Chapter 346

Katrina felt a chill creep up her spine, as if a snake were slithering up her back.

"Promise me one thing, and I'll let you go home. I swear I won't hurt you." Norton toyed with her phone, smiling.

Katrina pushed down the unease churning in her stomach. "Tell me what it is first."

"Stay here with me for a month, and I'll let you leave." He stood and pulled back the curtains. Light flooded the room.

The ocean breeze drifted through the half-open window, carrying the scent of salt and humidity.

Katrina's gaze shifted to the window. Outside, several armed guards patrolled the grounds, occasionally glancing her way—like she was some kind of criminal.

"Are you out of your mind? Why would I agree to that? This is kidnapping!" Katrina's temples throbbed with anger. She swung her legs over the side of the bed to stand, but the moment her feet touched the floor, her legs buckled. She started to collapse.

Norton caught her before she hit the ground.

"Why so worked up? Still got that temper, I see." He scooped her up and set her back on the bed, watching her with infuriating calm.

The unspoken message was clear: Right now, you don't have a choice but to agree.

Katrina stayed silent for a long time. Finally, she had no choice but to agree.

If she agreed, she'd get the antidote. And maybe—just maybe—she could find a way to escape.

Norton quickly had someone bring her another glass of warm water.

Katrina drank it. Within an hour, some of her strength returned. Norton wheeled her to the dining room in a wheelchair.

The dining room was just as luxurious as the bedroom. A small, elegant round table was set with an array of gourmet dishes that looked mouthwatering.

Katrina felt nothing but disgust.

She couldn't understand how he could do something so twisted.

Once Noah finds this place, he's done for.

"Noah's not coming." Norton read her thoughts and smiled.

Katrina's expression shifted. "What are you talking about?"

Norton didn't answer. Instead, he turned on the projection screen in the dining room and had someone play a video.

"See for yourself." He tilted his chin toward the screen.

Katrina forced down the rising panic and looked up. The screen showed a massive fire.

It was Lisa's villa. On fire.

No—not just on fire. This was an explosion. Flames engulfed the entire villa, crackling and roaring. The sound alone was bone-chilling.

Katrina's blood ran cold.

Where was Lisa? Where was Anne?

"What did you do to my friends? Are you insane? Why would you go after them?!" Katrina's voice came out hoarse as she demanded answers. She hated him. She wanted to strangle him.

"I didn't do anything to them. Don't pin this on me." Norton held up his hands. "If you want answers, ask your 'dear brother.'"

Brandon.

Katrina's entire body tensed. She tried to stand, but her legs still wouldn't cooperate. It felt like lead weights were dragging her down.

"It's not over yet. Keep watching." Norton savored her anguish, his tone light and casual.

A figure appeared on the screen.

Noah.

The moment he saw the villa in flames, he ran straight toward it. He looked crazed, screaming Katrina's name.

Murphy and the bodyguards arrived seconds later, grabbing him and trying to hold him back. They begged him not to go inside.

Katrina froze. Tears welled up in her eyes.

She'd never imagined that throwing a tantrum could lead to something this horrific.

Noah was always calm and composed. He only lost control when it came to her.

This was a trap.

Brandon and Norton had joined forces to kill them both.

They'd hated them for so long.

Katrina stared at the screen, praying that Murphy would stop Noah this time. That he wouldn't do something reckless.

But watching Noah's devastated expression only made her dread worse.

Sure enough, moments later, Noah broke free from their grip and charged into the inferno.

The flames swallowed him instantly.

The video stopped there.

Katrina stared at the final frame, her heart shattering.

Her vision blurred. She couldn't tell if this was a nightmare or reality.

No. This has to be fake.

Noah was too smart to fall for Norton's schemes. He had to be acting.

"My men saw him go in with their own eyes." Norton's tone was tinged with regret—and resentment. "I never thought he'd be so devoted to you. That he'd actually die for you. No wonder you chose him over me."

"You psycho. You're insane!"

"Of course I am." Norton laughed, as if he'd heard a joke. "Katrina, what does he have that I don't? Why won't you accept me?

I could treat you just as well."

This lunatic. A lunatic consumed by obsession.

"You're not worth a single hair on his head!" Katrina shot back coldly. "Norton, you killed him. I'll make you pay for this."

Her heart was numb with pain. She couldn't bear to imagine how Noah must have suffered in those final moments.

If only she hadn't been so stubborn. If only she hadn't thrown a fit and run away. They never would have fallen into this trap.

This is all my fault.

"You might not get the chance." Norton gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"I just changed my mind. That second glass of water? It didn't just have the antidote. I added something else.

It's a hypnotic sedative. It'll mess with your memory.

Combined with some hypnotherapy sessions, it won't be long before you forget all about him. And then you'll be with me."

Katrina's blood turned to ice.

Norton had become a monster. A demon.

Why?

Just because he wanted to compete with Noah?

"Don't be scared. It won't hurt." Norton kept smiling, but his eyes were dark and cold.

The next second, someone grabbed her. A chilling voice spoke above her head. "Ms. Fontaine, please cooperate."

Katrina sank into despair.

Her body was too weak to fight back. She didn't even have anything nearby to use as a weapon.

Was she really going to be helpless?

"You'll regret this!" she said, tears streaming down her face. "I'll kill you!"

"Enjoy yourself." Norton pressed his lips together, smirking with disdain.

Katrina squeezed her eyes shut.

She thought this was the end.

But then—

The dining room door was kicked open.

A tall figure appeared.

"Norton, how dare you!" It was Noah.

He was alive. He was fine.

Katrina's eyes flew open. Overwhelming joy brought fresh tears.

Norton looked stunned. "How are you here?"

He'd sent people to confirm it—Noah was supposed to be dead!

"You're here, aren't you? Why can't I be?" Noah's gaze was ice-cold. He gave a subtle signal to his men. Within seconds, the villa was surrounded.

"Arrest him. Deal with him." Noah's voice was deadly calm.

Norton tried to resist, but his men were no match for Noah's team. Within minutes, they were all subdued.

"Wait." Katrina spoke up. "Let him live. Don't do this."

Noah's expression was grim. "He almost killed us."

"Consider it repaying what I owe him." Her voice softened.

Noah was silent for a moment. Then he agreed.

"I don't want your pity!" Norton suddenly broke free from the bodyguards' grip and snarled, "Noah, the only reason you're here is because I let you live. I didn't lose to you!"

With that, he charged headfirst into the wall.

A sickening 'thud' echoed through the room—like something had burst open.

Katrina flinched, trembling. Before she could turn around, Noah covered her eyes.

"Don't look." He sighed softly.

Katrina's chest tightened with grief.

Everything had happened so fast. Too fast.

Norton had destroyed himself. But even in death, he couldn't let go of his obsession.

"He was right, you know. He didn't go for the kill." Noah pulled Katrina into his arms. "If he'd really wanted me dead, he wouldn't have had his men do such a sloppy check and leave."

Katrina looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. The overwhelming relief of having him back left her speechless.

All she knew was that the man she loved was still alive.

That alone was a miracle.

"Katrina." Noah suddenly pulled back and dropped to one knee in front of her. He held out a massive diamond ring.

"Marry me. From now on, no matter what storms come, we'll face them together."

Katrina's breath caught.

She stared at Noah kneeling before her. Lisa's words echoed in her mind.

Wait—Lisa.

"What about Lisa and Anne?" she asked urgently.

"They're fine. Brandon tried to take them, but my men stopped him." Noah looked at her like a puppy waiting for praise. "So... will you say yes now?"

"What about Brandon?"

"He and Lancelot are both in custody. You can decide what to do with them." His tone was rushed, as if every second she didn't answer was torture.

Katrina finally exhaled in relief.

She snorted lightly. "You still need more practice. You're not quite there yet."

Just like Lisa said—don't let him off too easy.

But she still took the ring. "The ring's not bad, though. I'll keep it for fun."

Noah's face lit up with pure joy. He shot to his feet and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Thank you. Thank you for agreeing to spend your life with me."

Katrina let him hold her, warmth flooding her chest.

If only time could stop right here.

She didn't dare ask for more. This moment—right now—was enough.