The Billionaire Who Saved Me - Chapter 73: Chapter 73

This made me so angry. I'd seen people with no shame but never someone this bad. How could Helen be so low, trying to pin this on me?
So after their failure in using Elena to get me, now Helen and Richard were having another go? Did they really think I was soft dough they could squish any way they wanted?
I was just about to speak when Delilah cut me off, "Helen, you're misunderstanding Kate. Kate told me that girl's not right in the head. Richie looks a bit like her boyfriend, that's why she keeps pestering him.
"When Richie gets back, I'll have to talk to him. Being too soft-hearted isn't good. Look, it's got the girl turning up at our door."
I was stunned. Delilah twisted it like that?
Truly, the older ones knew best. With only a few words, she not only cleared Richard completely but made him out to be some kind of hero.
Moira suddenly understood, trusting every word Delilah said.
I saw Delilah's warning look. I didn't say anything else, but I was fuming. This was so frustrating.
The group carried on chatting like nothing had happened.
Helen acted like nothing was wrong, not even saying a word of apology. Delilah was too busy keeping Moira calm to pay me any mind.
And I just got hit for no reason? That was unfair.
So I was not supposed to tell the truth? Fine, I wouldn't. But I could still mess things up without saying a word.
"Delilah, I'm not feeling well. I'll go back to my room," I said, covering my swollen cheek, my eyes filling with tears as I said to Delilah.
Delilah wanted to make Richard look good? I'd see how she made Helen, who hit her daughter-in-law, look good.
Helen was about to snap, but Delilah stopped her with a sharp glare. Then Delilah smiled at me and said, "Go on. Helen, you go put some medicine on Kate's face."
Then Delilah turned to Moira and said, "Helen and Kate are usually like mother and daughter. Today, they even got into a little tiff over you. You can see how sorry Helen is, can't you?"
I felt like I had a mouthful of blood stuck in my chest like I'd hurt myself inside. It stung right to the heart.
Moira was so innocent, no match for Delilah. She believed every word Delilah said. Moira said, "Mrs. Delilah Knight, I envy your family so much. You all get along so well, and Richie's faithful and kind."
Moira said that with her face all red like she'd realized it wasn't quite right to gush so much on her first visit to her boyfriend's house.
But seriously, which eye of hers saw "getting along well"? This girl was hopelessly naive. Girls in love were terrifying. Did they really lose all their senses?
I grumbled nonstop in my head, but I kept up the act on the surface. If this plan didn't work, I wasn't going to push it. If I really made Delilah mad, things wouldn't end well for me.
Delilah's reminder must've clicked with Helen. She apologized to me, "Kate, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I misunderstood you earlier. Can you forgive me?"
What could I say? Could I really say I wouldn't forgive her?
"Helen, it's my fault for not explaining beforehand. You're not to blame," I was saying when Richard walked back in from outside.
He looked totally normal, calm like he'd just stepped out for a casual look around.
"Richie, you're amazing. I love you even more now." Moira threw herself into Richard's arms, absolutely starstruck.
"Silly girl, I love you too," Richard said.
"Richie, what about that girl earlier? Why don't we ask her in, so I can explain and tell her you're not her boyfriend? She seemed so pitiful. I want to help her," Moira said.
"Sure, I'll let you talk to her sometime. But she's already left, so maybe next time," Richard said.
Even though he had no idea what had gone down, I had to admire how quick he was on his feet.
"Helen, go tell the kitchen to start serving dinner. Richie, you two can whisper sweet nothings after eating. Don't you think Moira might be hungry? Come on, Kate, help me up," Delilah said.
"Coming," I replied.
The whole mess had fizzled out before it even really started. Delilah's ability to turn chaos into order left me amazed, honestly impressed.
If Delilah hadn't been there, Helen would've definitely messed everything up today. Even if she hadn't, her hostility toward me would've scared Moira off. And if that didn't, once Moira told her parents about that, Greg Duke would never let her marry into the Knight family.
Delilah had defused this whole chain of consequences all with barely a lift of a finger.
I'd been slapped, but it wasn't over yet. I'd keep this score handy and settle it slowly, no rush.
At the dinner table, Moira sat to Delilah's left and I was told to sit on her right. Then there was a spot saved for Helen. Martin sat below Helen, and Richard was right next to Moira.
Delilah had always been strict about rules, but this arrangement made no sense. Not that it mattered. She made the rules, so she could change them however she wanted.
We'd barely started eating when the doorbell rang.
Everyone at the table went quiet at once. Deep down, they were all nervous.
"I'm coming now." Helen moved faster than the servants, hurrying from the kitchen to the front door.
First, she peeked through the peephole and then opened the door. "You silly girl, why are you so late getting back?"
It was Joey.
"Mom, is Richie's girlfriend here yet?" Joey asked.
"Yes, of course. Everyone's in the dining room eating, just waiting for you," Helen said.
That was a clever thing to say. Mason wasn't home either, but Helen said, "Just waiting for you." Delilah's eyebrows furrowed slightly, but she didn't say a word.
By the time they finished talking, Joey had reached the dining room. When she saw Moira, she broke into a big smile. "Hi, I'm Richie's sister Joey. You must be my future sister-in-law?"
Moira immediately stood up, her face turning red. "Hi, Joey. I'm Richie's girlfriend. Just call me Moira."
"Joey's always running around with no manners. Sit down and eat," Delilah said. "Moira, don't pay her any mind. She's just a wild thing. If she were half as nice as you, I'd laugh in my sleep."
Delilah noticed that while Moira had corrected Joey's reference to her as "future sister-in-law," Moira didn't actually seem to mind the idea. That told Delilah all she needed to know. She softened her tone with Joey too, not even asking where she had been.
Joey and Moira hit it off right away even though it was their first meeting. They chatted and laughed through the meal, getting along perfectly.
After dinner, they sat for a little while longer. When Moira saw how late it was, she stood up to say goodbye and head home.
Richard went to drive her home, and Joey insisted on going along. Everyone warmly saw them out the door, staying until the car was out of sight before turning back.
As soon as we stepped inside, Delilah's face fell. She turned to me and said, "What's the story with that bridesmaid of yours?"
"Elena and I haven't spoken since the wedding. I have no idea how she found her way here, let alone why she came looking for Richie," I replied, looking Delilah in the eye.
With a clear conscience, I wasn't afraid of any questions.
"I say she did it on purpose. She's jealous that Richie's girlfriend is better than her. Delilah, we can't just let this go. If it weren't for your wisdom, we'd have made a complete fool of ourselves today," Helen said.
"Stop yelling. Do you want the servants to hear and laugh? You two, come with me to the study," Delilah said.