CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41- COOL DOWN

Her delicate brows suddenly knitted together, her small face full of rejection.

"I already said it’s my birthday today—don’t bring up anything that’ll make me unhappy!"

Whoever she mistook him for at that moment, that question clearly touched a nerve. She turned her face away at once, pointedly looking to the other side, making it obvious she had no intention of dealing with him anymore.

Being despised like this that night... Bert truly...

But he told himself again: she probably felt that night was something she could never bear to recall—not because of his skills, but because that night ruined her innocence and left her reputation in tatters.

If his skills were bad, how could he have helped her break through such a strong dose of that drug?

Then he asked another question he had always cared deeply about:

"Why didn’t you hand over the evidence back then to clear your name?"

"You don’t understand—"

This question didn’t seem to bother her. She turned her little face back toward him and even cracked her drunken eyes open a little, looking at him with a tipsy laugh.

"The most important evidence must be saved for the most important occasion. Only then can you deal them the most fatal blow..."

She hiccupped as she spoke, revealing her plan bit by bit in broken sentences.

Bert was first surprised, then the corners of his lips lifted into a silent smile.

He had always been angry that she didn’t submit the evidence back then—but now that he had this explanation, he was quite satisfied.

Indeed, at the time her reputation had already been destroyed. Even if she had produced the evidence, it probably wouldn’t have done much.

But years later, if it were revealed at another event—especially a grand, magnificent one—then the scandalous one would be Lucca instead.

Bert had always thought she was the type to endure humiliation silently, someone easy to bully. Now it seemed she did have a ruthless side—just one she’d kept hidden.

Good.

He liked this kind of temperament.

She was the type who wouldn’t fight back for a long time, but once she did, it would be earth-shattering and lethal.

In a very good mood, he pulled her slender body gently into his arms. His voice carried an unprecedented softness and affection as he held her and murmured:

"Mm. You made the right choice. Then let’s wait until their engagement to reveal it."

Catherine didn’t even notice anything odd about his use of we, because she was focused entirely on that word—engagement. She immediately poked his hand in protest.

"No, no, not during the engagement! Wait until the wedding. That way they’ll be even more humiliated."

Bert laughed.

"Alright, whatever you say. We’ll wait for the wedding. Let’s make it so they can’t get married, and not getting married will be just as disastrous. Let the S family and the Channing family disgrace themselves across the entire Burg Eltz."

"Mm!"

Feeling truly satisfied by his words, she bobbed her head vigorously in his arms to show her approval. Then, just like that, she tilted her head and drifted off to sleep.

This time she really was out—drunk, exhausted, and completely done for the night.

Bert carried her to her bedroom and placed her gently on the large bed. She let out a soft sound of comfort, curled into the blankets, and fell fast asleep.

After all her fussing, Bert glanced at his watch—it was nearly eleven at night.

He was very much intending to stay over, so without the slightest hesitation, he turned and went to the bathroom to shower.

He used Catherine’s bath towel. He knew it was hers because its light, clean scent was the same as the fragrance in her hair.

He had just turned off the shower when—bang—the bathroom door burst open. Catherine, who should have been asleep in bed, stumbled inside.

Even someone as worldly as Bert froze in place. He was completely unclothed, and he had never experienced a woman barging in mid-shower and seeing everything.

She seemed startled too. Her rosy lips parted in shock as she stood there, openly taking him in from head to toe. The sight before her: his well-built frame, strong legs, firm abs without a trace of excess flesh, and the balanced, athletic shape forged from years of training—every part radiated the raw masculine appeal of a mature man.

She stared at him in a daze, while Bert—being stared at like that—found his breathing gradually growing heavy. The black eyes meeting hers grew darker, deeper. When he lowered his gaze, he saw a certain part of his body proudly rising to attention...

Just as he was torn between grabbing her and easing his torment, or pretending nothing had happened and walking out, she suddenly covered her mouth and rushed to the toilet, bending over and retching hard.

All his seductive thoughts vanished instantly. Bert grabbed a bath towel from the side, wrapped it around his waist, and went over to bend down beside her, gently rubbing her back to make it easier for her to vomit.

Catherine threw up until the world spun, but after emptying her stomach, she finally felt a little better.

Half drunk and half awake, she heard a man’s soft voice coaxing her to open her mouth and drink some water to rinse. She obediently did as he said.

But the next second, she drifted right back into haze. The sensual masculine sight she had just witnessed, the deep, mellow voice in her ear—everything felt like a dream. After appreciating it unconsciously, she simply leaned back into Bert’s arm and fell asleep again.

Bert had no idea what attitude he should even take toward her anymore. Twice now—twice—she lit a fire under his skin that nearly burned him alive, only to either walk away or fall asleep as if nothing had happened.

Grinding his teeth, he bent down and picked her up once more, placing her back onto the bed.

Then he himself returned to the bathroom.

Shower.

To cool down.