“So he just slept with you?” That was a little too direct!

“No, of course not,” Katrina waved her hands, flustered. “He just lent me the money and left. He said he saw me as a friend, nothing more.”

“Then how did you two end up–?”

“Well…” Katrina faltered, her cheeks flushing as some memory flickered behind her eyes. Ivy had never seen her look so bashful before.

“Later on, I reached out to him a few times and told him how I felt. He turned me down every time. He said, ‘You’re Ivy’s best friend. If I ever did anything to hurt you, she’d whisper in Dr. Ludwig’s ear and have me torn to pieces!’”

Ivy rolled her eyes and then burst out laughing. “Mr. Wilson really does know me well.”

Katrina just mumbled something and fell silent again.

Ivy was nearly pulling her hair out. In all the years they’d known each other, she’d never seen Katrina so wishy-washy.

“Can you just spit it out? How did you finally win him over?”

Katrina bit her lip, then finally began to explain, “Honestly, the Lester family kind of gave me a push.”

It turned out that right after Ivy’s accident, the Lesters started pressuring Katrina to go on a blind date.

“Waller Lester used my grandparents’ old house as bait. He said if I agreed to marry the guy, he’d transfer the deed to me. I figured, with my mom being so ill, if she could spend her last days back in her childhood home, she’d be happy. So I went…”

“But I never expected the guy to be some widower nearly fifty years old! He smoked, drank, and when he spoke, his breath could knock you out–like rotten fish left in the sun.”

Ivy cringed, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

Jamison was a doctor–healthy, never smoked, only drank on occasion, and was borderline obsessive about cleanliness. He always smelled fresh, never a hint of stale breath.

Ivy genuinely couldn’t understand how men with such questionable hygiene ever found wives or girlfriends. It was just unthinkable.

Katrina went on, “To be fair, though, the guy was generous. First meeting, he offered to buy me a car, a house, jewelry–fifty grand a month in spending money. He’d even brought the contract with him, ready for me to sign.”

Ivy’s jaw dropped. “Don’t tell me you were tempted.”

Katrina nodded sheepishly. “Honestly, I was. Men that generous are rare these days–well, except for your Dr. Ludwig.”

“So what happened next? And what does this have to do with you and Naylor?”

“Well, while I was on that date, Naylor happened to be at the same restaurant. He saw me, came over to say hi.”

Ivy raised her eyebrows, surprised. “Huh. Sounds like Mr. Wilson isn’t as indifferent as he pretends. Maybe he’s just worried about our friendship, that if things went south, you and I would make his life miserable.”

Katrina’s expression drooped. “Maybe. Anyway, after he came over, I told him straight–I was on a date. He pulled me aside, clearly angry, and said, ‘Are you blind? You’d marry a guy like that just for money?’”

He’d really been upset that day.

He’d seen plenty of young, smart, beautiful women marry men old enough to be their fathers, all for the sake of money. Some even settled for being mistresses, just for a taste of luxury, never getting a real place in those men’s lives.

But he’d never expected Katrina to be one of them.

Katrina had been furious at being misunderstood. She shot back, “It’s not like I wouldn’t prefer a handsome, charming younger guy–it’s just, some people aren’t interested in me.”

The implication was obvious.

Naylor went silent.

Katrina continued, “Don’t look down on that old guy. He meant business. He came with the contract ready–promised me a car, a house, fancy handbags, jewelry, and a fat monthly allowance as soon as I agreed to marry him.”

Naylor’s face darkened. “So you were tempted?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? In this world, women are always at a disadvantage. So many smart, beautiful girls end up as unpaid housekeepers after marriage–lose their looks, their careers, and have to ask their husbands for pocket money. But this guy–he didn’t expect me to have his kids or wait on him hand and foot. He just wanted companionship, and I wanted financial security. Fair trade. No harm done.”

Katrina’s legal training shone through–she spoke with confidence and logic, leaving Naylor momentarily speechless.

“I figured, once I married him, I’d pay you back. Give me a month, tops.” She pretended to joke.

Naylor was getting more and more irritated. “When did I ever pressure you to pay me back?”

“You didn’t, but I hate owing people. I even offered myself as interest, but you, Mr. Wilson, didn’t want me either.”

For the first time, Naylor realized just how sharp a lawyer’s tongue could be.

He couldn’t help but let out a frustrated laugh. “That’s not the point! Don’t twist my words–I’m talking about your standards for choosing a partner.”

“To me, it’s all the same,” Katrina shot back. “I want a man who’ll support me. I don’t care if he’s old, ugly, lame, or short.” She finished by glancing flirtatiously at the old man, making sure Naylor saw her wink.