There was a sharp, dangerous quality to that look—a silent warning Katelyn couldn’t ignore.

She quickly turned toward the source of the sensation but only caught a glimpse of a woman walking away.

The woman, dressed in a casual slip dress, moved with a mysterious air, her hair flowing freely down her back. Katelyn narrowed her eyes, trying to catch more details, but the figure vanished into the crowd before she could confirm anything.

Suspicion flickered in Katelyn’s mind. Could that have been Sophia?

But that seemed impossible. This was a private yacht party, exclusive to the high society of Granville. Why would Sophia—known to be part of the infamous Yata crime syndicate—be here?

Katelyn dismissed the thought, convincing herself that she was just being paranoid.

Nearby, Jaxen leaned closer to Vincent, his voice dropping to a hushed, cautious tone. “Be careful. Even if the resort venue is confirmed for Granville, the other two cities will still be watching, waiting for any mistake to make their move.”

“Understood,” Vincent responded, his mind clearly preoccupied.

His gaze eventually shifted toward Cormac, who seemed to indulge too freely in the party’s atmosphere. But Vincent wasn’t deceived. No one in power would be so openly indulgent. Jaxen was right—Cormac was playing the fool, hiding his sharpness beneath a veneer of harmlessness.

As their conversation continued, a high-pitched voice suddenly broke the quiet.

“Mr. Adams! It’s been ages! Do you still remember me?”

Katelyn turned automatically toward the voice.

The woman approaching them was unfamiliar, dressed in a pale green cocktail dress that barely covered her thighs. Her features were delicate and almost doll-like, but something about her beauty felt strangely artificial. The woman’s eyes locked onto Vincent as if he were the only person in the room, a hungry spark in her gaze. She was determined.

Although her family company wasn’t a major player, it had established a solid presence in the mapping industry. Bringing Vincent on board would elevate them to an entirely new level.

She had prepared meticulously for this moment, rehearsing her approach and smiling in front of a mirror countless times to ensure everything was perfect.

Vincent’s brow furrowed slightly. “And you are?”

Unfazed by his aloof demeanor, the woman stepped forward, determined to make an impression.

“My name is Kassandra Mason. We met briefly at the auction last year. I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw you here tonight. It seems destiny keeps bringing us together.”

Jaxen smirked knowingly, leaning in to whisper to Vincent, “Looks like you’ve gained another admirer. Not that it’s surprising—wherever you go, there’s always a line of women trying to catch your attention.”

Vincent shot Jaxen a sharp look, so cold it silenced him immediately.

However, Kassandra misinterpreted Vincent’s silence as a sign of interest.

Everyone in their circle knew that Vincent hated strangers—especially women getting too close to him. There had even been whispers of an attempt to drug him, an incident in which Vincent had dealt so severely with the offender that they disappeared without a trace.

Kassandra dismissed such rumors as nothing more than foolish gossip. She was determined to win Vincent over with her charm today.

The fact that Vincent hadn’t dismissed her yet, in her mind, signaled progress.

With renewed confidence, she moved even closer, her gaze briefly meeting Katelyn’s before returning to Vincent. Holding her glass in hand, she adopted a seductive tone.

“Mr. Adams, how about a drink? My father has several projects he’d like to discuss with you. I’m confident we can find terms that will benefit both of us.”

Katelyn sensed Kassandra’s persistence, but she was accustomed to such situations. Silently, she took a step back, giving Kassandra some space.

But Vincent’s expression turned sharply cold, his demeanor sending a clear warning that Kassandra immediately felt.

His cold stare pierced through her, sending a shiver down her spine, as if she were standing on the edge of a stormy sea, ready to be swallowed whole.

Such was the power of Vincent’s presence; even the most audacious could falter under his gaze. A single glance from him was enough to make her reconsider her approach.

“What do you want?” he asked coldly.

Kassandra forced a smile, though her confidence wavered under the intensity of his glare. “I was hoping we could enjoy a drink together…”

Vincent’s expression turned colder, cutting her off. “Get lost!”

Kassandra’s smile stiffened, her complexion paling. Her bold move had attracted the attention of several onlookers, and soon whispers filled the air, filled with mockery and disdain.

“Does she really think she has a chance with Mr. Adams? How pathetic.”

“She really gave herself too much credit.”

The whispers stung, but Kassandra was undeterred. Gripping her glass tighter, she tried once more, her voice trembling. “Mr. Adams, I—”

Before she could finish, the chilling weight of Vincent’s presence intensified, silencing her mid-sentence.

“Do not make me say it again,” Vincent growled, his voice colder than before, his gaze dark and threatening.

The message was clear.

Kassandra swallowed hard, realizing that any further attempts would only lead to embarrassment—or worse. Reluctantly, she turned away, but not before stealing one last look at Vincent.

Her heart seethed with frustration as she watched him speaking softly with Katelyn, his demeanor notably warmer in her presence.

The sight sparked a surge of rage within her.

So it was because of Katelyn.

“Just wait and see,” she thought, her resolve hardening.

Meanwhile, Katelyn, sensing the tension in the air, turned towards Vincent. Her voice was low but firm. What she said next left him momentarily speechless.

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. Official source is FιndＮovel.net

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