Chapter 222
Chapter 222:
“I understand,” Ryan said.
His attention drifted to the delicate flower stitched along the cuff of her blazer. Earlier, she had been wearing a different jacket, and the design on its sleeve had not been the same. From the corner of her eye, Kristine studied Ryan’s expression, and when she saw no trace of doubt on his face, a quiet breath escaped her in relief.
At the time, the instant she heard Helen’s voice outside the office door, everything had become clear. It had been a deliberate move by Helen, meant to drive a wedge between her and Vance. Once she accepted that truth, emotions had surged within her in a tangled rush, leaving her unable to sort through what she was feeling.
“You really don’t want Vance catching us together,” Colton had said suddenly, his voice breaking into her thoughts.
Looking up, she had noticed a pill in Colton’s palm. “Take this,” he instructed.
Kristine’s pupils tightened as recognition set in. Colton was always cautious at events — knowing that even a brief lapse could leave him vulnerable, he carried antidotes with him at all times. She had seen that same pill before, tucked neatly inside his medicine case. Back then, curiosity had driven her to ask what it was for, unaware of its purpose. The memory still lingered: the panic that had crossed his face, the way his ears had turned red. It had been one of the rare moments he dropped his defenses and let her glimpse the person beneath his composure.
After she swallowed the pill, the burning sensation gradually subsided, and the heat coursing through her body finally began to fade. Because the office was on the first floor, she slipped out through the window without hesitation. Once outside, she followed Colton’s directions straight to the restroom, where a stall had already been prepared with clothes identical to what she had been wearing. She changed as quickly as she could and hurried back toward the auditorium. Noticing that Vance and the others had not yet returned, she finally allowed herself to breathe.
𝖠𝖽𝖽𝗂𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗌 𝗈𝗇
At the thought of Vance, a trace of unease flickered through Kristine’s eyes.
Without warning, loud applause rippled through the hall. It dawned on her that the anniversary event was drawing to a close — the moment for the president’s address had arrived. She looked toward the stage, yet her attention shifted to the VIP seating area. At some point, Colton had already returned and was seated at the center, his posture perfectly upright. Even among the crowd, his commanding presence stood out unmistakably.
From where she sat, Kristine could not make out his expression. Her gaze dropped to the clothes she had changed into as conflicting emotions stirred quietly within her. Colton had never been obligated to step in, yet he had still given her the antidote and made sure a fresh set of clothes was ready.