Chapter 265 Catching Alexander and Catherine Hugging
Evander was all over the place. "Don't cry. It's all my fault!"
On his way over, Evander had done a lot of thinking. His life so far had been a mess; all he had was his research. When it came to his daughter, he had no clue how to act without making her mad. "Juniper, I didn't come to see you because I thought you'd be annoyed with me. I've called Brandon a bunch of times."
At first, Brandon didn't want anything to do with Evander.
But then Aurora stepped in, and Brandon finally agreed to take the calls!
Worried Juniper wouldn't believe him, Evander quickly pulled out his phone to show their text messages, mostly about how Juniper was doing.
Brandon's attitude was pretty rough, but it was clear he was putting up with it for Juniper's sake.
Brandon: [Stop with the excuses. Look at Catherine; how long has she been home? Does she say Aurora and I don't love her? This is all on you!]
Brandon: [If it weren't for Juniper, I wouldn't even be talking to you!]
Brandon: [If you can't do anything else, just work harder, make more money, and give it all to Juniper. If you can't show you care, then send a ton of money. If you can't even do that, you might as well be dead!]
Pointing at the messages, Evander said seriously, "I think he's right, so I've been working hard lately and transferred all the money to your account!"
Juniper was a bit taken aback. She had wondered where the sudden sum of money she got a few days ago had come from. She thought it was from Brandon or Charles. Turned out, it was all from Evander!
Brandon always believed that money could be a way to show love.
Juniper looked at Evander, who was half-squatting in front of her, his eyes red.
The men in the Howard Family had similar features, and Evander was quite popular at the research institute for his looks and status.
"Juniper, I'll do anything you want!"
Juniper raised an eyebrow. "Can you make me the first author on all your future papers?"
Evander said seriously, "Not on the ones I collaborated with others, but on my solo papers, I'll make you the first author!"
For any researcher, this was a tempting offer.
"Then I want to meet Alioth! Set it up for me, and I'll give you a chance!" Juniper said.
Alioth, a rising star in the research community, had always been Juniper's idol, but the Galactic Aurora Collective was strict, and she had only met her once.
Evander thought for a moment. "It's a bit tricky, but there's a research summit in a few days. Alioth might be there. If she's not, I'll figure something else out!"
In the next office, the restaurant's financial reports and quarterly business status were on Catherine's desk. "Will Juniper and Evander be okay?"
"Evander knows his limits. He probably wants to get along well with Juniper."
Catherine looked up at Alexander in front of her. "You didn't have to come. Sorry for the trouble."
If it weren't for Juniper's request, Alexander wouldn't have been called for this.
Even though the Howard Group's recent work was in Ezekiel's hands, Alexander, as the largest board member, was still busy, handling group business even in the car.
Alexander chuckled softly, his well-defined hand patting Catherine's head, his tone indulgent. "Being with you, anything is fine. Besides, Juniper and Evander's matter is also a Howard Family affair. I should be thanking you for coming with me."
Alexander looked at Catherine standing in front of him, her face glowing in the sunlight, her hair cascading down, as beautiful as a piece of art in a museum.
It must've been a bit warm, so Catherine had taken off her coat after coming in, wearing a square-neck dress that showed off her delicate collarbones.
His Adam's apple bobbed slightly. For some reason, his heart started racing. "Last time you ran off too fast. Can I hold you a bit longer this time?"
Last time, before he could even react, Catherine had already slipped out of his arms, quick and cute like a little rabbit.
Even though he knew his little rabbit had sharp claws and many secrets he didn't know, Alexander couldn't help but see Catherine as a young girl.
His fiancée, with her clear and innocent eyes, stirred something deep within him, a man who was used to living in the shadows.
Alexander gently hugged Catherine, burying his head in her shoulder with a low chuckle.
Catherine's heartbeat quickened. He always kept a safe distance from her, looking like he was just tired. Catherine thought for a moment and didn't have the heart to push Alexander away.
The office door opened, and Juniper's voice caught in her throat. "Catherine."
As soon as Juniper opened the door, she saw Alexander's hand on Catherine's slender waist, his head resting on her shoulder, and Catherine's hand on Alexander's shoulder, looking intimate and tender.
"Sorry to interrupt, please continue!" Juniper felt like slapping herself for always walking in on Alexander and Catherine during intimate moments.
Without looking up, Juniper could feel Alexander's cold gaze on her. She braced herself and spoke, "I just wanted to ask, are you hungry?"
Catherine pushed Alexander away and walked towards Juniper. "Did you settle things?"
"Sort of. He agreed to let me meet my idol, Alioth! If I can really meet Alioth, I'll give him a chance," Juniper said.
Catherine raised an eyebrow slightly. "You'll forgive him just for meeting Alioth?"
'Is Alioth that important? There is indeed a research summit coming up, but I hadn't planned to attend initially,' Catherine thought.
Juniper hugged Catherine's waist. "If he can let me meet Alioth, make me the first author on his papers, and give me lots of money to drive luxury cars and live in a mansion, I'd be willing! Consider it a bit of suffering!"
Catherine suppressed a smile. "Yes, you're the one suffering."
Most importantly, Juniper felt that Evander cared about her. Maybe it wasn't much, but seeing his conversations with Brandon, Juniper knew she already had a good father. She couldn't be willful and make Brandon worry and feel sad for her! If it could make her family happier, Juniper was willing to compromise a bit.
Catherine squeezed Juniper's hand and said softly, "No matter what you choose, I'm on your side. I hope you're doing it for yourself, not for others. Your feelings are important. I believe Mom, Dad, and our brothers will also be on your side."
Catherine knew Juniper was someone who would rather suffer herself to make her family happy. When Catherine first came home, Juniper stayed away for a long time to avoid making her feel unbalanced.
Juniper, with tears in her eyes, hugged Catherine, thinking Catherine was an angel.
During a break in their meal, Catherine sent a message to Alkaid: [I'll attend the research summit we talked about last time.]
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