Chapter 57

Howard's POV

I sat alone in Howard Technologies' executive conference room, fingers drumming a precise rhythm against the mahogany table.

I extracted my phone,scrolled to Catherine Morgan's contact, and placed the call. The line connected after two rings.

"Could you come by?" I asked without preamble. "I need to discuss something with you."

"Work-related?" Catherine's voice immediately tensed, the casual lilt she typically employed with colleagues vanishing instantly.

"More or less." I offered no elaboration, seeing no strategic value in prolonging her anxiety unnecessarily.

After a telling silence, Catherine managed a reluctant "Okay." The walk from her department to the executive floor typically required no more than three minutes, yet nearly ten passed before she appeared at the conference room doorway.She hesitated visibly before entering, offering an awkward smile that poorly masked her apprehension.

"Mr. Thompson..." Catherine began, her posture suggesting she was bracing for disciplinary action. "I know I've been chatting too much in the office lately, but I promise I've completed all my assignments,and-"

"I'm not firing you, Catherine." I interrupted her nervous justification,finding it both inefficient and unnecessary.

"Really?" She dramatically clutched her chest, exhaling with exaggerated relief. "That's good. I was thinking it would be pretty tragic to get fired just for discussing which designer bag looks better with mynew shoes." I maintained my neutral expression, bypassing her attempt at levity."I have a question for you. What type of men do women generally find appealing?"

Catherine blinked rapidly, clearly recalibrating her expectations for this meeting. "Wait, how is this related to work?"

"It isn't," I acknowledged simply.

The admission transformed Catherine's demeanor instantly.She leaned forward,eyes widening with sudden interest. "Oh! This is about Annie, isn t it? I already helped you discover why she's refusing relationships! Now you want to know how to pursue her?"

I nodded. My silence served as tacit acknowledgment.

"Consider Philip," I said, my analytical approach activating automatically."

For all his flaws, he successfully married Annie. Comparatively, my experience in this domain is inadequate."

Catherine failed to suppress her amusement, a brief laugh escaping her. "Howard Thompson has something he's not good at? That's breaking news!"

I regarded her momentary lapse in professional decorum without comment,opting instead for candor. "Since Lucy's arrival, I haven't had female companionship. I may be... somewhat out of practice."

"You must have dated before, right?" Catherine probed, curiosity evident in her expression.

After brief consideration, I acknowledged: "Indeed. However, those were transient relationships. My feelings for Annie are different."

"Hasn't your mother arranged introductions?" Catherine continued,evidently finding my romantic inexperience fascinating. "Many," I confirmed, "but throughout my life, I've maintained an instinctive resistance to my strict mother's influence. Her recommended candidates invariably failed to capture my interest."

Catherine nodded thoughtfully, then her expression shifted subtly. A calculating look flickered across her features as though she'd formulated a theory she wasn't immediately prepared to share. Instead,she offered a sly smile that triggered my strategic alertness.

"Before I share my brilliant idea," Catherine suddenly stated, "could you do me a favor?"

I raised an eyebrow, mentally assessing potential implications. "What kind of favor?"

"Say yes first," Catherine countered with unexpected shrewdness. "It's a fair exchange. I help solve your Annie situation, you help solve my situation."

I hesitated briefly,calculating risk factors against potential benefits. While my natural inclination resisted committing to undefined terms,I recognized that my pursuit of Annie might benefit from alternative perspectives. "Acceptable, provided the request remains reasonable."

"Excellent!" Catherine's hands came together in a quick clap of satisfaction."So my plan is..."

She leaned toward me, lowering her voice conspiratorially as she outlined her proposal directly into my ear. I listened with growing skepticism,raising an eyebrow when she finished.

"You believe this approach will be effective?" I questioned,analyzing the probability of success.

"Trust me," Catherine responded with unwarranted confidence."This plan is foolproof." She paused deliberately before adding, "As for that favor... wait for my call."

The afternoon sun had begun its descent when my phone displayed "Margaret Thompson" on the screen. I raised an eyebrow fractionally-my mother's timing was predictable. Following our contentious exchange regarding Annie two weeks prior, I had strategically reduced her usual financial allowance. The calculated pressure appeared to have produced its intended effect.

"What is it?" I answered dispassionately, maintaining neutral intonation.

The line remained silent for several seconds. I could detect my mother's measured breathing, suggesting internal conflict.

"I'm busy," I reminded her, my tone deliberately cooler than usual."If there's nothing urgent-"

"I've been thinking lately..." Margaret finally spoke, her characteristic assertiveness noticeably diminished. "Howard, we can't continue like this."

Her voice carried an unfamiliar vulnerability. "You know, since you reduced my living expenses, everything has becomne quite difficult."

"You brought this upon yourself.," I responded without emotional inflection.

"You attempted to interfere with my personal affairs. These are the consequences."

"I visited Sophia, your sister," she mentioned my sister, "hoping she might help..."

The situation immediately crystallized in my mind. While my sister's company performed adequately, its scale was incomparable to Howard Technologies. If my mother's historically lavish lifestyle required merely a fraction of my company's profits, it would represent a substantial burden on Sophia's more modest enterprise.

"What was her response?" I inquired, though I had already calculated the most probable answer.

Margaret released an audible sigh. "She said her company simply couldn't sustain my expenses unless..."

"Unless she liquidated the business," I completed her statement. "Clearly an imprudent option."

"I've realized something these past few days," she continued, her tone softening perceptibly. "Howard, you're an adult with your own perspective.As your mother, I shouldn't interfere excessively."

This uncharacteristic concession immediately suggested external influence."Sophia convinced you of this, didn't she?"

"How did you know?" Margaret's surprise carried through the connection.

I observed objectively. "Within our family, she appears to be the only individual capable of persuading you."

A slightly embarrassed laugh emanated from the receiver,but my mother offered no contradiction to my assessment.

"If you seek my forgiveness, the requirements are straightforward," I stated without prevarication. "Apologize to Lucy in my presence.Should she forgive you, I'll discontinue harboring resentment, and naturally,your monthly financial support will resume."

"Impossible!" Margaret refused instantly, her voice regaining its familiar rigidity.

In the background, I distinctly heard my sister's casual yet deliberately audible remark: "Mom, I might actually need to consider selling the company then..."

The statement evidently affected my mother's resolve. She deflated immediately, communicating with clear frustration: "Fine, I agree."

"Excellent," I responded, my tone remaining level despite the internal satisfaction I experienced. This minor family power negotiation had concluded with a victory for the alliance between my sister and myself.

Early evening found me driving toward Lucy's school, with Annie occupying the passenger seat. Her phone suddenly emitted its distinctive chime.

"It's Catherine," Annie observed, glancing at the display before accepting the call.

"Hello, Catherine," Annie greeted.

I observed her expression transform from neutral to confused before she extended the device toward me. "She wants to speak with you."

"What is it?" I accepted the phone, maintaining my customary composure.

"Howard, remember that favor you owe me?" Catherine's voice conveyed both urgency and anxiety. "I need you to fulfill that promise now. Several projects at my father's company have encountered critical issues, and I'm uncertain how to inform him. Could you meet with us in an advisory capacity?"

I glanced briefly at Annie, noting her curious observation.

"What time?" I inquired concisely.

"Seven o'clock," Catherine replied. "Thank you, Howard. I realize this is unexpected, but it's genuinely important." "I'll be there," I confirmed, my tone remaining measured.

After terminating the call, Annie immediately questioned: "What's happening? Catherine sounded distressed."

"Some commercial matters involving the Morgan family," I explained with deliberate neutrality. "She's requested my consultation."

"Is this what she discussed with you in your office this morning?" Annie deduced perceptively.

I turned toward her, permitting a marginal expression of surprise."How did you know about that?"

Annie's lips curved upward. "There are no secrets in an office environment,Howard. Particularly when Catherine Morgan is involved."

"Indeed," I acknowledged, allowing a slight elevation at the corner of my mouth. "However, in this instance, her request for assistance issincere."

"Then tonight, Lucy and I can-"

"You should both accompany me," I interjected. "The meeting won't extend excessively. Additionally, Lucy appreciates the dessert selection at that establishment."