Chapter 3 Bottom Line

The subordinate I dispatched found the wrong person, and I've been loving Athena all these years without knowing the truth. Wait, did Katherine give birth to a child out of wedlock without knowing who the father was? Could the child be mine? If so, fate has indeed played a trick on us! When Leopold finally regained his composure, Katherine was getting up to leave. She had been dragged there against her own will in the first place. After Athena touched on her sensitive issues and demanded that she leave, Katherine made a firm decision to no longer involve herself in Athena's affairs. “Wait, Katherine. Don't leave!” Leopold suddenly stopped her from leaving. “Why? Do you want to leave with her?” Athena snorted. Leopold sneered, “You want me to leave? Don't come crawling back, begging me to stay later.” “Beg you to stay? You're deluding yourself! Once I've attended General Drago's retirement ceremony, I'll have my pick of wealthy heirs from all around Yarwood. You, a mere fallback option, will hold no significance to me.” Is he serious? Doesn't he know how important General Drago's retirement ceremony is? Can't he see that even Harvey Chance is buttering up to me? A soldier as poor as him should feel lucky that I allowed him to become my fallback option! In a turn of events that defied everyone's wildest expectations, Leopold suddenly spun around, dropped to one knee, and lifted the wooden pendant. “Katherine Swallow, will you marry me?” Athena and Harvey stood there in utter disbelief. They couldn't fathom Leopold's actions. He had just asked Athena to marry him but then swiftly shifted to proposing to Athena's cousin. It was bewildering, especially considering that he had been willing to be Athena's simp even when she was just the daughter of a third-tier family. Now, with Athena holding the invitation from General Drago, he appeared to have renounced his affection for her entirely. His actions confounded their understanding of usual human behavior, leaving them perplexed about what was truly going on in his mind. Katherine stood there, caught completely off guard. She couldn't help but think that she must have misheard him. Sincerity radiated from Leopold's eyes as he repeated, “Ms. Katherine Swallow, will you marry me? I promise that you will never endure hardships from this point forward. If you choose to accept this Drago Tally from me, I will ensure you a life of luxury and comfort.” Athena flew into a rage. “Leopold, everyone in the Swallow family knows you're my fallback guy. Are you trying to humiliate me by asking the sl*tty Katherine to marry you?” “Scram! Otherwise, don't blame me for hitting your face!” Leopold roared. How dare she insult Katherine? She must have a death wish! “Damn it!” Athena clenched her teeth in frustration. “I was beginning to feel a hint of remorse for my actions, but now, I'll make it clear that we have absolutely nothing to do with each other anymore! After I attend General Drago's retirement ceremony, I'll have someone take your life!” Katherine gazed at the intricately crafted wooden pendant Leopold had offered her, losing herself in thought. She remembered the countless times her daughter had yearned for a father and the looming prospect of being wedded to the lecherous Dray Wand from the Wand family that her grandmother and uncle had arranged. “Yes!” After taking a deep breath, Katherine suddenly stretched her hand out to take the wooden pendant from Leopold. Deep down, Leopold was delighted. Athena's anger escalated rapidly. She rolled up her sleeves, prepared to confront Katherine physically. “Calling you a sl*t would be a compliment! You're treating something I have discarded as a treasure. You're nothing but a b*tch—” Slap! Leopold gave Athena a resounding slap. He had previously cautioned Athena, but she persisted in referring to Katherine as a sl*t. He decided to take action against her. An incredulous expression crossed Athena's face. Did my simp of five years just slap me because of Katherine? Leopold fixed Athena with a cold, unwavering gaze and proclaimed, “Henceforth, Katherine Swallow is mine. I will kill anyone who disrespects her. Those who refuse to repent will face consequences, and their families will not be spared either.” Anyone who touched his bottom line would have to die. From that day forward, Katherine became his bottom line. Athena felt her heart sink. Is Leopold still my simp? Leopold took Katherine's hand and said softly, “Katherine, let's go.” Suddenly, Athena sneered, “Katherine, don't you forget that my father and Grandma have already chosen a husband for you. If you go with that man, Grandma will undoubtedly disown you and your entire family from the Swallow family. By then, can your father endure your wicked stepmother? Besides, without the Swallow family's help, how are you going to support that little b*stard?” Katherine froze, not knowing what to do. She understood that Athena's threat carried real weight, especially with Athena recently receiving an invitation from General Drago and her elevated status within the Swallow family. Hilda was likely to heed Athena's words. As Katherine hesitated, a smug expression spread across Athena's face. “Katherine, considering we're cousins, I'll offer you one more opportunity. Will you marry that man or not?” Leopold asserted with authority, “Katherine, come with me. As long as I'm by your side, no one will dare to mistreat you!” Katherine's heart skipped a beat as she instinctively followed Leopold out of the private room. Behind them, Athena screamed in anger, “A simp and a wh*re! You're both lowly beings! Never mind. Mark my words, you'll both be kneeling before me, begging for my forgiveness in no time!” After walking out of the café, Katherine instantly retracted her hand. “Leopold, I understand that you proposed to me earlier to restore your pride—” “No, it's not that,” Leopold quickly explained. Katherine waved her hand dismissively. “You needn't offer me consolation. I've matured beyond being a young lady who indulges in fantasies. I'm well aware of the realities of life.” Leopold panicked. “Katherine, please believe me. I'm not a fickle person who acts on a whim just to save face.” Katherine said nothing. A man who has faithfully kept his promise for five years can hardly be labeled as fickle. “You should have heard what she said earlier. I have a child out of wedlock, a four-and-a-half-year-old daughter.” Leopold's expression seemed to brighten when he learned about his daughter. “I'm genuinely delighted that you have a daughter, Katherine... I mean, I want you to know that I don't mind at all.” Katherine gave Leopold a puzzled look. “You acted impulsively earlier, but are you still unclear about the situation? Athena has an invitation to attend General Drago's retirement ceremony, and she's poised to elevate the Swallow family to even greater heights. I, on the other hand, have a daughter and happen to be the Swallow family's most disliked granddaughter.” Leopold flashed a nonchalant smile. “Invitation? I can obtain as many as I desire with a mere request. I can't believe Athena used it as a means to boast and bluff. If she persists in provoking me, I won't hesitate to let her and her father face humiliation at the ceremony.” Katherine rolled her eyes. “Back when Athena spoke of you, I had believed you were a devoted man. I had no clue you possessed such a knack for bragging.” Leopold said solemnly, “I'm telling the truth, Katherine. If you want to attend the retirement ceremony, I can bring you there.” Katherine thought he was talking nonsense after what Athena did to him. Growing weary of his continuous chatter, she cut to the chase and asked, “Do you really want to become the father of my daughter?” “Of course!” Leopold nodded eagerly. She is my biological daughter. I am eager to be reunited with her! Katherine raised an eyebrow. “Come, let's go to the kindergarten to pick her up. While I may be open to your marriage proposal, you'll need to earn her approval first.”