Chapter 351 Do You Still Like Charles?
"What did you just say? With whom?"
Aurora couldn't keep it together after hearing Charles drop that bombshell. She shot up from the couch and started pacing the living room, her voice laced with worry.
"Charles, are you thinking about getting back with an old flame?"
Charles stayed cool, "It's just dinner, don't read too much into it. And matchmaking? Not my thing right now."
"If you've got time, you should focus on pushing Catherine and Alexander's engagement. They're hitting it off, and the Howard family is thinking about moving things along."
Charles knew Aurora like the back of his hand.
Mentioning Catherine's marriage was enough to shift Aurora's focus.
"Thanks for the heads-up. I'll get on it right away!"
"When you and Dad were overseas, Grandpa asked me what Catherine thought about it. You should check in with her."
"Alright, I'll ask."
Aurora loved being a mom.
To her, talking about marriage with her daughter was a mom's special job!
After hanging up, Charles turned to Gabriella with a straightforward look.
"Sorry about that, let's get back to our meal."
"Didn't Mr. Windsor say the wedding's set for next May?"
"Yeah, but there's no bride yet."
What kind of wedding is it without a bride? Surely Charles isn't planning to show up solo!
"No worries, I've been to weddings that never happened."
Gabriella picked up on the sarcasm in Charles's voice.
And those things he said to Aurora earlier...
Was he throwing shade about her ditching their wedding back then?
"What happened was on me. I'm sorry, I owe you an apology."
Charles smiled warmly, his demeanor over the years had become as polished as a fine jade, more gentle and comforting, like a breath of fresh air.
"It's all good. If I hadn't been left at the altar, I might've thought I had someone who loved me. Guess that was just a mirage."
"I know about the school situation. I'll ask Catherine what she thinks."
Imperial University had decided to expel Lyra.
The department hoped Catherine could return to class and join the upcoming competition.
Gabriella lowered her gaze. "The Windsor family sure treats their kids well."
The whole Windsor clan practically doted on Catherine!
Whether it was the birthday posters plastered all over town or the Windsor family's open favoritism.
It all showed their efforts to make up for the years they missed with Catherine.
Gabriella had also heard from Odette about how much the Windsor family adored Catherine.
Catherine had just walked into the restaurant when she spotted Charles and Gabriella by the window.
The restaurant manager approached her.
"Ms. Windsor, here are the dishes you ordered. Please take a look."
Catherine casually handed the menu to Mira behind her.
She had just taken over, and with the company in such chaos, she decided to bring Mira out for lunch and afternoon tea at a nearby restaurant to boost morale.
"Check it out, and if there's any issue, let me know."
"Okay, Ms. Windsor."
Mira was almost in tears!
Catherine was just too kind!
She'd heard from the cops that it was Catherine who reported Tony and Ruby last night, so she must have been freaked out.
Catherine was so gentle and kind, she seemed so fragile, yet she still thought to reward and comfort her staff after such an ordeal!
Catherine gave a few casual instructions and then walked over to Charles and Gabriella.
"Charles, is the blind date Mom set up for you... with Gabriella?"
Charles's gaze softened when he saw Catherine.
"Nah, not at all. I was just talking to Gabriella about your school situation. The school agreed to expel Lyra, and they're making it official."
"Also, Catherine, do you want to join that competition?"
Catherine thought for a moment and shook her head.
"What's the point of sending the design to Radiant Treasures through the competition when I can just give it to them directly?"
Charles nodded.
Yeah, the competition didn't really mean much for Catherine.
Charles's assistant called, reminding him he needed to head out of the country for business today, and the car was ready.
"I gotta go. If anything comes up at home, just call me. Be good."
Charles nodded to Gabriella and affectionately ruffled Catherine's hair before buttoning his suit and leaving.
Catherine nodded to Gabriella, ready to leave, but Gabriella stopped her.
"Catherine... if you haven't eaten, can we talk?"
"Sure."
Sitting across from Gabriella, Catherine observed Charles's tall figure get into the car and drive away. When she turned back, she found Gabriella still gazing after him!
"Gabriella? Are you checking out Charles?"
"...Yeah, Mr. Windsor is a great guy."
"If he's such a great guy, why didn't you want Charles, Gabriella?"
Gabriella was almost caught off guard by Catherine's blunt question!
Seeing Gabriella's slightly flustered expression, Catherine realized her guess wasn't unfounded.
Charles's attitude towards Gabriella always seemed a bit peculiar to Catherine.
Although Charles was a savvy businessman, his demeanor towards Gabriella was unusually gentle.
Especially that bouquet Gabriella had casually tossed into the trash.
Gabriella seemed to be Charles's ex-girlfriend!
The one Philip had mentioned, who left Charles before their wedding!
Gabriella was a bit at a loss, not expecting Catherine to have figured it out!
Catherine's gaze fell on Gabriella's phone screen, showing a familiar silhouette.
That photo was one she had taken of Charles.
The subject of the photo was obvious!
Gabriella followed Catherine's gaze and remembered she had impulsively changed her phone wallpaper to that side profile of Charles last night!
No wonder Charles had glanced at her phone several times, his eyes filled with amusement.
How embarrassing!
Charles had been on the college shooting team, with excellent eyesight, he must have seen it!
"If you keep a photo of Windsor, does that mean you still like him, Gabriella?"
"No, it's just a reminder not to dwell on that foolish past."
Gabriella looked at Catherine, smiling gently, her eyes showing a hint of tenderness.
"I left without a word back then, not just because the Windsor family approached me."
Gabriella's smile turned a bit bitter.
"Because I... was pregnant at the time!"
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