Abel lowered his head, resigned. "Yes."

That evening, as the plan unraveled, Abel's thoughts turned to Katie, who was oblivious to the unfolding events.

Abel went back to the room for Katie, not knowing she had spiked her own drink, driven by a fierce desire.

In Katie's quest for upward mobility, conceiving a child was her primary aim, with little thought for the child's well-being.

Under the influence, Katie clung to Abel. Abel found himself unable to refuse her, and they shared a moment of passion clouded by their impaired judgment.

The initial rush of intimacy with Katie, whom Abel had admired, overwhelmed him. Afterward, despite his better judgment, he repeatedly engaged in intimacy with her.

The revelation of Katie's pregnancy and the manipulated paternity test were orchestrated by Abel.

Abel's plan was to keep this secret for as long as possible. If Katie married Mitchel, he was ready to do anything to protect that lie.

Suddenly, Abel managed to stood up and fell to his knees with a heavy “thud" on the hard floor. "Katie doesn't know the truth. She believes the child is yours," he said, his voice echoing in the room as he struggled, his forehead bleeding from hitting the floor. "This is my fault. If you want revenge, it should be against me."

Only then did Mitchel understand why Katie had so firmly believed the child was his. The truth became clear. Katie had been absolutely convinced that the man with her that night was him.

Mitchel Laughed coldly. "You'll have to tell her that yourself."

With a snap of his fingers, the door opened, and Katie was brought into the room.

Katie was completely in the dark about Mitchel's motives for summoning her over. Marcelo had roughly pulled her into the car.

Throughout the drive, Katie was overwhelmed with anxiety. Yet, upon arriving, she was somewhat relieved at the sight of Abel kneeling in front of Mitchel.

Katie surmised Mitchel tried to force the truth out of Abel, but she was confident Abel would never divulge her secrets. Abel's loyalty as a faithful subordinate was unquestionable.

Katie took a deep breath and asked, "Mitchel, why have you tied up Abel? What did he do wrong?"

"Just ask him," Mitchel answered, his voice icy, as if covered with frost.

"Abel, what's going on?" Katie asked.

Abel, head bowed, didn't answer, marking the first time he had failed to responded to Katie.

Feeling something amiss with a sinking feeling, Katie paused briefly before asking again, "Abel?"