Chapter 62 Let's See How Long You Can Hold Out
The question hit like a ton of bricks, making Cedric instantly cover his face, totally embarrassed.
Katniss's lips twitched as she glanced at Kieran. With a serious look, he helplessly explained, "Is it really that tough to answer? I'm just curious if Katniss has a boyfriend. If she's got a boyfriend or is married with kids, I wouldn't want to bug her to tutor me."
Kieran's face screamed, "Y'all are overthinking this. It's just a simple question."
Katniss felt a bit awkward.
But after thinking it over, she said, "You're considerate, so I'll answer. I'm married."
"What?" Cedric looked shocked and, thinking of something, said, "Katniss, don't use this as an excuse to reject me. It's not necessary. Don't mess up your own reputation!"
Katniss shook her head seriously, "No, I really am married."
Disappointment flashed in Cedric's eyes.
In the end, he could only give Kieran a wry smile.
Kieran rolled his eyes at him and started talking about school stuff.
During the meal, it was mostly Kieran and Katniss chatting about school, while Cedric, who said he was fine, looked super bummed out.
He drank alone, occasionally casting a slightly heartbroken yet relieved glance at the two of them.
Halfway through the meal, Kieran went to the restroom.
Cedric, cheeks flushed from drinking, walked over with his glass and plopped down next to Katniss.
"Katniss, are you really married?" he asked, his face scrunched up like a kid.
Seeing he seemed to care, Katniss scooted her chair back a bit to create some space.
Then she replied, "Yes, Mr. Neville, I really am married."
Cedric sighed deeply, leaned back in his chair, and glanced back to make sure Kieran hadn't returned.
He whispered, "I finally get why Kieran's grades have tanked. He got into a fight with a classmate who called him a motherless child, which probably hit a nerve."
Kieran had always longed for a mother, something Katniss had known for years.
"He wants you to be his stepmom," Cedric said with a smile, "But on second thought, let's forget it. If you really became his stepmom and he ended up hating you after spending so much time together, that would be more troublesome."
Cedric tried to lighten the mood with a joke, and Katniss couldn't help but laugh, nodding in agreement. "Makes sense."
Cedric took a deep breath, looked at Katniss again, and threw out, "How about you become his godmother?"
"Don't worry, you won't have to give him money or take care of him. Just help him with his studies and guide him a bit," Cedric quickly added when he saw her hesitation.
Katniss frowned, about to say something.
Suddenly, Cedric stood up and quickly moved back to his seat, saying, "Take your time to think about it. Let me know next time we meet!"
Just as he finished, Kieran came back.
After the meal, Cedric insisted on giving Katniss a ride home.
"Forget it, Mr. Neville, it's not convenient," Katniss pointed in a direction. "There's a bus over there. I can catch the last one if I go now."
Thinking about her being married, Cedric didn't push it and said, "Alright, then I'll walk you to the bus stop. It's late, and you might miss it."
Katniss couldn't refuse and got into Cedric's car.
On the second floor by the window, a tall figure stood there.
His deep eyes locked onto Katniss's shadow under the streetlight, looking like she was having a good chat with Cedric.
And Kieran kept watching her, talking and laughing as they got into the car.
His brows furrowed tightly, and he leaned against the wall, watching Katniss leave in Cedric's car. He flicked the ash off his cigarette.
A cold irritation crept onto his face as he tugged at his shirt collar, anger bubbling up inside him.
"Tristan, what are you doing here?" Bella walked over from the adjacent private room.
"Is the food here not to your taste? My bad for canceling the original restaurant reservation. I thought the dinner was canceled when I saw Katniss leave."
"It's fine," Tristan replied, stubbing out his cigarette and tossing it into the trash. He looked at Bella indifferently and said, "Let's go back."
At the bus stop, Katniss got out of Cedric's car just as a bus arrived. She turned and got on.
The streetlights cast a warm glow on her face as she enjoyed the tranquility of the city at night. The bus headed towards a remote area, and she felt better than ever.
This good mood was abruptly interrupted by a sudden phone call from Sophia's attending physician, Damon.
"Katniss, am I disturbing your rest this late?"
Katniss involuntarily sat up straight, her grip on the phone tightening slightly. Nervously, she asked, "No, Damon, is there something wrong with my mom's health?"
After a moment of hesitation, Damon said with difficulty, "Don't worry, your mother's health is fine. It's something else. Katniss, have you offended someone?"
"What do you mean?" Katniss was stunned.
The night wind blew past her ears, scattering her long hair. The streetlights reflected in her eyes, clearly showing the panic within them.
Damon explained, "Previously, I switched your mom's meds to a trial phase drug. It's pricier than what she was using before, but still way cheaper than the actual drug's value. Normally, the trial period would last several more months, but for some reason, the director suddenly told me to revert your mom's medication costs to the original price."
Damon's tone was both helpless and anxious as he said, "Right now, your mom's monthly expenses are around $200,000. If we go back to the original price, it would be at least $700,000 to $800,000 a month. Can you afford that?"
Of course, she couldn't afford it.
Even $200,000 was already a stretch.
"I thought the medication was effective and the hospital planned to cancel the trial phase, but after asking around, I found out that only your mom's medication costs have increased." Damon's voice grew quieter.
After a long pause, Katniss swallowed and said, "I understand. I'll find a way as soon as possible."
"Three days. I can only delay it for three days. Your mom's medical expenses are due, and if you want to continue using this medication, you'll need to pay $500,000 upfront."
With that final deadline, Damon hung up the phone.
Katniss leaned her head against the bus window, her eyes unfocused as she watched the scenery blur past. $500,000.
She only had $200,000, still short $300,000.
Suddenly, she remembered that Tristan hadn't given her anything during his recent overnight stays.
Should she ask him for it?
Her breath hitched, and she bit her lip tightly, feeling a stabbing pain in her heart. It really felt no different from selling her body.
But what other choice did she have?
She planned to find an appropriate moment to ask Tristan, maybe in bed.
But to her surprise, Tristan didn't come to Oakwood Hills, and his car wasn't there.
That night, she didn't sleep well, her mind filled with thoughts about Sophia's medical expenses.
When Katniss arrived at Synergy Global Corporation, she vaguely saw Tristan's figure in his office, seated at his desk.
His posture was straight, his profile perfect, as he buried himself in work.
Outside, at Bella's desk, there was an extra person, Michael, holding a breakfast and placing it in front of Bella.
Michael said, "Eat your breakfast. I've arranged lunch with Tristan, and I'll bring you along."
Bella took the breakfast, opened it, and shot Katniss a smug smile.
Katniss glanced at them, catching their drift, and headed back to her office.
Michael followed her, blocking her from closing the door. She couldn't resist, so she left it open.
"Katniss, you don't look well lately. Something bothering you?" Michael's brazen words came out as he pulled out a chair and sat down, staring at Katniss.
Was the increase in medical expenses because of him?
Katniss's eyes narrowed sharply. She should have thought of it earlier. Who else but Michael could bribe the director?
"There's no need to be so distant with us. We've known each other for so long. If you have a problem, just say the word, and I'll help." Michael spoke hypocritically, "But you're Tristan's assistant. If I help you, he might not be happy. So, why don't you consider working for the Astor Corporation? I'll give you $2 million."
$2 million would only cover a few months of medical expenses. It wouldn't solve all her problems.
"Mr. Astor, you already have Samuel. I won't take his job." Katniss coldly refused, "Maybe I didn't make it clear last time you brought this up. Let me be crystal clear today—I'm not switching jobs."
Michael raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing with a cold glint. "Don't test my patience."
Katniss's throat tightened, her eyes reflecting the fierce look in Michael's. He was finally losing his temper.
"If I'm really worth all this trouble to Mr. Astor, then please satisfy me once and for all," She said firmly, "Twenty million dollars, and I'll leave him."
Given Sophia's current medication costs, as Damon said, she could live for three to five years. At the very least, it would take $20 million. $2 million? That's peanuts.
Michael frowned and chuckled. "Twenty million dollars? Are you worth that much?"
Katniss also laughed and said, "I may not be worth $20 million, but is Miss Astor's happiness worth that much? You decide."
With that, she turned and sat down at her desk, her attitude unmistakable.
If Michael wasn't willing to give $20 million, it would prove that his sibling bond with Bella wasn't that strong.
Her hand, gripping the pen, was sweaty until Michael stood up and threw out a final remark. "Impossible. Let's see how long you can hold out."
Then he stormed off, and she finally breathed a sigh of relief, slumping into her chair.
After a long while, she took a deep breath, grabbed a file, and headed straight to Tristan's office.
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