Chapter 5
Catherine narrowed her eyes at the message. Her long, curled lashes fluttered slightly, concealing the emotions in her eyes.
This was clearly Olivia staking her claim on James.
Catherine smirked, a glint of mischief flashing in her eyes as she quickly saved both the photo and video.
This had fallen right into her lap without any effort.
The bathroom door clicked open with a soft sound, releasing a cloud of steam that enveloped Philip as he emerged.
He walked out completely naked, water droplets trailing down his perfectly sculpted muscles like they were caressing a masterpiece.
Philip cast a cold glance at Catherine as she reclined against the headboard. His gaze made her feel like nothing more than an insignificant decoration in the room.
He bent down, gathered his clothes from the floor, and dressed himself with deliberate elegance.
Catherine watched him intently, her eyes filled with undisguised appreciation. The cigarette between her fingers was forgotten, its ash growing longer, threatening to fall.
Only when Philip pulled up his pants did she snap out of her trance, remembering something vitally important.
Catherine extinguished her cigarette and extended her slender, perfectly manicured fingers toward him, offering her phone. Her voice turned coquettish: "Mr. Foster, why don't you give me your contact information? So we can stay in touch, you know?"
Philip pulled up his zipper and fastened his belt deliberately, his voice deep and cold. "That won't be necessary."
Catherine wasn't about to give up so easily. She blinked her water-filled eyes, feigning innocence and confusion. "But why? We just had such,fun together. Why so distant now?"
Philip's face remained impassive, his eyes scrutinizing her with cold assessment. "We're not acquainted."
In his view, though she had been a virgin, they had only just reconnected, yet she had eagerly offered herself to him. She must have approached him with some hidden agenda.
Catherine watched as Philip buttoned his shirt. She lifted her delicate foot and placed it directly on his firm abdomen, gently caressing the spot where her teeth had left a visible mark earlier.
Philip's eyes darkened. He caught her ankle in his large hand and suddenly leaned down toward her, his masculine scent immediately enveloping her.
Catherine smoothly freed herself from his grip, her movements light and seductive as she draped her long, elegant leg over his broad shoulder.
"Not acquainted?" Catherine gazed at Philip with eyes that balanced innocence and seduction perfectly.
She ran the tip of her tongue lightly across her lips and said in a breathy voice, "When you were holding me, kissing me wildly here," She slowly raised her index finger, lightly tapping the full curves barely hidden by the sheet, "Weren't we intimately acquainted then?"
Philip lowered his gaze to the red marks visible on her smooth skin beneath the sheet, his eyes darkening further.
He reached out with his broad hand, firmly tilting her head back.
Her face lifted toward his, their noses nearly touching, their lips separated by barely an inch.
The slightest movement would bring them together again, continuing what they had started earlier.
Catherine stared into Philip's deep eyes, her breath catching, her heart pounding wildly.
Her gaze grew more alluring, her eyes slightly upturned at the corners, radiating a warmth that hinted at desire.
Philip looked at her, then suddenly let out a derisive laugh. "Are you always this cheap?"
He straightened up, looking down at Catherine with contempt. "You threw yourself at me. I don't owe you anything, so why not enjoy it?"
Catherine froze, then heard him whisper mockingly in her ear. "Did you think having sex with me would get you something? Money? Status? Or did you hope I'd look at you differently? Save it. I've seen plenty of women like you who try to seduce me to get ahead. You're just a plaything, barely a step above a prostitute. I suggest you have some self-respect, or you'll just seem desperate and cheap."
His voice dripped with scorn, draining the color from Catherine's previously flushed face.
She stared at Philip's contemptuous smile, feeling her heart contract painfully.
Of course, she had willingly offered herself to him. What right did she have to feel hurt now?
She forced her lips into a smile, struggling to maintain her composure.
Catherine understood his meaning perfectly.
She knew that with her looks and figure, Philip was physically attracted to her, but that was the extent of it.
A man like him, with his standards and position, had countless women surrounding him. He wouldn't easily be captivated by just one.
Soon, Philip was fully dressed, once again embodying that dignified, aloof presence, as if their passionate encounter had been nothing but an illusion.
As he turned to leave, Catherine suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a languid sensuality. "Funny coincidence."
Philip turned back to look at Catherine, who was smiling again, a playful glint in her eyes. "For me, you were just a convenient tool that happened to be available—something to use to get back at your philandering nephew."
She raised her chin defiantly, her tone casual and dismissive.
Philip stopped in his tracks, his expression darkening: "Catherine, don't provoke me, or..."
"Or what? You'll kill me?" Catherine cut him off rudely, her face wearing a mocking smile.
Philip's face filled with intense disgust when he heard this.
He coldly dropped a final comment. "You're out of your depth."
Then he strode out, slamming the door behind him.
Catherine remained frozen in place, staring blankly for a long moment before letting out a bitter laugh.
He was right—she was completely out of her depth.
Yet even knowing the dangerous path ahead, she continued forward without hesitation, driven by her bitterness, hatred, and burning desire for justice!
The heavy door closed firmly behind him, shutting out both the lingering intimacy of the room and Catherine's mocking smile.
Philip stood in the hallway, the temperature around him dropping several degrees colder than the night air.
"A tool for revenge against my nephew?"
For years, no one had dared to be so presumptuous in front of Philip.
And certainly, no one had ever dared to treat him as a disposable tool.
He strode toward the elevator, his steps measured but carrying an unmistakable sense of brewing storm.
The elevator doors opened smoothly, the polished metal interior reflecting his intensely cold expression and the unmistakable darkness in his eyes.
The elevator reached the underground garage.
His driver, already waiting, immediately opened the rear door of the Bentley.
"Mr. Foster."
Philip got in silently, and the car was suddenly filled with tension.
The driver didn't dare even glance at him, quickly returning to the driver's seat and starting the engine.
The car was filled with silence, broken only by the smooth hum of the engine in the darkness.
Philip leaned back in his seat, his long fingers slowly loosening his tie, while his mind involuntarily flashed to Catherine's face—pure yet seductive, with eyes that appeared innocent but were lined with sensuality.
Her body, which had blossomed beneath him, with that narrow waist and perfect curves, was fiery enough to burn a man to ashes.
Catherine was like a poppy growing on the edge of a cliff—breathtakingly beautiful, yet lethally poisonous.
He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they revealed a bottomless coldness.
He took out his phone and called his assistant.
"Alex."
"Yes, Mr. Foster?"
"I need you to investigate someone."
"Who?"
Philip's thin lips parted, pronouncing each syllable with glacial precision.
"Catherine Levin."
Alex's hand tightened on the phone, but he dared not ask further. "Okay, Mr. Foster. What specifically do you need?"
Philip watched the night scenery rushing past the window, his voice completely devoid of warmth.
"Everything about her. All her connections, her entire history, especially the last few years."
He paused before adding, his voice growing even deeper.
"I want to know absolutely everything about her."
Alex felt a chill run through him—he had never seen Philip so interested in a woman before.
"I'll get right on it."
Just as Alex thought the conversation was ending, Philip delivered one final, shocking revelation.
"Her name used to be Emily Winters."
Alex nearly slammed on his brakes in shock.
Emily Winters?
That heiress from the Winters family from seven years ago?