?Chapter 509:


    Bartley entered the elevator behind Katelyn. As the doors closed, trapping them in the confined space, Katelyn immediately regretted her decision to take the elevator. She should have taken the stairs.


    “Miss Bailey,” Bartley began, his tone smooth yet persistent, “I admit that my approach yesterday may have beencking. You seem to harbor doubts about our arrangement. Allow me to exin further. I believe you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”


    “Shut up,” Katelyn snapped, her bluntness uncharacteristic—except when it came to someone like Bartley. He had been testing her patience since the moment they first met.


    Katelyn focused intently on the elevator’s digital panel, silently willing the floors to pass more quickly. Honestly, sharing even the air with Bartley was more than she could bear, let alone the confined space between them. Her sharp retort briefly threw him off bnce, disrupting his usual polished demeanor. However, he quickly regained hisposure, smiling smoothly and continuing without missing a beat.


    “Miss Bailey, believe me, everything I’m doing serves our mutual interests. Your castle needs my protection, and I require ess to the vast fortune beneath it. Furthermore, partnering with me would allow you to seek permanent residency in Yata, putting all the resources of the Lawrence family at your disposal.” His confidence was palpable. He truly believed his offer was too good for her to resist.<fn52c3> Newest update provided by find~novel</fn52c3>


    He had been eager for another chance to speak with Katelyn since he had withheld these tempting details in their previous discussion. Surely, with such high stakes, she would reconsider.


    Katelyn clenched her fists, barely restraining the urge to strike him. “And so?” she questioned, her voice thick with sarcasm.


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    Bartley arched an eyebrow. “So, choosing me would be the wisest decision you’ll ever make.”


    Katelyn was stunned. Was he serious? She had just met the epitome of arrogance. Initially, she had seen Bartley as nothing more than a profit-driven businessman with no real emotions, but now she saw something far worse—an extreme overconfidence bordering on delusion.


    No, it wasn’t just arrogance. It was sheer shamelessness.


    Katelyn forced a smile, barely masking her disdain.


    “Mr. Lawrence, I don’t think you should waste your time on me.”


    Bartley was taken aback by the sudden shift in the conversation. “Why not?” he asked, his confusion apparent.


    “With the level of confidence and arrogance you disy, perhaps you should consider a presidential run. It might actually impress someone—just not me.”


    Reflecting on her initial judgment, Katelyn realized how profoundly mistaken she had been about Bartley. Truly understanding someone goes beyond first impressions—it requires time and genuine interactions. At that moment, Katelyn wondered how any woman, especially Elora, could genuinely fall for someone as unabashedly shameless as Bartley. Was it possible that he had charmed them with some sort of spell?


    Her sharp words seemed to rattle Bartley, visibly shaking his usual self-assurance. For the first time, he appeared uncertain of himself. He nced at his reflection in the elevator’s mirrored wall, as if seeking confirmation that his meticulously groomed appearance had somehow failed him.


    What was happening here? Usually, a mere raised eyebrow from him would have women fawning over him, yet this was the first time anyone had spoken to him in such a manner.


    Regaining hisposure, he straightened his tie and tried to reim his usual charm. “Miss Bailey, it appears we’ve misunderstood each other. If there’s anything you’re confused about, feel free to ask. I’m happy to clear up any misconceptions.”


    Katelyn, maintaining a polite expression, deliberately turned her head away, choosing not to engage with him further.


    Though Bartley was undeniably attractive, his overt disys of charm were simply too much for her and only served to irritate her. Unable to hold back any longer, she blurted out, “Has none of your girlfriends ever mentioned how utterly ridiculous you are?”


    Every move Bartley made oozed an unexinable confidence. If he could share even a fraction of that confidence with the world, perhaps insecurity would no longer exist.


    Upon hearing her remark, his smile faltered for a moment. “Miss Bailey, regardless of my appearance or my family background, no woman has ever been able to resist my charm.”


    Katelyn, unwavering, responded dryly.


    “That’s only because they see your wealth, not who you truly are. Perhaps you should spend more time looking at yourself in the mirror and less time being conceited—more humble.”


    Bartley experienced an unexpected jolt of difort. He wasn’t used to being rejected or insulted.


    “Miss Bailey, I’m not ready to give up on this. Us being together would be mutually beneficial. It’s really in your best interest as well.”


    Katelyn inhaled deeply and turned to face him once more, determined to squash the false enthusiasm he had. “I’ve been married before,” she stated bluntly.


    Bartley dismissed this with a wave of his hand. “That’s irrelevant to me.”


    Katelyn clenched her jaw. “I have a son from my previous marriage.”


    Bartley responded quickly, undeterred, “He can move to Yata with us. He might even take myst name, but of course, he’ll need to learn to respect his stepfather.”


    Feeling utterly defeated, Katelyn wondered about her peculiar fate. Why did she always seem to attract such ludicrous men?


    Fortunately, the elevator was nearing the ground floor. But suddenly, just as she thought it might end, the cabin shook violently!


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