Chapter 72

At James‘ Place.

Ever since that incident, Kristin has been holed up at home, too scared to step outside.

The online backlash was intense, and Kristin found herself in the eye of the storm once again.

Too terrified to venture out, she chose to remain hidden.

Although Harriet made several attempts to get in touch, Kristin’s fear held her back from agreeing to meet.

“Grabbed a bite yet?” James was back, carrying dinner.

Kristin stepped out of her room, shaking her head.

She was too scared to even look at her phone, let alone leave the house.

She feared that the online mob would corner her at her doorstep like they did six years ago, hurling trash at her, cursing her to drop dead, saying she had it coming.

“Eat something.” James opened up the porridge, urging Kristin to have some.

Kristin sat at the dining table, her hands somewhat numb..

“I’ve squashed the buzz online. It’ll all be forgotten soon,” James tried to reassure Kristin.

She said nothing. Would it blow over that quickly? The internet might forget, but she couldn’t.

“Try to stay indoors for the next few days. Don’t even think about hitting the club. After the chamber of commerce dinner, I’ll take you out to clear your head,” James suggested, knowing that the folks from the Haywood family were on the hunt for a private settlement.

It wasn’t just the Haywood family searching. The Turner family and Fitzgerald family were also on the prowl.

Kristin looked up at James, waiting for some sort of assurance, but James couldn’t give her a straight answer.

“If Adrienne gets tangled up in criminal charges, the Haywood family won’t stand for it. They’ll go to great lengths to find me. After all, she’s your fiancée. They’ll track me down sooner or later,” Kristin was aware that there were no secrets that time did not reveal.

Staying at James‘ home wasn’t a safe haven.

“I’ve got your back, James wanted Kristin to feel secure.

Kristin didn’t push the conversation and just took a deep breath. She didn’t eat much, feeling nauseous, and retreated back to her room, her figure solitary and forlorn.

James often felt the urge to pull her into his arms, but Kristin always seemed aloof.

He was well aware that without breaking off the engagement with the Haywood family, Kristin

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never fully open up to him.

could keep her by his side. He just

Carter not handing over the reins, James

Haywood family had been hounding him, urging him to get

actions had consequences. But James knew they

it was Berg before he even looked.

temples, James answered

bond with Carter, cemented by their

bullied in Crescendo Town. What are you doing about it?” Berg went

one who

is none of my business. But if Adrienne knows, she’s entitled to swing at

silent, just rubbing his temples..

Crescendo Town myself. Adrienne has been bullied

Carter chimed in,

James said with a frown. He couldn’t bring

big

7

don’t you dare touch her.” James said, glancing at the

on a different weight. If Kristin kept this up, it would only work against her.

James

standing at the doorway, obviously

James wanted to explain.

her skirt tightly. “Just go

his chest but still spoke up. “About Adrienne… maybe let her off with a lesson learned and drop the charges. With Berg

Chapter 72

only hurt you.

she took a deep breath, holding back the tears. “I

She wouldn’t cave.

and Garner?” James didn’t want to

mean?” Kristin stepped forward anxiously, fearful of

Garner and Summer’s been ostracized by her classmates, even taking a break

She had known the Haywood family wouldn’t let

if I give in, they won’t stop coming after me!” Kristin yelled uncontrollably.

“Drop the case for now, and I’ll

engagement, right? You won’t!” Kristin pushed James away in desperation, retreating helplessly.

at the Silvergrove Chamber

was trembling

that James won’t call off the

on the engagement, there was no way she picked

not about to be the mistress, giving someone

way.

words. This was one heck of a tangled web. “Calling off an engagement is not as easy as you think. When businesses and

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