Carrie wanted to play it cool and leave on the exact day the contract expired, but Jared unexpectedly approached her again.

Tomorrow was his friend's wedding, and he had the audacity to ask her to dress up and attend with him.

She rejected him outright. "Just take Karin with you. I don’t mind."

He froze for a moment, clearly surprised by her response.

In the past, she would never have given up an opportunity like this to someone else.

Then, realization dawned on him—she was playing hard to get. He smirked. Who knew what kind of trick she was trying to pull this time?

After all, a person’s nature didn’t change overnight, especially not someone like Carrie, who had once been willing to go through fire and water for him.

"You still need to come as my date," he insisted. "We don’t want people gossiping about Karin. It wouldn’t be good for her reputation."

Carrie laughed inwardly. He was really careful when it came to protecting Karin.

She shot back, "Aren’t you planning to marry her anyway? This would be the perfect chance to make an official announcement."

Maybe she could use this as an excuse to leave early, finally escaping this place where she could no longer bear to stay.

Jared’s tone was cold. "Carrie, I need to make sure you don’t harm Karin. That’s the only reason I’m bringing you along. Don’t fool yourself into thinking it’s anything else. Know your place."

Anger flashed through her eyes, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she turned and stormed back to her room.

At the wedding banquet the next day, Jared held her arm for a few minutes before letting go, leaving her to socialize on her own.

While on her way to the restroom, Carrie unintentionally overheard a conversation between Karin and her friends.

"That Carrie is nothing compared to our Karin. It’s disgusting that she’s still clinging to President Dalton!"

"Obviously, Karin is the future mistress of the Dalton family. We should make sure Carrie is humiliated tonight."

"I’ll slip something into her wine later and send her to the old man’s room. Once she’s caught in the act, everyone will see her as a cheater."

"That way, Jared can break up with her cleanly and be with me. I won’t be labeled as a homewrecker, and I’ll finally get rid of this eyesore. It’s the best of both worlds."

"Are you sure President Dalton is okay with this?"

"Don’t worry," Karin sneered. "He can’t wait to make things official with me. If he wasn’t okay with it, he would’ve stopped me by now. He doesn’t love Carrie."

Inside the restroom stall, Carrie clenched her fists.

Now she understood why Jared had insisted on bringing her tonight.

They were willing to ruin her reputation just to clear the path for Karin.

If she were really caught in bed with another man, the stain on her name would never wash away, no matter how much she tried to explain.

But she couldn’t afford to let them succeed. She had to protect herself—she had to protect Art.

When Karin finally came over to toast her, Carrie smiled sweetly, pretending to chat as she subtly switched their glasses.

Later that night, when Karin was taken to the designated room, her so-called "sisters" hurried off to inform Jared, leaving her behind.

She barely had time to process what was happening before her legs gave out, and she collapsed.

Carrie, standing in the shadows, smirked.

She had already switched the drinks.

Now, watching Karin slump onto the bed, Carrie walked over, dragged her closer to the drunk man, and slipped out of the room without looking back.

When Jared and his group burst through the door in a rage, they were met with an unexpected sight—Karin, half-undressed, draped over the man.

“What?!” someone gasped. “Why is Karin here? Where’s Carrie?”

Carrie chuckled from behind them. “Obviously, I’m outside. Unlike Karin, I’m not that desperate.”

Jared shot her a cold glare before striding forward and yanking Karin up. “Karin, what the hell are you doing?”

Snapping back to her senses, Karin’s eyes darted around in panic before she quickly pointed at Carrie. “It was her! Carrie drugged my drink and dragged me here—she wanted to ruin me! Jared, you have to believe me!”

Carrie scoffed. “How convenient. You planned to set me up, and now you’re flipping the blame on me?”

Karin’s friends immediately jumped to her defense.

“I saw Carrie leading Karin away! She was acting suspiciously the whole time.”

“She’s just jealous of how much President Dalton dotes on Karin! She wanted to destroy her reputation. A woman this vicious should be locked up!”

Tears welled up in Karin’s eyes as she clung to Jared’s sleeve. “Jared, if you don’t believe me, search her bag! I’m sure you’ll find proof!”

Without hesitation, Jared snatched Carrie’s bag and rummaged through it—only to pull out a small bag of white powder.

Carrie’s breath caught in her throat. How? She never expected Karin to plant evidence in her belongings so seamlessly.

Jared’s face darkened as he threw the bag at her feet. His voice was ice-cold. “Do you still have an excuse?”

Carrie took a deep breath. “That’s not mine. I have no idea how it got there!”

“If I had really done this, wouldn’t I have destroyed the evidence instead of conveniently leaving it in my bag?”

Jared wasn’t a fool—he should have seen the logic in that.

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."

Jared froze. His grip loosened, veins throbbing in his temple.

Gasping for air, Carrie collapsed to the ground, coughing violently.

She had almost forgotten—it was her birthday today.

She used to celebrate with Art, who always prepared surprises for her. The memories made her smile unconsciously.

Last year, Jared had given her an expensive necklace. She had tossed it into a drawer and left it to gather dust.

Realizing he had nearly strangled the frail woman in front of him, Jared felt a rare pang of fear.

Then, as if shaking off the momentary guilt, he said, "Today is also Karin’s birthday."

Carrie’s expression turned cold. "And what do you want me to do about that?"

"If you apologize to her today, she’ll forgive you right away. She’s in a good mood."

She stared at him as if he were a fool, then turned away.

But in the end, he still dragged her to the hospital.

Karin’s expression darkened at the sight of her before quickly turning into a sickly sweet smile.

"Carrie, you’re not planning to drug me again, are you?"

Jared handed Karin a bouquet, his voice gentle. "Don’t worry, she’s only here to apologize. She won’t hurt you."

Carrie turned her face away, refusing to watch their act.

Jared’s phone rang, and he stepped out to take the call. Before leaving, he warned her, "Be polite. Don’t provoke Karin."

The moment he was gone, Karin dropped the facade. "Carrie, you’re really persistent."

Carrie sighed, waving a hand dismissively. "Relax. I’m leaving in a few days. I have no interest in stealing your man or lying to you."

But Karin only sneered. "Do you think I’m stupid? You just can’t bear to leave Jared—the rich, powerful CEO!"

Carrie didn’t bother answering. To her, Art was a million times better than Jared. She could never love a fickle man like him.

Karin suddenly smirked, her eyes flashing with malice. "I won’t let you take him from me."

Before Carrie could react, Karin yanked the IV needle from her own hand and drove it straight into her own thigh.

Then, as if possessed, she grabbed Carrie’s hand, forcing it onto the needle, and screamed, "Carrie, stop! I won’t fight with you for Jared anymore! Please don’t hurt me!"

Blood spurted from her leg as she stabbed herself repeatedly while gripping Carrie’s hand, making it look like Carrie was attacking her.

Jared stormed back in, his face twisting in horror.

He lunged at Carrie, throwing her aside before cradling Karin in his arms. "Bodyguards! Lock Carrie up! I’ll deal with her later!"

His voice turned ice-cold. "Call the doctor. If she’s not treated immediately, I’ll tear this hospital apart."

Karin whimpered into his chest. "It hurts… it hurts so much… Why are you doing this to me? I just love you—"

Carrie pushed herself up from the ground, her face pale. "She did this to herself! I had nothing to do with it!"

But Jared was beyond reason. Fury contorted his face as he hurled a thermos, scissors, and whatever else he could grab at her.

The sharp edge of something struck her cheek, splitting the skin open. Blood seeped down her shoulder.

Completely shattered, she could only stare at him in disbelief.

Jared’s voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "Carrie, you’ll pay for this."

The bodyguards seized her and dragged her away,. During the struggle, a recorder fell from Carrie.