"Good, then. I was just about to mention that." Sylvaine fixed her gaze on Catriona, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Do you know about the White in Capital? They're planning to introduce their only daughter to Mr. Nightblade, and in this week, if all goes well, they'll head abroad together, taking care of some work while enjoying their time."
Eulalia paused, instinctively glanced at Catriona, then asked: "Sylvaine, where did you get this information?"
"My brother attended a party last night and mentioned it," Sylvaine replied earnestly, sounding truthful.
"The White's young lady is quite the socialite," Eulalia said, looking at Catriona. "Bestie, you're at Luna Palace before; you should know best. Have you heard Mr. Nightblade say anything?"
"Not at all," Catriona replied with an unreadable expression, taking another sip of her coffee. "Mr. Nightblade and I don't have any special relationship apart from having a child together; he has no reason to share his personal matters with me."
With that, she lowered her gaze and took another sip of her coffee.
Sylvaine laughed: "Why wouldn't he have a reason to tell you? Mr. Nightblade publicly stated he likes you; I bet he'd explain himself to clear the air and would also reject the White's young lady."
"Let's hope he doesn't," Catriona said. "That's not my concern, and I don't care." Saying this, she quickly finished her coffee.
When she lifted her chin and tilted her head, realizing she had drained her cup, she finally noticed it was empty.
As she looked up, she met Sylvaine's smiling gaze.
Catriona froze momentarily.
Sylvaine seemed to breathe a sigh of relief: "That's good; I was afraid you might care. When you like someone, your emotions can be unintentionally swayed by him, which is particularly annoying. It's better for you, Catriona, to stay calm and cool."
Catriona tightened her grip on her phone.
Eulalia glanced at Sylvaine, then at Catriona, her smile fading. She understood Catriona; if she couldn't sense anything after so many years of friendship, then it would have been in vain.
Catriona... still cares a bit about Mr. Nightblade...
The White's young lady Sylvaine mentioned, this...
She knew that Catriona was the type of person who would never actively seek anything. It stemmed from her childhood, when she wanted so many things—whether it was a small doll or a pretty little dress—but none of it ever belonged to her. After countless disappointments, she had learned not to ask for anything at all.
What's meant to be hers will eventually be hers.
What isn't hers, asking for it won't help.
She could buy things that money could purchase; only those she bought herself would give her peace of mind. But when it came to others' feelings, those were not things money could buy, so she quietly stepped back, choosing to let go.
She still remembered the first time she met Catriona, back in middle school. At that time, she wore her older brother's hand-me-down clothes, the kind of girl who was ridiculed by her classmates. Her insecurities ran deep, to the very bone. One day, in the cafeteria, she couldn't hold back anymore and quietly lowered her head, tears slipping down as she ate her meal.
She thought no one noticed, but Catriona did. At that time, Catriona was a popular girl in school; she was beautiful and made even ordinary clothes look good. Although she didn't wear anything expensive, her clothes were always clean and neat, and she tended to keep to herself.
Catriona sat beside her and handed her a tissue.
She even asked if Eulalia wanted a cake; if not, she would leave.
Wiping her tears, she looked up and said, "I want it!"
Come on, it was a cake! Such a treat!
After that, they would have lunch together every day. They weren't in the same class, and their chosen subjects were different as well. Every time, it was Eulalia who would take the initiative to seek out Catriona.
One time, for some reason, she didn't go to find her and instead went to the cafeteria with another classmates.
The next day, when she went to find her, Catriona had already left without waiting.
The same happened on the third day.
Later, she asked Catriona why they weren't having lunch together, wondering if she was upset with her.
Catriona smiled gently and shook her head: "I'm not mad; don't you already have friends to eat lunch with?"
Yes, she thought she had new friends, so she quietly stepped aside, not wanting to disturb or crowd in.
Later, she asked Catriona if she didn't care about her. Catriona replied: "I care a lot, but I don't take the initiative; I don't expect much."
Even if the other person leaves, even if she can't have them, even if it hurts inside.
Eulalia felt that Catriona was indeed someone who wouldn't take the initiative, but once she truly accepted someone, she would treat them very well.
She... doesn't have no feelings for Mr. Nightblade at all...
If Mr. Nightblade doesn't like her that much, giving up after failing to pursue her, and truly ends up with the White's young lady, Catriona would surely be sad...
But this woman, while feeling sad, also angrily thinks: "He really doesn't like me that much; it's not like I'm the only one for him. Hmph, no loss."
Eulalia has seen right through her best friend.
She quickly spoke up, "Let's not talk about Roderick. Let's talk about me, friends. I just had another failed blind date."
Catriona asked, "What happened? You're down to 120 pounds now, right? You look great!"
"It wasn't about my looks! The guy was fine in height, looks, and material conditions, but after just a few words, he asked me if I could bear children."
"Some say blind dating is just a transaction; wanting to find love is naive. Sigh, I just want to find someone we both like and live well together. But he came in with his agenda upfront, like he was looking for a baby-making machine..."
"Okay, to be realistic, I know most are looking for a wife just to have kids, but I want to dream a little—couldn't I meet someone who only loves me?"
Sylvaine glanced at her and said slowly, "What about that young man in your family? He seems quite good-looking."
"Him?" Eulalia chuckled, "He's just a sweet little brother, honestly, more caring than my real brother. He's even learning to cook now."
Sylvaine laughed, "Why not set you two up?"
"Impossible! Sylvaine, don't insult our pure sibling bond," Eulalia replied. "There's really nothing between us. I don't like guys younger than me."
"Don't rush into relationships; the more you rush, the more likely you'll attract the wrong people," Catriona comforted. "You shouldn't go on blind dates every week. Sometimes, if you're not so eager, you might just meet someone."
Eulalia nodded glumly, "Okay, then I'll go on another blind date in half a month."
After their conversation, the three of them went to watch a movie together.
On the other side.
Nightblade Corporation Headquarters Building.
"Have you heard? Mr. Nightblade's child is at the company!"
"Is that true? The little prince who just had his fifth birthday party?"
"It can't be false; Mr. Nightblade brought him in himself! That little round face is adorable, and he looked a bit serious too. I bet Roderick looked like that as a kid."
"Oh, just a reminder: no one can take photos. If you do, you might lose your job."
Meanwhile, Cedric was in his father's office, buried under a pile of toys, with bunny comics and wolf-hunting comics around him.
Arden prepared wolf milk powder, and Cedric sat on the sofa, swinging his short legs, blinking his big eyes as he gulped it down.
Roderick sat behind his desk, working, occasionally glancing at the little cub.
When employees came in to report their work, they pretended not to see the little prince dismantling toys nearby.
Employee A is a fluff enthusiast. Without fluff, the world would be nothing but darkness. Today, defying the odds, he smuggled a tiny bunny, barely the size of his palm, into his pocket and brought it to the office.
When no one was around, he took out the bunny to fondle and recharge his energy.
As he walked toward Roderick's office, he was targeted by two pairs of eyes.
He nervously reported his work while the little bunny in his pocket trembled in fear.
Finally, as he left, the little cub, eyes sparkling, followed him.
Just as he walked out the door, he heard his father's voice: "No eating."
In the hallway.
"Hey, Sir, can you hold me?" Cedric looked up at the adult, extending his small hand.
Employee A was taken aback. "What? Uh, sure!"
As he lifted the little wolf cub, he didn't realize the bunny in his pocket had already passed out.
"Sir, I'm going down now." Employee A, amidst the envious and jealous gazes of his colleagues, gently set the little prince down. At the same time, the bunny that had been hidden in his pocket had mysteriously vanished.
