A Replacement Bride

Chapter 156

Katherine's heart twisted when she saw how upset Jennifer was.

Noah had been ill for a long time, and while Katherine had pored over countless medical journals in hopes of finding alternative treatments, the only one that was suitable and generally approved for Noah's condition was a bone marrow transplant.

However, the little girl's rare blood type made it a disproportionately difficult procedure. For all Katherine's wealth, she knew it would be near-impossible to find a compatible bone marrow donor for Noah.

"Don't worry, Grandma. I won't give up on Noah. Maybe we'll find a compatible donor here in the country. I promise I'll keep looking," Katherine said as she sat down next to Jennifer and wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders.

Jennifer glanced at Katherine and sighed as she said, "I know you're trying, dear. I just wish I could be of more help. Maybe if I were more capable, I could have protected you both."

"None of this is your fault, Grandma. Anyway, I'll be heading out in a bit, so stay put and help me keep an eye on Noah. I'll be back soon." Katherine went on to offer more words of solace, and she did not leave until she was sure her grandmother was feeling better.

Presently, a man with colorful hair and ear studs stood by the entrance of Soulin International. He was dressed head to toe in leather, which exemplified his nonconformist stance toward mainstream fashion.

The security guard had one hand on his stun baton as he eyed the flamboyant man warily, ready to strike.

Meanwhile, the man, Xavier, merely glanced at the time on his watch and peered through the neighborhood entrance. Finally, the person he had been waiting for came into view.

His eyes lit up and filled with admiration as he registered Katherine's arrival.

She walked up to the security guard at the entrance and exchanged a few words with him, then turned to look at Xavier. After that, she winced at his colorful hair. "Get your butt over here."

He grinned as he sauntered over to her. When he walked past the wary and suspicious security guard at the entrance, he tipped his chin up at a defiant angle, which earned him a berating kick from Katherine.

the entrance, he remarked, "You know, the security system here is top-notch. I couldn't

looked at him like he

froze at first when he caught this before something clicked in his mind and he gaped at her with wide eyes. "You have to be joking. You're the one who set up the

inane questions for later. I asked you to come back because I have a favor to ask of you. I'm too tied up these days to deal with trivial stuff

way back here to help you out with something you could probably get done with a snap of your fingers? You're just wasting my

rolled her eyes and kicked out at him once more, but he dodged it swiftly as he broke into a

I don't have the time to keep track of its progress. You've got plenty of time on your hands, don't you? So, who better to

out, "I'm not that free,

one more time, I will upload your personal information and activity log on the Red Web. Let's see if you'd

hearing this, Xavier shuddered and said, "Okay, you got me. I'm really sorry, and of course I have plenty of time to help you with anything.

As he stood behind her, he looked around curiously

for about

pursed his lips and kept

until it stopped at

Katherine led the way

He stopped in his tracks when he saw Katherine out in the hallway,

to attention at the sight of Joaquin. Fortunately, he remembered

Joaquin asked forthrightly as he appraised Xavier like a predator whose territory had been

response and elaborated after a moment of thought,

invited me over for a meal," Joaquin replied. He did not say anything else after that, though he did give Xavier's colorful