Chapter 15 Understanding!
"Yo, Mr. Howard, Felix's been dying for you to tie the knot so he can finally hold his great-grandkid."
Alexander shot back, ice-cold, "Dude's already got three great-grandkids, and with his health, he can't even lift one."
The youngest great-grandkid in the Howard clan is already five. Last year, Felix threw out his back trying to pick one up and was stuck in bed for two weeks.
Ryan kept his mouth shut.
"Don't be stubborn with Felix. His health's shot. Plus, the Howard and Windsor families are a perfect match. The Windsor boys are all-stars, so their daughter must be a catch too. This marriage was set ages ago by both families. Think about the Windsor family's rep."
Alexander barely lifted an eyelid, "Zip it, or you can marry the Windsor girl."
Ryan clammed up real quick.
'I'm fifty-three, man. I can't handle this!'
Evergreen Mall.
Clara clutched her tiny purse, eyes sparkling with excitement, "Celeste, is that handkerchief we reserved finally in? We gotta snag it this time!"
Quinn's designs were like gold dust—you needed a reservation and a bit of luck.
Having a reservation slip just got you in the door. Whether you could actually buy it? That was up to fate.
Celeste grinned, "Totally, I even got all the household staff to help grab Quinn's design for you. Didn't you say Lucas is coming with you today?"
Clara blushed, "Lucas said he's stuck in traffic and will be a bit late."
Thinking about the tall, gentle Lucas being hers soon, Clara felt a surge of pride.
The Johnson family's status was a notch above the Smith family's. Celeste had to pull a lot of strings to get the Smiths connected with the Johnsons. Luckily, Clara and Lucas had been tight since they were kids.
They waited in line to get into the mall, with Clara on her tiptoes, scanning the crowd for Lucas.
'Lots of socialites here today, gotta keep an eye on Lucas and show those women that such an awesome guy is mine!'
Catherine had just walked into Evergreen Mall, about to call Simon when someone blocked her way.
"Catherine, is that really you? I've missed you so much!"
Catherine was speechless. 'Who the heck is this clown?'
Lucas had been checking out the crowd when he spotted a stunning figure in a light green dress, all graceful and alluring, especially that charming and elegant face!
Lucas squinted and realized it was Catherine!
"Even though you're not the Smith family's daughter anymore, to me, you're still my fiancée. If you want, I can take you back to the Johnson family right now."
Catherine was even more speechless. 'What's this guy's deal?'
"Catherine, I always loved you. It's a shame you're not Oliver's daughter. I've been heartbroken, can't eat or sleep, crying every day since you left."
Catherine frowned, "Who are you?"
"Catherine, I know you're still mad at me, but it doesn't matter. I know you love me!"
Catherine almost lost her breakfast.
Lucas had always been a player, trying to hook up with any pretty face he saw. Nine out of his ten phones were packed with women's contacts.
He even assigned numbers to each woman, down to their height, weight, and menstrual cycle.
"Catherine, I can't live without you!"
Catherine couldn't be bothered. She raised her hand and slapped Lucas across the face.
Lucas, feeling the sting of Catherine's slap, was about to use his size to pull her into his arms when she landed a solid smack on his face.
Lucas was dumbfounded. 'How the hell is Catherine this strong?!'
From a distance, Clara shrieked, "Catherine, you bitch, get away from Lucas!"
Clara dragged Celeste over, her heart breaking when she saw Lucas holding his face.
"Lucas, is she still bothering you? How nasty!"
Celeste glared at Catherine with disgust and snapped, "What are you doing here? Didn't you go back to Tranquil County? Did you come here on purpose because you knew Clara and I were coming to Quinn's store? Let me tell you, you have nothing to do with the Smith family anymore."
Clara clung to Lucas's arm, staking her claim.
"Catherine, I know you still love Lucas, but he's my fiancé. He has nothing to do with you. Please don't mess with our lives, okay?"
Catherine frowned slightly and glanced at Celeste and Clara, "If you're sick in the head, go to the hospital. The cure rate for delusional disorder is pretty good."
Celeste was about to explode when the mall suddenly opened.
Charles, looking sharp in a suit, stood at the entrance. His usually cold face softened instantly when he saw Catherine.
"Catherine, come to me."
Catherine walked towards Charles, and soon the mall doors closed again.
Clara stared at Catherine's back, suspicious, "Celeste, what does Catherine mean? Who was that guy?"
Celeste gritted her teeth, "Catherine must be unwilling to go back home, so she uses her looks to latch onto men! She's truly despicable. Clara, if she ever contacts you, ignore her!"
Clara nodded, turning to talk to Lucas, but found his gaze still fixed on Catherine.
'Damn Catherine! Why is she still trying to take everything from me even after leaving? Everything, whether it be my parents or Lucas, belongs to me.' Clara thought.
Clara pouted and tugged at Lucas, whining, "Lucas!"
Lucas was clearly distracted, offering Clara a few half-hearted reassurances.
'Catherine must still love me. That guy she's with must be someone she found to make me jealous. What a silly girl. Given my own qualities, it's only natural for a girl like Catherine, who had nothing but her looks, to be attracted to me.' Lucas thought.
Charles led Catherine directly through the VIP passage and said,
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming here? I would've sent someone to pick you up. There are too many people at Quinn Couture today. What if you got squeezed?"
Catherine shook her head, "I didn't want to disrupt your work."
Charles's heart melted!
'Listen to her, how considerate and lovely she is! None of the boys at home could say something like that.' Charles thought, feeling his life was complete.
"No, as long as you come, I'm happy no matter when."
"Okay, I understand."
Charles noticed someone had been pulling at Catherine.
He frowned slightly, "What happened just now? Tell me, and I'll handle it."
"It's nothing, just ran into some people who aren't important."
Charles called his secretary and instructed, "Kick out those people who were arguing with Catherine just now. They are permanently banned from all Evergreen Group stores, malls, and hotels. Blacklist them immediately!"
"Yes, sir."
Catherine was a bit surprised. 'Evergreen Industries' businesses are all over the country. If the Evergreen Group blacklists Clara and Celeste, they wouldn't be able to find a mall to shop in anymore.'
"Catherine, remember, you are part of the Windsor family. No one can make you suffer, not even me."
Catherine nodded and said, "Thank you, Charles."
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