Moreover, Raegan held little faith in Katie's ability to offer anything of value to the discourse. For it would surely devolve into empty boasting on Katie's part, a spectacle Raegan had neither the patience nor inclination to endure.

Katie flared up at Raegan's indirect insult. “You're insulting me!"

"I'm direct when I insult someone." Raegan replied with a cold smile, "Yes, I'm referring to you."

Katie's anger twisted her face as she glared at Raegan. "How can you be so vile? Mitchel doesn't want you anymore! What makes you think he'd ever..."

Katie stopped herself mid-sentence, suddenly falling silent. She couldn't let Raegan know that she was aware of her pregnancy.

But Raegan's instincts kicked in, and she became instantly alert, especially as Katie's piercing gaze swept over her, causing her palms to grow clammy with nervous sweat. She wondered if Katie was hiding something, or if Katie had uncovered a secret.

With this thought, Raegan felt a surge of unease and promptly stepped aside, her voice firm but measured as she said, “Please, step aside."

Katie stood motionless, her arms crossed defiantly and her eyes blazing with a dark intensity, fixed piercingly on Raegan. Raegan seemed to be nervous. How interesting.

Katie's suspicions grew, and she became increasingly convinced that Raegan's child was Mitchel's, her mind racing with the implications.

Raegan, Katie thought, was using the child as a pawn to manipulate Mitchel. How could Katie allow Raegan to succeed? Even if Mitchel were to die, Katie felt he rightfully belonged to her, and she couldn't bear the thought of Raegan claiming him.

Katie's voice dripped with malice as she sneered, “You're still fixated on stealing my man, aren't you? Are all women from the Foster family destined to become mistresses?"

Raegan had intended to just leave, but Katie's venomous words halted her in her tracks. She spun around, her eyes narrowing as she demanded, “What exactly do you mean by ‘women from the Foster family'?"

Katie's face fell as she realized her mistake. She almost revealed a secret about Casey. She had just been privy to this information from her father's trusted confidant. But the truth was still uncertain, leaving open the possibility that Casey had been secretly spirited away by Davey. What nonsense about the talented Casey's retirement?

From what she had gathered, Casey had abandoned her husband and their children, carrying on a shameful affair with Davey without even the decency of formal separation.

Katie sneered, "You're just a Foster woman, through and through!"

Raegan's eyes narrowed, her voice sharp as she pounced on the slip.

"You said ‘women from the Foster family.' Who exactly do you mean by ‘women', Katie?"

Katie's mask slipped, her eyes darting momentarily wide with surprise, before quickly regaining her composure, clearly unprepared for Raegan's sharp insight. She swiftly regained her poise, replying with a careless air, “Just a slip of the tongue, Raegan. But you're awfully quick to take offense. Does the Foster family have a history of mistresses, or is that just a personal interest of yours?"

Raegan's smile was icy as she retorted, "The Fosters may not keep mistresses, but I'm currently face to face with a woman who's quite familiar with the role."

Katie's eyes flashed with anger, “What utter rubbish are you peddling?"