Chapter 60: Cruise Date
Saturn and Mars were so eager to see Catherine off because they wanted to see what the boss of Shadow Syndicate looked like!
But they didn't see anyone—just Alexander sitting in the car, looking all noble and refined.
When Alexander looked over, both Saturn and Mars felt like they were being attacked by his gaze. Those hawk-like eyes seemed full of scrutiny and wariness, constantly watching them holding Catherine's hands.
Alexander was really terrifying!
Saturn whispered, "Do you think the CEO of the Howard Group could actually be that Nightfall from Shadow Syndicate?"
"Do you even need to ask? The murderous look in his eyes is heavier than mine."
"I thought Catherine was cheating! The Howard Group is so rich and powerful—do they also kill people for fun when they have nothing else to do? I can't believe our organization still has to arrange marriages with Shadow Syndicate even now!"
Mars said helplessly, "Catherine isn't much better. What if she tricked Nightfall into this? Or maybe she just captured him."
"You've got a point."
The two looked at each other, watching the Cayenne speed away, speechless.
Inside the latest Cayenne model, Alexander handed Catherine a glass of water and reached out to touch her small hand.
Catherine was helpless.
She wasn't a three-year-old child—how could she let herself get cold?
"After not seeing you for several days, I realized this is the first time I've ever missed someone this much."
Annie in the passenger seat felt extremely awkward!
Felix had been worried that Alexander didn't know how to date, but with that smooth tongue of his, they should be more worried about whether Catherine could handle it!
Alexander watched Catherine take small sips of water, his smile deepening.
Catherine closed the cup lid, her charming eyes glancing at Alexander as she said coolly, "Are you always this direct when you talk?"
"Not really. When I was young, I actually hated expressing emotions, so after my mother passed away, I always regretted it. If I had expressed my feelings more when she was alive, she would have known that I loved her."
Alexander's tone carried a faint melancholy. His handsome, stern features showed a hint of sorrow, and his smile became bitter.
"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant."
"It's okay. Everything I say to you comes completely from my heart. If you don't like it, I'll learn to change. Please give me some time."
His voice had a deep, magnetic quality that made people's ears tingle.
Annie shivered, thinking that after Alexander said all that, how could Catherine possibly refuse!
Sure enough, Catherine said coolly, "No need."
Alexander beamed with joy, pleasantly surprised. "So you mean you like hearing me talk like this?"
Catherine fell silent.
How had she never noticed before that he was so good at pushing his luck?
Annie quietly took out earplugs from her bag and put them in with practiced ease, maintaining the professional composure expected of a senior assistant.
"What do you want to eat? Do you have any other plans tonight?"
Catherine shook her head.
"Whatever. No plans."
Charles knew she was having dinner with Alexander. The Windsor family wouldn't wait for her to eat, and Bethany and Aurora now wished Catherine would spend all her time with Alexander, calling it "building their relationship."
"Then let's eat first. After dinner, I want to take you somewhere."
"Where?"
"You'll know when we get there. Let's keep some suspense for now. I heard you went to Medical University with Charles today. Do you want to study there in the future?"
Catherine wasn't at all surprised that Alexander knew where she'd been. She had pretended not to notice the Howard Group people at those street corners.
"Is that not okay?"
Alexander held her hand, gripping it in his own. The warmth from her soft hand always made him feel so at ease, sweeping away all his fatigue and the disgust from scheming and plotting!
"How could it not be okay? It's just that studying medicine is tough. Most of your time would be spent in the lab. You should probably want to keep some time for yourself to do other things."
Catherine had her own organization—she definitely wouldn't just abandon it. If she wanted time to take on jobs, she really couldn't schedule all her time at school.
Before, she only needed to divide her time between Elodie and missions. Now she also needed to share it with the Windsor family and Alexander. For the first time, Catherine felt like she didn't have enough time!
"Okay, I'll think about it."
Alexander smiled, his handsome smile radiant and dazzling.
If Catherine studied medicine, she'd probably have no time to spend with him. Their time together would definitely decrease—that wouldn't do!
Besides, with Catherine's talent, she didn't need to waste time at university at all.
"I've arranged for Mr. Howard's medicine. It'll be delivered to him tomorrow."
"Thank you! I'll come pick you up then."
By the riverside at Imperia City's waterfront, the rippling water reflected the palace-like French cuisine restaurant on the shore. Inside, piano music flowed gracefully, lingering in the air.
Alexander pulled out a chair for Catherine, gentlemanly inviting her to sit before pulling out the opposite chair for himself.
"What's the situation with Esme?"
"Simple. She was tempted by the amount Ethan offered, took on a job using Moon's name, and was taken away by Ethan. She should be at the port now."
Catherine frowned slightly. Esme was still nominally part of the Windsor family. If Ethan really took her out of the country like this, the Windsor family would face some trouble.
Alexander poured her a glass of wine, his tender gaze falling on her face. Every time he saw her, his state of mind became peaceful.
"Don't worry, he can't leave. Marcus has a special status. If someone from the Windsor family leaves the country without authorization, it'll definitely trigger an investigation from above."
"You arranged people at the port?"
Alexander swirled the wine in his glass, smiling meaningfully.
"Didn't you also arrange people? Our thoughts are in sync. This proves you and I have chemistry."
Catherine didn't speak.
The chemistry between them might indeed exist, starting from when their two organizations always targeted the same assassination contracts. Both sides had competed fiercely ever since.
That's why Saturn and Mars were so curious about his face!
"When do we make our move?"
Alexander placed the steak he'd cut in front of Catherine, saying calmly and elegantly, "No rush. At least let you finish your meal. This restaurant's steak is really good. Try it?"
"It is good."
After the meal, Alexander took Catherine's hand and went straight to the seaside, leading her onto a yacht.
The yacht was brightly lit, with a low-key banquet in progress. Alexander's arrival attracted many eyes, but even more attention fell on Catherine, whose hand he was holding!
Under the lights, Catherine looked composed, surveying everyone like a queen, her entire being radiating an otherworldly, stunning elegance.
"That's Ms. Windsor, right? She really is beautiful—such a perfect match with Mr. Howard."
"Ms. Windsor is even more beautiful than on the live broadcast!"
Alexander extended his hand, indicating for Catherine to take his arm. Even though he hadn't told her in advance about attending a banquet, her etiquette was still perfectly appropriate.
"A banquet?"
"No, just passing by. This yacht will pass by the port where Ethan is preparing to leave."
Alexander put his arm around Catherine's slender waist, slowly entering the dance floor to the rhythm of a waltz. Crystal lights shimmered down as the open sea stretched endlessly before them.
Alexander leaned close to Catherine's ear, lowering his voice. His magnetic, sexy voice fell into her ear with a tickling sensation.
"And also, I wanted to spend more time with you. These past few days, I've really missed you. Have you thought about me at all?"