Terror consumed Kassandra’s gaze, her once unshakable demeanor disintegrating in an instant, as if her very essence had been shattered.

Without warning, Katelyn seized her arm with a force that starkly contrasted her composed exterior.

They stood on the yacht’s deck, the vast, ominous depths of the ocean stretching beneath them. The dark waters seemed to threaten to swallow everything in their path.

The mere thought of being pushed over the edge sent an icy shiver down Kassandra’s spine, freezing her in terror.

Katelyn’s grip tightened mercilessly, her fingers digging into Kassandra’s arm like iron claws, pulling her toward the edge with unyielding force.

Half of Kassandra’s body dangled dangerously over the side, suspended above the water, as the biting wind lashed through her hair, ripping it loose from its once meticulous style.

The unsettling sensation of weightlessness sent a nauseating jolt through her, making her stomach twist as though the world had dropped out from under her. If Katelyn released her grip, nothing would stop her from plunging into the swirling, dark depths below.

With a chilling smile curling at the corners of her lips, Katelyn leaned closer, her voice laced with frosty malevolence.

“You know, I have to admit, your little scheme to handle me was quite clever. How about you experience exactly what that feels like?”

Kassandra screamed in pure terror, her hands flailing wildly through the air, desperately seeking anything to hold onto, hoping to avoid falling into the water.

“Katelyn! If you push me, my family will make you pay for this! You’ll—AHHH!”

? g?a?l?n?o?v?e?l?s?.?c?o?m

Her threats were abruptly cut off by another bloodcurdling scream.

Katelyn pushed her further, now leaving more than half of Kassandra’s body dangerously suspended over the edge.

The sea roared beneath her, and Kassandra thought she saw the shadowy forms of sharks darting dangerously close to the surface, as if anticipating her fall.

Katelyn gazed down at Kassandra with chilling composure, her expression completely devoid of sympathy.

“Apologies, I didn’t quite catch that. What were you saying?” Her grip on Kassandra’s arm remained unyielding, ensuring that she wouldn’t plummet.

But the terror in Kassandra’s eyes was undeniable. She continued screaming, her voice raw with fear, as the crushing realization of her helplessness consumed her. She was entirely at Katelyn’s mercy.

For the first time, real terror coursed through Kassandra’s veins. She had maneuvered through the treacherous waters of power and manipulation for years, but now she faced someone unafraid to escalate the stakes to dangerous extremes.

She could deal with Katelyn later, once her safety was assured.

“Katelyn, I’m sorry! Please, pull me back! If you let go, I’ll die!”

Kassandra’s desperate pleas were swallowed by the wind, her voice cracking as tears streaked down her face. “Please! I’m begging you!”

Katelyn’s expression remained impassive, as though she had heard such pleas countless times before—empty words from people only willing to beg when they had no other option left. Kassandra wasn’t truly remorseful; she was just consumed by fear.

However, Katelyn had no real intention of letting her fall.

The icy waters below would be enough to shock Kassandra’s system, but Katelyn had no desire to kill her.

“Remember this feeling,” Katelyn said coldly. “If you ever cross me again, I won’t hesitate. Next time, there will be no reprieve, no second chances.”

Just as Katelyn was about to pull Kassandra back to safety, a sudden shout from behind them shattered the tense atmosphere.

“Hey! Someone help! Katelyn’s trying to kill her! Come quick!”

Katelyn snapped her head around, her eyes narrowing dangerously at the small group of Kassandra’s followers who had gathered nearby.

Their frantic voices had drawn attention, and they were screaming for help, their eyes wide with terror. But as they met Katelyn’s cold, piercing glare, they instantly fell silent, frozen in fear, too paralyzed to even move.

They were genuinely terrified.

Even though it was six against one, they hadn’t managed to lay a finger on Katelyn.

Not that it mattered—someone had already heard the commotion.

A figure in a striking yellow dress appeared on the deck, her hand instinctively flying to her mouth in disbelief as she took in the chaotic scene. It was Lise, perfectly playing the role of the concerned bystander, her eyes wide with exaggerated horror.

“Katelyn, what are you doing? Let go. If this continues, she could die.”

Katelyn’s gaze sharpened.

Vincent had warned her that Lise would likely appear eventually, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon, or under such dramatic circumstances. Holding onto Kassandra with one hand, her eyes turned cold as she took in Lise’s presence.

“I’m merely teaching someone a lesson.”

The wind picked up, and Kassandra, pale and trembling, felt increasingly nauseous. The world spun around her, and she was certain she was moments away from passing out. Her tears streamed uncontrollably as she begged once more.

“Katelyn, please! I can’t take this any longer! Pull me up! I’m the only child in my family! If I die, you’ll pay for this!”

Lise’s eyes glinted with a sharp interest, her mind racing as she saw an opportunity. Quickly, she adjusted her tone, speaking with newfound authority.

“Katelyn, this isn’t the time for games! Pull her up now! Do you have any idea of the chaos you’re causing for the Bailey family by acting so recklessly?”

Katelyn’s piercing gaze cut through her words, her contempt for Lise clear.

“I severed ties with the Baileys long ago. Don’t feign concern.”

Lise inhaled deeply, trying to maintain her composure.

“We can deal with that later. Right now, let’s focus on pulling her up before this turns into a disaster.”

Lise moved closer, her eyes gleaming with hidden intentions.

Katelyn saw the calculation in Lise’s gaze, the way her lips curled with barely concealed satisfaction.

It was clear that Lise had no genuine concern for Kassandra’s fate; she was simply looking for a way to exploit this situation to ruin Katelyn’s reputation.

Lise extended her hand, feigning an offer of assistance. “Come on, Katelyn. Together, we can pull her up. If anyone else witnesses this, it will be impossible to justify.”

Katelyn’s eyes narrowed slightly. She didn’t trust Lise for even a second, yet she allowed her to approach, steadfastly keeping her grip on Kassandra. As she turned her back on Lise, she felt a noticeable shift in the atmosphere.

There was a predatory gleam in Lise’s eyes, one that she struggled to hide.

This was the moment Lise had been eagerly waiting for.

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