Chapter 711 Break Your Legs
The plane flew for a whole 12 hours and safely landed early the next morning. Although the school authorities had arranged the best business class for this trip, the long hours of sitting had left them with severe backaches and sore waists.
Catherine descended from the plane with an air of elegance, her hands empty and tucked into her pockets.
Marshall teased, âCatherine, Iâve already minimized my luggage to a single box. How come you brought nothing with you? The hotel doesnât have everything you need, you know.â
Fergus chuckled and interjected, â Young people are different from us old folks who have to bring everything. They can solve everything with money. Why burden themselves with a heap of luggage?â
Marshall shook his head, unyielding. â This is Alton, not our home. There are things that money canât buy, arenât there?â
Amelia, who had come along with the group, raised her suitcase in front of Marshall. âProfessor Hartley, I share a dorm with Catherine, and all her essentials are with me!â
âGood, letâs go. Weâre off to the hotel,â Marshall said, nodding in agreement. â Itâs a good thing that Catherine can focus on the competition,â he thought.
Amelia served as Catherineâs assistant in the laboratory. Catherine had specifically arranged for her to join them. When Amelia found out she could go with them, she was so ecstatic. Shortly after, she packed her things and cheerfully set off with Catherine.
Marshallâs research team members didnât seem to mind, as Amelia had always been with them. Despite her limited knowledge and qualifications not reaching the level of a researcher, Ameliaâs cheerful and helpful nature made everyone like her. They all agreed that she was more of an assistant to the whole research team than to Catherine.
However, the agreement of Marshallâs team did not mean that other groups were without objections. Bringing along a freshman like Catherine was barely acceptable, given that she was Marshallâs acknowledged favorite student. But now, Catherine brought her roommate here, which they thought was inappropriate.
Paddy stood to the side, rolling his eyes. He couldnât stand such nepotism. It was bad enough that she used connections, but she seemed to want everybody to know that she had used a backdoor way to bring her roommate with her.
The professors and the leaders walked ahead while Paddy glanced at Amelia, who was walking alone at the back.
Seizing the opportunity while she was not paying attention, he stuck out his foot and tripped her. Amelia didnât notice and fell to the ground, her chest hitting the luggage, making it difficult for her to stand up due to the pain.
Just as Catherine heard the noise, she turned back to help Amelia up. âAre you okay?â
Amelia, with teary eyes, endured the intense pain and told Catherine, âIâm fine. I just accidentally tripped.â
Catherine glanced at Paddy, her icy stare making him feel uneasy despite his previous confidence.
âWhy are you staring at me? Itâs her fault for not watching where sheâs going. Whatâs it got to do with me?â Paddy said, subconsciously taking a step back. He both resented and feared Catherine.
After helping Amelia up, Catherine took a step forward. Seeing that Catherine was about to confront Paddy, Amelia quickly stopped her. âCatherine, itâs my fault. I tripped carelessly. Letâs just forget about it.â
Paddy thought that since Amelia admitted it was her fault, Catherine wouldnât dare to reprimand him. âSee, she admitted it herself. Itâs not my fault.â
Catherine glanced at Paddyâs legs and sternly reprimanded him, âIf thereâs a next time, Iâll break your legs!â
Paddy turned pale with fear but also wanted to argue against Catherineâs arrogance. However, she shut him down with a single phrase. âOpen your goddamn eyes and look up!â
Paddy, confused, subconsciously looked up and then felt incredibly embarrassed. He had been secretly happy about the lack of evidence for Catherineâs threats, but he had forgotten they were at the airport, where surveillance cameras were everywhere. There was one right above their heads, facing their direction. If things escalated and Catherine demanded to see the footage, he would definitely be in big trouble.
Thinking of Fergusâs warning, Paddy slinked away. Participating in the Bide Cup was a rare opportunity, and he wouldnât give up the chance just because he disliked Catherine.
Catherine took Ameliaâs luggage and said, âLetâs go to the hotel.â
Amelia, who had intended to take the luggage herself, was refused by Catherine, âCatherine, did I cause you trouble?â Amelia asked.
âNo,â Catherine said coldly, not even looking back as she walked away.
Watching Catherineâs departing figure, Amelia couldnât put into words how highly she regarded Catherine at that moment.
The whole team arrived at the hotel, and after the team leader gathered everyone in the lobby, he made an important announcement. âDear students, we are here in Alton to participate in the competition, and all expenses during the competition are provided by the Duncan Corporation. Letâs express our gratitude for the sponsorship of the Duncan Corporation. At the same timeâ¦â
Some official announcements followed, but thankfully, the leaderâs speech was relatively brief. After just five minutes, everyone was allowed to return to their rooms to rest.
Amelia couldnât help but ask Catherine, âCatherine, was the person in charge of the Duncan Corporation mentioned by the leader just now, Mr. Duncan?â
âYes.â Catherine nodded slightly.
Ameliaâs eyes were filled with envy. She had seen Branden several times and was always amazed by his handsome appearance. She never expected such a handsome and wealthy man to be so devoted to a woman. He truly deserved to be Catherineâs boyfriend.
The fact that Branden not only sponsored the entire team to accompany Catherine in the competition but also provided such a luxurious service made the whole situation feel like something out of an idol drama.
Catherine and Amelia were assigned to the same room. Just as they had entered the room, the doorbell rang.
Catherine, who had been resting on the bed, opened her eyes as soon as she heard the doorbell, while Amelia took the initiative to get up and answer the door. âNo worries, Catherine. Iâll handle this.â
A moment later, Amelia returned to the room, pushing a cart filled with food, her face beaming with happiness. â Catherine, the hotelâs service is amazing. They knew the airplane food wasnât great, so they specially brought us lunch! You should come and eat some!â
During the flight, Catherine had rested the entire time, not eating a single bite. Although Amelia had noticed, she dared not disturb Catherineâs rest.
Catherine got off the bed, and the scent of food in the air was pleasant, so she was willing to give it a try.
Amelia lifted the cover on the food and discovered it was all Eskanese cuisine. She immediately realized something. Raised an eyebrow at Catherine, she smiled with a hint of playfulness. âIt turns out itâs not the hotelâs excellent service but Mr. Duncanâs arrangement.â
Catherine glanced over and smirked slightly. It was all her favorite dishes, likely Brandenâs doing.