Chapter 194 Plan Falls Through

Chapter 194 Plan Falls Through

After Henry left, Catherine's gaze fell on the photo of the little girl on the desk.

She irritably closed the folder and tossed it aside. Before she could catch her breath, the office door was pushed open from outside.

Several board members led by Leroy walked straight in, faces wreathed in smiles.

"Ms. Spencer, we heard Mr. Phillips from K Group came by? And brought some great news?" Leroy rubbed his hands together as he spoke.

"A 70-30 split! Ms. Spencer, this is like money falling from the sky! We don't have to do anything and we get seventy percent of the profits!" another director chimed in.

Catherine leaned back in her chair, hands folded, her cold gaze slowly sweeping across their faces.

"My son was kidnapped. We can't just let that go, can we?" Her voice was not loud, but it is crystal clear.

Leroy's smile froze on his face. He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ms. Spencer, you're joking. Of course we care about Ethan, but we can't turn down money over a little friction!"

Catherine suddenly laughed, though the smile didn't reach her eyes. "In your eyes, Ethan's life is just a little friction?"

She stood up, hands planted on the desk, leaning forward.

"Let me make this clear today - this project, from start to finish, is my call alone."

"Anyone who has a problem with that can contact their broker right now and sell their shares. I'll buy them all!"

"Show them out!"

After she finished speaking, she didn't look at them again. Once they left, she slumped back in her chair exhausted, rubbing her aching temples.

Her phone rang. It was Alexander calling.

"Those board members came to see you?" His voice was as steady as always.

"Your information travels fast." Catherine let out a heavy breath and told him what had just happened.

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

"He wants to use you to break into the market, then use your name to win people over, and finally kick you aside. Fame and fortune." Alexander's voice turned cold.

"I know." Catherine looked out the window. "But those children are pitiful too..."

"That's exactly why we can't let him succeed."

Alexander interrupted her. "If they want to play savior, they need our permission first. We'll deliver the medicine ourselves."

Catherine was stunned, not expecting this move.

"I've already contacted the International Red Cross and arranged air and ground channels to Thalassia. Russell Group will cover all expenses. The medicine will be donated free of charge in the name of Hope Horizon Foundation." Alexander's tone was calm.

Catherine's nose tingled, but she laughed. "You really are loaded."

"It's enough to take care of you and Ethan."

The next morning, outside the Harrison Group warehouse, several temperature-controlled transport trucks were ready to go.

Under security team escort, the trucks reached the airport. The whole process took less than three hours.

News spread quickly, and everyone soon knew about it.

That afternoon, Henry appeared downstairs at the Harrison Group. Before he could step through the entrance, he was refused entry.

He was not annoyed, just went to the coffee shop downstairs and called Catherine's phone.

"Ms. Spencer, quite the bold move." Henry's voice remained gentle.

"You flatter me." Catherine's voice through the phone revealed no emotion.

"I think there may be some misunderstanding between us."

Henry's tone became more sincere. "The kidnapping was Robert's personal action, nothing to do with me. I came here with the greatest sincerity..."

Catherine interrupted him, her voice cold. "If you take the wrong road, you can turn back. But if you dig the wrong hole, you have to fill it yourself."

With that, she hung up directly.

That evening, after finishing her work, Catherine personally drove to pick up Ethan from kindergarten.

Watching him run into her arms with his little backpack, all her recent exhaustion vanished.

The car had just entered the villa district when her phone rang again.

An elderly but vigorous voice came through.

"Catherine, when are you coming back for a visit?"

Catherine smiled. "Grandpa, is there something you need?"

Leo's voice softened a bit. "Nothing major. You and Alexander come home together tonight for dinner."

Catherine hung up and looked at Alexander driving beside her, her expression complex.

"Do we have to go back?"

Alexander, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, said calmly, "Let's go see him."

"I wonder why he's calling us back." Catherine's eyes lowered slightly.

"Does he need a reason to see you?" A faint smile curved his lips as he turned the steering wheel.

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a traditional courtyard with two stone lions at the entrance.

Alexander held her hand and led Ethan inside.

Leo wore a suit and sat on the sofa with a cup of coffee beside him.

He didn't look at Alexander, his gaze falling directly on Catherine and Ethan beside her, his sharp eyes softening.

"Sit."

After brief pleasantries, Leo waved for a servant to take Ethan to the dining room for dessert.

In the living room, only the three of them remained, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat delicate.

Leo picked up his coffee and took a sip, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Catherine and Alexander.

"When are you two planning to make it official?"

Catherine's mind went blank. She could only sit there stiffly, involuntarily looking toward Alexander beside her.

Alexander didn't even raise an eyebrow, just calmly met Leo's scrutinizing gaze, his lips parting slightly, his voice steady without a ripple.

"Don't worry, we're already preparing."

Hearing this answer, Leo's sharp eyes finally showed a hint of satisfied smile.

He took another sip of coffee, then turned his gaze to Catherine, his expression much softer.

"Catherine, don't be nervous." Leo set down his cup. "As for Phaedra, don't worry about her."

Catherine opened her mouth to say something, but Leo had already waved his hand.

"I'll handle it. Not just anyone can enter the Russell family, but no one can stop the people we approve of."

Catherine's anxious heart finally settled back into place. She wasn't afraid, she just didn't want to make things difficult for Alexander.

Dinner was served in the dining room next to the main hall - a table full of home-cooked dishes, each showing careful thought.

Ethan was held in Leo's arms, the two chatting and laughing. The whole house had a warm atmosphere.

Watching this scene, Catherine's tense nerves finally completely relaxed.

After dinner, Leo called Alexander alone into the study.