?Chapter 23:


    Impatience clouded Aimee’s expression.


    “Check your ount. This money is meant to sever ties. Take it, and stop iming I owe you anything!”


    Sharon felt a surge of anger. How could they equate years of care with money? As she was about to mock them, a notification popped up on Jeff’s phone, indicating a deposit had been made. His expression shifted as he saw the ount bnce.


    He grabbed Sharon’s arm, his face a mix of emotions. “The money’s in,” he announced.


    Sharon and Lise, standing beside him, looked on in shock. Katelyn had indeed transferred a billion dors—a significant sum.


    Lise’s hands balled into fists, her eyes shing with jealousy. “Where did all this moneye from? Did Neil have a hand in it?”


    Sharon, though less shocked now, still looked at Katelyn with disapproval and continued questioning. “Can money really buy everything? How can I ever repay Lise for her childhood and everything she’s been through?”


    Jeff maintained hisposure and shot Sharon a cautionary look. “Enough, let’s leave.”


    Lise, however, wasn’t ready to drop it. “Dad, shouldn’t we find out where this money came from? What if it’s not legal? I’m concerned she might be heading down the wrong path.”


    Jeff’s expression darkened. “Enough,” he snapped. He had known Katelyn well for many years. Despite everything invested in her, perhaps this billion was her way of settling everything.


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    It was now evident that Katelyn was dering a definitive end to their bond.


    Lise bit her lip, realizing she couldn’t change the situation. She could only escort Sharon, who was stillining, out of the room.


    As soon as the door shut, Aimee hurried to the window to let in some fresh air.


    “We need to ventte this room quickly to clear out the negativity. Sharing the same air as them is suffocating.” Aimee was clearly upset. She looked at Katelyn’s pale face, sighed, and expressed her concern. “Katelyn, you’re too generous with them. Why give them so much?”


    Katelyn averted her eyes, her long eyshes veiling a fleeting look of bitterness. “We need to end this charade one way or another. Consider us even now.”


    She had lost all faith in maintaining family bonds. Today’s events had shattered any remaining illusions about Sharon and Jeff.


    After the family of three left the hospital, Sharon grabbed Jeff’s phone and obsessively reread the deposit notification. She murmured in disbelief, “This is actually happening. How did she acquire so much money?”


    Jeff thought for a moment before responding, “I recall Katelyn starting a small business while in school. It was somewhat sessful, but not like this.”


    As they reflected, it dawned on them that they really didn’t understand Katelyn. For the most part, they had merely seen her as a symbol of their sessful parenting. Impatiently, Sharon dismissed the matter. “Forget it. If we can’t figure it out, let it be. This money can stillpensate for our past losses.”


    Lise, trailing behind, listened intently, her hands balled into fists. Seizing the moment, she excused herself and quickly called Neil.


    “Lise? What’s wrong?” Neil’s concerned voice filled her ear.


    Lise measured her words, asking tentatively, “Neil, has the financial division between you and Katelyn been resolved? Did you allocate half of your assets to her?”


    Lise lingered on the thought that Neil was the most likely source of the funds. If it was true, she needed a n to reim those funds. Once married to Neil, his wealth would be hers. She needed to make sure Katelyn got nothing.


    Neil, who was in a meeting, signaled for quiet before stepping into the hallway to respond. “Why do you bring this up? Katelyn left without a single penny.”


    Lise was taken aback. “How is that possible? Could Katelyn really have opted for such an unwise move?” she thought.


    After a moment’s thought, she softened her tone. “Neil, perhaps you should check your financial statements. Katelyn hase into a significant amount of money. How could she, a homemaker, amass such wealth?”


    The implication was clear—Neil had to see her point. What other exnation could there be for Katelyn’s sudden wealth if not theft?


    Neil paused, his expression turning grave. “Alright, I’ll look into it.”


    Three dayster, Katelyn was discharged from the hospital. Aimee handled the formalities early that morning. As they were packing up to leave, an unexpected visitor entered the room.


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