Chapter 282 - Pretense 6

Katherine shifted her stare and saw Frederick Park looking back at her. She fought the urge to haul herself across the table and snap his neck.

Damien could imagine how much she was trying to restrain herself. She must be having a hard time just sitting at the same table as his uncle. Now that Nana initiated the two of them to engage, Damien wished he could do something for her but at this time, he was unsure of what to do.

"Ms. Young, I know that we had a bit of disagreement before. What happened to us in the past, I apologize and I hope that we can put it all behind us." Frederick Park's voice was serious and his expression was unreadable.

Damien snapped his head towards his uncle, his brows instantly furrowed upon hearing the words that came out from the other's mouth. This didn't sound like his uncle at all. From the very beginning, Frederick had been against Katherine. Knowing her identity now after Katherine's return, this statement was definitely off. What was he trying to do? Damien didn't believe that his uncle was doing this because of regret.

Hearing Frederick's statement, Katherine wanted to laugh at his face. Was he trying to be funny? What apology?

Which part was he apologizing for?

She promised Damien that she would try… and this was her trying. She wouldn't kill Frederick tonight — not yet at least.

"I don't understand what you mean, Uncle Fred… What are you apologizing for?" Katherine's voice was smooth and light. There was even a hint of a smile on her face as she spoke. "Is it because you offered me millions so that I would leave your nephew?"

When Frederick only continued to look at her as though he wasn't ashamed of what he did, she added, "Or is it because you were so against Damien marrying a lowly secretary like me who had no money in her name and was not up to par with your standards because I didn't belong to the upper-class family?"

Though she didn't say the next words out loud, she screamed it in her head: 'Or when you or someone else had my parents killed?' 

Damien watched as Katherine calmly spoke to his uncle. She looked so kind with the smile on her face but the words that came out from her pretty lips were like extremely sharp knives aimed to stab his uncle. She wasn't afraid to call his uncle out for the things he did and said to her in the past while Nana was around.

This was just one of the billion reasons why he loved her. Katherine didn't allow anyone to trample on her. She stood for what she believed was right and didn't let anyone bully her. She was strong.

How he wanted to care for her so much right now. If only he could hug her and remind her that whatever she was, it didn't matter to him at all. Whether she had money or not, he loved her. She looked both strong and vulnerable at the moment that Damien's heart broke for her.

Nana remained quiet as she listened to Katherine and waited for her son's response to Katherine's jab. She reached for her teacup and quietly sipped her tea while the air in the dining room began to feel stuffier.

Frederick cleared his throat. He didn't think that Katherine would be so bold to say all those things. It looks like he underestimated this woman once again. 

"Ms. Young, I was just looking out for my nephew. I would have done the same to anyone who was going to enter the family. I hope you understand my part."

Her slow nod was forced but she maintained the fake smile on her face as she answered, "Of course, Uncle Fred… I understand why you did what you did. It's just like what they say – one rotten apple spoils the whole bunch." 

Katherine's throat felt extremely dry. She was about to pick up a glass of water but Damien stopped her hand and gave her a glass of wine instead. He must have felt her need to calm her nerves — talking to Frederick Park was quite taxing.

Frederick's lip twitched upon hearing her words. He formed a weak smile and raised his own glass of wine to her before saying, "Mm. That's right. But you're not a bad apple, Ms. Young. I hope we can move past this and start over."

Katherine did not answer and she just continued to look at him. She found what he said ridiculous. Move past what? Did he think that this was something she could forget easily? "Hmm… I'm not sure, Uncle Fred… I'm quite a vengeful person." She softly laughed.

To Damien, her laugh sounded soft but it was extremely wicked. He did not doubt her even for a second that she could hold a grudge. Amused by her responses, he leaned back on his chair and took a large gulp of wine. Frederick may be his uncle, but Katherine was the love of his life. If this was what she wanted to do, he would gladly let her.

'Run amok, my Little Kitten, I got your back,' he thought.

"You are quite the joker, Ms. Young," Frederick laughed along with her. "Mother is right. It would be a pleasure to have you, the heiress of Young Corporation, join us in the charity gala. So I formally invite you — I hope you can accept the invitation and come to the event. It would be wonderful if you could go with Damien."

Placing the glass of wine back on the table, Katherine responded in a light tone, "Oh… I don't know about that, Uncle Fred… I don't really need Damien's money anymore… Or yours."

William didn't bother masking his laugh. He chortled heartily and only stopped when his mother elbowed him on the side.

Damien also chuckled at Katherine's answer. Although she literally just declined the invitation and mentioned about her not wanting his money—it even sounded like she was dumping him publicly—he found it funny. 

He didn't understand why his uncle was trying so hard to 'make amends' with Katherine. Did he really change his opinion about her just because she now belonged to the upper-class? After witnessing his uncle's behavior tonight, he decided to have a word with him after tonight's dinner. Damien had to get answers from his uncle to know why he was suddenly acting so weird.

Having seen enough, Nana had a small smile on her face as she turned to Katherine and told her, "Well, we cannot force you, dear, if you really do not want to go to the charity gala. But I really wish that you would come with Damien. I hope that you will change your mind."

"I will think about it, Nana." Katherine was thankful that Nana intervened because she was afraid of what she could say next. She currently had too much fire in her heart that she might say something stupid.

She picked up the wine glass again and took a sip. Just then, Damien leaned towards her and probed, "Are you really going to think about it? Can I help you decide?"

When she turned to look at him, he had the sweetest smile that melted her heart. His attack went straight to her insides — it was so subtle yet powerful.

Too powerful for her weak heart.

"That depends, will you let me stomp on your foot again?!" she asked, annoyed that he wasn't playing fair with his 'looking-cute' moves on her.