Chapter 383 Waging War
Samuel did not utter a word as he got out of the car.
While shooting him a side glance, Charles’ decisive tone rang out. “I’ll take your silence as an agreement to this bet. If Kate chooses Ryder, then you’re not allowed to disrupt their relationship like you did with her and Caleb.”
Samuel did not stop walking even after hearing that.
Only he was aware of his agonized, bleeding heart at that moment.
If Kathleen truly fears me, that means I can never be with her again. Ever. From today onward, she’ll be someone else’s girlfriend and wife-to-be. I can no longer be close to her.
Samuel looked as though he was in utter agony.
At the same time, he knew this was all his fault—he deserved this fate.
Will it truly require my death to gain Kathleen’s forgiveness? It’s like we’re back at square one. Things are as miserable as they were back then.
It felt as though he had stumbled into a deep, hell-like pit, where he could not escape.
Meanwhile, Kathleen arrived at the first office building.
It was located in an industrial area outside of the city center.
The building only had three floors, but they were spacious and well lit.
Kathleen was still wearing a black gown with the same colored suit draped across her shoulders.
The real estate agent was enthusiastic as he said, “This place is fairly decent, Ms. Johnson. It’s newly built, and the previous company only occupied it for half a year.”
“It’s a nice environment but a little too far from the city,” Kathleen replied in a placid tone of voice.
“Not at all. It’ll only take forty minutes to travel here by cab.”
A chuckle came from Kathleen, who pointed out, “Do you expect my employees to take a cab here every time? Aren’t you aware of how much it costs?”
Her reply shocked the agent. “Gosh, it’s my first time meeting someone who cares so much about her employees, but there’s a bus service here.”
“A bus service which comes around every thirty minutes.” Kathleen had already done her research before arriving here that day, so she curtly said, “Forget it. Show me the other location instead.”
The agent nodded, but it was then that his phone rang. “Sorry, I have to take this call.”
“Go ahead,” Kathleen replied.
Subsequently, the agent turned around to answer his phone while Kathleen roamed around for a bit.
She found the environment satisfactory, if not for the inconvenient transportation issues.
The place was clean, which she loved.
Click! Clack! Click! Clack!
Suddenly, a series of heeled footsteps came from behind her.
She soon turned around and realized it was Dorothy.
“Why are you here?” Kathleen was a little taken aback.
Anger seethed from Dorothy as she demanded, “I want my son back.”
That garnered a scoff from Kathleen, who retorted, “Zion has already told me the truth, Dorothy. He’s not biologically related to the Hoover family. It’s merely a coincidence that he has a unique bodily physique.”
Dorothy froze. “How did he find out?”
“Perhaps he overheard it when you guys discussed it.” Kathleen indifferently added, “Therefore, why would I hand him over to you if he’s not your son?”
“However, according to the law, I’m his legal guardian,” rebuked a frowning Dorothy.
“Your guardianship can be revoked since you’ve abandoned him once.” Kathleen flashed a half-smile.
Every muscle in Dorothy’s body tensed up when she heard that.
Seeing the former’s reaction, Kathleen snidely remarked, “Perhaps you should read more about the law.”
Dorothy was so livid that she rushed up to grab Kathleen’s wrist, and that sparked an explosive annoyance in Kathleen, who instantly slapped the former.
After Dorothy snapped out from a daze, her features twisted into a scowl as she raised a palm to cup her reddened cheek. “How dare you hit me!”
“Yeah, I just slapped you. Do the same to me if you dare!” Kathleen snarled.
Dorothy wasted no time in raising her hand.
Smack!
The other side of her face had gotten slapped before she could do anything.
Kathleen then spoke up derisively. “How dare you try to slap me just because I told you to! Why don’t you ask Theodore about my life during the past five years in Axeworth Corporation? Crushing trash like you daily is a piece of cake for me!”
Dorothy was so upset that her nose almost scrunched high up to her eyes.
Even so, Kathleen continued to chuckle contemptuously.
I was exaggerating when I said I could beat up one person daily. Although, the undeniable fact is that I’ve never been bullied, much less beaten up. Who does Dorothy think she is?
“If you don’t hand Zion over to me, you’ll be waging war with the Hoover family!” Dorothy threatened, “Let me tell you something, Kathleen. The Hoover family isn’t a force you can defeat! They’re nothing like the Yoeger family!”
Kathleen snorted before resuming, “I don’t give two hoots. They can come at me if they dare. Also, I want you to relay this message to them. If they have a bone to pick with me, have them send someone who actually has the power to make decisions in their family to see me. I don’t ever want to see a worthless person like you again. Get lost!”
“Just you wait!” Dorothy trembled with sheer rage before whipping around to leave.
Kathleen remained indifferent but eventually frowned when she noticed something was off.
Why isn’t the agent back yet?
She then walked out of the building.
It seemed like the real estate agent had ditched Kathleen.
She had arrived here in the agent’s car earlier.
Now that he had left, all she could do was hail a cab home on her own.
However, this was an industrial area, which meant she needed to go further out to actually find a cab.
Kathleen pinched the space between her brows.
Ugh. How unlucky!
Just when she was speechless, a black Maybach pulled up in front of her.
The license plate was one she knew very well.
It was not long before the door opened, and Samuel’s husky voice sounded. “Hop in. It won’t be easy getting a cab here.”
Kathleen did not wish to put herself in a difficult situation, especially since she wore high heels too.
Her feet would undoubtedly be sore by the time she walked out of the industrial area.
Thus, she got into the Maybach.
“Did you come here alone?” Samuel’s gaze settled on her as she took off her heels.
A relieved look appeared on her face now that her feet were free.
The corners of Samuel’s lips curled slightly. It had been a while since he saw Kathleen with such an expression.
“The real estate agent left me behind,” Kathleen explained in a wry tone.
“Have you found a place?”
“Nope.” Kathleen shook her head. “This place is too far away. Overall, I felt having a spot in the city would work better, so I asked the agent to take me there. Little did I know he would ditch me after a phone call.”
Preposterous!
Samuel’s gaze darkened. “You could’ve told me that you were looking for a property. Why trouble yourself like this?”
“There’s no need.” Kathleen shook her head.
When Samuel saw how determined she was, something tightened in his chest. He explained, “Don’t worry. I’m merely recommending you a place. You’ll have to discuss the rental fees on your own.”
He figured it was all right as long as he did not interfere with her decisions.
“You know a good spot?” Kathleen blinked.
“Yep, it’s right in the city.” Samuel drove while continuing, “The building has seven floors. Although the size of every floor is a little small, the building has convenient access to transportation and is in a decent environment.”
“That sounds nice. Could you take me?”
“Sure,” Samuel answered huskily.
He drove ahead with his attention fully pinned on the road ahead.
Kathleen could not help but sneak a glance at him.
His aura remained imposing. Even while sitting next to him, she could feel an immense sense of authority emanating from him.
Without a doubt, Samuel was her type on paper.
Perhaps it was his jaw-dropping good looks, but Kathleen felt no one could compare to him.
The thought of that made her sigh.
Samuel can win me over with his looks alone. As for everything else about him—
“You’ve been staring at me for five minutes.” Samuel’s gravelly voice sounded, breaking Kathleen out of her thoughts.
“W-What?” She snapped put of her trance.
Suddenly, Samuel slowed the car to a halt.
It made Kathleen increasingly nervous as she asked, “What are you doing?”
Samuel froze while unbuckling his seat belt. He looked over at the adorably frightened woman and could not help chuckling. “Do you seriously think I’m going to force myself on you in broad daylight?”
