?Chapter 508:


    A shadow passed over Vincent’s eyes, revealing a glimpse of the darkness within. Jaxen reclined, his lips curving into a knowing smile. “A test to help you face what’s really happening in your mind.”


    Just as he was about to continue, a thought seemed to strike him. His expression changed, now tinged with suspicion. “Is this about your fiancée? Are you avoiding your true feelings because of her?”


    Vincent’s response was a tight-lipped silence, which confirmed Jaxen’s suspicion without a word. That fiancée? Far from what Vincent desired.


    Jaxen quickly interpreted Vincent’s silence as agreement. He reclinedfortably on the sofa, dismissing the matter with a wave of his hand. “Rx, you’re thinking too hard about it. That fiancée of yours doesn’t really matter. She’s just a piece in a business deal between your family and hers. Did anyone ever ask what you truly wanted?”


    Vincent’s face grew increasingly stern, a tempest brewing beneath his outward calm.


    This supposed fiancée had been thrust upon him by his mother. The entire arrangement was designed to extend the family’s global influence. Her family held significant clout, and this alliance would greatly benefit the Adams family.


    It had all happened just as Vincent first took the helm of thepany, a time when he was already overwhelmed with responsibilities. He had neither the time nor the energy to oppose the engagement. So, he agreed to his mother’s ns, too consumed by his duties to resist.


    Marriage had never been in his life ns. He viewed this engagement as a mere business deal—cold, detached, and utterly meaningless.


    Suddenly, and unexpectedly, the image of Katelyn surfaced in his mind.


    Every chapter lives on g a lno vels ;m


    Noticing the change, Jaxen arched an eyebrow. He seemed on the verge of speaking but chose silence. Instead, he patted Vincent on the shoulder, his voice deeper and more reflective. “There are things I can’t make explicit, but I believe you grasp my meaning. Don’t let the right person slip through your fingers.”


    For a moment, Jaxen’s usually easygoing expression softened, a hint of mncholy in his gaze as he looked at the city’s nightscape.


    After all, no one was inherently devoid of emotion.


    Jaxen himself was a man deeply scarred by past hurts. His advice was not just guidance but a caution born from his own harsh lessons—a warning to Vincent to avoid simr regrets.


    “The deepest sorrow,” Jaxen implied, es from chasing something unattainable for too long.”


    “Understood,” Vincent replied, his voice devoid of emotion.


    His gaze drifted out the window, admiring the night sky over Yata. Beneath the cloak of darkness, the city sparkled more vibrantly than in the daylight, its lights twinkling like stars on a terrestrial canvas.


    Meanwhile, Katelyn had enjoyed a peacefully restful night.


    Afterpleting her morning routine, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the room. In such a luxurious hotel, room service was always prompt and wless.


    Katelyn walked to the door and, upon opening it, paused in surprise. The breakfast before her was far more borate than any she had received before.


    “Could this have been mixed up with someone else’s order?” she asked, eyebrow raised.


    She had been staying at the hotel for nearly a month, and while the meals were always excellent, today’s breakfast was unusuallyvish, even by their high standards.


    The server, with a polite smile, replied, “Miss Bailey, this special arrangement was requested by our boss.”


    Bartley?<fnadb3> Find the newest release on find[?]ovel</fnadb3>


    A slight tension appeared on Katelyn’s face as she remembered the business proposal Bartley had presented to her the other day. Irritation flickered in her eyes.


    A small note on thevish breakfast tray caught her attention. “Wishing you a pleasant morning.” It was clear who had sent it.


    Katelyn paused, her expression unreadable. Then, silently, she picked up the note, casually tore it into pieces, and discarded them in the trash.


    Out of sight, out of mind. She knew it was time to find a new ce to stay. The persistent merchants seeking coborations weren’t the only problem; Bartley alone was enough of a reason for her to move.


    Despite her minimal appetite, Katelyn forced herself to eat the breakfast. She had nned a solitary walk forter, but as she approached the elevator, she found Bartley waiting.


    Today, Bartley wore a crisply tailored, vintage-inspired suit that gave him an air of old-world elegance. His attractive features and meticulous style almost convinced one that he belonged to a bygone era. Almost.


    As soon as he saw her, he approached with a warm smile. “Would you like to join me for a walk? Yata boasts some remarkable architecture andndmarks that you probably haven’t seen yet.”


    Katelyn returned the smile, but it was purely out of courtesy. Internally, she was already growing frustrated. “That’s very thoughtful of you, but I’ll explore on my own.”


    Undeterred by her polite refusal, Bartley pressed on. “There are also exceptional local foods that are quite rare. It’s really best to explore these with someone who knows their way around the hidden spots.”


    As he spoke, his smile widened, and he gestured expansively, clearly offering himself as that knowledgeable guide. For a moment, she questioned whether the information Vincent had provided about Bartley was urate.


    Could Bartley, as sincere and charming as he seemed now, really be a professional at getting his way with women? Was he blind to the clear signs of disinterest she was giving?


    “Thanks, but no thanks,” Katelyn replied politely, though her tone betrayed the impatience brewing inside her. As she reached for the elevator button, something unexpected happened.


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