Chapter 191 Catherine's Identity Exposed
Maurice's eyes lit up when he heard what his secretary said.
"But Juniper is just an adopted daughter, what a shame."
"Mr. Hughes, an adopted daughter is still a daughter of the Windsor family, and she's a researcher too. The Windsor family really dotes on her."
Maurice stroked his chin, his face full of calculation.
"Two daughters - this adopted one has no value. But if that Catherine dies, won't Juniper be the only daughter left!"
Maurice wanted to marry into the Windsor family, so he had to choose the most profitable marriage partner.
Only the sole daughter would have a chance to receive all the resources the Windsor family could pour into her, and only then could he gain absolute victory in the succession battle within the Hughes family.
If Catherine wouldn't work, he could just pick another Windsor family daughter!
"Go arrange it. You should be able to handle such a small matter."
"Yes."
Outside the Hughes Manor, Oscar waved at Catherine.
"Catherine, Sophia and I are going to prepare. See you tomorrow!"
Catherine nodded. "Be careful. The Hughes family might try something against you."
Oscar waved his hand dismissively, not taking the Hughes family seriously at all.
"Don't worry. I'm more worried they won't try anything. Just the Hughes family - you think they can hurt me?"
Oscar had been in the jade business for years and had encountered such situations countless times.
Owen smiled. "Your life is getting cheaper by the day. The Hughes family isn't scary - it's just that Blade of Dusk behind them who acts recklessly."
"They're nothing in front of me!"
Owen's sharp gaze fell on Catherine, saying meaningfully, "You be careful too. And have Juniper come see me when she's free. I care for her just as much as Samuel does!"
Catherine understood Owen's hint. "I'll tell Juniper."
Watching Oscar and Owen leave together, Emilia casually played with her hair.
"Catherine, knowing them as I do, you and Juniper should be careful too."
Emilia couldn't be too direct, but she believed Catherine was smart enough to understand!
"I will. Thank you."
"Let's exchange contact info, please!"
It was obvious Emilia wasn't having an easy time at the Hughes family either. Catherine nodded and added her as a friend.
"Don't worry. As long as I'm at the Hughes family, Esme won't have a good time!"
Catherine smiled lightly. "She has nothing to do with me."
In Catherine's eyes, Esme was just a jumping clown, not worth paying attention to.
"Even better if she doesn't! If she did, I'd have to think twice when messing with her."
"Do whatever you want."
Emilia simply found Esme annoying. Hearing Catherine say this, she felt relieved!
On the way back, Alexander still looked cheerful.
Catherine glanced at him and said flatly, "It's just a piece of jade. Mr. Howard, have you really never seen anything before?"
Alexander chuckled softly, his bright eyes falling on Catherine.
"I'm just trying to figure out the relationship between my fiancée and Oscar."
From Oscar's attitude toward Catherine, his unhesitating choice to support the Windsor family, Catherine's casual selection of top-grade jade rough, and Sophia treating Catherine like a boss.
If he wasn't wrong, this year's Jade Oracle had deep connections with Catherine, or Catherine might even be the Jade Oracle herself!
He knew Catherine was a treasure, but discovering more of her secrets still shook him inside and made him treasure her even more!
"When the Jade Oracle was active in Northern Myanterra, you should have been there too."
Catherine said flatly, "Today was just good luck."
"You might not know this, but I never believe in luck. Luck is always nothing compared to real ability, isn't it?"
Alexander never believed in good luck. Buying lottery tickets might need luck, but jade gambling required skill!
Otherwise, why hadn't some lucky person replaced Oscar's position?
Alexander's gaze softened. "Those years in Northern Myanterra are still fresh in my memory. The Jade Oracle happened to shine brightly during that time."
He happened to know a lot about that Jade Oracle's activities, and they perfectly matched the Faceless Ones' activity range!
Catherine glanced at him coolly. "So?"
Alexander ruffled Catherine's hair. "So, Catherine is really amazing. As a reward, I'll take you to the newest restaurant in the city center."
Catherine felt a bit nervous, her heartbeat becoming irregular for a moment.
She looked at Alexander and suddenly asked, "Alexander, are you really that free?"
As the CEO of the Howard Group, shouldn't he be quite busy? How could he always find time to eat with her?
Alexander held Catherine's hand and answered honestly.
"I'm not free, I'm very busy! But if I don't even have time to miss you and be with you, then my busy time has no meaning. Catherine can't take away my right to do this."
When he saw her, all his exhaustion disappeared. The scheming inside and outside the group, the turbulent undercurrents in the Howard family - none of it mattered anymore!
After dinner, Alexander drove Catherine back to the Windsor Mansion and watched her go upstairs before leaving.
After Catherine got out, the temperature inside the car dropped sharply. Alexander reached up to remove his plain glasses, his eyes full of undisguised coldness.
"Annie, Catherine used a sleeve arrow once in Tranquil County. Find out what happened."
"Yes. Mr. Howard, should I tell Catherine about what we investigated last time?"
Alexander narrowed his slightly reddened eyes, his brilliance restrained but his killing intent clearly leaking out.
"No need. If I tell Catherine, she'll definitely investigate herself. Too dangerous. Arrange a date for Catherine and me."
Annie couldn't help herself. "Mr. Howard, aren't you worried Catherine will think you're clingy?"
She felt like Alexander became a different person every time he saw Catherine.
It was just that Catherine had a good temper and didn't chase Alexander away.
Alexander thought of Catherine's face, and the gloomy emotions in his heart dissipated somewhat.
"It's fine." Alexander closed his eyes and spoke in a low voice, as if talking to himself. "When Catherine gets tired of me, I'll disappear for a few days and she won't be suspicious."
Alexander's voice carried loneliness and bitterness. Annie was shocked but said nothing more.
Alexander had gone this far for Catherine - even she, an outsider, was moved by it.
"You're not telling Catherine?"
"No need to trouble her with it."
Alexander smiled lightly and shook his head slowly, not wanting to continue.
"Arrange protection for Juniper. Watch the Hughes family. Blade of Dusk can disappear from Imperia City now!"
"Yes, I'll arrange it."
The Hughes family's actions today had crossed Alexander's bottom line!
They shouldn't have - absolutely shouldn't have - set their dirty sights on his fiancée Catherine and the Howard family's only daughter Juniper!
Meanwhile, Juniper received a message on her phone.
"Ms. Windsor, don't you want to know who ordered the attack on you at Phoenix Lab last time?"