“I simply don’t want Grandma to be disappointed. You wouldn’t want that either,” Neil replied, his voice smooth, a mocking smile tugging at his lips as he regarded Katelyn. “The two conditions I propose aren’t too demanding, considering the stakes. Isn’t Grandma’s well-being more important than your interests?” he pressed.

Katelyn’s expression turned icy. “You’re exploiting Grandma’s condition to manipulate me! Aren’t you afraid that she might wake up and realize how low you’ve stooped?” she countered sharply.

She had anticipated many schemes Neil might use to claim the oil field from her, but never such blatant and harsh tactics. She was determined not to lose Carol, nor would she yield to Neil’s pressure. She needed to devise a plan to extract Carol from the Wheeler family’s influence.

“Neil, using Grandma’s illness as leverage shows how ruthless you truly are,” Katelyn stated, her gaze steely.

With those words, she turned and exited the study decisively. In that brief moment, she had already made up her mind about her next steps.

Neil’s eyes darkened as he watched her leave, a sense of foreboding enveloping him.

Outside the study, Lise waited anxiously. The room’s soundproofing had kept their conversation a mystery to her, heightening her unease. She sensed that, despite everything, Neil still harbored feelings for Katelyn.

Frustration gnawed at her as she pondered, bewildered. After everything, including Katelyn’s betrayal that left him disabled, how could Neil still care for her? Was such forgiveness a common trait among men?

As the door swung open, Lise stepped forward eagerly. Noticing Katelyn’s stern expression, she smirked, sensing that the conversation had not gone in Katelyn’s favor.

Feigning concern, she suggested, “Katelyn, I know you care about Grandma, but why not try a softer approach? Storming in won’t help your cause with the Wheeler family.”

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After a brief pause to mask her satisfaction, Lise added, “Maybe you should apologize to Mrs. Wheeler. A sincere apology might change her mind; perhaps getting on your knees could really show your earnestness.” Find the newest release on find(?)ovel.net

Katelyn’s piercing gaze cut through her pretense as she responded sharply, “Be quiet. I’m not here to listen to nonsense.”

Lise recoiled in shock, stung by the rebuke. How could Katelyn dismiss her like that?

Before Lise could muster a comeback, Katelyn hastened her exit. Her only goal was to remove Carol from the Wheeler family’s influence.

Katelyn reached her car, parked outside the Wheeler estate. As she was about to drive off, her phone rang. It was Vincent.

“Mr. Adams.”

“How is Mrs. Wheeler?”

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