A Replacement Bride

Chapter 287

Chapter 287

Corey knew that she was clever, so he didn't have the slightest intention to lie. He readily admitted to it right away.

"That's right, he's the one who sent me. Since you're so smart, you should know what he's aiming for."

"Hah…" Katherine snorted. "I don't even have to think to know. Who else could it possibly be but Mike?"

Corey nodded, then shook his head.

"It's something more than that now. Myles' entire body is severely paralyzed, and he can't even talk now."

As soon as he finished speaking, he stared straight at Katherine. When he saw how calm she was, he raised an eyebrow slightly. "You don't look surprised."

Katherine looked disinterested. "It's not out of my expectations, but it did happen sooner than I thought it would."

"Is there still hope for him, then?"

She side-eyed him before replying indifferently, "You don't have to beat around the bush with me. It doesn't matter if there's hope for him or not; I still won't do anything about it. If he won't, then Mike won't either."

It was such a straightforward answer from her.

Corey knew her temperament, so he wasn't surprised. He nodded in understanding, and when he next spoke up, he had changed the topic.

"How long are you planning to stay in Kyoland? You should give me, your old friend, a chance to welcome you as a host."

With that, he shifted his gaze and directed it at Joaquin with a smile.

"Also, some of our old friends in Kyoland have already heard about your marriage. They're all curious about your mysterious husband's identity. Why don't you find an opportunity to introduce him to us?"

Joaquin calmly took a sip of water, but his ears perked up as he awaited Katherine's reply.

However, Katherine was worried about his body, so she firmly declined. "Let's skip the meet-ups. Perhaps next time, if possible. We don't have anything else to do, so we'll be returning to Hovington tomorrow."

Joaquin seemed indifferent, but his gaze darkened a little.

Corey clicked his tongue, then teased her, "Look at how protective you are! You don't even want the others to see him. Do you have to hide him that well?"

He chatted for a bit longer, then decided to stop bothering them, so he got up and left.

There was a faint glint in Katherine's eyes as she looked at him, but she didn't stop him from leaving.

After leaving the restaurant, Corey headed straight for the Fraser Residence.

David and Zak were already waiting for him. As soon as Zak saw Corey, he hastily asked, "What did Miss Cornell say?"

Corey shook his head. He didn't say anything, but the meaning was obvious.

In an instant, Zak's expression fell.

David frowned and was about to say something when Corey lifted a hand to stop him.

"I can understand your desire to help the Frasers, and there's not much time left before my partnership with the Fraser Corporation ends. Now that something like this has happened in the Fraser Family, I'm upset as well. Still, you know what Kathy is like. You asked me to try and convince her, and I did as I was told, but persuasion never works on Kathy. I'm sure you know that as well. As soon as she makes up her mind, no one can change it. It has always been like that."

David froze, and he was instantly at a loss for words.

"So, we're just going to give up?" Zak was persistent. "What about my son and my father, then? How can I just stand by and watch?"

Corey was silent for a moment, then he sighed. "I'll do everything I can to find a good doctor who can treat them. Zak, just be patient and keep waiting."

There weren't any other options at the moment, but to just wait patiently? Sure, Zak could certainly wait, but could his father do the same?

While sitting on the couch, he gritted his teeth as a vicious look flashed across the depths of his eyes.

…

The next day, Katherine noticed that Joaquin looked slightly better, so she decided to return to Hovington.

"Gather your things; let's go home today. I'll book the tickets." During breakfast, she spoke up casually.

Joaquin didn't even bat an eyelid. "Okay."

Katherine looked at him, for she sensed that something was wrong. "Are you feeling unwell?" she asked.

"No."

"Are you in a bad mood?" she asked again.

"No."

Just then, she put down her cutlery and gazed at Joaquin without flinching. "Well, what's wrong with you?" Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.

Joaquin glanced at her, emotionless. "It's nothing."

Katherine fell silent. He is obviously lying.

She narrowed her eyes, then calmly studied him. "You've been acting like that ever since we finished lunch yesterday. You're behaving so indifferently, and you haven't shown any emotions. Who'd believe you if you say that it's nothing?"

Joaquin was silent for a moment, then put down his cutlery as well. He stared right back at her in the eyes as if he were trying to see through her heart. "Do you think I'm unsightly?"

His words were a surprise, and Katherine was instantly stunned by the question. "What?"

He was still expressionless. "Do you feel troubled at the thought of introducing me to your old friends?"

After an entire 30 seconds, Katherine finally realized what he was getting at. It turned out that… he was actually sulking!

When she realized that, she felt like laughing for some reason. The corners of her lips turned up uncontrollably, and she didn't say anything as she supported her chin while keeping her gaze on him.

Perhaps feeling a little uneasy from her stare, Joaquin frowned a little and said in a tense voice, "What are you looking at?"

Katherine raised an eyebrow. "You."

Joaquin's expression shifted even more as he averted his gaze. "What's so nice to see?"

"Who said there's nothing nice to see? You look cute when you're jealous."

Joaquin was at a loss for words. He couldn't do anything about her, and he was silent for a while before he decisively looked up. His glistening black pupils took on an offensive quality as he stared right at her.

"Yes, I'm jealous. Do you want to appease me?"

Katherine didn't expect him to be so blunt about it. Her cheeky expression froze, then she coughed lightly in an attempt to hide her slight awkwardness.

"Um, I'm full now. I'll go and pack up."

She awkwardly changed the subject, then got up and went into the bedroom.

She wanted to tease him, but she was the one getting teased instead! She felt humiliated.

While seated at the mini bar, Joaquin watched her retreating figure as a smile crept onto his lips. The dark clouds looming over his heart dissipated considerably.

However, when he finished his congee, he heard Katherine's raised voice coming from the bedroom, so he hastily walked over to her.

"What's wrong?" As soon as he walked through the door, he saw Katherine seated by the bed. She was gripping her phone tightly, and she looked agitated.

Katherine didn't say anything right away. Her eyes were dark, and she finally looked up at him after an entire minute.

"Keith…" Scrambling to communicate, Katherine's voice was shaking. She hastily calmed herself down, then continued, "Keith has contracted the man-faced curse."

As soon as Katherine said that, Joaquin was astonished. "How can that be? Has he taken the antidote?"

She pursed her lips, her voice sinking to the extreme. "He has, but it was no use. His teacher called me just now and said that Keith felt some discomfort last night. After an examination, they found that his symptoms were the same as getting the man-faced curse. They injected the antidote right then and thought he would be fine the next day, but he was found with a high fever this morning. He's not himself now."

After a brief explanation, she tossed her luggage to the side, got up, and walked out.