Chapter 9 Concern with a Purpose

I continued my normal routine, commuting to and from the office. My interactions with coworkers gradually increased.

One day, I was taking a break in the break room with a few colleagues. One of them spoke up mysteriously, "Have you guys heard? Some medical equipment company is doing a cross-industry collaboration with us!"

The others eagerly pressed for more details. I zoned out slightly, remembering the message Nicholas had sent last night.

[Catherine, Andrew connected with DI through a Rosewood family business partner]

[The Rosewood family has already established contact with DI. There's a strong possibility of cross-industry collaboration. Be careful]

[If you run into any trouble, Blake can help]

At the time, I hadn't taken it seriously. Nobody knew better than me what the Rosewood family was capable of. Even if they'd made the connection, they must have paid a steep price for it.

But what was Andrew's endgame with all this?

"I heard the CEO behind this medical equipment company has the last name Rosewood."

The moment those words left her mouth, everyone turned to look at me. I instantly became the center of attention.

"Why's everyone staring at me? Plenty of people share the same last name."

The atmosphere in the break room turned awkward.

"Maybe the heiress really is hiding right under our noses," someone teased.

My coworkers' curious and probing looks made me uncomfortable. I tried to maintain surface calm, a faint smile on my lips, neither confirming nor denying, just listening quietly to their discussion.

The topic shifted quickly.

That afternoon, we received notice from upstairs—all interns were to help set up the venue and attend the meeting. As one of the interns, I was naturally included.

After the meeting ended...

"Catherine."

Andrew left early, locking onto me in the crowd. I'd been about to slip away when he caught me red-handed.

I was sick and tired of harassment from the Rosewood family.

I turned around, impatience written all over my face. "What is it? For Sabrina again?"

Jason alone had exhausted the last of my patience with the Rosewood family. Now, facing Andrew, I didn't even want to greet him.

Clearly, Andrew noticed this change too. He froze in place. "No, Cate, I..."

All I felt was mockery. The great CEO of Rosewood Group—was there really a situation he couldn't handle?

"Just say what you need to say."

Andrew quickly collected himself, though confusion still lingered in his eyes. He seemed to deliberate before speaking. "I heard from Jason and the others that you and Nicholas had a falling out?"

"Did he bully you?"

"Have you been okay lately?"

At first glance, these words really did sound like a concerned older brother. Something stirred faintly in my heart. But only faintly. I quickly suppressed it.

To completely break free from them, I couldn't let myself be fooled by these tiny scraps of sweetness anymore.

My expression remained distant. "Andrew, how I'm doing has nothing to do with you. You don't need to pretend to care."

Andrew's expression shifted slightly, as if he hadn't expected me to reject his concern so directly.

Hadn't Jason complained when he got back? That didn't make sense! Thinking about Jason's behavior in my past life—even the slightest action I took against Sabrina, he'd immediately tell the other brothers.

This time he wouldn't accuse me? Impossible. Andrew was probably just too busy with work to pay attention.

Andrew opened his mouth as if to say something but ultimately just sighed.

"Cate, I know you have grievances against your brothers," he began slowly, his voice low and gentle, "but we're still siblings. Whether you want to admit it or not, that's an unchangeable fact."

I let out a cold laugh but didn't respond. Fact? Ha. If they really cared about that fact, how could they have pushed me into the abyss over and over again? All for Sabrina, someone with no blood relation!

Seeing my silence, Andrew continued, "About the Nicholas situation—if you need help or have any difficulties, you can tell me. No matter what, I'm still your older brother."

After speaking, he stared at me intently, seemingly waiting for my reaction. However, I maintained my cold demeanor, not even glancing at him.

This so-called "concern" was just another form of probing. Nicholas had protected me extensively before, preventing them from dragging me back. Now, if they confirmed Nicholas wouldn't help me, would they continue holding back?

I wasn't that stupid. A few belated words of concern weren't enough to make me drop my guard.

"No need," I finally spoke, my tone indifferent. "I can handle my own affairs. I don't need anyone interfering."

Andrew's frown deepened. What exactly had the others been doing with Catherine? How had she become so unreasonable?

But now wasn't the time to settle scores. Thinking this, false affection crept into Andrew's eyes. He seemed to want to say more but ultimately managed only, "Cate, you'll always be part of the Rosewood family."

I jerked my head up, the coldness in my eyes intensifying.

"Part of the Rosewood family?"

I laughed derisively. "Only if I act like a dog and watch you put Sabrina on a pedestal, right?"

Andrew's face turned deathly pale instantly.

I pressed on relentlessly. "You said you didn't come for Sabrina, but in the end, you still want me to go back and help her, don't you?"

"Last time it was testing drugs. The time before that, blood transfusions. What about this time?"

"Do you want my life?"

My eyes suddenly reddened. Like an enraged little beast.

Andrew's pupils contracted as his false mask completely fell away.

"How could you think that?"

Hearing the anger in his voice, I didn't back down.

"Am I wrong?"

Andrew fell silent, his agitation no longer suppressible. Catherine wasn't wrong. But Sabrina was sick, and her father had saved Catherine's life. Wasn't doing all this completely justified?

Andrew was about to reprimand me when I spoke first.

"Andrew, stop using that 'life-saving debt' crap to pressure me."

Having lived two lives, I'd long since seen through their minds.

"The Rosewood family treats Sabrina better than me—isn't that enough repayment?"

"One life. I've been her lab rat for years. That debt should be paid!"

Whether the Rosewood family or I, we'd done more than enough for Sabrina. This life, nobody could morally blackmail me anymore.

I took a deep breath, looking at the bewildered Andrew.

"I won't help Sabrina anymore. I won't return to the Rosewood family. If you really consider me family, then leave me alone."

As I spoke, no trace of sorrow crossed my face. I left with a cold laugh and long strides.

My attitude should have been decisive enough. Hopefully, no one would bother me again after this.

After I left, Andrew stood there for a long time, unable to collect himself. His feelings were complicated and depressed.