Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 199: Stir trouble

"Why would you hide about the problems you were facing with the project to Mom?" Kathrine asked, her sharp gaze fixed on her father.

"I didn’t want her to worry," Hugo replied, his tone deliberately casual. "Your mother already has her hands full with the charity work."

Kathrine studied him closely. His nonchalance didn’t fool her. There was more he wasn’t saying, but she let it slide for now.

"Anyway," Hugo continued, quickly changing the subject, "what about the meeting yesterday? Did Mark agree to the arrangement?"

When Kathrine had offered to help with the project, Hugo hadn’t hesitated to accept. He knew his daughter’s capabilities well and more importantly, he saw in her a chance to secure a successful business venture that could elevate their company’s standing.

"He didn’t object," Kathrine said. "Though he seemed... guarded when I first proposed the idea."

Hugo’s lips curved into a faint smile as he leaned back in his chair.

"He should be. After all, no one knows that you’re the one actually leading the project in my stead."

Kathrine didn’t say a word for a while, letting silence settle thickly between them. Then, out of nowhere, she asked quietly, "Dad... why do you think Daniel is a trustworthy businessman?"

Hugo froze for a moment, then turned to look at her with a contemplative frown.

"Why wouldn’t he be?" he said after a pause, shrugging as if the question were absurd. "The man practically rules the business world."

It was true everyone was eager to collaborate with Daniel. He had the reputation, the influence, and the kind of success that silenced doubts. He’d even gone out of his way to strengthen ties with their family, especially with Kathrine.

"But you hardly know anything about him," Kathrine pressed, her tone calm but cutting.

"Have you ever tried to find out how he achieved all this success or who the people around him really are?"

Hugo’s jaw tightened, the muscles in his face stiffening.

"What are you trying to imply, Kathrine?" His voice rose slightly, carrying a sharp edge. "You think I’m foolish enough not to know who I should or shouldn’t work with?"

Kathrine immediately shook her head, her expression steady but her eyes uneasy.

"I’m not doubting your judgment, Dad," she said softly. "I’m just saying... be careful."

Hugo looked at his daughter for a long moment. He never imagined a day would come when Kathrine would warn him about something, least of all about business. Yet, he couldn’t quite feign surprise either. Not after the way she had once run away from her own wedding, leaving him to question where he had gone wrong in raising her.

"You don’t need to worry about that," he said curtly, his tone changing in an instant. "Just focus on what I’ve asked you to do."

The shift in his voice made Kathrine freeze. She could tell her father hadn’t truly let her words sink in and that worried her. If he continued to dismiss the warning signs, there might come a day when she could do nothing to protect him.

"Well then," she said after a moment, straightening her posture, "I’ll start with the project tomorrow."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked out of the study, leaving Hugo sitting alone at his desk.

But even as she disappeared from sight, her words refused to leave him.

Who is Daniel Clafford?

The question lingered in his mind like a shadow he hadn’t noticed before. For the first time, he realized he knew nothing about the man, nothing beyond his name and the power it carried.

***

Meanwhile, Kathrine made her way down the corridor toward her room, lost in thought. But halfway there, she nearly collided with Roseline.

"Is this yours?" Roseline asked, holding up a familiar silk scarf.

Kathrine stilled, her eyes darting to the scarf she had been sure she’d lost.

"Anna sent it back," Roseline added casually but her tone carried weight.

It was only then that Kathrine remembered where she’d left it.

"Oh, I thought I misplaced it," she said quickly, forcing a small smile as she reached out to take it.

But as she turned to leave, Roseline’s voice stopped her cold. "Why did you visit the Clafford Mansion?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Kathrine froze mid-step. The smile faded from her lips, replaced by something sharper—wariness, maybe even defiance.

She had kept that visit from Roseline deliberately. But now that the secret was out, Kathrine realized there was no point pretending anymore.

If the truth was bound to surface, she might as well face it head-on.

"To apologize for what I did," Kathrine said quietly, turning slowly to face Roseline.

For a brief moment, surprise flickered in Roseline’s eyes—but it was quickly replaced by restrained anger.

"I hope you’re not here to stir up trouble, Kathrine," Roseline said coldly. "You’ve already done enough damage, and I made sure to protect you when no one else would. But if you’re planning something again stop it, before it’s too late."

Kathrine watched her mother carefully, noting the way Roseline’s composure trembled at the edges. The calm exterior, the clipped tone she knew all of it was a mask. Roseline was furious, trying desperately to suppress the storm brewing beneath her surface.

"Why do you think I’m trying to cause trouble, Mom?" Kathrine asked, her voice calm but laced with quiet defiance. "Is it because you’re afraid I might break Daniel and Anna’s perfect little relationship?"

Roseline’s breath hitched. Her eyes widened just for a fraction of a second but Kathrine saw it.

’H-how did she—?’ Roseline’s thoughts raced, panic flashing behind her carefully controlled expression.

Kathrine tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into a knowing smile.

For the first time in years, it wasn’t the mother who held the upper hand, it was the daughter.

"W-what are you talking about? Why would I be afraid?" Roseline asked, her voice faltering slightly despite her attempt to sound composed.

Kathrine chuckled softly, the sound low and knowing, and it made Roseline’s heartbeat quicken. Her hands twitched at her sides, betraying her nervousness.

"Don’t worry, Mom," Kathrine said with a faint smile. "I was simply making an assumption. After all, everyone probably thinks I’m here to stir trouble in their marital life."

Roseline stared at her, caught between disbelief and suspicion. She wanted to question her further, to demand what exactly she meant but before she could form the words, Kathrine had already turned away.

With a graceful turn of her heel, she walked off, leaving Roseline standing there frozen in place, her thoughts tangled in doubt.

And as the silence settled, Roseline couldn’t help but feel that Kathrine hadn’t just come to apologize— instead she had come to warn her.