A Replacement Bride

Chapter 186

"Don't worry, money is not an issue to us. I will definitely pay you." Hera noticed that Katherine disagreed with her proposal and immediately understood her concern. However, Katherine merely shook her head. "It's not about money."

"What's the problem then? Elizabeth had been ill for so many years, yet you cured her with just a few acupuncture needles. Robert has just fallen ill, so it shouldn't be a serious problem. Why…" Hera started feeling anxious about her son's current state when she saw that Katherine was a bit hesitant.

"Well, there was a cause to Mrs. Levisay's illness, so I knew how to cure it. But Young Master Levisay's symptoms are caused by anxiety, and it is not something that a mere doctor like me could treat. So perhaps you should look for someone else." Katherine shook her head again and refused to treat Robert. Are you kidding me? I maimed Robert, and now you want me to help save him? He's a scumbag and should be grateful that I did not paralyze him.

"Why? How did it turn out like this?" Hera was deeply shocked and went into a state of utter stupefaction. Although Henry did not utter a word, he looked visibly distressed. He had hoped that Katherine could treat Robert's illness. After all, Robert was more obedient and sensible than Joaquin. This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

"Wow, you're so lucky to have such a capable granddaughter-in-law. Her medical skills are definitely state-of-the-art. Since we're all part of the family, your granddaughter-in-law should also care for us if anyone in my family feels unwell in the future. Don't you think such a thing is only logical?" Mary, who had just mocked Elizabeth, suddenly had a change of heart and started to butter up Elizabeth.

Although Elizabeth was very contemptuous of Jennifer's actions, she felt much better when she saw her sister's humble sight. When the others realized the change in Elizabeth's expression, they all started complimenting her, and the whole living room turned lively.

Katherine smiled in disdain at the situation and glanced at Joaquin, who in turn sneered. He had long been accustomed to the shamelessness of the Levisay Family, so he pulled Katherine aside to a quiet corner while glancing at Elizabeth in the distance—Elizabeth was the moon at the center of a myriad of stars. He remained silent for a while. Only then did he ask her, "Did you really cure her?"

"Yes," answered Elizabeth while drinking a glass of juice. Hmm, not bad. It is sweet and comes with a hint of bitterness. Joaquin's expression changed at once when he saw what she was drinking. He immediately reached out and grabbed her drink, which at that point was already half-empty. "Who gave this to you?"

"What's wrong? I took it while I was there." She looked at him, puzzled. She felt thirsty after performing acupuncture on Elizabeth, saw the colorful-looking juice, and did not hesitate to get a glass for herself.

He could not help but frown and rub his temples in exasperation when he heard her innocent explanation. Finally, he said hurriedly, "We should go home now."

"Why?" She was perplexed at his reaction, but he did not bother to explain. After all, the fact that her personality always changed after consuming alcohol and that she would do something out of the ordinary was not something he could explain well. Instead, he quickly pulled her out of the Residence and ordered her to get into the car.

As she rolled down the car window, she could gently feel the cool night breeze blowing on her face. Within seconds, she wondered if it was her illusion because she started feeling a bit dizzy, her brain seemed to malfunction, and she could not think properly.

She rested her chin on the back of her hand and stared at the scenery outside in a daze. Joaquin had already started the engine and was leaving the Levisay Residence. As soon as the wind started blowing stronger on her face as the car was moving, Katherine was already in a dazed state. She turned and looked at him, who was sitting beside her, with unfocused eyes.

He dared not to stop to see her clearly muddled yet adorable state, so he stepped on the accelerator and headed to Soulin International. Unfortunately, while they were in the middle of the journey, he suddenly braked and stopped the car on the side of the road.

She gazed at him with her hazy eyes sensing the sudden halt in movement, and reached out to pinch his cheek. "Hey Handsome, you're so good-looking. I'm sure I've seen you somewhere."

Here we go again, thought Joaquin.

"Why won't you respond, Handsome? Do you have a girlfriend? What do you think of me?" She gazed at him while holding his face with both palms and pulled him closer toward her.

He looked at the beautiful face drawing nearer and could not stop his heart from beating faster. They were so close to each other that he could sense her sweet breath intermingling with his, which made the atmosphere in the car inexplicably sultry. After all, he was a man with needs. How could he be totally unresponsive in that situation?

Even though Joaquin knew that Katherine couldn't hold her liquor and would forget what she said when she became sober, he still could not resist the temptation as he lifted her chin and asked, "You want to be my girlfriend?" It was getting hotter in the car, and his breathing was becoming heavier.

She chuckled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yeah. I don't have a boyfriend. Mr. Handsome, will you take me home?"

The moment she said those words, his face changed as he approached her and asked lowly, "Do you often ask other men to bring you home?" He thought of Noah for some reason. Judging from Noah's age, she must have given birth to Noah when she was around nineteen.

His eyes were gleaming with jealousy at the thought of her always being so addled every time she got drunk. Even he himself did not notice that he was so bothered by something like this.

Katherine blinked blankly and looked as if she had difficulty comprehending his words. "No, just you."

"Really? Why am I the exception?" He did not want to pass up on such a good opportunity and asked seductively.

"Because you feel familiar." She was unguarded when she was drunk, so she answered honestly.

He was slightly moved at her answer and planned to get more out of her. "Then, can you tell me about your daughter..."

"Daughter?" She repeated his word and looked more confused than ever while thinking hard about the term. After a while, a gleam of pain flashed across her eyes, and she suddenly pushed Joaquin away.

She held her head in pain as she yelled, "Go away! Don't come near me! Don't—" At that moment, she was crying like a wounded and helpless little prey, hugging herself tightly with both hands, whimpering softly.

Joaquin was so distressed that he gave up asking her. He quickly got out of the car, opened her door, and pulled her out. "Don't cry. I'll just stop asking, okay?" He tried comforting her.

"Don't come near me! Don't come here! Go away!" She continued yelling as if she was trapped in a nightmare, and he could not pull her out of it. The only thing he could do was gently hug her in his arms and pat her on the back.

She cried for a long time until she was tired and finally fell asleep in his arms. He glanced down at her red and swollen eyes and sighed softly.