After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 83

Down in the banquet hall, a man with undeniable presence made his way down from the second floor. He wore a tailored high-collared suit, standing tall and straight, his confidence turning heads as he headed toward the group of scholars.

A ripple of excitement moved through the crowd.

“That’s Calvin, from the Department of Science and Technology,” someone whispered, barely able to contain their awe.

Waldo finally managed to pull his gaze away from Catherine. He lifted his glass, ready to go over and say hello to Calvin, but he stopped dead in his tracks.

Calvin was walking straight toward Catherine.

Waldo stared, completely stunned. Did Calvin actually know Catherine?

Next to him, Shirley’s eyes darkened with jealousy. She scoffed silently to herself. Catherine was only standing with that group because she was hanging onto Magee’s connections. She really should have had the sense to leave, but her shamelessness knew no bounds.

The longer she lingered in that crowd, the more important she’d seem.

Catherine understood that too. She wasn’t planning on moving anytime soon.

After greeting each of the academics, Calvin turned his attention right to Catherine. “You must be Catherine.”

Magee jumped in quickly to make introductions. “Catherine, this is Calvin from the Department of Science and Technology.”

Catherine’s heart skipped. Was this really someone from the national department? She forced herself to smile. “Hello, Mr. Calvin.”

“Nice to meet you. I read your paper five years ago. Very impressive.”

Catherine’s eyes widened. He’d read the paper she published under the name Nancy all those years ago?

“You flatter me. That was just some early work,” she admitted, a little shy.

Catherine was lost in the view when a cutting, sarcastic voice broke the quiet behind her. “You really know how to work it, don’t you? Sticking around the academics just to get noticed by Calvin?”

Catherine didn’t even have to look. It was definitely Shirley. She wasn’t interested in responding.

Shirley stepped closer, her voice dripping with disdain. “Where’s that broke husband of yours? Too embarrassed to bring him along? He got an invite, right?”

Catherine frowned, staying silent, but Shirley just laughed. “Don’t tell me you actually stopped him from coming.”

“Enough,” Catherine said, turning to face her, eyes icy. “You have no right to talk about my husband.”

That only made Shirley bolder. Catherine, without Waldo’s protection, was easy prey now. Nobody would step in for her if someone decided to push her around.

“What’s wrong? Did I hit a nerve? Must be humiliating, married to someone so beneath you.”