Chapter 11 Esme's Jealousy
"The Windsor family are all about that high-class, fancy education. So how the heck did this wild girl show up, mouthing off to Catherine? Total eyesore."
Richard rolled his eyes like he was in a soap opera and said, "Yeah, who knows where she crawled out from, probably the boonies."
Esme just kept quiet.
Her hand, all fancy in lace-trimmed white gloves, was gripping her dress like it was a lifeline, her face looking all twisted up.
"Richard, Philip, I care about Catherine too. Why are you guys saying this? I'm part of the Windsor family, remember? I just want us all to get along. Grandma Lila was worried Catherine didn't know the rules, so she asked me to come," Esme said.
Mentioning Lila Windsor shut everyone up.
Esme might be an outsider, but Lila was the big boss around here.
The Windsor family was all about respecting the elders.
Brandon waved his hand like he was swatting a fly, "Catherine's great. We all love her. You should just go, don't mess with our family dinner."
Esme's eyes went wide, totally shocked.
'I stood at the door for half an hour, timing my entrance to show off my perfect table manners, making Catherine look like a country bumpkin. So why are they still backing her? Is it just because of blood ties? What if there aren't any?'
Esme covered her face, storming out in shame and anger.
George peeled some crab meat for Catherine and handed it over with a smile, "Try this."
The crab meat was fresh, rich, and the crab roe was juicy.
"It's delicious," Catherine said.
Brandon smiled, "Catherine, if you like something, just say it. Philip's right. In our family, you set the rules, and Aurora and I will follow."
Aurora added lovingly, "Don't let Esme's words get to you. She's not really part of our family. She only has the Windsor name because of your grandma. You're our only daughter."
Catherine nodded. The Windsor family's support made her feel warm, a kind of love she never got in her eighteen years with the Smith family.
"Thanks, Aurora, Brandon, and everyone. I get it."
Esme stormed out, not shedding a single tear.
She walked through the huge Windsor garden, her stomach still growling, almost getting lost.
Seeing a bunch of servants planting new flowers, Esme asked, "What are you doing?"
A servant smiled and said, "Catherine likes roses. Mr. Windsor asked us to replace all the flowers with roses. And those lilies over there? They're getting replaced with red maple trees soon."
Esme was stunned.
'Those lilies are my favorite! I used to swing in the lily garden every year. Why does Catherine get everything as soon as she shows up?'
Jealous, Esme walked to the side and dialed Juniper's number.
"Juniper, you need to come back now. Everyone's gone nuts—Aurora, Brandon, Charles, George, Richard, and Philip!"
Juniper replied coldly, "That's it?"
Esme was frantic, her eyes darting around, hesitating before speaking, "Juniper, don't you want to know why you were switched at birth?"
Juniper squinted, looking at some experimental data, and said, "With your brains, you figured it out? If you're bored, go work out."
After she hung up, Esme's face twisted in anger!
'Damn Juniper, always against me since we were kids, just a bookworm!'
Esme stomped her foot and ran towards Lila's place.
Angel's Haven Orphanage.
Even though she could drive without a license, Catherine didn't want the Windsor family to worry, so she took a cab to the orphanage.
The orphanage was out in the suburbs, surrounded by a private estate. The place was huge, with a ton of lush roses planted everywhere, looking like a sea of flowers.
As Catherine walked into the orphanage, she heard a sharp gunshot and instinctively pressed against the wall to hide.
A few assassins rushed past her, muttering, "Damn Nightfall, stealing our job again!"
"When did Nightfall get to Stellara? If we knew he was here, we wouldn't have taken it."
"Shut up, if he finds us, we're toast!"
The assassins moved with precision, but not quick enough to dodge Nightfall's bullets. All four hit the ground.
Alexander stepped out of the shadows, sunlight highlighting his handsome face. He wore a vintage vest and suit jacket, and his shooting hadn't even messed up his tie.
"Nice to see you again, Blackfire."
Catherine glanced at Alexander, frowning slightly, "You got business here?"
Alexander shrugged, "I live nearby, noticed some commotion, so I came to check it out."
Catherine stayed silent.
'Living nearby? The area around Angel's Haven Orphanage is all deserted villages and private estates. Assassins risk their lives for money. Nightfall must be one of the local poor.'
"Target?" Catherine asked.
Alexander didn't hesitate, sharing what he knew. "The director of Angel's Haven Orphanage. The client is unknown, and the job was taken by the Abyssal Blades."
Hearing this, Catherine quickly walked into the orphanage.
Inside, the director's office was empty, papers scattered everywhere.
Alexander spoke from behind her, "What are you looking for? I can help."
"Some old matters. I used to stay here," Catherine said.
A hint of pity flashed in Alexander's eyes.
'Blackfire's combat skills are top-notch. Even if I fought her, I couldn't guarantee I'd come out unscathed. Such skills aren't typical of an ordinary upbringing. So, she's an orphan?'
Catherine didn't find the documents she needed and stood up, sighing.
"I guess someone knew you would come here and cleared the place in advance. I swear, when I arrived, everyone was already gone," Alexander said.
Catherine turned, looking at Alexander in surprise, and said, "I didn't suspect you. If you had done it, I wouldn't have found any clues at all."
To Alexander, this was a compliment. He smiled pleasantly, his expression as warm as the wind.
"I'll give you a ride. This place is pretty remote, and it would be a long way home for you."
Catherine didn't refuse, following Alexander out of Angel's Haven Orphanage.
Parked by the roadside were a dusty Volkswagen and a Bentley with a gleaming emblem.
Catherine walked towards the Volkswagen and asked, "Is this your car? I'll pay you for the ride."
Alexander was speechless.
He looked into Catherine's eyes, as if seeing the most beautiful peach blossoms of spring.
Alexander gritted his teeth, saying gently, "Wait here while I get the keys."
Turning around, he dialed the butler's number, "Bring me the keys to the Volkswagen parked by the roadside."
The butler, puzzled, asked, "Huh? That car is used by your servants for grocery shopping. Do you need it?"
"Five minutes, the keys."
"Yes, please wait a moment."
After delivering the keys, the butler watched as Alexander drove off in the shabby Volkswagen, his gaze falling on the luxurious Bentley.
'The Bentley must not be good enough for Alexander to dislike it!'
Alexander hadn't driven a manual car in years.
After driving for a while, Catherine looked at him and said, "You lied to me last time."
Alexander smiled, "Not really, but I do hope you'll join. You are truly impressive, the best female assassin I've ever seen. The Shadow Syndicate needs you."
It was the first time Catherine had heard such straightforward words.
Her face felt a bit hot, and she turned to look out the window.
Alexander considerately opened the window on her side, "Is it cold?"
The wind from outside blew in, cooling Catherine's face.
"Thank you," Catherine said.
It wasn't cold, but her face felt even hotter.
"I'll think about it," she added.
"Good, I'll be waiting."
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