Ch. 931..940

Chapter 931 The Full Breakfast

Catherine woke up and was shocked by the breakfast on the table. There were various desserts, oatmeal, and even Itascan ham on the table.

“What a full breakfast. Are you preparing all the food at home and abroad?” Catherine looked up, her eyes full of surprise at Branden who was still busy at one side.

Branden elegantly drew a tissue and wiped his hands clean before coming up to embrace Catherine. “If that’s the case, I would have to make at least 108 dishes. This is not even worthy of being called a full breakfast. It’s just a bit more varied, so you can choose from a variety of options. Didn’t you say you have a stomach problem? Breakfast is the most important of the three meals. Since you don’t have a good stomach, our first step is to improve your breakfast.”

Seeing Catherine frown, Branden guessed what she was going to say and immediately gave an explanation. ” Don’t worry. We’re not going to waste the food. Just pick your favorite food and I’ll finish the rest later with Cory and the others.”

Catherine smiled a little helplessly. You’ve arranged it so well. I could only do as you say.”

“Branden is so crazy. I just said that I have a stomach problem and he ended up doing all these over breakfast. If something does go wrong with me, he might destroy the world,” Catherine sighed inwardly.

She then turned and said, “I’m going to get a glass of water.”

Branden, however, preceded her by picking up a glass of water and handing it over. “I prepared the water. It’s warm water at 130 degrees, your favorite temperature.”

Catherine liked to drink water with a slight heat, which could help her drink more.

She didn’t realize Branden even noticed that. He really did have the details down so well.

She reached for the glass of water. It was indeed a temperature she would enjoy, and she drank the entire glass in one gulp. “There are enough dishes. Let’s eat together. Eating alone is boring.”

Catherine’s suggestion made Branden, who was still about to cook one more dish, stop and sit down with her.

As he ate his breakfast, he observed Catherine’s diet.

Catherine barely touched greasy foods and she had no hesitation in choosing milk between fruit juice and milk.

Branden memorized all these details silently.

When Catherine put down her cup of milk and yawned, Branden said immediately, “You can sleep a little longer if you haven’t gotten enough.”

His tone was so urgent that Catherine was a bit surprised.

Branden sensed Catherine’s surprise. However, he still had a look of distress on his face and reached out to touch Catherine’s face gently. “Look at the shadow under your eyes. The situation in the lab is not urgent at the moment. You can sleep a little longer if you’re sleepy.”

“Do I have a shadow under my eyes?” Catherine asked mentally. She got up hurriedly and walked over to the mirror for a closer look. Although she did have a shadow under her eyes, it wasn’t noticeable. She didn’t think it was as exaggerated as Branden had made it out to be. “It’s not noticeable. Don’t exaggerate it.”

The gentle smile in Branden’s clear eyes grew stronger and his face was filled with doting. “Okay, I was exaggerating. It’s not noticeable. So, are you going to rest for a while?”

“No, I’m full. I’m going to school.” Catherine slept well last night. She had fallen asleep on the way back to the apartment, and by this point, she had gotten plenty of sleep. She wasn’t sleepy at all.

Her yawning just now was nothing more than a habitual behavior.

Seeing her insistence, Branden personally sent her to the school. Before getting out of the car, he didn’t forget to remind Catherine, “I’ll have someone bring you lunch later. You must remember to eat it.”

Catherine nodded in agreement.

She was pretty sure Branden would move the kitchen downstairs in her lab if she refused.

Branden only got into the car after watching Catherine enter the school.

Cory sat in the passenger seat. Through the rearview mirror, he quietly gauged Branden’s expression behind him.

Seeing that Branden was full of joy today, and there was even a faint smile on his lips, Cory thought of Paxton’s bitter plea. He then spoke up for Paxton bravely and slowly. “Mr. Duncan, I have a shortage of manpower here… Could you please…”

Cory and the others had been following Branden since they were young. How could Branden not understand what they were thinking?

He was in a good mood today, so he didn’t plan to punish Paxton anymore. “Notify Paxton to come back.”

Hearing this, Cory was so overjoyed and almost bowed to Branden. “Thank you, Mr. Duncan. I’ll inform Paxton to come back later.”

Finn found Ronin with injuries all over his body. “I’m done what you asked me to do.”

The smell of blood was strong everywhere in the small room. Finn was badly injured. Ronin stood up with a smile and gave him heavy pats on the shoulder, ” Awesome.”

Finn endured the pain. Looking at his twisted face, Ronin’s eyes were filled with a smug smile.

“Finally, you end up like this,” he thought happily in his heart.

Finn knew that Ronin was purposely trying to get back at him, but he couldn’t let Ronin look down on him. He kept bracing himself and didn’t say anything.

The more he endured the pain, the more Ronin tried to make him feel the pain. Ronin increased the force of his hand to pat Finn’s shoulder. After a while, he let go. “Come on. It’s boring. Your mission is over. Leave the rest to me and I’ll make sure you and the boss are satisfied.”

Finn looked at him fiercely, his cold tone full of warning. “You’d better keep your word, or else, don’t blame me for being rude to you.”

Ronin took the key from Finn. With an evil smile, he stepped onto the motorcycle and left.

Looking at his distant back, Finn’s eyes were filled with hatred. He took out his cell phone and dialed his boss’s number. “Sir, it’s been arranged as you ordered. Ronin should be heading to the secret room now. Zobber is being held there.”

After a few words from his boss, he replied, “Yes, sir. Don’t worry. I’ll make the arrangements.”

Chapter 932 Saving Zobber

In order to catch Zobber, Finn not only lost many of his brothers, but he also got himself seriously injured. If Ronin couldn’t pull it off this time, he would really kill Ronin.

Ronin rushed out of the secret room after getting the key.

There were obstacles set up at the entrance by Finn, all of which were arranged by Finn in advance to make Ronin look injured. Ronin’s serious and exaggerated injuries were actually just superficial injuries.

Ronin kicked open the closed door with a cool kick, and inside the room, Zobber, who was tied to an iron frame struggling, slowly raised her head.

When she saw Ronin appear, a glimmer of hope immediately appeared in her eyes. “Ronin, why is it you?”

Ronin covered his bleeding chest and gave her a glare pretending to be angry. “Withal is so injured that he can’t even stand up, and Catherine devotes herself wholeheartedly to the lab. If I didn’t come, who else would come to save you?”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that to you before.” Zobber apologized sincerely, her eyes full of sincerity.

“Alright, time is running out. Cut the crap. I’ll get you out. Cooperate with me.” Ronin knocked the shackles off Zobber’s hands with his weapon and carried Zobber on his back step by step out of the room.

Finn and the black-robed man were sitting in the surveillance room together. They saw all the scenes clearly, not even missing the emotional changes in Zobber’s eyes.

Seeing that the two were about to leave, Finn took the initiative to inquire, “Sir, should we arrange for someone to block them?”

Black Robe nodded. “Take action.”

Finn immediately ordered and had the people under his hand start moving.

Ronin had just walked out of the secret room with Zobber on his back when he noticed rapid footsteps coming from around.

The well-trained two immediately realized there was something wrong and instantly went into a state of alert. Their expressions were unusually serious.

When they saw the visitors, Zobber’s eyes turned cold. “These people really look up to me. To deal with me alone, they actually deployed so many people, “thought Zobber.

“Ronin, run. I’ll stay and deal with them, or neither of us will be able to escape.” Zobber made the desicion.

Their target was her. Ronin came there to save her, so she naturally couldn’t let anything happen to Ronin.

If she put up a fight, she might be able to make Ronin escape.

Ronin sneered. “We’ve known each other for so many years, and I have never left you behind. I didn’t do it before, nor will I do it now. It’s not a big deal. At worst, we’ll just die together. Don’t worry. I’m fine with that.”

Seeing that he was still in the mood to joke, Zobber was infected. She smiled, looking beautiful and valiant. “Alright, let’s fight together.”

Under their injured situation, facing twenty to thirty thugs really made them exhausted.

In less than half an hour, the two were defeated. The injuries on their bodies made them powerless and they could not hold on any longer.

“Beep, beep…”

Just as the two of them were about to surrender to keep their lives in humiliation, a sudden horn sound came and a green off-road vehicle rushed out.

The car door had long been opened in advance. The car headed straight toward them without any intention of braking.

The thugs around instinctively dispersed. Zobber and Ronin did not dodge after seeing the person in the driver’s seat clearly.

In the nick of time, the two jumped into the carriage with all their might.

Withal in the driver’s seat yelled, ” Hang on.” He then stepped on the gas pedal all the way.

As Ronin watched the figures chasing them behind grow further and further away, he collapsed weakly onto his seat and shouted with his last breath of strength, “You came just in time.”

“Exactly.” Zobber agreed with a grin. They had to give Withal credit today.

“Withal, did Catherine arrange for you to come?” As Zobber asked that, the atmosphere in the car suddenly changed. Both Withal and Ronin looked gloomy.

Noticing that something was wrong, Zobber looked at the two in confusion. ” What’s wrong? Did I ask something I shouldn’t have?”

Chapter 933 You Look Handsome

“What?” Zobber’s eyes widened in disbelief, and her voice unconsciously became louder. Seeing Withal and Ronin nod in unison, Zobber felt disappointed instantly.

“Isn’t Catherine going too far? For her research, for her experiments, she completely disregards our safety? I almost died.” Zobber’s tone contained an indescribable anger.

Ronin said, “You know why I betrayed Catherine now? I followed Catherine for so many years. I didn’t want to do it. But when I was imprisoned and constantly tortured, I was desperate. No one came to save me, and I had no choice but to be killed. Obviously, Catherine had the power to save me, but she didn’t come, did she?”

Ronin’s voice grew sadder and sadder, and the expression on his face grew more and more desperate.

Zobber reached out and patted Ronin on the shoulder. “I’m sorry. I misunderstood you before. I only understand the despair now.”

Seeing that it was almost time, Ronin got straight to the point. “Zobber, join with us.”

Zobber looked down. She didn’t say anything, in a state of confusion.

“Think about it.” Ronin didn’t push it too hard. They were all injured and needed to rest. “Just think about it. I’ll take a nap. My back hurts.”

Catherine received a mysterious text message just after she got out of the lab.

“What are you looking at? You look so happy.” The familiar voice caught Catherine’s attention. As she looked up, she saw Thomas walking toward her with a smile.

“Thomas, did you come to see me?”

“Sort of.” Thomas nodded slightly. “I happened to have a conversation with a few professors from your school. I was thinking of coming by to see you, but I happened to bump into you.”

Catherine suggested, “Okay, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

“Okay, call Branden too. We’ll go to the courtyard we went to last time to have the meal with Aaron.”

Hearing his words, Catherine immediately took out her cell phone. ” Okay, I’ll ask Branden to make a reservation.”

Aaron’s courtyard required a reservation. She had to get Branden to make the reservation so they could have dinner there in the evening.

Hearing that she was going to ask Branden to make a reservation, Thomas immediately stopped her. “No need to make the reservation. I talked to Aaron. He asked me to just go over directly.”

Catherine immediately understood and joked with a smile, “That’s great. We’ll just go with you.”

Thomas patted her on the shoulder and waved his hand smartly. “Let’s go.”

Once Catherine informed Branden, Branden arranged for a car to take them to Aaron’s yard, and he left directly from the office so that there would be no delay.

Catherine and Thomas arrived at the yard first. The servant came to meet them directly at the door this time, and he was quite a bit more cordial than last time. “Mr. Theo, Mr. Melton is waiting for you in the yard. He said it’s still early for dinner, so he asked you to go play chess with him.”

Aaron also enjoyed playing chess, just like Thomas. The two elderly people immediately became friends and even started to cherish each other.

Thomas said to Catherine, “Let’s go play chess.”

Catherine had nothing to do, so she agreed. “Okay.”

Thomas left a prescription before he left last time, and Aaron’s hand got better after using the medicine in the prescription. And to thank Thomas, Aaron arranged this meal.

Seeing them appear, Aaron, who was playing chess alone immediately stood up. “Mr. Theo, come on. I want to play chess. You come at the right time. Let’s play first.”

Thomas didn’t refuse. After taking his seat, they began to play chess.

At the end of the game, Thomas stood up slowly and said with a smile, “I’ll go to the restroom. We go on later.”

“Go ahead.” Aaron gathered his chess pieces and sized up Catherine.

Catherine knew he was sizing her up. She said generously, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Aaron bursts out laughing. “Miss Swann, you’re pretty smart. I don’t know why I always feel a sense of familiarity with you. Have I seen you before but forgotten because I’m old and forgetful? If that’s really the case, I’m sorry.”

Catherine smiled faintly and said in a low voice, “I’m sure we haven’t met before.”

“Oh, really?” Aaron nodded with a smirk, but from his eyes, Catherine could tell he had something he didn’t say.

Catherine followed his lead. “Or have you seen me somewhere without my knowledge?”

Aaron pretended to ponder for a moment. “I remember now. I seem to have seen your photos before. I have a grandson named Rylan. Do you know him?”

“Yes.” Catherine didn’t hide the truth.

She knew that it should be because she had people checking on Aaron and Rylan during this period, and was known by Aaron. Aaron was testing her.

Since Aaron had already found out, she would admit it openly and didn’t need to hide it.

According to the information she received, Aaron and Rylan were not related. There seemed to be a lot of conflicts between them, which didn’t match what she knew back then.

There was silence for a while before Aaron asked quietly, “How’s he doing?”

“I don’t know.” Catherine’s voice was icy cold. She didn’t really like to talk about other people’s situations.

Aaron didn’t keep asking questions about Rylan, and after a deep sigh, he said slowly, “If you run into him, please help me to ask him to come back and see me. I’m getting old, I don’t know how long I’ll live.”

In sympathy for Aaron, Catherine agreed.

“What are you chatting so happily about?” Thomas saw the two of them chatting from a distance, feeling a bit curious.

Catherine looked up at him and put on a mysterious smile. “I can’t tell you. It’s something secret.”

Thomas pretended to be angry. “You bad girl.”

The scene of Catherine and Thomas joking looked like a granddaughter and grandfather joking around. This scene reminded Aaron of Rylan again. “You guys rest here for a while. I’m going to go make the arrangement. Dinner will be ready later.”

Looking at Aaron’s distant and lonely back, Catherine took out her cell phone from her pocket and sent a message.

Footsteps approached and Catherine subconsciously turned around. Branden walked in slowly from the arched courtyard entrance with the light at his back.

The sunlight was right behind him, and the golden light surrounded his entire body. Catherine couldn’t see his face, but she could feel his powerful aura and extraordinary temperament. This oil painting-like scene was beautiful.

“What are you looking at so seriously?” The magnetic and pleasant voice pulled Catherine’s drifting thoughts back. She tilted her head back to reveal her delicate face. There was a smile in her beautiful big eyes. “What else can I look at? I’m looking at you. You look so handsome.”

Chapter 934 She Can’t Eat Crabs

Branden’s lips curved seductively. “You look beautiful.”

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere around them became ambiguous. Thomas glanced around. Seeing that Branden and Catherine only had each other in their eyes and paid no attention to him, he patted his forehead and laughed bitterly. “Oh, my eyes. What did I do wrong to make myself suffer like this here? You guys stop it.”

The chess chair was relatively short and it was not easy to stand up, so Catherine pulled Branden’s hand to stand up. She then turned around to help Thomas. “Okay, we stop it. Let’s go to Aaron for dinner.”

“Come on. Let’s go see what Aaron prepared today. I can already smell the aroma.” Thomas led them to the private room.

It was a private room specially prepared by Aaron to entertain them.

Exquisite dishes were being served one after another, and the aroma filled the entire room, enticing everyone.

“They look so amazing.”

Hearing Thomas’ comment, Aaron, who had entered the room with the last of the soup, smiled and joked, “Thank you. Come on. Take your seats.”

There weren’t many dishes, but each one looked like a carefully crafted delicacy. “Let’s get started. The crabs are good this year. These were all just fished up from the lake this morning. They’re very fresh. Help yourself.”

Aaron warmly greeted everyone and asked the servant to distribute food on plates to each guest.

Branden glanced at the crab and then peeled it for Catherine. He had just placed a piece of crab meat on the plate in front of Catherine when Thomas took it.

Aaron mocked Thomas. “Why are you grabbing her food?”

Thomas gave him a sidelong glare. “I didn’t grab it from her. She hasn’t healed from a previous injury and she has a stomach problem. She can’t eat crabs.”

Aaron didn’t know anything about medicine and he knew that not everyone could eat crabs. But he thought it should be okay to eat a little bit. “It shouldn’t matter if she only eats a little, right?”

Thomas didn’t answer him. He turned his head to Branden with a serious expression. “She has a bad stomach. Don’t give her these.”

Branden nodded with a serious expression. “Noted.”

No one noticed the fleeting pride in his eyes.

Crabs were not only not allowed to be eaten by those who were injured or had stomach problems, but they were also a taboo food for pregnant women.

Everyone had a very happy dinner today.

Before they left, Aaron walked them out.

He felt happy to eat with them.

He no longer had many relatives and friends around him, his friends were getting older, and he was seeing a lot less of them.

Getting in the car, Thomas looked at Aaron standing in the doorway to say goodbye, feeling a bit sad. “When people get older, they tend to get lonely. All they want is to have their family around. Aaron is a poor man.”

Hearing this, Catherine looked toward Aaron’s lonely figure and faintly said, ” He’ll be with his family.”

Thomas snapped his head up to look at Catherine. “Cassie, what do you mean by that?”

Catherine didn’t respond. She just took out her phone and glanced at it.She had asked Rylan to stop by sometime to see an old friend, and he had replied briefly. His message was just one word. It read, [Okay.]

Chapter 935 Put Me Down!

Late at night, Aaron sat alone under a tree in the courtyard, feeling the gentle breeze. Despite the chirping of birds and insects around him, he felt lonely. Gazing at the bright moon in the sky, he let out a long sigh.

Suddenly, he heard light footsteps behind him. Looking up at the sky, he slowly said, “Put the coffee there. There’s no rush to drink it.”

“It’s getting late. Drinking coffee is bad for your sleep!” The voice was low and indifferent.

Aaron felt a chill run through him as if he were in a dream. He couldn’t believe the voice he had just heard. Not hearing any sound behind him, he anxiously turned around, only to see Rylan standing behind him. At that moment, Aaron couldn’t even blink.

Rylan carefully examined him, observing his gray hair, and finally said, “Grandpa!”

It wasn’t a dream. Aaron quickly composed himself, replacing his surprised expression with a stern look. “What are you doing here? Didn’t we cut off contact? Who allowed you to come in?”

Rylan knew his grandfather well. Despite his old age, he had a stubborn and harsh temperament. Rylan knew that even though Aaron wanted him here, he would say the harshest words.

“If you’re so unwilling to have me here, why let Catherine know about our relationship?” Rylan asked.

Aaron was left speechless by this simple statement. The atmosphere became thick with tension, with Aaron wearing a stern expression and remaining silent.

Knowing Aaron’s stubborn nature, Rylan had to speak up. Otherwise, today would end in disappointment. ” I’m a little hungry.”

Aaron, who had been somewhat irritated, immediately said, “Have meals on time. Aren’t you afraid of having a stomachache? Wait for me here,” After scolding him, Aaron stood up and hurried off to the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Catherine felt so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open. As she prepared to get out of the car, Branden leaned down and, with powerful arms, lifted her up.

Despite being lifted, Catherine felt puzzled. “Put me down. We’re not home yet. Stop messing around!”

Branden held her tightly, careful not to exert any force in case she got hurt. ” I’m not messing around. If you’re tired, I’ll carry you upstairs.”

Despite his concern for her fatigue, Catherine insisted, “No need. I can walk. I’m not that tired yet.”

Despite her protests, Branden showed no intention of putting her down. He carried her to the living room sofa, where he carefully put her down and helped her change into slippers, tidying up her belongings.

“Are you going to bed directly? Should I get you some water?” he asked.

Faced with his attentive care, Catherine couldn’t help but laugh. “If you’ve really done something wrong, why not just say it? With such attentive service, I might forgive you.”

Branden paused for a moment, surprised by her misunderstanding. He reached out and lightly pinched her nose. “Stop talking nonsense. If you don’t want to rest, lie down and play games. If you get tired, call me. I’ll be in the study.”

“Okay,” Catherine responded, thinking that Branden finally left her alone. However, he turned towards the kitchen and brought out a plate of assorted fruits, placing it in front of her.

He looked at her furrowed brow and said, “Pick what you like. I’ll finish the rest.”

Catherine thought about reprimanding him for wasting food, but now that he had offered a solution, she fell silent.

Branden finally went to the study. Catherine looked at the assortment of fruits and snacks on the table and couldn’t help but smile. Sometimes she wondered if he was treating her as his daughter.

The game was too boring, and Catherine had no interest in playing. She received a call from Withal and walked to her room. “What’s up?” she asked.

“Catherine, we staged a big show today, and they should have fallen for it. They implanted a listening chip in Ronin, so they can hear everything we say.”

“Got it. Keep going,” Catherine replied coldly.

“Catherine, we need to ask for Wantel’s help. How should we contact him?”

Withal wasn’t inquiring about Wantel’s whereabouts, knowing that Catherine had sent him on a mission. However, each of them had different abilities, and he needed Wantel’s help. “Contact Ronin.”

Upon hearing Catherine’s response, Withal was somewhat surprised. “Does Ronin know?” “Yes,” Catherine replied softly and then let out a yawn. Her tendency to feel drowsy had been getting worse lately. Thomas said it was due to her previous serious injury, making her easily fatigued.

Upon hearing her yawn, Withal felt a pang of concern. He had heard that Catherine had been pushing herself, handling their affairs while conducting experiments, which took a toll on her health.

“Catherine, if you’re too tired, rest. Leave the rest to me and Ronin.”

“Sure,” Catherine replied before hanging up the phone and heading toward the bathroom.

As she entered, she was stunned. It had been completely transformed. The floor was covered with non-slip mats, and various shelves were filled with all sorts of items.

“What’s he up to?” Catherine wondered, turning to see Branden approaching the bathroom. Catherine raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to explain the room’s decorations.

Branden rolled up his sleeve, showing his bruised elbow to Catherine. “I slipped this morning. I was worried you might slip as well, so I got these non- slip mats.”

Catherine appeared a little surprised. Branden blinked and asked, “You don’t like them? Should I change them?”

“No need,” Catherine said before heading back into the bathroom.

Branden stood at the door. As he looked at the bruise on his elbow, a smile spread across his face. Paxton’s punch hadn’t been in vain.

Chapter 936 Don’t Let Catherine Know

A simple plate of pasta turned out to be the most delicious meal Rylan had in recent times. He finished the last bite and then set the fork down.

Aaron sat beside him. When the plate was empty, he reached out to take it, but Rylan had already covered it with his hand.

“I’m full,” Rylan said calmly.

Hearing this, Aaron couldn’t help but complain, “You should eat more.”

“It’s enough,” Rylan calmly replied, a faint smile appearing on his face. He didn’t eat much on a regular basis, and if it weren’t for his grandfather cooking today, he wouldn’t have eaten at all, especially since he had already eaten before coming over. His claim of being hungry was solely to ease the escalating tension between them.

Aaron was known for his stubbornness, and this was the only way to keep him from getting too angry.

“It’s getting late. I have to leave. See you next time, Grandpa!” Rylan said.

When Aaron heard that Rylan was leaving, his face darkened. Rylan had only been here for a short while, and now he was planning to leave.

Rylan felt increasingly uncomfortable. He wanted to spend more time with his grandfather, but he was worried that if he didn’t leave soon, there might be trouble. Despite his reluctance to leave, he stood up. As he was about to leave the yard, Aaron called out, “Rylan!”

Rylan stopped, turned to look at Aaron, and gestured for him to go back and rest. As he turned away, a sharp pain struck his chest. He tried to endure it, hoping to make it out of the gate, but the pain overwhelmed him, and he collapsed on the ground.

Aaron had noticed something was wrong when he saw Rylan stumbling. The moment he saw him about to collapse, he immediately shouted and rushed over. “Rylan!”

In his final moments of consciousness, Rylan managed to utter a sentence. ” Don’t let Catherine know!”

At the base, Ronin walked in with snacks he had just bought and tossed them onto Withal’s lap. “Withal, don’t you think something’s strange?”

Withal, engrossed in his computer, glanced up at him upon hearing the question. “What’s so strange?”

“Black Robe hasn’t contacted me for days. I just rescued Zobber, and they should be eager to contact me and recruit Zobber. It’s really strange that there’s been no news at all!” Ronin was deeply puzzled.

Withal pondered carefully, unable to understand Black Robe’s intentions. Ronin was right, but in times like this, they couldn’t afford to speculate recklessly.

“Let’s hold our ground and wait. I’m worried this might be a deliberate test from them. If we make too many moves, they’ll become suspicious.”

After some careful thought, Ronin agreed, “You’re right. I’ll take your advice.”

“Stay put. I’ll go find Catherine. It’s been two days since I’ve seen her, and I miss her a lot!” Withal couldn’t stand Ronin’s infatuated look when he met Catherine, truly a loyal supporter of Catherine.

“Sure, hurry up and go!”

After bidding farewell to Withal, Ronin rode his motorcycle to the school. Finding Catherine was much easier now. All he had to do was visit the school laboratory, and he’d definitely find her there.

Catherine had just finished handling some tasks when she came out and saw Ronin waiting in the living room. ” Looking for me?” she asked.

Upon seeing Catherine, Ronin’s face lit up with a radiant smile. “Catherine, I brought your favorite pastries!”

Catherine glanced at the packaging, confirming that it was indeed her favorite brand. She happened to be a bit hungry, and the pastries arrived just in time. She didn’t know what had gotten into her recently; she would frequently feel hungry. Previously, she would feel nauseous at the sight of food. But now, things were different. After eating the lunch arranged by Branden, she would feel hungry again around three or four in the afternoon. If she didn’t eat something, she’d feel terrible.

“Come in!” she said.

Ronin followed Catherine into her office, placing the pastries on the table and pouring some rose liqueur for Catherine. “Catherine, it’s ready to eat!

Catherine nodded slightly, finding the pastries on the table cute and appetizing.

A few minutes later, Ronin was surprised to see that Catherine hadn’t even stopped. “Catherine, you…”

Seeing Ronin staring at her in astonishment, Catherine was a bit puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

“Catherine, you like the pastries today, don’t you? You ate quite a lot!” He had gotten used to buying pastries for Catherine because she often missed regular meals due to work. Additionally, she had low blood sugar, and pastries quickly provided her with sugar while filling her up. However, she never ate too much. She preferred spicy New Orleans chicken wings over sweet food.

Thanks to Ronin’s reminder, Catherine realized she had overindulged. She had eaten more than usual, far exceeding her typical intake, and she hadn’t even noticed it.

“I didn’t eat much in the afternoon, and now I’m a bit hungry. I didn’t realize I had eaten so much all at once! ” she explained.

Hearing Catherine say she hadn’t eaten much in the afternoon, Ronin began to feel concerned. “Catherine, your health is more important than work; you need to eat on time!”

“Okay.” Catherine nodded, temporarily keeping Ronin in the dark. Based on Ronin’s nature, once he found out, he would tell everyone around him.

“What did you come to see me about today?” Catherine asked.

Ronin expressed his confusion to Catherine. She happened to have something to tell him. “I received information that a group of highly skilled assassins has recently arrived in Loxton. We don’t know their target yet, so be extra cautious during this time.

Keep an eye on that end. But remember, safety is the priority.”

Ronin frowned. He understood that these people wouldn’t have come to Loxton for no reason; they must have come for a specific task. If they were targeting him, it would be troublesome. “Alright, Catherine, I’ll be careful. You also need to be cautious.”

Catherine wasn’t worried about herself. Although Branden hadn’t mentioned it, she had noticed several people around her recently. They bore no ill will towards her and were likely arranged by Branden to protect her. Given her current situation, she needed to prioritize safety above all else.

Chapter 937 Crisis

Little did Catherine know that she would encounter a group of skilled intruders on her way back from the laboratory that evening. As she left the school gate, she sensed someone following her discreetly.

Intentionally taking a detour through a side path, Catherine wanted to ascertain the identity and motives of the people following her.

Reaching the corner, she paused and turned around to find no one behind her. “No need to hide, guys. Come out!” she called out.

The next moment, four men dressed in black with masks emerged from the shadows. Though they hadn’t engaged in combat yet, Catherine could tell they were formidable.

The leader of the group, with a sharp and piercing gaze, locked eyes with Catherine. “Since you’ve spotted us, why not just come with us and save us the trouble?” he said.

With a cold laugh, Catherine replied in a nonchalant tone, “Are you sure you can take me with you?”

Her calm demeanor unsettled the leader, who had been aware of Catherine’s formidable abilities before their encounter. They wouldn’t have taken this assignment if they weren’t confident.

“Catherine, you’re impressive. But can you really take on all four of us at once? “the leader challenged.

In a one-on-one scenario, they wouldn’t stand a chance. With four against one, however, Catherine wasn’t guaranteed a victory.

Catherine understood their confidence -they were all armed.

The four men were exceedingly arrogant. “Miss Swann, I advise you to come with us willingly, or else you’ll regret it,” the leader warned.

Narrowing her eyes and giving them an intimidating look, Catherine had no intention of attacking them, especially with the presence of lethal weapons. Her current situation didn’t allow for it.

“Are you guys not going to show yourselves?” Catherine exclaimed.

The four men in black looked around warily. In the next moment, Carlo and a few of his men emerged from the shadows.

“Miss Swann, rest assured, we’ve got this, Boss is waiting for you at home for dinner. I’ll have someone escort you,” Carlo said.

Catherine didn’t leave immediately; she wanted to assess the situation first.

Carlo glanced at the four men opposite them and remarked, “Weapons, huh? You think we’re defenseless? Show ’em! “Carlo’s men took out their weapons. These were all elites trained by the Duncans, specifically chosen by Branden to protect Catherine.

The four men in black had been tracking Catherine for two to three days, noticing her solitary movements without any protection except for occasional encounters with Branden. They took the bold move when Branden was absent, not expecting Catherine to have so many skilled individuals by her side.

Despite the increased risk, they were not planning to give up. Catherine was their target, and they had to complete the mission.

Carlo understood their motives, and both sides engaged in a fight. Despite the opponents’ strength, Carlo’s team, with their numbers, managed to hold their own in the scuffle.

“Take her!” the leader of the four men shouted and lunged towards Catherine. Just as his hand was about to touch her, a knife pierced his palm, causing him to let out a painful scream and withdraw his hand. Catherine turned around to see Branden and Paxton approaching them swiftly.

With the arrival of more help for Catherine, the four men realized that their plan was futile and decided to flee. Carlo immediately approached Branden, offering to send people to pursue the fleeing individuals.

Branden, fixating his gaze on Catherine, asked if she was okay.

Catherine shrugged. “I’m perfectly fine, ” she said, noticing his cold aura and quickly explaining, “I didn’t do anything. When I found them, I just called for Carlo!”

Branden had to hold back his words. He suppressed his anger and gently pinched Catherine’s cheek. “Come on, let’s go back for dinner!”

Catherine had known that he had someone following her, but she chose not to reveal it. She had avoided putting herself in danger directly, which was a significant improvement, and she felt she deserved praise.

Branden didn’t dwell on it and led her back home. When they arrived, the table was already set with the meal he had prepared. If he hadn’t needed to cook, he would have gone to pick her up himself.

Branden had thought it was just a short distance, but it turned out to be an opportunity for those attackers to take action. He silently vowed that he wouldn’t let Catherine have any more chances to be alone in the future.

After dinner, there was a knock at the door. Carlo stood outside, looking dejected. It seemed he had lost track of those four men. Catherine wasn’t surprised; after all, they were quite strong.

If Branden hadn’t arranged for Carlo and his men to secretly protect her today, the situation could have turned out differently. These people clearly planned everything meticulously, daring to act so boldly. It was very likely that they had planned their escape route as well.

Catherine yawned. “You guys chat. I’m going in to sleep!” With that, she headed to her room. Little did she expect that as soon as she entered the room, she saw Branden standing behind her. Looking at him with a puzzled expression, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

Branden helped her sit down. “Go to sleep. I’ll leave once you fall asleep!” After closing the curtains, tucking her in, and waiting for her to close her eyes, Branden quietly left the room.

Catherine thought to herself, “Is he really treating me like a daughter?” However, she was too tired to dwell on it, and she soon fell asleep.

Chapter 938 Provoking Ronin

Upon receiving the message, Finn immediately reported the situation to Black Robe, who sneered and sarcastically remarked, “Those fools tried to capture Catherine? It’s ridiculous!”

Finn also thought that the four men hadn’t fully grasped Catherine’s abilities. Although he had never faced off against Catherine, he knew her capabilities well.

“Do you need to find out the whereabouts of those four people, Boss?

“Finn inquired.

“No need!” Black Robe coldly rejected Finn’s suggestion, not believing that Branden would sit by in such a significant matter.

Knowing Branden must have already arranged for someone to investigate, Black Robe decided to wait. If things went awry, it would implicate his people.

“I’m tired,” Black Robe said.

“I take my leave.” Finn left the secret room, still troubled by his doubts. For – some reason, he felt that his boss had been acting strangely lately, appearing quite frail. He didn’t dare to ask, not wanting to violate the rules.

Not long after leaving the secret room, Finn ran into Ronin. It seemed that Ronin had sought him out specifically.

“Are you looking for me?” Finn raised an eyebrow, eyeing Ronin.

Ronin, with a serious and cautious expression, replied, “Yes, I am. I’ve already persuaded Zobber. When will Boss see us?”

Even now, Ronin needed Finn’s assistance to meet Black Robe. He knew it was because Black Robe still didn’t fully trust him. Black Robe was so suspicious, distrusting everyone.

“I’ll inform Boss. Just wait for his summons,” Finn assured.

Finn’s indifferent attitude infuriated. Ronin. He initiated a fight, and to Finn’s surprise, he found himself overpowered by Ronin. He looked at Ronin in disbelief. “How could this happen?”

Ronin smirked, his satisfaction evident in his smile. “Didn’t expect to be subdued by me so easily, did you? Brat, I warn you. Don’t act so arrogantly in front of me. I only made a few moves in front of Catherine, and she could easily spot my weaknesses, allowing me to effortlessly defeat you.”

Furious and shocked, Finn realized Catherine’s prowess was greater than he had imagined. She hadn’t even witnessed his confrontation with Ronin, yet she could detect his vulnerabilities from Ronin’s moves. How could she possess such extraordinary abilities?” The thought was chilling.

“Report this to Boss as soon as possible. You know Zobber’s temper. I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to control her if she changes her mind. ” After issuing his ultimatum, Ronin prepared to leave. His arrogant demeanor left Finn seething. In his eyes, Ronin was merely relying on Catherine’s strength.

“You’re despicable, Ronin. Catherine has been good to you. While she’s being hunted, all you can think about is using her teachings against her and her allies. Is betrayal so urgent for you?” Finn scoffed.

Finn’s words made Ronin pause and turn back to face him. “Hunted? What do you mean?” His intense gaze fixed on Finn, eager not to miss any expression on his face.

“Why should I tell you? Besides, haven’t you already betrayed her? Why the sudden concern?”

Finn’s sarcastic remark only fueled Ronin’s anger. He stormed up to Finn, grabbed his collar, and lifted him up. “I may have betrayed Catherine, but that doesn’t mean you can badmouth her. Tell me what happened, or I’ll make you regret it!”

Upon realizing that Ronin was serious, Finn felt apprehensive and decided to inform him about the events of the evening. Ronin pushed him out of the way and left in a hurry.

Catherine was roused from her sleep by the incessant buzzing of her phone. Before she could reach for it, Branden took it away. His large hand gently caressed her back as he soothingly said, “It’s okay. I’ll handle this.”

“Okay,” Catherine grunted and turned back to sleep. Seeing her sound asleep, Branden left the room with her phone and returned the missed call.

“Catherine, I…”

“It’s me.”

When Ronin heard Branden’s voice, his heart skipped a beat, and his nerves tensed. “Where’s Catherine? Is she okay?”

“She’s fine,” Branden replied coldly. This was his demeanor with everyone, even with familiar faces like Ronin. Only in Catherine’s presence would his emotions fluctuate and his expression soften.

“She’s already asleep. If there’s anything, I’ll have her contact you tomorrow.”

Branden’s composed tone eased some of Ronin’s anxiety. He knew how deeply Branden cared for her. If something were truly wrong, Branden wouldn’t be so calm.

“Well, I won’t disturb her,” Ronin said.

Branden had intended to end the call, but Ronin urgently insisted, “I need to talk to you!”

“Speak,” Branden coldly responded.

Ronin was frustrated that despite Catherine’s warning earlier that day, those people still targeted her.

“Take care of yourself and don’t let her worry. Leave the rest to me.” With that, Branden ended the call. Catherine had been sleeping restlessly lately, and he needed to accompany her.

Ronin was taken aback when his call was abruptly ended. He was furious and couldn’t understand why Branden would hang up on him like that. When had he ever let Catherine worry about him?

Despite Branden’s instructions not to get involved, Ronin grew angrier. He decided to seek out Withal and the others to devise a plan. Not only had those four men come after Catherine, but they had also dared to attack her. Ronin was determined to teach them a lesson.

Chapter 939 Must Be a Misunderstanding

Ronin and Withal arrived at the destination almost at the same time as Carlo. Luckily, they weren’t in disguise or wearing masks, which could have led to a confrontation.

Carlo frowned when he saw Ronin. ” What are you doing here?”

Ronin smiled. “I was about to ask you the same thing.”

Withal, standing nearby, grew frustrated and puzzled. “Since our goals are the same, why bother with the details? Let’s work together and capture those four guys.”

Carlo’s appearance here was clearly at the behest of Branden, while Ronin had come for Catherine. Withal was right- they did share a common goal.

Ronin was about to retort but was stopped by Withal. “The bigger picture matters.”

After negotiations, both sides decided to act together.

The four men who had attacked Catherine were already injured during their escape. They had underestimated- Carlo, and they didn’t expect Ronin and Withal to join forces. Despite their skills, the four men were quickly captured.

However, a disagreement arose over the disposal of these four individuals.

“I must take them,” Carlo said sternly, his eyes cold and unwavering.

“In your dreams,” Ronin replied, showing no intention of letting go. These four had dared to attack Catherine, and he would let them off the hook. Since they dared to target Catherine, they had to be prepared for retaliation. He had already planned how to deal with them, and he didn’t allow Carlo to take them away.

Carlo, annoyed by Ronin’s arrogance, took the initiative to start the fight. Withal, witnessing the scuffle, felt a headache coming on. He didn’t intervene immediately because he knew Ronin had compromised earlier only because their goals aligned. Now, however, Ronin’s deep-seated hatred for these four individuals made it impossible for him to back down.

Approaching Carlo’s men, Withal said, “We’re on the same side. No need for violence. Carlo is hot-headed now. Why don’t you contact your boss and explain the situation?”

One of Carlo’s men glanced at Withal as if questioning why Withal hadn’t made the call.

Withal casually took out his phone, saying, “If you want me to contact him, fine. But you know, Catherine should be asleep right now. If she’s disturbed, someone will be in trouble.”

Realizing the consequences of disturbing Catherine, one of them went aside, likely to make the call.

Withal, composed, continued to observe while subtly guiding Ronin. Ronin had been his friend for years, so he felt obligated to help Ronin, especially considering Catherine hadn’t yet married Branden.

Withal’s years of understanding with Ronin allowed him to convey crucial instructions with just a few words. Ronin, who had been at a disadvantage, quickly gained the upper hand.

Carlo, infuriated, turned to glare at Withal. “Why don’t you join in? It would make things easier!”

Withal, maintaining a wry smile, responded, “That wouldn’t be appropriate. We’re acquainted. It wouldn’t look good if Catherine- thought we were ganging up on someone.”

Carlo was livid. The instructions Withal gave Ronin were no different from ganging up on him. It seemed these two were taking advantage of the situation.

Carlo and Ronin were still locked in a fierce battle when a few of Carlo’s men, having contacted Paxton, rushed over.

“Paxton says to hand the people over to Ronin,” one of Carlo’s men announced.

Carlo, taken aback, looked at his men in disbelief. Even though he was reluctant, he ultimately yielded to Paxton’s authority, allowing his men to hand the four individuals over to Ronin.

When Ronin attempted to provoke further, Withal restrained him and cautioned in a low voice, “Take the win. Ronin relented and gestured towards Carlo, a gesture of cooperation.

Despite Carlo’s initial reluctance, he couldn’t bring himself to hold a grudge, considering their prior relationship.

“Teach these four bastards a lesson,” Carlo reminded.

Ronin rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to tell me what to do.”

The next day, four notorious international criminals voluntarily surrendered themselves at the police station, each looking worse than the other. They scrambled to enter the station as if their lives depended on it.

Not far away, there was a dark green SUV. Ronin sat in the front passenger seat, expressionless as he watched the four men enter the police station. ” Let’s go,” he said, and Withal stepped on the gas.

Ronin and Withal were planning to return to their base for rest, but Withal mentioned that he was hungry. “Ronin, I’ve been helping you for a day, you should treat me to a meal,” he said.

Ronin said generously, “Order whatever you want.”

With a triumphant smile, Withal drove to a high-end restaurant in Loxton.

Ronin, despite being quite wealthy, usually didn’t like to spend money, so Withal decided to do him a “favor.”

Withal called the restaurant manager, secured the best table, and ordered a variety of dishes. Just as he put down the menu, he noticed a familiar figure sitting not far away. He even wondered if he was seeing things.

Sensing Withal’s unease, Ronin teased, “Do you feel guilty for making me spend too much?”

His words brought Withal back to reality, and Withal awkwardly prepared to change the subject.

Noticing that Withal had been staring behind him, Ronin tried to turn around. Withal exclaimed, “Ronin, here’s the menu. You should order some dishes as well.”

Despite Withal’s attempt to stop him, Ronin insisted on looking back.

Knowing his efforts were in vain, Withal immediately sat next to him and firmly held him back, saying, “Ronin, calm down. It might be a misunderstanding.”

Chapter 940 Who Wouldn’t Like Me?

Ronin shook off Withal’s hand and was about to rush forward. Not far ahead, a man was chatting with a woman. Ronin didn’t recognize the woman, but even with just a glimpse of the man’s profile, he could tell it was Branden!

Catherine was working hard in the laboratory, and here was Branden flirting with a woman. Ronin couldn’t allow that to happen.

Withal held on tightly, not daring to loosen his grip. Branden wasn’t just anyone. If Ronin charged forward, it could lead to trouble. He had to stop Ronin.

“Ronin, don’t be impulsive. What if it’s a misunderstanding? Do you want Catherine to clean up the mess for you? She’s been busy lately. Plus, you know how much Branden loves Catherine, right?”

The last sentence gradually calmed Ronin down. If Branden hadn’t treated Catherine well, Ronin would have confronted him right now. In his eyes, any man who had feelings for Catherine was bad. But if Branden had truly been faithful, that would be a different story.

Frowning, Ronin looked at Withal. “So, what do you suggest?”

Withal picked up Ronin’s phone from the table and took a few pictures of Branden and the woman. “You take these photos to Catherine, and I’ll investigate the woman privately. Catherine needs to handle this herself, unless you think she can’t handle such a small matter.”

“Of course she can handle that,” Ronin said without hesitation.

“Yeah, Catherine is much more capable than us. She’ll sort it out. Besides, if Branden is really cheating, who do you think will be the first to hold him accountable?”

Withal smiled mysteriously at Ronin. If Branden had truly crossed the line, the Duncans might not get off lightly.

Ronin nodded in agreement and said, ” You’re right. I’ll leave this to you and go find Catherine.” He got up and left immediately. Withal wanted to call after him to pay the bill but hesitated and ended up watching Ronin slip away.

When Catherine received Ronin’s message, she was still in the laboratory. Seeing him urgently calling out to her, she stopped her work and approached him. “What’s wrong?”

On the way there, Ronin had thought of various explanations, but when he saw Catherine, he hesitated. Despite having cursed Branden in his heart countless times, now he didn’t dare to say anything.

Catherine noticed his hesitation and found it amusing. “What’s troubling you? Tell me, and I’ll help you analyze. it.”

Ronin hesitated for a moment and said, “Catherine, try not to get too upset when you find out.”

Catherine, with her arms crossed, looked at him intently. Ronin slowly took out his phone from his pocket and handed it to her.

Catherine casually took it and, upon seeing the photos, she narrowed her eyes. “Did you take these?”

“Yes,” Ronin explained the situation to Catherine. “Withal is investigating the woman. We should have news soon.”

Catherine nodded calmly and returned the phone to Ronin. “Let me know when there’s an update,” she said before leaving abruptly, leaving Ronin bewildered. “What does Catherine mean by this?” he wondered.

After returning to the laboratory, Catherine intended to continue working. However, she couldn’t get the image out of her head. Expressions could be faked, but the eyes never lied. She had always thought that Branden would maintain a cold attitude towards everyone except her, because she was unique. However, she was mistaken. In the photo, Branden’s gaze, though calm, lacked his usual indifference.

“Catherine, Catherine…” Marshall called her twice, but she didn’t respond until he approached and tapped her on the shoulder.

“Professor Hartley, what brings you here?” she asked.

“I called you twice. Didn’t you hear me? “Marshall frowned, feeling somewhat concerned. Catherine, who was usually alert, hadn’t even noticed him approaching.

Catherine shrugged. “I was thinking about something just now and didn’t notice. Do you need something?”

“No, I was just passing by and happened to see you lost in thought,” Marshall replied. “You’re too focused on your work. While the projects are important, so is your well-being. You need to take care of yourself.”

Catherine didn’t really catch what Marshall said; her mind was preoccupied with something else. She turned to Marshall and asked, ” Professor Hartley, can I take a leave?”

Upon hearing her request, Marshall felt quite happy. “Of course, take today off, and tomorrow too. Just make sure you get some rest!”

“Thank you, Professor Hartley!” Catherine said, then packed up and left.

Watching her depart, Marshall felt quite relieved. “She’s finally coming around and knows she needs a rest.” He often got so absorbed in his

experiments that he neglected sleep and food, earning him a scolding from his wife. But Catherine’s dedication made him feel inadequate. She was a born scientist.

After leaving the laboratory, Catherine went back to her apartment. As she arrived at the building, she ran into Thomas.

“I thought you’d still be in the lab at this time,” he said.

“I felt a bit tired, so I came back to rest, “Catherine replied casually.

Thomas felt sorry seeing her like this; he treated Catherine as his granddaughter. “You should go back and rest soon. Resting more will benefit you.”

“Mr. Theo, where are you heading?” Catherine asked, noticing his casual attire, indicating he was about to go out.

“I’m going to play chess with Aaron and grab a meal,” Thomas replied.

Catherine always thought highly of Aaron’s cooking. Feeling a bit bored at the thought of going home alone, she decided to go with Thomas. She didn’t have a special reason for taking leave; she was just feeling bothered and didn’t feel like working.

When Thomas heard that she wanted to go, he readily agreed. “That’s great, Aaron also likes you,” he said.

Catherine joked, “Who wouldn’t like me?”

Thomas chuckled at her remark. ” Don’t be too confident, girl!”