?Chapter 20:


    Katelyn looked at Vincent with a hint of surprise, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity.


    “What revenge?” she asked.


    Vincent responded smoothly, “To get back at the woman who broke up your home.”


    Katelyn’s lips tightened, her gaze steady and undisturbed. Initially, she had been shocked and felt ridiculous about the entire situation, but now she had found her calm.


    “It doesn’t matter anymore. Neil was never truly mine to begin with. I have no ns to act against him. Even as a Bailey, I want nothing to do with him.”


    She reflected on Neil’s betrayal, not just personally, but throughout their rtionship.


    Forgiveness was not an option she entertained.


    Vincent observed her reaction, a mix of surprise and relief coloring his features.


    “I half expected you to be bitter and vengeful towards everyone, given your ordeal,” hemented lightly.


    Katelyn, maintaining herposure, sat upright on the bed, steadying her breathing.


    “I’m stronger than I appear. The anxiety earlier was just a momentary weakness. Soon, I’ll get back to my life, including searching for my biological parents.”


    Vincent nodded appreciatively, impressed by her resilience.


    Addressing the practicalities, Katelyn focused on what was immediately important, brushing aside any negativity.


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    “You’re my business partner now. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need any help,” Vincent said.


    Her face brightened with a faint smile—the first since the upheaval began—bringing a slight glow to her otherwise weary features.


    “Understood,” she replied.


    “I must leave now, but take care and recover soon.”


    With that, he exited, leaving Katelyn to gather her strength and n her next steps.


    Katelyn was left alone in the expansive room, enveloped by a silence so profound it filled the entire space. The quieter the surroundings, the more serene she felt. With a slow closing of her eyes, Katelyn reflected on how much she had transformed after recent events. From that moment forward, she emerged anew, impervious to further disturbances.


    Aimee, unaware of the recent upheaval, only learned of the situation upon seeing the Bailey family’s announcement on social media. She rushed to the hospital to see Katelyn.


    As she approached the bed, Aimee quickened her steps, feeling deep sorrow for the fragile figure before her.


    “Why didn’t you tell me about this? I wouldn’t have known if it weren’t for the Bailey family’s public announcement,” Aimee expressed her concern.


    Katelyn, leaning back against the headboard, responded without surprise.


    “Sharon had already revealed ns to publicly recognize Lise as her true daughter with avish banquet.”


    “What exactly did the announcement say?” Katelyn inquired, coughing slightly.


    Aimee replied, “It was quite harsh. They med you for the years their daughter suffered and… h, h, h.” As Aimee spoke, she retrieved her phone to show Katelyn Sharon’s post.


    She hesitated and suggested, “Maybe it’s best if you don’t read it—it might upset you.”


    Katelyn offered a wry smile, dismissing the concern with a wave of her hand. “It’s fine. Ultimately, I gained much from being raised as part of their family.”


    Reluctantly, Aimee handed over the phone to Katelyn. Sharon’s Twitter update was extensive. Initially, she shared her joy at reconnecting with her biological daughter, Lise. Subsequently, she subtly med Katelyn for hindering their family reunion.


    Ultimately, Sharon aired her grievances about the shock of discovering that the girl she had nurtured for twenty years was not her own, using Katelyn of causing past conflicts between her and her daughter.


    Sharon concluded her post with a firm deration that no one would harm Lise as long as she lived, a clear caution aimed at Katelyn.


    Katelyn skimmed through the announcement and handed the phone back to Aimee.


    Despite the heavy words, Katelyn maintained herposure. Aimee, however, couldn’t contain her frustration and said, “The Bailey family has crossed a line. You’re innocent in this. They lost their daughter, but you’ve also lost the only parents you knew. Had it not been for their mistake, you wouldn’t be in this hospital. What if your real parents have influence? You might have been deprived of a far better life because of the Baileys.”


    Katelyn responded with a resigned chuckle, suggesting, “Perhaps this is just how it was meant to be.”


    Relieved that Sharon had at least rediscovered her daughter, Katelyn was about toment further when a loud bang interrupted her. The door burst open with a startling noise.


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