After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 191

Catherine turned to Nestor, her voice steady. “Dad, you always taught me to keep my word, to stand by my promises. If she was still a little kid, I’d let it go, but she’s an adult now. Adults should be responsible for what they say and do, right?”

Nestor hesitated, caught off guard by how Catherine had left him with nothing to say.

“Dad,” Shirley pleaded, clinging to his arm, her voice shaky. “I… I just said that without thinking.”

Alice shot Catherine an annoyed look. “Catherine, Lawrence is here tonight, and so is Waldo. Do you really have to make a scene and embarrass everyone like this?” Her words were sharp and full of blame.

Before Catherine could answer, Lawrence finally spoke up. He set down his teacup and said calmly, “I don’t see it that way. If we’re all adults, we follow the rules we set. That’s just how it works.”

Alice fell silent, her face clouded with frustration.

Catherine arched an eyebrow. “If you don’t want to keep your promise, that’s fine. Tomorrow, every screen at The James Group will be playing this video on repeat until you do.”

Shirley straightened up, forcing a sneer. “Catherine, you really think you’re that important? Waldo’s right here. Let’s see if he actually lets you do that.”

Catherine met Shirley’s eyes, cool and confident. “Why? Are you saying I wouldn’t dare, or that I can’t?”

Waldo frowned, studying Catherine. He knew how tight The James Group’s security was, but if Catherine said she could do it, he believed she probably could.

Shirley’s bravado faltered. For a second, she actually seemed worried Catherine might pull it off.

“If you’d rather not get slapped, that’s an option. One slap is a million. I already slapped you once at the auction, so two slaps left plus the one-million bet. Wire me three million by ten tomorrow morning. If not, I’ll see you on the big screen in The James Group’s lobby.”

Alice was secretly pleased. In her mind, Shirley was doing the right thing. Nestor should be the one to pay.

Catherine let out a little laugh. “Shirley, I thought you were the capable one. Can’t even come up with three million?”

Just then, a man’s voice cut through the tension. Waldo looked at Shirley and said, “Shirley, don’t make things hard for Nestor. I’ll pay.”

Shirley, still fuming seconds before, instantly lit up, looking at Waldo with surprise and hope. “Waldo…”

Alice turned to Waldo too, her eyes brightening. Was Waldo really about to step in for Shirley?