Chapter 414
414
“Hand over the original second half of ‘Yun’s Aromatic Codex“ : ”
Caitlin’s voice was calm but unwavering. She had to retrieve what rightfully belonged to the Yuncey Family. And she firmly believed the original must still be in Timothy’s possession. After all, he had once admitted it, even if he later tried to mislead her with a fake.
Timothy let out a long sigh, as though he’d been expecting this request all along.
“Caitlin, I’ll be honest with you the original copy of the second half isn’t in my possession. What you saw before really was a replica. That’s
allt have.”
“You expect me to believe that?” Caitlin sneered, her eyes sharp as blades.
She knew just how cunning this old man could be.
“Believe it or not, it’s the truth. Last time you asked me, I lied. I admit that now,” Timothy said gravely.
Caitlin stared at him for a long moment before finally speaking, her voice frosty. “You better think carefully before you answer, Timothy. At your age, what use do you have for the Codex? Or do you plan to take it with you to the grave?”
Timothy drew in a shaky breath and said, “I swear–I truly don’t have it. What I have is a copy. Your great–grandmother had several made to confuse anyone who tried to steal it. Over the years, many thieves have come for the Codex, but they only ever took fakes.
“The real one–Eleanor took it with her when she left. If you want answers, she’s the one you should be asking.”
Caitlin’s piercing gaze bore into him. Timothy shuddered under her stare. To prove his sincerity, he raised a trembling hand and swore an
oath.
“If I’m lying, may the heavens strike me down. May I die a horrible death.”
The severity of the oath gave Caitlin pause. Maybe he truly didn’t have it.
If that were the case, then where “was the original?
She couldn’t answer that yet. And although Timothy might be telling the truth, she still didn’t trust him fully.
“Fine,” she said. “You’ve sworn an oath, so I’ll believe you–for now. If you can’t give me the Codex, I won’t bring it up again. But I want one more thing.”
“What is it?” Timothy asked, lifting his aged face toward her.
As Caitlin stepped through the doorway, she stopped and turned halfway back.
“Tomorrow, you will kneel and apologize at Alexandra’s grave.”
Timothy froze, his eyes widening. His lips moved, but no words came. At last, his arms dropped helplessly to his sides.
Caitlin gave him no more time to respond. She turned and walked out.
James was waiting outside. When he saw her, he asked, “So? Did he agree?”
“He didn’t have a choice. Let’s go–we’re visiting Billy.”
Together, they made their way to the small courtyard where Billy lived. As they unlocked the door and stepped inside, the old wolfhound,
1/3
942 %
414
Tiger, perked up and bounded over with his tail wagging.
“Tiger!” Caitlin greeted warmly, stroking his head before calling out, “Billy!”
The old man emerged from inside, squinting. “Caitlin?”
“I’ve come to take you out for a bit,” she said, taking his arm gently.
“Where are we going?” Billy asked, surprised.
“First, a haircut and a hot bath. Then we’ll get you a check–up at the hospital,” she replied with a smile.
Billy hesitated. “That’s a lot of fuss…”
Caitlin leaned in and whispered something in his ear. His eyes widened as he turned toward the young man beside her.
“He’s your brother?”
“My twin,” Caitlin confirmed. “You can call him Harrison.”
“Billy, today’s on me,” James said cheerfully. “Let’s get you cleaned up!”
“Well then, alright, alright!” Billy grinned.
The three of them left the courtyard together. For the first time in decades, Billy stepped outside the walls of the Yuncey Family estate. As he looked around at the towering buildings and bustling streets, his heart filled with awe and uncertainty.
He wasn’t sure what life held for him anymore. Or what use he could be.
At the upscale salon Caitlin had arranged, the stylist’s jaw dropped when Billy walked in. With his wild hair and long beard, he looked more. like a caveman or a wandering hermit than a senior citizen.
But after a full transformation—a cut, shave, and style–Billy returned to them looking like a brand new man.
“Wow,” James said, eyes wide. “You clean up good, old man. You look like a stylish silver fox now.”
“Yeah, you really do,” Caitlin agreed.
In his youth, Billy must have been handsome, and even after all these years, he still had an aura of dignity.
“Is that really me?” Billy murmured, touching his freshly shaved jaw. “I hardly recognize myself!”
“You’ve still got good days ahead, Billy,” Caitlin smiled.
“Hard to imagine,” he chuckled, shaking his head.
After that, they took him to the hospital for a full physical. The doctor reported that aside from some malnutrition and calcium deficiency, Billy was surprisingly healthy.
With a few prescriptions in hand, Caitlin and James settled Billy into a residence outside the Yuncey estate. She didn’t want to return him to that cage of a courtyard.
That evening, Caitlin personally prepared dinner. The three of them sat together, and Billy was deeply moved. After a lifetime of loneliness, he never imagined Eleanor’s grandchildren would one day care for him.
Tears streamed down his face as he ate, grateful beyond words.
2/3
17A23 Tue, 12 Aug
414
After dinner, he reminisced about the old days. Caitlin and James listened intently, slowly piecing together a fuller picture of the Yuncey Family’s history.
Once Billy was tucked in for the night, they returned to the estate.
It was already late.
And in the dead silence of night, Caitlin and James slipped into black clothing.
It was time to move.
3/3