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Novel Catalog
Chapter 63
Catherine snapped out of her reverie just as Shaun approached her, his tall figure cutting through the night air with a determined stride. She could feel her pulse quicken at the sight of him, and the sudden tension in her chest made her wonder if she was truly prepared for the evening ahead.
Shaun’s expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—a mix of curiosity and a hint of something darker—that made her feel as though he could see straight through her.
“Are you going to stand here all night?” Shaun’s voice was low, but his tone carried an undeniable command.
Catherine quickly wiped her hands on her dress, trying to gather herself. “I was just… thinking.”
“About what?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned against the car, his eyes never leaving hers.
She hesitated for a moment, unsure how to respond. The situation felt like a trap—one that she had walked straight into. Her conversation with Freya earlier flashed in her mind, and she had to suppress the urge to groan. “Just… about the banquet. I’m not really used to these things, you know?”
Shaun’s lips quirked up slightly as if he found her nervousness amusing. “You don’t have to pretend with me. I know you’re more than capable of handling yourself.”
Catherine felt a little relieved by his words, but the mention of the banquet still made her uneasy. What if things went wrong tonight? What if Shaun was somehow on to her plan?
“Let’s go,” Shaun said, opening the door for her. “We’re not getting any younger.”
She nodded, trying to shake off her doubts. As she climbed into the car beside him, her heart raced, and the weight of the night’s potential consequences settled heavily on her shoulders. She had no idea what would happen next, but she was determined to see this through.
Shaun started the engine, and the car pulled away from the curb. The lights of the city blurred outside the window, and Catherine’s mind began to spin. She didn’t know whether it was the idea of Shaun being close to her, or the pressure of the night ahead, but she couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation—and dread—at the same time.
“Chase’s grandfather’s 80th birthday,” Shaun said, breaking the silence. “It’ll be a lot of people. Don’t be too surprised by anything that happens. There are a lot of things people do when they think no one’s looking.”
Catherine’s heart skipped a beat at his words. Was he hinting at something? Or was he just speaking generally?
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” she replied, though she wasn’t entirely sure she was convincing herself.
Shaun turned his gaze toward her briefly, his expression unreadable. “I’m sure you will.”
The car ride felt long and the silence heavy. Catherine couldn’t shake the feeling that she was walking on a knife’s edge, unsure of whether to keep her distance or give in to whatever Shaun had in store for her that night. But she had made her decision—to see this through and take control of her own fate.
The banquet would be her chance to tip the scales in her favor.