Chapter 47
47
The kindergarten day ended early, and Caitlin picked up her son around 3:30 PM. By the time they returned to The Vanderbilt Family estate, it was purit about 4:00 PM.
Bruce followed his mether out of the car, looking up at the grand and impressive buildings of The Vanderbilt Family estate, nodding to himself.
“ Not bad, not bad,” he thought. “Looks like Dad’s family is pretty wealthy. No need for Mom to struggle anymore.”
They made their way toward the main house. As they were walking, they passed a servant carrying a large vase. The moment the servant saw Howard, he froze, his face draining of color.
“Howard! Ah–1”
The servant held the vase tightly, fearing that the child might kick it over, just like he did last month to three other vases!
Bruce heard the servant call his name, so out of politeness, he bent slightly and nodded. Then, he continued to walk on with his mother.
The servant stood there, frozen in place, eyes wide.
Did he just see that?
The notorious troublemaker and destroyer of vases–Howard–didn’t break anything. Instead, he bowed to him?
Oh my God!
Is the sun rising from the west today?
When Caitlin and Bruce walked into the main hall, Beatrice, having heard their arrival , eagerly looked up.
“Caitlin, you’re back!” Beatrice said with a smile, clearly growing fonder of her daughter–in–law. Molly also stepped forward to greet them. “Caitlin, you’re back! Now we can rest easy. We were all so worried!”
“Sorry for making you worry,” Caitlin replied, a little apologetic.
Molly then looked down at her nephew and reached to ruffle his hair. Bruce didn’t pull away.
“Howard, you’re so well–behaved today! You actually let Auntie pat your head!” Molly said, smiling.
Bruce tilted his head, eyeing the woman who called herself “Aunt.” So, she must be his father’s sister?
“Howard, come here to Beatrice,” Caitlin called out.
Bruce, who had never met so many of his relatives before, walked over to sit beside Beatrice, curiously observing her.
Finally, Beatrice was able to hold her great–grandson. She couldn’t stop admiring him, saying, “Oh, Howard has become much more well–behaved ever since he started living with Caitlin. Caitlin, you’ve done an amazing job. The Vanderbilt Family thanks you.”
“No need to say that, Beatrice. It’s my responsibility,” Caitlin responded modestly.
Grace, who had been quietly observing, noticed Howard’s change in behavior and decided to try her luck. “Howard, come to Grandma.”
Bruce knew that the woman who called herself “Grandma” wasn’t his real grandmother, so he didn’t feel the need to go.
He didn’t respond to Grace and didn’t go over, leaving her feeling awkward.
“Howard, come here! I’ll take you to see your father.”
1/3
47
Caitlin waved her hand , and Bruce walked out of Beatrice’s embrace. Before he left, he bowed to Beatrice,
Beatrice stood there, stunned . “Oh my, oh my! This child has become so polite today! He actually bowed to me ! ”
Molly snapped out of her daze . “ Yeah, did Howard take the wrong medicine today?”
Beatrice shot her a look and corrected her, “What do you mean, ‘wrong medicine?‘ It’s because Caitlin is raising him well. Look how well–behaved he is now. The Vanderbilt Family finally has hope!”
Grace rolled her eyes in secret. A little bastard like him couldn’t amount to much. The inheritance of The Vanderbilt Family should go to her biological grandson!
Just as Caitlin and Bruce were about to leave, Marcus hurried in to report some news.
“Beatrice! The Xenos Family sent over an invitation!”
“Oh? What’s going on?” Beatrice asked, intrigued.
Grace suddenly remembered and added, “Oh, Mom, I forgot to tell you, Yasmin is hosting a party tonight for her nephew Kyle’s sixth birthday. She wants The Vanderbilt Family to come and join the fun. You should go too, Mom!”
“Six–year–old Kyle’s birthday? Why didn’t you say so sooner? We need to prepare a gift,” Beatrice said.
Beatrice had been good friends with Yasmin when they were younger, and their families had a long history of friendship. Now that they had received the invitation, of course, they had to attend.
“No need to worry about gifts. Just showing up is enough,” Caitlin said.
“The Xenos Family will be thrilled just to have The Vanderbilt Family show up. It’s a big deal,” Beatrice continued, adding, “Molly, go ahead and prepare the gifts. We’ll all go over, including Caitlin, Howard, Quinton, and Kyle. Let’s make it a big occasion.”
“Got it, Grandma!” Molly replied eagerly, running out to get ready.
Grace wasn’t too keen on having Caitlin attend, but since Beatrice had spoken , she didn’t say anything more.
Still, if The Vanderbilt Family’s three grandsons attended, it would just highlight the Xenos Family’s little genius, Kyle. Everyone knew that Kyle was a child prodigy in New York.
As Caitlin and Bruce were about to leave the house, Molly caught up with them.
“Caitlin! Wait up!” she called.
“What’s the matter?” Caitlin asked.
“We’re going to the Xenos Family’s birthday party tonight, Grandma said you and Howard should join the fun. I’m going to get the gifts now. Let’s meet in the hall at six, okay?”
A birthday party at the Xenos Family?
That meant she’d get to see Captain Felix!
Caitlin thought it would be the perfect time to ask Felix how the investigation was going. She nodded and agreed, “Alright, we’ll go home and change first. We’ll see you there.”
As they walked toward the Vanderbilt estate, Caitlin received a call from Yosef.
“Boss, Jasmine is still stuck in the elevator at CLHC.”
Caitlin almost forgot about her. “Tell her to get lost.”
2/3
19:55 Mon 26 May 1 Jai
47
After spending an entire day isolated , Jasmine must have finally experienced the kind of hopelessness that Caitlin had felt.
Meanwhile, Jasmine, stuck in the 25th –floor elevator, was desperate. At first, the heat was unbearable , and she stripped down , only to later feel freezing cold and hungry. By the time the elevator was finally fixed, it was almost too late.
She stumbled out, feeling like a zombie, only to realize the whole building had already closed for the day. She couldn’t understand why she had to go through all of this.
Back at the Vanderbilt estate, Caitlin and Bruce went upstairs to the master bedroom, where they found Sebastian.
“ Caitlin’s back,” Xavi said, giving a subtle reminder.
Bruce glanced curiously at the bed. Was that man the one who had been in the car accident and nearly turned into a living corpse ?
Caitlin walked over and glanced at Sebastian, asking, “I heard you didn’t eat lunch?”
In truth, he didn’t want to eat anyone else’s cooking. He only wanted her food, but when he couldn’t wait, he ended up hearing rumors about her meeting with a young man at a restaurant. That had made him so angry he couldn’t eat.
Sebastian scowled. “I was starving. Isn’t that what you wanted? ”
The room fell into awkward silence.
Caitlin didn’t say anything else but silently stared at him for a few seconds, sensing his anger. Was he angry because he was hungry, or was it because of her behavior last night?
Bruce’s handsome little face darkened, and his brow furrowed.
Their wonderful, cute, and beautiful mom–why was their dad treating her so badly?
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