Chapter 79 Why Not?
Audrey suddenly realized that Catherine had been refusing to respond as she was standing up for her. Audrey nodded repeatedly and said, “I’m sure. She had apologized to us, and I think that’s enough.”
“Okay, it is up to you,” Catherine said coolly and flung Branden a look. Without Branden asking, Paxton arranged for the security guards who were guarding the shop door to part.
Josh said to Catherine with gratitude, “Thank you, Miss Swann, for forgiving us. Let us know if you need our family to do anything for you. We are leaving now. Sorry to bother you today.”
With that, he pulled his wife and daughter away hastily. He seemed deeply afraid that he and his family would not be able to leave if he delayed for just one more second.
Catherine looked at their retreating backs, and a glint flashed across her eyes. It was a cutthroat world, and the weak would be eaten. Only men with power could overrule. everything.
The only way not to be bullied was to stand at the top. The Burtons and their people were gone. Audrey took Catherine’s hand and was about to leave as well.
Audrey felt quite uneasy with Branden around them, especially since he had such an imposing manner. “Kathy, shall we go to the next shop?”
Audrey seemed determined to buy some clothes today and she would not go home if her goal was not achieved. Catherine had to nod in agreement
Branden had been observing Catherine’s expression from the side. He could tell Catherine did not want to go shopping, but she held herself back and did not refuse Audrey.
He was somewhat curious about the reason.
The Catherine he knew would never force herself to do anything she did not want to.
Branden thought Catherine was indulging Audrey and not just tolerating her.
Audrey seemed to occupy an important position in Catherine’s heart.
“Catherine’s patient with Audrey, but why did she always have a poker face when talking to
me?” thought Branden.
Audrey held Catherine’s arm and was about to step out of the shop.
“Wait!” Catherine suddenly shouted to stop her.
Audrey stopped walking and looked at Catherine in confusion, wondering what Catherine wanted to do.
Catherine rested her eyes on the service assistant, and the latter flinched under her icy gaze.
The service assistant did not know what Catherine was up to. If Catherine wanted to get event with her, she would be doomed.
She stepped forward, trembling as she went, and asked carefully, “Miss Swann, is there anything I can do for you?”
“There is,” said Catherine muffledly. She gazed at the white dress and ordered, “I want it. You may wrap it now.”
Catherine handed the credit card to the service assistant, and Audrey automatically reached. out to stop her.
Catherine tilted her head and gave Audrey a bewildered stare. She was not sure what Audrey had wanted to do.
Seeing the frown on Catherine, Audrey pulled her to the side. She did not want to embarrass Catherine before Branden, so she muttered in a low voice. “Kathy, that dress is too costly. We
don’t need to beat the Burtons now. You don’t have to buy it.”
Her words calmed Catherine down, and there was a hint of a smile in her eyes.
Catherine whispered, “It’s okay. You like it, so I want you to have it.” Her tone was still chilly, but the sternness in her voice was much lesser than before.
Audrey was touched when she heard Catherine’s answer. She tightened her lips and stared at her sister. She had never heard such words from her boyfriend, but she heard it from
Catherine.
Audrey was grateful to have a wonderful sister who cared so much about her.
Catherine faced the service assistant and gave her the card again, but the latter refused to take it. She handed the dress that was wrapped up to Catherine in reverence. “Miss Swann, Mr. Duncan said he would pay all your bills today.”
Then, the service assistant handed several shopping bags to Audrey and said, “And Miss Swann, these are the bags that just arrived in our shop. I’ve packed them for you.”
Audrey’s eyes widened in disbelief. Her lips could not help but twitch in surprise. “Did Mr. Duncan pay for all of these as well?” she asked.
The service assistant gave her a nod. Paxton, who was standing next to them, added without any expression. “Miss Audrey Swann, Mr. Duncan will pay for everything you and Miss Catherine Swann buy in this shopping mall.”
Audrey was stunned.
It was the largest shopping mall in Casier, and only customers with money and power could afford to shop there.
It would be awesome if Branden did as he promised and paid for everything for them.
Branden was indeed a good catch!
Although Audrey was thrilled internally, she dared not show it on her face or take the bags. She turned her head to Catherine, waiting for Catherine’s response.
Catherine’s
eyes fell upon the handsome man near her, waiting for him to explain himself.
Branden was staring at Catherine, so he noticed Catherine’s move when she tilted her head.
Branden eyed Catherine up and down slowly. His dark eyes were unruly and charming. His thin lips raised and formed a faint smile.
“Kathy, you are my future wife, and this shopping mall belongs to my family. It’s only reasonable that I pay for all things you want.”
Catherine did not care much about the money, as it was, at most, several million dollars.
After all, the projects in cooperation with the Duncan Corporation were worth tens of billions of dollars. The daily profits churned out by the projects alone were enough to pay the bills.
What she needed was merely a reason. She would not take anything that was given to her without a reason.
Branden’s explanation was quite sensible, so Catherine turned to Audrey and nodded.
Just as Catherine nodded, Audrey reached out and took the bags the service assistant handed her without hesitation.
As a fashion influencer, Audrey loved those bags. How could she not be cheerful since she could possess them effortlessly?
Audrey beamed brightly as she thanked Branden wholeheartedly.
“Thank you so much, my future brother-in-law.”
Branden was satisfied with how Audrey addressed him and nodded at her with a grin.
Both Branden and Audrey were happy, while Catherine was a little confused.
She examined Branden secretly out of the corner of her eyes and could not figure out why Branden was so pleased.
Catherine thought she had made it clear to Branden that they were just partners.
Since their engagement was fake, why was Branden delighted when Audrey greeted him as her future brother-in-law?
Audrey’s spirits rose now that she needed not to spend a penny to shop.
Out of basic politeness, Audrey invited Branden along. “We’re going to shop for a while more. Catherine doesn’t have enough clothes, and I want to get some for her. Are you coming with us, Mr. Duncan?”
Branden gave Catherine a probing look and saw that she wore her usual T-shirt and jeans. He said in a low voice, “Indeed. More clothes will be better.”
Audrey was puzzled. “What?”
Branden’s answer was unexpected.
“Sure. Why not?”
His words caught Audrey off guard. She had invited Branden to join them out of politeness and did not expect her future brother-in-law to take her words seriously.
It seemed that Branden was indeed enamored with Catherine.
Otherwise, how would Branden, who had a million things to do, have the mood to join them for shopping?
It was insignificant to Catherine whether Branden went with them or not.
In the end, Audrey was the one who walked in the front. She went into every shop and purchased lots of things.
Branden walked alongside Catherine, following Audrey in silence.
Catherine stuck her hands in her pockets. She was bored after seeing how excited Audrey was.
“Shopping is quite a bore,” she complained.
Branden looked at her with approval, seemingly to tell her that great minds think alike. He suggested, “How about we go to a barbecue restaurant?
