"I'm willing, Davey. Of course I am."
"That's wonderful. I finally won't have to worry about my thesis or my internship anymore."
"How should I thank you, Mr. Land?"
Catherine's voice was bright with happiness, and her last words carried an unmistakable hint of intimacy between lovers.
Davey replied casually, "There's an old saying—one repays a benefactor by offering oneself."
"So, my dear Miss Catherine, would you be willing to offer yourself to me as thanks?"
Catherine answered without hesitation, her heart full of joy. "Mr. Land, it sounds like you don't want me to be the chief designer of your garment factory at all. You want me to be the lady of the factory instead."
Davey laughed. "Why not?"
"Then it's settled," Catherine said contentedly. "You mustn't let anyone else take my place."
Those words made Davey's heart jump.
Fortunately, it was only a phone call—Catherine couldn't see his expression.
"Of course, Catherine. The position of the garment factory's lady will always be yours. No one can take it from you."Eastern
"But I'm curious," Davey added. "How did you get my phone number?"
Catherine replied, "Silly. Of course Stella told me."
Davey asked instinctively, "Oh? And besides my number, what else did she tell you?"
Catherine didn't think much of it. "Stella told me a lot about you."
"I really never imagined that in just a few months, you'd already become such an important figure in Saint Denis. Davey, I'm so proud of you."
"Even though Stella didn't say it outright, I know you must have worked incredibly hard."
"Oh, and I have more good news. You've already met Lemieux in Saint Denis, haven't you?"
"You dummy—didn't you realize that the address I used to write to you was at the Lemieux estate?"
Davey replied, "Of course I knew. When I was invited to the mayor's banquet in Saint Denis, I already guessed you had a close relationship with the mayor."
"But I didn't want to approach the mayor because of you."
Catherine could hear the pride in Davey's words.
"Maybe it doesn't have to be that way, Davey. If I can help your career in any way, I'd be very happy to do so."
"And besides, you've always been my pride."
Davey asked, "So what exactly is your relationship with the mayor?"
Catherine explained, "Lemieux used to be my father's secretary. The reason he was able to become mayor of Saint Denis was largely because of my father's support."
"When I traveled west for sightseeing, I stayed at Lemieux's home."
Davey had once asked Stella about Catherine's family background. Stella only knew that Catherine's father was a high-ranking federal government official—she didn't know his exact position.
But the fact that even Mayor Henri Lemieux had once been his secretary was enough to make things clear.
In the game's storyline, even if the player spared Jean Marc and exposed Mayor Henri Lemieux, the worst that happened was that he resigned and returned east.
That alone showed how powerful his backing was.
Catherine's father was that backing.
Of course, none of this would change Davey's plan to remove Henri Lemieux.
Saint Denis had to be firmly under his control.
Continuing to work with Henri Lemieux was never the outcome Davey wanted.
"All right, Catherine, so that's how it is," Davey said with a laugh. "I regret it now. I should've told the mayor earlier—told him you're my girlfriend."
"Maybe that would've brought me quite a few benefits."
He said it jokingly.
Catherine giggled. "It's not too late to tell him now."
"Or you could wait a bit. School will be on break soon, and then I'll go to Saint Denis."
"I'll go with you to see Lemieux. I think he'll be completely shocked."
"I can already imagine the look on his face."
Hearing that, Davey pictured Lemieux's expression as well and couldn't help laughing.
"That really is a great idea, Catherine."
"I bet the mayor's mouth will drop so wide you could stuff a whole apple into it."
Happy moments always seemed to pass too quickly.
After chatting for a while, Catherine said reluctantly, "I think I should hang up now, Davey, even though I really don't want to."
"Of course, I'll call you often. Compared to writing letters, I much prefer hearing your voice."
Davey said softly, "More than phone calls, I just want to see you as soon as possible, Catherine."
Catherine comforted him, "Soon. At most, a month, and I'll be there."
"Goodbye, Davey."
"Goodbye, Catherine."
Hearing Catherine's voice again stirred a deep longing in Davey's heart.
He had thought he was close to forgetting her, because of Stella.
But now he realized that Catherine had always been there, deep in his heart—never truly far away.
As he lingered in those thoughts, Elisa knocked on the door.
"Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Land. Have you finished your call?"
"I have to interrupt you because Miss Stella has been waiting downstairs for quite some time."
...
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