Ch. 791..800

Chapter 791 The Situation Was Truly Troublesome

Catherine paused with the fork in her hand, not expecting Rylan to bring up Ronin suddenly. Subsequently, Catherine said expressionlessly, ” Ronin is not here.”

“Not here?” Rylan frowned slightly.

“His friend came to see him, and they went out to have fun for a couple of days,” said Catherine.

“Young people love to have fun. It’s in their nature.” Rylan chuckled lightly. ” Ronin is still young. It’s normal.”

Catherine didn’t respond to him and silently ate the food on her plate. She didn’t eat much. When dining out, she only ate to fill her stomach.

After finishing their meal, Rylan planned to invite Catherine for a walk, but she declined. “I need to go back to the lab,” she said.

“Catherine, what kind of experiment are you doing that captivates you so much?” Rylan looked at Catherine with some confusion. In his impression, Catherine seemed indifferent to almost everything, rarely showing such dedication to something.

“I’m leaving.” Catherine didn’t respond to Rylan’s question and left without looking back.

Rylan had long been accustomed to Catherine’s personality. Wearing a helpless expression, he could only watch Catherine leave.

After returning to the lab, Catherine immediately took out her phone and dialed Carlo’s number. At that moment, Carlo was reviewing surveillance footage, hoping to find some useful clues. When he saw Catherine’s call, his body involuntarily tensed. “Miss Swann, what’s up?”

On the phone, Catherine’s tone was cold and calm. “Carlo, help me check someone.”

“Sure, send me the details,” Carlo said and hung up. Seeing his tense expression, Carlo’s colleague couldn’t help but find it amusing.

“Carlo, why are you nervous? Miss Swann just asked you to check someone, not yourself. You look like something big is happening.”

Even though it was meant as a jest, those colleagues rarely saw Carlo with such an expression. His demeanor had inadvertently heightened the tension in the entire surveillance room.

Hearing his colleague’s banter, Carlo glanced at him, snorted, and said, “You understand nothing. She is even more formidable than Mr. Duncan.”

The shock on everyone’s faces was evident. Those who had worked with Branden for many years were well aware of his capabilities. Now Carlo was claiming that Catherine, a girl, was more formidable than Branden. They found it was hard to believe that.

After informing Carlo, Catherine finished her work in the lab and left. She took her motorcycle and hadn’t driven for long when she sensed someone following her.

Not panicking upon realizing she was being tracked, Catherine continued to drive at a steady speed. Her beautiful and ethereal face remained calm, with a faint smile in her bright eyes.

The two cars tracking her switched back and forth to avoid detection. Just as they were about to switch again, suddenly, with just a momentary distraction, the motorcycle they had been following disappeared without a trace.

The people in the two trailing cars were dumbfounded as if they had experienced a supernatural event.

They had been watching the vehicle in front the entire time. How could it suddenly vanish?

“Click!”

With a light sound, the previously pitch -black car interior was illuminated.

Francis stepped forward, intending to help Catherine down. “Miss Swann, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Catherine performed a graceful spin and dismounted from the motorcycle,

Now, she and Francis were in the rear cargo compartment of a large truck.

When Catherine noticed being followed, she immediately informed Francis to arrange for that.

Seeing Catherine unharmed, Francis finally heaved a sigh of relief. “Miss Swann, rest assured. We have sent people to investigate those two cars.”

“No hurry; take your time.” Catherine appeared indifferent. Originally, she could have shaken off those two pursuers without Francis’s help. However, considering Branden’s advice not to engage in risky behavior, she promptly notified Francis to handle it.

Catherine asked Francis to drop her off by the roadside. She intended to go to Connie.

Francis hesitated whether to follow, but Catherine saw through his thoughts and said, “You don’t need to follow me. I’ll let you know if anything comes up.”

Francis could only give up. “Miss Swann, take it slow. Contact me if anything.”

Catherine responded with the revving sound of the motorcycle. Like a black dragon, the Harley-Davidson swiftly moved through the city’s neon lights and gradually disappeared from sight.

After a day of rest, Zobber and Withal had recovered quite a bit. Even though their wounds were still healing, both were in high spirits, exchanging jokes.

“Withal, if I could get up now, I’d definitely beat you, you old rascal!”

“Mutual feelings. If my leg were working, I’d knock you down.”

Hearing their banter, Catherine rolled her eyes silently. Their combined age met Eskana’s retirement standards, yet these two could argue so childishly. Catherine was speechless.

Catherine knocked on the wooden door at the entrance, drawing the attention of the two inside.

Zobber’s eyes lit up when she saw Catherine. “Catherine, you finally came. I’ve been looking forward to your arrival.”

Witnessing Zobber’s overly affectionate display toward Catherine, Withal got goosebumps all over.

The usually arrogant girl only showed some girlish charm when facing Catherine.

If he didn’t know Zobber’s sexual orientation, he would suspect Zobber had developed a crush on Catherine.

Seeing Zobber’s excited mood, Catherine couldn’t help but remind her, “Be mindful of your wounds. Connie won’t take care of you if you mess them up.”

Although Connie was their designated doctor, she had a temper. While she went all out to save lives, if people caused themselves secondary injuries due to their own actions, she would not care about their well-being.

Zobber, warned by Catherine, became more cautious, restraining her behavior. “Catherine, I won’t be troublesome anymore. Let’s get to business. Any news from Ronin?”

Zobber’s primary concern was Ronin. She could lay here safely and joke with them because Catherine chose to save her, sacrificing Ronin in the process. Therefore, she cared more about Ronin’s safety than anyone else.

Catherine came for this matter. “Not yet. We haven’t even identified the person who made the move.”

Upon hearing this, the other two immediately furrowed their brows.

With Catherine’s abilities and Branden’s influence, they couldn’t expose the mastermind. That could only mean that the situation was truly troublesome.

Chapter 792 A Bothersome Pursuer

After discussing the current situation with the two, Catherine left Connie’s place.

It was getting late, and returning to the dorm at this hour would disturb Amelia and others. Therefore, Catherine rode her motorcycle directly to the apartment building.

She didn’t feel the spacious house was empty before, but now, with only one person, it seemed a bit desolate.

Suddenly, the doorbell ringing caught Catherine’s attention. She stood up and checked the situation outside through the interior monitor. Seeing a delivery guy at the door, she promptly opened it.

With a friendly smile, the delivery guy said, “Miss Swann, here’s your delivery. Please sign for it.”

There was a large bouquet of roses and an exquisite gift box.

When Catherine saw the roses, she knew they weren’t from Branden, as he didn’t like them.

Instead of accepting the gift, Catherine took the card from the bouquet. Seeing the familiar handwriting, she immediately knew who the sender was.

She inserted the card back and gazed coldly at the delivery guy. “Take these things back.”

The delivery guy’s face instantly paled when he heard this. This order had a high commission, and he had worked hard to secure it. He didn’t expect Catherine to refuse.

“Miss Swann, I ran dozens of miles just to deliver this order. Please accept it.”

Not wanting to make things difficult for him, Catherine said, “Consider it as if I’ve accepted it. There’s a trash bin by the main entrance. Could you please take them down there for me?”

With that, Catherine turned and went back inside, closing the door without glancing at it.

The delivery guy was dumbfounded. These items looked expensive, and a handsome guy sent them. He could not understand why Catherine refused to accept.

Helplessly, he contacted the customer who placed the order.

Unexpectedly, the customer asked him to follow Catherine’s instructions. Not daring to defy the customer’s wishes, the delivery guy threw the items into the trash bin at the front door.

Not long after Catherine returned to her room, she received a message from Rylan. [Don’t like roses? How about I change them to tulips?]

Although the card was unsigned, Catherine immediately recognized Rylan’s handwriting. She dialed his number directly; she had no interest in texting, especially not with Rylan.

Rylan wasn’t surprised by Catherine’s call, as if he already knew she would call.

“What do you mean?” Catherine’s words carried a hint of impatience, but she didn’t lose her temper.

If she were truly angry, she would have already dealt with Rylan in person, not talking on the phone.

Rylan directly expressed his intentions and said, “Catherine, I’ve been thinking for years. We are the most suitable for each other; no one can replace you in my life. You like Eskana, so I’ll set up a branch in Eskana.”

After a moment of silence, Rylan said solemnly, “Catherine, I like you, and I believe we should be together.”

If Rylan were in front of Catherine now, he could see the ironic smile on her face.

“Do I have to accept just because you say you like me? What kind of logic is this?” Catherine thought.

Catherine wasn’t bothering with Rylan’s ego and coldly interrupted him, “Since you were able to find my address, I refuse to believe you’re unaware that I already have a fiancé.”

Silence lingered on the other end of the call. It seemed Rylan didn’t expect Catherine to admit Branden’s identity and addressed him as her fiancé.

After a while, Rylan seemed to react, attempting to change his approach. ” Catherine, I…”

Without hesitation, Catherine interrupted him again, “Considering our past friendship, I’ll let it go this time. If there’s a next time, you know my temper…”

Without waiting for a response, Catherine hung up the phone. Her relationship with Rylan was complicated and couldn’t be explained in just a few words.

Late at night, the apartment in Loxton was brightly lit, and in Casier, the Duncans’ old mansion was no different.

Paxton knew that Branden was waiting for news from Loxton, so he knocked on the door of the study as soon as he received the message.

“Come in.” A low, authoritative voice came from inside, not loud but carrying a hint of dominance.

Paxton pressed down the door handle and entered. “Mr. Duncan, news has arrived from Loxton.”

“Hmm.” Branden immediately put down the work he was dealing with.

“Mr. Duncan, Miss Swann stayed overnight in the apartment tonight and didn’t return to school. She came back quite late, probably to avoid disturbing her dormmates,” said Paxton.

Catherine projected an aloof exterior, but beneath it all, she harbored a remarkably soft side. Once she deemed someone trustworthy, she treated them unconditionally well, explaining the loyal following she garnered.

When Branden learned that Catherine had returned to the apartment, his heart warmed. The agitation he had felt earlier subsided considerably.

Observing Paxton standing there, looking conflicted and hesitant, Branden knew he had something to report. “Spit it out. Don’t beat around the bush.”

Paxton turned pale at Branden’s words. He handed a picture to Branden. “Mr. Duncan, this is the evening surveillance image. As per your order, we didn’t disturb Miss Swann. We dared not intervene.”

The content of the photo made Branden’s face instantly darkened. His narrowed eyes emitted a dangerous light, sharp as a sword.

He remembered that Catherine wasn’t fond of roses, so he never bought them. Now, taking advantage of his absence in Loxton, someone sent flowers and gifts to his fiancée, even coming up to the apartment. He felt this was nothing short of a blatant provoke to him.

Branden asked Paxton, his voice cold, ” Did you arrange for an investigation?”

“Mr. Duncan, our people inquired with the delivery guy and found the contact information of the person who sent the gifts.” Paxton handed over Rylan’s information. “It’s this person, Mr. Duncan.”

It showed he was the heir of the Meltons, Loewe’s most prominent family, Rylan.

The Meltons’ status in Loewe was like the Duncans’ in Casier. They were considered rulers of their respective territories.

Paxton found a lot of information but couldn’t figure out how Rylan knew Catherine. He learned that Rylan had recently come to Loxton and seemed to be planning to establish a branch in Eskana.

He had just arrived in Loxton and already tried to win over Catherine, so these two must be old acquaintances.

Rylan was not inferior to Branden in terms of family background and looks. Paxton couldn’t help but worry for Branden.

After Branden finished reading Rylan’s information, he placed it aside.

Seeing that he didn’t speak and had a serious face, Paxton summoned his courage and said, “Mr. Duncan, in my opinion, Rylan’s just wishful thinking. Miss Swann didn’t accept these gifts and directly had the delivery guy throw them into the trash bin downstairs.”

Branden was satisfied with Catherine’s actions. He wasn’t worried that Catherine would be attracted to someone else. He was just annoyed by those bothersome pursuers. It seemed he had to expedite his return to Loxton to prevent these nuisances from bothering Catherine.

Chapter 793 Why Suffer Like This?

“Ring, ring, ring…” The ringing disrupted Catherine’s thoughts. She reached over to grab her phone and held it to her ear.

“It’s me! Miss Swann, we discreetly tracked those following you last night and found out they entered the Golden Summit Tower. The property of that building is under the ownership of the Breens. It belongs to them.”

“Do you suspect the Breens send them? “Catherine directly concluded.

Francis paused for a moment, then affirmed. He said, “It’s not a suspicion. They indeed come from the Breens.”

Catherine believed in Francis’s judgment. He wouldn’t make such a statement if he hadn’t found anything. “Alright, I got it,” said she.

“Miss Swann, there’s still no news from Ronin’s side. We are intensifying our efforts to trace him. We’ll inform you immediately if we receive any updates.”

“Okay. If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.” After confirming that Francis had nothing urgent to report, Catherine hung up the phone and returned to her experiments.

Her experiments were in the final stages, and she couldn’t afford to relax even though they were nearing completion. A mistake in any detail could lead to the failure of the entire experiment.

In these days, Catherine seemed as if nothing had happened, immersed in the lab day after day.

What Catherine didn’t know was that every move she made at school was being closely monitored.

Although these people couldn’t reach Catherine’s lab and interfere with her experiments, they could keep track of her basic movements and report to higher-ups.

The assistant relayed the latest information from the school to Shane. ” Sir, Miss Swann has been staying in the lab these past few days. Apart from the night of the rescue, she seems to have no other moves.”

Upon hearing this, Shane furrowed his brow. Ronin was missing, and Catherine should not be entirely unaffected. “Have you investigated thoroughly?” Shane asked.

“Yeah, sir.” The assistant nodded affirmatively. “Our people can’t enter Miss Swann’s lab, but we can always see her movements. Indeed, Miss Swann has been in her lab these past few days. Sir, I heard Miss Swann’s experiments have been progressing rapidly. Maybe it’s because the lab work is occupying her.”

Shane obviously disagreed with the assistant’s explanation. He knew Catherine. He admired Catherine not only for her outstanding abilities but also for her character. She was the kind of person who would never abandon a friend, especially considering Ronin had been by her side since childhood, growing up together.

Even if it cost her life, Catherine wouldn’t abandon Ronin. Shane had no doubt about that. “Keep an eye on her. Report any updates to me,” said Shane.

“Yes, sir.”

As Catherine left the lab, she saw Rylan standing not far away. It seemed like he had been waiting for a while.

Instead of avoiding him, Catherine walked straight toward him.

Seeing her, Rylan was happy. The tension on his face instantly eased, replaced by a genuine smile. “Is work over?” he asked.

Unlike Rylan, Catherine’s mood was not elevated when she saw him. Her initially icy gaze now held no emotion. ” Is there something?”

Facing Catherine’s icy attitude, Rylan didn’t feel repulsed. Instead, he sincerely apologized, saying, ”

Catherine, don’t be angry. I was too impulsive yesterday. I apologize, and I hope you’re not mad.”

Rylan closed his eyes, and pain was evident on his face. “I won’t bring up things I shouldn’t mention in the future.”

Catherine didn’t understand his intentions but couldn’t harbor resentment toward Rylan. After all, he once had been like an older brother, caring for her for many years.

“Don’t mention the past. If you want to apologize, I’ve received it. I’m leaving if there’s nothing else,” said Catherine.

Watching Catherine leave, Rylan immediately caught up. “You should be going to have lunch now, right? How about we go together?”

Catherine was about to refuse, but Rylan, with a slightly pleading tone, said, “You wouldn’t refuse to have lunch with me, right?”

Catherine glanced at him, recalling the scene when he risked his life to save her years ago. In the end, she didn’t refuse.

In the dark and damp dungeon, Ronin huddled in a corner. He was injured, and due to lack of timely treatment, the wound had become infected. The infection caused a persistent high fever and intense overall pain.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Ronin propped himself up, raising his head to focus on the black-clothed man walking toward him.

The man wore a mask, hiding his face, and even his voice was disguised. Clearly, he was a professional.

From top to bottom, the masked man looked down arrogantly at Ronin, taking in his miserable state. “Why suffer like this? Speak, and I’ll let you go.”

“Ha!” Ronin laughed sarcastically, full of disdain in his words. He disdainfully assessed the man, showing he didn’t take the threat seriously. “If you have the guts, go ahead and kill me. But you should think it through; taking me out comes with a price tag.”

He believed that since these people understood him so well, they must have thoroughly investigated his background and naturally knew he was Catherine’s people.

Catherine had always valued loyalty and repaid every slight. Since these people dared to target him, they would have to endure Catherine’s retaliation. He knew that for him, Catherine would go to the ends of the earth to deal with these people.

Ronin’s arrogant attitude infuriated the masked man. Stepping forward, he raised his foot and ruthlessly stomped on Ronin’s face. “Do you still expect Catherine to come to your rescue? To be honest with you, in these days you’ve been missing, Catherine has been diligently staying in the laboratory. She hasn’t even bothered to look for you. Do you think she would go against such a formidable force as us for your sake? Ronin, don’t be naive. Only by cooperating with us is your way out.”

Seeing Ronin’s expression of disbelief, the masked man knew he wasn’t buying it. Then, the masked man provided surveillance footage and Catherine’s clock-in records.

The evidence was right before him, and a hint of surprise flickered in Ronin’s eyes. Although he quickly masked his unexpected emotions, the masked man successfully captured the moment.

“Ronin, the evidence is undeniable. Now, you should be clear about your standing in Catherine’s heart. Let’s be honest. You’re just a pawn. When you’re useful, they treat you with kindness, considering you as family, but they’ll kick you aside when you’re no longer of use. That’s the harsh reality.”

Ronin remained silent, and the masked man continued to persuade. He added, ” Why sacrifice your life for someone like this? You have the ability, you’re young, and you still have a promising future. It’s not worth wasting it like this.”

The masked man slowly broke through Ronin’s mental defenses. He intentionally tormented Ronin for so long just for this moment.

Finally, Ronin couldn’t take it anymore. He suddenly raised his head, eyes blazing red, a face full of unwillingness as he stared at the masked man. “What the hell do you want?”

Chapter 794 The Software

Ronin’s mental defenses crumbled, and the masked man gloated over his handiwork. He’d tormented Ronin for two days. He withheld food and drink and kept Ronin trapped in a dank, gloomy space. He knew well that Ronin was different from Catherine.

Although Ronin had faced hardships since childhood, he hadn’t undergone the excruciating training Catherine had endured. He couldn’t endure such inhumane torture. Breaking through his mental defenses wasn’t too challenging.

The masked man pulled out some medication from his pocket and tended to Ronin’s wounds. Watching Ronin’s expression change, he felt immensely satisfied. “You don’t have any grudges against me. There’s no need for it to come to this. It’s Catherine we’re after, and she is the one we’re dealing with. If you help us out, not only will I release you to recover, but I’ll also ensure you receive a substantial fortune and let you go away.”

Ronin’s gaze wavered, and his resolve weakened.

Rather than pressuring Ronin, the masked man kindly instructed someone to bring food for Ronin. “My kindness isn’t unconditional. Think it over if you want to accept this meal.”

After Ronin hesitated momentarily, he reached out and accepted the food. Then he murmured, “Bring me paper and pen. I’ll give you a way to contact Catherine privately.”

“Alright!” The masked man left cheerfully with the information provided by Ronin.

Ronin devoured the meal voraciously. He remembered Catherine’s instructions that no matter what happened, he shouldn’t let himself be mistreated. He followed Catherine’s advice to the letter and didn’t dare to forget it.

It had been three days, and there was still no word from Francis and Carlo. Ronin seemed to vanish into thin air.

Over at the school, Catherine personally arranged for Ronin’s leave. Ronin’s mentor treasured Ronin like a gem. Considering Ronin frequently took days off, he didn’t find anything amiss.

After class, Catherine rushed over to Connie’s place. Since their failed attempt at tailing Catherine last time, that group of people didn’t dare to follow her anymore. After all, sneaking around behind her was highly challenging.

Zobber and Withal were having a meal when Catherine arrived. Zobber immediately put down her fork and greeted her, “Catherine, have you eaten? Want to join us? Withal might be unreliable, but his cooking is good. You came at the right time!”

Withal overheard this and retorted, ” It’s all because you’re so picky! You won’t eat this, won’t eat that, and won’t even let me order takeout. If I don’t cook, are we going to starve together?”

Catherine noticed the bandages still on their bodies, yet they seemed more spirited than usual and still had time for banter. It made her want to laugh. ” The two of you have an interesting dynamić, a bit like…”

Before Catherine could finish, Zobber eagerly interjected, “Like what?”

Catherine glanced at her and calmly said, “Like a newlywed couple.”

Zobber paused for a moment, and Withal was also stunned. Then Zobber vehemently denied. She said, ” Catherine, you’re kidding. We clearly look like siblings, those kind who don’t get along, born in the same house but constantly at odds.”

Hearing Zobber’s denial, Withal slowly caught on. He looked at Zobber disdainfully. “What karma did I have in my past life? Why should I be your sibling?”

“Cut it out. Don’t try to cozy up to me for no reason!” Zobber replied.

Catherine saw through Withal’s change in mood, but she didn’t expose it. Maintaining that final boundary among friends was essential for a lasting relationship.

After the banter, they finally quieted down. Catherine had barely settled down to eat when her phone buzzed in her pocket with a unique vibration pattern she’d set. She immediately set down her fork and left.

Seeing that, Zobber felt curious. ”

Catherine, where are you off to?”

Catherine didn’t respond. She headed toward the adjacent computer room. After that, she swiftly turned on the computer and logged into the specific software she used to contact Ronin. She sent, [Ronin?]

Once she sent the message, a reply came promptly, which read, [Miss Swann, glad to be in touch with you.]

Catherine asked, [Ronin is in your hands?]

The other person responded, [Yes, Miss Swann. Seeing me contact you through this software, you should already suspect something.] He seemed proud, as if he had already turned Ronin.

Catherine remained composed and typed swiftly on the keyboard. She asked, [What are your terms for releasing him?]

The masked man at the computer smirked upon receiving Catherine’s message. He was confident Catherine would compromise. Ronin’s life was the key. Then he sent, [Miss Swann, I’ve heard your experiment is in its final stage. If you’re willing to hand over the experiment’s results to us, we’ll send Ronin back to you unharmed.

Catherine chuckled lightly. She was surprised they revealed their intentions so quickly. She thought they’d hold out for a bit longer. She replied, [Ronin has betrayed me by asking you to contact me through this software. Why should I sacrifice my experiment for a traitor?]

Catherine’s reply didn’t deter the masked man. He knew it was just a stalling tactic. Catherine attempted to trace his IP address through this. He wasn’t that foolish to be tricked. He sent, [Miss Swann, Ronin’s fate lies in your hands!] After sending this, he immediately went offline and ignored any further attempts at contact from Catherine.

Zobber and Withal noticed Catherine’s unusual behavior and followed her into the room.

Seeing Catherine’s chat window, Zobber quickly took over the computer and worked frantically. The next moment, she slammed the table in frustration. “Damn it! What a sly fox! I was about to catch up, and he vanished.

Catherine found this normal. If they were too easy to track, she’d start considering if it was a trap set by the other side.

Withal stared at the chat window and frowned. He felt something was off. ” Catherine, wasn’t this software created by you for exclusive use with Ronin? How did they get hold of it?”

This software was originally developed by Catherine for internal use among their group. After Catherine and Ronin experimented with it, Ronin ended up monopolizing it.

Ronin had pleaded with Catherine to create another one and make the first one exclusively for both of them. Unable to resist Ronin’s persistence, Catherine agreed. For her, creating another software meant modifying the existing code. It was not a troublesome task.

Now that the software was in enemy hands, Withal knew this was a terrible sign. There were only two possible reasons for this situation. Firstly, Ronin might have succumbed to pressure and revealed it himself. Alternatively, Ronin might have turned traitor. Whichever it was, both possibilities were dire.

Chapter 795 Their Hideout

Compared to the worried Withal, Catherine seemed much more composed. Although Withal was unaware of Catherine’s thoughts, he was used to her calm demeanor after years of being by her side. “What’s the plan, Catherine?” Withal asked.

Catherine glanced casually at them and then focused on their wounds. “You two don’t need to worry. Focus on healing those injuries first.”

Zobber pursed her lips. She disagreed with Catherine’s decision. She wanted to help and not be idle.

As Zobber attempted to speak, Withal intervened. He said, “We’ll follow Catherine’s orders. Whatever she says, goes.”

Facing Withal’s persuasion, Zobber crossed her arms in frustration but dared not defy Catherine. Withal always obeyed Catherine’s commands, and if Zobber persisted, he might step in.

“Rest up, both of you. Don’t worry about me. The Duncans’ forces in Loxton are now under my command,” Catherine said.

Zobber’s expression eased after she heard Catherine’s words. Though she wanted to assist, considering the injuries they were carrying and the adversary’s intimate knowledge of their situation, she realized they might inadvertently complicate matters for Catherine.

Knowing Branden had redirected his forces to Catherine, Zobber felt more relieved. Although she had often criticized Paxton and his crew, their skills were commendable and were on par with Withal’s. Having them around would be a great help.

“Catherine, call on us anytime. We might not fight directly, but we can handle online tracking and other digital tasks,” Zobber said.

Seeing her eagerness to take on tasks, Catherine sensed Zobber’s pent-up frustration. Catherine thought if it were her being manipulated like that, she’d be eager to expose the mastermind behind it and give him a good reckoning. “Understood. There’ll be tasks for you when the time comes. No rush!”

Catherine finished briefing them and emerged from Connie’s place. She intended to reach out to Francis to arrange their tasks. Unexpectedly, before she could dial, Francis called her.

Francis asked, “Miss Swann, we’ve been attacked. Is everything alright on your end?”

Catherine’s face instantly turned serious. She emitted a strong, unmasked aura of danger. “Where are you?”

Francis provided an address. After half an hour, Catherine rode her motorcycle there. A man she didn’t recognize approached her and looked at her respectfully. “Miss Swann, I’m affiliated with Branden and work under Francis. Francis instructed me to wait here for you. Please come with me.”

Following him, Catherine entered a residential complex and ascended a flight of stairs. After they opened the door, a strong stench of blood hit Catherine. Francis lay bandaged on the bed, with Carlo nearby, who was also seemingly injured.

“Are you both alright?” Catherine asked with concern.

Carlo rose immediately. “Miss Swann, don’t worry. We’re fine.”

Francis nodded, and his face was pallid from blood loss.

The man who had led Catherine in brought a chair for her to sit. She complied without hesitation. After sitting down, she scanned everyone with her cold gaze. “What happened? Explain.”

Francis glanced at Carlo and let him speak. Seeing Francis’s severe injuries, Carlo disregarded any animosity and briefed Catherine.

Carlo had traced some leads from the surveillance footage. He contacted Francis, and they decided to investigate. However, their opponents were more formidable than anticipated.

However, they were underprepared and outnumbered. Their years of coordination saved them from dire consequences. Francis suffered two deep cuts to his back, causing substantial blood loss. Carlo only received a minor cut on his arm.

“Miss Swann, it seems we found their hideout. We’ve informed Mr. Branden, and he’ll handle it. He asks you not to worry. He’ll give you updates,” Carlo said.

Listening to Carlo’s rushed words, Catherine almost chuckled. She hadn’t mentioned going to see for herself, yet he was anxious ahead of her. Since Branden had taken charge, Catherine felt relieved to leave it in his hands.

Carlo had worried earlier about what they’d do if Catherine insisted on going. Surprisingly, Catherine showed no intention, instead inquiring about Branden’s whereabouts. She asked, ” When will he arrive?”

Carlo was unsure of how to respond. He turned to look at Francis and exchanged a glance with him.

Francis had more insight than Carlo. He realized that Catherine was undeniably their future mistress. For them, it was better to offend Branden than Catherine. Francis said, “Miss Swann, Mr. Branden should arrive tomorrow.”

Catherine had anticipated it. After such an incident, Branden would undoubtedly worry about her safety and set aside his tasks to rush to Loxton. “Is the situation in Casier settled?” Catherine asked.

No one dared to respond to Catherine’s question. Carlo signaled Francis to continue since he had started speaking, but Francis ignored him and remained silent.

Although Catherine hadn’t uttered a word or altered her expression, her presence was domineering and stifled their breaths.

Finally, Carlo reluctantly spoke up and detailed the situation. He said, “The Breens have been causing trouble everywhere. The situation in Casier is grim. There’s much to handle. Mr. Branden intends to pass the matter to Paxton. Then he will come to accompany you.”

“Understood.” Catherine stood and left after her reply.

Francis desperately gestured at Carlo, who coldly stared back. Carlo asked, ” What do you want now?”

“Why don’t you go check on her?” Francis pointed toward the direction Catherine had left.

“Why don’t you?” Carlo retorted and rolled his eyes.

Francis gestured at his wounded back, shamelessly saying, “If not for me taking this hit for you, I’d go myself.”

“You’re dreaming!” Carlo cursed under his breath. Despite his words, Carlo stood up and obeyed Francis’s command. He owed Francis this time. Francis had taken a hit from protecting him, so he had to comply.

Catherine walked to the end of the corridor after leaving. She pulled out her phone and casually sat down.

Soon after dialing, someone picked up and called out, “Kathy.” As Branden pronounced her name, he elongated the second syllable with a softness that was particularly pleasant to hear.

“Are you planning to come to Loxton tomorrow?” Catherine asked.

Branden furrowed his brow. He knew Carlo and Francis must have leaked the information. He was considering how to reprimand them when he heard Catherine say casually, “I forced them. They dare not disobey me, let alone offend me.”

With those words, Branden quietly dismissed the thought of revenge that had just appeared in his mind.

Chapter 796 A Similar Feeling

Catherine hung up the phone and returned. She found Carlo and Francis looking incredibly odd. They stole glances at her and communicated only through eye contact. They didn’t dare to speak.

Catherine scanned the two of them with a cold eye before seating herself nearby. “Don’t worry. I straightened things out with Branden. It’s not on you.”

As soon as she said that, their tense expressions relaxed. Carlo let out a long sigh of relief. He looked at Catherine with gratitude. “Miss Swann, thank you.”

“No need,” Catherine said coldly and shut down further conversation. She was about to leave when Francis’s phone rang. She paused and planned to wait until Francis’s call ended to inquire about the situation before leaving.

“Damn it! They’re so cunning!” Francis cursed after ending the call. Seeing his disturbed state, Carlo signaled to remind Francis that Catherine was still there.

Francis realized this and quickly apologized to Catherine, “Sorry, Miss Swann. I lost my cool earlier.”

Catherine shrugged it off. She’d seen worse from Zobber and the others while they were with her. Profanity was nothing new. What concerned her more was who called and what was said during the conversation. “Was it about the investigation?”

Francis didn’t deny it. Catherine’s status exempted her from secrets. ”

Miss Swann, it’s an update from the field. Our team arrived at the scene per Mr. Branden’s orders but found it empty. It’s been cleaned out completely without a trace left.”

They were incredibly swift. The reason for Francis’s anger was evident. Both he and Carlo had gotten injured from investigating this, and now the other side not only evaded confrontation but also cleaned up everything and left no leads. Without valuable leads, their injuries were for nothing.

“Give me the coordinates,” Catherine said.

“Miss Swann, are you planning to go yourself?” Carlo asked with surprise.

Catherine didn’t respond, but her silence spoke volumes.

Carlo and Francis exchanged glances and finally came to a decision. Carlo offered to accompany Catherine. “Miss Swann, I’ve been there before. I’m more familiar. It’s better if I go with you.”

Catherine glanced at the injury on Carlo’s hand. Carlo caught on and said, “Miss Swann, it’s fine. This won’t slow me down.”

Catherine wasn’t worried about him hindering the mission. Catherine wasn’t fussy, and Carlo’s injury wasn’t a big deal in her eyes. Since he seemed okay with it, Catherine agreed and said, “Let’s go together and see what’s there.

Carlo led Catherine to a hideout they had discovered earlier. After Carlo and Francis had escaped, the place had been thoroughly cleaned out, leaving no traces. Their team had arrived promptly, yet the other party acted faster.

Catherine inspected the site and found it impeccably clean, just like last time. The other party’s efficiency indicated a professional and experienced team in this kind of operation.

Carlo checked himself, but he looked disappointed. His findings were as fruitless as their team’s. There was no progress. “Miss Swann, why do you think these people fear us finding clues? If they’re powerful, why not confront us directly instead of hiding?” Carlo voiced his perplexity.

In normal circumstances, if the other party had substantial power, it wouldn’t make sense for them to swiftly abandon such a valuable hideout and flee in panic.

“You’ve hit the mark!” Catherine focused on Carlo. “Perhaps they’re hiding a secret they don’t want us to uncover, which is why they avoid facing us directly. Wait here. I’ll check upstairs,” Catherine said and turned to head upstairs.

The second floor consisted of a few empty rooms. Nobody knew their previous use, but Catherine sensed there was more to these seemingly ordinary rooms. As she ventured in amidst the strong smell of disinfectant, she caught a whiff of the pungent smell of blood.

Catherine trailed her fingers along the walls and moved from room to room. When she reached the last one, she halted. In a corner, she noticed a discreetly carved, peculiar symbol. Though it was small and seemingly ordinary, Catherine smiled slightly. After swiftly turning, she gestured for Carlo to follow and left.

The sudden departure left Carlo momentarily bewildered. He trailed behind Catherine with confusion and hurried to catch up. “Miss Swann, are we just leaving like this?”

Catherine turned to glance at him. “No leads, right?” Since staying wouldn’t serve any purpose, they didn’t need to linger. It was better to leave and get some rest than to remain in a futile situation.

Carlo nodded and found Catherine’s words sensible. Then he left the scene with her.

“Miss Swann, where to?” Carlo sat in the driver’s seat and glanced through the rearview mirror to ask Catherine behind him.

“To the school,” Catherine replied. Then she leaned back in the rear seat and closed her eyes.

Seeing her resting, Carlo drove cautiously. He adjusted the rear seat’s air conditioning per Branden’s instructions for Catherine’s comfort. Paxton had emphasized that Catherine was Branden’s favorite and no one should upset her. Carlo was extra careful. He drove at a significantly reduced speed, delaying their arrival at the school.

After parking the car, Carlo hesitated to wake Catherine in the back seat. The next moment, Catherine opened her eyes. Carlo immediately got out of the car and headed toward the back door, but before he could say anything, Catherine pushed the door open and got out of the car herself.

“I’m going back to school. You can leave now,” Catherine said before striding away. Carlo only breathed a sigh of relief once she was out of sight.

It wasn’t that Catherine was difficult to deal with. Though Catherine was reserved and carried an imposing aura, she hardly made any demands and wasn’t unreasonably harsh.

Standing beside Catherine, Carlo always felt an indescribable pressure, which urged him to be extremely cautious and made him afraid of offending her.

He had experienced a similar feeling when he first worked under Branden. Over time, the weight of that pressure had diminished, but it surged instantly if Branden was displeased.

Now, Carlo began to understand why Branden, who he thought would remain single forever, had chosen Catherine. Perhaps it was their similar auras. They were the same kind of person, which brought them together.

Chapter 797 More Rumors

Catherine had just entered the dormitory when her phone started to ring. She slid the button on the screen, and Branden’s handsome face appeared.

“Have you arrived at the dormitory?” Branden’s voice came through the earpiece. She wasn’t surprised at all by his precise control over her whereabouts. Carlo must have informed him of her return to school. Judging by her pace, this time was enough for her to reach the laboratory or the dormitory building. His control over time had always been accurate. That was why she had just stepped into the dormitory when he called her.

“I’ve just arrived,” she replied.

“I’m almost done with things on my end. I should be able to return to Loxton the day after tomorrow,” Branden said, his eyes fixed on Catherine’s face through the screen, his words carrying a hint of probing.

Catherine knew exactly what was on his mind. Leaning to one side, she looked at him with a smile in her eyes. So, are you applying to return to Loxton?” she asked.

At her words, Branden immediately dropped his smile and saluted Catherine with his phone held up. Chief, permission to go to Loxton,” he said.

Catherine was taken aback for a moment. Branden’s reaction exceeded her expectations; he was becoming more and more unpredictable.

“Alright, if you’ve got everything sorted, then come back,” she finally agreed.

Branden breathed a sigh of relief. With his pace already quickened, he just needed a little more time to wrap up things in Casier.

“Alright, I’ll hang up. I want to rest in the dorm for a while and then go to the lab,” Catherine said.

Branden was reluctant to chat further upon hearing that she needed rest. ” Take good rest. Contact me if you need anything,” he added before she hung up.

Then, Catherine returned to the dormitory.

Amelia approached Catherine as Catherine entered. “I heard your voice just now. Why did it take you so long to come in?”

“I received a call!” Catherine replied, sitting in a chair to rest.

Amelia leaned in closer. “By the way, I have a question. What’s your relationship with that handsome guy?” she asked.

Catherine frowned slightly. Amelia wasn’t one to gossip for no reason, so her continuous questioning was unusual.

Noticing Catherine’s expression, Amelia explained, “Don’t blame me for being curious. That handsome guy has been around these days. He’ll be downstairs waiting for you if you’re not in the lab, rain or shine. You know how handsome he looks, right? The girls at school have been going crazy over him lately.”

Pausing, Amelia looked at Catherine’s face, which seemed okay, before she continued, “You took him to the cafeteria the other day, and someone recognized you. Now rumors are spreading about you and that handsome guy, and they’re not very flattering.”

Amelia had an embarrassed expression as she looked at Catherine. She didn’t want to gossip, but she didn’t want Catherine to get slandered, either. She knew Catherine’s personality well. Catherine was not only cool in temperament but also indifferent to most things. For minor matters like this, Catherine wouldn’t bother to explain, letting those people talk behind her back.

Amelia wanted to explain, but she wasn’t sure about Catherine’s relationship with the handsome guy, so she hesitated. That was why she wanted to clarify with Catherine to make those people shut up.

Hearing Amelia’s words, Catherine roughly understood the situation. She replied calmly, “It’s okay. We’re just friends.” If it weren’t for Amelia’s sake, she wouldn’t have even bothered to say that much. She didn’t care what people said about her. If they had the guts, they could talk face-to-face with her.

Seeing Catherine’s indifferent attitude, Amelia had a general idea. It seemed that the handsome guy wouldn’t catch Catherine’s attention. That made sense. With a boyfriend like Branden, Catherine wouldn’t be interested in anyone else.

“Okay, I won’t disturb you. If they gossip again, I’ll help you shut them down,” Amelia said.

Catherine didn’t respond, agreeing to Amelia’s words.

After resting in the dorm for a while, Catherine went to the laboratory. Along the way, many people stopped and whispered as they saw her. She noticed but didn’t care. If it weren’t for Amelia’s reminder, she might have been curious about what was going on. But now that Catherine knew why these people were paying attention to her, she had lost interest.

Catherine made her way to the laboratory under people’s curious gazes fixed on her. In the distance, she spotted a familiar figure. Initially, she had intended to continue forward, but Amelia’s words echoed in her mind. Catherine didn’t want to cause trouble for those around her, so she turned and took a detour through a side path, preparing to enter the laboratory through the back entrance.

As Catherine reached the back entrance, she encountered Marshall, who was humming a tune. Since winning the competition, Marshall’s status and influence at the school had been growing. However, he paid little attention to that. He was pleased with his increased authority and autonomy in his experiments.

Seeing Catherine entering through the back entrance, Marshall looked at her with a sly smile. “Why did you end up sneaking in through the back entrance, girl? Are you feeling guilty or something?” he wondered.

Marshall’s dormitory was not far from the laboratory’s back entrance, and he preferred to enter through there. The back entrance was strictly guarded, requiring registration for entry. Aside from Marshall’s occasional use, it was less frequented by others.

Catherine glanced at Marshall with a look of disdain. “Why do you use the back entrance every day, Professor Hartley? Guilty conscience, huh?”

“Hey, watch your mouth, girl!” Marshall chuckled at her remark. The two exchanged a smile and entered the laboratory together. As they passed through the lobby, Marshall caught sight of a familiar figure at the entrance. He looked at Catherine and teased, “So, you are avoiding the handsome guy, huh? Being good- looking can be troublesome. There’s a crowd chasing after you every day.”

Seeing Catherine ignore him, Marshall approached her and persisted, “I’ve seen that guy. He’s good-looking, not any worse than Branden. Why don’t you give it a try…”

Catherine halted, her cold gaze landing on Marshall. Then, she smiled faintly, which made Marshall inexplicably uneasy, and he was about to speak up when Catherine, in a cold tone, said, ” Branden is coming back tomorrow. Why don’t you talk to him for me and make him give up?”

“Hey, you…” Marshall was taken aback by her words. He stood there, dumbfounded, as Catherine left gracefully.

Marshall was left fuming, thinking, “If I talk to Branden about this, he’ll kill me! You ungrateful little girl!”

Chapter 798 Making a Deal

Rylan waited long, but Catherine didn’t show up. One of his men informed him that she had returned to the school. Based on Catherine’s personality, she was unlikely to be in the laboratory.

“Could she still be in the dormitory?” Rylan wondered, not wanting to wait. He decided to go and check the situation in the dormitory. Before he could leave, his phone buzzed. He took out his phone, stepped aside, and answered the call. “Speak,” he said, his tone devoid of any emotion.

The person on the other end said something to Rylan, and his eyes instantly darkened, his previously gentle demeanor totally gone. “Wait for me. I’ll be there soon,” he said before hanging up.

The sparsely decorated room contained only a bed and a chair. Ronin sat in the chair, enjoying a delicious meal specially prepared for him. Ever since he shared the special means of contact with Catherine, his life here had been much better. What Catherine said was indeed true-one should learn to look after oneself. Although he had lost his freedom, he lived quite comfortably here.

Ronin wasn’t originally supposed to stay here. He had been transferred to this place the day before. With his keen intuition, he was certain that something had happened.

As Ronin heard footsteps approaching, a cold glint flashed in his eyes. Then, he continued to eat his food, looking completely at ease.

When the man in the mask entered the room and saw what Ronin was doing, he suppressed his anger, walked towards Ronin, and looked at the food on the table. “I’ve fulfilled what I owe you. Now it’s time for you to pay something back to me,” the man in the mask said. “Or perhaps you want to return to your previous life. But I assure you, it will only be more painful.” His voice was menacing, each word a threat.

Ronin’s expression remained relaxed, as if he didn’t take the threats seriously. He lifted his head and pointed his chin at the man in the mask. “Stop with the tough talk. I’m not easily scared. If you’ve got the guts, just kill me,” he said, causing the man in the mask to feel somewhat at a loss.

He currently had no way to kill Ronin, and there were orders from his immediate superior-under no circumstances could Ronin be killed unless absolutely necessary.

“Ronin Oconnor, just because I spared your life doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. I can make your life a living hell. Do you believe me?

“Humph!” Ronin sneered. “I surely believe you. But you don’t have to keep threatening me. Just tell me what you want, and I’ll do my best. I will keep my promise. And you, state your purpose. You keep beating around the bush like an old woman. How do you even get anything done?”

The man in the mask hadn’t expected Ronin to scold him. It irritated him to no end, but he had no way to deal with Ronin. Their original plan was for Ronin to come begging for them to let him go. But Ronin seemed unconcerned about his freedom, willingly cooperating with them, which seemed very strange. “Do you know what experiments Catherine Swann is conducting?” he finally asked.

Ronin looked up at the man in the mask with disdain. “I’m just a cybercafe manager who barely finished a few years of schooling. I know a bit about computers, but that doesn’t mean I understand such complex experiments!

Ronin had once worked as a cybercafe manager just to use the computers. He always addressed himself as a cybercafe manager. However, his story might deceive the ignorant but not the man in the mask. He was well aware of Ronin’s abilities, knowing that Ronin’s computer skills were second only to Catherine’s.

“Ronin, you don’t need to beat around the bush with us. We know your capabilities better than you do. Our condition is simple. We want the results of Catherine’s experiments. If you can make it happen, we’ll meet any of your demands,” the man said.

His words piqued Ronin’s interest. He looked eagerly at the man in the mask and laughed out loud. “Hah, I want you dead. How about that?”

The man in the mask froze, his eyes blazing with anger.

Ronin noticed his expression. He knew how furious the man was. “You said you’ll meet any of my demands, didn’t you? Well, don’t make empty promises, “Ronin said disdainfully.

The eyes of the man in the mask darkened. Just as Ronin thought the man was about to lose his temper, the man said coldly, “Fine, I promise you!”

Ronin was shocked, looking at him with a look of disbelief on his face.

The man in the mask thought that Ronin didn’t believe him and emphasized once again, “As long as you can get the experimental results, you can take my life at any time!”

Realizing the man wasn’t joking, Ronin couldn’t help but applaud. “Wow, you’re really a tough guy! Can’t believe you’ll agree to such conditions. Well, I admire you! But then again, I was just kidding earlier. Even if you give me your life, I don’t want it.”

“You…” Upon hearing Ronin’s words, the man in the mask couldn’t control himself any longer.

Just as the man was about to lose his temper, Ronin quickly patted his shoulder, signaling for him to calm down. “Don’t get so worked up. Can you just listen to my explanation?”

Under Ronin’s soothing words, the man in the mask’s emotions calmed down a bit.

Ronin looked at him helplessly and said, “Since you know enough about us, then you should know Catherine hasn’t yet completed her experiment. In that case, how can I get the results for you? Even if you gave me a second life, I still couldn’t give you the experimental results.”

The man in the mask remained silent, gesturing for Ronin to continue speaking.

“You only want the experimental results, right?” Ronin asked.

Faced with Ronin’s question, the man in the mask silently nodded.

Ronin then proposed a relatively feasible suggestion to him. “If the experiment could easily succeed, the whole world wouldn’t be focusing on Catherine. I can’t guarantee that I can get the experimental results for you, but I can promise that I will do everything I can to get the experimental data. Is that okay?”

Before the man in the mask could respond, Ronin issued a warning. “This is my biggest concession. Don’t push your luck, okay?”

Hearing this, the man in the mask voiced his doubts. “Then tell me, the laboratory is heavily guarded. And Catherine’s data is top-secret. How will you get it?” They had considered breaking into the laboratory to steal the data, but it was simply impossible on a technical level.

Ronin looked arrogantly at the man. Don’t forget what my specialty is.

Besides, Catherine can’t guard against me. I know her too well. I’ll agree to your condition if you’re willing to set me free. This is the only condition I’ll accept. Nothing else.” Ronin’s attitude was firm, not at all like someone being coerced. It was more like they were the ones seeking Ronin’s help.

The man in the mask knew that they couldn’t currently negotiate a new outcome and could only proceed according to Ronin’s demand for the time being.

Chapter 799 Happy Forever

When Catherine emerged from the laboratory building, the sky outside had already turned dark. If it weren’t for Marshall urging her to leave, she would have planned to finish her work from the previous night.

Glancing at the time on her phone, Catherine realized it was already past dinner time, and the curfew was approaching. Considering Isabella usually went to bed early, she decided to leave the campus to grab something to eat before returning to her apartment. If she had time, she planned to make a trip to see Connie.

With Withal and Zobber likely recovered by now, Catherine could have them do some work to keep them from getting bored.

Just as Catherine stepped out of the gate, she spotted the familiar black Bentley. It had been a while since she had seen it, and she felt a twinge of longing. She walked straight toward the car.

Paxton had been keeping an eye on the gate. When he noticed Catherine’s appearance, he promptly informed the person in the back seat. “Boss, Miss Swann is here.”

The words “Miss Swann” caused Branden, who had been dozing, to immediately open his bloodshot eyes, which tugged at Paxton’s heart. In order to return to see Catherine as soon as possible, Branden hadn’t slept for three days. Initially, they had planned to return tomorrow, but after finishing his business, Branden immediately took a special plane back to Loxton. Branden didn’t disturb her after arriving at the school and learning that Catherine was still in the laboratory. Instead, he chose to wait for her in the car.

When Branden saw Catherine, his tired eyes immediately lit up with joy. He concealed his fatigue, showing no signs of weariness. He straightened his clothes, opened the car door, and got out. Just as he steadied himself, Catherine approached him.

Catherine stood with her arms crossed, staring at Branden with an indiscernible look in her eyes. ”

Shouldn’t you be back the day after tomorrow? How come you’re here today?”

Upon hearing Catherine’s question, Branden curled lips into a tender and indulgent smile. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her towards himself. Then, he said, “I’m just like a Superman when I work. What takes an ordinary person three days to finish, I can handle it in a few hours.”

Branden’s words made sense. But his workload probably exceeded more than just three days for an ordinary person.

After helping Catherine into the car, Branden followed suit, staying close to her as if unwilling to be apart for even a moment.

“Are we heading back to the apartment? “Catherine asked.

“Not yet. Let’s grab something to eat before going back,” he replied.

Catherine knew that if they went back to the apartment now, Branden would definitely personally cook for her, regardless of whether she had eaten dinner or not. Although he concealed it very well, she could still see the weariness in his eyes.

When Catherine suggested going out to eat, Branden immediately agreed, saying, “Sure.”

Paxton started the car, and the black Bentley slowly moved through the night. It was getting late, and Catherine didn’t want to eat too much for dinner, so she chose a small restaurant.

The food there, cooked in a traditional way, had a fragrant aroma. It seemed light, but the flavor was rich. Since Catherine hadn’t had dinner and the food was delicious, she ate a lot.

Seeing her enjoyment, Branden proactively suggested, “Maybe we should come here again.”

“Yeah.” Catherine nodded, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “I’m full now. Let’s head back.”

“Okay.” Branden stood up, paid the bill, and then led Catherine out.

After getting into the car, Catherine instructed Paxton to recline the back seat a bit. “I want to take a nap,” she said, then snuggled up to Branden, resting her head on his chest.

The familiar scent acted as a sedative, calming Branden’s previously restless and unsettled mind. Several days of continuous work had pushed him to the brink. Catherine’s embrace gradually relaxed his tense body, and he couldn’t resist falling asleep.

Unlike Branden, Catherine had been sleeping well these past few days. She hadn’t planned to rest. She was doing this for Branden’s sake. Sensing that he had fallen asleep, she gently adjusted her position to make him more comfortable. “Has he been very tired recently?” she suddenly asked.

The sudden, icy voice startled Paxton, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, instantly bringing him to full alertness. He hesitated momentarily before answering in a low voice, “Miss Swann, the matter in Casier isn’t really a big problem for Boss. It just requires some time.”

Having worked for Branden for so many years, Paxton had weathered many storms with him. The matter in Casier wasn’t really a thorny issue. ”

Miss Swann, Boss missed you too much. He wanted to return as soon as possible, so he’s always been rushing. And it makes him a bit exhausted,” Paxton confessed in a subdued voice.

“For how many days?” Catherine asked, her eyes revealing that she could tell something was being concealed.

“Three days!” Paxton replied.

After getting the answer, Catherine couldn’t help but tilted her head to look at Branden. He would have tried to endure longer if she hadn’t insisted on resting. Her heart softened as she held his hand, allowing his head to rest comfortably on her shoulder.

Branden wasn’t sure how long he had been asleep when he gradually opened his eyes in a daze. Sensing someone beside him, he instinctively turned his head to look. Upon seeing the familiar face, he revealed a relaxed expression. ” How long have I been asleep? Why didn’t you wake me?” he asked.

Catherine shook the large brick-like mobile phone in her hand, which she had transformed into a mini- computer. “I was working, and since you were asleep, I didn’t want to disturb you. Now that I’m done working, and you’re awake, let’s go home!” she said.

They both knew it was a white lie.

After a brief nap, Branden felt refreshed and filled with energy. ” Alright, let’s go home!”

Paxton, who had been waiting outside the car, emerged from the shadows as soon as he heard their conversation. ” Boss, you’re awake!” he exclaimed.

Branden, unusually amiable, nodded at Paxton and said in a more approachable tone, “You’ve been tired these days. Rest for a couple of days. I’ll call you if I need anything.”

Having worked for Branden for so many years, Paxton had never been treated like this before and felt a surge of emotion. “Thank you, Boss!” Although Branden had always been kind to him, Branden’s naturally cold demeanor meant that he would protect them at all costs but wouldn’t show it. This was the first time Paxton had experienced this kind of treatment, and it was impossible not to be moved by it.

Watching Branden and Catherine leave hand in hand, Paxton only hoped they would be happy forever.

Chapter 800 Rylan’s Visit

Rylan had been unable to find Catherine for two consecutive days. Finally, after investigating with her roommate, Amelia, he learned that Catherine hadn’t returned to the dorm or the lab during these two days.

With no other choice, Rylan decided to visit Catherine’s apartment.

“Ding-dong!” When the doorbell rang, Catherine was still lounging on the sofa, eating fruit, and watching a variety show.

Thinking it might be her food delivery, she was about to put down the fruit bowl to answer the door.

Branden, however, was one step ahead. He had already set aside his laptop, stood up proactively, and confidently declared, “Wait here. I’ll get it for you.”

With someone taking care of it, Catherine didn’t need to exert any effort. She continued watching the variety show, her gaze fixed on the amusing scenes.

As the door opened, both men were momentarily stunned. Branden stared at the cold-eyed man outside, assessing him from head to toe.

“You’ve got some nerve. I haven’t even come to settle the score with you, and here you are, boldly showing up at my doorstep. Seems like you’re not afraid of trouble, huh?” said Branden inwardly.

Seeing Branden, Rylan was also taken aback. He finally understood the reason behind Catherine’s two-day disappearance.

So, she was hiding out in the apartment with this man. The thought fueled a nameless anger within Rylan. His eyes involuntarily narrowed as he emanated a chilling aura.

His imposing presence clashed with Branden’s equally strong aura. Branden showed no signs of weakness. After all, this was his territory.

Seeing Branden take quite some time to fetch the takeout and not return, Catherine paused the variety show and went to check.

As she reached the doorway, she witnessed two tall men facing off, glaring at each other with an air of mutual displeasure.

Catherine thought that if she had arrived a bit later, these two men might have ended up in a physical confrontation at the doorstep.

Standing beside Branden, she furrowed her brows, her gaze fixed on Rylan. ” Why are you here?”

Rylan’s initially furious eyes instantly softened at the sight of Catherine. ”

Catherine, I tried calling you, but you didn’t answer. I went to the school and found out you hadn’t been back to the dorm for two days. I was worried something happened, so I came to check on you.”

Before Catherine could respond, Branden, at her side, interjected, ” Thanks for your concern for my fiancée, but she’s fine. I just returned from a business trip, and Kathy wanted to spend time with me, so she paused her work and stayed at the apartment.”

While speaking, Branden reached out and tightly embraced Catherine, holding her close to his side.

Catherine, glancing downward at the hand wrapped around her waist, couldn’t help but mutter to herself, ” What a jealous man.”

Although she found Branden’s behavior a bit exaggerated, she didn’t stop him.

Seeing the intimate gestures between the two and Branden’s deliberate display of affection, Rylan, consumed by jealousy, felt like he was going mad.

He knew Branden was intentionally provoking him, but he couldn’t control his emotions. “Catherine, I need to talk to you about something. Can you come downstairs with me?”

Rylan’s words immediately darkened Branden’s face. “This man is truly difficult to deal with, shameless to the core!” cursed Branden inwardly.

Branden quickly took action as he sensed Catherine’s changing mood. He found an excuse. “Kathy, I’m exhausted. I haven’t rested much in the past few days. I’m feeling a bit lightheaded from fatigue right now. How about you accompany me to rest?”

With a pitiful look, Branden gazed at Catherine, pleading, “Without you by my side, I can’t fall asleep.”

His expression had no trace of a domineering president but an immature boy who couldn’t get enough attention.

Witnessing Branden’s performance, Rylan wished he could charge forward and punch him to wake him up. Branden’s shamelessness was beyond his expectations.

Catherine knew Branden was pretending, and she couldn’t help but admire his lack of concern for saving face.

She turned to glance at Rylan, her expression calm and her voice icy. “I’m going to rest with my boyfriend. If you have anything, send me a message. If a meeting is necessary, I’ll contact you then.”

Then, Branden immediately embraced Catherine and stepped back, looking triumphant as he glanced at Rylan and waved casually. “Sorry, Mr. Melton.

We’re going to take a break now. We’ll invite you over next time.”

After that, Branden’s face turned cold, and he mercilessly closed the door. A smug smile escaped Branden’s lips when he remembered the grim expression on Rylan’s face.

Catherine glanced sideways and caught the lingering smile at the corner of Branden’s mouth. Unable to resist, she teased, “Feeling quite pleased with yourself, aren’t you?”

“Of course,” he replied, his satisfaction evident. He embraced Catherine and sat down. “What TV show is so interesting? I want to watch it, too.”

Catherine knew he was just making an excuse, but she didn’t stop him. She allowed him to hold her as they squeezed onto a single-seat sofa together.

Outside the closed door, Rylan gazed at it, his typically composed face turning a grim shade, his eyes instantly darkening.

In his entire life, he had never suffered such humiliation. “Branden dared to treat me like this; then he shouldn’t blame me for being ruthless,” he said inwardly. He wanted to see how powerful the rumored head of the Duncans truly was.

Watching the running characters on TV, Branden couldn’t understand why Catherine liked this show. Even though it was boring, having Catherine by his side somehow made it more interesting.

The doorbell rang again, just a few minutes after the last time.

Branden’s expression immediately turned serious. He comforted Catherine, asking her to sit down, and then stood up to open the door.

He had already made up his mind. If he saw Rylan standing outside again, he wouldn’t be polite. He hoped that the bothersome Rylan was prepared for a beating.

“Hello, sir, here’s your delivery.” The delivery guy tremblingly handed over the food. The moment the door opened earlier, he was almost scared unconscious by Branden’s gaze.

It was the first time he had encountered a man with such a powerful aura, and those intense eyes were truly intimidating.

Seeing it wasn’t Rylan outside, Branden relaxed his expression a bit. He took the food, closed the door, and turned back into the room.

Bringing over a small coffee table, he placed the delivery on it. He was a cleanliness freak, but to him, everything seemed insignificant compared with Catherine.

He took the food out of the box and arranged it in front of Catherine. “Have a try.”

Looking at the uniquely presented food, Catherine had her appetite piqued. Holding a fork, she ate quite a bit.

Branden wasn’t interested in the food, but seeing Catherine enjoy it, he took a few bites as well.

After finishing his food in his mouth, Branden looked at Catherine and asked, “Are you planning to go to school later?

Catherine shook her head. “I’m going to Connie’s place to see Zobber and Withal.”

“I’ll go with you!” Branden almost blurted out.

Seeing his eagerness, Catherine agreed. “Sure, let’s go together.”