A Replacement Bride

Chapter 346
Before leaving the room, Hera even shot a vicious glare at Katherine. Apparently, she was very bitter toward the latter.
However, Katherine didn't mind it at all. She kept smiling with her eyes crinkled, which angered Hera even more.
After the trio had left, Keith couldn't help clapping. "Tsk, tsk. Seriously, Joaquin, each member of your family is more shameless
than the last," he commented casually. As soon as he said that, he recalled that Joaquin was still a member of the Levisay
Family. Hence, he promptly clapped his hand over his mouth.
Joaquin didn't take his words to heart, though. His eyes darkened as he sneered, saying, "They could hardly sit still as soon as
they learned the news. They're like dogs attracted to the smell of meat."
Such a comment by one of the Levisay Family's own members was the deadliest, and it was obvious from how Joaquin spoke so
unfavorably of the trio that he was totally indifferent toward his family.
Recalling the terms John had proposed just now, Katherine pondered for a moment before asking, "Do you really not care about
the Levisay Group's shares? If you mind, I can—"
Joaquin raised his hand and gave her a gentle knock on her smooth forehead. "What are you thinking about? Even if I want to
get my hands on the Levisay Group's shares, I've got plenty of ways to do so. I don't need you to make concessions." He'd only
never touched the Levisay Group because he couldn't care less about it. Still, it wouldn't be difficult for him to lay his hands on
the company if he wanted.
Naturally, Katherine knew full well what he was capable of. She curled her lips, arguing, "I just wanted to help save you some
trouble, no?"
Amused by her response, Joaquin raised his hand again and lightly pinched her on the cheek. "What's the matter with you? You
wanna keep me as a lover?"
Katherine was rendered speechless by his words.
Joaquin visibly brightened up as a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. "To think I could live off a woman at such an age."
Keith was rendered speechless. Acting all lovey-dovey in public as though there's nobody else present, huh? Are they treating
me as nonexistent?

Katherine slapped Joaquin's hand away, feeling rather speechless at the man's ability to act lovey-dovey toward her anytime and
anywhere. Instead of bantering with him, she replied in all seriousness, "I'm not joking with you. I can help you if you want the
Levisay Group's shares, and you don't have to feel embarrassed about it. You've helped me a lot before, so I should get the
company's shares for you in order to return the favor. It's just a collaboration, no? Don't worry. Even if W Co. really collaborates
with the Levisay Group, I can make sure that they won't gain anything from it."
Joaquin was both annoyed and amused by her serious suggestion. "Returning the favor, huh? Is that what you're supposed to
say to your husband?"
Katherine's fine brows knitted for a moment as a hint of bafflement flickered across her beautiful eyes. Did I say something
wrong? Why does he seem to be unhappy? "I just thought..." she replied in an attempt to explain herself. However, seeing that
the man really didn't give a damn about the shares, she said with a curl of her lips, "Fine, never mind if you don't want my help.
Just do whatever you want."
Seeing that she didn't at all understand what he meant, Joaquin pursed his lips slightly with a hint of helplessness in his deep
eyes.
After that, Katherine stayed with Noah as the latter took an afternoon nap. Joaquin had nothing to do and didn't want to disturb
the mother and daughter, so he simply went out for a stroll.
No sooner had he come out did Keith come out chasing after him. Walking beside the man, he slowly let out a sigh, saying,
"Sigh, Joaquin, you've still got a long way to go in winning your wife's heart."
Joaquin looked sideways at him without stopping at his sudden remark. "Just say whatever you want to say."
Keith let out a chuckle. "Hehe! Joaquin, my sister seems smart and could see through facts at a glance, but she's kind of dense
when it comes to relationships." He had seen it very clearly just now; although Katherine had married Joaquin, she was still
keeping her distance from him without devoting herself completely to their marriage. "She seems to have no desire whatsoever,
but perhaps because she's been through a lot, she actually takes relationships very seriously. She doesn't dare to be kind to
anyone as she pleases, but there's one thing that she's always insistent about—she'd always do her best to repay exponentially
any favor done to her. She remembers the kindness you've shown her, which is why she wants to repay you for that. She might
seem distant from you, but in reality, you already have a place in her heart."
Not expecting him to say this, Joaquin gradually stopped in his tracks; a hint of contemplation flashed across his ink-black eyes.
So, I have a place in her heart, huh?

Keith continued, "This is the first time I've seen her put so much trust in someone other than her relatives and those close aides
of hers after such a long time. Joaquin, my sister is quite slow in terms of relationships, but that doesn't mean she's a person
without feelings. They say love will always find a way. Since you're already halfway toward winning her heart, you've got to try
harder instead of giving up halfway."
Joaquin turned his gaze toward him while cocking an eyebrow. "How can I try harder?"
Keith immediately started giving him advice with a bright smile, saying, "My sister doesn't take any crap from anyone, but that
depends on who the person is. At the moment, she's been trying to repay your kindness, so it's only natural that she'll be more
softhearted toward you than toward others. Just court her tirelessly and smother her with tenderness, and you'll melt even the
stoniest heart. And besides, you've still got Noah, no? She's the child you share with my sister. Now that her relationship with my
sister is getting better, you can totally help them bond while using her to get closer to my sister."
After listening to this, Joaquin sank into deep thought.
...
On the other hand, the Levisay trio looked displeased as they returned home.
Having never been snubbed like this, John was simmering with repressed anger. The instant he entered the house, he
complained grumpily, "I told you two not to go, but you two just wouldn't listen! That Katherine lady isn't easy to deal with! Even if
she's W Co.'s president, she won't easily help our family!"
Hera was in a bad mood as well, and her brows furrowed. "Didn't I do that for the sake of our family? We'd never know if we
didn't try it!" At first, she had thought that if they could coax Katherine into allowing W Co. to collaborate with the Levisay Group,
the latter would be able to benefit a lot from it. With Hovington and even the whole country being all astir with the news of W
Co.'s relocation and expansion in the country, everyone was currently paying close attention to the company. If they could secure
a collaboration with the company immediately, the Levisay Group would definitely scale greater heights and enjoy a higher
prestige. Only when the Levisay Group was doing well and the Levisays remained invincible could she seek more benefits for
her and her son.
Recalling how her son had become a cripple at the moment, she gnashed her teeth in hatred. If only Robert was fine and well
right now, I wouldn't have had to rack my brains scheming like this!

At the thought of this, she gritted her teeth and looked daggers at John in displeasure. "Do you think I was willing to go to her?!
Did you forget how our son ended up the way he currently is? It was all because of that b*tch! I've done my very best in
brazening it out to go to her and plead with her, so how could you be upset with me right now?! I'm upset, too, but who can I go
to about it?! And besides, would I have to lose face like this if things hadn't been looking bad for the Levisay Group lately?!"