Chapter 279 Everything Is Over

Chapter 279 Everything Is Over

Not far away, Veronica was walking out of a maternity store arm-in-arm with Yvonne, acting as warm and affectionate as if she were with her own daughter.

Four bodyguards followed behind them, each carrying bags of all sizes, looking like they'd practically emptied the entire store.

But Yvonne, who was being held by her arm, looked completely different.

She kept her head down the whole time, lips pressed tight, eyes vacant—like a carefully dressed doll displayed in a shop window.

Pretty, yes, but without a trace of life.

Those bodyguards behind her weren't there to protect her—they were there to watch her. Every possible escape route was blocked off.

Catherine raised an eyebrow. Looked like Yvonne really was pregnant. Frederick had been pretty ruthless.

She looked away, not wanting to run into them here, and tugged on Charles's sleeve, turning to head down the escalator on the other side.

But before she could take a step, Yvonne's gaze swept over and landed right on her and Charles's intertwined fingers.

Yvonne's expression changed instantly.

She was being used as a breeding tool by the Aldridge family, manipulated by Veronica and Frederick, while Catherine was strolling leisurely through the mall with Starlight City's most outstanding man—her former fiancé.

The contrast was too sharp, so sharp that all the blood in her body rushed to her head.

She immediately shook off Veronica's hand and walked quickly toward them.

"Catherine, what a coincidence, running into you here."

Catherine stopped and slowly turned around.

Charles frowned slightly and moved half a step forward, positioning Catherine at his side protectively.

Yvonne's gaze lingered on Charles for a second before returning to Catherine's face, her smile deepening. "Long time no see. Why didn't you say hello? We're family, after all, right?"

Veronica caught up then, and seeing Catherine and Charles, her smile froze for a moment before she plastered on an enthusiastic expression. "Oh my, if it isn't Ms. Montgomery and Mr. Davis! What a coincidence! Shopping too?"

Catherine gave Veronica a slight nod as a greeting, then turned her attention back to Yvonne.

"Do you need something?"

"Not really." Yvonne smiled and took a step forward, deliberately pulling down her shawl to reveal her still-flat belly, placing one hand gently on it with a hint of showing off in her tone. "I just wanted to tell you some good news. I'm pregnant. The doctor says the baby's healthy, and Frederick and I are getting married soon. I'll be the young mistress of the Aldridge family."

Veronica seemed surprised that Yvonne would suddenly bring this up to show off, but then thought—wasn't this exactly the effect she wanted?

Let everyone know Yvonne was carrying the Aldridge family's child. Once it was done, the Montgomery family couldn't deny it even if they wanted to.

So she immediately smiled and chimed in, "That's right! Frederick's about to become a father, and I'm going to be a grandmother—I couldn't be happier!"

Catherine found it somewhat amusing.

That Yvonne could actually use something like this to show off.

Just how much must she hate her?

Hate her enough to swallow her shame and parade the child of her captor as a badge of honor.

Catherine's half-smile made Yvonne feel indignant.

She was pregnant, she was going to be the young mistress of the Aldridge family—why was Catherine still looking at her like that? Why wasn't she jealous? Why wasn't she angry?

"What are you smiling about?" Yvonne's voice sharpened, and she couldn't maintain her smile anymore.

Catherine took a step forward and reached out to pull Yvonne's slipping shawl back up.

Then she withdrew her hand, looked into Yvonne's eyes, and said calmly:

"Looks like you're very satisfied with your life now. Then I wish you—may you stay this happy forever."

With that, Catherine smiled slightly, took Charles's arm, and turned to leave.

Yvonne stood frozen. She had the feeling Catherine's words meant something more.

Suddenly, Veronica's phone rang sharply.

Veronica looked at the screen and saw it was Frederick calling. She answered immediately.

But she'd barely said hello with a smile when she heard Frederick's voice, choked with tears, on the other end.

"Mom! Something terrible happened! Something really terrible!"

The smile hadn't left Veronica's face yet, but it froze at the corners of her mouth.

"What are you yelling about? Speak properly!"

"Mom! That money... the money I invested in the company—the Montgomery family is holding us accountable! They say the source of funds is questionable, involving fraud and illegal misappropriation. Now it's all over the news, IRS agents came, court officers came, police came too! They've sealed off the company! Mom, what do we do? What do we do!"

Veronica's face went white.

"How is that possible? Isn't Yvonne Gilbert's daughter? Doesn't the Montgomery family value Gilbert as their benefactor most? They already promised Yvonne to you, you're about to get married—how could they suddenly go after that money? Are they trying to destroy their own benefactor's daughter?"

"I don't know... I don't know!" Frederick sobbed on the other end. "They didn't say anything, just showed up with the paperwork. I didn't even have time to react! Mom, ask Yvonne! Ask her! Isn't she Gilbert's daughter? How can the Montgomery family do this to us!"

Veronica spun around sharply.

Yvonne had sensed something was wrong the moment Veronica answered the phone. Now, with Veronica glaring at her like that, her face went completely white.

Veronica grabbed Yvonne's wrist and yanked hard.

"Did you conspire with the Montgomery family? Did you plan this together to destroy the Aldridge family? Tell me! Did you?"

Tears immediately streamed down Yvonne's face as she shook her head desperately. "I didn't... I really didn't! I don't know anything! You've been the ones lying to me, imprisoning me this whole time! You locked me in that house with bodyguards at the door, windows sealed shut—I couldn't even touch a phone. What could I do? Who could I conspire with?"

"You dare argue!" Veronica raised her hand and slapped Yvonne hard across the face.

The force sent Yvonne stumbling back several steps. Her foot slipped, and she fell backward, hitting the ground hard.

A sharp, intense pain shot through her lower abdomen. Yvonne let out a piercing scream, clutching her belly and curling into a ball.

Veronica froze for a moment, then rushed forward and grabbed her hair. "Still acting! Still putting on a show! Tell me! What did you tell the Montgomery family! Did you tip them off about that money! Tell me!"

The bodyguards looked at each other. Finally, one stepped forward and said quietly, "Mrs. Veronica, she... she's bleeding..."

Veronica looked down, and her pupils contracted sharply.

"My grandson! If anything happens to my grandson, you'll pay with your life!"

At the escalator in the distance, Catherine had reached the elevator when she heard Yvonne's piercing scream behind her.

Her steps paused briefly. She turned and looked back through the passing crowds.

Even from this distance, she could clearly see Yvonne curled on the ground, convulsing in pain.

Mall security was already calling for an ambulance on their radios. Onlookers gathered in small groups—some pulled out phones to take pictures, others covered their mouths and whispered.

Catherine's gaze lingered for two seconds before she calmly looked away.

It was all over.

"Let's go," she said to Charles beside her.

...

Soon, the engagement ceremony took place as scheduled.

The stylist Rebecca had specially hired had just finished applying Catherine's lipstick when there was a gentle knock on the dressing room door.

"Boss, it's me." Lanny's voice came from outside.

"Come in."

Lanny pushed the door open and walked quickly to her side, bowing slightly.

"Boss, all the funds have been fully recovered, not a penny missing. Frederick and his mother have been prosecuted for multiple charges including kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, fraud, and illegal misappropriation of property. The court has ruled—life imprisonment, no chance of sentence reduction or parole. They'll rot in prison for the rest of their lives. Frederick's father has been lying in the hospital, and now his medical bills have been completely cut off. The hospital tried to notify family members with no response and has started the process to remove life support."

Catherine checked her lipstick in the mirror and gave a slight nod. "Got it."

Lanny bowed slightly and left the dressing room.

As soon as the door closed, another door was pushed open from outside.

Charles walked in.

When he saw Catherine, he froze, and after a long moment, let out an admiring sigh.

"Beautiful."

Catherine smiled. "Why are you standing there in a daze? Come in."