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Triston’s eyes widened as he tried to make sense of Branden’s sudden and unexpected response. The cold, calculated way Branden had spoken was enough to make anyone reconsider any further questions. But Triston’s curiosity couldn’t be fully suppressed, and he continued to probe Branden with an even sharper edge to his teasing tone.
“Mr. Duncan, I never expected you to be so… direct. You’ve got some nerve,” Triston said with a mix of amusement and disbelief.
Branden, however, didn’t seem fazed. His icy stare was enough to send a subtle chill through Triston’s spine. Triston quickly realized that pressing Branden further could result in consequences he wasn’t prepared for. He gave a reluctant smile and nodded, backing off.
“No more questions, of course,” Triston muttered, more to himself than Branden. He hadn’t realized that Branden’s influence went beyond just business acumen—he had a commanding presence that could make even the boldest hesitate.
Meanwhile, Audrey, still trying to process the entire exchange, caught up with Catherine as she headed out of the restaurant. Audrey’s mind was whirling with questions, but she didn’t dare to pry too much into Catherine’s business. She had already seen her sister’s coldness in action, but the way Catherine had interacted with Branden earlier had her feeling like there was much more beneath the surface.
“Kathy, where are you going?” Audrey called out in an almost panicked tone, not wanting to let her sister leave without more answers.
Catherine didn’t respond immediately. She was already walking towards the door when Audrey caught up, her quick steps matching her urgency. Without even looking back, Catherine simply said, “Back to school.”
Audrey’s eyes widened in surprise. “Back to school? But… the food?” she asked, clearly not expecting Catherine to leave so abruptly.
“I’m not hungry,” Catherine replied coolly, her voice steady and unwavering as she continued to walk away.
Audrey didn’t have time to argue. Catherine was already out the door, and she had no choice but to follow. She glanced back at the table where Triston and Branden were still seated, with Triston looking thoroughly confused. Audrey didn’t know how to make sense of the situation, but for now, she focused on her sister, who seemed intent on leaving.
Meanwhile, back at school, Catherine’s phone buzzed. She pulled it out to see Ronin’s name flashing across the screen. She answered the call, her tone neutral.
“Boss, are you really at school?” Ronin’s voice came through in a mix of disbelief and concern.
Catherine grunted lightly in response, not offering much else. She didn’t need to explain herself to Ronin. After all, it was his job to follow her lead, not the other way around.
Ronin, however, couldn’t hide his shock. “Boss, are you seriously back at school? After everything you’ve accomplished? Are you messing with me?”
Catherine didn’t give him an answer, but her thoughts quickly shifted to the topic at hand. Ronin had news to report.
“I’ve got a lead, Boss. The Blondie you told me about received a transfer of funds this morning from Liana’s account,” Ronin said, his voice lowering as he revealed the information.
Catherine’s gaze turned steely as she processed the revelation. Liana. The woman behind the attack earlier. It seemed everything was starting to piece together. Liana was making her move—though it didn’t phase Catherine in the slightest.
“I’ll handle it,” Catherine said calmly, though there was an underlying determination in her words. “Leave Liana to me.”
Ronin’s voice was filled with frustration as he continued, “Boss, should we take action now? We could teach Liana a lesson she won’t forget.”
Catherine shook her head slightly, though Ronin couldn’t see it. “No. I’ll deal with it myself. She won’t know what hit her when the time comes.”
As Catherine hung up, her mind was already working on a plan. She wasn’t worried about Liana’s interference. As long as she didn’t cross Catherine’s bottom line, she would be left alone—something Liana would soon learn the hard way. But there was another matter on her mind.
The conversation with Branden at the restaurant had left her with something to think about. It wasn’t just the fact that he’d spoken up about their engagement. No, it was the way he said it, as though it was a done deal. The idea didn’t sit right with Catherine, but there was no denying the tension between them. His coldness, his calculated demeanor—it reminded her of someone she knew well.
With a sly smile, Catherine muttered to herself, “If Branden can figure out my identity, he might just be more interesting than I thought.”
Back at the restaurant, Triston sat silently, still processing the events that had unfolded. His mind was racing with unanswered questions about Catherine, Branden, and the mysterious connection between the two. He couldn’t help but wonder what game Branden was playing—and whether Catherine was an unwilling player or the one pulling the strings. But one thing was for sure: the stakes were higher than he initially thought.
As he glanced at the table of untouched food, Triston sighed and muttered to himself, “What a mess. And yet, it’s the most interesting mess I’ve ever been a part of.”