?Chapter 1740


    Carrie 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 forrge events like this, making it hard to enter the campus.


    After security denied Yasmin''s entry, she looked troubled.


    In any other ce, 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 protect me if you''re here, right?"


    Reluctantly, Yasmin agreed, "Alright, I''ll stay here. If you feel unwell, text me right away."


    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 ck 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 ck piano appeared like a monstrous creature, ready to devour her.


    Just then, the sound of high heels approached from behind, stopping at her row.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Carrie kept her eyes down but sensed someone sitting beside her.


    "It''s been a while, Carrie."


    A familiar, sultry voiceced with mockery and teasing sliced through Carrie''s throat like a sharp de, 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 sunsses, Zoe''s vivid red lips curled into a smile with a cold sneer. "Well, after all, we used to be ssmates. If you end up marrying my brother, I''ll be your sister-inw. 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 onlyplicate things for Yasmin, and Carrie did not want to embarrass her.


    "What do you want to talk to me about?" Carrie''s voice was barely audible.


    Zoe crossed her legs, her slender fingers lightly tapping on her knee, ying an unseen melody.


    However, to Carrie, it sounded deafening.


    To Carrie, it was like a looming shadow.


    "I want to talk to you about my brother."


    Zoe''s sunsses 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 tant insult, Carrie summoned unprecedented courage. Her eyes were burning red as she stared at Zoe. "I''m not a fool. Please stop calling me that from now on!"