Chapter 11: Esme's Jealousy
"Our Windsor family is a distinguished scholarly household and a prominent upper-class family. Where did this woman with no manners come from? She even dares to criticize Philip's own sister. Just looking at her brings bad luck."
Richard said, rolling his pretty eyes.
"Exactly. Who knows who's really the country bumpkin here."
Esme fell silent.
Her hands, covered in white lace gloves, gripped her skirt tightly, her facial expression somewhat twisted.
"Richard, Philip, I'm just concerned about Catherine. Why are you saying this? I'm also part of the Windsor family. I just hope the Windsor family can be harmonious and happy together. It was Grandma who was worried Catherine didn't know the rules and specifically asked me to come."
At the mention of Lila, everyone went quiet.
Esme was an outsider, but Lila was their elder after all.
The Windsor family had very strict rules - elders were elders.
Bethany waved her hand impatiently: "Catherine is very well-behaved and wonderful. Our whole family loves her. You should go back now and stop interrupting our family dinner."
Esme's eyes widened in disbelief.
She had deliberately stood at the door for half an hour, timing her entrance for dinner, just so the Windsor family could see her impeccable table manners and compare them with Catherine, who came from the countryside.
That way the Windsor family would know she was the most suitable daughter for them.
Why were they helping Catherine even though they knew she was crude and uncultured?
Was this what blood ties meant? What was wrong with not having blood ties?
Esme covered her face and left in shame and anger.
George peeled a bowl of crab meat for Catherine and passed it over with a smile: "Try this."
The crab meat was fresh and delicious, rich and mellow in the mouth, with plump roe.
"It's very good."
Bethany smiled: "Catherine, from now on just say what you like. Philip is right - in our family from now on, you make the rules. We'll all listen to you."
Aurora said kindly: "Don't take what Esme said to heart. She has nothing to do with our family. You're our family's only daughter."
Catherine nodded. The Windsor family's protection of her made her feel warm - a family affection she had never experienced in her eighteen years with the Smith family.
"Thank you, Mom, Dad, and brothers. I'll remember that."
Esme rushed out without a single tear on her face.
She walked through the huge garden holding her hungry stomach, almost getting lost.
Seeing a group of servants planting new flowers and plants, Esme asked curiously: "What's going on here?"
The servant answered with a smile: "Catherine likes roses, so she had us remove all the flowers in this courtyard and plant roses. Oh, and those lilies over there need to be removed too. Bethany bought red maple trees that will be planted soon."
Esme was stunned.
Those lilies were her favorite flowers!
Every year she would swing among the lily flowers. Why should Catherine take away everything from her the moment she arrived?
Esme was almost dying of jealousy. She walked aside and called Juniper.
"Juniper, come back quickly. Something's happened at home. Mom, Dad, Charles, George, Richard, and Philip have all gone crazy!"
Juniper replied coldly: "That's it?"
Esme was frantic, her eyes rolling around. She made up her mind before speaking: "Juniper, don't you want to know why you were switched at birth?"
Juniper narrowed her eyes while observing experimental data: "With your IQ, you managed to find that out? If you're so bored with nothing to do, go exercise. Your brain is beyond saving."
She hung up. Esme's face was about to twist in anger!
Damn Juniper, they'd never gotten along since childhood. She was just a bookworm who only knew how to study!
Esme stamped her foot and ran toward Lila's residence.
Angel's Haven Orphanage.
Catherine hadn't had time to get her driver's license yet.
Although she could drive, she didn't want the Windsor family to worry, so she just took a taxi to the orphanage.
The orphanage was in the suburbs, surrounded by a private estate. The estate covered a large area with a vast field of lush roses planted inside, like a sea of flowers.
As Catherine entered the orphanage, she heard a sharp gunshot.
Her body reacted instinctively, pressing against the wall to hide herself.
Several assassins ran past her in a hurry: "Damn Nightfall, he took our job again!"
"When did Nightfall get to Stellara? If we'd known he was here, we wouldn't have taken the job."
"Say less. If he finds us, we won't get away either!"
Each of the assassins' movements showed strict organizational training, moving agilely, but still not faster than Nightfall's bullets.
The sound of bullets cut through the air, and all four assassins fell to the ground.
Alexander emerged from the shadows, sunlight falling perfectly on his handsome face. He wore a vintage vest and suit jacket, and the act of shooting hadn't even disturbed the direction of his tie.
"We meet again, Blackfire."
Catherine glanced at Alexander and frowned slightly: "You have business here?"
Alexander shrugged: "I live nearby. I noticed someone making moves here, so I came to check it out since I had nothing better to do."
Catherine was silent.
Living nearby - the area around the orphanage was all wasteland and private estates. People in the assassin business were risk-takers who earned money with their lives.
Nightfall must be from the poor people around here.
"The target?"
Alexander didn't hold back the information he'd found.
"The director of Angel's Haven Orphanage. Client unknown, job taken by the Phantom Crew organization."
Catherine thought this was bad and turned to walk quickly into the orphanage.
Inside the orphanage, the director's office was empty, with documents scattered on the floor.
Alexander spoke behind her: "What are you looking for? I can help."
"Some things from the past. I used to stay here."
A flash of sympathy crossed Alexander's beautiful eyes.
Catherine's combat skills were quite high. Even fighting him, Alexander couldn't guarantee he'd escape unscathed. Such skills didn't seem like they came from an ordinary family.
So she was an orphan?
Catherine didn't find the documents she needed and stood up with a sigh.
"I'm guessing someone knew you'd come here and cleared the place beforehand. I swear the person was already gone when I arrived."
Catherine turned around, looking at Alexander with surprise.
"I wasn't suspecting you. If you'd done it, I wouldn't have found any clues at all."
To Alexander, this was praise. He curved his lips in pleasure, his smile warm as a breeze.
"Let me give you a ride. It's pretty remote here, and it'll be quite far for you to get home."
Catherine didn't refuse and followed Alexander out of Angel's Haven Orphanage.
By the roadside sat a dusty Volkswagen and a Bentley with gleaming emblems.
Catherine walked toward the Volkswagen and asked: "This is your car, right? I'll pay you for the ride."
Alexander said nothing.
Meeting Catherine's eyes, he seemed to see the most brilliant peach blossoms of spring.
Alexander bit his lip and said gently: "Wait while I get the keys."
Turning around, he called his butler: "Bring me the keys to that car you parked by the road."
The butler asked in confusion: "What? That Volkswagen is what your servants use to run errands and buy groceries. Do you need it?"
"Five minutes. The keys."
"Yes, please wait."
After the butler delivered the keys, he watched Alexander drive away in that beat-up Volkswagen, his gaze falling on the luxurious Bentley.
The Bentley must not be good enough - that's why Alexander didn't like it!
Alexander hadn't driven a manual transmission car in many years.
After driving for a while, Catherine looked at him: "You lied to me last time."
Alexander smiled, "Not really, but I really do hope you'll join Shadow Syndicate. I'm not joking."
"You're truly charming - the most impressive female assassin I've ever met. Shadow Syndicate needs you."
It was the first time Catherine had heard such direct words.
Her face felt hot, and she turned toward the window.
Alexander considerately opened the window on her side. "Are you cold?"
The wind from outside blew in, brushing against Catherine's face. It felt nice.
"Thank you."
Not cold, but her face felt even hotter.
"I'll think about it."
"Good. I'll be waiting anytime."