Kathleen smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, Mr. Pollard. I don’t think you’re the one behind it. I just want to find the real culprit. Perhaps you were framed by your enemy.”
“That’s right! If my enemy was behind this, it must be Samuel!” Ivan exclaimed furiously.
Kathleen narrowed her eyes at him.
It seems like there’s bad blood between Ivan and Samuel.
“Samuel? I didn’t expect my ex-husband would want to kill me,” Kathleen feigned surprise.
An icy glint flashed across Ivan’s eyes. “Why wouldn’t he? He would do anything for Nicolette.”
Kathleen snorted. “That’s not surprising to hear. After all, I was the one who ruined Nicolette’s face. I wonder how she is doing right now.”
“I heard that Samuel found the best plastic surgeon for her. After that, he hid her somewhere else. Ms. Johnson, this kind of man isn’t worth your affection,” Ivan said solemnly.
“You must be joking, Mr. Pollard. How could I still long for him after everything he has done to me? I wish he was dead!” Kathleen said in a chilling voice.
“Do you want me to die?” Samuel’s emotionless voice suddenly sounded from behind.
Kathleen froze on the spot.
Why is he here? This is bad! He’s heard everything I said about him. What awful timing!
She sneaked a peek at Ivan, only to see him smiling maliciously.
That wily old fox!
“Mr. Macari, do you know it’s improper to eavesdrop on other people’s conversation?” Kathleen said sarcastically.
Samuel fixed his cold gaze on Ivan instead. “I’ve been looking for you for days.”
Ivan laughed awkwardly. “Mr. Macari, what are you talking about? I didn’t know you were looking for me. Anyway, I’ve got to go now.”
“Wait!” Kathleen looked anxiously at Ivan, who was about to flee.
Samuel reached out to grab Kathleen’s hand and pulled her into his embrace. He clasped his large hands tightly around her slender waist.
Gosh, she’s so soft!
“Let go of me!” Kathleen yelled furiously. She could see his exquisite jawline the moment she raised her head.
Samuel directed his razor-sharp gaze at her. “Feel free to ask me what you want to know. You don’t need to look for that guy.”
“I have nothing to do with you. Why should I look for you? Let me go!” Kathleen was akin to a caged bird at that moment.
Samuel recalled Tyson’s words. “Come with me. I can explain everything to you.”
“No! I don’t want to! We’re in public, Samuel! Bear in mind what you’re doing! I don’t want people to get the wrong idea!” Kathleen complained in a soft voice.
Samuel’s lips curled up into a devilish grin. “You’d better follow me, or I’ll kiss you right here. Let’s see how you can explain the situation later.”
Kathleen was rendered speechless by his shamelessness.
Ah! What a sc*mbag! Ugh. He’s so infuriating!
“Let’s go.” Holding her hand, Samuel led Kathleen out of the venue.
He brought her into a room.
After that, Samuel pressed Kathleen against the door. He pinched her chin with his long, coarse fingers and said, “Ivan is Vanessa’s lover. Only hell knows how many women that man has harmed in the past. Why are you provoking him?”
“That’s none of your business! I know what kind of person he is. Besides, I have Charles with me. He won’t let anything happen to me,” Kathleen retorted.
Samuel was furious at her attitude toward his warning. “You have only just returned to Jadeborough. What do you know about the situation here? Earlier, you said you wish I was dead. Well, my life’s yours for the taking now. Please don’t put yourself in danger anymore. Do you understand?”
“Samuel, I only said it casually earlier. I didn’t want you to die. It has nothing to do with me whether you’re alive or not. Please release me. Charles will be anxious if I’m gone for too long.”
Seeing Kathleen trying so hard to avoid him, Samuel instantly exploded with rage.
Looking at her luscious red lips, he could not help but lower his head and kissed her.
“Mmm…” Kathleen slapped Samuel’s shoulders hard with her hands in a desperate bid to break free from him.
Instead of releasing her, Samuel grabbed her hands and lifted them above her head. He continued to kiss her.
It was obvious that she lacked experience in this department.
Samuel calmed down when he realized that Kathleen hadn’t been kissing other people much after their divorce.
Five minutes later, he finally let go of Kathleen.
The corners of Kathleen’s eyes glimmered with tears. It made her look endearing.
Slap!
Kathleen slapped Samuel hard across the face. Her chest heaved erratically with her rising anger. ”It’s been a year, and you still haven’t learned how to respect me!”
With that said, she made to leave.
However, Samuel refused to let her go by pressing the door.
Kathleen noticed the wedding ring on his left hand.
This guy has no shame, hasn’t he?
Samuel leaned over and rested his chin on her shoulder. “I didn’t send anyone to kill you. If I know where you are, I will look for you myself,” he confessed with a hoarse voice.
“You don’t need to explain to me. I was just testing Ivan earlier.” Kathleen pursed her lips.
She was aware that if Samuel knew about her whereabouts, he would go searching for her.
After all, she was the one who had dumped him back then. His ego must have been shattered.
“The relationship between Ivan and Vanessa is one of a superior and a subordinate. Ivan is just one of her many lovers, but he has been staying by her side the longest. I’m sure he knows a lot of things,” Samuel explained.
“Ivan has helped Vanessa deal with many unethical activities over the years. He must have a lot of evidence to use as leverage over her.” After a pause, Kathleen continued, ”Therefore, she won’t break up with him that easily.”
Furthermore, Ivan was counting on Vanessa to take care of his business. They relied heavily on each other.
“So, that’s it.” Samuel grinned.
She’s finally able to talk to me in a calm manner.
Unfortunately, Samuel’s elation was short-lived. Kathleen lost her temper again. “Anyway, what does this have to do with you? Do you know that I’m this close from getting something out of Ivan just now?”
“I’ve been investigating them over the past year. I know a lot about them. I can tell you anything you want to find out,” Samuel offered his help with a raspy and alluring voice.
Kathleen sneered, “What’s this? Are you betraying your family? Vanessa is Nicolette’s aunt, and Ivan can be considered Nicolette’s uncle because of his intimate relationship with Vanessa. Are you sure you want to do this?”
Samuel remained silent despite her sarcastic remarks.
I guess I deserved that for what I’ve done to her in the past.
“Well, my mother-in-law happens to be her aunt,” Samuel taunted.
Now, it was Kathleen’s turn to be at a loss for words.
“Kathleen?” Charles’ voice sounded from outside the room.
“Let me go! My brother is looking for me,” Kathleen pleaded anxiously.
I’m doomed if Charles sees us like this!
“I can tell you everything that Ivan has done for Vanessa. Just come to Florinia Manor tomorrow night. I will show you all the evidence.” Samuel smirked.
Kathleen froze at his suggestion. Gritting her teeth, she snapped, “Samuel, do you take me for that kind of woman?”
Samuel knew what she meant. “You’ll always be the purest woman in my heart. I just want to taste your cooking. A meal will do just fine.”
“A meal? Do you promise to give me the information after you’re done eating?” Kathleen probed.
“Yes. I’ll give you whatever you want,” Samuel promised.
