Chapter 26

Kathie patiently explained to Kyle, "Kyle, you and Zachary are really smart.but you're still just kids. You need to hang out with other kids your age."

"And besides. you're not tall enough yet. If you were in elementary school,others might pick on you. And Eileen is too naive. What if someone bullies her when you're not around?" she added.

Kathie was naturally worried about separating the three kids. With two older brothers around, they could protect Eileen if anything happened.

Kyle thought about what his mom said and agreed it made sense. "Alright,we'll stay with Eileen. If anyone dares to mess with her, Zachary and I will handle it."

"That's the spirit. If you run into any troublemakers, don't hesitate to stand up for yourselves," Kathie replied.

Jonathan chuckled from behind. "Who teaches kids to fight?"

Kathie retorted, "Why not? Should they just reason with someone who's bullying them?"

"They could go to the teacher."

"If they get hit and go to the teacher, they'll just get hit again next time.The only way to stop a bully is to make them afraid. Do you really think teachers can control all the bullies?"

As a doctor, Kathie had seen too many kids hurt by bullies. The only way to deal with such people was to be tougher than them.

So,she had always taught her kids not to be weak in such situations and to fight back.

Seeing Jonathan's confusion, Kathie added, "Your intentions are good,but you underestimate how cruel people can be. I suggest you learn more about these things before judging my decisions."

Zachary stepped up. "I support Mom. There was a chubby kid who used to bully me. We tried talking to his parents, but they just yelled at us.After my brother and I fought back, he never bothered me again."

Eileen nodded. "Bad kids deserve to be hit."

Jonathan had always been strong and never experienced bullying, so it was understandable he didn't get it.

But seeing all three kids agree with Kathie showed her approach was right.

"Alright, listen to your mom," Jonathan said.

"You should listen to my mom too," Eileen said innocently.

Jonathan's mouth twitched. He had no intention of listening to Kathie.

Meanwhile, Shirley returned home crying. Melissa saw her daughter in such a sorry state and was furious. "Oh my God, my poor baby. Who did this to you?"

Shirley sobbed. "Mom, it was that witch Kathie. She lured me to a hotel,humiliated me,and then beat me up."

Melissa tenderly wiped her face. "This is outrageous. Kathie is getting too bold. If we don't teach her a lesson, she'll keep stepping all over us."

"Mom, she's also trying to seduce Randy and ruin my relationship with him. I won't let her get away with it."

"We can't delay this any longer. I'll call your dad, and we'll figure out how ,to deal with that witch Kathie."

Melissa messaged Walter, and he rushed home within half an hour. Seeing his sweet daughter Shirley beaten up by Kathie, Walter was livid."Kathie must be out of her mind. You're sisters, and she dares to do this to you?"

Shirleycried. "Dad, she didn't just insult me. She kept badmouthing you too. I couldn't take it and argued with her, and she beat me up."

Walter's face turned red with anger. "What did she say about me?"

Shirley lied, "She called you a useless man, said all your success and wealth came from her mom, and that you live off women but still cheat on them. She said she would take the company back and leave you on the streets."

Walter was fuming, his fists clenched tightly. "Kathie, that ungrateful brat,dares to say such things!"

Melissa added fuel to the fire, "How could she say that? The company might have been the Hughes family's, but it was nearly bankrupt when you took over. You worked tirelessly to save it and doubled its profits. She doesn't see any of that."

Shirley chimed in, "Exactly. She can insult us, but how can she be so disrespectful to you? Now she wants her illegitimate kids to take my son's school spot. It's infuriating."

Walter couldn't swallow his anger. As an elder, he couldn't let a younger family member walk all over him.

"I'm calling Kathie right now and demanding she divorce Randy," he said angrily.

Kathie was in the yard sorting herbs when she heard the phone ring.,Seeing it was Walter, she knew Shirley must have twisted the story.

Perfect timing, she had some things to discuss with Walter too. Kathie answered. "Hello, Dad."

Walter was furious. "Don't call me Dad. I don't have a daughter like you."

"Alright. Mr. Cavendish," Kathie replied calmly.

Walter was momentarily speechless withanger.

He said through gritted teeth. "You ungrateful girl, are you trying to drive me to my grave?"

Kathie remained composed. "Don't you think you're overreacting?"

"Kathie, listen to me. You can't get away with hitting Shirley. Unless you divorce Randy immediately. I'll sue you," Walter threatened.

Kathie laughed, "Go ahead. I'll tell the police the truth-that she barged in on us and tried to attack me, and I acted in self-defense. I have plenty of witnesses."

"Regardless,hitting someone is wrong. You must apologize," Water retorted.

"I'm not apologizing. What are you going to do about it?"

Walter was nearly apoplectic, and Melissa started yelling, "Kathie,you witch! You hurt my daughter and defied your father. No wonder your illegitimate kids are unrecognized."

Kathie gritted her teeth, holding back her anger. "Melissa, don't get too comfortable. Your time to cry is coming soon. Dad, there's a special gift coming your way. Look forward to it."

Walter said impatiently, "Stop talking nonsense. Are you divorcing or not?"

"Not now. Maybe later, if I feel like it," Kathie said casually. Kathie was playing mind games, trying to infuriate them.

Shirley stomped her foot in frustration. Kathie was toying with them.

Walter threatened, "If you don't divorce. I'll drag you to court and make you."

Since he was being so unreasonable, Kathie decided not to hold back. "Mr.Cavendish. I'm formally requesting you return my 30% share of the company."

"What?"

"Did you forget? I own shares in the company. You said you'd hold them for me until I turned eighteen. It's time to give them back."

Walter denied it. "That never happened."

"My uncles were there. They don't know about your shady dealings yet.What do you think will happen if I tell them?"

Kathie's uncles were high-ranking executives in the company.If they teamed up. Walter would be in trouble.

"Kathie, I'm warning you, don't do anything rash."

"I won't, as long as you return my 30% share. Or, you can buy it for $100million. Then it's yours."