Gripping her hair in despair, Zoey cried out, “I gave up everything for them. Why is it never good enough?” Her outburst solidified what Katelyn had long suspected. Zoey’s parents had played a part in this as well.

She slipped her phone into her pocket and fixed her gaze on Zoey, her expression steady.

“That brings us back to my question for you earlier. After everything you’ve given up, did you get what you were hoping for?”

Zoey had always wanted wealth, power, and a way into the world of the elite.

Now, however, she was left with nothing.

Her eyes were red and wild, like an animal ready to pounce.

“Katelyn, look at what you’ve done to me. You’ve pushed me to this point. How else could I have made such a foolish mistake?”

A small smile tugged at Katelyn’s lips.

“Haven’t you figured it out yet? The one you should really be angry with is Lise. If you managed to take me down, you were doing her a huge favor. But if you didn’t, she’d be quick to throw you under the bus.”

At this moment, Katelyn couldn’t help but feel the irony.

For ten long years, she had been there for the Powell family, guiding Zoey as she mapped out her future. Katelyn felt she had done more than enough, especially since they weren’t even family.

Yet in the end, Zoey chose to turn her back on Katelyn.

Katelyn’s gaze fell on Zoey, cold and unfeeling.

“Even if you’re angry with me, I don’t think you’re foolish enough to turn on me so quickly. You won’t get what you’re after.”

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Without another word, Katelyn spun on her heels and walked away, her steps steady and without hesitation. Zoey crumpled onto the bed, her voice breaking as she screamed, “You knew it all along, didn’t you? This was just a trap, meant for me to fall into!”

Katelyn stopped, her body tensing as she glanced back at Zoey.

The girl simply refused to see the truth, even though Katelyn had made everything clear.

Why had she ever believed Zoey was sweet and innocent? Sharon’s words from long ago now rang in Katelyn’s ears, loud and clear.

When Sharon had advised Katelyn on picking a child to support, she had been clear that Zoey might seem delicate and vulnerable, but her eyes revealed a fire—a drive and determination that couldn’t be ignored. If she was guided down the right path, Zoey could accomplish something extraordinary. But if she went off course, there would be no one to pull her back.

Katelyn couldn’t help but regret ignoring Sharon’s advice all those years ago.

She said sharply, “Do you still fail to see the real problem? Your actions have made me the target of cruel online attacks, and I’ve already gone to the police.”

Zoey’s body tensed at her words, and when Katelyn continued, the weight of despair filled her eyes.

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