Chapter 221
Chapter 221:
A chill crept along Helen’s spine. She said nothing — but she knew what she had witnessed. She had watched Kristine follow him inside. Her gaze darted around the room. The office was spacious, with nowhere to conceal a person. Where had Kristine disappeared to?
Vance shifted his attention between Colton and Helen, his expression turning grim. “If Kristine isn’t here, we’ll look elsewhere,” he said firmly, and headed out. Ryan followed close behind.
Helen lingered before leaving.
She could not accept this outcome. Her original plan with the spiked lemonade had failed due to Joselyn’s interference, so she had changed tactics and used the coffee instead. The café belonged to a classmate — tampering with the drink had been effortless. Her brother had handed it directly to Kristine, who would never think to doubt him. Everything had unfolded perfectly. Colton found the note, tracked Kristine down, and brought her here.
Then why…
“Helen p>
Vance’s voice cut in sharply, making her flinch. She looked up to find him standing in the sunlight, his face unreadable, his gaze holding no warmth.
Her pulse skipped. “What is it p>
He glanced toward Ryan, who had paused a short distance ahead. “Keep searching for Kristine. I need a word with my sister p>
Ryan hesitated briefly, then walked off.
Once he was out of sight, Vance spoke. “Explain this p>
𝗕𝖾 pа𝗿t 𝘰𝗳 𝘰𝘂𝗿 со𝘮𝗺𝗎𝗇𝘪𝘁𝘆 𝗼n.сo𝘮
Helen feigned confusion. “Explain what p>
“Enough lies.” Vance turned to face her fully, disappointment darkening his eyes. “You betrayed Kristine. You made her sick. Helen, what were you trying to accomplish p>
She sank her teeth into her lip as tears spilled uncontrollably.
“Fine. You want the truth?” Her voice cracked. “I like Ryan. Ryan likes Kristine. So I wanted her pushed back to Colton. That’s all. Satisfied p>
Vance opened his mouth, but no sound followed. His mind stalled.
Helen drew a slow breath. Speaking it aloud made her feel oddly unburdened.
“It’s either her or me. Choose p>
After making another round of the campus, Ryan still came up empty and couldn’t spot Kristine anywhere. He pulled out his phone and tried calling her again. This time, relief washed over him when the call finally connected.
“Kristine, where are you right now p>
“I’m in the auditorium,” Kristine replied, her tone steady and composed, just as it always was.
The tight knot in Ryan’s chest began to loosen. “I’ll come over,” he said quickly.
“Alright p>
Ending the call, Ryan broke into a jog toward the auditorium, and there he found Kristine seated in her usual place, her attention fixed on the stage. She was fully absorbed in the performance, unaware that several boys nearby kept sneaking glances in her direction. Without hesitation, Ryan walked straight over and took the seat beside her. The moment he sat down, those boys looked away, their expressions caught somewhere between envy and reluctant respect.
“Kristine, where did you go earlier?” Ryan asked, his gaze drifting to what she was wearing.
She had chosen a white blouse and a long pink skirt that day, finished with a matching pink blazer — a combination that gave her an air of elegance that was hard to ignore.
Without turning her head from the stage, Kristine answered, “My stomach wasn’t feeling well, so I went to the restroom p>