Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Catherine was reduced to silence as deep down in her heart, she knew better than anyone else that she would never be able to catch up to the Clark Group’s financial status despite working her fingers to the bone her whole life.
She was fully aware of the upper hand that her children could gain from a strong family background and vast fortune, but at the same time, she was also mindful of the sordidness and dark side that were usually present in a wealthy and powerful family. Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
‘I believe you and I are aware that Anderson is only thirty this year, and the chances of him not getting married and having children of his own ever again are extremely slim, Mrs. Clark. Although you can give me your word that you will groom Lincoln to become his successor with the best resources you can provide to him now, but are you confident that you can keep your promise in the future as well?”
Catherine let out a light laugh as she continued, “You are clearly in the know that you could not provide any form of guarantee to me. Lincoln hates the Clark family as he is now, and if Anderson were to have his own offspring again, his new wife will abhor Lincoln for getting in her own child’s way to be the successor of the Clark Group. So, isn’t it obvious what would happen then? You would discard Lincoln for fear of his hatred would be prejudicial to the Clark family, and he would end up being an abandoned child whom is either being deliberately raised to become a good-for-nothing, or he might not even get to live a long life in the worst case.”
Madison’s smile was frozen on her face upon hearing Catherine’s mocking analysis. She had to admit that Catherine was indeed a smart woman for being able to see through things clearly.
“The Johnson family used to be a wealthy family as well, Mrs. Clark, and I had been in this circle since I was young, so it’s normal for me to know of these things. While I have indeed experienced the glorious and splendid lifestyle of the upper-class circle, I have also witnessed enough sordid affairs and filthy happenings to be certain that I would not want my young children to ever step into it on their own.”
When Catherine had finished her sentence, she rose to her feet and walked towards the bed, and she could discern that Sophia was sleeping soundly while Lincoln was watching her beside the bed.
Catherine walked to his side and whispered in his ear, “Why don’t you take a nap, Lincoln?” “I couldn’t fall asleep.” Catherine scooped him up into her embrace and pecked him twice on the cheek which had made him retreated in a shy manner.
She chuckled and said, “Mommy’s here, so try to get some sleep now.” Lincoln must have been exhausted these past two days due to Sophia and her absence as he had always been a thoughtful kid.
He nodded compliantly while proceeded to shut his eyes, and with Catherine by her side, he soon drifted off to sleep as well after she had been patting him softly to pacify his angst.
As a matter of fact, Mrs. Clark’s words were not entirely unreasonable as it was the truth that she could not provide the same excellent conditions as the Clark family to both Lincoln and Sophia. However, she could not bear to let them be taken away from her, and she was unwilling to expose them to any possible threats
or risks as their mother.
When Catherine had noticed that the two kids were sound asleep, she left the ward and headed to Antonio’s office to ask about Sophia’s condition.
When she had just walked into his office, Antonio promptly pointed to the seat beside the window and said, “Have a seat.”
“How is Sophia’s condition, Dr. Elliott?” Even though Anderson had mentioned that Sophia’s passing out was due to hunger, she still could not get her worries out of her mind as she was afraid that Sophia would suffer a relapse again. Sophia had narrowly escaped death during her last surgery, and if it were to happen again…
“She did not have a relapse.” Antonio poured a cup of tea for Catherine and shot her an admirable gaze, “I believe that she will get better soon with you taking care of her by her side.”
She had always trusted Antonio, and she sincerely thanked him from the bottom of her heart after hearing his affirmation, “Thank you so much, Dr. Elliott.”
Antonio frowned at her, “Are you alienating me after a few years of us not seeing each other?” Catherine opened her mouth, but her words were stuck in her throat instead.
“Even though you are divorced from Anderson, it can be said that we’ve grown up together from an early age, so you don’t have to be so formal with me. Try the tea, I remember Mr. Johnson used to like it a lot.”
Catherine raised her cup and took a sip, and the familiar aroma immediately spread across and lingered around her mouth, but all she could taste was bitterness instead of the fragrance of the tea that she had experienced when she used to drink with her father in the past.
“I will head back now as Lincoln and Sophia are by themselves in the ward, Dr. Elliott.” Catherine wanted to flee right away after her painful memories were evoked all of a sudden.
“Ah…” “Can’t you be more careful when you walk?”
‘lm sorry.” Catherine apologized subconsciously as she was in a hurry to leave the room and hide herself, so she did not even delve into whether the other party had bumped into her first, or it was the other way around.
Sienna White was startled when she suddenly heard a familiar voice, and when she had noticed that Catherine was not wearing any jewellery and only cladded in fast fashion brands after looking her up and down, she sneered at her, “Catherine Johnson.”
When Catherine had raised her head, she could recognize who was in front of her.
Who else would be dressed in a full Chanel outfit and carried a Louis Vuitton Birkin bag in her hand, flaunting her wealth with her whole outfit that was worth more than the house of a normal family if it was not Sienna?
The White family was a prominent and well-known family in City W as well, and Sienna was a famous socialite in the upper-class circle.
Catherine did not get along well with her, but it was not to the extent that they had experienced any fallout or conflicts, and it was rumored that Sienna had her eyes on Anderson.
‘I can’t believe that you are actually here.” Sienna swiftly suppressed the scornful look on her face as she started to feign affection with her, “I have heard from Andy that you are here, and since we’re friends, I just want to pay you a visit to see how you are doing.”
Catherine remained silent while watching her pretentious manner on display. It was more believable that Sienna had come to have a good laugh at her current state rather than visiting her just because she cared about her.
Sienna did not even feel embarrassed when Catherine had ignored her words, and her disdainful smile grew stronger as she continued by herself, “I almost couldn’t recognize you from your cheap and nasty outfit, and even though the skin of my bag was slightly scraped off from the fall to the floor after you have bumped into me just now, I will not ask you to repay me since we are quite close, plus I guess you are not living that much of a great life now.”
Her sarcastic remarks and mockery did not affect Catherine at all as she had known from the moment that she had decided to come to City W, she needed to brace herself for the unavoidable taunts and jeers from people like her. “Thanks. Excuse me.”
Catherine did not want to waste any of her time to engage in any form of conversation with her as she would rather utilize that time to stay by her children’s side.
Sienna quickly grabbed onto her arm after seeing Catherine trying to take her leave. Her visit to the hospital was of set purpose, so she could not let her go easily, “Don’t go yet, let’s grab some afternoon tea together and catch up since we have bumped into each other here.”
Catherine shook her hand off and replied briskly, “I’m busy.” Without even looking back at Sienna, she promptly walked towards the direction of the ward.
“Stop right there, Catherine!” Sienna yelled furiously as she could not keep up to pace with Catherine whom was wearing a pair of sneakers as she was treading in high heels.
Seeing that Catherine had no intention to slow down even slightly, she finally shouted, “Don’t you want to know where your father has been buried? Or what are your mother’s last words?”
Even though Sienna might be spitting out lies just to get her to stop in her tracks, Catherine’s steps were still halted abruptly after her parents were mentioned.
A smug smile spread across Sienna’s face when she saw that Catherine had finally stopped walking, and she proceeded to swagger up to her while saying, “I have gotten wind that you have given birth to Andy’s children. Are you trying to cling onto the Clark family once again with your children?”
‘If itis really the case, you are too heartless.” Sienna pointed arrogantly at Catherine’s chest with her bloody red fingernails. “What did my mother say before she had passed away?”
Sienna could not stop her derisive laughter whenever she thought of Catherine whom was always one- up on her falling from grace and now living like this, “Who cares about what that old woman has said before she dies!”
“By the time your mother’s body was found, her corpse had reeked of putrid smell, and she was infested with worms all over her body. Isn’t it utterly disgusting…”
A violent shudder swarmed over Catherine’s body as she could not contain her anger upon hearing Sienna’s remarks.
“Did you know who had found your mother’s body? It’s Antonio. I had heard from the workers whom had carried her corpse that your mother’s face was eaten by a cat.” Sienna gave out an evil laughter which sounded like it came from hell, “Don’t you think it’s funny that the cat which has eaten her face is the one you have raised back then? You have killed your father and mother, Catherine, and your cat has eaten your mother’s face…”