Breaking Free, Loving Again -The Flash Marriage with Mr. CEO-Chapter 441: Not guilty.
The man hesitated for a moment. But when he saw the woman turn to look at him for an answer, he quickly snapped out of his hesitation and responded. "Yes, Young Miss. The people from the other VIP box left just after the auction ended."
A flicker of surprise flashed in the woman's eyes before her expression turned sullen. "Did anyone come looking for me? To find out my identity?"
The man shook his head.
"As per your request, your identity has been kept secret, Young Miss. Carlos & Co. has abided by your request."
It should have eased her worries, but instead, it only fueled her frustration. As if things didn't end up happening as she had expected it to. Her nails dug into her palms as she clenched her fists tight.
"Let's go," she said coldly. Then without waiting for anyone to follow, she turned and walked away.
The men who had been there to guard her exchanged glances before trailing behind her silently.
***
Meanwhile on the other side —back in Cralens,
Catrin couldn't no longer sit still. Tension lined her face as she sat in the backseat of her car, her fingers clasped together.
"Drive to Serenity East Residence," she ordered.
The driver nodded without a word and started the car.
And soon, after a while, they pulled up in front of the luxurious estate —one Catrin hadn't stepped foot into for over a decade.
As the car rolled to a stop, she stared out of the tinted window. Her gaze burned with cold hostility as she stared at the place that had once been her home.
Usually, when someone returns to the place, they have lived in for more than half a life, they feel a pang of nostalgia …
This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.
But Catrin?
All she felt was the heavy weight of the past pressing down on her chest. Especially when she had yet not fulfilled the promise she made while leaving her place.
She didn't move until the driver stepped out and came around to open the door for her. As he held it open, Catrin finally emerged, her expression unreadable.
Without hesitation, she walked straight towards the entrance. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble tiles of the porch —loud enough to announce her presence long before she stepped inside.
Xander was just coming down the staircase when he caught the sight of her. His brows furrowed in mild surprise, but he quickly schooled his features. Approaching her with measured steps, he greeted politely, "Mrs. Quinn, you are here?"
Catrin's eyes flicked over him with disdain that she didn't even bother to hide.
"Do I need to report my arrival to you or seek your permission before stepping into my own house?" she snapped, her voice sharp and curt.
However, Xander didn't flinch. He seemed not at all bothered.
Given the nonchalance he was able to maintain at her rude tone, one could tell, this wasn't the first time he had been treated like that.
Keeping his demeanor composed, he offered a polite smile and shook his head. "Of course not, ma'am. That's not what I meant. I came to greet you and see if there was something I could help you with."
Catrin brushed past him. "No need. I know where to find what I want." With that, she simply walked ahead, climbing the stairs.
Seeing her heading towards the old lady's room, his expression lined the worry, but there was nothing he could do to stop her. So, he stood there, hoping things didn't escalate to the worst.
But the worst was simply inevitable especially when Catrin was here herself.
Upstairs, in the master bedroom —
Brenda had returned to her room after the dinner. Margaret was right beside her, giving her the usual medicine when they heard the clicks of the heels approaching.
While Margaret seemed a little startled about someone's unannounced presence, a soft, known smile curled up Brenda's lips as if she had already guessed who had come here at this hour.
"Don't get rattled so easily, Margaret," she said softly. "We don't have any unexpected guests."
Before Margaret could understand what she meant, Catrin's voice came from the doorway.
"Of course, you must be expecting me to come after what you did," her tone was deliberately rude, aiming to hurt with every possible means.
Brenda looked up at her and her smile only deepened. "Of course, being your mother and knowing you, I was expecting you to come here. But still, I would say … it's a pleasant surprise."
The smile on her mother's face was something that irked Catrin the most. She could never bring herself to accept —accept that even after putting her own daughter through so much, how can a mother smile like that?
Did she not feel guilty for her? Even once?
"Guilt is felt when one has done something wrong," Brenda said softly, reading her daughter's thoughts as if they were spoken aloud. "And I have never done anything to you that would make me feel guilty. What I did was the right thing for you. I am just surprised that you haven't yet understood it."
It was not easy to read someone's mind …
But she was a mother.
And when it came to their children —young or old —mothers could see through everything.
Catrin stiffened. The uncanny feeling washed over her again —the one she had come to resent more than anything.
She hated how easily her mother could see through her. Hated that she didn't even have to try.
"You never did anything wrong?" she scoffed bitterly. "Is that the lie you have convinced yourself to believe, just so you can sleep peacefully at night —without feeling disgusted by your own reflection?"
Margaret was instantly alarmed. This was exactly what she was afraid of.
Catrin had always been reckless with her words.
Until she felt satisfied venting her one-sided emotions, she would say anything and everything —without regard for who she was hurting.
In the past, such outbursts may not have done much harm …
But now?
Now, Brenda's condition was fragile.
The doctor had explicitly advised keeping her as relaxed and stress-free as possible.
And if this continued —there is no doubt in Maragaret's mind. Brenda's illness would be triggered.
