?Chapter 535:


    Acquaintances


    Katelyn’s heart raced as fear surged through her. Just a few hours earlier, Vincent had barely pulled through surgery, clinging to life by a fragile thread. Now, she couldn’t shake the thought—could his battered body endure any more?


    Without thinking, Katelyn reached for his wrist. His pulse was weak and barely there, sending a wave of dread through her.


    “We need to get him to the hospital! He won’tst much longer like this!” she cried.


    “I’m on it,” Samuel shouted back. He sprinted toward the car, his feet moving as fast as they could carry him.


    Katelyn held Vincent tightly, hoping her embrace could somehow keep him alive. She nced back and forth between his pale face and where Samuel had run to bring the car over, praying Vincent wouldn’t slip away. Then, out of the blue, Neil’sughter sliced through the tense silence like a knife.


    In the midst of everyone’s sorrow, hisughter stood out as particrly jarring and harsh.<fn1c78> For more chapters visit fι?dnοvel</fn1c78>


    “Ha! This is perfect,” he taunted, his voiceced with malice. “Vincent’s death is exactly what I want. Finally, I’ll have someone to join me in hell.”


    Katelyn spun toward Neil, her eyes zing with fury. In that split second, the hatred she held for him surged up, barely restrained.


    If not for Neil, Vincent would be lyingfortably in a hospital bed, resting, recovering as he was supposed to. But now, all of this—all the chaos, all the pain—was on Neil.


    Neil had brought them to this breaking point, and even worse, she had let him live when she could have ended it before it started.


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    “Open your mouth again, and I’ll tear your tongue out myself!” Katelyn barked.


    Her stare locked onto his, unwavering. There was no doubt she meant every word; this wasn’t an empty threat.


    Vincent had given up everything for her—his life, his strength, his very ability to fight back.


    And what had she done for him in return? It was nothingpared to the sacrifices he had made for her. The guilt coiled in her gut, twisting tighter with every thought.


    If Samuel and the others hadn’t stormed in with tear gas at the exact moment they did, Vincent would have been forced to put his life on the line again—to fight, to bleed—all for her.


    Katelyn’s eyes burned with fury, her anger ring like wildfire.


    She imagined tearing Neil apart.


    Even in his chaotic state, Neil could feel the threat radiating from her, making his heart race.


    Samuel quickly pulled the car around, urgency written all over his face.


    Katelyn ignored Neilpletely, focusing instead on Vincent as she carefully helped him into the backseat. Every second mattered; they needed to get to the hospital fast.


    Two major surgeries in one day, plus two rounds of anesthesia—she could only imagine the toll this was taking on Vincent.


    Waiting in the hospital corridor, Katelyn sank onto a bench, her hands cradling her head. The silence amplified her feelings of regret and guilt.


    Out of all the times Vincent had been hurt since they crossed paths, most of them had been her fault.


    He stood tall, a figure of strength, and usually, no one could touch him. Yet he continuously risked everything to keep her safe.


    How could she ever hope to repay such a huge debt? Katelyn’s thoughts were haunted by Sharon’s biting words, each one cutting deeper than thest.


    With a twisted sneer and a finger jabbing toward her, Sharon had oncebeled Katelyn a curse, iming she brought misfortune wherever she went.


    As events unfolded around her, Katelyn couldn’t shake the feeling that those harsh words were bing a reality.


    She released a deep, weary breath, as if the weight of the world pressed down on her, burying her spirit beneath heavyyers of dirt.


    Perhaps it was time to step back from Vincent, whether out of respect for his engagement or the dread of watching him get hurt once more.


    Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the hallway, breaking the heavy silence.


    Two distinct rhythms approached—one light and graceful, hinting at someone with exceptional fighting skills, the other heavier and more forceful.


    Katelyn had honed her ability to identify people by the sounds of their movements.


    Those who trained often mastered the art of quiet movement, controlling their breathing and footsteps like skilled assassins.


    In contrast, the footsteps of another person Katelyn heard now were distinctly ordinary, betraying no hint of stealth.


    When she nced up, surprise lit her face as she spotted two familiar figures approaching in the hospital hallway. Austen held Elora’s hand, and their unexpected presence brought her a measure offort.


    Katelyn took a steadying breath, her heart racing, and asked, with a note of surprise, “What brings you two here?”


    Austen shed a casual smile, replying, “We heard about yourtest incident and thought we’de see how you’re doing.”


    Katelyn nodded, her expression a mix of emotions as her gaze fell on Elora. Disbelief then washed over her.


    “What… what happened to her?” Katelyn asked, her voice barely above a whisper, thick with concern.


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