Married At First Sight Chapter 4281
Chapter 4281
“So, what’s wrong? You don’t like Tatum as a potential son-in-law?” Mr. Ormond asked, noticing his wife’s stunned silence. “If you’re not sold on a guy like Tatum, our daughter might seriously never tie the knot.”
“If Elora stays single and sticks around with us forever, you’d be worried sick,” he added.
“We’re not exactly winning any parenting awards here. It’s exhausting that we’ve dumped so much on Elora so young. We already owe her big time. We can’t just chain her to us forever—she deserves to chase her own happiness.”
“As parents, all we want is for our kids to be happy, right? That’s what keeps us sane. We’re not chasing fame or fortune—our family’s got plenty of money already. When it comes to Elora getting married, it’s all about the guy’s character. If his bank account or status doesn’t quite match ours, or even falls a little short, we can roll with it. But Tatum? I think he’s a solid match—perfect, even.”
Mrs. Ormond shot back at her husband, “Don’t you think Tatum’s too far away? He’s from Wiltspoon—two or three thousand kilometers from here. A flight takes hours.”
“It’s an hour-and-a-half drive just to our airport, then a few more hours in the air. After landing in Wiltspoon, it’s another hour or two to the Yorks’ place. That’s a whole day wasted traveling just to visit our daughter. It’s brutal. I’d rather she marry local. Sure, we’ve got plenty of rich guys around here, but—fine, I’ll give you this—they’re not as good-looking as Tatum.”
She had to admit, Tatum checked every box for their daughter.
Mr. Ormond shrugged. “So what? Tatum’s working here now, isn’t he? Is he itching to quit and bounce? Elora’s not the type to ditch her responsibilities and follow him to Wiltspoon right now. Didn’t she tell you they’d stay here after they get married?”
Mrs. Ormond paused, then muttered, “Yeah, she did.”
Father and daughter were clearly on the same wavelength.
She hadn’t even spilled that to her husband yet, but he’d already pieced it together.
“Then what’s eating you?” Mr. Ormond pressed. “Hit the sack already. If you don’t crash soon, it’ll be morning.”
He flicked off the bedside lamp again.
“Kids figure out their own paths. Why stress ourselves out? We don’t have the stamina for it anyway. Elora’s got her own mind—she’ll handle her business. With her personality, she’s calling the shots on marriage, not us. Since we can’t meddle, let’s just sit back and see how it plays out. We’ve had Tatum around for months—he’s right under our noses every day. We can tell he’s a good guy, so chill. The Yorks have a solid rep in Wiltspoon. If you’re still freaking out, we’ll fly there together sometime and scope it out.”
With that, he yawned, rolled over, and faced away from her. Within minutes, he was out cold.
No point stressing over the kids’ love lives. Better to sleep and stay healthy.
Watching him conk out in under five minutes, Mrs. Ormond gave him a couple of light smacks and muttered, “You just snooze all day like a hog.”
He didn’t budge—her taps weren’t enough to stir him.
With a sigh, she shut her eyes too.
No use overthinking it.
Elora’s sharp—she’d sort everything out. Worrying wouldn’t change a thing, especially since her daughter wouldn’t listen anyway.
Married At First Sight Chapter 4282
Chapter 4282
Time to crash.
Mrs. Ormond, who’d been tossing and turning half the night, finally drifted off.
They didn’t talk again till morning.
Normally, she’d sleep till noon, but worry dragged her out of bed early today, despite barely resting.
Downstairs, Elora was still out on her morning run, not back yet. Tatum was in the kitchen, whipping up breakfast for her and her two siblings like clockwork.
“Aunt!” Angelo piped up from the couch, where he’d been glued to the TV. He jumped up when he saw Mrs. Ormond. “Good morning!”
“Angelo, you’re up early,” she said. “Your brother still snoozing?”
“I hit the hay early last night, so I’m up now,” he replied.
He grabbed the remote, killed the TV, and added, “Aunt, I’ll run upstairs and wake him.”
“Tatum’s on breakfast duty today—tell Alonzo to get up so we can eat together. I’ll ask Tatum to make those bunny pancakes you guys love.”
“Got it—be right back!” Angelo didn’t hesitate, darting upstairs.
Mrs. Ormond didn’t stop him. Her son, Alonzo, was spoiled rotten by the whole family—maybe too much.
Mornings were a battle; the kid loved his bed. Waking him was a chore she struggled with as a mom.
Maybe she was too soft on him. One whiny “five more minutes” and she’d cave every time.
If Elora and Tatum weren’t around, Alonzo would be late for school, no question—buried under his blankets.
Angelo bolted upstairs.
At Alonzo’s door, he banged on it and yelled, “Bro, get up! You’re gonna be late—move it!”
Alonzo groaned at the noise but didn’t budge. He slapped his hands over his ears, rolled over, and tried to dive back into sleep.
“Bro, Tatum’s cooking today, and Sis is back from her trip!” Angelo shouted. “If you don’t haul ass, Elora’s gonna come back from her run and whoop your butt!”
That did it—Tatum cooking and Elora home. Alonzo dropped his hands, sat up, and scrambled out of bed. “For real?” he called back.
“Why would I lie?” Angelo grinned. “Get up, quick—I’ve got tea to spill. Open the door!”
Alonzo stumbled over, yanked it open, and stared at him, eyes gleaming with curiosity. “What’s the scoop?”
Angelo smirked. “Auntie’s up early too—she’s downstairs, first floor.”
Alonzo blinked, confused.
Big deal. It’s not like Mom never… wait.
It hit him slow—his mom never got up early. At least not that he could remember. She’d sleep till noon, skipping breakfast while Tatum fed the early risers.
“What’s she doing up?” Alonzo asked, intrigued.
Angelo leaned in, whispering, “She’s got major dark circles—bet she didn’t sleep. Grown-ups only stay up when they’re stressed. But if we ask what’s up, they won’t spill to us kids.”
Alonzo chewed on that, then said, “Hang on—I’ll change and wash up. Angelo, my books aren’t packed. Can you shove everything on my desk into my bag? I need it all for school.”
“Sure thing,” Angelo nodded, already on it.
Married At First Sight Chapter 4283
Chapter 4283
“Alright, you go change, and I’ll tidy up for you,” Angelo said.
It wasn’t his first rodeo helping his brother out.
While Alonzo swapped outfits and scrubbed up, Angelo ducked into the study and started stuffing books from the desk into his brother’s schoolbag. He double-checked for Alonzo’s school ID—yep, all good—then slung the bag over his shoulder and stepped out.
Alonzo was just finishing up, freshly dressed.
“Bro, I’m heading downstairs,” Angelo called. “I’ll take your bag down too.”
“Cool, thanks,” Alonzo replied.
Angelo bounced downstairs. His aunt wasn’t in the living room—probably stepped out, he figured. He dropped the schoolbag by the couch and made a beeline for the kitchen, lured by the mouthwatering aroma. Time to see if he could snag a bite.
“Brother Tatum, it smells amazing! Can I eat yet? I think—oh, Aunt, you’re here!” Angelo burst in, only to spot Mrs. Ormond standing quietly behind Tatum, watching him work.
Mrs. Ormond turned to her nephew with a calm smile. “Is Alonzo up?”
“I yelled at him to get moving. He’s still washing up,” Angelo said, his big eyes sparkling with kid-like curiosity. “Auntie, you trying to pick up some cooking tips from Brother Tatum?”
Tatum’s food was unreal—Angelo got why his aunt might want in on that action. His own mom had talked about learning a few tricks from Tatum to whip up breakfast for him daily, so he wouldn’t have to trek over here every morning. But that was just talk. Every time Angelo tried to drag her out of bed for a lesson, she’d groan she couldn’t get up. Sleep always won over cooking. Maternal love? Hit or miss, depending on the day.
“Yeah, I’d like to learn,” Mrs. Ormond said offhandedly.
Angelo’s arrival cut her chat with Tatum short. She ushered him out of the kitchen, leaving the chef to his work.
“Where’s your big sister?” she asked, her tone soft.
“Didn’t I tell you? She’s out running,” Angelo said, tilting his head up at her. His eyes flickered with innocence. “Aunt, you worried about something?”
Mrs. Ormond froze for a second, then patted his head with a warm smile. “You can tell, huh? Yeah, I’ve got some stuff on my mind. But why’d you ask?”
Angelo didn’t miss a beat. “You never get up early, Aunt. Today you did, and you’ve got dark circles—means you didn’t sleep. No sleep means you’re stressing.”
Kid’s sharp, she thought.
She ruffled his hair again. “You’re right—I didn’t sleep well last night.”
Angelo piped up, “You should tell my mom what’s bugging you. Sis always says, ‘If something’s eating at you, spit it out—it’ll feel better.’ We’ve got a big family. Tell Mom, and someone’s bound to help.”
Mrs. Ormond chuckled. “That’s solid advice, Angelo. I’ll swing by your mom’s later and unload.”
She and her sisters-in-law were tight. If something was gnawing at her, they’d brainstorm a fix. This was about her daughter’s future—a big deal for the whole Ormond clan. She’d get their take.
“Aunt, Mom doesn’t roll out of bed till after ten,” Angelo warned. “It’s still early. You could nap upstairs or take a walk—fresh air might help. But bundle up—it’s freezing out there.”
Married At First Sight Chapter 4284
Chapter 4284
Mrs. Ormond grinned. “I’m not built for the cold, so I’ll skip the walk. Think I’ll head upstairs for a nap. You and your brother eat breakfast, then get to school. Focus in class, and don’t mess around.”
Angelo nodded, dead serious. He was still in senior kindergarten—no real pressure yet. Alonzo, in first grade, didn’t have it rough either. The only heat came from the family’s sky-high expectations—piling on skills for the boys to master.
After Mrs. Ormond trudged upstairs, Angelo zipped back to the kitchen.
Tatum had just pulled little bunny cakes from the oven. He plated two, handed them to Angelo, and smiled. “Here, try these—your bunny snacks, fresh and hot. Careful, don’t burn yourself.”
Angelo beamed, grabbing the plate. “Thanks, Brother Tatum!”
He carried it to the dining room, plopped down, and admired the lifelike bunnies. Too cute to scarf down fast, he nibbled slowly, savoring every bite. Still, two tiny cakes barely scratched the itch.
Alonzo clomped downstairs soon after.
Elora, sweaty from her run, strolled in too.
“Sis, morning!” the boys chirped, grinning at her.
Elora flashed a smile. “Alonzo, look at you—up on your own today. No dragging required.”
Alonzo’s cheeks went pink from the praise.
“I woke him up,” Angelo jumped in, claiming his props. Elora’s nod made him puff up too.
Tatum emerged with two breakfast plates, locking eyes with Elora. His gaze softened, practically melting.
“Miss, breakfast’s ready,” he said.
In front of the kids, they kept it low-key—no mushy stuff.
Elora gave a quick “mm-hmm,” let her brothers dig in, and headed upstairs to change.
Tatum watched Mrs. Ormond disappear earlier. She’d grilled him in the kitchen—asked if he was serious about Elora, hit him with a bunch of questions.
He’d answered his future mother-in-law straight-up: dead serious about Elora.
She’d probed—did he come for the chef gig or for her daughter?
For Elora, he’d said. She was his fiancée; he was here to win her over. The Ormonds needed a chef, he applied—simple as that. Elora’s picky palate was a challenge, but he’d cracked her tastes, crafting meals she loved. He’d be feeding her for life, after all. Good thing he’d proven himself as her private chef—and more.
Then she’d asked about post-marriage plans if he and Elora tied the knot.
His answer matched Elora’s from last night.
Mrs. Ormond ran out of ammo.
Truth was, she knew even if she hated the idea of her daughter falling for Tatum, it didn’t matter—she couldn’t call the shots. Elora was smitten, first time ever, and as her mom, she’d back her up. With Tatum in the picture, she could stop worrying—he’d take care of her girl.
Once it clicked, the weight lifted. The storm cloud from last night cleared, and she could breathe again.
Married At First Sight Chapter 4285
Chapter 4285
After breakfast, Elora glanced at Tatum and said, “Hey, Tatum, mind giving me a ride to the office?”
Tatum froze for a second. He hadn’t expected Elora to ask him to drive her to work.
“No problem at all.” he replied, snapping out of it. “I’ll drop you off and swing back to prep lunch ingredients.”
He was thrilled, honestly. Elora had a dedicated driver, so getting to chauffeur her was a rare treat.
Elora gave a quick nod.
Then she turned to her two younger brothers. “Alright, you two, finish up and get to school. Don’t be late.”
The boys exchanged a look, then glanced between her and Tatum. Something felt off about their big sister and Tatum, but they couldn’t put their finger on it. Whatever—it was grown-up stuff. They shrugged it off and didn’t bother guessing.
Ten minutes later, Tatum was behind the wheel, pulling out with Elora beside him. Two bodyguard cars trailed close behind.
Back at the house, the regular driver stood watching the three vehicles disappear down the road, a flicker of unease crossing his face. Was Tatum about to take his job?
This guy’s a cook, he thought bitterly. Since when does he get to play chauffeur for the young lady? That’s my gig he’s stealing.
“You okay?”
The butler strolled over, noticing the driver rooted to the spot.
“Miss Elora’s headed to work. Why’re you still hanging around?”
He scanned the parking lot—no sign of Elora’s usual car. The bodyguard vehicles were gone too.
The driver’s shoulders slumped as he muttered to the butler, “I might be out of a job soon.”
The butler frowned. “Out of a job? What, you planning to quit? You’re doing great—why would you walk away? Pay too low or something else? Spill it. If I can fix it, I will. No need to jump ship.”
“It’s not that I want to quit,” the driver said, voice heavy. “It’s Tatum. He’s edging me out. He’s supposed to be a cook, right? But now he’s driving the young lady to work every day. If he’s doing my job, what’s left for me? I’m basically unemployed already. She even asked him to pick her up later too.”
The butler paused, then chuckled softly. “You’re overthinking this. Miss Elora’s not replacing you. If she were, she’d give me a heads-up to start hunting for a new driver before cutting you loose. She hasn’t said a word about it, so relax. You’ve been driving her for years—steady as they come. She trusts you. She’s not firing you without a damn good reason.”
He leaned in, dropping his voice. “Look, her asking Tatum to drive? That’s just young love doing its thing.”
The driver’s eyes widened.
The butler grinned. “You’re with her every day—you telling me you haven’t noticed? Her vibe with Tatum’s different.”
“I mean, yeah, I’ve seen she’s not herself around him,” the driver whispered back. “But I didn’t want to assume anything wild. You think the family’d be cool with her and Tatum?”
“Why wouldn’t they?” the butler said with a shrug. “Tatum’s the sixth son of the Yorks out in Wiltspoon—big money, big name. He’s a solid match for her. Plus, her parents don’t call the shots on her love life. She does.”
The driver chewed on that for a second, then nodded. Made sense.
“So quit stressing about your job,” the butler added. “She and Tatum are just caught up in the honeymoon phase. That’s why he’s driving her around.”
The driver’s frown melted into a relieved grin. “Alright, I’m good then. As long as she’s not kicking me out, I’m staying put. I’ll ride this gig all the way to retirement.”
Miss Elora had them all on solid social security plans. Some of the long-timers—over a decade in—were close to maxing out their benefits. Once they retired, that pension would keep them comfortable. It was a sweet deal.
Married At First Sight Chapter 4286
Chapter 4286
Tatum had no clue the driver was sweating bullets over him stealing his job. As he drove, he shot Elora a quick question. “Sleep okay last night?”
At breakfast, with her little brothers around, both he and Elora had kept their cool, acting like nothing was up.
“Pretty good,” she said, then let out a dainty yawn. She laughed at herself. “Slept fine, but I stayed up too late. Still dragging. Can you whip me up a coffee later? I’m useless without it.”
She pulled long hours daily and barely slept. Coffee was her lifeline, though lately, even that was losing its punch. She used to down a cup in the morning and feel wired all day. Now? Two cups barely kept her going, and sometimes she’d crash hard even after an evening dose.
“You got it,” Tatum said with a nod.
“You should’ve taken an extra day off,” he added, concern lacing his voice. “You got back way too late yesterday. Don’t run yourself into the ground—health’s what matters.”
Elora gazed out the window, taking in the street scenes. Usually, she’d be buried in work during the ride, no time to notice the world outside. But today felt different. With the guy she liked next to her, just the two of them, she could actually enjoy the view.
“I gave myself two days off already,” she said. “Running massive companies means there’s always a pile of stuff to handle. I pushed some things off during my break, but if I take another day, it’ll just hit me harder later.”
The Ormond family was a powerhouse, with their hands in a ton of industries.
“Last night,” she went on, “my mom saw us hugging. She had a lot to say about it.”
Tatum went quiet for a beat before replying. “Your mom cornered me this morning too. Asked a bunch of questions. I answered everything—hope she’s cool with it.”
Mrs. Ormond had been up early, chatting him up downstairs. He figured she’d caught the late-night scene.
Once he knew Elora felt the same way he did, Tatum stopped stressing. If he could win her over, the rest of the Ormonds wouldn’t be an issue. Elora was bold enough to steer her own life.
She smiled. “Don’t sweat it. My parents will love you. If there’s any hitch, it’s just Mom worrying I’ll move far away. But I laid it out for her last night, and I think she’s on board.”
She’d made it clear: her marriage, her call.
Her mom didn’t push back.
Tatum’s charm didn’t hurt either. If he weren’t up to snuff, no amount of arguing would’ve swayed her mom—she’d have fought tooth and nail to stop it.
Elora wouldn’t let her parents dictate her choices, but she wasn’t one to burn bridges with family either. If they flat-out rejected Tatum, she might’ve walked away from the relationship. Love wasn’t her top priority—family was.
Tatum flashed a grin, letting a rare cocky edge slip out. “I’m a catch, Elora. I match you in every way. Your mom’s gotta see me as prime son-in-law material.”
She rolled her eyes. “Slow down, hotshot. We’re not even official yet.”
“You and me? We’re in deep already,” he shot back. “Marriage is just a matter of time. We’re way past ‘not official.’”
Married At First Sight Chapter 4287
Chapter 4287
Elora smiled. “Yes, it’s about time. This weekend, you have to take my two younger brothers out—and take me with you, like we’re on a date.”
She wanted to experience what love felt like.
Tatum nodded. “Alright, it’s settled then. No work on the weekends. If it’s not urgent, let Tinsley and the others handle it. They need more opportunities to practice. My eldest brother did the same. After he got married, he put his wife first and delegated less important company matters to others. He said if you try to handle everything yourself, you’ll burn out.”
Elora agreed. “He’s right. I used to take on everything, but now the third, fourth, and even the fifth are capable of helping. I don’t need to do it all anymore. I personally promoted the management team, and I trust them completely.”
They talked all the way back to the company.
When they arrived, the employees were surprised to see Tatum dropping off the CEO. But they weren’t too shocked. It was obvious—anyone with eyes could see that the private chef Elora had hired was incredibly handsome. Spending every day together made it easy for feelings to develop. To them, Elora and Tatum were already a couple.
Tatum made coffee for his fiancée before quietly leaving. He never lingered in her office or disturbed her work. He had his own responsibilities—preparing ingredients for lunch before returning to the company.
By noon, he had a nutritious meal ready for her in the company cafeteria.
Just before lunch, Tinsley knocked on her sister’s office door.
“Sister, are you busy?” she asked.
Elora looked up briefly, then back down at her work. “Something wrong?”
“Not really. Just wanted to ask… Did you get an answer?”
“Yeah.”
“So, the fiancée Tatum mentioned—is it you?”
“Yeah.”
Tinsley frowned. “That’s so strange. You’ve never met the old lady of the York family before. How did she end up choosing you?”
Elora paused, then admitted, “I don’t know either. I asked Grandma York, but she wouldn’t tell me.”
Tinsley chuckled. “Well, she has a great eye! She traveled all this way and still picked you. Did you ask if she likes me? Maybe she has another grandson. We could be sisters-in-law!” She grinned playfully.
Elora laughed. “I didn’t think to ask, but I will next time. Though, according to Tatum, none of his brothers are old enough. The seventh and eighth have started working, but they’re still young. And the ninth? He’s only starting college this fall.”
Tinsley sighed dramatically. “Forget it. I’m not into younger guys.”
Elora smirked. “Well, the Johnson family has a few unmarried young masters. Want me to introduce you? You might find one you like.”
Tinsley laughed. “I was just joking! Don’t take it seriously. I’ll let fate decide. When the time comes, maybe my husband will find me.”
She teased Elora and Tatum as she spoke.
Elora smiled. “Well, if you ever want to go on a blind date, let me know. The seventh Johnson young master would be a good match for you.”
But that was for the future.
Her own wedding with Tatum was still a ways off. If her family had a hard time accepting her marriage, Tinsley’s would be even tougher.
For now, she’d let it be.
Tinsley changed the subject. “So, when are you and Tatum getting married? Will you hold the ceremony here or in Wiltspoon? Or both? We have too many people here—it wouldn’t be fair to make everyone fly to Wiltspoon.”
Married At First Sight Chapter 4288
Chapter 4288
After thinking it over, Elora said, “We’ll have two ceremonies—one in Wiltspoon and one here. I originally planned to wait until I turned 30, but now… I think after autumn. The weather will be just right—not too hot, not too cold. Six months should be enough time to prepare without feeling rushed.”
Tinsley nodded in agreement.
Jensburg.
Hospital.
“Let me through! I want to see Kathryn! I’m her father! Why won’t you let me see my own daughter?” Holden’s voice echoed through the halls as he caused yet another scene.
Kathryn didn’t want to see him.
Every time he came, he didn’t ask about her recovery. Instead, he begged and pressured her to write a forgiveness letter—one that would lessen the sentences of her three brothers.
As if she’d ever do that.
Everything that happened had been her plan all along. If they got a lighter sentence, all her efforts would have been in vain. It would be an insult to everything she’d endured.
So, she refused to see her father.
No matter how much he begged, she remained unmoved.
Holden wasn’t the only one. Kathryn’s adoptive mother also came daily, desperate for forgiveness. Her world had collapsed—her only biological daughter, Shiloh, had died last year, and now her two sons were in prison. The daughters-in-law were useless, doing nothing but crying.
They knew the truth. They knew they were guilty. There was no way out of this.
All they could do was beg Kathryn for leniency.
Her adoptive mother pleaded for forgiveness, but Kathryn only met with her briefly before asking Pedro to send her away.
After that, she refused to see either of them.
She wouldn’t even see her own father—why would she see the woman who had caused her so much pain?
Her childhood and teenage years had been filled with suffering. The abuse, the neglect—those scars would take a lifetime to heal.
How was she supposed to forgive them? They had wanted her dead.
Actions had consequences. They were adults who had made their choices.
Now, they had to live with them.
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Chapter 4289
“Kathryn, I know your injury isn’t that serious. You just lost a little more blood than usual. After a few days in the hospital, you’re almost fully recovered. It’s clear you’re not gravely hurt, yet you still refuse to forgive your brothers. You really want to send them to prison, don’t you? Those are your own brothers—your flesh and blood, born of the same mother. If you hadn’t pushed them too far, they wouldn’t have treated you like that. You brought this on yourself.
Kathryn, mark my words—you won’t have a good ending. You’re as heartless and ruthless as your mother. People like that never find peace. Look at your mother—she had wealth and power, but what did it get her? In the end, she was destroyed, driven to death by her enemies.
Everyone, look at this! I raised this ungrateful daughter! Not only does she refuse to support her own father, but she also sent her three brothers—no, five brothers—behind bars. Three biological, two adopted. How did I end up with such a miserable fate? My own daughter turned on her family, determined to ruin her own brothers. Let me tell you all, this unfilial daughter of mine is Kathryn, the eldest daughter of the Farrell family and president of the Farrell Group!”
Holden stood outside Kathryn’s hospital room, blocked by her bodyguards, unable to get in. He made a scene at the door, yelling and drawing attention from the crowd on purpose.
Unfortunately for him, this was an old act. He pulled the same stunt multiple times a day—so often that even the doctors lost patience and called hospital security to remove him.
The spectacle had long lost its novelty.
Kathryn Farrell—the eldest daughter of the Farrell family—had been kidnapped and brutalized by her five brothers. This time, she was done with family loyalty. She called the police and had all five of them arrested.
The shocking part? Her biological father believed that since she survived, she should let it go. He expected her to forgive them, hoping for leniency in their sentencing.
When she refused, her father and adoptive mother showed up at the hospital daily, making a ruckus just to keep her from getting any rest.
Her injuries weren’t minor. The night she was brought to the hospital, she had nearly frozen to death. Her arm had been slashed with a knife, and her body was covered in bruises—painful reminders of the brutal beating her brothers had given her.
Back when they attacked her, they had no regard for family bonds. So why should she?
After a few days of following the drama, the people of Jensburg lost interest.
Everyone sided with Kathryn.
She was the biological daughter of the Farrell family, but she had been switched at birth by the butler and raised in his rural hometown. Her adoptive parents mistreated and abused her. Despite growing up in such a harsh environment, she survived—strong and resilient, like a weed pushing through concrete.
Meanwhile, the butler’s real daughter lived the life of a wealthy heiress in the Farrell family, doted on by everyone.
Once the truth was exposed, Kathryn returned to her biological family. But the adopted daughter stayed too, still enjoying the privileges of being the Farrells’ second young lady.
What followed was a series of events set in motion by the adopted daughter’s own greed. In the end, she sealed her own fate.
When Kathryn finally reunited with her real family, her father and brothers treated her with nothing but hostility. Her mother, Clarissa, wasn’t any better at first. But over time, things between them improved.
The public had been following this scandal for a while. By now, they knew the whole story—and their sympathy lay with Kathryn.
As for Holden? His outbursts were nothing more than the barking of a stray dog.
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Chapter 4290
Even the patients and their families staying on Kathryn’s hospital floor had grown tired of the spectacle. Most blamed Holden for his behavior. Only a handful tried to take the moral high ground, lecturing Kathryn as if they had any right.
She ignored them. Pedro handled those self-righteous busybodies for her.
Her only focus was recovering.
“Miss, should I get rid of him? He comes here every day, making the same scene, shouting the same nonsense. He’s not tired of hearing himself, but I’m tired of listening to it,” Pedro grumbled as he handed Kathryn a peeled apple.
Kathryn took a bite and said, “Let him scream. It helps him let off steam. If he bottles it up, it might ruin his health.” She chewed thoughtfully. “I don’t care what he says. Everyone has heard it all before. Let him talk—his words don’t hurt me. But I want my father to live. I want him to live a long, long life—eighty, ninety, even a hundred years. And I want him to watch me live happily. Even if I never take over Farrell Group, I’ll still have a successful life.”
Kathryn had built her own career.
Pedro was more than capable.
Once Kathryn was fully healed and discharged, she planned to marry Pedro. In every way that mattered, they were already husband and wife. When Liberty officially took over the Farrell family business, Kathryn and Pedro would step away from that world and focus entirely on their own endeavors.
Without the weight of the Farrell legacy, life would be far more peaceful.
“For all his noise, my father is the only one making a fuss,” Kathryn noted. “My three sisters-in-law have kept their distance. When he’s not around, they visit with their children. They comfort me, encourage me to focus on my recovery, and even have their kids apologize on behalf of my brothers. They’re much more reasonable than my father.”
Of course, that wasn’t surprising.
The brothers had treated their wives terribly. Now that they were in prison, their wives could finally breathe.
While they were free, those men kept mistresses, betraying their marriages without a second thought.
The two younger sisters-in-law had stayed in their marriages, swallowing their grievances for the sake of their children and their share of the inheritance.
The eldest sister-in-law, Erika, had divorced and was now trying to change her children’s perception of Kathryn.
Surprisingly, Kathryn’s nieces and nephews now treated her much better. After hearing their father and grandfather constantly badmouth her, they had started questioning things.
The older kids, who had learned a bit of law, understood that their fathers had committed serious crimes. They realized that their aunt had every right to refuse forgiveness.
After all, their fathers had planned the kidnapping with the intent to kill her.
There was no way she could have just let that go.
Pedro scowled. “I get so mad hearing him insult you like that.”
Kathryn smiled. “Don’t waste your anger on him. Look at me—I’m not bothered. I’m here, eating my apple, enjoying my day. He can shout all he wants. In a few minutes, the doctor will call security to drag him away. I don’t care, but he’s disturbing other patients. Let’s see if their families will tolerate it.”