Chapter 95: Why Become an Assassin
To win Alexander's favor, Esme used to run to the Howard Group every other day, and would criticize any young and pretty female employee she saw.
She successfully made all the Howard Group employees hate her.
But Esme was from the Windsor family, so the Howard Group employees couldn't do anything about it.
"I've already asked all the security guards at the Howard Group to blacklist her. Sorry Catherine, this won't happen again."
Catherine said calmly, "You shouldn't apologize to me. You should apologize to your employees."
Annie was touched!
Listen to that—what an excellent and kind person!
Alexander smiled, "Of course. I gave them extra bonuses. I saw the rules you made for the gallery and music store, and the Howard Group will adopt some of them too."
Catherine was a bit surprised.
A company like the Howard Group already had its own framework and structure, unlike her gallery and music store.
Samuel had given her the music store and gallery as small businesses.
The main goal of the gallery and music store wasn't even to make money.
What surprised her wasn't that Alexander had read her regulations, but that he would actually follow her decisions.
"The Howard Group's regulations are indeed lacking in terms of human care. The rules you made are very good."
Her regulations included specific menstrual leave for female employees, and all benefits were more comprehensive.
Catherine noticed Annie's ears practically standing up and chuckled softly.
Alexander seemed to be a pretty good boss.
Sitting at the dining table, Alexander extended his hand toward Catherine, his voice tempting, "Could you help me with my cufflinks?"
No matter what shirt Alexander wore, he always wore this pair of ruby cufflinks, which gave him a mysterious, understated, elegant glow, like a vampire duke in the night.
Catherine casually took them off for him and placed them on the velvet cloth nearby.
"Why do you always wear these?"
With his wealth, he must have countless cufflinks, right?
"Because the girl I like put them on for me once."
While rolling up his sleeves, Alexander carefully cut the steak in front of him. The pair of ruby cufflinks beside him sparkled with an understated glow.
Catherine's face turned slightly red in the light and shadow.
Alexander finished cutting the steak, smoothly switched it with the one in front of Catherine, and took away her untouched plate.
"Want to try it?"
The steak was covered in sweet sauce, with the scent of rosemary mixed with the rich aroma of meat, making her mouth water.
Catherine ate the steak Alexander had cut for her in small bites, then looked up at him.
"Why did you become an assassin?"
"Because of some family matters that aren't convenient to tell you about yet."
Alexander held a glass of wine, watching Catherine eat with her cheeks puffed out like a cute little hamster.
"I don't want to hide things or make up excuses, so I can only tell you part of it."
"It's related to my mother's death. She was hurt by someone sent from an international assassin organization. Although the assassin failed, my mother was still bedridden for years and eventually passed away. You can understand it as me wanting to personally avenge my mother."
Catherine's eyes rippled with emotion, the candlelight on the table reflecting in them.
"The part you can't talk about—is it related to the Howard family?"
Alexander picked up a delicate small spoon, poked a piece of cream cake and put it in Catherine's mouth, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Smart people know what to say."
The Howard family had many branches and deep roots. Even though she was the Windsor family's daughter, Alexander still worried she might get hurt.
"Got it."
"The Howard family situation is complicated, but trust me—at least before you marry me, I'll handle everything."
Marry him? She hadn't thought about that at all right now!
But meeting Alexander's eyes, Catherine suddenly got an idea.
"If I married you tomorrow, you couldn't solve all those problems in just one day, could you?"
Alexander paused, then laughed as if he'd heard a particularly delightful joke. He bent over laughing.
His laughter was deep and mellow, as intoxicating as the red wine beside him.
"Did you forget what I do? If you're willing to marry me tomorrow, I'll take Shadow Syndicate's people and storm in there today. Everything can be solved."
The cake in Catherine's mouth suddenly felt too sweet.
Alexander looked at Catherine even more tenderly. She was just too cute!
"As an exchange, can you tell me why you became an assassin?"
Why did she become an assassin?
Catherine didn't speak, just poked at the cream cake in front of her with her small spoon.
"I'm guessing your becoming an assassin has something to do with Galactic Aurora Collective, right?"
Catherine suddenly looked up, her eyes warning Alexander.
He still smiled elegantly and calmly, without any pressure or probing, only care and expectation.
"Yes."
"Although I don't know what happened at Galactic Aurora Collective, ever since I learned that the people around you were all rescued from there, I got curious and looked into it."
What Shadow Syndicate could find might be limited, but the Howard Group had enough resources to investigate Galactic Aurora Collective more thoroughly.
As a forgotten organization on the border, Galactic Aurora Collective's members were all absolute geniuses gathered from around the world.
Their intelligence was developed through various drugs and mechanical means, pushing the limits of human brain and body development.
Alexander stood up and knelt on one knee in front of Catherine, holding her hand.
"I really want to know—what role did you play in Galactic Aurora Collective?"
Catherine's eyes flashed. How could he be so perceptive?
"Nothing special."
"It's okay if you don't want to tell me. I just want you to know you can trust me."
Alexander reached out and ruffled her soft hair, smiling gently. "You're still just a kid. You can be more willful."
Willful?
She'd lost the right to be willful from a very young age.
The Smith family's indifference and favoritism meant she had to grow up earlier to take care of herself and Elodie.
Alexander understood her personality and didn't push.
"I've arranged to meet Ethan this weekend. Shadow Syndicate will arrange the location, and I'll pick you up then."
Catherine frowned slightly. "The person Ethan wants to save is in the country?"
"No, his brother's condition is serious. It's at the point where no one except Phantom Doctor Moon can help. Ethan doesn't dare move him carelessly, but I'm only giving him one chance. If he doesn't bring the person, he won't get another opportunity."
The meeting location was important. If Ethan arranged it, they would lose the advantage.
Alexander was smart enough and bold enough in his decisions.
Seeing her hesitation, Alexander chuckled, "I've already contacted people from Faceless Ones. They said they're willing to work with us. It all depends on your approval."
Catherine fell silent.
Those people were dying to get close and see what Alexander looked like!
Plus, Shadow Syndicate was covering all of Faceless Ones' expenses and providing the best sniper equipment. The Faceless Ones members had been poor following her around, and when they saw money, they couldn't wait to jump on it.
Of course they'd agree!
Thinking about those people's faces, Catherine felt helpless.
"Okay, I understand."