Chapter 34 Provocation
The four Rosewood brothers had always wanted me to help Sabrina, right? This time, not only would I not refuse—I'd actively offer assistance.
I analyzed the current situation, a plan taking shape in my mind. At present, the Rosewood family couldn't find another test subject besides me. Without anyone to test the drugs on, the risk of Sabrina's treatment skyrocketed.
And according to the study recording Melissa had obtained, my brothers couldn't bear to let Sabrina take risks. But Sabrina was terrified of dying. Without money, without medication, what would she do?
The answer was obvious. A smile tugged at my lips unbidden. Sabrina, I'm going to weave you a beautiful cage.
I scrolled through my contacts, found Sabrina in my blocked list, and unblocked her. Hit dial. Then waited quietly.
Time ticked by. No answer. My patience wore thin. Just as I was about to hang up and try again, Sabrina picked up.
"Catherine? You actually dare contact me?"
Her voice dripped with venom.
I smiled. "Why wouldn't I dare?"
Sabrina choked on her words. "What do you want now?"
Her tone was supremely impatient. Hearing it made me feel absolutely wonderful. To think there'd come a day when Sabrina actually feared me.
"Sabrina, even though I've cut ties with the Rosewood family, we go way back." My tone stayed neutral, devoid of excess emotion. "In the past, every time we ran into each other, you had to bring people to block me. That's true, isn't it? So how come when I reach out today, you're giving me this attitude?"
I was stating facts, pure and simple. Sabrina's expression instantly darkened upon hearing this. She knew exactly what I meant—those so-called encounters were nothing but our antagonistic history.
Old acquaintances? More like sworn enemies of many years. Blocking me? More like constant power struggles to see who'd win!
Sabrina's chest tightened. Her voice turned cold and hard. "Catherine, just say what you want. Stop beating around the bush."
"I'm merely stating facts." My response was bland.
Sabrina stayed silent. She knew I wasn't lying. Our relationship had always been fire and water. Every single one of those encounters had been tense standoffs.
She had no energy to rehash old grievances. Taking a deep breath, she suppressed her irritation. "Catherine, what the hell do you want?"
"Nothing much. Just wanted to tell you a few things." My tone remained flat, impossible to read.
"Nicholas's private investigator shared some interesting information with me. Thought I'd verify it with you."
I began methodically describing Sabrina's current predicament. With each point I raised, I could clearly feel the emotional fluctuations on the other end.
I suddenly understood the pleasure of provocation. So this was the rush Sabrina got from watching me squirm while she looked down from her high horse!
"Sabrina, you've been a parasite on the Rosewood family for so long. Still not satisfied?"
I suddenly demanded in a heavy tone.
Sabrina, who'd been furious at first, latched onto this like she'd found a breakthrough. "Catherine, I thought you called to take revenge on me, to kick me while I'm down. Turns out you still care about the Rosewood family, huh? You really can't let them go, can you?"
"I'm bleeding the Rosewood family dry? That's what you all owe me! Especially you. If my dad hadn't saved you, he wouldn't have died!"
Sabrina's emotions suddenly exploded.
I'd heard these words countless times across two lifetimes. But I still remembered what Blake had said that day in rebuttal.
Uncle Herman had been a driver hired by the Rosewood family. Maybe he couldn't have prevented the accident. But protecting his employer was literally his job description.
Sabrina had leveraged that debt to make me willingly sacrifice so much for her treatment, drained the Rosewood family dry, and she still thought it was justified?
"You're the real ungrateful wretch," I commented coldly.
To my surprise, Sabrina didn't get angry. She admitted it freely. "You're not wrong. But so what? They all did it willingly."
I scoffed lightly. "Willingly, sure. Too bad the Rosewood family's facing bankruptcy and your treatment has to be put on hold. Sabrina, you don't have much time left in this world."
"You're lying!"
The mention of her impending death set Sabrina off instantly. Just as I'd suspected. As long as Sabrina clung to her will to live, she couldn't stay rational.
Once she lost her rationality... The smile wouldn't leave my lips. I could already see victory on the horizon. I couldn't wait for the day Sabrina's true face got exposed.
"Catherine, are you happy about this? Let me tell you something—even if I die, I'll make sure they know you killed me! You're not still foolishly dreaming that once I'm dead, you can go back to the Rosewood family and win back your brothers' affection, are you? Dream on! They'll never know about the suffering you endured. Andrew and James won't let me die. You're just jealous of me."
Sabrina went on a crazed rant, flaunting everything she had. The old me might have actually envied her. But the current me only felt disappointment and resentment toward the Rosewood family.
I'd occasionally interject, reminding her that Jason had started having doubts. Sabrina lost her composure completely. After what she probably thought was a thorough verbal humiliation, she hung up.
I'd achieved my goal—amplifying Sabrina's fear of death while letting her brainwash herself. Now she'd stop at nothing to survive.
Not long after ending the call, I received a message from Melissa.
[Cate, Sabrina went to Michael's studio and stole several paintings.]
"Are those four still in the study?"
[Haven't come out yet. Probably strategizing how to save the Rosewood Group. Perfect opportunity for Sabrina.]
"Save that surveillance footage, then get out of there fast."
Sabrina might not fear getting caught, but she definitely wouldn't leave evidence behind. She still had to maintain her image in front of my four brothers, didn't she?
Melissa followed my instructions, saved everything, and left—only to nearly run straight into Sabrina rushing toward the surveillance room. She'd ducked into some landscaping just in time.
After hearing the full story, I broke out in a cold sweat. That was way too close. Sabrina was already rushing to delete the footage. Her practiced movements made me realize something else.
Maybe my brothers had checked the surveillance before, but they'd never found anything. Didn't matter. We already had our evidence.
---
I'd barely arrived at the office when I got a notification from HR.
"Catherine, please come to the conference room. There's been a new development regarding your internship conversion. We need to brief you in person."
My heart leaped with secret joy. I also couldn't help comparing—when HR sent notifications, at least they were clear and straightforward.
Thinking back to the last time I'd encountered Andrew and James in a conference room, I got goosebumps. Thankfully, this time it wouldn't be those ghosts from the Rosewood family.
Shaking off those thoughts, I quickly headed to the conference room.
"Hello, I'm Catherine Rosewood."