Chapter 193

Katelyn was wearing a mask of remorse before lsaac when her phone suddenly chimed with a message notification.

Her lips curved in a smile, and then she pretended to clutch her stomach, her brows drawn tight in mock discomfort.

Isaac understood perfectly why she was playing this charade.

He chose to act along, his expression turning deliberately cold and impatient as he asked, "What's troubling you this time?"

His tone was as steady as ever, giving Katelyn no reason to doubt him. She pressed her brows together again, her voice tinged with false apology."Forgive me, Isaac. My stomach isn't well-I need to step away to the restroom."

Isaac gave a small nod, granting permission without a second thought.

Katelyn picked up her phone and hurried away.

Once inside the restroom, she unlocked the screen in haste. The moment she saw the message from Elmore Finch, the hitman she had hired, a sinister thrill flickered across her face.

At last, Verena was within her grasp.

She dialed Elmore's number without delay.

The call was answered almost immediately.

Lowering her voice, Katelyn asked, "Are you certain she's been captured?"

Elmore's voice came steady. "Rest assured, Miss Fuller. She's unconscious, tied securely, and we're waiting on you to handle the rest."

Katelyn had given strict orders: no one was to touch Verena until she arrived. Elmore and his men were merely tasked with the capture, not the kill.

For Katelyn longed to witness with her own eyes-Verena kneeling, begging for her life, confessing her faults.

Yet Isaac remained a danger she had to keep tightly in check. He could never be allowed to notice Verena's disappearance.

With this thought burning in her mind, she made another call-to the other hitman she had hired at a steep price.

No pleasantries, no wasted words. She went straight to the point the moment the line connected. "Have you secured Isaac's assistant?"

A raspy voice answered with grim confidence,"You needn't worry. When I strike, failures do not exist. A timed bomb has already been set in the car. Once Isaac gets in, he'll have no escape."

This hitman was bought with heavy coin, and Katelyn placed full faith in him.

Yet she would not allow Isaac an easy death.

"Once he's in the car, stall him. Don't let him perish too swiftly."

If she couldn't possess him, she would see him ruined.

After all, Isaac had not only denied her love but had shamed her without mercy. She would make him pay the full price of scorning her.

Before death claimed him, she wanted him to watch Verena suffer.

Having tied every loose thread, Katelyn left the restroom.

Her smile polished once more, she returned to Isaac."I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Isaac's eyes were cold as winter stone. "If there's nothing further, I'll be leaving."

Knowing the hitman had already taken lsaac's car and subdued his assistant, Katelyn's heart eased.

To her, the rest was but a matter of time-once Isaac entered that car, the trap would spring shut.

"Very well. Thank you for meeting me today," Katelyn said, forcing a bitter smile. "Goodbye, Isaac. Once I walk away, perhaps I'll never return. For everything I've done, I hope you and Verena might find it in your hearts to forgive."

Isaac gave no reply, only turned his wheelchair and rolled out of the restaurant.

Katelyn's eyes followed his retreating back as she trailed behind at a measured pace.

She watched Jacob lift him carefully into the car,noticed Jacob's hesitant hands and the sweat standing on his brow, and then her gaze caught on the driver-masked, hidden behind sunglasses.

The man cast her a fleeting glance; their eyes met,and a slight nod passed between them.

Only then did Katelyn feel assured enough to step into her own car.

In her mind, Isaac was already a trapped bird with broken wings, struggling without hope.

But inside the car, Isaac leaned against the seat with quiet composure and asked the driver in a low voice,"Is my wife safe?"