Chapter 601 Master of Romance
At 8 PM, the Aqua Vista City Grand Theater was surrounded by lush sycamore trees, with twinkling neon lights adding a touch of charm to the riverside scene.
Though it was the same view as always, tonight it felt different to Catherine, filled with a romantic air because of the anticipation in her heart.
Gracefully lifting her dress, she stepped out of the car. The sky was a bit gloomy, having just drizzled, and Aqua Vista City was as humid as ever, with mist lingering in the air.
Catherine shrugged, her slender ankles in high heels, eyes full of expectation, and a smile she couldn't hide. "Is Sebastian inside?"
Her heart was almost bursting with excitement, and she looked straight at the entrance, asking Bill without looking away.
Bill nodded compliantly. "Ms. Cooper, the concert is about to start. You should go in. Mr. Kingsley might be inside."
He knew thatSebastian was definitely on a plane at this time, meaning he couldn't answer calls or receive messages.
Catherine's excitement remained undiminished, nodding happily as she imagined a date with Sebastian, dreaming of the day they would officially become husband and wife... each thought sparking more desire.
Catherine walked up the steps with her long, slender legs. A waiter opened the door for her, welcoming her into a concert meant just for her, a romantic gesture tailored for her alone.
Who wouldn't love such a surprise?
Catherine entered the concert hall. On the grand stage, the musicians were ready, the conductor poised to begin.
Yet, the thousands of seats were empty.
Only a small Baroque-style armchair was set in the front VIP section, with intricate patterns and an extravagant design. Beside it was a glass table with a crystal vase holding a few lilies, a half glass of red wine, some fruit platters, and desserts, all creating a sweet, romantic atmosphere under the dim lighting.
Catherine smiled sweetly, thinking, 'Sebastian... he really knows how to play the romance game.'
She loved it!
Many men had done such things for her, but she never cared to look twice. But when Sebastian did it, she liked it!
But why wasn't Sebastian here?
Catherine looked around. Besides the musicians, there was no one else, not even a server.
Was he really trying to create a sweet world just for the two of them?
With a fluttering heart, Catherine walked down the steps.
Just then, her phone rang in her purse.
Thinking it was Sebastian, she almost trembled as she took out her phone, but her expression turned sour when she saw the number.
Catherine gritted her teeth, glancing disdainfully at the name, and hung up the call.
She had barely taken a few steps when her phone buzzed again. Catherine rolled her eyes, annoyed, and answered, not waiting for the other person to speak before she angrily lashed out. "I told you not to call me again! What? You think I'm kidding?"
The man's voice on the other end was pleading. "Catherine, what did I do wrong? Why did you leave without even saying goodbye? At least tell me why. Weren't we doing well? How could you just change like that?"
Catherine laughed coldly, her lips, perfectly painted with crimson lipstick, curling in disdain. "Doing well? When were we ever doing well? You think too highly of yourself. I never liked you."
With a haughty, indifferent reply, Catherine continued to her designated seat, step by step, like a bride walking to her groom, a princess to her prince.
The man on the other end was desperate. "Catherine, at the Jordan family party last month, we were clearly a couple. Why has everything changed now? How can you do this?"
The man seemed genuinely emotional, his anxious, hurt questions spilling out at Catherine's firm denial.
Catherine chuckled coldly. "The party... that was because Miguel kept praising you, making you sound so great. I was just playing along. Did you really think I'd be interested in you? Let me tell you, Otis Jenkins, you're not worthy of being my man. Give up!"
Otis Jenkins grew more desperate. "Catherine, at least tell me why. Do you have someone new? Who is it? Tell me, who?"
Catherine sat down gracefully. "Knowing won't do you any good. It'll only make you feel utterly inferior."
"I don't believe it! Who is it? I'm someone of status in Aqua Vista City. I won't lose to someone else without knowing why!"
"If you really want to know, it's not impossible. His name is Sebastian. Not unfamiliar, right?"
"Sebastian? Isn't he..."
"Isn't he what? He's going to be my man!"
With a final angry retort, Catherine hung up.
By now, the performance had started, the first piece being "The Blue Danube," its elegant orchestral music majestically echoing through the hall.
Catherine sipped her wine, enjoying the music, but as the piece ended, there was still no sign of Sebastian.
Uneasy, she tried calling him, only to find his phone unreachable.
Unbelieving, she tried again, with the same result.
Catherine checked the time. It was 8:20.
The grand music played on, but the empty seats filled her with unease. Why hadn't Sebastian come? What was he playing at?
Feeling increasingly unsettled, Catherine picked up her purse, ready to leave.
The conductor turned and nodded slightly. "The next piece is specially prepared for Ms. Cooper."
With those few words, the conductor raised his arm, and the strings filled the hall.
Catherine paused mid-step, thinking, 'Sebastian, is this the surprise you prepared for me, all in the music?'
Momentarily setting aside her unease, Catherine held her wine and began to enjoy the music crafted just for her.
But Catherine wouldn't know that halfway through Schubert's "Serenade," she would fall into a deep sleep.
Her strength ebbed away, her vision blurred, and finally, she slumped over the chair, completely asleep.
Meanwhile, on the plane.
Sebastian glanced at his watch, continuing to work on the materials for the evening meeting on his laptop.
After landing, Sebastian turned on his phone, a string of missed calls appearing, making him frown.
Striding out of the airport, Bill's car was already waiting outside. Seeing Sebastian, Bill opened the car door.
"Mr. Kingsley, I have taken Ms. Cooper to the hotel. Everything went according to your instructions, without a hitch."
Sebastian nodded. "Good, take me to the office for the meeting first."
"Yes, Mr. Kingsley."
The car headed to the office, and Sebastian went to the meeting.
Arriving at the conference room door, he heard hushed discussions inside.
"Sebastian is really something. When he says we have a meeting, we have to be there, no questions asked."
"You dare talk about Sebastian like that? You must have a death wish."
"A meeting at ten, probably going until one or two in the morning. And tomorrow's Friday, no rest."
"Just bear with it."
Sebastian entered after the chatter ended, and everyone inside quickly sat up straight, not daring to say another word.
For the new project, there were several proposals. Sebastian presented his own plan, silencing the room with its perfection.
Everyone just stared at the projection screen, wide-eyed, exchanging glances.
Sebastian had provided a flawless plan, leaving no room for discussion!
Pointing at the screen, his deep voice was stern and demanding. "I've reviewed your proposals. There's only one question: are your degrees bought, or did you get in through connections?"
His words left everyone speechless.
Sebastian continued, "Today, I'm giving you a standard. Remember my expectations. Next time I see a pile of useless paper, HR will convey my regards."
A heavy threat, a show of strength!
The meeting wrapped up before eleven, swift and decisive.
Several managers and directors from the planning department were left sweating.
Looking at this privileged heir, a truly formidable figure, they wondered how they could survive if he stayed.
After the meeting, Sebastian took the car keys from Bill. "I'm heading to the hotel. You can go home."
Bill nodded, curiously asking, "Mr. Kingsley... when did you prepare the proposal for today's meeting?"
"On the plane," Sebastian replied casually, striding away, leaving a tall silhouette behind.
Bill was silent.
But the planning department's submission was a week's worth of work! And it couldn't compare to Sebastian's few hours of effort.
On the road, Sebastian put on a Bluetooth headset and dialed a number. "Prepare to record Catherine's fingerprints. She's at the hotel."
"Yes, Mr. Kingsley, I'll head to the hotel right away."
"How's the investigation going?" Sebastian's eyes, deep and inscrutable, looked at the misty weather. He had no fondness for Aqua Vista City's climate.
"We've found out that Dione's lover is a third-rate celebrity, not very famous, currently being kept by Dione. They've been together for over half a year. Miguel is old and weak, unable to satisfy Dione's needs, so she..."
The conversation trailed off, understood without words.
"What evidence do you have?" Sebastian turned the steering wheel, and the hotel was not far ahead.
"Mostly photos for now, but next time Dione and this man go to a hotel, I'll record a video."
Sebastian tapped his fingers. "Time is short. I need the most direct evidence within three days."
"Yes! I'll speed up the process. By the way, Mr. Kingsley, why do you need Catherine's fingerprints?"
Sebastian drove into the hotel's underground garage, parking the car. "Catherine and her father are involved in embezzlement, transferring large sums. I need evidence from her."
The person on the other end suddenly exclaimed, "Mr. Kingsley, you... You didn't approach Catherine just for this, did you?"
Sebastian opened the car door, walking tall to the elevator. "What else?"
The man's car also arrived outside the hotel, and he chuckled. "I... I thought you were simply using your charm to reel Catherine in."
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