Chapter 19
Catherine stared at Philip, her voice firm with conviction. "No, you won't do that, because you don't want to alienate James, much less make enemies with the West family."
Philip's expression turned cold. "How impertinent."
With that, he released her, practically throwing Catherine away from him.
Catherine had anticipated his anger and prepared for retaliation. When Philip pushed her away, she quickly steadied herself, avoiding an embarrassing fall.
The music abruptly stopped, and Philip immediately resumed his gentlemanly demeanor, bowing elegantly to acknowledge the thunderous applause from the guests.
But Catherine somehow found a key card in her hand. She wanted nothing more than to throw it back at him, but then she heard his confident whisper. "You'll definitely come looking for me tonight."
Without a backward glance, Philip walked away.
Alex approached silently to report. "Mr. Foster, Dr. Miller has invited Catherine."
Philip nodded calmly.
"There's one more thing," Alex paused before continuing, "Ms. Wilson from Wilson Group just called. She said she can't attend the charity gala in person tonight, but would like to make a donation via livestream."
"Charlotte?" Philip raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze instinctively searching for Catherine, who stood alone on the other side of the ballroom.
He answered with a smile, "Connect her now."
Alex nodded. "Yes, sir."
Meanwhile, James pulled Catherine to a corner of the ballroom, and she suddenly felt her arm being tugged forcefully.
"Cathy, are you tired?" James enthusiastically handed her a glass of champagne, his face full of concern. "Here, have a drink."
Catherine was still pondering Philip's strange words, feeling they concealed important implications she couldn't quite grasp.
Having just finished dancing, her throat did feel dry.
Catherine accepted the champagne from James and softly said, "Thank you."
"Ladies and gentlemen!" The host stepped onto the stage with a microphone, "Great news! Ms. Wilson from Wilson Group will be joining us via livestream to make a donation!"
Catherine's attention was immediately drawn to the large screen near the stage.
The moment Alex finished speaking, Charlotte's face appeared on the screen.
Charlotte wore impeccable makeup, her elegant smile betraying an air of arrogance. Her carefully styled hair was pinned up, revealing a slender, graceful neck.
"Hello everyone, I'm Charlotte." Her voice carried an innate sense of superiority.
"Wilson Group has always maintained an excellent relationship with Nova Pharmaceuticals. Tonight's Nova 20th Anniversary Charity Gala is of special significance. I will donate fifty million dollars to support charitable causes and contribute to helping those in need."
Charlotte's announcement immediately energized the atmosphere in the ballroom.
"How generous of Ms. Wilson!"
Catherine stared at Charlotte's exquisite yet painfully familiar face, and the world around her seemed to fall silent.
She could hear nothing, her mind filled only with unbearable painful memories.
She felt her blood boiling, her entire heart consumed by hatred and anguish.
In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to break through the screen and tear Charlotte to pieces!
On screen, Charlotte raised her glass to Philip. "Mr. Foster, wishing Nova Pharmaceuticals continued success."
Philip looked at Charlotte on the screen with an expressionless face, raising his champagne and responding flatly, "Thank you."
After concluding her speech and toast, Charlotte disappeared from the screen.
The moment Charlotte vanished, Catherine's gaze fell on Philip, who was busy entertaining guests.
The Foster family, the Wilson family, the West family—three elite families with intricately complex relationships. Who was the mastermind?
Whatever the truth, the Foster family was certainly implicated.
"Cathy?"
"Cathy!" James noticed Catherine's pale face and vacant expression, raising his voice in concern.
Catherine slowly came back to herself, looking at James somewhat bewildered.
James gripped her hand tightly, his face worried. "Cathy, what's wrong? You don't look well, and your hands are freezing."
"I'm fine." Not wanting James to detect anything amiss, Catherine raised her champagne and drained it in one go to regain her composure.
She placed the empty glass on a nearby table, her eyes once again seeking out Philip, who was engaged in friendly conversation with other guests.
Catherine instinctively touched the key card in her pocket, knowing she needed to find an opportunity tonight to confront Philip and get answers.
With her mind consumed by thoughts of Philip and Charlotte, Catherine failed to notice what was happening around her.
Suddenly, as James moved closer, a hand slid around her waist.
"Cathy, I love you so much."
Before Catherine could react, James planted several kisses on her cheek.
When James tried to deepen the contact, Catherine suddenly regained awareness and firmly pushed against his chest.
Catherine feigned shyness, saying coquettishly, "James, what are you doing?"
Inwardly, she was cursing nonstop.
James had watched Catherine dancing with Philip, his heart filled with jealousy.
Why, after patiently waiting for Catherine for months, was she still unwilling to sleep with him?
James looked at her pleadingly, his tone urgent. "Cathy, let's be together tonight. I promise to make you happy."
Catherine felt an uncomfortable warmth slowly spreading throughout her body. She looked in horror at the empty champagne glass.
Damn! She had been too careless!
James lowered his head, continuing to nuzzle against Catherine, whispering, "Cathy, I helped you handle my uncle's difficult behavior. Don't you think I deserve a reward?"
Catherine panicked, suddenly remembering what Philip had said after their dance. Had he anticipated that James would take advantage of her tonight?
James, estimating that the drug should be taking effect, continued coaxing her. "Cathy, I've booked a luxury suite here, we can—"
Left with no choice but to save herself, Catherine spoke in a soft, seductive voice. "Say no more, I'm willing."
James was ecstatic, almost unable to resist picking Catherine up immediately.
Catherine seemed to remember something and sweetly said, "James, my purse and phone are in the locker. Could you get them for me?"
James tightened his grip around her waist. "I'll have someone bring them over later."
Catherine pouted. "No, I'm a doctor. My phone is important—I need to at least text my supervisor to ask for time off."
Her final words carried such suggestive undertones that James was convinced Catherine had agreed.
James released Catherine, saying eagerly, "Catherine, I'll be right back. Wait for me."
Catherine gave him a shy yet alluring smile. "Hurry back."
James took a deep breath and rushed off to retrieve her belongings.
The moment James left the ballroom, Catherine turned and took the garden elevator to leave.
Her phone and purse were indeed in the locker, but at that moment, she had Philip's key card in her hand.
Catherine felt the uncomfortable warmth rapidly spreading through her limbs.
That bastard James had dared to drug her at such an event, merely to satisfy his own desires!
Catherine felt her heart pounding violently, her body temperature rising. This uncomfortable sensation was becoming increasingly unbearable.
Exiting the elevator, she quickened her pace toward the presidential suite.
Just as she took out the key card to open the door, it opened from inside.
Before Catherine could react, a powerful force pulled her in.
When she came to her senses, she found herself pinned against the door by Philip.
Philip gripped her wrist tightly, forcefully wedging one of his long legs between hers.