Chapter 736 Sleeping Beside Her
Late at night, the lights of the ward were turned off, leaving everything dim and the pathways barely visible.
An agile figure stealthily emerged within the ward and crept toward the bed. Before the intruder extended a hand, the person on the bed acted swiftly. The intruder was subdued completely with a gust of wind and a swift maneuver.
As the intruder attempted to resist, Catherine acted decisively and swiftly incapacitated the intruder’s hand with a forceful strike. The intruder was in so much pain that he grimaced and pleaded loudly, “Catherine, I swear I won’t do it again!”
With a firm grip, Catherine hoisted the intruder up and forcefully pushed him aside. The collision with the ceiling light switch instantly flooded the room with brightness from the previously dim space.
The intruder sat on the floor and clutched his sore arm. He stared intently at Catherine. “Catherine, aren’t you sick? With your current condition, even a special forces soldier won’t stand a chance against you.”
Catherine was expressionless as she stared at the intruder with her cold eyes. It sent shivers down the intruder’s spine.
The intruder asked, “Catherine, my arm’s busted. Isn’t this punishment enough?”
Catherine looked at him coldly and gestured dismissively. If it weren’t for the intruder’s years of allegiance, she would have taken him out.
This intruder was Wantells, one of the core members of the Hacker Alliance, akin to Withal and Zobber.
Wantells had come to Alton for a mission, but he was intercepted midway by Catherine.
Later, he learned from Zobber that Catherine was in Alton. Usually distant and uninterested in dealing with people, Wantells relentlessly badgered Zobber until he finally got information about Catherine.
Tonight, he evaded the guards arranged by Branden at the hospital. He seized the opportunity while Branden was away and sneaked in undetected.
Summoned by Catherine, Wantells dragged his disabled arm and hesitantly approached her. With a firm press, Catherine forcefully restored the dislocated arm she had previously manipulated.
Wantells, who had trained extensively since childhood, remained composed and merely furrowed his brows at the discomfort.
“Alright!” Catherine abruptly pushed him again. This time, Wantells was prepared and didn’t fall. He gracefully landed in a seated position on the nearby sofa.
During their scuffle, Wantells had already sized up Catherine’s situation. Initially, he was concerned when he heard about Catherine entering the hospital. It seemed Wantells’ worry was unnecessary. Catherine’s demeanor indicated no issues whatsoever.
“So, what brings you to me?” Catherine cut to the chase, unwilling to beat around the bush.
Only upon arriving at the hospital did Wantells realize that Catherine was currently involved with Branden. The famous scion of the Duncans had become Catherine’s man. Wantells thought it was interesting.
“Catherine, is your man really Branden? “Wantells asked.
Catherine didn’t deny it. She essentially admitted to everything by not refuting it.
After knowing the answer directly from Catherine, Wantells found it somewhat unbelievable. His face contorted in an odd expression as he looked at Catherine and asked in disbelief, “If we’re on the same side now, why did he try to eliminate me?”
Branden’s men had pursued him since he stood up Branden. Moreover, the Duncans had specifically requested the leader of the Hacker Alliance for a task, and that was none other than Catherine.
Wantells wondered whether this was a new way of public display of affection for a boyfriend to solicit work from his girlfriend by setting a high price.
Catherine calmly responded, “He doesn’t know I’m the leader of the Hacker Alliance.”
This revelation shocked Wantells. He widened his eyes and stared at Catherine. He repeatedly verified that this wasn’t a joke. “Young people these days really know how to play! Catherine, you’re amazing!”
Catherine’s eyes narrowed, and she exuded a domineering aura. “You came here just to ask about this?”
Seeing Catherine’s potential explosion, Wantells immediately backed down. He abandoned the jokes and steered the conversation toward serious matters. ” Catherine, I’ve been investigating that task given by the Duncans. That woman has vanished without a trace. Strange, right?”
“Missing in action?” Catherine inquired.
“Yes,” Wantells replied.
Regardless of whether someone was alive or dead, they always left traces. Whether it was to meet the living or see the remains, the Hacker Alliance could always make it. They boasted the world’s largest intelligence network. Even if someone had been dead for years, they could unearth the bones if they got involved. But the person the Duncans were looking for seemed to have vanished into thin air with no traces at all. This was giving Wantells quite a headache.
“Catherine, the only possibility is that place,” Wantells said.
Hearing that, Catherine immediately furrowed her brow tightly. She knew precisely where Wantells was referring to. No wonder Branden required the leader of the Hacker Alliance. That place was somewhere only she had successfully escaped from.
“Keep investigating. Once I’m done with my current tasks, I’ll get in touch, “Catherine said.
Realizing Catherine was about to dismiss him, Wantells was about to say a few more words when he caught faint footsteps nearby. Reacting swiftly, he pushed open the window.
The window only opened halfway, which was not big enough for an ordinary adult to pass through. However, this didn’t stump Wantells.
During his time in Southeast Acineian streets, he had once trained under a master adept in bone manipulation and practiced for years.
With ease, he condensed his bones to their utmost limit and pressed them together. He jumped through the window and vanished into the dark night.
Just as Wantells left, the door to the ward swung open. Branden, who had just finished handling company matters, hurried in. The moment he saw Catherine, his usually cold gaze softened. “Why aren’t you resting?”
Catherine didn’t respond. Her expression turned slightly displeased as she noticed the air of dust and chill clinging to him. “I’m fine. You didn’t need to rush over.”
Hearing this, Branden chuckled and looked at her with excitement in his dark eyes. “Planning to discard people once you’re done using them, Miss Swann?”
Catherine glanced at him coldly. ” People?”
With his coat off, after shedding the chill, Branden approached and embraced Catherine. He ensured she remained untouched by the dust from outside. “I didn’t come to keep you company. I need you. I can’t sleep without you. Is that all right?”
Catherine allowed him to pull her into his embrace. She looked at his somewhat shameless demeanor with a hint of resignation. “Does the world outside know the composed and arrogant Mr. Duncan has this shameless side in private?”
Branden gave a roguish smile. He had a demeanor entirely different from his usual cold and ruthless aura. “I don’t care what the world thinks. As long as you like it.”
As he leaned closer, Catherine reached out to push him away, but Branden tightened his hold on her. In the long night, Branden slept beside Catherine.
