?Chapter 348:


    Vincent gave Katelyn a soft smile.<fne449> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find(?)ovel</fne449>


    “Even after hearing about all the brutal things I’ve done, you’re not scared of me? I’m a ruthless killer. I’ve taken the lives of no less than a hundred people over the years.”


    Katelyn slowly shook her head, locking eyes with him resolutely.


    “I believe in you. Even though you’ve taken lives, it must have been the only option. I’m convinced you werepelled to defend yourself. I understand your situation better than anyone. If you hadn’t taken action, you would have been the one lying dead.”


    A faint tremor passed through Vincent’s eyes. No one had ever expressed that understanding to him before.


    She wasn’t horrified. Instead, she empathized with his situation and could see beyond hisposed facade. She recognized the reluctance in each act hemitted. Nobody wanted to have blood on their hands, but circumstances shaped people in ways they couldn’t always control. Katelyn was right. It was kill or be killed for him.


    “I don’t want this life, but I’ve been left with no other choice.”


    Even someone as formidable and influential as Vincent felt powerless at times.


    Katelyn responded almost reflexively, “What’s done is done. Don’t dwell on it. Focus on the here and now. As long as you do what’s right in your heart, that’s enough.”


    After she spoke, she looked into Vincent’s eyes again. He was smiling.


    “I stopped being troubled by these matters a long time ago. And you? You were so frightened that you couldn’t sleep, and yet here you are, offering mefort.”


    Katelyn was momentarily at a loss for words, her mouth slightly agape as she realized the irony.


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    She had sought Vincent for reassurance, yet now she found herselfforting him. It was typical of her character—always ready to offerfort to others, yet often struggling to console herself, ensnared by her own thoughts.


    Vincent didn’t let her wallow in difort. He said casually, “Today’s events are no different. If you hadn’t acted, that scarred man would have killed everyone. I killed to protect myself, and you did it to save others. So, why feel guilty?”


    Vincent’s simple words significantly eased Katelyn’s troubled thoughts.


    She was instantly relieved.


    “I understand now. Thank you for the insight, Mr. Adams.


    I believe I can finally rest well tonight.”


    Katelyn’s voice brightened as she gathered her nket and pillow, ready to head back to her room.


    However, Vincent called out to her just as she was about to leave.


    “Even so, the violent scenes you witnessed today might still disturb your sleep. Why don’t you stay here tonight? If you end up having nightmares, you mighte back here anyway.”


    Katelyn paused, a hint of hesitation in her gaze. She remembered how, after witnessing Marlon’s death, nightmares had gued her for two straight nights. After a moment of thought, she halted her departure.


    “If you don’t mind, I’ll stay here tonight, Mr. Adams.”


    Vincent subtly masked a quick smile, nodding gently. Perhaps it was the rity of her mind or the calming aroma of pine from the bath, but Katelyn soon drifted into a deep sleep, dressed in cartoon pajamas that amusingly mismatched her otherwise refined appearance.


    Vincent stayed seated on the couch, watching over her until he was certain she had fallen into a deep sleep. Then, he quietly approached and carefully tucked her in. His expression softened as he observed Katelyn—a change he himself didn’t fully recognize.


    Exhausted from meetings that had stretched until three in the morning, Vincent was weary. Yet, he knew Katelyn might find it hard to sleep after such a disturbing day, so he stayed awake and waited for her to reach out. His intuition proved correct.


    He quietly admired her peaceful face before retreating back to the couch.


    The paperwork andptop were beside him, but they were just props that night. They were merely excuses to convince Katelyn to use the bed.


    That night, Katelyn slept without interruption. The next morning, she was woken by a knock at the door, still half in a daze as she answered it.


    She was barely awake until a sharp scream snapped her fully to alertness.


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