t involved in any of those deaths p>
In the past, Kristine might have believed he was simply shielding Elyse. Now, she was no longer sure the girl had ever killed anyone at all.
She pressed on, her voice sharp. “If she’s innocent, then why protect whoever’s actually responsible? Was it you p>
“That’s enough. Neither I nor Elyse are responsible for those deaths. You have to believe me.” Colton’s irritation sounded genuine — not the edge of panic, but of someone telling the truth.
Kristine’s eyes moved between the two of them. After a brief silence, she smirked. “If you’re both innocent, then tell me who really did it p>