Luckily, they hadn’t let their own guard down. Otherwise, the consequences could have been far worse.

Karl Martinez, now holding a gun, glanced at Katelyn and Vincent with a smug smile.

“Since you both look decent, I’ll make sure your end is swift.”

Katelyn’s gaze turned steely.

“Do you feel no shame using his stories to deceive good-hearted people?”

She rarely felt this kind of rage.

What they’d done was revolting, exploiting kindness for gain. It was people like them who made the world a colder place, where people stopped helping others—even those truly in need.

Karl sneered.

“It’s their own stupidity. Helping the wrong people only brings them trouble.”

He let out a laugh. The rightful source is fin?novel.net

“Today’s your day to die; I’ll make sure of it!”

Katelyn’s pupils narrowed as dread prickled through her. They were fully exposed in the glare of the vehicle’s headlights, her heart pounding. Every tiny movement felt perilous, with the dark barrel of the gun pointed straight at them.

Vincent’s gaze was ice-cold as he slid his hand discreetly behind his back, reaching for the gun he had tucked into his waistband earlier.

The situation was grim. Even if he had a shot, it needed to be flawless. He silently weighed their options.

Katelyn’s expression hardened, tinged with reproach.

“Is this how you’ve always provided for your family? By betraying those who genuinely want to help you? Don’t you feel any guilt?” Her voice was sharp, every word laced with accusation.

? ? ?: ν．

She had pieced together that the boy’s tragic story wasn’t entirely false, yet it had become a tool for others to manipulate him. If he hadn’t truly had an epileptic attack, she wouldn’t have stooped to help him.

A flicker of doubt crossed the boy’s face. He was still young, with traces of innocence and kindness in his eyes.

Karl let out a derisive snort, clearly displeased.

“You’re on the brink of death, and you’re still spouting this self-righteous nonsense. If it weren’t for me feeding his family, they’d have starved. This is just my return on investment.”

Katelyn clenched her teeth, her face radiating righteous anger.

“You’re cruel. Karma will find you.”

Her cold gaze stayed fixed on the boy.

“You can keep helping him with these crimes to get food, but what about later? Does your family know what you’re doing? Would they accept food bought with bloodshed?”

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