Just as lunch was about to end, Catherine’s phone rang. She picked it up, glanced at the screen—and her brows imdiately knit together, tightly and deeply.
Bert noticed the change in her expression at once.
"Who’s calling?"
Catherine didn’t even want to ntion that person’s na. She simply turned the phone toward Bert, a trace of irritation between her delicate brows.
It was Channing.
She didn’t need to think to know why he was calling—of course it was because of Lucca, coming to plead.
The night before, following Bert’s instructions, Catherine had turned off her phone before going to bed, which allowed her to sleep soundly without interruption. When she turned it back on that morning, she saw several missed calls from Channing.
She had guessed imdiately that it must have been about Lucca—or that he wanted sothing from her. Otherwise, Channing would never call her. So she chose to ignore those calls.
She hadn’t expected him to try again now.
After seeing the caller ID, Bert spoke calmly, "Answer it. Put it on speaker."
Since Bert had said so, Catherine answered the call, turned on speakerphone, and placed the phone aside.
Channing’s anxious voice ca through the speaker.
"Cici, I’m downstairs at your company right now. Could you co down for a mont so we can talk?"
Catherine’s voice was cold.
"What do you want?"
Channing sighed.
"You must have seen what happened with your sister’s plagiarism. Your father was wondering if you could say a good word to Bert on her behalf—ask him to let your sister go. If this keeps escalating, her future will be completely ruined."
He kept saying your sister, your sister. In the past, he had never referred to Lucca that way in front of Catherine—it was always "Lucca this" and "Lucca that." Now he was suddenly trying to act close.
And ruined her future?
Two years ago, when Catherine herself had been exposed to sothing so disgraceful that it could have destroyed her entire life—where had he been then?
But Catherine already knew exactly what kind of person Channing was. Things like this no longer made her angry or resentful. She had been hurt too deeply, to the point of numbness.
So she simply let out a cold laugh and replied,
"How do you know this was his doing? Or is it that you already knew what Lucca had done to offend him?"
After all, Channing clearly knew what Lucca had tried to do to her the night before—yet now he said nothing at all about Lucca’s actions.
Channing was completely choked by that question and couldn’t say a word for a long while.
At that mont, Bert spoke up, his tone carrying a hint of magnanimity.
"President Channing, I’m having lunch with Cici right now. You can co up."
"R-really?"
Hearing Bert’s voice on the other end, Channing was instantly shocked and delighted. And when Bert said he could co up to talk, Channing was so excited he nearly lost his sense of direction.
Even aside from Lucca’s situation, he had wanted to see Bert to discuss the remaining four million. He had tried to make appointnts several tis before, only to be told by Bert’s assistant that Bert was busy and unavailable. He never imagined he’d get the chance like this.
How could he not be thrilled?
Bert replied readily,
"Of course. Whatever you want to say, we can talk after you co up."
After saying that, Bert gestured for Catherine to hang up. Then he took out his own phone and instructed his assistant,
"Later, when Channing cos up, tell him we’re still eating lunch. Make him wait outside—at least half an hour."
Hearing this, Catherine couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
He really knew how to tornt people.
The more Channing wanted to see him, the more Bert made him wait—dragging it out, making him suffer.
After giving his instructions, Bert glanced at Catherine, continued eating gracefully, and asked casually,
"What are you laughing at?"
Catherine didn’t bother to hide what she was thinking. Smiling, she answered honestly,
"I’m laughing because you’re really quite wicked."
Bert raised an eyebrow, a faint smile glimring in his eyes.
"And you still chose to be with ?"
Catherine held her bowl, smiling up at him.
"As long as you’re not bad to , that’s all that matters."
Yes—no matter how ruthless he might be in others’ eyes, no matter how demanding he was with the rest of the world, what did that have to do with her? She didn’t care at all. Because to her, he was wholeheartedly doting and loving.
That was enough.
More than enough to support her being in love with him—to walk this road with him for a lifeti, without regret and without hesitation.
Bert was clearly pleased with her answer. He then reminded her gently,
"Keep eating."
In truth, they were almost done. Catherine really couldn’t eat much more; she took a few bites and then put down her chopsticks.
Bert finished shortly after. Only a few minutes had passed, yet he had instructed his assistant to make Channing wait for half an hour. As for how to spend the remaining ti...
For Catherine, this was actually the first ti she had been alone with Bert like this as his girlfriend. While they were eating, there had been sothing to occupy them, so she hadn’t felt awkward. Now that the al was over, however, she suddenly felt a little restless.
Were they supposed to just sit there, staring at each other?
Then she rembered—hadn’t he said earlier that he still had work to finish? Just as she was about to suggest he go back to work, he looked up at her.
"Bored?"
Catherine nodded.
"Yeah..."
She really was bored—and a little uneasy, with her heart beating faster for no reason.
He leaned back against the sofa behind him and gave her a simple command.
"Co here."
She looked puzzled.
"What for?"
She asked the question, but still stood up and walked over.
The next second, he caught her hand and tugged lightly. She fell straight onto his lap. His strong hand fastened around her waist, holding her there. When he looked at her again, his gaze had grown dark and heated.
"We can do sothing that isn’t boring."
Before she could react, he lowered his head and captured her lips. Catherine hadn’t expected him to be so calculating—by the ti she tried to pull away, it was already impossible. He held her tightly, leaving her no choice but to submit to his lingering, fervent kiss.
As the kiss deepened and desire stirred, he naturally wanted more. His hand remained at her waist, his thumb brushing—intentionally or not—against her smooth skin. Catherine felt weak all over, as though her entire body had lted.
She didn’t know how long it took before he finally let her go. Catherine lowered her eyes to look at her clothes, her face instantly flushing even redder.
It had only been a kiss—how had things ended up like this?
Flustered, she hurriedly stood up, straightening her clothes, and protested indignantly,
"You—you stay away from !"
Bert obligingly shifted a little farther down the sofa. The smile in his eyes was deep and intense, almost devouring.
"I really should keep my distance," he said calmly. "Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what might happen next."
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