?Chapter 29:


    When Jeff and Sharon entered and saw Lise on the verge of tears, their gaze quickly shifted to Katelyn, sitting quietly aside, which sparked immediate fury.


    Despite her polished facade as an elite, Sharon rushed at Katelyn, spitting venom. “Bitch! You’ve ruined Lise’s life, but still dare torment her.”


    The sting of her words hit Katelyn deeply. She had once been cherished as Sharon’s darling, but now scorned, merely due to a DNA report.


    Disenchanted by what she saw as hollow familial ties, Katelyn retorted sarcastically, “Did you actually see me harm her? Why don’t you teach Lise some manners? She’s quite the hypocrite.”


    Lise, hurt, whispered, “Katelyn—”


    Sharon, inmed, jabbed a finger at Katelyn. “Lise is good and kind. Think she’s like you? Warn her again, and I won’t hold back.”


    Vincent, though visibly annoyed, remained silent, observing the confrontation.


    Katelyn’s eyes glinted with icy disdain while Neil, regretting his earlier harshness, remained tight-lipped.


    Sharon, still seething,shed out, “I regret ever raising you, you ingrate! I wish I had never let you survive your childhood.”


    Katelyn clenched her fists, hiding her anger as Lise smirked in victory, reveling in Katelyn’s downfall. Once a beloved member of the Bailey family and Neil’s wife, Katelyn now found herself ostracized, an outcast in her own circles, ording to Lise.


    Vincent then fixed a chilling stare on Sharon and Jeff, asserting his formidable presence. “It appears the Bailey Group is prospering,” he said, his voice light, butced with an unmistakable threat.


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    Sharon, typically domineering, recoiled under his intimidating aura.


    Sensing Vincent’s protection of Katelyn, Lise panicked, fearing the consequences of crossing the powerful Adams Group.


    Reluctantly, Lise pulled at Sharon, clutching her chest. “Mom, I’m feeling unwell. Can we leave?”


    Sharon quickly steadied her daughter, concern etched on her face. “Of course. Let’s get you to a doctor.”


    As they made their way to the exit, Sharon shot a warning nce at Katelyn, her look promising that this wasn’t over. The meal had lost all appeal to Katelyn.


    She took a sip from her goblet, a slight furrow forming between her brows.


    “I have to admit that I have some sympathy for you, Miss Bailey,” Vincent said, pulling her from her distracted state. Their eyes met, and in his gaze, Katelyn found not mockery, butpassion.


    With a wry smile, she faced him earnestly.


    “I apologize for such a scene, Mr. Adams. Also, calling you my new boyfriend was a spur-of-the-moment thing to get back at Neil. I didn’t mean to offend you.”


    She clutched the fabric of her dress, hoping he wouldn’t misunderstand her intent.


    “I know,” Vincent replied, tapping his knee thoughtfully. “Have they always treated you this way?”


    Katelyn shook her head, her emotions surfacing.


    “They were kind to me once, treating me like a princess. Butter… perhaps they felt I usurped the life meant for their biological daughter.”


    She had regained herposure and spoke about her past dispassionately, as if she were merely an observer.


    Vincent studied her intently. “Do you hate them?”


    Caught off guard, Katelyn hesitated, but then shook her head again.


    “I hold no resentment towards them, nor do I believe I’ve wronged them. My birth was not my choice. I’ve repaid them financially, and moving forward, we’ll part ways, as strangers.”


    Vincent’s expression darkened at her words.


    “Given their actions today, they won’t let this go easily. Be careful. And in the future, choose yourpanions more wisely,” he advised, his tone carrying an underlying warning.


    Katelyn forced a smile to mask her bitterness, stating firmly, “I won’t fall in love again. It’s too painful. In the future, I’ll devote myself entirely to my career. You won’t be disappointed in our project, Mr. Adams.”


    Vincent’s eyes gleamed with increased respect as he lifted his ss.


    “I look forward to it,” he said smoothly.


    Katelyn raised her goblet, and they clinked sses.


    “Likewise.”


    Their smiles met in mutual understanding. Unbeknownst to them, a paparazzo lingered nearby.


    Suddenly, a sh went off.


    Crack! Crack! The sound of the camera shutter shattered the calm of the evening.


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