Chapter 163 Insulting My Fiancée
Catherine shrugged, "Ms. Hughes, you were way out of line. Smacking my people around like that? Not cool."
Esme clutched her face, staring at Catherine in disbelief. "You hit me! Do the Windsors know what you're really like? If Alexander finds out how nuts you are, he'll dump you for sure!"
"Is that so?" Catherine's smile was icy, sending chills down Esme's spine.
Another slap landed, making Esme's face swell up on both sides.
Catherine took a moment to admire her handiwork, a bit disappointed. "I like things symmetrical. Your makeup's too thick on the left side; it's throwing me off. How about another slap?"
Esme was on the verge of tears. "Catherine, are you insane? Stop hitting me!"
After several solid slaps, Esme's eyelids were swollen, and she couldn't speak for a while.
A Bentley rolled up, and out stepped a tall, handsome guy in a vintage suit, his cufflinks sparkling.
Esme's eyes lit up when she saw Alexander. 'If he knows what Catherine's really like, he'll definitely leave her,' she thought.
Esme tried to play the victim. "Alexander, it really hurts."
Ignoring her, Alexander walked straight to Catherine, took her hand, and gently massaged it. "Why did you do it yourself? Her makeup's too thick; it's bad for your hand."
Esme was stunned. 'I use high-end cosmetics! How can he call them dirty? He saw Catherine hit me, and he's still on her side! This can't be real!'
"Alexander!" Esme called out sweetly.
Catherine looked at Alexander coolly. "She hit my people, so she deserved it. Are you defending her?"
Alexander chuckled. "I knew you were at the gallery, so I came to find you. As for her, if you think she's an eyesore, just deal with her."
Esme trembled. "You can't do this to me! Alexander, I really like you!"
Alexander waved his hand, and a few bodyguards appeared, ready to take Esme away.
Annie bowed. "Mr. Howard, the gallery across the street belongs to Ms. Hughes. It might cause more trouble for Ms. Windsor and affect her business."
Alexander held Catherine's hand, his voice cold. "If it affects Catherine's mood and business, tear it down."
Sarah raised her hand. "Mr. Howard, no need to tear it down. We're planning to expand our gallery."
Alexander looked at Catherine with gentle eyes. "How about the place across the street?"
"The location's pretty good," Catherine replied.
Alexander turned to Annie. "Buy it. Offer three million dollars for the gallery across the street."
Catherine said, "At the property prices here, Michael won't sell for three million."
Alexander smirked, oozing confidence. "Three million's enough. That fool dared to mess with you; the Hughes Family should pay up."
Esme couldn't believe it. 'He's buying my gallery for Catherine? I worked so hard for it! Why should everything go to her?'
"This is mine! Catherine's just a bitch trying to take everything from me." Before Esme could finish, a shiny leather shoe slammed into her face, knocking out several teeth and filling her mouth with blood.
The guy with the shoe had a look that could kill. "Watch your mouth. I didn't hit you before because you were still part of the Windsor Family. Now that you're out, you better get your act together!"
Everyone around pretended not to see anything, keeping their heads down. No one dared to go against the president of the Howard Group, even as Esme's cries for help grew weaker.
If Alexander wanted something, the whole of Imperia City would be his, not just this street!
Alexander wiped Catherine's hand with a handkerchief, his tone cool. "Annie, you know what to do, right?"
"I'll take care of everything. Congrats on the opening of Ms. Windsor's gallery today. It's going to be a hit!" Annie said, thinking, 'Whether it's the gallery across the street or today's events, everything will be handled perfectly. The Hughes and Windsor Families need to know what happened. Otherwise, the Windsor Family won't realize Mr. Howard stands up for Mr. Windsor, and that would be a loss! With Esme being such a fool, the Hughes Family will have to swallow this bitter pill in silence!'
Annie and a few bodyguards carried Esme away. The media arounddidn't want to mess with the Windsor, Howard, or Hughes Families!
Alexander nodded in satisfaction and walked into the gallery with his arm around Catherine's waist. "From now on, the place across the street is yours too. Think you can handle it?"
"It's fine." Catherine said, not really caring whether she had one gallery or two.
Landon and Sarah stood at the gallery entrance, looking excited. "Congrats on the opening of Ms. Windsor's gallery today!"
Even though Landon and Sarah knew Alexander was Catherine's fiancé, they weren't sure about their relationship. Seeing them today, they realized Alexander truly cherished Catherine!
Catherine glanced at Landon, her expression calm. "I don't want today's incident to happen again."
"Yes, ma'am," Landon said.
Catherine shook her head. "I'm not talking about being challenged; that's normal in the industry. As the gallery manager, when I'm not here, you're in charge. And Sarah, don't let others have a chance to hit you again."
Landon and Sarah were thrilled, realizing Catherine was blaming them for not fighting back in time.
Catherine continued, "Anyone who comes looking for trouble, no matter who they are, just hit them. If you break something, it's on me. But I don't need employees who are afraid of their own shadows. If you can't even protect the gallery's reputation, you should resign. Got it?"
Landon and Sarah's eyes filled with determined and grateful tears. 'Ms. Windsor is clearly standing up for us. Having such a good boss is amazing!' they thought.
"Yes, ma'am!" Landon and Sarah said.
Walking into the office and closing the door, Alexander turned and hugged Catherine, resting his head on her shoulder, nuzzling her neck.
Feeling ticklish, Catherine wanted to move away, but Alexander held the back of her neck, his hand warm against her skin.
"Don't move, let me hold you." His voice sounded a bit hoarse, probably from the exhaustion of working overtime for the past two days. The moment he hugged Catherine, it seemed to dissipate.
He admitted he was addicted to this warmth!
Hearing the fatigue and longing in his voice, Catherine felt a bit of pity and let him hold her, knowing he would let go once he had enough.
It was hard to tell whose heartbeat was entwined, strong and steady, as if it was love, or perhaps something else.
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