Reborn as Mr.CEO's Fat Wife-Chapter 852: How Does Lawyer Jones Want Me to Take Responsibility?

Chapter 852: Chapter 852: How Does Lawyer Jones Want Me to Take Responsibility?

Upon hearing this news, Catherine Ford almost fell backwards. She, who rarely checked the company’s chat group, opened it and looked around, but didn’t find anyone mentioning her. She let out a sigh of relief. However, Grace Clarke suddenly patted her shoulder, startling Catherine so much that she sat up straight and in turn gave Grace a fright.

"Catherine, what’s with you today? Why are you so jumpy? You scared the life out of me!" Grace Clarke said in a huff, looking at her oddly.

Catherine was already on edge, and Grace’s question left her feeling guilty as sin. Thankfully, Lewis, hearing the commotion, looked at Grace with disdain, "Ever heard of scaring someone to death? You just slapped her on the back without thinking. Catherine has a good temper, try that with someone else and see what happens?"

"Is that so? Sorry, Catherine. I’ll be careful from now on, heh heh." Grace laughed foolishly and then leaned in to ask, "Catherine, have you heard? Rumor has it that Lawyer Jones’s girlfriend is not Ellis Raindream, but someone from our logistics department. Who do you think it might be?"

Catherine’s heart raced. She hadn’t even figured out her relationship with Lawyer Jones, and now the company was suddenly abuzz with such rumors. She admired these people’s imagination and love for gossip, but she just shook her head, "Do you think that’s likely?"

Grace was still pondering who from logistics it could be, but when Catherine said that, she had a sudden realization, "Right, how could Lawyer Jones possibly find a girlfriend in the logistics department!"

"Glad you understand." Catherine felt like she had dodged a bullet and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It was then that the normally silent Rita Pansy suddenly let out a cold snort, drawing everyone’s attention instantly. They all looked her way and realized that apart from Catherine, the beauty in the logistics department, there was also Rita.

Because Catherine had gone through a divorce and had a child, everyone subconsciously ruled her out. Grace was known to not be able to keep a secret—if she was Lawyer Jones’s girlfriend, the whole company would likely already know. Director Hopkin was forty and married, so it was impossible, and the others were mostly older, so Rita became the most likely candidate.

Grace couldn’t contain herself, "It... it can’t be, can it?" Lawyer Jones’s taste can’t be that bad, can it?

Rita was immediately offended, "Who do you think you are looking down on?"

"Hehehe, naturally, it’s you I look down upon," Grace and Rita never got along.

"Hmph, so you mean to say you’re Lawyer Jones’s girlfriend?" Rita retorted.

Grace, "..."

Silenced by the comeback, Grace grabbed Catherine’s arm, "With a spoiled girl like you, I’d bet on Catherine but never on you!"

Catherine, "..."

Rita let out a laugh and started packing up to leave from work.

Once she had left, Grace looked guiltily at the few people remaining, "It couldn’t really be her, could it? Wouldn’t that mean I’ve offended Lawyer Jones?"

"It won’t be." Catherine spoke up and began packing her things as well.

Grace was anxious, "Are you telling the truth?"

"Didn’t you say it wasn’t me?" Catherine shot back.

Everyone’s expressions spoke volumes, as if to say, really, Grace, you’re taking a joke seriously?

Luckily, it was time to leave work, and everyone was eager to go home instead of continuing this topic.

Only Catherine was left with a headache, looking at the message a man had sent a minute before, "Waiting for you at the usual spot."

This ’usual spot’ naturally referred to where she always got picked up and dropped off.

But today was different from usual, she was truly at a loss for how to face Benjamin Jones.

Especially since she still couldn’t figure out what that kiss the man gave her before getting out of the car this morning meant...

Sigh!

It’s not that she didn’t understand, she just couldn’t figure it out, and the more she thought about it, the more confused she became.

After leaving the company, Catherine Ford walked forward slowly, with an attitude of dragging out every second as long as possible, only to run into Anna Ford right at the entrance.

Facing Anna Ford’s face that turned dark in an instant when she saw her, Catherine deeply understood the idiom "enemies often cross each other’s path."

Clearly, that was how it was between her and Anna.

"Hmph, do you really think you’ve climbed up high enough to get with Benjamin Jones? Do you know his family background, his heritage? It’s impossible between you two. Even if he likes you for now, it’s just for fun. Do you really expect a man like him to marry you and bring you home? Keep dreaming!" Anna had been warned yesterday and then scolded by her father. Knowing that Benjamin Jones was not to be provoked, she didn’t dare to touch Catherine, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t speak the truth.

"That’s my business, Miss Ford need not worry about it." Catherine had previously guessed that Anna wasn’t making things difficult for her in the design department because of Benjamin, and now she was certain of it.

Anna sneered coldly but didn’t dare make any rash moves. Unlike the others, she had learned from her father about Benjamin’s way of doing things, and now, with the Ford family in dire straits, the last person they could afford to offend was Benjamin.

Their family might not be able to please Benjamin, but they absolutely couldn’t push him into the camp of their enemies, so she could only endure.

However, she would wait, wait until Benjamin grew tired of playing, and wait to see Catherine’s joke.

Catherine’s face didn’t show it, but that didn’t mean her heart was without fluctuations. She simply didn’t want Anna to have the satisfaction of seeing it, so she just smiled nonchalantly and walked toward the subway.

Although she detested Anna, what the latter had said was not wrong. Why would Benjamin marry her?

How could a man with impeccable family background, looks, and abilities choose to marry her? What did she have to offer?

Catherine was long past the age of dreaming; it wasn’t that she wasn’t moved, she just didn’t dare to be.

Today, she felt as if she had been living in a beautiful dream until this very moment, when she finally started to wake up, followed immediately by reality. She probably couldn’t continue living in Rose Valley.

Thinking this, Catherine had already made a decision in her heart.

Yet, when she saw the man’s car stopped not far away, her heart still ached uncontrollably. This decision was too difficult for her.

She knew this might be the closest she and Alice ever came to happiness in their lifetime, but compared to the long pain in the future, she didn’t dare to gamble.

The moment she opened the car door, the warm air from inside hit her face, carrying the cool scent that belonged to Benjamin, causing her body to freeze for a moment before she slowly got into the car and waited for the man to speak.

But she waited and waited, and even as the car started and drove away from the bustling street, Benjamin had not uttered a word. Catherine could no longer hold back; she turned her head to look at the man, only to be caught in the act.

Her face turned pink with embarrassment, and after struggling for a while, she finally managed to voice the decision she had made before getting in the car, "Lawyer Jones, I can explain about last night, and as for us, I think perhaps we’re not quite suitable..."

"I didn’t ask you whether we’re suitable or not," said Benjamin, who had anticipated this answer but was still unhappy to hear it directly from her.

Catherine was left speechless by the man’s remark, and stared blankly at him, only to hear Benjamin continue to correct her, "I want you to take responsibility, and you have only one option to do so."

His words suddenly infuriated Catherine. She thought to herself that four years ago, he hadn’t taken responsibility for her; why should she be responsible for him now?

But she couldn’t say this out loud, and could only offer an awkward smile at the man, "Lawyer Jones, what kind of responsibility do you want to take?"

"Marry me."

Bang!

The sky is clear today, but Catherine Ford feels as if she’s been struck by lightning multiple times, incredulously looking at the man, trying to read something from his face and eyes, but finding nothing.

The man looks steadily at her, the four words he just uttered are clearly not a joke.

And Benjamin Jones, such a man, would never make such a joke, but why?

Catherine looks at him, not realizing she had just voiced her inner thoughts.

"Don’t tell me you have another way to take responsibility?" Benjamin Jones is a lawyer, and he understands the human heart too well. He had already guessed the woman’s thoughts when she rejected him, so he offered what she wanted.

To be precise, he gave her a sense of security.

And marriage is the greatest security a man can provide to a woman.

Especially for a woman like Catherine Ford, who is divorced and always worries that she will never have a good marriage again.

But after he finished speaking, an eon seems to pass until Catherine laughed. It wasn’t a laugh of happiness, but one of self-mockery, of scorn.

Benjamin Jones doesn’t understand, "Catherine, I’m serious."

"When did you find out?" Catherine is no fool; in this world, there’s no man who wants to marry a woman for no reason, other than for love or responsibility. And a man like Benjamin Jones could hardly fall in love with such an average woman like her, so that leaves responsibility.

One doesn’t need to think hard to figure out that a man like Benjamin Jones would not marry a woman just because she drunkenly kissed him, especially when the mention of marriage still leaves him with an icy expression.

So...

The thing she fears the most every day has still happened!

This man knows the truth!

He just wants to acknowledge Alice as his own, why all the elaborate schemes!

Feeling a slight pain in her heart, Catherine Ford doesn’t want to stop dreaming this dream, but the hardships of life have taught her not to be too naive.

Just as Anna Ford said, why would a man like Benjamin Jones fancy her?

She knows all too well the consequences of reaching beyond her station; a Foster Newman has already shattered her life to pieces, she doesn’t want to make another mistake.

Benjamin Jones didn’t expect Catherine Ford to suddenly ask this question, and he, who always disdains lying, nods after a moment of silence, "The second day after returning from Ginning."

Upon hearing this, Catherine takes in a sharp breath, realizing he’s known for so long. Self-derision becomes even more apparent on her face. It takes a while before she moistens her dry lips, "I won’t give Alice to you."

"I know." Benjamin Jones wasn’t planning on taking Alice away from her, either.

But his response suddenly infuriates Catherine Ford, the woman suddenly pointing at him excitedly, "You know I wouldn’t possibly give Alice to you, so you’re trying to trick me, right? I really didn’t expect you, Lawyer Jones, to be such a person. Is it fun to deceive a woman into marriage?"

Benjamin Jones is baffled to be scolded so, the person usually so skilled in debate can only barely manage to say after a while, "I didn’t."

"Then, you asking me to take responsibility and to marry you, isn’t it just to get back Alice?" Due to extreme anger and emotion, Catherine’s own eyes begin to redden before she finished questioning the other person.

Benjamin Jones knows Catherine has misunderstood and tries to explain softly, "I..."

"Stop the car!" After a day of utter turmoil, Catherine Ford had not expected that it was all just a scam. She felt like her blood was boiling and her heart was faintly aching. If she had never had expectations, there would be no disappointment, let alone pain. She had always guarded her heart closely, never allowing herself to hope, to fantasize, or to be stirred. Yet this man repeatedly provoked her, causing her to fall for him against her will. But what now?

Men really are all despicable!

Especially lawyers, who are the most cunning and deceitful of all.

Catherine thought furiously. At this moment, all she wanted was to flee.

Reed looked at his boss with difficulty.

Benjamin Jones looked at the woman in front of him, her face a mix of rage and pain due to her intense emotions. "Catherine, listen to me..."

"Stop the car!"

Right now, Catherine couldn’t take anything in. She just wanted to get out of the car and be away from this man.

Benjamin closed his eyes briefly and nodded at Reed.

Reed found a spot to stop the car. Before it had even come to a full stop, Catherine had already opened the door, ready to jump out, an act that completely infuriated Benjamin.

The man grabbed Catherine’s arm, "The car hasn’t stopped yet, have you gone mad?"

"Of course, if I hadn’t gone mad, why would I believe that a man like you could have a bit of affection for me! If I hadn’t gone mad, why would I be foolish enough to daydream all day, thinking that I could really have something with you. If I hadn’t gone mad, why would I stay by your side... It’s all my fault, but I won’t let you have Alice, I won’t..."

Before she could finish, Catherine was already unable to speak through her tears,

Benjamin’s heart clenched. With a little more force, he pulled her into his arms, "No one is forcing you. I do... have feelings for you. The marriage proposal was because I was afraid you wouldn’t believe my sincerity. You are wonderful, I really like you, and it’s not because of Alice."

You are wonderful, I really like you.

Catherine mulled over his words, looking up to meet a face that remained largely expressionless; her heart suddenly cooled a lot. She looked at Benjamin, "If it weren’t for Alice, would you propose to a woman merely because you’re ’stirred’ by her?"

Benjamin paused, not answering Catherine. He wasn’t adept at lying, nor did he care for it. Indeed, without Alice, he wouldn’t have been in such a hurry.

Catherine already had her answer. Her mood somewhat soothed, she spoke softly to the man holding her waist, "Let’s get out of the car, I need to go pick up Alice."

"I’ll go with you," Benjamin still held Catherine.

"No... okay." The words of rejection were on her lips, but in the end, Catherine agreed. Since he already knew, there was no point in deliberately avoiding him.

However, the sense of helplessness in her voice was too apparent and made Benjamin’s heart pinch slightly, "Catherine."

"Hmm? Can you let go of me first?" Catherine responded dully and then protested.

Benjamin had words of explanation ready but ultimately swallowed them. He simply hummed in acknowledgement and released Catherine, following her out of the car.

The cold wind hit Catherine’s face instantly, causing her body to shiver uncontrollably. She shrank back and wrapped her arms around herself. The next moment, a wide grey men’s scarf was wrapped around her face. Her neck and cheeks warmed up, and as Catherine turned her head intending to refuse, Benjamin had already looped it around her neck and tied a knot. She glared at him annoyed, but he simply gave her a slight smile, "Let’s go."

Catherine was momentarily dazzled by the man’s unexpected smile, her heart fluttering. By the time she came to her senses, Benjamin had already entered the daycare, and she hurried to follow, then felt upset with herself; she seemed to have been led by the man’s pace again.

But she was going to pick up Alice, and as much as it annoyed her, she had to endure it.