?Chapter 174:


    After dedicating over a decade to serving Caiden, she was at the brink of iming the family fortune, and errors were not an option now. She was poised to press further, but Caiden abruptly snuffed out his cigarette and stood.


    Katrina watched his retreating figure heading towards the bathroom, her expression hardening into a frosty re.


    What exactly was happening?


    Caiden was unusually aloof, his demeanor casting a shadow over the evening.


    As Katrina pondered his changed attitude, her seldom-used backup phone tucked away in a drawer buzzed urgently. Casting a cautious nce towards the bathroom, she retrieved the phone and stepped out onto the balcony.


    “Mom, why on earth are you calling sote?”


    The first time Katrina had encountered Brylee Harper, Dani’s mother, she had spun a tragic tale of being the sole survivor of her family, desperately seeking refuge. She had implored Brylee to take her in as a maid, iming she had nowhere else to turn.


    That deception had carried on for over a decade.


    Even Caiden didn’t know Katrina’s mother was still alive.


    “Send me some money; I lost again at poker!”


    “Didn’t I just hand you five hundred thousand? Mom, try to keep some for yourself.”


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    “Just do it quickly! And since Joyce is pregnant, take good care of her.”


    Katrina responded with a subdued, “Yeah.”


    “What’s the matter? You seem off. Isn’t it said that you have Caidenpletely captivated? What could possibly be troubling you?”


    Katrina turned to check if anyone was behind her, finding herself alone.


    She whispered, “I’ve noticed something off about Caiden today. Normally, he’s quick to agree with anything I say. But earlier, when I suggested he should pass the fortune to Joyce, he paused—a first. Why have I devoted thest a decade to that old man? Clearly, it’s for the money. Why else would I endure, always smiling and bending over backwards?”


    Katrina gazed into the deepening night sky, her mind racing as a sudden thought struck her.


    With a gasp of realization, she cried out, “Mom, could he possibly know about Brylee’s death…?”


    “Ridiculous!” her mother yelled through the phone, cutting sharply through Katrina’s spiraling thoughts.


    “Brylee took her own life by jumping off that building. We will not discuss this again.”


    Katrina, subdued, nodded her head in agreement.


    “Yes, you’re right. I’m just being foolish.”


    No sooner had she uttered the words than the door behind her emitted a haunting creak. Swiveling abruptly, Katrina’s face hardened. Her re, caught in the ghostly glow of the moonlight, carried a silent threat.


    She ended the call with a snap and called out to the door, “Who’s there?”


    “Who’s out there?” Katrina’s voice was sharp and controlled, slicing through the stillness like a de.


    She didn’t hesitate and moved towards the door quickly.


    Outside, the space waspletely deserted. Not a single soul was in sight.


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