Chapter 94 Recognize You as My Wife
Alexander was a bit surprised. If this box was unlocked the wrong way, it would lock permanently and never open again.
The moment Alexander saw the box, he knew what Felix meant.
He was probably using the unlocking as an excuse to get him to bring Catherine home and keep her there.
He never expected Catherine to just open it like that. Felix, who was watching the show from the window, was stunned!
What was wrong with Alexander!
Why didn't he tell Catherine the key was at home and she needed to go back with him to open the box? Now Catherine had opened it, and all his good intentions were wasted!
Alexander looked at Catherine with exceptional tenderness.
It seemed the surprises she had in store were far more than he'd imagined!
Catherine easily opened the box and looked at the two items inside.
A photo and a key.
The photo showed a child, delicate and adorable - clearly a young Alexander. As a child, Alexander had been very cute with a round face, but he was wearing a dress!
Looking at the photo, Catherine burst out laughing.
She never expected Alexander to have such a photo from his childhood.
Seeing the photo, Alexander panicked for a moment.
Why did Felix put that photo in the box! Didn't he say last time that all those cross-dressing photos had been destroyed?
Alexander looked up to see Felix hiding behind the curtain, making a "V" sign with his index and middle fingers.
"When was this taken?"
Alexander felt a bit helpless but still answered her question.
"When I was three. My mother liked doing that back then."
"Pretty cute. I'm keeping it."
Alexander's expression turned somewhat bitter.
"I think you could have better options, like taking photos together with me. The Howard Group happens to have an excellent photography team. You could take more pictures you like to keep, rather than keeping this photo."
Catherine looked up, a faint smile playing at her lips. "Then give me back that photo in your wallet."
Alexander froze. When did she see that he'd put her childhood photo in his wallet?
Catherine hadn't had many photos taken at the Smith family. Her only childhood photos were ones Elodie had taken with her. The photos had yellowed, but thinking that this was Catherine's only childhood memory made Alexander's heart melt completely.
On impulse, he'd carefully preserved it and put it in his wallet.
"I have other childhood photos."
"I only want this one."
Seeing her insistence, Alexander gave in too.
Catherine picked up the key from the box. "What's this key for?"
"The key to the Howard Villa. My grandfather is telling you he accepts you as my wife."
With the Howard family's wealth and status, entering the Howard Villa required more than just a key, but the key represented absolute ownership.
Catherine frowned slightly. "This is too valuable. I can't accept it."
"My grandfather is still watching. If you give it back to me, he might get upset."
As Alexander spoke, he discreetly made a gesture toward Felix.
Catherine looked up to see Felix hanging halfway out the window, looking like he was about to jump down any second.
"Catherine! If you don't take that key, I'm jumping down right now. Alexander, you can just arrange my funeral! I've got my coffin ready anyway!"
Seeing this, Catherine was afraid Felix might slip and actually fall, so she had to accept the key.
Alexander nodded at Felix, who immediately jumped back inside, happily watching Catherine and even taking out his phone to photograph Catherine and Alexander standing together.
They were so harmonious! Such a perfect match!
Alexander smiled gently. "Keep it. It's just a key. If I don't give it to you, I might never have the chance to give it away in my lifetime."
Though it was just a key, it represented half of the Howard family's fortune.
"Alright, I'll keep it for now. If you want it back, come find me."
"Sorry for the trouble. As compensation, let me treat you to dinner. I also have some information about Ethan to share with you."
She'd accepted the key to the Howard Villa, and somehow she was the one at a disadvantage?
Yet Alexander's reason left her unable to refuse. "Okay."
Annie, standing by the car, quickly opened the door for Catherine. "Please get in."
Catherine's gaze swept across Annie's face, noticing the red handprint on it, somewhat surprised.
Who would dare treat Alexander's secretary so rudely?
"What happened to your face?"
Annie hadn't expected Catherine to notice her face, let alone show such concern. She was so moved she almost cried!
Look at that - such kind and gentle Catherine!
"I'm fine, thank you for your concern."
Catherine pulled out a jar of ointment from her pocket and handed it to Annie. "It'll heal in a week. Be more careful from now on."
Annie was overwhelmed with emotion, covering her mouth in disbelief as she looked at Catherine holding out the ointment.
Her expression was calm, as if what she'd done was the simplest thing - just casually giving her some ointment.
"Ms. Windsor, I'll apply it every day! After I finish it, I'll keep the jar as a keepsake!"
Catherine fell silent.
It was just a jar of medicine. That really wasn't necessary.
Getting in the car, Alexander took Catherine's hand and examined it carefully.
Seeing Catherine's concern for Annie's face, his gaze also fell on Annie.
"Annie, what happened?"
"I was waiting downstairs for you and Ms. Windsor when I ran into Esme pushing Lila out for some sun. Esme seemed to doubt my work abilities and rushed up and..."
Annie felt annoyed. Esme was a daughter of the Windsor family after all. She'd assumed the Windsor family's daughters would be somewhat like Catherine, no matter how unreasonable. She never expected Esme to rush up and slap her.
She even said something about Annie trying to seduce Alexander, dressing so provocatively every day, definitely up to no good, and asked if she'd been badmouthing her to Alexander.
Annie was speechless!
She'd have to be crazy to develop feelings for Alexander while at work.
This was an insult to working people and a humiliation of her professional ethics. Plus, she was just wearing a normal business suit with the skirt below her knees!
Getting slapped for no reason, Annie had wanted to just let it go, but she never expected Catherine to notice such a small thing and even give her medicine.
Such a wonderful Catherine - kind, gentle, intelligent, and elegant. From now on, she was Catherine's loyal servant!
Catherine hadn't expected Esme to have such hostility even toward Alexander's secretary.
"Not just toward me. Last time Esme went to the company, she said she wanted to fire all our receptionists."
Along with all the female employees at the Howard Group - Esme wanted to fire them all.
Meeting Catherine's somewhat scrutinizing gaze, Alexander's survival instinct kicked in strongly, and he immediately explained: "I didn't ask her to come to the company. She showed up on her own. I've already told company security to blacklist her!"