?Chapter 383:


    Bartley stood before Katelyn, holding a wine ss, his smile both charming and polished as he gazed at her. The admiration in his eyes was unmistakable.


    “Miss Bailey, you look absolutely stunning today.”


    Katelyn took a subtle step back to put some space between them and casually set the cake back on the table.


    “Mr. Lawrence,” she replied, her tone polite yet distant.


    She didn’t have anything against Bartley personally, but she knew that Elora’s constant hostility toward her was, in part, connected to him. Katelyn hade here to do her job, not to get caught up in theirplicated romantic drama.


    Bartley kept his pleasant smile, acting as if her cold demeanor didn’t bother him at all.


    “I sent you an apology card, Miss Bailey. Did you receive it? I deeply regret what happened recently. I should have handled things better with Elora, and it led to her misunderstanding.”


    A sh of coldness appeared in Katelyn’s eyes.


    “Mr. Lawrence, if you understand that I’ve been targeted because of you, then you should keep your distance, especially at a moment like this. I have no interest in another scene like thest one.”


    If Elora truly had issues, Bartley was the catalyst. Katelyn was certain of that. Even though Katelyn was just standing near him, without saying a word, it could be enough to send Elora into a frenzy.


    “I promise, Miss Bailey, nothing like that will happen again.”


    Bartley lowered his gaze, swirling the champagne slowly. His smile took on a different edge.


    “I only want us to be friends, Miss Bailey.”


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    Katelyn frowned as a sense of unease settled over her. Every instinct she had was warning her that this man was dangerous. People like Bartley, who thrived on maniption, were the ones she found most dangerous.


    She kept her voice firm as she said, “There’s no need for us to be friends. Just honor your word, Mr. Lawrence.”


    Without waiting for a reply, she walked away. There were too many guests at the event tonight. If Elora were to hear about this encounter from any of them, it could cause problems for Katelyn all over again. Meanwhile, Vincent continued to interact with guests eager to gain his favor.


    Downstairs, the banquet hall had be almostpletely full. Katelyn decided to head upstairs to the second floor, where a terrace offered a view of the night sky. The stars shone brightly against the backdrop of a full moon.


    She started to feel a bit more at ease, but then an argument reached her ears from around the corner.


    A man’s tense and agitated voice was heard. It sounded almost like a growl. “Just give me a little more time. I’ll pay back every cent I owe, I promise. If you push me too hard, I’ll jump off a building. That won’t help anyone, and nobody will get a penny.”


    The desperation in his voice caught Katelyn’s attention. Another voice answered sharply, “Do you think we’re idiots? You’ve been making the same excuses forever. I don’t care about your promises. I want the money, or I’ll start by cutting off your hand.”


    It sounded like a confrontation between a debtor and a debt collector.


    Katelyn felt no sympathy for gamblers who found themselves in this situation. She was just about to turn away when the debtor pleaded again, “Please, just give me a few more days. I swear to God, I’ll pay you back. My uncle is dying and has promised to leave me his castle in his will. You know there’s a fortune buried beneath it, right?”


    Katelyn froze in her tracks.


    His uncle?


    His uncle’s castle?


    Was he talking about Poulos Castle? Could this man be—


    She moved silently, getting closer to the corner and finding a spot where she could stay out of sight while watching the man kneeling on the ground. His face was an exact match with the photo she had seen, although he now looked worn out, with dark circles shadowing his eyes.


    He had looked quite dashing back in the day, but now, he appeared like a lifeless husk of his former self.


    Katelyn quickly pieced together the reason for his disheveled appearance. He wasn’t just a gambler; he was also battling a drug addiction. With vices like these, even a fortune would be wasted in no time.


    It was no wonder that, despite being the nephew of an Earl, he had been reduced to begging for a few more days to pay his debts.


    The debt collector moved closer, grabbed Dale by the cor, and pressed a knife to his throat.


    “I’m giving you onest chance, you junkie. If you fail to pay me again, your uncle will be receiving your corpse.”


    As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly turned toward where Katelyn was hiding.<fnaa28> The source of th?s content is FindN()vel</fnaa28>


    “Who’s there?” he growled.


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