Chapter 106

That day, the scandal that Joyce was pregnant with another man's child and still pestered Alexander erupted across social media.

The very crowd that once lauded them while disparaging Daniela was now furiously posting online.

"Getting knocked up and then bugging her stepsister's ex-husband? That's some next-level desperation!"

"Richard said it himself-Joyce's mom schemed her way into the Harper family by spreading her legs for Caiden.Guess neither of them has a shred of decency."

"Poor Daniela. Honestly, I've always seen her as someone decent. But losing her mom so young and living under Katrina's rule must've been brutal."

The online frenzy was growing more intense by the minute.

Joyce was sprawled on the couch, weeping so intensely that she struggled for breath.

Peyton remarked nonchalantly, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Caiden, we're caught in your storm. Haven't you noticed? Daniela won't even spare us a glance. I'm warning you, Caiden. If she bears a grudge, it'll be on you to salvage any favors she might extend to Ronald and Wyatt."

Katrina's tears stopped suddenly, her expression hardening in an instant.

Just as she opened her mouth to object, Caiden cut in."Alright, I'll handle it. Just leave Daniela out of this."

No sooner had he spoken than Ronald and Wyatt began to tally up their demands with their fingers."Caiden, since you're stepping up to take responsibility, we're not asking for much-just cars,houses,and a tidy sum of money."

Ronald and Wyatt exchanged knowing looks and declared in unison, "Eighty million each."

"Eighty million? Are you out of your mind?" Katrina jumped up, her voice dripping with disdain. "Just go rob a bank if you're that desperate!"

Ronald and Wyatt frowned. "Why the hell are you so worked up, Katrina? This isn't about you. We're talking to Caiden,not you."

"These are joint marital assets!" Katrina argued, her voice firm. After years of dedicated service to Caiden,all she desired was a fair share of the wealth."Don't even dream of getting a penny from me unless I fucking allow it!"

Ronald glared at her, jabbing a finger in her direction."What bullshit are you even talking about? Joint marital assets? Do you even have any claim to this money? This is the legacy our former sister-in-law left behind. You have no part in this!"

Katrina stormed into the kitchen, snatched up a knife,and bellowed, "Anyone who dares touch my family's fortune will answer to me. I'll make damn sure you regret it!"

Her shitty past, riddled with hunger and hardship,crept back in, making Katrina tremble. Giving away eighty million to those leeches felt like signing her own death warrant.

Unperturbed by the prospect of death yet terrified of destitution, Ronald advanced, his face defiant, and taunted her. "Go on, do it if you've got the guts!You're nothing but a bitch, Katrina. If you can't bring yourself to do it today, that money is as good as mine!What's the matter? Are you scared? Let me tell you something-within these walls of the Harper estate,you're not the one in charge..."

He was cut off mid-sentence as a sinister gleam flashed before his eyes.

"Ah!" Ronald's scream ripped through the air as a knife plunged.

Blood spattered everywhere.

Then came the piercing scream of Peyton. "You fucking bitch! How dare you assault my son! I swear,I'll fight you to my last breath!"

Soon after,the wail of an ambulance filled the estate,rushing three members of the Harper family to emergency care.

Ronald, the knife still embedded in his cheek, was in the gravest condition, his screams barely audible above the chaos.

Katrina paused at the doorway, her hand tightly clutching the knife, while a piercing cold wind moaned through the night. ①

Beside her, Joyce shuffled forward, her legs barely supporting her trembling frame. Her voice broke through her tears as she murmured, "Mom, you attacked Grandma and both uncles. Are you going to be arrested?"

The knife slipped from Katrina's grasp, clattering against the floor.

She slumped against a stone pillar, her gaze burning with fierce resolve. "No, your father will protect his image at all costs. If word of this spreads, Harper Group's shares will nosedive. They'll have to keep quiet."

She was determined to prove that she was not a woman to be underestimated.

Meanwhile, in the hospital, Caiden was overwhelmed by despair. Ronald had sustained the gravest wounds;Wyatt was writhing from a back injury, and Peyton,having fallen, had broken her arm.

Their cries of agony echoed through the sterile corridors, each one stabbing at Caiden's conscience.

Haunted by the lifeless look in Katrina's eyes as she brandished the knife, he knew her intent had been lethal. She had truly been prepared to kill.

Ronald's knife was lodged deep in his cheekbone,necessitating its removal, yet no specialist in the area was available in the city.

The doctor suggested, "Mr. Harper, maybe your daughter could help. She's quite worldly and might know someone who could assist."

Daniela, who not only operated a successful design firm but also ventured into the medical field, was well -equipped. Much of the hospital's cutting-edge equipment came from her company.

Her connections and resources dwarfed their own. Caiden, clutching a phone borrowed from the doctor,stepped aside and implored in a hushed, desperate tone, "Please, as a personal favor to me, could you come to the hospital? This is a life-or-death situation.Even if you don't consider us family anymnore,perhaps you could help us as mere strangers in dire need?"

Tears streamed down his face as he spoke.

When Brylee was there, she fortified his world,giving him the freedom to live a blissful life, playing with his pets without a second thought. 3

Following Brylee's passing, he stepped back from the company,thriving on the monumental empire she left behind, enough to carry him through forever.

His days were filled with bliss, enchanted by Katrina's captivating presence.

But now, confronted with this dire crisis, he was begging Daniela for help.