After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 258

Nestor had barely settled onto the sofa when a heavy pressure squeezed his chest. He pressed his palm against it, frowning. These spells of racing heartbeats and shallow breaths were happening more and more these days.

***

The next morning arrived.

Three cars rolled into Cabinda, fresh off the highway from Harrisburg. Instead of heading straight for The Blair Group, they drove straight to Nexus Dynamics.

Lawrence needed to jump into an emergency meeting, but Patrick saw it as a perfect chance to visit Catherine.

“Dad, I haven’t told Catherine who you really are yet,” Lawrence said as they pulled in.

“No need to rush,” Patrick replied, easygoing as ever. “Let her meet me like any other person. It’ll be more relaxed.”

The cars slid into the underground parking lot at Nexus Dynamics. Lawrence headed for his private elevator that went straight to the top-floor conference room. Patrick wandered over to the lobby.

A few minutes later, Catherine picked up a call. Someone from the front desk asked her to come down and meet a guest.

She was a little confused but didn’t think much of it.

Patrick blended in perfectly, just an ordinary older man in a simple jacket, hands folded behind his back as he watched employees come and go.

When Catherine got to the lobby, a receptionist greeted her with a smile. “Catherine, your guest is waiting over there.”

She followed the direction, curiosity written all over her face. Just then, Patrick heard footsteps and turned around.

Their eyes met. Catherine stopped short, surprise lighting up her features. “Security?”

Patrick grinned and walked over. “Catherine, take a wild guess. Who do you think I really am?”

Catherine pressed her lips together, a little embarrassed, then called out softly, “Dad.”

Patrick laughed, shaking his head. “I figured you’d already guessed. My wife said you saw our family photos.”

“Why? Does your family own Nexus Dynamics? Am I not allowed to visit?” Shirley shot back. Her gaze flicked to Patrick. “Security, you remember me, right?”

Patrick remembered her well, but since she was Catherine’s half-sister, he kept things polite. “Hello.”

“Dad, why don’t we go up to my office?” Catherine jumped in, trying to keep Shirley from saying anything she’d regret.

Shirley stared at Catherine, then at Patrick, her eyes widening as the pieces clicked together.

Wait. Was this doorman actually Lawrence’s dad?

“Catherine, is this Lawrence’s father?” Shirley put on her best surprised face.

“Yes,” Catherine replied, meeting her stare.

Shirley almost laughed out loud. So what if Lawrence was all that? His dad was just a security guard.