After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 181

Lawrence was smiling gently at Catherine, his eyes warm and soft. But when he looked over at Shirley, his whole expression changed. Suddenly, his gaze was icy cold. It wasn’t anger exactly, just this kind of chilling calm that made you want to step back.

Shirley felt her heart skip a beat under that look, but she lifted her chin, refusing to back down. Her voice got sharper. “Oh, what’s this? Are you mad now? How about this, then? Why don’t you just move into our family? That way, everyone can see you’re living off us, and it’ll be official…”

She didn’t even get to finish. Catherine, who’d been standing quietly by her side, couldn’t take it anymore. Without a second thought, she raised her hand.

The slap rang out, sharp and clear, echoing in the air. Shirley’s head jerked to the side. For a second, she just stared in shock, her hand flying up to her burning cheek. “Catherine, you—”

Catherine shook out her tingling wrist, her voice cool and steady. “That slap’s to remind you how to speak to people.” Then she stepped right up to Shirley, eyes locked on hers. “I let a lot of things slide for Dad’s sake, all the stuff you did to me before. But if you ever disrespect Lawrence again, try me. See what happens.”

The look in Catherine’s eyes was sharp, cold enough to cut. Shirley pressed her palm to her cheek, furious and humiliated, but there was no one here to defend her. She forced a sneer anyway, lips curling. “Catherine, go ahead, keep protecting Lawrence. You’ll regret it someday.”

She shot Lawrence a glare, grabbed her bag, and stalked off, heels clicking as she left.

Catherine was still catching her breath when two strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a warm, solid hug. Lawrence rested his chin gently on her shoulder, his voice low and close to her ear. “Thank you, my wife.”

Some of Catherine’s tension melted away. She turned in his arms, cheeks pink. “Was I… was I too harsh just now?”

Lawrence brushed her cheek with his fingertips, his touch so gentle. “Not at all. You were amazing. I love seeing you stand up for me.”

A memory flashed through his mind, as clear as day. Six years ago, she’d stood in front of him with a gun in her shaking hands, tears streaming down her face, and even then, he’d thought she was the bravest, most beautiful girl in the world.

He pulled her closer, pressing a soft kiss into her hair. His voice was warm. “And you’re beautiful, too.”

“We traced it. The money came straight from a Nexus Dynamics account.”

For a moment, Waldo just stared, stunned. His grip on the phone tightened.

Nexus Dynamics?

Suddenly, it all made sense. That was why Catherine had been so calm, so confident tonight, not afraid to raise the stakes. She had the support of Nexus Dynamics behind her.

Waldo pressed his lips together, rubbing at his temples as realization hit him. Catherine had won the rights to develop the Apex Initiative Project. This was the reward Nexus Dynamics had given her.

He closed his eyes, a wave of regret crashing over him. Why had he ever tried to force Catherine into being the perfect, obedient girl?