Chapter 9 The Windsor Family Has Two Other Daughters
"Don't you like it? Want to try something else?"
Catherine said flatly, "I don't like seasonings - no onions, ginger, or garlic."
It was just a small thing, and she didn't take it to heart.
After all, at the Smith family, Celeste never cared what she liked to eat. In fact, she would force Catherine to eat food she disliked just to prove her control.
Aurora immediately took the soup bowl from her hand and ordered Lucy, "From now on, none of the dishes in our house can have onions, ginger, or garlic!"
Lucy said nothing.
Esme's favorite dishes were all seasoned with onions, ginger, and garlic!
She didn't dare speak up, but secretly glared at Catherine, who was showing off her status the moment she got home. She was grinding her teeth in anger.
Catherine blinked, not expecting Aurora to do this.
"You don't have to do that. I'm fine."
Aurora didn't care and held Catherine's hand, saying earnestly, "Catherine, when you have time, write down what you like and don't like to eat. From now on, whatever you love, your dad and I will love too. And whatever you don't like will absolutely never appear in our house!"
Bethany nodded too. "Right, look how thin you are. The Smith family definitely didn't feed you well."
In Bethany and Aurora's eyes, the people at the Smith family had become villains who mistreated Catherine.
Her clothes were plain and ordinary, not any good brands. Her suitcase was small too, and besides an old computer, she had hardly any other belongings!
She was so poor!
Aurora hesitated, then spoke up, "Sweetheart, you have four brothers at home, and a sister. We found out years ago that you and Juniper were switched at birth, and we've been looking for you for years."
"Your dad and I, it wasn't on purpose back then."
Catherine nodded.
No one would switch their children on purpose.
"As for Juniper, she's innocent. We've raised her all these years, and she won't compete with you. So until she finds her family, we hope she can stay at home too. Don't worry, she's usually in Tranquil County doing research."
"Was she the one who called me before?"
She remembered Oliver saying there were chickens in the background of that call.
"Yes, Juniper found you and called you. We've been investigating what happened back then for the past two years, and discovered that Juniper is actually a few days older than you. Your dad and I are also trying hard to find Juniper's family."
Finding birth families is really a matter of fate - you might find them or you might not.
Bethany and Aurora simply hoped Juniper could stay with the family.
Catherine had no objection. Whoever Bethany and Aurora wanted to support was their freedom.
"I understand."
Bethany and Aurora both breathed a sigh of relief.
They knew Catherine wasn't the type to demand that Juniper be kicked out of the Windsor family.
Juniper had lived with them for so many years. Even though they found out by chance a few years ago that she wasn't their biological daughter, Bethany and Aurora couldn't bear to throw her out!
Aurora said excitedly, "When you meet Juniper, you'll definitely like her!"
Catherine's expression was neutral, and she said nothing.
Lucy quietly added from the side, "There's also Esme."
At the mention of Esme, Bethany and Aurora's excitement and anticipation clearly dropped.
Aurora took a sip of soup and said flatly, "Oh right, there's Esme. She's an orphan your grandmother adopted. She's not really part of the Windsor family, so you don't need to worry about her."
Lucy's expression showed some indignation, directed at Catherine.
Finally, with Juniper away doing research and not coming home, there was only Esme as the daughter in this house, and Bethany and Aurora would surely come to love Esme!
But now Catherine had arrived, and everything that belonged to Esme was going to be taken away!
Catherine noticed Lucy's hostile gaze but didn't care.
"Why did she adopt her?"
When it came to Esme, both Bethany and Aurora's attitudes were lukewarm.
"Your grandmother wasn't well before. After she left the hospital, she adopted Esme. Usually Esme keeps your grandmother company. Your brothers are all busy, we'll introduce you later."
Catherine acknowledged this and lowered her eyes slightly.
Bethany clapped her hands. "Catherine, want to go see your room?"
Meeting Bethany and Aurora's expectant gazes, Catherine nodded.
She followed them upstairs.
"Catherine, I heard you're taking the entrance exam next month. Do you have a school in mind? It's okay if your grades aren't great - we can send you abroad to study! Which university do you like?"
Catherine really hadn't thought about this.
She'd received acceptance letters from Dawn University and Stellar Academy last month and was still thinking about which one to choose.
The Smith family didn't know about any of this.
Ever since Celeste stopped letting Catherine study properly to motivate Clara, she stopped sharing her grades with the Smith family.
"Haven't decided yet."
"That's fine, take your time. Your brothers all studied abroad, and Juniper also graduated from Stellar Academy - she's doing her PhD now. When the time comes, you can ask Juniper for advice."
You could tell that Juniper must be a genius in the research field.
No wonder Bethany and Aurora couldn't bear to part with her.
Bethany patted her chest. "You can ask me too! I also graduated from Dawn University!"
Aurora exposed her: "You only got in because Marcus donated two buildings to Dawn University."
Bethany laughed awkwardly and pushed open the door to the second-floor hallway.
The entire floor had a simple style, but everywhere showed understated luxury.
The shelves were filled with priceless antiques. The walk-in closet was huge, the bathroom floor was translucent, and there was also a study, dance studio, game room...
Bethany waved her hand grandly. "This whole floor is yours, Catherine. Do you like it?"
The entire second floor was at least 3,000 square feet, all for her alone?
Aurora added, "Right, see if you like this style. If not, we'll renovate it right away. The third floor is also yours - if you don't like it, we'll redo everything!"
Catherine fell silent.
"No need, the second floor is fine."
Bethany and Aurora were both afraid Catherine wouldn't like it, so they were relieved when she nodded.
Aurora opened the closet door. "I prepared some loungewear for you. See if you like it."
Half the walk-in closet was filled with designer logo loungewear. Most prominently displayed were several pieces with a willow leaf logo.
"These are Quinn's new designs. Do you like them?"
Catherine's feelings were complicated. "I like them."
Aurora and Bethany were almost crying with joy!
Catherine said she liked them!
"Sweetheart, you rest for a bit. I'll contact your brothers to come home - we'll have dinner together tonight!"
"Okay."
Aurora and Bethany went downstairs happily.
Catherine thought for a moment and sent a message.
"Look into why Nightfall appeared in Imperia City, and when he accepted Marcus's order."
"Got it!"
Five minutes later.
"Nightfall took a job from a rich person in Imperia City, but he didn't accept Marcus's order."
Catherine fell silent.
Damn Nightfall!
"Look into what happened when the Windsor family's daughter was switched all those years ago."
"Yes!"
Catherine had always suspected there was more to that incident!