A Replacement Bride

Chapter 304

Jennifer was also stunned by the turn of events, but she quickly realized what was happening, and her eyes widened. "Kathy, you're…"

Katherine ignored everyone's reactions, grabbed the glass of water that was next to the bed, threw the water on the floor, and held the rim of the glass tightly. Soon, blood trickled and flowed into the glass.

Joaquin was taken aback by her actions. He had a bad premonition and wanted to stop her out of reflex. However, his hand had barely touched Katherine's shoulder when she barked, "Don't stop me, or I'll never forgive you for the rest of my life!"

This was the first time she spoke so harshly to him, and he froze in response. A knot appeared between his brows, but he didn't stop her this time.

On the other hand, Jennifer was worried. "Stop now, Kathy! How can you use the secret practice? That will cause terrible damage to the energy flow in your body! You know you won't be able to handle the backlash!"

Katherine gritted her teeth as she resolutely forged on the path she intended to take. "I have to do this! There is no way I'll allow you to leave me like this!" Text content © NôvelDrama.Org.

Finally, she dropped all the silver needles into the glass, held her breath, and started to apply the blood-soaked needles to Jennifer.

Joaquin felt useless as he couldn't even help, even if he wanted. Therefore, he could watch helplessly from the side. As he watched on with eyes full of worry, he realized that the locations where she applied the needles were different from usual. Furthermore, the technique was also vastly different, and he couldn't help but scrutinize Kathy's actions.

When he considered the things Jennifer had said earlier, he reckoned that this was a secret technique that could revive the dead.

Katherine was only halfway done, but blood had already drained from her face; she looked absolutely horrible.

She staggered backward slightly when she suddenly felt a surge of energy within her body running amok, causing immense pain.

"Kathy? Kathy!"

It sounded as though Joaquin's voice had been muffled, and she couldn't hear it clearly.

Nevertheless, she stood rooted to the spot by sheer force of will as her vision started to turn blurry. Everything turned black when she was about to say something, and she had no idea what happened next.

Before she passed out, Joaquin swiftly caught her in his arms. Then, he shouted in a panicked tone, "Kathy! Wake up!"

He pressed on her philtrum as he called out her name again and again, but her eyes remained shut. It also didn't help that her face was pallid, and her body felt cold.

As the treatment was forcefully suspended, Jennifer, who had slipped into a semi-conscious state, forced her eyes open.

The instant she saw the scene unfold before her, she felt her heart twist and gasped with difficulty, "H- Hurry. Lay her down…"

Joaquin didn't hesitate for a single moment as he hastily carried Katherine to the couch on the side and laid her flat.

Although Jennifer's mind was conscious, her body was not. So, she only managed to tilt her head and watch on with worry. After that, she instructed Donald weakly, "Go… Go get some herbs and boil them with ginger. Make Kathy drink it once she's awake."

Donald hesitated, but she immediately urged with great difficulty, "Why are you still standing there? Go!"

Hence, he had to do as told, even if he was reluctant to do so, leaving only three people in the room.

Suddenly, she slowly raised her arm with great effort and pulled out all the silver needles. Even though Joaquin had his full attention on Katherine, he caught sight of her actions through his peripheral view.

He was startled by her daring and immediately jerked up to his feet to stop her, "Grandma—"

But before he could say anything, she shook her head sadly. "It's useless."

Her words made him stop in his tracks, and he was at a loss for words.

Finally, she took a glance at Katherine, raised her eyes to him, and turned her attention to him before patting the bedside, saying softly, "Joaquin, sit here. I have something to tell you."

Joaquin pursed his lips but did as she requested. Then, Jennifer let out a weary sigh.

"Even if Kathy uses this skill, these old bones of mine won't be able to handle it. It's time for me to go, but this lass is as stubborn as a mule and insists on wasting her efforts."

"Kathy is—"

Naturally, she noticed the unabashed concern he had on his face, so she reassured him, "She's fine. She had just used up a lot of energy to save her granduncle. It's just that the energy flow in her body is

not enough to sustain her after saving him and then me in such quick succession. Although her current condition isn't the best, she will be fine after some rest."

After he heard that, Joaquin's stern face only eased up a little, but when he gazed at Jennifer's current condition, his face turned grim. "Grandma, you—"

She waved her hand to dismiss his words before she cut him off, "I know what you want to say. It's useless, so don't waste your efforts. There are some things I would like to tell you while I still have the time," she said, turning to Katherine with a heartbroken look in her eyes. "It looks like I can't make it until this girl wakes up. It's been years since she last acted like a child. Since I know her so well, I don't think I can handle it if she wakes up now. So, don't feel sorry that I'll be leaving before seeing her one last time. In any case, this is a good thing. None of us will have to struggle to bid our goodbyes in this life…"

"But Grandma, she'll still be sad once she wakes up. Please hold on for a little longer. For Kathy's sake? You know her medical skills. You'll be able to live a long life once she has regained her bearings."

It was rare for him to say such things, and it made her huff in amusement before she retorted with a chuckle, "A long life? Oh my, since when did you brush up your coaxing skills, young man?" When he went silent, she smiled and added, "I know that you feel sorry for Kathy and don't want me to go, but can you consider my point of view? I've been wanting to meet that old man for a long time. He's been waiting for me on the other side for so long. Don't you think it's about time for me to meet up with him?"

At the mention of this, she looked a little upset as Darren's image appeared in her mind. Meanwhile, Joaquin's heart turned heavy at her confession, and his chest felt tight and uneasy.

"Actually, my body would have given up a long time ago. I wouldn't have held on until now if it weren't for Kathy's unresolved issues. Fortunately, now she has you by her side, which sets me at ease.

Speaking of which, both of you share an incredible fate. As it turns out, you're the knot in her heart from five years ago. But I'm gratified that she already sorted that out and Noah's biological father is found. There's nothing I have to worry about since you are so good to Noah and Kathy. I'll entrust them both to you from now on, and I know that you'll take good care of them. So, there's no need for me to leave you any advice, but there's one thing I have to tell you before I go," she said solemnly, scanning around the room before finally pointing at her bag. "Child, please get me my bag."

Joaquin quietly did as he was instructed with a heavy heart. She took the bag from him, whisked out a notebook from inside, and passed it to him.

"My mother left this for me when she passed. Apart from that secret parchment scroll, there's also this notebook, which records all sorts of secret practices of the Scott-Tutton Family. It's very important, and I've been keeping it with me this whole time instead of passing it to Kathy because it will bring her a whole lot of trouble. I have a hunch that you also know that people have hunted me, and it's all because of this. Both the Moran and the Scott-Tutton Families want it, and they would resort to any means to get their greedy little paws on it. That's why I've never passed it to Kathy all these years, as I'm afraid that it would land her in peril, but…" she trailed off and paused. Then, she wheezed a few times and sighed. "Now, I have no other choice but to give it to her. This is a legacy from the Scott- Tutton Family and my only legacy for Kathy. Pass this to her once she's awake and tell her that it's my wish for her to guard it well. Also, warn her to beware of the Moran and the Scott-Tutton Families!"