After her rebirth

As they wandered through the market, the awkwardness Katniss expected for Maximilian never showed up. Instead, he got more and more excited, wanting to check out and touch everything at every stall. His curiosity was off the charts.

With Maximilian's striking looks, every stall owner they met would strike up a conversation, complimenting his appearance.

Some even asked if he had a girlfriend, offering to set him up with someone.

During these moments, Maximilian would look lovingly at Katniss, and soon enough, half the farmers' market knew that the handsome guy in the wheelchair was married, and his wife was Katniss. Katniss was baffled. How did a simple grocery run turn into a public announcement of her marital status to everyone?

What if they got divorced in the future? How would she deal with that?

Especially now, with Maximilian charming everyone with his looks and gaining sympathy for his mobility issues. If they split, she'd definitely be blamed for abandoning him and be labeled heartless. After they finished shopping, Katniss made up her mind not to come back here again.

Once in the car, Maximilian seemed thrilled with the trip, smiling as he said, "The produce here is super fresh, and the people are really nice. Let's come back next time."

Conrad, who was driving, was stunned. Did Maximilian even know how to tell if the produce was fresh?

Didn't he not even know the names of the vegetables?

Katniss responded absentmindedly, thinking to herself that they definitely wouldn't be coming back!

Back at the Manners Villa.

The living room had a heavy vibe.

"The photo was taken by my classmate Ruby," Clara said softly, looking worried. "Today, Ruby and I both heard the bodyguard who came to pick up Katniss say that Katniss has a husband."

"And that bodyguard seems to be the same one who was with Katniss at the Starry Night Hotel last time." Clara bit her lip and looked at Oliver and Elodie. "Mom, Dad, could it be that the news of my engagement to Desmond hit Katniss so hard that she lost her mind and married this old man?"

On the table was a phone, its screen showing the back of an elderly man with gray hair handing Katniss a brown envelope, clearly filled with money.

The photo only showed the old man's back, making it impossible to identify him, but Katniss's face and the action of taking the envelope were very clear. The photo suggested that Katniss had some kind of shady relationship with this old man.

Simon, who was listening nearby, flared up again, shouting, "Clara, why are you so worried about Katniss? Have you forgotten what she did? She barged in here a few days ago, ruining your clothes and belongings, and our door is still broken." "Whether she married an old man out of desperation or is being kept, it has nothing to do with us! She said she cut ties with the Manners family!" Simon glanced at the photo on the phone, his expression full of disdain and contempt. Oliver was furious. Katniss marrying an old man older than her own father would bring shame to the Manners family in the business world!

Oliver could almost imagine his business partners mocking him behind his back.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Oliver stood up in a rage and smashed the phone on the table!

Lucas looked serious, staying quiet but giving off a cold vibe.

Clara seemed scared, cautiously walking over to Elodie and softly saying, "Mom, Katniss messed up, but she can change. Before more people know about this, let's find Katniss and make her divorce this old man, okay?" Elodie's face was pale, like she was holding something back. Finally, she closed her eyes and said, "At Clara and Desmond's engagement party, let's announce that Katniss was adopted by Wesley and has no ties with us."

After making this decision, Elodie's face turned even colder. "Katniss has blocked all our numbers, and I don't have the time to find her. Since she likes Wesley, let her be Wesley's daughter. I'll consider her as never born. Clara is my only daughter."

Everyone in the living room was stunned into silence.

Oliver's eyes flickered, and he then agreed in a heavy tone, "Alright, I'll talk to Wesley and get this done."

With that, Clara couldn't help but clench her hand, feeling a sudden sense of relief and brightness.

Clara's lips curled into a strange smile, a kind of excited satisfaction. Though she was still beautiful, it made her look like a poisonous apple with a bright exterior.

After sending Katniss away, the Manners family seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Oliver took Lucas to the study to discuss some business.

Simon, on the other hand, was particularly happy, saying he was going out to celebrate with friends and have a few drinks.

The only one who remained silent was Nathan, who had just returned from the hospital.

Since Elodie made it clear she was done with Katniss, Nathan's gaze had been subtly fixed on Clara, capturing all her expressions.

Nathan suddenly felt extremely irritated. He tugged at his lips and called out to Clara, who was about to leave, "Clara, haven't we given you enough love? Why do you keep leading us to believe that Katniss is so bad?" Clara stopped on the stairs, looking down at Nathan sitting on the corner sofa.

Frowning slightly, Clara tilted her head, her expression full of confusion, "Nathan, what are you talking about?"

"Whether Katniss actually married this old man is still unconfirmed. Why did you adamantly tell Mom that Katniss definitely tied the knot with him?" Nathan's delicate face was now covered with a layer of frost. He looked coldly at Clara.

"I heard it from Ruby. Ruby said she saw that Katniss had an ambiguous relationship with the old man in the photo." Clara paused slightly, her voice carrying a hint of grievance. "Nathan, do you think I'm deliberately trying to drive Katniss out of the house?"

Clara's eyes instantly reddened. "If I wanted to drive Katniss out, why would I keep speaking up for her? I've always been asking Mom and Dad to forgive her." Nathan suddenly laughed coldly, "Forgive her for what? For marrying an old man? Have we even verified that?"

"Or forgive Katniss for paying off those thugs to bully you? But why did Katniss end up with more serious injuries while you only had minor scrapes?" he went on. Clara fell silent for a moment, unable to come up with an excuse in those few seconds.

"Nathan." Clara panicked, walking to the sofa with tearful eyes. "Are you saying you don't like me and prefer Katniss? Didn't you say I was your only sister?" Clara's words only served to deeply sting Nathan to the core.