Chapter 25: Cannot Let Catherine Be Wronged
"Sorry for startling you." Even when throwing punches, Alexander moved with elegant grace, as if every landing point had been carefully designed, full of explosive power!
Catherine was somewhat stunned at this moment.
For the first time in her life, someone had stood up for her!
Since Elodie's death, no one in the Smith family had been on her side.
Every time she encountered Lucas, even if Catherine had done nothing, Celeste would find an excuse to confine her at home and send Clara on dates with Lucas instead.
Even though Clara was just the daughter brought by a servant back then, her treatment in the Smith family was still better than Catherine's.
However, she had never cared about Lucas and Clara.
Elodie had once held her hand and said kindly and lovingly, "Catherine deserves the best man, one who will protect you unconditionally."
Catherine looked at Alexander, who was adjusting his sleeves, and her face inexplicably felt warm!
Alexander lowered his head, a faint sandalwood scent approaching Catherine's nose, his magnetic voice resonating softly, "Did I frighten you? Sorry, I really couldn't hold back just now."
He was a bit nervous, momentarily forgetting that standing before him wasn't an ordinary Catherine, but a top international assassin!
"Thank you."
"Who was that person just now?"
Catherine's expression was indifferent, "Just trash, not important."
"He said he was your fiancé."
Catherine shrugged, "My taste isn't that terrible."
A hint of secret delight appeared in Alexander's eyes. Even though he knew Lucas had no relationship with her, hearing Catherine deny it herself still brought a surge of joy to his heart.
"Ethan and Eli should have gone to the private room. Let's go."
Catherine nodded and bent down to pick up the ruby cufflink Alexander had dropped on the floor, handing it to him.
Alexander extended his hand instead, his empty sleeve cuff falling before Catherine, his eyes full of playful mischief.
Catherine fell silent.
Helping a man put on cufflinks was somewhat too intimate, but Alexander had just stood up for her—it wouldn't be right to just turn away now!
Thinking this, Catherine didn't refuse and lowered her head to fasten the cufflink for him.
Catherine's fingers carried a slight coolness, brushing against Alexander's wrist and stirring up ripples.
Alexander grasped Catherine's wrist and led her out of the dance floor toward the private room.
Catherine looked at him helplessly!
It wasn't like she couldn't walk—why was he pulling her along!
Catherine's hand was soft, nothing like that of an infallible sniper, without a single callus, warm to hold, making him reluctant to let go.
"There are many people, don't get separated from me. Pardon my boldness."
Despite saying "pardon my boldness," the smile on Alexander's lips never faded!
The Velvet Lounge, back alley.
Lucas was thrown directly by several bodyguards next to a dumpster in the back alley. The intense pain left him without the strength to even move.
"Damn Catherine, isn't she just here to serve drinks? Acting so high and mighty! When you fall into my hands, let's see how you'll beg for mercy..."
"What a little bitch. Being noticed by me is her blessing! Catherine, you just wait!"
That bastard was too ruthless!
When he got back and investigated, he'd make Catherine and her little lover pay!
A strong flashlight beam shone into the alley entrance. Several homeless people sitting in the corner immediately ran over and told Charles everything Lucas had just said.
Charles's eyes were full of malice!
This scumbag actually dared to covet Catherine and speak so disrespectfully?
He should take a good look at himself!
It seemed when he encountered him at the mall entrance last time, he should have investigated thoroughly. Otherwise, Catherine wouldn't have been kidnapped and suffered for no reason. This was his negligence from worrying Catherine wouldn't like it!
Charles suppressed the rage in his heart, his thin lips lifting slightly, "Beat him. Leave him breathing."
More than a dozen thugs rushed forward!
Lucas's screams and pleas for mercy echoed through the alley.
Charles stood in the shadows, lighting a cigar. Through the swirling smoke, his handsome face showed regret and self-reproach.
Leaving Lucas breathing, he would make Lucas watch the Johnson family go bankrupt with his own eyes!
The Velvet Lounge had hundreds of private rooms inside. The top floor rooms required The Velvet Lounge's SVIP status to enter. Here, a bottle of champagne started at hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the floors were gold-plated—walking on them felt like entering a palace!
"Hello, do you have a reservation?"
The attendant stopped Alexander and Catherine. All the guests with reservations tonight had already arrived, but these two before him had extraordinary bearing, exuding royal nobility, so the attendant didn't dare offend them.
Alexander took out his card and handed it over. The attendant quickly received it and trotted off to verify it.
"Mr. Howard, please come in. Your exclusive room is ready!"
"No need. Which room did the earlier guests go to? They're my friends—I'll just join them."
The attendant quickly answered, "Ethan is in Room 8. This way, please!"
Alexander put away his card and led Catherine toward Room 8.
"Do you come here often?"
Otherwise, how would he have a card?
"No need to explain, I understand."
Alexander smiled, gentle as a breeze, showing no trace of killing intent, with even a hint of panic in his tone!
"Shadow Syndicate bought a room here. Last year I had many assignments domestically, so this was convenient. The cocktails here are quite good—I'll bring you to try them sometime."
It was normal for an assassin organization to operate in nightclubs. Catherine also had an exclusive room in this bar!
She was just asking—why was he so nervous?
Outside Room 8 stood bodyguards, wearing black sunglasses and black suits, scanning everywhere, vigilant of everyone passing by. Each bodyguard's waist bulged noticeably—clearly they were armed!
"Who are you? Leave this area!"
Alexander reached out to hold Catherine's slender waist, pulling her closer to him, and under the bodyguards' watchful eyes, walked into Room 9 next to Room 8.
The bodyguards frowned at the door of Room 9 for a long time. Several large men stepped forward, pressing their ears against the door, trying to hear what the people inside were doing.
Alexander opened the door, unbuttoning his collar, his expression dark, "Get lost!"
Seeing this, the bodyguards thought they were just a young couple who had come up to find a place to get intimate, and relaxed, returning to their original positions.
Catherine watched Alexander unbutton his collar in front of her, revealing his sexy Adam's apple, and looked away somewhat uncomfortably.
"You're quite skilled at this."
"Facts prove this is a good disguise method, but this is also my first time using it."
After all, he hadn't had a suitable female companion to disguise with before!
"Meaning you often use other disguise methods?"
Alexander paused, feeling like Catherine's words had hidden meaning.
"What disguise methods I use, you'll know in the future."
Catherine frowned slightly.
What methods he used—why would she need to know?
Room 9's location was inconspicuous, the smallest private room on The Velvet Lounge's fourth floor, barely able to accommodate Catherine and Alexander without feeling cramped.
But since it could form an independent room on the fourth floor, Room 9 had its unique value!
Catherine extended her hand, using fingerprint verification to open the electronic display screen before them, which showed the indoor surveillance of Room 8!
Alexander's deep eyes filled with surprise and delight!
"Faceless Ones isn't simple either. You're very lucky to have chosen my room."
"I think my better luck isn't in choosing the room, but in choosing the person."
Catherine looked up at Alexander's handsome profile in the darkness, his chiseled jawline resolute and strong. He curved his thin lips with a slight smile, looking at her with burning eyes!
Catherine's heart suddenly skipped a beat, as if some tiny seed in the darkness was breaking through the soil.