Chapter 2 You Must Marry Her

In the morning, when Katherine's eyes fluttered open, she was greeted by the sight of a good-looking man.

The throbbing ache of her hangover served as a painful reminder of the events from the previous night.

She recalled catching her boyfriend in the act of betrayal, her attempt to wash away her sorrows with alcohol at a bar, and then bumping into a stranger...

A wave of paleness washed over Katherine's face. An unfamiliar ache in her body led her to fear that she might have engaged in regrettable actions with the man in front of her.

With these thoughts, a mix of shame and irritation surged through her. She intended to push the man off her and make a stealthy exit.

Nevertheless, her movement roused the man, and he emitted a stifled groan.

Looking displeased, Esteban propped himself up. His gaze locked with Katherine's, and he looked puzzled as he questioned, "Who are you?"

"I..." Katherine stuttered, a mix of apprehension and hesitation in her eyes.

Esteban's eyes started to scan her disheveled appearance from head to toe. Observing her disarrayed hair and clothing, he pieced something together, and his expression grew profoundly grim.

He remained clueless about the events of the previous night and how this woman ended up in his room. However, given her sudden presence in his suite, he couldn't help but suspect that she might be another woman who tried to get close to him.

However, he chose not to say anything further, sensing the woman's defensive stance.

He considered himself a responsible individual. Regardless of the circumstances that led to the woman being alone in the room with him all night, he felt compelled to make it up to her.

With this in mind, he pulled a bank card from his wallet and inquired, "So, tell me, how much will it take to settle this?"

"What?" Katherine exclaimed with wide-open eyes and unwavering determination. "Money isn't what I'm after. What kind of person do you take me for?"

"If it's not money you're after, then what do you want?" The moment he spoke, the room's door swung open forcefully from the outside.

An elegant old lady entered with an icy demeanor.

Startled by the unexpected arrival, Katherine felt a twinge of fear. Opting for silence, she decided to bide her time and look for a chance to slip away.

However, in the next moment, the old lady regarded Katherine with a furrowed brow. There was no opportunity for Katherine to slip away. She stood there uncomfortably, refraining from making a sound, and observed the old lady with caution.

Katherine had a faint sense of recognition when she looked at the old lady. "Mrs. James?"

Lainey James initially felt taken aback but then looked Katherine up and down. Gradually, memories of a thoughtful and kind little girl began to resurface as she recalled Katherine's features.

"Katherine? You're all grown up." Lainey's expression softened. But concern quickly furrowed her brow as she inquired, "Are you alright? Did he...?"

At the age of five, Katherine went missing and ended up in an orphanage. Lainey frequently volunteered at the orphanage and became acquainted with Katherine during her visits.

Afterward, Katherine's family found her, and she hadn't been in touch with Lainey since then. Meeting each other after all those years was quite a surprising twist of fate.

Without delay, Katherine reassured Lainey, "Mrs. James, please don't worry. Nothing happened between us!"

Lainey's tension eased, and she offered Katherine a comforting pat on the back, ensuring her, "It's good that you're fine. Just wait here a moment, Katherine. I need to have a word with my stubborn grandson."

Her grandson's unwillingness to marry had been a persistent concern for Lainey. She was dismayed he had vanished after drinking the previous night, relieved only by the fact that he had encountered Katherine and not some other woman, the outcome of which could have been much worse.

Lainey mulled over the situation. Katherine was a decent girl, one whom Lainey held in high regard. She was reluctant to resolve this mishap through less straightforward means.

Maintaining a girl's reputation remained crucial. Given that the rumors about the two of them sharing a room would be circulating negatively, it was wiser to have them stay together.

Lainey's demeanor shifted as she turned to face her grandson, her face stern. She scolded Esteban sharply. "Just look at the trouble you've caused! You've avoided marriage for years, and I've been fretting endlessly. And now here you are, sharing a room with a decent young woman. How could you behave so disgracefully?"

Having laid out the problem, Lainey deftly revealed her true intention, disguising it as a matter of honor.

"Given the circumstances, it's only right that you take responsibility. You ought to marry Katherine to protect her reputation."