?Chapter 19:


    Lise and Neil were stunned, questioning if they had misheard the shocking revtion.


    Could Lise truly be the Baileys’ daughter? And what about Katelyn?


    Before they could fully process the news, Sharon’s voice, broken by tears, came through the line.


    “Wepleted the paternity test. Lise, you are my biological daughter, not Katelyn. I am so sorry.”


    Lise blinked, her mind reeling.


    The life she had envied in Katelyn, believing it had been stolen from her, was actually hers all along.


    “Is this some cruel joke?” she wondered silently.


    Clutching the phone tighter, her voice shaky, Lise asked, “Sharon, are you sure?”


    Sharon, drying her tears, replied firmly, “Absolutely. Send me your address. I’lle to you with the DNA reports, and you’ll see for yourself.”


    After a brief hesitation, Lise gave her the address.


    Once the call ended, she shared a bewildered look with Neil.


    Confused and overwhelmed, she turned to him. “Am I dreaming? Or did I really just hear that? Am I really the Baileys’ daughter? You were meant to be my husband.”


    With this newfound identity, Lise realized she would no longer face disdain or feel inferior.


    Instead, she could now assert her rightful ce, even over Katelyn if she chose.


    As Lise contemted the likely challenges and scorn Katelyn would face once the truth was revealed, a sense of anticipation stirred within her.


    sping her hand firmly, Neil confirmed earnestly, “Lise, you heard correctly. We are destined to be together. After everything, we find ourselves back where we belong.”


    Neil quickly grasped the situation.


    Over the years, the Wheeler and Bailey families had coborated on numerous projects.


    Although Katelyn and Neil had signed their divorce agreement, the division of their shared business interests remained unresolved. Neil saw no need to dissolve their ongoing coborations at this point.


    Having gained the upper hand in his marriage to Katelyn, he now also had Lise—the woman he cherished—back at his side. A situation he deemed highly favorable.


    Lise, overwhelmed with relief and joy, embraced Neil tightly.


    “Finally, we’ve ovee all the obstacles. Nothing can hold us back now!” she eximed.


    Neil, masking a sly grin, felt a surge of cold anticipation about Katelyn’s fate.


    Meanwhile, at the hospital, after Sharon and Jeff had left, the nurses they hired for Katelyn were dismissed. Now, Katelyn, increasingly vulnerable, was left unaided.


    Just then, she noticed the door opening and saw a figure entering.


    Dressed in a ck suit, Vincent approached, his expression turning concerned as he noticed the blood on the floor and on Katelyn’s gown.


    Quickly, he helped her onto the bed.


    “It’s only been a few days since west saw each other, and you look dreadful now,” he remarked.


    Startled, Katelyn gathered some strength and inquired, “Why are you here?”


    Vincent looked around, fetched a ss of water for her, and responded, “I can’t afford to lose my business partner. I’m still eager to see your uing design work.”


    Katelyn managed a faint smile, realizing Vincent was fully aware of her situation.


    “It seems you know everything,” she acknowledged.


    Vincent, known for his significant influence in the city, pressed to uncover any secret.


    He nced at Katelyn, his expression somber. “Who would have thought such drama could unfold outside of fiction?”


    Katelyn, her voice barely a whisper, agreed, “Indeed.”


    It felt as though fate were mocking her.


    Rather than reaching for the water, she attempted to rise from the bed, her hands pushing down behind her for support.


    Yet her strength failed her. Her hands barely touched the ground before they gave out, and she started to copse.


    Vincent quickly stepped in, catching her in his arms. The close contact brought her face near his, and she caught a hint of his light cologne.


    Their bodies close together, the moment held an unintended intimacy.


    Grasping Vincent’s arms for support, Katelyn tried once more to stand.


    “Thanks,” she murmured, her voice strained, using what little energy she had left.


    “It’s nothing,” Vincent replied dismissively, his attention focused on her condition.


    He noticed the paleness of her face and the blood at the corner of her mouth.


    Katelyn, once vibrant and beautiful like a spring iris, now seemed to be fading rapidly.


    After a thoughtful pause, Vincent’s voice lowered, hinting at deeper currents. “Do you wish to seek revenge?” he asked.


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