Chapter 258: If You’re Willing
Although the voice was slightly distorted, Davey recognized Catherine immediately.
Still, hearing her again at this moment made him feel as though an entire lifetime had passed.
When had it been, the last time?
Valentine Station. Waiting for a train.
All because of a glass of juice.
A blonde girl dressed in fashionable denim.
An encounter he would never forget.
That had only been a few months ago.
Back then, Davey was nothing more than a wanted man. She, on the other hand, was an outstanding student at Federal University—one of the most privileged recipients of higher education in this era.
Just a few months later, Davey had become a major force in the West. Hundreds of armed men under his command, enormous wealth accumulated through bootlegging.
Across the West, his name now carried real weight.
“Davey, it’s me. Catherine.”
When no response came for a long moment, Catherine immediately grew nervous.
They had been writing letters ever since that chance meeting. This was their first phone call.
She worried he hadn’t recognized her voice.
“Sorry, Catherine. Of course I know it’s you. I could never forget your voice.”
“It’s just… I’m a little nervous. It feels like I’m dreaming.”
Davey’s slight hesitation made Catherine laugh.
Her clear, bright laughter echoed through the receiver, and Davey felt his mood lift instantly.
Then she complained, half reproachful, “But Davey, why didn’t you tell me you had a telephone installed? If I’d known, I could have called you sooner. You should have mentioned it in your letters.”
That short exchange erased the last traces of distance between them, making the conversation feel natural and intimate.
“But I never received a reply from you, Catherine,” Davey said softly.
“I even contacted the post office. They told me you weren’t at school anymore.”
There was a faint note of grievance in his voice.
They had been writing frequently before that.
Then, suddenly, her letters stopped. When Davey asked the postal staff, he was told Catherine was no longer on campus.
“All right, Davey. That one’s on me,” Catherine admitted.
“Do you know about the Philippines?”
“Of course,” Davey replied. “The Philippines is an island nation in Southeast Asia.”
“What’s wrong? Did something happen over there?”
Catherine’s voice carried a hint of frustration. “Yes. On June second this year, the Philippines declared war on the United States.”
“The school issued a notice recommending that journalism students use the Philippine–American War as the subject of our graduation thesis.”
“It’s awful. That’s on the other side of the Pacific. I hate war, and I don’t want to be a war correspondent.”
“The newspapers in the United States are a mess right now. I originally wanted to join the New York World, but Pulitzer’s decision disgusts me. He’s abandoned what he once stood for.”
“Doing the same things as Hearst… it’s revolting.”
“I regret choosing journalism as my major. Maybe I should have gone with fashion design instead—something I actually love.”
“Ah… sorry, Davey. I shouldn’t be dumping all this on you.”
It was obvious Catherine hadn’t been happy lately. Without realizing it, she had treated Davey as the person closest to her and poured out everything she’d been holding in.
Then it suddenly occurred to her that Davey might not even understand what she was talking about.
After all, the West was seen as a cultural backwater. Why would he care about what was happening in the East?
“It’s all right, Catherine,” Davey said calmly.
“I also think Pulitzer made the wrong decision. He should have stuck to his original ideals.”
“Of course, from a business standpoint, it may have been unavoidable. If he hadn’t done that, the New York World might have ended up being swallowed by Hearst.”
“But someone like Hearst—someone with no bottom line, who’ll do anything for attention—I can’t stand him.”
Davey’s words left Catherine stunned.
“Oh my goodness, Davey. You follow all of this too?”
Davey laughed. “Because of you, Catherine. That’s why I’ve taken an interest in the newspaper business.”
“In Saint Denis, I met a newspaper owner named Hector Fellowes. He used to be Pulitzer’s editor-in-chief, and now he’s one of Pulitzer’s partners, overseeing newspaper expansion in the West.”
“You don’t need to worry about internships or your graduation thesis. I think Mr. Fellowes would be more than willing to help—at least for my sake.”
“And if you don’t want to be a reporter at all, if you prefer fashion design instead, that’s even less of a problem.”
“I’ve just opened two garment factories in Saint Denis. Perhaps they’re waiting for a chief designer as beautiful as you.”
After a brief pause, Davey added softly, “If you’re willing.”
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