Catherine's POV
Leo noticed my silence, and he seemed to realize that he had said something inappropriate. He quickly rephrased, "Don't get me wrong. I don't mean to belittle you. I just feel that you and Blake are not the same kind of people. You know that Blake is serious and boring. But you strike me as quite interesting." "It's fine. I know what you mean," I said, but I still felt a little upset about his comments. After I ended the call with Leo, another call came in before I could put my phone down. It was from Blake. "Yes?" I said lightly. "Who were you talking to on the phone? Why were you talking for so long?" Blake asked with a little dissatisfaction. I was stunned. I felt a bit guilty and lied, "It was just a client. What's up?" "Clear out your afternoon. I have something important to go to you," said Blake. "What is it?" I was surprised. "Anyway, I'll pick you up at three o'clock in the afternCatherine's POV "Where are you taking me shopping?" I asked curiously. "We go where the best things are," Blake said calmly. I couldn't help but look back at him. "You aren't going to spend a fortune changing my appearance just because of what people say on the Internet, are you? If so, then I guess I owe them a thank you." "Isn't it a matter of course for me to buy things for you? Do I need a reason?" Blake couldn't help but chuckle. "Fine. Aren't you afraid that I will buy lots and lots of stuff and max out your card?" I threatened him fiercely. "Go ahead. As long as that's what you want." Blake said generously. I suddenly realized that I had said something ridiculous again. Blake had so much money that even he lost count. "Forget it. I'm not that greedy. A few pieces will do." I thought about it, and I realized that I shouldn't take it out on him. After all, how I dressed was the reason why we were here. Blake didn'
Catherine's POV "I'm not interested in those things. Maybe we should go." I immediately declared that I didn't dig jewelry. "That's because you haven't seen anything you like. Trust me, when you wear jewelry that belongs to you, you'll love it," Blake said. "Blake, believe it or not, if you keep buying things for me like this, I might not be able to leave you ever again." I was in a mess. Blake stopped abruptly. I didn't see it coming at all, and I bumped into him. My head was buzzing. I touched my forehead and looked at him with confusion. "Are you serious?" His voice was low and charming. "What?" I blinked. "You can't leave me ever again?" Blake said directly. I was just teasing him. I only meant to scare him, yet I winded up being startled. "What do you want?" I took a step back. Blake took a step forward. His tall and muscular body was very close to me, and his voice was low. He said, "I want to know.
Catherine's POV When I returned to the lakeside villa, I found it quiet. Then I realized that I didn't see Howard and Ash in the parlor. "Where are Mr. Twitty and Ash?" I asked. "Mr. Twitty has gone out. He says he won't be home for dinner tonight, but he'll be back for another night." replied the servant. I smiled gratefully and walked upstairs with my purse. I figured that Dowen was on his way to pick up the kids. I could take the opportunity to take a shower and relax. I took a shower and changed into my pajamas. Just as I went downstairs, I heard the footsteps of the two kids running into the parlor. "Noah, let's go feed Chestnut and Peanut later, OK? I miss them a lot," Hedwig said. "OK!" Noah sounded very mature. "Hedwig, Noah, I will join you." I smiled as I walked down the stairs. Their eyes lit up, and they ran to the stairs to wait for me. "Mommy, why are you back so early?" I said gently, "I got off work early today!" "Mommy, what's that on your ha
Catherine's POV I went downstairs with Hedwig, and I saw Howard's car parked outside the parlor. He pushed the door open and got out of the car hastily. Then he hurriedly opened the rear seat door and came in holding a baby who was crying her eyes out. "Ash, don't be afraid. Daddy's here. It's my fault. You must be terrified!" Howard blamed himself while holding Ash in his arms. I hurried over and asked with concern, "Mr. Twitty, did you take Ash out?" "Yes. She has been staying at home for two days, so I wanted to take her out to see the outside. But on our way back, she kept crying so hard. It breaks my heart!" His face was full of sorrow. I quickly held Ash in my arms and said, "Ash, come here and play with Hedwig. Let Hedwig sing for you, OK?" As soon as Hedwig heard that there was a chance to show off, she immediately began to sing a few songs that she had learned in kindergarten. Ash dug playing with kids. Seeing Hedwig singing and dancing in front of her, she
Catherine's POV Blake's words made me blush a bit. I turned, poured a glass of water, took it to Blake, and said, "Have some water." "Cathy, you're so nice to me." He looked at me seriously. I glanced at him with slight anger and shyness. "I'm only doing this for money." "I know you are not a snob. You are trying to hide the fact that you have feelings for me by lying," said Blake with a bit of smugness. I wanted to throw the glass of water right in his face badly. Was Blake drunk? Blake tried to sit up several times, but his attempts were all in vain. Then he pressed his head. "I'm dizzy. Can you help me?" I thought he was very drunk, so I walked over and tried to help him sit up. I put my arms around his shoulder and helped him up. Blake was practically leaning on me. I frowned. I didn't know what a man should be like when he was drunk, but Blake didn't seem right to me. How come he couldn't even sit straight? "Blake, just lie down. I'll call Dowen over and
Catherine's POV "What are you talking about? Explain to me! What did I do to you?" Blake asked, confused. He gawked at me innocently. Seeing that, I became even more furious. I sneered, "Of course, you don't remember what you said, because you were dreaming. How am I supposed to know which woman you were snuggling up to in your dream? Instead of asking me, you should ask yourself. If you didn't want her to leave you, you should have asked her to stay. What's the point of dreaming about her every day now? Also, don't say those sappy things to me ever again." Blake looked like he realized something. "Cassy, are you so mad because you have feelings for me?" asked Blake. How could this man always miss the point? I was choked by his words! I was accusing him plausibly just now. However, because of his words, my aggressiveness instantly vanished. I lowered my head and tidied my messy long hair. I fell silent. Blake sa
Catherine's POV "Blake, let's say what you said is true. But I am not as emotional as you are." "I'm not trying to force you to fall in love with me, but I hope that our relationship will grow deeper. Can you tell me how you feel about me now? I want to be sure. I don't want to spend my day wandering anymore. Please?" Blake's tone was very gentle, making people unable to resist. I bit my lower lip. I had always been brave, but not right now. "Well, I admit that you have been very nice to me and the kids these days, and your performance is almost flawless. Anyway, I don't hate living with you now. But I can't say that I'm in love with you." I plucked up my courage and expressed my feelings. "It's already a good start, isn't it?" Blake chuckled in a low voice. I looked up at him. He had been immersed in sorrow just now, but now he was chuckling. Was he acting back then? "How's your relationship with your mother now?" I asked cu
Catherine's POV Just as we were having breakfast at the dining table, Howard pushed a baby cart and walked into the parlor. I asked him quickly, "We're going to Disneyland in Orlando later. Do you want to join us?" "Of course! How can Ash and I miss the fun? Am I right, Ash?" Ash was Howard's treasure, and he took great care of her. "Daddy, I want to play!" Ash mumbled. After Hedwig finished her breakfast, she sat up straight and looked at me feeding Ash. "Mommy, Ash is spitting out her food. Why are you still feeding her? She doesn't want to eat anymore!" Hedwig said unhappily. I chuckled. "Hedwig, Ash is still too little. She can't eat fast. This is how she eats. You used to eat like this as well." "That's not true!" Hedwig immediately denied that she used to be without table manners at all. The serious expression on Hedwig's face amused Blake and Howard. "Mommy, can you feed Ash quickly? We are done eating. W
"I had someone call Tasha, and she said your mom was home for dinner, so I came over." Leo had been particularly clingy with Sunny lately. Not having her even for lunch felt off, so he packed some food, deciding to eat with her.He didn't expect to see Olivia.Worse still, Sunny actually stood in front of Olivia, as if shielding her.Sunny's mind was blank. She underestimated her importance to Leo.Olivia, seeing Leo's dark expression and the flicker of anger in his eyes, panicked too.She pushed Sunny aside, stepped forward, and said humbly, "Leo, I was planning to apologize to you anyway.""Really?" Leo's voice was icy cold. Though addressing Olivia, his gaze pinned Sunny, as if trying to see through her pale face to her true thoughts.Olivia nodded earnestly. "Yes, I was going to seek your forgiveness. We were just discussing having Sunny call you later...""Enough! I don't want to hear your lies. Keep running if you will."
"Is your hand better?" Olivia nervously checked Olivia's left hand."Did you go to Leo's neighborhood last night?""Yes, I've been waiting at the entrance for days and came here specially to corner you today."Sunny took her home. Olivia collapsed on the sofa and said, "Life on the run is exhausting."Sunny poured a glass of water and asked, "Want something to eat?""Is there any food? I'm starving."After Sunny bought food and returned, she found Olivia already fast asleep on the sofa. An hour later, a phone call woke Olivia up—it was Leo calling to urge her."Leo, I need to have lunch with my mom today. Is it okay if I come back to the company in the afternoon?"Leo agreed readily.Sunny lied to Leo. She was worried that Leo might ask questions or suggest coming with her.Fortunately, Leo didn't say much and just asked her to come back early.After hanging up, Sunny saw Olivia, who had been woken up
After dinner, Richard and Nick didn't linger. They greeted Emerson upstairs and left.Back in the bedroom, Blake's handsome face was clouded with gloom.Catherine sat beside him and gently comforted, "They're gone. Don't let them get to you. It's not worth it!""I know, but I can't help it. This feeling is killing me," Blake said, rubbing his temples.Catherine leaned on his shoulder. "Don't think about it. Emerson's not doing well. Let's focus on taking care of him."Blake nodded. "I'll try to hold on. Once this period's over, I'll make them pay double."Catherine felt helpless seeing his pain but couldn't do anything to ease it.***Late at night, Sunny and Leo were heading home after dinner, both tired.As their car approached Leo's apartment, Sunny glanced out the window and froze.She thought she'd seen Olivia.She sat up straight and looked again.Sure enough, a figure scrambled into a car and
"If the kid were yours, you'd love him!" Richard frowned."But I'm your son too, and I don't feel particularly liked by you."Richard's face turned livid with anger.Seeing Richard speechless, Nick coldly said, "So, I'll only like a son born to a woman I love. Just like you. If that woman had a son for you, you definitely wouldn't treat me as dispensable. I feel like a neglected child.""Enough! I gave you whatever I can already!" Richard interrupted.Nick's words had struck a chord.The reason he didn't value Nick was because he disliked his mother.Richard had always been unwilling to admit it, but now that his son had pointed it out, he became angry out of shame.With a stern face, Nick opened the door and left.Emerson's health was deteriorating. The cold weather made him increasingly uncomfortable.Most of Patricia's energy was devoted to caring for him.Fortunately, the two children were with Abigail,
Catherine and Blake spent two days in Paris before Halsey urged them to return home.The next morning, Halsey found Blake strolling in the garden."Blake, can we talk?" Halsey asked gently."Of course," Blake replied, his expression cool but manner amicable."I want to transfer my company to your name. Consider it a peace offering to my future son-in-law, hoping you'll take good care of Catherine. I'm at ease leaving the company in your hands," Halsey said after a moment of hesitation.Blake frowned. "Why me?""You're capable. The Royal Group has flourished under you. Catherine is still young, and I'm worried she might buckle under the pressure," Halsey explained."Do you trust me that much?" Blake asked with a touch of mockery."You're more reliable than I imagined," Halsey admitted."I can't accept it," Blake refused firmly.Halsey was taken aback. "Why? Is it too small?""A profitable company is valuable
Sunny was stunned. This was the first time she'd seen Tasha act vulnerable."Crying won't help—go cry to Eben," Sunny said, knowing Tasha used tears as her ultimate weapon against her father.Tasha cried harder. "He's my dad. He cared about me! Sunny, there's a limit! You can't bully me like this! Now, the agent won't sign me. Are you satisfied?""How is this my problem?""It is! They heard about our bad relationship and rejected me!"Sunny couldn't believe Tasha's logic. "Our bad relationship is a fact, but signing is about your ability."Seeing sympathy-seeking failing, Tasha immediately stopped crying and threatened, "You'll regret this.""Stop!" Sunny said sternly.Tasha turned and sneered, "What now?"Sunny approached, her eyes cold. "What do you want to do?""I'm just venting my frustration. Is that wrong?" Tasha said, hands on her hips."Try laying a finger on my mom," Sunny warned."Wha
The media exposed Mirabel's arrest, a move deliberately orchestrated by Leo. He wanted every woman envious of Sunny to understand—jealousy was acceptable, but crossing the line to harm others was not.The incident caused a sensation on the internet. A huge weight lifted from Sunny's heart—now that the mastermind was found, she no longer had to live in fear.The next day, Sunny waited for a producer in the lobby.With the storm subsiding, she decided to resume her role in the historical drama she had previously taken on, throwing herself back into her work wholeheartedly.As she focused on studying the script, someone suddenly snatched it from her hands.Accompanying the action was a familiar, mocking voice, "Tsk, still not giving up? After being dumped by Leo, you still dream of being the leading role?"The script thief was her stepsister, Tasha. Dressed in a pink woolen coat, Tasha looked innocent but couldn't hide her sharp ton
Sunny's probing and provocation at the company today already made Mirabel realize something was wrong.She didn't expect Sunny to stoop to such underhanded tactics, even hiring fake cops to extract information from her. What's worse, she actually confessed her true feelings."Sunny, why don't you just die?" Mirabel seethed with hatred, gritting her teeth and flinging the script in her hand.Leo and Sunny were still at the company. Leo ordered some food.Upon opening it, Sunny found it filled with her favorite foods, which momentarily stunned her.Seeing her holding the chopsticks but not eating, Leo quirked his lips. "Don't get emotional yet. Lately, my taste aligns with yours. What you love, I love too."The happiness that had welled up inside Sunny sank back down.Maybe she was overthinking things.Ever since she met Leo, she'd become more and more sentimental, which wasn't a good thing.Lost in thought, Leo murmured,
Mirabel's steps froze, her blood seemingly turning to ice. She didn't dare turn around, instead quickly entering the dressing room.Sunny observed Mirabel's reaction and was convinced she was guilty. After her observation, she swiftly returned to Leo's office.Leo came back after the meeting and saw Sunny there. He put down his documents and asked, "Any findings?""Yes. I suspect Mirabel. When I mentioned the culprits' confession, she turned as pale as a sheet," Sunny reported her discovery to Leo."Oh? Mirabel?" A cold gleam flashed in Leo's eyes."Just a suspicion. Can you look into it?" Sunny looked at him hopefully."If we have a target, there are ways," Leo said with a cold smile. "We can play a little game.""What game?" Sunny was curious."Just wait and see. I'll arrange for someone to test her," Leo said confidently."You're not thinking of getting someone to pretend to be a police officer, are you? That would be