?Chapter 386:


    Bartley suddenly appeared and blocked Elora’s path. He grabbed her wrist, and his eyes were filled with clear disappointment. “How much longer will you act like this? Do you really want to humiliate yourself in front of everyone here?”


    Katelyn’s frown deepened.


    Everything that was unfolding confirmed her suspicions. Elora seemed to be grappling with some kind of psychological issue, and it was bing evident through her interactions with Bartley. She appeared possessive and domineering. Moreover, her behavior suggested she was capable of violence.


    With Bartley defending Katelyn, Elora’s condition would only worsen. She would lose even more control and grow increasingly hostile toward Katelyn.


    A sudden wave of regret washed over Katelyn. If she had known it woulde to this, she would have never agreed to stay at Bartley’s hotel.


    Tears filled Elora’s eyes as she pointed at herself, her voice trembling with hurt and frustration. “Can’t you see what she did to me? She threw wine all over me. Why are you still defending her in a moment like this? We’re engaged, yet you choose to side with her, a woman you barely know.”


    Elora no longer appeared arrogant andmanding. Instead, she looked hurt and distressed, as though she needed Bartley’sfort and reassurance.


    Bartley noticed the crowd gathering around them. He then took hold of Elora’s arm. “Let’s go somewhere private and sort this out.”


    If people talked about what happened today, both the Lawrence family and the Williams family would face humiliation.


    To his surprise, Elora pulled away from him and pointed at Katelyn once more, her voice sharp with anger. “I want answers here and now. If you have to choose between me and her, who is it going to be?”


    What should have been a corporate banquet had turned into a dramatic soap opera.<fnb7e5> This update is avable on Find1Novel</fnb7e5>


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    The thing that frustrated Katelyn the most was that, somehow, she had be the viin in this spectacle.


    She hadn’t done anything, yet she found herself caught in this tangled web of love and hatred.


    Bartley’sst hint of gentleness vanished as he red directly at Elora. “Are you really going to keep pushing my buttons?”


    Elora’s heart skipped a beat, but her fear quickly turned to defiance. She wiped away her tears and gritted her teeth. “Yes! My family taught me that I am the greatest princess in the world, and I won’t let this woman outshine me. There is only one right answer to my question, and I want it now!” Her pride and arrogance refused to let her back down orpromise in any way.


    However, she failed to realize that Bartley, whose background was just as prestigious as hers, was also a primary heir to a vast family fortune. How could he possibly fit into her vision of a submissive lover, trailing behind her as she wished?


    Everyone around them watched closely, eager to see what Bartley would decide. After all, this was the story of a princess’ love. Only a fool would choose an unknown woman from abroad, with nothing but her looks, over Elora.


    As the crowd expected him to choose Elora without a second thought, Bartley surprised everyone. He stepped back, distancing himself from Elora, and moved to stand beside Katelyn.


    His eyes were cold and piercing as he spoke. “I wanted to end our engagement quietly and protect your reputation, but you chose not to let me.”


    The gentle smile that Bartley always wore was gone, reced by a look of absolute indifference.


    Perhaps this was his true nature. The change made Katelyn see Bartley in a new light—more genuine than before. At least he no longer wore that annoyingly gentle smile of his.


    Those who had been so certain that Bartley would choose Elora now stood in stunned silence at his decision. Had this foreign woman somehow bewitched him? How could he turn away from Princess Elora?


    Bartley’s choice shattered Elora’s heart all over again. The once proud princess now appeared vulnerable and desperate.


    With her makeup smudged and her hair in disarray, Elora reminded Katelyn of Cindere, who would return to her humble self after midnight.


    It seemed even a noble princess could be fragile when it came to love.


    Elora’s sorrow was evident in every expression, and Katelyn couldn’t hold back any longer.


    Katelyn turned to face Bartley directly, her eyes filled withplete disgust. “What on earth is the matter with you?” she asked.


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