A Replacement Bride

Chapter 181

Joaquin was even more shocked when he heard what Katherine had said. "Your Grandpa is the founder of the Red Web?" Darren Olsen—I never intentionally investigated him and his background, but I didn't expect him to be someone with such an impressive identity.

Katherine nodded and proceeded to say, "Grandpa was the dean of the Department of Computer Science at Northride University. Besides, in case you don't know, the Olsen Family's business was mainly engaged in the computer-related industry back then. The family business only gradually faced restructuring and engaged in the other industries later after Jorge robbed my Grandparents and my Mom of the entire Olsen Family assets."

Since she was already candid with Joaquin, Katherine figured she did not need to continue hiding this from him. Therefore, she told Joaquin some information about Darren. Either way, Joaquin has the ability to dig Grandpa's information if he wants to. So, I might as well just tell him.

"So that's the backstory. I get it now." Katherine mentioned Darren was a dean of the Department of Computer Science at Northride University. I've heard a lot about this particular department. I know it has always been an outstanding academic department in Cechirus and kept maintaining its position until it gradually declined five years ago. Come to think of it, five years ago was also roughly the time period when something happened to Darren. The academic performance of Northride University's Department of Computer Science gradually began to decline after Darren left the university, and now, the department is nowhere near being known as one of the top ten outstanding academic departments in Cechirus.

Katherine spoke up to gain his attention when she noticed that he was immersed in his thoughts by saying, "These people who want to kidnap Grandma are probably chasing after the things Grandpa left behind."

Joaquin looked at her in surprise when he heard her speculation. How? She seems to know everything.

Katherine rolled her eyes at Joaquin and said snappishly, "Hey, don't look at me like that! At first, I thought Grandma had some sort of a unique identity and was hiding secrets from me. But from the incident of her getting kidnapped this time, I finally understood that these people are chasing after the things Grandpa left behind and not her." Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

"Did you never think that your Grandma might have an extraordinary identity you aren't aware of?" Joaquin asked tentatively.

"Extraordinary? What extraordinary identity can she have? She's just an ordinary old lady," Katherine replied, unimpressed.

When Joaquin saw that Katherine seemed not to be bothered, he couldn't help but let out a cough before asking again, "Did it never occur to you that perhaps she wasn't just an ordinary old lady, and not all those who came to Cechirus are after the things your Grandpa left behind? Maybe some of them are after your Grandma?"

Katherine remained silent and simply raised her brows at him.

All of a sudden, Joaquin felt somewhat guilty. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Still looking at him with a half smile, Katherine replied, "Grandma indeed has a secret identity. You know very well why those people tried to deceive Grandma and lure her back to Cechirus. So, what are you trying to get from me?"

Joaquin looked away with a guilty conscience and said, "I don't know what you're talking about."

At this moment, Katherine felt she no longer needed to keep beating behind the bush with Joaquin. Therefore, she decided to be honest and told him everything she knew. "Grandma does possess some

special abilities. Her transfiguration technique is unparalleled. Not only that, she possesses several special formulas in her hands, which I think many will want, especially the formula for the elixir of rejuvenation. Those people are after the formulas she possesses, aren't they?"

All her life, Jennifer had lived by Darren's side, kept a low profile, and paid no attention to the affairs of the outside world. Even until the day Darren died, she was still that ordinary old lady everyone knew. In fact, she even became ill and never recovered after that. As a result, Katherine acquired all the information about Jennifer through special channels even though she was her granddaughter.

And if Katherine didn't acquire the information about Jennifer, she would never know that Jennifer's brilliance used to be so unmatched back when she was young. Katherine also wouldn't have known that Jennifer was the youngest senior researcher in Cechirus' Department of Physics. If she didn't marry Darren and given birth to Elsie in the later years of her life, Jennifer might have continued to exude her brilliance in her career.

Yet, she was willing to restrain her grace and brilliance for Darren's sake and become an ordinary old lady who stayed with her husband and daughter.

Joaquin was even more shocked when he heard Katherine's statement. "You knew everything?" These are all state secrets. As a matter of fact, they are even classified as Triple-S-leveled top secrets. Ordinary folks can't access them at all, but Katherine can actually acquire them! How did she even do that?

Katherine just smiled at his apparent astonishment. Since she retrieved the information through some atrocious channels, she didn't bother explaining how she obtained them.

Joaquin didn't ask any further questions after he saw Katherine's response.

Nevertheless, their relationship obviously got a lot closer after this heart-to-heart talk.

Katherine immediately dismissed him when she noticed it was getting relatively late, especially after she saw he had no intention to leave. "Thanks for helping me save Grandma and Noah. You can go home now."

However, Joaquin rose to his feet, opened the closet, took out the quilt, spread it on the floor, and sat cross-legged on it like he had years of experience in doing this. "I think the floor of your room is quite comfortable to sleep on. I've made my decision. In order to protect you and Grandma and prevent the incident that occurred today from happening again, I'll stay here with you until those forces in Hovington leave."

Katherine's frustration turned into slight amusement when she saw Joaquin acting like a ruffian.

"Suit yourself," Katherine said huffily.

Joaquin, on the other hand, looked at her with a smile.

After that, Katherine left her room and headed straight to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Later in the evening, Noah and Jennifer didn't have a great appetite and didn't eat much.

When Katherine saw this, she knew they hadn't recovered from the incident that occurred during the day, especially Noah. Her face looked pale even after the incident had ended hours ago. Judging from this, one could imagine how frightened Noah truly was.

Katherine eventually couldn't stand watching Noah in that state. Therefore, she said lightly after dinner, "Noah, come and sleep with me in my room tonight."

Still, she felt something was off as soon as she said that. Hence, she rushed into the kitchen with the excuse of washing the dishes.

By the time Katherine finished washing the dishes and returned to her room, Noah was already waiting for her in the room. She sat on the bed and looked curiously at Joaquin, who was sitting on the ground. "Mr. Joe, why are you sleeping on the floor in Mom's room?"

Joaquin answered vaguely, "That's because I have upset her. So, I can only sleep on the floor."

"Then, you have to cheer her up well. Although Mom would say many mean things, she is also a big softie. She'll forgive you as long as you sincerely apologize to her." Noah taught him seriously.

Her antics utterly amused Joaquin. Nonetheless, he still nodded and said, "Yes, I understand. Thank you, Noah. I'll certainly admit my mistake and apologize to her sincerely."

Meanwhile, Katherine stood at the door and listened to the conversation between the two. The corners of her mouth twitched before she opened the door and entered.

At once, Noah got up and sat down properly while looking at Katherine obediently for fear of upsetting her.

Regardless, Noah still felt a little excited, considering this was the first time Katherine took the initiative and suggested that they slept together over the years.

Katherine stared at her, asking, "Have you brushed your teeth?"

Noah immediately jumped off the bed and stuttered, "N-No. I-I'll brush my teeth right away."

After she finished saying that, she ran out like she was escaping from hellhounds.

Katherine couldn't help shaking her head, feeling amused as she watched Noah run out of her room to brush her teeth in fear.

After ten minutes, Noah returned with a faint minty scent wafting off her. She looked at Katherine cautiously before crawling onto the bed and lying on the bed conscientiously.

Katherine turned off the main light and switched on a small desk lamp. Finally, she turned her head to look at Noah again. As she saw just how nervous Noah was, she smiled softly before reaching out to raise Noah's head and placing it on her shoulder, effectively cradling Noah in her embrace.

At that moment, Noah could feel her heart beating fast in excitement. I-I'm actually sleeping with Mom!