Jaxen tossed another set of documents on Neil.

“Whatever. Everything’s here. Look at it or don’t—it’s your choice.” He then turned to Katelyn and gestured toward the door.

“Katelyn, let’s go.”

Staying there made him sick. Neil’s unwavering devotion to Lise was sickening. Jaxen couldn’t help but think that if Neil died and Lise didn’t follow, it would be the ultimate betrayal of his so-called love. Katelyn cast Neil one final glance, her expression unreadable. Without a word, she left with Jaxen.

About ten minutes later, Katelyn and Jaxen sat in the car.

Jaxen slammed his hand on the steering wheel, his frustration boiling over.

“Damn it! I really thought Neil would lose it this time.” Neil had been angry, yes, but his reaction was nowhere near what Jaxen had expected. Any man would’ve been furious. Why the hell did Neil put up with it? Jaxen shook his head in disbelief.

Katelyn smirked faintly. She opened the glove compartment, pulled out a candy, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth. The sharp sweetness calmed her, dulling the bitterness in her chest.

She finally spoke, her voice cold and indifferent.

“Scum attracts scum. It’s as simple as that. Unfortunately—”

Katelyn took a brief pause, her voice growing colder.

“Neil’s time is limited. He won’t be alive much longer.”

Jaxen was visibly startled. He struggled to comprehend what Katelyn meant.

“Are you saying… Neil is dying?” he asked, straightening up and fixing his gaze on her.

Katelyn confirmed with a nod, “I’ve reviewed his medical files. He’s gravely ill. It won’t be much longer.”

This revelation seemed to clarify Neil’s recent softening toward Lise. Indeed, facing one’s final days might diminish the desire to harbor resentments.

? .

Jaxen, rubbing his head in frustration, blurted out, “Fine, I can wait to see Lise behind bars after Neil passes, but it infuriates me to see them acting so love-struck!”

His recent interactions with Neil had been devoid of personal feelings, but Lise’s fairytale ending? That was more than he could stand. Although Neil was nothing more than a scumbag, seeing them act like the perfect couple made Jaxen feel sick.

At that moment, Jaxen’s attitude shifted. Rather than rushing to imprison Lise, he found himself wanting to witness their relationship crumble.

Katelyn seemed to grasp Jaxen’s thoughts. Despite all the manipulations, Neil still protected Lise. It was exasperating.

Katelyn exhaled, saying, “Don’t worry over it. Wait a week. I’m expecting to see something then.”

She was also observant. Eager to see what developments the next week would bring for Neil. Would he survive or not? They would soon find out.

Jaxen restarted the car, still irked.

“That won’t do. I need to unearth more about them. Unless I tear those two apart, I won’t be satisfied.” If Lise was capable of all her past misdeeds, there was likely more to be discovered. What else might lie hidden?

Katelyn retrieved a piece of candy from the glove compartment and offered it to Jaxen.

“Relax. Don’t blame yourself for their wrongdoings. Eventually, everyone gets what they deserve.”

Time would tell.

Jaxen understood her point. He exhaled deeply, accepted the candy, unwrapped it, and placed it in his mouth. The candy’s sweetness slightly soothed his frustration. He pushed the gas pedal down a little harder and replied, “Okay, I understand.”

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