Just as Katie began to feel confused and was about to ask, Mitchel's grip intensified, painfully squeezing her hand until her bones felt like they might break.

Katie's face contorted with pain as she exclaimed, "Mitchel!"

Mitchel remained stoic, seemingly oblivious to her cries, his hold as relentless as a vise. This made her sweat and grimace.

“Mitchel..." Katie was nearly in tears from the pain, managing to gasp, "It hurts. Please let go."

That was when Mitchel finally looked down at Katie, his voice cold.

“Someone is taking pictures."

However, Mitchel didn't relax his grip. Instead, he pulled her along, striding forward swiftly.

With the press taking pictures of them, Katie managed to fight back the urge to cry in pain, forcing a smile.

The pain was intense, her fingers being pressed so tightly that they felt distorted, on the verge of serious damage. Despite the agony, Katie tried her best to maintain a smile, one that looked more pained than any tear could express.

Finally, they made it to the reserved chamber. As soon as the door shut behind them, Mitchel quickly released her hand.

Katie stumbled and grabbed the back of a chair to steady herself, while tears streamed down her face. Her right hand throbbed painfully, almost feeling numb.

Mitchel stood motionless, bathed in the harsh overhead light that highlighted his handsome features.

Yet, to Katie, his expression might as well have been the grim reaper's. A cold shiver ran through her, and just looking at him made her legs weak.

Mitchel looked down at Katie, his voice deep and rough. "Katie, do you enjoy playing games?"

Katie's heart skipped a beat. She fought her anxiety and tried to sound composed. “Mitchel, what do you mean? I don't get it."

Mitchel noticed her feigned ignorance, his eyes turning frostier.

“Didn't I tell you to avoid upsetting her?"

Katie, filled with a mix of bitterness and resentment, replied, "I didn't... I only came to you because I noticed some reporters nearby. I had no idea Raegan was here."

Katie assumed she only said a few words to Raegan. How could that be seen as provocation?

"You didn't know?" Mitchel scoffed. “If you were unaware, why couldn't you keep quiet?"