Chapter 265
Chapter 265:
Since discovering the possibility that Patsy was still alive, Devin had become consumed by the search. Day and night, he chased every clue, refusing to rest until he found her. He had lost her once, and he wasn’t about to make the same mistake again.
Elsewhere, Colton stood inside his hotel suite, gazing through the tall glass windows, waiting for Kristine to arrive.
Morning brought Kristine back to the TV station. She had already secured a lawyer whose skills easily surpassed Brendan’s, but filming took priority today — only after the shoot would she be able to meet with her attorney. With a deep breath, she pushed aside her anxiety and fixed her eyes on the road ahead. Losing to Monica was out of the question, and she refused to let Colton win either.
When Kristine stepped onto the set, Elyse was already there. The moment she spotted Kristine, she welcomed her with a bright smile. Kristine stayed silent. She had no interest in playing along.
Skipping the show entirely, however, would mean facing an enormous breach-of-contract penalty.
From the sidelines, the viewers’ quiet chatter filled the air.
“Isn’t Kristine being a bit too cold toward Elyse? It’s just because she’s with her ex. Does she really need to be so distant p>
“Elyse is too kind p>
“Elyse brought treats for everyone again today. Honestly, if I were Colton, I’d pick her too p>
“Absolutely. Who could resist someone so bright and bubbly p>
Elyse listened to the murmurs, the corners of her lips lifting in a subtle smile. But when she caught Kristine’s reflection in the makeup mirror, her gaze paused. There was no denying it — Kristine’s striking features outshone her own. That comparison had always been a hidden bruise for Elyse.
C𝘩𝗶𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦 n𝘰𝘃𝗲l𝗌 𝘁𝗋aոѕla𝘵𝘦d 𝗼ո
Yet she told herself, what difference did beauty make? In the end, Colton hadn’t chosen Kristine. With that reassurance, her smile returned, shining even brighter.
Kristine, meanwhile, ignored every whispered comment. Seven years in Gridron had taught her a simple rule: don’t let other people’s words drain your spirit — you’re here to live your own life.
Once everyone finished with hair and makeup, the five guests made their way into the studio. Because of Colton’s extra sponsorship, Elyse took the prime spot at the center of the stage. Wilbur sat on one side of her, and Ruth on the other. Kristine found herself placed at the far end.
To keep things spontaneous, Eve had only shared a basic outline of the show — none of the actual questions had been revealed ahead of time. Every round would test the contestants’ knowledge and their ability to think on their feet.
Eve cast an expectant look in Kristine’s direction. The show’s entire appeal hinged on her presence. But as filming got underway, she quickly realized something wasn’t right.
The current segment was a fast-paced buzzer challenge. Contestants had to identify antiques from images flashed on the screen, and the first to answer correctly earned a point. Kristine barely made any effort to hit the buzzer. She didn’t answer a single question.
Eve had no choice but to pause the taping. “Kristine, could I talk to you outside for a moment p>
Kristine followed her out of the studio.