?Chapter 1333:


    Lamont’s face paled to a ghostly white.


    He opened his mouth to respond, but suddenly, a voice echoed from behind him. “Catherine.”


    Catherine turned her head, her gazending on the unexpected figure that came into view.


    “Who’s this?” Zoie approached, her curiosity piqued as she spotted the man standing opposite Catherine, his face lined with anxiety.


    Catherine didn’t want to say anything.


    But Lamont didn’t hesitate. “I’m Niko’s father. My son has been missing for days now. Please, I’m begging you, talk to Miss Bates. Convince her to let my son go.”


    Desperate, he assumed Zoie might be Catherine’s friend and hoped she could sway her.


    Zoie froze for a moment at his words. “Niko’s father?” she echoed, ncing back at Catherine. “Johnson’s still keeping Niko locked up?” Catherine offered no response.


    Lamont said urgently, “No! It has been too long, and my son’s still not home. I can’t even get in touch with him. Please, miss, help me. My boy knows he messed up. Please persuade Catherine to let him off.” Tears streamed down his face as he spoke, his sorrow palpable. In that instant, Lamont’s raw pain was unmistakable, and even Zoie felt a pang ofpassion.


    She turned to Catherine. “Catherine, Johnson’s had Niko for days now. Niko has probably paid enough for his mistake. Maybe it’s time to let this go and set him free.”


    Lamont’s eyes lit up with a flicker of hope at Zoie’s words, his gaze fixed on Catherine.


    But Catherine’s stare cut through Zoie with cold indifference. “This isn’t your business, Miss Wilde.”


    Zoie’s expression faltered, a flush of difort crossing her face.


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    She hadn’t anticipated such a sharp refusal from Catherine.


    She had expected resistance, but not this direct.


    “Catherine, I just—” Zoie began, but Catherine interrupted her. “Miss Wilde, it’s easy to talk about mercy when you’re not the one being hurt. The matter has nothing to do with you; stay out of it.” A subtle scornced Catherine’s tone.


    Anger surged within Zoie, but her face remained an impable facade. With a faint sigh, she murmured, “I’m sorry, Catherine. I didn’t mean to intrude.”


    She then turned to Lamont, her voice steady. “Sir, it’s best you return home. Your son made a terrible mistake, and he must bear the consequences. He will be released when Catherine forgives him.”


    At these words, Catherine’s expression tightened, a shadow crossing her face.


    She couldn’t ignore the feeling that Zoie was intentionally stoking tension between her and Niko’s father. Sure enough, Lamont’splexion paled.


    He whirled toward Catherine, his voice a low growl. “Catherine, what is it that you want? How long does my son have to suffer before you forgive him?”


    Meeting his fury with silence, Catherine mped her lips shut and began to walk away.


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