Catherine brought the car to a halt and shut off the engine in the mansion’s garage. After ensuring the car was parked securely, she gathered the shopping bags she had filled during her trip to the mall and prepared to head inside.
She had felt restless at the mansion, so she’d decided to head out for some air. A sudden, sharp craving for chocolate cake had led her to her favorite bakery. She’d considered inviting Anna or Brad, but they were both buried in work, so she had enjoyed the treat on her own.
Despite being technically unemployed, Catherine was far from idle. She refused to depend solely on her parents’ wealth. Over the years, she had built up her savings and invested them wisely in the stock market, which provided her with a steady, if modest, income. While her dream was to op
