Chapter 61
“Kyla also mentioned that Mr. Davidson treats that country bumpkin pretty especially,” Grace said coldly. “He seems to be protecting her. She’s not worthy. Just wait and see. She had better not come to the Weaver family’s home with Kyla. Otherwise, she’ll suffer.”
She had already figured out a way to deal with Kate.
‘I want to see if Mr. Davidson would really protect Kate, she thought. ‘He’s a cold-hearted person. Kate actually attempted to take her own life in front of him to reject the marriage, seriously injuring his pride. If Mr. Davidson were to protect her, pigs could fly.’
Belinda smiled and said, “I have to feel sorry for Kate then. She came to my store to buy a gown that day because she intended to attend your birthday party on Saturday night.”
She then quickly changed the subject. “Grace, let’s not talk about those unhappy things. Go try on the gowns and let me see if there are any issues.”
‘Even if I’m using Grace to deal with Kate, I can’t make my intention too obvious,’ she thought.
Currently, she was also unsure of Alfred’s attitude toward Kate. Using Grace was just a way to test Alfred’s boundaries.
Grace didn’t want her mood to be affected by a country bumpkin, so she took her gowns into the fitting room.
After changing into a gown, she came out of the fitting room. The moment she emerged, Belinda clapped and praised her. “Grace, your taste is top-notch. The gown you chose really suits you. Watching you walk out of the fitting room is like watching a fairy descending to the mortal world.”
Grace received Belinda’s compliments.
“Belinda, do you think I can attract Mr. Davidson’s attention by wearing this gown?”
Grace looked at herself in the mirror and admired her elegant and beautiful gown. Her tall figure and pretty face made her look even more beautiful in this gown. Belinda’s smile disappeared. She sighed and said, “Grace, even if you can attract Mr. Davidson’s attention, there’s no point. With Mr. Davidson’s current state… even if you’re willing to get married to him, your family won’t consent.” Before Alfred got into the car accident, the Weaver family was very favorable toward Alfred, and they hinted countless times to Alfred that they could form a marriage alliance with the Davidson family. However, Alfred did not respond. His attitude toward Grace was distant and cold. Grace’s mood immediately plunged into despair.
She loved Alfred deeply.
But now, even though she still loved Alfred, she could not convince herself to get married to Alfred without a care. “Grace, change into those gowns, and let me take a look.” Belinda changed the subject. She did not want to dwell on the topic that made her feel sorry.
“Okay,” Grace said. Under Belinda’s praise, she quickly put her bad mood out of her mind.
****
As soon as she got home, Kate went into her room and rummaged through her things.
Alfred followed her into the room and coldly watched her rummage around.
After a while, she found a metal box, and she said with a smile, “Found it. That took me a while to find.”
Alfred remained indifferent and taciturn, watching her wipe the metal box with a tissue and then hand it to him.
“Mr. Davidson, this is a gift for you today.”
Alfred’s thin lips moved as he asked, “What is it?”
Kate smiled. “When you receive a gift, you have to open it yourself. Only then will there be a surprise. If someone tells you what it is, there won’t be any surprise.”
Alfred was not in a hurry to open the metal box. Instead, he
stared at her intently for a moment and said coldly, “Do you think you can get away by giving me a worthless metal box? Why did Elijah pester you?”
“I just bumped into him. When I was about to fall, I grabbed his tie and almost strangled him. I didn’t apologize to him, so he pestered me to apologize.”
“Kate, people who lie to my face will suffer.”
Kate cowered. “Mr. Davidson, I’m telling the truth. If you don’t believe me, you can investigate. I believe that with your ability, you can clear it up in no time. If the results of the investigation still don’t convince you, there’s only one other reason that can explain why Elijah pestered me.”
“Elijah fell in love with you at first sight?”
Kate smiled. “Mr. Davidson, so you agree with what I said before.”
She touched her face and straightened her back. She even let down her tied long hair and flirtatiously brushed her hair as she said to Alfred, “Mr. Davidson, I have what it takes to charm the head of the Purchas family, right?”
Alfred looked at her from the corner of his eyes and pursed his thin lips intensely.
“By the way, Mr. Davidson, thank you.”
“For what?”
‘Her thanks are so oddly given,’ Alfred thought. ‘The more I get to know her, the more I find her hard to read. To think that I previously found her naive and unsophisticated.’
“You asked James to hand me a love letter.”
Alfred hesitated for a moment before saying, “That’s not a love letter. I will never write a love letter in my life. Even more so, there’s no way I would write one to you.”
“Oh.”
Kate was not negatively impacted. She still looked cheerful.
“I don’t expect you to write me a love letter either.”
Alfred noticed that she was not angry at all, so his expression became even colder and a little frustrated.
A long while later, he lowered his head and opened the metal box, which contained a wire dragon.
At first glance, Alfred was stunned by the handcrafted wire dragon.
‘After receiving the pair of little mice from Kate, I know she has exceptional craftsmanship, but I didn’t expect her craftsmanship to be so astonishing,’ he thought.
“When I was bored in the past, I would weave some small things and sell them on Amazon,” Kate explained. “My monthly income was a few hundred dollars. When business was good, it even exceeded two thousand dollars. I finished weaving this wire dragon then, but before I listed it for sale on my Amazon store, I moved to stay with my biological mother. It was put in this metal box and hasn’t been displayed. I’m giving it to you as a gift today. Mr. Davidson, to me, you are like a soaring dragon.”
Alfred picked up the wire dragon and looked at it several times before putting it back into the box. He then said indifferently, “Kate, when it comes to flattery, you are second to none.”
“Mr. Davidson, you must be biased against me. Those words are from the bottom of my heart, yet you say I was flattering you.”
Closing the box, Alfred gestured for Kate to wheel him out.
After Kate understood his gaze, he said in a low and cold voice, “There’s a dragon, so there has to be a phoenix, right? You owe me a phoenix.”
Kate paused for a moment before saying, “Mr. Davidson, you have to give me some time. Weaving these little items is not as simple as eating.”
“I didn’t ask you to give it to me tomorrow. You should have some stock, right?”
“I do have some, but they are all left to my brother. I’ve handed my art training institution and Amazon store to my brother to manage. I brought very few items along after I moved house.”
Alfred said domineeringly, “Get your brother to send all your stock back.”
He thought, ‘The things she weaves are intended as gifts for me. How can they be left to Ryan?’
Even though Kate and Ryan referred to each other as siblings, they had no blood relationship.
Alfred did not like her being too close to Ryan.
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Kate looked at Alfred and instinctively said, “They’re probably all sold out. If you like, I can weave some items for you when I have time. Just forget about the ones meant for my brother to sell.”
As soon as Alfred said that, he realized that he had exposed his possessiveness toward Kate and felt a little flustered. However, his fluster instantly vanished when he noticed that Kate did not catch the underlying significance. “Same place as usual,” he said. “I want to eat.” “Okay.”
At the mention of food, Kate beamed with joy.
Alfred bit his tongue and managed not to say “glutton.” This married couple was rarely this happy together.
After dinner, Alfred asked Kate to wheel him for a walk in the courtyard of his home.
“Can you remember the route now?”
“With some difficulties, I’ve committed to memory the route back to our little home.”
Alfred pursed his lips.
When he heard her mention their little home, his cold heart actually softened.
“Mr. Davidson.”
“Shoot.”
“Do you want to practice walking? I can support you.”
Alfred said coldly, “You despise me because I’m disabled, huh?”
“Mr. Davidson, why do you always see me in such a negative light? No one despises you. I’m doing this for your own good. Do you want to be wheelchair-bound for the rest of your life? If you had no chance to stand again, I’d wheel you for the rest of your life. But if you do have a chance. Why won’t you make the effort to rehabilitate and stand up once more?”
Alfred recalled Oswald’s advice to him.
No one wanted to spend the rest of their lives in a wheelchair.
He was just feeling a little disheartened.
“Mr. Davidson, let’s practice walking six feet, okay?”
Kate softened her voice and coaxed this man who always saw her in a negative light.
“If you think six feet is too long, then let’s change it to three feet. Just three feet. I believe you can surely do it.”
Alfred was silent.
Kate stopped in her tracks, turned to face him, squatted down, and looked into his eyes.
Alfred’s eyes were so profound and inscrutable that Kate was unable to discern what he was thinking. He quietly looked at Kate, who was squatting in front of him. His lips were tightly pursed, and he exuded a cold aura.
At this moment, he was as cold as he could be.
“Mr. Davidson.”
Kate grabbed one of his hands, but he shook it off. She then grabbed it again.
Knowing that she was unabashed, Alfred could not be bothered to argue with her.
“You’re so handsome. If you could stand up, you’d be even more handsome, and I’d like you even more.”
Alfred’s pressed lips moved slightly, and he said coldly,” Who cares about your liking?”
He withdrew his hand again.
Then, he pushed the wheelchair forward himself, saying coldly, “Kate, I gave you an inch, and now you’re trying to take a mile. It’s not up to you to decide what kind of life I want to live.”
Kate stood up and looked at his back.
The setting sun casts its light on him, highlighting his arrogance.
He had always been wary of her and did not trust her.
A long while later, Kate caught up and wheeled him again, as if nothing had happened.
Alfred did not look back. He did not speak either.
The married couple remained silent until they returned to the house.
James thought the couple’s walk would improve their relationship. Unexpectedly, when they returned, Alfred’s cold face was grim, and his thin lips were pursed tightly. It was obvious that he was in a bad mood.
James then looked at Kate, noticing that she was still as unconcerned as ever.
He guessed that Kate must have angered Alfred.
‘Judging by Mrs. Davidson’s expression, Mr. Davidson didn’t take it out on her despite his bad mood, he thought. ‘This is truly rare.’
“James,” Alfred suddenly called out to James in a serious voice, pulling James back from his daze.
“Mr. Davidson,” James said.
“Wheel me upstairs.”
Alfred did not intend to stay in Kate’s room tonight.
“Okay.”
James stepped forward. Kate voluntarily gave way and let James wheel Alfred to the elevator.
It was only when the two of them entered the elevator that Kate let out a sigh.
She thought, ‘I truly have no ulterior motives in wanting to help Alfred stand up. He always thinks so poorly of me, believing that I despise him for being disabled. If I despised him, why would I have clung to this bigwig immediately upon traveling back in time and insisted on getting married to him?’
That night, Alfred’s residence was as quiet as a tomb. No one dared to speak loudly. Even the servants’ footsteps were light, afraid of offending Alfred.
The next day, Alfred smelled a strong fragrance when he went downstairs.
“What is she fiddling with in the kitchen?” he said. “It smells so good.”
James replied, “Mrs. Davidson is making soup. It’s chowder.” With a smiling expression, he continued, “Mr. Davidson, Mrs. Davidson must have noticed that you are usually busy with work and worried about you getting exhausted, so she woke up early to make chowder for you. I personally fetched the ingredients from the main kitchen.”
Alfred said expressionlessly, “James, you’re overthinking things.”
He thought, ‘Kate’s foster mother got into a car accident. Without asking Kate, I can guess that the chowder Kate made is for her foster mother. Hmph, she claims that she likes me the most, yet she has never made soup for me. All she knows is coaxing me.’
Hearing some noises, Kate walked out of the kitchen.
She wore a floral long dress today, which made her look especially fresh and beautiful. The apron she wore was also floral.
As Alfred looked at her, his gaze became intense.
“Good morning, Mr. Davidson,” Kate greeted him with a smile.
Alfred replied indifferently, “Good morning.”
Upon receiving his response, Kate smiled even more happily.
“Mr. Davidson, I’ve made some chowder. Do you want a bowl of chowder? If you want, I’ll go get it for you now.”
Without waiting for Alfred to reply, James took matters into his own hands and said, “Mr. Davidson smelled the aroma as soon as he came downstairs. Mrs. Davidson, please serve him a bowl of chowder.”
Alfred did not refute James’s words, so Kate said with a smile, “I’ll go get the soup now.”
After Kate turned around and returned to the kitchen, James wheeled Alfred to the dining table and said softly, Mr. Davidson, the soup Mrs. Davidson made is for you. To be honest, her cooking skills are quite good. The aroma of this soup makes one’s mouth water.”
Alfred turned his head and shot James a glare, saying, ” James, you are overly talkative today.”
James smiled. “Alright. I’ll shut up immediately.”
Soon, Kate served Alfred a bowl of soup, which was actually clam chowder.
There were even a few clams in the bowl of chowder.
She carefully placed a bowl of soup on the dining table and said to Alfred, “Mr. Davidson, take your time drinking. I’ll go wash a thermal food container and bring the rest of the soup to my mom.”
Anna’s pale face really made Kate’s heartache when she went to see her yesterday.
She had asked the doctor. Anna could start drinking some chowder today, so she woke up early, asked James to help her get some ingredients from the main kitchen, and made a pot of chowder for Anna.
‘I only gave him a bowl because there is extra soup,’ she thought. ‘I won’t let him know that he benefits without putting in effort. Otherwise, he will smash the bowl. He’s quite petty.’
“I’m the first person drinking the chowder, huh?” Alfred suddenly asked.
Chapter 63
Kate replied, “Yeah. You’re the first person drinking the chowder.”
Alfred fell silent again.
Before he continued speaking, Kate entered the kitchen.
Feeling inexplicably cheerful, Alfred picked up the spoon and slowly sipped the chowder that his wife had made for him.
He thought, ‘Yep. The taste is not bad. It smells good, and it tastes good too. Even the clams at the bottom of the bowl taste delicious to me.’
After a while, Kate came out of the kitchen again. She had already taken off her apron.
“Mr. Davidson, I’ll head to the hospital now,” Kate said as she walked out, carrying the food container. She then said to James, “James, can you arrange a car for me?”
‘It’s really inconvenient not being able to drive myself, she thought.
James looked at Alfred, but Alfred did not even glance at him. After putting down the spoon, Alfred said in a serious voice, “As long as I haven’t divorced her, she is Mrs.
Davidson. Whatever she asks you to do, as long as it’s not illegal stuff, do as she says.”
“Got it,” James replied.
Kate, who was about to leave, turned back upon hearing Alfred’s words. She asked carefully, “Mr. Davidson, you intend to divorce me, huh?”
“You want a divorce?” Alfred asked this remark filled with a sense of threat.
Kate was certain that if she said yes, Alfred would make her life miserable.
“I don’t want to get a divorce. I said I’d take responsibility for you, so that means for a lifetime. Unless you force me to get a divorce, I’ll stay by your side for the rest of my life.”
‘He’s a bigwig,’ she thought. ‘It’d be foolish not to cling to him. Of course, it’s not just about clinging to a bigwig. The main reason is that I want to repay the kindness he had shown me before I traveled back in time.’
“Hmph,” Alfred snorted. “You’ve already lost the marriage certificate, yet you still have the audacity to say you’re sincere. If you’re sincere, you would have treasured and kept the marriage certificate properly.”
At the mention of the marriage certificate, Kate muttered, “I clearly brought it with me. You knocked me out. After I came around, the marriage certificate was lost. Mr.
Davidson, did you take it?”
She didn’t believe that the marriage certificate could just disappear on its own without someone taking it.
“Did you see me take the marriage certificate?”
Kate shook her head.
“Shut up if you didn’t see it!”
“Okay,” Kate said. “I’m leaving now. The gift I gave you today has been handed to Yael. Take a look after you get in the car.”
Alfred’s face darkened. “Hand it over to me personally in the future.”
He thought, ‘A gift meant for me can’t be handed to another man, even if that man is my personal bodyguard who would never have any improper intention toward her.’
Alfred was still displeased.
Kate, who had already reached the doorway, replied, “Got it, Mr. Davidson. Be sure to miss me. If you’re free in the afternoon, treat me to a meal at Cheval Blanc.”
After twice being arranged a meal at Cheval Blanc but never getting to eat there, Kate developed an obsession with it.
“Glutton,” Alfred muttered.
*****
Also at the dining table in the Sutton family’s villa, Kyla ate elegantly as she said to Leland, “Dad, I’m going back to the company a bit later today. I may be absent from the senior management meeting in the morning.”
Leland looked over and asked with concern, “How come?”
‘This daughter is the successor I have spent a lot of effort to nurture,’ he thought. ‘If I hadn’t learned that my child was swapped, I would hand Sutton Group over to Kyla in a few years and travel with my wife to make up for the regrets of my youth. Unfortunately, God doesn’t want me to retire too early. Kate wants to join Sutton Group, but I wonder if she’s consulted Mr. Davidson about it. Would Mr. Davidson be willing to let her work?’
Leland suddenly thought of many things.
If one’s biological daughter could take over, no one would be willing to let an outsider take over one’s family business. Celia was also looking at Kyla.
“Dad, that mom of mine got into a car accident and is hospitalized at the GraceWell Hospital. She’s my biological mother after all. I feel deeply guilty for not being able to care for her for the past twenty years. I know she’s hospitalized. If I don’t visit her and keep her company, I’ll be bothered by my conscience.”
Leland asked in surprise, “That mom of yours got into a car accident? Does Kate know?”
Celia took over and said, “Kate knows. She spent the whole day at the hospital yesterday to look after her. Kyla, you’re right. That’s your biological mother. You weren’t able to care for her in the past. Something has happened to her. Be it from the standpoint of feeling or reason, you have to look after her well and care for her.”
She then said to Leland, “Honey, let Kyla take care of Mrs. Garcia with peace of mind for the next few days. Let someone else handle the tasks Kyla has on hand for now.”
“Mom, I can manage both work and taking care of her,” Kyla said.
Kyla intentionally tried to show her thoughtfulness to her foster parents. Unexpectedly, her foster mother asked her to spend several days at the hospital to take care of her biological mother, not letting her return to the company.
‘Does Mom want to take this opportunity to let Kate join the company?’ she thought. ‘With Kate’s qualifications, even if she joins Sutton Group, which position can she handle? Oh, she can handle sweeping.’
“I know you’re capable and can manage both work and taking care of her, but you’ll be very tired,” Celia said. “If you’re exhausted, not only will I feel distressed about you, but your biological mother will also feel guilty. Between caring for one’s parents and work, caring for one’s parents is definitely more important. So, don’t worry about work. Your dad will handle it.”
Leland thought for a moment and said, “Kyla, your mom is right. Take good care of your biological mother for the next few days. When she’s almost recovered, you can return to work.”
“Well… thank you for your understanding and empathy, Mom and Dad,” Kyla said.
Celia smiled and said, “Oh come on. There’s no need to thank us. Although I can’t bear to let you return to that family, I have no intention of asking you not to acknowledge her as your biological mother. She raised Kate for me, and I’m grateful to her for that. Kyla, bring some supplements from home to the hospital later and hand them to your biological mother so that she can nourish her body after she recovers. Today’s soup is quite delicious. Scoop some soup later into a thermal food container and take it to the hospital for her to drink.” “Mom, I thank you for your concern on her behalf,” Kyla said. “I’ve already filled the food container with chowder and prepared some nutritious breakfast. I intended to send them to her after having breakfast with both of you.”
To show her thoughtfulness, Kyla put in enough effort and made sure everything was well-prepared.
The family of three appeared joyful as they finished breakfast together.
Celia asked the servants to pack some nutritional supplements, and she also gave Kyla some cash.
“Kyla, this is a small token from me. Take it to your biological mother and tell her that I’ll visit her at the hospital when I’m free. Tell her to recuperate well. Ask her not to worry about or deal with other matters.”
Kyla took the stack of money and estimated that it was about four to six thousand dollars.
“Thank you, Mom.”
Kyla looked extremely grateful, but no one knew what was on her mind.
Holding a thermal food container in one hand and
nutritional supplements in the other, she said, “Mom, I’ll go to the hospital now.”
“Go ahead, and drive carefully on the road,” Celia reminded. After Kyla left, the gentleness on her face instantly disappeared.
Chapter 64
“Honey,” Leland called out to Celia. When Celia looked at him, he said gently, “The Garcia family raised Kate. We can’t forcefully stop Kate from maintaining contact with them. Kyla has been with us for over twenty years. It’s very difficult for her to accept the Garcia family. Don’t set your expectations too high for her.”
Leland then sighed before he continued, “I know that because of what Kate said before, you have many reservations about Kyla. I do too. But Kyla is raised by us after all, and she is also the successor we nurtured. Before Kate has the capability to take over, we should try our best to treat Kyla as we always have. Kate needs her support.” Celia pursed her lips and said, “I don’t want to have any reservations about Kyla, but I just can’t control myself. Her treatment of Kate isn’t genuine. The things she did in the past were all acts for us. When her own mother got into a car accident, she didn’t even go to the hospital to take a look until I called her. She was putting on an act for me today. Leland, although we raised Kyla as our biological daughter for over twenty years, I am increasingly unable to understand her.”
Celia thought about how Kyla, who clearly loved Chris, still supported and encouraged Kate to be with him. This caused Kate to offend Alfred in her pursuit of so-called true love, so she ended up…
Alfred said Kate forced him to marry her.
Celia felt frustrated, thinking that she could not even figure out her biological daughter’s inner thoughts.
No matter what, she believed it was all Kyla’s fault.
Leland then spoke up for Kyla. “Kyla has been busy with work, and since she grew up with us, she always thought that she was our biological daughter. It’s indeed difficult for her to accept it when she suddenly learns that she’s the daughter of the Garcia family. It’s normal for her to feel no affection for her biological mother. Think about it. When Kate first reunited with us, how did she treat us? So, don’t
be prejudiced against Kyla because of this. As for her relationship with Chris, maybe Kyla feels that she has taken Kate’s place and wants to make it up to Kate. Kate likes Chris, so Kyla wants to suppress her feelings for Chris.” Celia snorted. “You’re busy with work every day, and your mind is focused on the company. You didn’t notice the way your two daughters interact with each other. Ever since Kate reunited with us, she’s been very careful. She’s always acting like that in front of Kyla. I just feel that Kyla is up to no good.”
After Celia’s feelings shifted in favor of her biological daughter, she began to see Kyla as increasingly scheming. “Alright. Don’t let your imagination run wild. If she finds out, that will hurt her feelings. I’ll go to work now.”
Leland still relied on Kyla and did not like hearing his wife speak ill of her.
He got up, picked up his coat, and left.
Celia got up and walked him out.
“Did Kate tell you that Mr. Davidson allowed her to work?” Leland asked as he walked.
“She hasn’t mentioned it yet. She said she’d come back for lunch. I’ll ask her then. Do you want to come back for lunch? I’ll get the servants in the kitchen to prepare food.”
Leland thought for a moment and said, “There’s a lunch appointment at noon. It’s quite important, so I won’t be coming back. Kate is our daughter. Even if she’s with the Davidson family now, Mr. Davidson won’t stop her from coming back, right? There will be many opportunities for us to have meals together in the future.”
Thinking about Kate staying in the Davidson family’s home, with its many strict rules, Celia wondered if Kate would still have a good life once Alfred told his parents that Kate forced him to marry her.
Filled with worry, she thought, ‘When Kate returns, I have to clear things up with her.’
*****
Meanwhile, Alfred was helped into the car by Yael. Yael then quickly took the gift that Kate had entrusted him to pass to Alfred and respectfully handed it to Alfred, saying, Mr. Davidson, this is the gift Mrs. Davidson prepared for you.”
It was a large envelope, and Alfred took it, which was light and had little weight. So, he reckoned it was likely that the thing inside was not valuable.
He thought, ‘She does prepare a gift for me every day as instructed, but they are all not valuable… I wonder what gifts she has given Chris.’
She opened the large envelope and took out a love card, which was one that Kate had made herself.
The card featured two red hearts close together, connected by a cupid’s arrow. The background color of the card was warm. It was very heartwarming as one looked at it.
There were a few lines of words written in the blank space, which read, “Mr. Davidson, my husband. I truly love you. I hope to stand hand in hand with you to watch the sunrise and sunset as well as to grow old together.”
At the end of those lines, there was even a drawing of red lips, indicating a kiss.
After reading the content written by Kate, Alfred found it too dull. He then flipped the card over and found a red paper rose glued to the back.
‘Is that it?’ he thought.
After reading it twice, Alfred put Kate’s homemade love card back into the envelope.
He wound down the window and looked at the view outside, thinking, ‘Standing hand in hand with me? Watching the sunrise and sunset? I’m wheelchair-bound now. How can I stand beside her? This bold woman used a love letter to hide her true intentions. She wants me to stand up.’
He took out his phone and called Kate.
“Mr. Davidson.”
Kate’s sweet voice came through, causing Alfred’s stern expression to soften involuntarily.
“Mr. Davidson, have you seen the gift I prepared for you? Do you like it?”
“Have you gifted these things to Chris before?” Alfred asked in a cold voice, his icy words concealing his other thoughts.
Kate was stunned for a moment before she instinctively replied, “I’ve never given anything so cheap. I was worried that Chris would not like it, so…”
Kate quickly stopped talking, thinking, ‘Jeez, what did I just say? I didn’t give Chris such cheap stuff, but I gave it to Mr. Davidson. With his petty and capricious nature, he’ll definitely hang up on me immediately and hold it against me.’
As expected, Alfred’s expression turned sour.
He said coldly, “Kate, you see me as a garbage collection station, right?”
“Mr. Davidson… those small gifts are at least made by me personally. The gifts I gave Chris in the past were all bought. There’s a difference in significance between bought items and handmade ones. Don’t be mad, and don’t scowl. Your sour look is eerie. It’s so darn scary…”
Alfred hung up.
There was a difference in significance between bought items and handmade ones.
However, Alfred was still angry, feeling that Kate was going through the motions with him.
After hanging up, he took out the love card that Kate had given him, wound down the car window, and threw it out.
When the wind blew, it was blown far away.
One of the bodyguards’ cars following Alfred’s car stopped.
Logan Miller pushed open the car door, quickly ran back to where the love card had fallen, and bent down to pick it up. Then, he hurriedly ran back to the car and quickly got in.
Chapter 65
Logan didn’t dare to look at the contents of the love card. ‘When Mrs. Davidson handed the envelope to Yael, we all saw it, he thought. ‘Mr. Davidson will definitely regret throwing it away. So, I need to pick up the card now and give it to him when he regrets it.
After throwing away the gift his wife had prepared for him, Alfred was still angry. He instructed Yael, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, saying, “Call Kate.”
Yael did not know what his boss was thinking, but he still did as he was told.
“After she answers the call, tell her to take back everything she gave Chris, no matter what it is. Every item must be returned, without exception. Also, tell her that I have a sour look.”
Yael complied.
After getting through to Kate, he relayed his boss’s words as told.
“How sour is his expression?” Kate asked softly. “Is it extremely sour?”
Yael said seriously, “Mrs. Davidson, you just need to know that Mr. Davidson is very angry.”
“Oh, got it. Mr. Davidson is like the unpredictable weather. His mood swings quickly.”
Sighing, Kate hung up.
She thought, ‘He’s so handsome, but his temper is terrible. Alright. It’s also my fault. I shouldn’t have given him
something cheap. But those were all made by me, and they were my sincere gesture. As they say, it’s the thought that counts.’
Kate decided to go to the shopping mall in the afternoon to buy a few new suits for Alfred.
At the GraceWell Hospital in Sherpsel, Elijah sat in the car dedicated to his transportation. The window was lowered a crack, allowing him to clearly see what was outside. His gaze was fixed on the entrance of the inpatient department.
When he saw Kate’s figure, he immediately pushed open the car door and got out.
His bodyguards knew what he was thinking and rushed forward to block Kate’s path before he could.
“It’s you people again,” Kate said as she glared at the Purchas family’s bodyguards warily. “What do you want?” “Kate, let’s talk.”
A deep and unfamiliar voice came through.
Kate turned around and saw Elijah striding over.
Like Alfred, he liked wearing an all-black suit.
When Elijah walked, he took large strides, yet he maintained a calm and composed demeanor, looking imposing. The presence of the bodyguards highlighted his commanding and authoritative demeanor.
This man was not inferior to Alfred in all aspects.
“Who are you?” Kate said, pretending to be clueless. “Elijah Purchas.”
“Elijah Purchas? Oh, it’s Mr. Purchas. What do you want to talk to me about? Oh, what happened yesterday was my fault. I’d like to earnestly apologize to you now. I’m sorry.”
Elijah approached and stood in front of Kate, making her want to cower.
‘I really have to hand it to him, she thought. ‘He’s worthy of being Alfred’s archenemy. His presence is overwhelming. A delicate woman like me can’t handle it.’
“I’ll get someone to send the food container to your mother’s ward for you. Come with me now.”
Elijah spoke in a forceful and controlling manner, leaving no room for Kate to refuse.
Right after he finished speaking, someone stepped forward and took the thermal food container from Kate. When Elijah turned to leave, two bodyguards gestured for Kate to follow.
The passersby only glanced at them a few times. They did not crowd around to watch. Even more so, they did not meddle in other people’s business.
Kate looked around at the Purchas family’s bodyguards, who surrounded her discreetly to prevent her from escaping.
With her abilities, she couldn’t take them all down. Yesterday, it was because the bodyguard underestimated her that she could easily throw him over her shoulder.
Kate gave up resisting and followed Elijah obediently.
Half an hour later, she entered the presidential suite on the top floor of Purchas Group’s hotel.
After Elijah came in, he stood by the floor-to-ceiling window and looked at the blue sky and white clouds outside, thinking, ‘The weather today is really good!
The Purchas family’s bodyguards did not follow them in. There were only two people in the large room.
Focusing on herself without regard for Elijah, Kate sat down on the sofa. Elijah ignored her, and she did not make any effort to provoke him.
She thought, ‘I had better placate Mr. Davidson first.’
So, she took out her phone and sent Alfred messages.
However, after sending more than ten messages to Alfred, they seemed to have disappeared without any response. “I once had brain surgery.”
Kate thought, ‘The fox by the floor-to-ceiling window suddenly spoke.’
She was befuddled and surprised to learn now that Elijah had actually undergone brain surgery.
“The doctor said the surgery was very successful and would not leave any side effects.”
Kate did not know how to respond, so she could only continue to listen.
Elijah fell silent again.
A few minutes later, he turned around and stared at Kate for a moment before walking over. He stood in front of Kate, bent down, placed his hands on either side of Kate, and held her in place on the sofa.
“Mr. Purchas?”
“Kate, I keep having the same dream. In the dream, I kissed you, and I even… After that, you got pregnant. The baby is mine, right? Where’s the baby? Is it a son or a daughter? Where did you hide the baby? Who helped you erase the past of pregnancy and childbirth, making me unable to find out?”
Kate’s expression changed slightly, thinking, ‘Before I traveled back in time, it’s really Elijah who took away my virginity.’
“I suspect that what I dreamed of wasn’t a dream. Rather, I lost my memory at some point. I can recall some things now, so the dreams I have are fragmented.”
Elijah suddenly grabbed Kate’s shoulders and asked coldly,” Kate, you had better answer me honestly. Where is the baby?”
‘Where’s the baby?’ Kate thought. ‘The baby is dead! Why didn’t he have such dreams before I traveled back in time? If he had known that Rowena was his child, he would surely have taken her away, and she wouldn’t have died… He took away my virginity, yet during the few times we met afterward, he showed no signs of anything unusual.
Kate’s anger grew the more she thought about it.
‘Elijah is a jerk!’ she thought.
She pushed his hand away forcefully and stood up as well.
“Mr. Purchas, I’m very surprised that you dreamed of me and even made out with me in your dreams,” Kate said calmly. “Perhaps it’s because I’m so attractive that you fell in love with me at first sight, so much so that you even dreamed of me. But it was the first time I saw you yesterday. Mr. Purchas, you have a nervous system disorder. You should consult a doctor for treatment instead of treating a dream as real and disturbing your life. I have never slept with you. Even more so, there’s no way I would be pregnant with your baby.”
Elijah stared at her intently, considering whether or not to believe her.
“I need proof,” Elijah said coldly. “I’ve arranged for a doctor to come. She’ll examine you. If the results show that you’re telling the truth, I will let you go and promise that I won’t disturb you again from now on.”
Kate was not foolish. She knew what the proof he wanted was.
She really wanted to slap him, but her rationality told her to endure it for the sake of peace in the future.
“Don’t worry. The doctor is a woman and will keep everything confidential. What happens today will absolutely not be leaked.”
Kate pursed her lips and said nothing, thinking, ‘There’s nothing more I can say to make him believe me. Elijah is stubborn and overbearing, and he believes that what happened in his dreams is real. If I don’t make him stop believing that the things in his dream are real, I’ll have trouble finding peace in the future.’
Chapter 66
Thinking of the still-angry Alfred, Kate shuddered. ‘I had better not provoke Elijah, she thought. ‘After traveling back in time, I just want to cling to the bigwig Alfred and use his power to make myself powerful. Then, I’ll slowly take revenge on Kyla and Chris, ruining their reputations and leaving them with nothing. As for other people, such as Elijah, who are irrelevant to me, I’ll stay as far away as possible.’
Knock, knock.
The sound of someone knocking on the door could be heard.
“Come in.”
The bodyguard pushed open the door but did not enter. He said respectfully, “Mr. Purchas, Miss Harris is here.”
“Let her in.”
The bodyguard moved aside, and Emma Harris, who was dressed casually, walked in.
She was a middle-aged woman in her forties, looking very gentle and easy to get along with.
Emma came in and politely greeted Elijah, saying, “Mr. Purchas.”
Elijah gave a slight bob of his head and said to Emma, Please examine her.”
“Okay.”
Elijah then left the room and closed the door.
Ten minutes later, Emma came out.
Elijah pursed his lips tightly and looked at her.
“Mr. Purchas, that girl is very pure.”
One remark was enough to prove that Kate had never had a child.
Elijah’s expression changed, thinking, ‘Do I really have a nervous system disorder?’
He waved, and a bodyguard then led Emma out of Purchas Group’s hotel through a secret passageway. No one knew she had been here.
Kate came out of the room. Her tone was still calm as she said to Elijah, “Mr. Purchas, the doctor you brought has already given you the proof. Can I leave now?”
“Miss Sutton, sorry for bothering you,” Elijah said, apologizing to Kate. “I’m sorry.”
‘Although this man is stubborn and domineering, he has good manners, Kate thought. ‘If he weren’t Rowena’s biological father, I would change my opinion of him.’ “Mr. Purchas, I hope you will keep your word.”
‘From now on, we’ll stay out of each other’s way, she thought. ‘Before I traveled back in time, he took away my virginity but allowed me to marry Chris. Occasionally, we met at parties, but he showed no signs of anything unusual. Perhaps, as he said, he has had surgery on his head, causing him to lose his memory and forget some things. Rowena is already dead, and she probably won’t be born as my daughter in this phase of my life after the time travel. Our mother-daughter bond has ended. I don’t want to hold any grudge against Elijah. After my time travel to this period of my life, all those things don’t take place. Even more so, I don’t want to have anything to do with Elijah.’ Elijah also had someone take Kate through a secret passage to leave Purchas Group’s hotel.
After having herself examined by the doctor brought by Elijah, Kate did not go to the hospital. She immediately hailed a taxi and headed to Sutton Group.
She was the biological daughter of the Sutton family. The security guards on duty at Sutton Group did not dare to stop her, and the receptionist did not dare to do so either. She could immediately go upstairs to look for her father. Leland was just about to go out to meet a client when he received an internal call from his secretary. Knowing that Kate was here, he waited for Kate in his office.
Kate knocked on the door herself and entered. When she saw her father, she called out with a smile, “Dad.”
Her sweet voice was so sweet that it made Leland’s face light up with joy.
“How come you are here?” Leland asked lovingly. “Are you alone? You didn’t go back to meet your mom, huh?”
Kate walked up to Leland. She then linked arms with him affectionately and said endearingly, “Dad, you don’t want to see me, huh? I won’t allow that. I want you to see me every day.”
Leland tapped her nose lightly. “I’m overjoyed. How can I not want to see you?”
“That’s more like it.”
Kate nuzzled her father’s arm and let go.
‘When someone who is not used to acting endearingly does so, it feels so embarrassing, she thought. ‘Fortunately, there’s no one else in the office, so no one sees my playful and affectionate side when I act endearingly.’
“Have a seat.”
Leland asked Kate to take a seat. After she sat down, he asked, “What would you like to drink?”
“Dad, I’m not thirsty. If I’m thirsty, I’ll pour myself some water.”
Kate was Leland’s own daughter, so he didn’t want to be too formal.
“How is it? I asked you to seek Mr. Davidson’s opinion. Does he allow you to work in our company?”
Kate said with a smile, “Mr. Davidson has given his consent. I can start working anytime.”
“Really?”
“Dad, I won’t dare to make light of Mr. Davidson’s opinion. If he hadn’t given his consent, I wouldn’t dare to come and tell you.”
‘That guy is very petty, she thought, letting out a sigh. ‘He’s still mad at me.’
She had just texted Alfred and called him, but he still did not answer the call or reply to her messages.
Leland believed that his daughter surely did not dare to go against Alfred’s wishes. “Since Mr. Davidson has agreed to let you work, you can start work next Monday. Work alongside me and learn well. You’re my only biological child. Sutton Group will be handed over to you in the future. Don’t disappoint me.”
“Thank you, Dad. I’ll work hard.”
Leland nodded with gratification and thought, ‘With a son-in-law like Alfred, I believe Kate will grow quickly.’
“Kate, have you and Mr. Davidson…”
Kate blushed and called out shyly, “Dad.”
“Kate, I’m your biological father. I just feel sorry for you.”
Leland actually felt awkward too.
“Dad, since I’ve gotten married to him, I won’t regret it regardless of his situation. If he doesn’t divorce me, I won’t abandon him. I’ll be with him for the rest of my life.”
Leland was silent, thinking, ‘It seems that it’s a fact that Alfred is impotent.’
Although Leland was overjoyed to have a son-in-law like Alfred, as a father, it still pained him that his daughter had to lead an unfulfilling marital life for the rest of her life.
“Dad.”
Leland looked at her daughter lovingly, signaling her to say whatever she wanted.
“Well, Dad, what kind of gifts do men like to get the most?” Leland was taken aback. “For Mr. Davidson?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, everyone likes different things. I like collecting antiques, but Mr. Davidson might not. I can’t find out what Mr. Davidson likes either. Maybe you could start by giving him a tie as a test?”
Alfred’s preferences were kept tightly under wraps.
He didn’t want to let the outside world know, so there was no way to find out.
Ordinary people would not even have the chance to get close to him.
When someone got closer, the Davidson family’s bodyguards would be on high alert. That presence was enough to scare everyone away.
Leland advised her daughter, saying, “You can give him an expensive watch. Mr. Davidson has a high status. The gift to him mustn’t be chosen casually. Kate, do you have enough money? If you don’t, I’ll transfer some money to your account so you can choose a good gift. Oh, you attending the party at the Weaver family’s home the night after tomorrow with your sister. Have you prepared Miss Weaver’s birthday gift?”
Kate did not prepare a birthday gift for Grace at all.
Before she traveled back in time, she had racked her brain to prepare a birthday gift for Grace. Unfortunately, Grace considered the gift to be of little value and immediately gave it to a servant.
Now that she had traveled back in time, she wouldn’t be in the mood to prepare a birthday present for Grace.
She had a lot of skincare products, so she would randomly choose a set of unused skincare products as a birthday gift. ‘After all, no matter what I give Grace as a gift, she will turn up her nose at it, she thought.
Chapter 67
“I’ve prepared it,” Kate replied. “I’ve long prepared the gift for Miss Weaver.”
Leland nodded and said, “The Weaver family is a top-tier wealthy family in Sherpsel, second only to the Davidson family and on par with the Purchas family. There have always been more men than women in the Weaver family, so Miss Weaver is particularly favored and a little spoiled. When you go to her birthday party with Kyla, speak less and stay away from her.”
“Got it, Dad.”
“Attend more business cocktail parties and charity events from now on. It’s not just because you’re now Mrs.
Davidson. If you take over Sutton Group in the future, you also need to network. Making more friends will be helpful for your future endeavors.”
“Thanks for the advice, Dad. I will.”
‘It’s just that I want to make friends, yet others might not want to befriend me, she thought.
It had been a year since she returned to the Sutton family’s home and the only one who truly considered her a friend was Xena.
Xena said she would be back in the next two days, and she would also attend Grace’s birthday party.
“I hope both you and Kyla will have a loving and affectionate relationship as sisters. She works hard in the business world with me. So, she has already accumulated some reputation and connections. Her words carry weight in the company.”
If Leland hadn’t discovered that his daughter was swapped at birth, he would have already started planning his retirement.
“You’ve just joined the company. Even though I’ll be guiding you, there are so many senior managers in the company who will certainly pick on you and even secretly make things difficult for you. If you have a good sisterly
relationship with Kyla, she can protect you to some extent. Kate, do you understand what I’m getting at by telling you these things?”
Kate’s expression was serious.
She grasped the implications of her father’s words.
Before she had a firm foothold and had the capability to take over Sutton Group, it was best not to fall out with Kyla. Otherwise, Kyla would join forces with other senior managers and easily chase her out of Sutton Group.
Even if Sutton Group was the Sutton family’s business, her father would not offend so many senior executives for her sake.
“Dad, I understand.”
‘But if I were to pretend to be friendly with Kyla, would Kyla genuinely protect and support me?’ she thought. ‘No way! Kyla’s goal has always been Sutton Group. There’s no way she would just watch me slowly rise until I have the capability to take over Sutton Group. As Alfred put it, as long as I’m the Sutton family’s biological daughter, regardless of whether I fight to take over Sutton Group, Kyla will see me as a thorn in her side. So, there’s no need for me to curry favor with Kyla.
Leland knew that his daughter was not foolish. It was just that her past life circumstances had resulted in her having a narrower outlook compared to Kyla’s.
“You promised your mom that you would go back and have lunch with her at noon. It’s getting late. You should go back now.”
Leland then glanced at his watch. “It’s time for me to meet my client.”
“Okay. Dad, from tomorrow onward, can I follow you around to learn a bit before officially starting work next Monday?”
Leland recalled that Kyla would be taking care of her mother in the hospital for the next few days, so he nodded and said, “Alright. Come and learn about business from me tomorrow. But don’t neglect Mr. Davidson.”
Kate thought, ‘I won’t dare to neglect Mr. Davidson.’
“Got it, Dad. Go ahead with your work. I’ll go home and have lunch with Mom.”
The father and daughter walked out of the CEO’s office together.
Kate did not have a car. The driver of the Davidson family had returned. She did not dare to let her father know that Elijah had come to look for her. She lied to her father, saying that she would wait for the Davidson family’s driver to pick her up.
She watched as her father’s car moved out of Sutton Group and gradually disappeared into the distance. It was only then did she hail a taxi.
After she got into the car, the taxi driver asked, “Miss, where to?”
“I’m going to Regency Group, the Davidson family’s company.”
Kate changed her mind at the last minute and decided to go to Regency Group to placate her husband before going home to have lunch with her mother.
After all, there was still some time before lunch.
“Okay,” the driver said.
Whether going to or leaving Sutton Group, one would pass by Regency Group.
Soon, the driver dropped Kate off at Regency Group.
After paying the fare and getting out of the car, Kate stood at the entrance of Regency Group and looked appraisingly at the 68-story office building.
‘Our company simply can’t compare to the Davidson family’ s company, she thought.
Access to Regency Group was not granted to everyone. Kate did not make an appointment. To the security guard on duty, her desire to see Alfred was simply wishful thinking.
The security guard politely asked Kate to leave, saying, “Mr. Davidson is very busy. Miss Sutton, without an appointment, you cannot enter, let alone see Mr. Davidson.
Please leave.”
“I know Mr. Davidson is very busy. I really have an urgent matter. It’s a matter of utmost urgency. Please inform him and let him know that Kate Sutton is here. I’m sure Mr. Davidson will see me when he knows.”
‘Kate Sutton?’ the security guard thought. ‘It’s the heiress of the Sutton family who was swapped out.’
The Davidson family once intended to form a marriage alliance with the Sutton family, involving Alfred and Kate. Although the marriage alliance was not successfully formed in the end, the news had already spread. Most of the employees of Regency Group had heard about it.
The security guard on duty first informed the head of the security department. The head thought for a moment and did not reject the request. Instead, he chose to report it to higher levels of authority within the company.
The report was escalated level by level until it reached Alfred’s secretary.
Since it was Kate requesting the meeting, the secretary bit the bullet and pressed a key on the internal phone.
When Alfred’s cold voice came through, the secretary quickly said, “Mr. Davidson, Kate from the Sutton family wants to see you. She’s at the company entrance now.”
Alfred frowned, thinking, ‘She even came to the company. Should I see her or not?’
He felt conflicted for a moment.
The secretary, having waited for a long while without receiving a response, cautiously called out again, “Mr. Davidson?”
“Let her in.”
With that said Alfred hung up the internal call. He was afraid that if he took too long to act, he would change his mind.
Before traveling back in time, she had never set foot in Regency Group. Now, after going back in time, this was her first time entering Regency Group.
‘As expected of the largest corporation in Sherpsel,’ she thought. ‘Even though the people leading me in are polite toward me along the way, I’m still a little nervous.’
It took her several minutes to reach the top floor.
“Hello, Miss Sutton. I’m Miss Carter, Mr. Davidson’s secretary.”
“Hello, Miss Carter.”
“Mr. Davidson is waiting for you in his office. Please follow me.”
“Thank you, Miss Carter.”
Kate thanked Lily Carter while following her.
This office building occupied a large area. Except for the top floor, the other floors were filled with many employees. This floor was occupied only by Alfred and his secretary, making it particularly quiet.
The secretary wore high heels. In the quiet space, the sound of the high heels clicking on the floor was especially loud.
Lily brought Kate to the CEO’s office. She knocked on the door. After waiting for a minute, she pushed open the office door.
“Miss Sutton, please wait a moment.”
Kate nodded.
Lily entered the office alone, and Kate could hear what she said to Alfred.
Chapter 68
Soon, Lily left the office and gestured for Kate to enter, saying, “Miss Sutton, Mr. Davidson asks you to come in.”
“Thank you,” Kate said, thanking Lily again. She then took a deep breath before walking in.
After Kate entered the office, Lily closed the door.
Kate stopped and turned to look at the closed office door. After that, she turned to look at Alfred, who was sitting at the crescent-shaped desk.
He was dressed in a suit and a light blue tie. He looked especially handsome while he was working seriously. Kate could not take her eyes off him, thinking, ‘I must say that this man is really good-looking.’
“Have you had enough of looking?”
A cold voice came through.
Alfred put down his pen, raised his head, and looked over coldly.
Even though there was quite some distance between the two of them, Kate could still feel his coldness.
“Mr. Davidson,” she called out.
‘Since I’m already here, I can’t back out now, she thought.
Kate told herself not to be afraid. A sweet smile appeared on her face. As she walked over, she said, “Mr. Davidson, I’m here to see you.”
“Now that you’ve seen me, you can get lost.”
‘Eh?’ Kate thought, ‘He’s still as cold as ever, which means that his anger hasn’t gone.’
Kate unabashedly moved behind Alfred and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind.
Alfred pulled her hand away forcefully and warned her coldly. “Kate, if you touch me again, I’ll get the security guards to drag you out immediately.”
“Mr. Davidson…”
Kate cried out aggrievedly, elongating the enunciation of the last syllable.
“Mr. Davidson, I’m sorry. I was wrong. From now on, I won’t give you the little things I made myself anymore. I’ll buy you nice and expensive things, okay?”
Kate coaxed Alfred like she was coaxing a child.
“Let me know what you like, and I’ll buy them all for you.”
Alfred’s handsome face tensed up. He pursed his thin lips tightly and remained silent.
Kate stole a glance at his expression. Then, she took off the emerald bracelet she had been wearing.
She placed it in front of Alfred and said with reluctance to part with the bracelet, “This emerald bracelet was given to me by my grandmother from the Garcia family before she passed away. She told me it was passed down from her grandmother to her mother. Her grandmother was a refined young lady from a well-respected family during the Great Gatsby era. This emerald bracelet is a real antique. I don’t know how much it’s worth, but to me, it’s incredibly precious. I know you might not care about it, but this is the most valuable thing I can offer now. I’m giving it to you, hoping you can be magnanimous and not hold things against me.”
Kate glanced at Alfred’s expression as she spoke.
“Mr. Davidson, don’t keep that stern face. You’re so good-looking. I’m sure you’ll look even better when you smile. Would you like to smile?”
Alfred looked at the emerald bracelet and reached out to pick it up.
It had just been taken off Kate’s wrist, still retaining her body warmth.
He looked at the emerald bracelet, thinking, ‘It really is a fine piece.
From the corner of his eye, he caught Kate’s reluctance to part with this bracelet. He then said with a hint of bad intention, “Since you gave it to me, I’ll accept it.”
Kate thought, ‘Huh? Do men like emerald bracelets too?” She stared at the emerald bracelet, unwilling to part with it. A long while later, she retracted her gaze and smiled awkwardly. “I gave it to you, and you are willing to accept it. It’s my honor. Mr. Davidson, are you still angry?” “Who said I’m angry?”
Kate was left speechless, thinking, ‘If he’s not angry, why
did he hang up on me, ignore my messages, and keep that stern face?’
“Is there anything else?”
“No, nothing else.”
“The door is over there. Please leave.”
Kate was taken aback for a moment. “Mr. Davidson.”
“Shoot.”
“Talk about what?”
Alfred’s expression was serious. “Didn’t you call me because you have something to say to me? I told you to speak, so go ahead.”
“But I don’t have anything to say. I just want to call you.” “Is that all?”
“Yep.”
Alfred suddenly curved the corner of his mouth and smiled, but Kate felt a chill run down her spine at the sight of his smile.
“Since you love to call me, starting now, call my name a hundred times and record it with your phone. Send the recording to me when you’ve called me a hundred times.” Kate was left speechless, thinking, ‘I knew it. When he smiles, it’s never a good thing. Mr. Davidson, you should keep that stern face of yours. I won’t try to melt your ice-cold demeanor anymore. If the iceberg melts, it will drown me.’
“If I can’t get your recording, you’ll face the consequences.”
Kate really wanted to ask him what the consequences would be for not sending the recording.
“Should I call you Mr. Davidson or Alfred?”
“What else do you want to call me?”
Kate pouted. “Got it.”
She then bypassed his crescent-shaped desk and walked out dejectedly.
Alfred’s eyes showed a hint of amusement when he looked at Kate’s expression, but he did not stop her, letting her leave.
After she left, Alfred called Yael, saying, “Come to my office.” “Okay.”
Upon receiving the call, Yael hurried over and encountered Kate at the elevator.
He then greeted Kate respectfully, “Mrs. Davidson.”
“Mm,” Kate replied and then entered the elevator.
Yael sensed that Kate seemed to be feeling down, but he was not in the mood to guess what was wrong with Kate. He hurriedly rushed to see his boss.
Alfred handed Yael the emerald bracelet that Kate had given him, but Yael looked at him in puzzlement, not daring to take it.
“Get a box for it and wrap it up. I want to give it as a gift.”
Only then did Yael take the emerald bracelet.
“Mr. Davidson, when do you need it?”
“As soon as possible.”
“Okay.”
Yael then carefully placed the emerald bracelet into the inner pocket of his suit.
“Mr. Davidson, I just saw Mrs. Davidson. She seemed to be feeling down.”
Alfred’s tone was indifferent as he said, “She just gave me her cherished possession. If she weren’t feeling down, I’d have to settle scores with her.”
He thought, ‘If she weren’t feeling down, it would mean that the emerald bracelet wasn’t important to her and that she’s still going through the motions with me.’ Yael did not dare to say anything more.
“The card I threw this morning… Go look for it and see if you can find it.”
“Logan has picked it up. Mr. Davidson, do you want it?” Alfred was taken aback.
He thought, ‘The bodyguards working for me really know me well. Fortunately, they are all loyal to me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare to keep people who understand me so well close and trust them with important tasks.
Alfred waved, and Yael silently left his office.
Soon, Yael got the discarded love card from Logan and handed it to Lily, asking her to deliver it to the CEO’s office.
Lily was very curious about who had given the card to Alfred.
‘Such audacity to give something to Mr. Davidson, she thought.
What surprised Lily even more was that Alfred did not ask her to throw away the card. Instead, he reached out to take it.
Girls were more sensitive and perceptive in their feelings and observations.
From the love card and the pair of mice on the desk, Lily keenly noticed that Alfred’s mood had changed.
‘It seems like he’s in love,’ she thought. ‘The woman who can make Mr. Davidson interested must be the luckiest woman in the world.’
‘Am I the luckiest woman in the world?’ Kate thought. ‘It seems to be the case. After all, not everyone is like me, being able to travel back in time after dying and starting over again.’
♡
Chapter 69
“Be careful not to break anything,” Aura said, directing people to unload the wedding gifts she brought for the Sutton family into their home and reminding the servants to be careful.
These were all valuable items, and damaging any of them cost money.
Aura caused too much of a commotion, so much so that Celia, who was personally cooking and waiting for her daughter to come home for a meal, heard the noise outside and couldn’t help but shout, “Ava, what’s going on outside?” The servant named Ava Cooper was feeding two Ragdoll cats, which were Kyla’s pets.
“Mrs. Sutton, I’ll go out and check it out,” she said.
Ava stroked the two Ragdoll cats and said gently, “You two enjoy your meal. I’ll go check and be back soon.”
She went out to take a look before rushing in and exclaiming, “Mrs. Sutton, Mrs. Cohen has arrived to
propose marriage. They are very generous with the gifts. I think they’re all expensive items.”
Hearing this, Celia’s face darkened.
She thought, ‘I’ve already rejected Aura’s proposal, yet she still sent the wedding gifts over.’
Celia quickly took off her apron and instructed Ava to take over the cooking as she hurried out.
At the door of the house, she met Aura.
“Hi Mrs. Sutton, my in-law.”
Aura was all smiles. When she saw Celia, she called her affectionately, causing Celia to have a look of irritation.
“Mrs. Cohen, we must be careful with our words,” Celia said. “Our families are acquainted, but we are not in-laws.”
She thought, ‘The Sutton family and the Davidson family are in-laws, but that can’t be mentioned.’
She was frustrated, and she also felt sorry for her daughter.
“Mrs. Sutton, I’m here to make a marriage proposal today. Once the wedding gifts are sent, the wedding date will be set. After the two children hold their wedding, won’t our families become in-laws? I’m now saying that you are my in-law ahead of time so that we can get used to being relatives by marriage.”
“Mrs. Cohen, you…”
“Mrs. Sutton, let’s talk inside.”
Aura linked arms with Celia affectionately. She then turned her head and ordered the people she brought, “Bring the wedding gifts in.”
With that said, she smiled and walked into the house with Celia, linking arms with her.
Celia tried to shake off her hand several times but to no avail.
Once inside, Aura brought Celia to the sofa with familiarity and sat down as if she were in her own home.
“Mrs. Sutton, once they arrange the wedding gifts, take a look and see if you’re satisfied. If you’re not, let me know, and I’ll add more. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”
“Mrs. Cohen, I’ve already said that I want to keep my daughter by my side for a few more years. Please don’t bring up her marriage with Chris.”
‘Kate is Alfred’s legal wife,’ Celia thought. ‘How can she still get married to Chris?’
She was antsy and angry. She scolded her precious daughter inwardly, ‘What’s going on? I’m her mom, and she didn’t even clear things up to me.’
Aura acted as if she could not hear anything. She
instructed her people to place the wedding gifts she had prepared in the luxurious hall.
The jewelry was dazzling.
“These are the keys to several new cars. These are the keys to the villa where the two children will live after they get married. The house has been renovated and ventilated. They can move in as soon as they’re married. By the way,
Mrs. Sutton, when you are free, we have to go shopping and help the two children buy furniture for their new house so that they don’t have to worry about it.”
Aura spoke rapidly, her words coming out like a machine gun firing bullets in quick succession.
Celia opened her mouth several times, but she did not manage to say anything.
“Mrs. Sutton, these pieces of jewelry and accessories are my most treasured pieces. Some are newly purchased. I think your daughter would like them. Look, they sparkle under the light. They’re all real gold and silver.”
Aura seemed to be showing off the Cohen family’s wealth. “Mrs. Cohen!”
Celia’s face was ashen with anger. Disregarding politeness, she shouted, interrupting Aura.
“Mrs. Cohen, I’ve already said that my daughter won’t get married to Chris. Take all these things away and don’t mention the marriage of the two children again in the future. Kate still needs to maintain her reputation. Her reputation mustn’t be tarnished by your son.”
“Mrs. Sutton, what are you talking about? What does Kate’s reputation have to do with Chris? I’m not here for Kate.”
Celia was confused. “Mrs. Cohen, if you’re not here for Kate, who are you here for? Is it Kyla?”
‘I only have two daughters,’ she thought. ‘If she’s not here for Kate, then she’s here for Kyla.’
Aura said with a smile, “That’s right. I’m here to propose marriage to your eldest daughter, Kyla, on behalf of my son. Mrs. Sutton, as you know, Chris and Kyla have known each other for a few years. They have always had a great relationship. The two of them are also very compatible. They’re a perfect match. Although Kyla isn’t your biological daughter, you raised her as one. I’m sure you’d want to see Kyla marry into a good family, right? Mrs. Sutton, the Cohen family is quite good. Rest assured that once Kyla marries into our family, I will surely treat her as my daughter.”
Celia’s expression turned even more grim.
She thought, ‘Mrs. Cohen is deliberately making me have an egg on my face, right? In the past, Kate loved Chris so much that she treated him like a revered figure, accommodating him in every way. As her mother, I couldn’t help but feel jealous as Kate didn’t even treat me that kindly. Back then, Mrs. Cohen seemed somewhat dismissive of Kate, yet she still came to propose marriage on behalf of her son as Kate is the biological daughter of the Sutton family. Now, Kate doesn’t want to get married to Chris, and she has gotten married to Alfred, I’ve clearly rejected the Cohen family’s marriage proposal. Mrs. Cohen then proposed marriage to Kyla on behalf of Chris, and she even made a grand show of sending wedding gifts today. Isn’t this making the Sutton family have egg on their face?’
Celia calmed down and asked Aura in return, “Mrs. Cohen, is this your idea or Chris’s? Why didn’t he come?”
“What difference does it make whether it’s my idea or Chris’s? It’s all about establishing a marital alliance with the Sutton family.”
Aura’s words revealed a hint of guilt.
She thought, ‘I took it upon myself to make the marriage proposal. Neither my husband nor my son knew about it. I’m just frustrated. A country girl like Kate dares to reject my son’s marriage proposal? Does she really think Chris loves her? She’s simply flattering herself.’
She deliberately sent the lavish wedding gifts after Celia politely declined the marriage alliance with the Cohen family, intentionally claiming to propose to Kyla on behalf of her son, just to irritate Celia.
“Mrs. Cohen, whether it’s your idea or your son’s, I’m telling you clearly that even if it’s Kyla that the marriage proposal is directed to, I won’t let her get married to your son. Please leave. Also, take all your things away. Don’t leave them in my house.”
Celia, who already knew that Chris and Kyla loved each other, did not want the two of them to be together as they wished.
She thought, ‘Since Kyla dares to harm my daughter like that, I’ll make it impossible for her to be with the man she loves. Of course, Kyla can be Chris’s mistress. In that case, I won’t be able to control it. In any case, there’s no way she could get married to Chris.’
“Mrs. Sutton, why don’t you inform your husband and Kyla and ask for Kyla’s opinion?” Aura said. “Perhaps Kyla is willing to get married to Chris. Don’t break up a loving couple. That’s bound to bring just deserts.”
Chapter 70
Celia said coldly, “I have the final say in family matters. If I don’t agree to Kyla getting married to your son, she won’t get married to him.”
‘Unless Kyla wants to fall out with me to the point where reconciliation is impossible, she thought.
Aura retracted her smile, but she still maintained a pleasant attitude. She said, “Mrs. Sutton, the Cohen family and the Sutton family are equal. If we can become in-laws, it will benefit both families.”
“Mrs. Cohen, you don’t have to say anymore. Please leave.” Looking disappointed, Aura sighed. “Mrs. Sutton, I really want to become in-laws with the Sutton family. I’ll leave these things here. Please consider it carefully. There aren’t many accomplished young men in Sherpsel who can surpass Chris. If you miss out on Chris, your daughter won’t be able to get married to a better guy. The sons from the Davidson family, the Weaver family, and the Purchas family are a bit more outstanding, but their standards are high. Families like ours shouldn’t try to become in-laws with them to climb up the social ladder. We won’t succeed.”
After Aura was done with saying her sarcastic remarks, she suddenly added, “Oh, I forgot. Your family does have a chance to climb up the social ladder. Didn’t the Davidson family propose marriage to Kate on behalf of Mr. Davidson? It’s Kate who rejected the chance to marry into the Davidson family and insisted on marrying Chris. Mrs. Sutton, I was really touched when I learned that Kate refused to get married to Mr. Davidson for Chris’s sake. So, I believe that Chris is right in his judgment to choose Kate as his life partner. It’s a perfectly good marriage arrangement, so can you tell me why your family went back on your word?”
Celia sneered and responded with another question. “Mrs. Cohen, I also want to know why you came to propose to Kyla on behalf of your son out of the blue. Is it because they have long had mutual affection, or is it because you want to use this marriage proposal to get back at Kate?” Aura was left speechless.
A moment later, she got up and said, “Mrs. Sutton, I’ll say it again. Think about it carefully. I’ll take my leave now.” With that said, she was about to leave.
Celia then pointed at the wedding gifts that filled the room and demanded Aura to take them all away. “Take your things with you, or I’ll have them all thrown out. It won’t be my loss anyway.”
Aura looked reluctant, but she still asked her people to move all the wedding gifts out.
After all, she had achieved her goal.
She walked out of the Sutton family’s main house happily. As she looked up at the blue sky and white clouds, she found the weather today really nice.
When Kate returned, she saw Aura leaving with her convoy.
‘Why did Mrs. Cohen come here?’ she thought. ‘She even brought so many people with her.’
With this question in mind, she hurried into the house.
When she entered the house and saw her mother throwing a glass of water angrily, she quickly walked over and asked with concern, “Mom, what’s wrong? Why did Mrs. Cohen come here? When I returned, I happened to see her car leaving.”
“I’m so darn pissed off,” Celia said angrily as she pounded the sofa. “She came to propose marriage.”
“Mom, you still haven’t rejected the Cohen family on my behalf, huh? Damn Chris, didn’t I make myself clear enough? He actually asked his mom to come over and propose marriage.”
Kate thought it was Chris’s idea.
“Kate, Mrs. Cohen came to propose marriage to Kyla on behalf of Chris. She’s doing this to get back at you.”
Celia was somewhat glad that her daughter came back a little late and did not meet Aura. Otherwise, her daughter might have been even more upset when she saw Aura’s expression.
Kate was stunned for a moment before she asked Celia,” Mom, how did you respond to her?”
“I rejected it. I’ve said before that I won’t let the two of them have a good time. They want to be together, huh? There’s no way that would happen unless Kyla cut ties with our family.”
Kate sat down next to Celia and put her arm around Celia’s shoulders.
Both of her parents were suspicious of Kyla, but their reactions were different.
Leland hoped that she would not fall out with Kyla because Kyla had gained a foothold in the company.
On the other hand, Celia tried her best to help Kate drag Kyla down.
“Mom,” Kate said softly, “thank you for unconditionally supporting me in everything I do.”
As soon as she finished speaking, her ear was harshly pulled by her mother.
“There are some things that I support you unconditionally, and there are some things that I don’t support. But you did them behind my back and didn’t even tell me after doing these things. Kate, do you even see me as your mother?”
Knowing that her mother was angry about her getting married to Alfred, Kate let her mother pull her ear.
“Mom, I’m sorry. I was wrong about that.’
“Wrong? I think you just don’t know what’s wrong!”
Noticing that Kate’s ear was flushed, Celia’s heart ached, so she let go.
She gently pushed Kate away, not letting Kate get too close to her. She then got up and said sternly, “Come upstairs with me.”
Kate obediently followed her mother upstairs.
In the study on the second floor, Celia walked to the bookcase as soon as she entered. She then opened the bookcase and took out a feather duster.
Kate immediately said in an endearing tone, “Mom… Mom, I really know my mistake. I’m grown up now. Please don’t use harsh discipline. Harsh discipline can easily leave lasting scars on children.”
Celia let out two snorts. “You’re scared now, huh? Kate, you’d better give me a convincing reason.”
She then slammed the feather duster down on the table with a loud smack, and Kate cowered in response.
“I went to see Mr. Davidson, and he told me that you forced him to marry you. Kate, explain why you did that.”
The feather duster in Celia’s hand kept hitting the table, making a sharp, rhythmic noise.
She was genuinely angry.
However, no matter how angry she was, she didn’t actually hit Kate with the feather duster.
Kate did not expect that her mother would go see Alfred.
Without asking, she could guess why her mother went to see Alfred.
She was deeply moved.
Recalling the tragedy of her family in the phase of her life before she traveled back in time, her eyes turned teary.
“I haven’t even hit you yet, and you’re already crying.”
Celia slammed the table again.
She then threw the feather duster onto the desk, walked around it, and pulled Kate to the sofa to sit. After that, she took a tissue and wiped Kate’s tears with heartache.
Feeling heartbroken, she said, “Kate, you are my blood daughter. Even though you didn’t grow up by my side, blood is thicker than water. I’m genuinely doing things for your
own good. Tell me. What happened that made you sacrifice so much to force Mr. Davidson to marry you?”
“Mom.”
Kate cried before she said anything.
Celia hurriedly wiped her tears and said, “Kate, don’t cry. If you don’t want to say it, you don’t have to. I won’t ask anymore. But you’re so young, and Mr. Davidson is disabled. Your future will be tough.”
As Celia wiped her daughter’s tears, she sighed. Her eyes turned teary as well.
“Mom, I’ll tell you.”
Kate wiped her tears. Treating the events that happened before her time travel as if they were parts of a dream, she told Celia.
After hearing Kate’s words, Celia glared at her daughter, unsure whether to feel frustration or amusement, but mostly feeling heartache.
“Jeez!” Celia poked Kate on the forehead. “It’s just a dream, not a reality. Just because of that dream, you forced Mr. Davidson to marry you, fell out with Kyla, and distanced yourself from Chris. Don’t you think it’s ridiculous?”
金
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