However, Jessica was clearly upset with Karen's attitude.When Jessica heard her sister's question, her expression froze. She felt her bitter emotions spreading. Nonetheless, she said, "There's nothing to be concerned about. I'm fine."Although Jessica said she was fine, Kathryn could clearly hear her frustrations about her current situation."All right. Let's go in!" Jessica didn't want to keep talking about this.Kathryn didn't say anything else and followed Jessica into the house. As soon as they entered the house, they saw Wendy watching TV, eating snacks, and laughing. Wendy looked so carefree that Jessica and Kathryn weren't sure if she heard Karen's words just now. Perhaps, she feigned ignorance, not caring about other people shaming her, to gain benefits.Seeing Wendy's devil-may-care attitude, Jessica's expression darkened. She called out sullenly, "Mom."However, Wendy continued to giggle at the TV and eat her snacks as if she didn't hear Jessica.Jessica looked at K
Wendy nodded. "I'm your mother. I should be the one who negotiates these things."Wendy was right. Usually, when someone was getting married, the parents were the ones who negotiated the dowry. However, Kathryn and Wendy weren't as close as a typical mother and daughter."Please don't be angry, Kathryn. I was wrong all these years. I'm telling the truth. My anger had gotten the better of me back then. I should just die!" Wendy said, repeatedly hitting herself in the face. Wendy regretted her actions. If she had known that Kathryn was so promising, she would have kept this girl with her back then. She shouldn't have listened to Gavin or even remarried back then. She should have just raised Kathryn. Now, her child was successful. As her mother, it shouldn't be hard to get some benefits from her success.Kathryn didn't feel a single tinge of emotion from Wendy's apology. She said calmly, "How much dowry do you plan to ask him for?"Seeing that Kathryn didn't object, Wendy stopped
"Dowry? She's asking for a dowry? Which woman in Everburn Highlands would ask for dowries? Such nonsense," Wendy thought.Jessica was coaxing Kelly to sleep when she heard them arguing. She hurriedly came out of the house and asked, "What happened? Why are you arguing?"When Wendy saw Jessica, she pointed angrily at Kathryn before turning back to Jessica and complaining, "Do you think it has been easy for me? Do you? I've worked so hard to raise you all. Do you think that was easy? Now you're asking me for dowries?""Didn't you also ask me for dowry too?" Kathryn sneered.Easy?She talked about how hard it was on her. But who would have it easy in this world?Was she the only one who had it tough? Was it easy for her grandmother, who had raised her?Wendy was infuriated by her response. "I am your mother! You're the one I worked hard to give birth to! Don't I deserve some money?"Wendy still had the guts to speak about what she deserved.Kathryn appeared even angrier.Just as
Wendy's expression froze at Karen's words. "I … Mrs. Quinton, you've got it wrong! It's her!"Karen interrupted, "I don't care what you're planning. But my son, Matthew, is not as foolish as your neighbor's daughter."It's best for you to settle these family matters once and for all. Jessica had married into our family. So, everything will be decided by the Quinton family. You better wake up from those fantasies!"Karen made her words clearer than before.Wendy's face turned pale before turning red as she listened. Although Karen's statement was reasonable, Jessica was still upset at her words.Holding back her anger, Wendy replied, "That's not true, Mrs. Quinton. When Jessica married into your family, our families got united. How could families be divided like that? Don't you think so?" "Who said we'll be one family?" Karen's anger surged instantly.She no longer kept her calm. She fiercely retorted, "In all the years that Jessica has been married into our family, we haven't g
Jessica looked at Wendy blankly as tears streamed down her face. "Are you satisfied now?" she asked."No, Jessica, I …""I'll be divorced tomorrow. Are you happy now?" Jessica cried out in anger.After enduring years of abuse from Wendy, she finally met her breaking point when Karen brought up divorce.Wendy was about to say something before Jessica interrupted, "Are you satisfied now? Are you?""Jessica," Kathryn quickly held her back. She tried to think of something to say to calm her down. However, just thinking about Wendy's actions left her speechless.Wendy added, "I'm not the one who requested your divorce. It's your mother-in-law. She has gone too far!"Seeing Jessica like this, Wendy shifted all the blame onto Karen. Yet, tonight's incident was undoubtedly caused by Wendy's actions. It was all because of her!Jessica slumped onto the ground."Kathryn, you should go back first," she said with a sunken expression.At that moment, Jessica realized that her marriage
Kathryn hadn't expected Jessica's emotions to escalate to such an extent. She was even willing to risk her life to protect Kathryn. Wendy was also taken aback by Jessica's extreme behavior. "Wh-What are you doing? Put the knife down.""Jessica, put the knife down!" Kathryn was also shocked. She looked at Jessica anxiously.Jessica's voice softened as she said, "Kathryn, be a good girl and leave first.""But how can I leave you like this?" Kathryn's voice was strained, almost suffocating."How can I calm down if you're here? Please go, okay?" Jessica regretted calling Kathryn over and not being more assertive earlier. Why had she let Wendy continue to wreak havoc in her life?Seeing Jessica's current state, Kathryn couldn't leave her without worrying. Controlling her tone, she approached Jessica and urged, "My dear sister, please put the knife down.""Leave. I'm begging you. Please go!" Jessica's emotions grew even more turbulent as Kathryn approached. She pressed the knife agai
Kathryn ran out of the narrow alley and saw Chris' car parked under the orange streetlight in the distance. Even though he was quite far away, she could still make out his sharp profile inside the vehicle.The intense scene just moments ago and the current image of Chris waiting for her was the complete opposite. One made her feel suffocated, while the other briefly calmed her emotions.She stumbled into the car. Chris ended his call and glanced at her as she closed the door. He frowned. "What's wrong? You look so pale."Upon saying that, he reached out and touched her forehead. It wasn't feverish, which eased his worry.However, Kathryn's eyes were reddened as she looked at him.Chris was taken aback by her gaze. "What happened?"Kathryn asked, "Have you been waiting here all this time?"Chris nodded and checked his watch. It had been nearly an hour since she went in. He started the car, ready to leave immediately. But Kathryn stopped him. "Wait.""What's the matter?" Chris
Chris let out a sigh and dialed a number on his phone. It was one of the company employees who lived nearby. He instructed them to go and check the situation inside. Seeing him make arrangements warmed up Kathryn's heart.Over the years, no matter what happened, her first thought was always about how to solve the issue. It was because she could only rely on herself. But now, Chris gave her a sense of security she had never had before.After finishing the call, Chris said, "Wait for ten minutes."Kathryn nodded. "Okay."Seeing that Chris wasn't rushing to leave, she felt much more reassured. She was genuinely worried about Jessica. Considering Jessica's trembling figure and the desperation she felt tonight, Kathryn wondered how much pain she must have been in to resort to such actions.On the other hand, Matthew had returned to the house. Wendy wanted to tell Matthew about Karen's actions. Just as Karen came out of the room, a heated argument between the two sides erupted. Finally,