Chapter 18


    “What''s going on?” Madam Rosey mumbled, gazing in Carmen and Rome''s direction.


    Then she stared at her husband, and he seemed concerned as he watched his granddaughter, chatting


    happily with four of the biggest chairmen in the business circle.


    “What do you think they are talking about?” Elijah asked with a frown.


    “We wouldn''t know until we meet them. Let''s go.” Mr. Barlow said, sitting his wine ss on the table.


    Excitement was the only emotion Catherine felt as she gazed at the chairmen''s lively faces, knowing


    that her potential was getting the spotlight it''s deserved.


    Over the past years, she had struggled so many times to showcase her talent, yet she kept messing up


    for unknown reasons.


    However, now that she stood in the midst of the top-notches in the business world, she was sure that


    her past mistakes weren''t due to her fault.


    “Bill, Elon, Francis, Benjamin, what could my granddaughter be saying to have you all so attentive.” Mr.


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    Barlow asked as he approached the group.


    “Oh, we are running through some of her ideas for our projects,” Benjamin mumbled without looking at


    him.


    “All four projects?”


    “Yes. She got all four contracts. Such an excellent talent she has.”


    Numerous events happened tonight that left members of the Barlow family in dismay but none of those


    events shocked them like, hearing that Catherine got four multimillion-dor contracts within a matter of


    a day.


    “You say what?” Elijah asked, gazing wide-eyed at Benjamin, but all he got was a dull stare as an


    answer.


    Staring at the four chairmen in disbelief, William frowned and said, “That''s impossible. Catherine is just


    a child. How can you guys trust her with such valuable projects?”


    “Because she earned it, unlike your son who tried to pitch a boring proposal to me,” Bill said, ring at


    him.


    At that moment, William''s gaze met with Charlies'' darting eyes, and he scowled, knowing that his son


    just messed up big time.


    Rage was what Mr. Balow felt while staring at his grandson, but he kept a calm expression as he


    focused his attention on the chairmen.


    “So, what I''m hearing is that ‘DreamTeam Serviceable’ got all four ounts?” Mr. Barlow asked with a


    hint of uncertainty in his tone.


    “Yes, all thanks to your granddaughter''s amazing business abilities,” Elon said, smiling at Catherine.


    Unable to continue listening to people praise his cousin, Charles walked away and joined Chloe, Jeff,


    and Richard.


    “How does it feel stealing something that doesn''t belong to you?” Jeff asked, scowling at his cousin.


    “Safe those words for Catherine,” Charles mumbled, standing next to Richard.


    “What do you mean?”


    “She miraculously got all four ounts.”


    “Huh?”


    “Well, not miraculously. She pitched the perfect proposals and ended up wowing all four Chairmen into


    giving her the contracts.”


    It grew quiet between the cousins for a moment. Then Richard stared at the others and said, “This is


    what we all fear to happen. There''s no denying that Catherine is the most talented among us, that''s


    why we gang up to take her down.”


    “But now, it seems like fate has taken a turn, giving her the advantage to shine. Gosh, I hate this! That


    should be us over there!” Jeff said, clutching his fist.


    Without saying a word, Chloe walked away, picked up a ss of wine from the waiter tray, and


    approached Catherine.


    When she was a few steps away from her cousin, she faked a trip, sshing the red wine on Rome


    since he shielded Catherine with his body.


    Horror clouded the chairmen’s eyes as they stared at Rome’s stained suit, but his expression remained


    calm.


    Every guest''s eyes were on Rome, yet he didn''t seem to mind the stares. Instead, he made himself


    look more pitiful and humble.


    ‘Way to dig your own grave, Miss Chloe Barlow.’ Bill thought, raising his brows as he took a casual sip


    of his wine.


    With a frown, Elon sighed and thought, ‘Well, Mr. Ford isn''t going to be happy about you embarrassing


    his son, especially on his birthday celebration.’


    A looked of sadness crossed Catherine''s face as she stared at Rome and mumbled, “Are you okay?”


    “Yes, wife. I feel bad that the expensive suit you bought has gotten ruin.” Rome mumbled with a smile


    while she cleaned his coat with a napkin.


    Staring away from the couple, Francis smirked and thought, ‘What a good actor this dude is.’


    ‘I should remind myself not to mess with Rome Ford. He seems like the kind of guy that can smile while


    stabbing a knife in your heart.’ Benjamin thought, gazing away from Rome''s pitiful face.


    A faint smile crept on Chloe’s lips as she stared at Catherine''s embarrassed expression. Then it slowly


    faded when she gazed at her grandfather and saw the anger in his eyes.


    “What''s going on here?” Mr. Ford asked, walking towards Rome.


    Then a frown settled on his face when he gazed at his son stained clothes, but Rome slightly shook his


    head, knowing what was going through his father''s head.


    “Mr. Barlow, please take your discourteous granddaughter home. What she did just now is disrespectful


    to me. Rome is my guest just like everyone here, even if he''s your useless son-inw.” Mr. Ford said


    with a calm expression.


    “I apologize on behalf of my grandchild.” Mr. Barlow mumbled, hanging his head low.


    “I don''t care what goes on in your house, but what your granddaughter did just now is uneptable!


    Teach her some manners, or else, I will.”


    “I apologize again.”


    Without staring at his son, Mr. Ford walked away, fighting against his anger.


    “We should go home. I think the family name has gotten ruined enough.” Madam Rosey mumbled,


    gazing at her husband.


    A whileter, the Barlow family left the party, got into their separate cars, and drove off.


    “My wife is so cool,” Rome mumbled, adorably gazing at Catherine.


    Then she stared away from the car windshield, focused on his eyes, softly smiled, and said, “Thank


    you for being there for me tonight.”


    “Of course, you are my wife,” Rome mumbled, caressing her cheek.


    For a moment, they gazed deep into each other''s eyes. Then Catherine hastily looked the other way,


    feeling her face getting hot.


    ‘Don’t worry. This is just the beginning. I will bring them all down to their knees before your very eyes.’


    Rome thought, losing his cheerful smile.