A Replacement Bride

Chapter 231

When Katherine returned to the ward, Joaquin, who was seated next to Noah's bed, looked up to stare at her with his dark eyes.

"Noah is still sleeping," he informed, his voice slightly suppressed, as if fearing that he might wake the resting girl.

Katherine nodded. Her gaze fell upon Noah's pale little face, then turned toward Joaquin.

"Joaquin, there's something I want to tell you." She sounded clear and determined, with no hint of hesitation found in her tone.

Joaquin looked like he had been preparing for this a long time ago. He looked up as he looked back at her. "What is it?"

"I've decided to leave for a while."

As soon as Katherine made her announcement, Joaquin's pupils constricted as he queried in a low voice, "Where to?"

Katherine had no intention of hiding her destination. "Fontan."

Hearing her answer, Joaquin was slightly taken aback. "Whatever for?"

Originally, Katherine didn't plan on revealing the reason for this trip. After all, it had something to do with the incident five years ago, and that man was involved as well. It wasn’t the most pleasant topic to talk about.

However, for an unknown reason, she seemed to have slowly opened up to this man in front of her. She found herself talking to him about topics she wouldn’t talk to others about.

At the thought of that, she simply stayed silent for an instant before calmly speaking up.

"Noah's situation isn't too favorable at the moment, and I can't just sit here and do nothing. I have to find her biological father as soon as possible. If I want to figure out the exact poison used on Noah's body, I have to start with that man."

At the mention of that man from five years ago, she still felt incredibly uncomfortable, and she even felt slightly disgusted.

However, she quickly suppressed those feelings as she continued speaking with a nonchalant expression. Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

"Now all the clues are pointing to the bar in Fontan five years ago. If I want to figure out Noah's background, I have to find that man from back then, which means I'll have to go there myself and carry out an investigation."

When Joaquin heard her words, his eyebrows bunched together in a frown, and he looked a little sullen.

When Katherine mentioned Noah's biological father, Joaquin was extremely pissed. He had asked her about it before, but she said that the man was long dead. He’s not dead! How dare she lie?

Also, since her tone sounded annoyed, it meant that she truly hated that man. At that thought, he felt the irritation in his heart easing up a little, but he soon felt gloomy again right after that.

He didn't know what happened between the man and Katherine back then, so much so that Katherine hated him enough to not talk about him, not even to her grandmother.

Five years ago, in that bar in Fontan. What exactly—

At the thought of that, the look in his eyes suddenly shifted as shock and suspicion rose in his heart.

Five years ago, in Fontan, at a bar. Could it be a mere coincidence? I encountered a woman around that time! It can’t be!

This thought suddenly popped into his head, and he couldn't help but be surprised. However, he hadn't had time to think further when Katherine's bitter voice rang out once again.

"I'll leave as soon as Noah's condition has stabilized. I'm worried about things on this end, but I'll leave them to you. Please take care of Grandma and Noah for me too."

Hearing that, Joaquin scrunched his eyebrows together, immediately tucking away the suspicions just now.

"You're going alone? I'm worried about you."

"I'll be fine." Katherine shook her head. "Someone will be helping me in Fontan, so there won't be any problems. Don't you trust me?"

Regarding that, Joaquin had complete trust in her. The capable lady had so many identities that he wouldn't be surprised if she had one more.

As for the person who would be helping her in Fontan, he didn't doubt it one bit. She might even have greater power over there.

However…

"This isn't about trust. No matter how much I trust you, I'll still be worried about you because you're my wife." He gazed deeply at Katherine, filled with overwhelming warmth.

His words stunned Katherine for a moment. She had stayed strong for so many years, and only this man would give her the love and care she deserved.

At that moment, she came to her senses and lightly curved her lips. Her confident and pretty face was graced with an arrogant smile.

"If you have time to worry about me, spend it on taking care of Noah and Grandma. Don't make me worry." Her voice was soothing and her tone was casual, but her domineering aura was unmistakable.

Seeing her like that, Joaquin felt his heart skip a beat. Just then, Katherine's phone vibrated. She took it out and gave it a look, then her expression shifted.

…

"Why are you here?"

In the cafe next to the hospital, Katherine sat facing two men.

One of them was Corey Gray, whom she had met not long ago in Kyoland. He was in a black casual outfit, so he looked less official and serious compared to last time, more leisurely and lackadaisical.

As for the other man, he looked dignified with his handsome features, and he had an imposing aura with the nobility of someone special. It was none other than Jayden Hall himself.

Hearing her question, Jayden didn't speak up right away. Instead, he looked at her with a deep gaze. His eyes were trained on her face, and his pupils were dark with a longing that overflowed in the depths of his eyes.

As for Corey, he smiled lazily as his finger tapped erratically on the table. Even if he appeared lazy and relaxed, some details still indicated that he was a person of power.

"It's been a while, so we decided to come and see you. You suddenly came to Kyoland last time, but due to the severity of the situation, we didn't have time to chat. I talked to Jayden about this, and this guy couldn't wait any longer, so he came to Hovington to see you. As an old friend myself, of course, I have to come along."

With that, he gave Jayden a subtle glance. The corners of his lips turned up a little, and he appeared as if he were watching some drama. Noting the glance, Jayden returned it with a sideways look, but he ignored Corey's teasing.

"Kathy, it's been a while. How are you?"

Katherine nodded. "Quite well."

"Why didn't you tell us that you came back from Fontan? If Corey didn't tell me, I'd still be in the dark."

He started with something like a complaint, then frowned as his expression suddenly turned grave.

"When I heard that you're back, I did a quick investigation, and it was only then that I realized so many things happened. Kathy, more and more people are targeting you now. If you stay in Hovington, it won't be safe for you anymore, so why don’t you come with me? I'll take you back to Kyoland. With the protection of the Hall Family, no one will be able to hurt you!"

Jayden, Corey, and Katherine were friends who got to know each other many years ago. Jayden had liked Katherine for years now, so when he heard that she had returned, he rushed over to see her and was even ready to take her back to Kyoland.

Every word he said to her was from the bottom of his heart.

The Halls were a large and well-known family in Kyoland. They had connections in all of Kyoland and even the entire world. Hence, anyone would think twice before crossing them.

At the thought of Katherine possibly facing so much danger in Hovington, he couldn't bear it anymore, desperately wishing to protect her with everything he had.