Chapter 185
Rowan's face turned slightly pale, her eyes rimming with red.
"Elizabeth is my daughter. I'm certainly worried about her." she said.
"But this was all her own choice. From the moment she insisted on marrying Terry West, I knew this day would come!"
Alvin snorted, muttering under his breath, "Elizabeth might have been framed..."
Rowan furrowed her brow.
"What did you say? Framed? Who would frame Elizabeth? Do you have any evidence?"
Alvin looked at his wife, who clearly didn't believe in their daughter's innocence, and sighed, avoiding to argue with her.
Rowan noticed Alvin's serious expression and didn't want to fight at this moment either.
She nodded, going along with his words, and lay down to rest.
Meanwhile, Philip brought Catherine back to the villa.
Throughout the drive, Philip radiated coldness, his demeanor warning everyone to keep their distance.
Catherine tried to speak several times but closed her mouth again. She really didn't want to become collateral damage to his mood.
Suddenly, Philip slammed the entryway door with force.
Catherine jumped at the unexpected noise.
"I-I'll go to my room now," she said, practically running toward the stairs.
Philip reached out with one long arm and pulled her into his embrace.
Catherine's heart skipped a beat. "Philip, what are you doing? I haven't done anything to provoke you!"
Philip threw Catherine onto the sofa, trapping her tightly against his chest. "Catherine, listen carefully. From now on, you are not to interfere with Elizabeth's affairs again."
Catherine looked bewildered. "What do you mean?"
Philip had just endured a frustrating conversation with Alvin and had no patience to explain. "Just do as I said."
Alvin had already involved himself in Elizabeth's case, and if Catherine continued to target Elizabeth, Alvin would definitely intervene. At that point, Philip might not be able to protect her.
Catherine looked at Philip, appearing to contemplate his words, but didn't immediately respond.
After a while, Philip grabbed her arm, squeezing it threateningly. "Answer me."
Wincing with pain, Catherine became even more reluctant to yield. "Why should I agree to anything you say?"
Philip asked coldly, "Elizabeth's case has already entered the pre-trial scheduling phase. Can't you just wait for the verdict? What more do you want?"
Catherine averted her gaze toward the coffee table, refusing to look at Philip's face. "Everyone's helping Elizabeth. Who knows what might happen next?"
Philip let out a cold laugh. "So you won't be satisfied until you see Elizabeth in prison?"
Catherine looked up at him, her expression righteous. "Elizabeth committed a crime. Shouldn't she go to prison?"
Philip scoffed. "Catherine, are you a judge? The judge hasn't even ruled on the case, and you've already decided Elizabeth is guilty?"
Looking at Philip's cold, indifferent expression, Catherine lost her desire to argue.
After all, in his heart, she was nothing but a disposable plaything. Why should she listen to everything he said?
Catherine turned her face away stubbornly. "Think whatever you want. But you have no right to restrict what I do..."
Philip paused and realized he was losing his composure.
He was usually skilled at negotiation; there was no need to force her.
"Catherine, you're not without vulnerabilities. Even if you don't consider yourself, think about your parents."
Upon Hearing this, Catherine's expression changed dramatically, her emotions flaring.
She grabbed Philip's shirt. "Philip, are you threatening me? If I don't obey, you'll go after them?"
Philip gazed at Catherine's large eyes, brimming with restrained tears, and felt a sharp pain in his chest. "Catherine, I'm not threatening you, just reminding you. Once you have vulnerabilities, you can't act recklessly."
After their explosive argument, Catherine dragged her suitcase out and left.
This time Philip didn't stop her. He felt he'd been too indulgent with Catherine, so that she no longer knew her place.
Now, he needed to make Catherine understand who was in charge in this relationship!
At Nova Pharmaceuticals headquarters.
These days, Alex Grey spoke cautiously, answering Philip's questions with complete focus, knowing that one misstep could cost him his year-end bonus.
"Mr. Foster, here is today's schedule," he said.
Philip acknowledged with a distracted sound, then asked, "Has James returned from Harborview City?"
Alex nodded. "Yes, he has, but without much success. Our people reported that James's men tried to approach Ernest and Hazel Levin several times but were driven away by our security."
Philip didn't want to cause a commotion that might frighten the elderly couple. "Tell our people to be careful not to disturb them."
Alex raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, then continued.
"Mr. Foster, Ms. Levin will report to Dr. Blackwood tomorrow."
At the mention of Catherine's name, Philip's austere expression remained unchanged. "How has she been lately?"
Alex looked confused. "Mr. Foster, I don't know."
Philip's face darkened, his gaze turning icy as he stared at Alex.
Alex felt entirely innocent. "Mr. Foster, you didn't instruct me to have anyone monitor... I mean, protect Ms. Levin."
Philip remained silent, but his gaze grew increasingly cold and sharp.
Alex truly felt wronged. Logically, Philip and Catherine were a couple—what kind of boyfriend needed to deploy people to keep tabs on his girlfriend?
Suddenly, Alex remembered something. "Mr. Foster, I heard that Silver Lake Hospital is having a team-building event tonight. They've booked the entire City Square cinema, and all the doctors who aren't on duty have been invited to see a movie."
Philip straightened his posture and asked coolly, "Is Catherine on duty tonight?"
Alex smiled slightly, answering shrewdly, "I'll verify that immediately."
Philip didn't respond, tacitly approving Alex's arrangement.
That evening, at City Square cinema.
Catherine looked at her movie ticket, searching for her seat number. "Row 6, seat 8."
After finding her place, she sat down.
Catherine set her phone to silent mode, preparing to focus on the movie.
Someone took the seat beside her, but Catherine didn't look, keeping her attention fixed on the big screen.
She rested her left hand on the armrest, positioning herself in the most relaxed posture to watch the film.
Suddenly, Catherine felt something touch her left hand. She frowned, about to pull her hand away.
But a cool palm covered the back of her hand.
The person beside her was being incredibly forward!
Catherine turned to glare at whoever it was, ready to rebuke them, only to find Philip looking at her with a casual expression.
Catherine's face filled with surprise. "Y-you? What are you doing here?"
Philip remained calm, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Today is Silver Lake Hospital's team-building event."
Catherine's expressive eyes filled with confusion. "So?"
Philip cleared his throat slightly. "Silver Lake Hospital's team-building budget comes from Nova Pharmaceuticals. I'm here to check on things."
Catherine thought, 'When other hospitals under Nova have team-building events, I don't see you attending!'
Philip's hand resting on the armrest moved restlessly.
He wanted to hold her hand but feared she would reject him without hesitation.
Catherine noticed Philip's hand fidgeting but didn't want to let him have his way.
Seeing Catherine's cold demeanor, Philip couldn't help but frown. They hadn't seen each other for days, and she seemed this impatient to see him?
Philip couldn't stand being ignored and brazenly asked, "Not talking to me?"
Catherine pushed Philip's hand away and looked around, only now realizing that no one was sitting near her except him.
"Philip, stop it. This is a movie theater, not your house."
In the darkness, Philip was uncharacteristically sincere. "I'm not playing around. I just wanted to watch a movie with you."
Catherine pursed her lips, affecting an indifferent manner. "Mr. Foster, if you want to watch the movie, focus on it. Why are you squeezing my hand?"
"You're ignoring me," Philip complained, despite knowing he was in the wrong.
Catherine retorted, "Mr. Foster must be joking. How would I dare?"
Philip was amused. "Is there anything you don't dare to do?"
In all of Brightonfield, only Catherine Levin dared to show him attitude.
Catherine didn't want to speak with Philip anymore. Even after several days, just thinking about how he had threatened Ernest and Hazel made her resentful.
Philip was still waiting for Catherine's response.
He had missed her these past days and would be happy even just to banter with her.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Philip persisted.
Catherine rolled her eyes impatiently and lowered her voice in warning. "Can't you just focus on the movie?"
Philip stared at Catherine's delicate face.
In the dark theater, the light from the screen flickered across her features, making her look even more stunning.
"Then hold hands with me," Philip said shamelessly, extending his large hand toward her.
Catherine's eyebrows knitted together. "Philip, what exactly do you want?"
She hadn't controlled her volume, and her high-decibel question disturbed several people nearby.
Catherine looked around, then leaned close to Philip's ear to remind him. "Philip, we're still in the silent treatment!!"
Couldn't he have some dignity?