?Chapter 504:


    Katelyn remained deeply troubled by the urgent issues surrounding the castle. Throughout the day, she had faced every conceivable tactic—enticing offers of wealth and even outright threats. It was clear that the allure of the castle and its hidden treasure was too great for most to resist.


    However, Katelyn soon realized that she needed to act swiftly; staying in Yata was no longer an option. Her best course of action seemed to be wrapping up her dealings here and returning home to Granville, where she doubted they would pursue her further.


    As she considered this, her phone suddenly vibrated on the side table, slicing through her thoughts with its unexpected ring. The number was unfamiliar, with no caller ID or notes attached.


    She hesitated before epting the call.


    The voice that greeted her was unmistakable. “Miss Bailey, this is Austen. I’m afraid I need to ask you a favor.”


    “What is it?” Katelyn replied, her tone guarded yet direct.


    “I have a friend in a dangerous situation right now,” Austen exined, his voice even and serious. “She needs a safe ce to stay, and I was hoping you could help.”


    Katelyn paused, her mind racing as she pieced together what Austen’s request implied. Austen was well aware of Katelyn’s strained past with Elora, yet he was reaching out, a sign of his desperation.


    With the news of the Earl’s funeral now public, Austen had be a focal point in high society, closely watched by many. It was only a matter of time before Breck would hear of him taking Elora from the hospital and take action. Austen knew it would be too risky and too conspicuous to keep Elora close, despite his desire to protect her.


    A flicker of unease crossed Katelyn’s face as her expression darkened. She understood immediately who Austen was referring to, without needing him to exin further.


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    “Are you suggesting I take in Elora?” she asked.


    A bitterugh escaped Austen as he nced toward Elora, who was sleeping soundly beside him. “Miss Bailey, your quick understanding never fails.”


    Katelyn responded swiftly and decisively, “Absolutely not.”


    Her rejection was firm and icy. She had suspected that Elora might be dealing with mental health issues. Moreover, their longstanding grudge ran too deep. Elora med Katelyn for all her sufferings, seeing her as the root of every problem. Katelyn, already overwhelmed by a multitude of tedious obligations, refused to take on yet another burden.


    Austen sensed her hesitancy, and his tone grew more urgent. “Miss Bailey, I understand your concerns. However, Elora is no longer the Williams family heiress she once was. She’s lost her title, her inheritance rights, everything. Breck is actively hunting her down. I’m afraid she would only be safe with you.”


    His words lingered as he clutched the phone tightly, waiting for her response.


    He had braced himself for her refusal, but the swiftness and coldness of her rejection still caught him off guard.


    “I’m sorry, but I can’t assist you with this,” Katelyn replied, her voice as cold as the winter wind.


    Austen tried to continue, but Katelyn ended the call with a definitive click.<fn4dd6> Content originallyes from Find~Novel</fn4dd6>


    She leaned back against the sofa, massaging her temples, overwhelmed by a wave of exhaustion.


    It was all bing too much. Austen had tried to take her life twice, and Elora had done nothing but scorn and belittle her at every turn. She had forgiven them for Earl Poulos’ sake, but she hadn’t forgotten—far from it.


    What was Austen thinking, even imagining for a moment that she would wee Elora? Needing to clear her mind, Katelyn decided to take a break. She picked up a towel, preparing for a much-needed shower, but her phone rang again before she could make it to the bathroom. This time, the caller was Neil, not Austen.


    When Katelyn answered the phone, his voice was venomous, dark—as though a demon were speaking. “Katelyn, do you realize the extent of what you’ve done to me? I’m now crippled, broken, utterly useless—and it’s all because of you!”


    Katelyn held the phone away from her ear, scowling as though she could feel the bitterness in his words. Her reply was sharp and unsympathetic. “You have only yourself to me. This is karma.”


    Neil had doomed himself by choosing to confront her. Had it not been for the knife he had hurled at her, she would never have fired her gun.


    He had left her with no other option. His voice surged with fury. “Katelyn, our conflict is far from over. This is just the beginning,” he hissed. “No matter how long it takes, I will have my revenge. Prepare yourself for the consequences.”


    “I’ll be waiting,” Katelyn replied calmly, unbothered by his threats. Without a second thought, she ended the call and blocked his number.


    Her decision not to kill him was, in itself, an act of mercy. But for Neil, a man who had always been revered, bing a cripple was a fate worse than death. His downfall only affirmed the adage, “Those who seek disaster will find it.”


    After tossing her phone onto the sofa, Katelyn picked up her towel again. Just as she was about to head for a shower, a sudden knock at the door interrupted her.


    She frowned, peered through the peephole, and upon recognizing the visitor, opened the door without hesitation.


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