When Katrina heard Martha bring up Edith and her brother-in-law, Jonas Salford, her expression turned grim.

So, this was how it started her relationship with Carlisle had been even more calculated and degrading than she'd imagined. From the very beginning, it had been nothing but a transaction. Her chest tightened slightly, her face cold as she looked at Martha. After a long moment, she let out a chuckle and said, "So, you've always thought I wasn't good enough for the Zachman family." Martha's face darkened, her dissatisfaction evident. "You said it yourself-you married into a better situation. If you knew that, why are you acting like this?

"I told you years ago to sell the company Jonas left you and focus on being a proper wife. But you didn't listen.

"Look where that got us. You're just as much to blame for how things are now. If you had paid more attention to your husband, would he still be pining after some other woman? This is all because you couldn't hold your ground. You've got no one to blame but yourself." Martha's tone was sharp, her voice full of disappointment. Over the years, she had hoped Katrina would prove herself capable-someone who could make Carlisle forget all about Shirley and repair the broken relationship between herself and Carlisle.

But after all these years, Katrina still hadn't won Carlisle's heart. Instead, she'd let Shirley find her way back into their lives, brazenly moving into the Zachman residence.

Now, Martha's frustration boiled over as she heard Katrina talk back to her.noveldrama

Katrina, however, had no interest in rehashing the past. Her gaze shifted to the bowl of herbal medicine on the table, and her tone became eerily calm as she said, "If you think I don't deserve to be part of this family, then you'd better find someone else to give you a grandchild."

She stood up, her lips curling into a faint, sarcastic smile. Her gaze lingered on Martha, cold and unyielding. "Oh, and by the way, I've already decided to divorce Carlisle. So, you can save that bowl of medicine for someone else."

Without waiting for Martha's response, Katrina turned on her heel and strode out of the house.

Martha sat frozen in shock, disbelief and anger swirling in her chest for a few moments. But soon enough, she regained her composure.

She didn't believe Katrina for a

second. There was no way she

would willingly give up her title as

Mrs. Zachman or walk away fromet

the wealth and privileges that came with it. Katrina's words, Martha figured, were just a ploy a way to

push back and gain the upper hand.

"So petty," Martha muttered under her breath, her distaste clear. She stood and left the living room, no longer in the mood to deal with the matter.

Unaware that Martha hadn't taken her seriously, Katrina grew irritated as she thought about the chaos in the Zachman family. By the time she snapped out of her thoughts, she realized her car had stopped in front of the law firm.

She was greeted by Sidney Tannes, who quickly led her to his office.

"The divorce agreement has been drafted according to your specifications. Take a look and let me know if there's anything that needs to be adjusted," he said, handing her a printed copy.

Katrina took the document and reviewed it carefully. After a few minutes, she looked up and nodded.

"No issues. I'll transfer your fee later. I'll take this with me, and we'll move forward with the next steps soon," she said, her tone steady.

She had to admit that Sidney was efficient. Everything was ready in such a short time.

Though her personal assets weren't insignificant, they paled in comparison to the Zachman family's wealth. Still, it was enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life.

She hadn't planned to fight for much

of Carlisle's wealth, but the thought of Shirley and her brazen attitude over the years made it impossible to let go without some measure of satisfaction. In the end, she

had

asked Sidney to investigate Carlisle's

assets.

Now, it all depended on whether Carlisle still had any shred of affection for her and how much he was willing to offer as a divorce settlement.

But realistically, Katrina wasn't holding her breath. She knew there was little chance Carlisle would leave her satisfied.