Receiving praise made Shawn feel guilty. He had a big secretâhe was actually the business tycoon known as Frankie and had even started an online romance with Katherine. He worried about how Katherine would react if she discovered his secret. Knowing her nature, she would feel completely betrayed. Yet, Shawn had never anticipated such an astounding twist of fate. He was determined to keep his secret hidden at all costs. He couldnât risk damaging his relationship with Katherine once more.
When Gina returned home, she quickly opened the envelope. Even in death, Jackie continued to cause her problems. Merely pushing him into the river had been too merciful! Gina pulled out a blank piece of paper from the envelope and inspected it closely from all angles but saw nothing. Still suspicious, she checked the listening device she had placed in Joelleâs house and heard nothing but static, confirming her suspicions of being tricked. In a rage, Gina tore the paper to pieces, but her anger remained.
This confrontation meant she was now openly at odds with the Watson family. Before, she had maneuvered from the shadows, while the Watsons remained in the spotlight. Now, panic engulfed her. Given this test, what might the Watson family do next? Did they understand who she really was? Were they aware of what had happened back then? If so, how much did they know? The anxiety and uncertainty were unbearable.
Gina realized she couldnât just sit back and wait for what was to come. Thus, under the veil of night, she ventured out from her home once more.
Katie made it a habit to visit a beauty salon every week for a facial. Her mother always reminded her that her youth was her greatest asset. Since she couldnât depend on her brother or father, she decided to invest in her appearance to find a wealthy partner sooner. Naturally, she couldnât visit the salon during the day, so Katie always went secretly at night.
Tristan was considered a second-tier heir, nowhere near the caliber of the Miller family. Katie was merely playing with him. After securing the money and house, she planned to leave him. When she broke up with him, they were still in bed. Tearfully, he begged her to stay. With Adrian being her cousin, he felt too intimidated to challenge Katie. âKatie, I truly love you! Please donât leave me.â
Katieâs acting had become flawless. âSorry, Tristan, my cousin thinks weâre not suited for each other.â Frustrated, Tristan clenched his fists. âYou have my house and money, and now you say weâre not a good match? Youâve been with me, and isnât it normal for me to get these things from you? Tristan, isnât your family supposed to be rich?â Tristan couldnât confess that he wasnât wealthy. However, the money and house were carefully saved by his parents for his marriage. He had boldly promised that joining the Miller family would make him rich. For this, he had even agreed to Katieâs harsh condition of putting the house under her name.
Tristan looked forward to meeting Adrian, but was disappointed to learn Adrian wanted Katie to end things with him. âWhat did I do wrong?â
Katie simply shook her head. âTristan, youâve done nothing wrong. Itâs just that my cousin says your family isnât good enough for us.â
Tristan knew this deep down. He suddenly looked up. âKatie, let me talk to your cousin. I can persuade him to let us stay together!â
G aln ove ls . com has stories youâll love âForget it.â Katie patted his face softly, feeling slightly sorry for his naivety. âWe can still be friends after we part ways, Tristan. If youâre ever in trouble, let me know, and Iâll ask my cousin to help you. Iâve cherished our time together and will always remember it.â
âReally?â
Tristanâs face brightened. At least he had something positive to tell his parents. Otherwise, if they discovered he had handed over his money and house to Katie, they might very well disown him. âYes.â
Tristan grasped Katieâs hand. âBefore we part ways, can we be intimate one last time?â His naive expression was etched in Katieâs memory. She decided to view it as an act of sympathy for this simple soul. Katie nodded shyly.
Tristan wrapped around her like a needy puppy, his hand brushing against the long scar on her abdomen. âKatie, did you really get this scar from an appendectomy?â
âAre you questioning me?â
âNo, no!â Tristan quickly reassured her. âMy mother has a similar scar from when she had surgery to deliver me.â
Katieâs heart raced. âIf you keep talking nonsense, I wonât stay with you anymore!â
âNo, no, I was wrong!â
Later, Katie rushed off to the beauty salon. âCan this scar be removed?â
The salon staff confirmed it was possible but would require ongoing treatments. Without a second thought, Katie signed up for the treatment. This scar was the one blemish she desperately wanted to remove.
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