As tears gathered in Zoey’s eyes, she said in disbelief, “Are you really going to send me away?”

Katelyn put down her makeup remover and turned to face Zoey. For a fleeting moment, she thought she detected a glimmer of resentment in Zoey’s gaze.

“You’re employed by Adams Group now, with a secure job and dormitory accommodation. I’m not sending you away or anything; you simply can’t stay here with me any longer.”

Despite their long acquaintance, Katelyn still hoped to part on good terms. She didn’t want to push Zoey into a corner and had left her an opportunity to walk away with dignity. Katelyn’s gaze was steady and unwavering. This was a decision she had made, and nothing would make her change her mind.

Zoey’s heart sank to her stomach. It was clear that Katelyn wanted her to endure pain. To Zoey, it seemed that Katelyn’s words were nothing more than a pretentious excuse to justify her own offensive actions!

As all pretense of innocence faded from Zoey’s face, she coldly said, “Have you been trying to deny my entry into Adams Group because you fear Vincent might fall for me?”

Katelyn heard the words with a calm expression, even directing a sarcastic glance at Zoey. Every time Zoey was denied what she wanted, she would start to argue heatedly, only to back down midway for various reasons.

In Zoey’s view, Katelyn was the obstacle blocking her path to the top.

“Why should it matter to me whether Vincent likes you or not? If you really had what it took to win him over, you wouldn’t need to resort to such desperate measures,” Katelyn said, referencing the overly flashy dress Zoey wore to catch attention.

Zoey’s main asset was her youth, which she exploited by flaunting her looks and physique to promote herself. Yet, how could relying solely on superficial allure ever foster meaningful relationships with influential individuals?

Zoey failed to grasp the essence of Katelyn’s critique. She felt only the sting of being demeaned by Katelyn once more. In a surge of fury, she lost all composure.

?ν﹒

“Katelyn, just because you’ve helped me over the years doesn’t mean I owe you endless gratitude! What really bothers me is the way you look at me, as if I’m just a joke!”

Zoey’s emotions, which she had kept buried for so long, suddenly exploded. She fixed her gaze sharply on Katelyn.

“You don’t want me joining the company or going to the parties because you’re scared I’ll make connections with high society. You fear I might climb from nothing to your level or even surpass you, leaving you unable to look down on me ever again!” Zoey yelled uncontrollably.

A coldness spread across Katelyn’s face, making it appear even more unwelcoming. She was taken aback, realizing for the first time the depth of Zoey’s bitterness towards her. Katelyn had always made it a point to clarify everything to Zoey well in advance.

Still, she was met with such ingratitude in return. Katelyn managed a strained smile, feeling once again that her generosity had been met with betrayal.

Zoey’s cheeks reddened with anger, but her eyes also showed a flicker of remorse. She recognized that perhaps her words had been too harsh.

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