Chapter 677 Itâs Destiny
Triston noticed that Audreyâs expression became very unpleasant after she came out of the coffee shop.
Initially, he was extremely cautious, afraid Audrey might erupt in anger and tear him apart with her fury. Now, he wished Audrey would just let it out. Audreyâs silent demeanor left him anxious and unsure. No woman had ever stirred his emotions like this.
Parking the car on the side, he reached out, grabbing Audreyâs hand and holding it tightly in his palm. âAudrey, whatâs wrong? Did Andrea say something to you? You donât have to listen to her; sheâs just not in her right mind.â
Audrey weakly lifted her head and looked at Triston briefly before whispering, âIâm tired. Just take me home.â After that, she turned her head away, unwilling to give Triston even a glance.
Triston was getting frustrated, but Audrey remained calm, not raising her voice or causing a scene. Reluctantly, Triston had no choice but to respect Audreyâs wishes and take her home. After all, if he pissed her off, then she would hide and disappear, and he would be the one in trouble.
Catherine stayed in the laboratory until 7 p.m. Ciaran, noticing she was still focused on the experiments, asked, Catherine, shall we go for dinner? Do you want me to bring you something?â
Catherine, the professorâs favorite student and the youngest among them, usually received special attention. â Thank you, Ciaran, but Iâll leave in a while.â She politely declined the offer.
Ciaran found it curious. âRare for you to leave the lab so early today.â
Ciaran admired Catherineâs concentration during experiments. Once in the lab, she displayed an intense focus, not even glancing at her phone during breaks. Perhaps it was because she had such focus that she was so successful that even the professor looked at her differently.
In response to Ciaranâs teasing, Catherine smiled faintly and replied, Just happened to have something to attend to.â
âAlright then, weâll go for dinner first,â said Ciaran.
After waving goodbye, Catherine resumed her work.
As the experiments concluded, she closed the lab door. And before leaving, she paused at Marshallâs office. She stood quietly, and there was no sound from within.
The supposedly haunted place Amelia had mentioned was Marshallâs office, but now it seemed completely quiet. After a few minutes, Catherine turned away and left the lab.
She originally intended to return to her dorm. However, she received a message from Branden when she got to the bottom of the dormitory building and changed direction toward the school gate.
In the distance, Branden, sitting in his car, spotted her slender figure. Alone, she walked slowly toward where heâd parked.
He got out of the car and approached her. Seeing Catherine about to arrive, he took off his coat and draped it over her.
âYou came so quickly. Didnât you go to the lab today?â It was just a trial for Branden. He knew Catherine wouldnât bring her phone into the lab, and he couldnât reach her. But despite that, he came.
âCoincidentally, I just finished the experiment.â Catherineâs simple words brought a smile to Brandenâs face.
âItâs destiny,â said Branden.
Catherine looked up and caught Brandenâs amused eyes. She couldnât help but tease him, âStop being such a narcissist. Shall we go for dinner?â
âDo you want us to cook our own food, or shall we go to Golden Spoon?â Branden asked.
Catherine thought for a moment, then got into the car. Only when she was seated did Branden bend down into the car.
Before Catherine could speak, Brandenâs phone rang. Initially thinking of declining, Branden answered when he saw it was Triston calling.
With one hand holding the phone, Branden used the other to grab some snacks from the car. They were all Catherineâs usual favorites. He placed them in front of Catherine, suggesting she fill her stomach first.
Catherine unwrapped the snacks just in time to hear Tristonâs whining on the other end. âWhatâs wrong with him?â she asked.
Branden glanced at her and whispered, âHeâs crazy.â
Triston, overhearing their conversation, roared in frustration, Branden, you bastard! How can you abandon your friends for a woman? I just want to ask you to come out for a drink. Why is it so difficult?â
Knowing Catherine was with Branden, Triston diverted his attention toward her. âCassie, please. Join me for a meal. If you donât come, this bastard wonât either.â
Branden looked at Catherine and whispered, âDo you want to go?â If she shook her head now, he would hang up immediately. He did not care what had happened to Triston.
Considering Tristonâs pitiful state, Catherine decided to be generous with her sympathy. âAlright, Iâll go.â
Without waiting for Tristonâs cheers, Branden ended the call.
Triston then sent the address to Branden with a copy to Paxton.
Half an hour later, the two appeared at the music bar where Triston was.
Aidan was also present. The two of them had consumed quite a few bottles by the look of the empty ones on the table.
Triston motioned for them to sit after they arrived and poured drinks for them, but Branden removed the glass in front of Catherine.
Glancing at the dishes on the table, he ordered a few light dishes and placed them in front of Catherine. âEat first.â
Catherine didnât protest and naturally accepted the fork Branden handed her, starting to eat. Aidan, watching their interactions, felt like he was starving himself.
Seeing the two seamlessly engaged, Triston felt a pang of heartache and complained, âHow come others in love are sweet, but when it comes to me, itâs so bumpy? Itâs unfair, completely unfair!â
Watching him, Catherine knew he must have suffered at Audreyâs hands. âWhat did you do to Audrey?â she asked.
Hearing Catherineâs words, Aidan chimed in, âYes, quickly tell us. What wrongdoing have you committed against Audrey? Tell us. Letâs see how far youâve gone.â
Triston glared disapprovingly at Aidan and angrily said, âGo away. Itâs none of your business!â
He dared to argue with Aidan but wouldnât dare to provoke Catherine. Firstly, he couldnât win against her, and secondly, if he angered Catherine, he would not only face Catherineâs beating but also Brandenâs. With the threat of the two, he didnât dare to be reckless.
âCatherine, this really isnât my fault. I donât know what happened. Audrey just got angry and kicked me out.â Triston then recounted the events of the afternoon.
Catherine silently ate her food, saying nothing. Aidan, on the other hand, played the role of a life advisor and explained to Triston.
He said, âWomen need a sense of security. Now, with this Andrea showing up, youâve made Audrey feel insecure. Mr. Lambert, not to criticize, but you handled this poorly.â
Triston didnât know how to respond, so he just drank silently.
Suddenly, Catherine, who had been quiet throughout the meal, put down her fork and looked at Triston. âYou should go talk to Andrea, not us.â