Chapter 82 Escaping Reality
I took a cab home in a daze. My mind remained in a completely blank state the entire time.
I couldn't describe how I felt right now—just utterly exhausted, unable to muster interest in anything. My eyes were empty, my expression wooden, moving toward home purely on instinct.
Just as I reached the building, a voice called out.
"Catherine."
Nicholas got out of his car, holding a manila envelope in his hand. I didn't know how to face him. I glanced at him briefly then quickly looked away.
Nicholas didn't seem to notice anything off. He strode up to me and handed over the envelope. "What you asked for."
I lifted my eyelids slightly. After struggling with myself, I still took it, my tone utterly flat. "Thanks."
Nicholas seemed somewhat dissatisfied, but he said nothing more.
"Don't forget your promise. The company still has business. I won't be back for dinner tonight."
Dropping those words, he drove off first.
I gripped one corner of the manila envelope, unconsciously applying some pressure. By the time I got home, the envelope was completely crumpled.
Looking at it was so irritating that I just ripped it open right there. The information was very detailed.
Her life history was only a thin sheet of paper, yet it even included her online shopping platform accounts. Normally, I might have found this creepy. After all, someone's privacy was so brazenly exposed.
But right now, I genuinely couldn't muster even half an interest in anything. The words on the documents seemed to turn into densely packed little tadpoles swimming before my eyes, unable to form complete characters.
I pressed my temples. My whole body slumped down as I let myself sit on the floor.
What was I supposed to do? If what Samuel said was all true, what face did I have left to visit my parents' graves? I'd almost fallen in love with the person responsible for their deaths!
Even if Nicholas was also a victim, if it weren't for the Harrington family, how would Mom and Dad have...
Two streams of tears silently fell. My heart was a tangled mess.
How was I supposed to face Nicholas from now on? Just thinking about how last night I'd been planning to go to the Harrington Estate for the holidays made my stomach churn violently, layer upon layer of nausea surging up.
After a long while, the sky outside turned completely dark. My eyes were swollen and painful, my throat felt like it was about to smoke. Papers were strewn haphazardly all over the floor.
Since leaving the Rosewood family, this was the first time I'd had such intense emotional turbulence. I let out a deep, turbid breath and tilted my head back with closed eyes.
I kept consoling myself. This definitely wasn't real. Hadn't it not been verified yet? Even if it was true, what had Nicholas done wrong? He was just a child back then too. What could he have changed?
Catherine, you cannot let hatred blind you!
These words played on repeat in my mind. But the tightness in my chest showed no signs of dissipating.
I rose to my feet in self-abandonment, murmuring, "Nicholas and I had no prior connection, yet he was willing to help me unconditionally. So the real reason turned out to be this?"
I laughed bitterly.
"One step at a time then. Since he owes me, I'll take it all back with interest!"
My gaze grew resolute. I found an excuse for my subconscious avoidance.
The string in my mind tightened. I forced myself to come back to life like a normal person.
Before bed, I used my phone to add Anna's contact information. She didn't accept immediately.
The next morning, when I woke from a half-asleep state, I found she'd sent me a message asking about my intentions.
I rubbed my face, trying hard to wake myself up fully. I typed a reply. [Regarding Sabrina, I have some things I'd like to discuss with you privately.]
This was the script Melissa taught me. Start with Sabrina as bait. After meeting, use a victim's revenge story to gain sympathy and test her attitude.
Neither Melissa nor I could accept an ally who was lovesick. So for Anna, we'd prepared a comprehensive response plan.
Her reply came quickly.
[Not interested.]
I was somewhat surprised. A bad start? But no matter, this was also within our expectations.
I continued. [What about Edward and Liam—don't you want to talk about them either?]
This time, the other end went silent for a long while. Anna had left a good impression on me, but currently it only showed she really detested Sabrina. Couldn't tell anything else.
I set down my phone and calmly went about my business. No matter what, Anna would definitely agree to meet me. Because these two men were now directly affecting every aspect of her life.
And Sabrina was never my real target—the two Johnson brothers were. If Anna was foolish, she would've agreed when I mentioned Sabrina.
But this one... When I finished my tasks and returned to check, Anna had already replied.
[I hope you won't disappoint me.]
I raised an eyebrow. My dead heart came back to life. This ally was no simple character!
I pretended nothing was wrong and asked Nicholas when he could distract Edward. After getting a positive reply, I checked on Melissa's situation.
She confidently assured me she could handle Liam, though I didn't know her exact method. After discussion, I decided to meet Anna at eight PM tonight.
Nicholas would use a Johnson family business collaboration as an excuse to force Edward to attend a social engagement, keeping him under his nose. Melissa also said Liam was temporarily too busy to monitor us, telling me to make it quick.
Everything was ready. I got myself together and headed out.
Anna looked very different from what I'd imagined. In my mind, she should've been the fragile, innocent type that men loved most, earning everyone's pity.
But the woman before me was thoroughly mature and commanding. Tall with striking features, exuding a powerful presence with every move.
I couldn't help staring. While I was sizing her up, Anna was also sizing me up. She flirtatiously tossed her hair. "Why do you look so surprised?"
I nodded involuntarily.
Anna laughed lightly and sat down with complete ease. "So what did you want to see me about?"
I gave a simple self-introduction and explained the history between Sabrina and me. Her expression remained unchanged as she nodded faintly.
"I can help you deal with Sabrina together, but you need to tell me something valuable first."
Anna spoke casually. Her eyes carried intense pressure.
I smiled with pressed lips, curling my fingers slightly to hide my sweating palms.
"Edward and Liam are biological brothers. Did you know that?"
Anna's hand paused mid-reach for her cup, a flash of unnaturalness crossing her face.
"That's it?"
I had my assessment now—she still didn't know anything, just habitually concealed herself well.
"Of course..." I deliberately paused for effect. "There's more."
The initiative was back in my hands. My brain spun rapidly, thinking through the script Melissa taught me.
Given the current situation, I could skip the other branches and jump straight to maximizing my own interests through strategic maneuvering.
Meeting Anna's slightly expectant gaze, my smile gradually widened.
"Anna, I've shown my sincerity for cooperation. Don't you need to show me your capabilities too?"