?Chapter 515:


    Katelyn’s question was simple and direct, her eyes filled with an unshakable resolve. There was a fire in her gaze that showed she wasn’t about to back down.


    Vincent knew that if he nodded now, everything between them would copse. It would mark the end of their bond, erasing even the most precious memories they had shared.


    A flicker of hesitation passed through Vincent’s eyes. He had always been the one in control—calm, collected, no matter the situation. But now, faced with such a blunt question, he found himself at a loss for words. He could feel the pressure to simply nod, to admit the truth. But admitting he had a fiancée? That was a step he wasn’t ready to take.


    Katelyn didn’t blink, her eyes searching for the answer she needed, determined to hear it straight from him.


    Vincent remained frozen. The silence between them grew heavy, thick with tension neither could break.


    Jaxen, sensing the difort, quickly intervened with an awkwardugh. “Hey, this is all just a misunderstanding! Let’s talk about itter, alright? There are too many people around. I’ll exin the whole engagement thing when we have some privacy.”


    Katelyn didn’t even nce at Jaxen. Her eyes were still locked on Vincent. “So, by not answering, are you admitting it?”


    Vincent finally gave a small nod, his expression torn. “This engagement was arranged a long time ago, for business reasons. I’ve been trying to get out of it.”


    Katelyn felt a deep emptiness settle inside her, like she had been struck hard in the chest. It felt as if everything she had quietly hoped for had crumbled, heading in the exact opposite direction. But even now, Katelyn couldn’t pinpoint what she had truly hoped for. A part of her wanted to ask why Vincent had never told her something so important. And judging by Jaxen’s behavior, he had clearly known all along.


    Why had he pushed them together, knowing his friend was already taken?


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    A flood of questions surged in her mind, and Katelyn wanted to demand answers from Vincent right then and there.


    But just as quickly, she stopped herself, the reality sinking in. They were nothing more than boss and employee. She had no right to ask those kinds of questions. Why should she? Whether Vincent had a fiancée or not wasn’t something Katelyn, as an employee, should be concerned with. Still, the thought gnawed at her.


    Vincent, ever observant, didn’t miss the emotions flickering across her face—the frustration, the quiet hurt—and he definitely caught the hint of disappointment in her eyes. Even he, usually calm and in control, felt a pinch of guilt.


    “I’m already looking for a way to call off the engagement. Don’t worry about it,” he said softly.


    Katelyn fought to keep her emotions in check and forced a smile.


    “Why would I be worried?” she said, her voice t. “It’s all good, right? You’ve settled your engagement, and your fiancée is a royal princess. That’s great news. Congrattions, Mr. Adams.”


    Her blunt words cut through the conversation, leaving Vincent speechless for a moment, unsure of what to say next.


    Jaxen, standing nearby, watched the exchange with a knowing look and shook his head slightly. He had warned Vincent that this engagement would only cause trouble. If Vincent had never allowed himself to care about anyone else, maybe he could’ve gone through with it. But now, with Katelyn in his heart, how could he marry someone else?


    Still, Jaxen tried to help.


    “Miss Bailey, don’t get the wrong idea,” Jaxen said, his voice gentle. “Vincent just needs a little more time. He’s going to end the engagement. They haven’t seen each other in years.”


    Katelyn found it ridiculous. Her tone was calm, but her words were sharp. “I already told you, this engagement has nothing to do with me. There’s no need for me to overthink it.”


    She gave a quick smile. “I just remembered I’ve got some things to handle. I’ll head to my room.”<fnb832> The rightful source is f?ndnovel</fnb832>


    Without another word, she turned and made a swift exit toward the elevator, ignoring the tension she left behind.


    Once she was back in her room, with the door safely locked, all the feelings she had bottled up came rushing out, overwhelming her in a wave of confusion and pain. She couldn’t wrap her head around it. Why hadn’t Vincent ever mentioned this to her?


    Whether it was about business or something more personal, she had the right to know. At least then, she could figure out how to navigate her rtionship with him.


    Katelyn wasn’t oblivious. She could sense Vincent’s preference for her, the subtle ways his actions spoke louder than his words ever could.


    Her hand rested against her chest, trying to soothe the sudden ache that throbbed beneath her ribs. If it was all a lie, why did it hurt so much?


    Her phone buzzed with a text notification, pulling her from her thoughts. The message was short, direct: “Leave Yata.”


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