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, “Catherine, I’ve already minimized my luggage to a single box. How come you brought nothing with you? The hotel doesn’t have everything you need, you know.”
Fergus chuckled and interjected, ” 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?”
Marshall shook his head, unyielding. ” This is Alton, not our home. There are things that money can’t buy, aren’t there?”
Amelia, who had come along with the group, raised her suitcase in front of Marshall. “Professor Hartley, I share a dorm with Catherine, and all her essentials are with me!”
“Good, let’s go. We’re off to the hotel,” Marshall said, nodding in agreement. ” It’s a good thing that Catherine can focus on the competition,” he thought.
Amelia served as Catherine’s 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.
Marshall’s research team members didn’t seem to mind, as Amelia had always been with them. Despite her limited knowledge and qualifications not reaching the level of a researcher, Amelia’s 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 Marshall’s team did not mean that other groups were without objections. Bringing along a freshman like Catherine was barely acceptable, given that she was Marshall’s acknowledged favorite student. But now, Catherine brought her roommate here, which they thought was inappropriate.
Paddy stood to the side, rolling his eyes. He couldn’t 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 didn’t 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. “Are you okay?”
Amelia, with teary eyes, endured the intense pain and told Catherine, “I’m fine. I just accidentally tripped.”
Catherine glanced at Paddy, her icy stare making him feel uneasy despite his previous confidence.
“Why are you staring at me? It’s her fault for not watching where she’s going. What’s it got to do with me?” 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. “Catherine, it’s my fault. I tripped carelessly. Let’s just forget about it.”
Paddy thought that since Amelia admitted it was her fault, Catherine wouldn’t dare to reprimand him. “See, she admitted it herself. It’s not my fault.”
Catherine glanced at Paddy’s legs and sternly reprimanded him, “If there’s a next time, I’ll break your legs!”
Paddy turned pale with fear but also wanted to argue against Catherine’s arrogance. However, she shut him down with a single phrase. “Open your goddamn eyes and look up!”
Paddy, confused, subconsciously looked up and then felt incredibly embarrassed. He had been secretly happy about the lack of evidence for Catherine’s 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 Fergus’s warning, Paddy slinked away. Participating in the Bide Cup was a rare opportunity, and he wouldn’t give up the chance just because he disliked Catherine.
Catherine took Amelia’s luggage and said, “Let’s go to the hotel.”
Amelia, who had intended to take the luggage herself, was refused by Catherine, “Catherine, did I cause you trouble?” Amelia asked.
“No,” Catherine said coldly, not even looking back as she walked away.
Watching Catherine’s departing figure, Amelia couldn’t 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. “Dear students, we are here in Alton to participate in the competition, and all expenses during the competition are provided by the Duncan Corporation. Let’s express our gratitude for the sponsorship of the Duncan Corporation. At the same time…”
Some official announcements followed, but thankfully, the leader’s speech was relatively brief. After just five minutes, everyone was allowed to return to their rooms to rest.
Amelia couldn’t help but ask Catherine, “Catherine, was the person in charge of the Duncan Corporation mentioned by the leader just now, Mr. Duncan?”
“Yes.” Catherine nodded slightly.
Amelia’s 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 Catherine’s 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. “No worries, Catherine. I’ll handle this.”
A moment later, Amelia returned to the room, pushing a cart filled with food, her face beaming with happiness. ” Catherine, the hotel’s service is amazing. They knew the airplane food wasn’t great, so they specially brought us lunch! You should come and eat some!”
During the flight, Catherine had rested the entire time, not eating a single bite. Although Amelia had noticed, she dared not disturb Catherine’s 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. “It turns out it’s not the hotel’s excellent service but Mr. Duncan’s arrangement.”
Catherine glanced over and smirked slightly. It was all her favorite dishes, likely Branden’s doing.
