Chapter 297: The Impeccably Dressed Assistant Stood at the Foyer

"Mrs. Holloway, Mr. Holloway sent me to retrieve an important document." The impeccably dressed assistant stood at the foyer, his expression respectful.

Catherine set down her teacup with a clink. "What document requires such urgency?"

"It's the bid proposal for next week's tender. Mr. Holloway needs to verify some data."

Catherine nodded. "Follow me."

Paige Lawson sauntered out of her bedroom just in time to see them heading toward the study. Her eyes lit up.

She deliberately slowed her pace, lingering behind them. The study door swung open and shut—but the assistant's hasty exit left it slightly ajar.

Glancing around to confirm no one was watching, Paige pushed open the normally locked door.

The sandalwood bookshelves emitted a faint woody scent. Neatly organized files stood behind glass panels. A tea set glowed warmly on the table by the floor-to-ceiling window.

Her gaze landed on the desk—where two manila folders lay carelessly open.

"Thought this was a restricted area," Paige muttered, picking up one folder.

Inside were dense spreadsheets filled with technical jargon that made no sense to her.

"Whatever." She randomly pulled out a sheet, stuffed it into the other folder, and rearranged them exactly as she'd found them.

Catherine's voice drifted upstairs. "Mrs. Palmer, have you seen Paige?"

Paige's heart skipped. She slipped out and leaned against the hallway wall, pretending to scroll through her phone.

"What are you doing here?" Catherine eyed her suspiciously.

"Better signal upstairs." Paige waved her phone. "Pregnant women need entertainment. What's wrong with watching videos?"

Catherine frowned. "Less screen time. It's bad for the baby."

At dusk, Grant returned looking weary.

He went straight upstairs and entered the study. His eyes narrowed at the folders on the desk.

Someone had switched them—the darker one belonged on top, but now the lighter one was in its place.

"Mom!" Grant emerged with a stormy expression. "Who's been in my study?"

Catherine paused on the stairs. "Your assistant came for documents yesterday. Is something wrong?"