Chapter 114
Chapter 114
Catalina held the materials she had prepared and methodically went through the questions.
The initial questions mainly focused on the company's development, including its response to previous economic sanctions and emergency plans.
Despite the complexity of the issues, he seemed at ease as he discussed them with Catalina, who listened attentively.
After half an hour, they had covered the company's prospects, and only a few personal questions remained. Catalina wasn't particularly eager to ask the last few questions, but the editor-in-chief had specifically instructed her to do so.
"Most of the remaining questions are about your personal life."
"Please go ahead!" Bennett showed unusual generosity.
"I promised you an interview, so I will fulfill that promise," he said calmly, lifting his chin and adjusting his shirt collar. "I'm here today to answer all of your questions."
Instead of making Catalina happy, Bennett's strange behavior left her feeling empty, like she'd lost something important to her.
In fact, he had been acting a little strangely over the previous few days, but she had chosen to overlook it deliberately.
He had been there for her during thunderstorms at night the other day. Even more so, he once accompanied her on an outing, photographed her during the day, and spent the night in the same cabin. Bennett would not ordinarily go out of his way like this, especially for her. Yet he continued to do them.
It was the final act of tenderness she felt from him before they parted ways.
She didn't feel like "tenderness" accurately described their relationship.
"It's completely inappropriate to use that word to describe us. Bennett's feelings towards me... No! It's impossible!" Catalina was shocked by the thoughts that came into her mind.
She thought she was losing her mind when she started fantasizing about how Bennett might secretly admire her.
"What's on your mind?" Bennett asked, observing her lack of attention.
"Ah! Nothing!" Catalina jolted back to the present, bracing herself to collect her thoughts and feelings. She tucked her messy hair behind her ears and felt a warm flush at the base of her ear due to her audacious ideas. "So, let's proceed..."
"Go ahead."
"How soon do you intend to marry Claire Park?"
Bennett raised his eyes to her, who was sitting in the far corner of the table. "I'm already married," he replied.
Catalina dipped her head, and with a light hand, she wrote on the paper.
Then, with a mocking grin, she said, "I know we haven't gotten married, and that divorce application we filled out the last time was completely unnecessary. I happened to hear everything you said to Warren that day..."
He claimed they were never legally married, and he married her to prevent her from having a grand wedding.
Bennett added that he would give her back to Warren if that were what he wanted.
As Catalina recalled his words from that day, she felt slightly prickling in her nose.
She gave a light sniff and lifted her face, acting as if nothing had happened.
She smiled at him casually, as if she didn't care, and said, "Things are even better this way. After all, I don't want to be someone who has gone through a divorce. I still have to thank you. My grandmother's health wouldn't be where it is today without your generous offer of $1 million. I'll find a way to repay you that one million."
Catalina put on a calm exterior.
Bennett stared at her intensely, his amber-like eyes seeming to see into the depths of her heart but also possessing a certain magnetism that drew her in. Catalina quickly averted her gaze as she was afraid to meet his gaze. She was worried he would see through her feelings and afraid of being drawn to him. "How do you plan to repay the money?" "How do you plan to repay the money?" Bennett asked in a low and charming voice as if it were emanating from a cello. He didn't provide any context for what had happened that day.
Catalina's heart ached, still hoping for some form of explanation, even if it was just one word. Yet, he remained silent.
"I plan to work hard. If necessary, I'll also get a part-time job. I promise I will repay it as soon as possible," Catalina responded.
"Why all the bother?" Bennett leaned in closer to her as he sat in his chair.
He hooked the back of her neck with his long arm and drew her face down to his.
"Catalina, let's make another deal, shall we?" His voice was raspy and deep, but it still had a certain allure that set Catalina's heart racing.
She looked into his dark eyes with watery eyes as she nervously swallowed. "What kind of deal?" she asked.
"Sleep with me tonight, and I'll give you a million dollars!"
"What?" Catalina's eyes widened as her anger boiled over. "Don't be ridiculous, Bennett!"
She fumed with anger, wishing she could brush away Bennett's hand that he forcefully pressed against her.
However, he didn't release his grip; instead, he tightened it, pushing her neck downward and forcibly pressing her red lips against his cold, thin ones.
Bennett seemed to relish the moment, gently sucking on her lip as if savoring a piece of candy. The tingling sensation instantly spread from Catalina's lips to her racing heart.
Gripping the edge of the table tightly, Catalina's eyelashes trembled from nervousness and frustration.
She took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure. "Bennett, what do you think you're doing?"
She suspected that he didn't fully understand the turmoil his intimate actions were causing her.
She couldn't comprehend why he would continue teasing her this way, knowing that they would become complete strangers after tomorrow.
She suspected that he was purposely trying to make it harder for her to forget about him, believing that he enjoyed torturing her in such a cruel manner.
As Bennett withdrew from their lip-lock, his intense gaze fixed on Catalina as if he wanted to consume her.
"Can't you understand what I desire to do?" His voice was gravelly, his throat constricting with emotion. "All I want is you!"
His blunt admission pierced Catalina, causing anger to surge within her, her eyes turning red.
"Do you find it amusing to humiliate me like this?" she questioned angrily.
"You can interpret it however you want."
Bennett rose from his seat, gripping Catalina's neck firmly, forcing her to tilt her head upward.
Leaning down, he pressed his lips forcefully onto hers, initiating an intense, passionate kiss.
Each layer of their connection seemed to consume Catalina, almost drowning her in the intensity of the moment.
But her rationality told her that this was wrong.
"Bennett!" Catalina held onto Bennett's large hand tightly, gasping for breath. Her eyes were red from the overwhelming emotions that coursed through her. "Didn't you promise to return me to Warren? If I end up back with him, potentially becoming your sister-in-law, wouldn't that make things awkward for you?" Bennett clenched Catalina's hand, freezing in place. His gaze bore into her eyes, a glimmer of red shimmering in his amber irises.
His voice was hoarse, laced with restrained anger. "You think you can be my sister-in-law? What makes you think Warren would still want you?" he spat out, pushing Catalina roughly out of his way and walking toward the bathroom.
That night, he didn't sleep in the villa as usual. Instead, he sought solace in the cabin.
Catalina never thought she'd have the spacious king-size bed all to herself.
Restless, Catalina lay in bed, unable to find sleep.