After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 349

“What’s a nobody like you getting so full of yourself for?” Shirley shot Nettie a glare, picking on her just because she seemed like the easiest target. It was obvious Catherine had some status now, being Lawrence’s wife, but Nettie? Nettie was still a nobody in her eyes.

Nettie’s cheeks burned with anger. She was just about to argue back when Nicol took her hand, fingers closing gently but firmly around hers. His eyes were cold as he stared straight at Shirley.

“Watch how you talk to my girlfriend.”

Shirley froze, totally stunned. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Nicol, the global COO of Nexus Dynamics, a man with more power and money than most people could dream of, was holding Nettie’s hand right in front of everyone. And Nettie, the ordinary girl Shirley had always looked down on, was suddenly standing by his side.

“Nicol, you must be joking. I seriously have to question your taste. Nettie’s just a plain girl from a regular family. What makes her worthy of being with you?” Shirley’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

Catherine could barely stop herself from rolling her eyes, and Nettie looked like she wanted to throw something at Shirley.

“My taste has nothing to do with you, especially coming from someone who steals other people’s work,” Nicol replied, his words sharp.

He pulled Nettie closer, wrapping an arm around her waist. His glare didn’t leave Shirley for a second. “Whatever her background is, she’s still a thousand times better than someone who’s rotten inside like you.”

Shirley looked like she’d just been slapped. Catherine and Nettie shared a quick glance and both smiled.

“You…” Shirley was shaking with anger, but for once she couldn’t think of a comeback.

No way. That couldn’t be true.

“Catherine, what kind of fantasy are you living in? My Resonance AI is the result of years of work from me and my team. There’s no way yours could beat it so easily.” Shirley refused to believe it. She’d always thought her Resonance AI was the best out there, the most powerful and reliable system on the market.

Catherine just gave her a small, almost pitying smile. “You’ll find out soon enough if I’m bluffing or not. When it’s all over, everyone will see what real Resonance AI is. As for that buggy, copycat mess of yours… you can keep it for yourself.”

“Catherine, don’t push it,” Shirley snapped, practically bursting with rage. “If you try anything, Dad won’t let you get away with it.”

Catherine’s expression turned ice cold. Hearing Shirley call him “Dad” made her blood boil. For ten years, this mother and daughter, with no real family connection to her father, had been living off him. And now Shirley still dared to act so high and mighty in front of her.