Chapter 36 You are the Killer

Seeing Anna, Joseph pushed Kate away instinctively. He rushed to explain, "Don't misunderstand the situation. She was just so upset, and my mother asked me to take care of her."

After glancing at Kate, Anna hypocritically replied, "I am not that mean, Joseph. She just lost her grandma and needs your comfort. I completely understand."

Kate woke up when she heard Joseph and Anna talking, she pointed at Joseph then yelled, "It was you, Joseph! You killed my grandma!"

The night before, when Kate would not agree to a divorce, Joseph threatened her grandma's life. Then suddenly the next day she passed away, Kate did not believe that it was a coincidence.

Joseph was trying to defend himself, but he was interrupted by Anna, "Your grandma's death has nothing to do with Joseph. The doctor said that she died of natural causes. Joseph did nothing to her."

Kate was furious and, on her way, out of the room snarled, "Only he himself can say whether he did it or not. Anna, please take your disgusting words and hypocritical face and leave me alone. I will get even with you after I am done planning my grandma's funeral."

"Is she crazy?" Anna felt uncomfortable Kate acting crazily, while Joseph remained silent.

**

The funeral for Kate's grandma was held one week later. Both the Smiths and the Whites were in attendance. During the funeral, Kate restrained all of her anger when she saw Joseph, Anna, and Dora. Kate did not want to disrespect her grandma, but after the funeral, she would no longer tolerate any of them.

"Kate, your grandma is gone and will not be back. You need to concentrate on yourself now," Leo reminded her before leaving the cemetery.

Dora turned away because she did not want to see Kate, but Anna was looking for her. Then she walked toward her and, in a loving tone, said, "My sister, I believe that Grandma will live a good life in the other world. Don't be sad; we will help you because we are family."

Kate closed her eyes and covered her ears, not wanting to see her or hear her voice. Lisa was next to Kate; she stared at Anna. She wanted to scold Anna in public and tell everyone that the letters Anna wrote to Joseph were actually written by Kate. But she remembered what she had promised Kate and stopped herself.

Cassie overheard what Anna had told Kate. She put her arm around Kate's shoulders and said bluntly, "No, you are not Kate's family. She is different than you!"

"Auntie…" Anna wanted to explain, but she dared not question Joseph's mother.

Joseph saw the four women together and rushed over to stop any conflict; he put his hand on Anna's arm and said, "Let's go."

Anna was very arrogant but still pretended to be timid in front of most people.

However, both Kate and Lisa knew that no words would comfort her at such a sad time.

Halfway back to their car, Anna suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong with you?" Joseph asked gently.

Anna answered, "Joseph, Kate needs you at this time. If you leave with me, she will be sadder."

Although she said encouraged him to comfort Kate, inside, she was very pleased. Joseph had chosen to be with her even when Kate was upset. She could see that she was more important to him than Kate ever would be.

"Are you testing me?" Joseph asked.

"No, I'm not." Anna explained in a hurry, "I just…"

At that very moment, Cassie walked up behind them. Anna was frightened as she slipped behind Joseph's arm. She innocently whispered, "I may irritate your mother…"

Joseph held her hands immediately to protect her.

Seeing the intimacy between the two, Cassie became even angrier. She pointed at Anna, shouting, "Why are you so shameful? You are trying to seduce a married man."

Cassie saw Dora getting in her car; she shouted at her, "Get out of the car!"

Realizing how much pain Anna and Dora caused was too much for Cassie. They need to be punished, she thought.

Dora had been watching Joseph and Anna; she was nervous as she mumbled, "What…what, do you want?"

"I can see that you have taught your daughter to seduce married men, just like you did! I will never allow your daughter to marry my son. I only recognize Kate as my daughter-in-law," Cassie scolded bluntly.

"Cassie Smith, I respect you because you are Joseph's mother. If you still say those evil words, do not blame me for being impolite." Dora warned her.

"Respect? How can a mistress have respect for others? And, you are still encouraging your daughter to take my son away from his wife?"

Dora could not bear it anymore, she got out of the car and pointed her finger in Cassie's face, "Take your son? Your son was dating Anna, and he loves her. After Anna disappeared, Kate took Joseph and forced him to marry her. Now that Anna is back, Kate won't agree to a divorce so that Joseph and Anna can be together."

"My son had the right to find someone else after your daughter pretended to be dead. Do you think he should have lived his life alone?"

"You forced him to marry Kate!"

"But, you did not object to it because you want to gain the Smith Group's favor."

"You…"

"ENOUGH!" Joseph interrupted them. He pulled Cassie away and, with a cold expression on his face, said, "Either way, I will not give up on Anna."

"You…" Cassie was furious when she heard he was committed to Anna.

Dora had a smug smile on her face, "Did you hear that? Your son said he would choose Anna. No matter what you say, you will not change his mind."

Cassie stared at her son and cried, "I'm so disappointed in you!"