Chapter 37

Raymond hadI been involved with Melissa mainly because he was after Walter's money and wanted to take over his company shares. But now,with his life hanging by a thread, what good were those assets to him? He needed to cut ties with Melissa immediately.

"You get it now. From now on, avoid doing anything shady if you want to stay safe," Kathie said.

"Yeah, I'll listen to you," Raymond replied.

Raymond initially wanted to drive Kathie home, but she refused, not even accepting his apology gift. It was better to keep her distance from people like him.

Kathie got back into her car but didn't headhome right away. Instead, she uploaded all the evidence of Melissa's embezzlement and her affairs with company executives to the company's website.

If Melissa wanted to play games, Kathie would make sure she played big.

Water was still in his office, working, when his secretary rushed in. "Mr.Cavendish, something big has happened. You need to check your computer."

Walter opened his laptop and felt his blood run cold. Recalling the scandaous video he had seen, he realized Melissa had been deceiving him.

He rushed home, where Melissa was in the living room trying on new clothes.Seeing him, she picked up a piece of lingerie and struck a seductive pose.

"Sweetheart, you're just in time. How do you like my new outfit?" Melissa said. Walter suddenly remembered how Melissa loved buying such lingerie but never wore it for him. She always claimed she was insecure about her body and only bought them to admire.

It turned out she was brazenly cheating on him with other men right under his nose.

Walter walked over and slapped her hard, sending her sprawling onto the couch.

Melissa looked up in shock. "Sweetheart, what's gotten into you? Why did you hit me again?"

Walter grabbed her by the throat, glaring at her with fury. "You deceitful woman,you made a fool out of me. You've been cheating on me with all sorts of men, making me a laughingstock."

"What do you mean? Sweetheart, have you been misled by Kathie again? I haven't done anything to betray you."

"You're still lying? Your lovers have all confessed. I'm divorcing you,and you'll leave with nothing."

Walter let go of her and made her look at the company's website.

Last time, Kathie had sent the evidence only to Walter's email, sparing him some dignity. But this time, their actions had left Kathie disheartened,so she made the scandal public.

Melissa trembled as she read. Hadn't Raymond said he had Kathie under control? How did she manage to post all this?

"It's not true, sweetheart. These are fake," she tried to explain.

Walter didn't want to see her disgusting face anymore. He grabbed her by the hair and dragged her to the door, shovi ng her out. "Get out, you

wretch. Wait for the divorce papers."

Ignoring her pleas. Walter slammed the door shut and refused to open it no matter how much she begged.

Melissa shook her head. She couldn't be thrown out like this! She quickly took a cab to the hospital to find Raymond, hoping he would help her.

Usually, Raymond's subordinates would warmly welcome Melissa, but this time they treated her like a pariah, not even letting her near his ward.

"Mr. Barnes ordered us to kick you out if we saw you," one of the subordinates said.

Melissa couldn't believe it. "Do you know who I am? I'm Mr. Barnes'sworn sister. You usually can't wait to curry favor with me, and now you dare to kick me out?"

Raymond's subordinate warned, "The boss won't see you. Leave now and stop being an eyesore."

Melissa couldn't believe it and called Raymond, only to find out he had blocked her. She couldn't understand what had happened in just one day.

"I need to see Raymond. Let me in," she said, her voice filled with urgency.

Raymond was her only hope now. If he didn't protect her,what would she do in Eldoria?

She desperately tried to push her way into the ward, but a woman coming out slapped her. It was Raymond's wife.

"Shut up, you wretch," Raymond's wife shouted.

She had long wanted to deal with Melissa, and now Melissa had walked right into her trap. Melissa grabbed her hand. "Mrs. Barnes, it's me. Melissa. I need to see Raymond. It's urgent."

Raymond's wife sneered. "He won't see you."

"Impossible. Raymond has always cared for me. You must be blocking me on purpose." Melissa couldn't believe her sworn brother,who had protected her for over a decade, would suddenly ignore her.

From inside the room, Raymond's angry voice boomed, "Melissa, listen to me. This is the last time I'm speaking to you. If you ever show up in front of me again, I'll make sure you end up dead."

"Why? Raymond,what did I do wrong?"

"Our deal is off. Get lost."

He meant he didn't want the Cavendish family's money or shares anymore.He wanted to cut ties with her.

But he had been so interested before. Why the sudden change?

"Is it because of Kathie? She's a terrible woman. Don't listen to her lies,"Melissa said.

Melissa dared to slander his savior, making Raymond furious. "Get this crazy woman out of here. If she shows up again, break her legs."

Raymond's wife signaled his subordinate to grab Melissa by the hair and throw her out. With such a display, Melissa wouldn't dare come back.

At Kathie's villa in the Eldoria suburbs.

Jonathan had spent the afternoon with the kids. As the sun began to set,he wondered why their mom hadn't returned yet. Was she really planning to leave the kids with him? His phone buzzed in his pocket. He cleared his throat. "Eileen, keep an eye on them. I'm going inside for some water."

Eileen nodded obediently. "Go ahead."

Jonathan went inside and locked the door. With Kathie not around, he could finally take his phone out.

Seeing it was Keith calling, he answered.

"Jonathan. I have something to report," Keith said.

"Spit it out."

Keith teased, "You don't sound too enthusiastic."

Jonathan was worried about Kathie and wasn't in the mood for chit-chat.

"Are you going to talk or not?"

"Why so grumpy? Are you worried about someone? Fuanny thing,I actually ran into her today."

"You mean Kathie?"

Jonathan's voice rose several octaves. "How did you see her?"

"I saw her being harassed by Randy on the street and stepped in to help.Aren't you grateful?"

"That damn Randy, still bothering her."

"Well, they're not divorced yet. We can't interfere. If you like her, convince her to get a divorce. Then you'll have a chance."

.Jonathan was annoyed. "Who saidI I like her?"

Keith continued to tease him. "Only you know if you like her. But I have to say, she's very pretty, just my type."

"Keith, do you want a beating?" Jonathan snapped.

"See,you're already worked up. I have something important to tell you,and I need compensation for my emotional distress."

"Are you crazy?"

"You have no heart. For the first time in my life, I got hit by a woman,and it was one who usually wouldn't dare speak up around me."

Jonathan laughed heaftily at Keith's story, much to Keith's dismay.

"You think it's funny? I got misunderstood because I helped Kathie.Melinda won't get away with this."