Chapter 77 My Answer
My conversation with Liam was interrupted. We both looked toward the source of the voice in unison.
Nicholas stood not far away, his face dark, his gaze burning as he looked at me. I pressed my lips together, inexplicably feeling a bit guilty.
How strange. Why did I have this uncomfortable feeling of being caught red-handed? Setting aside the fact that I hadn't agreed to anything Liam proposed, even Nicholas was just my friend.
I quickly gathered my thoughts and met his gaze. "Nicholas, did you need me for something?"
Nicholas nodded. "The competition results are out. We should leave."
Hearing the results were announced, I immediately looked toward the bulletin board. Sure enough, I saw other contestants gathered there, some taking photos, others discussing animatedly.
I withdrew my gaze and looked at Liam. "Give me some time. I need to think it over carefully."
Liam expressed understanding. I left with Nicholas.
First, I went to check the competition results. My heart felt anxious yet expectant as I searched for my name from the bottom up. Finally, I saw it. Catherine—first place!
My nose tingled, and my eyes suddenly reddened. Countless complex emotions instantly surged in my heart.
In my previous life, I'd always craved recognition from the Rosewood family's four brothers. It seemed their approval was the only way to prove my worth. Because I could never get their affirmation, I became insecure and timid.
I was reborn with hatred. Even though I tried hard to appear strong, my inner sense of self-worth had never truly been satisfied.
Now, through my own ability, I'd won first place. It was my design that made DI see value, proving I wasn't a worthless person. Leaving the Rosewood family didn't mean I became useless.
I, Catherine Rosewood, was never inferior.
Blake brought insider news. "The official appointment letter and new employment contract are already being prepared by HR. You'll probably get them Monday. Catherine, I knew I wasn't wrong about you."
After speaking, he glanced meaningfully between Nicholas and me. "You two head back. I still have work to handle. We'll celebrate another day."
I didn't insist otherwise. After parting with Blake, Nicholas and I went home together.
I'd just noticed something—I was first place, while Liam was second, only half a point behind me. This meant he was very likely the first place winner from the online submission round!
My head suddenly began to throb. I couldn't see through Liam. He had a privileged background and outstanding personal abilities. Why would he choose to work with me? Was the truth really as he said? Probably not.
As I pondered deeply, Nicholas kept glancing my way. At first, I thought he was just checking the rearview mirror. But the frequency increased, and Nicholas's movements became more obvious.
I could roughly guess what he wanted to ask. With an inward sigh of helplessness, I proactively looked at him. "Nicholas, you have something to say to me."
Though phrased as a question, I used a declarative tone.
Nicholas's thin lips pressed together. After a long while, he finally said, "Are you and Liam close?"
"Not at all."
"Then today, you two..."
This indecisive appearance was vastly different from his image in the business world. I couldn't help but laugh. Deliberately teasing him, I said, "What, Mr. Harrington, even you have days where you hesitate to speak?"
Nicholas's ears turned red, and he became flustered all over. He pretended to stay calm, acting like he was focused on driving, his tone sullen. "If you don't want to say, you don't have to."
Clearly wanting to know, yet trying hard to appear indifferent. No wonder he needed a fever as an excuse to confess! No wonder he needed alcohol to dare cross the line slightly!
My mood improved considerably. In better spirits, I became more talkative. I told him everything Liam had said, including Liam's proposal that I become his girlfriend.
"Nicholas, help me analyze this. Can I work with him?"
These words were undoubtedly provocative. Nicholas didn't disappoint—his expression darkened like the calm before a storm. His tone lost its previous warmth.
"What do you think?"
Nicholas threw the question back. He wanted to know my attitude. I pretended to ponder. But inwardly, I was calculating whether I could use Liam for something else.
Anna was a living example right before my eyes. Making a choice too early would only put me in a passive position. Better to take it slow.
My current first priority was Nicholas. Who knows, in the future it might become Samuel? Or perhaps Liam? Or someone else entirely. Love also needs to withstand various tests, doesn't it?
My tone turned melancholic. "Nicholas, you know I only want revenge. If Liam can truly assist me, agreeing to his proposal might not be a bad choice."
I'd been covertly watching Nicholas's reaction the whole time. From the corner of my eye, I glimpsed his hand tightening on the steering wheel, veins showing on the back of his hand.
At a red light, Nicholas suddenly turned to look at me seriously. "Catherine, I've helped you so much. Can't you also be my girlfriend?"
My expression froze. "You want to leverage your favors?"
Seeming to detect my sudden emotional shift, Nicholas turned away and said nothing more.
I let out a mocking laugh. "Nicholas, Liam and I would be pretending. There'd be no feelings involved. I said I'd repay you, but I believe love should be mutual, not out of gratitude. Besides, before my revenge succeeds, I won't consider anything else."
After I finished, the car fell into deathly silence.
Before we each went home, I suddenly spoke again. "Nicholas, if you want to exchange the help you've given me for something, then I don't think we're suitable as friends. I'll find a lawyer to draft a contract and calculate everything clearly..."
Without warning, Nicholas lowered his head and fiercely kissed my lips. He pressed me against the narrow, cramped stairwell. His soft lips seized my oxygen, bit by bit forcing me into a corner.
After a long while, Nicholas's eyes turned scarlet. One hand gripped my waist, the other held my jaw. His tone was terrible to the extreme. "Catherine, don't even think about getting rid of me."
He didn't agree. He was even a bit crazed.
Yet inwardly, I was incredibly excited, even inexplicably gleeful. On the surface, I played the part of a startled innocent, personally watching Nicholas escort me home and leave after closing the door.
I pressed my somewhat swollen, aching lips. My mind involuntarily began replaying everything that had just happened. This was the first time he'd truly expressed his emotions without relying on external factors.
Perhaps because in my previous life I couldn't get the attention of those I cared about, in this life I was almost obsessively determined to gain others' notice. Nicholas's strong possessiveness brought me an extremely strong sense of satisfaction.
My phone's sudden ringtone interrupted my thoughts. I picked it up—it was a video call from Melissa.
"Catherine, guess what good stuff I got this time?"
"Related to Sabrina and Michael?"
Melissa pouted. "No fun. Just look for yourself—"