?<strong>Chapter 290:</strong>


    Adrian positioned himself on the second floor, which offered a clear view of the entrance. Soon enough, Katie slipped in discreetly, just as anticipated.


    She had booked a private room in advance that was outfitted with cameras, and Can provided Adrian with a tablet to monitor the live feed. After Katie settled into her seat, another woman, wearing a mask, made her way into the room. Adrian stared at her face for a moment. She seemed both familiar and strange.


    Can exined, “Gina underwent some stic surgery, but I’m confident it’s her!” One could alter their appearance, but their body shape and voice were much harder to change. The moment the woman spoke, Adrian recognized her.


    “Have you brought enough money?”


    Katie fell to her knees, pleading, “Please, just stop this! I’ve handed over all the money Tristan gave me! I truly have nothing left!”


    With a scoff, Gina poured herself a cup of coffee. Then, with a swift motion, she sshed the hot coffee onto Katie’s face. “Do you think I’m stupid? Did you really think I wouldn’t find out about the house Tristan bought for you?”


    Katie felt her heart sink, and she crumpled to the floor in utter despair. “Why? Why can’t you just let me go?”


    The answer was simple. Gina said, “You stole my man, and you took what was mine. Why should I let you go?”


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    Katie, her desperation evident, tightened her grip on Gina’s arm as she rose back to her knees. “I’ll hand it over—the house, it’s all yours! Just please, delete those videos!”


    Katie’s voice broke as she mentioned the videos. The thought of those assault videos bing public terrified her; it would ruin any chance she had of marrying into a wealthy family. But Gina had even more leverage over her—that she had a child. Katie felt her life was copsing. Each morning, opening her eyes felt like awakening from a nightmare.


    “Katie, don’t worry. Hand over the house, and I’ll ensure the videos remain private. However, I need one more favor from you.”


    Katie’s voice trembled with frustration. “I’ve already disrupted Joelle’s concert for you, and you forced me into those horrible situations. Isn’t there someone else you can ask to do this?”


    Gina gave her a soft tap on the cheek. “Who else would be this easy to control?”


    Katie trembled. “What do you need from me now?”


    Gina motioned for her toe closer, and Katie moved near to hear her whisper. Adrian couldn’t catch their words, but the look on Katie’s face made his own expression darken instantly.


    “Do you want her to die?” Katie asked.


    Gina’s response was cold. “Anyone in my way needs to be eliminated.”


    “Do you really despise Joelle so much? Haven’t the Watsons treated you well?” Katie asked, her voice wavering between fear and curiosity.


    “Well?”


    Gina nearly burst intoughter. Their so-called “kindness” was simply allowing her to survive on their pity. Sometimes, she regretted being Austin’s daughter. She would have preferred a life of poverty but with dignity, rather than being the unacknowledged child forced to live in the shadows. If she hadn’t been Austin’s daughter, she wouldn’t constantly see how far she fell shortpared to Joelle.


    Her jealousy, anger, sadness, and hatred—all stemmed from the Watson family.


    “You don’t need to concern yourself with that. Just follow my instructions,” Gina replied, brushing her off.


    Katie held back from arguing, but she wasn’t as weak as Gina presumed. She certainly loved money and aimed to marry wealthy, but she wasn’t going to risk anything that might send her to prison. “What if the cops find out?”


    “Don’t worry about the police. Just help me eliminate Joelle, and I’ll consider letting you off the hook.”


    It seemed like an empty promise, but what other option did she have?


    After Gina departed, Katie remained in the private room, weeping alone for a while before she finally made her way home. During her journey back, she couldn’t shake off the thought that this was karma.


    Following her parents’ divorce, she and her mother had gained a reputation for swindling. In their quest for rapid wealth, they wreaked havoc on families, leaving behind destruction and despair. Many men were pushed into bankruptcy by the exorbitant money they demanded.


    Katie sniffled, looking up at the sky now obscured by dark clouds. This was karma.


    She resided in a neighborhood filled with counterfeit socialites and heirs. Disappointed by her mother’s family, she had moved out to live independently with her mother.


    “Mom, I’m back.”


    L was now simply a housewife, adorned inst year’s fashions.


    “Katie, look who’s here!”


    Katie nced inside the house. “Adrian?”


    Adrian was positioned at the center of the living room, with Can beside him, his face serious.


    “Adrian, what brings you here?” Katie inquired, feeling ufortable in her own space. She had always been aware that Adrian’s family disapproved of them.


    “Adrian’s here with money for us! Look, it’s enough to see us through our lives!”


    L was thrilled, as money had be her only concern now.


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