Katelyn recognized the voice behind the knock without needing to see the person’s face.
It was Bartley.
She exchanged a meaningful glance with Vincent.
Without a word, Vincent swiftly hid Dale in the bathroom. Given the tension surrounding the castle, Bartley was far from an ally. It was crucial to keep Dale’s presence a secret.
After making sure everything was secure, Katelyn approached and opened the door.
Bartley stood there with his usual grin, and next to him was a man, securely tied up.
“Miss Bailey, I’ve come to keep my promise. As an act of repentance, I’ve brought the person you’ve been seeking.”
Katelyn’s gaze sharpened.
The captive man’s face was obscured, but those distinctive green eyes were unmistakable.
With a forced, courteous smile, Katelyn responded dryly, “Mr. Lawrence, you’re quite prompt this time. I actually half expected you to stay quiet as before.”
Bartley didn’t waver.
“My previous hesitation was a mistake, so this time I’ve brought him directly to you, Miss Bailey. Perhaps, once this is settled, you might join me for a meal?”
“I appreciate your gesture, but let’s save the meal for another time.”
Katelyn mustered a forced smile, yanked the man in black inside, and briskly shut the door behind them.
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Bartley’s motives remained unclear to her.
On one hand, he seemed to be stoking Elora’s ire deliberately. On the other, he kept creating chances to engage with Katelyn, perhaps hoping to redirect Elora’s anger.
Katelyn reflected that she had no previous dealings or disputes with Bartley.
The man in black, yanked inside roughly by Katelyn, tripped and collapsed onto the floor.
His mouth was gagged, reducing his protests to muffled grunts.
Jaxen crouched before him, his interest evident.
“Is this the same guy who attempted to take you out twice?”
Katelyn settled onto the sofa, a sense of unease lingering as she tried to make sense of the situation. Her eyes remained fixed on the man in black.
“After the first failed assassination attempt, Elora still had him make a second. And when that too failed, a helicopter was on standby to extract him. He’s likely Elora’s personal bodyguard.”
Vincent stepped out of the bathroom and surveyed the man on the floor.
“Bartley really moved fast this time. Surprisingly, Elora handed this man over without much fuss.”
“Maybe Bartley used their engagement as leverage over Elora, forcing her to comply,” Katelyn pondered, stepping forward to remove the man’s mask and gag.
The man coughed harshly before fixing Katelyn with a hateful glare. Th?s chapter is updated by f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?.net
“Don’t think capturing me means I’ll help you. I won’t betray the princess.”
Katelyn’s brow furrowed.
Something was off about his voice.
The man she had encountered previously had struggled with his speech, barely managing the language, most likely because English wasn’t this country’s official language. Yet, this man spoke smoothly and articulately. How could someone’s language proficiency improve so significantly in such a brief span?
Vincent noticed the oddity as well.
He remained silent, however.
Meanwhile, Jaxen pulled up a digital image he had just created and scrutinized it against the man’s features.
“My digital rendering should be accurate. Did we apprehend the wrong person? Other than the eyes, they don’t look alike at all.”
The digital image showed a younger man with delicate, refined features, reminiscent of the Earl.
In contrast, the man before them had a wider, rougher visage.
Vincent compared the two faces, his expression hardening. “Have you been acting as Elora’s bodyguard all this time?” he asked.
The man replied with evident pride, “Guarding the princess is my sole duty. I would lay down my life for her without a second thought.”
Vincent asked, “Has she ever tasked you with assassination missions?”
“Absolutely. My purpose is to eliminate anyone the princess despises. Anyone in her way must be removed.” As he spoke, he glared vehemently at Katelyn.
Katelyn held his gaze, and in a swift motion, she reached out toward the man’s eyes.
.
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