Chapter 5 Going to Have a Dad

"Mrs. Martinez, don't you think this is a bit much?" Laura watched Katherine bask in Gloria's favor, securing her position within the Martinez Mansion, feeling a wave of frustration.

"When did you start making decisions for the Martinez family?" Gloria's smile vanished as she tapped her cane on the floor, her voice stern.

Laura, though fuming and her face twisted with anger, still replied meekly, "I crossed a line; you are still the one who rules the house."

"If you have any complaints, wait until you're in charge," Gloria said.

That comment hit Laura right where it hurt.

Even after all these years in the Martinez family, Gloria still hadn't handed her the reins. It left her with a facade of prestige, but at home, she always had to listen to Gloria.

Gloria ignored the seething Laura beside her. "I'm getting tired more easily as I get older. Katherine, Barry, come upstairs with me."

In the study, Gloria dropped her stern act.

In front of others, she was the head of the Martinez family. But here, she was just a grandmother who deeply cared for her family.

Howard was bedridden, a vegetative patient, and Barry was autistic. At times like these, she felt more heartache and helplessness than anyone else. Even resorting to the superstitious method of having Katherine marry into the family to ward off misfortune, she truly had no other options.

Gloria's posture softened, her voice tinged with fatigue, "Katherine, I know you're a good girl. Marrying my grandson is a big ask, and I'm sorry."

Facing someone like Laura, Katherine could use any means necessary to make the other fear her and not dare to provoke her. But in front of an elderly woman over fifty, who only cared for her family, she couldn't bring herself to speak harshly.

She could only press her lips together, and shake her head, showing that it was okay. After all, she had her own plans for the Martinez family and Howard, and she wasn't entirely sincere.

The more Gloria spoke, the more her eyes welled up, and her voice even choked with emotion. "Don't be fooled by how much respect and obedience they are showing me now. Everyone has their own little schemes behind my back."

Katherine lowered her eyes, feeling that Gloria's words were indeed true.

"I'm old and don't have many years left. If I have any unfulfilled wishes, it's Howard and Barry that I can't let go of."

Hearing his name, Barry's vacant eyes turned to Gloria. Perhaps he was also affected by the sad atmosphere, as he suddenly threw himself into Gloria's arms, sobbing softly.

Katherine couldn't bear such a scene and solemnly said, "Mrs. Martinez, rest assured, as long as I'm here, no one will harm Howard and Barry. I will treat Barry as my own child."

'Likewise, I will do my best to cure them.' Katherine didn't say the last sentence out loud.

Back in her room, Katherine stared at Howard's face, lost in thought. Ordinary doctors had already given their verdict. And for a family like the Martinezs, they had probably seen top doctors both domestically and internationally, with no improvement.

Now, the only option was to seek help from...

"Edward, Mommy needs your help with something." She called Edward.

On the other end, Edward was surprised to get the call and casually asked, "What does Mommy need my help with? Is it to save someone?"

Katherine was taken aback by Edward's intuition and momentarily forgot to speak.

In those few seconds, Edward had already figured it out. He asked in shock, "No way! Mommy, didn't you say not to save people casually?"

Edward had shown extraordinary medical talent from a young age. Any medical book he read once, he wouldn't forget. In practical skills, he was even more exceptional.

They had many fine surgical knives and silver needles at home, and whether it was ancient medical secrets or modern medicine, Edward could handle them with ease. Even top doctors would applaud his skills.

"This is a special case!" Katherine awkwardly touched her nose.

Edward, in a bossy tone, said, "Alright, tell me, who do you want me to save?"

"Howard from the Martinez family."

Hearing the name, Edward narrowed his eyes, "What's his relationship with you, Mommy? Is he worth you asking me to save him?"

Katherine opened her mouth, hesitated, not knowing how to explain.

Although Edward was smart from a young age, it didn't mean he could understand the complex relationships between adults. Moreover, she didn't want a child to know so much.

While Katherine was struggling with how to explain, Edward once again spoke astonishingly, "Is he my stepfather?"

"Are we getting a dad?" At some point, Flora had come over and overheard their conversation.

Hearing this, Katherine felt troubled. Flora had long wanted a father, and now that she heard this, she would probably pester her with questions endlessly.

"Flora, can we talk about this when Mommy gets back?"

Katherine didn't hear Flora's response but heard Edward's stern voice, "Flora, who told you to eavesdrop on my conversation with Mommy?"

Katherine sighed in exasperation. She could imagine the state of the two children even through the phone.

After a while, Edward spoke, "Mommy, don't worry, I'll cure Howard."

Katherine nodded in relief, knowing that Edward, despite his tough exterior, had a soft heart and wouldn't let Howard die. "I'll bring you over when I get the chance."

The next morning, as Katherine came downstairs, she saw a group of people gathered, discussing. She vaguely heard a few sentences, mostly about how she wasn't a good person and had married into the Martinez family for money.

In response, Katherine smirked. She stood in the corner and coughed a few times, finally drawing their attention.

The leading man introduced himself, "I am Howard's oldest uncle, Drew Martinez. Today, on behalf of the Martinez family, I am here to annul the marriage with you."

After hearing this, Katherine didn't speak but looked on coldly.

"Yes, do you think the Martinez family is just any ordinary person can climb up to?" A woman chimed in.

Katherine glanced at the woman, "And you are?"

"I am Howard's aunt-in-law, Dorothy Fuller, and I stand my in-law Drew's opinion."

Katherine nodded thoughtfully. She realized that these people were distant relatives of the Martinez family. She had touched their interests, so they wanted to teach her a lesson, hoping she would back off and stay away from the Martinez family.