?Chapter 514:


    Katelyn had little regard for Annie, especially after her sudden appearance. Having already dealt with Elora, Katelyn had be painfully aware of the true nature of these so-called nobles.


    They elevated themselves, expecting respect as if it were owed to them, and any perceived slight would likely be met with swift retribution. However, Katelyn was resolute in not entertaining such notions.


    Annie, her voice dripping with bitterness, said, “I will never apologize. If you dare toy a hand on me, you’ll feel the fury of the—”


    Before she could finish, a sharp scream tore from her lips, apanied by the sickening crunch of breaking bones. The sound sent shivers through everyone nearby.


    Jaxen couldn’t help but click his tongue in disbelief.


    What was this? A ssic case of karma?


    Vincent remained stoic, his expression unchanged. Only Bartley appeared truly shocked, unable toprehend what was unfolding before him.


    Vincent was engaged to a member of the royal family? And Katelyn had dared to touch Annie—was she not concerned about the consequences?


    Bartley’s thoughts raced. He would have felt confident helping Katelyn in dealing with ruthless businessmen, but offending the royal family was a different matter entirely.


    From that moment on, Bartley knew he had to distance himself from her, or the Lawrence family would also bear the consequences.


    To outsiders, it might not have been obvious, but Bartley understood that crossing a royal like Annie, with her backing from the royal family, was a grave mistake. Her power in Yata was immense.


    Yet, Katelyn remained unfazed by Annie’s screams or the agony on her contorted face. She simply brushed Annie’s hand aside with disdain, as though it were nothing more than an insignificant object.


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    “Consider this a lesson,” Katelyn said coolly. “Next time, it won’t be as simple as a broken hand.”


    Annie was on the brink of unconsciousness, her teeth clenched tightly as sweat dripped down her forehead. “You vile woman, just wait! I will make you pay dearly for this!”


    “Bring it on,” Katelyn snapped with a sneer. “I hope you learn your lesson. You can’t push everyone around.”


    “You!” Annie nearly copsed in rage at Katelyn’s words. She had never encountered anyone as bold and fearless as Katelyn, who dared to challenge a member of the royal family. To Annie, such defiance felt like ying with fire. “You’ll regret this. You won’t get away with it,” she hissed, her eyes burning with malice, as if she wished to devour Katelyn on the spot.


    Filled with bitterness, Annie turned her gaze toward Vincent, who had remained silent throughout the exchange. “Mr. Adams, are you just going to stand there and let her harass me? My cousin has been expecting you at home. Aren’t you worried about breaking her heart?”


    Vincent’s face remained impassive as he spoke the three words that made Annie seethe with anger. “You deserve it.” It was clear to him that Annie’s current predicament was entirely of her own making. As for the engagement, he had never taken it seriously.


    When Vincent had first taken charge of Adams Group, thepany was in turmoil. Internal conflicts were rampant, and numerouspetitors were ready to strike. During those difficult times, Vincent’s mother had suggested the engagement to Annie’s cousin, a royal princess, to help expand into international markets.<fn7eb2> The rightful source is findnovel</fn7eb2>


    But the engagement had failed to provide any substantial growth for his business.


    Moreover, with the decline of the nobility’s influence, Vincent had considered pulling out of the international market and starting a new venture, which eventually led to his investments in jewelry and other sectors. He found Annie’s maniptive tactics repulsive.


    Annie, her voice dripping with venom, hissed, “Just wait. You’ll feel the full force of my wrath.”


    With that, she stormed off, determined to get to a hospital to treat her injured hand.


    Katelyn watched Annie’s swift departure with cold eyes, her thoughts turning inward. More troubling than Annie’s threats was the fact that Vincent hadn’t denied the engagement, confirming that he was indeed betrothed to Annie’s cousin.


    Vincent had always had a fiancée, and Katelyn hadn’t known until now. She felt a mixture of confusion and disillusionment.


    Katelyn had been oblivious to this. What did this mean for their previous interactions that had almost seemed intimate?


    Had Vincent been ying both sides, or had he only been interested in her for her business acumen, using her for his own goals?


    These thoughts painted a version of Vincent that sharply contrasted with the man she had thought she knew. Once she gathered her thoughts, Katelyn turned to him and asked directly, “Have you really had a fiancée all this time?”


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