Chapter 168: Catherine and Elodie's Past
The entire Windsor family gathered around the maple tree sculpture that Richard had brought back.
If Catherine hadn't been certain that the item was definitely inside, they would have doubted whether they'd gotten the wrong thing!
No matter how you looked at it, this thing didn't seem like it had a place to hide a USB drive.
The maple tree sculpture felt completely solid in their hands, without even a trace of seams - it looked like it was carved from a single piece of high-quality jade!
Bethany exclaimed in amazement: "Last year at the auction, one of Ryder's jade carvings sold for fifty million dollars. If this jade were sold, the price probably wouldn't be too low either."
Charles: "Catherine, did Elodie buy this jade carving?"
Catherine shook her head, "I gave it to Elodie. I bought it at a flea market for ten dollars."
In reality, this jade carving was the first piece she'd made after learning to carve. Elodie loved maple trees, so she carved a tree for her.
As for this stone, it really did only cost ten dollars to buy - it was just that the jade that emerged from it later was worth a fortune.
Everyone in the Windsor family was stunned to hear that such an exquisite jade carving only cost ten dollars!
Philip: "Dad, did you make a mistake? This isn't Ryder's work?"
Bethany slapped him, furious.
"This has Ryder's signature mark on it. Most people wouldn't know, but I've bought so many of Ryder's works, I can tell at a glance this is absolutely authentic!"
Marcus waved his hand, "All of you shut up. Catherine, quickly see where your grandmother put the item. Do we really have to smash this jade carving?"
When Bethany heard this, she quickly clutched the jade carving.
"No way, Dad! This jade carving is top quality!"
"Get out of my way, you embarrassing thing. Is a jade carving more important than what your mother left behind?"
"But the jade carving is also what Mom left behind!"
Marcus thought about it - that was actually true.
This jade carving was clearly something Elodie treasured during her lifetime. If they really smashed it, Elodie would definitely be angry.
Catherine stepped forward, picked up the jade carving, placed her hand on the maple tree branches at the top of the sculpture, and easily removed a section of the jade maple tree.
"This is the USB drive."
She had originally created this USB drive when she was living at the Smith family's house and it was inconvenient to store things, and she didn't want Oliver and the others to discover it.
Removing the tree branch didn't affect the overall artistic quality of the sculpture - in fact, it added a beautiful touch of imagery, making Marcus click his tongue in wonder.
"Ryder's work really is something special, wonderful."
"Of course, Ryder is absolutely a treasure of the sculpture world!"
Catherine touched her nose, accepting the Windsor family's praise of Ryder as if it were meant for her.
She connected the USB drive to the big screen in The Windsor Mansion's living room.
The whole family sat together, eyes wide with anticipation as they watched the screen.
A light cough came first, then Elodie appeared on the screen wearing a sapphire blue top.
Her hair was gray, every strand elegantly pinned back behind her ears, highlighting her beautiful features.
Time had not defeated this beauty - even in her old age, Elodie remained elegant and gentle, her eyes carrying a flowing warmth.
As soon as he saw her, Marcus's eyes reddened!
"Elodie!"
Marcus had thought countless times about how he'd grown old, and when Elodie saw him again, she would probably still look as beautiful as she did in her youth, and would surely find him repulsive.
Seeing Elodie's aged appearance, Marcus finally realized how much he had regretted all these years, every single moment!
He regretted not spending those decades with Elodie through thick and thin, not witnessing Elodie grow old with his own eyes!
Elodie spoke gently: "Catherine, my darling, when you see this video, I should have already left."
"I'm sick, my body is getting worse day by day. When you're not home, I find myself forgetting many things from the past. I'm very afraid that one day I'll forget my darling, so I'm recording this in advance."
"If I don't leave anything behind, you'll definitely cry in secret. You used to hide and cry when you were little - did you think I didn't notice?"
Catherine's eyes also filled with tears. She quietly blinked, forcing the tears back.
Every day since Elodie left, she had been missing her!
"I probably don't have much time left, Catherine, please don't be too sad. Actually, I know you're not Oliver's child, but he's not my child either, so none of that matters."
"You must study hard and grow up well. If you have a chance to find your family, I'll be very happy too."
"Such a wonderful Catherine must be happy. If you can't find your own family, take my things and go find the Windsor family in Imperia City. Bethany will definitely treat you well, and Marcus is also a good person."
She smiled toward the camera.
"As for the things I've kept from you, I hope you can understand.
When I was young, I got sick and couldn't remember many things.
Now that I'm about to leave, I've suddenly remembered everything."
"As long as the Windsor family sees my bracelet, they'll accept you.
My Catherine doesn't need to live a hard, wandering life with me. I know that when you were five, you would secretly go out to dig wild vegetables to help ease my burden - I knew all along."
"When you were three, my Catherine could already wash dishes and cook, standing on a chair to make porridge for me.
You fell once and didn't make a sound - it broke my heart."
"Catherine, if the Windsor family doesn't treat you well, I won't let Marcus off the hook even when he goes to hell."
Elodie smiled lightly, then coughed several times before straightening up.
"Catherine, I'm so sorry I only remembered things from the past now, making you suffer so much with me. I'll protect you forever from heaven."
"Bethany, nice to meet you for the first time. I'm sorry we're meeting this way. I'm sorry I wasn't there as you grew up, that you suffered."
"As for the Smith family, I know they're not good people. Catherine, you need to leave them and live your own life."
The video ended there, and no one in the Windsor family spoke.
Bethany hadn't expected that his mother knew of his existence!
In this video, Elodie still remembered to say something to him, knowing that his life over the years might not have been easy.
It was a mother's concern for her child.
Aurora felt infinitely sad and hugged Catherine beside her, crying uncontrollably.
"Catherine, it must have been so hard for you and Elodie before, living such a difficult life!"
Just from Elodie's few words, one could glimpse what their past life was like - poor, impoverished, perhaps not even having enough to eat or proper clothes to wear.
Aurora's heart ached terribly.
Thinking about how her Catherine had to learn to be sensible at such a young age, had to take care of Elodie, and had to worry about whether they'd have enough to eat the next day, she couldn't stop crying!
Catherine smiled somewhat reluctantly and gently patted Aurora's back.
"I'm fine, Mom. Although it was hard back then, Grandma and I were very happy. Grandma also said you all treat me very well. Now that our whole family is together and doing well, that's enough."
For Catherine, her wish since childhood was to reunite with her family and for everyone to live peacefully and happily together - nothing else mattered!
Marcus said nothing, his hand gripping the cane trembling continuously, countless emotions surging in his heart, unable to speak for a long time!
"Elodie, you still haven't forgiven me."
Marcus slowly let out a heavy breath, tears streaming down his aged face in an instant, his straight back suddenly bending.
"Don't worry, our whole family will never mistreat Catherine!"