Ch. 771..780

Chapter 771 Dealing With the Small Fry

Although the opposing hacker team was exceptionally powerful, Hacker Alliance had been able to stand tall in the hacking world for many years, indicating its formidable strength.

The opposition came with great hostility, but Ronin dealt with it effortlessly.

He initially thought that the Duncans’ cyber department was very weak. After all, in his view, the Duncans were good at making money, but they needed professionals like him when it came to technical matters.

However, he didn’t expect the Duncans ‘cyber department to be reasonably competent. Ronin organized his team, assigning them specific tasks, and the work proceeded smoothly.

The sudden attack left the entire cyber department disoriented, and the Duncan Corporation’s technical staff were all confused by the massive onslaught from the hackers.

But once Ronin took charge, the situation changed. He seemed familiar with such attacks.

In the beginning, the Duncan Corporation’s technical staff were chasing and encircling the opponent. Whenever the opponent attacked one department, they would rush to rescue, resulting in exhaustion without significant effectiveness.

But when Ronin joined, the situation changed. He always managed to anticipate the opponent’s moves and make preparations before the opponent could act.

As soon as the attack was launched, they could track down the hackers, find their IP addresses, and neutralize them.

When the situation was under control, Ronin decided to leave the current battle to the Duncans’ cyber department.

He needed to free up his hands and set up a new strategy; being constantly on the defensive was not their style.

They had always been the ones initiating attacks. When had they ever been constantly attacked by others?

Ronin turned the brim of his baseball cap to the back, rolled up his sleeves, and waved to Zobber. “Come on, lend a hand.”

Zobber shrugged off her clothes and confidently approached Ronin. “Step aside. Let me handle them.”

After Zobber took over, Ronin grabbed the keyboard, moved to the side, and swiftly typed lines of code on the computer screen.

After the recent counterattack, Ronin had gained a good understanding of the attackers. Now, all he needed was some time to write a program to deal with them.

As time passed, the battle between the two sides became intense, almost reaching a stalemate.

Though neither side emerged victorious, the fact that they stood on par with the Hacker Alliance was a significant morale boost for the attackers. After all, the Hacker Alliance was previously considered an insurmountable obstacle.

This newfound confidence fueled their preparation for a large-scale attack.

Sensing trouble, Zobber shouted impatiently in Ronin’s direction, “Are you done yet? Why are you so slow? I can be faster than you.”

Ronin’s hands sped up as he retorted, ” You’re the slow one. You’re slower than anyone!”

This remark earned Ronin a quick thump on the head from Zobber, causing him to wince in pain. Fortunately, his hands didn’t slow down, and he quickly completed a set of programs.

After finishing the program, Ronin immediately implanted it into the computer. He called back all the defensive staff he had deployed earlier. Now, it was time for them to strike back.

Ronin’s program was a trap designed to lure the attackers into exposing themselves.

Watching the excited group of attackers in front of the screen, Ronin couldn’t help but laugh. “Come on, let’s see how long you can keep smiling.

Ronin pressed the start button, and all the computers instantly crashed.

Some savvy hackers had already sensed the danger and tried to escape. Ronin quickly tightened the net, and in a matter of minutes, the original balance of power had reversed.

The once arrogant hackers were now in disarray, retreating in defeat.

Watching the characters on the screen indicating victory, Ronin felt somewhat displeased. “Disappointing. We didn’t manage to catch all of those arrogant brats. A few slipped through the cracks; what bad luck!”

Actually, Ronin’s achievements in such a short time were remarkable. After all, there were still many experts within the attackers, and the attack had been sudden.

The opponents were organized and planned, while they had only joined the battle midway.

To be able to turn the situation around and drive away the hackers was already an incredible feat.

Seeing Ronin’s displeased face, Paxton was about to console him, but before he could speak, Catherine said in her usual leisurely manner, “Don’t worry. None of them got away.”

Ronin immediately perked up, turning to look at her. “Catherine, what do you mean?”

Catherine quickly tapped a few times on the keyboard, sending a link to Ronin. “See for yourself.”

Knowing that Catherine never fooled him, Ronin opened the link on his computer. “Wow… Catherine, you’re amazing!”

Hearing Ronin’s exclamation, Zobber immediately leaned over. Seeing the content on the screen, she couldn’t help but give Catherine a thumbs-up. ” Catherine, you’re truly incredible.

Ronin, you see it? You should learn from her.”

Ronin couldn’t argue with Zobber’s statement. After all, in his view, Catherine was indeed the most formidable presence in the world, surpassing everyone.

Seeing everyone excited but not revealing the reason, Paxton grew anxious.

He turned his head to Branden and saw his calm expression as if indifferent. He could only gather the courage to ask, ” What are you all marveling at? Share some joy with me.”

Ronin was in a good mood and didn’t hesitate to boast about Catherine’s feat. “Just a moment ago, a few small fries slipped through, but they were intercepted halfway by Catherine.”

After Ronin finished, Zobber added, Not only that, Catherine also hacked into the bank accounts of these hackers. The rewards they obtained from attacking the Duncan Corporation are now all in our account.”

Upon hearing this, Paxton couldn’t help but laugh. “I didn’t expect this bunch of brats to be taught a hard lesson by you and even have to cough up their hard-earned money.”

Ronin looked proud. “Of course. Don’t they know who’s backing the Duncan Corporation, huh? With Catherine on our side, these people are asking for trouble.”

With that, Ronin felt that the surroundings had quieted down a bit, and the atmosphere seemed a bit off.

He recalled what he had said and realized he misspoke again. He turned to look at Branden and cautiously said, “Mr. Duncan, please don’t misunderstand. I was just joking.”

Branden didn’t mind, just gazing at Catherine with a hint of playfulness in his eyes, and his low voice sounded slowly. “Catherine, I’ll rely on you to take care of things in the future.”

Catherine was proud and raised an eyebrow, looking at Branden with a triumphant expression in her eyes. She readily agreed, “No problem. You’ll definitely have good days ahead following me.”

Chapter 772 Count Us In

Shane, upon receiving the news, was so furious that he directly smashed the office.

The assistant had been with him for many years, and he witnessed Shane losing his temper so much for the first time.

The assistant cautiously handed over freshly ground coffee, patiently advising, “Sir, please calm down.”

Shane, engulfed in rage, forgot all about gentlemanly behavior. He turned to the assistant with a fierce glare, his wide-opened eyes resembling fiery orbs. “Calm down? Those idiots spent so much money and failed to handle such a trivial matter. How dare they come back to me and ask for more money? Have they gone mad?”

To bring down the Duncan Corporation’s several branches in Casier, Shane exerted great effort to gather this group of hackers and offered them a substantial task reward.

However, these incompetents not only failed to defeat the Duncan Corporation but also got caught in a counterattack, losing even their reward.

Now, they demanded compensation. Shane thought they must be insane.

The plan had failed, and the Breens had been embarrassed. Shane refraining from punishing them and allowing them not to return the reward was already a generous move.

They wanted compensation, huh? It was a daydream.

Shane angrily instructed the assistant, “Tell those trash that the compensation is out of the question. If they insist, they can try fighting with the Breens. I dare them.”

Although these hackers formed a powerful alliance, after this battle, they became scattered. With their strength, how could they challenge the financial giant, the Breens?

“Sir, rest assured, I’ll handle this matter. You don’t need to worry,” said the assistant.

“Have you found out the relationship between the Duncan Corporation and Hacker Alliance?” Shane inquired.

The assistant shook his head. “Sir, still investigating.”

If it weren’t for the full support of a few big shots from Hacker Alliance, the Duncan Corporation would have had a hard time escaping unscathed.

Given its financial resources, it was not difficult for the Duncan Corporation to hire Hacker Alliance. However, mobilizing so many big shots from Hacker Alliance in such a short time indicated a more profound connection.

“Sir, do you think Hacker Alliance might have cooperated with the Duncan Corporation from the beginning, deliberately working against us?”

If it hadn’t been for preparing in advance, there would have been no way they could have arranged a response strategy so quickly.

Shane, after careful consideration, dismissed this notion. “It’s unlikely. This operation was a sudden decision on my part. They can’t have prepared countermeasures in advance. There must be some hidden connection between the Hacker Alliance and the Duncan Corporation. Investigate thoroughly and report to me as soon as possible.”

“Yes!” The assistant nodded. Recalling Shane’s earlier inquiry about Catherine, he briefed Shane on Catherine’s situation after returning to the Duncans’.

After hearing the report, Shane furrowed his brows. “She stayed at the old mansion playing games and didn’t join Branden to deal with the Duncan Corporation crisis, huh?”

“Yeah,” the assistant responded confidently.

Shane found this situation peculiar. ” Could it be that Branden is not that important in Catherine’s heart, and that’s why she didn’t lend a hand?” he wondered.

Shane instructed the assistant, ” Continue to keep an eye on her. Report any updates promptly.”

“Yes, sir!”

The mood among the Duncans’ members was good at the Duncans’ old mansion, having just won a victory in a network maintenance battle.

Carlo, who had been under immense pressure for the past few days, finally breathed a sigh of relief, and a rare smile appeared on his face. “Mr. Duncan, Miss Swann’s people are all outstanding. Fortunately, they helped us resolve the big trouble.”

Despite his usual banter with Zobber and the others, Paxton agreed with this point. He had to admit that Zobber and the others were truly powerful.

“Mr. Duncan, is it our turn to attack next?” Paxton inquired.

In front of Branden were three massive screens displaying red and green line graphs representing stock market fluctuations. He calmly scrutinized the movements and listened to reports from his subordinates.

Upon hearing the question, Branden looked up and instructed him in a low voice, “Wait a bit longer. Since they want to witness the downfall of the Duncan Corporation, let’s fulfill their wish.”

Carlo was a bit puzzled. He did not understand why Branden was considering the feelings of their opponents.

“Mr. Duncan, won’t we incur considerable losses this way?” Carlo asked, not fully understanding Branden’s intentions.

Paxton, however, grasped Branden’s thoughts. Seeing the cold smirk on Branden’s face, he felt a chill running down his spine, and a sense of fear surrounded him.

To avoid being overwhelmed by Branden’s powerful aura, Paxton shifted his gaze to Carlo and said with a hint of disdain, “You’ve been by Mr. Duncan’s side for so many years, yet you haven’t learned a bit of his kindness.”

Carlo was confused by this statement. ” Mr. Duncan is kind, huh?” he thought.

About to retort, he heard Paxton firmly state, “Don’t you know that before a death row inmate is executed, they are granted a small wish?”

Carlo was momentarily stunned but quickly understood Paxton’s implied meaning. He grinned. “Right, Mr. Duncan is kind, allowing them to have a good time before their demise.”

Branden finished his work, and when he noticed the two still bantering, he immediately lowered his voice. “Why? Do you guys also want to enjoy a good time?”

Startled, the two hastily bowed their heads. “Mr. Duncan, we were wrong.”

After Paxton apologized, he immediately found an excuse and slipped away. Carlo followed closely, running away together.

As the group departed, Branden also emerged from the study and headed towards the living room, where Catherine should be now.

Indeed, Catherine was in the living room, and Ronin and the others were there too.

Upon hearing Catherine’s decision, Ronin was the first to step forward in opposition. “Catherine, since you’ve decided to assist the Duncan Corporation, it naturally can’t be a solo effort on your part. We’re in this together.”

Earlier, Catherine had informed everyone that she was ready to support the Duncan Corporation and bring down the Breens once and for all. However, she didn’t want the Hacker Alliance to be implicated again.

Catherine understood Ronin’s intention but didn’t want to involve everyone in her personal matters.

The reason the Duncan Corporation behind Branden was targeted so quickly by the Breens had partly been because of her.

“Shane’s target is me,” Catherine calmly stated her reason.

Ronin, seemingly indifferent, replied, ” Catherine, I know Shane is after you. I’ve tolerated that old guy for a long time. I still remember the past few years of enmity. This time, it’s not him not letting me go. It’s me not letting him go.”

After Ronin clarified his stance, Zobber and Withal also expressed their determination.

“Catherine, count us in! We’re joining too!”

Chapter 773 Dating

After the discussion, Branden descended from upstairs and walked straight toward the living room. It was clear to everyone that he had come for Catherine.

Standing with her back to the stairs, Catherine didn’t notice Branden’s arrival.

Noticing her unawareness, Zobber raised her eyebrows at Catherine in a suggestive manner.

Upon realizing Zobber’s unusual expression, Catherine turned to look behind her.

“Is everything resolved?” Branden’s previously icy face instantly softened with tenderness and a smile when he saw Catherine’s glance. “How about taking a walk outside?”

Hearing his suggestion, Catherine furrowed her brows slightly. Since early this morning, there had been a continuous stream of people coming to the old mansion to report to Branden. Given the recent events at the Duncan Corporation and Branden’s busy schedule, why would he suddenly propose going out?

“Is there something wrong?” Catherine inquired, puzzled.

Branden, about to explain with a smile, was interjected by Zobber.

She looked at them smilingly and teased Catherine. “Catherine, today is Valentine’s Day. Mr. Duncan is here to take you on a date. Hurry up. Go upstairs, change into something nice, and go out for a stroll with Mr. Duncan.

“Valentine’s Day?” thought Catherine. Growing up alone abroad and rarely celebrating even Christmas, she didn’t remember such a holiday.

Seeing Catherine’s hesitation, Branden was aware of her reluctance to celebrate such a day and said, “If you don’t feel like going out, you can stay home and rest. I’ll stay with you.”

Seeing Branden change his mind, Zobber immediately chimed in, ” Catherine has been staying at home for two days. Today is Valentine’s Day, a rare opportunity. No matter what, you two should go out. I’ll go out on a date, too. If everyone leaves, it’ll be boring with just the two of you at home.”

After she finished speaking, she didn’t forget to hint at Catherine, urging her to agree quickly.

Catherine didn’t mind. She had spent the past two days at the Duncans’ old mansion without venturing outside.

Since Branden suggested going out, she agreed without hesitation. “Wait for me for two minutes. I’ll change my clothes.”

“Sure,” Branden replied gently, looking at Catherine with an indulgent gaze.

Seeing Catherine head upstairs, Zobber immediately followed. “Catherine, wait for me. I’ll help you pick out clothes.”

They arrived at a guest room on the third floor adjacent to Branden’s master bedroom. It had been vacant until Catherine’s arrival, and now, it became her exclusive room.

Zobber opened the wardrobe and was stunned by the exquisite clothes, all with intact tags. “Catherine, Mr. Duncan is really thoughtful. You won’t stay here for many days a year, but look at these clothes-all top-notch and from the latest collections.”

Catherine smiled faintly, not offering much of a response. She knew Branden’s attentiveness to her affairs.

Reaching into the closet, Catherine selected a black hoodie. As she was about to put it on, Zobber grabbed her arm. “Catherine, tell me you’re not planning to wear this for your date with Mr. Duncan.”

Catherine held the hoodie and looked at it. It was brand new, with a good fit and no issues. “Is there a problem?” she asked, tilting her head.

Zobber looked at Catherine’s exquisite face and thought, “With her looks, she would be beautiful in anything. Indeed, beauty is the law, and she can wear as she wants.”

“No problem, but don’t you think wearing black, white, and gray every day is a bit dull? How about a change in style today? This light green dress looks good. Your perfect skin will make it stunning,” Zobber suggested.

Seeing Catherine hesitate, Zobber, emboldened, reached for the clothes. ” Catherine, trust me this once. I won’t harm you. Come on.”

The two remained upstairs, and Branden sat calmly in the living room. However, Ronin seemed a bit anxious. ” Why hasn’t Catherine come down yet? Didn’t she say two minutes?”

Hearing this, Withal replied casually, ” What’s so strange about it? Women take their time changing. Even an hour or two is normal, and it’s only been a few minutes.”

If it were his mother going out, they might be able to catch some more shut-eye.

However, Ronin wasn’t satisfied with Withal’s response. He coldly retorted, ” Is Catherine an ordinary woman?”

Catherine was usually the most punctual. If she stated a specific duration, she would stick to it diligently.

Ronin’s comment didn’t bother Withal. After all, it wasn’t just Catherine who had gone up the stairs; Zobber, the mischievous one, was also there. Without guessing, he knew Zobber must have done something unconventional.

As they conversed, they heard the sound of footsteps on the floor above. Everyone looked up, and Zobber was the first to descend, followed by Catherine. The sight of her in a light green dress captivated everyone’s attention.

Though they had known Catherine for many years, they were not used to seeing her dressed so elegantly. After all, Catherine’s usual attire was centered around comfort. She rarely found herself in dresses unless attending special occasions that called for formal wear.

Zobber looked at the group of men below, all stunned. Even though she wasn’t the focus, her inner pride remained.

She had known this would be the effect, especially since even she, as a woman, had her heart race when she saw Catherine appear just now.

The light green dress extended to the mid-calf, with a cinched waist design highlighting Catherine’s perfect curves. Catherine’s already flawless skin appeared even more delicate against the backdrop of the light green dress.

Her usually tied-up hair was let down, and Zobber had used a curling iron to give it a slight natural wave, adding a particularly soft touch. Her powerful aura, complemented by the gentle ladylike dress, was greatly softened.

At this moment, Catherine resembled a fairy descending from heaven.

Seeing Branden standing in a daze, Zobber couldn’t help but chuckle quietly. “Mr. Duncan, isn’t Catherine exceptionally beautiful?”

Initially just teasing, Zobber didn’t expect Branden to respond.

“Yes, very beautiful,” he said sincerely.

Upon hearing Branden’s reply, Zobber was momentarily stunned.

Branden quickly regained his senses, took a few steps forward, and took Catherine’s hand. With his broad figure, he shielded Catherine from everyone’s gaze.

“Shall we go?” Branden asked.

Catherine nodded slightly, and Branden led her away, disappearing from the others’ sight.

Chapter 774 Watching a Movie

Branden bought two movie tickets. He had checked online and knew that the most common way young people date nowadays was by watching movies and going shopping.

Knowing Catherine’s temperament and her dislike for shopping, he bought two tickets for the hottest movie.

Looking at the towering movie theater ahead, Catherine turned her head to the handsome man beside her. “Watch a movie?”

“Yeah.” Branden nodded. “Is that okay?

Seeing the bright smile on his face, Catherine didn’t object.

Whether it was the Duncans’ old mansion or the apartment, they both had top-notch home theaters. The equipment, costing up to seven figures, wasn’t inferior to those in the movie theaters.

Catherine just didn’t expect Branden to give up the private space and choose a public cinema.

Taking the elevator, they went directly to the fifth-floor cinema. Perhaps due to the holiday, the theater was crowded with people, mostly young.

When Branden led Catherine in, it attracted many eyes.

Branden, dressed relatively casually today, wore a casual white shirt on the upper body and particularly casual dark blue pants below. He exuded more of a recently graduated handsome senior vibe than a domineering president.

Catherine wore a long, light green dress, pure and beautiful. The two standing together looked incredibly matching.

The girls, who were initially attracted by Branden’s handsome face, quietly gave up the idea of approaching for his WhatsApp number when they saw Catherine standing beside him.

Catherine noticed the curious glances around her but was accustomed to such attention.

Branden, however, wasn’t as magnanimous. When he noticed several well-dressed, handsome college boys staring at Catherine, he subconsciously tightened the hand around her waist.

He closed the distance between them again as if asserting dominance, scanning those around with a cold light in his eyes.

Catherine noticed a long line ahead, wondering what people were buying.

Catching Catherine’s gaze, Branden led her to a nearby seat. “Wait for me here.

Before Catherine could understand what he was going to do, he had already stepped forward into the line.

This was the cinema’s snack counter. The cinema didn’t allow outside food, so everything had to be purchased there. Therefore, the line was quite long.

The moment Branden joined the line, he caught the attention of many. Some bold girls approached him when they saw him alone. “Hey, handsome, are you here to watch a movie alone?”

Branden glanced down. The question came from two young girls, even younger than Catherine.

Feeling somewhat helpless, he looked in Catherine’s direction and replied, ” With my girlfriend.”

The two girls followed his loving gaze, and when they saw Catherine, they silently gave up. “Indeed, a handsome man should be together with a beautiful woman,” they thought.

Although the line was long, the pace of the business was not slow. Branden quickly reached the sales window, and the female attendant, upon seeing his handsome face, instantly wore a much brighter smile. “Hey, handsome, what would you like to buy?”

Branden glanced carefully at the sales window and then looked around at the people nearby. Suddenly, he felt a bit undecided.

Being relatively enthusiastic toward good-looking boys, the female attendant proactively suggested, “If you’re alone, go for the single meal. If you’re with your girlfriend, our best- selling Valentine’s Day exclusive set is the best deal. It even comes with a little bear, very cost-effective.”

After hearing the suggestion, Branden made a decisive decision. “One Valentine’s Day exclusive set, thank you.”

His deep and magnetic voice was enchanting. Due to this, the female attendant gave him a slightly larger portion than others.

Carrying the Valentine’s Day exclusive set, Branden was about to return when he looked up and saw a child in front of Catherine.

He quickened his pace toward Catherine. When he approached, he lowered his voice and gently asked, ” What happened?”

Hearing this, Catherine lifted her head and smiled at him with a hint of helplessness.

The little girl in front turned around and, upon seeing Branden, froze. She had never seen such a handsome guy before, and he looked really good.

The little girl was very young, only seven or eight years old. She had a round face and looked extremely cute.

Seeing her staring, Branden softened his attitude a bit. “Little girl, what are you doing?”

The little girl didn’t dare to lie and explained the situation obediently. She said, “A sir bought a bunch of flowers from me to give to the pretty lady. He said if the pretty lady is willing to add him on WhatsApp, he’ll buy another bunch of flowers.”

Branden felt inexplicably upset. He had only been gone for a few minutes, and there were already men trying to get Catherine’s attention. He was pretty annoyed because of the high popularity of his fiancée.

Due to the little girl’s innocence, Catherine was reluctant to refuse her and accepted the flowers.

Branden, however, directly took them and threw them into the nearby trash can.

When the little girl saw the flowers being thrown away, her two faint eyebrows wrinkled together, and she looked a bit sad.

Just as she was about to cry, she suddenly heard Branden saying something beside her.

“Little girl, how much are all these flowers combined?” asked Branden.

“All of them?” The little girl looked up, a bit surprised.

Branden nodded, and the little girl seriously began to count. Because she was small, the bouquets in her hands weren’t many, and the total value wasn’t much.

Branden handed her a round number, bought all the flowers in her hands, and handed them to Catherine.

Then, he gently stroked the little girl’s head and, with rare gentleness, said, ” The flowers are sold out. You’re small; you should go home and rest early.”

“Thank you, sir!” The little girl’s face was filled with a sweet smile. When she left, she even turned back to praise Branden. She said, “Sir, I think you are much more handsome than the guy who bought flowers before. You and the pretty lady are more matching.”

Hearing the child’s sweet words, Branden showed a faint smile. When he turned around again, he found Catherine looking at him with a strange expression.

With a bouquet in her hands, she sat on the bench and looked up at him with eyes filled with a smile.

Bending down slightly, Branden used his finger to lift Catherine’s chin, and with their eyes locked, his eyes were full of affection. “Why are you looking at me like this?”

Catherine pointed to the bouquet in her arms and chuckled. “I didn’t expect you to do such things.”

Branden chuckled lightly, his gentle and melodious voice pleasant to the ear. “I can do more than just this.”

He took out the little bear from his pocket and handed it to Catherine. ” Like it? A Valentine’s Day exclusive gift.

The cute little bear had a heart symbol drawn on its belly. Although the craftsmanship was a bit rough, the shape was cute enough.

Thinking that a man his age would still do such things, Catherine found it amusing. “I like it! I like it all as long as it’s from you.”

Chapter 775 Taking You for a Ride

Halfway through the movie, Catherine felt a strong urge to doze off. She had no interest in this kind of romantic comedy. Catherine might have fallen asleep long ago if it weren’t for two bold girls approaching Branden for his WhatsApp number in the middle.

Seeing her drowsy, Branden reached out and rested her head on his shoulder. “Twenty more minutes, then I’ll take you back.”

“Hmm.” Catherine made a muffled sound, leaning quietly on Branden’s shoulder with closed eyes.

The movie was like a lullaby, increasing the desire to fall asleep. In no time, Catherine closed her eyes and drifted off.

A few minutes later, as Catherine slept, some girls approached.

When Branden noticed someone getting closer, his calm face immediately darkened, and he shot an icy glance straight ahead.

Startled, the approaching girl was disoriented. If it weren’t for the urging from the people around because she blocked the screen, she might have frozen in place.

It was mainly because Branden’s aura was too powerful, and she was scared out of her wits.

Now that she had regained her composure, she fled immediately, not daring to linger.

With the steady rhythm of Catherine’s breathing in his ears, Branden felt some concern, worried that she might be uncomfortable sleeping in this position.

Packing up, he lifted Catherine’s bag, carried her in his arms, and walked out of the theater.

When Catherine was lifted, she was aware but was already accustomed to Branden’s embrace. Knowing Branden was holding her, she felt a strong sense of security and continued sleeping peacefully.

The combination of a handsome man and a beautiful woman was always eye- catching. Since Catherine and Branden appeared in the cinema, they had become the center of attention. When Branden carried Catherine out of the theater, they still attracted everyone’s focus.

Branden’s actions were so cool that someone couldn’t help but discreetly take out her phone to record and share it online.

The person just logged into the social platform and posted the photo, but before she could check the sending status, her account was directly blocked.

After that, the person received a warning from the system, telling her not to send sensitive photos and texts.

The social platform’s response was so fast that the person was startled. Realizing she had taken something she shouldn’t have, the person immediately deleted all the photos and videos from her phone.

Upon reaching the parking lot, Branden received a message from Paxton. [Mr. Duncan, the photos online have been taken care of.]

Branden didn’t bring bodyguards on this trip, but due to the sensitive period, any news related to him could potentially affect the Duncan Corporation’s stock prices.

For safety reasons, the entire public relations department of the Duncan Corporation was on high alert. As soon as any photos or news related to the Duncan Corporation appeared online, they were dealt with immediately.

Paxton knew that Branden and Catherine were out on a date. Although these two didn’t have a deep understanding of their appearance, Paxton understood how stunning they looked.

Going out like this without any disguise would indeed cause trouble, so he had people keep an eye on the internet. Unexpectedly, someone actually uploaded a photo.

Branden looked at the sneakily taken photo. The angles were cleverly designed. It captured both his and Catherine’s profiles. Sleeping Catherine resembled Sleeping Beauty, nestled in his arms, peaceful and beautiful like an oil painting.

He tapped the screen lightly and saved the photo.

After packing up everything, Branden started the car, ready to depart.

The moment the engine started, Catherine woke up slowly. Because she had just woken up, her voice sounded a bit low and hoarse but exceptionally pleasant. “Where to?”

“Back to the old mansion for some rest? “Branden inquired about her opinion.

He felt Catherine was a bit drowsy and wanted to take her back to rest.

Catherine shook her head, rejecting Branden’s proposal. “Tired.”

She had spent two days straight at the old mansion and was getting bored.

“Okay,” replied Branden. Since Catherine didn’t want to go back for now, they continued their date.

As Branden was about to start the car, Catherine glanced at him. With that look, Branden immediately understood her intention.

He opened the car door and got out, and Catherine directly stepped over the center console and sat in the driver’s seat..

Since being with Branden, Catherine hadn’t driven for a long time.

When Branden fastened his seatbelt, she immediately stepped on the gas, speeding the car out forcefully.

Under the neon lights, the silver-gray sports car looked like a silver dragon roaring on the vast road.

Catherine’s driving skills were exceptionally excellent. She often participated in racing competitions when she was in the black market.

Every race had a sky-high prize, but no one had ever beaten her.

She was fast, skilled, and, most importantly, unafraid of death. As long as she could let go and fight, she could easily win.

Catherine drove up to 320 mph on the deserted mountain road. The winding road didn’t slow her down; she continued to speed along.

Branden sat calmly on the side, enjoying the exhilaration from the speed.

In a convenience store halfway up the mountain, Catherine stopped the car.

She raised an eyebrow and looked at Branden on the passenger side, gesturing with her eyes for him to wait in the car. Then, she pushed open the car door and rushed into the convenience store.

When Catherine came back, she was carrying two large bags of alcohol. After throwing the alcohol into the back seat, she sat back in the driver’s seat and sped the car to the mountaintop.

Under the slightly cool breeze, the two sat at the mountaintop and overlooked the dazzling neon lights of the entire city.

“Cheers!” Catherine raised the bottle, squinting at Branden.

Initially, Branden didn’t want Catherine to drink, but seeing her so happy, he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.

Both of them had good alcohol tolerance, and today, with Catherine’s good mood, it didn’t take long for the two bags of alcohol to be emptied.

She swayed as she stood up. “I’ll buy more.”

“Enough drinking.” Branden was somewhat helpless, reaching out and pulling her arm, bringing her back with a tug.

Catherine stumbled and fell directly onto Branden’s lap.

Branden flipped over and instantly pressed her to the ground.

Their eyes met, and Catherine moved first. She raised her head and precisely kissed Branden’s lips.

Branden smiled somewhat helplessly. Only in front of her could he be repeatedly led by the nose.

As the body temperature continued to rise, the two, who were somewhat tipsy from the alcohol, became uncontrollable.

Under the moonlight, they immersed themselves in this boundless romantic night.

Chapter 776 Bear the Consequences

When Catherine woke up the next day, she found herself in a soft, large bed. Looking around at the familiar furniture, she reached out to touch her throbbing head and slowly sat up. This was the Duncans’ old mansion, and she had slept in Branden’s bed.

The wild night left Catherine exhausted. She lifted the covers and slowly moved off the bed. Her legs felt extremely heavy, and as she stood up, a sharp pain shot through her, causing her to curse inwardly.

As she cursed, Branden entered the room. “Oh, you’re awake?” he asked.

Seeing him, Catherine fell back onto the bed, shooting him a resentful look.

Sensing her displeasure, Branden smiled apologetically, set down the food he was carrying, and walked straight over to her. He bent down and lifted her, carrying her to the bathroom. “Wash your face. Then let’s have breakfast,” he said.

Catherine tilted her head to look at him, her eyes showing a hint of disdain, her hands unmoving.

Branden knew she was angry, so he patiently placated her. “You can scold or beat me if you want, but eat something first to get your strength back.”

“Are you sure?” Catherine stared at him intently.

Branden nodded confidently. “Yes, one hundred percent sure. Go wash up.”

With Branden’s assurance, Catherine went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. After that, he carried her to the couch outside, where she slowly ate the breakfast he had prepared. At the same time, he meticulously applied Catherine’s skincare products to her face.

Although Catherine had plenty of skincare products, she had never bothered to use them. She usually just washed her face with water. For her, keeping clean was enough. Only Branden would patiently apply them to her skin.

Catherine nibbled on the succulent steak, chatting casually with Branden. ” Aren’t you supposed to be very busy today? Why didn’t you go to the office?”

Branden had indeed been very busy lately. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let Catherine sleep alone. He went to the office early in the morning, handled some matters, and then rushed back home. He knew Catherine well and was sure she wouldn’t have breakfast. He didn’t want her to undo all the progress made in nursing her stomach back to health.

Perhaps because Catherine was too tired yesterday, her appetite was good today. She finished her breakfast in no time.

Seeing her stand up, Branden took the initiative to clear the leftovers. “You should go downstairs for a walk. It’s good to get some exercise,” he suggested.

Catherine nodded in agreement, a hint of coldness in her eyes. “It’s good to get some exercise, but I don’t necessarily have to go downstairs.”

Branden suddenly felt a chill down his spine, giving him a creepy sensation. Subconsciously, he turned around and met Catherine’s cold gaze. The chilling look in her eyes was eerie, causing his nerves to tense up instantly. He subconsciously stepped back, his eyes alert as he watched Catherine. “You’re not really planning to do something to me, are you?” he asked.

Catherine looked at him with a smirk. ”

You said it yourself, whether it’s scolding or beating, it’s all fine. Now that I’ve finished breakfast, you need to fulfill your promise, don’t you?” Branden felt somewhat helpless as Catherine approached him step by step, leaving him no chance to escape. He had brought this upon himself by spoiling her daily, and now he had to bear the consequences.

Chapter 777 You Better Be

Upon hearing movement upstairs, Zobber, who had been somewhat bored in the living room, looked up. Then, she saw Branden holding Catherine as they descended the stairs. Catherine’s cheeks were rosy, exuding a sweet aura.

Zobber couldn’t help but tease her, Catherine, did you two just finish exercising? Indeed, young people are full of energy.”

Catherine gave a cold smile and looked her up and down. “What? You want to exercise too? Come on. Let’s do this.”

Zobber was puzzled, looking at Catherine in amazement. “Catherine, are you into both men and women?”

Without a word, Catherine dashed forward. Zobber couldn’t dodge in time and was swiftly thrown over her shoulder.

Seeing the two of them fighting, Branden walked over, feeling pleased. Paxton brought him a glass of water, saying, “Boss, have some water, please.

Branden took the glass of water and brushed the dust off his shoulder, instructing Paxton, “Arrange for a massage therapist; she needs it.” Since Zobber had taken the brunt of it for him, he had to do something to make her feel better.

Paxton, upon hearing this, felt somewhat gleeful. “Boss, I’ll go right away!”

Zobber dodged Catherine’s attack and took the opportunity to catch her breath. She knew she wasn’t a match for Catherine. Being a sparring partner only meant getting beaten. She immediately raised her hands and begged for mercy from Catherine. ”

Catherine, I was wrong. I promise not to talk back next time. You should find Ronin to spar with. He’s been regressing lately. You should train with him more.”

Ronin, who had been watching the scene, suddenly shouted, “Catherine, don’t listen to this conniving woman! She’s been gossiping about you and Mr. Duncan all morning. She even started a betting pool on whether you two would return last night and made millions of dollars off it.” Ronin looked at Zobber with resentment and spilled all her secrets.

Zobber turned pale with fear, wishing she could strangle Ronin for blabbing, but there was a bigger problem at hand, making it impossible for her to escape easily. She tried to appease Catherine. ” Catherine, it’s all a misunderstanding. I was just…”

“Hmph!” Catherine let out a cold laugh and looked at Zobber coldly. “You want to explain? Fine, but not before I teach you a lesson!”

Sensing the sudden chill in Catherine’s eyes, Zobber realized she’d be in big trouble. She wanted to run, but it was too late.

After a round of “training” by Catherine, Zobber finally collapsed, lying motionless on the ground, calling out to Paxton using her last breath.

Paxton waved his hand to reassure her, “The doctor will be here soon; just hang in there!”

Catherine had completed two rounds of “training” and was drenched in sweat. Her previously sore muscles regained strength, and she felt refreshed.

Seeing Catherine sit down, Branden handed her a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice. “Would you like to take a shower?”

Catherine drank the juice in one gulp, feeling satisfied despite it not being chilled.

After finishing the juice, she handed the glass back to Branden and stood up. “Wait for me. I’ll take a shower and then accompany you to the company.”

“Okay!” She rarely agreed to accompany Branden to the company, so how could he refuse her invitation?

The Duncan Corporation’s several old companies had recently encountered numerous crises, causing widespread unease. Just the day before, the president of the Duncan Corporation appeared in the meeting room of the subsidiary company, which instantly boosted the employees’ morale. Despite the president’s youth, since he took charge of the Duncan Corporation, the company’s profits rose steadily, with the number of employees and subsidiaries increasing rapidly.

To the Duncan Corporation’s employees, their president was like a stabilizing force. As long as he was there, the Duncan Corporation wouldn’t falter.

In their opinion, this young, handsome, and wealthy president had always been quite mysterious. Surprisingly, many employees saw him entering the company through the main entrance on the ground floor. Since it was already past the time for clocking in, quite a few employees caught sight of him.

It wasn’t unusual for the president to visit the company, but what was truly surprising was that the president was accompanied by a beautiful young lady.

This piece of news instantly spread throughout the Duncan Corporation’s internal network, and everyone knew that he had brought his girlfriend.

Catherine followed alongside Branden, allowing him to hold her hand as they made a high-profile appearance in front of the Duncan Corporation’s employees. Initially, he had intended to go straight up from the underground floor, but unexpectedly, Catherine insisted on entering through the main entrance on the ground floor.

The driver, although not understanding Catherine’s intentions, was sure about one thing-Branden’s orders were not to be disobeyed, and Catherine’s commands were not to be disobeyed by Branden.

Catherine followed alongside Branden, making a high-profile entrance into the office with him. Branden’s secretary promptly followed them into the room. “Mr. Duncan, would you like some coffee today?”

Seeing the secretary not entirely aware of the situation, Paxton quickly gestured, and she immediately inquired of Catherine, “Miss Swann, the fruit today looks good. Would you like a glass of freshly squeezed juice?”

Catherine nodded slightly and then turned her gaze to Branden. “Two glasses.”

The secretary, cautiously glancing at Branden, who was known not to have a sweet tooth and preferred freshly ground black coffee, quickly realized that Catherine wanted two glasses of juice. She feared the consequences if Branden became displeased.

Sensing the secretary’s confusion, Paxton hinted again. “Hurry and prepare.”

The secretary, grateful for Paxton’s guidance, gave a thankful glance to Paxton and then left. As soon as she left, she was surrounded by a group of people.

The secretary said in a mysterious tone, “The lady inside is Mr. Duncan’s girlfriend. Behave yourselves!”

The crowd’s expressions varied, but they all committed the secretary’s words to memory. After all, the chief secretary was always cautious with her words. Now that she warned them to behave themselves, they had to be careful.

Catherine lay comfortably in the armchair, enjoying the snacks prepared by the secretary, feeling incredibly content. “You can deal with the troubles that Shane caused you. Don’t mind me.”

Branden raised an eyebrow as he assessed her. “So you’re not here to help me?”

Catherine looked at him with a smile. ” Who told you I was here to help? I was just bored at home, so I came to the company with you to find a different place to relax. Is that not allowed?”

“You better be!” Branden’s gentle tone carried a hint of warning. Seeing Catherine put on her headphones and start playing games, occasionally spouting some gaming jargon, he felt slightly perplexed. “Is she really here to relax?” he wondered.

Chapter 778 Crisis

Branden was dealing with business from Bothor when a message popped up on the screen. Because Catherine was playing games in the office, Paxton dared not knock on the door when he had something to report. He could only communicate with Branden through online software. He sent, [Boss, something has happened. You need to take a look at this.]

Squinting, Branden opened the message sent by Paxton.

Casier Real Estate was a subsidiary of the Duncan Corporation, specializing in the real estate business in Casier. It was considered a leading company in the local real estate industry, known for its good reputation and ethical practices. It had gained significant popularity in Casier and was one of the most profitable subsidiaries under the Duncan Corporation.

Just three hours ago, news broke on the internet about an incident at a newly delivered property of Casier Real Estate. During the renovation, a floor collapse resulted in injuries to the workers, causing them to be rushed to the hospital. The news rapidly spread across the internet, reaching the top of the trending hashtags. It sparked intense discussions among netizens, many of whom criticized and condemned Casier Real Estate.

Numerous prominent bloggers and individuals in the real estate industry publicly accused Casier Real Estate. The reports flooded the media, indicating that this was not a simple case of public opinion ferment but rather a manipulated scheme, possibly orchestrated by people with powerful backgrounds aiming to discredit Casier Real Estate. There were even implications of an attempt to drag down the parent company, the Duncan Corporation.

When Paxton learned of the news, he immediately mobilized the public relations department. However, the other party had planned and executed their strategy well, making it difficult to contain the situation even with the public relations department’s efforts. After understanding the full extent of the situation, Paxton promptly informed Branden and sought his advice.

Having reviewed all the news, Branden called Paxton through a secure line. ” Notify all the managers and above from Casier Real Estate to come to my office for a meeting.”

“Yes, Boss!” Paxton replied.

Half an hour later, a group of executives assembled in Branden’s office. To everyone’s surprise, the president was not alone. There was a very attractive young lady accompanying him. It had been rumored that Branden had a girlfriend who had met Karl, and it seemed she was the lady present. The fact that she could stay in the office at such a critical time indicated Branden’s affection for her.

Although curious about Catherine, the attendees dared not pay too much attention to her, only stealing glances when they could.

Catherine, however, seemed at ease, sitting relaxed in the armchair, engrossed in the game. Seeing the group of people enter, she whispered to Branden, who was offering her snacks, “You guys have your meeting. I’ll have my headphones on, so don’t worry. I won’t be disturbed.’

Branden gently touched her head, murmuring, “Alright, we’ll keep our voices down so as not to disturb your game.”

Their private conversation left everyone present dumbfounded. The fact that Branden would say such words made everything happening seem truly surreal.

What was supposed to be a regular meeting turned into a serious one, with everyone involuntarily lowering their voices. Although the situation was urgent, the presence of Branden helped ease the tension among the participants. People began offering suggestions, but Branden didn’t find any suitable. He looked at everyone with a cold gaze and asked, “Are these the best solutions you can offer?”

Though his tone was mild, his attitude was serious, causing everyone to become nervous. The room fell into complete silence. In such a situation, no one dared to speak up.

Chapter 779 The Mysterious Whistleblower

Casier Real Estate was thrust into the limelight due to the scandal surrounding the quality of their properties.

Several high-ranking individuals associated with Casier Real Estate were gathered in Branden’s office for a meeting. However, their proposed solutions were too conventional and couldn’t directly address the pressing issues at hand.

Branden erupted in fury, leaving everyone trembling in fear. Only Paxton secretly felt relieved, grateful that Catherine was present. Otherwise, given Branden’s temper, they might have all been dismissed by now.

Branden scanned the room with a cold gaze, and no one dared to meet his eyes. He angrily demanded, “Do we have any new proposals?”

Silence filled the room, and everyone’s hearts raced, but no one dared to speak up.

Suddenly, Paxton received a new message, which he promptly presented to Branden. “Mr. Duncan, you need to see the latest tweet.”

Upon hearing Paxton’s words, many people took out their phones to check the latest news, which had replaced the trending post on Twitter. [The truth behind the dangerous properties of Casier Real Estate: Is it an unscrupulous developer or the victim of intentional persecution of local conscientious developers?]

This headline immediately attracted attention, especially with major media outlets sharing the news. It quickly went viral on the internet. Its content was equally shocking. Earlier reports had claimed that during renovations, a floor collapse at a Casier Real Estate property led to workers being injured and hospitalized. Now, insiders revealed that the collapse was due to a homeowner tampering with load- bearing columns and weakening the floor. Combined with the workers’ non- compliant actions, it led to the accident. In an attempt to evade responsibility, the homeowner and the renovation company deliberately staged the incident, trying to bring down Casier Real Estate.

The whistleblower provided evidence at the end of the post, indicating that the situation was not straightforward, suggesting that unscrupulous companies were intentionally trying to discredit local conscientious developers.

The whole internet was in an uproar. Homebuyers who had a favorable view of Casier Real Estate came forward to support the company. In an instant, the public opinion online reversed, and Casier Real Estate’s stock price began to recover.

Paxton held up his phone and quietly asked Branden, “Boss, this doesn’t seem to be the work of our public relations department. Could it be…”

Their public relations department had not yet come up with an effective plan. The incident had happened suddenly, leaving no time to prepare such solid evidence.

Paxton instinctively locked his gaze on the nearby armchair, but in the next second, he dismissed his thought.

“It shouldn’t be Miss Swann. Miss Swann was gaming the whole time today. I never saw her put down her phone. Besides, we have just received the news about this incident, and even if Miss Swann wanted to help, she wouldn’t have been able to act so quickly,” analyzed Paxton.

After hearing Paxton’s analysis, Branden nodded slightly, finding some merit in his words. “Arrange for the public relations department to follow this line of thinking, and while at it, find out the people behind this. Don’t let a single one slip through!”

Identifying the perpetrators behind the scenes wasn’t difficult. At the moment, the most crucial task was to resolve the crisis. “Yes, Mr. Duncan, I’ll arrange it right away,” Paxton replied.

Catherine, who was lounging in the nearby armchair fully engrossed in her game, suddenly gave a mysterious smile upon hearing the conversation between the two men.

Chapter 780 Something’s Off

Through the post and the efforts of the Duncan Corporation’s public relations team, public opinion was instantly reversed. Casier Real Estate, which had been in crisis, cleared the obstacles ahead and saw its stock price continuously rise due to this crisis.

Hearing the report, Shane was livid. He slammed the documents on the table and glared at one of the senior executives in front of him. “Is this the result you’re showing me? I’ve spent so much money on you, painstakingly laid out plans, and this is how you repay me? I warned you not to let anyone get hold of evidence. How could you mess it up?”

If it hadn’t been for the Duncan Corporation obtaining a recorded confession from the construction workers, turning the tables so quickly wouldn’t have been possible.

Dragging Casier Real Estate into trouble was equivalent to finding a breakthrough to take on the Duncan Corporation. Then, Shane would slowly drag the Duncan Corporation into the mire, just as he would deal with any other opponent and completely crush it. Who would have known that his incompetent subordinates would be so useless, caught red-handed by the other party so quickly? Not only did his plan fail to destroy the Duncan Corporation, but it also helped Casier Real Estate to gain fame. His attempt to steal a march had backfired!

Faced with the furious Shane, the group of executives trembled, and the General Manager slowly stepped forward to report the situation. “Mr. Breen, I suspect we have a spy within our ranks. The Duncan Corporation’s response was too quick. Our planning was so meticulous this time; they couldn’t have prepared countermeasures in advance.”

The General Manager’s words plunged those present into deep thought. Although the Duncan Corporation was extremely powerful in Casier, the speed of their countermeasures was so fast that it made them suspect something fishy was going on behind the scenes.

However, Shane quickly vetoed this speculation. “That’s not possible!” He knew Branden was formidable, but these people around him had worked for him for decades. He was absolutely certain that they had nothing to do with it.

Knock, knock, knock…

The sound of knocks on the door echoed, and then Shane’s assistant entered the room.

Shane did find it strange, but he trusted his people. He suspected there was another reason he didn’t know about, so he sent someone out to investigate. Seeing his assistant hurry into the room, he knew there must be some news. “What’s the situation?”

In response to Shane’s inquiry, the assistant handed over a stack of documents. “Sir, please take a look at these.”

Shane glanced through the documents, and the surveillance footage captured a scene of someone looking for the family members of construction workers. Shane recognized the person -Ronin Oconnor. He tapped the image on the paper and whispered to the assistant, “He’s deliberately showing his face to me!”

Shane knew Ronin’s capabilities. If Ronin didn’t want to be seen, how could the surveillance footage capture his face? This was a provocation. Ronin had always followed Catherine’s instructions, and it seemed she was now wholly siding with Branden, joining forces to oppose Shane.

Thinking of this, Shane felt a surge of anger.

Seeing Shane’s dark expression, the assistant cautiously suggested, “Sir, should we take action?”

Shane had always treated Catherine as his daughter and had not been willing to act against her. But this time, he knew she had completely aligned herself with Branden. He would not allow this to happen. Since there was no hope for Catherine’s return, he planned to destroy her.

Receiving Shane’s hint, the assistant silently nodded. “Sir, rest assured. We will handle it.”

The originally lengthy meeting was abruptly paused due to the unexpected turn of events. The executives, who had just been scolded and dejected, were now excited and eager to retaliate.

Paxton noticed Catherine was still in the office, so he left with the other executives, leaving the space for Branden and her. Once everyone had left, the previously noisy office returned to silence. However, Catherine was still playing games in the armchair.

Seeing her still, Branden got up from the conference table and sat down beside her. As it was almost lunchtime, he caressed her abdomen and asked, ” Are you hungry? Do you want to go for lunch?”

Catherine glanced at the clock on the wall-it was only eleven o’clock. For someone who finished work at twelve, this seemed too early. Her gaze landed on the plates of snacks not far ahead, expressing her disdain. “Have you ever seen me stop eating?”

Ever since Catherine entered Branden’s office, he had constantly arranged various snacks and fruits for her, all of which were her favorites. While playing games and directing Ronin’s actions, she had not stopped eating. She wasn’t hungry at all.

Seeing the nearly empty fruit plate, Branden looked at her with a doting smile. “Alright, if you’re not hungry now, we’ll wait a bit longer.” With that, he reached out and lifted her.

“I’m in the middle of a game!” Catherine frowned, attempting to refuse him.

Branden, however, didn’t mind. “It’s okay. Just focus on your game. I’ll watch.”

Catherine paused and turned to him. ” Aren’t you busy? Don’t you need to work?”

Branden raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smile. “Someone else has taken care of the crisis for me. Why should I work? If I have to handle those trivial matters myself, what’s the point of keeping these people around?”

Catherine could tell that Branden’s smile held some sinister intent, so she scrutinized him. Branden, however, gazed at her with an extremely gentle smile. “Why are you looking at me like that? Aren’t you playing the game anymore?”

Catherine remained silent and continued playing the game. As for Branden, he seemed to be just watching her play the game.

The feeling of being watched while playing the game made Catherine uncomfortable. After playing for a while, she threw her phone aside. Branden picked up her phone from the floor and sat down, holding her. “Not playing anymore?”

“Nah, my eyes need a rest,” she replied.

“Alright, it’s time for dinner.”

When Branden suggested going out for dinner this time, Catherine didn’t refuse. She just followed his arrangement.

Branden chose a restaurant, and when they arrived, the waiter led them to a private room. As they entered the room, Catherine furrowed her brow because she saw a round table for ten people. “Why such a large private room for just the two of us?” she asked.

Branden didn’t answer her directly but instead pulled her to sit down. “Just sit for now. Someone will join us later.”

With a heart full of suspicion, Catherine took her seat. Not long after, there were footsteps outside the private room.