Katherine got up and began packing her things. Her phone, left on the coffee table, rang a few times. She walked over and saw that her visa had been approved.
She looked surprised. The staff had told her it might take longer, but it came through faster than expected.
Glancing at the time, she saw it was almost noon. She had to wait until the office opened in the afternoon to go pick it up.
Just as she was about to put her phone down, a call came from an unknown number.
Thinking it might be the police station, she quickly answered. "Hello?"
A woman's voice came through the speaker. "Is this Miss Katherine Shen? I'm Joshua's mother. Do you have time for lunch?"
Katherine's mind buzzed. Why would Joshua's mother want to meet her?
Though she had gone to the same school as Joshua, and they had seen each other a lot recently because of her situation, she'd never interacted with his family in private.
After a short pause, feeling grateful to Joshua, she responded politely, "Sure. Auntie, what would you like to eat? I can make a reservation."
"No need. I'll send you the location."
Joshua's mother ended the call quickly, sounding distant.
Katherine held onto her phone tightly, staring at the number. Her brows furrowed in concern. Was Joshua's mother upset? And how did she even get her number?
Before she could figure it out, a message pinged. The location was already sent.
She glanced at the address and, seeing that it was already late, hurried to her room to change.
The restaurant was quite far from her place. She drove as fast as she could. Luckily, traffic wasn't bad, but it still took nearly forty minutes.
After parking, she rushed to the entrance, told the staff the private room number, and followed the server through winding hallways until they reached the door.
She pushed the door open lightly. The first thing she saw was the back of a woman with an elegant yet commanding presence.
Katherine took a deep breath and quietly gave herself some courage. She walked steadily to the seat across from the woman and sat down.
As soon as she did, she felt the pressure in the room. The air felt heavy. She looked up and saw that Joshua's mother had a cold expression, as if her face was covered in frost.
Putting on a polite smile, Katherine spoke, "Hello, Auntie. I'm Katherine. Are you Joshua's mother?"
Joshua's mother slowly set down her teacup. Her movements were graceful, but her presence was strong and firm. "Yes, I'm Joshua's mother."
Katherine smiled a little more, trying to ease the tension. "Auntie, may I ask why you wanted to meet me?"
The corners of Joshua's mother's lips curled into a mocking smile. Her eyes were sharp, like blades, staring straight at Katherine. "You don't know why I asked you to come?"
Sensing the hostility, Katherine kept calm and replied without fear, "Auntie, if you have something to say, please go ahead."
"Fine. I'll be direct." Joshua's mother straightened up, her gaze sharper. "Have you been spending a lot of time with Joshua lately?"
The way she asked made Katherine feel something wasn't right.
"I've seen him a few times recently."
Katherine's mother-in-law let out a cold snort. "Just met a few times? He gave your hospital an expensive piece of equipment that his company spent years developing, completely for free, just to help clear your name."
Katherine pressed her lips tightly. Clearly, this wasn't just a lunch meeting—she came to lecture her.
The woman continued, "Do you know what he did for you? He even dared to go against me, publicly. Do you even understand his identity?"
"He's the heir of the Jiang Group. Everything he says and does affects the future of the company."
"And do you know what you are? Just a lowly doctor, yet you dream of entering our Jiang family?"
"Even if you two like each other, as long as I disagree, don't even think about stepping foot into our home. Joshua can't decide who he marries."
Katherine sneered inside. Now it all made sense. So this was a formal confrontation. No wonder her senior changed careers before—his mother must've forced him.
She stayed calm on the outside and replied steadily, "Ma'am, I think you misunderstood. There's nothing going on between Joshua and me."
"We're just friends."
Before she finished, Joshua's mother raised her voice sharply, "Friends? The kind of friend who wants to take advantage of him?"
Katherine's expression darkened slightly, but she held back her emotions. "Ma'am, I never wanted to take advantage of Joshua or gain anything from him."
"I know he's helped me a lot recently, and I do owe him. As for the machine he donated to the hospital—how much was it? I'll pay."
Joshua's mother let out a mocking laugh. "You'll pay? Do you know how much time, money, and effort went into that equipment? You think it's something your words can cover?"
Katherine clenched the hem of her clothes, her fingertips turning white. After a pause, she calmed herself and said, "I know it's very expensive. But if I said I'll pay, I'll find a way."
"Joshua helped me out of kindness, and I'm grateful. I never intended to use him."
"My background may be ordinary, and my ability limited, but I have principles. I don't accept things I didn't earn. Whether I pay in installments or find another proper way, I'll return the money."
"Please, just give me a price."
Joshua's mother looked at her coldly. "Three million."
Three million was no small amount for Katherine, but she'd find a way.
"Ma'am, give me the Jiang Group's account number. Once I get the money, I'll transfer it."
Joshua's mother gave her a piercing look. "Will you really send it?"
"I always keep my word. Just give me the account."
"And I never planned to cling to Joshua. I never even thought of stepping into your family's home."
Just as Joshua's mother was about to speak again, Katherine cut in, "From now on, I won't see Joshua again. You don't need to contact me either."
With that, Katherine picked up her bag and walked out.