Chapter 101


    It took a while for everyone to get over their shock, and when Mr. Barlow did, he immediately stood to


    his feet and said, “I''m sorry. Those words were said out of ignorance.”


    Without mentioning a word to him, Mr. Ford looked at Catherine and calmly intoned, “I called your


    office, and you weren''t there. Since what I have to say is important, I decided to stop by. I hope it''s not


    a problem.”


    Waking from her shock, Catherine slightly shook her head and uttered, “Of course not.”


    When Mrs. Barlow snapped back to reality, she stared at the maid and said, “What are you standing


    around here for! Tell everyone in the kitchen that we have an extremely important guest and they


    should prepare a few more dishes.”


    Afterward, she looked at Mr. Ford and gently intoned, “I hope you can grace this family by having


    dinner with us.”


    Swaying his focus off Madam Rosey, Mr. Ford stared at Rome, and even though he shook his head to


    signal his father not to stay, Mr. Ford replied, “Of course.”


    Then he walked over to the table, pulled himself a chair, and sat down.


    It was quiet for a while. Then Catherine softly smiled and calmly asked, “What do you have to tell me?”


    Her questions drew everyone''s attention to Mr. Ford, except Rome since he was trying to make less


    interaction with his father to avoid any awkwardness.


    “There''s an international conference being held here, and I was hoping you could attend with me.” Mr.


    Ford said, eyeing his son.


    Excitement immediately glowed in Mr. Barlow’s eyes because he knew that his granddaughter had just


    gotten invited to one of the most prestigious conferences that happen once in three years.


    Feeling honor and confused at the same time, Catherine unintentionally mumbled, “Why me?”


    The happiness in Mr. Barlow''s eyes shifted to anger because he expected Catherine to agree without


    any hesitation.


    “I have seen how hardworking and dedicated you are to your job, and I admire youngsters who have


    passions for what they do. This conference will do me no good since I''m already at the top.” Mr. Ford


    said, focusing on Catherine.


    Then he smiled at her and said, “But if you attend, it might help to expand yourwork in the business


    world if you interact with the right people, and you might just get your name out there if you get involved


    in the right conversation.”


    Glowing with joy, Catherine reached for Rome''s hand, entangled her fingers with his, and squeezed his


    hand as she tried not to scream.


    Finally, Rome lifted his head and slightly smiled at his father before focusing on Catherine''s gentle


    eyes.


    As she looked solely at him, her smile widened, and she silently giggled.


    ‘Now that''s pure love right there. I''m proud of you, son. You chose the right one.’ Mr. Ford thought with


    his gaze on Catherine and Rome.


    Feeling impatient and fed-up with his granddaughter''s silence, Mr. Barlow said, “Of course, Mr. Ford.


    Catherine will be honor to go to this conference.”


    As anger clouded his eyes, Mr. Ford stared at him and said, “I don''t remember your name being,


    ‘Catherine.”


    A look of embarrassment crossed Mr. Barlow’s face as he awkwardly smiled and mumbled, “Of course


    not. I apologize for meddling in something that doesn''t involve me.”


    Narrowing his eyes at him, Mr. Ford frowned. Then he focused back on Catherine and Rome, and his


    frown shifted to a smile.


    Noticing the change in Mr. Ford''s expression, Mr. Barlow thought, ‘The only Barlow Mr. Ford does care


    about is Catherine, and it seems like he has taken a liking to her work.’


    Then he stared at his granddaughter and thought, ‘If you have grabbed Mr. Ford''s attention, it''s worth


    more than you marrying a wealthy man because you can bring way more glory to this family with just a


    word from him.’


    Noticing the way his grandfather was staring at Catherine, Charles felt his anger rising.


    But he kept it in because he knew his grandfather would not take lightly to anyone who ruin the family


    image before Mr. Ford, and he wasn''t the only one who felt that way.


    With his gaze on his father, William could feel his hope of Charles bing the family top inheritor


    slowly fading.


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    Although Anthony was d to see the look of despair in Charles’ eye, he too hated the fact that


    Catherine was effortlesslying back to the spotlight.


    The person who hated what was happening more than anyone else was Jeff, but not even he had the


    guts to say something in Mr. Ford''s presence.


    After getting over her excitement, Catherine looked at Mr. Ford and said, “It will be my honor to


    apanying you to the conference.”


    “Good. I look forward to next week then.” Mr. Ford said, smiling at her before swaying his gaze to


    Rome.


    At that moment, the maids entered the room, and one after the other, the set tes of food before Mr.


    Ford.


    Staring at the dishes, Rome shook his head, knowing that that would be the same manner they would


    treat him if they only knew who he was and it made him feel even more disgusted with them.


    Dinner was peaceful, and no one other than Mr. Ford and Catherine spoke since he kept making small


    conversation with her.


    A few minutester, when Mr. Ford gazed at his watch and saw that it was ten o''clock, he gentlyid


    down his fork along with the knife, stood to his feet, and said, “I should take my leave.”


    Then he gazed at Catherine and sincerely uttered, “Thank you for the work you have done so far on my


    project, and out of gratitude, if you ever need my help, don''t feel shy to ask.”


    “I understand, and thank you too,” Catherine said, feeling like she was dreaming since she felt like the


    moment was too wonderful to be reality.


    Staring away from Catherine, Mr. Ford nced at Rome. Then he walked away from the table and left


    the dining room with his bodyguards following closely behind him.


    No one spoke for a while. Then Mr. Barlow stared at Catherine, smiled, and said, “You were right.”


    Feeling confused, Catherine gazed at him and asked, “About what?”


    “Your work should speak for you and not who you are with. That''s why I''m revoking my remark from this


    morning.”


    “What?”


    A sense of shock overcame Madam Rosey as she stared wide-eyed at her husband since it was very


    rare of him to go back on his words.


    “You must be kidding me!” Jeff shouted, standing to his feet.


    “Sit down!” Mr. Barlowshed out.


    “She gets a p on the wrist for her misdeeds, while we remain punished!”


    “You burned a warehouse worth millions of dors, and she p someone in the face. Do you think I''m


    being unfair here!”


    Unable to answer his grandfather''s question, Jeff stormed out of the dining hall.


    Suppressing his anger, Anthony calmly said, “Father, I think what my son is trying to say is that,


    Catherine didn''t just p anyone. She hitdy Estelle, the fourth richest person in the country…”


    “And she just got invited to a conference with the first wealthiest man in the country.”


    “But father…”


    “Catherine had redeemed herself and has proving herself to bepetent, time in and time out. It''s


    time she gets the credit she deserves.”


    Finally realizing that his father''s mind was made up, Anthony stared at Madam Rosey, but she had


    nothing to say.


    With a smile on his face, Mr. Barlow stared at his granddaughter and said, “Your name is back on the


    inheritance list.”


    Then he stood to his feet and firmly stated, “I feel like I''m close to being ready to announce the family


    top inheritor. So I want all things positive from the three of you from now on.”