Chapter 362 No One Can Resist Catherine
"That person doesn't even have to be a man," Faye said, her voice firm.
"I've seen too many men out there who fail the women who trust them. If Mr. Howard cherishes you, Ms. Windsor, that's wonderful. But if he doesn't, then he should be out of the picture."
Her eyes sharpened. "There are so many people in this world. You deserve the best one."
Catherine studied her for a moment, then let out a soft laugh.
"I might not have chosen the best, but I've chosen the one who's right for me. Just like I chose you as my secretary — because you're the right fit. Isn't that true?"
Color rushed to Faye's cheeks. Had Ms. Windsor just said she was the most suitable for her?
"I... I'll do my best," she stammered. "I know you don't think highly of Esme because of what happened before. She may be my sister, but I'm not like her."
"You don't even look like her."
Faye's smile faltered. "The Windsor family... a lot of people compare us. We were abandoned in the same place, and later both brought back by the Windsor family."
It had made them a constant point of comparison. And with Lila's help, Esme had long been throwing her weight around in the family, openly and quietly pushing Faye down.
She'd been told more than once she wasn't a real Windsor, that she should get out of Windsor Villa. The memory still stung.
What if Catherine saw her the same way?
"You're not like her," Catherine said, her voice steady. "For one, she wouldn't spend her own wages to sponsor underprivileged schoolgirls. Why only girls?"
Faye blinked, startled. How did Catherine even know? She'd never publicized it, never used it for praise. Not even the Windsor family knew.
"Because boys who don't go to school usually choose not to. But in the mountains, girls often have no choice at all. I want them to see the world beyond those hills."
She drew a breath. "I was lucky to have my grandparents. They won't be that lucky."
Seeing that Catherine was listening intently, Faye's shoulders eased.
"It's nothing big. I don't make much, and I can't repay the Windsor family for raising me. So I do what I can."
"Then count me in," Catherine said. "I'll transfer money to your account. You handle selecting the right recipients. Will that be too much trouble?"
Faye shook her head quickly. "No, not at all! Having you involved would be incredible."
"Then it's settled."
"Thank you, Ms. Windsor!"
Faye's excitement bubbled over into a little hop before she caught herself and hurried out of the garden.
From the branch of a nearby tree, Alkaid dropped down, hanging upside down to watch her leave.
"She's an odd one among the Windsor relatives," Alkaid remarked.
"Go on."
"Adopted. She's not favored in the family. A lot of the kids don't like her. Esme used to bully her every day when they were little."
Catherine had already guessed her life at Windsor Villa hadn't been easy.
"Just... be careful, Ms. Windsor."
"Careful of what?"
Alkaid patted her shoulder, dead serious. "Has anyone ever told you that you have the kind of face people fall for — regardless of gender?"
Catherine gave her a flat look.
Alkaid gave a sheepish grin, mumbled something, and beat a quick retreat.
By dusk, Alexander had taken a few calls, kissed Catherine goodbye, and boarded the next flight abroad to deal with Howard Group business.
Faye knocked on the office door. "Ms. Windsor, it's six o'clock. Are you still working?"
"Just wrapping up."
Catherine stretched, handed over a stack of neatly organized project files.
"Follow the procedure. Call me if anything comes up."
In one afternoon, she'd cleared her current workload — even reorganized the hotel's kitchen menu.
"You won't be coming to the hotel for a while?" Faye asked.
"No. I have a research conference to attend. I might be gone for some time."
Truthfully, if it hadn't been on a whim, she wouldn't have come in today at all. But since she had, she'd handled everything she could.
Faye's eyes lit up. "A research conference? Could you take me with you?"
"You're interested in research?"
"I'm applying to schools. I haven't decided on my project yet."
Some of the projects at the conference were Windsor-funded. It wouldn't hurt to let her tag along.
"I'll get you a pass."
"Thank you, Ms. Windsor!"
Imperial University.
The autumn wind carried a crisp bite, and Lyra pulled her coat tighter, sniffing against the chill. When she finally spotted the familiar license plate, she climbed into the car with a huff.
"Faye, what took you so long? I called you ages ago."
"I was working," Faye said flatly. "I can't just drop everything to pick you up."
They'd known each other for years, even lived in the same courtyard as children.
Faye's car was a modest runabout. Lyra eyed it with disdain. "Your family's loaded. Why not drive something nice? That car your brother had was amazing."
Faye replied coolly, "It's his car. I'm not in the habit of taking what isn't mine."
Lyra's face crumpled. "What am I going to do? The school's really going to expel me! All because of that Catherine. If she hadn't been so petty, I'd be fine. Typical small-town girl — no tolerance at all."
The name made Faye's brow crease. "What did you just say? Why are you being expelled?"
Lyra rattled off her version of events — heavily edited, with herself as the victim. In her telling, she was an innocent student being bullied by the wealthy. Catherine's actions sounded outrageous.
"But it's fine," Lyra added. "Mr. Morales is bringing in a new department head. I doubt every teacher will side with the Windsor family."
She leaned closer. "Faye, you have to help me. You know a lot of media accounts, right? Just tell them Catherine bullied me. The story will blow up."
"You want to smear Catherine online?"
"It's not smearing — it's the truth! You're my best friend. Don't you believe me?"
Lyra's voice droned in her ear, grating. Faye pulled the car over, turned to her with a cold, hard stare.
"Get out."
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