Cathleen's mocking smirk grew with each second as she realized that the person on the ground was her cruel stepsister, Avery. A wicked grin spreads across Cathleen's face as she tilts her head and gazes down at the woman who once tormented her, now reduced to a mere fallen subordinate. The look of shock and admiration on Avery's face only fuels Cathleen's sense of power and dominance. Cathleen flashed a grin and cocked her head as she looked at the woman, who was now seated on the ground. Avery was staring at her in awe.
'Avery, your rightful place is under me in this hierarchy.' She appeared to be grinning as she whispered those words to herself in her brain. Avery, who was lying on the ground at the time, was awestruck by the beauty that was in front of her. Cathleen kneeled down to Avery's height and helped her pick up her items after she had fallen. She did so with a grin on her face before picking up Avery's passport. Cathleen couldn't stop smiling as it dawned on her that Avery didn't recognize her. So Cathleen decided to act as if she didn't know who Avery was. Cathleen looked at Avery's passport and smiled.
"Avery Jackson." Cathleen read the name aloud. Avery looked like an idiot as she smiled and nodded her head multiple times in response to Cathleen's comments. Cathleen then got up and apologized, "I sincerely apologize to you, Miss Jackson, for what has happened. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. Sorry once more."
Cathleen's head dipped in a small, remorseful bow, a gesture of contrition that was both graceful and sincere. Her eyes reflected the apology as she exhaled a sigh, her voice soft with regret. It was a simple but heartfelt display of her true remorse. Except it wasn't. This was just the beginning.
Avery cracked a smile and stared blankly at the woman standing in front of her.
"Ma'am, please What do you use on your face?" Before Cathleen could answer, Avery remembered that she was on the run. She threw her bag over her shoulder and started running as quickly as she could in order to get to the next flight.
When Cathleen's cab arrived, the driver assisted her with loading her bags into the trunk of the vehicle. She slipped in and provided the driver with her address. While traveling abroad, Cathleen stumbled upon a grand mansion in the bustling city of New York. Despite its size, she was immediately drawn to its elegant architecture and rich history. Excitement filled her as she envisioned making this place her own. And so she purchased the mansion, determined to turn it into a home that reflected her style and taste. But that wasn't all Cathleen did in the Big Apple. She also had a secret company, hidden from the public eye. Only her father knew about her successful law firm, which she had built from scratch and managed on her own. To outsiders, Cathleen may have seemed like just another girl, but in reality, she was a driven businesswoman with a sharp mind and impressive accomplishments.
She had worked tirelessly to build a successful life for herself. As the sleek black car pulled up to her luxurious home, her trusted helper, Anna, was there to greet her and assist with her belongings. But even as she smiled and exchanged pleasantries, she could feel the weight of exhaustion bearing down on her. Without wasting a moment, she rushed inside and headed straight to the shower, the hot water washing away the grime and stress of the day. Collapsing onto her bed, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, hoping for some much-needed rest before tackling another demanding day tomorrow.
With the morning sun pouring through the thin gap in the curtain, Cathleen slowly stirred from her slumber. The warm rays gently kissed her face, coaxing her awake. She slipped out of bed and into the shower, relishing the hot water cascading over her tired muscles. After getting dressed, she made her way down to the kitchen, where Anna, an exceptional cook, had prepared a delicious breakfast tailored to Cathleen's tastes. Savoring each bite, she fueled up for the day ahead. Exiting the luxurious mansion, Cathleen climbed into her sleek Maserati and hit the road. As she neared her law firm, her phone rang incessantly; the name "Father" flashed on the screen, but she simply ignored the call. Her father, William Jackson, knew all too well that his headstrong daughter was not one to easily be swayed. Frustrated, he decided to send a message instead, hoping it would get through to her stubbornness.
William Jackson: Cathy, Grandma is critically ill.
Cathleen loved her grandmother so much. Her heart raced with worry as she sped towards her grandmother's home. She wanted nothing more than to see her beloved grandmother, but a nagging feeling of unease gnawed at her mind. As she entered the familiar gates and rushed to her grandmother's room, she was met with an empty bed and a heavy sense of dread. Her stepmother and father greeted her with grave expressions, confirming her worst fears: her grandmother had been sick, and they had kept it from her. Conflicted between anger at their deception and sadness for her grandmother's illness, Cathleen struggled to keep her emotions in check.
William's heart was torn as he contemplated his plan. He knew Cathleen would never agree to marry Finn, but he also couldn't bear the thought of losing the alliance with the Knights. He knew he had to lie to Cathleen to get her to marry Finn. It pained him to deceive her, but he believed it was the only way to keep her by his side. He also knew Finn was dead to Cathleen the moment he cheated on her with his other daughter, Avery. The memory of Finn's betrayal and the guilt of involving Avery in their complicated love triangle weighed heavily on him. But William couldn't let go of Cathleen, even if it meant sacrificing his own integrity.
"You are getting married today?" William declared, and his words hung in the air, causing a chill to run down Cathleen's spine. Cathleen looked at her father with an icy, questionable face. She couldn't help but raise her eyebrows in silent challenge, waiting for him to clarify his words.
She was a lawyer, so her every move was calculative. William then continued, "Avery ran away last night. We need the Knights to help us with Grandma's medical bills. Our family business isn't doing well, so we need this alliance in order to save Grandma." The man declared.
"And you expect me to believe that excuse of a lie, Father?" Cathleen asked softly.
William gulped hard as his daughter asked the question.
"Why would I lie to you?" William asked.
"How much do you need, and who is the man you want me to marry?"
As William's eyes bore into his daughter's, he could see the same fire and determination that had driven him to success reflected in her gaze. He knew her very well, so he decided to tell her a large amount that he knew that not even her firm could raise at the moment. She was a well-known lawyer, and she was young and intelligent. William had been following her every move when she was abroad, and he knew she had made a name for herself even though she cut ties with him.
"3 million dollars." The man didn't mention Finn was the man she was going to marry, as he knew his daughter wouldn't marry him; he just had to make her agree to the union.
Cathleen closed her eyes. She didn't have the money, but she knew that with time, she might be able to raise the money. William also knew that her daughter was always fully booked, so she might raise the funds in 6 months if given a chance.
"We need to have the funds by tomorrow, and right now only the Knights can help us," William added.
"Who is the man I'm going to marry?" William wanted to avoid this question, but right now, Cathleen didn't ask so many questions at once; it was unavoidable.
The name caught in the man's throat, making it hard for him to swallow. He took a long sip of water, trying to calm the sudden tightness in his chest. He knew he had to say it, but every fiber of his being resisted. With a deep breath, he finally forced out the words in a strained voice: "Finn."