Chapter 2: Catherine Juggins

Words : 3186 Updated : May 22nd, 2025

"Liam? You should be arriving in Cadell City soon, right? Leila should be waiting for you outside the station. I've asked her to find you a place to stay in Cadell City and care for you. Make sure you study well there." "Don't blame me for being harsh. You know your grades aren't great, and you won't get into a good university if you don't work hard. That's why I pulled some strings to get you into the best school in the city, Ivy High School." "Listen to Leila in Cadell City. She was my business partner there and is very kind." Hearing that stern female voice Liam hadn't heard in what felt like centuries, Liam felt a wave of warmth wash over him, his eyes growing misty before he realized it. "Mom, I understand. Don't worry, I'll study hard in Cadell City," Liam replied with tears but a bright smile. After his mom passed away, he'd never heard her voice again. In Liam's memories from his previous life, his mom always felt like a distant presence. They hadn't spent much time together. Jorja Houston was a strong-willed person. After being mocked and scorned by the Houston family, she wanted to prove herself. When Liam was little, she took his older sister Anya and moved to Shanton to start a business. They only came back home once or twice a year. Therefore, Liam didn't have a deep impression of her, but when she had a car accident, he realized how much he depended on her. She was the heart of the whole family. Liam remembered how his father's hair turned gray overnight after receiving the news, as if all his energy had been drained. "By the way, Leila has a daughter named Catherine Juggins, an excellent student. Leila mentioned wanting you two to meet. I don't object, but remember, your studies come first. Don't get so caught up in romance." Jorja cautioned word by word. Liam couldn't help but laugh. What kind of mother thinks about her child dating while he was still in high school? He replied helplessly, "Mom, don't worry. I'll definitely get into a good school. You should also take care of your health and safety in Shanton and don't overwork yourself. Anya is almost graduating. Let her help more so you can lighten your load." "Alright, alright, since when did you start nagging me? I have work at the company, so I'll hang up now. I've already transferred the money to your card. Use it sparingly." Jorja laughed and quickly hung up. Liam shook his head. Although his mother was a businesswoman, she was always quite careless. If it weren't for Anya keeping an eye on things, who knows how many mistakes would have been made? Thinking of Anya, a pang of sorrow hit his heart. Besides Cass, the greatest regrets in Liam's life were his parents and Anya. "I failed Anya in my past life. How will I repay her?" Liam pondered silently. Matters of the heart are never easy to articulate. As he was lost in thought, the bus arrived at the station, and the driver called for everyone to get off. Looking at the familiar Cadell City bus station and the bustling crowd, Liam felt a sense of nostalgia. Only then did he believe he had truly been reborn, back to his 17-year-old self. "In the mundane world, what do I have to fear?" He smiled faintly and followed the crowd outside the station. Passersby occasionally glanced admiringly in a particular direction outside Cadell City bus station. A dazzling red Audi A6 was parked there. In 2007, a high-end model like this could sell for sixty to seventy thousand dollars, making it a luxury car in Cadell City. However, while not a developed city, Cadell City ranked in the upper-middle tier of Jenos Province, where Porsches and Ferraris were not uncommon. What caught people's attention was the striking pair of beauties standing in front of the car. The older woman, in her thirties, had an elegant face. She was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit with a white shirt underneath, flesh-colored stockings, and high heels, sporting a sophisticated makeup look—a mature, professional woman. In her late teens, the younger one was tall and bore a similar resemblance to the older beauty, but with even more striking features, though her demeanor was a bit aloof and proud. The two beauties were Leila and her daughter, Catherine Juggins. At this moment, Catherine was frowning, scanning the station's exit. "Mom, when will he arrive? Maybe you should call him to hurry up," Catherine said impatiently. "You're so impatient, it's only been ten minutes," Leila sighed, shaking her head. This was her best friend's child, sent to Cadell City for senior year, and it was his first time studying away from home. Jorja had entrusted him to her care, so she was determined to do her best. "Liama sincerenest kid. When he comes out, be mindful of how you speak. You'll be classmates from now on, so get along well. He's new to Cadell City, and you'll need to help him out," Leila advised. "Alright, I know, Mom, stop nagging," Catherine sighed, slightly irritated. Since her mom's friend's child was coming to study in Cadell City, she had been dragged out here in the midday sun to wait at the bus station for ten minutes. She had plans to meet her friends at Starbucks later, but it seemed those plans were about to be ruined. The key was that her mom seemed to be trying to set them up. As a girl, she was sensitive to such things, and even after her mom mentioned it twice, she could sense it. Instantly, her resistance grew. She wasn't excited to meet this classmate she hadn't seen before. Just then, she heard a voice. "Mrs. Leila, sorry to keep you waiting." A boy with a warm smile greeted Leila politely. "Is this Liam Casson?" Catherine glanced over him nonchalantly. Liam wasn't that tall. She was pretty much eye-level with him. He looked pretty average. Even with her not-so-great eye for brands, she could tell his outfit would cost less than a hundred bucks. If her rich friend were here, she'd surely mock him. Catherine couldn't help but let a trace of disdain flicker across her eyes. "Liam doesn't look like anything special. He's nothing compared to Joshua and the others," Catherine thought, shaking her head. Joshua Looske was her classmate, the student council president, and the son of Cadell City's deputy mayor, a prominent figure in the school. Whether in looks, family background, or ability, he was top-notch. He was also one of Catherine's suitors. Catherine had a good impression of him, and the two were considered a couple in the eyes of outsiders. Leila smiled at Liam, pleased with the polite young man standing before her. She took the initiative to introduce him, "Liam, this is my daughter, Catherine Juggins." "She will also start her senior year next semester at the same school, three months younger than you. Just call her Cathy, and look out for her, okay?" Liam nodded with a smile, "Don't worry, Mrs. Leila. Cathy's like a sister to me now. I'll look after her." He turned to look at Catherine, his first crush in his past life, who had broken his heart and eventually faded from his memory. In 2007, even though the real estate boom had yet to arrive and Jorja wasn't yet the future real estate queen of Shanton, Liam was just an ordinary teenager who had spent seventeen years in Seapolis without much exposure. When Liam first arrived in the bustling Cadell City, he knew no one. After meeting Catherine Juggins, daughter of a wealthy upper-class family, he was mesmerized. Liam chuckled, reminiscing on those youthful feelings. "It's a pity that with Catherine's high standards, how could she have been interested in me back then?" Liam thought. He shook his head. "I remember she liked the school's prominent figure, the son of Cadell City's deputy mayor, Joshua Looske. They later attended Shanton University together, inseparable, and I was despondent for a long time. Now looking back, it's indeed laughable." He was no longer the person he was five hundred years ago. How could he still be tangled up in this unrequited crush? Liam reached out his hand first. "Cathy, I'm Liam Casson, from Seapolis. We'll be classmates, so if you ever need anything, just let me know." Even though Catherine had once hurt him, she was Leila's daughter, and he would protect her no matter what, to avoid causing Leila any distress. Catherine had seen plenty of guys get flustered by her looks, but there weren't many with eyes as clear as Liam's. He wasn't exactly handsome, but he had a clean, genuine vibe that was pretty nice. Unfortunately, his family background and abilities were lacking, so he could only be her friend. Catherine still offered her hand graciously. "Sure, just don't forget what you promised," Catherine replied, though she brushed it off as a joke. Her father was a government official, her mother ran a company worth millions, and she was drop-dead gorgeous. Many of her suitors came from influential families. What could trouble her that would require Liam's help? Leila smiled, "Let's get in the car and drop your stuff off at your new place, then we'll go to our place for lunch so you can meet my husband." "Okay," Liam nodded with a smile. Once in the car, they drove to Liam's new residence, Lakeside Community. It was a mid-range neighborhood in Cadell City, with lots of trees and greenery. It was right by Lake Yanvale, with great views, and just a ten-minute walk from Ivy High School. The apartment had three bedrooms and a living room, all nicely furnished. There was AC, hot water, a bathtub, a TV, a sofa, and a fridge. Leila had gone out of her way to find a good place. "Thanks so much for all the trouble, Mrs. Leila," Liam said, genuinely grateful. Leila was one of the few who truly cared for him in his previous life. She was his mom's business partner and ran an architecture design firm worth millions, a real boss lady. In his past life, he had poor grades in high school. His mother sent him to Ivy High School, the best private high school in Cadell City. Leila took care of him. She helped him find a rental house, offered food, and even tried to introduce her daughter to him. Leila treated him the same. "There's no need to thank me; your mom asked me to look after you. You're alone here, and I've always wanted a son. Treat our place as your own," Leila said warmly. Liam nodded earnestly. In this life, he wanted to repay Leila for her kindness. Feeling the sincerity in his words, Leila's impression of him improved even more. Compared to Joshua, whom she had met a few times but found to be calculating, Leila preferred someone like Liam. Leaving the Lakeside Community, the car headed to Leila's house. Catherine and Liam sat in the backseat. They made some small talk, but with different interests and friend groups, there wasn't much to say. Liam apologetically smiled, scooted over by the window, and shut his eyes, looking wiped out. Catherine waited, and when he didn't speak, she turned to look out the window indifferently. Even though Liam made a decent first impression, Catherine was the school's queen bee. She had high standards and strict parents, but Liam wasn't her type. Plus, she'd seen plenty of guys try to get her attention by acting all mysterious or playing it cool. These days, even kids know about reverse psychology. But that stuff didn't work on Catherine. She only respected talented people. Liam wasn't thinking about any of this. He was contemplating his cultivation path in this life.

Chapter 2: Catherine Juggins

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