Chapter 1694:


    Though she had extended an olive branch to Katelyn early on, the offer had gone unepted. She had initially intended for both Katelyn and Bernie to meet their end here, but Katelyn’s caution had proven too formidable an obstacle. There was nothing Sophia could do about that.


    In truth, eliminating Katelyn had never been her foremost priority. What she had always wanted — above all else — was Bernie’s downfall. Afterpleting her training under her mentor, she had been poisoned by Bernie and controlled through drugs for more years than she cared to count. To call it living in hell would have been an understatement.


    Katelyn was surprised to learn that Sophia genuinely wanted to bring down the T Organization — but even so, she remained wary of her.


    At that moment, Samuel strode in with his men, a silent deration that Vincent nowmanded the entire ind.


    Perceptive as always, Bernie grasped the situation the instant Samuel entered. His options evaporating before him, he turned to Alfy, desperation threading through his trembling voice. “Alfy, you believe in me, right?”


    Fear clouded Alfy’s eyes as she looked at him. She clearly did not want to be anywhere near him. Summoning what little strength she had, she scrambled from the bed and fled into Katelyn’s arms.


    “No,” she said, her voice breaking. “You’re not my uncle.” The horrifying truths she had uncovered had demolished everything she once believed about him. Tears streamed uncontrobly down her cheeks as she clutched Katelyn’s arm. “Katelyn, let’s go. Right now, okay?” Every moment in this suffocating ce felt like an eternity.


    Compassion moved across Katelyn’s face and she nodded. “Okay.”


    She turned to Vincent with quiet certainty. “Vincent, I’ll leave this to you.” Her faith in him was unshakeable.


    Right now, Alfy needed her most — the once-cherished young woman whose entire world had shattered overnight. There was no question that her heart was breaking beneath the weight of betrayal.


    Understanding flickered in Vincent’s eyes. “Go.”


    But fate intervened just as Katelyn began leading Alfy away. Jaxen’s urgent voice crackled through her earpiece. “Katelyn, something’s happened!”


    Her steps faltered mid-stride. After absorbing his message, she whisked Alfy away with renewed purpose.


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    Concern shadowed Vincent’s features, but he recognized that the situation in Butterfly Valley demanded his full attention above all else.


    Four hourster, Katelyn arrived at the vi with Alfy and spotted the woman who had been rescued from the pce sitting quietly in the garden.


    She stopped at the entrance, her feet seemingly anchored to the ground.


    “Katelyn, go,” Alfy whispered from behind her. During their journey, she had learned everything. Though the news had shocked her, she felt genuinely happy for Katelyn — even as her own feelings remained painfully tangled. With those few words, she slipped inside the house.


    The truth about her uncle leading the T Organization was something Alfy would need far more time toe to terms with.


    Katelyn drew a slow breath and walked toward the woman. “Are you my mother?” she asked softly. It took nearly everything she had to speak those words aloud.


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