Cedrick and Catelyn walked along the long corridor and passed by the willow trees. The tree leaves hung lowly, casting star-like shadows on the floor as the sunlight shone through the leaves.The wind blew faintly, causing the branches to dance and sending strands of Catelyn's hair fluttering.Catelyn tucked the strands of hair that blocked her vision behind her ear. Cedrick stopped walking and turned to look at Catelyn wordlessly.Catelyn was flustered from being stared at by Cedrick and thus asked shyly, "Aren't we going to the washroom?"Cedrick's eyes flashed with a myriad of emotions, and the creases between his eyebrows became deeper. Catelyn had never liked it when Cedrick frowned, yet he frowned a lot as a habit.She reached her hand out to smoothen his frowns, but as soon as her fingertip grazed his skin, Cedrick grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.Catelyn thought he was going to say something, but he bent down to plant a kiss in between her eyebrows. His kis
"You're allowed to smoke, but I'm not?" teased Catelyn as she then put out the cigarette, tossing it into the trash can.Cedrick pulled her into his arms once again, and together, they walked toward theater room no.6, looking like a couple in their honeymoon phase."Smoking is a man's prerogative," replied Cedrick. "Do you know how many toxins are in a cigarette stick? Nicotine, tar—there are more than three thousand different types of harmful substances, and more than thirty of them could cause cancer. There were even studies and experiments that showed that the amount of nicotine in one stick of cigarette is enough to kill a mouse."Catelyn listened to him as he explained how harmful cigarettes were, "If you're aware of it, why do you smoke?" she shot back.Cedrick looked at her and said, "Because I'm a man, and you…are a woman."…They finished watching the musical, and Cedrick had nothing else planned afterward as it was not appropriate for Janice to stay out for too long.H
Catelyn felt something pierce through her heart as she throbbed in pain.It was summer and there was no wind, but she felt a bone-chilling air rushing over her, sinking into her skin. She shuddered.That pendant was that important, huh?'Take good care of it. You can't afford to lose it.'Cedrick was right; she would never be able to find him another one if she were to lose his mother's relic that she had left for him.'But why didn't he just tell me?'…Cedrick was not present during the meal, which meant only Janice, Javier, and Ollie were there. Javier was talkative as usual, not once stopping even after they sat down, but he never really looked at nor acknowledged Catelyn either.He was only talking to Janice and Ollie.This did not bother Catelyn, however, as she continued having her meal.In the middle of the meal, Catelyn gave Ollie a knowing glance, and the boy immediately got up from his seat and said that he needed to go to the washroom."I'll come with you." Javie
"I've bought a new passport and identity card from the black market. Once everything is ready, I'll be leaving with Miles. We'll be heading to Europae first, and then some other countries, and eventually settling down somewhere."Catelyn was nervous as she stared at Ollie with her dark eyes. "You have the right to decide. I won't force you into doing anything."Ollie frowned, his pale, squishy face darkening with gloom. "Why do we have to leave? Father and Grandma are here, Mommy. Didn't we agree that Miles and I will be switching identities every month?"Catelyn did not mention anything about the mysterious man who had been constantly on her back as she uttered softly, "That's because I have a feeling that our secret will be exposed soon."She would rather flee the country with her children before their secret got exposed to Cedrick.She would at least be able to keep one child."Do I really have to pick?" Ollie was upset and torn at this.Catelyn's heart ached for him, but she
David smiled faintly at her.Everyone always referred to him as the Ninth Master, and it had been a while since he was called by his full name."I've brought you something. I believe you'd want to stay once you see what it is.""Open the door now. Let me out!" Catelyn refused to believe David and shot him a deadly glare. Nobody would like being shoved into a car in the middle of the street.David completely ignored her plea and opened the box, retrieving a stack of photographs. "Are you sure you're not interested?"Catelyn froze in place the moment she saw the photographs.Those were pictures of Ollie and Miles—the exact ones she received the card from the mysterious man."So you are the mysterious man!" Catelyn snatched the photographs from him and glared at him repulsively. "The only thing you're good at is using my children to threaten me. How despicable!"David chuckled and asked in a serious tone, "Do you know Cedrick has been investigating you and your son?"Catelyn's fa
"He won't succeed," interjected Cedrick, cutting off Javier from continuing."It's better to be safe than sorry." The worried Javier nervously continued, "Nine has always been a cunning man, and no one knows who's working with him. Cedrick, you should remove Catelyn from the company. Let me help you—"Cedrick glared at him and rolled the car window up. "Drive!"Javier sighed deeply. 'Has Cedrick been lured senseless by a woman? I must find a way to kick Catelyn out!'…That afternoon.Catelyn got out of the car and felt anxious for the rest of the day.The last thing she wanted to do was to betray Cedrick. Even if it was for her sons, he was their father!Still, what was she supposed to do, being under the pressure of such an aggressive man?Her sons and she became the casualties of a battle between two relatives the moment she got forcefully involved."Catelyn." Winnie tapped her fingers on her table when she blanked out. "Mister Cedrick had requested for me to guide you. Pl
Javier pursed his lips together and hopped out of the office.He did not resume his work right away, instead sitting in front of his computer and taking out his smartphone to type out a text.[Be more alert tonight. Make sure everything goes smoothly.]He quickly received a reply.[Consider it done, sir.]Javier thus clicked out of his messaging app to his camera app, switching it to self mode to look at his reflection. He rubbed his chin and was pleased with how handsome he looked from this angle.…The sky grew darker, while the clouds were blacker than usual like it was brewing for a storm.It was 11 p.m. when Catelyn finished her work. She had done verifying all the numbers and cleaned them up before handing the flash drive back to Winnie."I'm done with these, Miss Winnie.""Alright, you can leave the office," said Winnie as she accepted the drive."Aren't you leaving? It's after eleven," Catelyn asked, surprised."I'll leave shortly. Don't wait up." Winnie did not exp
Catelyn did not reply."Maia was with him for four years, yet you came out of nowhere and snatched him! I warn you: if you dare betray him in any way, I'll feed you to the sharks!""...""Are you listening to me?"Catelyn sensed danger at that moment and, grabbing onto Javier's arm, sprinted toward the parking lot. "These people are dangerous. Run, and don't look back!"Javier leaned forward from the sudden impact.He turned around to find that the bikers were getting closer to them. The bikes stopped and a few men in leather jackets and helmets got down from their bikes with bats in their hands.Javier wanted to curse at the riders but stopped himself when he saw them.He internally cursed himself. These men were not whom he had called for!They looked far too intimidating and ruthless.Where did they come from then?Catelyn dragged Javier away, which prompted the men to chase after her."Stop running!"Catelyn merely picked up the pace. It would be stupid for anyone to s