Chapter 65 Crisis Awareness
Samuel?
I looked at Melissa in confusion, not understanding why she wanted me to ask Samuel for help.
Seeing my thoughts written all over my face, Melissa quickly explained.
"Cate, think about it. Nicholas is great and all, but he's already helped you so much. If you keep going to him for everything, you'll owe him more and more. After a while, how will you know if what you feel for him is real attraction or just... habit?"
Her words hit me like a truck.
I mentally replayed everything that had happened since escaping the Rosewood family. She was right—without even realizing it, I'd gotten used to Nicholas handling everything for me.
If one day he abandoned me like the Rosewood family did...
I couldn't let myself think about it.
"Lisa, keep going."
Seeing she had my attention, Melissa continued. "Plus, Nicholas isn't officially with you yet. Men are competitive by nature. If someone's competing for their attention, it creates urgency. When they finally win, they appreciate it more."
I nodded thoughtfully.
Not just men—everyone thought that way. The harder something was to obtain, the more precious it became.
Like in my past life, I'd treasured every scrap of affection the Rosewood family occasionally threw my way. Meanwhile, Sabrina never worried about any of that. She could demand whatever she wanted from them without a second thought.
Melissa analyzed the pros and cons from every angle.
"I heard the Brown family backing Samuel is pretty powerful too. Not Harrington-level, but still—investigating shouldn't be too hard for them. Plus, Samuel asked to see you right after coming back. I'm guessing he hasn't completely given up on you yet."
"Cate, you're amazing. Why limit yourself to just one guy?"
I couldn't help laughing. "I haven't picked anyone right now."
"Exactly! Keep it that way!" Melissa affirmed. "You need to stay steady and meet more people. Turn them all into resources."
I finally understood what Melissa was getting at. She wasn't actually hoping I'd manipulate feelings and string two guys along. She wanted me to turn them both into assets for my revenge.
Nicholas was definitely a sharp blade. But couldn't Samuel be just as cutting?
Besides, the Rosewood family currently had all their attention on Nicholas. Samuel helping from the shadows might actually be easier.
Once I worked through the logic, I happily agreed with Melissa's suggestion.
"Lisa, once things settle down, I'm definitely buying you dinner!"
"Catherine, I've been your strategist this whole time, and this is the first promise I'm getting from you."
We chatted about random stuff for a bit longer. After hanging up, I started planning my next moves.
The next day, I reached out to Samuel, asking if he was free to meet.
Samuel replied instantly. His excitement was barely contained. "Catherine, I'm free all day today."
"Would you like to join me for lunch?"
I quickly added, "You treated last time. Since you've been away so long, it should really be my treat."
Samuel's voice message came right after. "It would be my honor."
Seeing he agreed, I sent him the address and headed out. I was worried Nicholas might wait around to eat with me, so I texted him in the elevator saying I had plans.
Nicholas didn't reply.
I put my phone away and arrived as planned. Samuel had just parked and was walking over.
"Catherine!"
From a distance, he waved.
I smiled and nodded.
After we sat down, I handed him the menu. "Don't hold back."
Samuel didn't refuse. He ordered several dishes based on my old preferences.
I couldn't help teasing him. "Thought you said you didn't remember what I liked?"
He smiled slightly. "When you like someone, you pay attention without meaning to."
I didn't respond to that.
Melissa was right—I needed to observe more, interact more. Samuel and I hadn't seen each other in years. Who knew what either of us had been through?
Samuel didn't push it. His smile stayed gentle. "Sorry, Catherine. I speak before I think sometimes. Don't take it personally."
"I won't."
My tone was light. "You're brave. We were both too young back then. Now we haven't seen each other in forever. Maybe what you feel for me is just an obsession."
"Samuel, thank you for liking me, but right now we can only start over as friends."
I laid it all out. If he had ulterior motives, he wouldn't be able to keep pretending. But if Samuel was being genuine, I absolutely wouldn't toy with his feelings.
When I truly made my choice one day, I'd give him closure.
Obviously, Samuel was caught off guard by my directness. He stared at me in surprise. His knuckles turned white gripping his glass, and his smile gradually faded.
"Catherine, are you really willing to start fresh with me?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Samuel's smile turned somewhat bitter.
"Actually, I've always known that what I feel for you is more about unrequited obsession than anything else. So after coming back, I kept testing how you felt. I was scared you'd hate me. Knowing your actual thoughts—I'm really happy."
Being honest with myself, I hadn't known Samuel had a crush on me in high school. Even after he confessed, I hadn't taken it seriously.
Living a second life had changed many of my perspectives. Since nobody at the Rosewood family cared about my feelings, I understood deeply how painful emotional neglect was.
I smiled helplessly. "Samuel, I'm sorry. Right now I just don't dislike you, that's all."
Samuel's face went pale. He understood—I was telling him I felt nothing for him currently.
So was there any point in continuing to pursue this?
That was for Samuel to figure out.
The food arrived. I stopped talking.
Samuel quickly collected himself and chatted about other things.
"By the way, Catherine, did you ask me out because you need help with something?"
His eyes held a hint of hope.
I set down my utensils. "You really want to help me?"
"You already know the answer to that."
He smiled and rolled his eyes at me playfully. The atmosphere instantly lightened.
I didn't beat around the bush and told him everything about my relationship with Sabrina.
Samuel nodded slightly. "I remember her. You mentioned her before."
I tilted my head, impressed despite myself. He really had paid attention to me.
"So I'm hoping you can help me investigate what really happened in that car accident."
Samuel's expression turned serious. He didn't agree immediately. Instead, he seemed to be weighing the pros and cons internally.
That was a normal reaction. My heart jumped nervously.
If he refused, who else could I turn to?
"I can help you investigate. But I have one request too."