Chapter 364
Catherine lay naked on the cold carpet, completely broken. Both men she had loved had abandoned her without hesitation.
In this moment, she finally understood a brutal truth: for men, self–interest always trumped sentiment. Love was merely a convenient fiction.
Oliver’s thirty slaps–not one fewer than required–still burned across her face.
For years, she had loved him desperately, even stealing from the Harding family to fund his business ventures. And what had it earned her?
Curled up on the icy carpet, Catherine touched her swollen face, now so puffy she could barely see through her eyes.
A wave of grief suddenly overwhelmed her. She began to sob, weeping for nearly an hour before finally dragging herself up, finding some clothes, and silently walking out of the hotel into the city streets.
Seven days after her disappearance, news spread that Oliver had been stabbed.
The blade had pierced his abdomen, missing his heart by less than an inch.
No one knew who was responsible, but rumors circulated rapidly through New York’s elite circles.
In the Harding mansion, Grace knelt before her father, her face a mask of contrition.
“Dad, I know giving Mom the key was wrong,” she admitted, “but I told you immediately after I discovered she’d escaped. Doesn’t that count for something?” She paused before adding, “And I heard Oliver was injured by a woman. Do you think… could it have been Mom?”
The Harding household had been in constant turmoil lately, and Grace had matured considerably through it all. When Catherine had begged her for the key, Grace had immediately understood her mother’s intention to escape.
She was torn between filial duty and loyalty to the Harding name. Her solution had been to give Catherine the key, then immediately inform
Richard about it.
This decision had led to Oliver falling into Richard’s carefully orchestrated trap. Now, he sighed deeply as he pulled his kneeling daughter to
her feet.
“Get up,” he said wearily, “Given that no major scandal erupted, and considering your ultimate loyalty to the family, I’ll forgive you this once.”
“Then I’ll call Mom,” Grace said eagerly, and maybe find out if she knows anything about Oliver’s injury.”
Richard didn’t respond verbally, just waved his hand, signaling her to leave.
Grace rushed back to her room to call Catherine.
Meanwhile in Denver, Alexander was preparing to take Billy and me to an amusement park.
After several days of intense academic conferences, they needed to unwind.
Henry intercepted the three of us before we could leave. “Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded. “Why didn’t you consult with me first? Wherever you want to go, I’ll take you. No need to trouble Mr. Sanders.”
Alexander stood there, one hand casually tucked into his suit pocket, eyeing Henry with undisguised contempt.
“Sophia said she’s going out with me. What does that have to do with you?”
Henry refused to back down. “She’s my son’s mother. Of course she’s coming with me. Have you ever seen a child go out with some uncle who isn’t even related to him?”
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Chapter 364
Their argument escalated quickly, following us from the hotel room door all the way to the hotel entrance.
Billy and I exchanged exasperated looks as the two men continued their childish bickering. With Billy growing increasingly eager to start our fun day, I made a decision.
1 hailed the taxi I’d previously arranged and ushered Billy inside, leaving both men behind.
The taxi roared away, quickly disappearing into Denver’s busy streets.
Henry and Alexander stood dumbfounded, glaring at each other with mutual disgust.
“Pathetic!” Alexander spat.
“Disgusting!” Henry retorted.
They immediately turned away, standing back–to–back like feuding children.
Henry clenched his jaw, forcing himself to ask: “Did you catch the license plate?”
Alexander laughed loudly. “Why would I tell you? I’m going after Sophia now. You can stay here and entertain yourself.”
He promptly called his assistant to bring his car. Within minutes, a flashy yellow Lamborghini pulled up beside Alexander.
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