?<strong>Chapter 172:</strong>


    Quincy oftenmented that a son would be far better than a daughter, whom he deemed less useful since she would eventually marry and leave.


    Katie, normally too intimidated by the prospect of his anger, bit back the retort that lingered on her tongue. Since he liked his son so much, where was his son now? After his tirade, Quincy stormed out, leaving Katie to dissolve into tears.


    “Don’t cry, dear. You know how your father is,” L tried to console her, handing her a tissue.


    “I didn’t even do anything wrong, and he still med me,” Katie sniffed, her voice muffled by the tissue.


    “That’s just because he’s been out of sorts since your brother’s ident,” L exined, trying to justify his behavior.


    “Why do I have to be the one to deal with his outbursts?”


    “Sweetheart,” L said gently, her heart always softening for her daughter. “If your father doesn’t see your worth, prove him wrong by marrying well. Maybe then he’ll think differently of you.”


    Katie looked down, fidgeting nervously with her fingers. L, absorbed in her own distress, failed to notice her daughter’s difort.


    “I need to speak with my brother. Adrian’s taking things seriously this time. If my brother…” L’s voice trailed off as her eyes welled up. “Never mind. You don’t need to worry about this.”


    Katie couldn’t help but feel empathy for her mother, who had endured so much. “Mom, is it really serious this time?”


    “It’s not your concern. Just focus on yourself.”


    After a pause, Katie spoke up hesitantly. “I saw Joelle at the hospital recently.”


    “Joelle? What was she doing there?” L’s curiosity piqued.


    Katie ventured a guess. “I’m not sure, but I think she might be pregnant. Adrian doesn’t know.”


    L gasped, quickly covering Katie’s mouth and ncing around to ensure privacy. “Are you certain?”


    Katie nodded. “I also heard Joelle’s gone abroad, supposedly for a trip, but I think she’s actually going to have the baby. She’s been close to Rafael recently. I found out he resigned from the hospital not long ago.”


    L calcted quickly. If Joelle was due soon, then the timing suggested the baby could be Adrian’s. It would be very disadvantageous to them if Adrian and Joelle had a child. Irene had always held reservations about them, and once Adrian had a child, she nned not to allocate any family resources to them.


    “Katie, keep this between us for now. I’ll speak with your father first.”


    Katie nodded. “Don’t worry, Mom. I haven’t mentioned it to anyone else.”


    “Good.”


    As L reached the doorway, a thought struck her, prompting her to turn back. “Katie, why were you at the hospital? Were you feeling unwell?”


    “Yes, I had a cold earlier. Just went to pick up some medication.”


    Katie had stayed indoors these past few days due to her cold. Without further ado, L advised her to rest well and departed.


    After L left, Katie retrieved her phone from beneath her quilt. Instantly, multiple messages flooded her screen.


    “Did you visit the hospital, Katie?”


    “This isn’t just your decision to make. Let’s discuss it together, okay?”


    “Don’t tell our parents, or it could spell disaster for me!” The messages streamed in, one after another.


    Katie’s eyes began to blur as she read.


    Meanwhile, Joelle had been restless, her growing difort allowing her only to sleep on her side. That night, she awoke thirsty and managed to sit up to drink some water, after which she found herself wide awake.


    Her phone rang—it was a call from her home country. She recognized the number without needing to check.


    “What’s up?” she asked.


    Adrian was surprised to hear her voice, aware that she was overseas and not expected back anytime soon. He had hoped to visit her once his current troubles were resolved, but news from her had been scarce. “Haven’t you slept yet?”


    Joelle adjusted her hair, her voice casual. “Just got up for some water.”


    “Right.”


    A heavy silence fell. Joelle inquired, “Has the situation with Miller Group been resolved?” News traveled slowly overseas.


    Joelle was unaware that Adrian had already taken legal actions to address the issue and mitigate some of the losses.


    “Nearly there.”


    Knowing Adrian as she did, Joelle interpreted his “nearly” as an assurance of eventual sess.


    “That’s good to hear,” she murmured, her drowsiness returning. “I’m heading back to sleep. Goodnight.” Just then, Rafael’s voice echoed from the other side of her door. “Joelle? Are you asleep?”


    Adrian, overhearing Rafael’s voice over the phone, paused, stunned. It waste. Why was Rafael there with Joelle? And why was Rafael also abroad?


    “Joelle, have you traveled abroad to meet someone?” Adrian asked.


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