Chapter 55
Emma studied Philip carefully, trying to discern his feelings about James and Catherine.
Philip's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his voice cold and resolute. "He must marry her."
Neither of them had a choice in the matter.
Family expectations, business interests—James couldn't freely pursue his own desires.
Emma gazed deeply at Philip, seemingly having made a decision. "Philip, do you want to get married?"
Before he could answer, she simply blurted out what had been on her mind. "Why don't we get married too?"
Philip hit the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt stop.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the empty asphalt road!
The powerful inertia threw Emma forward, but the seatbelt snapped her back into her seat.
Philip's eyes were filled with shock. "What did you say?"
Emma's smile was gentle yet determined. "Philip, let's get married."
Philip fell silent.
The air in the car seemed to freeze, leaving only the sound of their slightly quickened breathing.
His gaze swept over Emma's expectant face, then returned to the dark road ahead.
Emma almost thought he would refuse.
Finally, he said, "If that's what you want, fine."
Emma's eyes instantly lit up with wild joy!
She leaned forward and placed a light kiss on his cheek. "Even though I'm the one proposing, you still owe me a ring, you know!"
Philip allowed her kiss, but his body remained unusually rigid.
His gaze fixed ahead, his tone flat and emotionless. "You can have whatever you want."
Emma, immersed in overwhelming happiness, completely failed to notice his coldness. She wrapped her arms around Philip's neck, her voice alluringly low as she whispered, "Philip, let's try making love again tonight, shall we?"
She wanted to solidify this commitment completely, to protect this promise with her body.
A flash of weariness crossed Philip's eyes, but in the end, he merely nodded slightly.
At the Wilson Building, by the fountain pool.
Catherine's nimble fingers tied an elegant butterfly knot on Cecil's wound.
"There," she looked up, her voice soft, "the wound is deep. Try not to get it wet for the next few days to avoid infection."
Cecil raised his bandaged hand as he studied her intently and offered a smile. "I'll be careful. I'll follow your instructions."
Catherine tilted her head and flashed a charming smile. "Why are you looking at me like that? Is my makeup smudged?"
Cecil shook his head. "Catherine, may I ask you a few questions?"
Then, without warning, he moved. His tall figure leaned in, his injured arm resting lightly on the back of Catherine's chair.
He was very close to her; Catherine could clearly smell the faint medicinal scent on him.
Warning bells rang in Catherine's mind, but her expression remained calm and relaxed. "Sure."
Cecil, without preamble, asked directly. "Are you James's lover?"
Catherine's face remained expressionless as she firmly answered, "No, I'm not!"
The corner of Cecil's mouth revealed a knowing smile, and he immediately asked his second question. "Then you must be Philip's lover."
This wasn't a question, but his confident conclusion.
Catherine felt her mind go blank!
An icy chill instantly spread from her feet throughout her entire body!
He had discovered this too?
Should she deny it? Or admit it?
The shock and fear lasted less than half a second.
The smile on her face didn't disappear. "Mr. Wilson, Philip and I barely interact. Do you really think I'm the type of woman who tries to seduce every man?"
Cecil's intuition had always been accurate.
When Catherine was harassed by Terrence, Philip had protected her without hesitation, displaying obvious protectiveness that exposed everything.
Philip would never protect a woman who meant nothing to him without reason!
The relationship between Catherine and Philip was definitely more than just casual interaction!
Now, though Catherine maintained a composed exterior, her heart was filled with frustration and helplessness!
Cecil, this crucial chess piece, was slipping from her control!
It was all Philip's fault!
That haunting man, repeatedly sabotaging her plans!
Cecil stared at Catherine's face. Though she appeared calm on the surface, her frequent blinking betrayed her inner unease.
What had been mere suspicion before was now confirmed.
Catherine recognized his doubt and defended herself one last time. "Cecil, listen, Philip and I really aren't close."
"No need to explain." Cecil effectively created distance between them.
The relaxed, intimate atmosphere had completely vanished, replaced by the cold detachment of a Wilson family power figure.
He looked down at her. "Honestly, whether you're involved with Philip or James doesn't matter to me."
Catherine's heart sank.
This casual remark officially announced the failure of her plan!
He paused, then continued. "I admit I'm interested in you. But I hate complications, especially those involving women."
Charlotte and James's engagement was orchestrated by him; their marriage was vital.
For the sake of surpassing Philip, he knew that allying with the West family was the most expedient path.
Catherine, a woman entangled with key figures from both families, represented the greatest variable!
No matter how tempting the prey, it wasn't worth risking his interests!
Catherine understood.
The last trace of color drained from her face, leaving only pale self-mockery. "I see, so that's why you became so cold toward me later."
"Not exactly," Cecil's gaze fell on his butterfly-bandaged hand, "just maintaining a safe distance."
If he truly had no interest in her, he wouldn't have allowed her to touch him at all.
Cecil leaned in slightly, saying sincerely. "Catherine, there's no future for us. I don't want to see you get hurt."
Catherine suppressed the anger and hatred in her heart, saying sarcastically. "Don't worry, Mr. Wilson, I'm not interested in men younger than me."
Cecil wasn't angry at all; he sighed. "That's a pity. If your relationships weren't so... complicated, I might have genuinely pursued you."
Catherine laughed bitterly inside.
She thought, 'Pursue me? Please! Is that even possible? No one would fall for that.'
Even if she had no connection with Philip or James, a power player with Cecil's ambition would never genuinely pursue a commoner like her!
All he cared about was gaining more power and wealth!
Her path to revenge would ultimately depend on herself alone!
The plan to get close to Charlotte had completely fallen apart, and Cecil had expressed his disinterest. She just wanted to leave this suffocating place as quickly as possible!
She had come in Sophia's car.
The Wilson mansion was located in a remote suburban area with nothing around; she could only wait for Sophia to drive her home.
Shortly after, she spotted Chris embracing Claire as they walked out of the main entrance of the party.
Catherine hurried to Chris, demanding. "Why did you leave with her? Where's Sophia?"
"How would I know where she is?" Chris looked annoyed. "I'm not close to her."
Catherine rolled her eyes. If she hadn't witnessed the intimate moment between Chris and Sophia with her own eyes, she might have actually believed Chris's lie.
Chris wrapped his arm around Claire's waist, looking impatient. "That woman is so promiscuous. Check the back garden—she's probably still there having fun with someone else."
Catherine frowned slightly, finding Chris's words extremely offensive.
Considering how intimate they had been earlier, this hostility seemed excessive.
Had something unpleasant happened between them?