"Then we have to find a way to persuade her to stay at your house,” Kate suggested.
"It's useless. She has such deep emotions connected to the Smith mansion. After my dad died, it was the only thing she felt she had left of him. If she cannot go back, she will feel as if she lost him all over again…" Joseph paused, then admitted, "She also thinks that since I am the eldest grandson, and she is the eldest daughter-in-law, that she should stay there, she should be the head of the family.”
Cassie wouldn't usually be a person who attached any great importance to status. However, when Samuel returned, and his family began to compare themselves with her and Joseph, she felt pressured. Once they started acting jealous and mistreating her family, she was determined not to give up. Plus, she had been the one to deal with all the Smith mansion affairs throughout the years; she deserved to feel safe and comfortable in her home.
“I can’t imagine how she is feeling about all of this. She is keeping it all to herself,” Joseph whispered.
"Don't worry; we will talk to Aunt Jenny first and see what she thinks," Kate assured him. It would be up to Joseph on how he dealt with his grandfather, but both Kate and he had the same goal, to make Cassie happy.
Joseph cupped her face and said, "Kate, thank you for your understanding. I just blamed you, though."
"Blame me? No, you didn’t,” She smiled, “I understand that you were upset. If I was in the same situation, I don’t think I would be as calm as you.”
“Let’s go home! It is time to leave work behind for the day!” Kate took Joseph’s hand and walked away from her computer. She pouted, “I have racked my brain with those problems this afternoon, then you come along and figure it out in a few minutes. I am useless!”
“Remember, if you have problems in the future, you can call me,” Joseph urged.
"Oh, I get headaches every day from looking at the documents and data. But I have no choice now that I have decided to run the company. I just need to deal with it,” Kate moaned.
Joseph hated seeing her so worn out; he looked at her sincerely and said, "I have an idea, but I don't know how you will feel about it. You might be offended."
"Offended?" Kate blinked and questioned, "What the hell kind of idea do you have?"
"Merge the companies?" Kate's eyes suddenly lit up, "I think this is a perfect idea. You are so smart! I truly believe that you could take Kate Group and create it into something bigger and better. More importantly, the merger of the two would do no harm; it would only be more beneficial for both the JK Group and Kate Group."
Joseph was shocked to see Kate so excited. He hesitantly asked, “So, you agree with this idea?”
"Yes, and then..."
"Then our companies would become a legal couple?” Joseph suggested.
"No, no, no!" She snapped bluntly, "Then since the name JK Group is named after us, we don’t need to think of a new name!”
"Are you not afraid that I will cheat you and your company?" Joseph didn't think that was what she was thinking; he was a little disappointed.
"Oh, even if you try to steal it, I could get it back!”
"Why are you so confident?"
"Because your mother will help me!” Kate said boldly.
Joseph shook head helplessly, "Sure enough, in your heart, my mother has first place.”
"I honestly believe that you will not try to steal my company. I figure you will try to trick me into marrying you first,” Kate laughed.
Joseph smiled and squeezed her hand, “I’m happy you know it.”
“Let’s go to your house; we can talk more on the way."
“Our house!” Joseph corrected her.
“Okay, go to our house!” Kate beamed.
**
The next day, Joseph took the initiative to merge Kate Group into JK Group. Kate fully understood that the purpose of the merge was to ease her workload. Plus, both companies would operate better if they worked together.
A week later, when all of the legal paperwork was completed, news about the merger of the two companies spread throughout the business community.
Smith Group always regarded JK Group and Kate Group as opponents, so they immediately felt very intimidated by them merging. Samuel was so angry that he threw a glass against the wall then swiped all of the papers on his desk to the floor. He snarled, "Joseph really is shameless. He scammed Kate, pretending to love her, only to advance his own company by taking over hers."
Mayne didn't understand why Samuel was so angry. She bent down to start picking up the files off the floor but not daring to step toward Samuel. Her voice trembled as she said, "President, there have been many comments made about the joining of the companies. But most say that Joseph took over Kate Group to help his girlfriend and so that the two companies could grow together. With this union and Joseph's ability, they will catch up with Smith Group very soon…"
Samuel spun around and glared at Mayne. Her words were like a knife twisting in his chest; he shouted, "Get out!"
"Uh..." Mayne dropped the paperwork on his desk and rushed out of the office.
Samuel clenched his fists with anger. He whispered, “Joseph, you are deliberately causing trouble for me! I will not let you get away with it!”
**
On a sunny afternoon, Kate and Lisa met at a small café.
“How have things been going? Did you talk things out with your mom?” Kate asked when they sat down.
Lisa sighed, "She is certainly a fussy woman, and I cannot stand her. I wonder if she is even my mother sometimes!”
Kate touched her hand and said, “Everything will be fine. You two just need time.”
“Let’s not talk about that unhappiness, tell what is happening with you. You and Joseph merged the companies? It is all over the news!”
As they drank their coffee, Kate explained everything to Lisa.
“It is a good idea! Joseph has such talent! Kate Group will certainly develop quicker with his help," Lisa assured Kate. She sighed, "I really do admire you. I want a boyfriend who will do everything for me, as Joseph does for you!"