Chapter 16: Catherine Has Been Kidnapped!
Charles pulled out a VIP card and handed it to Catherine.
"This is a VIP card for all the malls under the Evergreen Group. It includes 5% equity in the Evergreen Group. Wherever you go, you'll enjoy shareholder treatment - no more waiting in lines at the mall."
"Equity?"
Charles smiled, his handsome face showing extra affection.
"You're my sister. Giving you some shares makes things easier, and it's just for fun. From now on, use the card I gave you for shopping - no limit. If you need more, just tell me!"
"Do the other brothers have this too?"
Charles said matter-of-factly, "Why would those guys ask me for shares? I prepared this a long time ago, just waiting for you to come home so I could give it to you."
Years ago, when Charles, George, Richard, and Philip learned that Juniper, who they'd grown up with, wasn't their real sister, they started preparing gifts for Catherine.
Including the two cards Charles just gave her, they still had many more things they hadn't given her yet!
Charles was sick of those men at home. Now that Catherine was finally back, of course he wanted to treat her really well!
This was their real sister!
"Have lunch with me? The rooftop sky garden was specially built for you! Should I clear it out so you can enjoy it properly?"
Getting a table at Evergreen Mall's sky garden was impossible to book, even with money.
Catherine was about to say she had something to do tonight, but meeting Charles's expectant gaze, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.
"No need to clear it out. I'll have lunch with you."
"Great, great, whatever you say."
Charles looked at Catherine in front of him, liking her more and more. The affection on his face was almost identical to Bethany and Aurora's.
Catherine was so thoughtful and understanding!
Charles was very happy. After giving Catherine a few instructions, he went off to work.
Meanwhile.
The security guard stood in front of Celeste and the other two, politely but firmly telling them they'd lost their shopping privileges at the Evergreen Group.
Celeste said angrily, "Why can't we shop? We're all customers. What's going on with the Evergreen Group? I'm going to file a complaint against you!"
Clara chimed in, "Yeah, we won the lottery specifically to buy Quinn's new products. Why won't you let us shop?"
The security guard maintained his professional smile. "Sorry, you've offended someone you shouldn't have. From now on, all Evergreen Group businesses will blacklist you. Thank you."
Celeste fell silent.
What was going on?
If they were blacklisted by the Evergreen Group, where would she and Clara go shopping?
"Why? We're here to shop!"
The security guard waved his hand, and several more guards rushed over, grabbed the three struggling people, and threw them right out.
"Stop disrupting our other customers' shopping. You offended Ms. Windsor, so you're permanently blacklisted by the Evergreen Group!"
The guard dusted off his hands and walked away.
The people around wanted to watch the drama, but hearing these three had offended someone from the Evergreen Group, they quickly distanced themselves, afraid of getting involved.
Celeste couldn't believe it!
They just threw them out like that?
When had the Smith family and Johnson family ever been treated like this!
Clara burst into tears. "Mom, when did we offend Ms. Windsor? We just talked to Catherine!"
Celeste was extremely irritated. "Catherine is just some woman from the countryside. Stay away from her from now on!"
Lucas got up from the ground and dusted off his clothes.
"I've never heard of the Evergreen Group's CEO having a sister. Could they mean Catherine?"
Celeste waved her hand. "Impossible. Catherine's family is in Tranquil County. You know how poor they are. She must be unwilling to let go and still wants to cling to our family. Catherine probably pulled some shady tricks and did something disgraceful."
"Let's go back. Lucas, I watched you grow up. I'll feel better once you and Clara get engaged."
A blush flew across Clara's face.
Lucas came from a good family, was handsome, and generous. He'd been her dream man since childhood.
She'd always wanted to marry Lucas and become his wife.
Lucas smiled. "Clara and I are still young. No rush."
Celeste was somewhat displeased but said nothing more.
Lucas took a few calls from his friends, learned that a nearby bar had new models, and quickly made an excuse to rush off.
Clara watched his departing figure and stamped her foot.
"Mom, is he going to find Catherine? I'm his fiancée!"
Celeste said through gritted teeth, "Catherine must have contacted Lucas behind our backs. It's normal for her to have her eye on Lucas - you can't find a man with such good conditions in Tranquil County."
"What do we do? What if Lucas gets seduced by her?"
A cold, calculating look flashed in Celeste's eyes.
"Since Catherine didn't go back to Tranquil County, she must not know anyone in Imperia City. It's normal if something happens to her."
Quinn New Store Backroom
Simon handed over a thick reservation list, his face beaming.
"Boss, look at this - these are our new store's earnings. The profit is very good! But why did you insist on giving the Evergreen Group such a discount?"
Catherine said flatly, "I have equity in the Evergreen Group."
Simon was shocked!
"You're just moving money from your left pocket to your right pocket, and it makes the whole Evergreen Group look favorably on us!"
Catherine was silent.
That wasn't really what she meant.
She just thought Charles had it tough and wanted to help him out. Plus, Charles's supplementary card was in her hands - helping Charles make money was making money for herself.
Simon said happily, "Yesterday a super rich person ordered a thousand pieces from us. We even sold off our old inventory, and they said they want to pre-order next season's new products too."
"Who ordered it?"
Simon flipped to the first page and pointed at a name. "Bethany. Ever heard of her?"
Not only had she heard of her, she'd had breakfast with her that morning.
"Give the Windsor family priority from now on."
"Priority? How much do we charge?"
Catherine glanced at him lightly. "No charge."
Simon was puzzled.
When did Catherine become so easy to talk to?
Quinn brand's priority access cost a lot per year!
The Windsor family sure was lucky, saving such a huge amount of money!
Leaving Evergreen Mall, Catherine prepared to go to the hospital to see Marcus.
Marcus had already called her a dozen times urging her to visit.
Ever since Catherine was pushing Marcus in the sun and they ran into Marcus's old chess opponents, the old men started playing without a word. When Marcus was about to lose, Catherine stepped in and shocked all the other old men.
How could Marcus's granddaughter be so good!
These people who'd played chess their whole lives couldn't even figure out her strategy!
Since then, Marcus walked around the hospital every day with his hands behind his back and his chin up.
He called Catherine to the hospital every day, waiting for new old men to line up and challenge her.
Esme wore a pink lace dress, holding an umbrella as she got out of Lila's car.
If Lila didn't dislike extravagance, she wouldn't have to share a car with Lila. She only got this chance because Lila was sick and she could have the driver take her to the mall.
Esme fanned herself and walked toward the queue.
"Isn't that Catherine?"
Catherine stood by the roadside wearing Quinn's new dress, making Esme's eyes twitch with jealousy!
Suddenly, several people wearing masks sneaked up from behind. One of them covered Catherine's mouth and nose and dragged her into a van parked by the road, which sped away!
Esme covered her mouth, afraid she'd laugh out loud!
Catherine had been kidnapped!
Wonderful! Heaven was helping her!
Esme was overjoyed. She hoped the kidnappers wouldn't be gentle with Catherine. The Windsor family would never accept a defiled daughter. Once Catherine was abandoned by the Windsor family, the Windsor family would be hers!