Chapter 403
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Caitlin cast a sideways glance at Quill, who looked visibly awkward.
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Faced with Sebastian’s imposing presence, Quill quickly shifted gears. “Actually, it’s nothing serious. Since Caitlin mentioned you were in Departure City, we thought it’d be nice to invite you over for a visit. Uh… Mr. Vanderbilt, what brings you here anyway?”
His change in attitude was laughable–just moments ago, he was accusing Caitlin with righteous fury. Now, with Sebastian in the room, he
was scrambling to save face.
Sebastian, expression unreadable, replied, “As I’m sure you already know, Caitlin isn’t just my ex–wife. She’s now my fiancée–my one and only. When I heard she was back at The Yuncey Family, and since I happened to be in Departure City for an investment review, I decided to drop by and see how she’s being treated.”
As he spoke, he reached out and gently held Caitlin’s hand, his eyes full of unmistakable affection and possessiveness. “Caitlin , are you doing okay here? Has anyone mistreated you? Just tell me if someone dares lay a hand on you, I’ll make sure their entire bloodline regrets it.”
Quill and Timothy both shifted uncomfortably at that.
Caitlin chuckled softly, “How could anyone dare bully me? Even if they tried, I know Timothy would stand up for me.”
She looked toward the old man. “Right, Timothy?”
Timothy nodded solemnly. “Of course. As long as I’m here, no one will hurt Caitlin. You can rest easy, Mr. Vanderbilt.”
Sebastian gave a short nod and didn’t press further.
Naturally, the conversation turned toward The Yuncey Family’s current scandals. Sebastian didn’t offer judgment but commented, “Regardless of what happened, it needs to be handled quickly. Otherwise, the fallout for the family’s business could be catastrophic.”
“We’re working on it,” Timothy said, sighing.
Sebastian stood. “Well, I don’t want to overstay. I have a meeting with a client soon.”
He turned to Caitlin. “Come with me?”
Just then, Quill had a sudden idea–if he could use Caitlin’s relationship with Sebastian to build a bridge between KM International Group
and The Yuncey Family, maybe it would help turn things around.
“Mr. Vanderbilt, why don’t you stay for lunch?”
“Maybe next time. I really do have to go today.”
With that, Sebastian helped Caitlin to her feet, and the two left together. Outside, Millie watched them walk hand in hand, her expression frozen in envy.
After they left, Timothy’s face darkened.
“Look at this mess. If Caitlin had said even a word just now, and Sebastian decided to retaliate, do you realize how much trouble that would’ve brought on The Yuncey Family?”
“I’m sorry, Father. I wasn’t thinking clearly,” Quill murmured.
“You need to be more careful. That man is not someone you want as an enemy.”
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“understand.”
Millie entered then, still staring toward the door where Caitlin had disappeared.
“Grandpa, Dad–what’s going on with Douglas? When is he getting out?”
“We’re working on it. Just wait at home.” Quill brushed her off and left.
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He was off to pull strings, hoping to use The Yuncey Family’s influence to suppress the scandals and get his children released. But to his surprise, every connection he reached out to turned him down. Gifts were returned unopened, and invitations were ignored.
The final blow came when someone from the police informed him that orders from higher up had been issued: both cases involving The Yuncey Family were to be thoroughly investigated, and absolutely no leniency would be shown.
Quill was stunned. His usual tricks weren’t working. Someone was blocking him–and with serious power.
Meanwhile, Caitlin and Sebastian were on the road, discussing her investigation.
“I’ve been back at The Yuncey Family for a while now, but I haven’t found a single clue about my mother’s whereabouts,” Caitlin said, frowning. “Where could she be?”
Sebastian wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “There are two possibilities. One, Timothy knows where she is and won’t say anything until
he gets what he wants. Two, Timothy isn’t the one who had her taken.”
“I’m starting to think it’s the second,” Caitlin admitted. “Black Hawk was probably hired by someone else. But who?”
She clenched her fists. “The longer I go without finding her, the more danger she might be in.”
Sebastian gently rubbed her arm. “If they wanted her dead, they wouldn’t have gone to such lengths. Hiring Black Hawk, hiding her–that suggests she’s still alive. They want her for something.”
“I hope you’re right. But how am I supposed to get Timothy to talk? He’s way tougher than I thought.”
“Don’t stress too much. We’ll get there. One step at a time.”
She nodded, and soon, their car rolled into the entrance of Departure City’s amusement park.
Caitlin looked up. “You brought me to an amusement park?”
“To play,” Sebastian said with a sly smile. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
She laughed. “Aren’t we a little too old for this?”
“Who says adults can’t have fun at amusement parks?”
They got out. The entire park was empty–Sebastian had rented it out for the day. Staff stood waiting by the rides.
Caitlin couldn’t help laughing. “You really are insane. You rented out the whole park? What about the kids who wanted to come today?”
“I don’t care. I just want you to have fun today.”
He knew she’d been under immense stress lately, mentally and emotionally. He wanted her to breathe, to laugh, to feel light again.
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Caitlin changed into sneakers, and the two of them began to run around like carefree teenagers.
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They rode the carousel–Sebastian on a horse ahead of her, calling back with a grin, “Catch me if you can, baby!”
“You’re so childish,” Caitlin laughed, chasing after him.
Somehow, being with Sebastian made her feel younger. Lighter. Less burdened by all the darkness in her life. It was as if a bit of sunlight had cracked open her hardened heart.
Next, they played bumper cars, shrieking and laughing with every crash. Caitlin hadn’t laughed that hard in years.
Finally, they got on the Ferris wheel. As the gondola reached the top, the whole city spread out beneath them. It was quiet, peaceful.
Sebastian turned toward her, eyes burning with affection. He pulled her into his arms.
“Baby, guess what I’m thinking about right now?”
Caitlin’s heart skipped. “Hey… this is a public ride. Don’t you dare do anything crazy!”
Cue the romantic mischief.
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