Chapter 219
Catherine withdrew her captivate gaze from Cecil.
"Looking at you, of course. Who else would be in my eyes besides you?" The honeyed words rolled off her tongue effortlessly.
Philip couldn't feel any sincerity in her statement. A smoldering irritation spread through his chest.
"Is that so?" He laughed coldly, his expression fierce. "I truly wish I could gouge out your eyes and keep them for myself."
Catherine pouted her lips in displeasure, her voice taking on a coquettish tone. "Why must you be so frightening?"
His control fraying at the edges from her provocations, Philip gripped her slender waist and carried her toward the exit.
Alex stood waiting anxiously at the door, not daring to enter. Catherine looked so sexily dressed tonight that Philip would surely be furious. As the one responsible for escorting Catherine today, Alex knew he'd be held accountable if Philip decided to pursue the matter.
Philip held Catherine's wrist firmly as they walked out. She struggled to keep up, complaining softly, "Slow down, please. I'm wearing high heels."
At her words, Philip immediately halted.
His deep eyes swept downward, taking in her nearly 4-inch heels. His expression instantly froze.
Catherine knew Philip was angry, but deliberately ignored his expression. She turned her head toward Alex instead.
"Mr. Grey, thank you for bringing my coat."
She wriggled free from Philip's grip and walked toward Alex, reaching out her hand. "May I have my coat back now?"
Catherine snatched the white cashmere coat from Alex's hands and meticulously put it on.
Alex felt helpless. What had gotten into Miss Levin tonight? Everything she did seemed deliberately calculated to provoke Philip. Among all the people at the reception, she had chosen to remove her coat before entering, and now, in Philip's presence, she was putting it back on.
She might as well have written "I'm cheating on you" across her forehead!
Philip turned and stood before her.
Catherine looked up, meeting Philip's penetrating gaze.
His handsome face was filled with rage.
"Had enough fun?" he asked coldly.
Catherine furrowed her delicate brows, putting on an innocent expression. "Fun? I wasn't having fun."
Without another word, Philip bent down and swept Catherine into his arms.
Unlike usual, Catherine didn't wrap her arms around Philip's neck to help distribute her weight. Instead, she appeared startled, her small hands clutching his collar tightly.
They entered the elevator—a private one reserved for VIPs. With just the two of them inside, Philip was ready to confront her as soon as the doors closed.
"Reluctant to embrace me?" he questioned.
Catherine raised her eyes, a fleeting emotion passing through them.
She lifted her arms and forced herself to place them around Philip's shoulders, despite her obvious discomfort.
Philip clearly noticed Catherine was recoiling from his touch.
What had happened to her today?
Meeting Philip's piercing gaze, Catherine immediately realized she had revealed too much.
This wouldn't do. She couldn't arouse Philip's suspicions.
She needed to remain by his side to uncover the truth about what happened seven years ago.
If her father's death was indeed connected to him...
Catherine suddenly tightened her grip, hugging Philip with such force that he could barely breathe.
"Catherine, what are you doing?" Philip's voice was low, his gaze scrutinizing her.
Catherine came to her senses and gradually loosened her hold.
She stared directly at Philip, her eyes glistening. "You're so bad," she complained with sudden softness.
The elevator doors opened, and Philip carried Catherine out.
He walked step by step toward their suite, his tall, imposing figure creating a stark contrast with the petite woman in his arms.
"Tell me, how am I bad?" he asked.
Less than eight feet from their room, Philip instinctively quickened his pace.
Catherine widened her eyes, pursing her lips in an exaggerated pout as she pretended to scold him.
"You promised to spend my birthday with me. What time is it now? Where's my birthday cake? If I hadn't gone to the reception to find you, would you have completely forgotten about me?"
As Philip listened to her complaints, his anger subsided somewhat.
Standing with her at the suite entrance, he nodded toward his pocket. "The keycard is in my pocket."
Catherine puffed her cheeks, reluctantly reaching into Philip's coat pocket, but finding it empty.
"It's not here."
Philip retrieved the keycard from his pants pocket and opened the door. Inside, an elaborate display of fresh flowers, a cake, and lipsticks arranged in the shape of a heart greeted them.
Philip turned sideways, allowing Catherine to enter first.
Catherine strode confidently on her stiletto heels into the romantically decorated presidential suite.
She bypassed the crimson roses and the birthday cake on the coffee table, heading straight for the heart-shaped arrangement of lipsticks by the floor-to-ceiling window.
She couldn't help but laugh, pointing at the lipsticks. "Was this your idea or Alex's?"
Her expression was more mocking than joyful, her eyes crinkling with barely contained laughter.
Philip glanced at the heart-shaped lipstick arrangement by the window, then at Catherine who was struggling not to laugh.
He walked over to stand before her, looking down at the exquisitely beautiful Catherine. "You don't like it?"
Catherine finally burst out laughing, her slender finger pointing at the lipsticks on the floor.
"Philip, I couldn't use all these lipsticks in a lifetime."
"Keep them if you can't use them all." Philip took her small hand in his, enveloping it in his larger one. "Today will be a special day, and these will be your."
Catherine looked at their intertwined fingers, her smile gradually fading.
She was going mad, nearly falling into Philip's sweet trap.
Philip might be one of her father's killers—how could she feel happy over his momentary attentiveness?
The mood was perfect as Philip reached into his suit's inner pocket and pulled out a deep blue velvet box.
As Catherine had anticipated, there was a dazzling diamond ring inside.
The diamond had been crafted into a teardrop shape, perfect in its curvature, pure and transparent. Looking closer, she noticed the diamond had a faint blue tint.
If Catherine wasn't mistaken, this was a piece of the world's largest diamond.
Philip noticed Catherine's gaze fixed on the ring and smiled, dropping to one knee before her.
"Emily, marry me."
Catherine usually looked up at Philip, so having him kneel before her was a rare sight.
She looked down at the kneeling Philip, who maintained his cold aura even in this position.
After about a minute of silence, Philip's handsome face remained patient.
His deep, magnetic voice reached Catherine's ears. "Won't you accept?"
Catherine's red lips parted slightly as she asked earnestly, "Why do you want to marry me?"
Philip lowered his eyes momentarily, his voice serious and steady. "Because I love you, and because I want to spend my life with you."
Catherine's eyes stung with unexpected tears. Rather than feeling triumphant, she felt lost, her heart bitter and uncertain.
'Philip, are you truly one of the murderers who killed my father?' She thought.
Philip offered a smile, stood up straight, took the diamond ring from its box, and slipped it onto the middle finger of her left hand.
"My girl deserves the world's finest diamond."
Catherine's eyes reddened, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Philip saw her crying and teased her about being easily moved to tears.
"Why cry at such a happy moment?"
Despite his words, his hand tenderly wiped the tears from her cheeks.
Catherine pouted defiantly, "What do you know? These are tears of joy."
Philip chuckled softly.
"Very well, tears of joy it is."
He pulled Catherine into his embrace, his large hand gently stroking her curled hair, soothing her emotions.
Considering that she hadn't eaten, Philip didn't press further.
He quickly lit a single candle on the cake.
Catherine clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and made a silent wish.
May the truth come to light. May evil be repaid with justice.
Philip gazed at Catherine's serious profile as she made her wish, thinking she looked increasingly beautiful.
Catherine opened her eyes and blew out the candle.
Philip removed the candle and picked up a knife to cut the cake.
Curious, he asked, "What did you wish for?"
Catherine certainly wouldn't reveal her true wish, so she smiled and deflected, "I wished that you would love me forever."
Philip paused briefly, turning to face her.
"Why did you say your wish out loud?"
Catherine responded in a sweet, coquettish voice, "If I don't tell you, how will you help make it come true?"
Philip suppressed a laugh, nodding in agreement. "Fine, you're absolutely right."
As Catherine ate her cake, Philip called room service, ordering several dishes she usually enjoyed.
After finishing her cake, Catherine set down her plate, her round eyes darting about.
She stared intently at Philip as he ordered food over the phone.
Philip quickly finished ordering and hung up. He turned to see Catherine sitting primly on the sofa, cake cream still at the corner of her lips.
He strode over to her, his thumb gently wiping away the cream from the corner of her lips, then rubbing his fingers together.
"Is it good?" Philip asked in a low voice, then took a tissue from the coffee table to wipe the cream from his fingers.
Catherine nodded, affirming, "This cake isn't too sweet. I like it."
Philip picked up the cake box, noting the bakery's name. "If you like it, I'll get you more next time."
Catherine reached out to him, gesturing for him to come closer.
Philip took her offered hand and took two steps to sit beside her.
He smoothly lifted Catherine onto his lap.
"I ordered a few dishes for you. You can eat more later."
Catherine obediently responded, wrapping her arms around Philip's neck and nestling her face in the crook of his neck.
Now she had reverted to her usual clingy self, completely different from how she had deliberately kept her distance from him at the reception.