Chapter 117

Catherine's POV

Annie, Howard, and I had just come down from the office to the company restaurant. We found a table and settled in, the waiter having just taken our menus. I was enthusiastically telling them about the progress of my department's project when a jarring voice cut through the restaurant's pleasant atmosphere.

"Catherine Morgan!"

I immediately looked up to see the nightmare-inducing figure of Bill White-an utterly unremarkable man with nondescript brown hair,average height, and wearing an expensive suit that somehow failed to look impressive on him. His face wore that self-important expression I'd grown to despise as he stood in the center of the restaurant, pointing accusingly at me.

"You claim you don't like me, so why are you targeting her? Why did you message her saying she stole your man? Telling her to die?" he shouted,his voice filled with baseless anger.

Behind him, I spotted a small figure-Grace Brown, a girl who perpetually looked like a victim, her frail shoulders slightly hunched as if abways prepared to absorb a blow. Her lackluster brown hair hung limply at her shoulders, and tears had already soaked her cheeks. She cowered behind Bill White as if I were some terrifying beast.

The entire restaurant fell silent instantly, all eyes focusing on our table.I felt utterly annoyed-my luck today was truly abysmal.

"Bill White," I said, trying to control my tone, "I'd like to know exactly when this alleged message was supposedly sent?"

Bill White answered without hesitation: "Yesterday at four in the afternoon.

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I couldn't help but roll mny eyes. This was beyond ridiculous.

Howard glanced at me, then calmly addressed Bill White: "Would you mind if I commented on this matter?"

Bill White seemed surprised that Howard would involve himself but nodded. "Go ahead."

"Regarding that specific time you mentioned..." Howard continued casually,

"Catherine was recently transferred to the busiest department in our company."

Bill White, believing Howard was merely defending me,retorted,"Just because she's been transferred to a new department means she can't use her phone?"

"Actually, yes," Howard replied, his voice impressively calm. "To prevent employees from using their phones during work hours and affecting productivity, her department confiscates phones as soon as employees enter the office."

Bill White's brow furrowed deeply, clearly showing that his conviction was wavering.

Howard continued, "So it would have been impossible for her to send any messages."

"She's your employee, of course you'd defend her," Bill White said

resentfully, though with notably less confidence.

Howard maintained his composure, "If you don't believe me, you're welcome to tour their department and see for yourself whether what I'm saying is true."

I appreciated Howard's explanation, but I couldn't contain myself any longer. "Bill White, all your accusations are based on one assumption-that I have any interest in you," I stared directly into his eyes."But the truth is, I have absolutely no interest in you, never have, and never will."

I felt I needed to make things even clearer, my voice unconsciously rising:"Why would I view her as competition and target her? What would be my motivation? Honestly, seeing you two together only makes me feel relieved-relieved that I never had any relationship with you!"

I noticed Grace Brown flinch at my words, hiding further behind Bill White as if I might lunge across the room to harm her. Her pitiful demeanor only intensified my frustration. These two people weren't just making me the villain in their private role-playing drama, but now had the audacity to stage it publicly!

"Howard is right," I emphasized firmly, "I absolutely do not have the time or interest to deal with this nonsense!"

Bill White turned to Grace Brown and asked, "How do you explain this?"

Grace Brown's eyes darted nervously, and she suggested in an almost inaudible voice, "Maybe... someone used her phone to send me those messages?"

I couldn't believe she was still refusing to admit the truth even now. "First of all," I raised my voice, "I don't even have your phone number!"

"Second!" I continued without pausing, feeling my patience rapidly evaporating. "You're not some celebrity-nobody in my circle knows who you are. Why would anyone I know randomly message you?"

I felt I had to make things clear: "You two showing up here with these absurd accusations-people who know the situation might think you're just flaunting your relationship, but others would think you've conspired to harass me!"

My words seemed to have a significant impact on Grace Brown, whose tears started flowing more freely, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Bill White immediately turned to embrace her, as if protecting her from my "attack." When Grace Brown calmed down slightly, he turned to glare at me, "Even if you didn't do it, couldn't you be a little kinder? Look how upset you've made her!"

I felt my eyes nearly rolling to the back of my head. "The fact that I haven't walked over and slapped both of you demonstrates how patient I'm being," I replied. "Bill White, I don't know what game you two are playing, but let me be clear: you two might not have jobs, but I do."

"I don't have time for your relationship theatrics, and I certainly don't appreciate being used as a scapegoat in your relationship. Please stop dragging me into your personal affairs!" I was surprised by the firmness in my own voice.

"I've even stopped attending social events where you might be present, just to maintain distance from you. Isn't that enough to make my position clear?" I truly couldn't understand why they were being so obstinate.

Bill White's expression darkened, "Are you absolutely certain you never had feelings for me?"

I was inwardly grateful that I'd never developed any genuine feelings for Bill White; otherwise. I would have found myself in an even more indefensible position.

"If I truly loved you, why would I pursue Howard instead of you?" I responded confidently.

Bill White shifted his gaze to Howard, seemingly seeking some reaction from him.

Howard replied with perfect composure: "Because I'm exceptional."

I mentally applauded Howard's response as I continued my explanation:"Later, when Howard rejected me, I discovered his girlfriend Annie is amazing, and I've been spending all my time with her..."

"Did I come looking for you? I think my intentions were quite clear."

At this point, Grace Brown finally gathered the courage to speak, her voice small and trembling: "Maybe you thought this strategy would make him love you more?"

I almost laughed out loud. I was prepared for strange responses, but Grace Brown's comment still shocked me.

Annie calmly interjected:"So you think completely disappearing from someone's life and cutting all contact is actually a strategyto play hard to get?"

Grace Brown nodded firmly, the most decisive gesture I'd seen from her:"Yes,exactly."

"If that's your belief..." Annie suggested gently, "then why not try the same approach? Just as Catherine doesn't contact Bill White,you shouldn't

contact Catherine either. Wouldn't that make Bill White love you more?"

Grace Brown seemed at a loss for how to respond,opening and closing her mouth.

Annie continued, "That way, you could also make Bill White fall more deeply in love with you,right?"

"I can easily promise not to contaet him for several years," I added.fighting the urge to laugh.

Annie smiled at Grace Brown, "You hear that? If Catherine has this strategy and determination that keeps Bill White thinking about her,shouldn't you learn from her? Wouldn't that make Bill White love you more?"

Grace Brown's face grew even paler, and she looked uneasily at Bill White,seemingly unsure how to respond.

Bill White, moved by Grace Brown's tearful appearance,puffed out his chest and adopted a protective stance: "Are you two ganging up to bully a vulnerable woman? Does bullying make you feel powerful?"

"We were just here to have lunch," Annie calmly corrected him. "You two approached us with unfounded accusations, and we're simply defending ourselves."

"And..." she continued, "I was justfollowing your girlfriend's logic. If you find my response too sharp, doesn't that suggest you see flaws in your girlfriend's reasoning?"

Annie smiled pleasantly, with a confident and composed demeanor that I genuinely admired.

Unable to answer Annie's question, Bill White turned to Howard and changed the subject: "Mr. Thompson. don't you think your woman's loud behavior in public is quite inappropriate?"

"She's my girlfriend, not my property." Howard replied coolly."I don't need her to be dependent on me."

Howard's response made me mentally cheerfor him. Looking at Bill White and Grace Brown's embarrassed expressions. I suddenly found this absurd confrontation somewhat amusing.