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Novel Catalog
The person who had snatched the bottle from Bryan was none other than Branden Duncan, the president of the Duncan Corporation, who had just entered the restaurant. His presence was enough to make the entire room go silent. With his tall stature, sharp features, and commanding aura, Branden immediately drew everyone’s attention, and the atmosphere shifted.
Branden didn’t seem to care that everyone was staring at him. His cold, calculating gaze was focused entirely on Catherine. His eyes softened slightly, though it was hard to tell if he was surprised or pleased to see her here.
Catherine looked up, and her usual cold demeanor didn’t change. She locked eyes with him for a brief moment before turning her attention back to her food. But there was a subtle recognition in her gaze, and for a moment, Branden’s cold exterior faltered. It was as if there was some unspoken connection between them that no one else could understand.
“You’re here,” Catherine said simply, her voice as composed as always.
Branden, however, remained silent for a moment. He held the bottle of beer in his hand, inspecting it for a second before finally setting it down in front of her. “I believe this belongs to you,” he said, his voice unexpectedly gentle but still with an air of authority.
Bryan and the rest of the group were still in shock. Triston had already texted Branden about Catherine being at the barbecue, but they never expected Branden to show up so suddenly. His sudden entrance and the way he interacted with Catherine made them realize there was more to their relationship than they had initially thought.
Bryan, still wide-eyed, couldn’t help but speak up, his voice breaking the silence. “Mr. Duncan… you—you’re with Boss?”
Branden glanced at him, giving a cold smile. “Not yet, but I’m working on it.” His tone, although casual, was filled with intent that sent a chill through the room. He then turned back to Catherine, as if his entire focus was on her.
David, still trying to process the situation, whispered to Bryan, “What… What is going on here? First the motorcycle, now Mr. Duncan showing up just for her? She’s got to be someone important.”
Bryan, who was still trying to make sense of it, finally nodded, his heart still racing. “Yeah, she’s definitely not who we thought she was.”
Meanwhile, Branden pulled out a chair and sat next to Catherine, almost as if it were the most natural thing in the world. His presence was imposing, but Catherine, as always, didn’t flinch. She took a sip from the beer, and a faint smirk played on her lips.
“Are you joining us for dinner, Mr. Duncan?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Branden nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. “I might stay for a while,” he said. “As long as you don’t mind the company.”
Catherine’s eyes flickered with a hint of amusement, but she didn’t say anything further. It seemed that despite the surprise of everyone around them, she was completely unphased by Branden’s sudden appearance.
The group was left in stunned silence, unsure of how to behave. Bryan, recovering from the shock, finally looked at Catherine and then at Branden with a new sense of respect. They had underestimated her, and it seemed like they were about to witness just how high her status truly was.
The rest of the meal continued, but now the air around the table felt different. Catherine had just proven once again that she wasn’t someone to be trifled with, and Branden’s arrival only solidified her importance in ways they couldn’t yet understand.