Chapter 315
Catherine had never held Isabella in her arms when she was born, never fed her a single drop of milk, never given her one day of motherly love. Since discovering Isabella was the daughter she’d never met, she’d been desperately trying to make amends.
Thirty years of absence were irreversible. Her status and position in the Harding family made it impossible to publicly acknowledge Isabella as her daughter, so she could only seek other ways to compensate.
Now, seeing her daughter so ill, Catherine was willing to set aside any hatred she felt toward Richard and beg for his help.
Her child was suffering, and that was all that mattered at the moment.
The world was cruel that way–the strong devoured the weak. Without power of her own, she could only be manipulated by others.
She’d never had equal footing with Richard in their relationship.
At this moment, kneeling seemed the only option left.
“Richard,” she said softly, ‘I won’t say anything more. As long as you save Isabella, I’ll do whatever you want, accept any condition.”
Richard wasn’t completely heartless.
9
In truth, discovering Catherine’s affair had actually eased some of his guilt. Since the day she’d started caring for Henry, Catherine had been part of the Harding household for over thirty years. Though she may not have contributed anything extraordinary, she’d certainly endured her share of hardships.
If Catherine had simply taken a lover to fulfill her physical needs without helping Isabella attack the Harding family, Richard might have been willing to pretend nothing had happened and continue as they had been.
He couldn’t give Catherine the physical intimacy or love she craved–all he could offer was financial security.
Therefore, her emotional betrayal didn’t particularly hurt him.
But Catherine had crossed his bottom line!
She had actually sided with her illegitimate daughter against the Harding family, showing complete disregard for those who had given her everything!
This was unforgivable. This time, Richard felt no guilt whatsoever toward Catherine.
Looking at the desperate woman kneeling before him, his heart hardened. “I have three conditions,” he said coldly. All are non–negotiable.”
Catherine’s eyes lit up with hope. “Just name them! I’ll agree to anything!”
Richard held up one finger. “First, you will publicly announce that you’re adopting Isabella as your goddaughter. This makes her and Henry’s relationship that of sister and brother.”
This decision would preserve the Harding family’s reputation while ensuring Isabella could never pursue Henry again.
The Harding family was already teetering on the edge of disaster. They couldn’t withstand another scandal. If people discovered that the Harding matriarch had an illegitimate daughter and had cheated on her husband, it would only further damage their stock prices. This truth would have to remain hidden until the current crisis passed.
“Second,” Richard continued firmly, “you will clarify what happened that night. You’ll state that you were manipulated by Isabella into drugging Henry, making him a victim as well.”
Catherine’s face fell as she processed these first two conditions. She shook her head vigorously. “No! You’re cutting off any chance of Isabella being with Henry. I won’t agree to that!”
“Isabella’s love for Henry is genuine!” she protested, her voice rising with emotion. “If you destroy her hopes completely, that’s even crueler than killing her! I won’t do it.”
1/3
વાયક, પ
Chapter 315
Richard laughed coldly. “Love? Is drugging someone love? Is destroying their reputation love? Wake up! This isn’t love–it’s her own sick obsession. Tout daughter isn’t just physically ill; her mind is sick as well.*
Catherine lowered her head, unable to argue against this harsh truth.
conference tomorrow. I’ll arrange for someone to make you
“Third, Richard continued, “if you agree to the first two conditions, you’ll hold a press presentable and attractive. Tonight, my team will prepare a statement for you to memorize.
He paused, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “If your performance satisfies me, professional doctors will treat Isabella tomorrow aftemoon. You’re neglected your daughter for thirty years–surely you don’t want to watch her suffer now?”
These final words struck Catherine’s deepest weakness. She immediately composed herself and asked cautiously, ‘And after the press conference? What will happen to me?”
Richard didn’t answer. He gave her one cold look before walking away.
After he left, the door closed firmly, and everything fell silent once more.
As Richard’s figure disappeared down the hallway, Grace peered around the corner, her eyes red from crying.
She stared at the door behind which her mother was imprisoned, biting her lower lip hard.
She’d never known she had a sister, and to discover that sister was someone she had once deeply admired was almost too much to bear.
How could the world be so absurd!
Richard was a man of his word. After the press conference, seeing that Catherine had performed admirably–sticking strictly to the script and handling reporters‘ questions flawlessly, as if she were still the respected lady of the Harding house–he arranged for a professional medical team to treat Isabella.
With Catherine’s public statement, the truth was beautifully presented to everyone.
The police also responded: they would reinvestigate the case thoroughly, ensuring no guilty party escaped justice while protecting the innocent. If Henry was indeed a victim, his name would be cleared.
Harding Investment’s stock began to stabilize and gradually climb. Online, criticism of Isabella grew increasingly harsh.
“What the fuck? Lovers becoming siblings? That evil Isabella should finally give up now. They’d rather adopt her as a goddaughter than let her marry Henry!”
“And she still gets to be a Harding goddaughter? Harding family, you’re a prestigious dynasty with centuries of history–how can you allow such trash into your family?”
“Can’t marry you, so she becomes your adopted sister instead? After all the disgusting things Isabella did, she still gets to be his sister? The Hardings are way too forgiving!”
Besides the unanimous public condemnation of Isabella and Catherine, Grace’s social media accounts were also flooded with mockery.
Comments on her profile were merciless: “Little princess, your mom brought home a big sister for you. Now you have one more person to pamper you- happy?”
“Look! Our first princess has become the second princess. What a delightful surprise, congratulations!”
Grace read these gleeful, malicious comments and smashed her phone in rage. Hiding under her blanket, she sobbed uncontrollably.
“How did everything turn out like this? I don’t want this!”
