Chapter 183


    The Duncans and the Swanns formed an alliance through their marriage arranged by Vicente. Sitting in


    the front, Tristonughed happily, saying, “Ha, Mr. Duncan, you’re doing a great job being so respectful


    to the elders. Well done, you can be considered a role model for us young people. I will learn from


    you!”


    Branden kicked the back of the front seat with a handsome gesture. Triston immediately apologized,


    “My bad. I’ll shut up. I shouldn’t have spoken.”


    After they finished their quarrel, Catherine repliedzily, “No need.” She added, “Besides, I haven’t


    even met her either. It might be even more awkward if youe along.”


    With a simple exnation, everything became clear.


    Branden instantly understood the situation. Catherine had been abandoned in the countryside since


    she was a child. She was only called back when she turned eighteen. She had little contact with the


    Swanns, let alone the Langs.


    Since Catherine considered the birthday person unimportant, Branden naturally had no reason to meet


    her.


    The next evening, after Catherine finished school, Liana, who always kept her distance from Catherine


    and didn’t want to have any rtionship with her, suddenly blocked her way.


    Catherine stopped and casually put her hands in her pockets,zily looking at Liana. Before Catherine


    could speak, Liana hurriedly stated her purpose.


    “Catherine, did Dad tell you Grandma is celebrating her birthday tonight? You must attend, you know?”


    A hint of impatience shed across Catherine’s face. Korbin had called her during lunch break, and she


    had already agreed. She didn’t expect Liana to repeat it.


    It seemed that these people were afraid that she wouldn’t go. Why did they need to emphasize it over


    and over again?


    Catherine didn’t bother to respond, her gaze slightly darkened as she stared at Liana. Perhaps sensing


    Catherine’s displeasure, Liana softened her attitude, and her voice became gentler.


    “Catherine, our family’s car is here to pick me up, right at the entrance. Since we’re going to the same


    ce, I can give you a ride!”


    It was natural for Catherine, as the second daughter of the Swanns, to ride in the Swanns’ car driven


    by the Swanns’ driver. However, Liana’s tone made Catherine feel like she was being given a favor.


    Ronin, who was standing aside, couldn’t stand it anymore. He pointed at Liana’s nose and cursed,


    “What the hell? How expensive is your family’s car? What kind of background does it have? And you’re


    offering to give my boss a ride? How audacious do you have to be to say such shameless words? My


    boss doesn’t need your car. With just one phone call, I can have a row of globally limited-edition cars


    wait for her!”


    Ronin’s words were impolite enough, and his expression showed clear disdain towards Liana.


    “Don’t embarrass yourself. I advise you to go back home right now, dumbass!”


    he continued.


    “Ronin, you goddamn little…” Liana’s face twisted in anger as she red at Ronin.


    But Ronin wasn’t buying into her act. He was even more aggressive than her. “So what? Aren’t you a


    princess? Are you ready to fight me? Fine, let’s do


    this. I’ll tear off your hypocritical mask and let everyone see. How dare you act so arrogant in front of


    me? I can tear you to pieces and humiliate you


    whenever I want! You think you’re a tough fighter because you know a little martial arts? Your tricks are


    only suitable for dealing with someone like Elena!”


    When Elena was mentioned, Liana’s face instantly turned pale. She didn’t know what Ronin knew


    precisely, but she knew that if she continued to argue, she would be the one to lose out.


    Frustrated, Liana stomped her foot and yelled at Catherine in a pitiful tone,” Well, kindness goes


    unappreciated. Catherine, I just wanted to offer you a ride, but if you don’t appreciate it, then fine, don’t


    take it.” After saying that, she left in a huff.


    Watching her retreating figure, Ronin cursed in confusion, “Boss, this hypocrite woman stomped her


    foot before leaving. It’s infuriating. Next time, I’ll make her regret it.”


    Catherine, bored, looked out the window at the falling leaves, listening to Ronin’sints, her mind


    drifting away. Ronin could easily defeat Liana without Catherine’s help.


    After venting for a while, Ronin finally stopped and then asked Catherine seriously, “Boss, are you


    really going to that boring birthday banquet today?”


    Catherine adjusted the backpack by her side, casually slung it over her shoulder, pulled out a hat and


    put it on, and nodded absentmindedly.


    Seeing that she was determined to go, Ronin quickly eximed. “Then I’ll go with you!”


    Catherine lowered her head, nced at him, and said in a low, deep voice, ” Why are you going with


    me?”


    “To serve you, of course!” Ronin said as if it was something natural. In his opinion, the Swanns and the


    Langs were not good people. Although Catherine had a high IQ, she might still be at a disadvantage in


    dealing with social matters. Ronin wanted to go to take care of her and help out.


    Catherine stepped forward, bypassing Ronin, and casually patted his shoulder, whispering, “No need,


    all you need to do is study hard and prepare for the SAT!”


    Ronin was speechless. “Are you serious, Boss?” he asked inwardly. ” The SAT?”


    He wondered if Catherine had forgotten that he graduated early from Starford University at fourteen.


    When Ronin snapped out of his daze, he couldn’t find any trace of Catherine.


    Catherine walked towards the school gate, ready to pick up her motorcycle, but she saw a red Beetle


    slowly approaching in the distance, heading towards the school gate.


    She stopped in her tracks, waiting eagerly for the red Beetle toe closer until it stopped by her feet.


    After the car stopped, the window immediately rolled down.


    Audrey, with a big smile on her face, looked at Catherine. Her voice was slightly louder, sounding


    somewhat excited.


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    “Kathy, luckily, I rushed here just in time after your school ended. I didn’t expect to run into you like


    this.”


    Audrey’s appearance made Catherine’s face lose its usual indifference and gain a hint of coldness.


    However, Audrey didn’t notice it and was still immersed in her own world, incessantly chattering to


    Catherine, You have no idea how congested the road was. I was so worried that you couldn’t catch a


    ride. You’ll have to take a taxi. The weather has been changing drasticallytely, and it gets so cold at


    night. It’s also windy. If you stand by the roadside, you’ll definitely catch a cold! But luckily, I arrived just


    in time, right?”


    Audrey looked up at Catherine with a happy smile, her eyes shining like stars. Catherine’s face


    returned to its usual indifference, and her voice sounded emotionless. “You rushed here to pick me up


    because you worried I wouldn’t catch a ride and get cold?”


    “Yes!” Audrey answered without any hesitation. “What’s wrong? You seem a bit off.”


    Catherine curled her lips into a faint smile, trying to appear as calm as possible. “Nothing!” she said


    and then opened the car door to get in.