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At the Duncans’ mansion, the atmosphere in the elegant living room was starkly different from the previous tension in the Swanns’ household. Triston, lounging carelessly on the sofa, contrasted sharply with Branden, who sat upright with his laptop open in front of him. While Triston appeared relaxed, Branden was composed, focused, and as always, enigmatic.
The maid entered the room, breaking the silence with news of a guest’s arrival.
“Mr. Duncan, Miss Catherine Swann is here!”
Triston’s reaction was immediate—he jumped to his feet, stumbling slightly as he made his way to Branden. “Catherine Swann? The one from the Swanns, the girl who just returned from the countryside? Isn’t she your fiancée?”
Branden glanced at him, the look in his eyes enough to silence Triston, who quickly shut his mouth.
With an air of quiet command, Branden spoke to the maid. “Bring her in.”
Not wanting to get caught in the middle of the unfolding drama, Triston excused himself, his curiosity eating away at him but deciding it was safer to retreat. “I’ll be upstairs!” he muttered as he made a hasty exit.
Catherine entered the room shortly after, her presence commanding attention. She surveyed the living room with a quiet, observant air before locking her eyes on Branden. With graceful steps, she approached him.
“May I sit down?” she asked calmly.
Branden, momentarily distracted from his work, looked up. Catherine stood before him, dressed simply in a white T-shirt and fitted blue jeans that highlighted her long legs. Her cool, almost untouchable demeanor matched the sharpness in her eyes. She exuded a kind of intensity that was impossible to ignore.
Branden’s gaze softened slightly as he gestured for her to take a seat.
Catherine wasted no time with small talk. Without ceremony, she laid a document on Branden’s laptop. The words Engagement Agreement were printed clearly at the top. Her tone was matter-of-fact, devoid of emotion.
“Take a look at it. If you’re okay with it, sign your name on it.”
Branden skimmed the document with a raised brow. It wasn’t a proposal he had expected. Catherine had offered him a deal—20% of the Swann Corporation’s shares in exchange for a one-year engagement. The sheer boldness of the offer made Branden chuckle.
“You’re buying a marriage with 20% of the Swann Corporation?” he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes. “That’s generous.”
Catherine’s expression remained unchanged. “What if I disagree?” Branden asked, his voice taking on a darker, more intimidating edge.
Catherine didn’t flinch. “I’ll make you agree to it.” Her cold tone, filled with a quiet determination, sent a chill through the air.
Branden leaned back into the sofa, his eyes narrowing with intrigue. A small smile tugged at his lips as he studied her. “We’ll see.”
Without saying another word, Catherine stood up and left, her exit as composed as her entrance. Branden watched her leave, a playful glint in his eyes as if he were already anticipating the next move in this unusual game.
Triston returned downstairs after Catherine had left. His curiosity, however, was too much to resist. He reached out for the document on the table, only to be stopped by Branden flicking a toothpick in his direction. It landed squarely in the back of Triston’s hand.
“Ouch…” Triston yelped, pulling his hand back in reflex. He quickly remembered what Branden disliked most—curiosity could indeed be dangerous.
With a forced smile, Triston tried to make amends. “Mr. Duncan…”
Before he could finish, Branden stood and began heading upstairs, already packing up his things. “You may leave now,” Branden said, his voice clipped, leaving no room for further conversation.
Triston, still holding his wounded hand, stared at the spot where Branden had disappeared. His mind raced with questions. Why did things feel so strange all of a sudden? Branden, a man who had long ignored the attentions of the top socialites of Casier, was now intrigued by Catherine Swann, the girl from the countryside. It was an unexpected turn of events. Was there something more to her than met the eye? Triston couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot more complicated.