?Chapter 198:


    With those parting words, he stepped into the corridor.


    “Katrina, Alexander is currentlymitted to his professional responsibilities and is not considering any romantic entanglements.


    You’ll need to look elsewhere for a father for your daughter’s child,” Richard stated tly.


    Katrina’s eyes widened in disbelief as she demanded, “What do you mean by that? I thought we had an agreement. Why this sudden change? Richard, are you worried that Caiden might exclude Joyce from his will? You’re overthinking this, really. Joyce is the sole heiress of the Harper family. Who else is there but her? Yes, she slipped up, got pregnant out of wedlock, but I assure you, she’s severed all ties with that man! If you have any further conditions, let’s discuss them openly.”


    Richard held his phone at arm’s length, his expression one of scorn.


    “While Joyce is your treasure, Alexander remains my pride. He will not shoulder the burden of raising another’s child. Should this scandale to light, the me would fall squarely on my shoulders, as if I traded my son’s future for your fortune. No wealth is worth thatpromise.”


    Katrina, frantic, attempted to salvage the conversation.


    “But no one need ever learn of Joyce’s child…”


    However, her words were cut short by the harsh beep of the call ending. A storm of fury surged through Katrina, overtaking herpletely.


    Staring down at the phone, her face twisted in rage, and she spat, “Dani, you fucking bitch! You’ve ruined my ns, and I’ll make damn sure you regret it!”


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    Dani had never imagined that her offhand remarks would cause the Bet family to reconsider their rtionship with Katrina.


    At breakfast, Katrina hade to cause a scene. Dani was seated in the dining room, observing Katrina, who looked wild and frantic, her hair a mess. Ronald, Wyatt, and a few others had to restrain her.


    Then, Peyton, unable to contain her frustration any longer, pped Katrina hard, sending her crumpling to the ground in a flood of tears.


    “Are you all ganging up on me now? Caiden! You have to intervene! Will you just stand there and let me be tormented?” Katrina cried out. From her position on the floor, she pointed usingly at Dani through the floor-to-ceiling window.


    “And look at your ex-wife’s daughter, taking pleasure in my distress! Can you see this? Whose side are you on, Caiden?”


    Dani was anticipating Caiden’s eruption into the fray.


    Yet, Caiden cast a brief nce at Dani, who was observing themotion with her chin resting on her hand, and addressed Katrina with unexpectedposure.


    “What the hell is wrong with you? Get off the ground and stop embarrassing yourself like a damn idiot.”


    Dani, her expression icy and detached, overheard every word. Off to the side, Lillian leaned towards Ryan and murmured, “Caiden’s behavior is peculiar today, isn’t it?”


    Peering toward Dani, Ryan nodded and whispered back, “Ever since that sketchbook disappeared, Dani has been in a foul temper. She doesn’t give a damn about anyone else.”


    Realization dawned on Katrina that her theatrics were futile. Dani was merely a spectator to her disgrace, entirely uninvolved and unresponsive. Leaving now would only make her seem like a loser walking away with empty hands.


    She picked herself up, yanked Caiden aside, and wiped her tears away forcefully.


    “Caiden! Cut the crap and tell me—what the hell is your problem? Dani ruined my daughter’s marriage. It’s her or me today! You need to confront her and demand justice for us!”


    Without a word, Caiden remained still, giving nothing away.


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