Chapter 87 No Such Luck
"Samuel knows how much blood, sweat, and tears I put into that painting. Even if Catherine's running the gallery now, she can't just toss it. I get it, Catherine never saw me as family; that's on me."
Seeing Esme bawling her eyes out, Brandon's heart softened a bit and he said, "Alright, Esme, let's chill until Catherine gets back and we can ask her about it."
Esme was fuming inside.
'Just wait till Catherine gets here! If the Windsor family finds out she did it on purpose, they'll kick her out for sure!' Esme thought.
An hour later...
Alexander pulled up in front of the Martinez Mansion and said, "Got some work to handle at the office. Say hi to your grandparents for me."
Catherine stood by the car door and nodded, saying, "Okay, if you're swamped next time, no need to come for dinner. Just give me a call."
Catherine knew Alexander was busy 'cause he was trying to make time to meet Ethan with her.
Meeting Ethan with the Galactic Aurora Collective and the Faceless Ones was enough; she’d be ready.
Sitting in the fancy car, Alexander suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing as he gazed at Catherine.
"I wanna be with you," he said.
Alexander worked overtime and even crunched company numbers while waiting for her, all just to be with her.
After spending so much time together, Alexander got Catherine's vibe.
"I'll have someone bring the gifts for your grandparents inside. You go on in," he said.
Catherine felt her face heat up under his intense gaze and turned to head into the Martinez Mansion.
Only when she disappeared through the door did the sound of the car engine starting up signal Alexander's departure.
Aurora saw Catherine walk in and immediately greeted her.
"Catherine, did you get enough to eat? Alexander called and said you had dinner together, so we didn't save any food for you. Want me to whip up something?"
Catherine felt a bit warm inside knowing Alexander had called Aurora ahead.
"I'm good, no need to cook."
Aurora glanced behind Catherine a few times but didn't see Alexander, so she asked, "Catherine, did Alexander leave? Why didn't you let him come in for a drink?"
"He had some work to do and went back to the office," Catherine explained.
Aurora initially thought Catherine and Alexander had a spat during dinner, but hearing he went back to work, she felt relieved.
Even with a packed schedule, Alexander made time for dinner with Catherine, showing how much he cared!
Samuel was also pleased with Alexander.
From the moment he met Alexander on the yacht, he could tell Alexander was head over heels for Catherine. That look in his eyes was unmistakable, just like how he looked at his own wife.
Samuel coughed twice and glanced at Esme, who was still sulking on the couch, saying, "Catherine, Esme said you tossed one of her paintings. What's the deal?"
Catherine realized Esme had come to tattle to Samuel and she explained, "That painting's a copy and shouldn't have been in the original section. I had the gallery manager take it down. She swears it's original, but I don't think it fits our gallery."
'A copy?' Samuel thought before he nodded. Even though he thought the painting's composition and lighting were on point, Esme didn't have the chops for such a piece.
Esme bit her lip, looking all pitiful. "What makes you say the painting's a copy? It's my original work. If you don't want it in your gallery, just tell me. No need to humiliate me."
Catherine frowned slightly, thinking, 'Is she saying I'm targeting her? It's just a painting, and it's still hanging in my study. Using this to smear me is low.'
Catherine said calmly, "Because the original is in my study. The original painting, 'Maiden Before the Mountains,' is Dominic's work. Your painting just happens to be identical to Dominic's?"
Aurora remembered Catherine's study had several oil paintings. She thought Catherine liked oil paintings and had planned to order several of Dominic's works to surprise her.
Esme's eyes widened!
'She said the original is in her study?! Catherine can even name the painting. I only saw it once at a private exhibition and remember it. It must have been a gift from Brandon and Aurora to Catherine. Otherwise, how could she have Dominic's work?' Esme thought.
Thinking of Brandon and Aurora's unconditional love for Catherine, Esme's face twisted with jealousy.
"That painting is my original work. I don't get what you're saying," Esme said.
Samuel glanced at the always composed Catherine and then at the shifty-eyed Esme, piecing it together, so he said, "Alright, Esme, you should go back. Brandon said he'd give you his small gallery. If you like painting, manage it well."
'I can't believe Samuel won't believe me! Is it because I'm not related by blood? Everything should have been mine,' Esme thought.
Brandon, seeing the matter resolved, sighed in relief. As long as Catherine wasn't wronged, everything else was minor.
"Go take care of Lila at the hospital. I'll have someone send your painting to you," Brandon said.
"Okay, I get it." Esme bit her lip, unwilling and afraid Catherine would cause her trouble, grabbed her bag from the couch, and left the Martinez Mansion.
As soon as she stepped out, Esme took a cab to Bright Heal Hospital, crying as she leaned on Lila's bed.
"Lila! How could they treat me like this? Catherine threw away the painting I worked on for two months! She even accused me of plagiarism."
"What did Brandon say?" Lila asked.
"Brandon told me to let it go, saying we're all family and I shouldn't hold a grudge. Even if we're not related by blood, he shouldn't be so biased!" Esme added.
'Not related by blood?' Lila lay back, squinting her eyes in thought, and she said, "Give me my phone. I need to call Brandon."
"Lila, don't argue with Brandon because of me. I'm fine," Esme said while handing Lila her phone, afraid she might change her mind.
Brandon was still with Aurora, looking at new clothes for Catherine, when he answered the call. "What's up?"
Hearing the laughter on the other end, Lila, lying in the cold hospital room with no visitors, shouted, feeling a surge of anger. "How dare you ask? I've been sick for so long, and you haven't come to see me?"
Hearing Lila's voice, Brandon's cheerful mood vanished, and he said, "I arranged for over twenty caregivers for you. Isn't that enough?"
"Caregivers aren't family. The old lady in the bed next to mine is cared for by her son and daughter-in-law. I guess I'm not that lucky," Lila said.
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