Chapter 12: Refuse His Invitation

If Joseph was worried about Kate getting close, Samuel, why did he allow them to work together? Why didn't he ask her to work under him? If he did, I would not need to spy on her. John thought to himself.

He knew that the relationship between Joseph and Kate was not good, so he was amazed like the others when they were holding hands. He thought that maybe things between them had improved. However, Joseph asked him to spy on her, so it didn't make any sense.

It was lunchtime when Kate finished her work; she was planning to go to the canteen for lunch. However, Samuel approached her and said, "There are too many people in the canteen. How about going to a restaurant to have lunch?"

"No, thank you." She declined him and then buried her head to sort out the files on her desk.

"I have come to an understanding, though we cannot be lovers, we are still family. I just invited you for lunch as a family. Don't overthink it." Samuel proposed hoping to get her to agree.

"Sorry, I have an appointment." Kate took her bag and was getting ready to leave.

Samuel looked around and saw nobody near them; he grabbed her hands and said, "Please don't be rude to me. I cannot stand the fact that you are so cold to me."

Kate gathered all her strength to pull her hands away, but couldn't get Samuel to let go of them. She gave in and said, "I don't want to avoid you. But you see, if we are too close, others will misunderstand. I hope you can see the predicament I am in with the Smith family.

"I know it, so I want to save you." Samuel couldn't restrain his love for her; he bent down to kiss her.

Kate quickly moved so he would miss her lips, then she heard a cold voice from the door, "What are you doing?"

The familiar voice made her trembled.

Samuel let go of Kate and said, "Sorry, I just can't restrain myself around her."

Joseph marched towards them, with his cold eyes focusing on Kate's face, "You are shameless!"

Hearing the insulting words, she refuted full of anger, "How can you say that to me?"

Obviously, it was Samuel who approached Kate, but Joseph never trusted her. They had been married for over two years, but he never intended to trust or get to know her.

Samuel, instead of defending her, just remained silent. He wanted them to go a divorce, so if their relationship became worse, it would happen sooner, and he would win.

"I know what are you thinking," Joseph pulled her into his chest and whispered in her ear, "But, I will not let you be with Samuel."

Kate was speechless. Joseph obviously knew she loved him, so why would he think she wanted to be with Samuel? Although she was his wife, he wasn't angry because he cared about her, but because she embarrassed him.

"Oh! My dear husband, I only love you. I still remember my commitment to you on our wedding day. How could I love another man?" Kate flirted and then buried her head in Joseph's chest. It was totally different from the way she would usually react.

Joseph didn't anticipate that she would respond so gently. He was stunned but put his hand on her shoulder and said, "It is fine."

Kate knew that even though Joseph didn't love her, he still didn't want Samuel to profess his love for her.

Seeing the two of them acting so loving in front of him, Samuel was confused and didn't know why they were acting so oddly.

If they do not love each other, why are they acting so intimate? Did they grow to have feelings for each other after being together for so long?

Samuel said to them out of politeness, "I'm happy to see you are getting along so well. I just hope that it is not only in public but also in private."

After Samuel left, Joseph shoved Kate away so hard that if there were not a desk for her to fall on, she would have slammed to the ground.

"You are not working here tomorrow!" Joseph warned coldly.

"Really?" She was shocked but wanted to confirm.

"Yes, I will not allow you to be here with Samuel."

Kate was delighted inside. If she didn't work here, she could escape from under the control of both men. She had only agreed to work at the Smith Group because Cassie Smith asked her. She did not want to refuse the offer, but since Joseph fired her, she could leave and have a good reason for doing so.

"Okay, I will submit my resignation report this afternoon," She agreed.

Joseph looked at her and said scornfully, "It would be more convenient for you to date Samuel."

"Why do you even care? Have you fallen in love with me?"

"Of course not. I would never fall in love with you."

His answer was what she expected, she was not sad but felt a little happy about it, "That is fine. It might have too painful for you. After all, you believe that I killed Anna."

Joseph found that after Samuel returned to their lives, Kate became more confident and was not so weak in front of him. He felt disappointed.

"Have lunch with me!" Joseph commanded.

If it were in the past, Kate would agree immediately and just follow behind him, but she didn't seem to want to have anything to do with him.

She refused, "No. I have no appetite if I need to have a meal with you."

Others seldomly refused Joseph, but she was determined not to give in.

"So you are hungry?"

"As long as you are not there with me."

"Really? Are you sure you don't want to see me? You told me you love me just now in front of Samuel. How can you change so quickly? You are such a good actress."