Chapter 34: I have nothing to do with her. I really hate her
"Lucas, what should I do?"
"You just need to find a document in your father's study and bring it to me, Clara. The Smith family and the Johnson family will both be ours in the future. You wouldn't want to see me upset, would you?"
Clara hesitated!
She didn't have permission to enter Oliver's study.
"Clara, don't you want to marry me? Once this problem is solved, I can get you a super big diamond ring. Clara, just like last time, get your father's document for me. You can do it."
A huge diamond ring!
Clara's eyes lit up!
"Okay! I'll definitely get it for you! Lucas, wait for me."
Lucas grabbed Clara's hand, a bright smile spreading across his face.
"I'll wait!"
As soon as ICU visiting hours ended, Clara left reluctantly, looking back every few steps.
Oliver had already said he wanted her and Lucas to get married soon, so he would definitely support her decision. She'd tell Oliver about this after the Johnson family's crisis was resolved.
The Smith Mansion.
Clara quietly snuck into Oliver's study, found the document Lucas mentioned among a pile of papers, and carefully took it out.
Her heart was pounding!
Just thinking about becoming Lucas's bride soon made her feel incredibly happy!
Too bad Catherine couldn't see her happiness, otherwise she'd be dying of jealousy!
Celeste sat on the sofa, enjoying a massage from the servants.
Just thinking about how she had to stay in a place like the detention center because of Catherine made her feel uncomfortable all over!
"Where did Clara go?"
"She went to the hospital to see Lucas."
"That's good. Clara is the sensible one. She must secure the marriage arrangement with the Johnson family. Once she marries into that family, she'll have an easy life! As for Catherine..."
The more Celeste thought about it, the more something felt off!
She sat up and found Oliver watering flowers in the garden, pulling him to sit on a bench.
"Honey, do you think Mom secretly left money for Catherine when she died? Otherwise, how could she leave so decisively!"
Oliver thought about it—it was completely possible!
"Elodie always doted on Catherine. She definitely wouldn't leave without leaving something behind. If Catherine could hook up with Philip, she must have used money Elodie gave her!"
Celeste frowned. "That won't do. Elodie's money should all be Clara's. Clara is the Smith family's daughter. Why should Catherine get it?"
Oliver nodded. "I'll personally call Catherine's family and make her return all the money Elodie gave her. It all belongs to Clara!"
Taking money from the Smith family? Impossible!
Oliver made up his mind and went upstairs to his study.
Five minutes later, he ran out of the study covered in cold sweat!
"My document is missing! That's the bid proposal our company needs to use. It's very important!"
Celeste became anxious too.
"Has anyone been in your study? Clara and I just got home and haven't gone in. When was the bid proposal from?"
"It was prepared the day Catherine left. I haven't paid attention to it these past few days!"
Oliver slapped his forehead and said through gritted teeth, "I knew it! Catherine must have taken it. She really is heartless. She stole my bid proposal—is she trying to get revenge on the Smith family?"
"What do we do now? Should we call the police!"
The bid proposal contained a lot of content that couldn't be made public. If Oliver called the police, Catherine would be at a disadvantage, but he would lose face. If things got out of hand, he wouldn't be able to show his face in Serenitia City anymore.
"No, no, contact Catherine first and make her hand it over. What if we push her too far and she takes the bid proposal to our competitors?"
"That damn Catherine! I should have... back then..."
Celeste stopped mid-sentence, realizing she'd said something she shouldn't have, and swallowed her words!
Fortunately, Oliver's mind was full of the bid proposal and he didn't notice Celeste's odd behavior.
Imperia City, Bright Heal Hospital.
Catherine had just walked out of Marcus's hospital room when a familiar car stopped at the hospital entrance.
The setting sun cast its light on the black car body. The man leaning against the car also carried a touch of worldly charm. His handsome features held a faint smile, and when he looked over, Catherine's heart skipped a couple of beats.
"Please."
Catherine got in the car and frowned slightly. "Can't you get other rides? Why are you always picking me up?"
Alexander laughed softly, his voice alluring.
"My car isn't good enough. The platform won't approve me. Only you don't mind."
This car was indeed a bit run-down. Most Uber drivers in Imperia City drove better cars than this. Plus, given Alexander's special identity, it was indeed difficult to get approved.
Alexander leaned over and helped Catherine fasten her seatbelt. A faint sandalwood scent surrounded her, and even the dust particles in the air seemed enchanted by his scent.
"I can do it myself."
"Of course. It's just that this car's seatbelt is a bit tricky to fasten. I'm really sorry. I'll work hard and get a better car."
What did his getting a new car have to do with her?
She concealed the heat rising in her face and said coolly, "Ethan ran away. More accurately, Ethan never went to The Velvet Lounge. The one who met with Eli was his brother."
"My people found out too. Shadow Syndicate happens to have some information about Ethan. Interested in looking at it together?"
Catherine glanced at him coolly. "This is information Shadow Syndicate investigated. Why would you share it with me?"
Shadow Syndicate and Faceless Ones were rival assassin organizations!
Alexander's lips curved in a gentle smile. "Why not? When I do things, I follow my heart, not the rules."
His heart?
Catherine turned her head, feeling a bit uncomfortable!
"Fine. I'll also share the information Faceless Ones found about Ethan."
"In that case, let's find a place to have dinner and talk it over."
Alexander drove the car into the city center and found a rotating restaurant among the colorful lights that looked especially romantic from the outside.
Likewise, this restaurant was quite expensive!
"There's no need to choose such an expensive place for a meal, right?"
Alexander walked to her side and opened the car door, his hand blocking the top to prevent her from hitting her head.
He bent slightly, his deep eyes rippling with dark waves. "The first meal I'm treating you to, I want it to be special. Don't worry, it's just one meal. I still have money to buy a car."
What did how much money he had have to do with her?
She just felt that Alexander's family situation wasn't good to begin with, and he had to earn money to support an entire organization, which was hard enough. Spending money so lavishly would make things even harder.
What car he bought wasn't her decision anyway!
Inside the restaurant, Alexander led Catherine to a window seat with an excellent view, overlooking most of Imperia City's night scenery.
"What do you like to eat?"
"Whatever."
Alexander nodded and called the waiter to order.
His phone rang. Esme's deliberately coquettish voice came through the receiver. "Alexander, when are you coming to pick me up? I want to have dinner with you."
"Who gave you my number?"
"If you really want something, you can always find it. I genuinely like you!"
"Get lost!"
He hung up and immediately blocked the number, sending Annie a message to investigate who gave Esme his number.
When he looked up, he saw Catherine sitting across from him, watching him with a teasing expression!
"I have nothing to do with her. I really dislike her."