Chapter 39

Melissa couldn't help but laugh. "Walter, are you seriously trying to get rid of me like I'm some homeless person? I told you, I want half of the assets.or we're going to court."

Walter stared at her with a smug look. "Melissa, years ago, you bribed the obstetrician to have them rough up Kathie's mom, Scarlett Hughes, in the delivery room. That led to Scarlett dying during childbirth."

Melissa's face went pale, and she looked at him in horror. "So,you knew all along?"

"Not only did I know, but I also know where those doctors are now."

Melissa shook her head. "I didn't think you were this ruthless. If you knew all this, why didn't you help Scarlett back then?"

Walter smirked. "If she had lived, how could I have inherited her assets?Now you should know, if I expose this, you'll be a murderer. And Kathie's been looking for them all these years. If she finds them, you're done for."

"Walter, you actually kept this card up your sleeve. You're so cruel."Melissa never dreamed that her past schemes would become Walter's leverage against her.

Walter shrugged smugly. "You think you can fight me? You're not even in my league. Now take the money and get lost."

Melissa stared at him and burst into laughter. "You think you can control me like this? How did Scarlett's baby die back then?"

Walter's face stiffened, and he glared at her, gritting his teeth. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"I wanted to kill Scarlett and keep the baby, so the baby she gave birth to was still alive. You rushed in first, and soon after, the baby died. I asked the doctors, and they didn't do anything, but the baby still suffocated to death."

Walter vehemently denied it. "The baby was dead at birth."

"You're lying. You were worried that the baby would take a share of your assets. You already had two daughters and didn't want another one to divide the inheritance, so you killed her to end it all."

Walter slapped her and grabbed her by the throat. "If you dare to say another word, I'll strangle you."

"You're so agitated, it proves I'm right. If you don't give me the money, I'll expose this. Let's see if Kathie will kill you. At worst, we'll go to hell together."

Melissa wasn't one to be easily bullied. If Walter was ruthless, she would be too.

Walter released his grip when he saw she was struggling to breathe and warned her, "If a third person finds out about this, I'll kill you."

"I just want the money. I'm not interested in anything else." At this point,all she wanted was the money.

Walter nodded angrily. "Half the assets are impossible, but I'll make sure you're satisfied. Wait for my message."

At least there was hope. Melissa left with her luggage without looking back.

Walter was a heartless man who could even kill his own child. She wanted nothing more to do with him.

The next morning, Kathie received photos from an unknown sender.

She opened them and was shocked by the bloody scenes.She initially thought it was a prank, but then she realized the people beaten beyond recognition were Wayne, who had kidnapped her, and his accomplices. They were all badly beaten.

Could it be Raymond avenging her?

During breakfast. Jonathan asked her out of the blue, "Feeling better today?"

Last night. Ben had taken some men to capture Wayne and his gang and beat them up. The photos had been sent to Kathie for her to see.

"I'm always in a good mood."

"Nothing special?"

Kathie shook her head. "That's a weird question. What's so special?"

Jonathan smirked. It seemed those thugs had been beaten for nothing.Kathie didn't even care about them.

"Never mind, forget I said anything."

Kathie handed him a piece of toast. "After breakfast, I'll take you to the hot springs in the back hills. It's good for your muscles."

The three kids waved their little hands. "Mommy, we want to go too."

Kathie ruffled their hair. "This natural hot spring is too hot for you. Next time, I'll take you to a hot spring that's suitable for you."

She was worried the high temperature would scald their delicate skin. This hot spring was too unpredictable for them.

Jonathan asked, "My skin is delicate too.Won't I get burned?"

Kathie rolled her eyes at him. "Your skin is thick. Boiling water wouldn't hurt you. What are you afraid of?"

Jonathan was speechless.

Kathie was not only fierce but also sharp-tongued.

Eileen worriedly said. "Mommy, take good care of Seven. Don't let him get burned."

Kathie seized the opportunity to ask, "Eileen, do you like his look?"

Jonathan gasped. What was Kathie up to now?

He quickly prompted Eileen. "Eileen likes me for who I am. Even if I'm not handsome, she'd still like me."

Eileen thought for a moment. "No, I like your look."

Jonathan was heartbroken and silent.

Kathie gloated. "Someone's going to be disappointed."

Eileen continued, "But I like him as a person even more. He feels like Daddy."

Kathie was stunned. Eileen's evaluation of him was too high.

Jonathan felt vindicated and lifted Eileen up. "Eileen, you're the best. I'm so glad I dote on you. Drink more milk and grow tall."

Kyle and Zachary shook their heads. They thought their mommy and Jonathan were both childish.

Kathie assigned the three kids some reading tasks. With the big dog guarding the yard,she felt at ease.

The path to the back hills was a bit steep. Kathie had to exert some effort to push Jonathan up. Jonathan watched her panting and made a mental note of her kindness,

vowing to repay her tenfold in the future.

He handed her a tissue. "You've worked hard. Have some water."

Kathie smiled sweetly,tugging at Jonathan's heartstrings.

"You do care about people," she said.

Jonathan gave a bitter smile. Everyone around him said he was cold-

hearted. No one eversaid he cared about people.

And it was true.

Everyone in the Berkeley family had their own agendas, all vying for

power and profit. He couldn't afford to let his guard down.

Only with Kathie could he truly relax and be himself.

Kathie started undressing him. "Get ready for the hot spring."

Jonathan nodded, but when he saw the water bubbling and someone

boiling eggs nearby, he quickly grabbed his clothes.

"Dr. Cavendish, are you sure this water is safe? Look, someone's boiling

eggs over there. This water could scald me," he said.

Kathie tried to pry his hand off. "Why are you so nervous? Do you think I'

d harm you? Trust me, the water temperature here is fine."

Jonathan refused. "I don't believe you. Unless you test it first."

Kathie glared at him. "Are you getting in or not?"

Jonathan shook his head. "No."

Kathie nodded. "Fine, you asked for it." With that, she flipped his

wheelchair, sending him splashing into the hot spring. Jonathan struggled to get up, shouting angrily. "You're trying to kill me!"