536 That's Her

At the backstage, Frederick signaled his assistant to come closer. He had an unreadable expression on his face as he glanced at Damien's direction from afar. 

"Yes, Chairman?" the assistant asked when he came to Frederick's side.

"You heard the conversation earlier. Find out who the anonymous tipper is, and also who Damien hired to investigate the case." Frederick nodded to his assistant, his way of telling the other to leave.

He fixed his tie in place and pulled on a neutral smile on his face before he headed towards a group of business associates, shaking their hands as soon as he met them, and then began the customary small talk.

Meanwhile, Damien and William turned around and strolled towards their friends. The former took a small device out of his inner pocket and handed it over to his cousin as he said, "I know you said that you can handle it, but I already had this prepared beforehand just in case you need it. You can do whatever you want."

"What's this?"

"Just… Something that would 'encourage' his supporters from the board." The two smiled as they exchanged looks, even without explanation, William already understood what his cousin meant. 

Damien started to look for Katherine as they walked, but she was nowhere to be found. She wasn't where he left her, and she wasn't with Alianna and the others as well. So where could she be?

William received the device and pocketed it right away, grabbing a new glass of champagne from the passing waiter. He asked Damien if he wanted one, but the latter declined with a wave of his hand. "Well, outsourcing is also a skill… So I won't refuse, but I'll keep this as my last resort."

"Mm." Damien's response was brief as he was busy looking for his fiancée, but no matter where he looked in the room, he didn't see her.

"Heads up," William warned, nodding at a couple that was coming to their direction.

Damien snapped his head to check what William was referring to, and then his eyes landed on two familiar faces that he seldom saw. A tall black-haired fellow linked arms with a lovely woman. Curling his mouth into a friendly smile, Damien greeted the two, "I'm glad you could make it. Where are the kids?" He then gave them brief hugs.

"They're having a sleep-over at my brother's house," answered Daniel Cho—Chairman and CEO of Cho Corporation in Mayne City.

He and Daniel went way back. The two met several times while growing up because of social occasions. And when Damien started his company, Daniel was one of the friends whom he asked advice from as he was a few years older than him.

The woman next to Daniel was his wife, Samantha—also the CEO of her own software development company, Trident. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, letting out a sigh as she said, "You have no idea how much I had to convince this man to trust his brother with the two monkeys."

Samantha leaned against her husband and a bright smile cast her face as she brushed her hand on his chest. "He's a great father—and a loving husband. I'm very lucky."

Daniel caressed her arm and pulled her closer as he responded, "I'm luckier to have you. You're a wonder woman."

"See what I mean?" probed Samantha with a light chuckle. "Hey, what about you?" She turned to Damien and added, "I heard from the grapevine that you're… settling down? Is this true? Who's the lucky lady?"

"Ha!" Daniel Cho barked out a laugh. "Looks like I'm not the only one who's shackled…"

Rubbing his nape, a charming smile ghosted Damien's lips when their attention was now on him. He looked around to look for Katherine, but he still didn't see her. "Actually, I was on my way to meet her. She has probably stepped out for a bit." Then, he addressed the couple, "Do you mind if I head out? I'll go get her and meet you guys again later."

"Not at all. Go ahead." Daniel nodded, and then they waved each other goodbyes before Damien headed towards a group of people.

When Damien came to his cousin's side, he asked if they knew where Katherine was. Alianna told him that she had gone to the washroom. And in the next second, he left through the double doors.

…

Outside the function hall earlier

Katherine exited the washroom. The area was in a slightly secluded location with a five-meter long hallway. She was on her way back to the event when she bumped into an older man in his late thirties who was on his way to the bathroom—he reeked of alcohol and sweat. She casually stepped aside to give way and ignored him, but she stopped in her tracks when he spoke to her.

"I know you! Saw you inside with that Park boy! You know…" he slurred, waving his pointer finger at her. "I also have lots of money… That's what you want right? What d'ya say we spend the night here? I can buy you a house and a car if you want!" He patted his chest proudly.

Katherine's brows knitted in disgust. "No, thanks." She turned on her heel and decided not to waste her time with him.

However, just as she took a step forward, she felt a heavy hand land on her ass and grazed her exposed thigh. 

She halted, turned to look at the man, and found him grinning from ear to ear. Her vision darkened and her hands itched that she had to clench them tightly. "Did you just slap me?" she asked under gritted teeth in a voice so sharp it could cut glass.

The man attempted to move closer, but before he could even do so, Katherine kicked him in the stomach. He stumbled backward and his back hit the wall, bellowing a painful groan and a curse as he slid down to the floor.

But she wasn't done with him yet. Using her five-inch red Louboutin, she trapped his neck between her heel and the cold wall. Katherine pushed him upward with her steady footing, not allowing him to fall to the floor. Her body tilted sideways, and the long slit exposed her raised leg as she kept the man begging for his release. The sharp heel dangerously pointed towards his neck. He had turned red from being unable to breathe properly—what with the controlled pressure that she gave on his neck.

"P-Please…" the man managed to utter, his hands holding her ankle.

Katherine's eyes were as deadly as her God of Death knives when she stared at the man in the eye. The man shivered as she opened her mouth to speak. "How dare you lay your dirty hand on me? Do you know what I do with men who touch me without my permission?"

He choked while shaking his head, a tear rolling out of his eye.

"Let's just say… they go home NOT in one piece," she slithered. "Just so you know, I can afford to provide for myself. I don't know what's running through your thick head, but you're in Damien Park's territory. And my man doesn't have the patience for neanderthals like you." Katherine pressed her foot harder and the man tried to desperately push her away as he gasped for air.

...

Meanwhile, Damien just got out of the double doors. He took hurried steps towards the washrooms while constantly hoping that Katherine was okay.

"Damien," a man's voice called him from behind.

He turned around and saw Daniel Cho approach him, saying that he's looking for the restrooms.

A noise from the corner caught their attention, so they strode towards the direction of the sound and what they saw was a rather interesting and shocking sight.

Katherine pinned a man on the wall with her heel—one foot down and one foot up, her legs forming a perfect 130° angle while she balanced her stance. Her aura was strong and it was apparent in her expression how pissed she was.

Damien froze on the spot for a beat as he studied the sight before him. He recognized the man as one of his uncle's associates whom he had just met earlier.

"Woah~ Who's that? What's going on?" Daniel wondered under his breath.

At first, Damien was clearly worried. But upon seeing how Katherine was handling herself, a devilish smirk painted his face. His anxious heart immediately calmed down, and he was proud to answer in a firm tone, "That's her."

Daniel snapped his head towards the other, and his brows furrowed in confusion. "Huh?"

"The one who shackled me—as you said. The woman I'm spending the rest of my life with. Katherine Young," Damien asserted.

Taking long strides towards her, his low and cold tone resonated in the hallway as he questioned, "What's happening here?"