A Replacement Bride

He took a seat across from her. "Who else if not me? There's no other person in this room." He handed

her the cutlery and urged, "Hurry. It's getting cold."

Noticing that he was about to have breakfast with her, she blinked in surprise. "You haven't had

breakfast?"

He nodded and answered in a matter-of-fact tone, "Yeah. I was waiting for you."

Her expression did not change much, but her heart was filled with warmth.

Halfway through the breakfast, someone knocked on the door. Assuming it was the hotel staff

performing room service, she wanted to answer the door, only to be stopped by Joaquin.

"Stay here. I'll go." Then, he headed toward the door.

She went back to having breakfast without much thought, but soon, she was interrupted by his gasp.

"Professor Muller! Why are you here?"

She was frozen for a moment upon hearing that. Immediately, she went to the door and found two

more visitors apart from Theodore. There stood Zak, the man she saved from the grim reaper, and

David Blatt, a nice-looking young man she befriended in Kyoland.

After a brief moment of surprise, she composed herself and greeted the professor. She merely glanced

at Zak, and her eyes finally landed on David. "It's been a while."

David smiled back at her, sounding like an old friend. "Kathy, we haven't seen each other for a while

now." His eyes were tender.

Joaquin could not refrain from stealing a look at that man who casually called Katherine's nickname,

but he did not make any comment about it. He knew that the three visitors came all this way for her.

Hence, he decided to stand aside without a word.

"Kathy, I was worried that you might already head home to Hovington. Thankfully, I checked with Mr.

Town and was informed that you are staying here," Theodore greeted her with a smile to clear the

awkwardness quickly.

She nodded at him. "I'm done with work. I'll head home after taking a two-day rest here."

Following that, she invited them to take a seat inside the suite. They seated themselves in chairs

around the couch. Then, Zak took the opportunity to thank her. "Miss Cornell, I am grateful for your

kindness and skills that saved me from death. I didn't have a chance to thank you before. Today's visit

was a little rushed, and I didn't bring any gifts for you. I promise to hold a dinner, which I hope you'll

attend. I shall be the host to you and show you my gratitude."

He flashed her a grateful smile. "I heard that you saved my wife and daughter as well. I am beyond

words! You are the hero of our family. Miss Cornell, if there is anything you need, just let me know. I'll

fulfill your wish!"

Theodore hurriedly cleared his throat after hearing the speech and gave him a look. "Zak, you are a

shallow man. Kathy does not care for materialistic rewards."

Based on his understanding of her, she never cared much about monetary returns, which she did not

lack anyway. He was worried that Zak's words might irritate her instead.

At that, David chimed in gentlemanly with a smile. "Indeed, Kathy has never been interested in

materialistic stuff. She saved your family at Mr. Town's request and to fulfill the Hippocratic Oath."

Since the two men had attempted to save the situation, Katherine, despite her lack of expression, did

not make it awkward for them. Instead, she dropped a casual remark. "That's too much of a

compliment. It's wrong to say that I have no worldly desires. Who doesn't like money? It makes the

world go around."

Then, she glanced at Zak. "Mr. Fraser, you don't have to stress over it. David was right. I didn't save

your family because you're the Frasers, so don't worry."

He smiled with a toady attitude. "That's very kind of you, Miss Cornell! You are truly different from the

others—from the way you carry yourself to your generosity!"

Tired of going in circles, she suddenly looked straight at him and asked, "Tell me. You have recently

recovered from illness, but you rushed back to Kyoland right away. What's your purpose in asking

David and Professor Muller to come with you?"

Staring at her cold expression, he had no idea how the situation would play out. Fighting against his

nervousness, he bit the bullet and chuckled awkwardly. "Miss Cornell, you're quite straightforward.

Alright, then. I will tell you. Since you have saved many lives in my family, you are now our hero. How

about saving one more life to complete your kind deed? Please save my father!"

The atmosphere turned uncomfortable after he confessed his purpose of visit. Katherine remained

expressionless, and her eyes that pierced through him betrayed no emotions.

He cowered under her stare, and his heart was thumping wildly. He had no courage to look her in the

eyes. Instead, he stole a glance at David and Theodore.

The two men wanted to help him out, but she spoke ahead of them, "If this is the purpose of your visit, I

will tell you that you have pleaded with the wrong person. I will never save him."

Zak was anxious after getting rejected. "Miss Cornell, you're such a great doctor! Why would I be

pleading with the wrong person? If you agree to help, my father will recover from his illness! Look, you

have saved many of us in the family. How about one more? Don't worry! If you're willing to save him, I

can satisfy any of your wishes!"