Chapter 220
Philip ran his fingers through Catherine's hair, caressing it as one would pet a cat.
"Philip," Catherine called his name softly, her voice honeyed and gentle.
Philip smiled as he corrected her. "Call me husband."
Catherine raised her gaze, giving him a pointed look. "We haven't officially registered our marriage yet."
Philip cupped her face with one hand and leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her delicate cheek. "Shall we go tomorrow?"
Catherine shook her head. "My identification documents aren't in Brightonfield."
Philip's brow furrowed slightly. He hadn't given this practical matter much consideration until now.
After half a minute of silence, he proposed, "Would you prefer to register under the name 'Catherine Levin,' or would you rather reclaim your birth name, 'Emily Winters'?"
Catherine stared directly into Philip's eyes. "I have a choice?"
Philip nodded, his expression serious. "Of course. Whoever you choose to be, I'll support you."
Catherine studied Philip's well-defined jawline intently. He rarely accommodated her so obviously, and tonight he had made too many exceptions for her.
Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to test him.
"What about you?" Catherine rested her hands on his shoulders, placing her chin on her knuckles. "Which one would you prefer?"
Philip raised an eyebrow, his face showing indifference.
"To me, you're simply you. No matter what name you go by, I'll still love you."
In the past, when Catherine knew nothing, such sweet words from Philip would have made her heart flutter with joy. But now, she found them somewhat ironic.
"If I reclaim my identity as Emily, it might cause numerous complications."
Philip frowned slightly, raising his hand to lift her chin so she would look directly at him.
"What kind of complications?"
Catherine met Philip's penetrating gaze with composure, feigning nonchalance. "Terry, for one. He killed my parents. If he discovers I'm still alive, would he let me be?"
Philip dismissed Terry without concern.
"Don't worry. Terry is overwhelmed trying to save the West Group right now. He doesn't have time to cause you trouble."
Catherine carefully observed the shifting expressions on Philip's face, the hint of a smile fading from her lips. "Philip, I want to tell you a secret."
Philip looked down at her, somewhat curious about her secret.
Was there still something about her that he didn't know?
He brought his ear close to her lips. "Tell me."
Catherine lowered her voice mysteriously, enunciating each word clearly.
"Seven years ago, when Charlotte killed my father, I was there at the scene."
Philip gripped Catherine's shoulders and pushed her back slightly.
His eyes darkened instantly, as if covered by a layer of ash, his penetrating gaze filled with coldness.
"You were present?"
Seeing the complex emotions flashing across Philip's face, Catherine felt a chill in her heart.
She maintained her composure, continuing her pretense of innocence.
"I was there, watching helplessly as Charlotte ordered someone to impale his chest with a steel rod..."
She recounted the scene through gritted teeth, her small hands trembling slightly on Philip's shoulders as she struggled to contain her emotions.
Philip felt Catherine's anger and covered her small hands with his own.
He removed her hands from his shoulders and held them firmly in his grasp.
Catherine looked at Philip again, noticing his handsome face revealing signs of serious contemplation.
"I want to report her to the police, to testify against her."
Philip lowered his gaze to Catherine's angry face.
"Too much time has passed. Your testimony alone won't prove anything."
Catherine reached out and grabbed Philip's lapels, asking him with determination.
"Then what should I do? What must I do to bring this evil person to justice?"
Philip glanced down at the hand clutching his suit jacket.
He suggested calmly, "You need to find evidence."
Catherine stared intently at Philip's impassive expression.
He was too composed—whenever he wanted to conceal his emotions, she couldn't detect any clues from his face.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, fireworks exploded in the night sky, resembling golden chrysanthemums in autumn bloom, their petals vibrant and diverse, displaying their fleeting yet captivating beauty against the darkness.
Catherine's attention was immediately drawn to the fireworks, her eyes filled with surprise and excitement.
"There are fireworks too?"
Catherine's innocent question made Philip smile.
"With such large windows, it would be a shame not to see the fireworks," Philip replied matter-of-factly.
Her expression now was identical to that night. When they had argued about breaking up, her gloomy mood had instantly lifted upon seeing fireworks, her eyes sparkling with brilliant light.
Since then, Philip had remembered that Catherine loved fireworks.
Though beautiful, fireworks were ephemeral.
As the dazzling display outside gradually faded, Catherine returned her attention inward.
She looked up at Philip. "Are we staying here tonight?"
Philip asked in return, "Would you prefer to go home?"
Catherine nodded. "I want to go home."
Philip smiled, suddenly finding the idea of going home with her rather appealing.
"All right, let's go home."
Afterward, Philip escorted Catherine out of the hotel.
They stood at the hotel entrance waiting for the valet to bring their car when someone approached with a message.
"Excuse me, Mr. Foster, our staff can't locate your vehicle. Would you mind coming with us for a moment?"
Philip frowned, his handsome face clouded with displeasure.
Catherine, sensing the chill emanating from Philip beside her, clutched his arm and pouted. "Don't be angry. It's rather intimidating."
Philip glanced down at Catherine in his arms.
"I'll be back soon."
Catherine nodded. "All right, I'll wait for you here."
Philip patted her head before turning to follow the hotel manager toward the parking area.
Catherine adjusted her wool coat, wrapping it tightly around herself as she stared at the ground.
Just as boredom was setting in, a tall figure blocked her view.
Catherine looked up at the person before her.
It was Cecil, his handsome face expressionless, though his narrow eyes betrayed a hint of resentment as they fixed on her.
Catherine was surprised to see Cecil there, her rosy lips parting slightly. "How did you—"
"Catherine, after helping you so many times," Cecil's sharp gaze fell on the dazzling diamond ring on her left hand, and he laughed mockingly, "is this how you repay me? Such an ungrateful woman."
Cecil's handsome face showed clear hurt, and he spoke as though he'd been betrayed.
Catherine blinked, looking innocent and helplessly explaining, "I'm not ungrateful. I know I owe you a great deal."
"Really?" Cecil scoffed. "Then why haven't you answered my calls or replied to my messages?"
Even worse, she had recently turned off her phone completely.
"Philip confiscated my previous phone," Catherine admitted truthfully.
"What?" Cecil's face showed disbelief, his eyes flashing with anger.
That bastard Philip actually went as far as confiscating her phone!
Catherine observed the anger on Cecil's face and asked with concern, "How have you been lately? Is the acquisition of the West Group going smoothly?"
Cecil shook his head. "Not at all. Philip wants to absorb the West Group as well. He's been obstructing us."
"What?" Catherine was even more surprised.
Philip had just terminated his partnership with the West Group, and now he wanted to acquire it? What exactly was he planning?
Cecil stated with certainty, "He's targeting me specifically. It seems I've become his perceived enemy before I've even done anything to offend him."
Was it because of what he said on the mountaintop that angered Philip?
Or perhaps... Cecil turned his gaze toward the beautiful Catherine standing before him.
Could it be that Philip already considered him a romantic rival?
Cecil took out his phone and handed it to Catherine. "Take my phone. I'll contact you."
Catherine accepted it without hesitation and placed it inside the inner pocket of her coat.
Seeing how quickly Catherine took the phone, Cecil felt somewhat relieved.
It seemed she wasn't deliberately avoiding him but had unavoidable circumstances.
Catherine thought of something and glanced back at the attendants stationed at the hotel entrance, concerned they might tell Philip about her meeting with Cecil.
Cecil immediately understood her concern and chuckled. "Don't worry. This hotel is an investment property of the Wilson Group."
Catherine suddenly realized, "You arranged for Philip to be called away."
Cecil admitted frankly, "How else could I see you?"
Catherine gave a bitter smile, her eyes welling up again as she fought back tears.
Cecil could tell that Catherine was currently shrouded in sadness and helplessness.
"What happened? Didn't you say you'd find a way to escape Philip? How come you're about to get married now?"
But judging from the reluctant expression on Catherine's face, she clearly had no desire to marry Philip.
Catherine shook her head. "There's not enough time. I can't explain everything now."
Cecil didn't pressure her. "I'll wait for you to contact me."
Catherine nodded and looked up at Cecil, promising, "Don't worry, I'll help you stop Philip from acquiring the West Group."
Cecil was about to say something when the shrill sound of braking tires interrupted them.
Catherine spotted Philip's silver Bugatti and instinctively stepped back, putting distance between herself and Cecil.
Philip got out of the car and strode over to Catherine.
Ignoring Cecil, he took her hand and asked, "Have you been waiting long?"