?Chapter 137:

    Katelyn’s eyes immediately found the source of the intense gaze.

    Amid the crowd of impably dressed guests, Lise was impossible to ignore. Her white dress stood out like a beacon, and with her head held high, she resembled a graceful swan.

    Standing next to her was Neil, whose face was a mask of frustration, his fingers gripping the goblet with noticeable tension.

    It was clear he was struggling to keep his anger in check. Katelyn observed his struggle, her surprise growing. Wheeler Group was on the brink of a major crisis, yet Neil had managed to attend this high-profile event.

    With Lise by his side, Neil seemed to be making a statement. Katelyn wondered if bringing her along was a tactic to address the swirling rumors.

    The media had been relentless, with constant headlines about Wheeler Group’s possible copse. Some analysts had even predicted thepany might go bankrupt within a month.

    If these predictions held any truth, Katelyn had to admit Neil was showing remarkable poise.

    Despite the looming threat to hispany, he appeared more focused on his public image than on uncovering the hacker who had caused the turmoil.

    Vincent, catching the unspoken questions in Katelyn’s gaze, offered a smooth exnation, his tone casual yet confident.

    “This charity event draws the top yers in the business world. If Neil can make the right connections here tonight, he might just turn things around for Wheeler.”

    At present, Vincent had only cut off Wheeler Group’s support in Granville. Neil still had a chance if he managed to secure backing from other cities.

    Vincent leaned in close, whispering in Katelyn’s ear. To anyone watching, it looked as if they were two lovebirds, lost in their own little world.

    Neil’s gaze was searing with anger as he watched them. His grip on the goblet was so fierce that his fingers turned pale, nearly crushing it in his frustration.

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    Vincent! Neil was fixated on making them pay tenfold for their audacity.

    Lise, standing nearby, wore a mask of jealousy that was more pronounced than her hatred.

    She had once thought Vincent’s attention to Katelyn was a game or that Katelyn was just another of his conquests. Yet, Vincent had never rified their rtionship, a choice that felt out of character for him.

    What really frustrated Lise was that as long as Katelyn and Vincent stayed together, her schemes against Katelyn were bound to fail.

    Unfazed by the drama around her, Katelyn turned her attention back to Vincent.

    With a touch of yful surprise in her voice, she said, “Mr. Adams, you always seem to read me like an open book. As always, your answers are right on target.”

    Vincent’s lips curled into a slight, satisfied smile—barely noticeable but enough for Katelyn to catch the hint of his pleasure.

    “It’s actually easy to read your mind, Miss Bailey,” he said, a yful edge in his voice.

    Katelyn’s lips parted in surprise, her brow creasing as she tried to understand.

    He had suggested that reading her thoughts was simple, yet she wasn’t entirely convinced.

    Still, Vincent always seemed to know exactly what she was thinking, even before she voiced her own thoughts.

    Their appearance was striking enough to draw every eye in the room. As they moved through the crowd, Katelyn became the subject of hushed conversations.

    One guest, her fingers pressed to her lips, leaned toward her friend and whispered,

    “Is she Mr. Adams’ new…?”

    “She’s gorgeous. The rumor’s been the talk of the town, and neither has confirmed anything. Is this for real?”

    “I think so. She’s the only person Mr. Adams has publicly acknowledged. He even brought her to tonight’s event,” her friend responded.

    “Didn’t you know? She’s the ex-wife of the Wheeler Group’s president. She’s pretty and smart.”

    The quiet chatter, though meant to be discreet, was clearly audible. The once admiring gazes now held a sharp edge, focusing intently on Katelyn.

    Despite the growing murmur of disapproval, Katelyn remained calm, her face an impassive mask.

    Just then, Lise approached with a warm and radiant smile.

    “Good evening, Mr. Adams.”

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