Chapter 3619

– On the way back to the office, Clarissa called Kathryn.

As soon as Kathryn answered, Clarissa asked, “Kathryn, where are you right now?”

“Resting at home,” Kathryn replied. “Thanks to you, Mom, I spent a few days in the hospital. I just got back home, and you told me to keep resting, so that’s what I’m doing.”

Clarissa’s voice trembled as she asked, “Have you done something behind my back to hurt me again?”

“Mom, what exactly are you talking about?” Kathryn asked calmly.

Clarissa was furious, barely containing her anger. What was she referring to? Kathryn had betrayed her countless times. Audrey once said this was karma, but Clarissa didn’t believe in retribution.

Yet, her life was far from easy. Outwardly, it looked glamorous, but in reality, she was the one holding everything together. Her husband and sons lived off her money, and while they were dependent on her, they didn’t contribute much. Her daughter, Kathryn, had the ability to help, but they weren’t on the same page, and Kathryn had betrayed her numerous times.

“You’ve hurt me plenty,” Clarissa said weakly, frustration and exhaustion in her voice. “Kathryn, even though you didn’t grow up with me, I carried you for nine months. I gave you life. Doesn’t our mother-daughter bond mean anything to you?”

Kathryn was silent for a moment before responding, “How much of a mother-daughter bond do you think we really have?”

She was already 26 or 27 years old when she reunited with her biological parents. When she first returned, she was treated unfairly. Her relatives were polite, but their affection was reserved for Shiloh. In their eyes, Shiloh was their true daughter (sister). Kathryn’s return disrupted their perfect family dynamic, and they resented her for it.

Shiloh had taken her place, enjoying everything that should have been Kathryn’s, yet the family blamed Kathryn. It wasn’t her fault that she had been switched with Shiloh.

Feelings grow over time, but Kathryn hadn’t had much time to build those feelings with her biological family. She felt a little attachment to her mother, but it wasn’t deep. Her values and way of life were formed long before she reunited with her biological family and weren’t going to change just because she came back.

Clarissa struggled to speak. After a long pause, she said, “No matter what you think of me, my love for you as your mother is real and pure.

Even if I were to die, I’d still make sure to pave the way for you. If I’m trying to protect you, can’t you stand by my side? Even if you don’t, at least don’t betray me or hold me back.”

Clarissa suspected that Kathryn had uncovered her plot involving the cemetery and tipped off Liberty, who then set everything in motion. If her plan failed, not only would it be exposed, but she’d be caught by the police, with all the evidence pointing to her crime.

So far, these were just rumors; nothing had been confirmed. Years ago, she had two sisters—one older, one younger. Both were dead, leaving Clarissa as the sole survivor who successfully took over the Farrell family. Only a fool wouldn’t suspect her.

She had ignored these rumors for 40 to 50 years. When a family member acted against her, she dealt with them harshly to set an example.

Those who knew even a little bit about the situation either disappeared, died of illness, or had fatal accidents. None survived more than three years after the incident.

“Mom, why don’t you tell me what happened?” Kathryn asked calmly. “Let’s see if I’m really the one who betrayed you.”