Calling it "running into them ahead of time" wasn't quite accurate.
Given Catherine Roman's usual methods and habits, she would never allow coincidence or accidents to dictate a crucial meeting in her plans.
Every seemingly chance encounter was often backed by meticulous calculations and arrangements.
Naturally, she had made a series of preparations to ensure she appeared at just the right moment on this unavoidable route to the Student Council building and the main teaching district.
Early that morning, Catherine had been sitting at her desk, sipping black coffee at just the right temperature while quickly reviewing a summary of several recent family investments. Her well-trained personal maid had slipped silently into the room, leaned close to her ear, and quietly reported a piece of freshly obtained intelligence:
"My lady, three minutes ago, a reliable witness confirmed that Greg Sass and Her Highness Vivian Kahn, the Student Council President, were walking side by side along the tree-lined avenue on the Academy's east side. They appeared to be heading toward the Student Council building or the Central Teaching District."
Catherine's fingers paused briefly over the documents.
Greg Sass and Vivian Kahn, walking side by side?
Her first reaction was to raise her eyebrows in mild surprise.
As a future businesswoman with a keen nose for intelligence and a deep understanding of the aristocracy's hidden relationships, Catherine naturally knew about Greg and Vivian's former engagement, which the royal family had long since unilaterally terminated.
According to all the information she possessed, the two should have become complete strangers after their engagement ended, avoiding any unnecessary contact in public.
Especially after Greg had been cast out of his family and his reputation had hit rock bottom, someone as proud and exacting as Vivian should have been going out of her way to avoid