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As Catherine walked through the classroom, she could feel the weight of her classmates’ eyes on her. The murmurs and whispers didn’t go unnoticed, especially with the sudden change in Bryan’s behavior. It wasn’t like him to ignore her, and it was hard to miss the tension in the room. Her classmates’ gossip only added to the atmosphere, and she could feel the subtle shift in how they viewed her now.
Catherine wasn’t fazed by the chatter, though. She knew how people could be, especially when they didn’t understand the full picture. Her focus remained on the task at hand, not the small talk or the ridiculous assumptions they made about her position at the Swann Corporation. She could already guess how Liana felt about her chairmanship—Liana had always seen Catherine as a rival, and that would never change.
However, Catherine did take note of Bryan’s unusual behavior. She had seen how he looked up to her, almost like a younger brother admiring an older sibling. But now, there was a shift in his attitude. When he hesitated to address her and eventually called out to her with that question, it was clear something had changed.
Catherine knew it wasn’t about her. Bryan had simply come to terms with the fact that his uncle, Branden, and Catherine were more than just casual acquaintances—they were becoming something much more significant. She had expected this awkwardness to arise, and while she understood it, it didn’t bother her.
When Bryan hesitantly asked if he could still call her “Boss,” Catherine’s response was swift and sharp. It was an answer that ended any doubt in his mind. The tension between them evaporated, and Catherine left the room with a light step. She could hear Bryan shouting after her, but she didn’t turn back. His words were harmless, and Catherine had more important things on her mind than indulging in any more of the drama that surrounded her.
She felt a slight smile tug at the corner of her mouth as she walked down the hall. The day had been a mix of frustrating encounters and unexpected moments, but as she stepped out of the school and into the fresh air, Catherine couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. The classroom had been filled with questions she wasn’t ready to answer, but the street outside felt like a place where she could finally breathe again.
At that moment, Bryan’s voice calling out in his usual dramatic fashion seemed distant—almost amusing. Catherine didn’t need to worry about what others thought of her. Her path was already set, and no one could derail it.
As she reached the gate, she spotted Branden’s car waiting for her. He was there, as always, like a steady presence in her chaotic world. She gave him a quick nod and climbed into the car, feeling the comfort of his silent support without needing words.
Branden didn’t ask about what had just happened at school; he knew better than to pry when Catherine wasn’t ready to talk. Instead, he just gave her a small smile as the car began to drive away, the sound of the engine humming softly as they moved into the city’s bustling streets.
Catherine leaned back in her seat, her mind already working through the next set of challenges. The day ahead would bring more questions, more gossip, and certainly more surprises. But she was ready. The world outside might not understand her, but she had no intention of letting that stop her.