Chapter: 192

Despite her heavy disguise, Kaitlin's pregnancy made her instantly recognizable.

Manuel had not expected to meet Kaitlin there, especially after he had taken measures to avoid her.

Removing her hat, Kaitlin confronted him directly. "Whitney Jones worked for you as your secretary. She's gone, and you seem unaffected. Why is that?"

Manuel exhaled wearily. "What good does it do to be upset? She couldn't overcome her problems. This was bound to happen."

Kaitlin's gaze intensified as she pressed further. "What exactly are you implying?"

Caught off guard by his own words, Manuel attempted to evade the question.

“If you don't come clean today, I'll engage top-notch lawyers. You won't escape this easily," Kaitlin warned.

Manuel's eyes narrowed. “Is that a threat?"

“I'm seeking the truth. Why can't you be transparent? Did Whitney Jones suffer from some kind of mental illness?"

Kaitlin was only speculating, but as she watched him, his face transformed.

"You know about it?" Manuel queried.

"So it is true then? Why keep her on the staff?"

With a heavy sigh, Manuel responded, “Did you think I had a choice? My good-for-nothing sister married a deadbeat, and they had this problematic girl!"

The revelation shocked Kaitlin, Quintin and Nora.

This clarified Manuel had kept Whitney close despite her lackluster abilities. He wanted to monitor her and avert any blunders.

"I'm tired of overseeing her! I sent her over to you to toughen up. Who could have predicted this outcome?" Regret seeped into Manuel as he slammed the table. "I should've never felt sorry for my sister. They should've been left to handle things on their own!"

A wave of empathy washed over Kaitlin. She hadn't personally dealt with mental illness, but she understood the heavy toll it took.

"Ms. Gilbert, you can't blame yourself entirely. She was battling her own demons," Manuel said.

Frustration overtook Kaitlin. “Why didn't you warn me sooner? Were you intentionally setting us up for disaster?"

Manuel clucked his tongue dismissively. “Would you have accepted her if I'd been upfront? Handling her has become too burdensome. Honestly, it's a relief she's gone. No more constant worries for me."

With that, Manuel gestured dismissively, his demeanor one of resignation and defeat.

Nora, visibly enraged, opened her mouth to retort, but Quintin quickly silenced her.

"Mr. Thomas, if you truly had no compassion, you wouldn't have assisted Whitney initially. Since we cannot bring her back, please allow Ms. Gilbert to meet with Whitney's family. Offering them some comfort or compensation would be appropriate. I hope you can assist in clearing things up. Ultimately, Whitney's death was the result of prolonged suffering. It's unfair to place all the blame on Ms. Gilbert, don't you agree, Mr. Thomas?" Quintin paused, waiting for a response.

After a moment of contemplation, Manuel nodded in agreement to Quintin's suggestion.