Chapter 606 Take It Off
Katherine was thinking, 'This woman's really trying to mess with me. Good thing Alex isn't supposed to show up today.'
Katherine's calm eyes locked onto Sophia. "So, if I ditch the hat and mask, you'll let me go? Why do you need to see my face? Just 'cause I'm a bit on the heavier side, you think I swiped something? If you can't respect people, go ahead, call the cops. If they ask me to take off my mask and hat, I'll play along."
Katherine figured Sophia wouldn't call the cops. Even if she was dead sure Katherine had stolen something, she probably wouldn't want the police involved today. A police scene at the Melville Group would be bad press, and that would be a bigger loss than a bit of stolen stuff.
Katherine was spot on; Sophia had no plans to call the cops. She just thought Katherine was acting shady and wanted to see her face.
While Sophia was mulling over her next move, the elevator doors opened, and Alex walked out.
Sophia's eyes lit up. "Alex, you're here! Didn't you say you weren't coming today?"
Alex replied, "Wrapped up my stuff early. What's going on here?"
Sophia grinned. "I was checking your office to see if you needed anything, and I caught this woman sneaking out! I asked her to take off her hat and mask, but she refused. Super suspicious."
Alex's eyes landed on the woman in the loose coat, baseball cap, and black mask standing across from Sophia.
'Who is she? This woman was in my office?' he wondered.
Alex's brows knitted slightly, a hint of caution in his eyes. "Who are you?"
Katherine's heart skipped a beat at Alex's voice. 'He actually showed up! I thought I wouldn't run into him here!'
Despite her nerves, Katherine quickly composed herself and said calmly, "Mr. Melville, long time no see. I'm Moon, here for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. I wanted to check out the finished product I designed, but this lady thinks I stole something from your office and won't let me leave."
She kept her voice and tone steady, just like when she spoke to Sophia earlier.
Alex squinted slightly, giving her another look. "You're Moon?"
'We've met before. We bumped into each other at the Crescent Group and chatted briefly. She was wearing a mask then because of an allergy. I didn't see her face, but I remember she was really slender, not like her slightly plump self today,' Alex thought.
Katherine nodded, pulling her hat down to hide her eyes. "Yeah, Mr. Melville, I'm Moon. Don't you remember me?"
Alex's thoughtful look faded a bit. "You look pretty different from the last time we met. You've changed a lot."
Katherine gave a self-deprecating chuckle. "Yeah, I've packed on a few pounds. "
Alex's intense gaze scanned Katherine from head to toe, lingering on her noticeable belly.
Seeing Alex actually knew this woman, Sophia shifted her tone. "Since you guys know each other, why not take off your hat and mask so we can talk properly?"
Katherine shot Sophia a cold look. "I'm not comfortable taking them off. Sorry."
Sophia, a bit confused, smiled. "Why not?"
Katherine bluntly replied, "Because I'm too ugly and don't want to scare anyone."
Sophia was taken aback. "Come on, we won't be scared. Your skills are what matter. Why worry about looks? Take it off so we can get to know each other better."
Katherine was about to say goodbye, not wanting to deal with Sophia anymore. Alex cut in, "Take it off!"
Katherine was stunned. "Mr. Melville, our collaboration is over. I don't owe you anything. Sorry, I have things to do at home. Goodbye!"
She turned to leave, but a strong hand grabbed her wrist, and a commanding voice echoed in her ear. "Take it off!"
Katherine gasped, realizing she wasn't getting out of this. She turned back, glaring at Alex. "After working together, you still think I stole something and need to see my face?"
Alex's eyes bore into her. "What are you hiding? Why won't you show your face? Who are you really?"
He remembered meeting Moon at the Crescent Group. Katherine was also there then, but she and Moon never appeared together.
Thinking about Katherine's ties with the Crescent Group's Ambrosia and Frank, a shocking thought hit Alex. 'Could Katherine and Moon be the same person? Is that why the Crescent Group didn't want Moon at the ribbon-cutting, afraid I'd find out? And Moon's belly looks like more than just weight gain.'
Alex felt like he had found a clue in the dark, emotions swirling. He kept a firm grip, not letting go.
Katherine couldn't pull her wrist free, and Alex's grip hurt. She realized Alex was onto something. "Alright. Since Mr. Melville is so desperate to see my face, I'll take off my hat and mask, but first, let go of my hand."
After a few seconds of thought, Alex signaled his staff to block any exits before releasing her.
Katherine shook her numb wrist, annoyed. "Let me be clear, Mr. Melville, you disrespected my privacy and forced me to take off my hat and mask. I will never work with the Melville Group again!"
Alex didn't seem to care, raising an eyebrow coldly. "Go ahead."
Katherine had no choice. She first removed her hat, letting her long hair fall. Then, she slowly reached for the mask's ear loops, hesitating. She still didn't want to take it off.
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