Chapter 185

Catherine's POV

I sat frozen in the coffee shop at the bottom of Howard Technologies,staring directly at Bill White across the table, my mind still reeling from what had just transpired. Five thousand dollars. Caroline Gluck had transferred that amount to Bill without a moment's hesitation,completely derailing my modest revenge plan.

"Caroline really loves me that much?" Bill asked again, his eyes gleaming with disbelief and excitement as his fingers continuously scrolled over the $5,000 transaction displayed on his phone screen.

I forced myseIf to remain composed, though my thoughts were still churning. For an average person, this wasn't a trivial sum. Yet Caroline had given itaway so effortlessly?

"It certainly seems that way," I nodded thoughtfully. "In fact, you could tell me more about other things she's done for you. Sometimes,you can see a person's true feelings in the small details."

Bill looked somewhat puzzled but began recounting various interactions between himself and Caroline. With each story, I would nod or gasp appropriately.

"That's right! Someone who doesn't love you would never be willing to do all these things!" I exclaimed with feigned enthusiasm.

As our conversation continued, I noticed BilI's expression gradually shifting from confusion to firm conviction. He was genuinely beginning to believe that Caroline harbored special feelings for him. I couldn't help

feeling a touch of satisfaction-despite the unexpected turn of events,my plan seemed to be working.

Even if Caroline might actually have some slight feelings for Bill. I knew the White family maintained exceedingly high standards for potential daughters-in-law. A girl like Caroline, without a distinguished background or connections, would undoubtedly face all sorts of unfair treatment if she married into the White family. When that happened, it would be as if the White family were exacting revenge on my behalf!

"By the way," I leaned slightly forward, lowering my voice, "now that you've discovered Caroline's feelings, it's best not to be too obvious about it."

"Why not?" Bill furrowed his brow, looking utterly confused.

Seeing his genuine bewilderment, I couldn't help but sigh internally. This man knew absolutely nothing about the complexities of interpersonal relationships. Remembering my ultimate goal of getting back at Caroline, I adjusted my expression into a sympathetic smile.

"It's actually quite simple. She has a crush on you, which means in her heart, she's placed herself in a lower position while elevating you," I explained patiently. "Right now, she only dares to approach you bit by bit.If you suddenly show that you're very interested in her... what do you think would happen?"

Bill pondered for a moment before asking hesitantly,"She'd be scared?"

"Exactly!" I clapped my hands in approval. "Then she'd avoid you. And you don't want to lose a woman who truly loves you, right?"

Bill nodded, though his expression indicated he hadn't fully grasped the concept."Right." "So just continue interacting with her normally, as you did before."I suggested,secretly satisfied with my control of the situation.

"Should I buy her a gift?" Bill suddenly asked.

I took a sip of my drink, responding nonchalantly, "You could."

Bill immediately picked up his phone and began browsing online merchandise. I could tell he was searching for something impressive-not too cheap,something that would appropriately express his feelings,but not so expensive that he couldn't afford it.

A few minutes later. Bill turned his phone toward me. "What do you think about this $4.999 gift?"

His words shocked me so much that I involuntarily spat out my drink. "Pfft!"

"What are you doing?" Bill quickly pulled back hs hand,grabbing some napkins to wipe his phone screen, clearly annoyed.

I finally understood why Bill wasn't popular with women. "She transferred you $5,000, and you're planning to spend $4,999 on a gift for her,leaving yourself just $1?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes," Bill answered without hesitation, as if this were the most reasonable thing in the world.

I stared at him in disbelief for a few seconds, then tried a different approach. "If you spend all the money, won't you just have to ask her for more?"

Bill paused, then had a moment of realization: "That's true!" "Although Caroline said she would support you. you need to consider her income too." I gave Bill a meaningful look. "If you keep asking for money back and forth, you'll take $10,000 from her. After paying rent and living expenses, she might not have anything left. Could you bear to see her living in poverty because of you?"

Bill genuinely seemed conflicted, apparently never having considered things from this perspective. "Hmm..."

"Keep enough for your living expenses, and use the rest to buy he a gift."I suggested.

The coffee shop had gradually emptied, and the post-lunch quiet made our conversation more intimate. Bill began calculating his daily expenses out loud: "I can eat cheaper for breakfast... lunch should be filling... I'll skip dinner..."

Listening to Bill's budget plan, I felt immensely grateful that I had never been romantically involved with him. Seeing how he expected women to support him financially while he made no effort to work would make any girlfriend despair.

Though I disliked Caroline, my conscience couldn't let her jump into such a financial drain. "So when you've spent all your money this month, what about next month? Will you continue asking Caroline for more?"

Bill seemed genuinely stumped by this question, his expression growing confused and uneasy.

"Don't you plan to find a job to support yourself?" I pressed further."Since your father has cut off your financial resources,you need to think abouIt your future. You can't rely on others forever, or expect women to support you. After all. you have perfectly capable hands and feet." Bill fell silent. possibly considering these questions seriously for the first time in his life, Seeing him like this. I suddenly felt an unexpected pang of sympathy, but it was quickly diluted by my anger toward Caroline.

I glanced at my watch and stood up, gathering my things. "I need to get back to work. Think about it. okay?"

"Mm." Bill nodded absent-mindedly, still lost in his thoughts.

As I left the coffee shop, I couldn't help feeling both satisfied and unexpectedly concerned. My revenge plan against Caroline had taken an unforeseen turn, but perhaps this was even better than what I had initially imagined. Watching Bill potentially drain Caroline's finances while she developed genuine feelings for him would be a kind of poetic justice I hadn't anticipated.

Regardless, Caroline had messed with the wrong person. Since she had chosen to use my personal information to hurt me, she deserved to experience what it felt like to be used herself.

Walking back toward the Howard Technologies building, I noticed that the sky had clouded over, the Manhattan skyline losing its earlier brilliance.A fitting backdrop for my thoughts, I mused. I had always prided myself on being direct and honest in my dealings with others. This little scheme was out of character for me, but Caroline's deliberate actions had pushed me beyond my usual boundaries.

As I reached the building entrance, I caught sight of my reflection in the glass doors. For a brief moment, I barely recognized myself-the calculating expression, the cold satisfaction in my eyes. I paused,wondering if I was becoming someone I wouldn't like. But then I remembered Caroline's smug face as she admitted to sharing my information with Bill, and my resolve hardened again. Caroline had made her choice. Now she would live with the consequences.