Lise’s words drew everyone’s attention back to her. Though her tone was soft, there was a sharpness in her accusations.

“Even if Kassandra deserved punishment, pushing her into the sea was too much. And what exactly did I do wrong to deserve this treatment?”

The crowd’s expressions shifted, as they began to see things from a different angle.

Indeed, what had Lise done to deserve this?

She hadn’t bullied Katelyn, yet she had been thrown into the sea.

Those who had been enjoying the drama now looked at Katelyn with disapproval.

Katelyn fixed her gaze on Lise, letting out a cold laugh. Content originally comes from FιndＮovel.net

“You wanted to throw me into the sea, but you slipped, and now you’re the one in trouble. Are you really going to blame me for that too?”

Lise, always quick to deflect, tried to change the subject and shift the blame back onto Katelyn.

Unfortunately for her, her plan was doomed to fail. The sea breeze hit Lise, making her shiver as she forced herself to speak.

“I only wanted to help you out of kindness. Why would you think I’d do something like that? I know you’re a bit rebellious, and I can forgive that. I just need you to apologize.”

She was determined to shift the blame to Katelyn, no matter what.

With Kassandra being unreliable, Lise felt the need to take charge.

Without hesitation, Katelyn shot back, “Absolutely not.”

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“Stop being so reckless, Katelyn!”

Neil’s sharp voice sliced through the air, his usually handsome face now clouded with cold fury.

“Lise is soft-hearted, always kind. Even now, she’s trying to excuse your actions. But what about you?”

Though confined to a wheelchair, Neil’s commanding presence hadn’t diminished in the slightest.

“If you refuse to apologize, then jump into the sea yourself and end this. Otherwise, neither the Bailey family nor the Wheeler family will spare you.” Neil’s voice carried a clear and unmistakable threat.

Katelyn met his gaze with an empty expression.

Katelyn’s expression remained cold, a mocking smile playing at the corners of her lips. “She brought this on herself.”

Neil’s defense of Lise had little to do with affection or genuine concern for her.

The presence of so many spectators only added to the tension, as they all belonged to the same social circle.

Watching his fiancée being targeted like this, Neil knew he had to stand up for her; otherwise, he would become the butt of the joke.

The painful memory of the humiliation he had endured at his grandmother’s banquet lingered in Neil’s mind.

Vincent’s sharp gaze zeroed in on Neil, his tone dripping with disdain.

“Let’s see who has the guts to lay a finger on Katelyn.”

In that moment, Vincent’s presence grew ice-cold, sending a chill through everyone on the deck as though they had been plunged into the sea itself. The cold sea breeze suddenly seemed sharper, and the temperature dropped rapidly. Some of the onlookers instinctively rubbed their arms, shivering under the weight of the tension.

Jaxen stepped forward too, his cold laugh adding to the intensity of the moment.

“You really think your two families are enough to take on my mentor? It’s not just the Adams family you’re dealing with now—the Lawrence family is involved too.”

Jaxen’s words sent ripples of shock through the crowd. Vincent’s defense of Katelyn made sense—she worked for him.

But why was Jaxen stepping in?

Neil’s expression darkened.

Mentor?

What on earth made Katelyn Jaxen’s mentor?

Was Jaxen thinking of abandoning his career to become a designer? Or was there something deeper about Katelyn that Neil didn’t know?

Although the Lawrence family had shifted much of their focus overseas in recent years, their influence in Granville remained powerful, surpassing even the Adams family’s reach.

The Wheeler family, no matter how much effort they put in, could barely stand up to the Adams family. Against the Lawrence family, they didn’t stand a chance. In this two-against-two situation, the outcome was inevitable.

Two tall figures stood protectively in front of Katelyn, shielding her from the storm and the waves crashing around them.

A sense of warmth and security washed over Katelyn, filling her heart.

The protection she longed for from her family was sometimes found in strong friendships—bonds just as precious.

But this mess was one of her own making, and she would never choose to hide behind anyone.

Lise’s eyes burned with barely restrained fury.

Damn it, why?

Why was Katelyn so unbelievably lucky?

Why were these two remarkable men willing to step forward for her?

What kind of power did she hold over them?

Lise gripped the blanket tightly, a weak cough escaping her lips.

“Katelyn, all I want is an apology. Is that really too much to ask?”

Her body shook as if she had faced a terrible injustice, her voice heavy with pain.

“I’ve already moved past what you did. All I want is an apology.”

Katelyn’s eyes gleamed with growing sarcasm.

She could tell that Lise’s talent for playing the victim was only getting better—no one could top her at it.

“You say I pushed you into the sea for no reason. Can you still claim that after seeing this video?” Katelyn snapped.

Lise’s eyes widened, her expression shifting instantly.

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