Shaken, confused, and dumbfounded, Catherine turned and left her husband's office without a word.
Her head drooped downward, her arms hung limb and still by her sides, drained of all energy. She moved as if on autopilot, oblivious of her surroundings and the secretary bidding her goodbye as she walked through the lobby to her car.
She clutched the steering wheel with shaking hands and ragged breaths. As she started the car slowly and left the building, joining the traffic on the highway, the outside world became blurry with the tears that were forming in her eyes.
The consequences of his remarks hit her hard. She didn't think anyone knew that she was an opportunist. She saw the accident and deaths of the Smiths as a chance to enrich herself, not knowing they were murdered by her husband. Now, she can't expose Danny, or he would expose her crime too.
Worse still, she thought Danny had carefully planned the downfall of her family. How else would he have known about her bribery if not that he was keeping tabs on her? What exactly did Danny want? Why was he doing this?
Overcome and unable to go on anymore, she parked along a quiet lane and pressed her forehead against the steering wheel. A strangled sob tore through her lips. Soon, she was crying her heart out, hitting the steering wheel with the little energy left in her.
She had been extremely cautious and meticulous, believing that the truth would not be discovered. However, it was like a noose around her neck, hanged over her by Danny, her husband.
How was he aware of it? Catherine kept wondering, mind whirling as she struggled for breath. She had convinced herself that by keeping Geoffrey blind, she would be able to keep him in check, but now, she realized in her heart that she had been self-centered. Greedy. Opportunistic.
Her nails were digging into her hand as she balled her fingers into fists. She replayed the conversation she had overheard in her thoughts, the name "William Meyers" glaring at her like a stain of blood on white silk.
Desperate to obtain the M3 vaccine, William Meyers, the heir to the Meyers Group, had been circling Smith Laboratories for a buyout like a vulture for the past six months. But Tom Smith had refused to sell, refusing to accept a billion-dollar takeover.
Could William be involved in the murder of the Smiths because of this? She also heard the name "Cecelia". If it was the same, Cecelia Catherine knew, it was William's cousin, but she wasn't involved actively involved in the Meyers business. What, then, did she have to do with the Smiths? How was she related to all of this?
This was not going to defeat her, she needed clarification. She needed to know exactly what Danny was up to and also, his next move. She grabbed her phone and dialed her assistant, Ashley's number.
Ashley was a young lady like a man, she had many talents and was capable of doing many things. She was especially good at finding things out and obtaining information that no one else could.
After two rings, a clear, recognizable voice replied. "Madam."
Catherine spoke clearly, "Ashley. I need you to take care of something for me."
Ashley responded promptly, "Name it madam," fully realizing that prudence was necessary.
"I need you to tail my husband starting today. Where he goes, what he does, who he meets…I want to know everything. Do it discreetly. Do you understand?"
There was silence for a beat before Ashley's voice said, "Consider it done, madam," with full confidence.
Catherine hung up, let out a breath, and dropped her phone onto the passenger seat. She inhaled deeply, collected herself, and drove on.
Later that evening, Danny entered the house with arms full of expensive presents, including jewelry, luxury bags, and a pricey perfume she had once mentioned in passing, the house was filled with the aroma of roses.
"For you," he said sweetly, like a doting husband, while extending the presents to her.
Catherine's eyes flitted suspiciously, but she produced a pretend happy gasp and grabbed the bottle of perfume. If Danny wanted to play a silly game, she would indulge him till his guard was down, then she would strike when he least suspected. "This is…..unexpected but thoughtful Danny," she smiled.
He stepped closer to her and whispered to her in a way that made her skin crawl but she masked her irritation perfectly. "You deserve to be spoiled honey." Danny remarked when he saw her smile fade quickly, he sat with her and took her hand in his, speaking softly, "I'm sorry I upset you earlier. I am. Let's put it all behind us and be more honest with each other moving forward, okay? I won't snitch on you and you won't snitch on me either. Do we have an understanding?"
Catherine studied him intently, allowing him to cup her cheek. That's it? It was not an explanation for murdering her sister, only an apology because she caught him in the act, and he needed her not to expose him. Who the hell did she marry? Was this still her husband Danny in front of her wedging his way around getting away with murder with no remorse? The murder of her sister and her sister's husband no less.
She didn't even think it would serve any purpose to argue with him. He seemed desperate and ruthless enough to be ready to kill anyone in his way. The best thing to do would be to put him at ease and then strike him unexpectedly.
She plastered a fake smile on her face and put her arms around his neck, playing along, "Yes, we do. Lately, I've been too uptight. I'm sorry I kept what I did with Geofif a secret from you. I'm also sorry for standing up to you earlier. It won't happen again."
Danny's voice faded to a whisper as his fingertips moved down her spine. "That's good. Then allow me to look after you tonight. You deserve it."
Catherine gave a charming smile. As if he were a loving husband rather than a killer with secrets she planned to discover, she allowed herself to be drawn into his embrace, kissed, and touched. She let her groans fill the room, matching his passion, but her mind was elsewhere—calculating, observing.
After they were finished, Danny's breathing calmed down, and Catherine slept next to him. After Danny fell asleep, she put her plan in motion.
As quietly as a shadow, she slipped from the bed. Danny's phone was resting on the bedside table. Reaching for it, she found it locked. Her eyes darted to his laptop on the desk, but it was protected by a password too. Gosh.
She knelt next to his bag, quietly unzipped it, and went through the neatly arranged items. But there was nothing out of the ordinary. "What a meticulous murderer." Catherine became very irritated. There wasn't anything she could do but rely on Ashley to come through.
She gritted her teeth. She never would have guessed anything if she hadn't heard him today. It chilled her to the bone. She had wed a guy capable of cold-blooded murder and concealing it with such ease that even his wife had been duped.
After closing the suitcase, Catherine got up and gazed at the man who was sleeping on the bed. She felt like she was in danger as she lay next to hi
m. Sleep eluded her, and her heart pounded, waiting—waiting for Ashley to come back with something.