"That is complete nonsense!" Though Kate had mentioned it in hospital, Cassie could not accept that she would actually get a divorce.
"You can ask your daughter-in-law or your son to see if I am lying. By the way, when you do speak to Joseph, you should ask him when he is going to marry my daughter!" Dora said arrogantly.
"Marry her? Impossible! I will never recognize Anna as my daughter-in-law. Therefore, Joseph will never marry her."
Cassie's answer was precisely what Dora expected her to say. She did not argue back; she just calmly replied, "Then let's what and see!"
The world was spinning around Cassie; she sat down because she felt as if she might pass out. After a few minutes, she got her bearings and called the Smith mansion. When she heard from Amy that Kate had moved out and Anna had stayed the night there, she had no choice but to believe what Dora said.
Cassie got up and immediately went to Smith Group. She was furious about the entire situation and originally intended to speak with Kate but then realized it was Joseph's responsibility and that she should talk to him.
"Mrs. Smith, Lord Joseph is now… "
"Get out of my way!" Cassie pushed John away and rushed into Joseph's office.
Joseph heard the commotion and told John, "Let her in!"
"You are a great actor, my son. You always sing a different tune with me," Cassie shouted at Joseph, "Kate was abandoned all because of that bitch. You don't blame her or punish her; instead, you let her into your bed? Don't you feel guilty for Kate or for your baby? And why would you divorce Kate? You pushed her into it, didn't you?" Cassie interrogated her son. She took a breath and then continued, "Joseph, I understand that I cannot force you to love anyone, but you should be grateful. If your father's plan had not succeeded, your grandpa would have given up on him, and your uncle would be running Smith Group."
Joseph lowered his head, and Cassie said, "I apologize, I should not tell you of the conflicts in the past."
"Perhaps it was better for her to leave me," Joseph whispered.
Cassie wasn't sure what to say to her son, "There is nothing I can do now, but I will never allow you to marry Anna. You would lose me as your mother."
"Who said I am going to marry her?" Joseph questioned, the thought of marrying Anna was long gone.
"Then you…" Cassie felt a little relieved. "Dora said you slept with Anna last night and that you are going to marry her. I've also asked the servants, and they confirm that she indeed stayed the whole night in your bedroom. You…"
"Enough!" Joseph did not want to hear anymore, "I can look after my own affairs."
"Mom, though Kate and I are divorced, I hope you will continue to care about her. She has always respected you and looked at you as her mother."
Cassie was a little surprised by Joseph's comment. She asked him, "Why don't you care about her on your own?"
He smiled bitterly and answered, "She does not need my care, and I don't have a right to care about her."
"What do you mean? Tell me, and perhaps I can help you," Cassie pleaded.
"No need, Mom. Kate has been put through a lot the last two years," Joseph got up and looked out the window.
"You only realize to care about her now, but she does not need you anymore," Cassie said softly. Knowing that Joseph would not marry Anna, she was more good-natured, but to Joseph, her words were like pouring salt on an open wound.
She then cautiously asked, "Please explain what happened last night. How did Anna get into your house?"
"I was drunk and blacked out…" Joseph mumbled.
"We must figure out a way to get rid of them. Otherwise, you will be in trouble! Why didn't you restrain yourself?" Cassie demanded.
"I was drunk at that time and do not remember a thing. I only know something happened because Anna was lying beside me when I woke up," Joseph admitted.
**
Joseph called Anna to meet with her after work.
Anna ran to her mother, shouting, "Mom, Joseph invited me to dinner tonight!"
Neither Dora nor Anna thought Joseph would speak to Anna after he found out she caused Kate's miscarriage.
"I will remind you again that you must be calm when facing this situation. Especially when we are being driven out. We must be careful in the beginning and then celebrate after we are sure we can win!" Dora advised.
"Mom, I just want to share my happiness with you. You want me to get pregnant as soon as possible, but if I can be with Joseph, I will not need to have someone else's baby!" Anna exclaimed.
"That is a better option. I know if you were to have another's baby, that bitch, Cassie, would find out!" Dora had been concerned about their plans from the start.
"Yes, if I were caught up lying to Joseph about a baby, then I would have no chance," Anna's joy was suddenly replaced by worry.
"Don't give up! We do everything necessary, even if you need to have a sexual relationship with him. As long as you are having his baby, Vincent Smith will agree to you marrying Joseph, and then Cassie will have no say," Dora got more and more excited. Her eyes filled with desire for an extravagant life.
"If it means becoming Joseph's wife and beating Kate, I am willing to suffer through anything!" Anna was determined to get Joseph into bed and actually have sex.
Dora and Anna found an outfit they hoped Joseph would find appealing. Anna wanted to seduce Joseph, but her mother carefully reminded her, "Stay calm, and Joseph will surely be attracted to you."