Chapter 298

Catherine was painfully aware Victor craved physical intimacy with her. This knowledge gave her the slightest leverage in their twisted dynamic. She had resisted his advances with unwavering determination, never anticipating he would retaliate with such cold-blooded cruelty.

Victor raised a hand, signaling for privacy. "Let's allow them some space to resolve matters privately."

The room gradually emptied, leaving behind a suffocating tension.

Catherine's eyes tracked each departing figure until the heavy doors clicked shut.

The moment they were alone, Richard's fury erupted violently. He grabbed Catherine by her perfectly styled hair, wrenching her head back with brutal force.

A piercing scream tore from Catherine's throat. "Richard! Have you lost your mind? I'm your wife! How dare you treat me this way? What will people say?"

Her words only fueled the inferno of Richard's rage, pushing him beyond reason.

"People's opinions?" Richard spat with venomous contempt. "I've paraded my mistress publicly while you played the devoted wife, only to betray me behind my back. Consider this your well-deserved punishment."

Catherine exploded from her seat, eyes blazing. "You think I'm blind? You and Margaret planned to discard me and our daughter the moment that woman bore you a son. I had to protect my child's future. If you can be this heartless, don't expect mercy from me!"

Richard's lips curled into a sneer. "You chose this life, Catherine. No one forced these decisions upon you. If you want out, I won't stop you. My affection for you died long ago. Since you failed to produce an heir, be grateful I still provide for you and that useless daughter of yours."

Catherine's voice broke as she pleaded, "What about Lillian? Doesn't our daughter mean anything to you?"

"She may stay," Richard said icily, "but remember - a daughter will never equal a son in my eyes. Given your treachery, I regret not casting you out years ago."

Devastation crashed over Catherine as she grasped the full extent of Richard's cruelty. Her options dwindled before her, leaving only one distasteful path - aligning with Victor, despite her revulsion. Survival demanded this bitter alliance.

Meanwhile, chaos erupted within the Kensington mansion.

Seraphina had been pulled from the pool's depths after a near-fatal drowning.

The young woman lay deathly pale on the marble floor, gasping for air as frantic family members and lingering guests crowded around.

"How could this happen to Lady Kensington?"

"I heard she's been unwell lately. This looks serious—"

"Silence!" Julian's roar cut through the murmurs like thunder. The normally composed young man stood trembling with barely contained fury. "Enough of your poisonous gossip! My sister will recover!"

The gathered crowd recoiled at Julian's uncharacteristic outburst. Never had the gentle-natured heir displayed such public emotion.

Julian's anguished gaze remained locked on Seraphina as medics worked frantically. His heart constricted with each labored breath she took. "Seraphina," he whispered hoarsely, "just hours ago you were describing your new wardrobe selections, and I promised to purchase them all. How did this happen?"

The grand hall echoed with tension as the Kensington family's carefully constructed facade began to fracture. Secrets long buried now threatened to surface, and no one would emerge unscathed.