Chapter 522 The Chair
It wasn’t until the moment they got off the plane that Audrey dared to approach.
“Kathy, I’ve booked a hotel. Shall we go together?”
Catherine was starting school tomorrow. Audrey knew Catherine didn’t like waking up early, so she had come a day early to accompany Catherine and booked a hotel to stay for the day, which was quite considerate.
Catherine glanced at the man beside her and thought he might also have plans.
Sure enough, when Catherine looked over, Branden revealed his plans.
“Let’s stay at my place!”
Catherine didn’t object. For her, it didn’t matter where she stayed. The main thing was to consider Audrey’s preferences.
“Stay at your place?” Audrey looked at Branden with surprise. “Mr. Duncan, have you bought a house in Loxton?”
Kim, who was standing nearby, wished he could dig a hole and bury the somewhat clueless Audrey.
Branden was the heir of the Duncans and the Duncan Corporation. If he didn’t have a house in Loxton, it would be unusual.
“Yes,” Branden replied curtly out of politeness.
Audrey thought for a moment. Staying in a hotel was only temporary, and if Branden had a place in Loxton, Catherine might stay there in the future. It made sense to check it out now.
“Staying at a home is comfortable, and hotels lack privacy.”
Catherine didn’t think as much as Audrey did. She was fine with staying anywhere.
“Let’s go!” She casually said, and the others followed her as they left the airport. Paxton had arranged for a vehicle in advance, so they got in the car directly.
Audrey initially thought Branden’s house would be in one of the top affluent areas of Loxton, but she was surprised to find it was right next to Styre University.
Although this area was all residential, the price per square foot was relatively high. But considering Branden’s status, it seemed somewhat inadequate.
Catherine also noticed the location of the house and raised an eyebrow. She looked at Branden and asked, “Did you just buy this?”
“It’s convenient.”
Branden nodded in agreement.
The reason he chose this location for the house was mainly because of Catherine. Styre University had a rule that required all students to live on campus until their third year.
Considering that, to make it easier to meet Catherine, Branden chose a location right next to Styre University.
Inside the house, Catherine noticed that the decorations and furnishings were almost identical to the apartment in Casier. It gave her the impression that Branden had simply moved his apartment to Loxton.
This saved her the trouble of adapting to a new place. She didn’t like new things. Keeping things as they were like this suited her best.
Seeing the satisfaction in Catherine’s eyes, Branden slightly smiled. Audrey also noticed Branden’s consideration for Catherine. She finally put her mind at ease.
Even though Catherine was exceptional, she met a big shot like Branden. It made Audrey somewhat uneasy.
However, judging by Branden’s treatment of her sister, Audrey’s worries seemed unnecessary.
After settling in, Audrey originally suggested going out for dinner.
However, that plan fell through as the house was already stocked with food, and Branden had personally prepared a few dishes that Catherine loved.
Kim watched Catherine’s disappointed expression and tried to hold back a smile as he teasingly said, “I suggest you take it easy and give up on your ambitions. Mr. Duncan has already prepared everything perfectly.”
Although Audrey wasn’t happy about it, she knew Kim was speaking the truth.
“Fine. I’ll just play dead,” she said.
Then she imitated Catherine and flopped her entire body onto the sofa chair.
The plush chair made her exclaim in surprise.
“Kathy, no wonder you like lying down and playing on your phone like this. It’s so comfortable. This sofa chair is perfect!”
Catherine gave her a faint look. Then she lowered her head and continued to focus on her game.
Audrey tried the chair and then asked Paxton, “You just bought this chair, right? How much does it cost? I want to get one too.”
Paxton, who was Branden’s personal assistant, had prepared all these purchases.
After hearing Audrey’s inquiry, he answered politely.
“Miss Swann, if you need one, I can arrange for it to be delivered to your door. Just let me know when, and I’ll take care of it.”
Audrey was the sister of Branden’s future wife. Paxton couldn’t afford to be neglectful.
Audrey declined his offer and said, ” Never mind. Just tell me how to buy it.” She knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch.
“Oh. I forgot to ask you. How much does this chair cost?”
Paxton, seeing her insistence and unable to refuse her, responded honestly.
“Miss Swann, this chair was custom- made in Itasca, and its current market value is approximately one million dollars in Eskanese currency.”
“What?” Audrey was stunned and fell from the chair. She looked at Paxton in amazement. “One million dollars for this chair?”
Paxton nodded. He had only mentioned the market price of the chair.
He didn’t mention to Audrey that to purchase this chair, one must spend a certain amount at the brand’s boutique, which was under the top furniture designer’s label, to be eligible to buy these personally designed pieces of furniture.
In reality, the chair was much more expensive than its listed price.
Audrey swallowed hard and mumbled. ” Never mind. I don’t deserve this chair.”
Catherine, who had been playing a game, overheard the conversation. Catherine looked at the man who was preparing food in the kitchen.
He was handling everything with great care and elegance. Perhaps Branden sensed Catherine’s gaze. He looked up at her when she glanced over.
Their eyes met, and Branden raised an eyebrow. He silently asked the purpose of Catherine’s sudden gaze.
Catherine’s lips curled slightly, and her beautiful eyes narrowed as she stared at Branden. She pointed at him and then pointed at the sofa she was sitting on with her fair finger.
“Give me cash next time!”
Since the launch of the Arbotte Laboratory’s new project, her money had been spent faster than it could be earned.
Catherine was broke. While the sofa was nice, one million dollars in cash was even better.
Hearing Catherine’s words, Branden smiled.
“Already spent it all so quickly?”
Catherine knew Branden was referring to the profits she had made in Ravenloth. She had earned a substantial sum in Ravenloth and even obtained a gold mine.
The funds had been transferred directly to the Arbotte Laboratory, and it had all been spent within a week.
As for the gold mine, it took time to extract and convert it into money. Altogether, Catherine was currently in dire straits.
Bringing up money, Catherine recalled a previous incident. She stared at Branden with her cold eyes. Her voice was cold and low, with a hint of an enticing tone.
“I’ve heard you have quite a bit of private wealth.”
