Kathryn stood up and looked directly at Holden. "That''s what Mom intended. If they push thiswsuit, they''ll lose, and if they push me, they''ll have even more to worry about. Tell them to sell their properties and stores while they still can. Once they''re back home, they should see these past few decades as just a dream.


    Your injury still needs time to heal, so rest up and stop bad-mouthing us to the housekeeper. You need to understand your position and face reality.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Marrying my mother was your choice, and it set the course for your life. You can''t me anyone else. The Janzen family gained plenty from that union-it was a fair trade. There''s no room forints."


    Holden''s face flushed with anger and embarrassment. Kathryn had clearly overheard him grumbling to the servant.


    "Kathryn, call Pedro in. I need to speak with him," Holden said hastily, trying to regain some control.


    Kathryn paused, ncing at him before replying, "Pedro and I are a team, and he listens to me. Whether he marries me or I marry him, there will be no bride price or dowry involved. Dad, don''t get any ideas about asking him for one. Every dor he earns goes to me. I''ve already told him I don''t need a bride price or dowry." Holden''s expression darkened. "Have you never seen a man in your life? You''d marry him without a bride price?" He had been hoping to talk Pedro into offering one, but Kathryn had shut that down before he could try.


    "Everything Pedro has is already mine. Why would I need a gift? If anything, it''s good he didn''t ask me for a bride price. Dad, rest well. I''m leaving now, and make sure to share what I said with my brothers."


    Kathryn walked out of the hospital room, Holden''s furious eyes following her as she left. After giving the servant some instructions, she and Pedro exited the building.


    Finishing thest bite of her apple, Kathryn tossed the core into a nearby trash can. Pedro handed her a tissue to clean her hands.


    "I feel so much better," Kathryn said with a smile. "Dad''s livid. He''ll probably stay mad for a while. When my brothers visit him, he''llin non-stop, which will just sour their moods. Not that their moods have been greattely anyway."


    Ever since they learned their mother''s will had been amended to allocate her estate differently, Kathryn''s brothers had been beside themselves with anger. They''d even tried returning to the Farrell family mansion to im their mother''s jewelry but couldn''t get past the front gates.


    The jewelry was meant for Kathryn, with each sister-inw and niece receiving a piece as a keepsake.


    Pedro smiled warmly. "As long as you''re happy, that''s all that matters." Pedro didn''t concern himself with other people''s moods, even if it was his future father-inw''s.


    As they took the elevator down and reached the hospital''s main entrance, they ran into a familiar face.


    It was Marco''s ex-wife, Erika Irwin-Kathryn''s former sister-inw. She stood bundled in a thick coat, clearly waiting for Kathryn.


    "Kathryn," Erika said, smiling as she greeted her.


    "Sister-inw, what brings you here? Are you visiting Dad, or do you have someone else in the hospital?" Kathryn asked.


    Kathryn''s rtionship with her sisters-inw hadn''t always been smooth. When she first returned, all three had treated her poorly, bending over backward to please Shiloh and even helping Shiloh undermine her.