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Novel Catalog
Chapter 41
After getting her SIM card replaced, Catherine noticed there were over ten missed calls on her phone. The calls came from Freya, Jeffrey, Sally, and others. A wave of anticipation washed over her. Perhaps they were worried about her after everything that had happened recently.
Regardless of the reason, Catherine decided to return Sally’s call.
“Mom…” she answered.
“You’re finally calling me back!” Sally’s voice was furious. “How long are you going to stay out? Come home right now.”
The phrase come home struck a bitter chord within Catherine. Is it still my home? she thought to herself.
“Sally, if you don’t come back now, don’t ever come back,” Sally warned. “You don’t have to acknowledge your dad and me anymore.”
With that, Sally hung up.
Catherine hesitated for a moment, but eventually decided to go back. After all, Jeffrey and Sally were the ones who raised her, and she hoped that the recording of Henry’s words would make them see Rebecca’s true colors.
An hour later, Catherine arrived at the Jones family villa. Though it had only been a little over a month since she was last there, the atmosphere felt entirely different now.
When Catherine entered, Jeffrey, Sally, and Rebecca were all gathered in the living room. The moment Catherine locked eyes with Rebecca, anger flared within her. “Dad, Mom, do you know she stole my design? And—”
“Cathy,” Rebecca interrupted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I don’t mind you accusing me outside, but how dare you throw mud at me here?” A bitter smile played on her lips. “I already said I didn’t.”
Sally also frowned, her face tight. “Why do you have to bring your sister down every time you come home? Cut it out.”
“I have evidence,” Catherine said firmly, reaching into her bag. She pulled out her phone and played the recording.
As soon as Rebecca heard Henry’s voice, her face stiffened. But she quickly regained her composure, speaking in a falsely aggrieved tone. “Where did you get this random person to record this? Who’s Henry? I don’t even know him.”
Catherine turned to Jeffrey, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and determination. “Dad, Rebecca transferred tens of thousands of dollars into Henry’s account. You can easily check it. She came from a rural area and only started learning design after you acknowledged her. How could she have possibly created such a brilliant design in such a short amount of time?”
Rebecca’s tears began to flow, her voice trembling. “Dad and Mom, I really didn’t do it.”
Sally reached out and gestured for Catherine to give her the phone. Her heart softened at the sound of Sally calling her Cathy again, a pet name that reminded her of their better days. She handed over the phone, still holding onto hope.
Sally opened the recording file—and deleted it without hesitation.
“Mom… Why?” Catherine was speechless, unable to comprehend what was happening. She was about to grab her phone back, but it was too late.
Sally’s eyes, cold and distant, met hers. “I can’t let you ruin your sister’s reputation with this recording, especially when it could be fake. Don’t push things too far.”
Catherine’s entire body shook with frustration, her breath coming in short, jagged gasps. I see it now, she thought, laughing hollowly. You don’t care whether the recording is real or not. All you care about is her. How can you be so cruel? I’m also your daughter.
Jeffrey slammed his hand on the table, his face contorted with anger. “If I had known earlier that you would turn out like this, I would’ve abandoned you back then. Look at the mess you’ve made. You ruined your reputation with that scandal during the live video. Who would want to marry you now? And who did you offend to make Summit lose all those big projects?”
Catherine shook her head, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. As my parents, aren’t you concerned about me after everything I’ve been through?”