Chapter 46 Esme's Embarrassment
Marcus has so many friends that even Bethany has no idea how many there are!
Esme looked at the pile of priceless gifts with intense jealousy!
A soft voice sounded beside Esme's ear.
"Esme, where are you going?"
"Juniper, why are you so scary? You gave me such a fright!"
Juniper was practically speaking right into Esme's ear, startling her so much she jumped!
"Stop playing dumb. You were the one who released that video just now, weren't you? You showed me that video before. Don't tell me someone stole your phone and deliberately played it at Catherine's birthday party!"
Esme cried pitifully, "I did it all for Catherine's sake! What if she likes someone else and doesn't want to marry Alexander? I can't bear to see her unhappy! Juniper, how can you think I did it on purpose!"
Juniper frowned and stared at Esme, making her look guilty.
"Juniper, Lila is still at the hospital with no one to take care of her. I'm going to the hospital now. Can we talk about this when I get back?"
"Go ahead."
Juniper watched Esme's fleeing figure with scrutinizing eyes.
There was something increasingly off about this Esme.
After the party, Bethany turned to Alexander: "Didn't Mr. Howard say he had something to discuss with us?"
Charles, George, Richard, and Philip looked at Alexander with vigilant and guarded expressions.
If he said anything about competing with them for Catherine, they'd kick him out on the spot!
"It's my grandfather. He hopes Catherine can visit him. Also, someone from the Windsor family bought some negative trending topics about our two families. I've handled it, but you still have the right to know."
Bethany became nervous.
"What trending topics?"
Annie handed over her phone respectfully: "Mr. Windsor, someone named Esme bought trending topics claiming to be the only daughter of the Windsor family."
"How could I forget about Esme?"
Bethany looked around but couldn't find Esme anywhere.
"How could she be so foolish to buy such trending topics? Fortunately, Mr. Howard discovered it in time, otherwise both our families' reputations would have been ruined. I don't have such a daughter. At most, she can only be considered my mother's adopted granddaughter."
Bethany said apologetically: "Lila's health isn't good, so it's normal for her mind to be a bit confused. As for Felix wanting to see Catherine, that's simple. Catherine goes to see Marcus every day, so she can visit Felix too."
Catherine had already promised Alexander she would help treat Felix, and she wouldn't go back on her word just because she discovered he wasn't actually poor.
"Okay, I'll go tomorrow."
"I'll come pick you up tomorrow. I live next door, so we'll be neighbors from now on."
Charles froze.
If he had known Alexander also bought a house at Starry Residence, he shouldn't have bought one here. He should have bought Catherine a castle instead!
He didn't believe that if he bought a castle, Alexander could still be Catherine's neighbor!
Serenitia City, The Smith Villa
Clara held her phone, watching the global livestream of the Windsor family daughter's birthday party with envy, jealousy, and resentment!
Any random wine glass at the party was worth her monthly living expenses.
Just as the birthday girl was about to appear, the screen froze, preventing Clara from seeing the Windsor family daughter's true appearance.
"We're all human, why don't I have these things!"
After the screen recovered, Clara suddenly spotted someone in a corner of the screen holding an old man's arm—wasn't that Catherine!
"Mom, look, isn't this Catherine? Why would she be at the Windsor family's birthday party?"
Celeste glanced dismissively.
"That old man looks eighty years old. Catherine is using her youth to seduce old men. When his family finds out, they'll break her legs!"
Clara also felt disgusted and closed the livestream after a few more glances.
She sneaked into Oliver's study, stole some documents, and took a taxi to the Johnson family.
In the study of Charles, George, Richard, and Philip, the four of them plus Juniper all looked serious.
Charles: "I think Alexander truly likes Catherine."
George: "So what if he likes her? Catherine just came home. I won't allow her to get married so soon! At least wait until she's thirty!"
Juniper: "Thirty years old? Forget Catherine—Mom, Dad, and Grandpa would kill you first."
Richard: "It won't be so easy to marry Catherine away from us!"
Philip: "I'll immediately look for legal loopholes in the Howard Group and see if their family has any criminal violations. Otherwise, I won't feel comfortable with Catherine marrying into their family!"
The five exchanged glances, all seeing the serious atmosphere in each other's eyes!
Just thinking about Catherine getting married soon made them unwilling!
Juniper suddenly spoke: "What if—I'm just saying what if—Catherine likes him?"
Everyone was shocked!
Charles pushed up his glasses and said seriously: "Whether Catherine likes him or not, we need to screen him for her. We can't let Catherine be deceived!"
Catherine was innocent and lovely, knowing nothing about the world.
This family still needed them to protect it!
Meanwhile, in Catherine's room.
She looked at a long string of messages on her phone, all from Alexander.
They were nothing more than asking where she was, whether he needed to pick her up, if she was tired today, what tasks she had recently...
After the party ended, he kept sending messages, which was annoying.
Catherine simply blocked him and turned to reply to her teachers.
"I received the gifts, thank you."
Oscar: "Catherine, I'm going to Imperia City next month to see you. I heard Jade Oracle is going to Imperia City. Have you heard about it?"
"Okay, I'll host a welcome dinner for you next month."
"Good, see you next month."
Both the previous Jade Oracle and the current Jade Oracle were in the group chat—how many other Jade Oracles could be going to Imperia City to appraise stones?
Catherine also wanted to see who dared to impersonate the Jade Oracle who dominated the black market.
In the villa next door, Alexander held his phone.
"Moon will go to the hospital."
He replied "okay" and found the message didn't send.
Clearly, Catherine had blocked him!
It seemed she was still angry about his identity!
Catherine looked gentle and mild, but she actually had quite a temper and strong resilience. Otherwise, she wouldn't have become the leader of an assassin organization opposing him.
Alexander felt anxious, wanting to rush next door right now to explain everything clearly. His upbringing and manners made him restrain himself.
Tomorrow, he must explain everything to her!
Early the next morning, Alexander wore a well-tailored dark brown suit and knocked on the door of The Windsor Mansion.
Seeing him arrive so early, Bethany could tell he valued Catherine highly!
"Mr. Howard, you're here so early? Come, come, let's have breakfast together!"
The Windsor family was having breakfast.
Catherine held a bowl of porridge, still sleepy-eyed and drowsy—a side of her he had never seen before!
So this was how cute she looked when she just woke up.
Aurora greeted him: "Come sit next to Catherine. We don't know what you like to eat. Next time, tell us in advance so the kitchen can prepare your favorites!"
"Thank you, I'll have whatever Catherine has. Whatever she likes, I like."
Philip said unhappily: "Mr. Howard, we're having a family meal. Is it appropriate for you to come over early in the morning to mooch food?"
Aurora glared at him fiercely.
"You shut up. Mr. Howard will be part of our family in the future. There will be plenty of times we eat together!"
Alexander smiled politely and gracefully: "Just call me Alexander. I'm a junior and should honor you together with Catherine."
Aurora and Bethany couldn't be more satisfied with Alexander!
Look at that—this is the demeanor of noble families, knowing how to advance and retreat, and caring so much for Catherine. He's absolutely the best son-in-law!