Chapter 3851

Kathryn stood up and fixed her gaze on Holden. “That’s what Mom intended. If they pursue this lawsuit, they will lose, and if they pressure me, it will only create more issues for them. They should sell their properties and stores while they still have the chance. Once they return home, they should view the last few decades as merely a dream.
You still need time to heal from your injury, so focus on resting and stop speaking poorly of us to the housekeeper. You must recognize your position and accept reality.
Marrying my mother was your decision, and it charted the course of your life. You cannot blame anyone else. The Janzen family benefited significantly from that union—it was a fair exchange. There is no room for complaints.”
Holden’s face flushed with anger and embarrassment; Kathryn had clearly overheard him complaining to the servant.
“Kathryn, call Pedro in. I need to speak with him,” Holden said quickly, attempting to regain control.
Kathryn hesitated, glancing at him before responding, “Pedro and I work as a team, and he listens to me. Whether I marry him or he marries me, there will be no bride price or dowry involved. Dad, don’t even think about asking him for one. Every dollar he earns is mine. I’ve already told him I don’t need a bride price or dowry.”
Holden’s expression darkened. “Have you never seen a man before? You’d marry him without a bride price?” He had hoped to persuade Pedro to offer one, but Kathryn had preemptively shut that down.
“Everything Pedro has is already mine. Why would I need a gift? If anything, it’s fortunate he didn’t ask me for a bride price. Dad, take care of yourself. I’m leaving now, so make sure to relay what I said to my brothers.”
With that, Kathryn walked out of the hospital room, leaving Holden behind.

Furious eyes followed her as she departed. After giving the servant some instructions, she and Pedro left the building. Finishing the last bite of her apple, Kathryn tossed the core into a nearby trash can. Pedro handed her a tissue to wipe her hands.

“I feel so much better,” Kathryn said with a smile. “Dad’s furious. He’ll probably stay angry for a while. When my brothers visit him, he’ll complain nonstop, which will only sour their moods—though their moods haven’t been great lately anyway.”

Ever since they discovered that their mother’s will had been amended to distribute her estate differently, Kathryn’s brothers had been consumed with anger. They even attempted to return to the Farrell family mansion to reclaim their mother’s jewelry but were unable to get past the front gates. The jewelry was meant for Kathryn, with her sister-in-law and niece receiving a piece as a keepsake.

Pedro smiled warmly. “As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.” He didn’t concern himself with the moods of others, even if it involved his future father-in-law.

As they took the elevator down and reached the hospital’s main entrance, they encountered a familiar face. It was Marco’s ex-wife, Erika Irwin—Kathryn’s former sister-in-law. She stood bundled in a thick coat, clearly waiting for Kathryn.

“Kathryn,” Erika said, smiling as she greeted her.

“Sister-in-law, what brings you here? Are you visiting Dad, or do you have someone else in the hospital?” Kathryn asked.

Kathryn’s relationship with her sisters-in-law hadn’t always been smooth. When she first returned, all three had treated her poorly, bending over backward to please Shiloh and even allowing Shiloh to undermine her.