Chapter 208
Catherine's heart raced with sudden anxiety as a foreboding sensation washed over her.
She immediately called Cecil, but he seemed preoccupied. The phone rang for nearly thirty seconds before he finally answered.
"Seen the trending topic?" Cecil's voice dripped with satisfaction.
Catherine furrowed her brow, her emotions impossibly complex.
"How... how did you manage this?" she asked.
Cecil smirked. "Philip paid good money to suppress that news, but I acquired a media outlet and published it anyway. In this age where clicks are king, I doubt every news outlet in Brightonfield will show Philip the respect he demands by keeping this buried."
Reality could be brutally harsh. The story of Elizabeth poisoning her's mother was highly controversial. Once exposed, media outlets seeing the potential traffic would all want their share.
"Just sit back and enjoy the show," Cecil continued. "Soon, Elizabeth will be public enemy number one. And the West Group won't escape the fallout either."
Catherine remained silent.
It was only now that a realization struck her. Elizabeth likely had no knowledge of Rowan's involvement in these events. With the story trending, Rowan would inevitably discover everything. Perhaps Philip's attempts to conceal the matter weren't for Elizabeth's sake, but for his mother's.
Cecil, noticing her silence, grew suspicious. "What's wrong?"
"What?" Catherine responded distractedly, clearly elsewhere in her thoughts.
Cecil raised an eyebrow. "Elizabeth is finished. Aren't you happy?"
Catherine forced a bitter smile. "Cecil, you've done... well?"
"Is that praise or sarcasm?" Cecil found her reaction amusing. "Catherine, your tone seems off."
Catherine didn't know how to explain her concerns to Cecil. She felt she couldn't burden him further. If Cecil made concessions for her sake because of Ernest and Hazel, she couldn't bear the responsibility.
Yet with Ernest and Hazel in Philip's hands, she couldn't help but worry.
When Cecil didn't hear her response for some time, he immediately grew alert.
"Has something happened?"
Catherine shook her head, though he couldn't see it. "No, nothing's wrong. It just feels somewhat surreal that things are progressing so smoothly."
Cecil laughed softly, believing her explanation. "I told you to trust me with this."
Catherine had no desire to continue the conversation and made an excuse to end the call.
That afternoon, returning to the hospital, she spotted Cassius hurrying toward the exit.
"Dr. Blackwood."
Upon seeing Catherine, Cassius's face revealed a mixture of conflict and hesitation.
Catherine took the initiative to ask, "Has something happened?"
After a moment's consideration, Cassius gestured for her to follow. "Come with me."
Noting Cassius's urgency, Catherine didn't dare ask further questions and quickly followed him.
Once in the car, Catherine realized they were heading to Silver Lake Hospital. She followed Cassius, discovering he was walking toward the operating room area. A sense of dread began to form in her mind.
"Dr. Blackwood, is Rowan—"
"Mr. Foster."
Before Catherine could finish her question, they had reached the operating room entrance. Philip stood there, his entire being radiating lethal hostility.
Philip glanced up, fixing Catherine with an icy stare. "Who invited you here?"
Cassius immediately sensed the tension between them.
These two haven't reconciled yet?
Philip glared at Cassius, his tone arrogant and frigid. "What? Do I need to have someone carry you in?"
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Cassius quickly left for the operating room.
Catherine surveyed the corridor. Apart from Philip, Alvin seemed to be absent.
She raised her gaze slightly, carefully studying Philip's expression.
Philip let out a cold snort, his words dripping with sarcasm. "What? Come to see if my mother is dead yet?"
Catherine frowned. "That's not what I meant, nor what I was thinking."
Rowan had always been kind to her, and Catherine certainly didn't wish her harm. The thought that her actions may have hurt Rowan filled Catherine with guilt.
"I'm sorry..."
"Playing innocent?"
Philip stepped closer to Catherine, gently lifting her chin. Her beautiful face now bore a pitiful expression that irritated him profoundly.
"Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"
"No!" Catherine quickly denied it. "I never wanted to hurt Rowan!"
Philip's deep eyes concealed unreadable emotions as he frowned slightly.
"If anything happens to my mother," he said with cold determination, "Catherine, you'll pay the price."
Catherine's face instantly paled, her heart racing with panic. "What price?"
Philip's thumb gently caressed her chin, his voice low and icy. "Don't worry, nothing will happen to you. How could I bear to harm you?"
Catherine shook her head frantically.
She would rather Philip direct all his anger and fury at her personally.
She grabbed Philip's hand, pleading softly, "I'll take responsibility for my mistakes!"
"No," Philip's voice was coldly resolute. "If my mother suffers, why should your adoptive parents be comfortable? That wouldn't be fair, would it?"
Catherine's heart raced, her breathing becoming heavy and rapid.
"I was wrong," she said, her voice hoarse with fear. "I truly realize my mistake... Philip, it's on me. If you're angry, take it out on me..."
She unconsciously bit her lip hard. "Don't hurt them."
She clasped her hands together, looking at him with pleading eyes. "I'm begging you."
Philip stared at Catherine, his gaze so cold it seemed he wanted to tear her apart. She felt a bone-deep fear that made even breathing difficult.
"Get out!" Philip turned toward the operating room doors, refusing to speak another word to her.
Catherine didn't dare leave. As long as Rowan remained in danger, Philip would continue seething with rage. With his ruthless nature, those she cared about would inevitably suffer.
Ernest and Hazel were her saviors. She had already caused them to flee their home; she couldn't implicate them further.
She would rather Philip direct all his fury at her alone.
Catherine made her decision. Despite her fear of Philip, she refused to back down. She clenched her fists and summoned the courage to approach him.
"I'm not leaving."
Philip turned to her, his gaze menacing.
"I'll stay here with you," Catherine took a deep breath, trying to appear caring. "Have you eaten anything?"
Philip snorted coldly, his face betraying no emotion.
"Can't you understand what I'm saying? Your fake concern isn't needed here."
Catherine ignored Philip's coldness, stubbornly insisting, "I'm staying with you."
Philip clenched his jaw.
"Don't force me to take action!"
Catherine displayed a resigned expression. "If hitting me would make you feel better, go ahead."
As long as he didn't harm Ernest and Hazel, she could accept whatever Philip did to her.
Philip suddenly reached out and grabbed her by the throat. "You really think I won't hurt you?"
Catherine tilted her head back slightly, exposing her slender neck, as if deliberately offering it to his grip.
Philip gradually tightened his hold, watching as her delicate face slowly turned pale.
Catherine was suffocating, panic rising in her chest.
"Mr. Foster!"
Just as Philip seemed about to use real force, Alex rushed over and grabbed his arm, preventing him from doing something he might regret.
Philip released Catherine, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
Catherine could finally breathe fresh air again. She raised her hand to cover her throat, retreating to a relatively safer corner.
Philip angrily shook off Alex's hand, threatening. "What? You want to die in her place?"
Alex quickly tried to reason with him. "Mr. Foster, this will ruin your reputation."
Nurses and doctors passing by had witnessed him choking Catherine but were too afraid to intervene.
Besides, Alex didn't believe Philip truly wanted to strangle Catherine to death. Doing it in public view suggested he was actually hoping someone would stop him.
Philip had no patience for Alex's words and strode over to Catherine.
Alex, fearing Philip would choke her again, quickly followed.
Philip didn't touch her but stood before her, looking down imperiously.
"Will you leave or not?"
Philip's current state was terrifyingly volatile. He had grabbed her throat earlier with complete disregard for her safety, and Catherine was genuinely frightened.
Nevertheless, she knew she couldn't leave. If she irresponsibly fled, those she cared about would surely face disaster.
She couldn't meet Philip's gaze, only biting her lip firmly. "I'm not leaving..."
"Not leaving?"
Philip let out another meaningful cold laugh, then ordered Alex. "Go call security!"
Hearing Philip's intention to have Catherine forcibly removed, Alex felt a headache coming on.
He quickly advised in a low voice. "Miss Levin, perhaps you should leave for now. If there's any news about Mrs. Foster, I promise to inform you immediately."
Catherine didn't respond, instead directing her gaze toward Philip, who stood nearby with a dark expression.
Alex followed her gaze and sensed Philip's cold indifference.
He couldn't remember the last time he had seen Philip so enraged.
"Miss Levin, Mr. Foster is extremely angry right now. He's not showing any restraint in his words or actions. You should—"