Chapter 5 Painful Memories

"Do you two know each other?" Vincent noticed something was off. His gaze shifted from Katelyn's face and turned toward Katherine.

His eyes first locked onto Katherine's neck.

As expected, the marks he had intentionally left on her neck were now concealed.

A flicker of irritation flashed in his eyes.

As his gaze moved upward, he saw Katherine's reddened eyes, her expression a mix of shock and anger. The annoyance in his heart dissipated quietly.

When he turned back, the corners of his lips unconsciously curved into a faint smile.

"No, we don't." Under Katelyn's panicked gaze, Katherine lifted her chin slightly, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

She stepped forward to the desk and placed a folder containing the contract on it.

"Mr. Murphy, this is the collaboration contract with Evergreen Group."

The resignation letter remained in her hand.

Vincent had already turned away and didn't notice it.

But Katelyn saw it clearly-the words "Resignation Letter" were written on the document.

She watched as Katherine crumpled the thin sheet of paper into a ball with one hand. It felt like her chest tightened, making it hard to breathe.

When Katherine's hand holding the crumpled paper dropped to her side, Katelyn turned to Vincent and spoke softly," Vincent, I'd like to use the restroom. Could I trouble this lady-"

Vincent introduced her," This is Katherine, my secretary."

After his words fell, he tilted his head slightly toward Katherine and instructed," Katherine, please take Katelyn to the restroom."

Hearing him call her "Katelyn," Katherine froze for a moment.

Her mind flashed back to yesterday afternoon-Vincent intertwining his fingers with hers, pressing her down, whispering "Kate" in her ear.

The scene shifted again, back to thirteen years ago.

A young Katherine had approached a girl who was crying in a corner after transferring schools and struggling to make friends. "What a coincidence, your name is Katelyn, and people call me Kate. Let's be best friends, okay?"

From that day on, they attended classes together, chatted endlessly, and played on the school playground.

Until one day, three months later, Katelyn appeared at Katherine's house, holding the hand of a pale, fragile woman who seemed weighed down by sorrow.

That woman tearfully begged Katherine's mother for forgiveness, saying she truly loved Katherine's father and didn't care about money or status-she just wanted to stay by his side.

What followed was a storm of arguments between Katherine's parents, leading to divorce.

Katherine and her younger brother were taken away from the Todd family by their mother, both of them crying.

Later, one day, that same woman came to the kindergarten to pick up Katherine's younger brother. But in the end, he had an "accident" and was killed in a car crash...

"Katherine?" Vincent's dissatisfied voice snapped her back to reality.

Katherine blinked, her unfocused eyes regaining clarity. She quickly lowered her gaze, suppressing the pain brought by her memories.

Returning to her usual composed demeanor, she gestured politely. "Katelyn, this way, please."

Katherine walked ahead, leading Katelyn toward the restroom, drawing a few curious looks along the way.

Inside the restroom, after Katelyn emerged from the stall, she stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her makeup.

Once the restroom was empty except for the two of them, Katelyn turned and approached Katherine, who was waiting nearby.

"Katherine, where have you and your mother been all these years? My dad and I have missed you both so much."

She reached out, trying to grab Katherine's arm, but Katherine sidestepped, avoiding her touch.

Katelyn's hand froze awkwardly in midair.

After a few seconds of silence, Katelyn spoke again, her voice soft and tinged with a hint of grievance. "Are you still angry with us?

It's been so many years. Can't you let it go? Please don't hold a grudge anymore, okay?

If you're willing, I can call my dad right now and have him come take us back home."

Katherine let out a cold laugh. "Sure. Have him come take me back, and while you're at it, give me back my rightful place in the Todd family. Oh, and this engagement to Vincent as well... "

Before she could finish, Katelyn's face had already turned pale.

The mockery in Katherine's smile deepened. "What's the matter? You're not willing?" "Of course not.

After all, your mother had an affair to take over the position and marriage you now enjoy. How could you possibly give it all back willingly?"