No Mercy, No Forgiveness

“Hey handsome...”

Jacob thoughtfully handed her a tissue: “Wipe your mouth, here.”

Katherine swallowed hard.

Maureen knew her best friend well-a hopeless flirt on the surface, but secretly pining for one man.

For that guy, at twenty-seven, Katherine hadn’t married or even dated.

“Con in. This is my friend Katherine. No one else here.”

Maureen told Justin.

Justin glanced around the room.

Roy said politely, “Uncle Justin, tomorrow’s Memorial Day Weekend. Let's celebrate together with sHoliday

Stuffed Pastries.”

Justin's stern features softened slightly.

“No, thank you.”

Maureen knew he preferred solitude and didn’t press further. She packed spastries and handed them to

him.

“Happy early Memorial Day then.”

“Mhm, thanks.”

Justin took the pastries and walked away.

After he left, Katherine mused, “That guy doesn’t strikeas a bodyguard.”

“How so?”

“Just a feeling... hard to explain...”

Maureen also sensed something different about him.

Though Justin had protected her for years, their interactions remained minimal beyond basic exchanges.

Their most significant contact occurred last time, when she’d taken medication...

Katherine's phone rang abruptly.

She glanced at the screen - her father calling.

0.0 %

19:31

Chapter49

“What is it?”

“You're not getting younger. I've arranged a matchmaking session at the Country Club tomorrow, 9 AM.”

Katherine's face darkened instantly: “I won't go!”

“Do | sound like I'm asking?” Scott White's voice turned icy. “Remember who funds your entire existence!

Stop being a White and get out if you refuse.”

288 Vouchers

The grandfather clock chimed midnight as Katherine stared at the shattered phone screen. Scott's final words

still vi- brated in her bones - “Stop being a White“. She traced the family crest engraved on her platinum card,

its falcon em- blem suddenly feeling like a brand. Downstairs, Maureen quietly reheated milk, the scent of vanilla

and unresolved tension filling the townhouse.

Three streets away, Justin stood motionless before a granite tombstone, the Holiday Stuffed Pastries gleaming

under moonlight like sacrificial offerings. His calloused fingers brushed against the engraved nEvelyn Lee as

rain be- gan erasing fresh footprints around the grave.

Back at the townhouse, Katherine watched raindrops race down windowpanes. “He visits Arlington every

Memorial Day,” Maureen murmured, placing steaming mugs on the coffee table. “His wife's anniversary is

tomorrow.” The un- spoken question hung between them: What kind of bodyguard carries this much sorrow?

Katherine's laughter sounded hollow. “Father's timing is impeccable as always.” She flicked the platinum card

across the table where it skidded to a stop beside Maureen's untouched mug. Outside, thunder rattled the

foundations of the White empire.

Katherine clenched her phone tightly.

From childhood to adulthood, so many things had been beyond her control.

She'd put the call on speaker earlier, so Maureen had heard every word.

Katherine couldn't hide her disappointment: “But | have plans tomorrow...”

The reason she was making Holiday Stuffed Pastries with Jacob now and had asked Maureen over was precisely

be- cause she needed to find someone early tomorrow morning.

Jacob immediately chimed in: “Mommy, could you go for Aunt Katherine tomorrow?”

Katherine was stunned.

Maureen looked utterly bewildered: “Me... is that okay?”

Katherine seemed to grasp at this lifeline.

“Absolutely! I've been abroad for years and rarely cback. Those trust fund kids wouldn't recognizeat

all...”

“But...” Maureen still hesitated.

Surely both sides would have each other's information for a blind date.

24.1%

19:31

Chapter49

Yet Katherine quickly cased her worries.

1288 jVouchers

“Don’t worry, | know how these setups work. Everyone's just being dragged there by their parents. Dad didn’t

even mention names just now, see?

The other side won't bring it up either. It's all just theater for the parents.’

11

Jacob looked earnestly at Maureen: “Mommy, chances like this are rare. What if it works out? Then Ethan and |

could finally have a daddy.”

He didn’t want Maureen to keep exhausting herself taking care of him.

Though Uncle Roy wasn’t bad,

being around him felt too dangerous. He'd rather have Mom stay with someone safe.

Katherine hadn't expected the kid's scheme.

She chimed in, “My dad wantsto marry for business alliances, but those trust fund kids he introduced aren't

bad looking.”

Maureen sighed at both of them.

“Alright, but,” she turned to Jacob, “I'm just going on that blind date for Aunt Katherine, not to find you a dad.”

Jacob shrugged. “Got it.”

His mind drifted to those romance s on TV-love always struck unexpectedly. Coincidences like this sparked

the best flames.

He and Ethan were still too young to protect Mom properly.

Finding someone to care for her before they returned hwould be perfect.

Maureen remained clueless about Jacob's little scheme.

After tucking Jacob in that night, Maureen and Katherine sat talking.

“Going to see Tyler Adams tomorrow?”

Katherine didn’t deny it. “Yeah. Heard he’s going back home.”

She looked at Reenie. “Thank you for covering that blind date. If | missed seeing him over something else... I'd

regret

it forever.”

70.0 %

19:31

Chapter50

Chapter50