Chapter 15: How Understanding Catherine Is!
"Mr. Alexander Howard, Mr. Felix Howard has been looking forward to you getting married soon so he can hold his great-grandchild."
Alexander replied coldly, "He already has three great-grandchildren, and with his current condition, he can't even hold one of them."
The youngest of the Howard family's great-grandchildren was already five years old. Last year, Felix threw out his back trying to hold him and was bedridden for two weeks.
Ryan fell silent.
"You shouldn't be so stubborn with Mr. Howard. His health isn't good. Besides, the Howard family and the Windsor family are well-matched. The Windsor family's sons are all outstanding people, so their daughter must be excellent too."
"This engagement was decided long ago by both the Howard family and the Windsor family together. You need to consider the Windsor family's reputation."
Alexander slightly lifted his eyelids. "Shut up, or you can go marry the Windsor family's daughter yourself."
Ryan quickly shut his mouth.
He was fifty-three years old - that wouldn't work!
Evergreen Mall
Clara clutched her little purse, her eyes full of eagerness. "Mom, is the handkerchief we reserved finally in stock? We have to get it this time!"
Quinn's designs required both reservations and a rush to purchase.
Even with a reservation, it was just an entry ticket - whether you could actually buy anything depended on luck.
Celeste smiled smugly. "Of course. To get you Quinn's design, I specifically called all our household staff to help grab it. Didn't you say Lucas was coming with you today?"
Clara blushed and said shyly, "Lucas said he's stuck in traffic and will be here later."
Thinking about how the gentle, tall Lucas would soon be her husband, Clara felt proud.
The Johnson family had a slightly higher status than the Smith family. Celeste had pulled every string to get the Smith family connected with the Johnson family. Fortunately, Clara was capable and had been close to Lucas since childhood.
The two waited in line to enter the mall. Clara stood on her tiptoes, scanning the crowd for Lucas.
Many women would be here today. She had to keep an eye on Lucas and let those women know that such an excellent man was hers!
Catherine had just entered Evergreen Mall and was about to contact Simon when a figure blocked her way.
"Catherine, is it really you? I've missed you so much!"
Catherine was speechless.
Who was this person?
Lucas had been checking out women in the crowd when suddenly his eyes lit up. He spotted a figure in a light green dress with an attractive, curvy figure, and especially that face - so charming and elegant!
Lucas looked closer - it was Catherine!
"Even though you're no longer the Smith family's daughter, in my eyes you're still my fiancée. As long as you're willing, I can take you back to the Johnson family right now."
Catherine was even more speechless.
Was this guy crazy?
"Catherine, I've always loved you. It's such a shame you're not Oliver's daughter. I'm heartbroken too. Since you left, I haven't been able to eat or sleep, crying every day."
Catherine frowned. "Who are you?"
"Catherine, I know you still resent me, but it's no use. You only resent me because you have me in your heart. I know you love me!"
Catherine almost threw up her breakfast.
Lucas had always been a playboy who tried to hook up with any good-looking woman he saw. Nine out of his ten phones were used to store women's contact information.
He truly had every woman numbered, even recording their height, weight, and menstrual cycles.
"Catherine, I can't live without you!"
Catherine didn't want to waste words on him. She raised her hand and slapped Lucas across the face.
Lucas was about to use his physical advantage as a man to pull her little hand into his embrace when the slap landed squarely on his face.
Lucas was stunned.
How could Catherine be so strong?!
Clara screamed from a distance, "Catherine, you bitch! Stay away from Lucas!"
She rushed over with Celeste, and seeing Lucas holding his face, her heart ached.
"Lucas, is she still bothering you? She's so vicious!"
Celeste looked at Catherine with disgust. "What are you doing here? Didn't you go back to Tranquil County? Did you find out Clara and I were coming to Quinn's store and come here on purpose?"
"Let me tell you, you have nothing to do with our family anymore."
Clara wrapped her arm around Lucas's, showing ownership.
"Catherine, I know you still have feelings for Lucas, but he's my fiancé and has nothing to do with you. Can you please stop interfering with our lives?"
Catherine frowned slightly, glancing at Celeste and Clara. "If you're mentally ill, go to the hospital. The cure rate for delusional disorder is pretty good."
Celeste got angry and was about to lose her temper when she saw the still-closed mall suddenly open.
Charles, wearing a sharp suit, stood at the entrance. His originally cold face instantly warmed when he saw Catherine.
"Catherine, come here."
Catherine walked toward Charles, and soon the mall doors closed again.
Clara stared at Catherine's retreating figure suspiciously. "Mom, what's Catherine up to? Who was that person? He seemed unusual."
Celeste said through gritted teeth, "Catherine must be unwilling to go back to her hometown, so she's using that face to latch onto men! She really is cheap. Clara, if she tries to contact you, don't pay any attention to her!"
Clara nodded, then turned to talk to Lucas, only to find his gaze still fixed on where Catherine had been.
Damn Catherine!
Why was she still competing for everything even after leaving!
Her parents and Lucas all belonged to her.
Clara pouted and tugged at Lucas, whining, "Lucas!"
Lucas was clearly distracted, offering Clara a few words of comfort.
Catherine must still love him. That person was someone she found to make him jealous - what a fool.
With his qualifications, it was normal for a girl like Catherine, who had nothing but good looks, to be attracted to him.
Charles pulled Catherine directly through the VIP passage.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I would have sent someone to pick you up. There are too many people here today - what if you got pushed around?"
Catherine shook her head. "I didn't want to interfere with your work."
Charles's heart melted!
Listen to that - Catherine was so thoughtful! So lovely and graceful!
Charles felt his life was complete.
"You wouldn't be interfering. Whenever you come, no matter when, I'm happy."
"Okay, I understand."
Charles thought about what he'd just seen - it looked like someone had been bothering Catherine?
He frowned slightly. "What happened just now? Tell me, I'll help you handle it."
"It's nothing, just ran into some trash. Not important."
Charles called his secretary over and ordered, "Those people who were arguing with Catherine just now - throw them out. From now on, they're permanently banned from all stores, malls, and hotels under the Evergreen Group. Blacklist them!"
"Yes, sir."
Catherine was a bit surprised. Evergreen Industries had properties all over the country. If the Evergreen Group blacklisted Clara and Celeste, Clara wouldn't be able to find a mall to shop in anymore.
"Catherine, you need to remember you're part of the Windsor family. No one can make you suffer, not even me."
Catherine nodded, showing she understood.
"Thank you, Charles."