After signing Harry Potter books, Catherine was in a very good mood.
This slow-paced novel was slowly gaining popularity, and Catherine, without knowing it, had amassed many followers.
Immersed in happiness, the Christmas holidays arrived,
and the Edson family's trip to Seattle was about to begin.
Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, located in King County, Washington, between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, about 174 kilometers from the US-Canada border.
It also has a charming nickname: the Emerald City.
Seattle's main attractions are three major parks: Mount Rainier National Park, Green Lake Park, and Highway Park.
However, Emma talked about something else entirely: the Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the most important ballet companies in the United States and the world.
When the plane landed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the weather was already quite cold; it looked like it was about to snow.
It is said that the weather gets warmer before it snows, but Catherine never felt warm.
Seattle will host the 1962 World's Fair, so the city is in the midst of a transformation.
In a way, the World Expo was much more important than the Olympic Games.
But that was only two years later.
Catherine got off the plane, crossed the lobby, and went down the stairs and corridors to the airport.
Although she was wearing a miniskirt, she was well covered by a winter windbreaker.
"Damn it!"
Catherine was in a bad mood.
She never imagined that Emma's Christmas present would be a "winter suit" from her own company.
Although she wasn't exactly obsessed with money, Catherine certainly "seized" a business opportunity.
She conceived of launching a winter set that would allow trend-loving girls to keep up with the latest trends.
This supposed winter outfit consisted of a double-layered miniskirt, a long-sleeved shirt, a white vest, and cashmere stockings.
Of course, even in winter, this outfit was only suitable for indoors; outdoors, it was certainly more a matter of style than warmth. However, adding a trench coat made a big difference. And Catherine didn't just add a single layer.
In fact, she didn't feel cold at all; in fact, she felt quite warm.
But to say that Catherine felt good... well, that would be a sign of disappointment.
Although Catherine guided Lisa in the design of the miniskirt, it didn't mean she liked it. In fact, if she hadn't known that Lisa was the president of the fashion company, she wouldn't even have thought about the miniskirt trend.
Although wearing the skirt was comfortable, Catherine always felt uncomfortable, as if
they could see her completely.
The feeling of being completely exposed with nothing underneath was almost unbearable for Catherine.
She knew it was psychological, but she couldn't shake it.
"Hmm... let's see... we'll go to the hotel to drop off our luggage, then have something to eat, and then..."
Bruce mused, looking at a map of Seattle.
"According to the plan, we should go see the Northwest Pacific Ballet first," Emma added.
Bruce shrugged.
So the three of them spent the whole day at the theater.
The day ended when they returned to the hotel at night.
Emma and Bruce lay exhausted in bed.
The first was excited, while the second was exhausted from having accompanied Emma to the ballet.
Catherine was in a good mood, having slept all afternoon at the theater.
"I'm going for a walk." The hotel was warm, but a little stuffy.
"Don't go too far."
"I know."
How could he not understand something so simple?
But Catherine didn't take it to heart.
Seattle was much safer than New York. Although New York is the financial center of the United States, it is very chaotic, a situation that only gradually improved in the late 1980s. In fact, the impression of New York today is not very good.
Walking the streets of Seattle, Catherine felt a completely different atmosphere from that of New York, one that was very comforting to her.
Although she had been in this world for 12 years, Catherine had only visited New York and a few nearby states; in fact, she hadn't seen much of the West Coast of the United States.
Seattle was a relatively new city, just over 90 years old, and it wasn't as well lit at night as New York.
Catherine was cautious; she only walked the main streets and did not venture into the alleys. Cases of forced entry are common in the United States, resulting in many deaths, so Catherine was extremely careful.
She didn't plan to stay there long and went back.
But just then, she was suddenly grabbed from behind. She tried to scream, but her mouth was covered.
They took her to a secluded alley before lowering her, where there were three people.
Catherine's coat was ripped off, and that's when she finally saw the three men.
Then, despair washed over her. These three were burly and strong men, and judging by their leering smiles, it was not their first offense.
Catherine was quickly pinned against the wall by the men who had tied her up, one of them using one leg to hold her between his own.
"Okay, little one, behave and let us have some fun. You're fine, I'm fine, you understand? "
Resist?
No, seeing the gleaming knife in his hands, Catherine knew it was useless.
She nodded. Just as the men were about to force her and put a hand inside her...
"Help!"
she suddenly screamed.
The men panicked, but within two seconds they reacted and quickly covered Catherine's mouth.
"Damn it!"
Although the alley was secluded, it was not far from the main street. Catherine's voice was loud, and in winter, it could be heard far away. Catherine believed her voice was loud enough for others to hear.
Although the prisoners had gagged her, they didn't seem to have any intention of moving.
They probably thought no one would bother them.
After all, this was a country where there had already been cases of forced penetration of young women on the street, and passers-by seemed completely indifferent.
They lifted her skirt up viciously and then pulled out their daggers.
"What are you doing?"
"?"
Only four words in English, but to Catherine, they were like heavenly music.
There was hope!
But looking into the distance, she saw only a thin and fragile figure.
Then, she felt even more desperate.