Chapter 201
Chapter 201:
She held his gaze, unflinching and composed.
After a long inhale, Colton let out a bitter, mocking laugh. “Alright then. Are you sure you won’t change your mind p>
“I am,” Kristine replied, her voice steady.
“That’s your decision!” He snapped, his fists tightening until his knuckles turned white. “Don’t even think about running back to me later!” He spun on his heel, slammed his foot against the door, and stormed out.
A furrow creased Kristine’s brow.
Only after the echo of his footsteps faded did she finally look back at the door. It stood half open, letting slivers of hallway light dance across the floor. She waited in the silence, then made her way over and shut it with a sharp bang.
𝖣ow𝗻l𝘰а𝗱 𝘗𝘋𝖥𝘀 frе𝖾 𝗼n
In the next moment, her strength gave out, and she slid to the floor.
Staying here was dangerous. She needed to leave. But escape was nearly impossible — every corner of Gridron was under Colton’s influence.
Just as panic threatened to swallow her whole, her phone buzzed from inside her bag. Asher’s name flashed across the screen, bringing a spark of hope. She picked up right away, clinging to the call as though it were a lifeline.
But the moment she heard Asher’s deep, measured voice, reality came crashing back. Asher had already crossed Colton once because of her. Moreover, she kept her ties with Asher strictly professional — nothing more than a partnership built on mutual benefit and contracts. She had no intention of dragging him into her mess any further.
“Is something wrong?” Asher asked, his tone growing uneasy as the silence on the line stretched.
Kristine quickly covered. “Oh, no, it’s nothing. The signal must have dropped for a second. I didn’t catch what you said. Was there something you needed p>
Relief washed over Asher. He turned his wheelchair toward the window, taking in the lights of Peudon with a faint grin. “I just wanted to see how the watch repair is coming along p>
She let out a sheepish laugh. “I haven’t even started. I’m still trying to teach myself the basics p>
“You mean you really don’t know how to fix a watch?” His eyebrows rose.
That made Kristine pause. “Wait — you thought I was just being modest p>
A helpless smile tugged at Asher’s lips. The truth was, he had genuinely believed she was simply being humble when she mentioned having no experience.
Kristine pressed further. “Hold on. Did you actually tell the client I was already an expert p>
Asher hesitated, then admitted, “I might have let him think that, yes p>
“Then I should send it back before it’s too late. If the client realizes you exaggerated p>
Asher chuckled, gently cutting her off. “Don’t worry about it. Just try your best with the repair. If the watch doesn’t survive, I’ll handle it p>
She blinked, confused. “Why are you so calm about it p>
A quiet confidence colored his reply. “Because I get to make the rules p>
Kristine hesitated, her doubts still visible. “You’re sure this won’t get you in trouble p>