âSure, go ahead,â Mitchel said.
Luciana hesitated and suggested, âPerhaps Miss Foster wouldnât mind stepping outside for a moment?â
Raegan understood this meant they wanted to discuss something she shouldnât overhear.
Trying to seem generous yet with a challenging gaze, Katie said to Raegan, âMiss Foster, perhaps youâd enjoy a tour of the garden by the housekeeper.
Flowers are blossoming.
I think youâd really appreciate them.
â
Katieâs voice was gentle, but her eyes were daring, her words having delivered the message that Raegan was merely an outsider in this household.
âThatâs kind of you to say so, Miss Glyn.
Well, if anyoneâs going to show Raegan around, it ought to be me.
I know this place better than anyone, after all,â Mitchel stated, chuckling icily.
Mitchelâs unwavering defense of Raegan was evident to all.
Each utterance carried the weight of a relentless assault, leaving Katie reeling.
In a heartbeat, Katieâs confidence shattered.
She felt the sting of being labeled as an outsider from Mitchelâs words.
Luciana promptly intervened, assuming the role of mediator.
âMitchel, what prompts you to say so? Katie treats me like her own mother, and this establishment is just like her home.
â
Katieâs rigid countenance eased a bit at Lucianaâs words.
With effort, she mustered a strained smile and offered, âMitchel, I didnât mean anythingâ¦â
Mitchel remained resolute, showing no inclination to engage further.
Redirecting his attention to Luciana, he stated, âIf you have something to say, speak up.
Thereâs no need to exclude Raegan.
â
âs BunnyBookery His protective stance toward Raegan was unmistakable in his words.
Left with no alternative, Luciana voiced her concerns, âMitchel, your decision to sever ties with the Glyn family has resulted in their stocks plummeting, practically pushing them toward bankruptcy.
Isnât this excessive? Remember, Katie is carrying your child.
Even if nothing else matters to you, think about the child in her bellyâ¦â
Mitchelâs response was cold and decisive.
âMom, I have shown mercy for the sake of her father.
Besides, considering Katieâs collaboration with Alexis for personal gain, my Legal team could have pursued legal action against her.
â
Katieâs complexion drained of color as she interjected, âMitchel, youâve misunderstood.
It was Alexis who approached me first, claiming it was your intention.
Iâve already explained this to your mom.
â
Luciana stood in defense of Katie.
âYeah.
Mitchel, I can vouch for Katieâs unwavering loyalty to you.
Please, think about the child in her bellyâ¦â
âThe child?â Mitchelâs voice dripped with disdain.
âIâve repeated it endlessly.
The child Katie purports to carry is not mine.
You canât force me to recognize a child who is irrelevant to me.
â
âMitchel, Iâm carrying your child.
Thatâs the truth!â Katieâs visage betrayed her anguish.
âRegardless of your opinion, I will bring this child into the world.
If you refuse to accept it, I will raise it alone!â
Katieâs words held an implicit threat toward Mitchel.
She anticipated a slew of complications once the child was born.
She was convinced that a man of Mitchelâs stature couldnât be ignorant of the repercussions.
Despite the Dixon familyâs staunch policy against recognizing illegitimate children, Katie reasoned that since she became pregnant when Mitchel was still single, their child couldnât be deemed illegitimate.
This child represented her leverage.
Moreover, with her arrangement, even before the childâs birth, Katie assumed Raeganâs demise should already be underway.
In this lifetime, the sole woman destined to marry Mitchel was her, and no other.
For any woman who drew near to Mitchel, would mysteriously vanish without a trace, much like the way she had orchestrated Raeganâs âaccidentâ in the past.
Raegan had narrowly escaped last time, but this time⦠Katieâs gaze fell, a fleeting glint of determination flickering in her eyes before vanishing.
Mitchelâs countenance remained impassive as he spoke.
âMiss Glyn, if you choose to proceed with the pregnancy, do so.
However, this child bears no relation to the Dixon family.
â