Chapter 7
Rotten eggs and stones rained down on Carissa's head.
She grimaced in pain, shielding her head as she desperately flagged down a taxi.
But just as she grabbed the door handle to get inside, an icy sensation instantly spread all over her body.
Green paint spilled down on her from head to toe. The sharp smell filled her nose as paint slid through her hair, covering her face and even seeping into her mouth.
"You bitch! Homewrecker! How dare you go after my idol and even hire someone to kill Linda? I'm going to beat the crap out of you and rid the world of scum like you!"
Amid all the shoving, Carissa scrambled into the taxi for dear life.
"Oh no, my car! I'm not taking you anywhere. Get out—now!" the driver shouted.
He frowned deeply, heartbroken at the paint all over his seat.
Carissa couldn't risk going back to that pack of wild animals. Without hesitation, she tore off her gold necklace and offered it to the driver.
"Please, sir, just get me out of here!" Carissa pleaded desperately.
"Alright, it's a deal," the driver said at once, snatching up the necklace.
He then thoughtfully handed Carissa a pack of tissues.
Carissa wiped her face messily, then pulled out her phone and called Kelvin.
Once, twice, three times... She called ten times in a row, but no one picked up.
She texted: [Kelvin, I just got attacked by some obsessed stalker fan and barely made it out. I'm heading to that villa you bought out in the suburbs. Please, bring me the keys as soon as you can.]
But Carissa waited at the villa entrance for over five hours. The moon had long since risen, but Kelvin was still nowhere to be seen, and he hadn't replied to her message either.
She was completely soaked, and the cold night wind cut right through her, making her shiver nonstop.
Sniffling, Carissa stood up, hugged her coat tighter around her, and walked off into the night—her heart sinking with loneliness.
Carissa ended up staying at a small inn that didn't ask for any registration.
It wasn't until she stood under the shower, letting the hot water pour over her, that she finally felt like she was alive again.
Staring at clumps of hair scattered on the tiles and her skin scrubbed red, Carissa felt emotions swirling inside her. 'I can't even tell what I'm feeling right now,' she thought.
It wasn't her first time dealing with crazy fans taking revenge on her.
But back then, no matter how busy or far away he was, Kelvin would drop everything just to stand by her and shield her from harm.
He'd never let her face the world alone, with no one to rely on.
It was past two in the morning when Carissa finally got a reply from Kelvin.
He said: [Carissa, are you doing fine? We've been stuck in an emergency meeting, and they took our phones away. Just got some time now.]
[Don't go to the villa out in the suburbs. Those crazy fans could totally find you there, and then it'd be impossible to clear things up. Better lay low at a friend's place for now—once this whole mess blows over, I'll come get you.]
'Liar!' Carissa fumed in disbelief.
Just ten minutes ago, Carissa had scrolled past Linda's secret X account.
Linda snapped a selfie in front of the mirror, her face hidden. Her gorgeous figure was marked all over with the aftermath of passion—love bites everywhere.
In the corner of the shot was the unmistakable silhouette of a man Carissa knew better than anyone.
Linda had posted: [I said I was scared, and you spent the whole night comforting me. It's so sweet to be the girl you love.]
Carissa was so fed up with all the disappointment and lies that she finally felt ready to give it up for good.
Surprisingly, she just felt numb inside.
She even hit like on Linda's post and left a comment: "Hope you two make it to forever."
She slept straight through until the next afternoon.
Carissa checked her phone and saw Kelvin's official PR post on X.
He said: [My former assistant has resigned and sincerely regrets her actions. Hope everyone can give her a second chance and stop harassing her. Otherwise, we'll take legal action.]
The confession letter, written to mimic Carissa's handwriting, turned her into some pathetic lovesick fangirl who just couldn't let go of her crush.
Linda also posted: [As a fellow woman, I can understand where she's coming from. Her actions were a bit over the top, but thankfully, she didn't actually hurt me. She's already apologized, and I've chosen to forgive her. Let's just put this all behind us.]
Worried their fans still weren't convinced, their official couple account posted a new video.
Kelvin was dressed in a sleek black designer suit, and Linda wore a flowing white mermaid gown. Hand in hand, they ran along the beach together.
The whole scene looked so much like a wedding shoot, and it instantly stole everyone's attention.
The move worked—people online started hating on Carissa less and less.
For the next couple of days, Carissa didn't have to clock in or tag along with Kelvin to attend his events. She was totally relaxed and finally felt carefree.
She slept in until she naturally woke up, ordered all her favorite takeout, binged dramas, played games—just enjoying a chill, comfy life.
But on the third day, Kelvin finally called.
"Carissa, how are you holding up at your friend's place?" Kelvin asked.
Carissa had already told Kelvin she didn't have any friends in Odonset City.
But it didn't matter anymore.
"Yes, what do you want?" Carissa asked, her tone flat and distant.
Her cold tone made Kelvin feel guilty, so he softened his voice and tried to coax her.
"Carissa, please don't be mad. Things just got really crazy, and that was the only way to get the netizens to chill out," Kelvin said gently.
"Honestly, being my assistant is such a grind—I hate seeing you wear yourself out running around for me. This was finally a chance for you to get rid of all those exhausting chores. But hey, you're still my girlfriend, and I've got more than enough money to keep you happy for the rest of your life...
"Now that everything's settled down, come home tonight, alright? I'll cook up a spread of all the things you love to eat."
Carissa nodded. "Okay."
She only had four days left before she was leaving for good, so she figured she might as well wipe away every trace she'd ever left in this place.
When Carissa got home, Kelvin had already whipped up a feast—four dishes and two soups. On another table, there was a mountain of gifts waiting for her.