Chapter 6
Philip hung up the phone and tossed it aside.
He needed to know what had happened to her during these seven years.
How had that frightened little doe transformed herself into this thorny rose with sharp claws, boldly invading his territory?
He muttered to himself, "No matter whether you are Catherine or Emily, you came to me willingly. Now this game will be played by my rules."
A few days later, at the University of Medical Light.
James sent a checking-in message: [Babe, at school?]
Catherine glanced at her phone screen and quickly typed back: [Yes.]
After sending it, she felt the response seemed too cold, so after a moment's thought, she added a flirtatious emoji.
James promptly sent back a mischievous smile: [Got a surprise for you.]
Catherine was privately wondering what scheme James was cooking up when she looked up to see two men in impeccable suits confidently walking toward the podium.
Today's guest lecture featured none other than Philip, CEO of Nova Pharmaceuticals, and James, Administrative Director of the West Group.
Catherine instinctively focused her gaze on Philip, who sat on the raised platform exuding an aura of cold dignity.
She recalled how last night, after her provocations, he had walked out without hesitation, utterly merciless.
Philip seemed to sense Catherine's burning gaze. His eyes narrowed slightly as he instantly located her position.
As Catherine felt Philip's gaze upon her, her lips slowly curved into a seductive smile.
She raised her slender index and middle fingers to her red lips, then playfully blew a kiss in Philip's direction.
Philip caught this provocative gesture but simply looked away impassively, as if he didn't know her at all, focusing intently on the campus brochure on the table instead.
Though Catherine maintained her smile despite Philip's dismissal, inwardly she couldn't help cursing, 'This bastard really does zip up and forget!'
At that moment, the chancellor Emilio Blair approached the podium to introduce Philip and James to the students.
James was the first to speak.
Holding the microphone, James stood tall at the podium, eagerly scanning the lecture hall.
Catherine's eyes suddenly met James's, and her heart tightened. She quickly composed herself, ensuring James wouldn't notice anything unusual.
When James saw Catherine, his face instantly lit up with a radiant smile.
He straightened his posture and began reciting his prepared speech. "Hello everyone, I'm James West, Administrative Director of the West Group. I'm delighted to be here today..."
Nova Pharmaceuticals owned numerous subsidiaries, with their medical division being their crown jewel.
Nova's pharmaceutical companies and private hospitals spanned the globe. With cutting-edge medical technology and vast medical talent resources, they held a dominant position in the pharmaceutical industry—virtually a monopoly.
The West Group, meanwhile, had once been an obscure small enterprise. After a business marriage alliance with the Foster family, they had leveraged Nova's substantial resources to develop into a formidable corporation.
"And that concludes my presentation. Thank you all!" James finished his prepared speech and stepped down from the podium.
As he took his seat, he continued searching for Catherine in the crowd.
Catherine was well aware of James watching her. She performed perfectly, applauding enthusiastically with a brilliant smile lighting up her face.
Next, it was Philip's turn to speak.
He strode to the podium with his long legs, exuding effortless confidence. "An exceptional surgeon should possess the virtues of kindness, courage, and ambition..."
Philip's speech was powerful and commanding, emanating an irresistible authority that had many students gazing at him with admiration.
All except Catherine. When she heard these words, she could only think of Philip as a complete hypocrite.
People like him, standing at the pinnacle of power, daring to lecture about kindness!
Such people excelled at deception.
Even with hearts of stone, they could present themselves as cultured and refined to win praise from others.
As Philip continued his eloquent speech, his gaze swept over to Catherine. When he saw her head lowered, his brow furrowed slightly and his thin lips pressed together.
When the speech concluded, Philip bowed gracefully and humbly.
Despite being worth billions, he displayed such modesty and courtesy that in an instant, he successfully captured the hearts of everyone present.
Thunderous applause erupted, with many students even standing up to show their enthusiastic appreciation for Philip.
Seeing this, Emilio stepped forward with a smile. "Since our students are so enthusiastic about Mr. Foster, perhaps we could ask him to answer three questions? What do you say?"
Catherine had expected the typically cold Philip to refuse the chancellor's suggestion outright, but to her surprise, he calmly replied, "Certainly."
At these words, female students immediately became excited, eagerly raising their hands.
Emilio called on one female student, who stood up excitedly and asked without hesitation, "Mr. Foster, are you married?"
The question instantly transformed the atmosphere in the lecture hall. What had been a serious guest lecture suddenly felt like a gossip session, with curiosity hanging thick in the air.
Emilio felt somewhat anxious, as this touched on Philip's personal privacy.
He assumed Philip wouldn't answer and was considering how to smooth over the situation when he heard Philip respond calmly. "No, I'm not."
"Mr. Foster, do you have a girlfriend?" a bold female voice called out from somewhere in the hall, directly voicing what everyone was thinking.
Philip remained expressionless as he picked up the microphone and answered concisely. "I did, but we recently broke up."
Catherine was slightly taken aback, truly not expecting to learn about Philip's relationship status in such a setting.
Although it was perfectly normal for someone of Philip's age to have had girlfriends, for some reason, hearing this news stirred an unusual feeling within her.
The female students' curiosity intensified, and someone followed up. "Do you plan on finding a new girlfriend soon, Mr. Foster?"
Philip's gaze drifted toward the distance, seemingly landing on Catherine almost imperceptibly.
Catherine keenly noticed this subtle look from Philip, and found herself strangely anticipating his answer.
Philip lifted his head slightly, adopting a soulful expression. "No, I don't. A seven-year relationship isn't something you can easily move on from."
Catherine's smile instantly froze, a complex emotion welling up inside her.
A seven-year relationship?
Watching Philip say this with apparent nonchalance, she couldn't shake the feeling that his words held a hidden meaning.
The session continued with James's Q&A, while Philip rose and left the lecture hall.
Catherine wouldn't let this opportunity slip by. She followed him out.
Just as she stepped into the corridor, she came face-to-face with Philip.
Though Philip saw Catherine too, he showed no interest in engaging with her and continued walking straight ahead.
Catherine wasn't about to let him go so easily. She quickly moved forward, stretching out her arm to block Philip's path.
Philip was forced to stop. Looking down at her with cold eyes, he asked, "Yes?"
Far from being intimidated by his coldness, Catherine boldly stepped closer, impulsively pushing him into a nearby fire exit. Her voice turned soft and coy. "Mr. Foster, I've been missing you terribly."
Philip's sculpted eyebrows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Instead of pushing her away, he extended his long, elegant fingers to tilt her delicate chin upward with a hint of insolence. "You're so shameless!"
Philip towered over Catherine with his tall, imposing figure—she was a full head shorter than him.
When he looked down at her, his gaze carried an icy detachment.
Catherine thought to herself, 'If Philip doesn't speak, with that face alone, he will be an utterly captivating ice prince. Yet when he opens his mouth, there is something roguish in his tone—this stark contrast holds a fatal attraction for me.'
"Mr. Foster, I really do miss you," she adjusted her breathing, working to make her voice sound more innocent and sweet.
Philip smirked as his fingers slowly slid downward from her chin.
His calloused fingertips, like electric currents, deliberately traced over her neck and collarbone.
Finally, they came to rest at the edge of her full breasts, where he cruelly pressed down on a sensitive peak, his eyes dark. "Do you miss me, or do you miss having sex with me?"