?Chapter 44:


    Katelyn couldn’t bring herself to meet Vincent’s gaze. It was more humiliating than if her blouse had been torn.


    Vincent shared her difort. He hadn’t anticipated that his call would result in such a deep misunderstanding with his mother. More importantly, Cristina had cut him off before he could rify.


    “Well—”


    Both of them spoke at the same time, trying to get a word in.


    After a brief silence, they tried to speak simultaneously again.


    “You go first,” Katelyn said.


    “No, you,” Vincent replied.


    Katelyn took a deep breath, seeming to decide to speak her mind. “Never mind. Let me speak first.”


    Vincent nodded in agreement.


    With a heavy sigh, Katelyn massaged her forehead. “Adams, please make time to clear things up with your mother. This misunderstanding is too profound. I can’t bear it.”


    “Sorry about that,” Vincent replied. “Rest assured, I’ll make sure to exin everything to her.”


    Relieved, Katelyn nodded. “That’s good.”


    Yet, their conversation did little to ease the awkwardness that lingered between them.


    Katelyn bit her lip and inspected her blouse, wondering if she could leave the hospital by covering the tear with her arms. But the rip in her blouse ran too deep, from cor to hem.


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    What made it worse was that a strip of fabric hade awaypletely. So even if she tried to cover it with her arms, it would be noticeable and likely spark conversation.


    Resigned, Katelyn decided to wait for new clothes.


    Silence enveloped the ward, and the tension seemed almost tangible.


    Katelyn didn’t know how long she had waited. Finally, Samuel arrived with the clothes.


    Katelyn immediately turned around.


    Samuel passed therge bag to Vincent. “Adams, here are the clothes,” he said.


    Vincent frowned. “Why are you the one bringing them?” He hadn’t called Samuel earlier.


    Samuel exined, “Mrs. Adams asked me to bring them.” As he spoke, he nced at Katelyn, clearly puzzled. He sensed the odd atmosphere in the ward but couldn’t pinpoint the cause.


    Katelyn twisted the torn fabric of her blouse to cover herself, grabbed the bag, and rushed into the bathroom. Watching her, Samuel asked, “What happened to Miss Bailey? She was expected to visit Vincent here.”


    Samuel was puzzled by her need to change.


    Vincent red at him, his expression filled with warning. “Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t,” he cautioned.


    Samuel silenced himself at once.


    Katelyn quickly changed into the dress Samuel had brought and came out of the bathroom. She stuffed the torn blouse into the bag. Though now more presentable, she still couldn’t face Vincent.


    “Mr. Adams, I need to leave now,” she said quietly.


    After a moment, Vincent responded calmly, “Okay. Be careful out there.”


    Katelyn gave a quick nod, clutched the bag, and walked briskly out of the ward. She hurried as if chased by some unseen force.


    Despite being married to Neil for three years, they had never shared moments like this—Vincent had seen her half-naked. She barely knew him, and now this. Feeling acutely embarrassed, Katelyn exited the room.


    Only Vincent and Samuel remained in the ward. Samuel, watching the way Katelyn had left, was filled with doubts.


    “Mr. Adams, do you find Miss Bailey’s behavior odd today? She seemed rushed and anxious when she left. I’m worried something serious might have urred.”


    Leaning against the head of the bed, Vincent said coldly, “Maybe she was busy.”


    Samuel nodded thoughtfully and nced at him, still unsure.


    After the surgery, the gunshot wound was covered with thick gauze. The first two buttons of his hospital gown were undone, revealing the edge of the gauze.


    Vincent’splexion was still pale, his fine features giving him the appearance of a man from a painting.


    Rubbing his chin, Samuel pondered for a moment before finding the right words. “I don’t know why, but Mr. Adams, you somehow seem fragile now, and it makes me want to protect you.”


    Vincent red at him, snapping, “Shut up!”


    With an embarrassed smile, Samuel quickly changed the subject, reporting on the investigation.


    “The mastermind behind the gunshot is still under investigation. It appears this person is also responsible for the murder of the head of the design department. All vehicles are now equipped with bulletproof designs, each armed with at least ten pistols and three submachine guns.”


    Vincent responded with a cold nod. “You’re fully in charge of those matters.”


    A secondter, his phone rang. When he saw the caller ID, his expression turned icy.


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