Just then, a passing waiter warned Raegan of a slippery floor up ahead and advised her to use the back exit to avoid the hazard.
Raegan saw oil spilled on the floor ahead, making it slippery, so she went out the back door instead.
As Raegan approached the back door, her gaze lifted, revealing the unexpected sight of a familiar yet unwelcome figure, someone sheâd been hoping to avoid.
Why did she always bump into Katie?
Raegan sighed inwardly, feeling such a bad luck to bump into this face.
Her eyes shifted away from Katie, determined to pass by without a word, avoiding any potential confrontation.
Katieâs voice unexpectedly pierced the air.
âWhat a coincidence, donât you think?â
Raegan ignored Katie, not wanting to get involved in a conversation and attempted to step around her.
However, Katie grabbed Raeganâs arm, halting her, and scolded, âWhere are you going? How rude of you not replying to me!â
Raegan retorted coldly, âPoliteness should be shown to people.
â Where threats to her safety and those of her child were concerned, the facade of civility was unnecessary.
Moreover, Raegan held little faith in Katieâs ability to offer anything of value to the discourse.
For it would surely devolve into empty boasting on Katieâs part, a spectacle Raegan had neither the patience nor inclination to endure.
Katie flared up at Raeganâs indirect insult.
âYouâre insulting me!â
âIâm direct when I insult someone.
â Raegan replied with a cold smile, âYes, Iâm referring to you.
â
Katieâs anger twisted her face as she glared at Raegan.
âHow can you be so vile? Mitchel doesnât want you anymore! What makes you think heâd everâ¦â
Katie stopped herself mid-sentence, suddenly falling silent.
She couldnât let Raegan know that she was aware of her pregnancy.
But Raeganâs instincts kicked in, and she became instantly alert, especially as Katieâs piercing gaze swept over her, causing her palms to grow clammy with nervous sweat.
She wondered if Katie was hiding something, or if Katie had uncovered a secret.
With this thought, Raegan felt a surge of unease and promptly stepped aside, her voice firm but measured as she said, âPlease, step aside.
â
Katie stood motionless, her arms crossed defiantly and her eyes blazing with a dark intensity, fixed piercingly on Raegan.
Raegan seemed to be nervous.
How interesting.
Katieâs suspicions grew, and she became increasingly convinced that Raeganâs child was Mitchelâs, her mind racing with the implications.
Raegan, Katie thought, was using the child as a pawn to manipulate Mitchel.
How could Katie allow Raegan to succeed? Even if Mitchel were to die, Katie felt he rightfully belonged to her, and she couldnât bear the thought of Raegan claiming him.
Katieâs voice dripped with malice as she sneered, âYouâre still fixated on stealing my man, arenât you? Are all women from the Foster family destined to become mistresses?â
Raegan had intended to just leave, but Katieâs venomous words halted her in her tracks.
She spun around, her eyes narrowing as she demanded, âWhat exactly do you mean by âwomen from the Foster familyâ?â
Katieâs face fell as she realized her mistake.
She almost revealed a secret about Casey.
She had just been privy to this information from her fatherâs trusted confidant.
But the truth was still uncertain, leaving open the possibility that Casey had been secretly spirited away by Davey.
What nonsense about the talented Caseyâs retirement?
From what she had gathered, Casey had abandoned her husband and their children, carrying on a shameful affair with Davey without even the decency of formal separation.
Katie sneered, âYouâre just a Foster woman, through and through!â
Raeganâs eyes narrowed, her voice sharp as she pounced on the slip.