The accused kept their heads down, silently enduring the scolding.

Norma’s demeanor remained unyielding and severe.

Where could Katelyn have possibly gone? She had just confirmed with the hotel staff that Katelyn was supposed to be in this room. How could the situation have altered so suddenly?

Turning to Ashlyn with concern, Norma asked, “Miss Marshall, where is Miss Bailey? We need the truth. What if something has happened to her?”

The rest of the group’s eyes also turned towards Ashlyn, filled with bewilderment, awaiting her response.

Visibly distressed, Ashlyn shook her head.

“She was here earlier when I checked. Now, I can’t find her.”

Her eyes looked around the room as she frantically continued her search, her concern for Katelyn evident.

Norma’s confusion deepened. The entire situation felt absurd, overflowing with hidden motives, perhaps?

Suddenly, the man they had unintentionally revealed earlier reappeared, now properly attired, unleashing a barrage of insults towards Norma and her companions.

“Are you out of your minds? Pay me for my emotional distress today, or you’ll regret it!” he shouted. With each curse from his lips, Norma’s expression grew increasingly grim.

Hotel staff hurried to approach the man, offering apologies.

Although Norma wished to depart, the man’s relentless demand for compensation kept her rooted in place. Aware of the potential fallout if her father learned of the defeat, she realized the urgency of settling the matter. Seething, she snapped at the man, “Here’s a hundred thousand; don’t stir up more trouble!”

For the average person, such an amount was considerable. Yet, the man remained dissatisfied. Pointing at Norma, he said, “You think you can dismiss me with a mere hundred thousand? I won’t take less than eight hundred thousand!” Norma exploded, “What?!”

Eight hundred thousand—it was nothing short of extortion. Rich as she was, the thought of parting with such money for no reason was infuriating.

Unmoved, the man threatened, “Pay up, or I’m calling the police this instant.”

? .

The others cast uneasy looks at one another, none of them brave enough to say a word. In the end, they knew they were in the wrong for barging in and finding him like that. The fear of lingering nightmares about the incident was real, and none were eager to pay the bill or defend Norma.

But Ashlyn stood resolute, worry creasing her brow as she pleaded, “Norma, please, we must hurry! If something’s happened to Miss Bailey, how will I face Mr. Adams?”

A number of those gathered were aware of Katelyn’s tight bond with Vincent. Their collective presence, irrespective of the real nature of their bond, was enough to ward off any unwanted attention.

Aware of the potential repercussions, Norma clenched her teeth and said, “Fine, I’ll pay it!”

Yet inwardly, she couldn’t help but hold Katelyn responsible for the night’s situation. Had Katelyn not been involved, the evening would have unfolded differently.

A smug grin spread across the man’s face upon hearing the promise of payment, tempting some onlookers to punch him.

As Norma processed the transaction, the large sum of eight hundred thousand was promptly deposited into the man’s account.

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