Chapter 2 Your Mother Is Dead

Edwin had moved into the Pearson family residence since marrying Kathryn's mother, Donna Pearson. Kathryn bore her mother's surname, and she had grown up mostly overseas, separated from him by both distance and indifference, and they barely knew one another.

In her memories, her parents' marriage had never held warmth-only formality and long silences.

"So what?" Kathryn shot back coolly. "You seldom come home, and now suddenly show up to scold me on my mother's behalf? Who gave you that right?"

Her contempt was undisguised, sharp as frost.

Edwin's face flushed violently, red bleeding into a bruised purple as fury overtook him. He roared, "You still dare mention your mother? She died in a car crash last night while you were out fooling around with some nobody! You make me sick!"

Kathryn's expression didn't waver. She laughed softly, bitter and fearless. "Is that so? Saying that to jinx my mother now? Fine. Then I'll make sure you go first."

She lunged forward, seized his wrist, and wrenched it hard. A sickening crack echoed through the room.

Edwin's scream tore through the villa.

His mistress, Sylvia Blake, rushed in, helping the collapsed man upright, her eyes burning with malice as she stared at Kathryn-as though she were looking at Donna herself, the woman who had overshadowed her for decades.

Edwin had refused divorce all these years. Now, at last, Sylvia could stand openly in the light.

She flung a document at Kathryn. "See for yourself, you wretch. Your mother is dead. Crushed so badly they could barely identify her."

The paper fluttered to the floor. Kathryn's gaze followed it mechanically. The name printed there was unmistakable-her mother's. Her features froze.

"Kathryn, your mother... she's gone." Vicki Adams, Donna's trusted aide, rushed in from outside, eyes red with tears. She reached out and held Kathryn's trembling hand.

Kathryn's pupils dilated. A numbing cold surged through her veins, locking her body in place.

"Impossible!" The word finally escaped her, broken and shaking. Terror flickered in her eyes as reality crashed down-her mother couldn't be gone, not like this.

Vicki traced two careful words into Kathryn's palm. "Not dead."

The crushing fear in Kathryn's chest loosened slightly. She didn't know what had truly happened to her mother, but she instantly understood-she had to follow Vicki's cue and keep the act going.

Vicki's voice trembled as she spoke, eyes reddened. "Please... come with me to see your mother one last time."

Kathryn turned to leave with Vicki, but Hannah Lambert abruptly blocked her path. "You're not taking another step unless you sign away all inheritance rights," Hannah threatened coldly. "Refuse, and I'll make sure everyone knows you're illegitimate-and that your mother betrayed the marriage."

A smug curve lifted Hannah's lips, naked greed gleaming in her eyes.

Kathryn gave her a single, icy look, and then swung her arm without hesitation. The slap landed hard, sending Hannah reeling before she crashed onto the floor.

"You bitch! How dare you hit my daughter?" Sylvia shrieked as she lunged forward.

Only then did realization strike Kathryn-Hannah was Sylvia's daughter. No wonder Edwin had kept both women close, one as the housekeeper, the other as an adopted daughter.

A nest of vipers.

Kathryn raised her leg and drove her heel straight into Sylvia's abdomen. Sylvia flew backward, slammed into the wall, and collapsed, blood spraying from her mouth.

"Mom!" Hannah screamed instinctively. Panicked, she spun toward the men who had come with them. "What are you standing around for? Grab her! Make her sign it!"

The men froze, staring at the scene in disbelief. None of them dared move. Fear had already taken root.

"Your mother cheated on me, Kathryn. I've endured that humiliation long enough! That property is mine! You won't take a single cent!" Edwin roared, veins bulging. He ordered his men, "Take her down!"

Hearing him insult her mother again shattered the last of Kathryn's restraint. Rage surged. She stormed forward, yanked Edwin down by the collar, smashed him to the floor, and drove her heel onto his already-broken wrist.

Edwin's scream pierced the air-shrill, broken, and desperate. His body convulsed as he begged incoherently, finally realizing how badly he had misjudged her.

He had always thought Kathryn was nothing more than a pampered girl raised abroad. Never once had he imagined she could be this terrifying.

"Get out." Kathryn's voice was merciless. At her command, the three scrambled away, dragging their people with them in blind panic.

Only after silence reclaimed the villa did Vicki finally speak again, her expression grave.

"Your mother was ambushed on her return. We switched her out. The body they found wasn't hers."

The tight coil in Kathryn's chest finally eased. She demanded sharply, "Who tried to kill my mother?"

Vicki let out a long, heavy breath. "All signs point to your biological father."