After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 169

Catherine heard footsteps coming down the stairs and glanced up. Lawrence was making his way down.

Shirley, having just won her bet, seemed a bit more cheerful, but there was something distracted in the way she looked at Lawrence. He was just an ordinary guy, so why did he always seem to carry this quiet, unshakable strength? Was she just imagining it?

Alice watched Lawrence, the man Nestor had started to favor. She forced herself to keep her irritation in check and asked, “Lawrence, are you heading out now?”

Lawrence nodded and looked over at Catherine. “Come on, Catherine, let’s go.”

Catherine picked up her bag and slipped her arm through his as they headed out together.

Once they were in the car, Catherine leaned her head on her hand, finally feeling a little calmer. She kept thinking about how the CEO of Nexus Dynamics had suddenly added her and offered to back her in the auction.

Lawrence glanced over, his voice gentle. “Something on your mind?”

“There’s something I need to tell you.” Catherine didn’t want to keep secrets. She turned toward him, her tone serious. “Just now, the CEO of Nexus Dynamics added me out of nowhere.”

Lawrence’s fingers stiffened for a split second on the steering wheel. He turned and smiled at her. “Oh yeah? What did he want?”

“He said that besides the huge bonus, he wants to give me something extra. He told me to ask for anything.” Catherine replayed the conversation in her head. “So I asked if he could guarantee I’d win a specific item at the auction tomorrow.” She paused. “He told me to go ahead and bid as high as I want, and he’d cover it.”

She finished and squinted at him, still confused. “Why do you think he’s treating me so well?”

Lawrence smiled, a soft sound escaping his throat as he looked at her, his gaze full of quiet affection.

“I think so.”

Catherine finally got it. Her doubts faded away. She had earned the boss’s respect through her own hard work. She shouldn’t let herself overthink it.

“Then I guess I won’t be shy about it,” Catherine said, her eyes sparkling with a smile. “Tomorrow night, I’m definitely going to win back my grandma’s heirloom. And I’m also going to—”

She cut herself off, sneaking a look at Lawrence. The bet with Shirley still made her a little nervous.