The Billionaire Who Saved Me - Chapter 64: Chapter 64

"Joey, sit down." Helen tugged at her, motioning for her not to say that in front of Delilah.
But Joey didn't notice what everyone else saw. "Mom, stop pulling me. Grandma's so unfair. I've begged for that bracelet forever, and she never gave it to me, but this woman shows up and gets it? Katherine, I hate you."
It was just like they said—an innocent man got blamed just for holding something valuable.
Delilah slammed her fork down on the table. "You're so ill-mannered. Fighting over a bracelet and disrespecting your sister-in-law? Do you even look like a lady right now?"
Joey snapped, "I was never a lady anyway. Treating a stranger better than your own granddaughter. I hate you. I hate all of you!"
Joey shouted and then burst into tears. She pushed her chair back and ran out.
I started to go after her, but Delilah stopped me. "Kate, sit down. And none of you go after her either. She's so willful. If she doesn't fix that attitude, she'll make a laughingstock of our family when she marries."
Delilah's face was livid with anger. No one at the table dared even breathe loudly, let alone defy her by chasing Joey.
Honestly, my opinion of Joey had softened since the wedding dress incident. She was spoiled and rude, but at least she was straightforward.
No two-faced games with her. Finding someone like that in a wealthy family—pretty rare really.
The meal fell apart after that. If we'd managed a fake truce earlier, now even the pretense was gone.
Afterward, Delilah called the men to the study to talk. That left just Helen and me in the dining room.
"Go to the kitchen and wash the dishes," Helen ordered, settling onto the couch.
I pretended not to hear, turning to look at the paintings on the wall.
Helen tried calling Joey, but the phone kept shutting off. She threw it onto the couch in frustration. "Where could that brat have run off to?"
She looked over at me, saw I hadn't moved, and snapped. "Get to the kitchen. Are you deaf?"
"I'm not deaf, but I'm not going. If I do the servants' work, what's left for them to do?" I replied.
I finished speaking slowly and headed upstairs. I'd just taken two steps when I was stopped. Helen said, "Katherine, I really underestimated you. You're quite good at putting on a show in front of people and acting differently behind their backs, aren't you?"
I turned around, smiling brightly, "Helen, I learned from the best—you. Don't you remember what happened five years ago?"
As soon as I mentioned five years ago, Helen's face changed. It turned dark and menacing. She stared at me fiercely, and I met her gaze without backing down.
After a long moment, she ground out three words through her teeth. "It's not true."
I was startled, but my face didn't show it. "What do you mean? You might as well say it clearly."
"You know exactly what I mean."
"I really don't. Why don't you jog my memory?"
I kept smiling, but inside I was tense. Just when I thought she might slip up, Helen changed the subject. "Call Joey and apologize. Then I'll drop this thing about you disobeying me."
She knew Joey's phone was off, but she still wanted me to call? Was this clumsy topic change a sign she was starting to panic?
I decided to press harder while I had the chance.
I sneered, "A young girl running off at this hour? She's probably at a nightclub. Even if her phone wasn't off, she wouldn't answer."
I spoke and started up the stairs slowly. No outburst came as I'd half expected. But in the split second, I turned my head and caught a flash of viciousness in Helen's eyes from the corner of mine.
My heart skipped a beat, and I tensed up, staying on guard.
Just as I braced myself, Helen suddenly sat down on the floor, crying out in fits and starts. "It hurts. My stomach hurts so much."
The second she hit the floor, I sprinted up a few more steps. As I ran, I shouted, "Cathy, hurry out here and check on Helen. Martin. Delilah. Helen's stomach hurts!"
Our voices brought everyone rushing out. "What's wrong? What's happening?" Martin hurried over bending down. "Helen, why's your stomach suddenly hurting?"
"Helen's just worried sick about Joey. That's why her stomach hurts," I cut in before Helen could speak.
Please. What if she'd said I'd upset her? Whether it was true or not, Martin would have chewed me out. I didn't care about his scolding, but what would Delilah think?
I'd just promised I'd be tolerant, and then I'd made Helen's stomach hurt? I'd look like a liar. There was no way I was taking the blame for that.
Honestly, that was the least of it. If I'd run down to check on her instead of heading upstairs, that would've been disastrous.
If Helen had claimed I'd deliberately pushed her, what could I have done? No wonder Mason had warned me over and over to be careful. Turns out, I couldn't let my guard down for a second.
With everyone gathered and me still standing on the stairs, Helen wore a defeated look. It gave me a sick sort of satisfaction.
"Delilah, can we get Joey back? It's dark out. I'm worried for her, a girl alone outside," Helen switched tactics fast. Seeing her plan had failed, she went along with what I'd said.
Delilah sighed, "Richie, go fetch Joey."
"Yes, Grandma," Richard said, heading out.
That was when I slowly descended the stairs, feigning concern. "Helen, let me help you upstairs to rest."
If she dared accuse me in front of everyone, I'd admit defeat.
No surprise—I won. Reluctant as she was, Helen let me help her up the stairs and into her room.
After leaving Helen's room, Delilah gave me an approving look. "Good girl, you're a fine wife to Mason. Go rest."
Thanking Delilah for her kind words, I went back to my room with Mason. Once my tense nerves relaxed, exhaustion washed over me.
This was only the first day. Just thinking about the days ahead gave me a headache.
Mason poured a glass of water and set it in front of me. "You did well today. Be even more careful from now on."
"I made an important discovery today," I said.
"What is it?" Mason asked.
I repeated the conversation I'd had with Helen downstairs. When he finished listening, his brows drew tightly together.
I didn't dare interrupt his train of thought, just waiting quietly.
After a long while, he finally spoke again. "Be careful from now on. Keep pushing her buttons."
"I'm afraid she'll go all out against me."
He patted my shoulder. "She won't hold back just because you're scared. Don't worry."
I was speechless. Was that even supposed to be reassuring?
After my shower, I lay in bed. Mason looked preoccupied, his brows still furrowed in thought.
Even though I'd been hoping he'd leave me alone, letting me rest for the night, it still stung to think he might be thinking about another woman.
But I couldn't say a word. That was when it hit me. Sadly, I didn't even have the right to be jealous.
I closed my eyes, pretending to be fast asleep, but my restlessness made me toss and turn. Finally, my constant shifting prompted Mason to speak. "If you can't sleep, stop faking it. Want to get up for a drink?"