Falling For My Billionaire Savior - Chapter 69: Chapter 69

Since Mason's family was coming to visit me soon, I figured it was the perfect time to bring out the recording. I turned to Mason and said, "I've got something you should hear."
I hit the play button. Joey's shrill, aggressive voice poured out of my phone speaker.
When it ended, Mason immediately made a copy on his own phone. I looked at him, confused. He simply said, "Just in case."
That afternoon, I was lying in bed with my eyes closed, trying to rest. Martin, Helen, and Richard arrived. Martin's attitude was completely different from earlier that morning. The aloofness was gone—he was now soft, even a little apologetic.
Helen, on the other hand, looked stiff. A flicker of malice passed through her eyes before she forced a smile, an insincere one.
Richard looked calm and composed as usual. He placed a fruit basket on the bedside table and said, "Kate, Joey was too reckless. I'm here to apologize on her behalf." Then he bowed to me, looking rather sincere.
If Mason hadn't warned me what Richard was capable of, I might've really believed his act.
I said, "Richie, please don't. I'm not mad at Joey. She was just upset on behalf of Mrs. Knight. It was a moment of—"
Before I could finish, a voice interrupted from the doorway, "Katherine, don't be so shameless. You were fine when I left. You know exactly how your leg got hurt. Don't try to frame me."
Well, it turned out Joey was lurking outside.
She stormed in, face red—and not from anger. One side of her cheek was clearly swollen, with a bright handprint on it. So, she was slapped.
I said gently, putting on my best wronged-but-kind tone, "Joey, I already told you I'm not mad. Don't be so aggressive, okay?" I knew Joey had a short fuse. I knew this tone would light it right up.
My leg was fractured, but I could still fight by arguing. If I hadn't deliberately tried to be nice, I'd have made her blood boil in the morning.
As I expected, Joey stamped her foot and shouted, "Shut up, you two-faced bitch."
I said nothing because she wasn't wrong—I was being two-faced. And so what?
Seeing me bow my head and stay quiet only made her angrier. She screamed, "Katherine, I swear I'll kill you!"
Joey lunged toward me, her hands flailing in the air. I put on a frightened look, but I wasn't worried at all. If she thought she could throw a tantrum in front of the whole family and still get away with it, then I'd admit my defeat.
But I didn't lose. Martin grabbed her arm and yanked her back. He turned to Helen and ordered, "Take her home. Lock her up. No one lets her out without my permission."
Helen tried to smooth things over. "Darling—"
"Get out," Martin snapped.
Helen didn't dare argue. She dragged Joey out of the room.
"You're biased, Dad. And every last one of you. You're all horrible," Joey screeched as she was pulled away.
"Enough. Go," Martin urged.
Finally, the room was quiet again. With an awkward smile, Martin spoke up, "Kate, I didn't discipline her properly. I'm sorry."
"Mr. Knight, please don't say that. Joey is still young. I believe she'll know what's good for her someday." I gave a thoughtful reply, but tears shimmered in my eyes.
Martin promised, "You have my word. I'll teach her a good lesson when we get home."
Richard, who had been quiet all this time, finally spoke, "Kate, we're going to be family soon. We'll meet often. It's better to clear up any misunderstandings now, don't you think?"
I looked him straight in the eye. "If you've got something to say, please go ahead. No need to beat around the bush."
"Alright then," Richard said with a stiff smile. "If I say anything out of line, please don't take it to heart."