Marrying The Supposed Gold Digger (Valerie) novel Chapter 701

Katherine snatched the phone from Julian's hand and flashed it in his face, displaying the screensaver. "Didn't you say we were just ordinary friends? You've already got that woman by your side, and yet you still use my photo as your screensaver? Explain yourself right now. What's going on? Do you still have feelings for me?"

At that moment, Julian was at a loss for words. "I... I just didn't bother to change it."

"Is it that you didn't bother or that you don't want to?" Katherine demanded.

Faced with her probing gaze, Julian was rendered speechless. He turned his head and quickly called for a nurse. "Nurse, please take a look at her."

Katherine was unwilling to relent. "Julian, don't think you can just brush me off like that!"

Julian seized the phone, and at that moment, Valerie arrived. "Katherine!"

Katherine was stunned at the sight of Valerie.

"How are you? Julian, what happened to her?" Valerie asked.

Julian said, "She sprained her ankle. Get a doctor to check it out right away!"

Soon, the nurse brought the doctor over to examine Katherine. Frowning, Katherine's gaze drifted toward Valerie. She couldn't believe Julian was still ignoring her at a time like this. When she saw the phone screen, Katherine couldn't hold back any longer. 'If Julian still had feelings for me, then what about Linda?' she thought. She had so many questions she wanted answered, but with so many people around, she felt embarrassed to say too much.

The doctor examined her and said, "It's nothing serious, just a minor sprain. You'll be fine with a bit of rest."

Relieved, Katherine thanked the doctor and turned to look at Valerie.

Valerie patted her. "I know everything. You donated blood when I gave birth and sent me fruit baskets every day. Why wouldn't you see me?"

Katherine lowered her head and said, "It was my fault that you went into labor suddenly and almost went into critical condition. How could I bear to face you?"

Valerie rubbed her head. "Katherine, what kind of relationship do we have? How could you be afraid to see me, especially after everything you've done for me? You've been avoiding me. Don't you want to see what my child looks like?"

"Of course I am!" Katherine's face was full of longing. "I just felt too embarrassed to see you, after all that's happened, and for making you worry about me."

Valerie hugged her. "You silly girl, how could I blame you? Everything I did was for you!"

"Do you really not blame me?" Katherine asked, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Of course I don't. You saved my life," Valerie said.

Katherine broke into tears. "Valerie, I knew you were good to me."

Katherine smiled wryly. "It wasn't until I met your brother that I realized how terrible Dale was."

"Even so, you're still with him?" Valerie found it hard to believe.

Katherine let out a sigh and said, "I had no choice. I compromised for the sake of my family. The Santos Group's stocks rebounded because of my relationship with Dale. If there were any discord between us, it would probably affect the Santos family's development.

"You also know about my sister's situation, which has already caused a lot of trouble for the Santos family. I couldn't bear to see my brother in such a state. I didn't expect that being with Dale would have such unexpectedly good results. The star effect is indeed remarkable.

"My parents see hope now and won't allow me to break up. I have no choice. Anyway, this is how it is with Dale. Everyone gets what they need. I need to be with him, and he needs the resources the Santos family provides."

Valerie felt a pang of sympathy and hugged her tightly. "Katherine, I didn't realize you were carrying so much burden. Don't worry, if you need anything from me, just reach out. I can deal with Dale if necessary. He's so terrible. You need to learn to protect yourself. I'll cheer you on. I'll always have your back!"

Valerie regretted her earlier judgments, having thought Katherine was just infatuated with Dale, and she had scolded her harshly before. They had quarreled many times over this matter. She should have known then that Katherine wasn't that kind of person. She hadn't expected that Katherine would sacrifice so much, even her own happiness, for her family.

At the same time, she resented the Santos family for making things difficult for such a good girl. But she knew that this was how high society operated—many wealthy young women married for family alliances.

Valerie was grateful that her relationship with Matthew was based on mutual affection, but she felt that Katherine's situation was indeed too harsh. 'I can tell from the way Julian looked at Katherine that he still has feelings for her. Is there really no chance for them?" she wondered.

Katherine breathed in the faint scent of milk on Valerie and felt a sense of relief. "I understand, Valerie. Don't worry, I won't let myself be taken advantage of."