Chapter 191

Kaia had penned the letter while at school and mailed it from there, so the return address bore the school's name.

A fellow student, returning from the mailroom, told her that a letter had arrived in her name.

Bewildered yet curious, Kaia made her way toward the mailroom.

When she finally received the envelope and unfolded its contents, she stood rooted to the spot,her heart suspended between joy and disbelief, before she could gather herself again.

"In that letter, you reminded me that ability and skill are the true passports in life. You told me never to force myself into circles; with genuine ability, the circles I long for will one day formn naturally around me." Tears welled in Kaia's eyes and cascaded down without delay. "So I swore to devote myself to medicine, to carve my name as a physician like you.You pulled me back when I was drifting aimlessly.Evelyn, you must believe me-! could never bring myself to harm you."

Her words rang with sincerity, yet Verena's heart remained unmoved.

The damage had already been done, and no river of words could wash it away.

Verena fixed her gaze on Kaia, the name "Grace"surfacing in her memory.

Back then, when she had first read the letter, it was drenched in despair, written by someone teetering on the edge with strong thoughts of ending their life.

As a doctor, her duty was to save lives, so she had replied.

Never had she imagined that Grace was none other than Kaia. Verena's lips curved faintly, almost ironically. "So,you are Grace. And because I am Evelyn,you now hope to reconcile with me?"

Kaia knew full well her sins were too many to erase.Forgiveness was out of reach, yet if she could make even the smallest amends, she would.

Shaking her head quickly, she pleaded, "I know my wrongs are beyond forgiveness. I don't seek pardon -only that you trust me this once. The real danger now lies with Katelyn. She told me that tomorrow she'll keep lsaac occupied, and then I must inform you that lsaac has been taken away in a car-with her inside. She wants me to lure you to an abandoned factory on the outskirts, where she plans to have you kidnapped. If I refuse, she'll simply find another accomplice."

Kaia lifted her face, her expression taut with urgency."Evelyn, beware of Katelyn-she's set on revenge against you."

Verena's eyes narrowed. It was indeed likely that Katelyn intended to strike before her departure. But could Kaia's words truly be trusted?

Verena studied her, her mind already charting a course.

If Kaia spoke the truth, this could be the perfect snare to crush Katelyn once and for all.

If Kaia lied, Verena would strike first. She would lay a trap, ensuring neither of them could rise again.

"For now, I'll trust you. But if I discover you've lied,the price will be one you cannot even imagine."

Kaia's eyes lit up in disbelief, tears shimmering."Evelyn, do you really trust me this time?"

Her reverence seemed genuine. Though Verena did not fully grant her trust, she gave her words weight-yet not without warning.

Folding her arms, Verena leaned closer, her gaze sharp. "As long as you follow my lead, I will place trust in you."

Kaia nodded eagerly, almost breathless. "Yes, yes, I'll do as you say."

Verena bent down, whispering instructions into her ear.

...

After returning to her room from Seraphina Villas,Kaia pulled out her phone.

She searched her contacts for Katelyn's name and pressed dial.

When Katelyn picked up, her brows arched knowingly. She understood Kaia's deep hatred for Verena, and all seemed to be unfolding according to her design.

"So,have you made up your mind?" she asked.

Kaia gritted her teeth, answering firmly, "Yes, l've thought it through. Verena must not remain in my life."

Katelyn's lipscurled in satisfaction, convinced that when interests collided, family ties snapped like twigs.

What did it matter if Verena was Evelyn? Despite Kaia's admiration, she was still willing to betray her.

In Katelyn's eyes, Kaia was nothing more than a well-placed pawn.

Admiring her manicured nails, Katelyn drawled, "In that case, I'll entrust you with the task of bringing Verena there."

Kaia's eyes flickered with a glint of amusement.With subtle words, she sought to coax Katelyn into revealing proof of her scheme.

Feigning unease, she asked, "Katelyn, are you sure everything is arranged? Suppose I bring Verena to the abandoned factory, and your people aren't there yet-what if she manages to slip away?"

Katelyn scoffed at her supposed hesitation.-"Don't worry. That won't happen. My people will be stationed there an hour before you arrive."

An hour early. Kaia's lips tilted into a faint smile. "That's good,then."

Pausing as if in afterthought, she voiced another doubt. "But once you have Verena, how will you deal with her? I'm merely following your orders to bring her there. If she escapes and reports me, I'll be the one arrested."

"Kaia, you underestimate me." Katelyn chuckled coldly. "Once Verena falls into my grasp, I won't give her a chance to run. She'll disappear without a trace,and even the police will find nothing. Afterward,I'll leave this country. With Verena gone, no one will testify, and suspicion won't touch you."

Kaia nodded slowly. "Alright, that eases my mind."

Impatient, Katelyn wrapped up their conversation briskly. "Enough talk. Tomorrow, after | keep lsaac occupied, I'll have someone send you a photo as proof. Once my people call, you'll take Verena to the factory without delay."

Kaia assured her, "Don't worry. I'll make sure she's there."

With that, Katelyn hung up.

Kaia stared at the screen, her eyes resting on the recording time, a mocking smile tugging at her lips.

Once Kaia left, Verena immediately sent lsaac a message,relaying Katelyn's plot.

Her intent had been merely to inform him, so he could prepare.

Yet unexpectedly, Isaac called at once.

The moment she picked up, his voice came urgent through the line. "Verena, why don't I send someone to drive Katelyn out of the country right now? That way you won't have to risk anything."

Verena said with a calm smile, "That isn't necessary.Since she wants to use this scheme against me, I'll see that she bears the full weight of it. Exile won't restrain her; for someone like her, only prison bars <