CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35- SO CRUEL

He had known she was coming for the interview today, but he hadn’t expected to see her.

Just now, watching her stumble into the elevator, eyes red and dazed, his chest had jolted as if it had been struck.

He knew all too well what kind of emotion this was. Only when someone felt a special attachment to another person could they experience something like this.

Bert took a long drag from the cigarette between his fingers, the smoke accentuating the cold, deep lines of his expression.

To be honest, Bert had never imagined his future life being intertwined with any woman.

His past relationships hadn’t been entirely clean, but they were far from chaotic.

After all that had happened in recent years, he had convinced himself that life alone was perfectly fine.

He had never thought he’d feel anything for Catherine... yet now, clearly, he did. Ever since that night, when he had almost kissed her, impure thoughts had already begun to take root.

He didn’t even find her exceptionally charming. Most of the time, her gentle nature annoyed him.

Yet now...

Bert didn’t know what was happening to him. Was it some lingering effect from that night?

Had he been without a woman for too long before that, so the memory lingered so vividly?

Had he seen no one else since that night, so that meeting her sparked a desperate longing?

He knew, of course, that these were just excuses.

To be moved by her was to be moved by her — undeniable. Her temperament and appearance were undeniably pleasant to look at. Especially when her face flushed, shy and delicate like a little kitten, teasing him endlessly without realizing it.

Bert thought to himself that her disposition could be shaped later; if some things annoyed him now, it didn’t matter.

Besides, no matter how gentle she seemed, with him around she would never have to worry about being bullied.

He didn’t know why it had to be her, yet somehow, it was.

Having confirmed his own feelings, Bert wondered how he should make them known to her. Should he directly tell her to be his girlfriend, or should he let her gradually perceive his heart through their daily interactions?

The former felt too abrupt. With her personality, it would likely frighten her.

The latter felt too slow, and he knew he would grow impatient.

He had just finished a cigarette, but this question compelled him to light another.

As he took the first drag, he saw someone rushing out of the hospital building. Squinting, he recognized Catherine—only now her emotions looked intense and unrestrained.

He immediately stubbed out his cigarette, jumped out of the car, and ran to intercept her.

"Don’t stop me! I’m going to Channing—I’m going to fight him!"

Catherine shouted, eyes blazing red.

Just moments ago in the hospital room, Catherine had heard Renata recount what had happened.

Channing had come to see Renata today, hoping she would persuade Catherine to help him through a crisis.

Renata had responded coldly, saying that she and her daughter had neither power nor influence, and couldn’t assist him.

Because Bert had publicly humiliated Channing that day, denying any acquaintance with Catherine, Channing hadn’t dared to mention anything about Catherine having a boyfriend in front of Renata. With both Catherine and Bert denying it, Channing had temporarily given up on the idea of having Bert and Burg Eltz invest.

Instead, he had indirectly told Renata that he wanted Catherine to marry a certain bank president, so that the bank would grant him a loan and allow him to survive the crisis.

Renata already despised Channing, and hearing him talk about sacrificing Catherine so coldly made her furious.

Anyone capable of holding the position of bank president would be in their forties or fifties. Channing had audaciously suggested that Catherine marry such a man. The outrage made Renata immediately storm at Channing, driving him out in anger.

Channing wasn’t done yet. He tried to reason with Renata, saying there was nothing to pity, that she shouldn’t feel sorry for Catherine—after all, Catherine had already had that infamous incident with a man two years ago.

Renata, enraged beyond control, fainted. Seeing the situation worsen, Channing hurriedly called for a nurse and slinked away.

This was why Catherine was now rushing to confront Channing. Did his past notoriety mean she deserved to be worthless?

To say such things in front of Renata, who was still recovering from a major illness—or hadn’t even fully recovered yet—what kind of heart did he have?

How could someone be so vicious? So cruel?

Besides, if it weren’t for Lucca’s vicious trap, how could she have... ended up with that kind of infamous reputation?

"What good would killing him do you?"

Bert stopped Catherine and snapped sharply, his voice firm and commanding.

"You know the principle of ’a life for a life,’ don’t you? Is it worth risking your own life for a scum like him?"

His stern words cut through the air, his strong hands gripping her slender shoulders to prevent her from acting impulsively.

Catherine was overcome with emotion. As Bert spoke, she struggled violently, trying to break free.

"I don’t care!"

"Let me go! Let me go!"

She shouted in anguish, and in her desperate struggle to escape, she bit down hard on his arm.

Feeling the pain, Bert simply pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly. There was a trace of helplessness in his tone as he said,

"You’re risking everything to fight Channing... what about your mother? She’s already like this. If something happens to you, will she even survive?"

Only mentioning Renata was enough to gradually calm Catherine, though she was still furious. Her hands pounded against his chest, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

"Why? Why—"

Catherine couldn’t understand why her father had treated her this way, why her life had to be so miserable.

Bert let her vent all her sadness and grief, holding her until she finally exhausted herself and fell silent.

For someone as gentle as her to lose control to the point of almost committing murder... Channing really had a talent for destruction.

Bert let out a cold, silent snicker in his mind.

Finally, when Catherine had completely lost her strength, Bert led her to his car and handed her a box of tissues. After crying and screaming and venting, her emotions were slowly starting to settle.

She accepted the tissues, looking at him a little sheepishly, and whispered,

"Thank you..."