Chapter 72 Am I a Stranger?
Esme clutched the script as she thought, her excitement bubbling up. 'Richard's this big-shot actor, always getting scripts from the best teams. With my skills, nailing a lead role should be a breeze. If Richard helps me out, I can totally make it! But will he even let me take the lead? If he does, the Windsor family won't dare look down on me anymore!'
Esme, holding the script, walked eagerly to Richard's study and called out, "Richard, you in there?"
Richard was deep in a conversation with Alexander about dealing with the Smiths and the Johnsons. Hearing Esme, he frowned and snapped, "Don't bug me."
Ignoring his tone, Esme pushed the door open and stood there, looking all hopeful. She then noticed Alexander chilling on the sofa, sipping coffee.
"Alexander, what are you doing here?" she asked.
Without even looking at her, Alexander picked up some papers on the Smith family and said coolly, "I brought Catherine back. She's resting, so keep it down."
'Catherine! It's always about Catherine!' Esme fumed inside.
"Esme, what's up? If it's not important, leave us. Mr. Howard and I are busy," Richard said, trying not to embarrass her in front of Alexander.
"Richard, I found your script downstairs and brought it up. It's super interesting. Can I try out for a role?" she asked, eyes full of hope.
'She wants to act? And get into showbiz?' Richard thought. He was about to shut her down, but seeing her pale face and knowing she hadn't eaten all day, he hesitated.
"Richard, please let me try. I promise I won't embarrass the Windsor family," Esme pleaded.
"Letting her act might keep her busy and away from Alexander and Catherine. She might even behave better," Richard thought.
"Fine, but you can only play a supporting role, like the maid," Richard said.
Esme was stunned. 'I want the lead role, not some maid!'
"Richard, I don't want to play a maid. It's so embarrassing. I want the lead!" Esme said, looking pitiful.
Richard rolled his eyes. "The lead? Seriously? It's already set for an award-winning actress. You, a newbie with zero acting skills, think you can handle it?"
"Get out before I lose my temper," Richard shouted.
Esme, tears welling up, looked at Alexander, hoping he'd back her up. But he didn't even glance her way.
She had no choice but to leave the study with the script. As she walked out, she heard Richard's voice. "Don't sleep here tonight. Go back to Lila's. Catherine doesn't like strangers here."
Esme's tears fell, feeling humiliated and pissed off.
'Even if this house is Catherine's, it's still the Windsor family's. Why can't I stay here? There's not even a room for me in the whole Starry Residence! As soon as Catherine's back, I'm a stranger! If this keeps up, I'll be kicked out of the Windsor family,' she thought.
Esme gritted her teeth, clutching the script. She had to fight for more opportunities. Only by playing the lead could she secure her spot in the Windsor family and become the future mistress of the Howard family.
Catherine walked out of her room barefoot, her small feet sinking into the soft carpet. She looked adorable.
"What happened? What's all the noise?" Catherine asked.
Seeing her, Richard and Alexander stood up at the same time.
Alexander walked over, scooped Catherine up, and carried her to her room. He set her down by the bed and knelt to put slippers on her feet, saying softly, "Why aren't you wearing shoes? Don't catch a cold."
"I'm not cold," Catherine replied.
Richard pretended not to notice. The fact that the president of the Howard Group was willing to lower himself to take care of Catherine showed how special she was to him. As her brother, even if it hurt to see her being taken away, he couldn't scold Alexander in front of her.
Richard touched his nose, rolled up his sleeves, and headed downstairs. "Catherine, you hungry? I'll whip up something for you!"
The Windsor kids weren't your typical spoiled rich brats. Marcus had trained them to be self-sufficient from a young age, putting them through military training and survival exercises on an island. Charles, George, Richard, and Philip all knew their way around a kitchen.
Richard was the best cook among them!
Soon enough, pasta was served, with three bowls neatly placed on the table.
Alexander looked at the spread and smiled. "Thanks."
"No biggie. You brought Catherine back, so you probably haven't eaten. The Windsor family doesn't mistreat guests."
Even though Richard couldn't stand seeing Alexander and Catherine so close, he still treated guests right.
The three of them sat down for a warm, harmonious meal.
"Richard, are you really gonna let Esme act?" Catherine asked.
"Just giving her something to do so she stops thinking about nonsense. With her smarts, she probably can't hack it at Medical University. Let her try auditioning; if she can pass, fine," Richard said, having no intention of pulling strings for Esme. He only valued real talent.
"Catherine, you interested in the entertainment biz? Want me to set something up for you?" Richard asked.
Catherine shook her head. "Nah, I don't like being in the spotlight. Too much hassle."
Alexander knew her well; she didn't like being flashy.
"The entertainment industry is exhausting. The relationships and acting are all tiring. Catherine should do what she likes; no need to act," Alexander said.
Richard rarely agreed with him, but when it came to Catherine, they were on the same page.
"Mr. Howard, we've had dinner. You can leave now, right?" Richard said.
'It's so late already! Doesn't the Howard family have basic manners?' Richard thought.
Alexander turned to Catherine and asked, a sweet smile on his lips, "Am I a stranger to you?"
Catherine looked puzzled and shook her head. "Not really."
"Richard said you don't like strangers staying at the house. Since I'm not a stranger, there's no need to rush me out, right?" Alexander said.
Richard's fists almost clenched!
He kept a friendly smile on his face, forcibly restraining the urge to rush over and slap Alexander in front of Catherine.
"Mr. Howard, your house is right next door. No need to stay at our place, right? When did the Howard family fall so low that they need to crash at someone else's house?"
Catherine could hear the underlying hostility in Richard's words and glanced at Alexander, saying, "You should go back."
"Alright, I'll come to pick you up tomorrow to go to Samuel's house together."
"Okay."
Alexander held Catherine's hand and gently kissed the back of it before picking up his suit jacket and leaving.
Richard almost cried with relief once Alexander finally left.
He had to tell Charles. If they didn't do something soon, Catherine might be taken away!
"Catherine, why are you going to Samuel's house with Alexander?" Richard asked.
"Samuel invited him too. Don't you like Alexander?" she said.
Richard gritted his teeth, maintaining a gentle smile, and patted Catherine's head. "No, of course not! I like him very much!"
Seeing Catherine's confused and slightly frowning expression, Richard realized she was overthinking it. He almost wanted to slap himself. "That's not what I meant. I mean, if you like him, then I like him!"
Catherine nodded.
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