Chapter 17 Caroline's Choice 14 min left Caroline shoved Caleb's hand away , her eyes darting between the two men . She took a deep breath and pointed to the door . " Both of you , get the hell out ! " Caleb widened his eyes in disbelief , pointing at himself . " You want me to get out too ? " " Hell yeah , you're first to go ! " Caroline fired back . " We're trending now . No more dealing with your toxic family . And you ? I can't even look at your face ! " " You know what's real in those rumors ! You dragged Michelle into this mess , got her dragged online . Haven't even paid you back for that , and now you're kicking me out ? " Caleb's voice shook . " Since when did you get so cruel ? " " Damn , " Anthony cut in , pure sass . " Still simping for another chick ? If I were Caroline ? Would've kicked your ass to the curb ages ago . " " Shut it ! " Caleb snapped , whirling on Anthony with a glare that could kill . " You show up dressed like that , harassing someone else's wife … Where's your shame ? Get out now ! This is our business , not yours . " " I'll leave , " Anthony said with a taunting smirk , " but take a good 1/7 09:41 Chapter 17 Caroline's Choice 14 min left look at me , Mr. Martin . Nose busted , shirt gone.Ifftthepress outside snaps this , what do you think they'll write ?? " Want to keep your reputation intact ? Thenwalkkauttwithme . Otherwise , I can't promise what headlines I'll feedthem . " Caleb caught on fast . He realized this lunatic was really toowreck his own image just to help Caroline out of this messs . His expression darkened as he turned to Caroline .. " Stothisswass your plan all along ? You even found yourself an accomplice . " " With that , he lunged at Anthony . He meant to grab his collar , but with Anthony half - naked , he settled for throttling his needk and dragging him out . Caroline watched from the window , tense . Only when their cars disappeared down the street did she finally breathe . Yeah , she'd seen Caleb coming . But Anthony ? That came outta nowhere . Of all the people , she never thought her plan would be disrupied by him . Back when they'd crossed paths , she'd thought Anthony was a decent guy . 2/7 09:41 Chapter 17 Caroline's Choice Yet , she never saw this coming . One moment , he was a respectable HR professional . 14 min left Next , he was showing up at her door like some hired gigolo . Silently , she scratched Anthony's company off her list of prospects . Just then , her phone buzzed . A message popped up . It was an e - ticket to the International Game Expo . Another text followed , blunt and commanding : [ This is your last shot . Bail on me again , and don't ever reach out . ] Caroline gripped the phone tightly , her resolve hardening . This time , she wasn't missing it ! *** Anthony slid into his car , pressing a prepped ice pack to the bruise blooming on his forehead . His phone rang , the screen flashing a single letter : [ M.] As he picked up the phone , a soft smile spread across his face . " Michelle , are you feeling better ? " 3/7 09:41 Chapter 17 Caroline's Choice 14 min left Her voice came through , fragile and teary . " I'm okay … I was just worried about you . I'm so sorry . You've always had a spotless rep , and now you're sacrificing so much for me … " " You saved me once , " Anthony said , his tone laced with a near - fanatical devotion . " I told you , anything you ask , I'd do , even if it means dying . But I still don't get it . Why'd you spring this on me today ? " " You know how online they're calling me a mistress ? " Michelle sniffled . " I'm terrified … Caleb hasn't come to see me ; he hasn't even called . He went straight to Caroline … I know I've lost him for good … " Her voice grew more pitiful , tugging at Anthony's heart . " You're alone at the hospital ? Why didn't you ask me to stay with you ? " he asked , his voice full of concern . " We … we're not like that , " she said in a small , sweet voice . " If you're seen with me, it'll mess up your chances with other girls . Plus , we've been planning this for so long , and right now's the make -or - break moment . No one can know we're connected . " " Fine , I'll do whatever you say , " Anthony replied gently . " But can you tell me why I had to show up dressed like that ? What's the next step ? " " I was scared they'd patch things up , so I had to throw you in to 4/7 00-11 Chapter 17 Caroline's Choice 14 min left shake them apart , " Michelle whimpered . " With Caroline pulling all those reporters to her place today , I panicked she'd spin some wild story … I couldn't step in myself , so I needed you to stir the pot … " Anthony replayed the scene in his head . Honestly , he figured if he hadn't shown up , Caroline and Caleb might've already split . But he trusted Michelle had her reasons , so he kept quiet and stayed loyal . " I've got it handled , " he assured her . " To repay what you did for me , I'll get you anything you want . " 444 At the end of the month , the International Game Expo kicked off . Caroline flashed her invite and breezed into the venue . A staffer guided her past the bustling public area to the exclusive VIP zone. " Congrats ! " they said , pinning an elegant nameplate on her . " As a co - creator of Supreme Sword , your game just topped the Most Popular list ! At this expo , you're set to snag more sponsors and get it published by year's end ! " Caroline stood there , stunned . 5/7 09:41 Chapter 17 Caroline's Choice 14 min left Supreme Sword was her brainchild from college , even named after a novel that sparked her imagination . But after tying the knot , she'd poured herself into family life , stepping away from development . She'd barely touched the project since . She never dreamed her name would still be on the credits . Her eyes welled up , emotion catching in her throat . She scanned the crowd , hunting for that familiar face . Just then , some attendees spotted her nameplate and started drifting over , buzzing with excitement . A group of young fans swarmed her , firing off questions . " So many games like this out there . How'd you make it so fresh ? " " The visual effects were mind - blowing ! When I played it in VR , I was completely blown away ! " " Is Chapter Seven based on real stuff ? Spill the tea ! That story hit different ! " But she'd been gone way too long . Hadn't touched the game in years . No clue what to say . 6/7 09:41 Chapter 17 Caroline's Choice She just stood there , floundering . 09 ) 14 min loft The crowd noticed her silence , and their excitement fizzled into disappointment . Then , whispers rippled through . " What's with this producer ? She doesn't seem to know a thing … " Write your comment Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!