Chapter 340

Daniela wasn't in the best of moods. Turning her head, she fixed Katrina with a blank expression, her gaze coId and intimidating.

Katrina clamped her mouth shut, instinctively retreating a step in fear.

Daniela advanced towards her slowly, step by step,forcing Katrina to back away until she hit a dead end.

Daniela closed the gap between them, standing just inches away. "Katrina, if it's trouble you want, I'll gladly give it to you. Keep pushing me, and you'll face the consequences."

Though fear flickered in her eyes, Katrina refused to back down and feigned confidence. "You think I'm scared of you?"

Daniela let out a derisive snort, slid her hands into her coat pockets, and walked away without another word.

Katrina brushed off the warning, assuming it was an empty threat.

It didn't take long for her to realize how wrong she was.

A domestic financial crisis struck, obliterating all the secret investments Katrina had made behind Caiden's back.

Even the funds Joyce had recently provided her were wiped out.

Katrina stared at her depleted bank account in shock,a wave of unease washing over her.

Desperate, she called Joyce, but her calls went unanswered.

When the servant brought up the unpaid living expenses for what felt like the fiftieth time, Katrina lost her temper.

"Aunt, can't you be reasonable for once? It's been just a week since I last paid you. Do you even realize how much I've given you in the past? I'm facing a minor setback, and you're acting like | can't pay.What's the meaning of this? Do you really think I'd cheat you over a sum this small?"

The servant sneered, curling her lips. "Who knows?You're only here because you forced yourself in.What's past is past. Right now, you owe me my salary. If you're so capable, why don't you pay the 5,800 dollars first?"

Katrina shut her eyes for a moment. "You're underestimating me. 5, 800 dollars? Make it a hundred thousand before you come back to me."

The moment the words left her mouth, the servant untied her apron. "Forget it. I've had enough. Keep your money.I quit!"

With that, the servant flung her grease-stained apron at Katrina, who yanked it off in disgust as the woman stormed out.

With no other options left, Katrina decided to seek out Joyce.

Sitting in the lobby of Joyce's home, Katrina's ears picked up on the unmistakable sounds coming from upstairs, leaving little to the imagination.

Katrina felt an unsettling weight in the air, but the servants around her carried on as though nothing unusual was happening, their faces devoid of emotion.

She sipped her coffee, trying to mask her discomfort.

The muffled sounds from upstairs changed, evolving into anguished screams and finally into desperate,gut-wrenching pleas.

The harsh, guttural cries were punctuated by the sharp crack of a whip, reverberating through the grand villa.

Katrina's hands shook, the coffee cup trembling against its saucer.

She'd always known Doug had a dark side, but she hadn't imagined it was this depraved.A chill of dread coiled around her.

Just as she gathered the courage to leave, the eerie silence upstairs brought her to a halt.

The door creaked open, and Doug emerged at the top of the staircase.

His sharp, narrow eyes locked onto her, a glimmer of amusement flickering within them.

The intensity of his gaze sent a wave of unease washing over her.

Katrina rose to make her escape, but Doug's voice pinned her in place. "Are you here for Joyce?"

She forced herself to respond, "Yes."

"Second room upstairs. Go on in."

Without another glance, Doug pushed open the patio door and strolled into the yard, golf club in hand.

Katrina remained frozen, waiting until she was absolutely certain he was out of sight before heading upstairs cautiously.The door stood slightly ajar, and a faint, metallic scent of blood seeped through the opening.

A servant brushed past her, carrying a cup of coffee in and emerging moments later with a rumpled quilt.

Katrina hesitated before pushing the door open. The room was dimly lit.

Standing in the doorway, she called out softly,"Joyce?"

Her words seemed to trigger the automatic curtains,which drew back with a mechanical hum.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, pooling onto the polished floor.

Only then did Katrina grasp the scale of the room-an expansive two hundred square meters, barren except for a massive bed and an adjoining bathroom.