Chapter 231 - Treasuring Connections

"You did what?!" Katherine's eyes almost popped out of their sockets when she heard her grandfather's words. Just a few seconds ago, she was calmly admiring how the chamomile tea smelled so good. Now, all she could smell was her own sweat — a product of her nervousness.

Chairman Young almost spilled the Oolong tea in his cup when his granddaughter exploded in shock. A curse nearly escaped from his mouth but just like the nobleman that he was, he simply closed his mouth.

The two were in the living room of the Young Mansion, enjoying afternoon tea when Chairman Young told Katherine that he invited Damien Park to her "Welcome Home Party" the next day. 

He spoke so casually and even expected to hear Katherine's appreciation, instead, he almost got scalded with his tea because of her shock. 

Carefully placing the cup on the coffee table, he adjusted the eyeglasses on his face as he asked and studied her reaction, "Are you that surprised? My… I didn't know you would be so excited knowing that your former boss is coming." He smiled.

And his smile had a meaning.

But Katherine didn't understand the meaning behind his smile as she was still trying to wrap her head around the idea of seeing Damien tomorrow.

'Surprised? Grandpa, I am so far from surprised! I am flabbergasted! And surprised?! Me? I don't know about that.' she said in her thoughts.

She already had enough on her plate thinking about the possibility of – getting attacked tomorrow by Shadow, that is if the news already reached Parker, and they were hoping it still hasn't. Or the possibility of getting kidnapped by Chris so that he could erase her memories again. Why not? Chris did it once, he would certainly… probably do it again.

Getting attacked by Shadow was likely to happen and if that happens, they were ready. At the same time, the probability that Chris would kidnap her was less, but she predicted that he would at least show up.

Actually, she was hoping he would.

This had been on her mind since they planned this bold move days ago. And now her grandfather invited Damien and he was even proud of it. Great. Just great.

She couldn't see nor face Damien... Not yet. She wasn't ready!

Composing herself, she answered, "I already resigned from his company, Grandpa… Why did you invite the person?" Katherine tried to calm her tone, not wanting to give her grandfather any more reason to question her.

"What do you mean why?" Chairman Young had a bewildered expression on his face as he tried to understand Katherine's question. "Why not? He was good to you… You even said so yourself. You told me that it's a pleasure and an honor for you to work for a person like him. When you said that, you even had a smile on your face. Was I wrong? Did I misunderstand?"

'Damn it. Why did he have to remember that so well?' One thing that Katherine was good at was playing her disguise so well that she could even make herself believe that she was a different person. But when it came to Damien, her walls just crumbles. 

It was the same years ago too when she was still in Shadow. Maybe it's the reason why she liked him then. Because out of all the people that she met, it was only Damien who made her feel so different. In a way that not even Chris could.

Trying not to look so tense in front of her grandfather, Katherine shrugged and took a sip of her tea before answering, "I did. But that was in the past. I already resigned… I just didn't think I would see him—my boss again. That's all."

Chairman Young looked at her for a few seconds, studying her like it was his job to understand everything about his beloved granddaughter. After some time, he decided to give her notable advice.

"Hmmm… Well, having President Park there will be good. You told me you want a grand party. What else can be grander than having a very influential person in the celebration?"

Katherine pursed her lips into a thin line as she listened to her grandfather. He had his index finger raised as he continued, "One thing that you need to learn about social occasions like this, my little one, is that – the right venue excites and influences your guests to attend your event. Food is also a big factor because people can forget about the venue but never the food. Now, inviting the right people—the influential people—can definitely make your event the talk of the town. 

"Also, in this world—unfortunately—having connections is crucial. Especially if you have a business. My dear, you are a member of the Young Family and the heiress of Young Corporation, you need to keep your connections intact. You don't want to mess with people who can crush your business into dust with just a flick of their fingers. Since you had a good relationship with your previous Boss, you must treasure it."

Biting the inner cheek of her mouth, Katherine slumped her shoulders. How can her grandfather be this clever? She already knew those things, of course, but his reminder stung her.

She did have a relationship with her previous Boss. And it wasn't just good… It was really—Okay, that wasn't really the point but it doesn't matter anymore!

Whatever relationship she had with Damien ended the moment she turned her back on him. And thinking about it, she would still do the same thing if she were to go back in time. It's just how it should be. She couldn't be with him anymore.

As though she had come to a realization, Katherine squared her shoulders and raised her chin, smiling at her grandfather as she nodded, "You're right, Grandpa. Connections. Okay."

She just had to convince herself more so that she could face Damien tomorrow. That is, if he was even coming.

Her grandfather did send an invitation. But it didn't mean that Damien would attend, right? When she was still working for him before, she had rejected several invitations to social parties. So, he could also reject this one…. Right?

Katherine had to clear her throat with the realization. She didn't know if she was going to be relieved that he wouldn't go… or disappointed that she wouldn't see him.

Focus, Katherine. The end goal was to find out who ordered Operation Scorpion and also take down Shadow. She would just have to be like a horse in a race track with one goal in mind – the finish line.

Picking up the cup of tea from the table, Chairman Young glanced at Katherine and wondered what was going on in her head. After their chat a few days ago, he had agreed to follow her requests without questions regarding the preparation of the party. 

And seeing her reaction regarding the invitation of the man he caught holding hands with his granddaughter a couple of months ago definitely piqued his interest.

A knowing smile formed on his lips before he took a sip of his tea.