Chapter 674
The moment Caitlin asked about the Jonathan family’s assets, Nicoletta cursed her inwardly, but her face stayed calm. “Caitlin, what a strange thing to say, We didn’t take a single needle or thread from your grandfather’s estate. All of it went to your mother, didn’t it? Shouldn’t you be asking her instead?”
“Really? But I’ve already investigated. The man who handled my grandfather’s estate was someone named Carlos. That name should sound familiar to you, right?”
Caitlin had come prepared. She pulled out copies of the documents she’d collected before and slapped them down in front of Nicoletta.
Nicoletta drew a deep breath and picked up the papers. Fletcher also grabbed a few to examine.
The others crowded around to read. After a glance, they all shook their heads. Fletcher said, “Never seen this man. Who is he supposed to be?”
Nicoletta set the files down slowly and smiled. “Caitlin, we’ve never heard of this Carlos. You must be mistaken.”
“Whether I’m mistaken or not, Hector should be the one to answer.”
Caitlin turned her eyes on Hector. “Hector, yesterday you admitted yourself that Forrest and Carlos are the same man. Am I right?”
“What?” Nicoletta looked at the old man in confusion. “When did you supposedly admit that? Caitlin, are you just making things up?”
Liliana chimed in, “Exactly. My dad was home all day yesterday. How could you have spoken to him?”
“There are plenty of ways to make contact.” Caitlin didn’t elaborate.
“You mean you secretly called my father?” Liliana pressed.
Nicoletta turned to Devin. “Did the master take her call yesterday?”
“No, madam. He didn’t receive any calls yesterday.”
“Then that’s strange.”
Nicoletta let out a mocking laugh at Caitlin. “What, do you claim to speak across miles by telepathy now?”
At that moment Hector said, “Caitlin came to the house yesterday.”
“What?”
Nicoletta gasped. Everyone stared in disbelief. No one in the household had seen Caitlin the day before. How could Hector say she’d been there?
Liliana’s eyes widened. “I get it! Yesterday you disguised yourself as the prince’s female aide. That was you!”
15:37 Wed, Oct 1
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- Vouchers
Caitlin gave a small smile, silently admitting it.
Liliana fumed. No wonder that aide’s voice had sounded just like Caitlin’s. So it really was her. She had ruined Liliana’s chance with the prince!
The room went quiet. Nicoletta’s face turned dark as she stared at Caitlin. “You’re certainly resourceful. But let’s be honest. Hector is old, he doesn’t leave the house, he barely knows anything. If you pressed him, maybe he nodded and said yes, but that doesn’t make it true. As far as we’re concerned, we don’t know Carlos.”
any
The air grew heavy. On the side, even Zinnia and Tyler could feel it. The room had turned into a battlefield without gunpowder.
And the toughest opponent here wasn’t Hector. It was the woman holding the reins, Nicoletta.
Yesterday Caitlin had asked Hector if Carlos and Forrest were the same man. At the time, she hadn’t realized. that Ignatius was Carlos, nor had she expected the answer she’d gotten. Hector’s admission had been clear, but now when she brought it up, the others could easily deny it. But if she mentioned Ignatius, let’s see how they wriggled out of that.
“You may not know Carlos, but you know Ignatius, don’t you?”
Caitlin shot the name out, her sharp gaze fixed on Nicoletta.
Nicoletta’s heart gave a heavy thud. She said nothing. Carson, trying to be helpful, opened his mouth. “Oh, you
mean…”
“Shut up!” Fletcher snapped at his son, cutting him off.
Carson swallowed the words. He knew who Ignatius was, but this was no time to speak.
But someone naïve always slipped. Nicoletta’s youngest son Israel was only a student, inexperienced in family matters. Seeing the beautiful Caitlin ask about Ignatius, he blurted, “Isn’t Ignatius my uncle?”
“Israel!”
Liliana’s eyes went wide, but it was too late.
Nicoletta felt as though a knife had stabbed her in the chest. And the one holding it was her own son.
It was her fault too. She hadn’t warned him in advance, never expecting Caitlin to show up today, or that Hector would actually let her inside.
Now there was no way out. Nicoletta gave a cold snort. “That’s right. Ignatius is my elder brother. So what?”
Caitlin revealed the truth, word by word. “Ignatius is Carlos. Carlos is just an alias. He also used the name Forrest. He’s been living in Departure City in V Country, managing your family’s business there. Am I wrong?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Ignatius is my brother, yes, but I’ve never heard of any Carlos. Has anyone here ever heard of him?” Nicoletta deflected, looking around the room.
15:37 Wed, Oct 1
“No”
“Never heard the name.”
“I don’t know him either.”
The answers came back in unison. None of them admitted to knowing Carlos.
So you won’t admit it?
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Caitlin said firmly, “Fine. You claim you don’t know Carlos, only Ignatius. Then call him here. I want to face him myself.”
“Too bad. My brother left on a business trip yesterday. He won’t be back for a couple of days,” Nicoletta replied smoothly.
“Then I’ll stay here in Hector’s house until he returns.”
Caitlin’s attitude was relaxed, as though she had all the time in the world. Nicoletta wasn’t afraid. She figured the evidence Caitlin had wasn’t enough to truly corner her brother. So she ordered, “Devin, arrange a room. Take good care of our distant relative.”
“Yes, madam.”
Devin came to lead Caitlin away. She rose and left with Zinnia and Tyler at her side.
Once Caitlin’s group was gone, the Jonathan family members broke into chatter.
“What did she really come here for? The first thing she asked about was the assets. Is she here to collect debts?”
“What’s this about her grandparents‘ estate? What does that have to do with us?”
“A relative popping out of nowhere. It all sounds fishy.”
Nicoletta didn’t want to hear the chatter. She waved her hand. “Those of you with jobs or errands, get going. Stop loitering around here.”
A number of people stood and left the hall. Liliana said to her mother, “Mom, I’m going to see the prince
now.”
“Good, go quickly.”
Liliana left with her entourage. Nicoletta then called Israel over, whispered some instructions, and sent him
out too.
At last, only Nicoletta, Hector, and Fletcher remained in the hall. Nicoletta turned to the old man. “Master, why didn’t you tell me she came yesterday? What else did she say to you?”