A Tale Of Redemption And Passion by Isidore Walsh (Chapters 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100)

Chapter 91

Alfred silently hugged Kate who was in his arms.

Kate soon fell asleep. Alfred figured perhaps Kate was actually sleepy.

Alfred could not fall asleep no matter how hard he tried.

He pushed Kate gently away from him, but not too far so he could see her up close.

The sleeping Kate was like an angel. Alfred could not help but reach out and touch her face.

“Your face is also very smooth. It feels good,” Alfred said hoarsely.

Unfortunately, Kate was sound asleep and did not hear him. Alfred muttered, “Kate.”

Alfred rubbed his face against hers and said softly, “Will you really not regret it? Will you really stay by my side for the rest of your life?”

After a moment of silence, he muttered domineeringly, ” Even if you regret it, I won’t let go again. I gave you a chance to regret your decision. Since you didn’t cherish it, don’t blame me for being domineering in the future. Don’t even think about leaving my side for the rest of your life.” Kate’s red lips were alluring.

Every time she kissed him, Alfred had to use a lot of effort to suppress the restlessness in his body so that he would not go crazy.

In fact, when she kissed him for the first time, he had wanted to throw himself upon her.

This time, he finally took the initiative to kiss her red lips.

In her sleep, Kate merely felt that it was a little difficult for her to breathe. She instinctively opened her mouth to breathe.

Alfred sensed that she was responding to him. He could no longer hold his desire in and committed to the kiss.

Kate thought that she was dreaming. She dreamed that she was French kissing Alfred. In her dream, Alfred was not as boring as he was in reality. He would respond to her and was especially passionate. She felt that she was about to suffocate from the kiss before he let go of her.

Alfred moved his lips away and panted softly.

He exclaimed internally, ‘So this is how sweet it feels to kiss someone who shares mutual feelings with me.’

Seeing that Kate was still sleeping, Alfred found it amusing. He had secretly kissed her, yet she was still sleeping soundly. He wondered if she dreamt of their tongues being intertwined.

Alfred asked, “Kate, am I the only one in your dream? If you dare to dream of Chris, humph, you will write that you love me 10,000 times a day.”

Naturally, Kate did not respond to Alfred’s low and hoarse words.

Lying beside her, Alfred moved his legs.

Recalling what Kate said, Alfred took out his phone and called James.

James quickly answered his call.

“Mr. Davidson,” James called out respectfully.

Alfred knew that James was listening attentively.

After a moment of silence, Alfred said in a low voice, James, from tomorrow onwards, I’ll do rehabilitation every afternoon after work. Help me arrange it.”

Hearing this, James was overjoyed and replied excitedly,” Alright, Mr. Davidson. I’ll arrange for it immediately.”

James exclaimed internally, ‘Mr. Davidson is finally willing to undergo rehabilitation.’

Alfred said, “Alright.”

James’s joy was transmitted to Alfred over the call. This made Alfred realize his unwillingness to undergo

rehabilitation had made many people who really cared for him feel heartbroken and helpless.

Afraid of waking Kate, Alfred quickly hung up.

After Alfred hung up, James immediately called the rehabilitation center happily and informed them to arrange for someone to stay at the Davidson residence to start helping Alfred with rehabilitation tomorrow.

After making the arrangements, James quickly walked out of his residence and rushed straight to the central main house.

As soon as he entered the independent courtyard of the central main house, he saw Olivia sitting alone under a big tree in the courtyard, reading the newspaper with her reading glasses.

Hearing footsteps, Olivia merely looked up at James and then continued reading her newspaper.

James lightened his footsteps.

He stopped three steps away from Olivia. Without saying a word, he stood there respectfully with his hands by his side. After Olivia finished reading, she slowly closed the newspaper and asked gently, “James, what’s wrong?” James smiled and said, “Mrs. Olivia, I have great news.”

Olivia stopped what she was doing and raised her head to look at James. There was anticipation on her face as she asked, “Did Alfred have an erection?”

Olivia’s first thought had something to do with sex.

James was the butler of Alfred’s residence. Alfred trusted him. Olivia thought that James would know best whether Alfred’s body was improving.

“I don’t know if Mr. Davidson had an erection. That’s too private. I wouldn’t know,” James said apologetically. Olivia thought that James knew everything about Alfred. In reality, James only knew what Alfred wanted him to know. If Alfred wanted to keep James in the dark about something, James had no means of finding out about it.

James said excitedly, “Mrs. Olivia, Mr. Davidson just called me and asked me to inform the rehabilitation center to start his rehabilitation tomorrow. Mr. Davidson is finally willing to undergo rehabilitation.”

Olivia exclaimed, “Really?”

As expected, Olivia was overjoyed. She asked repeatedly,” James, did you mishear? Did Alfred really tell you that personally?”

James assured Olivia, saying, “Mrs. Olivia, this is absolutely true. If Mr. Davidson didn’t say it, I wouldn’t dare to make an appointment on his behalf.”

It would be useless if James arranged for rehabilitation for Alfred but the latter refused to cooperate.

Knowing that Alfred’s legs still had a chance to recover, they had all tried to arrange rehabilitation for him. However, since Alfred refused to cooperate, even Olivia could not do anything about it.

She could only watch as Alfred sat in a wheelchair for an entire year.

Olivia said, “Amazing! This is really good news. Have you made the arrangements?”

James confirmed, “It’s been arranged.”

Olivia smiled and said, “Inform Lena about this. This will surely make her happy. Lena has been worried sick for Alfred.”

Afraid that Lena would continue to make things difficult for Kate and make Alfred feel that Lena was going against him, Austin had brought Lena away for a vacation on one of the islands owned by the Davidson family.

Kate was out of Lena’s sight, and therefore, out of her mind. Alfred was very powerful. Austin was not worried about Kate betraying or escaping from Alfred’s clutches. James replied, “Alright, I’ll call Mrs. Davidson now to tell her the good news. Mrs. Olivia, I think Mr. Davidson being willing to undergo rehabilitation has something to do with Ms. Sutton.”

Alfred had not told his family about his relationship with Kate.

No matter how happily James called Kate Mrs. Davidson, he did not dare say so in the central main house.

Olivia frowned. “How is this related to her? Did she manage to make Alfred change his mind? Is she that capable? Alfred grew up under my guidance. Even I couldn’t make him change his mind.”

James did not dare to say that Kate was special to Alfred. He said tactfully, “Maybe it’s because Ms. Sutton has a lively personality. It stimulated Mr. Davidson to want to do rehabilitation and stand up again. Ms. Sutton injured Mr. Davidson’s self-esteem previously. Mr. Davidson will definitely want to find ways to get back at her.”

Olivia thought about it and felt that what James said made sense.

She said, “James, regardless of why Alfred is willing to undergo rehabilitation, just ask Kate to take good care of Alfred. If she makes even the slightest mistake, I can destroy her family.”

Chapter 92

Olivia’s words were harsh, even threatening. “Kate has been going out these past two days. What is she up to? Have she come to see me when she returns this afternoon? I’ll speak to her personally.” It was rare for Alfred to agree to rehabilitation, and Olivia wasn’t going to let him give up again.

“Yes,” James replied, thinking, ‘Did I upset Mrs. Olivia because of Mrs. Davidson? I hope Mr. Davidson won’t blame me for saying too much.”

“Is there anything else?” Olivia asked.

“No, that’s all,” James answered.

“Alright, go make the call.”

“Yes.” James respectfully acknowledged her instructions, then quietly left the room.

After James left, Olivia stood up and walked into another room. She approached the wall where her late husband’s portrait hung and gazed at it silently. After a long while, she spoke softly, “Your beloved grandson is finally willing to do his rehabilitation. Watch over him from above and help him recover quickly, stand tall again, and regain his pride.”

It was certainly a good thing now that Alfred was willing to undergo rehabilitation. However, what weighed heavily on Olivia’s heart was the fact that Alfred was impotent. He was the heir they had painstakingly nurtured. After Alfred took over the Davidson family’s business empire, he managed it to their satisfaction. Under his leadership, the already powerful Regency Group flourished, reaching its peak. It would be a great pity if he couldn’t have children. Meanwhile, Kate woke up from her nap, glanced at the time, and realized she was about to be late. In a panic, she sprang out of bed and hurriedly dashed out.

“You slept with me and now you’re leaving just like that?” The deep and cold voice made her stop in her tracks.

Kate turned her head and gave an appeasing smile. “I’m going to be late for work. It’s my first day, and being late wouldn’t look good. I’ll head out now. If you’re still sleepy, go ahead and rest some more.”

Alfred sat up, got out of bed, and propped himself up against the bedside table, attempting to walk. As his wheelchair was in the living room, he couldn’t make it there by himself. Instinctively, Kate returned to support him, torn between rushing to work and not being able to leave him unattended. If he were to fall, not only would the Davidson family hold her accountable, but she would also feel guilty. “I’ve already called and asked for a ten-minute leave for you,” Alfred said.

There were still ten minutes left before work started, so with the additional ten minutes, she would have enough time to make it to the office.

“Did you really request leave on my behalf?” Kate asked.

“Yes, I asked your father for it,” Alfred replied.

Kate felt odd that Alfred would call her father over such a trivial matter. She asked further, “What reason did you give?”

Alfred said domineeringly, “Do I need to give a reason?” When he made the call, his father-in-law didn’t question and readily agreed.

Thinking of her father’s fear of Alfred, Kate was speechless. After helping him out of the bedroom and settling him into the wheelchair, Kate hurriedly pushed him outside. Even with the leave, it was only for ten minutes; she still had to get to work, and so did he.

In their haste, the couple barely spoke on the way. Alfred had always been a man of few words, and it was usually Kate who initiated conversations. If she didn’t speak, Alfred wouldn’t know how to begin. She often complained that he wasn’t good at making conversation and could kill any topic at any time.

When the car stopped at Sutton Group, Kate opened the door and was about to dash out when Alfred’s cold voice stopped her. “Are you just going to run off like that?”

Kate felt that there was something strange about Alfred after his nap. The Alfred in her dreams was much cuter.

She turned back and coaxed him like a child. “I’m really going to be late. I’ll leave now. Tomorrow is the weekend, so I’ll have plenty of time to spend with you, okay? Come on, give me a kiss.” She quickly wrapped her arms around his head, planted a kiss on his cheek, then let go of him. She got out of the car and sprinted into the office.

Seeing Kate run so fast, Alfred couldn’t help but smile and quipped to himself, “If an earthquake hit, she’d be gone in a flash.”

No one dared to respond to his remark. After all, she was Mrs. Davidson. While Alfred could tease her, others couldn’t. Even though Alfred seemed to enjoy bullying Kate, if anyone dared to disrespect her, he would certainly not let them off. It wasn’t until Kate’s figure was out of sight that Alfred instructed the driver to head off.

The entire afternoon, Kate worked hard. She was finally able to settle down and study diligently. When she didn’t understand something, she would consult Claire or her father.

By evening, most of the employees had already left, but Kate remained at the office. Since tomorrow was the weekend and they didn’t have to work, some employees who hadn’t finished their tasks decided to stay and work overtime to enjoy a relaxing weekend. Like Kate, they stayed after dinner to work extra hours.

No one disturbed Kate, and it wasn’t until she felt a bit tired that she checked the time and realized it was already past nine in the evening. “It’s so late already,” she muttered to herself. “And no one reminded me.”

“Oh no,” Kate exclaimed softly, thinking, ‘He should be home at this time, right?’ Alfred rarely attended social events before the accident and even less so after. He always went home right after work every day.

Kate quickly packed up, grabbed her bag, and hurried out of the office, dashing into the elevator. As she stepped out of the office building, she immediately noticed several luxury cars parked at the entrance. They were especially eye-catching, drawing the gazes of the employees. Some of the higher-ups recognized one of the cars as Alfred’s vehicle. Everyone in Sherpsel probably knew that the license plate number belonged to Alfred.

As she got closer, Kate recognized Alfred’s convoy. She was a bit stunned but didn’t dare stop, so she switched from a jog to a sprint, rushing out of the company like a gust of wind.

The employees were speechless. All they saw was a blur, and when they focused again, Kate had already run far away.

“Kate really doesn’t care about her image, does she?” someone remarked with a chuckle.

“Kyla would never behave like that. No matter how urgent the situation, she always moved at a calm, steady pace, much more composed than Kate,” another employee commented with a note of admiration.

“But then again, Kate grew up in the countryside. How could anyone expect her to be like Kyla?” one employee said with a shrug.

It was only natural that the company staff would compare Kate with Kyla. In their eyes, Kyla was a capable and attractive young woman, and many young men in the company had secret crushes on her. Some were even bold enough to pursue her, but unfortunately, Kyla was incredibly professional at work and disliked office romances, never giving any of the men a chance.

Kate, however, only had eyes for her husband and cared little about appearances. After all, in the eyes of others, she was just a country bumpkin. Even if she wore fine clothes, she could never become a princess, so she couldn’t care less about her image.

“Mr. Davidson,” Kate called out as she ran to Alfred’s car and knocked on the window.

♡

Chapter 93

Alfred pushed open the car door. Kate slid into the car and asked as she settled in, “What are you doing here? Were you waiting for me to finish work?” She shut the door behind her and turned around to give Alfred a hug, planting a kiss on his handsome face.

Her brazen gesture almost overwhelmed Alfred. Though reluctant, with the driver and bodyguard in the car, he gently pushed Kate away, lightly pinching her pretty red lips and reproaching her in a husky voice. “You’ve got no shame and no sense of decorum.”

“You’ve met many ladies but never fell for one. It seems you don’t like the demure type but prefer someone bold like me,” Kate quipped.

Yael and the driver exchanged glances, barely containing their smiles. Kate was truly audacious before Alfred. Her playful charm was second nature to her, and it was obvious that Alfred was smitten.

“Shameless,” Alfred remarked.

Kate giggled and said, “Thank you for the compliment. Why did you come to pick me up?”

“You don’t like me picking you up?”

“Of course not. When I saw your car parked at the building’s entrance, I rushed out as fast as I could. You can imagine how surprised I was. I’m really happy.” Kate set her bag aside and noticed a bouquet next to Alfred. She asked casually, “You’re still carrying the flowers I gave you?”

Alfred took the bouquet and placed it in her arms, speaking nonchalantly, “When I passed by the flower shop, I thought the flowers looked nice, so I had Yael buy a bouquet for you. It’s just a matter of reciprocity, nothing special.”

Holding the bouquet tightly in her arms, Kate smiled even more brightly than the flowers, deepening Alfred’s gaze. Her allure was irresistibly captivating to him.

“Thank you,” Kate said warmly.

“It’s just a bunch of flowers,” Alfred said coolly. “It’s nothing compared to the flowers at home.”

After James’s arrangements, his residence now resembled a garden. While he found it a bit gaudy, Kate loved it. He had even seen her enthusiastically taking pictures of the blooming flowers this morning. He had set it all up to please her. If it made her happy, he could overlook his distaste. Her joy restrained his impulse to throw out the potted flowers.

“Still, I really like it. It makes me very happy. Anyway, are you hungry?” Kate set the bouquet down, took out a box of snacks from her bag, and offered it to Alfred. “Have some to tide you over. I’ll prepare supper for you once we get home.”

Alfred said in disdain, “I don’t like sweets.”

“But it’s delicious.” Kate picked up a piece and held it to his mouth.

Alfred opened his mouth and ate it. “I simply can’t refuse your kindness,” he said impassively.

Observing Alfred’s reaction, Kate felt he was hiding his true feelings. He probably liked sweets but was suppressing his preference due to his status, claiming he disliked them. He was just like her own mother. Hence, Kate fed him another piece. Alfred wrinkled his nose at the snack, then opened his mouth again.

Kate noticed him glancing into the box, perhaps counting how many pieces were left. ‘I’ll see if you can keep up this pretense, she thought.

After he ate three pieces, Kate stopped feeding him and began eating them herself, savoring every bite. Alfred gulped, secretly craving more. If it weren’t for his strong self-control, he might have given himself away.

“These are so good, but there’s not enough. It feels like I haven’t eaten anything at all,” she said with relish.

Alfred pursed his lips, saying nothing. ‘This girl is shrewd, he thought, suspecting that she had figured him out.

“Why did you get off work so late?” Alfred asked, changing the subject.

“I didn’t keep track of time. I meant to leave by eight, but before I knew it, it was already this late,” Kate replied.

“How do you feel?”

“Much better than this morning, and I have a clearer idea of things now.”

Alfred fell silent. After a while, he said in a low voice, “I don’t mind you working, but I don’t want you staying late every day. If you’re too tired, don’t go to work. Stay at home and rest.”

Kate was at a loss for words. She was new to the business world, and at her age, progress would only come with hard work. Unlike Kyla, who had been exposed to business early and joined the company straight out of graduation. Even though she started from the bottom, her experience allowed her to rise quickly to vice president of the group, earning everyone’s respect.

“I’m not tired,” Kate said firmly.

Alfred turned his head and looked at her quietly. His gaze was so intense that Kate quickly averted her eyes, succumbing to the pressure. The car fell quiet.

When they returned to the Davidson residence, the silence between the couple remained unbroken. Harper and James waited at the door. Seeing the couple, Harper greeted Alfred respectfully.

As Alfred had Yael push him inside, he coldly asked Harper, What does Grandma want this time?”

Harper glanced at Kate, who had followed but wasn’t pushing Alfred, and answered respectfully, “Mr. Davidson, Mrs. Olivia wants to see Ms. Sutton and specifically asked me to wait for her here.”

“Mrs. Olivia wants to see me?” Kate uttered with a puzzled look, thinking, ‘It’s already so late. Shouldn’t she be asleep by now?’

“Yes, Ms. Sutton. Please follow me.” Harper was polite to Kate, gesturing for her to follow.

Kate hesitated, glancing at Alfred who was already heading inside. Seeing no reaction from him, she said, “Harper, please wait a moment. I’ll bring my bag inside first.”

“Ms. Sutton, you can give your bag to James. Mrs. Olivia has been waiting for a long time,” Harper advised.

Kate nodded, handed her bag to James, and followed Harper. When they reached the main house, Olivia was nowhere to be seen. Eloise, the housekeeper, said to Kate,” Mrs. Olivia is in her room. Please follow me, Ms. Sutton.”

Without a second thought, Kate followed Eloise upstairs to Olivia’s room. Eloise stopped at the door and said solemnly, “Ms. Sutton, Mrs. Olivia is already asleep. Please wait here.” With that, she turned around and left.

“Eloise, since Mrs. Olivia is asleep, can I come back tomorrow?” Kate asked, thinking, ‘Waiting here until morning seems unreasonable.’

Eloise stopped and turned to Kate, saying, “Mrs. Olivia told us that if she’s asleep, Ms. Sutton should wait here. It’s best to follow her instructions.” Even if it meant waiting until tomorrow, Kate would have to comply.

Kate realized Olivia was displeased with her for returning late. Even if Olivia couldn’t wait, she had instructed that Kate should be brought here and wait until dawn.

Eloise turned away again, adding, “The main gate is already locked. Ms. Sutton should wait quietly for Mrs. Olivia to wake up.”

Chapter 94

Kate furrowed her brows. Locking the gate was to prevent her from returning to Alfred’s house. Her bag had been handed over to James, and her phone was inside it. At that moment, she couldn’t even call Alfred for help. ‘Do I really have to wait for Mrs. Olivia to wake up?’ she thought.

After Eloise’s footsteps faded away, the door to another room suddenly opened. Cynthia, who was wearing a nightgown, poked her head out. “Ms. Sutton,” Cynthia whispered, waving her over.

Kate immediately walked over. “Miss Davidson.”

“Shh-” Cynthia put a finger to her lips and pulled Kate into the room. Once the door was closed, she said, “My grandmother is a light sleeper. She’ll wake up at the slightest noise and lose her temper if she’s disturbed while resting. Even I am afraid of her.”

Cynthia led Kate to the sofa in her room. “Where have you been to come back so late? My grandmother was fuming from waiting for you. That’s why she ordered Eloise to lock you in here.”

“Did Mrs. Olivia have something to discuss with me?” Kate asked cautiously. “Could you tell me?”

Cynthia shook her head. “I came back in the evening too. I don’t know why she wanted to see you. All I know is that she instructed Harper to check on you every half hour. When she learned you hadn’t returned, her mood worsened. During dinner, we barely spoke, afraid of getting scolded.” As the jewel of the Davidson family, even Cynthia didn’t dare to act recklessly in the face of Olivia’s fury.

“I was in the office and worked overtime until now,” Kate explained. “James should have my contact number. If Mrs. Olivia needs me, she could have had James call me.”

“You went to work? Aren’t you, my brother’s caregiver?” Cynthia asked dubiously. “Where else could you be working? Doesn’t my brother pay you?”

Kate responded seriously, “He doesn’t pay me. He told me to be self-reliant, and I needed money too. To make ends meet, I had no choice but to work.”

Cynthia laughed and said, “I almost believed you. You’re Kate Sutton, the daughter of the Sutton family, and you’re short of money? I heard that since your return, your mother has given you a monthly allowance of 60 thousand dollars, which is 2 thousand a day. That’s quite a lot. You’re not a heavy spender, so 60 thousand dollars should be more than enough.

“Unless you’re using that money to support your adoptive mother’s family.”

“You seem quite well-informed about my situation,” Kate replied.

Cynthia maintained her smile. Despite her status as the Davidson family’s princess and Sherpsel’s most privileged woman, she came across as warm and approachable to Kate. When they first met, they exchanged only a few words, and Kate thought her sister-in-law would be hard to get along with.

“The news about the true and fake heiresses of the Sutton family caused quite a stir in Sherpsel. Everyone with access to the internet is gossiping about every detail of your return to the wealthy family,” Cynthia said frankly. Curiosity is human nature, and I’m no exception.”

“My adoptive family isn’t poor, so they don’t need my support. They always refuse when I try to give them money,” Kate disclosed. “I had to be quite persistent to get them to accept it.

“Since Mr. Davidson goes to work every day, I found being at home boring and wanted to get a job. It gives me a chance to earn money and make my life more fulfilling.” Cynthia asked, “Does my brother agree?”

“Yes, he does. If he didn’t, I wouldn’t even be able to step out of the door.”

Cynthia remarked enviously, “My brother treats you so well. I wanted to work too, but my brothers wouldn’t allow it. They thought I was short on cash when I brought it up, so they keep depositing money into my account.”

Kate chuckled and said, “You’re the lucky one. I wish I didn’t have to work and still had money to spend. Unfortunately, I don’t have so many brothers to give me money.”

“That’s true. I should be more grateful for what I have,” Cynthia said wryly. She was indeed very fortunate.

“You can sleep here for a while. Set an alarm, and when my grandmother is about to wake up, go wait at her door. Pretend to be very tired and make her believe you waited for her all night. This way, even if she is still upset, she will feel better. She’s surprisingly nice to girls,” Cynthia suggested with a hint of mischief in her voice.

This was because the Davidson family had plenty of sons but very few daughters.

Kate was self-aware. “No matter how nice Mrs. Olivia is to girls, she still won’t like me. I turned down Mr. Davidson’s marriage proposal and even took such a drastic step. If he hadn’t been so forgiving, the Sutton family would have been in trouble because of me.”

She had been quite foolish in the past. Just a few words from Kyla made her go to extremes to reject the marriage. Her intense love for Chris had clouded her judgment.

Cynthia thought to herself, ‘How could Alfred not be calculative? He’s obviously taking his time to settle the score. Bringing Kate into the Davidson family is just the beginning. He’ll find ways to deal with her later. Kate’s suffering has yet to come.’ Cynthia respected her eldest brother deeply, and even though she saw through his intentions, she wouldn’t speak of it.

“I’m about the same height as you. Let me get you a set of my clothes. Go take a shower first.” Cynthia stood up to get some clothes for Kate.

“Thank you for tonight,” Kate said, her voice full of gratitude.

Cynthia turned around and glanced at the pair of shoes Kate was wearing. She smiled and said, “In all my life, my brother has never taken anything from me except these shoes. For the sake of these shoes, I will help you this time.”

“Still, I must thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Soon, Cynthia returned with a set of clothes and handed them to Kate. “Hurry and take a shower.”

Kate took the clothes and went into the bathroom.

After she went in, Cynthia chuckled softly and thought, ‘In half an hour, Alfred will surely send someone to pick up Kate.’

Although Cynthia was young, she was quite clever. She acted so well that Kate believed she knew nothing. The fact that Alfred sent James to get Cynthia’s shoes for Kate showed just how much he cared about her.

Cynthia was curious to see how long her brother could hold off before revealing his intentions to the family. She wondered, ‘If he proposed to marry Kate, what would the family’s reaction be? And what about Kate? Would she still resort to such drastic measures as suicide to reject the marriage?

‘Alfred claimed that he brought Kate into the family to be his caregiver as a form of revenge, but I suspect that he actually wants to win her over through their daily interactions, hoping she will marry him willingly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have granted so many exceptions to her.’

Aside from Cynthia, no one knew just how well Alfred could treat a woman, making one fall head over heels for him.

Chapter 95

Alfred had just come out of the bathroom and sat in his wheelchair when he heard a knock at the door.

“Mr. Davidson, are you asleep?” James’s voice came through the door.

Alfred wheeled himself to the door, opened it, and saw James standing in the doorway.

“Mr. Davidson, it’s already 11:30, and Mrs. Davidson still hasn’t returned,” James said with concern. “Mrs. Olivia has already gone to bed at this hour.”

Alfred frowned and asked, “James, what did Grandma want to talk to Kate about? Did you mention that I’m willing to do my rehabilitation?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Davidson,” James said, realizing that he might have caused trouble for Kate. He thought, ‘Mrs. Olivia is really upset with Mrs. Davidson. Given how late she came back, Mrs. Olivia is probably furious and might even lock her in the main house as punishment. James couldn’t bear to think what Kate might be going through.

Alfred didn’t blame James. He instructed, “Bring her back now. Tell Eloise that I’m hungry and I want Kate to make supper for me.”

“Yes, Mr. Davidson. I’ll go right away.” With Alfred’s

instructions and a valid reason to rescue Kate, James hurried off.

Kate had already fallen asleep in Cynthia’s room. After chatting for a while, the two girls had drifted off to sleep, only to be startled awake by the noise outside.

“What’s going on?” Cynthia sat up, pulling on her robe. She turned to Kate and said, “Stay here. I’ll go find out.”

“Let’s go together,” Kate said, curious about the commotion. The main house was brightly lit, and all the servants were searching for Kate. They had combed every corner of the house, except for Olivia’s and Cynthia’s rooms, which they left undisturbed. Yet, Kate was nowhere to be found.

“Be quiet, don’t wake Mrs. Olivia and Ms. Cynthia,” Eloise scolded the others in a hushed voice.

“What if we can’t find Ms. Sutton?” Harper asked nervously. Mr. Davidson is asking for her.” Harper was anxious, her face pale with worry. Since she was the one who had taken

Kate was away, she feared that Alfred would blame her if Kate went missing. She shuddered at the thought of Alfred’s chilling glare.

“Could she have climbed over the wall to leave? She’s not very familiar with the surroundings and might have gotten lost. Let’s search outside and try not to alarm anyone,” James suggested.

“Climbed over the wall?” Eloise looked at the wall, which was over six feet tall.

James explained, “Ms. Sutton used to run a training facility and knows boxing and kickboxing. She should be able to climb the wall.”

“Then she might really have climbed over,” Eloise exclaimed. “Go outside and search. I’ll check the surveillance footage,” she ordered the others.

As she turned to leave, she noticed the two girls standing at the door, looking curiously at them. Eloise was dumbfounded. They had nearly turned the main house upside down, while Cynthia and Kate had been sleeping peacefully. If it hadn’t been for their noisy search waking the girls, they might not have found Kate until morning. “Eloise, what are you looking for?” Cynthia asked.

Eloise replied, “Ms. Cynthia, Mr. Davidson wanted supper and sent James to bring Ms. Sutton back to prepare it. But when I went upstairs to find her, she was missing. I was mobilizing everyone to look for her, but I didn’t expect her to be with you.”

Cynthia expected Alfred to send someone for Kate within half an hour, but when no one showed up, she eventually fell asleep. ‘It’s not my fault, is it?’ she thought.

“Ms. Sutton, Mr. Davidson is waiting for you to make supper. Hurry up and go back with James. Don’t keep him waiting.” Eloise heaved a sigh of relief and urged Kate to leave.

After tonight, it became clear to everyone in the main house where Kate stood with Alfred.

A few minutes later, Kate entered the house and saw Alfred waiting for her in the hall. As she headed toward the kitchen, she asked, “What would you like to eat?”

“Never mind,” Alfred replied coldly. “I just used it as an excuse to send James to fetch you. It’s fine now. You should go back to your room and rest.”

Kate was taken aback, turning to look at the man who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She quickly walked to his side, helping him into the wheelchair and pushing him toward her room.

“That’s not my room,” Alfred said.

“The whole building is yours. How is this not your room?” Kate quipped.

Alfred was rendered speechless. She was using his own words against him.

Kate added playfully, “Are you shy? It’s fine. It’s not like we haven’t slept together before.”

Kate noticed Alfred’s ears turning slightly red. She chuckled, thinking to herself, ‘He’s quite innocent.’

With Kate around, Alfred spent another restless night, dreaming of the woman he had shared passionate moments with. ‘Why can’t I have a different dream?’ he thought, desperately hoping for a break from it. The recurring scene was tormenting him.

His brazen wife beside him would often snuggle into his arms in her sleep. The softness of her body and the allure of her scent had Alfred wishing he could have his way with her. Unfortunately, his legs were uncooperative. If they were to be intimate, she would have to take the lead.

Alfred couldn’t bring himself to say that, especially since Kate seemed to think he was no longer capable. ‘Does she think I’m impotent, which is why she’s being so bold with her flirting?’ he wondered. As dawn approached and the dream finally ceased, Alfred drifted into sleep.

Kate’s biological clock was punctual. She woke up at 6:30 in the morning, exactly on time. Opening her eyes, she found herself resting on Alfred’s arm. She quickly rolled to the side, fearing that any delay might trigger Alfred’s fury. Fortunately, he was in deep sleep, and she didn’t disturb him.

It was Saturday, so Kate didn’t need to get up for work. She lay beside Alfred, quietly gazing at his sleeping face. ‘He’s really handsome, she thought, reaching out to touch Alfred’s face, inching closer to kiss his lips…

Unexpectedly, Alfred suddenly opened his eyes, startling Kate so much that she tumbled out of bed. She fell to the floor, wincing in pain and feeling rather embarrassed. Alfred sat up abruptly and leaned over to look. The sight of her sprawled on the floor made him break into a smile. But when Kate got up, his smile vanished, and he looked at her coldly.

Kate giggled awkwardly and greeted, “Good morning.”

“Did you hit your head too hard? You’re smiling like a fool,” Alfred said with a detached tone, keeping a straight face. Kate touched her mouth and nose, wincing from the pain. “I landed on my face, but I didn’t hit my head, so I’m not a fool.”

Chapter 96

“Why did you suddenly wake up?” Kate asked.

Alfred snorted. “What? Am I not allowed to wake up? Did you take advantage of me while I was sleeping?”

“W-what do you mean, ‘take advantage’? We’re legally married. Even if I kiss you, that’s just the intimacy between husband and wife,” Kate retorted, slightly flustered. “Not that you’d understand. You’re a cold-blooded animal, clueless about love, and even more clueless about flirting. Trying to explain romance to you is like talking to a brick wall.”

Alfred was outstanding in all aspects, but in matters of the heart, he left much to be desired in Kate’s eyes.

Once again slighted by his wife for his lack of romantic flair, Alfred quickly took on a look of interest. “Show me how it’s done. If you teach me, I’ll get it the next time you flirt with me.”

Kate thought that Alfred had a point but also felt like he was setting a trap for her. Knowing she couldn’t outsmart him, she decided it was safer not to take the bait.

“Forget it, I’ll make breakfast,” Kate said, changing the subject. “What would you like for breakfast today? If you don’t tell me, I’ll just make my own.” With plenty of people at his service, he hardly needed her to wait on him.

“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” Alfred said.

“Alright, just don’t complain if my breakfast is too simple.” Kate grabbed her clothes and went into the bathroom to change. When she came out, she had put on a plain long dress.

Alfred, now sitting in his wheelchair, looked at her for a while before commenting, “You love throwing people over your shoulder. Don’t you find it inconvenient to wear a dress?” “Your wife is actually very gentle,” Kate replied, somewhat defensively. She wished he would stop harping on her roughness. Nevertheless, Kate changed into a short-sleeved t-shirt and cropped pants. “You’re right. It’s more convenient for me to dress like this. I can run faster.”

“You should become a police officer, specializing in catching robbers and thieves. I’m sure you’d catch every single one of them,” Alfred quipped.

Kate burst into laughter. “Are you complimenting my speed, or are you mocking me for not behaving like a refined lady?” Alfred chuckled. His smile left Kate momentarily speechless, as she found herself completely mesmerized. Seeing the dazed look on her face, Alfred teased, “Snap out of it. You’re about to start drooling.”

Kate stepped forward, bent down, and grabbed Alfred’s face before biting down hard on his lips. Alfred winced in pain but couldn’t bring himself to push her away.

“You’re smiling so beautifully this early in the morning. Are you trying to give me a heart attack? It’s torture to see it and not get to taste it,” Kate said playfully.

Satisfied with her bite, Kate patted his handsome face. You should smile more. You look amazing when you do; it can make anyone lose their mind. It’s intimidating to see you with that stern expression all day. To be honest, when I first saw that icy face of yours, my legs couldn’t stop trembling.”

Alfred didn’t take her seriously. If she had truly been afraid of him, she wouldn’t have slit her wrist in front of him to refuse the marriage proposal. And she certainly wouldn’t have forced him into marrying her once she regained consciousness.

Sometimes, she was timid, but more often than not, she was outrageously bold. Perhaps it was because Kate had grown up in the countryside and wasn’t fully aware of Alfred’s reputation. Ignorance had been a blessing. What she didn’t know was that it was precisely her boldness that endeared her to him. Her authenticity convinced him that she had no ulterior motives.

“I can’t talk to you anymore. I should go prepare breakfast and make some chowder for my mom. I didn’t visit her yesterday, and I miss her terribly. I wonder if she’s feeling any better,” Kate said before she turned and walked away.

Alfred watched her go, then touched his lip where she had bitten him. She had bitten so hard that he could feel the spot swelling.

Since it was still early, the entire Davidson residence was quiet. The servants who had already risen moved around with quiet steps, careful not to disturb the household. When Kate entered the kitchen, she found plenty of fresh ingredients. As she glanced through them, she realized she could whip up a feast if she wanted to.

For breakfast, Kate preferred something light. Today, she wanted oatmeal with almonds. However, with so many ingredients available but no almonds, she resigned herself to some raisins. She also made clam chowder for Anna.

While Kate was cooking, the sound of footsteps from outside caught her attention. She then heard James greet someone respectfully. “Mr. Theo.”

‘What is he doing here?’ Kate wondered.

Ever since Theo found out that Kate had become his sister-in-law, he had been itching to get to the bottom of it all, which was why he showed up early this morning. “James, is Alfred up yet? Something smells delicious. Who’s in the kitchen?” he asked.

James, unaware that Theo already knew Kate’s identity, replied, “It’s Ms. Sutton. She’s preparing breakfast for Mr. Davidson.”

Theo’s eyes flickered. He suddenly leaned in closer, startling James, who instinctively stepped back to maintain some distance.

“Mr. Theo, what’s wrong?” James asked respectfully.

Theo whispered, “James, I know everything.”

“What does Mr. Theo know?”

“I know Kate is my sister-in-law.”

“Oh.” James’s expression remained unchanged.

Theo narrowed his eyes. “James, you’re my brother’s butler, and you know all about his affairs. Tell me, what’s the story with those two? Didn’t they both refuse to marry back then?” It had been Olivia’s idea to propose to the Sutton family. Theo knew that Alfred had no interest in Kate and didn’t want to marry her.

“Theo, why are you asking James when you could ask me? You’re just putting him in a tough spot.” Alfred opened the door and wheeled himself out. His room was on the first floor, so he could hear everything in the living room. “Morning, Alfred,” Theo greeted him nonchalantly, not feeling the least bit embarrassed about being caught prying into Alfred’s private life.

Theo stepped forward, intending to push Alfred’s wheelchair, but as he got closer, he noticed that Alfred’s lips were swollen. At first, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but a closer look confirmed that the swelling was real.

‘Swollen lips… It’s provoking some wild thoughts,’ Theo thought, his lips curling into a mischievous smile. “Alfred, did a mosquito bite your lips? They’re swollen,” he asked. “Yes, a gigantic mosquito bit me so hard, and now my lips are swollen,” Alfred replied flatly.

Theo’s grin grew even more suggestive. “Just how big was that mosquito?”

Alfred glared at him. “Your sister-in-law bit me. Satisfied now? If there’s nothing else, you can get lost.”

Not only did Theo not leave, but he also looked thrilled as he asked, “Alfred, are you all good now?”

Alfred’s face darkened.

Theo quickly said, “I didn’t mean to pry into your private life. I just wanted to know if everything is fine with you now. It would put our minds at ease.’

Chapter 97

‘Grandma, Mom, and Dad all say that Alfred can’t have children anymore. They want Lucas and me to have more kids in the future, and each of us will have to pass one on to Alfred, so he can have two children under his name,’ Theo mused.

Though Theo was still single, he didn’t like the idea of his future children being adopted away, even by his own elder brother. If Alfred recovered, both he and Lucas would be spared the burden of giving up their children for adoption, possibly resolving a family conflict.

Alfred didn’t give a direct answer but repeated what Kate had said in the room. “Your sister-in-law was upset to see something she couldn’t taste. So, she bit me hard on the lips.”

Theo’s sparkling eyes dimmed instantly, and even James, who had been listening attentively, looked disappointed. He had also thought that Alfred had recovered.

Kate brought out breakfast and placed it on the dining table. When she heard the Davidson brothers talking, she came out and asked, “Theo, would you like to stay for breakfast?”

Before Theo could respond, Alfred coldly said, “He’s picky; he only eats breakfast prepared in his small kitchen.”

Theo’s eyebrows shot up, thinking, ‘Look who’s talking… Although Theo himself was picky, it was due to his role in managing Cheval Blanc, where he had tasted many delicacies and refined his palate. He was nowhere near as fussy as Alfred. Moreover, his small kitchen didn’t have a dedicated chef; he was the top chef.

“Since I don’t visit often, I’d like to join you for breakfast,” Theo said unabashedly.

“Alright, let’s have breakfast together,” Kate said cheerfully.

Kate had been living in the Davidson residence for a while. To others in the Davidson family, Alfred’s house was like a forbidden place. Apart from Alfred’s bodyguards, very few people entered. Even Harper waited outside when delivering orders from Olivia. None of Alfred’s brothers had ever visited. Today, Theo showed up out of the blue.

Fearing Alfred would have him kicked out, Theo entered the dining room first. When he saw the breakfast Kate had prepared a bowl of oatmeal with a sprinkle of raisins-he frowned and said to Kate, “Is this how you take care of my brother? A bowl of oatmeal?” He had smelled the aroma of clam chowder when he entered and still could smell it now. Alfred, coming in behind him, said tersely, “If you don’t like it, you can leave.”

“Alfred, this is too simple. There’s no nutrition at all. Your body needs constant nourishment,” Theo protested with concern. He thought, ‘The Davidson family is a prestigious household; when did we ever have such a meager meal at the table? As the head of the Davidson family, Alfred’s breakfast should have been more substantial.’

Theo felt that Kate wasn’t taking proper care of his brother. The breakfast prepared by the main kitchen was nutritious and exactly what Alfred needed.

“I’ve already said, if you find it unsatisfactory, go back to your place,” Alfred said brusquely.

Theo dared not make a sound.

“I only prepared breakfast for myself and Alfred. Since you’re joining us, we have to cut our portions by half to share with you. If you really find it unacceptable, you might as well not eat, so we can have a bit more,” Kate said pointedly, underscoring her displeasure.

Theo was struck silent, thinking, ‘Truly, a married couple.

Kate returned to the kitchen, filled a bowl with clam chowder, and then placed it in front of Alfred. She helped him to his seat at the table and said gently, “You’ll have the first bowl.”

Alfred’s expression remained stoic, but the faint curl of his lips suggested he was pleased.

Kate then cleaned an insulated container and poured some clam chowder into it. She served the remainder in a bowl and placed it in front of Theo. “Since you find my breakfast lacking in nutrition, please help yourself to this bowl of clam chowder.”

Theo, with more complaints on his mind, met Alfred’s piercing stare, then quickly lowered his head, grabbed a spoon, and took a sip. It had been a long time since he had last eaten clam.

Meanwhile, in the main house, Olivia, accompanied by Cynthia, finished her breakfast. She delicately wiped her mouth with a napkin and asked her attendant, Eloise, who was standing nearby, “What time did Kate come back last night? I told her to wait for me, but she didn’t.” It seemed Kate had little regard for Olivia.

Eloise replied, “Mrs. Olivia, Ms. Sutton returned at ten o’clock. She had intended to wait for you, but Mr. Davidson wanted supper, so James came to bring her back.”

Olivia chuckled. “Alfred is so protective of her. I simply asked her to stand outside my room for a night, and he quickly found an excuse to call her back. Well, if Alfred likes her, so be it.”

No matter how much Olivia disliked Kate, as long as she made Alfred happy and helped him with his rehabilitation, she would be useful. She could grant Kate a few concessions and let her live peacefully in the Davidson family. Once Alfred could stand up again, she would be dismissed.

When she proposed marriage between Kate and Alfred, it was because Alfred had been incapacitated by the accident and rendered impotent. He was no longer desirable to the heiresses of Sherpsel who had once admired him. Olivia had no choice but to turn to Kate.

‘If Alfred recovered to his former self, Kate wouldn’t even be worthy of standing next to him, Olivia thought with disdain. She had no intention of keeping her.

“Perhaps Ms. Sutton has been taking good care of Mr. Davidson. I heard from James that she’s not intimidated by his temper and is rather brazen,” Eloise remarked.

“Is that so?” Olivia smiled. “If she hadn’t caught Alfred’s eye, no matter how shameless she is, she couldn’t have stayed.” Eloise nodded in agreement, thinking, ‘Mr. Davidson’s temper has been particularly foul since his accident, and no one can tolerate it. The reason Ms. Sutton could stay is partly because he wants to torment her, and partly because, as Mrs. Olivia suggested, she has qualities that suit his taste, allowing her to stay a bit longer.’

“Cynthia, let’s go for a walk.” Olivia changed the subject. Cynthia obediently agreed, stood up, and accompanied Olivia out of the main house. After strolling around the courtyard for a while, Olivia suggested, “How about we visit Alfred?”

“Will we disturb him?” Cynthia asked.

“Let’s go over and take a look. If he’s resting, we’ll leave.”

Cynthia nodded. “Alright.”

Hence, the two of them headed toward Alfred’s residence. When they arrived, they saw the courtyard filled with potted plants and thought they might be in the wrong place.

Instinctively, they turned to leave, but after a few steps, Olivia stopped and looked back. She said to Cynthia, “This is Alfred’s house, isn’t it?”

Chapter 98

Cynthia scanned the surroundings and said uncertainly, Grandma, this should be Alfred’s place. I don’t think we’re in the wrong spot.”

“Then why are there so many flowers? I thought it was our garden,” Olivia remarked with a puzzled look.

“There was quite a commotion here the other day. It seemed that James bought a lot of potted plants under Alfred’s instructions.” Cynthia reminded her.

Olivia nodded. “Yes, I forgot. It’s just that there are so many flowers. This doesn’t seem like Alfred’s taste.”

Alfred wasn’t one who cared for flowers. Olivia and Cynthia exchanged a glance, realizing that if it wasn’t Alfred’s taste, it must be Kate’s. Alfred had actually revamped his courtyard for her.

“Grandma, should we still visit?” Cynthia observed Olivia’s changing expression.

Olivia felt a pang of frustration, but she couldn’t vent it out. After all, her grandson was both physically disabled and impotent. It was a good thing that Kate was taking care of him and making him happy. She couldn’t care less about how Alfred was treating Kate. ‘But… What if he recovers?’ she wondered.

With a long sigh, Olivia said, “Since we’re here, let’s go in.”

As they were about to enter, Alfred and Theo came out, with Theo pushing Alfred along.

Kate had already gone to visit Anna and she had taken the day off to visit her parents at the Sutton Residence. In the evening, she would attend Grace’s birthday party with Kyla. She had even taken her evening gown for the event.

“Grandma, Cynthia,” Theo greeted.

Olivia’s face softened with affection as she nodded in response, feeling particularly gratified at the sight of the brothers’ warm interaction.

“Alfred, are you going out?” Olivia asked.

“I just finished breakfast and thought I’d go out for some fresh air,” Alfred replied. “Grandma, what’s the matter?”

Alfred’s demeanor was stern when facing his family, making him seem difficult to approach.

“What are you saying, child? Can’t your grandmother come to see you?” Olivia said with a conciliatory tone.

Alfred pursed his lips and remained silent. Since his temper had worsened, not only did the household servants dislike working for him, but even his family seldom visited his place. Though he knew it was mainly his fault, it still hurt him, making him even more prone to outbursts.

“Where’s Kate?” Olivia asked casually.

“She took leave,” Alfred replied. “Her adoptive mother had a car accident, so she’s taking the weekend off to visit her.” “I see. Raising a child is more significant than merely bringing them into the world. Her adoptive mother raised her with love for twenty-five years, so it’s only right for Kate to care for her now.”

Cynthia chimed in, “She’s quite thoughtful, better than Kyla.”

Kyla didn’t want to return to her biological mother and avoided interacting with her, showing clear disdain and favoring the conditions of the Sutton family.

“Alfred, what’s with all these flowers…” Olivia asked while closely observing Alfred’s expression.

“They’re nice,” Alfred said plainly. “Don’t you think it adds a touch of vitality to my place? It’s not so dull anymore.”

Olivia smiled. “Yes, it’s more lively now. It’s nice to see so many flowers when you go out; it can really lift one’s mood.” Seeing that Alfred’s gaze was still aloof, she knew that he didn’t want to say anything more. She said thoughtfully,” Theo, spend some time outside with your brother. I’ll go back to rest. I’m old now; a short walk easily tires me.”

The three of them knew that Olivia was lying, but no one pointed it out. After watching their grandmother leave, Alfred and Theo continued their way out. They wandered outside until it was time for Alfred’s physical therapy.

During the sessions, only the staff were allowed to be present; he didn’t want anyone to see him stumble and fall after taking a few steps. After an exhausting afternoon, Alfred was utterly drained, his face pallid. Everyone, including James, was extremely cautious, avoiding any unnecessary movement around him.

In the evening, after resting for a while and adjusting his emotions, Alfred called for James.

“Has Cynthia left?” Alfred asked.

Cynthia was also attending the Weaver family’s banquet that evening.

James quickly replied, “Not yet, but soon.” As a butler, James kept track of everything.

Alfred responded with a nod and fell silent. James, unsure of Alfred’s intentions, dared not ask further and quietly retreated.

After a moment, Alfred took out his phone and called his sister. Once she answered, he said, “Cynthia, I’m coming with you to the Weaver family’s banquet.”

Cynthia was surprised. “Alfred, you’re going to Grace’s birthday party?”

Alfred rarely attended parties. If someone could get him to attend, it would be a significant honor for them. After his accident, he had stopped appearing at even family-hosted events, let alone someone else’s.

“Yes. Help me prepare a simple gift as Grace’s birthday present. It doesn’t need to be expensive; the more thoughtless, the better. I don’t want her to think that I’m interested in her,” Alfred requested.

Grace, like Belinda, had an interest in Alfred. The difference was that Belinda had always harbored a secret crush, while Grace had openly pursued him for a long time until his accident put an end to it. It was all because he had lost the use of his legs.

“All the gifts I’ve prepared are expensive. Where can I get a simple one on such short notice?” Cynthia complained.” Give me some ideas.”

Alfred pursed his lips and said, “Never mind, I’ll prepare it myself. Just come over, and we’ll go together.”

“Alright,” Cynthia agreed.

After hanging up, Alfred called for James again and instructed, “Find the cheapest vase, clean it, and pack it up. It’s a gift for someone.”

James was taken aback but quickly responded, “Alright.” He wondered, ‘Who is Mr. Davidson giving the vase to? And why pick the cheapest one?’

“Mr. Davidson, the vases in the house are all antiques,” James said, probing for his real intention.

“Go to Walter’s place and get a vase that hasn’t been used yet. Clean it and pack it up,” Alfred ordered.

James stood there, trying to make sense of the situation. Walter, one of the family’s gardeners who specifically handled flowers and plants, had vases that were indeed the cheapest compared to those in Alfred’s house.

‘Who has offended Mr. Davidson to the extent that he’d use a cheap vase to mock them?’ James wondered.

“What are you waiting for?” Alfred uttered chillingly.

“I’ll prepare it right away.” James dared not speculate further and hurriedly went to get it ready.

Chapter 99

At the Sutton Residence, Celia applied a light touch of makeup to Kate, then stepped back to get a better look at her.

“Mom, how do I look? Aren’t I beautiful? Everyone says I’ve inherited the best features from you and Dad,” Kate said with a smile.

Leland and Celia were a striking couple when they were young. If Kate had inherited their best traits, it was no surprise that she was attractive.

From Kate’s earliest memories, anyone who saw her would tell Anna that she was beautiful and that she would undoubtedly win any beauty pageant.

Anna always said that she didn’t hope for Kate to participate in beauty pageants or competitions; she simply wished for her daughter to grow up safely and free from any troubles or pain.

Celia smiled warmly. “Of course my daughter is beautiful. If you wear the Cartier necklace I gave you, you’ll shine even more.”

“Mom, you’ve already given me too many pieces of jewelry. I’m afraid Kyla might get jealous. Why don’t you give that necklace to her instead?” Kate said, her smile carrying an unspoken meaning.

In the initial timeline, she attended a banquet hosted by the Weaver family and was drenched in wine by Grace. Grace had targeted her not only because of Kyla but also due to the Cartier necklace she wore. Afterward, Kate learned from Kyla that Grace liked the necklace, but Celia had bought it first. When Grace saw Kate wearing it at the banquet, she became enraged and doused her with wine, causing her embarrassment.

Celia pondered for a moment and then said, “Alright, I’ll give the necklace to Kyla later. Kate, stand up and let me see how you look.”

Dressed in her evening gown, Kate stood up and took a few steps. She smiled and quipped, “Mom, don’t worry. I won’t embarrass you.”

“The right clothes can make a world of difference. You look absolutely gorgeous and as your mother, I couldn’t be prouder. The Sutton family’s daughter is now all grown up and… married.” Celia’s words carried a sense of sorrow.

‘Alfred didn’t give Kate a grand wedding, and their marriage wasn’t even publicly announced. If Kate hadn’t been so insistent on marrying him, I would have demanded a proper wedding for her,’ Celia thought.

Kate knew that she had married Alfred without her parents’ blessing. It came as a shock to them and brought them sadness. She quickly walked back to Celia, affectionately embracing her. “Mom, I’m doing great. I really am.”

Celia said bitterly, “What’s so great about it? A secret marriage without a wedding. I can’t even see you in a bridal gown.

“Forget it. There’s no point in talking about it. No amount of words can change the situation. Instead, let’s adapt to it. From now on, it’s up to you to make the best of your life. Even if we want to help, it’s beyond our reach.”

Kate had married into the Davidson family, which made any intervention difficult.

“I’ll check on Kyla to see if she’s ready.” Celia gently removed Kate’s hand from her shoulder and turned to leave. As she walked out of the room, Kate wiped a tear off her eye.

“Mom, while I protect you, I will also find my own happiness. Trust me,” Kate murmured. Without her parents’ consent, she clung tightly to Alfred the moment she returned. Her decision to marry him, though it seemed like a rebellious act, was driven by a desire to escape the tragedies she had experienced.

Celia knocked on Kyla’s door. Kyla, dressed in her evening gown, opened the door with a smile. “Mom.”

“Kyla, how are your preparations? Ready to leave? Kate is all set,” Celia said gently as she entered the room. “I won’t be going with you girls tonight. Kate isn’t familiar with those people, so please look after her.”

“Mom, I will. I’ll take good care of Kate and introduce her to more friends,” Kyla responded sensibly. “But…”

Kyla seemed slightly troubled. “Mom, I’ve been trying to help Kate fit into our social circle, but she always hangs out with Xena. Although the Phillips family is well-off, Xena is a bit of a creep. She gets infatuated with every attractive man she sees and often takes sneaky photos, posting them all over her room.

“Mom, we’re always running into each other in our circle. If someone’s boyfriend gets photographed by Xena for her collection, who would be comfortable with that?”

After a moment of silence, Celia said, “Xena’s hobby is indeed disturbing, but she is genuinely nice to Kate. Since they get along well, I can’t bear to stop her from making friends. However, you make a valid point. I’ll talk to Kate and make sure she sticks close to you tonight and stays away from Xena.”

‘After all, Kate is now Alfred’s wife. Though Alfred is disabled, he’s still handsome. If Xena sees him and takes his photo, how would Kate feel?’ Celia thought.

“Mom, I’m saying this for Kate’s own good,” Kyla said earnestly.

Celia took her hand and patted it affectionately. “I know you mean well for Kate. I won’t blame you.”

Celia noticed that the necklace around Kyla’s neck was too small. “That necklace of yours is a bit small. I have a new one that suits you perfectly. I’ll give it to you. Wear it to the banquet, and you’ll surely captivate everyone.” She got up and brought a rectangular jewelry box from Kate’s room, handing it to Kyla.

Kyla opened the box and was immediately taken with the Cartier necklace. She took out the necklace and smiled. Mom, I really like this necklace. It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“There’s no need to thank me. You’re my daughter.” Celia took the necklace from Kyla’s hands, helped her put it on, and removed the old one.

Kyla looked in the mirror and felt that the new necklace elevated her elegance to another level. She was the Sutton family’s carefully nurtured heir, given the best of everything in her upbringing. Her grace was innate, and any piece of jewelry she wore only enhanced her appeal.

“Kyla, tonight is Miss Weaver’s birthday party, although she is the center of attention, it doesn’t mean you can’t make friends. If you meet an eligible man, seize the opportunity,” Celia said while adjusting Kyla’s gown. “Don’t be affected by the issues with the Cohen family. Mrs. Cohen is too much, and Chris isn’t suitable for either of you girls.”

“Mom, I understand. I won’t let Mrs. Cohen’s actions bother me,” Kyla replied reassuringly. ‘Chris mentioned he was also attending the Weaver family’s banquet with his mother. Does his arm still hurt?’ she wondered.

Celia nodded with a smile. “You’ve always been smart and sensible. I’m not worried. Well, it’s getting late. You and Kate should leave soon to avoid upsetting Miss Weaver.”

Chapter 100

Kyla chuckled and said, “Grace and I are close friends. She won’t be mad at us.” She fetched her exquisite purse and slipped her phone inside.

Celia smiled but said nothing, though her mind was swirling with thoughts.

Kyla had taken Kate’s place. From a young age, she received the best education and lived a privileged life, excelling in every aspect compared to Kate. Now, while Kate had only managed to befriend someone like Xena, Kyla had become best friends with Grace, one of the most prominent figures in Sherpsel.

It bothered Celia to see such a stark disparity between the girls. If Kyla and Kate were still as close as they had been a year ago, she wouldn’t be so affected. But now, knowing that Kyla was constantly scheming against Kate, she could no longer bear it.

Celia had a reason for going along with Kate’s suggestion to let Kyla wear the Cartier necklace to the banquet, even though she believed Kate was oblivious and was simply acting out of courtesy.

When Celia had chosen that necklace, Grace had her eye on it as well. Although Grace didn’t say anything, she couldn’t hide her displeasure. Spoiled by her family, Grace was used to getting whatever she wanted, regardless of the value. If Grace wanted it, she had to have it; otherwise, she would be hung up on it.

‘How would Grace react if she saw Kyla wearing the necklace she wanted but couldn’t have?’ Celia wondered.

When Kyla saw Kate all dressed up, her eyes lit up in surprise. She hadn’t expected her to look so striking in an evening gown.

“Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something wrong with my dress?” Kate asked playfully.

“Not at all.” Kyla laughed, taking Kate’s hand. “You’re so beautiful that even I, as a woman, am stunned. Kate, you should really dress up more often. You’ve got great features; it’s just that you usually dress so casually. Mom and I have given you so many designer outfits, but you never wear them.”

Kyla continued with a smile, “Isn’t this perfect? Tonight, no one will dare call you a country bumpkin. If they do, I’ll rip their mouths off!”

Kate scoffed inwardly, ‘When others called me a country bumpkin before, you pretended not to hear and kept your distance, allowing them to insult me freely.’ In the past, Kate had trusted Kyla, which led to a tragic end. This time, she wouldn’t let Kyla hurt her through others again.

“Let’s go,” Kyla said, after showering Kate with compliments, and reached to pull Kate’s hand as they headed downstairs.

However, Kate pulled her hand back. Kyla didn’t insist, maintaining a calm and haughty demeanor as she descended the stairs. Both of them were in evening gowns and high heels, so they didn’t drive themselves. The Sutton family’s chauffeur drove them to the Weaver Residence for the banquet.

Grace’s birthday banquet was being held at the Weaver Residence, a sprawling estate like the Davidson residence. Hosting a grand event there for Sherpsel’s business elites wouldn’t feel crowded at all.

The Weaver Group owned an entertainment company, and for Grace’s birthday, they had invited several popular celebrities to perform, sing, and celebrate with her. It was a gathering of business tycoons and beautiful women at the Weaver Residence.

As the star of the evening, Grace had yet to make an appearance. She was still in her room, choosing an evening gown. She had retrieved several dresses from Belinda, each more beautiful than the last. She tried them all on, each one making her feel like a goddess, and now she couldn’t decide which to wear.

Her brother, Dominick, knocked on the door and entered. He was the fourth son of the Weaver Family and the Vice President of the Weaver Group.

“Grace, you haven’t changed into your gown yet? The guests are arriving. You can’t hide in your room all night, can you?” Dominick was mildly exasperated to see his sister still unable to make up her mind. “Are none of the dresses to your liking? Should I ask Belinda to send over a few more?”

“Dominick, you came at the right time. Help me choose. Which one will make me shine the brightest and turn every head in the room?” Grace dragged her brother closer, eager for his input.

“So you have decision paralysis,” Dominick said with a chuckle. “You’ll look amazing in anything and have everyone’s eyes on you.” But he still picked a gown for her.” Wear this one.”

“Alright,” Grace said cheerfully, trusting her brother’s taste. She happily took the gown and went to change.

When Grace came out in her evening gown, Dominick whistled a few times and praised, “You look like a goddess! I’ll have to stick close to you tonight, acting as your protector and fending off admirers.”

Grace blushed. “Stop teasing me.’

The grand birthday banquet also served as an opportunity to find Grace a potential match. She used to like Alfred and had relentlessly pursued him. However he never reciprocated her feelings, and her family supported her, even creating opportunities for her to be alone with him, hoping for a union with the Davidson family.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck Alfred, plunging him from heaven into hell. For a man, being impotent meant the death sentence.

Grace couldn’t let go of her feelings for Alfred but also didn’t want to marry him and spend the rest of her life with a man who couldn’t bring her happiness. However, knowing Alfred had a special interest in Kate only fueled her jealousy. Still, she allowed her family to arrange meetings with other eligible bachelors from Sherpsel’s high society, hoping to find someone who could rival Alfred.

Elijah, the head of the Purchas family, was an ideal match. As soon as Alfred had his accident, Grace set her sights on Elijah, but he proved to be just as difficult to approach as Alfred. Fortunately, Elijah was attending her birthday banquet tonight.

“Dominick, do you think Mr. Davidson will come?” Grace asked hesitantly.

“Grace, stop thinking about Mr. Davidson,” Dominick said, shaking his head. “What difference does it make if he shows up? Even if he does, are you going to spend the entire evening by his side? He’s not the answer to your happiness. You need to move on.”

After a moment of silence, Dominick continued, “Mr. Davidson won’t come. He never liked attending parties before, and now even less so.”

Grace felt a pang of disappointment. She was greedy, longing for both Elijah and Alfred. Even if Alfred could no longer fulfill her desires, just looking at his face made her heart flutter.

“Grace, Elijah is coming tonight. This is a rare chance. Make the most of it.” Dominick urged.

The Purchas Group and Regency Group were archrivals. Although the Weaver Group hadn’t taken sides in their corporate battle, Grace’s pursuit of Alfred had led the Weaver Group to lean slightly toward the Davidson side. By inviting Elijah to Grace’s birthday banquet, the Weaver Group was extending an olive branch to the Purchas Group, and Elijah accepting the invitation marked the beginning of a potential relationship between the two powerful families.

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