Chapter 289
Chapter 289:
“I’m fine,” she murmured, her head lowered and lashes fluttering. “Brendan had no idea we’d brought Nathan in, so there’s no way he set this up. Other than Brendan, there’s only one person determined to see me lose this case. And that’s Colton p>
Just speaking his name seemed to ease some of Kristine’s burden, though a faint sadness clouded her eyes. She was certain Colton had never truly loved her — but having an ex who would corner her so ruthlessly was something she had never experienced before. Her own judgment when it came to men had clearly failed her.
“Don’t dwell on it, Kristine,” Asher said, his expression troubled. “There’s still a chance Colton wasn’t behind this p>
Kristine gave a tiny shake of her head. Aside from Colton, no other name came to mind.
Tripp hadn’t fully grasped everything, but had caught enough to feel a deep sympathy for Kristine. Suddenly, a memory clicked, and he jumped to his feet. “Wait — I just remembered something p>
Both Kristine and Asher turned toward him at once.
“What is it?” they asked.
𝘈𝘥𝘥𝘪𝖼𝘵𝘪𝗏e 𝗇𝗈𝗏e𝗹𝗌 𝗈n ѕ.𝘤o𝘮
“When I arrived to pick up Mr. Cole,” Tripp explained, “the door was opened by a guy in a blue sweater. At first I thought he was the butler, but it didn’t make sense. No butler would wear something that hideous. It was clearly hand-knitted — messy, uneven stitches. Definitely made by someone new to knitting p>
The rest of his words faded into the background. Kristine’s mind went blank.
Asher was the first to notice that she had gone pale. He lifted a hand, signaling Tripp to stop. “Kristine, are you alright p>
Her body tensed as she snapped out of her daze, her complexion still ghostly. Without answering, she reached for her phone. Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through her photos, moving almost mechanically.
The three men watched her in silent concern, exchanging uneasy glances.
“Kristine,” Asher tried again, his voice gentle.
But she seemed unreachable, lost somewhere inside her own thoughts.
At last, Kristine turned to Tripp and held out her phone. “Is this the sweater you saw?” A glimmer of hope, tinged with dread, flashed in her eyes.
Tripp froze, exchanging a quick look with Asher before studying the photo. His expression changed instantly. “That’s the one. That’s exactly what the man was wearing p>
Any remaining hope Kristine had vanished in an instant.
She squeezed her eyes shut. “Excuse me. I need to be alone for a bit.” Without waiting for a reply, she walked quickly out to the backyard.
Nathan and Tripp traded bewildered looks, unsure what to make of it. Only Asher watched her go — then quietly maneuvered his wheelchair after her, a tissue in hand.
“If you need to cry, don’t hold back,” he murmured, offering it to her.
Tears still rimmed her eyes as Kristine turned, accepted the tissue, and whispered her thanks before letting her gaze drift up to the wide, cloudless sky.
“I just never thought Colton would go this far to keep me from winning,” she said quietly.
Asher’s brows knit together. “That sweater p>