A Replacement Bride

Chapter 285

Chapter 285

Despite hearing the offer, Katherine did not move her eyebrows as she outright refused him. "I don't care what you offer me; the answer is no. I will not save Mike, for this was his own doing. Now, he'll have to face the music. Retribution has come for him, and it is all preordained."

Stunned, Zak asked, "What… Retribution? What do you mean?"

Together with the other three people, he also did not understand her words.

David naturally asked, "What sin did Mr. Fraser commit? Kathy, what do you know?"

Yet, she did not answer him and merely responded, "If you want to know, ask Mike. See if he has the guts to say it." Subsequently, she lay down on the couch candidly, looking like there was no more room to talk. "No matter what you say today, I will not save him. Now, if you don't have anything else to talk about, please leave."

Although Zak was perplexed, he knew he had to save his father no matter what. "Miss Cornell, are you gonna let a man die when you know you can save him?" This time, he was not as polite as before. His tone became stern, just like his expression.

As soon as she heard that, her originally half-closed eyes slowly lifted and shot a calm yet sharp gaze at him. "If I say yes, what are you gonna do about it? Your tone implies that you're threatening me, no?"

A speechless Zak frowned deeply, and his expression darkened considerably.

For some reason, even though he was older than her and had far more experience in life, he felt as if this young woman's aura dominated his at that moment. She might be lounging around, but the aura she exuded oppressed his.

That realization made the also impatient Zak even angrier, for he clenched his teeth and peered at her through his frosted eyes.

Noticing that the situation was slowly heating up, David and Theodore exchanged looks before quickly getting up and laughing to cool down the tense mood.

"You're still a woman with principles, Kathy. You haven't changed despite the many years." David then patted Zak on the shoulder. "Mr. Fraser, since she's unwilling to do it, it's best not to force her. There's always another way. We'll find another solution eventually."

An unamused Zak looked at him. "What's left? My father is dying! I don't have much time to waste…" While stating in a choked tone, he stopped suddenly upon meeting David's gaze.

Then, David used the chance and stated, "I know the time is tight. Don't worry. We'll find another solution. There's another vital matter that I need to discuss with you. It's about the project collaboration…" He slowly fell silent, seeing that this was not the place to talk about such a matter, so he left with Zak in tow.

Yet, Theodore did not leave, for he sighed subtly after looking at Katherine's cold visage. "Kathy, what kind of unforgivable sin did Mr. Fraser commit for you to have such a bad opinion toward him? Why are you refusing to treat him?"

She shrugged her shoulders emotionlessly. "I don't have anything against him. In other words, whatever I do or not do to him doesn't interest me in the slightest. You want me to save him? Dream on."

Frankly, even Katherine did not know about Mike's misdeeds at first. She had little to no ties to the Frasers, let alone interacting with him.This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org: ©.

Yet, it was because of a mission a few years back that led her to bump into Mike out of coincidence. Fate took charge, and she somehow used fortune-telling to learn about his past, thus knowing the sins he committed like the back of her hand.

Although she did not plan to disclose this to anybody else, she did not plan to do anything to him either.

Seeing that she was staying silent, Theodore knew she would not spit a word out even if he were to force her, so he gave up.

At that moment, Joaquin gave Theodore a cup of tea, which he happily received. "Mr. Levisay, long time no see. I was in such a hurry that I didn't get to greet you."

Joaquin replied politely, "Indeed, it's been a long time. What brings you to Kyoland, Professor Muller?"

At that, Theodore looked carefully at Katherine before sighing helplessly. "It's all because of the Frasers. Some years back, I built up a somewhat close relationship with them. Since I couldn't ignore Mr. Fraser's condition, I had to come."

However, he stopped there and did not continue his words.

…

At Fraser Residence, Mike had already been sent home when Zak arrived. As soon as Zak heard about it, he instantly rushed upstairs.

At this stage, Mike was terminally ill, and it was no surprise that he would not last until the next dawn.

Seeing that his son had returned, he wanted to prop himself up, yet his powerless body did not permit his actions.

"Dad, lie down!" Zak quickly went up and tucked him back in bed.

Patricia's presence was announced at that moment by the medicine she had prepared as the thick aroma filled the room. "Dad, take your medicine." She went to the other side of the bed, wanting to feed Mike his medicine.

"Let me do it." Zak immediately took the initiative.

Yet, Mike shook his head. "What use is there in taking this god-forsaken concoction? I don't seem to be getting any better anyway. Get it out of my sight. I won't take it."

Zak could not help but frown. "Dad, you—"

Not wanting to hear him nag, Mike questioned, "Did you visit Katherine Cornell today?"

His words made Zak freeze before he nodded with a solemn expression.

"So, she still won't do it, will she?"

Zak did not know how to answer him as he stirred the black-looking medicine. After a short while, he piped up, "Don't worry, Dad. Even if I'd failed the first time, I'll go again. No matter what, I'll bring her here and heal you!"

When he said that, a dangerous glint was evident in his gaze. Yet, Mike did not notice it, for he had his eyes shut while heaving a long sigh.

In actuality, he had already predicted this, but he still could not accept the fact.

Although Zak hesitated upon seeing his condition, he could not suppress his curiosity. "Dad, did you do… I don't know… something when you were younger?" Since he could not blatantly reiterate what Katherine said, he could only beat around the bush.

Hearing this, Mike opened his eyes and looked at him without an answer. After a slight pause, he finally decided something and shut his eyes. When he opened them again, he announced, "Zak, call everyone outside to come into the room. I have something to say."

Shocked, Zak could speculate that something was about to happen, so he quickly hinted at Patricia with his eyes. She understood the sign and immediately went outside to carry out the order. Soon, the whole family, including David, who was waiting outside, entered the room.