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Novel Catalog
Chapter 9
Catherine felt as though someone had struck her hard in the chest. The wave of pain that surged through her was nearly suffocating, especially when Ethan’s indifferent gaze passed over her without pausing for even a second.
James immediately turned toward Rebecca, his voice steady. “HQ has ordered that the project be handed over to Rebecca.”
A cold shiver ran through Catherine’s spine. She looked at Rebecca, unable to mask the anger rising inside her.
“Cathy, don’t be upset,” Rebecca said, her voice dripping with false sympathy as she staggered backward, feigning surprise. Ethan’s hand rested casually on the small of her back, a gesture that only served to heighten Catherine’s frustration.
The scene only deepened her sense of betrayal.
“Rebecca, what more do you want?” Catherine spat, her voice cracking with emotion. “You’ve already stolen my man, and now you’re trying to take the project I’ve poured my heart and soul into. Are you that envious of everything I have?”
Rebecca’s expression twisted in mock innocence. “How ridiculous! Since when was Ethan ever your man?” James snorted, his voice laced with contempt. “You’ve been chasing after him for years, but he’s never shown the slightest interest. Besides, do you honestly think you’d have gotten the project without Young Master Lowe pulling strings with the boss?”
Rebecca made a subtle gesture, signaling James to stop. “Enough,” she said, her tone cool but insistent.
“I stand by what I said,” James replied. “It’s only right that you, Young Master Lowe’s fiancée, take on the project.”
Catherine turned her piercing gaze on Ethan, who had remained silent until now. His silence spoke volumes.
The truth was, Ethan had indeed facilitated her meeting with Young Master Clark. However, it was Catherine who had spent weeks forging a relationship with him, discussing the plans and working tirelessly to finalize the deal. Ethan may have introduced them, but it was her effort that had secured the project.
Ethan shifted slightly, his expression unreadable. “Young Master Clark agreed to meet you because of me,” he said, his voice distant.
James sneered. “Everyone knows that, but someone just insists on making a fool of herself.”
Catherine’s hands clenched into fists. “I don’t believe this. I’m going to see Dad.”
Determined to get to the bottom of this, Catherine stormed to the main company, her mind racing with thoughts of the injustice she had just endured.
When she arrived at her father’s office, she found him engrossed in work. “Dad, why did you hand over the hotel project to Rebecca?” she demanded, her voice trembling with a mixture of frustration and confusion. “You know how much I’ve invested in this project.”
Jeffery Jones glanced up, clearly displeased by the sudden interruption. “I’ll assign you another project. What about the Campbell villa project?”
Catherine’s heart sank. “That’s a small-scale project. Rebecca’s inexperienced. She should start with something like that.”
Jeffery’s face hardened, and he slammed his hand down on the table. “She’s your older sister, and you should show her respect. No wonder your mother keeps saying you’re getting out of control.”
Her breath hitched as his words landed like a physical blow. “She stole my boyfriend, and now she’s stealing my project. How am I supposed to respect her?”
Jeffery’s expression darkened. “She didn’t steal your project. Everything at Summit belongs to the company, and I, as president, can assign any project to anyone I choose. As for Ethan, he never chose you. He chose your sister.”
Before Catherine could stop herself, the words rushed out. “Ethan wouldn’t have chosen Rebecca if you hadn’t transferred 80 percent of the company’s shares to her.”
Jeffery’s face twisted with anger. “Your sister has endured unimaginable hardship. You should be helping her. And you owe her an apology for what happened yesterday.”
Her jaw clenched. “I can’t do that,” she said through gritted teeth.
The forceful slam of Jeffery’s palm on the table made her flinch. “If you can’t, then leave. You’re nothing without Summit!”
His words struck her like a slap, leaving her cheeks burning with humiliation and anger. She turned away, her heart heavy with a mixture of resentment and helplessness.
“Fine, I’ll leave,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “I don’t believe that someone as qualified as me, with a first-class architect certification, can’t find another job.”
Back in her office, Catherine’s emotions boiled over. She packed her things into a cardboard box, each movement sharp and deliberate. As she made her way to the door, the murmurs of her colleagues followed her.
“I heard she was fired by the president because she was rude to the First Young Lady,” one whispered.
“Can you believe it? She pushed aside her own sister. It’s been said that Rebecca was kidnapped when she was young, and it’s only recently that they reunited. She must’ve suffered so much,” another voice murmured.
“Exactly! And Rebecca is so kind-hearted. She even bought dinner for all of us when we worked overtime last night.”
“This is what she deserves,” someone else muttered, their voice thick with judgment.
Catherine’s face burned with a mix of anger and shame, but she refused to let it show as she walked past them.