Norma stepped inside, setting the flowers and a few health products on the coffee table.

Neil’s expression flickered with surprise. While they all belonged to the same social circle, Norma was hardly a close acquaintance.

Katelyn acknowledged her guest with measured politeness.

“Miss Haynes, please have a seat.”

Norma returned the gesture with a smile, sitting down. Her eyes drifted, almost instinctively, to Neil. The sight perplexed her.

Wasn’t it common knowledge that Neil and Katelyn couldn’t stand each other? Yet here they were, sharing a room, seemingly engaged in civil conversation.

Suppressing her curiosity, Norma greeted Neil with a polite nod.

“Hello, Mr. Wheeler.”

Neil returned the courtesy.

“Hello.”

An awkward silence settled over the room.

Neil turned to Katelyn, breaking the stillness.

“Katelyn, if you’re feeling better, should we go through the procedure tomorrow?” Katelyn’s response was indifferent.

“Alright.”

With that, Neil adjusted his wheelchair and said, “I’ll leave you two to talk. I have things to handle.”

Norma’s hesitance to speak in Neil’s presence was obvious.

Neil, too, understood Katelyn’s distaste for him. Until the asset transfer was finalized, he saw no point in stirring unnecessary trouble.

Katelyn waited in silence as Neil left the room.

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The moment the door clicked shut, Norma exhaled in relief. She turned to Katelyn and, to Katelyn’s astonishment, bowed deeply in apology. Katelyn blinked, startled. She instinctively reached out to stop Norma.

“What are you doing?”

Norma, however, dropped to her knees, refusing to rise.

“Miss Bailey, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have led them to the room.” Taking a shaky breath, she continued, “I’m truly sorry. Please, forgive me.”

Katelyn leaned back into the sofa, observing the woman kneeling before her. The events of the previous night had played out exactly as she anticipated. She had never expected much from Norma, knowing the woman’s distaste for her. What surprised her was this display of remorse.

Norma, eyes downcast, waited anxiously for a response.

Katelyn’s voice was calm but probing.

“Miss Haynes, I don’t hold a grudge over last night. But I am curious—why such animosity toward me?”

After all, their meeting last night had been their first. To harbor such hostility toward a stranger was puzzling.

Norma stiffened, caught off guard by the question.

Why? The reasons were tangled—a mix of loyalty to Ruby, her close friend, and jealousy over Katelyn’s achievements. Katelyn was everything she wasn’t—young, capable, and accomplished beyond reach. But admitting any of that was out of the question.

Norma lowered her eyes further.

“I didn’t mean to target you. Last night, you just… stole the spotlight, and I acted poorly.”

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