290: Chapter 290

Chapter 290

"I know," Kate affirmed. "I always contacted the finance department to monitor the growth, and you are indeed doing a great job as the new CEO. You're smart and capable. Nothing can deny that."2

"Then why don't you believe me when I said I had a meeting in the main company?"

"Because that's straight-up bullshit," Kate replied firmly. "Henry, I'm not a regular office worker without connections. I've worked in this company five years earlier than you, and I know the ins and outs of both Emperor Publishing and the parent company, Silver Line, Inc."

"I have been a well-known asset for the parent company because your late brother directly recommended me as a Chief editor who brought multi-million dollars for the company. The executives highly respect me," Kate listed her achievements and importance. "So why did you think that I can't just ask the staff there?"

Kate sighed.

"I called the parent company, and they said you have been absent from meeting with the executives for at least a week. They are inquiring about you since you're not answering their calls."

"So, care to explain about your lies and where the hell have you been?"

Henry was caught off guard.

He was so occupied with his family's problem that he had forgotten how capable Kate was. He thought that Kate would trust him unquestioningly. He was trying to capitalize on her blind faith.

Henry went silent instantly. He didn't know if he should tell the truth or not. 

"Henry?" Kate called his name. "Are you here? Hey, say something."

"I don't know what to say," Henry replied truthfully. "Yes, I haven't visited the main company for a week. I don't want to."

"Is it because of Marlon?" Kate asked.

…

Henry said nothing, but he nodded in response. 

"My God, Henry, why do you need to hide something like this?" Kate sighed. She finally sat back, "You visited your parents' mansion today, right?"

"Yes…"

"And they don't like me?"

…

Again, Henry didn't want to answer because he didn't want to hurt Kate with reality. 

"How often do I have to tell you we can work this together?" Kate said. "I've eaten so much bitterness in this world, it's not a big deal if your parents didn't accept us. Let me meet them, and I will try to convince them that we're a good pair."

"It's not that simple," Henry replied. "Can we just ignore them instead?"

"I don't want to," Kate said firmly. "Either we get their blessing, or we won't marry."

"This is frustrating, Kate…"

"No, YOU are frustrating, Henry," Kate said. "What's the point of a relationship when you keep hiding stuff from me? Do you even take me seriously? Do you know that you've known EVERYTHING about me?"

…

Again, Henry was tongue-tied.

He knew that Kate was a firm lady, but he didn't expect himself to be speechless against her. He was powerless against Kate and didn't know whether he should admire her confidence or worry about their power dynamic later on.

"Again, with the silence. Are you going to stay silent forever? Fine then—" Kate was hurt that Henry didn't want to talk with her. Henry hid so many secrets that she felt like a naive idiot who knew nothing about her future husband. She felt played. 

"—If you don't want to tell me anything. Then, I guess there is no point in this relationship. I will—"

"—WAIT!" Henry interrupted the moment he knew there was no turning back. Kate's threat was proven effective because he had no time to weigh the pros and cons of telling the truth. 

But that didn't mean he couldn't 'twist' the truth for his own gain. All for the sake of keeping Kate's trust and maintaining his agenda. 

"Fine, I will tell you the truth," Henry said. He boldly walked towards Kate and held her hands, "But you have to promise you won't question me more, at least for a while. I need time to prepare myself, Kitty."

Kate stared at Henry and noticed his determination. She curled her lips and nodded.

At least she needed to know why Henry refused to let her meet his parents. 

Surely, his parents weren't two terrible people who would kill her and her baby, right? Then, there was nothing to be scared of.

"I hate my father because of what he did to my mother," Henry said while his brain processed a perfect lie that would fool Kate enough to stop her from asking. "He has always been a bastard, but I didn't expect him to find a mistress and throw my mother into the mental hospital."

Kate's eyes widened, "MENTAL HOSPITAL?!"

"Yes, My Mom was depressed because of my brother's death, and my father used her deteriorating condition to put her into the mental hospital due to insanity and violence," Henry said. There was a flame in his eyes despite him telling half-lies. "He is using his influence even though my Mom is perfectly healthy, she is just depressed. And now, he is living a perfect life with his whore mistress. I hate that bitch so much I wish I could do something."

Henry tightened his grip on Kate's hand, scared that Kate would leave him, "Now you see why I don't want to bring you to my family. I'm ashamed that my family is ruined, and I don't want you to meet my bastard father and his bitch mistress. I fucking hate them."

"Henry, I'm sorry…" Kate felt guilty when she realized Henry had a lot of emotional baggage. He was hiding this because he felt ashamed. She decided to hug and comfort him, "I didn't know the situation was so severe. I'm so sorry."

Henry closed his eyes as he hugged her back. He knew he was wrong for lying to Kate, but he didn't want her to find out about the truth of his plan. 

'I'm sorry, my love. But this is the only way for you to stay. I can't lose you, I will die if I do.'

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