The Billionaire Who Saved Me - Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Afterwards, everyone gathered at a luxury hotel. Though it wasn't a grand banquet, a private dinner between the two families was essential.
The lavish private dining room held two tables, one for the elders and one for the younger generation. Edward and his family arrived as well. After introductions, I learned he was the city's deputy mayor.
The engagement dinner was eerily harmonious. None of the disasters I had braced for came to pass.
Helen showered me with compliments, and even Joey threw an arm around my shoulders, chirping. "Katherine, I was childish before. Please forgive me."
I forced a smile. "Of course. We're family now. I'll treat you like my sister."
Richard chimed in, "Katherine, please do mentor Joey. She could learn so much from you."
"Oh, come on. Helen is the expert," I said, my grin stiff.
Even Mason thawed, cracking rare smiles and chatting amiably.
Delilah and the elders watched our performance with satisfaction.
By the end, my cheeks ached from smiling. Everyone played their parts perfectly—warm, affectionate, and united. But we all knew it was an act for Edward, the only true "outsider" here.
The moment Edward's family departed, the forced smiles vanished like smoke. Joey piped up first, her voice sweet. "Grandma, I promised friends we would study at the library. May I go?"
"Go ahead." Delilah nodded.
I nearly rolled my eyes. Mason had told me Joey considered books better sleeping aids than pillows.
Richard rose next. "Grandma, I should head to the office."
Delilah's demeanor warmed instantly for her grandson. "You've been performing admirably lately."
"Thank you. Though I still have a lot to learn from Mason. He outshines me in every way."
Delilah beamed, "Good boy."
Nothing pleased her more than familial harmony, and Richard knew exactly how to play that chord.
Thanks to Richard's good performance, Helen even earned rare approval from Delilah. Delilah said warmly, "Helen, you should rest too. It's been a long day."
Helen blinked. "You're not returning with us?"
Delilah replied, "Mase and I have matters to discuss. You all go ahead."
A flicker of tension crossed Helen's face before she masked it with a smile. "Sure. We'll see you at home."
As the guests thinned, Aria approached to take her leave. Before she could speak, Delilah waved her off with a dismissive hand. Aria flushed crimson and left without a word.
I had never paid Aria much attention before, but curiosity prickled at me now. Though she and Mason were siblings, their icy distance spoke volumes. I made a mental note to ask Mason about it later.
"Kate, come here." Only the Gordon family's four members and three of us remained in the private room.
I shook off my thoughts and settled beside Delilah. "Aren't we leaving?"
Delilah chuckled, "Your parents flew across oceans. Won't you spend time with your mother?"
I offered a demure smile, carefully neutral. Navigating the Gordon family required precision.
I was supposed to have amnesia, and I knew about them selling off their company for a high price after using "my" accident for sympathy. Too warm would make Delilah doubt where my loyalties truly lay with the Knight family.
Too cold would mark me as heartless. So with the Gordon family, I offered a demure smile, carefully neutral. My "amnesia" provided the perfect alibi for this calculated distance. Besides, they weren't exactly deserving of my warmth.
Apparently, I had struck the right balance. Delilah patted my hand affectionately. "Chatterbox with me, but mute with your mother? They're staying at this hotel. You can spend the day with them. No returning to the hospital."
I nodded. "Okay."
After leaving the private room and bidding farewell to Delilah, I accompanied "my family" to their presidential suite.
The moment we stepped inside, their demeanor shifted drastically. Suspicious eyes raked over me, their gazes prickling my skin like needles. Something felt off about this family, though I couldn't pinpoint exactly what.
Bridget was about to speak, but her husband, Harvey Gordon, yanked her aside. Then, he ordered, "Elsie, take Bridget to rest. She's exhausted."
Bridget hesitated, but a sharp glare from Harvey silenced her. With obvious reluctance, she followed Elsie into the inner room.
Harvey's face darkened as he turned to me. "You weren't pulled from a river, were you?" His tone made it sound less like a question and more like an accusation.
"Dad, what do you mean?" I feigned confusion. Playing dumb seemed the safest bet until I figured out their game.
"Mason told me you have amnesia, and you don't remember us."
"That's right."
"But I don't think you're my daughter." Harvey's eyes were blades, devoid of any warmth.
Chester Gordon, "my" brother, silent until now, nudged Harvey subtly, giving a silent warning.
Harvey's tone softened just slightly. "I only meant you treat the Knight family with more affection than us. It hurts."
That nudge didn't just warn Harvey. It reminded me, too. A realization sparked. I said coldly, "Funny. I don't feel much like your daughter either. Not when you sold Mason a worthless shell company for 1.5 billion dollars while I was missing. Surprisingly, I'd be worth so much."
Harvey's demeanor shifted instantly. "Sweetheart, don't blame me. Your husband insisted on paying that much."
Chester chimed in with a forced smile, "Kate, no need for harsh words. Our family's influence is substantial. The Knight family got their money's worth."
I kept my voice icy. "Whether it's a fair deal or not, you know it well. If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."
Chester stopped me. "Wait, Kate. One more thing."
"Go ahead." I glanced at him.
He hesitated for a while and finally said, "The Knight family lacks manners. Shouldn't they offer you something for the engagement?"
I chuckled, "Oh? Funny you mention that. Five years ago, you pocketed 1.5 billion dollars selling me off. How much of that will I see?"
Chester and Harvey didn't respond. They watched me like cornered wolves.
I pressed on. "That money came from trading me like livestock. Hand over half, and I'll waive the interest."
"Dream on! Where the hell did you—" Harvey's rage erupted.
Chester cut in smoothly, "Dad, don't take Kate seriously. She has always been playful. Even now, she's still teasing us."
Harvey clutched at his chest, theatrically wounded. "See how she favors her husband's family already? My heart breaks."