Chapter 483
The door swung open.
In that instant, Katrina straightened her back, pasted on her brightest smile, and clung tightly to Xavier’s arm as they stepped into the foyer.
She was nervous.
Utterly, painfully nervous.
The Richards family was one of those sprawling clans, and today, almost every member had gathered to welcome her.
From grandparents to grandchildren-everyone was here.
Xavier sensed the tension radiating from Katrina, so he squeezed her hand with a reassuring smile. “Relax. Just stick by me. There are a lot of people, but all you need to do is follow my lead when it comes to introductions p>
“Okay,” Katrina managed, nodding.
Trying to ease her nerves, Xavier lowered his voice. “Freya even prepared a welcome gift for you p>
“A welcome gift?” Katrina’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked up at him. “Really p>
He nodded. “Absolutely. So, you have nothing to worry about. My family is already very fond of you p>
Caitlin had, in fact, picked out a gift for Katrina—an elegant emerald necklace. There was still a stretch of hallway before they reached the main hall.
As the two approached, all eyes in the room turned their way-some curious, some appraising.
Caitlin, who was in the middle of slicing an apple, paused mid-cut, her brows knitting together.
Why did this girl look so familiar?
Noticing Caitlin’s strange expression, Hannah glanced over. “What’s wrong, Freya p>
Caitlin shook her head slightly. “It’s nothing. Must just be my imagination p>
With nearly a hundred feet still between Xavier and Katrina and the rest of the family, surely she was mistaken.
But the closer they got, the heavier the pressure seemed to bear down on Katrina. Her palms were damp and cold with sweat.
She was simply overwhelmed-after all, today was pivotal for her.
If she could just make it through this evening, she’d become the lady of the
Richards family’s fourth house.
Click-clack.
The hall was so quiet that the sound of Katrina’s heels echoed across the marble.
Xavier led her straight to Hannah. “Katrina, this is my grandmother p>
“Grandma, this is my girlfriend, Katrina p>
Katrina was so anxious she barely dared lift her gaze. She bent forward, almost in
a bow. “Hello, Mrs. Richards, I’m Katrina p>
Hannah nodded, her eyes flickering with a trace of surprise.
She won’t even look up. Not exactly the picture of confidence, this girl.
Hannah had always preferred women who were poised and self-assured.
Xavier didn’t let the awkwardness linger. He gestured to the young woman beside Hannah. “And this is my sister, Freya. Just call her Freya. Freya, this is my girlfriend, Katrina p>
Only when Katrina stood right in front of her did Caitlin realize she hadn’t been mistaken.
“Oh, it’s Miss Prescott! What a coincidence-fancy running into you again p>
A coincidence? Again?
The whole room stilled with surprise.
Did Freya and Katrina know each other?
Even Katrina was taken aback.
What did she mean? Did Freya actually know her?
And… why did Freya’s voice sound so familiar?
Suddenly, Katrina remembered-Freya grew up in Silverhaven, too.
Could it be… they’d met before?
Yes, that had to be it.
Otherwise, why else would Freya have prepared her a welcome gift?
Maybe… maybe her place as the Richards family’s fourth daughter-in-law was already secure.
The thought steadied her nerves. She finally looked up at Caitlin. “Fre p>
But as
soon as Katrina saw Caitlin’s face, her eyes widened in shock. All
the color drained from her cheeks, and the word she meant to say crumbled on her tongue Hermind went blank.
No-no, this couldn’t be happening.
How could the precious little miss of the Richards family be this wretched girl?
Wasn’t she the one who couldn’t even afford a business class ticket-a nobody? What now? What was she supposed to do?
It was as if every ounce of strength had been sucked from Katrina’s body; she could barely stand.
Hannah, sensing something was wrong, spoke up quickly. “Freya, do you and Miss Prescott know each other p>
Caitlin nodded. “Yes, Grandma p>
Hannah looked even more surprised, about to ask how they’d met, but Xavier beat her to it.
“Freya, how do you know Katrina p>
Now every head in the room turned toward Caitlin, curiosity written on their faces.
Sure, both Caitlin and Katrina were from Silverhaven, but in a city of over ten
million people, their paths crossing was more than mere chance.
Caitlin spoke up. “Xavier, do you remember the woman who almost tripped me on the plane p>
He nodded. “I remember p>
She continued, “And do you recall, about two weeks ago, when I told you March and were out shopping and someone spilled a whole cup of milk tea on her-and then had the nerve to demand we apologize p>
Xavier’s expression darkened in recognition. “I remember that too p>
He’d been furious when his friend Celeste told him the story. Who could be so unreasonable? Celeste had even joked that, thank goodness, that woman already had a boyfriend-otherwise, she’d be a nightmare on the dating scenes Birds of a feather,” Celeste had
laughed, “I bet her boyfriend’s just as
bad p>
Before Caitlin could say another word, Xavier pressed on, “Wait, Freya, what does
any of that have to do with Katrina p>