CHAPTER 9

Lucius brought Catherine to meet his family—a family defined by wealth, status, and an aristocratic lifestyle that seemed both foreign and intimidating to her.

“Just be yourself, but remember to behave politely. It's not just in movies; tycoon families have their own unwritten rules,” Lucius advised, his tone calm but laced with subtle caution as they sat in the car.

Catherine nodded, trying to absorb his words. She wasn’t used to this world—this world of power and privilege that Lucius was so deeply entrenched in. But she had no choice now. She had signed the contract. She had made her commitment.

When the car finally came to a stop in front of a grand mansion, Catherine took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She looked at the mansion's towering gates, the perfectly manicured gardens, and the imposing architecture. Everything about it screamed wealth, history, and tradition.

Lucius turned to her, offering a small, reassuring smile. He reached over and gently took her hand. His eyes, filled with encouragement, seemed to say, "You’re not alone in this."

As they stepped out of the car, Catherine couldn’t hide her surprise. A long line of servants, all dressed in perfectly neat uniforms, stood waiting for them. Their presence was unsettling—so formal, so precise. The servants bowed respectfully as Lucius and Catherine passed.

An elderly butler, his movements precise and dignified, approached them. He bowed deeply. “Welcome back, Master Lucius, and Miss Catherine,” he said in a calm, respectful tone. “We are ready to serve.”

Catherine’s heart raced in her chest. The sensation of being so out of place was overwhelming. But Lucius, as if sensing her discomfort, gently squeezed her hand. His touch was warm and reassuring, a silent promise that he would protect her in this strange, intimidating world.

The butler was soon joined by a male servant who handed Catherine a soft hand towel and helped her with her handbag. “Thank you, Daniel,” Lucius replied with a nod. “Let everyone know we’re back. I want them to feel comfortable and welcome Catherine as a member of the family.”

“Master, the masters have been waiting in the living room, eagerly anticipating your arrival,” Daniel said.

Lucius nodded and then firmly held Catherine's hand as they walked toward the grand entrance. The towering doors opened smoothly to reveal an immense living room, bathed in warm yellow light. The space felt cozy but undeniably regal, with high ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers that glistened under the soft lighting.

The room was decorated with intricate sculptures and artistic paintings, each piece exuding wealth and taste. Catherine was taken aback by the grandeur of it all—every detail was perfect, every corner carefully curated.

She followed Lucius, her footsteps echoing in the marble halls. Outside, there was a spiral staircase that led to the upper floor, where everyone would gather for afternoon tea or social occasions. Inside, every detail seemed more exquisite than the last. The golden hue of the handrails, the ornate carvings on the staircase, and the smooth, white marble floors created an atmosphere of both luxury and serenity.

At the heart of it all stood Lucius's parents: Mr. Maximus and Mrs. Lily Ravenwood. They stood waiting for them in the center of the living room, their presence commanding and dignified.

“Welcome back, Lucius,” Mrs. Lily said, her voice gentle but authoritative. She turned to Catherine, her expression softening. “And this must be Catherine. We’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

Catherine bowed her head respectfully, trying to remain composed, though her nerves were starting to get the better of her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

“Why so formal? You should call us Mom and Dad,” Mr. Maximus said, his hearty laughter filling the room. His jovial demeanor lightened the tension in the air.

He studied Catherine for a moment with sharp eyes before speaking again. “I’ve heard Lucius speak very highly of you. I hope you’ll feel at home here. You are always welcome, Catherine.”

The warmth in his voice made Catherine relax slightly, but she could still feel the weight of Mrs. Lily’s gaze on her. There was something cold, something calculating in the way Mrs. Lily observed her, as though she were measuring every word Catherine spoke, every movement she made.

As the evening wore on, Catherine found herself slowly relaxing, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Mr. Maximus’s warmth made her feel welcome, but Mrs. Lily was a different story. Her gaze never wavered, her posture straight and regal. She studied Catherine like an object, not a person.

At one point, Mrs. Lily’s tone shifted as she mentioned a name. “Minnie has always been such a wonderful girl, don’t you think, Lucius?” she said, her eyes fixed on Catherine with an intensity that made her uneasy. “I wonder how she’s doing now.”

Catherine’s stomach tightened at the mention of the name. She didn’t know who Minnie was, but Mrs. Lily’s attachment to the name—and the way she looked at Catherine when she said it—made her feel like she was missing something important.

Lucius noticed Catherine’s unease and immediately placed his hand over hers. His grip tightened slightly as though to reassure her.

“Mother,” he interjected, his voice calm but firm, “it seems Catherine is feeling a bit uncomfortable. We’ll take our leave now and see you at the next event.”

Mrs. Lily’s lips tightened, and she shot a brief, disapproving glance at Lucius, but she didn’t argue. “Alright, son. See you both later.”

As they stepped out of the mansion and into the car, Catherine’s mind raced. She had tried to remain calm during the dinner, but Mrs. Lily’s constant mention of Minnie had left her feeling unsettled.

Lucius noticed the tension in her eyes as he drove. He gently squeezed her hand again, trying to comfort her. “You don’t need to worry, Catherine. Everything will be fine.”

Catherine looked out the window, her thoughts a whirlwind. “Lucius, why does your mother keep mentioning Minnie? Is there something I don’t know?”

Lucius sighed, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel. “Minnie is an old family friend. But everything is in the past now. She’s no longer relevant.”

“But why did your mother bring her up during my first meeting with her? Something doesn’t feel right,” Catherine pressed, her voice growing more urgent.

Lucius's expression darkened slightly. He frowned, his voice lower than before. “Catherine, don’t forget where you are and your position. We shouldn’t meddle too much in each other’s affairs.”

His words stung. Catherine turned to look out the window, her heart heavy with unease. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this story than Lucius was letting on. "Position"? What did that even mean?

When they arrived home, Lucius helped Catherine out of the car, and the two of them remained silent as they entered the house. As per their agreement, they wouldn’t share a bed, but they would share the same room. Lucius grabbed a blanket and pillow, arranging them on the sofa, before lying down comfortably.

Catherine lay in bed, unable to sleep. The unfamiliar surroundings, the lingering tension from the evening, and the absence of someone to talk to made her feel more alone than ever. She turned over, restless, her thoughts consumed with the questions she couldn’t ask Lucius.

The night stretched on, and she couldn’t shake the unease that had settled deep in her chest.

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