Chapter 7 Such a Despicable Couple

"You!" Paisley's complexion turned ashen, and she fought to keep her fury in check as she remarked, "Kathleen, you're broke right now. Are you really considering living on the streets? This cash could at least help you secure a roof over your head. Are you absolutely certain you want to refuse it?" Kathleen clenched her jaw and replied slowly, "I'd rather spend the night on the streets than accept your filthy, blood-stained money!" With that, she turned and walked away. "Don't you care about your dad's ashes either?" Paisley's voice shot back, threateningly. Kathleen halted, unable to take another step forward. Her words strike her deepest wound! Paisley quickly identified her vulnerability. Kathleen pivoted and declared, "I'm heading to your house right now to retrieve it." "Haha!" Paisley laughed heartily, holding her stomach and gazing up at the sky. "My mom despises your dad so much. Do you honestly believe she would allow him to rest in peace? Just so you know, my mom has long wanted to grind your dad to ash. Who knows, she might already be looking for a cesspit to scatter his ashes, ensuring he stinks forever!" "Paisley, how dare you!" Kathleen shook with rage, her eyes reddening as if they might burst. "My dad is your uncle! He cares for you deeply. Do you even have a conscience?" Paisley stepped forward, staring at her with a challenging look. "Don't play the emotional card now! So, are you ready to take the deal or not?" As she spoke, she pulled out the bundle of cash again. "Your dad's ashes, along with this 30,000—will that make you quiet? Are you in?" Kathleen closed her eyes, fighting the impulse to rip apart that deceitful woman. However, her tightly clenched fist revealed her internal struggle and sense of powerlessness. Nothing mattered more than giving her father a proper burial as quickly as possible. Suddenly, she opened her eyes and gradually extended her hand, saying, "Alright! I accept!" Just as her hand was about to grasp the stack of money, Paisley's lips twisted into a wicked smile. With a swift motion, she sent hundreds of bills flying into the air, scattering them like leaves. "You just need to gather them all up! I'll hand over your dad's ashes right away!" Kathleen stared at the money thrown across the ground, her fists tightening once more. "Paisley, aren't you worried about facing consequences?" "What are you doing?" A deep voice suddenly interrupted. Rhett's car pulled over, and he stepped out, walking toward them. Paisley rushed to him, intertwining her arm with his. "Rhett, this is all my fault. I noticed Kathleen had no money and nowhere to turn, so I tried to offer her some ... But you know how proud she is. She refused it and even knocked it over." Kathleen was once again appalled by that wicked woman's lack of shame. Rhett wrapped his arms around Paisley, his eyes icy as he directed a question at Kathleen. "I take it you don't want to see your mom again, do you?" Kathleen smiled, but it was a sad and helpless smile. One person was using her father's ashes as leverage, while the other was threatening her with her mother—this despicable couple truly deserved each other! Due to Paisley's reckless behavior of throwing money, a crowd had already gathered around them. Kathleen felt no desire to keep arguing with them. As she gazed at the money scattered on the ground, she clenched her teeth. Only a fool would feel remorse over money! Not to mention 30,000 dollars. Even if there was just a single cent on the ground, she would pick it up. Kathleen bent down to collect the money. Suddenly, a large hand seized her wrist. "Are you really that foolish or just incredibly naive? Your dignity has been stomped on, and you can't even see it?" The man's voice dripped with disdain and contempt as it echoed in her ears. Kathleen could even sense a hint of teeth grinding in his irritated tone. She turned back in shock. Arthur's striking face was shadowed, his eyes radiating a strong chill. When their eyes locked, he noticed the cut on her head and frowned. "How did you end up bleeding again?" "It's nothing." Kathleen softly shook his hand off but couldn't dismiss the rush of feelings in her heart. At that moment, the person she had once trusted the most was continuously hurting her, while the man who lived by doing that kind of work was now standing beside her again—the very man she had pushed away in ignorance. Just one glance, one word of concern, nearly made her fall apart. Kathleen was still grappling with her tangled emotions when Rhett's icy voice broke through. "Kathleen, who is he?" Paisley also looked at the man beside Kathleen with curiosity. It had to be noted that this man was incredibly striking, radiating an effortless sense of nobility from head to toe. Having lived in this city for over twenty years, she had never encountered such a perfect and handsome man before. Kathleen was on the verge of speaking when Arthur's long arm draped over her shoulder. "I don't need you to know who I am! But as a man, you ought to manage your own dog that keeps barking. If it bites someone again, it should be taken for a rabies shot!" Arthur said, lazily narrowing his eyes at Rhett. His tone was steady and nonchalant, yet his presence was so commanding that no one dared to respond. Kathleen was slightly taken aback.