A Replacement Bride

Chapter 123

After Katherine had left, Beatrice said, "Joe, I never thought Miss Cornell would be so skilled in medicine as to be able to treat your severe injuries. That being said, you really scared the hell out of me this time. Could you stop doing such dangerous stuff from now on?" She looked at Joaquin bitterly, only to be overwhelmed with resentment when she saw how his eyes were glued to the door. What is so good about Katherine that makes Joe care so much about her? Could he have learned about what happened five years ago? No, that's not possible. If Joaquin had learned about it, he wouldn't have been so nice to me. Reassuring herself a little, she pouted her lips while acting like a spoiled child in front of him.

Joaquin withdrew his gaze to look at Beatrice. This time, he no longer looked at her as tenderly as he used to. Instead, he fixed her with a frosty, threatening stare.

Beatrice's heart jumped when she noticed the look in his eyes. Looking as pale as a sheet, she almost failed to hold back her tears. "Joe, you—"

Joaquin didn't spare her feelings, though. He said straightforwardly, "Our mission was meticulously planned this time so that no mistake could've happened, but our location was leaked. It was your doing." He did mind what had happened five years ago, which was why he was especially kind and tolerant toward Beatrice. However, the accident this time had cost the lives of two of Area Seven's members; even he had nearly lost his life there. Furthermore, two other members of Area Seven were crippled for life in the accident, and an even larger number of people were injured.

When Beatrice heard this, her eyes flickered for a moment. Not daring to meet the man's gaze, she replied in an injured tone, "Joe, I thought you trusted me at least, but why would you have such a wrong idea about me after Katherine showed up? Did she say something to you?"

Joaquin replied, "She didn't say anything." Seeing how Beatrice was still trying to pass the buck to Katherine at this very moment, he grew more and more disappointed. The Beatrice I remembered isn't supposed to be like this. She was gentle, considerate, kind-hearted, and poised. And now? He felt that the present Beatrice was really alien to him.

me for this in order to turn us against each other. It's got to be Katherine. She's got to be the one! She wants to steal you away and strengthen

said impassively, "Just go away. For the sake of what happened five years ago, I won't do anything to you. I can ensure that you'll be well provided for for the rest

actually going to give up on me? No, that's not possible! She understood Joaquin's character better than anyone else did. He was good in everything, only that he had a strong sense

And now, she was crippled in both legs and no longer stood a chance of joining the research institute; even Theodore had given up on her after becoming thoroughly disappointed with her. If she were to lose Joaquin, she'd really lose everything. Grabbing his arm in a panic, she cried, "Joe, you can't do this to me. Now that I'm already in such a state, what should I do

frosty expression. "Please get out of here before

more capable than me. Indeed, I'm no match for her; she's made so many achievements at a young age. But what qualifies her to have so many achievements? Do you think she really is as pure as you see? I'm telling you, she wouldn't even let go of my grandpa in order to be able to get ahead in her career! She's

listened to her wilful slander on Katherine. He

Beatrice felt more and more delighted. She continued, "What's the matter? You don't believe me? My grandpa is the top scientist in the country. Do you really think it's that easy to join his research institute? I only managed to join the research institute as a research intern by taking advantage of his status. If I want to become a permanent researcher of the institute, I still have to work hard for three to five years. Katherine is younger than me, so what qualifies

watched her leave with a scowl. After a long time, he finally