Chapter 5 Who Is the Person Behind?

Kathleen trembled with intensity. She hastily wiped her tears and asked, "Did my aunt team up with Rhett to bring down Howell Builders?" Herman hesitated but eventually nodded. "Please accept my condolences!" Kathleen experienced a tightness in her chest, feeling as if she couldn't breathe or speak. Her aunt had always shown great respect and compliance towards her father. Was it all just a facade? Was my aunt, along with her daughter and my ex-husband, manipulating my family? "I'll make them pay!" Kathleen shouted, clenching her fists as she prepared to storm out. Crash! Out of nowhere, a heavy object hit the back of her head. Before she could comprehend what was happening, she was met with her mother's furious expression. "Kathleen, you're the one who caused your dad's death!" ... Kathleen regained consciousness in the hospital room. The bright white surroundings stung her eyes, and her head throbbed with pain. Yet, it was nothing compared to the deep sorrow she felt in her heart. For the first time ever, Caroline had hit her. But she didn't hold any resentment toward her. She understood that her mother, who had spent most of her life as a housewife, was very dependent on her husband. Maybe it was Caroline's influence from a young age, but she believed that the man she wed would be someone she could depend on for life. Yet the harsh truth hit her all at once. Kathleen tried to sit up and noticed a man by the window with his arms folded. "Are you awake?" Arthur approached her and asked, "How are you feeling?" Kathleen propped herself up and rubbed the back of her head where it hurt, replying, "Why are you still here?" After he drove her to the hospital, she was desperate to see her father and urged him to leave as soon as she got out of the car. "You left your suitcase in my car just so I could return it to you?" Arthur looked at her with contempt, casually remarking, "I should have arrived later so you could have been left to die at the morgue entrance, making it easier to dispose of you." Kathleen gave a wry smile to herself. Indeed, she would prefer to be the one lying in the morgue than to have her father take his own life because of the company's bankruptcy. She genuinely expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thanks for bringing my suitcase." She removed the needle from her hand, threw off the blanket, and tried to get out of bed. Arthur grasped her shoulder firmly and insisted, "The doctor said you have a mild concussion and need an IV!" Kathleen pushed him away, responding, "I'm fine! There's no need for that!" "What really happened with your family? First, you end up in the hospital, and now the morgue?" He held on to her, his brows knit with concern as he questioned her. His expression had lost its earlier ease, replaced by a blend of concern and authority. It was just an ordinary question, perhaps laced with a hint of concern, but it struck Kathleen deeply. Remembering her father's tragic death, she felt as if a heavy hand was squeezing her heart, making it difficult to breathe. She fought back her tears and pushed him away with force, saying, "I'm sorry! I don't want to talk about my family issues. Please respect my privacy." Arthur's tall frame stayed still. Noticing the fragility in her expression, he frowned and spoke gently, "If it hadn't been for last night, do you think I'd want to get involved in your affairs?" "Can we please not discuss last night?" Kathleen cut him off abruptly, her eyes brimming with tears as she gazed at him, pleading, "I'm begging you! Can you go? I won't hold you responsible for what happened last night, and I just want some dignity ... " As he looked into her imploring eyes, Arthur tightened his large hand at his side, his handsome face growing serious. Did she believe he was only after her "money"? He frowned and muttered, "Hmm!" Then he turned and exited the room with long strides. Kathleen sank down weakly into her seat. Maybe he truly cared about her, and she should just let things go. But when she remembered the previous night, with Rhett scheming against her family while she was enjoying herself in bed with a male prostitute, she felt like slapping herself! Suddenly, she heard footsteps coming closer. Assuming it was still Arthur, she looked up, struggling to hold back her tears. Through her blurred vision, she caught sight of Rhett's menacing face. "Rhett, you scumbag! I'm going to kill you!" Kathleen jumped up abruptly, clenched her fist, and aimed a punch at Rhett. He raised his hand and easily caught her wrist. With a look of disgust, he shook her hand, making her stumble to the floor, where her head struck the bedside with a loud thud. Before she could recover from the pain, Rhett seized her chin. "Kathleen, do you feel any regret? This is what happens when you betray me!" Rhett's eyes gleamed with malice and a trace of satisfaction from his revenge. Kathleen closed her eyes in regret. How could she have been so blind to marry such a creep? Was it just because he was the campus idol? Or because of his proposal at the graduation ceremony? If she could turn back time, she would certainly slap some sense into her naive self! Suppressing her anger, she questioned, "Rhett, have you been secretly colluding with my aunt all along?"