Ch. 51..60
Chapter 51
Chapter 51 The Shock
The mocking gazes and continuous sneers seemed to have no effect on Catherine She remained unfazed, not even blinking or changing her expression.
Lifting her head, she slowly scanned the room with her pure brown eyes, as clear as glass, emitting a chilling light as she looked at each person present.
Wherever her gaze landed, no one dared to meet her eyes.
The mocking laughter gradually subsided, as no one had expected such a sharp and powerful gaze from a young girl.
They were subconsciously intimidated by her, even forgetting why they had mocked her
moments ago.
With the room quieting down, Catherine reached out a hand to Leonel who stood behind her, without even turning her head.
Immediately, Leonel opened his briefcase and took out several documents, respectfully handing them to Catherine.
Korbin looked at Leonel with disdain.
Leonel was a well-known lawyer in the industry, yet he showed extreme respect to this young girl. “He is making a fool of himself,” Korbin thought.
He was curious to see what tricks this girl had up her sleeve.
Leonel distributed a copy of the documents to everyone and returned to Catherine’s side.
Catherine leaned her hand on her chin and looked down at the table, revealing her exquisite and long eyelashes. With a cold gaze, she stared at everyone and spoke slowly.
Her voice was deep and cold, yet strangely pleasing. “The documents you are holding are the project contracts with Mr. David. Feel free to turn to the last page and take a look.”
“Mr. David…” someone exclaimed.
He was the new tech mogul everyone had been trying to impress lately.
As Catherine spoke, everyone curiously turned to the last page of the documents and discovered the last clause she had mentioned.
After reading the content of the last clause, everyone was shocked. Many had their mouths wide open in surprise.
The shareholder who had mocked Catherine and mentioned her limited education was dumbfounded. “How… how is this possible?” he stuttered.
The contract heavily favored the Swann Corporation, giving them all the advantages. Moreover, it had very few restrictive clauses, with the only important one being the last one. Catherine had mentioned.
It stated that the contract needed to be signed personally by Catherine and would only take effect if she became the person in charge of the Swann Corporation. Otherwise, the deal would be null and void.
It was strange for Mr. David to offer such a peculiar requirement when everyone else eagerly sought collaboration with him.
Puzzled, everyone turned their gaze towards Catherine, waiting for an explanation.
“As you can see, Mr. David has already signed the document. I don’t need to tell you how many benefits this project can bring, but you should be able to estimate the magnitude.’
When Korbin saw the contract, his face turned extremely unpleasant.
Mr. David would never do such a thing, and Catherine’s abilities alone couldn’t achieve this
agreement.
He knew the one behind it must be his father, who had made great efforts to ensure Catherine would become the chairperson.
First, he had arranged a marriage for Catherine so that she could have Branden as her support. What was more, Mr. David was paving the way for her. He had planned every step for her.
Vicente was dead but still wouldn’t let Korbin have peace of mind.
Korbin couldn’t understand why the family assets were not given to him, the biological son, but to the useless girl Catherine.
He violently threw the document on the table and angrily stared at her.
“We have this contract, so what? What can you do, huh? Do you think I don’t know you? You’re taking the Swann Corporation as a joke! No matter what, I can’t let you do it,” Korbin
declared.
After saying that, Korbin turned to everyone in the room and said, “I’m done with this. Let’s vote!”
He expected these cunning old foxes not to vote in favor of Catherine for such a small benefit.
People nodded and decided to proceed with the vote, raising their hands.
As long as more than two-thirds of the shareholders disagree, even if Catherine inherited the shares, she wouldn’t be able to become the chairperson.
Just as the vote was about to begin, many people’s phones suddenly started ringing.
Those who checked their messages had expressions of surprise and skepticism. Those who
Chleter 51 The Shock
didn’t initially pay attention couldn’t help but check their phones when they saw others’ reactions, and they too were astonished.
Apart from surprise, guilt seemed to appear on everyone’s faces. They held their phones. tightly, scanning the room anxiously as if worried that something would be exposed.
Seeing the crowd’s strange behavior, Korbin furrowed his brow and asked, “What’s going on with all of you? Is something wrong?”
Everyone avoided his gaze, lowering their heads and refusing to meet his eyes.
Leonel smiled faintly, stealing a glance at Catherine, who still had an emotionless face. He knew how capable she was, and witnessing the anxiety on these men’s faces was amusing.
Leonel looked at everyone with a cold smirk and chuckled. “Gentlemen, shall we proceed with the voting now?”
Everyone nodded in agreement, and no one voiced any opposition.
After Korbin confirmed, he raised his voice and announced. “The voting assembly officially begins. Those in favor of Catherine assuming the position of the chairperson of the Swann Corporation, please raise your hands.”
Korbin wore a confident and pleased smile, believing that no one would be foolish enough to let a girl take charge.
However, the crowd’s reaction left him stunned.
Everyone, except for Korbin, raised their hands.
Among them were some of Korbin’s most trusted subordinates, with whom he had worked for many years. This sight made Korbin struggle to accept what was happening.
He reiterated, “Gentlemen, I said in favor of Catherine, not opposing her. Did you all hear me?
Everyone kept their heads lowered, not daring to meet Korbin’s gaze.
Leonel also heard his words.
“Don’t worry. Despite our old age, our hearing is still sharp,” he responded.
Catherine’s eyebrows slightly furrowed on her face, indicating her impatience. “Are we done? ” she coldly asked.
Leonel smiled and answered, “Yes, it is done. Congratulations, Miss Swann, on your successful election. From now on, you are the chairperson of the Swann Corporation.”
Korbin was on the verge of madness. He angrily raised his head and pounded the table, which made a loud sound.
“Are you all crazy? Choosing a girl to be the chairperson of the Swann Corporation? She’s
brainless, and you’re all brainless too?”
Korbin’s words were already harsh, but he wouldn’t have lost his composure like this if it weren’t for the fact that this situation was too difficult to accept.
The people around him wore unpleasant expressions. In their eyes, Korbin didn’t even comprehend the situation and consequences of his behavior.
Catherine had evidence against them, leaving them with no choice but to comply with her
wishes.
Someone couldn’t bear it and retorted directly to Korbin, saying, “Mr. Swann, she’s still your daughter after all. Maybe she has inherited good genes from your family and might also be a business genius. She is one of the Swanns, so why are you so angry?”
Korbin’s eyes turned cold as he looked at the person speaking, “A business genius? You gotta be kidding me!”
He didn’t even try to hide his mocking tone, clearly indicating that Catherine wasn’t his daughter in his mind. Leonel couldn’t bear to watch.
He was waiting for Catherine to make a move, for he would like to see how she would deal with Korbin, her legal father.
Chapter 52
Chapter 52 Take It
Korbin seethed with anger, but Catherine remained composed, unaffected by his emotional
display.
Her beautiful eyes glanced around the room before settling on Korbin, and her lips curled into. a mysterious smile that left everyone wondering what she was thinking.
“Mr. Swann, if you desire the position of chairperson, I can offer it to you,” she calmly replied.
Catherine blinked at him as if waiting for his nod of approval.
The people present were shocked to hear Catherine’s unexpected offer, thinking that she was arrogant. They couldn’t believe that she would say such a thing.
Leonel, standing behind Catherine, tried his best to maintain a serious expression. While Korbin might not have been as powerful as his father, he still held significant influence in
Casier.
Catherine offering him the position could easily be misinterpreted as Leonel manipulating his daughter.
Catherine acted as if she were being gracious to Korbin, but her intentions were clear, to strip. him of his power. It was a brilliant strategic move on her part.
Korbin scrutinized Catherine carefully, his eyes cold and resembling those of a venomous
snake.
In his eyes, this girl was young, ignorant, and full of herself.
In his opinion, she was a naive girl who had lost touch with reality after suddenly becoming the heir to a major corporation.
He found it absurd that she would dare to mock him. She, indeed, was a jinx. Whenever she showed up, there would be problems for the Swanns.
Today, he would hand over the chairperson position to her. He wanted to see how this girl could raise the stock price within three months.
He believed she would give up within that time, if not sooner. Running a company was not as easy as she seemed to think.
She thought running a company was easy, didn’t she?
He thought about everything in his mind.
“Since you want me to assume the position of chairperson, I’ll help you this time and allow you to gain some experience. But remember our agreement!” he replied.
After understanding Korbin’s message, Catherine nodded at him and responded, “I always
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“Hmph!” Korbin snorted coldly, stood up, and left the meeting room.
Why would he stay here? He didn’t want to be Catherine’s lackey.
The other shareholders followed suit, leaving the room one by one.
Catherine was ready to leave the room as well. However, a woman in a black suit blocked her
path.
The woman had oversized sunglasses on her face, a severe expression, and spoke without emotion. “Nice to meet you, Miss Swann. I am the chairman’s secretary. You can call me Linda. This is the material that Mr. Swann asked me to bring to you. The meeting is over, so you can officially start your position. There will be many documents and projects for you to sign and handle. I hope you can get to know them as soon as possible, and it will be best if you can be prepared by tomorrow.”
After speaking, she placed a huge pile of files next to Catherine.
To familiarize herself with all these files in a day was mission impossible.
After placing the items down, Linda bowed to Catherine and exited.
Catherine glanced at the files on the table and then turned to Leonel, the lawyer standing beside her. She raised an eyebrow, displaying her carefree and dominant demeanor.
Leonel understood her silent inquiry and lowered his voice to explain. “Linda is indeed the secretary, and she has a formidable reputation within the Swann Corporation.”
Catherine noticed that when Leonel mentioned Linda, he widened his eyes. Catherine took a glance at him, and her delicate eyebrows and eyes exuded a cold and arrogant aura. “Tell me more!”
Leonel continued in a hushed tone, “Everyone in the Swann Corporation knows Linda. She is highly efficient and ruthless in her methods, earning her the nickname ‘Cruella De Vil.’ Even your father couldn’t control her when she was angry. Her attitude towards you is considered normal, as she doesn’t show favoritism to anyone, not even your father.”
“Is she good at her job?” Catherine tilted her head. If it weren’t for her cold eyes, she could. have looked adorable with her expression and body language.
Upon hearing Catherine’s question, Leonel promptly raised his thumb and said, “She is the best!”
If Linda could gain approval from Leonel, she must have extraordinary business skills.
Catherine had already sensed this. Linda didn’t seem to underestimate her, but her gaze only held pure dislike.
Whether or not Linda liked her was inconsequential. She wasn’t concerned about being
universally liked, she was focused on achieving her goals.
Leonel rubbed his nose, and his eyes showed a hint of helplessness, for he thought he would climb to a higher position after working for years
He used to be a successful lawyer, with people begging him to help with lawsuits every day. How did he end up like this young girl’s assistant nove?
Vicente had indeed caused him a lot of trouble!
Looking at the towering stack of documents on the table, Leonel was a bit overwhelmed. Reading everything within a day would be challenging even for a super genius.
There was still some time before afternoon classes, and Catherine had planned to rest
somewhere. Unfortunately, she would have no choice but read these documents
She turned her head, glanced at Lawyer Leonel, and said, “If you have other plans, you are free to go
Leonel quickly shook his head and said, “It’s fine I am mostly free today. I’ve served the Swann Corporation for over ten years and understand their projects well. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask me
Being able to accompany someone of Catherine’s stature was an opportunity that others. would envy, so Leonel had no desire to leave
Noticing Catherine wanted him to leave, Leonel changed his mind and didn’t see himself as her assistant anymore
At this moment, he sat quietly next to Catherine, as if being able to be next to her was the most significant achievement in his life
Catherine noticed Leonel’s change of mind and decided to let him stay She adjusted herself comfortably, leaned back in the chair, and then took out a document to review.
Leonel had been discreetly observing Catherine. He held a cup of coffee, intending to sip to wake himself up However, he hadn’t put it down since he picked up the cup. His mouth was agape as he witnessed the scene before him to the point where he could swallow an egg
He had encountered many intelligent people, even geniuses who could grasp information quickly, but Catherine’s ability to flip through pages and understand complex documents within seconds was beyond anything he had witnessed before.
Catherine finished reading a document that would have taken an ordinary person a day or a mone intelligent individual half a day, all in less than three minutes. She then casually picked up atavettier für frets the desk
Oheet as boat passed, end Catherine finished reading the last document. She turned her head and sew Lean froze, as it turned to stocur
Læsinuri stated at Ruer with wide eyes, whate to believe what he had just witnessed. He looked at
Catherine with a mix of fear and astonishment.
Catherine, maintaining a calm expression and a slight frown, gazed back at him and inquired, Can I leave now? Or is there anything else I need to attend to?
Her voice was soft and monotone, yet it exuded an undeniable sense of authority that resonated with those who heard it.
In an instant, Leonel’s mind snapped back to the present moment.
He gingerly touched his stiff jaw, his surprised expression still lingering on his face. His voice trembled slightly as he responded, “Miss Swann, have you completed everything?
Chapter 53
Chapter 53 Who Is She
Upon hearing Leonel’s question, Catherine nonchalantly nodded, as if she were unaffected by anything that had transpired. It had taken an hour, which was too long for her.
“I’ve read everything and memorized the main points. There shouldn’t be any problem dealing with the projects of the Swann Corporation. If I have any questions, I’ll contact you!”
Her voice was cold, without warmth or emotion. However, why did it sound sarcastic to him?
Leonel couldn’t help but feel like a fool for offering his support earlier. Did someone like her, who could absorb and memorize so much information in just an hour, truly need his assistance?
Seeing Catherine get up and leave, Leonel quickly followed. He finally understood why Mr. Swann insisted strongly on Catherine returning to inherit the family business.
There would be no hope for the Swann Corporation without Catherine. She could make the Swann Corporation invincible and always stand undefeated in the industry if she wanted.
As they reached the ground floor, Leonel was about to inquire about Catherine’s next destination so he could make the necessary arrangements.
Before he could speak, a tall and imposing man suddenly appeared. This man exuded an air of majesty and seemed to bring a chill with him wherever he went.
Leonel recognized him as Paxton, Branden’s assistant.
However, what was Paxton doing here? Leonel turned his head to look at Catherine beside him.
Catherine showed no surprise at Paxton’s presence, as if it wouldn’t faze her no matter who appeared.
Paxton maintained a stoic expression as he gazed at Catherine, who reciprocated with a cold and frigid look in her eyes. Paxton respectfully bowed.
“Miss Swann, Mr. Duncan heard you are at the Swann Corporation’s office, so he is here to see you. Please follow me.”
Catherine furrowed her brow upon hearing Paxton’s words.
It was said that this man was distant and aloof, and yet he stuck to her like a shadow, which was unexpected.
However, she wasn’t surprised that Branden knew her whereabouts.
After all, the Duncans wouldn’t have dominated the city of Casier for so many years if they
didn’t have this ability.
Catherine wondered what Branden wanted this time. He had previously treated her to dinner and presented a business project. What was his purpose today?
Nevertheless, Catherine disliked dwelling on matters she couldn’t know. She looked up at Paxton, who immediately understood her unspoken request.
He gestured respectfully, signaling for Catherine to follow him.
Catherine departed, leaving Leonel behind in front of the building
Leonel knew that Catherine was Branden’s fiancée, so it didn’t make sense for him to accompany them as the third wheel.
Branden’s car awaited them at the door, with Paxton opening the door for Catherine.
When the car door opened, Catherine saw the attractive and wicked face inside the car.
Countless attractive people existed in the world, but it was rare to encounter someone as eye-
catching as him.
Combined with his aura, he was truly one in a million.
Catherine seated herself in the car, and as she did, Branden’s intense gaze, accompanied by at faint, elusive smile, locked onto her.
Catherine returned his gaze, her expression icy and her eyes indifferent. Yet, her slightly raised eyes seemed to silently question Branden’s purpose for coming to see her.
Observing Catherine’s demeanor, Branden found her even more intriguing.
She was like a captivating puzzle, and the closer he got, the more challenging it became to find.
a solution.
He had received earlier news that Catherine had gone to the Swann Corporation to prepare for assuming the role of chairperson.
Did she truly believe she could take over that position?
Branden initially considered it nearly impossible when he heard the news, but he wouldn’t mind assisting her if that was her desire.
To his surprise, upon rushing over, he learned that almost every shareholder had agreed to have Catherine as the new chairperson.
The situation astonished him
Once again, Catherine had turned the impossible into the possible, leaving him perplexed as to
how she achieved it. From that moment on, he began to believe that she might be the one to succeed in the three-month agreement with the Swanns.
Branden extended his hand toward Catherine, his slender and fair fingers waiting for her to
shake them.
“Congratulations, Miss Swann!”
He purposefully elongated the pronunciation of her name. His voice was deep and magnetic, and the way he spoke added to his charm. It was impossible to resist his allure.
Even Catherine, who usually remained unaffected by the outside world, felt her heart quicken. Her gaze shifted to his hand, noting the distinct joints, slender fingers, and meticulously rounded nails, which displayed an attention to detail.
However, Catherine chose not to shake hands with Branden.
Although she didn’t dislike him, she didn’t enjoy physical contact with others, regardless of
their attractiveness.
With a touch of indifference and aloofness in her voice, she replied, “Thank you.”
Paxton, seated in the driver’s seat, couldn’t help but feel shocked. He had never witnessed anyone behave this way toward his boss. It was indeed a rare sight. His back was drenched, and he felt nervous for Catherine.
If his boss became furious, Catherine might be in trouble..
However, his shock intensified in the next moment.
Branden didn’t seem offended by Catherine’s arrogant attitude. He gracefully withdrew his hand, showing no embarrassment or offense.
Branden truly lived up to his reputation, remaining composed and elegant despite the rejection.
“Now that the matter with the Swann Corporation has been settled, where would you like to go? It’s lunchtime. Shall we have lunch together?”
Catherine regarded him with a peculiar look. Why did this man always bring up food?
“No, I just need a place to take a nap!”
Branden didn’t agree with Catherine’s decision this time or even ask for her opinion before making his own.
Because he knew that if he asked, he would be rejected.
He coldly instructed Paxton, who was before him, “Drive to Le Bouchon!”
Le Bouchon was a private dining establishment, and just by its elegant name, Catherine could discern that it offered foreign cuisine.
As they arrived at the restaurant, Branden alighted from the car first and then turned, walked towards Catherine, and personally opened the car door, waiting for her to exit.
Prior to their arrival, Paxton had already informed the restaurant to prepare for Branden’s
visit.
The restaurant staff, aware of Branden’s identity, became serious upon hearing that he was coming, eagerly anticipating the arrival of this distinguished guest.
However, they were taken aback when they saw this prominent figure opening the door for someone else after he himself had alighted from the car.
Could it be that there was an even more prominent figure in the car than the heir of the Duncans?
Catherine glanced at the scenery outside the car window. Although it was an artificial environment, the decoration was exquisite.
Since she hadn’t eaten yet, she thought it would be suitable to have something to eat, considering the ambiance.
Everyone noticed her long, slender legs as she stepped out of the car.
The next moment, they were astonished by her stunning appearance. Even with a simple white T shirt, her delicate face made people forget about her outfit.
She possessed such natural beauty that she would look fabulous, even in pajamas.
Chapter 54 Don’t Like Sweets
As everyone’s eyes were fixed on Catherine, she walked alongside Branden and entered the restaurant.
The interior design of the restaurant matched the style of the building, exuding an elegant and unique ambiance that transported people to a foreign country.
They were given the largest private room, not in terms of table size, but in its expansive area, resembling a spacious, one-level restaurant.
Branden handed the menu to Catherine and asked, “What would you like to eat?”
Catherine didn’t respond, her delicate face resting on her hand, indicating her fatigue and weariness.
Branden noticed her exhaustion and sighed as he gazed at her. “Then I’ll order. After we finish eating, I’ll take you to rest,” he said in a deep tone.
Catherine had no objections. She didn’t enjoy selecting dishes, so she didn’t mind letting Branden decide on the meal.
If there was anything she didn’t like, she could choose not to eat it.
Since there were only the two of them, Branden thought a simple lunch would be more suitable. He ordered two sets with an appetizer, a main dish, and a dessert, and specifically asked the chef to prepare something spicy for Catherine.
Catherine glanced at the dishes containing mussels and fish, which appeared appetizing and pleasing to her.
Taking the initiative, she picked up the utensils and began eating silently.
Catherine remained quiet throughout the meal, and Branden was not particularly talkative.
either. Neither of them said a word during the lunch.
Occasionally, Branden made a slight sound as he deboned the fish and placed it on Catherine’s
plate.
“Enjoy!” he said.
Catherine glanced at him, her lips curling into a faint smile, radiating a wild and carefree air.
The fish dish was delicious but filled with small bones.
Therefore, even if Catherine liked it, she preferred not to deal with it.
To her surprise, the man sitting across from her patiently removed the fish bones. She wouldn’t refuse his kindness, so she enjoyed the dish without reservation.
Paxton’s eyes widened in astonishment, disbelief etched on his face. His boss opening the car door for Catherine could be considered a gentlemanly gesture, but deboning the fish for her took it to another level.
Was this true love?
After finishing the main dish, Catherine leaned back in her chair with half-closed eyes, looking as relaxed as a sleepy cat.
Observing her in this state, Branden couldn’t help but take another glance at her face. This girl seemed unpredictable, and he felt like he couldn’t fully grasp who she was.
“If you are full, we can leave right now!”
Upon uttering those words, Branden stood up, and Catherine followed suit, leaving the seat.
Unexpectedly, Branden didn’t leave the restaurant. Instead, he led her through a beautiful corridor and into another courtyard.
Paxton opened the door for them, seeming quite familiar with the place.
Once inside the house, Branden guided Catherine upstairs. He pushed open a door and then turned back, tilting his head towards Catherine, his gaze suggesting something.
Catherine wasn’t sure what he was up to, but entering a room alone with a man was a potentially dangerous situation.
However, she didn’t fear Branden in the slightest. Furthermore, she knew he wouldn’t do anything to harm her. She walked directly into the room, which was predominantly decorated in black, white, and gray tones, reflecting Branden’s minimalist style.
After appreciating the decor, Catherine turned back with the same gaze, raising her eyebrows and waiting for his next move.
“This house is mine. The bedding is changed daily, and it’s all brand new.”
Branden pointed toward the nearby bed and slowly approached Catherine, leaning close to her ear before softly saying, “You should go to sleep… I’ll be working!”
Catherine gave him a cold glare. “What the hell is he doing?” she thought.
Afterward, she reclined on the bed, closed her eyes, and fell asleep within a few seconds.
Catherine slept soundly, as if alone in the room without anyone
else
present.
Branden took out his laptop, which he always carried with him, and sat quietly on the nearby sofa, working. Even as he typed on the keyboard, he did so gently, ensuring Catherine could rest undisturbed.
Time passed swiftly.
At half past one in the afternoon, Catherine, who had been peacefully asleep, slowly sat up.
There was no alarm or disturbance, and she woke up naturally. Interestingly, the moment she woke up coincided perfectly with the time it would take to travel from there to her school, as if she had calculated it in her mind.
Even Branden was somewhat surprised by her precision, as it indicated she possessed an exceptional ability to regulate her biological clock.
“Are you awake?” Branden’s deep and magnetic voice carried warmth, akin to a gentle breeze.
Catherine usually disliked hearing people speak immediately after waking up. However, Branden’s voice didn’t bother her. In fact, it was pleasant to listen to.
Branden silently observed her as the sunlight intensified, streaming through the white. curtains and gently cascading onto her fair, smooth skin, enhancing her radiance and captivating beauty.
Catherine sat for a moment before slowly getting up from the bed.
Branden thoughtfully brought her a cup of coffee and handed it to her, asking, “Want some?”
Catherine didn’t refuse and reached out to take the cup, promptly finishing its contents in one gulp. Her movements were elegant and swift, displaying no hesitation.
After she handed back the cup, she coldly said, “Let’s go.”
With that, she turned around and left, indifferent to whether Branden followed behind.
Branden glanced down at the cup beside him, and a faint smile appeared on his face. There was progress; at least she invited him to accompany her!
After Catherine descended the stairs, she entered Branden’s car, and he drove her to school.
As they arrived at their destination, Catherine opened the car door, preparing to leave. Unexpectedly, Branden grabbed her hand.
It caused her to turn around and cast an annoyed glare at him. It seemed that he was starting. to overstep her boundaries.
Catherine had already made up her mind that if Branden couldn’t provide a reasonable explanation this time, she would teach him a lesson, making it clear that he shouldn’t touch her hand without permission.
Branden held her wrist with one hand, pulled a box from a drawer next to him with the other, and handed it to her.
“Here!”
Catherine looked at the box and recognized it as chocolate, exquisitely packaged and
undoubtedly expensive. However, her face didn’t reveal much joy. “I don’t eat sweets,” she
coldly declined his offering.
She preferred intense flavors and wasn’t fond of sweets and chocolates.
Branden gazed at her, a smile forming on his face, which conveyed gentleness.
“Don’t worry. It’s not sweet chocolate. You can eat it when your blood sugar is low.”
Catherine furrowed her brow once again, intrigued by how this man knew about her hypoglycemia.
Branden understood the reason behind her expression, but he chose not to respond, instead offering a faint smile. “You should go, or you’ll be late for class!” he advised.
Catherine nodded and shook the chocolate box in her hand. “Thanks.” Her voice remained
emotionless, as was typical for her.
Then she turned around and left, seemingly forgetting about the lesson she had planned to teach him just a few seconds earlier.
Chapter 55 Llar
The classroom was filled with noise, but it quickly fell silent as Catherine arrived.
At that instant, all eyes were focused on her.
Moreover, her attire stood out among her classmates, who were wearing the school uniform.
Even in a simple white T-shirt and jeans, she exuded the presence of a movie star walking on a red carpet.
Despite the intense scrutiny from her peers, Catherine remained unresponsive, her expression. cold and indifferent, as she made her way directly to her seal.
Before she even arrived, Bryan, standing nearby, pulled out a chair and gestured toward Catherine.
“Please,” he said.
Catherine glanced at him and nodded, possessing both delicate features and a touch of masculine energy.
When Bryan received a response from Catherine, a slight smile appeared on his face.
+
In his view, he felt that he had taken another step towards becoming friends with Catherine.
Bryan was the most popular boy in the school, and many girls in the class had a crush on him.
To their delight, the typically aloof Bryan suddenly smiled, causing some of them to squeal with excitement.
“Oh my god, did you see that? Bryan smiled! He’s so cute!” they exclaimed in thrilled tones.
“I saw it too. He’s the cutest guy ever. But why did it seem like he was smiling at that jinx, Catherine? What does she have that deserves it?”
“Lower your voice! Don’t let him hear you, or you’ll get in trouble!”
The person stopped talking right away.
After settling into her seat, Catherine placed her backpack on the desk, leaned forward, and buried her face in her arms, promptly falling asleep.
The gossiping students noticed her lack of response and resumed their chattering.
“Didn’t Catherine get expelled from school? She wasn’t here in the morning, but now she’s back in the afternoon?”
“Who knows? Maybe the Swanns donated another building to the school…”
Everyone’s gaze toward Catherine was filled with mockery. If it weren’t for Bryan’s protection,
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they might have caused a scene in class.
Unfortunately, the first class of the afternoon was math. There had also been a math class in the morning, and the math teacher was quite pleased to find Catherine’s seat empty when she entered the classroom. She knew a lousy student like Catherine wouldn’t survive in their class. However, she didn’t expect to see Catherine again in the afternoon, sleeping as usual.
Anger surged within her, and she slammed the lesson plan on the stage, creating a loud noise.
“What’s going on? How can such a lousy student be in my class?”
The whole class fell silent, except for Bryan, who thought the math teacher had gone too far. He was about to speak up for Catherine when she pressed his hand, indicating that he
shouldn’t intervene.
Catherine, who had been sleeping, slowly sat up and reclined in her chair, assuming a nonchalant posture.
She had lunch with Branden, which meant she had half an hour less sleep than usual, leaving her feeling drowsy.
She hadn’t expected the teacher to be as irritating as a buzzing fly.
Bryan glanced at Catherine and noticed her exquisitely beautiful face. Her furrowed eyebrows and the hint of hostility in her gaze sent a chill down everyone’s spines.
For some reason, he had a feeling that the math teacher was about to face a tough time.
The math teacher locked eyes with Catherine, who exuded a cold and arrogant demeanor, intensifying her inner anger.
“Catherine, don’t think I’m afraid of you! Acting tough won’t work with me. Weren’t you expelled this morning? How dare you shamelessly return in the afternoon? You’re the black sheep everywhere. Oh well, don’t take it personally. I understand that you struggle to comprehend things since you’re only in elementary school with limited knowledge. I doubt you even understand what I’m saying.”
The math teacher’s words were undeniably mean, and all the students present struggled to maintain a straight face.
Observing the reactions of her students, the math teacher felt a sense of pride. She raised an eyebrow and directed a scornful gaze at Catherine. “If you have any self-awareness, you shouldn’t stay in this class. You dropped out in the morning, and now you’re back in the afternoon. Why bother? Be warned! If I have security escort you out, it will be embarrassing for you!”
Catherine rolled her eyes, a mischievous charm appearing on her delicate face as she raised an eyebrow and directed her gaze towards the stage.
“Who told you I was expelled from school this morning?”
Yesterday, the math teacher had asked her father-in-law to call the principal and convince him to remove Catherine from the school, threatening to withdraw their funding otherwise. She didn’t believe that such an underachieving student could continue studying at the school
under such circumstances.
There would be no good outcome for anyone daring to oppose her.
“Don’t act tough. Weren’t you expelled? Or did you conveniently take a leave?” The math teacher sneered at Catherine, her face oozing sarcasm. “If you’re going to make excuses, least come up with better ones!”
“I don’t need any excuses. I did take a leave!” Catherine maintained a calm expression, unruffled by the situation, as she spoke slowly and nonchalantly.
at
Upon hearing Catherine’s words, the math teacher burst into laughter, her mocking gaze becoming even more evident. “Hahaha! You truly lack education. I’ll give you an out, and you’ll readily accept it, won’t you?” Her eyes widened, and a burning fury was on her face.” Catherine, if you haven’t been expelled and only took a leave, I’ll eat this piece of chalk here and now.”
Catherine suddenly stood up, determination in her gaze as she walked towards the stage. With her hands casually resting in her pockets, she exuded an air of dominance. “Very well, you
asked for it!”
Catherine signaled to Bryan, who discreetly left the classroom and fetched the homeroom
teacher.
Bryan promptly returned with the teacher and asked him if Catherine took a leave this morning.
The homeroom teacher nodded in front of the class, a perplexed expression on his face. “Yes, she did take a leave this morning. Wasn’t it due to family issues?”
The math teacher’s face immediately turned embarrassed. She glared at the homeroom teacher, her flared nostrils revealing her anger. “Don’t try to protect Catherine. Wasn’t she expelled? And now you claim she took a leave. Is this how a teacher should behave in public?”
Her impolite remarks caused the homeroom teacher’s expression to darken. “What do you mean? I am the homeroom teacher. Do you think I wouldn’t know if my student had been expelled? Catherine did take a leave this morning, and I approved it. Her parents called and explained that there were family issues.”
The homeroom teacher’s explanation left the math teacher pale. “Did Catherine truly take a leave this morning?” she wondered. “Well, that means…”
Liana suddenly stood up, sensing the impasse. She pointed at the homeroom teacher and spoke loudly, “She’s lying!”
Chapter 56
Chapter 56 Trillion Dollar Fortune
The crowd was left dumbfounded, unsure of what was happening.
How dare Liana publicly accuse the homeroom teacher? It took a lot of nerve to do so.
The homeroom teacher’s expression immediately turned serious. “Liana, what are you doing? That’s disrespectful. Do you think it’s acceptable to speak to a teacher like that?”
The math teacher saw an opportunity in Liana’s accusation and quickly spoke up, saying, Liana, if you know something, don’t be afraid to share it. Don’t worry. I will protect you!” Liana nodded, determined to expose Catherine’s true nature at any cost.
“I live with Catherine, and my parents have never called the teacher,” she revealed.
!!
There had been rumors in school that Catherine was a daughter brought back from the countryside by the Swanns. Still, there had been no public evidence. Moreover, Catherine had never mentioned it, so it had always been the word on the street.
Liana’s statement seemed to confirm these rumors, implying that Catherine was indeed her sister.
As Liana finished speaking, all eyes turned to Catherine, curious to see her reaction.
Despite being the center of attention, Catherine remained as composed as ever. Her beautiful yet cold face showed no signs of being affected by Liana’s words.
Liana despised Catherine’s calm demeanor. She wanted to see fear in Catherine’s eyes, to make her understand the power she possessed.
But Catherine showed no such emotions. Instead, she gazed at Liana with cold eyes.
That unchanged gaze somehow made Liana anxious, causing her heart to race.
Liana stared back at Catherine, trying to project fearlessness to mask her inner tension. “Well, tell us,
did you find someone to impersonate a family member for your absence, or is the homeroom teacher lying?” Liana questioned Catherine.
Catherine let out a cold chuckle as she looked at Liana. Her calm gaze made Liana’s loud accusations look like a monkey’s performance in a zoo, entertaining the crowd.
“Liana, since you’re so curious, why don’t you ask the homeroom teacher who called her this morning?”
Before Liana could ask, the homeroom teacher explained, “It was Catherine’s guardian, the renowned lawyer Mr. Bolton.”
The custody of Catherine had always been in the hands of Vicente, and later it was transferred to Leonel.
Although Catherine was of legal age, the custody hadn’t been terminated since she was still studying. It made it easier for her to attend school with a guardian listed on her paperwork. Liana’s frustrated expression caught Catherine’s attention, bringing a sense of thrill to her. Someone like Liana had never bothered her since they were not on the same level.
Unfortunately, Catherine had just woken up and was feeling grumpy.
In a bad mood, she was naturally inclined to make those who offended her bear the consequences.
Catherine stepped onto the stage and took out a vintage cell phone from her pocket.
The sight of Catherine’s outdated phone astonished the onlookers.
Was she from the last century? How could she still be using such an old phone? Did she not even use WhatsApp?
As everyone stared at Catherine with surprised looks, she turned on the projector connected to the phone and directed her gaze toward Liana with a hint of amusement.
“If you’re so curious about what I did this morning, I wouldn’t mind sharing it with you.”
Catherine tapped the screen of her phone, and a magical scene unfolded.
The vintage phone unexpectedly connected to the computer on the stage, displaying financial news on the board.
“The new chairperson of the Swann Corporation has been elected. The person is Catherine Swann, the second granddaughter of the former chairman of the Swann Corporation Group, Vicente Swann. This news is tracked and reported by Global Financial Times reporter.”
Global Financial Times, the world’s most famous financial channel, had never made a mistake in their news. They were renowned in the industry.
As the news segment ended, everyone in the class was left in shock.
Liana’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Has Catherine become the chairperson?” she asked inwardly. “How’s this even possible?
Why had her father agreed to such a situation? What was going on?
Liana was taken aback, and even Bryan couldn’t believe what he had just heard. He gave a thumbs up to Catherine, admiration in his eyes.
“Catherine, you disappeared all morning dealing with your trillion-dollar inheritance. That’s so amazing! You’re my idol from now on, and I’ll call you boss.”
Everyone present was stunned. They couldn’t believe that their mediocre classmate had suddenly inherited a trillion-dollar fortune.
The most skeptical person was the math teacher. She had believed Catherine was a student accepted by Sincere High School due to her background, a jinx for her family, and just a nobody. After all, the math teacher also came from a wealthy and distinguished family. However, she hadn’t expected Catherine to have such a background. This girl was the chairperson of the Swann Corporation, and even her father-in-law couldn’t do anything to stop her.
The math teacher knew that she had gotten herself into trouble. Fear crept into her heart, and Catherine had no intention of letting her off the hook.
Catherine didn’t like causing trouble, but once she took action, she showed no mercy.
Catherine picked up the chalk holder from the table and threw it, landing it steadily in front of the math teacher.
With a cold expression and narrowed eyes, she emitted a chilling aura. “Ma’am, it’s time for you to fulfill your promise.”
The math teacher felt afraid and awkwardly smiled. “Catherine, it was just a joke. Let’s forget about it, shall we? It was a misunderstanding, right?” She had set aside her pride and would give her all if Catherine didn’t provide an escape route.
While this tactic might be effective for others, Catherine showed no concern for this strategy.
“I don’t play games,” she declared, her emotionless tone emanating an awe-inspiring presence. It was characteristic of Catherine not to leave any opportunity for her adversaries.
Catherine directed a fierce gaze at the math teacher, a look that combined rebellion, arrogance, and a hint of wickedness.
“You can rest assured that I’ll keep my promise. If I don’t rank first in the class next week, I’ll withdraw from school.”
By uttering these words, she left no room for negotiation or any chance for the math teacher.
Catherine knew exactly what she wanted, and she would pursue it relentlessly.
Witnessing the math teacher’s embarrassed expression, the surrounding students became apprehensive of Catherine.
As the situation reached a deadlock, the homeroom teacher intervened as a mediator.
“Catherine, I’m making this request on my behalf. Can you reconcile with the math teacher? She didn’t mean any harm. How about if I ask her to apologize, and then we can move forward? What do you think?”
Catherine glanced at the homeroom teacher, who had been kind to her since the beginning of the school year.
Whenever she faced any issues, the homeroom teacher would step in to assist. Considering this, Catherine could agree to the request.
“Alright, I’ll do as you say. Just remember, I’m doing this for you.”
Upon hearing Catherine’s response, the homeroom teacher promptly fetched the math teacher.
“Come on!”
Reluctantly, the math teacher cast a glance at Catherine and uttered, “What happened today was my mistake. I misunderstood you, and I apologize.”
Although she didn’t want to apologize to Catherine, she had, at the very least, done so.
Since the homeroom teacher had requested forgiveness, Catherine didn’t want to create a
scene.
With the situation seemingly resolved, people present dispersed. However, Catherine’s next move startled everyone.
“Stay put!” she suddenly commanded in a chilling voice, her words sharp and authoritative.
Chapter 57 Apology
Catherine’s sudden remark left everyone curious about her intentions, but they were too apprehensive to inquire.
Her imposing presence and aura made people hesitant to approach or provoke her, leaving them powerless.
As Catherine took a step forward, the students of Class 8 instinctively recoiled, clearing a path for her to approach someone in the room.
It was no secret that Catherine’s target was Liana, and even Liana herself was well aware of it.
Liana’s eyes filled with panic as she watched Catherine draw nearer, unable to control the trembling of her fingers.
Catherine’s cold, icy gaze pierced through Liana’s heart, exuding danger and aggression, creating an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Liana grew increasingly anxious, struggling to steady herself.
After all, Catherine was just an unwelcome girl from the countryside, and there was no reason to fear her.
After a moment of self-assurance, Liana mustered the courage to speak. “What do you want?” she asked Catherine.
“What do I want? Haha…” Catherine sneered, blinking her eyes and casting a casual glance at
Liana.
Though seemingly indifferent, Liana felt weak in the legs and almost lost her balance.
“Liana, you owe me an apology!” Catherine calmly declared, her expression still drowsy.
Immediately, Bryan and David chimed in, voicing their support for Catherine.
“Yes, you need to apologize to Catherine!”
Bryan’s cold gaze fixed upon Liana. While everyone in their grade regarded her as the most beautiful girl, he couldn’t stand her, perceiving her as fake and pretentious. She had slandered Catherine today, and he couldn’t tolerate such behavior. He lifted his chin, stared at her
arrogantly, and had no intention of showing her respect.
“Liana, even the math teacher has apologized. It’s in your best interest to make the right choice and apologize to Catherine now.”
Anger trembled through Liana as she heard her classmates’ words. She couldn’t comprehend why everyone seemed to be siding with Catherine.
Since Catherine’s arrival, everything had changed. Her world had turned upside down, and
nothing remained the same.
With reddened eyes and a stubborn expression, she appeared deeply wronged, like a helpless stray puppy.
“What did I do wrong? Why should I apologize to her? You’re all teaming up and threatening me! Is this what school is supposed to be like?”
Catherine raised an eyebrow, sizing up Liana from head to toe, surprised that this girl possessed enough wit to resort to such underhanded tactics.
But would these tricks work?
Catherine had no interest in explaining further. If Liana hadn’t crossed her path and behaved herself, Catherine wouldn’t have minded letting her continue her carefree life as Miss Swann. After all, Catherine cared little for titles.
However, if Liana persisted in creating disturbances that irritated her, she might have to teach her a lesson.
Catherine’s delicate eyes revealed a touch of coldness as she stared emotionlessly at Liana. Apologize or drop out of school. It’s your choice,” she said.
Many people present felt that Catherine had gone too far.
Liana had made a mistake, but forcing her to drop out seemed excessive.
However, though many students seethed with anger, they didn’t dare voice their opinions, fearing Catherine’s wrath.
Liana could feel everyone’s gaze upon her, and embarrassment consumed her. She didn’t want to apologize, but she sensed that Catherine wouldn’t easily let this matter go.
Unless she apologized, Catherine would continue to make her life difficult.
With the realization that Catherine had become the chairperson and even her father couldn’t control her, Liana suddenly felt a twinge of fear.
Could Catherine truly be this influential? Doubts began to cloud her mind.
Observing the unfolding situation, the homeroom teacher knew intervention was necessary.” I now understand the situation. Liana, you wrongly accused Catherine and thought she was lying. It’s only right for you to apologize to Catherine now,” she said.
Liana’s earlier demeanor had been arrogant, and she had even dared to question the homeroom teacher’s words, raising her voice. Not only Catherine, but even the homeroom teacher herself was displeased.
The homeroom teacher’s words presented an opportunity for Liana to save face. After she spoke, Liana offered a tearful, soft apology, revealing her sense of injustice.
“Okay, I apologize to Catherine. I was wrong and misunderstood her.”
“Is this enough, Catherine?” When she looked at Catherine, her expression appeared wronged and sad. Still, her eyes were as evil as a snake, as if she wanted to tear Catherine into pieces.
Catherine approached her slowly, leaning in slightly, and whispered in a voice only they could hear, “I know you don’t believe what you’re saying.”
Catherine paused, her tone firm as she continued, “Nevertheless, you have no choice but to apologize to me.”
After uttering those words, Catherine distanced herself, took a step back, crossed her arms, and regarded Liana with cold eyes full of disdain and contempt.
Liana’s face turned red, and she trembled with fury.
“Alright, everyone, return to your seats. It’s time for class!”
With the homeroom teacher’s intervention, the chaotic drama finally subsided.
Catherine returned to her seat, adjusted herself slightly, and dozed off once again.
Witnessing her graceful posture, Bryan, seated beside her, felt a profound admiration. He held immense respect for Catherine, realizing that from now on, nobody should disturb her precious sleep. He understood that Catherine cherished her sleep and detested being disturbed.
Anyone who disrupted her rest would have to contend with Bryan.
The incident had disrupted the class for a significant portion of the period. The remaining half of the math class was canceled, and the teacher allowed the students to study independently.
After a few minutes, the break began. Bryan, David, and their friends issued a decree to the
students of Class 8.
Henceforth, the class must remain silent during breaks, and Bryan would address anyone causing a disturbance.
No student at Sincere Highschool dared to cross Bryan, so onlookers were astonished as they passed by Class 8.
Even during break time, Class 8 remained as quiet as a ghost town, as if no one was present.
Passersby were puzzled by this unusual scene.
Class 8 truly lived up to its reputation as the top class in the grade, the crème de la crème. With such dedication to learning, it was no wonder Class 8 ranked first.
Catherine slept through the entire class, awakening only when the final bell rang, as though triggered by an alarm clock.
Bryan noticed her waking up and kindly offered her a warm water bottle,
“Catherine, this is my new water bottle. It’s been sterilized, and the water temperature is maintained at 55 degrees Celsius, which is optimal for the throat. I thought you might be thirsty after waking up. Please, have some.”
Catherine glanced at him, her face expressionless. Though she recognized Bryan’s attempt to please her, she maintained her cold and distant demeanor.
However, she reached out and accepted the water bottle from Bryan’s hand. Taking a slow sip, she found the water refreshing. This guy was considerate.
Seeing that she didn’t frown, Bryan sensed she was in a good mood and took the opportunity to share his thoughts.
“Catherine, can I call you Boss?”
Chapter 58
Chapter 58 Crazy
Bryan had never expected to become friends with Catherine. He believed he didn’t deserve such an honor.
Catherine possessed a commanding personality, exceptional combat skills, and remarkable intelligence.
If she were an ordinary student, could she have taken a half-day leave and assumed the position of chairperson?
While Bryan didn’t even know which university he would attend, Catherine had already become the chairperson.
Not many people could reach such a position, so naturally, Bryan wanted to be by her side.
Catherine furrowed her brows slightly upon hearing Bryan’s words. She wasn’t a gang leader. Why would she need someone to address her as “Boss”?
Ronin, that brat, often called her Boss, but she wasn’t interested in acquiring another “lackey. “If Ronin discovered that she was recruiting someone like Bryan, who knew what trouble it would cause?
Thinking about the restless Ronin, Catherine was somewhat worried. She hesitated for a moment, lazily choosing not to respond.
Bryan panicked at her reaction. He had already given up everything, his pride and dignity, just to become Catherine’s follower. Everything would be fine as long as he could serve Catherine.
“Catherine, please accept me. There are many things to handle in school, and I can run errands for you. You don’t want too many troubles, right?”
“Let me tell you, I may not excel at anything else, but I know how to make your life in school easier. I’m not boasting.”
David had planned to turn around and ask Bryan where they should go after school, and he was shocked to hear Bryan shamelessly volunteering himself.
His eyes widened as if they were about to pop out. Was that still the Bryan he knew?
He couldn’t believe Bryan would make such an effort to become someone’s follower.
Catherine hesitated for a moment. She had to admit that Bryan had some insight into people. At the very least, he recognized that she didn’t like trouble, which meant she was lazy.
She agreed to Bryan’s proposal since Ronin was not around. “Alright, that’ll do!”
After giving Bryan an answer, Catherine stood up and gracefully walked away from her seat.
It took Bryan a moment to react. He watched Catherine’s retreating figure and thought about
how much he admired her.
“Catherine is the coolest person in the world!” he muttered to himself.
As Bryan helped Catherine tidy up the table, he respectfully bid her farewell from behind.” Catherine, it was an honor! See you tomorrow.”
Some classmates who hadn’t left the classroom almost stumbled upon hearing Bryan’s fawning words. They thought Bryan had gone crazy. It was all because of Catherine.
Meanwhile, Liana was on her way back home. As soon as she returned from school, she sought out her mom.
With tears streaming down her face, she recounted the events of the day to Rachael. “Mom, I don’t deserve to be treated like this. You have to stand up for me.”
Rachael was frustrated too. She gently patted Liana’s hand to offer comfort.
“My baby girl, I know you’ve been wronged. Catherine is a disaster, and she has caused enough trouble for me since she came back.”
Liana wholeheartedly agreed with her mother’s words. She clung to her mother’s arm, acting like a child begging for a toy. “Mommy, can we send her away? I don’t want to see her anymore. Let’s send this jinx back to the countryside.”
Liana believed that once Catherine disappeared, everything would return to normal, and she could go back to her previous life.
Rachael also wanted Catherine to leave. However, before returning home, she had discovered that the jinx had become the chairperson. She even tried to seek confirmation from Korbin, but he had asked her to leave his office.
Korbin advised her to endure for three months to avoid conflicts with Catherine.
After three months, he promised to send Catherine back to the countryside for good and
ensure she would never return.
Korbin repeatedly warned Rachael not to stir up trouble at this time.
He suspected that there were others behind Catherine, and she was merely a pawn in a bigger game. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to threaten so many people.
Though Catherine was now the chairperson of the Swann Corporation, Korbin believed she was just a minor character. If he sent her back to the countryside, left her to starve, or even harmed her, rumors would spread. The public would side with her, which would be detrimental to the Swann Corporation.
In order to protect the assets of the Swann Corporation, Rachael wanted Liana to endure for the time being. She tried to analyze the situation with Liana. Unfortunately, Liana couldn’t understand and focused solely on her anger toward Catherine.
“Mom, you’ve changed. You don’t want to help me anymore!”
Rachael looked at her daughter, who bore a resemblance to her. However, she felt rather
Liana may have looked like her, but how could she be so clueless?
upset.
“Liana, listen to me. This is a critical moment. It’s best for you not to act out. I promise you, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
After saying that, Rachael stood up and paid no further attention to Liana.
She was going to have dinner with other socialites. Socializing with the upper class was more important than comforting her daughter in this moment.
She gave Liana some time to contemplate. If Liana couldn’t grasp the situation, then she didn’t deserve to be her daughter.
Once Rachael left, Liana couldn’t contain her anger any longer.
She swept away everything around her and smashed it forcefully onto the floor.
Her fierce gaze locked onto the mess before her, burning with intense anger. Her fingers turned white and contorted after her violent outburst.
She had reached her limit. Catherine had changed everything.
Even her mother no longer loved her as much, and she was expected to tolerate Catherine.
How much more could she endure?
Hadn’t she been humiliated enough?
It was all Catherine. It was all her fault. Liana was determined to make Catherine pay the price.
She continued to dwell on ways to exact revenge.
Tuesday arrived quickly, and exams were just a routine part of school life.
However, today’s exam held special significance for the students of Class 8.
Class 8 had a significant wager riding on this exam. To prevent cheating, the teachers had arranged for an empty classroom and divided the students into two separate exam rooms.
Each desk was positioned one meter apart, ensuring that it was impossible to glance at others’
answers.
Intentionally, Catherine and Bryan were placed in different classes. Furthermore, the math teacher had volunteered to be the proctor.
Everyone could see that these arrangements were specifically targeting Catherine, and there was a prevailing belief that she would be expelled from the school.
Upon hearing about the exam rules, Bryan grew highly anxious and sought out Catherine.
Boss, don’t submit your paper too early. Try to delay until the last possible moment. After each exam, I’ll quickly approach you while David distracts the teacher. I’ll pass you the answers, and all you need to do is copy them. Understand?” he whispered to her.
Catherine raised an eyebrow, meeting his gaze without uttering a word. Observing her nonchalant demeanor, Bryan grew even more concerned.
“Boss, I know you prefer to rely on your own abilities and would rather lose than cheat. But please, heed my advice. The math teacher has set her sights on you. Why should we play into her hands?”
“Trust me. If we follow my plan, everything will be fine.”
Bryan wanted to offer more guidance, but seeing Catherine’s apparent indifference, he realized he was running out of time. The school bell rang at that moment.
Bryan had to return to his exam room, needing every second available. He emphasized to Catherine repeatedly, “Boss, I’m leaving now. You must follow my instructions, alright?”
Catherine lazily looked up, her drowsy eyes giving off an air of indifference, and watched Bryan rush back to his exam room.
She remained as stunning as ever, her lovely face adorned with a faint hint of amusement at the corner of her lips.
She was sure she wouldn’t lose.
Haha!
Chapter 59
Chapter 59 Good Luck, Miss Swann
When the exam began, the math teacher entered the classroom and distributed the papers. She immediately noticed that Catherine was sleeping on the desk as usual and didn’t wake her up. As the students received their exam papers, Catherine continued to sleep, undisturbed.
Even halfway through the exam, Catherine remained in slumber.
Only in the last five minutes did Catherine finally wake
Wearing a smug smile, the math teacher believed Catherine had barely enough time to write her name on the paper.
The math teacher thought Catherine would lose the bet this time, and it would be a relief to get rid of her troublesome presence in the school.
The students stood up as the exam bell rang and turned in their
papers.
“Catherine was no exception. The math teacher glanced at her without bothering to look at her answers.
In the math teacher’s view, five minutes wouldn’t be sufficient to answer even a single question. She thought, “I won’t waste my time on her.”
The math teacher was confident that Catherine, the uncultured country girl, would lose the bet.
When Catherine left the exam room, she spotted Bryan rushing towards her, sweat dripping
from his face.
Bryan looked at Catherine with guilt and said, “Boss, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect the math teacher to be so ruthless. She even managed to bribe the proctor in my exam room. The teacher deliberately prevented me from submitting my paper before the bell rang.”
Catherine glanced at him indifferently and spoke emotionlessly, “It’s okay.”
The arrangements were less strict since it wasn’t a significant exam. There was only a ten- minute break between the two exams, and soon the bell rang again.
Bryan repeatedly promised to obtain the answers for Catherine.
Unfortunately, he broke his promise again. Who could have imagined this exam would be so serious? It was the same proctor.
Catherine continued her usual routine of sleeping, waking up only in the last five minutes to hastily scribble something on the exam paper.
The math teacher, seeing Catherine’s pattern, paid her no further attention. In her eyes, this girl had no chance of winning the bet.
Catherine was the first to leave the classroom when the bell rang.
Once she departed, the classmates inside started gossiping.
“Hey, did you see that? Catherine slept the entire time and only woke up in the last five minutes to write her name and submit the paper.”
A classmate sitting near Catherine countered, “I saw her paper, and she actually answered most of the questions. It wasn’t just her name.”
Upon hearing this, another classmate sneered. “Hmph! Even if she filled the paper, her answers are rubbish. What can you write in five minutes? Does she think she can top the exam by scribbling whatever comes to mind? Who does she think she is?”
The classmates continued their discussion about Catherine.
As Bryan entered the room, he overheard these conversations, and his expression turned gloomy.
“Damn it! She just agreed to be my Boss yesterday, and now it seems like she’ll be expelled from the school soon,” he thought.
No, he needed to talk to Catherine. He wanted to ask her which school she planned to transfer to so he could follow her. With that in mind, he hurriedly left the classroom.
Unfortunately, Bryan didn’t catch up with her. He rushed to the school gate, only to see Catherine boarding a car.
This time, it wasn’t the flashy Maybach with the expensive license plate from before, but a low -key black Mercedes.
Bryan wasn’t surprised that Catherine’s daily transportation was a luxury car.
After all, she was the chairperson of the Swann Corporation, set to inherit billions of dollars. He just marveled at how impressive his boss was.
As Catherine entered the car, Leonel handed her the latest company report.
“Miss Swann, the transition of your position is almost complete. Linda informed us to meet at the office today because a project contract requires your signature. Please be prepared,” he said.
Catherine understood the underlying message behind Leonel’s final remark. Linda, the former chairperson’s secretary, had always doubted Catherine’s abilities and believed she shouldn’t hold this position.
This meeting with Linda could prove to be quite challenging.
After hearing Leonel’s reminder, Catherine remained composed, as if she were an outsider unaffected by the situation. Her gaze fell upon Leonel, her expression indifferent and cold.
Leonel, a middle-aged man, felt a shiver down his spine under Catherine’s piercing stare. Her gaze was enough to unnerve anyone. “Miss Swann, please let me know if you need anything. Your gaze is making me nervous,” he said carefully.
Catherine said slowly, “It’s nothing serious, but you don’t need to call me Miss Swann. Just call me Catherine.”
Leonel didn’t object, immediately nodding respectfully and courteously. “Alright, Catherine.”
Calling this prominent figure by her first name made Leonel uneasy.
As a lawyer, he always had to be mindful of his language.
Catherine noticed that he didn’t change the way he addressed her, but she didn’t mind. As long as he didn’t call her “Madam Swann,” it was fine. She didn’t want people treating her as if she were an old woman.
Upon arriving at the Swann Corporation building, Leonel escorted Catherine to the chairperson’s office.
Linda, who was considered Cruella De Vil, was already waiting for her.
As Catherine entered, Linda greeted her with utmost respect. “How are you, Miss Swann?”
On the contrary, Catherine glanced at her and went straight to the office.
Observing the new chairperson’s disregard for Linda, who had gained a reputation as Cruella De Vil, the secretaries on the same floor held an admiring look.
“The new chairperson, Miss Swann, is so bold! Look, she even dares to ignore Linda.”
After one executive secretary finished speaking, another secretary lowered her voice and said, “Bold? She might be beautiful, but can this young girl really compete with Linda? I’ve heard. that the Swanns’ countryside daughter is nothing more than an ignorant fool. She’s just an innocent child who knows nothing. Mr. Swann stepped aside to appease the public. She’ll likely be put back in her place within a week.”
Doubting the claim, someone asked quietly, “Is it true? Where did you hear that?”
“Guess who? It was Mr. Swann’s senior assistant who told me! It’s reliable information. This
girl won’t remain as chairperson for more than a week.”
The secretaries continued to discuss Catherine.
Linda noticed the murmurs among the crowd. With her years of experience at the Swann Corporation, she understood the ever-changing dynamics of the corporate world. She could tell that Catherine had more presence than the other heirs of the Swanns.
However, whether Catherine would last a week or three months remained unknown to Linda. It wasn’t her concern. Her focus was on doing her job.
Linda stepped into the office with her team, holding the files and placing them in front of Catherine. Her demeanor was respectful yet firm.
“Miss Swann, these are the documents. If everything is in order, please sign here.”
Catherine nodded and proceeded to open the files, her beautiful face exhibiting a mix of charm and icy determination.
One of the secretaries accompanying Linda was secretly surprised upon seeing Catherine’s documents.
Linda didn’t provide Catherine with a translated cooperation proposal but rather the original version sent by their Creybian client.
The client was from Creybia, and the document was all in Creybian.
Not only that, but the document also involved many professional terms, so even for someone with a Creybian literature degree, translating the content would take some time.
It was widely known that the new chairperson had never attended university. Was Linda attempting to embarrass Miss Swann by forcing her to read the Creybian contract?
The accompanying secretary felt anxious, fearing that she would be caught in the crossfire of power dynamics among these influential individuals.
She understood that their new chairperson, Miss Swann, would face significant challenges within the company.
Chapter 60 Plot Twist
Even Leonel, who stood by Catherine’s side, was shocked, just like the secretary.
As an outstanding graduate of a world-renowned political science and law school, he had confidence in his fluency in Theisian, the universal language. However, Creybian wasn’t his strong suit.
He worried about Catherine because Linda deliberately made things difficult for her. He feared that Catherine would end up embarrassing herself this time.
With a blank expression, Catherine picked up the document and spent a minute meticulously reading every word on the paper.
Linda observed Catherine scanning the content and believed that she was merely putting on an act. She couldn’t hide the flicker of disdain in her eyes.
The document was in Creybian, known as one of the most challenging languages in the world.
If Catherine had requested a translated version, Linda would have provided it. But since Catherine aimed to impress and didn’t seek assistance, Linda chose not to offer it.
Catherine reached for the pen beside her and signed her name on the last page of the contract.
Linda’s face turned gloomy upon seeing Catherine complete the signing.
In the end, this girl was ill-suited to be the chairperson of Swann Corporation. Did she event comprehend the significance of her signature? How dare she sign without delving into the details?
This audacious move took everyone by surprise. Catherine seemed unconcerned about making a fool of herself, so Linda assumed she would stay on the sidelines.
From behind, Linda retrieved another document, an Eskanan translation of the Creybian contract. She looked at Catherine with a cold expression, her attitude bordering on impoliteness.
“Miss Swann, here is the translated version. Would you like to take a look?”
Catherine accepted the documents and briefly scanned the content. She then raised her gaze slowly, her eyes ice-cold as she stared at Linda. Her voice dripped with coldness and severity as she spoke, “Who translated this?”
Seeing her cold expression, Linda suddenly felt uneasy and stressed. She had planned to give Catherine a lesson, but now she could only confess everything.
“Miss Swann, the translator, is the secretary in charge of our business with Creybia. Is there anything problem?” she asked.
Bago and tanned the third line. She gave Linda a cold glance,
her deep eyes sharp and chilling like an eagle, making everyone anxious.
The words she spoke were even colder and more terrifying. “As a professional Creybian translator, the person made the most basic grammatical mistake.”
Linda quickly approached to take a look. While she wasn’t an expert in Creybian, she was proficient in eight languages and could understand to some extent.
After reading what Catherine pointed out and carefully reviewing the content, she discovered a translation error. She was suddenly struck with shock, feeling as if she had been struck by lightning. Embarrassment washed over her. Her plan had been to teach Catherine a lesson, but now she found herself unable to provide an accurate translation of the document.
It wasn’t Catherine who would end up embarrassed; it was Linda herself.
Despite being middle-aged, Linda felt like a clown in the presence of Catherine, a young girl. She berated herself for lacking the necessary abilities and attempting to embarrass others. In the end, she had only made a fool of herself.
Upon discovering the mistake, Linda immediately offered a respectful and sincere apology.” Miss Swann, I’m sorry. It was my mistake in my work. I am willing to accept any punishment, and I ask for your forgiveness.”
Everyone present was dumbfounded. Miss Swann had already made Linda listen to her?
People had anticipated that Catherine would seize this opportunity to win Linda’s favor and gain some advantages. However, to their surprise, Catherine publicly reprimanded Linda
without showing any mercy.
“Your performance bonus for this month will be deducted. Consider it your punishment, Catherine said with a relaxed tone.
The junior secretary beside Linda turned pale with fear, glancing at her cautiously, wondering if Linda would explode in anger.
Contrary to their expectations, Linda nodded without any retort and replied, “Thank you,
Miss Swann.”
The junior secretary couldn’t believe what she had witnessed. Cruella De Vil had vanished, and Miss Swann emerged as the true queen.
Linda was known for her strong principles and refusal to compromise, which meant she couldn’t tolerate the slightest mistake. She had made a mistake, and if Catherine hadn’t punished her, Linda would have looked down upon her.
On the other hand, Catherine’s actions further solidified Linda’s appreciation for her unwavering determination.
After this lesson, Linda no longer dared to make things difficult for the new chairperson. She now realized that Miss Swann was an extraordinary individual.
Handing another document to Catherine, Linda said, “Miss Swann, this is the financial allocation for this month. Please take a look.”
“Hmm!” Catherine responded lazily, her attitude nonchalant. However, no one dared to question her in the office. After all, they had all witnessed the earlier scene and understood that challenging her would lead to dire consequences.
Catherine glanced at the financial allocation and could see everything. After all, the Swann Corporation was a large enterprise, and Vicente had only hired talents. The accounts were meticulously done.
Though she could grasp everything at a glance, her eyes narrowed, and a sudden change came over her face as she noticed a particular personal allocation.
Linda no longer underestimated Catherine and promptly detected the shift in her expression. “Miss Swann, this is a personal fund request from Mr. Johnathan. It went through a private account, and one million was transferred from here last week,” Linda explained promptly. Catherine furrowed her brows, feeling perplexed. “Does he have the authority to do that?”
“Miss Swann, this was demanded by Mr. Johnathan. His uncle is the finance manager in charge of disbursements, and the Swanns’ children have monthly allowances. This is considered an advance payment, and he has already exceeded the limit by over three million.”
Johnathan had previously restrained himself while Vicente was alive, requesting only small amounts, typically a few hundred thousand.
After all, Johnathan was Vicente’s grandson, so he had never taken this issue seriously.
However, after Vicente’s passing, Johnathan began acting without restraint. He saw himself as the Swanns’ heir and took advantage of the Swann Corporation. With his relative serving as the finance manager, he found various excuses to borrow money from the company.
After Linda clarified the situation, Catherine’s face darkened. She issued an order to Linda, saying, “Notify the HR department to terminate the employment of this finance manager due to negligence in his duties.”
Even Linda was taken aback by such a command.
Linda had just mentioned that the finance manager was Johnathan’s uncle, which meant he was Catherine’s uncle as well.
Was Catherine truly planning to fire her own uncle?
Linda hesitated for a moment and then spoke slowly, “Miss Swann, are you absolutely sure about this?”
Catherine raised her head slowly, her cold gaze fixed on Linda, exuding an imposing and intimidating aura that sent shivers down one’s spine.
“What seems to be the problem? Wasn’t I clear enough?” she calmly inquired.
However, her seemingly plain words carried a strong undercurrent of threat.
Even Linda, an experienced businesswoman, felt a sense of fear. “Yes, Miss Swann. I will issue the instructions to the HR department today,” she promptly responded.
“Is there anything else I can assist you with, Miss Swann?”
Catherine waved her hand dismissively, and Linda, along with the junior secretary, respectfully exited the office. Linda even closed the office door behind her before leaving.
Once they were gone, the junior secretary patted her chest in relief and said to Linda, “Linda, Miss Swann has such a commanding presence. It’s hard to believe she’s still a student.”
Linda glanced at the secretary, silently conveying that she was completely unaware of the true situation.
Then she walked away with a mysterious smile.
“The new chairperson looks like a kitten but is a tiger. It seems that the Swann Corporation will change upside down,” she thought.