Before returning, Branden had considered asking Catherine why she appeared at the underground boxing gym and even inquiring about her intentions in taking Erick away.However, he abandoned all those thoughts when he saw Catherine's smile.There was no need to question these things.After all, Catherine trusted him so much and surrendered immediately.Branden reached out and gently caressed Catherine's beautiful face with his long fingers.His voice also softened instantly. "Are you hungry?"Catherine had rushed to the black market right after school and hadn't eaten anything.If Branden hadn't mentioned it, she would have forgotten that she hadn't eaten.She subconsciously moved her face closer to his hand and rubbed her cheek against his palm for some reason. She was just like a kitten seeking affection from its owner.The slight touch felt electrifying. It made Branden's heart instantly restless.In front of Catherine, Branden's once-proud self-control could easily crumble.
Ronin and Sean stopped arguing. Catherine noticed that Erick was staring at her with no reaction at all.Erick kept staring at Catherine without even a flicker in his eyes.Catherine hadn't worn a mask like last time when she came today. Her uncovered face was unbelievably beautiful. She was as beautiful as a princess in a fairy tale. Erick was completely stunned.He had imagined countless faces behind her mask, but he had never thought Catherine would be so beautiful.Catherine glanced at him and continued walking forward. She paid little attention to Erick.Ronin immediately followed suit. Sean reached out to pat Erick's shoulder and teased, "Wake up, kid!"Sean wasn't surprised that Erick was shocked to see Catherine's true face.After all, the first time Sean saw Catherine's face, he had been dumbfounded for quite a while before returning to his senses.Erick realized the situation and hurriedly lowered his head to catch up. His reddened earlobes indicated his true feelings
The Winfreds were a prestigious family in Oceanvile.Oceanvile was renowned alongside Casier, and if Casier were considered the aristocracy, then Oceanvile would be a rising star.The Winfreds were involved in the mining business and made a fortune in previous years. Although they had a tough time in recent years, they had a solid financial foundation.A few months ago, they acquired a rare mine in South Apridon, which attracted envy from the whole industry.Now, they unexpectedly let go of this lucrative opportunity for the sake of an illegitimate child, which was a generous act.It was no wonder Sean didn't value family ties. The Scotts also used to be a prestigious family, and there was a lot of scheming and deceit among the wealthy. He had seen it all.When it came to profit, parents and siblings were all considered trivial matters."Cassie, is this a trap?"Catherine always thought Sean was reliable in his actions, and indeed he was. He never did anything without certainty
A black car slowly pulled up in front of the Winfreds'.This wasn't the Winfreds' primary residence, so the home wasn't magnificent.Before they arrived, someone had already gotten in touch with the Winfreds. Therefore, as soon as the car pulled up, someone was there to greet them."Greetings, I'm the butler. Mr. Winfreds and the others are waiting inside. Please follow me."Ronin nodded and walked in front.Erick was in the middle, and Catherine strolled along at the back.The butler locked his eyes on Erick as soon as the three of them got out of the car. It seemed that he had recognized Erick at first sight.Ronin found it odd and slowed down to walk beside Catherine."Hey, Catherine, why's the butler so fixated on Erick? Does he know him?"Catherine stayed silent, and Ronin didn't push it when he realized she didn't want to discuss it.Once they entered the Winfreds' digs, Ronin finally understood why the butler had been staring at Erick."Sir, Miss, the man at the foref
Catherine had just settled into the car when Ronin couldn't contain his curiosity."Catherine, what was Erick up to just now?"What made Ronin wonder was when Catherine casually reached out and touched Erick's hand at the end.They'd only met a few times, but they seemed really tight, which made him jealous!Catherine decided to brush off Ronin's question. She knew him too well.Every so often, Ronin would do something like this.Ignoring him was the way to go.Catherine adjusted her seat and told Ronin, "Give me a heads up when we arrive!"Seeing that Catherine wanted to take a break, Ronin understood that she didn't feel like talking. He stayed quiet and let her relax with her eyes closed.At the Duncans'.With the latest information in hand, Paxton knocked on the study door.He opened the door and entered the study only after hearing a "coming" from inside."Mr. Duncan, I have a message from the Winfreds!"In the dimly lit study, Branden was completely immersed in a cru
Catherine had just scolded Johnathan and given a little warning to the mischievous Liana.The house had become surprisingly quiet in the past few days. After a significant setback, Korbin was wary of picking fights with Catherine. Rachael was also busy looking after Johnathan to keep him out of trouble, leaving her with no time or energy to deal with Catherine.In Class 8, the atmosphere had changed significantly.Even after class, there were no more rowdy noises.Students mostly sat quietly, chatting in their seats, and the chaos was a thing of the past.Noticing that Catherine wasn't resting or playing games, Ronin brought a chair and sat close to her."Catherine, did you really send Johnathan to Dentler Academy?"Catherine casually nodded.Ronin believed sending Johnathan to Dentler Academy was a fitting punishment, but he couldn't help but worry.Dentler Academy was renowned for its life-and-death waiver agreement, which required all students to sign it.Although the
Catherine and Ronin had taken a temporary leave from school to visit a relatively unknown hospital in Casier.Based on the information Ronin had received, Erick had been brought to this hospital.He needed a series of tests, and once they were completed without issues, he would be taken to Oceanvile.Oceanvile was where the Winfreds had their roots. If they waited until Erick was brought there, it would be much harder to get close to him.At the far end of the top floor's corridor, Ronin and Catherine waited near the stairs."Catherine, the room at the very end is Erick's. There are guards at the door, we should be in the right place.""Ok," Catherine replied tersely.Ronin hesitated for a moment before asking, "Catherine, are we really going to save him?"Their prior deal with the Winfreds included an agreement not to interfere once the deal was completed.While the Winfreds might be unethical, it was their business, and they didn't need to get involved.In terms of a busine
The reason Erick said there was not a single good person among the Winfreds dated back to the relationship between Xavier and Erick's mother many years ago.While the Winfreds had wealth, it had dwindled in Xavier's father's time.To revive the Winfreds, Xavier married Jeremy's mother and used her family's money and his business skills to turn the Winfred Group into a successful company.Erick's mother and Xavier were originally college sweethearts.However, they separated after graduating.When they met again later, Xavier lied about being married and got back together with Erick's mother.When Jeremy's mother found out about Erick mother's pregnancy, she confronted them.As a result, Erick's mother had a tough delivery and passed away shortly after giving birth to Erick.To prevent Jeremy's mother's family from withdrawing their investment, Xavier abandoned Erick and left him to be cared for by his grandparents.Erick's grandparents were devastated by their daughter's sudden