Ch. 981..990

Chapter 981 Thomas and Karl's Persistence

Branden recovered quickly.

He only took a small amount of poison and it did not cause much damage to his body. And with Thomas's full treatment, his condition was now quite good.

Thomas not only saved Branden, but he even saved the baby in Catherine's belly.

Catherine thought she could finally be happier in the days ahead, but to her surprise, Thomas ordered her to stay in bed for a month. "Cassie, you are in a special situation. It was a fluke that you were able to get out of danger so easily this time. You behave yourself next and rest at home for a month."

When Catherine was just about to retort, Karl came in.

The elder, who was usually majestic in all aspects, had a hunched back today with tears in his eyes. "Catherine, can you do me a favor?"

Seeing his appearance, Catherine couldn't refuse him. "Mr. Karl, just tell me. I'll help you."

"I'm getting old, and all I want is everyone in my family is healthy. I may not have many days left. I just hope you can rest for a month for my sake. I know you're in good health, but I'm not. I can no longer withstand any stimulation."

Branden sat on the side, holding back his laughter. Sure enough, only his grandfather could persuade Catherine. He was worried that there was no way to persuade Catherine, but now he didn't even need to do anything. His grandfather alone could take care of everything.

Catherine knew that Karl was pretending, even the tears in his eyes were fake.

But she knew that Karl's worry about her was real.

Both elders, Thomas and Karl, had asked her to rest for a month. If she couldn't take care of herself, both Thomas and Karl would suffer from insomnia.

Thinking about this, Catherine decided to agree. Anyway, the matter was handled quite well at the moment. The overall situation had been decided, and the rest could be handed over to others for handling.

Catherine nodded, "Okay, I promise." Content belong to NôvelDráma. Org.

Upon hearing her promise, Karl immediately changed his expression. "Good, good. You're my good granddaughter- in-law."

After speaking to Catherine, Karl immediately ordered the old butler, "Go and arrange for two competent servants. Catherine and Branden are both young, and they don't know how to take care of themselves. You need to arrange for experienced old maids."

The old butler could understand Karl, and he was also happy for Branden. "Mr. Karl, don't worry, I'll go and arrange it right now. I'll personally select the right ones."

Hearing the conversation between the two, Catherine was a bit helpless. "Mr. Karl, thank you. But we're fine...". Before she could finish her words, Thomas interrupted her, "I'm in favor of Karl on this matter. There are a lot of things to avoid when a woman is pregnant. As smart as you guys are, you don't understand all those old traditions, and there are still some things you have to follow."

Catherine looked toward Branden, hoping he would say something. To her surprise, Branden turned his head to the ceiling and completely ignored her.

Before she could say anything more, the two old men were already chatting, not caring about her feelings at all. As they chatted, they got more and more excited. Worried that their chatting in the room would affect Catherine's rest, they decided to go out and go on the chatting.

After they left, Catherine's cold eyes slowly fell on Branden. "Why didn't you stop them just now?"

Branden shrugged his shoulders with a rather innocent expression. "Do you think I could stop the things you can't stop?"

After Catherine thought carefully about it, she thought he was right.

Even she couldn't stop Karl's arrangement, let alone Branden.

Branden smiled inwardly when he saw the changes she had in her expression. He thought that pregnant women would really get stupid after pregnancy, and Catherine was becoming more and more gullible now

Chapter 982 It's Hard to Go Out

Catherine thought that everyone was just joking about supervising her to rest at home, but she didn't expect them to be very serious about it.

Ronin and the others were more diligent in supervising her to rest properly than in completing the tasks they had taken on.

After breakfast, Catherine had thought of going to the lab for a walk but was stopped by Karl. "Catherine, why don't you stay home today? Branden will be back later. I asked him to come back and take a walk with you."

Catherine smiled helplessly. Branden was at least the president of a listed group, but in Karl's eyes, he was just like a tool who had to go back from time to time to accompany her to take a walk or something else. "Mr. Karl, Branden still has a lot of things to do in the company."

In front of Catherine, Karl could be amiable, but he was only amiable in front of Catherine alone.

At the mention of Branden, Karl's face immediately darkened a bit. "Hmph, how busy can he be? What can be more important than you? I think he's just doing nothing serious. Can't those people he hired do anything? Can't the company run without him?"

Facing Karl's rising anger, Catherine chose to avoid it. She silently shut up and didn't continue.

It didn't take long for Ronin to arrive. "Ronin, think of a way to get me out of here."

Ronin looked at Catherine with an embarrassed look on his face. "Catherine, why don't you just stay home? Mr. Theo said it's best if you stay in your bed for the week. Don't mess around."

Ronin was now Thomas' biggest fan. He did everything Thomas asked.

Catherine gave him a cold glance, which frightened Ronin and made him tremble. She begged Catherine with a mournful expression. 'Catherine, don't make things difficult for me."

"Okay, go away. I'll figure it out myself."

Upon hearing Catherine's words, Ronin's blood froze.

Although Karl was outside, he couldn't stop Catherine if she wanted to go out.

No matter how Catherine went out, there was danger.

Catherine was very agile and there was a high probability that accidents would not occur, but no one could guarantee it.

Ronin had no choice but to agree. Instead of letting Catherine go out an unusual way, it would be better for him to step in and help her. "Don't be in a hurry. I'll help you distract Karl."

Catherine narrowed her eyes and smiled, with a hint of triumph crossed her face. "Go ahead."

Ronin pouted helplessly. In the end, he was the one who had to bear all of this.

Karl now trusted Ronin very much because he thought Ronin was on the same side as him. Easily, Ronin tricked Karl into leaving, and Catherine swaggered out of the apartment. The guards of the Duncan noticed it from the moment Catherine stepped out of the elevator. They whispered and pushed each other, but no one dared to go forward.

'None of you are going to persuade Miss Swann? What if something happens later?"

'Nonsense. What could happen? You just know how to blame us. Why don't you go?"

"I think we'd better inform Mr. Duncan." Content belong to NôvelDráma. Org.

Karl said Catherine's safety was now the priority of the Duncans and nothing was as important as Catherine. Inside the meeting room of the Duncan Corporation, a serious international meeting was underway.

All those who were able to attend were among the business elites, and they were all listening intently to the report.

Suddenly, a clear ringtone broke the seriousness of the room.

The person who was speaking was startled. No one expected that someone could be so bold as to dare to leave their cell phones on in such an important meeting.

Just as the crowd was still wondering who would dare to commit such a heinous crime, Branden pulled out his cell phone from his pocket. His originally serious and cold expression instantly softened after he answered the phone. "You guys keep an eye on her. Don't disturb her. I'll be right back."

After hanging up the phone, he stood up and said to the crowd, "You guys continue, and make the minutes for me.

After that, Branden swaggered and left the meeting room, leaving all the senior executives behind.

The people left behind looked at each other in disbelief, not knowing what had happened to make Branden leave so quickly.

Paxton, who was silently taking the minutes of the meeting, was sighing. Judging from Branden's appearance, he knew without even thinking that it must be something about Catherine.

Only Catherine could make Branden care so much.

Paxton understood the special situation now. The Duncans were about to have a new member. Karl was happy, and everyone in the Duncans was also excited. So, it was okay for such a big event to delay some work.

After thinking it through, Paxton was instantly energized. "Continue the meeting. I'll do the minutes."

Catherine made it out of the apartment without incident and headed straight toward the school.

The air outside was fresh, and everything was so fresh.

She rushed downstairs to the experimental building only to find that her work permit couldn't open the gate of the building.

The security guard standing on the side immediately notified Marshall when he saw her. In just two minutes, Marshall hurriedly arrived.

When he saw Catherine, his face immediately sank. 'Why are you here? Didn't I tell you not to come to the lab building?"

Catherine froze for a moment. It was the first time she had seen Marshall speak to her in such a tone. 'Professor Hartley, did someone hack me again?"

Catherine asked and then thought in her mind, "The last time someone hacked me, the school blocked my work permit. Could the situation be the same this time?"

Marshall didn't even let Catherine into the lab building. He led her outside. "There's a lot of radiation from some of the big machines in here. Don't you know that?'

In normal times, for the sake of experiments, for the sake of scientific research, they had to endure the damage caused by these radiations, but Catherine was in a special situation now. Even if she didn't think about herself, she had to think about the baby in her belly.

The more Marshall spoke, the angrier he got. "Why don't you listen to me? Luckily, I had the foresight to have Ultan blocked your work permit."

Catherine then realized it wasn't because she had been hacked, but because Marshall had blocked her work permit.

She was helpless. "Professor Hartley, I'm pregnant not dying. I don't need to be so cautious, do I?"

Leaving aside her already better health than the average person, even if an ordinary woman became pregnant, most of them work as usual. If all the women in the world stopped working after getting pregnant, wouldn't this society be in chaos?

Marshall persuaded her, "It's not that I don't let you come to the lab. Just don't come this month. Wait until your physical condition stabilizes a bit."

Catherine thought she was fine now, but the people around her didn't believe her.

In the end, she was driven out of school by Marshall.

She let out a long sigh and walked in the direction of the school entrance.

She might have to be so bored for the next month.

Just as she reached the school entrance, she saw a familiar figure waiting there.

Catherine's heart was filled with anger. Those were all elders, and she had to respect them, but Branden wasn't. She felt that he came just in time and could serve as a punching bag for her. So Catherine walked toward Branden in a rage.

She didn't even get to Branden before Branden sensed her anger. He didn't hide or dodge, he just waited for her to come. In his mind, all that mattered was that Catherine was happy.

Chapter 983 The Fitting Room

Catherine came over to Branden in a rage, staring at him with cold eyes. "Who tipped you off? Are you here to take me back into resting, too?"

Having not seen Catherine's cold face for a long time, Branden was a bit surprised.

He reached out and gently touched the bridge of Catherine's nose with his fingers. "Who told you that I'm here to take you back? Can't I take you out to play?"

His doting voice made Catherine instantly light up.

Still a little suspicious in her mind, she surveyed Branden with cold eyes. "You're really going to take me out to play?"

Branden looked at her with deliberate seriousness and said cooperatively, "Never break a promise."

Catherine was pleased. A smile crossed her cold face. "Then we have a deal, if Mr. Karl and the others blame, you take the blame."

"Okay, I'll take the blame," Branden said in an unbelievably spoiled manner.

With that, Catherine immediately got into the car.

Branden didn't lie to Catherine. He brought her to the biggest mall in Casier.

"Has it been a while since you've been shopping?" Branden asked.

Catherine thought about it, and it was true. She had been too busy with her lab to go out and shop. Now that she was free, she could take a look around.

Branden held Catherine's hand and carefully guarded her.

Due to their outstanding appearance, they instantly attracted a lot of attention.

Catherine was used to such gazes, but when she saw the gazes of the girls around her staring at Branden, she realized that his outfit today seemed unsuitable for shopping.

He had a suit and tie, and shoes clean to shiny.

Catherine thought about it and looked over at him with a smile. "Why don't I take you shopping for some clothes and we'll go shopping in a different dress?"

Branden raised his eyebrows, not understanding what novel idea she had now. However, the most important thing now was to make her happy. "Okay, let's go."

After obtaining approval, Catherine took Branden into a brand chain store.

The clothes there weren't a top luxury, nor were they like the customized suits Branden usually wore, but they were all made for young people, and their workmanship was good. Content belong to NôvelDráma. Org.

The two entered and were immediately greeted by the shop assistants. "Sir, Miss, what can I do for you?"

Catherine pointed to Branden beside her. "Recommend an outfit for him."

One of the shop assistants immediately froze the moment she looked at Branden up close. She even doubted if Branden was some kind of popular celebrity, mainly because Branden's face was too handsome.

Compared to those popular celebrities of today, he was more handsome.

Seeing the shop assistant's appearance, Catherine was calm. It wasn't the first time she had encountered such a

scene.

After she coughed lightly, the shop assistant immediately came back to her senses. She then lowered her head apologetically. "Miss, it seems your boyfriend has a very standard figure. We have a lot of clothes that fit him. Do

you have any requests? Do you want clothes that make him look younger and vibrant or look mature and stable?" The clothes in their store could all make people look younger and vibrant, but the shop assistant didn't know what Catherine and Branden's request was after seeing him dressed as an elite, so she asked Catherine's opinion in the first place.

Catherine thought Branden's outfit made him look too old-fashioned, so she brought him there to buy clothes." The ones make him look younger and more vibrant."

"Okay, wait a moment." After getting the answer, the shop assistant immediately went to prepare.

The service attitude of the shop assistant in this store was quite good. Catherine only waited for a minute or two before they brought over a few sets of clothes.

With just a glance, Catherine chose two of them. She put them both in front of Branden and compared them." Could you try them on?"

For Branden, the experience was quite new.

His clothes had always been custom-made privately, and a fixed designer came to the Duncans' every month to measure his size. He had never gone shopping to buy clothes, let alone anyone taking him to buy clothes.

He never turned down a request from Catherine. "Okay."

Branden took the clothes and headed toward the fitting room.

After a short while, the shop assistant suddenly realized Branden had missed the sweater jacket.

She picked it up and said to Catherine, "Miss, your boyfriend missed this. Shall I bring it to him, or do you want to bring it to him yourself?"

Seeing that the two customers were a couple, the shop assistant was afraid that Catherine would be angry if she went to deliver it, so she asked in advance.

Catherine was well aware that Branden didn't like contact with strangers. Most of the reason he was willing to come out today was because of her. "Oh, thanks. I'll take it to him by myself."

The shop assistant handed Catherine the sweater jacket hurriedly.

Catherine walked over to the fitting room and knocked gently on the door. "It's me."

Her voice had an inexplicable appeal.

The next second, Branden opened the door. He had only changed into his pants, and his upper body was naked.

His beautiful abdominal muscles captivated Catherine at a glance.

Seeing her frozen for a moment, Branden reached out and tugged her into the fitting room. He held her down against the wall and began to gently press his cold lips against her delicate ones.

Catherine's hands unconsciously wrapped around his strong waist.

Branden reluctantly let go of her until she was almost suffocated by the kiss.

Branden lowered his head to put his lips on her neck, breathing slowly.

Catherine was pregnant and there was no way Branden was going to be impulsive in a place like this. He gently pinched her waist and stroked it back and forth. "Be a good girl. Wait for me outside. I'll come get you later."

Although Catherine didn't think there was anything wrong with having sex with Branden while she was pregnant, Thomas's words were like a spell lingering around her head.

But it was indeed not the right place for it. She hastily exited the fitting room to let Branden try the clothes on himself. "Okay,"

It was ten minutes before Branden emerged from the fitting room.

Catherine was a bit hesitant to look at his face, but the shop assistant beside her remained enthusiastic. "Miss, your boyfriend looks great in this outfit. He's even more handsome than the current top celebrity. Do you want to

take it?"

Branden indeed looked good in anything he wore. This seemingly ordinary outfit became extraordinary on his body. And he did look much more vibrant in this than he did in the suit.

Somewhat, he looked like he was the most handsome male student at some college.

The shop assistant had been busy for a while for them just now, and Catherine would feel a little guilty if she did not buy it, so she agreed to buy it. "Okay, I'll take it. Pack the other set too. He'll leave with this set on."

The shop assistant immediately went to pack happily, while Branden took the initiative to pay the bill.

After Branden changed into a younger outfit, Catherine suddenly thought he looked more handsome. He was usually dressed in a suit and always made people feel he was unapproachable.

Catherine suggested, "Why don't you wear this kind of clothes when you're not at the office?"

Branden was not particular about what he wore and had always had someone to arrange what he wore. Since Catherine liked it, he would listen to her arrangement. "Alright, you're the boss."

Catherine was in a happy mood and took his hand to continue wandering around the mall. "Come on. Let's continue shopping."

Chapter 984 They're Really Enviable

Catherine had never spent such a long time shopping. They wandered from the men's clothing area on the second floor of the mall to the maternal and child products area on the fourth floor.

Seeing the wide array of maternal and child products, Catherine was somewhat intrigued.

"Let's go in and take a look," Branden suggested gently. Catherine hesitated for a while and then walked in.

The baby shoes in the store were extremely cute. They were even smaller than palms, but they were irresistible.

The shop assistant came forward. After seeing Catherine and Branden's appearances, she froze for a moment and quietly glanced at Catherine's belly.

Seeing Catherine's flat belly, the shop assistant guessed that Catherine hadn't been pregnant for too long. She said to Catherine, "Miss, if you don't know the gender of the baby, we suggest these. This blue color is suitable for both male and female babies. You can take a look."

Catherine was immediately attracted by the products introduced by the shop assistant. It was unknown if the shop assistant was too professional or the products there were really good, she found them particularly cute and charming.

Before she could decide what products to order, Branden handed his bank card to the shop assistant. "We'll take all of these.'

The shop assistant froze for a moment before reacting. She then took the bank card from Branden hurriedly and respectfully. "Sir, please wait a moment. I'll arrange it for you right away."

Catherine thought it was exaggerating to buy these all. She had heard that babies grew especially fast when they were little and they didn't need many clothes and shoes at all. Content belong to NôvelDráma. Org.

If they bought all of these, it might be a waste. Catherine frowned slightly, her expression looked somewhat hesitant. "Do we need to buy so many?"

Branden raised his eyebrows confidently. "We'll give him a new set every day. It won't be a waste."

His words made Catherine unable to refute.

The shop assistant had arranged everything, so there was no point in Catherine saying anything else.

The two left their address and came out of the store.

As soon as they left, the shop assistants began to discuss.

"They're indeed a perfect match. Judging from their appearances, their children will definitely look amazing in the future."

"That's right. Not only were they good-looking, but they were also born into a wealthy family. The way of that gentleman who took the card to pay just now was too handsome."

"They're really enviable."

Coming out of the mall, Catherine herself found it hard to believe that she would actually shop for so long one day.

'It's almost time. Why don't we go back?"

Branden had never opposed her decision. "Okay, let's go back now. If you don't want to stay home, we'll come out again tonight."

His arrangement satisfied Catherine.

Catherine was a little worried that Karl would be angry because she ran out privately.

Just when they arrived home, she saw Karl with a stern face. When she was about to say something to comfort Karl, Branden made a move faster.

He handed over the bag of baby clothes he was carrying.

Karl glanced at it suspiciously and opened it at Branden's signal.

He had originally decided not to forgive Branden and Catherine no matter what they said or did. He wanted to make them remember the lesson, but when he opened the packaging bag, his anger completely disappeared.

He touched the little clothes lovingly, carefully placing them in his hands. When he looked up at Catherine, a gentle smile filled his eyes. "You went shopping?"

Catherine nodded slightly. "We just happened to be passing by the mall and went shopping."

Karl commented happily, "Not bad. We'll go out shopping together when you're feeling better. I'm going to give these clothes to the butler to clean. None of you know anything about that, leave it to me."

Catherine was secretly relieved and gave Branden an approving look, which made Branden a little smug.

Karl thoughtfully asked Catherine to go rest, and Catherine hurried toward her room.

She was used to being alone, and it was rare for her to get so much attention from so many people. She knew they were all caring about her, she just wasn't used to it.

Branden followed her in. He couldn't help but laugh out loud when he saw her lying on the bed with a dashing posture. "Is it that hard? Shall I send Grandpa back to Casier?"

Thomas was in Loxton, and once he recovered from his injury, he could come and take care of Catherine.

Thomas had excellent medical skills, and Branden would not be at ease without him in Loxton.

As for Karl, he was originally there to spend some time. If his presence would stress Catherine out, then Branden could send him back to Casier at any time.

Branden had heard it long ago that even if a daughter-in-law had a good relationship with her in-laws, they couldn't live together. Because after a long time, even the most ironclad relationship would have conflicts. Hearing Branden's suggestion, Catherine was obviously a bit shocked. She didn't expect him to say that.

She quickly waved her hand and rejected Branden's proposal. Karl was already old. He was willing to come to Loxton to accompany them because he loved them. Otherwise, with Karl's reputation, they would have no chance to meet him. Many people wanted to meet him and build a relationship with him but they had no chance.

'It's fine that Mr. Karl stays here. Why do you want to let him go? After I recover a bit, he won't be as nervous as he is now."

At Karl's age, he only hoped that the younger generation in his family would do well, and Catherine understood it. She felt a bit embarrassed not because she couldn't accept it, but because she wasn't used to it.

Seeing her resolute attitude, Branden decided to follow her arrangements.

He asked Catherine to lie down and rest, while he went to prepare dinner. It was best for Catherine not to dine at restaurants now. Cooking with fresh ingredients at home could maximize the health of food.

After Branden left, Catherine continued to rest on the comfortable chaise longue. Just as she was about to close her eyes to rest, the sound of the phone ringing came to her ears.

Struggling to open her eyes, she fumbled for the cell phone and put it to her ear.

'Catherine, it's me."

Catherine silently rolled her eyes. "I know it's you even if you don't say so."

No one but Zobber had that loud voice.

On the other end of the line, Zobber laughed awkwardly. "Come on. Don't talk about me like that. I'm here to report something to you, something very serious."

Catherine had experience that even the most serious thing would appear very funny if it was told by Zobber. "Go ahead. Let me see how serious it is."

Zobber thought to herself, "Catherine is in a special situation right now, if Mr. Duncan finds out that I told Catherine about this, I'm afraid I'll be killed outright. But they said Rylan would never cooperate if he didn't see Catherine."

Zobber and the others had no way but had to decide to ask Catherine to come to meet Rylan.

After hesitating for a while, Zobber still decided to tell Catherine. She said seriously, "Rylan asked to meet you once."

After hearing this, Catherine did not change the expression on her face and said coldly, "Got it."

She was not surprised that Rylan would make this request. 'Since you want to see me, then I'll go," Catherine thought to herself.

Chapter 985 A Sudden Visit

Catherine was aware that with her current situation, openly meeting Rylan would likely be met with resistance. She decided to keep it a secret from everyone.

She went alone to the heavily guarded prison to meet Rylan. The circumstances surrounding Rylan were quite serious, and he was kept in solitary confinement. Without the guidance of the supervisor, Arvid Mckay, it would have been quite challenging for Catherine to see Rylan.

Arvid was particularly curious about Catherine. Despite his years of experience and numerous encounters with prisoners, he had never seen someone with such strong mental resilience as Rylan, making it difficult for him to handle.

Rylan, who had been in for a while, had only one request. He wanted to see Catherine. He agreed to confess after seeing her. The fact that capturing Rylan was credited to Catherine intrigued Arvid even more. After various arrangements, Catherine was finally brought in.

Upon seeing Catherine, Arvid was momentarily stunned, not expecting her to be so beautiful. Her cold demeanor and unique aura were unforgettable. Her powerful presence was truly remarkable.

"Miss Swann, do you need me to bring in a few more people?" Arvid asked, concerned about Catherine's safety. Rylan was considered highly dangerous, and if anything happened to Catherine, he would be held responsible.

"No need," Catherine replied. She believed Rylan wouldn't try to escape in this situation, and even if he did, she was confident to track him down. She also trusted that Rylan wouldn't harm her.

Arvid quickly completed the procedures, and then Catherine saw Rylan. His condition was poor. Just after a few days, his cheeks were sunken in. He looked desperate and worn out.

Upon seeing Catherine, Rylan instinctively stared at her flat abdomen. He frowned and asked, "How many months?

Catherine's expression softened when he mentioned the baby inside her. "Not even four months yet, not obvious. It'll start showing after five months, Catherine replied calmly. Content belong to NôvelDráma. Org.

Rylan's tense expression gradually eased. "Take a seat. Standing is too tiring," he said gently.

Arvid was surprised. He had always thought of Rylan as cold, ruthless, and taciturn. But now Rylan displayed a gentle and passionate attitude toward Catherine. It seemed that even Rylan couldn't resist a beautiful woman. Catherine sat down and observed Rylan carefully. "You didn't take the medicine I gave you?"

Rylan guessed that Catherine already knew everything, so there was no need for him to hide. "It's hopeless. No need to waste efforts."

Catherine looked at him coldly as usual. "At least it can alleviate some pain. Mr. Theo also mentioned that, as long as you cooperate, there's hope for you."

Many incurable medical conditions had seen remarkable outcomes when patients maintained a healthy mindset and actively cooperated with their treatment.

Rylan looked up at Catherine seriously. "Are you concerned about me?"

Catherine nodded without hesitation. "Of course. We are friends."

Rylan gave a bitter smile, not expecting Catherine to still consider him a friend. He knew she wasn't speaking falsely, as Catherine was not one to lie.

Rylan asked, "Why? I thought you would hate me to the core."

Catherine coldly stared at him. "When we became friends back then, did you approach me with an ulterior motive?

"Absolutely not!" Rylan answered quickly. During the days when he first met Catherine at Loewe, he was

genuinely happy to have her as a friend.

Catherine shrugged and said casually, "We genuinely consider each other as friends. Even though our positions are different now, putting us on opposing sides."

Rylan felt a sense of relief from Catherine's words. He smiled and looked at her. "You're right. We are friends, forever friends. I'm glad you came today, and I'll cooperate. As long as it benefits you, I'll do whatever it takes."

After some time, Catherine decided to leave. She stood up and said, "I'm leaving. I'll have the medication delivered regularly. I need to rest now."

Rylan didn't stop her, even though he wished to see Catherine a bit longer. However, he understood her special circumstances and knew she needed proper rest.

Instead of going back to her apartment, Catherine headed straight to the Duncan Corporation building. It was the perfect time to have afternoon coffee with Branden. She arrived there without notifying anyone.

The front desk immediately recognized her. After all, Catherine had attended many important meetings of the Duncan Corporation. They all knew Branden's fiancee.

Recently, the Duncan Corporation faced a major crisis due to rumors about the sudden illness of Branden. However, Branden appeared at a globally renowned financial summit, dispelling all the rumors. The stock prices soared, restoring confidence among shareholders.

The front desk approached Catherine respectfully. "Miss Swann, I'll immediately inform the president's office to send someone down to escort you."

"No need!" Catherine interrupted, "I'll go up by myself." She was there just to have coffee with Branden, and there was no need to disrupt everyone's work.

The front desk dared not say more. Having worked at front desks for many large corporations, she knew some presidents' wives would visit unannounced to catch their affairs. She wondered if Branden was involved in such a

case.

The front desk hesitated, watching Catherine's departing figure. She was unsure whether to inform her superiors or not. Offending Catherine would bring trouble, but not informing them could also lead to problems.

*****

Unaware of the speculations, Catherine reached the top-floor office. She coincidentally ran into Paxton, who was coming out to get some files.

Paxton froze for a moment when he saw her. Then he quickly approached, ready to assist her.

Seeing his awkward actions, Catherine couldn't help but laugh. "I'm not at the point where I can't walk."

Paxton scratched his head with a wry smile. Catherine was now a high-priority-protected individual, and he couldn't afford any mistakes. Otherwise, Karl would be the first to come after him.

Catherine rarely comes to the Duncan Corporation. Being cautious, Paxton quickly asked, "Is there something you need from Mr. Duncan?"

Chapter 986 His Lover

Catherine nodded. "Just happened to pass by. Is he busy?"

Knowing it wasn't an urgent matter, Paxton secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "Not busy at all, not a bit!"

Branden was always busy, except when it came to Catherine.

"Miss Swann, let me take you to Mr. Duncan's office," Paxton said. Afraid Catherine might grow impatient, he signaled the secretary to inform Branden.

Branden was still in a meeting in the conference room. When the secretary entered, his face instantly darkened.

The secretary was terrified by this expression. If Paxton hadn't personally instructed her, she probably wouldn't have the courage to speak now. She said, "Mr. Duncan, Miss Swann is here. Paxton has already taken her to your office. He wants you to come over for a moment."

Branden closed his computer expressionlessly and then coldly surveyed the room. "Meeting paused." With that, he stood up and left, leaving the executives discussing animatedly.

When Branden returned to the office, Catherine had just sat down. Seeing him rush in, Catherine turned her head to look.

They looked at each other, and Branden smiled. 'Feeling bored at home?"

Catherine nodded slightly. "Just taking a stroll. If you're not busy, we can have afternoon coffee together."

Branden replied without hesitation, "Sure. Wait. I'll grab a coat."

As he spoke, Paxton hurried off to make the reservation.

"No need." Catherine promptly stopped him. Content belong to NôvelDráma. Org.

Branden looked puzzled. Catherine gestured to the fruits and snacks on the table and said, "No need to go out. We can have it here. You work, and I'll sit." She didn't want to go out, and more importantly, she didn't want to interfere with Branden's work.

Branden agreed and instructed the secretary to prepare.

The secretary hesitated for a moment. She realized that it was the first time she had seen Branden so amiable, even with a smile on his face.It seemed the rumors were true. Branden indeed doted on Catherine wholeheartedly. She thought Catherine must be the mistress of the Duncans in the future. Not daring to be negligent, the secretary quickly went to prepare the pastries.

When the pastries arrived, Catherine was somewhat shocked. She looked at Branden and said, 'Does your company always have such a rich variety of desserts?'

Not only were there many options, but there was even a dessert table, rivaling that of a five-star hotel. Most importantly, these desserts looked delicious and perfectly matched her taste.

Before Branden could respond, the secretary said, "Miss Swann, these were all specially prepared for you. They are all flavors you've tried before and liked. We keep them in stock so that whenever you come, you can enjoy your favorites."

Catherine smiled faintly. "Thank you."

Luckily, Catherine didn't visit often, and she ate very little each time, so they didn't have to prepare too much. Otherwise, given how much Branden liked her, they might have to empty the entire mall to satisfy her.

Seeing the approving gaze from Branden, the secretary felt satisfaction and treated Catherine with even more respect. "Miss Swann, enjoy your meal, and if you need anything, just let me know."

After the secretary left, only Catherine and Branden were in the spacious office.

Branden paused his work and accompanied Catherine. She used to be indifferent to sweets, but after becoming pregnant, she seemed different, preferring some desserts that weren't too sweet.

As Branden saw her enjoy the food, his mood improved. "If you like it, I'll have Paxton bring the pastry chef here, and you can have these desserts every day."

Catherine directly rejected his proposal and replied, "Mr. Theo says eating too many sweets is not good, and it might affect the health check."

Branden didn't know about this, but since Thomas had said so, he would follow his advice. Branden picked up a juice, ready to hand it to Catherine, but he noticed that the juice was cold, and he frowned. "This juice is too cold. I'll have someone heat it for you."

Catherine thought, "Heating juice?" She was stunned. "It's orange juice, no ice inside. It's not cold. Besides, can you even drink heated juice?"

Branden still had some concerns. Catherine took the juice and drank it in one gulp. The sweet taste made her feel comfortable. "It's fine, just a little orange juice."

Branden smiled helplessly. "Take care of yourself."

"Don't worry." Catherine shrugged.

"Is everything arranged with the school?" Branden asked. He originally wanted to arrange things for Catherine, but she refused. She intended to handle school matters herself.

Catherine took a bite of cake, squinted her eyes, and smiled at Branden. "No need to handle it. I'm no longer a student at Styre University. I don't even need to go through the procedures for absence."

Previously, due to a special circumstance, Catherine had been expelled from Styre University. Now, she was a visiting professor at Styre University, occasionally visiting the lab to check reports. If she didn't want to go, she just had to tell Marshall, and she wouldn't even need to request time off.

With her words, Branden felt reassured. It seemed being expelled earlier wasn't a bad thing. At least now, it saved her a lot of trouble.

Recently, Catherine had been particularly prone to drowsiness. After eating, she wanted to sleep.

Seeing her yawn, Branden immediately helped her up. "Go rest in my lounge. Once I finish my work, I'll take you home." He wanted to take Catherine directly home, but he knew her personality. She didn't want her personal matters to interfere with his work. Catherine would never agree to that.

Catherine tiredly nodded. Then Branden settled her on the bed. Looking at her beautiful sleeping face, Branden felt an unprecedented tranquility in his heart.

He had not only his lover but also their precious child, which was the best proof of their love. He gently kissed Catherine's forehead and reluctantly left. "Rest well. I'll take you home later."

Chapter 987 Rich Lady

After Catherine woke up, she found the sun almost setting outside.

Though the lounge of Branden wasn't spacious, it was incredibly comfortable to sleep in. Catherine got out of bed. As she opened the door, she overheard conversations outside. She cautiously opened the door just a crack and saw several people in a meeting.

Branden sat at his desk, with several executives of the Duncan Corporation seated in front of him. They were reporting on their work, while Branden listened quietly, occasionally offering some insights.

Catherine couldn't help but appreciate the sight. A man focused on his work was indeed attractive.

Paxton noticed that Branden suddenly accelerated the process, skipping through pages that needed analysis. Seeing senior executives sweating over the speed, Paxton couldn't help but feel sorry for them. Even he, who understood Branden the most, found it challenging to keep up. As Paxton was puzzled, he suddenly noticed the crack of the door. He instantly realized the situation and urged the others to report as fast as possible.

What was supposed to be a meeting lasting half an hour was ultimately completed in less than ten minutes. As soon as the meeting ended, Paxton hurriedly ushered everyone out.

Once everyone left the office, Branden finally stood up. As he reached the door of the lounge, it opened from inside.

Catherine leaned against the doorframe with a smile. "Worried I overheard some confidential information and came to arrest me?"

Branden tilted his head, smiling helplessly, and pulled her into his arms. "The entire Duncan Corporation is yours. If you want anything, just let me know, and I'll fetch them for you." Content belong to NôvelDráma. Org.

Amused, Catherine replied, "Don't say that. When I really set my eyes on your Duncan Corporation one day, you better not be stingy."

'The Duncan Corporation is the Duncans' legacy. I'd need Karl's approval if I give it to you. But I can give you something else." Branden led her back to his desk, making her sit on his lap comfortably. Then he handed her a file.

Catherine was confused. Jokingly, she asked, "Planning to show me some confidential information?"

Branden gestured for her to open it. Following his suggestion, Catherine opened the file. Shocked by its contents, she exclaimed, "Are you transferring all these properties to me?"

Branden nodded seriously. Apart from the Duncans' assets, he handed over all his personal wealth to Catherine. Catherine asked with surprise, "Aren't you afraid I'll run away?"

Though it was Branden's personal wealth, the amount of money was staggering.

Branden's expression became tense. "Where would you go? Without taking me along?"

Catherine chuckled and said, "Since I'll run away with the money, I can't possibly take you." Branden said seriously, "I can still make money. It's more profitable with me around."

Amused, Catherine nodded repeatedly. "Alright. I'll take you along."

"Let's go. Before taking me, treat me to a meal," Branden said.

Catherine frowned and asked, "I've only taken your assets. You can't afford a meal now, and you want me to treat?

Branden nodded seriously. "Yeah. Since I officially joined the Duncan Corporation at 18, I've only taken a dollar each year. Now that I've given you all my wealth, I'm indeed broke. Rich lady, can you support me?'

Catherine lifted his chin with her hand, earnestly scrutinizing his face. "Considering your handsome face, I'll allow it. Follow me, and I promise you to eat nice meals."

Hearing this, Branden playfully blinked and replied, "Okay, rich lady."

ANAWA

When they left the Duncan Corporation, Karl was already at home waiting for them. During this period, they had been having meals together.

Due to Rylan's incident, Thomas worried about Aaron and called him over. The atmosphere here was pleasant, and Aaron enjoyed it. In gratitude for Thomas's kindness, Aaron decided to showcase his culinary skills and made the dinner.

Seeing Branden bringing Catherine back, Thomas immediately went to the kitchen to announce dinner.

Catherine had been experiencing some discomfort. She felt much better after tasting the food cooked by Aaron. This relieved Branden, who had been insisting on cooking nutritious meals for Catherine himself. He acknowledged that his cooking skills couldn't match Aaron's.

With Catherine's pregnancy progressing, her appetite increased. Hungry moments prompted cravings, but overeating made her uncomfortable. Even with her robust physique, Catherine felt the challenges of pregnancy. "Take a walk with me," Catherine said to Branden.

Upon hearing this, Karl urged Brande, "Boy, get up quickly. Be careful downstairs, and avoid dark areas."

Branden had already stood, but he was pushed back down by Karl. He replied helplessly, "Grandpa, I got it."

Then Branden assisted Catherine out of the door. The university staff dormitory was close by. Catherine hadn't visited Winston after he came back. She wanted to see him and proposed the idea to Branden.

Branden nodded. 'Since we're idle, let's go see. I'll grab a gift for him."

There were several gift boxes in the car's trunk. Branden casually picked one up. Then the two headed toward Winston's place.

The old-style apartment building had an iron gate, and the soundproofing was not great. As they reached the door, they heard the noisy conversations inside. Recognizing Marshall's voice, Catherine lightly tapped the gate. The noise inside instantly quieted down, and Marshall cautiously turned to look outside. "Who could it be at this hour? Is it your son, Winston?"

Winston shook his head and said, "He is on an Arctic expedition. He won't be back for three months. It's definitely not him. You guys stay put. I'll go check."

Winston approached the door, opened it, and saw Catherine and Branden standing outside. His eyes lit up instantly. "It's you! Why have you two come? Come in quickly."

Chapter 988 A Surprise

Seeing Catherine and Branden enter the room, everyone inside breathed a sigh of relief.

Marshall chuckled and teased, "I thought someone was coming to nab Winston again."

The crowd paused for a moment and then burst into laughter.

Winston and his wife stood up and approached Catherine. Then Winston expressed his gratitude to Catherine.

Catherine replied, "Professor Warner, it's nothing."

Winston looked at her and said sincerely, "Miss Swann, without you this time, I might have suffered a lot."

His wife chimed in tearfully, "Yeah. It's all thanks to you, Miss Swann."

Winston, like Marshall, held academics dearly. If Catherine didn't save him timely. Winston, with his stubborn nature, might not have survived the ardeal. Therefore, Winston and his wife were deeply grateful to Catherine. Due to Catherine's unique status, they couldn't visit her to thank her. Unexpectedly, she came today.

Catherine smiled faintly. "Professor Warner, don't mention it. It's my pleasure."

Despite Catherine's significant capabilities in the field of computers, Winston knew she was humble.

At this time, Branden said, "Alright. Let's chat sitting down."

Then they all nodded in agreement and took their seats. As they chatted, Winston stared at Catherine and asked, " I heard your experiment is almost done. Is that right?"

Catherine nodded, "It's in the final stages." It should have been done by now if Marshall and others hadn't forbade her to enter the lab.

Winston glanced at Catherine's belly with a smile. "With your current condition, let me and Marshall handle the rest. Do you agree? I promise all credit will go to you."

In the world of experiments, apart from the experiment itself, the most significant was the results. No one was generous enough to accept that their hard work could be claimed by someone else. Content belong to NôvelDráma. Org.

Catherine replied calmly, "Professor Warner, I don't mind about credit. But you just returned. Shouldn't you take a break?"

Winston shook his head and replied, "Nothing serious. I don't feel tired when working in the lab."

Since that was the case, Catherine replied, "Professor Warner, rest assured about credit. I've decided to dedicate this experiment to the country, contributing to the development of our national chips. Anyone can take the credit." Hearing that, everyone stared at her with shock. Winston looked at Catherine for a while and then glanced at Marshall, who seemed equally unaware. He realized that this was all Catherine's idea.

Marshall asked, 'Catherine, is this really your plan?"

Catherine nodded. "Yeah. I had this thought from the beginning." She wasn't lacking money or seeking fame. She just wanted to do what she loved. As an Eskanese, she opposed any attempt to stifle her country's development. With her power, she wanted to contribute to her nation.

Marshall instantly understood Catherine's intentions. He replied with excitement, "Well done! It's truly admirable. Let me and Winston handle the final stage. Then he looked at Winston. "Winston, is that okay?"

Winston said with a smile, 'Of course. These young people are willing to contribute, and we old folks can't fall behind." He was glad to make contributions to their country.

After the discussion, Catherine planned to leave. Aware of her condition, they didn't insist and let her go home to rest.

Branden assisted Catherine in walking. With his hands around her waist, he cautiously supported her.

Seeing his careful demeanor, Catherine couldn't help but smile. 'It's okay. I'm originally stronger than the average person. You don't need to be so careful."

Branden didn't loosen his grip. He chuckled and then said, "Consider it giving me a chance to experience it." Finally, Catherine could only go along with him helplessly.

ANAWA

With the school matters handed over to the two professors, Catherine found herself completely idle. The Hacker Alliance affairs were also not her concern anymore, as Withal and Ronin teamed up to expose the traitors within the alliance. Worried about disturbing her, they didn't even bother to report to her.

Ronin, however, was proactive. Every afternoon, he would come to Catherine's apartment to give updates, occasionally bringing some tasty snacks or interesting little gadgets.

This day, he said, "Catherine, let's go out."

Catherine looked at him suspiciously. Normally, he would be the first to oppose whenever she mentioned going out. She wondered why the change today. "Go out? Are you sure?"

Seeing the doubt in Catherine's eyes, Ronin quickly explained, "Catherine, it's Mr. Theo's idea. He said your current condition is good, and taking a stroll would be beneficial for your health. You haven't been out for a few days, and I have some free time today, so I thought I'd accompany you."

After a moment of consideration, Catherine didn't see any issues. She said, "Alright. Let's go."

Given her current situation, Ronin insisted she shouldn't drive. Catherine didn't mind, and if Ronin wanted to drive, she would let him.

But to her surprise, Ronin didn't take her to the mall. Instead, he brought her to the nearby pier. She asked, "Why are we here?"

Ronin stared at Catherine with a meaningful look. 'Catherine, since you're pregnant now, I've prepared a surprise for you. Just follow me, and you'll find out soon."

Catherine smirked. 'Surprise? Not a scare, I hope."

"How is that possible?" Ronin replied, "Catherine, how many things in this world can actually scare you?"

Catherine thought about it and realized there weren't many.

From her expression, Ronin guessed the answer. "That's it. I couldn't manage to scare you. So, it must be a surprise. Catherine, just wait and see."

Chapter 989 Marry Me

Ronin carefully helped Catherine out of the car, and the two of them made their way to the dock to board the ship. "Catherine, look at this!"

Catherine raised her head to the night sky as Ronin pointed. Numerous winks suddenly appeared. She realized there were rows of drones, creating various shapes through backstage control.

Catherine was captivated by the display and took a closer look. When she saw her name, she was surprised." Ronin, you did this?'

Ronin smirked. "Of course not. Catherine, let's get on the ship. There's a surprise waiting for you."

With Ronin's assistance, Catherine slowly boarded the massive ship. As soon as she stepped on the deck, she noticed several familiar faces.

Zobber, dressed provocatively, waved at her. "Catherine, I'm over here."

Catherine glanced at her with a smile. "Weren't you off having fun? Why are you back?"

Zobber smiled and winked playfully. "Catherine, there are times I can't miss. Today is one of them."

Not only Zobber but also Audrey and Karl were on the deck, all smiling at her. Catherine had a premonition, but curiosity prevailed.

With the blessings and smiles of the crowd, Catherine approached. Thomas personally supported her to move forward.

A melodious tune echoed, and Catherine looked up. On the front deck, Branden sat straight at an exquisite black piano. Bright spotlights enveloped the piano, resembling a huge moon at sea.

Branden played the piano, creating a beautiful melody that felt dreamlike and enchanting. He leaned toward the microphone and slowly turned his head. His sharp eyes softened as he saw Catherine. Then his deep, attractive voice came. "I thought I would be alone forever, but fate allowed me to meet you. You're like sunshine, illuminating my once dark and cold world. I hope my future will always be with you."

As the music concluded, Branden stood up and walked to Catherine slowly. He felt nervous for the first time, sweat forming on his palms.

Then he reached Catherine, and they were just a step away. He knelt down on one knee with a ring in his hand.

In the next moment, a dazzling display lit up the distant sea. Bang! Fireworks bloomed in the sky, followed by drones forming a sentence, reading, [Catherine, marry me!]

Catherine stared in surprise at the spectacular scene, her mind momentarily blank.

Branden knelt before her and stared at her sincerely. "Catherine, will you marry me? I promise I will love you forever."

As Catherine was still processing, Zobber and others began to cheer with excitement. They exclaimed, "Catherine, say yes!"

One of them shouted, "Marry him!"

Another one said, "Catherine, Branden is nice. Just agree."

Catherine's silence made Branden a bit nervous. He realized he might have been too hasty. Considering her young age, it was normal for her not to want the constraints of marriage. He thought he shouldn't have done this.

As Branden was putting away the ring, ready to let Catherine rest, she suddenly looked at him with a serious expression. Branden was captivated and stared at her beautiful eyes.

"Do you really want to marry me?" Her voice was cool and composed as always.

Branden, however, was stunned and instinctively nodded.

Catherine smiled and said, "I'm willing."

Branden was utterly bewildered. He even doubted if he had been too eager, leading to this hallucination. The onlookers couldn't help but laugh at the dumbfounded Branden.

Zobber laughed. "Who would've thought we'd see Mr. Duncan in such a funny scene? Seems like today's trip was worth it. Absolutely, totally worth it."

The laughter brought Branden back to reality from his daze. He didn't care about the mocking. He just stared at Catherine. "Say it again."

Catherine wished to capture this silly moment of his. He seldom behaved like this. She replied, "I said yes. You don't want to?"

Branden became anxious. For the first time, everyone present saw him in such a fluster. He said, "How could I not want to?"

Seeing Catherine's smile, Branden realized he had been played. But he wasn't angry at all, and he smiled warmly." Marry me.'

He slowly took out the ring from the exquisite box and then gently put it on Catherine's ring finger. The diamond wasn't large, but it was exceptionally delicate and cute, exactly to Catherine's liking.

Catherine knew Branden must have put thought into choosing this ring, and it struck a chord in her heart. Branden stood up and stared at Catherine's finger.

Thunderous applause erupted around them, all in celebration of their happiness.

"Kiss!"

'Give her a kiss!"

With the crowd cheering, Branden embraced Catherine's waist and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

As the banquet came to a close, Branden still felt like he was in a dream. The entire time, not only Catherine but also others noticed his grin.

Zobber teased, "Do you think Mr. Duncan will wake up smiling tomorrow?"

Ronin nodded approvingly. "I think he will."

Karl said helplessly, "How did the Duncans end up with such a character?"

Hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.

They never expected that the once-unapproachable Branden would be so excited after his successful proposal. It showed that when one loved the right person, anything was possible.

Chapter 990 Wedding Arrangements

With the successful proposal, the next step was to plan the wedding. However, Catherine's situation was unique. Branden, besides being busy with his company, now had to take care of Catherine every day.

Karl wanted to take charge of all the wedding arrangements. He shared his thoughts with Branden, but to Karl's surprise, Branden flatly rejected the offer. He said, 'It's not up to me."

Seeing his grandson acting like a henpecked husband, Karl wished he could smack him on the head with a cane. He thought Branden disgraced the name of the Duncans.

But when Karl raised his hand, he suddenly thought that Branden had chosen Catherine as his partner. Since Catherine was outstanding, it was somewhat normal for Branden to act this way. He finally said, 'I'll talk to Catherine.'

Branden didn't stop him. If Karl wanted to do something, hardly anyone could stop him, so Branden just let him go. It wasn't a bad thing, after all.

Soon, Karl reached Catherine. "Catherine, I know both of you dislike troubles. But marriage is a big deal. Whether it's the Duncans or the Swanns, we're not ordinary families. I think you should have a proper wedding."

Seeing Catherine silent, Karl felt a bit uneasy. He worried that Catherine might disagree, and that would be embarrassing for him. He would face Branden's ridicule later.

He continued, "Catherine, don't worry. I'll take care of everything. I promise the wedding will be according to your preferences. We'll adopt whatever you like.'

Catherine couldn't help but smile at Karl's cautious demeanor. "Mr. Karl, I didn't say I disagree. You don't need to be nervous." She wasn't particularly concerned about the wedding. She just didn't want it to be troublesome. But since Karl cared so much, she would follow his advice.

Karl only relaxed after a moment, realizing that Catherine had agreed. "So, you're letting me take care of it for you?

Catherine nodded. "Don't tire yourself too much. Just keep it simple."

In Karl's mind, the union between the Duncans and the Swanns wasn't something that could be casually arranged. However, Catherine didn't need to know about that. He would take care of it. "Leave everything to me. Just tell me what you like."

*Rest assured, I'll handle everything for you," Catherine replied.

After seeing off Karl, Catherine was visited by Thomas, who had a worried expression. She asked, "What's going on with you? You don't look well."

Thomas sighed deeply and then took a seat. "Nothing. I just feel uneasy."

"Uneasy about what?' Catherine asked curiously. Content belong to NôvelDráma. Org.

Thomas whispered, "Your grandfather and I were good friends. Now that he's gone, seeing you getting married without others' help makes me feel uneasy."

Catherine instantly understood. No wonder Thomas arrived right after Karl left. They came for the same matter.

Catherine smiled lightly and said, "Mr. Theo, if you're willing, please help me take care of the matters regarding my marriage."

Thomas had been waiting for this, and upon hearing it, he beamed with joy. "Great! Leave everything to me. I promise to make you have a wonderful wedding."

"Okay." Catherine nodded.

After Thomas left happily, Catherine could finally take a break.

*****

Planning a wedding was no simple task, especially when it involved the union of the Duncans and the Swanns. Karl and Thomas tirelessly prepared various details, ensuring a grand wedding while not exhausting the couple.

Throughout the process, Catherine hardly had to worry about anything. She enjoyed a carefree time, leaving everything in the hands of the two old gentlemen. She just awaited the day of the wedding.

Aaron was also on the guest list. Thomas invited him to help plan the menu for the banquet. Reflecting on Catherine's upcoming marriage, Aaron couldn't help but think about his wayward grandson. He thought it was about time he visited him. Through some connections, he went to the prison and met Rylan.

Seeing his grandfather, Rylan was surprised, "Grandpa, you are willing to come see me?" Aaron glared at him and said indignantly, "I came to see if you're dead!"

Rylan chuckled, not getting upset by the words. 'Grandpa, not this time. Maybe next time."

Seeing him still capable of joking, Aaron felt somewhat reassured about his time inside.

After a long silence, Rylan suddenly asked, "How is she doing?"

Aaron knew that he asked about Catherine. Despite being born into wealth, Rylan's upbringing was harsh. He likely cherished only Catherine in his heart. Regrettably, loving her didn't guarantee her reciprocation.

Aaron sighed deeply and then said, "The wedding date is set.

Rylan paused for a moment before realizing what his grandfather meant. He then smiled wryly and said, 'I won't be able to see her in a wedding dress. Perhaps that will be a regret. Grandpa, help me fulfill one last wish."

*Just say it." Aaron nodded.

With a smile, Rylan looked ahead and softly said, "When you attend the wedding, take a picture of her in her wedding dress for me. That day, she must be as beautiful as I dreamt."

Aaron felt a pang of bitterness. He knew Rylan was suffering, but this was what it was. If Rylan were in good condition now, even if Branden were outstanding, Aaron would encourage Rylan to pursue her. However, given Rylan's past actions and current circumstances, pursuing Catherine would only cause more trouble for both parties. It was better to gracefully let go and wish each other happiness.

Aaron said, 'Rest assured. I'll take care of it."

Rylan felt relieved. Although he couldn't be by Catherine's side, knowing she was happy would be enough.

"Have you been taking your medicine lately?" Aaron asked.

Rylan nodded. "Catherine arranged for someone to deliver it to me, and I've been taking it on time."

"That's good." Aaron nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.

Thomas mentioned that as long as Rylan took his medicine on time, he could live for a while longer. Aaron didn't want to see Rylan pass away before him. Every additional day for Rylan meant a glimmer of hope.