Chapter 238
Chapter 238:
Colton stiffened. A heavy ache settled in his chest, and for a moment he struggled to breathe. He stayed silent for a long time before a laugh finally escaped him — not warm, but the kind that made the air around him feel colder. People in the café instinctively shrank back at the sight of him.
Kristine, however, kept her composure, meeting his gaze with calm indifference.
“Fine. I’ll let you go p>
That response didn’t come as a surprise. Even so, now that she had finally secured the outcome she had worked toward, Kristine found herself feeling empty rather than satisfied. Perhaps it was because Elyse had never faced the consequences she deserved.
“I appreciate it,” Kristine said. “Once I arrive safely, the recordings will be erased p>
Colton met her gaze, his lips twisting into a sardonic smile. “I trust you.” He let the word linger, drawing out its weight.
Without another word, Kristine turned and walked away. She could feel his intense stare on her back, but she never glanced over her shoulder.
Arriving home, Kristine wasted no time. She needed only a single suitcase to hold everything she owned. Once packed, she headed straight for the airport, purchased a ticket, and boarded without difficulty.
As the plane prepared for takeoff, a familiar anxiety crept in — a reminder of the last time she had been stopped just before leaving. This time, nothing interrupted her journey.
Kristine touched down safely in Peudon.
After stepping off the plane, she deleted the recordings and sent Colton a video as proof. The moment he responded with a simple “OK,” she added both him and Elyse to her blocked contacts without hesitation.
𝗗𝗈𝗇’𝘁 𝗆i𝗌𝘴 𝗻e𝘸 𝘳𝘦𝘭еa𝗌𝗲𝘀 о𝗇.со𝘮
A sense of relief washed over her as she tucked her phone back into her bag. But just as she zipped it shut, her eyes caught sight of a red USB drive resting inside — the one that stored years’ worth of messages from Elyse. She had once considered letting Colton see the side of Elyse she had always kept hidden.
She had forgotten all about it.
Kristine decided against giving the USB drive to Colton. If he could overlook Elyse taking people’s lives, then there was nothing he wouldn’t excuse. Without hesitation, she dropped the drive into a nearby trash can and walked out of the airport.
From that moment forward, she would never cross paths with Colton or Elyse again.
As Kristine settled into the car, her phone began to ring. It was Asher.
She picked up. “I’m back in Peudon p>
“I’m already in Gridron p>
They both spoke at once, then fell into silence.
After a brief pause, Kristine asked carefully, “Didn’t you say you’d be coming to Gridron next month p>
Asher’s smile faded. “The project finished earlier than expected p>
“I understand.” A hint of disappointment crept into her voice. “When you get back, dinner’s on me.” Showing him around Gridron no longer felt possible — not in this lifetime.
“Okay p>
Asher waited until Kristine ended the call before lowering his phone. He lifted his gaze to Gridron’s mist-covered night sky, his brows slowly drawing together. He came to the quiet realization that the south was not for him after all.
Once Kristine reached her rental, she cleaned every corner until the place felt orderly again, then worked up the nerve to call Victor.