Chapter 168 - Ungrounded

Parson Residence,

They finally had left the guest house. They moved back to the mansion and gathered in the living room. This time, three lawyers are loyal to the Baroness. 

Katarina never expected them to cut their credit cards by fifty percent. It has now a limit. She has never been humiliated like this. How can she shop with her friends now? They would mock her for being poor. She gritted her teeth as she watched her mother sign the papers. She needs to endure this. There are also rules that she must follow. They can't make any scandal outside ever again as she did to Victoria and any scandal that would ruin their family or else they would be banished from the family. 

She didn't have a choice but to sign it anyway. If she didn't, she might not be able to do her grandmother's favor. She just can't wait for the Baroness to die to receive the wealth that she deserves. 

"All of you better stick to that plan. I'll have bodyguards to follow you around." Regina said. "Do you understand, Bailey?" 

"Yes, mother." 

"Good. You are responsible for your wife and daughter. Make sure that they won't make any stupid decisions. Now that I let you even have a glimpse at the Royal Gala, I don't want any problems this time." 

"Yes, mother. I will be responsible." Bailey said. 

"You can now go back to your job and this time, if you ever meet the Duchess of Westeria, I want you to apologize together with your family. Kneel in front of her if you must." Baroness Regina exclaimed. 

"Mom," Katarina whimpered. 

"Katarina, if your mother didn't raise you to be a monster toward Victoria, everything should be well now. This embarrassment won't happen. Do you understand?' 

Katarina gritted her teeth as she bowed her head in embarrassment. However, she's not ashamed. She hated Victoria even more as she blamed it on her. After the signing, she quickly went up to her room and messed up the bed, and screamed after shutting the door. 

"I'm going to fucking kill you, Victoria." She growled as she saw how happy Victoria was in a new position. "I hate seeing you happy." 

She liked how Victoria acted gloomy and lifeless in the mansion. But the time that Jason approached her, she hated her more as she wanted to ruin the happiness that Victoria had with Jason. That's why she seduced the man. At first, the man was restraining but it didn't take long when they started having an affair. Still, Jason always had usual dates with Victoria as he romances her, taking her to beach and yacht and few more casual dates without having sex. Every time Jason would feel it, Katarina of course always tags along as they do it behind Victoria's back. 

Now as Katarina saw that Victoria was happy even in the news and from the paparazzi, she felt envy. Her husband was holding her with so much affection and there were photos of them laughing and kissing in public even though they were dressed casually. They were known as the future King and Queen of Great Greivania. 

She quickly reached for her phone and called Jason. The man quickly answered her call. 

"Come to the mansion," Katarina said quickly. 

"I miss you," Jason mumbled. "I'll be there." 

"Okay," Katarina hung up and slouched on her bed. She must do something to ruin the Duchess. 

Curious, Katarina opened the television and checked it. The first thing was the restaurant outside Westeria. It was free for homeless people. The new news was all about the Duchess of Westeria who had long planned for it even though she wasn't married to the Duke. Princess Kaisley in the interview said that they were best friends for a long time.

"The first one who suggested it was Duchess Victoria." Princess Kaisley said from her live interview. "Then, I said, 'yeah, let's do it!'. I suggested it to Caleb right after that. He promised me that he'll build one for me and fund it when his business goes. Then, after two years, I got divorced and he was there to help me and protect me… He gave me the photos of the finished restaurant. He literally built it for me. The Duchess also funded it. She's the anonymous sponsor that everyone is talking about." 

Katarina exhaled slowly. Her mother shaped Victoria to be perfect and now, she looks perfect in everyone's eyes. Everyone knows that the King favors Victoria for the ArchDuke, who is also the Crown Prince. 

"We heard that you know Duke Ivan for a long time?" The famous interviewer asked. 

"Yes," Princess Kaisley answered flawlessly. She looked excited by talking about them. "He and Duke Maverick are Caleb's only true friends. He even couldn't stop talking about them." 

"They must look at each other as brothers." 

"Yes," Kaisley answered and nodded her head. "We didn't know Kenzo or Maverick at that time. They are just Kenz and Mave to us. They work in construction and have other jobs to earn money. At that time, everyone knew that Cal was an heir to their family business yet he made his own business. Cal looked after them like his little brothers. Kenz and Mave, do the same. I never saw Cal happy hanging around with the two." 

The interview goes on and that only made Katarina annoyed. 

"How about Duchess Stacey?" 

"Stacey never met Kenz and Mave. She was still in college, burning her brows," Kaisley giggled. "Victoria never met them before. Maybe I had a glance with them…" She shrugged. "But somehow, when I met Duke Kenzo while working for their family Empire, I was surprised that I recognized him although I only met him like two times. I was completely surprised that Duke Mave was in love with Cal's cousin. It must be fate." 

She waited until Jason came into her room with lots of gifts. She quickly rushed to him and hugged him. He sighed in relief and kissed her forehead. 

"I missed you," Jason mumbled. 

"I miss you too." The couple kissed each other passionately and she waved off the maids. The first thing he noticed is the interview with the Princess. He removed his coat and put it at the edge of the bed. "Can we have a vacation together?" She asked. 

Jason exhaled and nodded. 

"Yes, but we can't have it this weekend. I still have to solve a few things." 

"You look tired." She said softly. She still cares for him. 

"Yeah," he reached her hand where she's wearing their engagement ring. "We should get married." 

Katarina loved that idea. She nodded at him and snuggled to him. 

Jason caressed her hair. It's one way. He must get married to Katarina so the Baroness could give him a favor. However, seeing Victoria's face with Kenzo on the latest post of Duchess Stacey. Kenzo and Victoria are riding on the same horse and Kenzo was so close to her. She's smiling beautifully as the two looks at each other with hearts in their eyes. 

Then, a video came up where they are laughing hard when Kaisley laughed after seeing Caleb stepped on the poo of the horse. On the other hand, Victoria and Kenzo were also laughing while they were riding at the back of the stallion. 

"That's good luck!" Maverick shouted and Jason was more focused on Victoria who was giggling at whatever Kenzo was whispering in her ear. 

Jason felt a surge of jealousy. It was also the same for Katarina. But she's jealous of Victoria who has this new life as a Duchess. 

"So, when do you want our wedding to be held?" Katarina looked up. Jason was lost in the thought of Victoria. "Don't tell me that you still admire Victoria?" 

"No." He looked down at her with a big smile. "Victoria chose a beggar that turned out to be the Crown Prince." 

She exhaled and shook his head. 

"We will be going to the Royal Gala. You are my escort." 

Usually, even Welch couldn't enter that Royal Gala. But somehow, the Royal Gala is only for the invited people that will be approved by the castle. On the same day, the Royal Gala as independence day would fund the townspeople with free drinks and food from the establishments of Etrama.

"I will prepare for a suite." He smiled. "And what kind of dress are you wearing? I will find you the best gems so you'll look stunning." 

"Really?" Her eyes gleamed. She sighed depressingly. "Grandpa cut out my credit card." She mumbled. "I don't want to go out. It's embarrassing." 

"Hey," he took out his credit card. It's a golden card. "Take this one. You are my fiancée after all." 

"Are you sure about this?" 

He nodded and kissed her forehead. 

"I only doted on you," Jason mumbled to her as his eyes turned to the television where Kenzo and Victoria's photos were highlights of their sweet moment. He never had spoiled Victoria as he did to Katarina. That's because Victoria never asked for anything and although he saw her looking at a pair of shoes and would brush it off, he would ignore it. 

Somehow, he saw them back in the mall where Kenzo bought pairs of shoes for her, the one she was eying.. He wondered if he ever doted on her, would she stay with him and forgive his sins? But she's married to a Duke, and it's too late.