Chapter 34
Branden rolled down the window, took out a pack of cigarettes from the side, and was about to flip it open.
However, seeing Catherine’s brows slightly furrowed, Branden put the pack of cigarettes back and rolled the window back up.
Everything happened in silence. It was as though nothing had happened.
Branden stared at the cold expression on Catherine’s face. A trace of a smile glistened in hist cold eyes as he told her his condition.
“I don’t want the Swanns’ shares. I only want one thing. If you can get it, I’ll sign your contract.”
“What is it?” Catherine asked immediately.
Looking tense, Catherine couldn’t help but frown. She knew what Branden wanted must be hard to get.
Branden asked casually, “Have you heard of Hacker Alliance?”
As he spoke, Branden looked remarkably calm. It was as if he was talking about something irrelevant and unimportant.
However, Catherine knew immediately that Branden suspected her.
Her identity might be a huge secret for others. However, she thought lightly of it.
After all, she had never tried to hide herself deliberately. Whether one could learn about her identity depended solely on oneself.
“Yes, I’ve heard about it,” Catherine responded lightly.
Branden didn’t expect her to admit it so readily.
It was better this way, so he didn’t have to beat around the bush.
“Hacker Alliance will launch a game next month. If you can get Duncan Corporation dealership of the game in Eskana, the contract will become valid.”
Hacker Alliance did not only produce chips. It was also the top game company in the world.
In recent years, no business could be more profitable than games.
Hacker Alliance launched a game three years ago, which became a hit worldwide.
In Eskana alone, the game broke the record by gaining 100 million dollars from top-ups in a day. The superb profitability left everyone in awe.
The game remained the most popular mobile game in the world for three years.
Now, every gamer knew that a game from Hacker Alliance must be good.
If Hacker Alliance launched another game, it would cause a phenomenal furor attracting numerous interested investors.
If Duncan Corporation could get the game’s dealership from Hacker Alliance, it would be equivalent to winning a bill printer that could make millions of dollars without breaking a sweat.
It was indeed more attractive than 20 percent shares of the Swann Corporation. There was a chance that the Swann Corporation might not profit as much, but the game was a sure win.
Branden was indeed an excellent businessman. He had just bought a chip from her and was already trying to buy the game from her.
No wonder the Duncans could become the wealthiest family in Eskana. They were really good.
Catherine thought that Branden might be going for something more than the game.
He might have wanted to learn her identity and role in Hacker Alliance. However, since he wanted to know that so desperately, Catherine was willing to give him a chance to see what he could learn.
“Sure!” Catherine answered briskly. Catherine’s squinted eyes shone with a sharp gaze as she looked at Branden.
Branden smiled lightly and playfully.
It seemed that the girl was indeed ruthless!
The following day, Catherine got up early and sat in the living room of the Swanns.
It was Monday today. It was also the first time for Catherine to go to school.
Liana and Johnathan were up too. Catherine had to go to school, and so did the two of them. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
Korbin finished his breakfast and left for the company in a hurry. Since Catherine hadn’t taken over the projects of the Swann Corporation yet, Korbin was still in charge of the Swann Corporation.
After he left, Liana also put down her cutleries, stood up, and left with Johnathan as though they had already agreed upon it.
Before Liana left, she turned to shoot Catherine a look and smiled meaningfully.
“Catherine, it is your first day at school today. Don’t be late. It’s not a big deal for you to be punished, but it is big if you embarrass the Swanns.”
With that, Liana left arrogantly without waiting for Catherine’s response.
Catherine didn’t answer Liana. She didn’t even give Liana a look. She continued to eat her breakfast slowly and gracefully at her own tempo.
As it was not long after Vicente had passed away, Audrey was still staying at the Swanns.
As she saw that Catherine had finally put down her cutleries, Audrey said carefully, “Kathy, you really shouldn’t be late on your first day of school. Why don’t we leave now?”
For no reason at all, Audrey couldn’t help but be intimidated by her younger sister, that had come home after so many years.
At that, Catherine raised her head slowly. Her cold gaze fell upon Audrey.
“We?” She spat the word out lightly, then paused.
Audrey understood immediately and nodded with a light smile. “Yes, ‘we.’ I’m taking you to school today. After all, it is your first day of school. Someone has to go with you, right?”
“There’s no need for that!”
Catherine rejected Audrey directly without thinking.
However, in Audrey’s eyes, Catherine was only shy and didn’t want to bother her.
For Catherine to feel the love of her older sister, Audrey persuaded Catherine with all she got.
To everyone’s surprise, Audrey succeeded. It was not that Catherine’s heart softened toward Audrey but that Audrey was too loquacious.
Catherine couldn’t bear her nagging anymore and compromised eventually.
As the two of them were ready to leave, they found that the family’s cars were all gone.
Audrey called the butler over to ask about it immediately. The butler looked at them somewhat helplessly.
Even though the Swanns did not favor the two girls, they were still daughters of the Swanns. He couldn’t afford to offend them too much.
“I’m sorry, Miss Audrey. There are five cars in the family. Apart from the one that is out grocery shopping, the other cars were all taken. Miss Liana and Mr. Johnathan left separately today, taking one car each. Therefore, there are no more cars available.”
Hearing the butler’s explanation, Audrey understood immediately.
It seemed that Liana did this deliberately for Catherine to come to school late and be punished.
Audrey was afraid that Catherine would worry and comforted her quickly, “Don’t worry. I’ll call a cab immediately. We’ll be at the school soon.”
The Swanns lived in a remote neighborhood of affluent families. Few cabs would come in here. Even if Audrey really managed to call a cab, it would take a long time for one to get here. Audrey knew clearly but continued to comfort Catherine, as she didn’t want Catherine to panic.
Catherine looked up at Audrey. She did not look worrisome at all as she said lightly, “There’s no need!”
With that, Catherine picked up her school bag and walked towards the door.
Seeing that she was leaving, Audrey hurried after her.
She couldn’t help but wonder if Catherine wanted to walk to school. If she really planned to walk all the way to school, she might not get there even in the afternoon when school ended.
Despite being furious at what Liana did, Audrey could do nothing but call a cab at the same time when running after Catherine.
Suddenly, Audrey realized that Catherine was going in the opposite direction of the school. She shouted in a hurry.
“Catherine, you’re going the wrong way. The school is this way!”
However, she saw that Catherine suddenly stopped in front of a luxurious mansion.
Audrey didn’t know what Catherine was thinking about. All she knew was that Catherine would really be late if they didn’t get on their way soon.