Chapter 12: Anger
904 Words
“Mr. Shang, Miss Catherine has a stomach condition?” Ryan Long watched Catherine’s retreating figure, inwardly seething.
What kind of dress is she wearing? That black cocktail dress is almost entirely backless!
“Uh…” Edward Shang was momentarily taken aback, not expecting Ryan Long’s sudden question.
“Oh, it’s like this. Catherine was in good health when she was in Taiwan, but after studying in the UK these past few years, she may not have paid much attention to her diet, so her health has declined,” Diana Wang interjected, trying to steer the conversation away and redirect it towards Sophia.
“Sorry, I need to use the restroom as well,” Ryan Long suddenly stood up and, without looking back, walked away, leaving the three of them stunned.
Catherine never expected Ryan Long to wait for her at the restroom door. As soon as she stepped out, he grabbed her arm and pulled her into a VIP room.
“What exactly are you playing at?” he trapped her between the door and himself.
If she had considered last night’s events as part of her strategy, was she intending to flirt with him at the pub and then prepare to be intimate with him?
Of course, if that was her plan, it would only be to ensure the success of today’s matchmaking.
But this damn woman had overlooked the most crucial point: he, Ryan Long, was not someone to be easily manipulated!
“Playing games?” Catherine struggled, trying to push him away. She had already experienced how terrible he could be last night and had no desire to get entangled with him further.
Ryan Long gripped her hand, pulling her close to him.
“You’re still saying you’re not playing games? Otherwise, why were you so eager to get into my bed last night?”
The bed!?
Catherine’s face flushed red. Did he think she was trying to ensure today’s matchmaking went smoothly by actively approaching him last night?
A surge of indignation ignited within her. Forgetting her stomach pain and fear, she pushed against his chest with all her might.
“Hey! Don’t be so arrogant! Do you think the name Ryan Long is something extraordinary? Maybe many women flock to you, but I, Catherine Shang, am not one of them. I don’t even want to be at this damned matchmaking dinner, let alone offer my virtue to you for free!” Catherine’s body trembled with rage as she fired off her words, finishing with a scowl.
She tried to leave with a flourish, but before her hand could reach the door handle, he yanked her back.
He held her chin, forcing her face upward.
“Are you saying that last night you wanted to get in bed with me just to make me wear a green hat?” His brows were deeply furrowed, his eyes blazing with fury.
“I don’t care what hat you wear!” She was so angry that she had forgotten what she had said earlier.
“If last night, you weren’t with me, you would have casually given your purity to another man, wouldn’t you?” The thought that what should have been his right might be taken by another man made him unreasonably furious.
“You’re out of your mind!” Catherine pushed him away again. “Even if I were to find another man, what’s it to you?”
This time she was smarter. As soon as she escaped his hold, she quickly moved a few steps away.
“How can it not concern me?” Ryan Long advanced step by step.
“It doesn’t concern you at all. We don’t even know each other well!” She watched him warily, continuing to back away, almost circling the room.
“Who says we have no connection? Just because of what you said, I agreed to marry you, Mr. Shang!”
“W-what?” Catherine was stunned, her face turning pale as if she had been hit with a spell, forgetting to run or hide.
“It was you who provoked me, so don’t blame me for this!” Ryan Long said with a victorious smile.
Before Catherine could process his words, his handsome face was suddenly very close to hers. Without warning, he kissed her again.
Throughout the dinner, everyone had their own concerns.
Catherine was on edge all night, anxious and fearful that Ryan Long might indeed propose marriage to Uncle Shang.
When the dinner ended and Ryan Long and Elliot drove away, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he was just toying with her.
Back home, Uncle Shang drove the car into the garage while she and her mother went inside.
Catherine closed the door behind her, thinking that after such a tiring night, she should be able to go upstairs and rest.
“Catherine, I don’t think you’re too tired yet, are you?” Her mother suddenly called out to her.
Catherine turned around, trying to maintain a smile. “No, I’m not too tired.”
In fact, she was almost exhausted. In that VIP room, she had used all her strength to push Ryan Long away.
“Well then, go upstairs and call Sophia down, and you need to come too!” Diana Wang instructed, already making plans in her mind.
Catherine didn’t think much of it and turned to head upstairs to fetch Sophia.
- Writer
