Chapter 472
“Pay up,” Caitlin said coolly.
Katrina, wincing in pain, glared at her. “You’re crushing my hand. How am I supposed to scan the code p>
Caitlin arched an eyebrow. “You’ve still got one good hand, don’t you p>
Gritting her teeth, Katrina took a long, steadying breath and managed to fish her phone out of her purse with her free hand.
Fine. Whatever. Sometimes you just had to swallow your pride.
Just wait-once she married Xavier, she’d make this little blonde brat pay.
Caitlin glanced at Celeste. “March, show her the code p>
“On it!” Celeste nodded, quickly pulling up the payment screen.
Beep.
A notification chimed: Payment received-$13,000 via PayPal.
Only then did Caitlin release her grip on both women.
Katrina let out a sigh of relief.
Jeanette, forgetting her own soreness, rushed over to Katrina’s side. “Katrina, are you alright?” she asked, concern etched on her face.
Katrina’s expression was stormy. She ground out, “I’m fine p>
Ever since she started dating Xavier, everyone had been fawning over her. This was the first time she’d ever had to swallow such a humiliating loss.
Jeanette clutched Katrina’s arm, then turned on Caitlin and Celeste with a furious glare. “Celeste, you’ve just made the biggest mistake of your life. You and the entire Hayes family are finished. Just wait-within six months, you’ll both be nothing but a bad memory p>
With the Richards family’s resources, making two nobodies disappear was child’s play.
But clearly, Caitlin and Celeste had no clue how much trouble they were in.
Celeste just smiled at Jeanette, completely unfazed. “You should be more worried about yourself, Jeanette. Your own family’s the one about to go under p>
The Howard Group was in shambles. If things weren’t so dire, would Jeanette really be here, brown-nosing Katrina? She was betting everything on Katrina’s favor-her only shot at clawing her way back up.
Celeste’s words hit home, cutting deeper than any insult. Jeanette’s expression twisted with shock and fury.
Celeste turned to Caitlin, looping her arm through hers. “Catie, let’s go. I’ve had enough of these lunatics p>
She glanced down at her shirt, still soaked with iced tea. She needed a new top, pronto.
As the two girls walked away, Jeanette’s face went white with rage. “Celeste! You listen to me—Katrina’s boyfriend is with the Richards family p>
Katrina cut her off sharply. “Shut up p>
Jeanette spun around, confused. “What is it, Katrina p>
Katrina narrowed her eyes. “Why ruin the surprise? It’s no fun just telling them who my boyfriend is. Let them enjoy their little victory today. Slow and steady- that’s how you boil a frog alive p>
Once she’d met Xavier’s family, he’d handle everything for her-not just Xavier, but all of the Richards family would be on her side.
Just picturing the entire Richards family fighting her battles made Katrina feel giddy with anticipation.
Soon, both Celeste and Caitlin would be groveling at her feet.
Jeanette nodded, catching on immediately. She grinned. “You’re right, Katrina. It’s so much more satisfying to watch them squirm p>
She was counting the days until the Hayes family crashed and burned. When that day came, she’d make sure to settle the score.
Katrina turned away, her voice regaining its composure. “Come with me. I want to look at handbags p>
“Handbags?” Jeanette cocked her head in surprise. “Are you getting one for Hannah p>
After all, it was Hannah’s ninetieth birthday. A handbag seemed a little… underwhelming.
“No,” Katrina shook her head.
“Then who’s it for?” Jeanette pressed. She could’ve sworn Katrina had brought
her along to pick out a birthday gift for Hannah.
Katrina’s lips curled into a slight smile. “It’s for the Richards family’s newly found princess p>
Freya-she was the only
granddaughter of the Richards
family. Hannah doted on her. Above her, she had eight uncles and aunts who treated her like a precious gem. She’d gotten her own private jet as a newborn, and when she was reunited with the family, they gave her a luxury yacht worth eight
figures.
Thirteen older brothers, all wrapped around her little finger.
Princess didn’t even begin to cover it.
Xavier had mentioned Freya to Katrina many times, saying that if he ever brought home a girlfriend, Freya’s approval would be essential.
Katrina had also heard that Hannah listened to Freya more than anyone else— she’d ignore her sons and daughters-in-law, but when Freya spoke, it was as if gospel.
So, Katrina’s real goal in visiting the Richards family wasn’t just to win over Hannah. She had to get on Freya’s good side. If she did, she’d have one foot in the Richards’ door, no question.
Jeanette nodded. “Ah, so it’s for Miss Gonzales. Have you picked one out yet?” Freya wasn’t your average heiress. Any ordinary bag just wouldn’t cut it.
“I put down a deposit already. It’s an MG limited edition,” Katrina replied. “But I don’t know if she’ll like it. Xavier says Freya is… different from other girls.” A flicker of worry flashed in Katrina’s eyes.
Jeanette squeezed Katrina’s arm, giving her a reassuring smile. “Don’t stress, Katrina. You’re gorgeous and so kind-Miss Gonzales is bound to love her future sister-in-law. Besides, Tread in the news that she grew up here in Silverhaven, just like you. If she finds out her brother’s girlfriend is a hometown girl, she’ll be thrilled p>
“You know what they say nothing brings people together like meeting someone from home p>
That did the trick. Katrina’s worries melted away-she and Freya were both from Silverhaven. They’d hit it off right away, with plenty to talk about.
A genuine smile blossomed on Katrina’s face. “Let’s go up to the fifth floor and check out the handbags. After that, I want to look at some jewelry. I need to pick out a few extra gifts for the princess p>