Chapter 1688:


    Vincent stilled for a moment. He caught the meaning behind her words immediately. Something was off about Bernie. Now Vincent found himself wrestling with the same question that had already troubled Katelyn — why was Bernie here when Alfy was still missing?


    Katelyn’s smile remained mischievous.


    Vincent’s expression hardened, and he replied in a cold, clipped tone. “Get lost.”


    Katelyn let her lips form a pout, feigning offense. “You’re such a killjoy, Mr. Adams.”


    She straightened up and began scanning for an opportunity to get the girl away, when something caught her eye. There was something peculiar about the girl’s face.


    Being a master of disguise herself, Katelyn had initially overlooked it — but now a red g rose in her mind. She grabbed the girl’s arm, keeping her tone yful. “I like you. Let’s get out of here.” She began steering the girl toward the restroom.


    The men seated nearby watched in silence, appearing indifferent to Katelyn’s haste.


    Vincent found her behavior slightly strange. Had Katelyn uncovered something significant?


    He remained where he was, allowing her to proceed. He knew better than to interfere and riskplicating matters. When whispers began circting among a few bystanders, a single cold, prating nce from Vincent silenced them instantly.


    Inside the restroom, Katelyn steadied the distressed girl, who leaned against her involuntarily, tears gathering in her eyes from the overwhelming difort. Katelyn conducted a swift, thorough search of the girl, checking for any hidden devices. Upon finding a listening device, she said nothing — she simply pinched the girl’s face gently and began peeling away the disguise.


    Alfy resisted fiercely. “Please, no…”


    Revealing her true appearance could lead to devastating consequences.


    Katelyn curled her lip into a slow, measured smile. “The money’s been paid. You don’t have a choice.”


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    What followed were strained, involuntary groans.


    Katelyn’s fingers tightened on Alfy’s cheek, and the disguise came away.


    The revtion hit her like a blow. The face before her was unmistakably Alfy’s. She had been searching relentlessly, and here Alfy was — rescued almost by chance. Emotion surged through Katelyn, and her eyes filled with tears.


    Fear consumed Alfy. Her difort was written across every feature. Her disguise had slipped. Her thoughts were spiraling beyond her control, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.


    Katelyn located the listening device attached to Alfy. Stepping well out of its range, she flushed the toilet, letting the sound mask her words. She leaned in close and whispered a single word into Alfy’s ear.


    “Alfy.”


    One word. Alfy’s muscles locked. The voice was unmistakably familiar, resonating somewhere deep and certain. It was Katelyn.


    The fear in Alfy’s eyes gave way to shock. She turned toward Katelyn, words forming on her lips — only to be silenced by Katelyn’s finger raised in quiet warning.


    Though Alfy’s thoughts were unraveling and the drug pulled at her body, a thread of rity held. She gave a small nod.


    Joy surged through her, unrestrained. A wave of relief swept over her at the realization that Katelyn was not only alive, but here — here to rescue her.


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