Chapter 10: Meeting Gift
"Boss, are you suspecting there's something fishy about how you all got switched at birth back then?"
Catherine nodded, saying calmly, "The Windsor family isn't just any ordinary family. A family like that would never let something like children being switched go undiscovered for over a decade, especially when it involved several children."
"Got it, I'll look into it right away."
Five minutes later, the intelligence network Catherine had built from scratch provided the latest information.
When she, Clara, and Juniper were switched at birth, it happened right when the hospital where their mothers gave birth had a very serious medical incident.
The hospital's maternity ward was temporarily moved to the orphanage next door. With so many people coming and going at the orphanage and less secure facilities, that's how several children got switched.
Catherine said flatly, "Give me the orphanage's location. I'll go check it out myself later."
"Boss, the orphanage and that hospital are in the same location, but the hospital has been abandoned for years. The orphanage is still running."
"Still standing strong after all these years, and in Imperia City no less - that's not simple. Boss, be careful."
Catherine's gut told her that orphanage was definitely suspicious!
She checked the orphanage's address and put away her phone.
Bethany's voice came from the doorway, "Catherine, come down for dinner. I wasn't sure what you'd like, so see if it suits your taste."
Bethany looked at Catherine with loving eyes, worried Catherine might say she didn't like it.
Catherine followed beside him, asking, "With our family's connections, why didn't you think to investigate me after finding me?"
Bethany chuckled, "That was Juniper's idea. She said investigating beforehand would make us prejudiced. If you'd had a hard life before, it would be awkward for us to make it up to you. So she suggested we let you come home first and get to know you gradually."
Catherine nodded.
The huge dining room had bright, clean windows. The light from the luxurious crystal chandelier reflected off the solid marble walls like gathering stars, the firework-like lights forming a sentence: "Welcome Home Catherine."
Four men stood by the dining table, all looking at Catherine with anticipation and careful restraint.
They saw a girl standing on the stairs who looked seventy to eighty percent like their mother, wearing a light purple dress with lustrous violet crystal on her wrist.
Her temperament was elegant and otherworldly, beautiful and serene like an angel in a painting, yet with a touch of pride and sanctity.
This was their real sister!
Bethany introduced them, "Catherine, these are your brothers. Come on, everyone, say hello."
The man at the front was refined and easygoing, gentlemanly and proper, wearing a custom-tailored suit with a pair of precious ruby cufflinks at his sleeves - the ones auctioned for a high price last year.
Catherine remembered those cufflinks were bought by Charles Windsor, the CEO of Evergreen Industries.
Charles was not only the youngest person on the new generation rich list, but also a famous oil tycoon on the dark web!
Charles pulled out a black card and handed it to Catherine.
He was incredibly gentle, his smile practiced to the perfect arc on the way home, flawless and elegant.
"Catherine, I'm your eldest brother Charles. This is my welcome gift for you. Buy whatever you like, no limit."
Catherine took it and nodded obediently, "Thank you, Charles."
The smile on Charles's face was more radiant than when he'd acquired ten gold mines.
The second man who stepped forward looked quite refined, with perfectly sculpted features and long, elegant fingers that seemed like works of art.
"Catherine, I'm your second brother George Windsor. This is my welcome gift for you."
He handed Catherine a box, every corner carefully polished.
George still had some wood shavings on his hands - clearly he'd made it himself.
Inside the box was a hair ribbon and a card.
George smiled, "The card gives you access to all medical facilities worldwide. Whatever the situation, as long as you need it, you'll get the world's best medical care. Of course, I hope you never need to use it."
"I'm not as rich as Charles. I made this hair ribbon myself. I hope you like it."
Catherine had seen George's name when publishing medical SCI papers.
The world's youngest medical genius, the only doctor who achieved a hundred percent survival rate in surgeries, someone international organizations had tried and failed to recruit at high prices.
Catherine picked up the hair ribbon. The fabric was smooth and clearly expensive.
"Thank you, George. I love it."
Seeing Catherine actually use the hair ribbon he made, George's smile was brighter than saving a hundred people from death's door.
"Catherine, I'm your third brother Richard Windsor. You've probably seen me before, right? This is my welcome gift!"
Richard was the best-looking of the brothers, with bright eyes, a perfectly sculpted nose, and even his hair screamed refinement.
Stellara's youngest Best Actor winner, who'd swept every award since his debut. There wasn't anyone in Stellara who couldn't sing his songs - he was a superstar who'd taken half the entertainment world by storm.
Catherine accepted the luxury yacht keys Richard gave her and thanked him, "Thank you, Richard. I love it."
Richard's eyes lit up!
He'd been worried the whole way that Catherine wouldn't like his gift. Her saying she loved it was just perfect!
The last man clearly couldn't wait any longer and strode forward to pick Catherine up and spin her around.
Bethany cried out, "Philip Windsor, put your sister down! If you drop her, I'll kill you!"
Aurora screamed and rushed forward, ready to kick Philip, terrified he'd be careless and drop Catherine.
Philip wore a floral shirt with the top button undone, revealing his sexy Adam's apple.
The Windsor family all had upright features, but Philip had a roguish edge that his face somehow made endearing rather than annoying.
Philip was the world's most famous ace lawyer, who'd walked international courtrooms and never lost a case, charging astronomical fees for each one.
"Catherine, this is my welcome gift. Why would a girl need a yacht anyway?"
He clapped his hands, and a group of servants filed in, pushing a huge clothing rack.
Organized by color and type across six sections, it held current season haute couture from top brands, with matching shoes, bags, and necklaces all coordinated together, saving the trouble of styling.
Beside the rack, six people in business suits bowed to Catherine simultaneously: "Ms. Windsor, we're here to tailor these to your measurements and adjust them to your style immediately."
Catherine looked at the clothes, somewhat stunned.
She realized she'd still underestimated the Windsor family's wealth.
Philip waved his hand, "Take them to Catherine's room. She can try them on after she's rested."
"Yes."
Catherine looked at Philip and thanked him sincerely, "Thank you, Philip. This is the first time I've received so many clothes. I love them."
Philip looked quite pleased with himself.
Aurora wiped away tears.
She'd thought Philip's gift was too modest, but Catherine said she'd never even had this many clothes before!
How poor was the Smith family to make Catherine live like a beggar? It was heartbreaking!
A sweet, affected voice came from the doorway.
"Mom, Dad, I'm home."
Everyone's expressions instantly changed from joyful to cold.
Philip pulled Catherine to her seat. Bethany responded coolly, "When are you leaving?"
Catherine stayed silent.
At the door stood a girl in a fluffy pink dress with delicate curled hair and a small, cute crown. Her features were sweet but her thin lips and small nose made her look somewhat pitiful.
Esme felt terribly wronged but didn't dare say anything.
"I heard Catherine was coming home today, so I came specially to see her. After all, Catherine's from the countryside and might not understand the Windsor family's rules."
She stared at Catherine, emphasizing "the Windsor family."
Philip snorted coldly, his mouth faster than his brain.
"Catherine is my real sister, my parents' real daughter, the Windsor family's only daughter. Whatever she says the Windsor family rules are, that's what they are. If they're not, we'll change them immediately. If she doesn't know them, do you think you do?"