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As Catherine stepped out of the car, all eyes were immediately drawn to her. Her effortless grace and natural beauty commanded attention, making even the most elegant surroundings seem secondary. Her simple white T-shirt, paired with her long, slender legs, looked almost ethereal, as if she were a part of the scenery itself. People couldn’t help but stare, momentarily lost in the radiance of her presence.
Branden, watching her with a knowing smile, was unfazed by the looks of admiration from those around them. He had already grown accustomed to Catherine’s charm, yet it still intrigued him every time he saw her. Unlike others who might have felt flattered or self-conscious under such attention, Catherine seemed entirely indifferent to the gaze of the crowd.
“Miss Swann,” Branden said with a slight chuckle, admiring how effortlessly she stole the spotlight, “you certainly make an impression wherever you go.”
Catherine raised an eyebrow, her lips curling slightly into a smile that held no warmth but a quiet acknowledgment of his words. “I don’t care for making impressions, Mr. Duncan. I simply do what needs to be done.”
She spoke with such poise and authority that it left little room for further conversation. Branden, however, found the way she carried herself both captivating and frustrating. She wasn’t like anyone he had encountered before. He could tell she was sharp, calculating, and yet her indifference to his presence made him all the more eager to understand her.
Inside the restaurant, the atmosphere shifted when they entered. The staff, who had been expecting Branden, now stood even straighter, their attention fully on the pair. However, when Branden led Catherine into the dining area, there was a palpable shift in their attention, a newfound respect for the woman who walked beside him.
Catherine didn’t acknowledge their gaze, her expression cool and composed as she followed Branden to a private table. She was here for a meal, not a performance, and that was the end of it.
Branden, of course, seemed eager to fill the silence. “I have to say, I’ve been impressed with how you’ve handled things so far, Catherine. The board of the Swann Corporation didn’t stand a chance against you. I didn’t expect you to make such an impact so quickly.”
Catherine barely looked up from the menu, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the paper. “I don’t need their approval, Mr. Duncan. I’ve already made my mark.” Her voice was as crisp as ever, cutting through the pretense and veering straight to the point.
Branden watched her, his lips curling into a knowing smile. “Indeed. I’ve no doubt that you’ll succeed. If you need any help with the Swann Corporation or anything else, you know where to find me.”
Catherine finally lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes cold yet calculating. “I’m not interested in favors, Branden. I can handle my own battles.”
Branden didn’t seem bothered by her dismissal. Instead, his smile widened, showing admiration and perhaps a hint of amusement. “I’m sure you can. But even the strongest might benefit from a little help every now and then.”
Catherine’s lips tightened ever so slightly, a sign that she was contemplating his words. Yet, it was clear that her independence was non-negotiable.
As their meals were served, the air between them remained charged, but not with hostility—more with an unspoken understanding that both of them were playing a delicate game. Neither was ready to give the other any ground just yet, but there was an undeniable respect in their silence, an acknowledgment of the challenge that lay ahead.
In that moment, Catherine’s mind was already several steps ahead. She wasn’t here to simply win; she was here to redefine the rules. Branden might be a powerful ally, but she wasn’t someone who could be easily swayed or manipulated. What she wanted from him—if anything—was far more than just assistance; she was calculating her next move, as always, in a world where every interaction held meaning.
As the meal progressed, neither of them spoke much, both lost in their own thoughts, yet keenly aware of the other’s presence. The unspoken tension between them was the kind that only existed between two individuals who knew their worth and were unwilling to compromise on their ambitions.