Chapter 71: Are You Being Bullied?
Everyone at the Galactic Aurora Collective Lab was a genius Catherine had rescued from international operations back in the day. Their IQs had been forcibly developed to the limits of human capacity, and within five minutes they had compiled all the experimental data Catherine needed.
"Boss, I want to run a control experiment with Dream grass to see what conditions it's most effective for."
Looking at the data in front of her, Catherine quickly identified the key point.
"Most likely brain cancer."
Half an hour later, the control experiment results showed that Dream grass had a crucial effect on brain cancer, while for other diseases it only had side effects similar to anesthetics and hallucinogens.
For patients with mental issues or those whose brain nerves were under long-term pressure, it was a treasure. For patients with normal brains, it was poison.
"Boss, how did you figure that out? That makes no sense—how are you even smarter than us!"
"New experiment. I need five hundred slides."
Five hundred slides would keep Mercury and Uranus busy for several hours, but neither said anything. They quickly got to work, coordinating seamlessly with Catherine to conduct the experiment in an orderly fashion.
When Catherine walked out of the lab, it was completely dark outside—clearly quite late.
Only then did she remember she'd told George that morning she'd come to his lab in the afternoon. She hadn't shown up all afternoon, so George had probably called countless times.
She pulled out her phone and sure enough, saw twenty missed calls and over fifty message notifications.
"Catherine, where are you?"
"Are you busy? Call me back when you see this!"
Catherine quickly called him back. While talking to George, she walked toward a car parked by the roadside, opened the door and got in.
"George, I had something come up this afternoon and forgot to tell you. I'm with Alexander right now, I'll be home soon."
George finally heard her voice and nearly cried!
"Okay, I'm just glad you're alright. I was afraid aliens had abducted you! Next time please remember to tell me in advance!"
"I know."
George had been so worried about Catherine that he couldn't focus on surgery all afternoon. Although the surgery was successful, he was so distracted from worry that he almost stitched her name into the wound.
If he wasn't worried about annoying Catherine, he probably would have sent way more than just those few messages!
Alexander was handling contracts in the car. When he saw Catherine get in, he put them aside.
"Tired? Let me take you to dinner, then we'll go home."
Catherine glanced at the mountain of contracts piled beside Alexander. "Why are you working in the car? Did your company go bankrupt? Or did The Howard Tower get destroyed in an earthquake?"
"I'm glad you're concerned about my wellbeing, but both the company and The Howard Tower are fine. I was just worried you wouldn't be able to get a ride when you came out, so I came to pick you up."
Catherine hadn't bothered getting a driver's license. Although driving was no problem for her, things were different in Imperia City than abroad. Catherine didn't want to cause trouble for the Windsor family, so whenever she went out, either the Windsor family would drive her or she'd take a taxi.
"How did you know I was at the lab?"
Alexander smiled and pulled her hand over to play with it in his.
"Since you agreed to Ethan's request, you'd definitely research Dream grass's effects. If you weren't at George's lab, you'd be here. The equipment I sent is much better than George's."
As soon as the lab equipment arrived, Moon's people had studied and modified it from top to bottom. On one hand, the geniuses at Galactic Aurora Collective didn't trust anyone except Catherine—they'd only use equipment after confirming it hadn't been tampered with.
On the other hand, their experiment frequency was so high that ordinary machines could barely handle the heavy workload.
The current lab equipment was the most suitable for Moon Laboratory!
Secretary Annie drove into the city and asked, "Mr. Howard, which restaurant should we go to?"
Alexander's gaze fell on Catherine beside him. She was covered with his suit jacket, her head tilted slightly as she slept. In the hazy night, her sleeping face looked especially peaceful and adorable.
High-frequency experiments were mentally and physically draining. She must be very tired to fall asleep beside him.
For an assassin to fall asleep next to another assassin could only prove she trusted him completely right now!
Alexander's heart softened. He reached out to move Catherine's head onto his shoulder so she could sleep more comfortably.
"Never mind, go straight back to The Windsor Mansion."
"Yes, sir."
Outside The Windsor Mansion, Alexander carried the sleeping Catherine in his arms and walked into the house.
Bethany and Aurora weren't home yet. Only Richard was in the living room, supposedly reading a script.
Actually, his eyes kept glancing toward the door. The script in his hands had been on the same page all evening—a page that didn't even have any of his scenes.
Seeing Alexander carrying Catherine in, Richard jumped up from the sofa and rushed over to Alexander.
"What happened to Catherine?"
"She fell asleep. Where's her room? I'll take her up."
Richard looked wary and held out his hands. "No need to trouble Mr. Howard. Give her to me, I'll take Catherine up."
"She'll wake up."
Alexander had no intention of handing Catherine over. With a faint smile, he looked at Richard, but his words left no room for argument.
Looking at Catherine's sleeping face, Richard backed down, but warned, "Fine, I'll show you the way. But don't try anything!"
Alexander carried Catherine and strode upstairs.
Moonlight Mansion at Starry Residence was decorated entirely to Catherine's taste, but the room was still filled with gifts from Charles, George, Richard, and Philip, plus quite a few stuffed animals Juniper had bought.
Alexander carefully placed Catherine on the bed and kissed her forehead.
"Good night, my lovely fiancée."
Richard leaned against the door and rolled his eyes, but said nothing.
Patience. Alexander and Catherine were engaged. Besides, his behavior was completely proper. Don't rush over and punch him.
"You can leave now."
"Please prepare some food. Catherine hasn't had dinner yet. She'll probably be hungry when she wakes up."
Hearing this, Richard's view of Alexander improved slightly, though his words remained sarcastic.
"How come Catherine hasn't eaten dinner while with you? If she really marries you in the future, won't she miss breakfast too? What were you two doing all afternoon? George said he couldn't reach Catherine all afternoon!"
Unreachable all afternoon, this tired, brought home in Alexander's arms.
The more Richard thought about it, the more absurd it seemed. His mind filled with impure images. He wanted to wake Catherine up right then and ask what happened!
Had Catherine been taken advantage of!
This was clearly looking for a fight.
Alexander certainly wasn't going to tell Richard about Moon Laboratory.
That was his and Catherine's secret. He couldn't tell anyone.
"Catherine wasn't in a good mood today. If the Windsor family can't handle the Smith family, tell me. I'll do it."
Mentioning the Smith family, Richard's face fell.
The Windsor family really couldn't act easily. Partly because Marcus's position was too sensitive—any big move would draw a lot of attention.
Richard pointed to his study.
"Mr. Howard, this way please."
Esme returned to the Windsor Villa and searched the kitchen forever for food. Finally full, she burped contentedly.
No one from the Windsor family had brought her food at the hospital!
She was starving!
There wasn't a single person in the living room. Several scripts were scattered on the marble table.
Esme tiptoed over and picked up a script to look at.
Debut as an actress!
Although she'd always looked down on celebrities, thinking they were just performers, Richard was also an actor. If she debuted in acting, wouldn't making money be easy!