Chapter 44: To the One I Love
Alexander's gaze had been fixed on Catherine on the stage the entire time.
He'd imagined ten thousand possibilities, but never expected she would be the daughter of the Windsor family!
She looked beautiful in that dress!
The gown outlined her slender waist perfectly.
Every hem and pleat of the well-tailored dress was carefully designed, moving like rolling waves and clouds. Around her long swan-like neck was a pink diamond necklace, and her hair cascaded down her back, making her look just like a little fairy from a storybook.
Bethany took Catherine around to meet people, collecting quite a few birthday gifts along the way.
Alexander started walking toward Catherine!
"I just remembered, don't the Howard family and the Windsor family have some kind of marriage arrangement?"
"Yeah, look at Alexander heading over to Catherine now. I'd say they make a perfect match standing together."
"They really do look good together. Only the Howard family with their background could match up with the Windsor family's angel-like Catherine."
Hearing the whispers around him, Alexander's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Happy birthday, this is my gift for you."
Catherine turned to meet Alexander's gaze, a flash of surprise crossing her bright eyes.
Bethany slapped her forehead and quickly made introductions: "Catherine, I forgot to introduce you - this is Alexander, your fiancé. You two were engaged when you were little, so it's perfect timing to meet now."
"Alexander, this is my daughter, Catherine Windsor!"
Alexander nodded, his lips curving into a teasing, playful smile. "Catherine? That's a beautiful name. I'll remember it!"
As for the fiancé part, though she'd known for a while she had a fiancé, she never imagined it would be Alexander!
What happened to working as a driver to support the family?
"My gift, for you."
Alexander handed over a beautifully wrapped box with words carved on it.
[To my beloved. Alexander.]
Bethany couldn't stop smiling when she saw the box!
"Didn't you already give Catherine a gift? Why another one? You're too kind!"
Alexander's gaze fell on Catherine's face, gentle as moonlight.
"That one was for Ms. Windsor. This one is for Catherine."
Bethany scratched his head.
What's the difference?
He couldn't understand young people's romance at all!
Weren't both gifts for Catherine?
But he knew that if Alexander went out of his way to give two gifts, he must be very satisfied with Catherine!
When the kids got along well, he as an elder felt happy too, and was already thinking about whether their grandson should have the Windsor or Howard surname.
Catherine said coolly, "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Catherine."
Was this guy sick or something?
She was speechless for a moment, but with so many people watching and not wanting to embarrass Bethany, she had to accept it.
"Ms. Windsor and Mr. Howard are clearly a match made in heaven, so enviable to watch."
"Ms. Windsor is so beautiful, she and Mr. Howard are perfect together!"
"Their children will definitely be gorgeous!"
These comments didn't sit well with the Windsor family members.
Catherine had just come home, and they hadn't had enough time with her yet!
How could she be taken away by some fiancé who came out of nowhere!
Charles stepped in front of Catherine, looking at Alexander critically.
"My sister just came home not long ago. Mr. Howard, please don't scare her."
George pushed up his glasses and smiled in a seemingly friendly way: "Catherine is still young, no need to rush into marriage. The Windsor family doesn't plan to marry off our daughter for at least ten years."
Catherine looked at George helplessly.
In ten years, wouldn't she be an old woman?
Richard frowned at Alexander and pulled Catherine behind him protectively: "Not to be rude, but Mr. Howard, you're twenty-four now, right? That's an old man. My sister is only nineteen!"
Alexander froze!
He just turned twenty-four - how was he an old man?
Philip looked Alexander up and down with displeasure. "Mr. Howard has delivered his gift, so you can leave now, right?"
Juniper stood beside Catherine, appearing to talk to her but keeping sharp, vigilant eyes on Alexander.
"Catherine, if you don't like him, just say so. The Windsor family doesn't need to marry off our daughter for some business alliance. Your happiness is what matters most!"
A smile appeared on Catherine's lips!
The Windsor family members had completely blocked Catherine from view, not leaving even the slightest gap.
Bethany was so moved by how well the kids got along that he was almost in tears!
"Stop fooling around. Mr. Howard came specially to give Catherine a gift. You all go entertain the guests, don't let people laugh at us."
Charles extended his hand to Alexander.
"Mr. Howard, come along. I've spotted several families you have business with."
Alexander kept his refined, easygoing smile. "No thanks, you go ahead. I want to stay here with Catherine."
George's expression showed his displeasure.
"Mr. Howard, this is your first time meeting Catherine, and you're already this enthusiastic? Or do you act this way with all pretty girls?"
Alexander smiled politely.
"I only act this way with Catherine. You don't need to worry - I've already met Catherine many times."
George didn't believe it.
Yeah, right!
They'd been busy with the birthday party preparations these past few days and had barely seen Catherine themselves. How could Alexander have met Catherine many times?
Richard, the most hot-tempered, said, "Mr. Howard talks as if he's deeply in love with Catherine. Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you?"
Alexander's gaze fell on Catherine.
"Catherine knows my feelings, and that's all that matters."
Richard fell silent.
How could this Alexander be so shameless!
Suddenly, a video appeared on the giant screen in the center of the ballroom!
The confused guests all looked over, many covering their mouths!
"Isn't that Catherine in the video? Why is she getting out of such a beat-up car?"
"Could it be that Catherine actually has a boyfriend? Then Alexander is really..."
Esme hid in the control room, eagerly waiting for the argument to break out so she could rush out and tell Alexander she could be his bride!
Just thinking about that scene made Esme want to scream with excitement!
Catherine's gaze fell on the video.
It seemed to be shot from many different angles.
Each one clearly showed her getting out of the car with a sweet smile on her face.
While waiting for the car, you could even sense her anticipation.
Juniper had already seen this video and frantically tried to cover for Catherine!
"This video must be fake - you can tell it's been photoshopped!"
Charles, George, Richard, and Philip were also on high alert!
They didn't care about the Windsor family's reputation, but if this video got out, people would definitely talk about Catherine!
Catherine was still a young girl - she definitely couldn't handle all that gossip!