After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 42

"Waldo," Nestor said, his tone serious, "we'll handle the new energy project just as you suggested. And about Catherine... I'll make sure she changes her mind soon."

Waldo felt a quiet surge of satisfaction, though he kept his face gentle and considerate. "Nestor, please, don't be too hard on Catherine. I'm willing to wait for her."

Nestor looked at him with genuine admiration. This young man really understood things. He was determined now. No matter what, he would break Catherine up from that broke engineer.

It wasn't just about securing a strong ally for the Blair family’s future. He also wanted to pull Catherine out of this mess and give her the comfortable, privileged life she deserved.

***

The next morning, Nestor’s driver pulled up outside Lawrence’s house. It was an old villa, probably from the seventies or eighties, and seeing the worn-out place made Nestor frown even more.

Catherine was working from home that day. Lawrence had already left for work.

When the doorbell rang, Catherine thought it was a package. But when she glanced through the gate and saw her father standing there, her heart skipped a beat. Why was Nestor here?

She frowned and called out, "Dad, what are you doing here?"

Nestor’s face was cold. "Open up. Let me in. We need to talk."

Catherine opened the door and let him inside. Nestor glanced around the big yard, a bit surprised by how spacious it was. But then he figured, with an old house like this, space didn't mean much. The rent was probably cheap anyway.

When he stepped into the living room, he couldn't help but scan the place with a critical eye. It was clean and tidy, but to him, everything screamed of being poor and second-rate.

He huffed, "So this is the great husband you picked? He can't even buy you decent furniture?"

"Dad, that's not fair," Catherine said, pushing back. "I actually like it here. It feels nice."

"You like it?" Nestor scoffed. He pointed at the old, mismatched furniture. "I've given you the best of everything since you were a child, and now you want to suffer in a place like this?"

"He hasn't done anything," Catherine said quickly. "I just like him. This is my choice." She couldn't let her father blame Lawrence for any of this.

Nestor was out of arguments. He kept glancing around the little villa, eyeing the old furniture with obvious disgust.

"Just look at this place. Waldo's garage is nicer than this entire house."

Catherine rolled her eyes. "Dad, you have another daughter, remember? Let Shirley marry Waldo. Your company will still get the benefits. Just stop hoping it's going to be me."

Nestor scowled, annoyed that Catherine had seen right through him. "So you're really not coming back? Fine. Stay here and suffer, then."

Back in the car, Nestor fumed. All the anger he felt toward Catherine now burned against Lawrence.

"Take me to Nexus Dynamics," he told the driver. "I need to have a word with Lawrence."