But the accusations kept piling on.
“Liars never admit their crimes!”
“Everyone knows you’re afraid Karin will replace you as Mrs. Dalton! That’s why you drugged her!”
Carrie met Jared’s gaze, her voice steady. “There are security cameras here. Just check the footage, and you’ll know exactly who’s lying.”
She wasn’t going to let them smear her name so easily.
Panic flashed across Karin’s face before she suddenly let out a pained cry, tumbling off the bed.
“Jared… my stomach… it hurts so much… Am I going to die?”
Jared’s expression twisted with worry. Without hesitation, he scooped her up in his arms.
“Don’t be afraid, Karin. I’ll take you to the hospital right now.”
Carrie stepped in front of him. “Not so fast. Clear my name first—I won’t stand by while everyone accuses me of something I didn’t do.”
Karin whimpered in his arms, her body trembling in exaggerated agony.
Jared’s patience snapped. “Carrie, how could you be so heartless?!”
“She’s in pain, and instead of letting her get medical help, you want her to stay and argue? What do you want—to watch her die?”
Carrie opened her mouth to refute, but before she could, Jared shoved her aside, sending her crashing into the wall.
“Karin has always been kind,” he said, his voice laced with disappointment. “I never thought you could be this cruel. I gave you a chance, to be honest, but you let me down, Carrie.”
With that, he carried Karin away, leaving Carrie standing alone—left to face the scorn and judgment of everyone around her.
If only he had bothered to check the security footage, the truth would have been clear.
But instead, he chose to believe Karin blindly.
Carrie let out a bitter laugh before quietly walking out of the venue.
The drugging incident ended inconclusively, yet Jared still forced Carrie to apologize to Karin at the hospital.
"I did nothing wrong. She’s the one who should apologize. Jared, you’re blaming the wrong person."
Jared’s expression darkened as he grabbed her chin with a fierce grip. "Carrie, I’ve tolerated you time and time again. Do you really think you hold any weight in my eyes?"
"You’re just a substitute for Karin. She’s only asking for a simple apology—you should be grateful and beg for her forgiveness."
Carrie struggled against his grasp, her voice strained. "Admit to something I didn’t do? Never."
Just then, a phone notification broke the tense silence:
"Happy 25th birthday to Miss Carrie."