The middle-aged man standing ahead, whose features bore a striking resemblance to Callum's, was Laurence Smith—Katherine's biological father.
Emotion shimmered in his eyes as he discreetly wiped the moisture gathering at their corners. Clearing his throat, he said gently, "Katherine, you must be worn out after such a long journey. Come, let's go inside."
Before Katherine could respond, a young woman dressed with meticulous elegance spoke up from Juliette's side. "Aunt Juliette, your health isn't strong. Ricky said you shouldn't let your emotions run too high."
Juliette finally managed to steady herself. Still, her hand clung to Katherine's.
"My darling, from now on, I'll take care of you myself," she said softly, her voice trembling with resolve. "I won't ever let you leave my side again."
Katherine felt a warmth bloom quietly in her chest. "Okay," she replied, her voice sincere.
The young woman stepped forward at once, carefully supporting Juliette. Turning to Katherine, she offered a gentle smile. "I'm Caylee Wright—your cousin. I've been looking after Aunt Juliette all these years. She's always talked about you. I'm truly happy you've finally come home."
Katherine acknowledged her with a soft hum.
Yet, in that brief exchange, she had already sensed something amiss. Behind Caylee's flawless smile lingered a trace of hostility—subtle, well-hidden, but unmistakable.
Seeing her daughter before her seemed to have restored some color to Juliette's face. She smiled faintly and said, "Caylee, I'm deeply grateful for everything you've done for me all these years. But now that Katherine is back, you don't need to come by so often anymore. You should spend more time doing things you enjoy."
Caylee stiffened. Her smile faltered, and her eyes reddened in an instant. "Aunt Juliette… are you asking me to leave?"
"That's not what I meant," Juliette replied gently, patting Caylee's hand. "I just don't want you exhausting yourself because of me."
A flash of jealousy and resentment flickered through Caylee's eyes. So soon after reuniting with her biological daughter, Juliette was already eager to push her aside.
Lowering her head, Caylee dabbed at her eyes and said softly, with carefully measured sorrow, "Taking care of you was never a burden to me. If you don't want to see me anymore, I won't come again."
Juliette's expression immediately softened.
Over the years, she had genuinely grown fond of Caylee and could not bear to see her distressed. "That's not what I mean at all," she said hurriedly. "If you wish, you can stay here with Katherine and me."
Caylee lifted her head then and turned to Katherine, her expression cautious, almost fragile. "Don't misunderstand, Katherine. I just want to stay by Aunt Juliette's side."
Throughout it all, Katherine had remained calm, her expression unreadable. Having already seen through Caylee's little performance, she replied evenly, "That's fine. I don't mind."
To Katherine, worry would only arise if Juliette had discarded the girl who had stood by her for twenty years as easily as Ariella once had. As long as Caylee didn't provoke trouble, her presence meant nothing.
Her composed, flawless response left Caylee momentarily speechless.
Instinctively, Caylee understood—Katherine was not someone easily manipulated.
By then, Juliette had already made her way toward a neatly arranged stack of luxury gift boxes in the living room. She beckoned Katherine over with a tender smile. "Your father and I prepared these for you. A few more are still on their way."
The familiar brand logos caused Katherine's eyes to widen slightly.
Most of them belonged to Katrine's brand.
Juliette reached for an ornate brocade box and opened it carefully, revealing an emerald necklace of striking elegance, its gemstones glowing with a deep, timeless luster. "This belonged to your grandmother," Juliette said softly. "Now, I want you to have it."
Katherine couldn't help thinking that she had finally received something not of her own design.
Well-versed in fine jewelry, she recognized at once the rarity of the gems. The necklace was easily worth over a hundred million dollars.
Across from her, Caylee's smile stiffened. A ripple of frustration and bitterness surged within her.
That necklace was the Wright family's heirloom, passed down through generations and bestowed only upon the family's true leader.
Her own father, Juliette's brother, had been a disappointment, which was why her grandmother had entrusted it to Juliette instead.
The necklace symbolized authority—proof that even after marrying into the Smith family, Juliette still held the final say in the Wright family's most critical matters.
Caylee had always believed it would eventually be hers.
She had never imagined Juliette would give it to Katherine so casually.
Suppressing the jealousy clawing at her chest, Caylee forced a gentle tone and asked, "Aunt Juliette… this is still the Wright family's heirloom. Shouldn't we consult Grandma first?"