NovelStartCarrie and Yasmin walked to the venue's entrance. However, the student council members and security guards stopped them on
their way.
“Sorry, you can’t enter without a valid student ID.”
Due to the previous incident, the academy had heightened security measures, especially for large events like this, making it hard
to enter the campus.
After security denied Yasmin'’s entry, she looked troubled.
In any other place, she could have easily confronted those blocking her way. However, she could not do that at the academy, as
she did not want to cause trouble for Carrie and make her daily school life ufortable.
“Yasmin, I'll be fine.”
Carrie gently squeezed Yasmin's calloused hand. “If you're still worried about me, you can wait right here. You can rush in to
protectif you're here, right?”
Reluctantly, Yasmin agreed, “Alright, I'll stay here. If you feel unwell, textright away.”
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Carrie nodded obediently and followed the crowd into the hall.
Once the event began, the doors closed.
Feeling timid, Carrie avoided the front seats and found a spot in the back corner.
Upon seeing the black piano on stage, her heart clenched, and her hands trembled.
Memories she had buried—the shadows that haunted her entire student life—started to resurface, lurking in her mind.
As the anniversary event was about to start, the stage lights brightened and the hall lights dimmed.
The surrounding chatter faded away.
Carrie lowered her eyes, hesitant to look at the stage.
The black piano appeared like a monstrous creature, ready to devour her.
Just then, the sound of high heels approached from behind, stopping at her row.
Carrie kept her eyes down but sensed someone sitting beside her.
“It's been a while, Carrie.”
A familiar, sultry voice laced with mockery and teasing sliced through Carrie's throat like a sharp blade, instantly halting her
breathing.
She felt a chill rush through her. Her shoulders trembled with anxiety.
“Knowing my brother has your back, you seemed emboldened.”
Wearing sunglasses, Zoe's vivid red lips curled into a smile with a cold sneer. “Well, after all, we used to be classmates. If you end
up marrying my brother, I'll be your sister-in-law. So, it probably isn’t appropriate for you to ignore me.”
Carrie's breathing hitched as she tightly gripped her phone.
She recalled Yasmin's words but hesitated to text her.
After all, Zoe was Ryan's blood sister, while Yasmin was just his subordinate. What good would it do to text her? It would only
“What do you want to talk toabout?” Carrie's voice was barely audible.
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Zoe crossed her legs, her slender fingers lightly tapping on her knee, playing an unseen melody.
However, to Carrie, it sounded deafening.
To Carrie, it was like a looming shadow.
“| want to talk to you about my brother.”
Zoe's sunglasses concealed the sinister glint in her eyes. “You should know what he’s been up to recently, right? He's been
diligently managing the Hoffman Group. He's only a step away from the CEO position.”
Carrie remained silent.
Of course, she knew. She knew how tirelessly Ryan had worked to achieve his current position.
“Although Grandpa values him, the group poses challenges for him. My second uncle is Grandpa's only remaining son. He's more
experienced and qualified than my brother. Even if my brother takes the CEO position, it's fraught with risks. He would be walking
on thin ice. Well, I'm not even sure if a fool like you can grasp what I'm saying at all.”
“I'm not a fool...”
In the face of Zoe's blatant insult, Carrie summoned unprecedented courage. Her eyes were burning red as she stared at Zoe. “I'm
not a fool. Please stop callingthat from now on!”
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