Chapter 6

Philip ended the call and set his phone aside. He needed to find out what she had been through over the past seven years.

How had that timid little doe become a thorny rose, bold enough to step into his territory?

He muttered, “Whether you’re Catherine or Emily, you came to me willingly. From now on, we play by my rules.”

A few days later, at Light Medical University, James sent a quick text: “Babe, you at school?”

Catherine glanced at her phone and replied, “Yes.”

After sending it, she felt her reply was too cold, so she paused, then added a flirtatious emoji.

James quickly replied with a mischievous emoji: “Got a surprise for you.”

Catherine wondered what James was up to when she looked up and saw two men in impeccable suits walking toward the podium.

Today’s guest lecture featured Philip, CEO of Nova Pharmaceuticals, and James, Director at the West Group.

Catherine’s gaze landed on Philip, who sat on the elevated platform, radiating a cold, composed presence.

She recalled that last night, after she had provoked him, he had walked out without hesitation, utterly merciless.

Philip sensed Catherine’s gaze. His eyes narrowed slightly as he quickly found her.

As Catherine felt Philip watching her, her lips curved into a faint, teasing smile.

She raised her fingers to her lips, then blew a playful kiss toward Philip.

Philip noticed her provocative gesture but looked away impassively, as though she were a stranger, focusing on the campus brochure on the table.

Though Catherine maintained her smile after Philip’s dismissive reaction, she couldn’t help cursing inwardly, “That bastard really knows how to shut himself off and forget.”

At that moment, Chancellor Emilio Blair stepped up to the podium to introduce Philip and James.

James was the first to speak.

Holding the microphone, James stood at the podium, scanning the lecture hall.

Catherine suddenly met James’s gaze, and her chest tightened. She composed herself, so he wouldn’t notice anything unusual.

When James saw Catherine, his expression brightened into a smile.

He straightened his posture and began delivering his speech. “Hello everyone, I’m James West, Director of the West Group. I'm delighted to be here today..."

Nova Pharmaceuticals owned numerous subsidiaries, and its medical division was its crown jewel.

Nova's pharmaceutical and healthcare divisions operated across the globe. With cutting-edge medical technology and a vast pool of medical talent, they held a near-monopoly in the pharmaceutical industry.

The West Group, meanwhile, had once been a little-known enterprise. After a marriage alliance with the Foster family, it had leveraged Nova’s resources to grow into a formidable corporation.

"And that concludes my presentation. Thank you all!" James finished his speech and stepped off the podium.

As he sat down, he kept scanning the crowd for Catherine.

Catherine was well aware that James was watching her. She acted flawlessly, applauding enthusiastically with a bright smile on her face.

Next, Philip took his turn to speak.

He strode to the podium, exuding effortless confidence. “An exceptional surgeon should possess the virtues of kindness, courage, and ambition…”

Philip's speech was powerful and commanding, exuding an irresistible authority that left many students gazing at him with admiration.

All except Catherine. When she heard these words, she could only see Philip as a complete hypocrite.

People like him, standing at the pinnacle of power, dared to lecture about kindness. Such people were masters of deception.

Even with hearts of stone, they could present themselves as cultured and refined to earn the praise of others.

As Philip continued his eloquent speech, his gaze shifted to Catherine. Seeing her head lowered, his brow furrowed slightly and his lips pressed together.

When the speech ended, Philip bowed gracefully.

Despite being a billionaire, he displayed such modesty and courtesy that in an instant, he won the hearts of everyone present.

Thunderous applause erupted, with many students even standing to express their admiration for Philip.

Seeing the reaction, Emilio stepped forward with a smile. “Since our students are so enthusiastic about Mr. Foster, perhaps we could ask him to take three questions. What do you say?”

Catherine had expected the typically cold Philip to refuse the chancellor's suggestion outright, but to her surprise, he calmly replied, "Certainly."

Upon hearing this, the female students immediately grew excited and eagerly raised their hands.

Emilio called on a female student, who stood up eagerly and asked, “Mr. Foster, are you married?”

The question instantly shiftedthe atmosphere in the lecture hall. What had been a serious guest lecture suddenly turned into a gossip session, with curiosity thick in the air.

Emilio felt a bit uneasy, as this encroached on Philip’s personal privacy.

He assumed Philip wouldn't answer and was considering how to smooth over the situation when Philip calmly responded, “No, I’m not.”

"Mr. Foster, do you have a girlfriend?" a bold voice called out from the hall, voicing what everyone was thinking.

Philip kept his expression blank as he took the microphone and answered succinctly. “I did, but we recently broke up.”

Catherine was taken aback, not expecting to learn about Philip’s relationship status in a setting like this.

Although it was normal for someone of Philip’s age to have had a girlfriend, hearing this news stirred an unfamiliar feeling within her.

The students’ curiosity grew, and another voice quickly followed. “Do you plan on finding a new girlfriend soon, Mr. Foster?”

Philip’s gaze drifted across the room, briefly settling on Catherine almost imperceptibly.

Catherine noticed Philip’s subtle look and found herself strangely anticipating his response.

Philip raised his head slightly, his expression turning thoughtful. “No, I don’t. A seven-year relationship isn’t something you can easily move on from.”

Catherine’s smile froze instantly, a mix of complex emotions rising within her. A seven-year relationship?

Watching Philip speak with apparent indifference, she couldn’t shake the feeling that his words carried a hidden meaning.

The session continued with James’s Q&A session while Philip rose and exited the lecture hall. Catherine wouldn’t let this opportunity pass.She followed him out.

Just as she stepped into the corridor, she found herself face to face with Philip.

Though Philip saw Catherine , he showed no interest in engaging with her and continued walking straight ahead.

Catherine wasn't about to let him go so easily. She quickly stepped forward and stretched out her arm to block Philip’s path.

Philip stopped. Looking down at her, his gaze was cold. “Yes?”

Unintimidated by his cold demeanor, Catherine stepped closer and pushed him toward a nearby fire exit. Her voice softened, turning coy. “Mr. Foster, I’ve been missing you terribly.”

Philip’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Instead of pushing her away, he reached out and tilted her chin upward with a hint of insolence. "You're so shameless!"

Philip towered over Catherine she was a full head shorter than he was.

He looked down at her, his gaze holding icy detachment.

Catherine thought, “If Philip didn’t speak, that face alone would make him an utterly captivating ice prince.Yet when he opens his mouth, there is something roguish in his tone—this stark contrast helda fatal attraction for me.'

"Mr. Foster, I really do miss you," she adjusted her breathing, trying to make her voice sound more innocent and sweet.

Philip smirked as his fingers slid down from her chin. His calloused fingertips, like electric currents, traced along her neck and collarbone.

Finally, they came to rest at the edge of her full breasts, where he cruelly pressed down on a sensitive peak, his eyes dark. "Do you miss me, or do you miss having sex with me," she asked.