?Chapter 150:


    “My daughter now stands as the sole heiress to the Harper family.


    You grasp the weight of that, don’t you? Unlike Dani, Joyce isn’t idly waiting. Should today pass without a resolution, we will seek alternatives. As the heiress to the Harper family, she’ll have no difficulty securing a match.”


    With a gentle smile and a look of sly confidence, Katrina’s expression was enigmatic.


    Richard was stuck in a tricky situation with no easy way out. Katrina was keenly aware that Dani’s burgeoning sess might tempt the Bet family to mend fences.


    Could she simply stand by and watch Dani’s and Alexander’s lives remain intertwined?


    Resolved, Katrina had determined that should the Bet family spurn this chance, she would seek alternatives.


    She was resolute: Joyce’s golden years would never be sacrificed for a worthless, unfaithful fool.


    Richard raised his ss to his lips, savoring a brief sip before attempting to set it down, only to find Katrina proffering her ss right in front of him.


    With an unwavering smile, she suggested, “Shall we toast to new beginnings?”


    Richard perceived Katrina’s gesture as a call to take a stand.


    The allure of the advantages Dani offered was strong, yet thoughts of Joyce lingered…


    Casting a sidelong nce at Alexander, who was absorbed in his phone and detached from the unfolding drama, Richard exhaled a resigned sigh, his fingers poised to clink sses with Katrina.


    But just as their sses were about to meet, a disruptive retching noise halted the moment.


    Katrina’s gaze followed the near-touch of their sses, thwarted unexpectedly. Richard ced his ss back on the table.


    “Joyce, is everything alright?” he inquired, his toneced with worry. Joyce had been straining to tolerate the difort, yet the pervasive fishy odor overwhelmed her senses.


    She pped her hand in front of her face, herplexion ashen, and suddenly shoved her chair back, bolting towards the restroom of the secluded dining area.


    A loud, gut-wrenching retch echoed from within.


    An awkward hush descended over the room.


    The continuous sound of gagging stripped the appetite from everyone present.


    Katrina’s brow creased in concern.


    “What could she have eaten to react like this? What’s happening? Everyone, please, keep eating.” She stood, attempting to smooth over the disruption.


    Across the table, Ronald’s wife leaned closer to him and murmured, “Why is Joyce so violently ill? Could she be pregnant?”


    No sooner had she voiced the thought than a chilling silence fell over the room.


    Oblivious to the sudden focus on her, she went on, “When I was expecting my first, the morning sickness was dreadful. Didn’t Joyce mention the fish smelled particrly strong today? Though she’s usually fond of it. If she’s turned against it, perhaps she is indeed pregnant.”


    The spective whispers triggered a vivid memory among the Harper family members.


    Katrina had once remarked with absolute certainty, “Joyce is the epitome of innocence, never so much as held hands with anyone. She’s never dated anyone at all.”


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