But then, an idea struck him. Lise had another issue, didn’t she? If Neil was so blindly devoted to Lise, Jaxen knew exactly how to expose her—he would make sure Neil saw the venom beneath her charm.
The thought brought a flicker of satisfaction to Jaxen’s mind. Now, he just had to push harder. He needed more evidence that would hit Lise where it hurt. Only then would justice catch up with her, and his friend’s reputation be restored.
Meanwhile, just outside the ward, Neil’s mood darkened even further. His fists tightened as frustration coursed through him.
Why was it so difficult to get along with Katelyn? Her guard was unrelenting, impenetrable. How could she not be swayed even if she had the chance to possess the Wheeler family’s vast wealth?
No. He couldn’t give up yet. A new plan had to be made.
As Katelyn seethed over Lise’s fate, her phone buzzed again. An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen. She almost ended the call but decided to answer.
“Hello?”
On the other end, a soothing voice came through.
“Miss Bailey, I heard about the events last night. I’m truly sorry.” It was Galen—his voice laced with sincere regret.
Katelyn froze for a moment, her thoughts scattered. It was unexpected for Galen to reach out personally—especially given the vast gulf between their statuses.
Regaining her composure, she quickly straightened up, forming a polite smile.
“There’s no need for apologies, Mr. Haynes. It was just an accident—nothing we could have prevented. It’s a small issue.” She wouldn’t hold Galen responsible, knowing full well that the true instigator was Sophia. Others might be oblivious, but Katelyn wasn’t one of them. She couldn’t bring herself to accuse Galen falsely.
Galen’s smile grew warmer, his voice calm and reassuring.
“As long as you’re okay. Once you recover, let’s find a time to meet again.”
Katelyn didn’t hesitate, her words measured.
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“Of course, Mr. Haynes. Thank you for your concern.”
Galen couldn’t help but admire her poise—a rare quality, unmatched by most.
Their conversation ended politely, but the moment the call disconnected, Galen’s expression hardened. Turning sharply to face Norma, he fixed her with an icy glare.
“She is so broadminded. And now look at this disaster you’ve created. Absolutely disgraceful!” He hadn’t spoken about this to Katelyn yet because, unfortunately, the person at fault was his daughter. If it had been anyone else, he would have been far less forgiving.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he raised his cane and struck Norma sharply.
“Kneel properly!”
Norma flinched but quickly regained her posture, staring at him with pleading eyes.
“Dad, you can’t blame me for this. I was just concerned for her.”
But deep inside, her thoughts seethed with fury.
That scheming little vixen! How had Katelyn managed to manipulate her father so thoroughly?
Galen was not fooled. His voice sharp, he snapped, “Do you think I’m a fool? Don’t pretend you weren’t fully aware of what you were doing!” His anger was palpable, simmering beneath the surface. If Vincent decided to take this further, not even he could shield Norma from the consequences. Despite his reputation, Galen knew his power was limited. In a direct confrontation with Vincent, he had no leverage.
The realization hit him like a cold wave, his disappointment unmistakable. He fixed Norma with a cold stare, his words cutting through the tension.
“Apologize to Katelyn tomorrow!”
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