Chapter 280 She Has Returned
Liana looked in shock towards the direction of the door, unable to believe what she was seeing. “How is this possible?” she shrieked in her heart. “Why does Catherine appear here unharmed?”
Before Liana could fully comprehend the situation, their eyes met. Liana felt a suffocating sensation as if two invisible hands were choking her, making it difficult for her to breathe.
Liana couldn’t bear to meet Catherine’s gaze and cautiously lowered her head, avoiding eye contact. Catherine continued to observe Liana, taking note of her every move.
Seeing Liana’s guilty and timid behavior, Catherine smirked and walked straight into the house. Audrey approached Catherine, her eyes filled with concern. “Kathy, what’s going on? Why are you so late?”
Before Catherine could respond, a cold and elderly voice came from behind Audrey. “Well, I’ve never seen someone as arrogant as you, Catherine. You like to keep us waiting, huh?”
It was Donna, her face serious and full of disapproval towards Catherine. Audrey was taken aback, knowing that her grandmother was blaming Catherine for being late. She wanted to explain on Catherine’s behalf. Just then, Rachael entered the room.
As soon as Rachael saw Catherine standing in the living room, her face darkened. It seemed that she was shocked and surprised by Catherine’s presence.
“You… You’re…” Rachael stammered. Hearing this, everyone turned their heads. Audrey, at the moment, also found Rachael’s astonishment strange.
The calmest person in the room was Catherine herself. A sinister and eerie smile appeared on her face, making it difficult for one to meet her gaze.
Catherine took a step forward, protecting Audrey, and stared directly at Rachael. “My mom asked me to come. Anything wrong? Well… Could it be…”
Rachael immediately realized what Catherine meant and quickly regained her composure. She calmly looked at Catherine. In a somewhat urgent tone, she said, “You’re right. I did ask you to come. Liana arrived early, so I found it strange that you were so late.”
Catherine coldly surveyed Rachael. There was no need to guess who was plotting against her based on Rachael’s guilty reactions. It seemed that Liana might not be the mastermind but rather Korbin. Otherwise, Rachael wouldn’t have reacted like this.
However, Rachael looked quite composed. Catherine didn’t expect Rachael to throw a question back at her so quickly.
After Rachael finished speaking, Donna immediately answered her question.” Maybe she was playing around, and it delayed her arrival. How could she make us all wait for her? It’s so rude!”
Audrey looked worriedly at Catherine, not expecting Donna to scold Catherine in front of everyone. She watched Catherine cautiously, afraid that Catherine might throw a fit.
Facing these accusations, Catherine looked expressionlessly at Rachael. “I had an accident on the way here. The driver’s car broke down, so I took a taxi myself.”
Upon hearing Catherine’s explanation, Rachael suddenly understood. She hadn’t expected Catherine to be so lucky to escape unscathed. It seemed that she couldn’t get rid of Catherine for a while.
Donna, displeased with Catherine’s explanation, felt that Catherine was just making excuses. “How dare you…”
Before Donna could voice her reproach, Rachael interrupted, “Mom, let it go. She didn’t do it on purpose. Let’s go have some coffee. Forget about these impolite girls!”
Donna was then forcefully pulled into the back hall by Rachael. Seeing Rachael and Donna leave, Liana quickly followed. “Mommy, I’ll go too!”
Audrey and Catherine were left alone. Audrey seemed to be in a good mood, smiling at Catherine.
“Kathy, you see, Mom still cares about you. When Grandma scolded you, she immediately took her away to protect you!”
Looking at Audrey’s satisfied smile, Catherine snorted. Her voice was extremely cold as she asked, “Is that so?”
Audrey hesitated to respond. For no reason, she felt that Catherine’s attitude was cold, different from usual. Could it be that this situation wasn’t what Audrey had imagined?
Audrey wanted to ask again, but Catherine turned and walked out of the hall. “I need some fresh air!”
Just as Catherine stepped out of the door, her phone vibrated. She reached into her pocket and took out her phone, glancing at the caller ID before putting it to her ear.
A man’s elegant and deep voice came slowly. “Where are you?”
“At the Langs’.”
Catherine’s response sounded somewhat cold. Having long grown accustomed to her personality, Branden didn’t mind. It was not an easy task to make her willing to answer the phone, so why force anything else? As long as she was happy, she could treat him the way she liked.
“It’s about Johnathan. It wasn’t an accident.”
Catherine leaned against the wall, propping herself with one foot in a languid posture. Her eyes gazed into the vast darkness ahead, something profound flashing across her face.
“Do you know who was behind it?” she asked.
“Not certain yet, but it seems to be an inside job,” came the response. “The person was very meticulous and cleaned up all the traces. Only someone close to Johnathan could have done it so perfectly.”
Catherine nodded, finally understanding why Korbin suddenly turned against her and why Rachael accused her so vehemently in the hospital. It turned out that this couple had pinned Johnathan’s troubles on her.
“How ridiculous!” Catherine teased inwardly. “They’re truly overestimating themselves.”
After a long silence, Branden couldn’t help but initiate a conversation.
“How was your day today?”
“Nothing special.” Catherine’s voice was cold, suggesting that she didn’t want to talk much. Knowing her attitude, Branden didn’t intend to say much either. If she didn’t want to say much, then so be it.
“What time can you leave? Do you need me to pick you up?”
“I’ll let you know later,” Catherine replied. Without waiting for his response, she hung up the phone.
She never liked talking on the phone, so a conversation this long was a rare Occurrence, After being out for a while, Catherine put away her phone and prepared to go back. But as she turned around, she saw a tall figure standing behind her.
With a calm expression and a cold, piercing gaze, she asked, “Are you looking for me?”
