Falling For My Billionaire Savior - Chapter 82: Chapter 82

"Mind your manners, Joey," Richard chided softly.
"I'm just stating facts," Joey retorted, waving the newspaper defiantly. "It's written right here."
I smiled, "Oh, Joey, you're so adorable. Since when do we believe tabloid nonsense? Mason and I are engaged. You can just call me Kate." Smoothly, I steered the conversation away from the scandal.
Delilah patted my hand. "The wedding is soon. Richie and Joey like you. Joey, you should bond with Kate. She's refined and well-mannered. Learn from her."
At that, I naturally didn't protest the praise.
Joey opened her mouth to argue, but Richard stomped on her foot under the table. "Yes, Grandma." She gritted out.
Beneath the polite laughter, tensions simmered. No one dared disrupt Delilah's harmony.
After some forced small talk, Helen announced dinner.
"Come, Kate," Delilah said, still clutching my hand. "You'll sit beside me."
A flicker of jealousy crossed Richard's eyes, but he stayed silent.
Joey, however, exploded. "That's Mom's seat! Katherine, how shameless can you be?"
I feigned remorse. "You're right. I'd never overstep family hierarchy."
Delilah's face darkened at Joey's outburst, but my "apology" ignited her wrath. "Helen, is this how you teach respect? Where are her manners?"
Martin moved faster than anyone expected. A sharp crack echoed as his palm struck Joey's cheek. "To your room. Now."
Joey ran off in tears, but no one spoke up for her.
"We're family now. Please don't stay angry with Joey," I said gently. "If word gets out that Mr. Knight locked her away during my first visit, people might think I'm petty."
Delilah's expression softened. "You're right." She turned to a maid. "Fetch Joey for dinner. No more tantrums."
"Let me get her, Grandma," Richard interjected, heading off. When they returned minutes later, Joey offered stiff apologies to Delilah and me, diffusing the tension.
Despite my protests, Delilah insisted I sit beside her.
The dinner was a full table of dishes. The servants laid them out with precision.
In front of Delilah were two light vegetarian dishes, while Martin had two hearty meat dishes. Helen hadn't come out of the kitchen yet, but in front of her empty seat, two spicy dishes awaited her.
Richard's side was two seafood platters, and two sweet desserts were set in front of Joey.
Before Mason and I were exquisitely presented dishes, flawless in aroma and appearance, but utterly impersonal. Understandable for a first-time guest like me, but Mason was the heir. This kind of arrangement was meaningful.
After months together, I knew Mason's preferences. There was no way Helen or the servants didn't know. The omission was deliberate. A silent declaration—They were family, and we were outsiders.
Delilah's brow furrowed slightly, but she held her tongue.
Mason's face remained impassive throughout the dinner. Polite laughter masked sharper undercurrents.
After dinner, Delilah summoned Martin and others to the study, leaving Helen and Joey to tour me around, especially the bridal suite, where last-minute changes could still be made.
Nerves prickled my skin, but I swallowed them. Showing fear now would only invite worse later.
The moment the study door closed, Joey dropped all pretense. "Katherine, why must you move into our home?"
I shrugged. "You think I want to live with you? If you can convince Delilah to let Mason and me live on our own, I'll throw you a thank-you party." I meant every word.
"Joey!" Helen cut in sharply. "Katherine is our family now. Do you want Delilah to hear you and punish you again?" Her pointed glance reminded Joey of my past recording tactics.
Joey glared but backed down. "Mom, I'm not feeling well. I'm going to my room."
"If Delilah finds you gone, she'll accuse you of snubbing Katherine," Helen reminded.
"Don't worry," I said smoothly. "I'll explain you're unwell." Truthfully, I wouldn't mind at all if both Helen and Joey just left me alone. A tour with only the servant would've been better than this fake politeness.
"Mom, watch her. Don't let her twist my words," Joey snorted before storming off.
Helen offered a saccharine smile. "Kate, forgive her. We've spoiled her."
I smiled, "It's fine. I'm older than Joey. I should be more accommodating."
"You're sweet," Helen smiled, then feigned kindness. "Though I'm just Mason's stepmother, I'll treat you as my own daughter."
"You're too kind," I murmured, ducking my head to hide my smirk. If I fell for that act, I would be the laughingstock of the family. So I'd better play the demure fool.
"Good girl," Helen said warmly, taking my hand and leading me around the house for a tour.
Mason always teased me for being money-minded, so I stayed extra quiet and observant in front of Helen. But even prepared, the opulence stunned me.
Earlier, I had been shocked by that high-end shoe cabinet. But now I realized that every item inside the house was incredibly expensive.
The nine-tier crystal chandelier in the foyer was imported. Its shipping cost alone could buy an apartment. And that was before the five foreign technicians who spent two months installing it.