Chapter 72: Intoxicating Darkness

Catherine turned slowly toward the security guards and let out a soft, disdainful scoff.

The men immediately lowered their heads, shame written all over their faces. They had stood there. They had watched. And they had done nothing.

Her gaze shifted to Sebastian. “Can you handle the rest?” she asked coolly. “Or should I call someone?”

If they were too spineless to deal with a few half-conscious men, she could simply call Alexander. Cleaning up messes like this was child’s play for him.

“He’ll handle them,” Maximilian answered before Sebastian could speak.

Catherine glanced at him briefly, then gave a nonchalant shrug.

Sebastian straightened. “Yes. I’ll take care of it.”

The guards hurried to drag the groaning men out, grateful for the chance to redeem themselves.

Silence fell.

And then Catherine’s eyes landed on Bernice.

“And you… dear Bernice,” she drawled, a dangerous smirk curving her lips. “Care to explain what you’re doing here?”

Bernice blinked, her large eyes still dazed.

Just moments ago, the brilliant researcher she admired had transformed into something fierce—like a batsman swinging without mercy. And now Catherine stood before her again, elegant, composed, smiling like a villainess in a silk dress.

Bernice wasn’t sure whether she should be afraid.

Strangely… she wasn’t.

“I…” She lowered her head. “I wanted to see what Renfield was planning. If she was badmouthing you or trying something…”

She didn’t get to finish.

Catherine reached out and grabbed her earlobe, twisting it sharply.

“Ow—ow—ow! Dr. Preston!” Bernice yelped.

Sebastian instinctively took a half-step forward. He didn’t know why the urge to intervene rose in his chest… but it did. Catherine wasn’t gentle. Not even a little.

But he stopped himself.

He glanced at Maximilian.

The man stood perfectly still, expression unreadable. No concern. No interference. Only quiet observation.

Catherine didn’t release Bernice until tears shimmered in the girl’s eyes.

Bernice looked up at her—teary, breathless…

…and smiling.

“I told you I’d do anything for you, Dr. Preston.”

The fierceness in Catherine’s eyes flickered.

“Sweet Bernice…” Her voice softened as she cupped the girl’s cheeks, wiping away a tear with her thumb. “Didn’t I tell you not to put yourself in danger for me? I can handle my own battles.”

“But—”

Knock.

Catherine lightly flicked her forehead.

“You will listen to me,” she said firmly.

Bernice immediately bowed her head. “Yes, Dr. Preston.”

This time, when Catherine untied her, she did it carefully, almost tenderly.

Bernice straightened with a bright grin, as if she hadn’t just been punished.

“Renfield’s name is cracking, Dr. Preston!” she reported eagerly. “After the questioning session, I heard Dr. Smith telling Dr. Morgan not to invite Ashley to next month’s conference. Her façade is falling apart. Someone else was whispering that her father had similar issues in his career—though he eventually proved himself. They’re saying Ashley has a lot to prove now.”

Catherine exhaled slowly.

Good.

She didn’t need to erase the Renfield name overnight. That would be impossible.

But fractures… whispers… doubt…

Those were far more lethal.

And once a reputation began to crack in academia…

It never truly healed.

“But I don’t understand why Dr. Eileen Morcant doesn’t like you,” Bernice continued, frowning. “All she talked about with her sister was you and—”

Catherine froze.

“…What?”

Bernice blinked innocently. “Dr. Morcant. She was discussing you earlier with her sister.”

Catherine’s mind went blank.

That couldn’t be right.

She had just had a perfectly pleasant conversation with Dr. Morcant earlier. The woman had even subtly offered her support against Ashley Renfield. There had been warmth. Respect.

Admiration.

Slowly, painfully, the gears in Catherine’s mind began to turn.

Maximilian was nearby. He was speaking with Dr. Morcant’s sister. They did look comfortable. Familiar.

And he had said, very casually, that he knew Dr. Morcant well.

Catherine turned toward him, her face losing color. “…Is she your mother?”

Maximilian’s lips curved slowly, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.

“You finally figured it out.”

For a brief, violent second, Catherine truly considered smashing his head into the floor.

“You let me speak to your mother like that,” she said, her voice dangerously calm, “knowing she was my role model?”

That day… yes, she had been defensive. She had been sharp. She had been wounded and prickly and on edge.

But if she had known…

If she had known she was speaking to Dr. Eileen Morcant…

She would have been respectful. Careful. Reverent.

Maximilian frowned slightly, confused by the intensity radiating off her. “I didn’t know she was your role model at the time,” he replied evenly.

Catherine’s nails dug into her palms.

Technicalities.

He was hiding behind technicalities.

“You didn’t even give me the chance to apologize to her!” Her voice rose despite herself. “Do you know how long I’ve admired her work? How much she inspired me?”

Her hero. And she had spoken to her like a combative brat.

Humiliation burned through her.

How could this happen?

This man… this insufferable man…

He didn’t care about her feelings at all.

All those words he said. All that intense staring. All that possessiveness.

Empty.

Completely empty.

Maximilian’s brows pulled together faintly. “She did provoke you,” he said calmly. “And she handled it well. Why are you so worked up? Calm down.”

Silence.

A dangerous, trembling silence.

Catherine’s teeth ground together.

“Really?” she breathed.

“Calm down?” Her eyes flashed. “Calm. Down? I-I should calm down?”

She stepped closer, fists clenched at her sides.

“What would you do,” she demanded, “if you accidentally acted like an idiot in front of someone you respected your entire life?”

Her voice cracked… not with weakness, but with fury.

“You set me up, didn’t you?” she accused, glaring up at him. “You knew I’d react like that.”

Inside her head, she was screaming.

You ruined me!

And now you’re telling me to calm down?!

Asshole.

For a heartbeat, she genuinely wanted to hit him.

Maximilian didn’t step back.

Didn’t flinch.

If anything, something unreadable flickered in his eyes—interest? Amusement? Something softer that he refused to show?

But before Catherine could explode further…

She noticed movement from the corner of her eye.

Bernice.

Slowly… carefully…

Trying to slip away like a mouse retreating from a battlefield.

Catherine’s hand shot out and caught her by the wrist.

“Where,” she asked sweetly, “do you think you’re going?”

Bernice froze.

Catherine turned to Sebastian without releasing her. “Can you spare a room in your house for Bernice? A few days.” Her tone was calm, a little too calm. “Keep her under observation.”

Her gaze slid back to Bernice.

“To prevent her from doing anything… stupid.”

Sebastian blinked once. First at Catherine. Then at Bernice, who looked like a puppy caught chewing expensive furniture.

“As long as you wish,” he said quietly to Catherine. Not to Bernice.

Catherine nodded. “Good.”

“Dr. Preston, I can explain—”

One look.

That was all it took.

Bernice’s mouth snapped shut.

And for the first time tonight… She was actually afraid.

Maximilian watched the entire exchange in silence.

Interesting.

Catherine wasn’t just ruthless toward enemies. She was protective. Possessive. Territorial.

And when she cared… She controlled.

Catherine finally released Bernice’s arm and straightened.

Her fury toward Maximilian didn’t disappear. It simply shifted. Focused. Sharpened.

“Now…” she said softly, her lips curving into something far more dangerous than anger.

“Let’s talk about Ashley Renfield.”

The air seemed to cool around her. This wasn’t the defensive Catherine from before. This was the strategist.

The predator.

The woman who understood reputations, networks, power structures… and exactly where to place pressure until something cracked.

Maximilian studied her profile.

There it was again… That intoxicating darkness that had become a part of her.

“You’re going to destroy her,” he observed quietly.

Catherine’s eyes glinted.

“Destroy?” she echoed. “No.”

She tilted her head slightly.

“I’m going to let her destroy herself.”

You can start counting your days, Ashley, she thought.

Because once the first crack appears…

The collapse is only a matter of time.

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