Chapter 20: Help Me

"All right, maybe we should give this matter more thought." Leo comforted her.

"This is your fault. Why didn't you take a tougher stand? Had we been more united, Cassie wouldn't have been so aggressive." Dora snapped; she was still angry and couldn't control her temper.

Daisy heard the conversation and was delighted for Kate. She knew that the cranky old woman would be taught a lesson one day.

**

The next day, Kate was leaving to work at the Smith Canteen, but when she walked out of the mansion, she saw Joseph waiting for her in the car. She was caught off guard by his actions.

The moment Kate arrived at work, Mike said enthusiastically, "Lady Kate, you only need to clean those five hundred cups today."

"Is that Joseph's order?" Kate was a little confused as she looked at the cups in front of her.

"Yes."

But why? Did he ease my work so that I would be in less pain and get pregnant easier? That has to be the reason!

Kate didn't feel touched over it; she knew that Joseph was always a result-oriented person.

Joseph was busy with work the entire morning, but not long after his last meeting, Dora showed up at the office.

"Hi, dear Joseph. How are you? I'm sorry to disturb you while you're working." Dora greeted. She was a little cautious when talking to Joseph, both of her hands tightly grasped her bag.

"That's okay, I finished up the working I was doing," Joseph replied and handed her a cup of water.

"You mentioned that Dad was not in the best condition yesterday, did he go to see a doctor?" Joseph continued to ask.

"He is reluctant to go to the hospital at any time. I called a doctor to come to our home to see him yesterday. There nothing serious going on; he just needs more rest." Dora replied casually. She wasn't there to talk about Leo; she wanted to ask Joseph to help her get White Group back.

"White Group has developed well in recent years. Dad hasn't needed to put too much effort in." Joseph said.

"It's your help that makes White Group strong," Dora replied immediately.

Seeing that Joseph's talking about the White Group, she then jumped straight to the point. She said, "Joseph, there is something that has been troubling me."

Joseph frowned then replied immediately, "Mom, you can talk to me anything if you like. Anna had passed away; it's my duty to take care of you now."

"If so, I will continue…" Dora said.

"Please go ahead." Over the years, because of Anna, Joseph showed great respect for Mrs. White.

"That's why I wanted to fight something for Anna."

Joseph kept silent for a long time after hearing what Dora had to say. He was always silent after hearing anything about Anna, though. He gently said, "Anna was a kind and caring woman. She wouldn't care for this if she were alive. We are better off letting her rest. Mom, I know you want to do something for Anna, but it is not necessary."

"NO!" Dora became excited immediately. She couldn't cover her resentment toward Kate; she continued saying, "I hate Kate Smith. How could she force us to sign the agreement? I thought we could live happily, but Anna, Anna, had…"

Joseph couldn't stay calm at the thought of Anna's death. Dora's instigating only caused his resentment toward Kate to increase. He couldn't forget the fact that Anna's death had something to do with Kate.

How could Kate have been so mean to Dora? I treated you so well, Kate. This morning, I even asked the canteen manager to give you less work.

"Joseph, I never asked you to do anything before. However, at this time, I hope you can help me," Dora said while crying, "I have lost my daughter, so I have nobody to depend on. I expect nothing but for the White family to keep me safe."

Joseph couldn't refuse Dora's pleading. It was Anna's letters that helped him on the hard days. He loved her, and it was a pity that he couldn't protect her when she needed him most when she had the accident. There was no way he could deny Anna's mother's pleas.

"Mom, I'll handle this for you. Don't worry, just go home and get some rest." Joseph said.

"Do you promise?" Dora was so happy that Joseph would help her, "I always knew you were a good man. Anna would rest in peace if she knew what you have done for her."

"Mom, you said that they didn't find Anna's body. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Can't we just ignore the fact? Two years have gone by, two years! Let it go, we have to move forward, don't we..." Dora interrupted him in a hurry as if she was trying to hide something.

Joseph tried to hide his suffering and said, "I'll take you home."

"Oh, no, I came here with my driver," Dora replied and quickly walked out of the office.

Dora couldn't hide her happiness after she left the Smith Group.

Kate, you will never win over me. Lady Kate, having Joseph's baby?

So what! You'll never be as important as my daughter in Joseph's heart.

**

Kate finished washing all the cups before lunch and was about to go home when Mike walked in, "I am sorry, Lady Kate. You have to clean more cups this afternoon."

"What?" Kate asked. She couldn't understand, she wondered if Joseph changed his mind.

"You can't leave the canteen until Mr. Smith says you can…" Mike said nervously.

Kate sneered. She's not surprised at all.

Maybe he was not happy again and vented his anger on me.

On her lunch, Kate took a nap and then returned to wash more cups in the canteen.