From Broken to Beloved-Chapter 103-meeting

Catherine could feel it clearly. She knew that sales assistants in places like this often judged people by appearances—or more precisely, by perceived wealth. She just hadn’t expected this particular clerk to take that snobbish mindset so far. She hadn’t even made a purchase yet, and the clerk had already decided she couldn’t afford anything.

Gerald’s mother, who had been standing nearby, also walked over and positioned herself beside Lucca. With an air of lofty condescension, like a benevolent savior, she said,

"If you don’t have the money, I can pay for it for you."

Gerald’s mother knew Renata as well. Back when Renata was still married to Channing, their families had been neighbors in the villa district, and for a time Gerald’s mother and Renata had been quite close. Later, after Renata divorced Channing, moved away with Catherine, and refused to take a single cent from him—choosing a life of frugality instead—the relationship between Lucy and Renata gradually faded.

Then Tracy moved into Channing’s home, and in Lucy’s eyes, there was room for only Tracy after that.

The final falling-out between Renata and Lucy happened two years ago, after that incident. Lucy had come to Renata’s door with Gerald and coldly demanded to break off the engagement, repeatedly accusing Catherine of having loose morals and an improper lifestyle. In a fit of rage, Renata had thrown both Lucy and Gerald out, severing all ties with the Gerald family from that day on.

Even if Gerald now wanted to reconcile, Catherine would never turn back—let alone with Lucy involved. And Renata would certainly never allow it.

Now, faced with Lucca and Lucy’s biting mockery, Catherine hadn’t even had the chance to speak before Renata let out a cold laugh and spoke first.

"Thank you, but there’s no need for you to pay for us. We can afford it ourselves. That said, Mrs. lucy really does have a generous heart—your son’s company is on the verge of collapse, yet you still have the leisure to shop here and play the part of a wealthy lady."

Lucy was instantly choked by Renata’s words. Her face flushed red, then pale, but she couldn’t muster a single rebuttal—because Renata was telling the truth.

Gerald’s family business had been deteriorating ever since two years ago. In recent months, it had grown so dire that rumors were circulating about a possible acquisition. Gerald had been working late every night, and Lucy hadn’t seen her son genuinely smile in a long time.

As for how Renata knew about the company’s troubles, she had heard it from an old friend.

Back when Renata was still Channing’s wife, she had been part of the wealthy social circle and had naturally made many connections. After the divorce, some people—like Lucy—cut off all contact, but others had continued to stay in touch over the years.

It was during Renata’s hospitalization that one such friend had mentioned it while visiting her. She said that Gerald’s company had been deliberately targeted starting two years ago. Many partnerships that had already been finalized were suddenly snatched away halfway through, and the ones taking over those contracts were giants like MOS Corp., Washington Co.—companies Gerald’s family dared not offend.

Over the past two years, fewer and fewer firms were willing to work with Gerald’s company at all, causing its operations to decline at an alarming rate. Gerald himself had some ability, and his parents had once hoped that the family business would flourish under his leadership. Instead, it had been crushed so thoroughly that it could barely raise its head.

This was precisely what people meant by even the cleverest cook cannot prepare a meal without rice. No matter how capable Gerald might be, without projects to work on, there was no way for him to achieve anything substantial.

Lucy hadn’t expected Renata to know about any of this. Her pride took a direct hit, and in her embarrassment and fury, she instinctively turned to attacking Catherine’s past.

"My son’s business may be failing, but do you really think your daughter is any better? Back then, she—"

Before Lucy could finish, a clear, bright female voice cut in sharply.

"—Catherine."

A graceful, elegant young woman walked in from outside the store. She was dressed casually, her lower abdomen slightly rounded—she looked to be four or five months pregnant.

She ignored everyone else in the shop, especially Lucca and Lucy. Smiling warmly, she went straight up to Catherine, affectionately taking her hand, her expression full of delight.

"Catherine, what a coincidence! You’re shopping too?"

The newcomer was Lilian.

Catherine snapped out of her confrontation with Lucca and Lucy and looked at Lilian in surprise.

"Yes—what about you?"

Lilian smiled.

"With the cold air coming in soon, I’m buying some winter clothes for my parents."

It was just a simple sentence, yet it instantly made people feel fond of her.

Thoughtful, filial, considerate—anticipating the cold weather and preparing warm clothing for both sides of the family. These were qualities every young woman ought to have, and the kind of daughter or daughter-in-law every parent hoped for.

Renata, Lucca, and Lucy all knew who Lilian was. After all, her grand wedding to Morrison had been so extravagant that nearly everyone in Burg Eltz had heard about it.

Originally, Lilian had been an extremely low-key heiress. It was only because of that spectacular wedding that she became widely known—and widely envied. She had been born into a family like Burg Eltz’s to begin with, and then married into the Morrison family. A life of luxury was practically guaranteed.

Most enviable of all, the once-notorious playboy Morrison was said to be utterly devoted to her, showering her with affection. His parents adored her as well. People joked that Lilian must have saved the galaxy in her past life to deserve such a husband and such in-laws.

Now, it was clear that this devotion wasn’t without reason.

Because Lucca and Lucy were well aware of Lilian’s status, they no longer dared to continue their verbal attacks. Instead, they stood off to the side, watching as Catherine and Lilian chatted.

"That really is a coincidence," Catherine said gently. "Are you here alone?"

She asked because Lilian was pregnant, and malls tended to be crowded on weekends. Catherine couldn’t help worrying about her safety.

"No," Lilian replied. "My brother came with me."

The moment those words left her mouth, Catherine’s scalp practically went numb.

The "brother" Lilian referred to couldn’t possibly be Dave. Dave was incredibly busy now—ever since Laurent had given birth to their second child, his life revolved almost entirely around his family.

Which meant there was only one possibility.

Bert.

He was single, and he was the only one who would have the time to accompany Lilian shopping.

Catherine had genuinely thought running into Lilian was just a coincidence. Now, she began to doubt how coincidental it really was. After all, she had just told Bert which mall she was in—and here he was, appearing with Lilian.

As that thought crossed her mind, Bert walked in from outside.

He was putting away his phone as he entered, as if he had just finished a call. His coat was draped over his arm, and he carried Lilian’s handbag in his hand.

His features were cold and sharply defined, his presence firm and commanding. He didn’t need to say a word—just standing there, he radiated an imposing aura, the kind of authority that instinctively made people uneasy.

"Bert, I’m over here."

Lilian turned and called out to Bert, then looked toward Renata with a bright smile.

"This must be Auntie, right?"

She immediately introduced herself.

"Hello, Auntie. I’m a friend of Catherine’s. My name is Lilian."

Because of what Lilian had said earlier—about buying warm clothes for her parents a—Renata already had a very favorable impression of her. She smiled back warmly.

"Hello."

Lilian then quickly introduced Bert to Renata.

"This is my brother, Bert. He’s also Catherine’s boss."

Catherine had never expected Lilian to introduce Bert to Renata so directly. She instantly felt guilty and awkward, standing stiffly to the side.

When Renata learned that Bert was Catherine’s employer, she instinctively took a closer look at him. Bert met her gaze and spoke first. His expression and tone were completely different from the sharp, icy demeanor he’d shown toward Lucca’s family—now he was gentle, courteous, and composed.

"Hello."

His refined manners nearly drove Lucca mad with fury. Thinking back to how he’d treated her before made her teeth itch with hatred, yet she didn’t dare say a word.

Renata returned the greeting politely. Catherine, left with no choice, forced herself to speak.

"Good afternoon, Lord Washington."

Lilian tugged lightly on Catherine’s arm and said cheerfully,

"Catherine, let’s go to another shop. This one is clearly low-end. A store’s staff reflects its quality, after all."

It was obvious that Lilian had seen everything—what Catherine and Renata had gone through in the store, including the sales assistant’s cold, contemptuous looks. Bert had seen it too.

The sales assistant’s face flushed with embarrassment. She turned and hurried back into the store, no longer daring to involve herself.

In truth, Lilian stepping in had been at Bert’s direction.

With Renata present, it wasn’t appropriate for Bert to personally confront Lucca and Lucy—even though he very much wanted to. If he stepped in himself, Catherine would be put in an awkward position trying to explain his identity to Renata. So he sent Lilian instead.

Though Lilian’s "combat power" was far weaker than his, her status alone was enough. People like Lucca and Lucy—so quick to bow to power—would never dare challenge Lilian. Especially not when she was Morrison’s treasured wife... and pregnant, no less.

Catherine hadn’t wanted to stay in the shop either. She’d only been trapped there earlier because Lucca deliberately blocked her way. Now that Lilian had spoken up, Catherine led Renata out without hesitation.

As they were leaving, Lilian glanced at Lucca and smiled faintly.

"Miss Channing, do you know something?"

"Your sharp-tongued, ill-mannered behavior is really quite ugly."

With Lucca’s face turning alternately pale and green, Lilian walked out alongside Catherine and Renata. After being mocked so directly, Lucca stood there trembling with rage, her chest tight with bottled fury.

Bert was the last to leave.

He cast only a single, cold glance in Lucca’s direction—yet it was enough to make her shrink back instinctively, her scalp prickling with fear.