Katelyn nodded in agreement. They briefly discussed some work-related details before Aimee exited the hospital.

Once alone, Katelyn glanced at her watch; it was already 1 a.m. Considering the hour, heading back home seemed impractical, especially since she was concerned about leaving Vincent by himself. Choosing to stay, Katelyn returned to the ward, retrieved an extra hospital blanket from a cupboard, and arranged it on a couch.

Vincent, seeing this, expressed his concern.

“You should head home for a proper rest. You won’t be comfortable here. I’ll have Samuel drive you.”

Katelyn looked back at Vincent, gently saying, “It’s okay. Get some sleep and don’t worry about me.”

It was late at night, and she preferred not to bother Samuel at this hour. Besides, with a place to rest available here, she felt there was no issue.

After ensuring everything was in order, Katelyn grabbed some disposable toiletries and headed to the washroom.

Vincent watched Katelyn leave, his gaze lingering on the makeshift bed she’d set up on the sofa.

Katelyn returned about ten minutes later, checked on Vincent to make sure he was doing okay, and then settled onto the sofa.

She smiled at Vincent, saying warmly, “Goodnight, Mr. Adams.”

With that, Katelyn pulled the blanket over herself and drifted off to sleep. The day’s events had completely worn her out, leaving her too exhausted for further conversation.

Vincent lay quietly, listening to the comforting sound of Katelyn’s steady breathing as she slept. He remained awake, sleep eluding him. Even though he had been unconscious at the time, Vincent could dimly recall the immense effort Katelyn had expended to save him. Vincent’s emotions were in turmoil. Her sincerity toward him was undeniable.

Vincent raised his leg to inspect it. The bandaging was distinctly Katelyn’s work, refined through years of practice. With these thoughts, sleep finally claimed him.

Elsewhere, in an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Granville…

Beneath the faint glow of dim lights, Sophia hobbled in, wincing with each step. Her subordinates, taken aback by her condition, hurried to her aid.

“Boss, what happened to you? How did you get like this?”

Step into fiction with g ? ln σ ν ?s?com

But Sophia pushed them aside, snapping, “Leave me alone!” Her expression was as turbulent as a stormy sky.

She had almost managed to deal with Katelyn today, but instead, Katelyn was saved, leaving Sophia herself wounded. Had it not been for Vincent’s unexpected injury, she might have been captured.

Her subordinates, sensing her mood, kept a wary distance.

Just then, Sophia’s phone rang. She answered, and a cold dread swiftly enveloped her.

“Sophia, I’ve given you too many chances, yet there’s been no progress. What’s your explanation for this?”

Sophia tensed upon hearing the electronic distortion in the familiar voice. She stifled the fear rising within her and replied evenly, “I apologize. Next time, I will make sure she’s eliminated!” The voice on the line was heavily disguised. Though she couldn’t pinpoint the caller’s identity, the fear it inspired in Sophia was undeniable. This was the top leader of their organization. The person sneered, “You’ll receive only half of this month’s antidote. Should there be no improvement next month, only a quarter will be delivered.” With that, the call ended abruptly.

Seated in her chair, Sophia was engulfed by a deep, pervasive cold. With half of the antidote withheld, she would have to endure unbearable pain for the next two weeks, a pain so intense it felt as though her insides were being ripped apart.

.

.

.