The tension between them was palpable, making her wish for a distraction.
Just then, Alfy’s voice rang out from the hallway.
“Katelyn, how are you? Are you feeling better? Does your head still hurt?” Her voice reached the room ahead of her.
Katelyn felt a wave of relief at the interruption. At least it spared her from enduring the stifling awkwardness any longer.
Moments later, Alfy burst into the room. Without hesitation, she threw herself into Katelyn’s arms.
“I wanted to come yesterday,” Alfy said, guilt shadowing her lively eyes, “but Jaxen had me check something. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it sooner.”
Katelyn’s lips curled into a gentle smile. She tousled Alfy’s hair affectionately.
“I’m fine. What are you worried about? If it were serious, do you think he’d let you stay away?”
Alfy giggled, her tension easing.
“That’s true.”
Despite his unseriousness, Jaxen was dependable when it was most important.
Katelyn’s eyes softened, warmth radiating from her expression.
Noticing Vincent, Alfy straightened and offered a polite wave.
“Hello, Mr. Adams.”
Katelyn arched a brow, half-expecting Vincent to ignore her, but to her surprise, he nodded in acknowledgment.
Unbothered by his reserved demeanor, Alfy slung her backpack off her shoulder and rummaged through it. She pulled out a stack of papers and handed them to Katelyn.
“I found this. You should take a look.”
New content available now at g?lnσνs?c?m
Curious, Katelyn accepted the documents and skimmed through them. The content centered on Zoey.
Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked back at Alfy.
“How did you get this?”
Alfy’s face lit with pride.
“From that live stream investigation you started. I traced the URL.”
Katelyn froze, her pulse quickening. While she admired Alfy’s resourcefulness, the darker side of the internet was not something she wanted Alfy delving into. After all, the content of those live streams was far too vile for Alfy’s eyes.
Her tone turned stern.
“Let me handle this. You don’t need to involve yourself,” she said, her eyes remaining fixed on the documents.
Alfy shook her head without missing a beat.
“No!”
But Katelyn’s frown deepened as she continued reading.
Katelyn cast a sharp, disapproving look at Alfy. It was unusual to see her displaying such a streak of rebellion.
Alfy, seated beside Katelyn, softened her tone, her voice almost pleading.
“I’m not a child anymore. I know all about these things, so you don’t need to worry, okay?”
After all, she was no longer that young. Her delicate features gave her an adorable charm, which often led Katelyn to treat her as though she were still a child. Katelyn fell silent.
Growing uneasy, Alfy turned to Vincent, desperation slipping into her voice.
“Mr. Adams, could you please help to persuade Katelyn?” She wasn’t a princess sheltered in a fairy tale. She could handle herself.
Vincent cleared his throat, his voice cautious.
“Katelyn—”
“You are not allowed to say anything,” Katelyn cut him off.
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.
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