Chapter 243: Could It Be That You're a Richard Fanatic?
Vincent had it all figured out.
If Franklin really did something bad, worst case scenario, he'd just kill him.
A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Vincent's eyes.
"Catherine, remember this—if Franklin ever tries to hurt you, use those methods we taught you and send him off. No need for a coffin, just blow him up!"
"Does he really think he still runs the Galactic Aurora Collective? If it weren't for him, you wouldn't have..."
Realizing he'd said too much, Vincent shut his mouth and closed his eyes to rest.
Catherine noticed Vincent's hesitation but didn't press him.
It seemed both Vincent and Elodie were hiding something from her!
Starry Residence Moonlight Mansion, The Windsor Mansion.
As soon as Charles and Catherine walked in, Aurora mysteriously pulled them aside to the small garden.
Aurora pulled out a thick stack of brochures, showing Catherine the research she'd done—all about hotel banquet options and wedding planning company portfolios.
"Catherine, where do you think would be good for George's engagement party?"
"What? George doesn't even have a girlfriend. How is he getting engaged?"
Charles was equally shocked: "When did George get a girlfriend?"
George had always been single. His closest contact with the opposite sex over the years had been on the operating table.
Where did he find someone? And they were already at the engagement stage?
Aurora pointed upstairs and quietly told them what had happened during the day.
Catherine and Charles both fell silent.
After a moment, Charles shared what he could about the truth.
"What? So George was dressed like that because of an explosion? Not because something inappropriate happened?"
Catherine nodded firmly.
"Mom, you misunderstood."
Aurora put down what she was holding, feeling both regretful and relieved.
"That's good, that's good. I was thinking George was being so improper, I didn't want Emilia to get scared off—I can't lose my future daughter-in-law!"
Around the corner in the hallway, Emilia stood holding a water glass, her face burning red. She'd been about to call Catherine when she overheard this conversation and nearly bit her tongue!
She turned around and bumped right into George behind her, her nose hitting his solid chest. It hurt so much she grimaced.
"Ow! George, you..."
Aurora and Catherine heard the commotion and quickly came in from the garden, only to see George pulling Emilia away in a hurry.
Charles stared in the direction of the hallway, also puzzled.
"What's George doing? Why did he just drag Emilia off like that? How rude!"
Marcus, who'd been drinking tea nearby, set down his cup, sighed, and got up to leave with his hands behind his back.
"These kids are all like this. When will I ever get to hold a great-grandchild?"
Brandon wasn't stupid—how did he end up with kids who were all so clueless!
Imperial University's opening ceremony.
The entire Windsor family got up early to attend Catherine's opening ceremony.
The last time they'd attended an opening ceremony was back when Juniper was still in elementary school.
In front of Catherine sat a pile of gift boxes—opening day presents from the Windsor family.
Aurora wiped her tears. "Sweetheart, your dad and I missed out when you were in school before, and you suffered so much. We're making it all up to you now!"
Late last night, the Windsor family had dug up videos from Catherine's old school days.
Catherine had attended a rural elementary school. The videos were made for a public service project about left-behind children, with each child getting only half a minute of screen time.
Richard had stumbled upon the DVDs while filming in the mountains. Unable to make it back, he'd mailed them home.
Seeing young Catherine's bright smile in the video, the Windsor family cried together. Looking at their family members who all needed ice packs the next morning, Catherine felt both touched and warm inside.
Just from those somewhat blurry images, the Windsor family had captured screenshots and treasured them—those were the moments they'd missed!
Her family truly loved her!
Juniper had specially requested time off from the research institute just to attend Catherine's opening ceremony together.
"I used to get gifts on the first day of school too. From now on, we'll prepare them for you every year!"
Catherine sat surrounded by gift boxes of all sizes. Emilia rested her chin in her hands, watching Catherine with shining eyes.
"So there really are people who get opening day gifts."
The Windsor family's warmth and harmony was something she'd never experienced.
Compared to the Windsor family, the Hughes family was like a garbage dump. Seeing how the Windsors treated each other, she realized families could actually be like this with their children.
No talk of benefits, no expectation of returns. Love meant feeling you never gave enough, not feeling shortchanged!
Emilia felt her nose sting.
She was like a stray cat with no home, peeking in at the happiness of house cats.
The whole family accompanied Catherine to school in a grand procession.
The auditorium was packed with families and students attending the opening ceremony, but few had the entire family show up like the Windsors.
"So lucky, having so many people come."
"She's in college and the whole family still comes—is she still in elementary school?"
The girl speaking wore an expensive dress. She could tell Catherine's dress was actually a current season Quinn Couture piece, impossible to buy even with money. When she'd tried to order it, they told her it had already been reserved!
She hadn't expected Catherine to be the buyer. Clearly someone without class—needing the whole family to escort her to school.
Someone nudged her arm. "Lyra Cole, that's Catherine from the Windsor family. Don't talk nonsense—we can't afford to cross them."
Lyra was dismissive and pursed her lips.
"So what if she's from the Windsor family? She probably bought her way in. Someone like that probably didn't even pass the entrance exam."
Alkaid, disguised as a student nearby, chimed in with a laugh: "Exactly! Catherine was admitted through recommendation. The director from the Medical University next door went to the Windsor house several times hoping she'd study medicine."
"She was recommended? I didn't realize Catherine was not only beautiful but also such a good student!"
Hearing the admiring comments around her, Lyra's expression soured.
"Someone who should be studying medicine comes to our design department instead—she probably has no talent. Does she think jewelry design is easy? It's not something you can do just because you can draw a little."
In Lyra's eyes, these rich people born with everything were trash!
"Say less. The person you like is Catherine's brother. You love Richard so much—Catherine must be great too."
Lyra got agitated.
"Richard is different from her! Everything Richard has, he earned through his own hard work. What does Catherine know!"
At the mention of Richard, Lyra became quite emotional, practically wanting to pull out her phone and tell everyone how hard Richard's journey had been!
"Richard works so hard—how can he have a sister like this! If he knew that while he's out there working hard on set, his family is just enjoying themselves, he'd be so upset!"
Alkaid rolled her eyes and started being sarcastic.
"Catherine doesn't understand, but you do? They're sending their kid to school and that's 'enjoying themselves'? Could it be you're jealous because no one came with you?"
"I see your phone wallpaper is a photoshopped wedding photo of you and Richard. You're not one of Richard's crazy fans, are you? Does Richard know you talk about Catherine like this behind her back?"