CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 80- THANKFULLY

Catherine was badly shaken. For a moment, the emotion in his eyes made her think he might actually do something to her. After what happened two years ago, she still carried a shadow in her heart when it came to being intimate with a man—especially when it involved being forced.

Thankfully, he still had a shred of reason left and let her go.

Even so, she no longer dared to stay in that room. She didn’t even want to remain in the villa with him any longer.

She hurriedly got to her feet and rushed out, heading straight for the studio. She didn’t even bother with her design drafts—just stuffed her laptop into her bag and ran downstairs, out the door.

The moment she stepped outside, a cool male voice sounded behind her.

"Where are you going?"

Catherine jumped and turned around, only to see him standing under the eaves, smoking.

It was the first time she had ever seen him smoke. In her impression, there was never even a hint of cigarette smell on him—he clearly wasn’t someone who smoked often.

But now he stood there, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a cigarette between his fingers. His expression was unreadable—completely different from the man who had kissed her moments ago with dangerous intensity.

"I—I..."

Catherine tried to speak, but before she could finish, he cut her off.

"I apologize for what I did just now."

Catherine froze.

She hadn’t expected him to apologize. It didn’t undo the fact that he had crossed a line, but hearing it still eased something inside her.

"It won’t happen again."

He added this quietly, then crushed the cigarette, turned around, and went back inside.

"Go upstairs and work. When you finish the designs, I’ll drive you home."

Catherine hesitated for a moment. In the end, she chose to trust him one more time and followed him upstairs.

The entire afternoon, he was indeed gentlemanly and distant. They talked only about work.

Karl and Marylin’s love was passionate and brilliant, so Catherine designed their ring in the shape of a flame, using red gemstones to symbolize how their love burned bright—radiant and dazzling. Taking into account Karl’s preference for something not overly ornate, she kept the band simple.

Bert’s design for the gown was pure white—elegant and airy.

When the purest white met the blazing red gemstone ring, the combination was breathtaking.

Bert sent their drafts to Karl, who was delighted. He even said he wanted to treat them to dinner that evening. Bert simply handed the phone to Catherine, letting her handle Karl’s enthusiasm—he personally didn’t mind going at all.

"No need to thank us, mos. This is our duty as designers,"

Catherine said with a small laugh when Karl thanked them. Karl insisted on treating her and Bert to dinner, but Catherine gently declined.

"My mother just came home from surgery. I need to go back to take care of her, so I’m really sorry..."

Karl was a filial person—once he heard she needed to care for her mother, he couldn’t insist. Instead, he said he would treat her after his proposal succeeded and Marylin returned with him.

Since the design drafts were complete, Catherine’s overtime ended. Bert would handle the production, and as promised, he drove her home.

They didn’t speak on the way back. When the car stopped downstairs, Catherine said a quick goodbye and practically fled the vehicle. Only after rushing into the lobby did she feel the tight knot in her chest finally loosen.

She thought that it was best never to interact with Bert outside the company again. The man already carried an overwhelming aura—now that he had confessed to her, seeing him again would be unbearably awkward.

As Catherine walked upstairs, she could only hope that after being rejected, his bruised pride would make him quickly give up whatever feelings he had for her. She really couldn’t understand why a man so accomplished and outstanding would ever be interested in her.

By the time Catherine arrived home, it was nearly dinner. Renata had been about to start cooking, but Catherine stopped her. Since she was home, she certainly wouldn’t let Renata handle any of that.

Catherine cooked two simple dishes, and after she and Renata finished eating, she linked her arm with Renata’s and accompanied her downstairs for a walk. The doctor had advised Renata to exercise more—ideally an hour in the morning and another in the evening. In any case, keeping active would help her recovery.

After their walk, they each took a shower and got ready for bed. Renata went to sleep early, as older people often do, while Catherine typically read in bed for a while before turning in. Their life together was quiet and simple, and sometimes, Catherine thought that perhaps this wasn’t a bad way to live.

Once she lay down, Catherine reached for the book on her nightstand—and immediately remembered that these books were the ones she had borrowed from Bert. When she finished reading them, she would have to return them...

She sighed helplessly. She truly wished she could have no further connection with him, yet somehow, she kept getting tangled up with him. There were the books she needed to return, and the ring she designed for him—when it was finished in a few days, she would have to deliver it to him...

The next day was Sunday. Catherine originally planned to spend the whole day with Renata, but she received a call from Lilian.

Last time, when she went to Bert’s home to deliver the suit, she and Lilian had exchanged numbers. Lilian’s voice was bright and cheerful on the phone as she asked:

"Catherine, are you free today? Remember you said we could meet and talk about my thoughts on jewelry and accessories?"

To be honest, Catherine never expected Lilian to actually invite her. The evening with Morrison and Lilian at Bert’s house had been so pleasant and easy that, thinking back, it almost felt like a dream.

And now Lilian sounded so sincere that Catherine had no way to refuse. She replied,

"It’s Sunday, and I’m just resting at home... I don’t really have anything planned."

Lilian invited her enthusiastically:

"Then let’s meet up this afternoon and have a cup of coffee together?"

Catherine was not someone who was good at turning others down—and she genuinely liked Lilian as well—so she accepted the invitation. After they settled on a time and location, they hung up.

When Renata heard she was going out to have coffee with a friend, she was relieved. In her eyes, her daughter was far too introverted. All these years, the only friend she’d ever seen by Catherine’s side was Riley.

But Catherine always said she didn’t need many friends—having one was enough.