After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 69

Waldo let out a low, humorless laugh, his eyes never leaving Lawrence. “Seriously, what makes a consultant with no real job think he deserves to stand next to Catherine?”

Catherine shot him a glare, icy and sharp. “Are you done yet? Even if he had nothing, he’s still the one I care about.”

Waldo’s breath hitched. For a second, he couldn’t find the words. He stared at her, pain flickering across his face. “Catherine, don’t forget. I used to be the one you cared about most.”

She looked at him like he was a stranger, her voice cool and edged with mockery. “Waldo, do you really think you deserve that spot now?”

The words cut deep. Waldo clenched his jaw, his whole face stiff, as if trying to keep from showing just how much it hurt.

Shirley picked that moment to step in. “Catherine, why are you being so cruel to Waldo? Just because he loved you, does it mean you get to stomp all over his heart?”

Catherine’s gaze slid over to Shirley. Her voice was flat. “You’re the last person here who should be talking. I haven’t even begun to settle things with you after last time.”

Shirley’s heart skipped. She knew Catherine meant the incident when she’d fallen into the sea, but there was no proof, just accusations Catherine couldn’t back up.

“Fine, maybe I should apologize. You fell, I didn’t catch you in time, and you ended up in the water. But I jumped in after you, didn’t I? I risked my own life to save you.”

Catherine’s eyes locked onto her, her words slow and biting. “Are you sure... it was an accident that I fell?”

Shirley folded her arms, her expression calm, not backing down. “Catherine, I know you’ve never liked me, but that doesn’t give you the right to accuse me of something I didn’t do.”

Waldo, watching Catherine go after Shirley, felt he had to step in. “Catherine, what happened that day was awful for all of us, but it’s not fair to blame Shirley. If you have to blame someone, blame me.”

She followed him, but couldn’t help glancing back toward Catherine. Her eyes drifted to Lawrence instead, and for a moment, she had to admit that Catherine had good taste. Lawrence really was something.

Even when he’d been standing next to Waldo, he hadn’t been outshined at all.

Now, in a room full of high-flyers, Lawrence still stood out without even trying.

Shirley’s thoughts turned sour. She’d heard Lawrence was some ex-soldier. What a waste—such a great body, such a handsome face, but he’d never shake off that reputation for being broke.

And Catherine, a newbie with nothing to her name, daring to take on the chief engineer role at Nexus Dynamics? Shirley was sure she’d get fired soon enough and become the industry’s punchline.

She couldn’t wait to watch the disaster unfold.