Chapter 646 Old Acquaintances
Catherine came out of the classroom and returned to the dormitory, lying on the bed playing games out of boredom.
She thought Branden would be busy with work today and wouldn’t have time to find her. However, just as she lay down, she received a message from him.
[Did you go to school today?]
Her slender fingers quickly tapped on the phone screen, and she promptly replied: [Just finished class and got back to the dorm.]
Shortly after sending the message,
Catherine received Branden’s reply. She closed the game she had just opened, jumped off the bed, took her coat, and pulled a duckbill hat down over her head.
The entire sequence of actions was smooth and impressive, exuding a handsome demeanor. Amelia, who was watching beside her, was stunned and only reacted when Catherine was about to leave.
“Super Catherine, are you going out?” asked Amelia.
“Yeah,” Catherine grunted and raised an eyebrow at her. “Anything you need?
Amelia quickly waved her hands, afraid of delaying Catherine’s important matters. “I was just wondering if you wanted to order takeout together. Since you’re going out, forget about it then.”
Catherine hadn’t expected Branden to come to her school, but he was already downstairs. “Next time,” she said.
Amelia had just mentioned it casually, but Catherine responded so seriously that it instantly brought joy to Amelia. With a face full of smiles, she happily watched Catherine leave.
Branden’s car was still parked in its usual spot, and he was leaning against the car door, completely focused on his phone. Only when Catherine appeared did he seem to sense it and look up.
“Is the company’s business done?” Catherine asked.
Branden nodded calmly. “Almost. Come on, I’ll take you to dinner.”
Catherine had no objections. She had returned to the dormitory after class, and it wasn’t too early to go out for dinner.
Paxton wasn’t home, so Branden drove and brought Catherine to a restaurant in Northeville. Branden led Catherine into a private room, and upon entering, Catherine found the others were already there.
Not only Triston and Aidan but also Withal and Zobber were present. Catherine raised an eyebrow at Withal, who pushed Zobber beside him to let her explain.
Zobber shrugged. “Catherine, it’s not my fault. Blame Aidan; he brought me here.”
Aidan immediately panicked. It was Zobber who insisted on coming. Upon hearing that Catherine was also coming for dinner, she rushed over. Now Zobber was blaming him.
It was too much, and Aidan immediately retorted with displeasure, “Why blame me? Didn’t you come on your own accord?”
Branden understood what Catherine wanted to ask. Seeing these two not making it clear while arguing, he explained to Catherine, “Their families have a long-standing friendship.”
After Branden spoke, Triston, enjoying the show, added, “Childhood sweethearts, betrothed since they were kids.”
Zobber immediately exploded and, grabbing a plate, threw it at Triston. ” Stop talking nonsense, or I’ll teach you a good lesson!”
Catherine only knew that Zobber had lived abroad since she was a child and didn’t expect her family to have connections with the Lanes. Truly, the world was small, even connecting in such a way.
Zobber was afraid that Catherine would misunderstand and quickly explained, ” Don’t get it wrong. Aidan and I just know each other. It’s not as Triston said.”
When she came to Loxton this time, she accidentally ran into Aidan. Since joining the Hacker Alliance, she hadn’t seen Aidan again. Who would have thought it would be such a coincidence? They met in Loxton and almost fought. At a critical moment, Aidan recognized her.
Aidan curiously glanced back and forth between Zobber and Catherine. He knew more about Zobber than anyone else. She had a bad temper and didn’t listen to anyone.
But now, she was so meek and humble in front of Catherine. If Aidan hadn’t witnessed it himself, he wouldn’t believe there was anyone in the world Zobber was afraid of.
Aidan was genuinely curious about Zobber’s submissive appearance, so he couldn’t help but ask, “Catherine, has this troublemaker been with you during her years away from home?”
The fact that Zobber joined the Hacker Alliance was unknown to her family, let alone Aidan, her childhood sweetheart.
All members of the Hacker Alliance maintained dual identities. Usually, they were busy with their daily lives and regular jobs, and only when a mission came in did they receive a summons from the chief.
Zobber hadn’t expected Aidan to inquire about her privacy suddenly. She shot him an annoyed look and swiftly changed the subject. “My affairs are none of your business. Hurry up and check on that order. Why hasn’t the food arrived yet? I’m about to pass out from hunger.”
Catherine shrugged at Aidan, indicating it wasn’t her fault. Zobber didn’t want to disclose more as the person involved, so Catherine didn’t say anything.
Aidan, a bit late in standing up, was scolded by Zobber. She shouted in displeasure, “You go quickly. You’re not hungry, but we are!”
Aidan was quite speechless. “This girl hasn’t changed her temper after so many years,” he said inwardly.
“With your temper, you’ll never get married in your life!” he retorted, but his actions were obedient. He stood up and, per Zobber’s instructions, expedited the food order.
With Aidan’s urging, the serving speed increased. Branden put the peeled shrimp onto Catherine’s plate. Observing that Catherine was eating a lot during this meal, he felt delighted.
“Eat more. If you like it, we’ll come again next time,” said Branden.
Catherine remained silent and ate Branden’s arranged food quietly.
Throughout the meal, she barely extended her fork toward the table. Branden, seemingly able to understand what she was thinking, had already placed the dishes she liked on her plate in advance, prepared and handled them ahead of time.
Zobber, resting her chin on one hand, looked at them with envy. “I don’t think we need to eat. I’m satisfied with just looking at you two.”
Everyone burst into laughter. For Triston and the others, seeing this wasn’t something new.
After dinner, they began discussing business.
Triston arranged today’s dinner. He and Aidan had been staying in Loxton recently and thought about coming out for dinner to discuss the ongoing war between the Duncan Corporation and the Breens.
Triston invited Branden out, and Aidan brought Zobber and the others. Branden, in turn, brought Catherine.
Now that they knew that everyone was on the same side, they could freely discuss some business topics.
Triston, seeing the scene of Branden and Catherine interacting intimately, couldn’t help but sigh. “Branden is so close to his girlfriend, but I still haven’t won over my girlfriend,” he said inwardly.
Audrey always said he was unreliable and refused to acknowledge their relationship.
But there was nothing he could do about it. After all, everyone knew he was a playboy, and prejudice was hard to change.
Triston sighed deeply and said, “Alas, stop being so intimate. Let’s get back to business. Mr. Duncan, I heard Edson, that foreigner, has been constantly contacting various capitals to besiege the Duncan Corporation, but none of his attempts succeeded. What happened?”
