Chapter 361 Shadows over Alexander
Catherine and Alexander stood side by side, an effortlessly striking pair.
From just behind Faye, a hotel staffer whispered, "Mr. Howard and Ms. Windsor look like they were made for each other. Can you imagine how gorgeous their kids would be?"
The words brushed past Faye's ear, and something unreadable flickered in her gaze. She drew her eyes away from the couple.
"They'll get married? I wouldn't be so sure," she murmured under her breath.
Stepping forward, Faye held out a neatly prepared résumé to Catherine.
"Ms. Windsor, this is my résumé."
Catherine took it. The layout was crisp, professional. Faye's degree was in hotel management, perfectly aligned with the setting. Her university years had been spent doing volunteer teaching in remote mountain regions. She'd earned scholarships every year, graduated top of her class.
An impressive record.
"Why didn't you go on for a master's? With your GPA, you could have been admitted without exams."
"I wanted to start working. My grandfather supported that."
"What's your current position?"
Faye touched the badge clipped to her jacket. "Intern manager. But I'd like to be considered for another role."
Catherine arched a brow. "Which is?"
"I want to be your secretary, Ms. Windsor. My current role may be a better fit for my degree, but I'd rather learn directly from you."
"I just started at the hotel myself. You wouldn't learn much from me."
Faye shook her head. "Whether I learn anything is on me. Whether I'm here at all is your decision. And you do need a secretary."
Her tone was calm, her words measured, her gaze steady on Catherine's. There was a quiet confidence in her poise.
As they walked toward Catherine's office, Catherine asked, "Being my secretary won't be easy. What's your career plan, Faye?"
"A few years in the hotel industry, then graduate school overseas."
"You just said you weren't interested in more school."
Faye brushed a strand of hair back from her face. "More accurately, I'm not interested in going to school on the Windsor family's dime. The programs I want are expensive. I'd rather pay my own way."
Catherine's lips curved faintly. "If your grandfather knew, he'd support you."
"He would. But I couldn't take the Windsor family's generosity without feeling indebted. My grandpa's already done enough raising me."
Faye straightened her spine. "I just want my grandfather to be proud of me."
Catherine handed the résumé back, slipping off her jacket. Alexander stepped forward to take it, but Faye was quicker, hanging it neatly on the rack.
Alexander's empty hand lingered in the air. The oddest sensation pricked at him.
Faye's smile was warm yet impeccably professional. "Shall I have it pressed?"
"No need. I'm leaving soon. And… I'll take you on as my secretary."
Faye dipped her head slightly. "Thank you, Ms. Windsor. I won't disappoint you."
After a few instructions, Catherine realized Faye had already done extensive homework on the hotel.
"I'll bring you the financials later."
"Good. Thank you."
When Faye closed the office door behind her, Catherine finally looked away.
Alexander handed her a coffee, then tugged her down into his lap. His voice was low, amused. "Is it just me, or did Faye just steal my job?"
She had, in fact, been inserting herself between him and Catherine all morning—sometimes literally—and had even thrown him a glance that could almost be called hostile.
Catherine's lips twitched. Was Alexander actually jealous… of another woman? The thought was unexpectedly charming.
"She's connected to the Windsor family. If she's competent, that's all that matters."
Catherine had been buried in company affairs for weeks, barely visiting Galactic Aurora Collective. If someone could take over some of her hotel responsibilities, she'd have more time for her own work. And Faye's temperament wasn't bad.
Alexander buried his face in the curve of her neck, breathing in her subtle, clean scent. His chest rose and fell against her back.
"When are you going to get engaged to me, Catherine?"
"What?"
Engagement wasn't urgent in her mind. They were already together, both as a couple and as unofficial fiancés. An engagement would be a formality—their families and the public already knew.
Alexander's voice had a rough edge. "If this goes on much longer, I'm going to lose my mind. You'd let that happen?"
The implication in his tone sent a flush creeping up her neck. She pushed him away and stood abruptly.
"I have things to do. Wait here."
She left in such a hurry she was almost tripping over herself. Alexander leaned back in his chair, smiling, then spun it toward the window.
The gardens stretched outside, and there was Catherine, fanning her face with one hand. Through the glass, their eyes met—his gaze warm and teasing, hers growing hotter by the second.
As a doctor, Catherine knew exactly what had just happened between them. She lingered in the garden until her pulse steadied. When she returned, Alexander had turned away, working at her desk on her computer.
Without that scorching gaze on her, she exhaled quietly.
"Ms. Windsor, out to enjoy the garden?" Faye stood just behind her, following her line of sight to Alexander. Is it appropriate for Mr. Howard to be using your computer?"
"It's fine. I have a dedicated machine for my personal work."
Hotel computers were connected to the internal network, but Alexander was only using it for a video conference. Nothing sensitive.
"Even so, Ms. Windsor, no matter how close you are to Mr. Howard, you should be cautious."
Catherine's brow lifted. She turned to face Faye, meeting her earnest gaze. On the surface, it was concern. But the tone… there was an edge to it.
An edge aimed squarely at Alexander.
"Tell me something—do you have a problem with the Howard family?"
"No," Faye said coolly. "I just think someone as exceptional as you deserves someone better. The Howard family is complicated. You could do better than Mr. Howard."
Catherine didn't need to hear more. Faye wasn't being subtle—her words dripped with disapproval for Alexander.
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