Chapter 21
Chapter 21:
Surprise flickered across Justin’s expression, his eyebrows lifting slightly. Though his contact with Kristine had been limited, he clearly remembered how reserved and self-effacing she used to be around Colton. The woman sitting there now carried none of that former meekness.
Could her return to Peudon truly mean that she no longer loved Colton at all? Justin prided himself on sharp reasoning and a strict reliance on facts, yet he still found himself unable to accept that conclusion. After all, Kristine had once loved Colton so completely that she had lost herself in him — walking away should have been impossible for her.
As Colton was ignored once again, his patience finally wore through. He turned toward the exit — not with a storm of anger, but with measured, unhurried steps that somehow felt colder. Stopping at the doorway, he fixed Kristine with a hard stare. “You should understand that if you can’t leave tonight, you’ll be kept here overnight p>
“Where I stay tonight has nothing to do with you,” Kristine snapped back. The words carried a sharp edge of open hostility.
Colton’s hands curled into tight fists. After a brief pause, he spoke again. “Very well. Then you can stay here for the night p>
Dо𝗐𝘯𝗹𝘰𝗮𝗱 𝘗𝘋𝖥𝘴 𝘧𝗿ee 𝗈ո gаl𝘯о𝗏е𝗅𝗌.сo𝗺
With that, he turned and walked out. The force of his departure left a palpable tension in the room, everyone inside acutely aware of his anger.
Trailing a short distance behind, Justin watched Colton’s rigid silhouette fade from sight before turning back to the small room, where Kristine sat without the slightest change in expression. In that instant, acceptance finally settled in. It was Kristine who had decided to walk away.
Quickening his steps, Justin caught up to Colton at the exit. Colton spoke without turning around, his voice glacial. “Handle the remaining paperwork for her. If anything truly happens, I’ll cover her expenses p>
For a brief moment, Justin did not know how to respond.
Once Colton’s car pulled away, Justin returned to the station and approached the front desk. “Hello. I’m here to post bail for Kristine Green p>
The officer on duty happened to be an old acquaintance, and he laughed at that. “She was already released not long ago. Didn’t you pass her on your way in p>
Shock flickered across Justin’s face. He rushed toward the entrance and immediately noticed a man nearby holding the door open for Kristine with polite restraint. Refined features and a gentle, composed demeanor gave the stranger an air of quiet elegance, and standing beside Kristine, the two looked strangely well-matched.
Was that the man Kristine had chosen over Colton?
Justin chose not to dig any deeper. With Kristine already gone from the station, he saw no reason to linger. He got into his car and drove off without another thought.
After stepping outside and settling into the passenger seat, Kristine turned to Vance behind the wheel and said, “Sorry for troubling you again p>
Starting the engine, Vance answered casually. “There’s no need to be so polite. Where are you planning to stay tonight p>
After a brief pause, Kristine replied, “I’ll just book a hotel.” She no longer had any properties in Gridron.