Chapter 38

Jonathan leaned back in his chair, his voicedripping with sarcasm. "You can't really blame Melinda. I mean, you're a notorious playboy. She was just worried about her best friend getting caught up with you."

Keith rolled his eyes. "How could someone as universally adored as me be a bad guy?"

"That's just your delusion," Jonathan shot back without missing a beat.

The sound of excited children echoed from the yard. Kathie was back.Jonathan quickly hung up the phone and hid.

"Mommy, look! I can knock the bottles off the wall," Kyle eagerly showed off to his mom.

Kathie clapped her hands. "Wow, Kyle, that's amazing!"

Zachary held up a ring toss. "Mommy, look! I can get all the rings on the pegs."

Kathie gave him a thumbs up. "Great job, Zachary!"

Eileen leaned in with her little face, and Kathie gave her a kiss. "Eileen is

awesome too. Cheer for your brothers."

Jonathan wheeled himself out, his face cold and stern. "Why are you so late today?"

Kathie, noticing his irritability, reminded him, "Didn't you say I could come back whenever I wanted?"

Jonathan fell silent.

He had indeed said that, which only made him angrier. Seeing Kathie staring at him curiously, he quickly changed the subject."I've got dust in my hair. Help me wash it."

"Fine, but why are you being so grumpy about it?"

Kathie pushed Jonathan in his wheelchair to the bathroom, placed a towel on his lap, and had him lie back while she adjusted the water temperature.

He had to admit, Kathie was incredibly meticulous, taking care of him in every possible way.

Jonathan suddenly noticed her cheek was swollen. What happened?

Keith had only mentioned Randy bothering her, not that he had hit her.Besides, knowing Keith, if Randy had actually hit Kathie,Keith would have dealt with Randy himself.

"Why is your face swollen?" Jonathan asked.

Kathie instinctively turned her head away. "I bumped into something on the way back. It's nothing."

When a woman said it was nothing, it was definitely something.

"You're lying. What really happened? Tell me."

Kathie frowned and covered his eyes. "Don't move. I'm rinsing your hair.By the way, telling you won't help."

Jonathan was unhappy. "If someone bullied you, I can deal with them."

Kathie gave a bitter smile. "You can't even stand up right now. How are you going to deal with anyone? Argue them to death? It's over. Don't ask anymore."

Jonathan was speechless. Given his current condition, it was understandable she didn't believe in him. She didn't want to talk about it, but he would find out.

Jonathan opened his eyes as warm water flowed over his head. Kathie's fingers moved gently through his hair, making his heart flutter.

She leaned forward slightly while washing his hair, and he almost brushed against her chest several times. Even without touching, the scent from her body made him react.

Remembering what Keith had said, he asked curiouisly, "When are you planning to divorce Randy?"

Kathie replied without thinking, "I haven't decided."

Jonathan's mood soured again. "Don't you hate him? The kids are all settled in school now.Why keep him around?"

"Why are you so interested in this? They want to force me to divorce, so I won't. Just to spitethem."

"That just makes it look like you're dragging Randy along on purpose,giving him an excuse to come after you."

"I don't want them to have it easy," Kathie muttered.

Jonathan sneered. "Only you know the real reason."

Kathie didn't like thatand smeared foam on his face. "Shut up.

"You vindictive woman."

"I'll do what I want. Say another word, and I'll shove foam in your mouth.

"

Kathie was indeed petty and vindictive.

After a heated argument, Kathie finally finished washing his hair, dried it,

and wheeled him back to his room.

Seeing his dejected look, she couldn't help but laugh. "Seven,cheer up.Remember, don't argue with women."

"Dr. Cavendish, you've shown me the many sides of a doctor.Too bad there's no place to file a complaint."

Kathie smiled smugly. "Good that you know. Cooperate from now on, and everything will be fine."

As soon as she left, Jonathan texted Ben, instructing him to investigate what had happened to Kathie. If someone had hit her, they should deal with it without reporting back.

Night fell, and Melissa returned to Walter, crying and begging for reconciliation. She had no one left to rely on. If Walter divorced her, she would have nothing.

Walter let her in but had already instructed the maid to pack al her belongings. "Take your stuff and get out."

Melissa knelt at his feet. "Honey, I've been with you for over twenty years and helped you with so much. Are you really going to throw me out without any consideration?"

Walter was merciless. "You've disgraced the Cavendish family. You don't belong here."

Melissa continued to plead. "I'll change. I'll do whatever you want from now on. Just give me another chance."

"You have no chance. I've been tired of you for a long time. You just made it easier for me to decide to get rid of you," Walter said bluntly.

Melissa couldn't believe it and begged desperately. "Please, for the sake of our past, don't kick me out."

"Oh, how shameless can you be? Mr. Cavendish already said he doesn't want you, and you're still begging?" A seductive voice came from the second floor. Melissa looked up in shock to see Walter's secretary, wearing her new nightgown, strutting in front of her.

"You two are together?" Melissa was stunned.

Walter beckoned the secretary over, wrapping his arm around her slim waist and caressing her young, pretty face. "Look at how young and beautiful she is. Now look at your old, haggard face. The men you used to seduce only did it because of my money. Now, even if you tried to sell yourself,not even a john would want you."

Melissa, furious, shouted, "Walter, you hypocritical bastard! You can keep mistresses, but I can't be with other men? Now you want to kick me out?Dream on. If you want a divorce, you'll have to give me half of everything."

Walter laughed coldly, squeezing the secretary's firm butt. "Baby, go upstairs and wait for me. Let me deal with this shrew first."

The secretary stood on tiptoe to kiss him, then threw a provocative glance at Melissa. She had often bullied Walter's female subordinates, but now it was her turn to be kicked out. "Hurry up, darling. I'll miss you."

Melissa lunged at her, but Walter stopped her and threw her to the ground."Melissa, get it straight. You're nothing now."

Melissa pounded the floor in anger. Her perfect life had been ruined by Kathie.

Walter sat on the couch, looking down at her arrogantly. "For old times'sake, I'll give you a hundred thousand dollars. Take it and get out of my sight."