All Her Secrets

Chapter 304

As Rachael Lang listened to her husband’s changing tone, she instantly grasped the situation. Despitethe ups and downs of their many years of marriage, the level of understanding and unspokencommunication between them was still intact.

She turned and angrily scolded Johnathan Swann, looking like she couldn’t believe his recklessness.

“John, you are such a foolish child. How could you do this? It’s bad enough that you’re overthinkingthings, but you went as far as harming your sister, Kathy, as well. She is your sister, and we’re family.How could you do this?” rebuked Rachael incredulously.

Rachael sternly warned Johnathan,” I’m telling you now, I won’t tolerate this incident today. You owe yoursister an explanation!”

This reprimand even made Paxton Duncan, who was standing nearby, feel uncomfortable. He seemed tounderstand why Catherine Swann always had that icy and distant demeanor in order to keep everyone atarm’s length.

Dealing with a family like this would be strange if she weren’t so distant. They would be all smiles whenthey needed something, addressing each other as family.

However, in contrast, when there was no need, they wished the other person would disappearimmediately, and they were experts at placing blame. It was truly sickening.

After Rachael finished scolding Johnathan, she went on to appease Catherine. Although she secretlywished she could strangle Catherine, she had to lower her pride to please Catherine for the sake of herbeloved son.

“Kathy, I know your younger brother made a mistake this time, but this is a family matter. There’s noneed to take it to court, right?”

“Don’t worry; after this incident, I will definitely teach Johnathan a lesson so that he won’t dare to repeatsuch actions!” claimed Rachael.

In the face of Rachael’s attempts to please her, Catherine didn’t even glance at her. She stared at herphone throughout and completely ignored her. Rachael trembled with anger at the moment as shenoticed Catherine didn’t bother about her.

She would have charged up and given Catherine a piece of her mind if it weren’t for Branden Duncanbeing present. As Rachael was unable to confront Catherine directly, she pretended to look helpless asshe turned to Branden.

“Mr. Duncan, you’ve seen it too. My daughter has been distant from us since she was young. Shedoesn’t respond or agree to anything I say. I don’t know how to communicate with her anymore!” saidRachael.

Rachael had only one purpose in saying all this, as she wanted to expose Catherine’s true nature in frontof Branden.

She couldn’t believe that a prestigious family like the Duncans would accept a girl who showed norespect for her elders and had no manners, even towards her parents.

It was known that in the world of elite families, the utmost importance was placed on etiquette andhierarchy.

While a girl like Catherine, who was lacking in manners and refinement, wouldn’t even have a chance tostep into it. Branden’s lips raised slightly, and he looked at Rachael with an amused and worldly-wisesmile.

“I believe motherly love is noble, but Mrs. Swann, are you worthy of it?” asked Branden. The responsefrom Branden didn’t cause any significant injury but rather a severe insult.

Clearly, Rachael had abandoned her child out of selfishness and left her to fend for herself in thecountryside. Branden thought that it was shameless of her to even blame Catherine for not being closeto her.

Rachael’s face alternated with anger. She hadn’t expected Branden to come to Catherine’s defense, andshe certainly hadn’t anticipated that he would show her no respect in front of everyone. She fixed hereyes on Branden and hoped to find a way to justify herself.

“Mr. Duncan, could it be that my nine months of pregnancy were a sham? I am her mother, isn’t thatreal?” said Rachael.

However, in contrast to Rachael’s frustration, Branden remained remarkably composed. He spoke with acalm and indifferent demeanor, a stark contrast to his heated argument with her just moments ago.

He continued, “I wonder, Mrs. Swann, if you’ve ever heard the saying, “To give birth but not raise is to beungrateful and sinful.””

Since no one had ever spoken to her like this due to their respect for the Swanns’ influence, Rachael hadbeen left speechless by this retort.

After all, as Catherine was a girl that nobody wanted, it wasn’t worth offending the Swanns for her sake.However, Branden was the first to speak such words, and Rachael was too shocked to know how torespond.

After she fell silent, Branden gently removed the earphones from Catherine’s ears.

“Take a break,” said Branden to Catherine. He continued, “You’ve been playing games for nearly an hourand stared at your phone screen the whole time. It’s not good for your eyes.”

His advice was delivered so gently, completely different from the way he had fiercely confronted Rachaelearlier. The transformation was striking.

Then, Catherine obediently set her phone aside without hesitation. Rachael finally realized thateverything she had said to Catherine earlier, and even as well as the subsequent slander, had beenbrushed aside.

She had acted in a play with no leading character. This realization was more embarrassing than beingslapped in the face in public.

At this point, she harbored a deep hatred for Branden. However, she knew that the Duncans wieldedimmense power, and she had no means of resistance to them.

This feeling of pent-up anger and nowhere to vent it was enough to drive her mad. Korbin Swann had nochoice but to step in after seeing his wife, who was unable to salvage the situation.novelbin

He knew that without explaining to Catherine today, or more accurately, without explaining to Branden,who was supporting Catherine, they would never be able to resolve this matter.

Since they had already obtained favorable evidence, Johnathan might actually go to jail.

“Kathy, no matter what, Johnathan is your younger brother. Please, for my sake as your father, let him offthe hook. If you have any requests, name them, and I will do my best to fulfill them,” said Korbin.

Even the parents, who usually held themselves high, were bowing their heads to Catherine.

Johnathan, the fool that he was, genuinely began to feel scared. His face turned pale, and he huddledbehind Rachael. He was too frightened to show his face and thus relied on his parents to resolve thematter.

Catherine smirked coldly, and her stunning face bore a chilly smile with a touch of sarcasm when shefaced Korbin’s request.

“You’ll agree to any request?” she questioned. Korbin and Liana Swann felt that Catherine’s gaze wasoff-putting, creating an inexplicable sense of fear. But for the sake of saving Johnathan, they had noother choice.

After all, Johnathan was their only son. Korbin nodded and then looked at Catherine with a fatherlyexpression.

“Kathy, we’re family, and Johnathan is your brother. You wouldn’t harm him, would you?” said Korbin.

“Of course, not going to jail works too, “Catherine casually remarked in a light voice and indifferentappearance.

Korbin silently breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought that Catherine, along with Branden, had comehere to make a big fuss and strip him of his dignity.

He had even prepared himself to part with some of his assets. He hadn’t expected Catherine to be soaccommodating.

“It seemed that she still wanted to please us in the end.” thought Korbin. Korbin felt that Catherine wasstill clever in the end. After all, her blood ran with the Swanns’ lineage. Korbin assumed, “Her goal wasclearly to marry the Duncans by getting closer to Branden.

“Furthermore, how could she have a better life in the Duncans without a powerful family backing her?

“Smart women knew how to make choices,” he muttered. Korbin smiled and nodded with his eyescontaining a hint of satisfaction.” Catherine, I always knew that you were sensible and cared for youryounger brother!” said Korbin.

Catherine gave a faint smile looking at Korbin, but her charming expression hid an unfathomable chill.She said, “Hold on!”