?Chapter 387:


    Katelyn turned to Bartley and tapped the side of her head, deciding to be direct, even if it wasn’t the most polite approach.


    Bartley stared at her for a moment, looking stunned. “What did you just say?” he asked.<fnd7c2> The rightful source is find~novel</fnd7c2>


    Katelyn smiled and repeated her question, making sure he heard her clearly. “I said, what is the matter with you?”


    Elora’s behavior was confusing and, at times, annoying, but Katelyn could see it stemmed from her upbringing. She must have been raised as a spoiled child. Because of this, Katelyn didn’t hold much against Elora. Her frustration, however, was directed at Bartley instead.


    As someone close to Elora, Bartley should have noticed the signs of her emotional and mental distress. But for some reason, he kept doing the things that Elora hated most, almost as if he was provoking her on purpose.


    Without Bartley’s influence, this entire situation might have been avoided.


    Katelyn just wanted to finish her work and return home without any furtherplications. She turned her gaze to Elora and said, “Actually, I failed to point something out earlier. Both of you should consider seeking professional help.”


    Bartley’s expression darkened. “Miss Bailey, what do you mean by that?”


    “Your awful rtionship is your problem. Stop dragging me into it,” Katelyn replied, her patience wearing thin. She lifted her chin slightly and gestured toward the confused Elora. “Go ahead, tell your fiancée and everyone here if anything improper has happened between us. We’re not even friends, but I’ve been unfairly used.”


    By the time she finished speaking, Katelyn struggled to keep her frustration in check. She even began to wonder if something was wrong with her, considering all the chaos she’d been pulled into.


    Bartley straightened up, his eyes shing with a coldness so brief that Katelyn almost missed it. “Miss Bailey, I believe you’re right. I owe you an apology and a clear exnation for any damage done to your reputation.”


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    He cleared his throat and addressed the gathered guests. “I want everyone to understand that nothing improper has urred between Miss Bailey and me. This situation stems entirely from Elora’s imagination. I ask that no one spread false rumors about us, or I will take legal action against anyone who dares to do so.”


    His statement left no room for misunderstanding.


    Elora stepped forward, tears in her eyes, unwilling to let the matter go. “I trust my instincts. You’re only trying to protect her. If there was truly nothing between you two, why would youe to her defense?”


    Katelyn couldn’t understand Elora’s reasoning. What was going through her mind?


    She had been dragged into this situation against her will, and it seemed only logical for Bartley to clear things up. Even so, Elora saw this as proof of some hidden affair. Katelyn felt her patience running thin. She couldn’t deal with Elora’s irrationality and baseless assumptions any longer.


    Turning to leave, Katelyn was stopped by Elora’s sneering voice cutting through the air behind her.


    “Are you leaving because you’re feeling guilty? I’ve seen countless women like you. If you don’t keep your distance from Bartley, you’ll regret it.”


    Her words carried an unmistakable threat, one that Katelyn knew Elora could likely follow through on, given her status.


    That was when Katelyn remembered the assassin who had invaded her room with the intent to harm her.


    A cold shiver ran down her spine as she hardened her expression. She was morefortable dealing with someone like Lise, who at least had the decency to engage in a meaningful conversation. At least Lise wasn’t hiding behind threats.


    Bartley, taken aback by Elora’s tant threat, now looked at her with intense pressure in his eyes. His remaining gentleness toward Elora evaporated.


    “Are you finished yet?” he snapped. “Or are you just eager to be the subject of everyone’s ridicule?”


    Elora opened her mouth to respond, but before she could speak, a cold voice came from behind Katelyn.


    “I was away for only a brief moment, and now you’re openly bullying my girlfriend? What the hell is wrong with you people?”


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