Chapter 139

With Isaac slowly assuming control of Bennett Group, Danica discovered her days carried less strain and far more ease.

On a rare quiet morning, she lounged on the sofa, absentmindedly playing with the cat as the television flickered in the background.

A servantstepped forward and announced, "Mrs. Bennett, Miss Fuller has arrived to see you."

Hearing this, Danica blinked in mild surprise. "Katelyn? She's really here?"

The servant nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Her car is waiting out front."

Danica's hand froze mid-stroke, and a faint crease appeared between her brows.

The purpose was easy enough to guess-Katelyn had already made it plain she wished to take charge of Isaac'streatment.

Danica hadn't dismissed the offer; she'd told Isaac about it the same day, only for him to refuse outright with unshakable certainty.

To her surprise, days passed and yet Katelyn still pressed on.

The woman's persistence was nothing short of stubborn.

Helplessness settled over her, for it was clear Isaac had no desire whatsoever to let Katelyn take control of his care.

Still, the long-standing bond between the Fullers and Bennetts meant she had no choice but to receive Katelyn politely.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Danica switched off the television, passed the cat into the servant's arms, and said,"Take it back to the cat house, and then show Miss Fuller inside." Cradling the cat carefully, the servant bowed. "Yes, Mrs. Bennett."

Once the cat was taken care of, the servant stepped outside to welcome Katelyn.

Inside the car, Katelyn noticed the servant drawing near. She removed her sunglasses, and then shifted toward Wendell."Professor Branson, you're clever. Keep your grandson in mind, and I trust I don't have to spell out what you should or shouldn't say in there, do l?"

The ride over had left Wendell restless. Never before had he been asked to lie to a patient's family, and the weight on his conscience was crushing. He clung to the hope that Katelyn truly meant to heal rather than harm,because if not, the guilt would break him.

At her reminder, Wendell's fists tightened on his knees, his voice cutting sharp. "I've heard you already.Don't repeat yourself. And you-remember that your aim is to save lives, not destroy them. Because if you stray from that, Miss Fuller, I'll stop you, even if it costs me everything."

Focused solely on her objective, Katelyn brushed aside Wendell's display of principle as though it were meaningless noise.

Stepping closer to the car, the servant bowed politely. "Miss Fuller, you may come inside now."

When the driver swung the rear door open, Katelyn emerged gracefully, with Wendell trailing behind her.

Catching sight of the elderly man beside her, the servant hesitated briefly in confusion but kept silent,guiding them toward the gate.

Once inside the living room, Katelyn spotted Danica and hurried forward, taking her hand warmly. "Mrs.Bennett, it's so good to see you. I've missed you and couldn't resist coming by again."

Hiding the resignation that tugged at her, Danica returned the smile. "How did you know l'd be home today,Katelyn? What if you came and I wasn't here?"

With a cheerful lift of her lips, Katelyn answered, "I didn't know at all-I simply took a chance. Luckily, you were here, Mrs. Bennett."

The sweetness in her voice carried so naturally that Danica felt her mood lift in spite of herself. Curious, Danica asked, "And how have your parents been these days?"

Looping her arm through Danica's as they sat on the sofa, Katelyn said, "They're both doing well.Just the other day, my mom mentioned she wanted to see you again-it's been too long."

With a soft chuckle, Danica remarked, "You've had such a sharp tongue and quick wit since you were little."

As they chatted, Danica's eyes drifted past Katelyn and landed on the older man standing quietly in the background.

Danica studied his features carefully, a spark of recognition tugging at her memory.

Narrowing her eyes, she searched her mind, trying to place where she had seen him before.

Catching Danica's attention on Wendell, Katelyn allowed a faint, knowing smile to touch her lips.

Since it was clear Danica already recognized Wendell, Katelyn chose not to offer an introduction.

Rising slowly to her feet, Danica spoke with a touch of hesitation. "Am I right in thinking... you are Professor Wendell Branson?"

Joining in the moment, Katelyn smiled. "Mrs. Bennett, your memory is sharp as ever."

Surprised to hear his name spoken, Wendell frowned slightly. "You know me, Mrs. Bennett?"

Hearing his identity confirmed, Danica's face brightened. "I often keep up with medical news, Professor Branson. You've spent your life in service to medicine,teaching at Acorith College of Medicine-Shoildon's finest-and you've earned a reputation as a truly esteemed educator. You're the kind of scholar anyone would admire."

As her praise flowed, shame pressed heavily on Wendell. The phrase "anyone would admire" struck him as painfully ironic, for he felt unfit for her respect while he prepared to deceive her.

Wendell's fists clenched, and for a fleeting moment he nearly blurted out that Katelyn could not be trusted.

Reason soon stifled the impulse, and recalling Katelyn's cold warning,he swallowed his guilt.

Forcing a polite smile, Wendell answered, "Mrs. Bennett, I appreciate your kind words, but truly,I've only done what any doctor should. Nothing so grand."

Taking his words for modesty, Danica replied with warmth, "Professor Branson, do sit down."

Obediently, Wendell crossed the room and lowered himself onto the sofa across from Katelyn.

Gesturing toward a servant, Danica instructed, "Dorcie, bring us some coffee."

When her request was made, she turned back to Wendell with a pleasant smile. "Professor Branson, did you have something particular you wanted to discuss with me today?"

"Actually, I-" Wendell blurted out, but Katelyn cut across him. "Mrs. Bennett, there's something I'd like to say."

At those words, Danica shifted her gaze toward Katelyn. Though she had an inkling of what was coming, she still asked, "And what would that be?"

Katelyn answered smoothly, "It concerns our last conversation-about Isaac's treatment."

Once again, the subject circled back to the same issue.

With a resigned look, Danica exhaled softly. "Katelyn, the last time you spoke to me, I went straight to Isaac and told him. He was firm-he doesn't want you treating him. Talking to me won't change anything.If you truly want this, you'll need to convince Isaac himself."

Expecting that answer,Katelyn nodded and said, "Mrs. Bennett, l've already spoken directly to lsaac.He refused me too. After that, I went to his wife. We sat down and went over Isaac's condition in detail, talking about which treatment might serve him best."

Her tone dimmed as disappointment colored her words. "Buut the entire time, she seemed fixated on the fact that Isaac and I were childhood friends. She cared more about my history with Isaac than about his health. In the end, she rejected my plan to treat him."

After a pause, Katelyn clasped Danica's hand firmly. "But you're not like her, Mrs. Bennett. You're his mother -you care most about his well-being. Couldn't you find a way to persuade Isaac, even compel him, to let me treat him?" When her plea was finished, Katelyn fell silent, waiting patiently for Danica's answer.

Understanding perfectly what Katelyn was pushing toward, Danica sat in silence for a moment before breathing out a faint sigh.