Third Person's POV
Catherine suddenly felt the urge to use the restroom midway through the gala. She told Blake and headed in that direction.
She sat in a stall and suddenly heard several women's footsteps outside the door.
Then, a sharp female voice furiously threw her purse onto the marble countertop and said through gritted teeth, "I just saw that Catherine. She really has a thing for getting what she wants. She's so shameless, always greedy for more."
"Keep it down. This is a public place. What if someone hears us..." another voice warned.
"So what if they hear? Did you see her putting on that fake display of affection with Blake? Who knows how many men she's thinking about behind that sweet act." The girl seemed deeply wronged, her tone full of spite.
Catherine was stunned— she got criticism even when going to the restroom?
It was ridiculous that someone would badmouth her like that.
"Harley and her grew up together. It's normal for them to stay in touch. Don't make a fuss over it," another woman said.
"So what if they grew up together? I wish I could've been neighbors with Harley and grown up with him, but I didn't have that fate! Catherine should look at her life now. What's there to be unsatisfied with? Why does she have to hurt Harley?" The woman became more agitated as she spoke, losing control of her emotions.
"What's wrong with Harley? How did Catherine hurt him?" the other immediately gossiping.
"Harley got drunk thinking about her and cut his foot on glass. It broke my heart," the woman's tone softened instantly at the mention of Harley, clearly deeply in love.
"No way! It's rare for Harley to be so devoted. No wonder he's a good actor; he's a good man in real life too," the other exclaimed in surprise.
"I'm heartbroken for him, which is why I hate Catherine even more! She's definitely still stringing Harley along, refusing to let go," the woman began to gnash her teeth again, pinning all the blame on Catherine.
"True, every woman wants more men to love her. Though Catherine married Blake, she's still vain at heart," the other sneered.
"I really want to ask her if her conscience doesn't hurt doing this," the woman clenched her fists in anger.
At that moment, the door of the stall behind them opened, and a calm female voice said, "Whether my conscience hurts or not, it seems none of your business."
The two women, who had been venting, turned around and saw Catherine. Their eyes widened in panic.
Catherine walked to the sink, turned on the tap, and slowly washed her hands and dried them, her voice still calm, "Spreading rumors behind someone's back—is that the right thing to do?"
"Catherine, are you still not willing to leave Harley alone?" The young girl glared at her.
The older woman quickly held her back and whispered, "Don't argue with her. Do you know who she is now?"
The girl deflated like a punctured balloon, backing up two steps in fear, too terrified to speak.
Catherine sneered coldly, "Who are you? Why should I explain myself to you? Harley is my friend. What's between us is our business. I don't owe anyone else an explanation."
"I... I love him!" The girl declared loudly, unwilling to back down.
"Then confess to him. Whether he likes you back depends on your ability. But stop targeting me. I'm not in your way," Catherine said indignantly to the girl who had been cursing her. However, seeing the girl's deep love for Harley, she didn't want to pursue it further.
"How do I know you're not in my way? What if you're secretly still in contact with him...?"
"What are you implying?" Catherine's face darkened, and her tone turned cold. "If you make things up again, I'll hold you accountable for your words."
The woman was instantly intimidated into silence.
Catherine took a deep breath and said indifferently, "Harley is my friend. Stop fabricating our relationship."
The woman was stunned by her calm and authoritative presence, left speechless.
Catherine took a few steps forward, then stopped and turned around. "You mentioned Harley hurt his foot? Because of me?"
The woman sneered, "If not for you, then who? He drinks almost every night because of you!"
Catherine wasn't sure if it was true, but she was shaken. Why was Harley still drinking over her?
She felt as if her heart was stung and quickly turned to leave.
She wasn't lying. She didn't have much contact with Harley. They had chatted a few times when she first returned. Later, due to a move, Harley mentioned renting a place to her, and that was it.
But hearing this now, it was impossible not to care. She sincerely hoped Harley could move on and stop being troubled by her.
Catherine returned to her seat nervously. Blake was talking to someone else in a low voice and hadn't noticed her distress.
The charity event ended after nine. In the car, Catherine leaned on the man's shoulder with her eyes closed, trying to rest.
Blake thought she was tired from work and gently held her in his arms.
Smelling the familiar scent of the man, Catherine couldn't sleep.
She dared not open her eyes, fearing she would meet Blake's tender gaze. If he knew she was still troubled by another man, it would be like stabbing him in the heart.
Alas, the human mind was sometimes so complicated, always thinking what it shouldn't.
Suddenly, a sharp pain came from the top of her head, and she jolted.
Sensing the woman in his arms suddenly stiffen, Blake's eyes darkened. He lowered his head and asked gently, "What's wrong? Are you not feeling well somewhere?"
Catherine quickly relaxed and touched the spot of her old wound. "Nothing, I must have accidentally bumped it and it hurt for a second."
Blake immediately helped her sit up straight, his voice filled with concern. "Where does it hurt? Let me see!"