That being said, her statement about being twenty was likely nothing more than a small lie. While her attempt to take back her words wasn’t fully convincing, it was still an effort.

Vincent met her gaze, his eyes filled with unspoken meaning.

“Oh, is that so? After everything we’ve shared, I thought you’d at least be honest with me.”

There was a trace of disappointment in his voice, and his gaze softened as he looked at Hades, an expression that felt strangely gentle for him.

Katelyn was utterly confused. Had she misunderstood what was happening here? Why did it feel like Vincent was trying to charm this Hades while asking such personal questions? Could this really be Vincent?

Under the weight of his intense stare, Hades felt her cheeks warm with a faint blush. There was something magnetic about Vincent’s deep eyes, a pull that grew stronger whenever he fixed his gaze on someone. His dark eyes felt like swirling whirlpools, pulling everyone around him into their depths.

Trying to ease the heavy silence, Katelyn quickly said, “The food here is really good. We should definitely come back sometime.”

Katelyn knew she had to say something—anything—to distract them. Vincent’s lips curved ever so slightly, barely noticeable.

“Alright.”

Katelyn nodded, almost too eagerly. Though her words were a quick attempt at an excuse, they successfully closed the uncomfortable conversation. The air in the private room still felt heavy, thick with tension, making everyone uneasy.

Hades kept her head down, focused on her steak, not uttering a word. The room was silent, the quiet pressing down on them all like a weight.

Just as Katelyn was ready to say something and ease the tension, the sharp sound of gunshots shattered the moment, followed by anguished screams and cries for help. The room exploded into chaos in an instant.

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Without hesitation, Vincent darted toward the door, using it as a shield while he cautiously glanced outside. A gunfight had erupted inside the restaurant, and chaos spilled into every corner. The floor was scattered with the wounded, and the hall had descended into complete disorder.

The shooter had already fled, leaving behind a crowd of frightened patrons gathered around the injured. A woman in her forties dropped to her knees, her voice trembling as she cried out, “Is there a doctor here? Please help my husband! He’s still alive! If someone helps him now, he can make it. Please, is there anyone who can save him?”

Her husband lay motionless on the floor beside her, clearly wounded by gunfire, while a small child, no older than three, sobbed uncontrollably. Desperation filled her eyes as she looked around the room, silently begging the frightened patrons for help, hoping someone would step forward to save her husband. ?s s f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?.net

The thought of losing him made her feel as though her world would shatter in an instant. Around her, other victims were sprawled on the floor, their breaths shallow and faint. The air was thick with the stench of blood and gunpowder, a nauseating combination that clung to everything.

In a matter of moments, the once-refined luxury restaurant had transformed into a nightmare.

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