Chapter 109

With rage boiling over, Caiden charged downstairs, his eyes blazing as he prepared to confront Katrina.

Joyce reclined on the sofa, leisurely biting into a crisp,bright red apple, barely glancing his way. "Dad, you're in the way! Move-I'm watching the best part!"

Without uttering a response, Caiden strode over and turned the television off.

He folded his arms and fixed a piercing stare on her,his tone brooking no defiance."Getupstairs.Rightnow."

Joyce, undeterred by Caiden's authority, knew well that in this household, it was Katrina who held the reins.

Remaining calm and collected, Katrina reassured Joyce. "Head upstairs, sweetheart. Everything's under control."

With a reassuring smile, she watched Joyce ascend the stairs, clutching her doll tightly.

At home, Joyce was doted upon, and recently,her pregnancy was becoming noticeable.

Katrina harbored concerns but kept them to herself. Given the family's wealth, she mused over the possibility of securing a live-in son-in-law. True,Joyce was pregnant,yet it would be her first marriage.Nowadays, with enough money in her pocket,what was there to even stress about?

She decided to let the Bennett family suck up to Daniela all they wanted. That fucking bitch was bound to face her downfall sooner or later.

The vengeful thought curled K<atrina's lips into a wicked,twisted smirk that made Caiden's blood run cold.

He inhaled deeply before confronting her. "Did you take everything from the safe?"

"Yes, I did. What about it?" Katrina's response came with a dismissive shrug, her voice dripping with nonchalance. Relief had washed over her when she'd earlier checked the safe; without that, she wouldn't have unearthed the fact that Brylee had left Daniela a lavish inheritance.

The bounty included a colossal insurance policy and an entire island-a prime tourist hotspot whose value had likely soared.

The terms of the inheritance were strict, stating the island would only legally belong to Daniela after she had been married for a year. Until that milestone, any revenue the island generated was to be strictly held in trust, utterly inaccessible.

Katrina eyed the island with voracious intent.

Securing it for her daughter meant independence from any financial reliance on a partner. She envisioned a future where men would queue up, desperate to cater to Joyce.

"All that shit belongs to Daniela. Even some of the properties-Brylee left them for her, not you. So keep your grubby hands off," Caiden interjected, his voice steady yet assertive.

Without even granting him a glance,Katrina countered,"This house and everything in it belongs to me. Let me make one thing clear-if you dare tell Daniela,I'll divorce you!"

Her tone turned icy, slicing through the air. "You understand the stakes, don't you? Harper Group has been riding on Brylee's coattails for years. Should another scandal erupt, we might as well file for bankruptcy right now!"

Katrina reclined in the sofa, her laughter tinged with derision. "Really, do you believe Brylee would be pleased,knowing you've frittered away everything she painstakingly established? Not leaving even a penny for Daniela? She would despise you. She'd rue the day she fell for a worthless man like you. And Daniela?She'd sever all ties. Isn't that your greatest dread?Being forsaken in your old age, with no one to look after you? Go ahead, keep it up. You'll end up rotting alone with no one to even care when you're gone!"

Her words struck Caiden with surgical precision, each syllable designed to inflict maximum pain. Yet, Katrina was not through.

Her voice took on a syrupy tone, dripping with deceit."However,align yourself with me,follow my lead,and we can keep this family whole. Remember, you are Daniela's biological father. Once she marries, you could travel overseas, apply for her death certificate,and all her assets would naturally revert to you. You'd be set for life, so don't act like you're the one losing out."

Caiden's face registered shock, his features contorting between disbelief and dread. He gaped at Katrina, his voice barely above a whisper. "What the fuck did you just say? Apply for Daniela's death certificae?"

With a wicked grin, Katrina clapped her hands together and chuckled. "Oh, come on! It's just some damn paperwork-it's not like she's really going to drop dead. What's got you trembling? Listen closely,Caiden, I married you seeking a stable life. Maintain that stabilty, and I'll ensure your life remains lavish.Your fortune won't be squandered on my watch." As she spoke, Katrina sent him a coquettish look-a look that once had him utterly ensnared and distractible.

Seeing Katrina's ruthless, greedy nature laid bare,Caiden's stomach churned with disgust. She was the embodiment of everything he despised.

Katrina was already plotting the course of Joyce's life.She envisioned an ideal suitor for Joyce-tall, striking,burdened by neither aging kin nor any familial ties,ideally an orphan, unencumbered and free.

She had pledged a sizable amount of five million dollars for the suitor who satisfied these criteria.

Caiden realized where Katrina's boldness stemmed from-it was the inheritance Brylee had set aside for Daniela.

Yet, something held him back; he couldn't force himself to see Daniela about the matter.

Overwhelmed by shame,he couldn't bear to meet her gaze-not after all the turmoil they had endured.