Chapter 417
417
Caitlin’s voice was cold and sharp as steel, cutting through the air with commanding weight.
Sebastian stood behind her like an immovable mountain, her unwavering support. James stood on the other side, watching Timothy with a grim calm. The younger generation of the Yuncey Family stared in stunned silence, their expressions caught between awe and dread. Even Hayden drew in a slow, deep breath. The local officials from Departure City looked tense under the heavy atmosphere. Reporters held their breath, cameras locked onto Timothy.
All eyes were on him.
Timothy felt like he had been driven to the edge of a cliff. There was no way back. No escape.
He reached up with a trembling hand and wiped the sweat from his forehead, his gaze shifting to the generations of descendants who stood
behind him.
. He knew Caitlin too well. Knew exactly what she was capable of. If he refused to kneel today, it wouldn’t just be his dignity at stake–she
would take everything from him, including his family.
There was no other choice.
With great reluctance, Timothy finally dropped to his knees before Clayton’s tombstone.
The sound of camera shutters filled the air, rapid–fire clicks documenting the historic moment. Everyone present knew that this kneel, this fall from grace, would be etched into Departure City’s history books.
“I’m sorry…”
Timothy lowered his head. His aged face bore traces of remorse.
“I’m sorry. It was my father, Miles, who wronged the Yuncey Family and brought shame upon our descendants. Here and now, I kneel before the ancestors of the Yuncey Family, representing both Miles and the generations of his bloodline. I offer our apology.”
Timothy had finally bowed and apologized on behalf of the family.
Caitlin blinked, her eyes faintly red, but her tone remained resolute as she looked down at the kneeling old man.
“Timothy, since you’ve apologized, I won’t pursue this any further. The blood debt of the past ends here. From this moment on, it’s over. Completely.”
With that, Caitlin drew a firm line. From now on, she and everyone connected to Timothy would have nothing more to do with each other.
The bridge has been crossed. The road divided. Best that they never meet again.
What she had come to reclaim, she had taken back.
Caitlin turned to the gathered crowd. “Thank you all for coming to bear witness. And thank you to the members of the press for documenting
this moment.
“The feud within the Yuncey Family ends here today. Starting tomorrow, this family will begin a new .
“I will also begin work to revitalize Fragrance & Dye Studio and focus on developing authentic Fragrance Garments–something that will contribute to the growth of Departure City’s economy. Once again, thank you all for being here.”
She pressed her hand to her chest in a gesture of sincere thanks on behalf of the family.
1/3
4342 %
417
Sebastian stepped forward to escort the officials out first. The media swarmed, hoping to get interviews with Caitlin, but she turned them down politely.
“I’m sorry, but today isn’t the right time for interviews. The Yuncey Family Group will be holding a press conference soon. You’ll be welcome. then.”
The press respectfully dispersed, and the graveyard gradually emptied.
Only the family members remained. Timothy looked like he might collapse at any moment. Edgar and the others helped escort him away. James left with Billy. The rest followed suit.
Caitlin stood silently, facing the three gravestones. The burden in her heart felt lighter than it had in years. She murmured to them, her voice trembling with feeling.
“You heard him, didn’t you? Timothy finally apologized on behalf of Miles. You can rest now.”
“Caitlin!”
At the entrance of the cemetery, Hayden had been waiting.
Zinnia, understanding they needed privacy, quietly stepped away.
Caitlin looked at him, her expression as unreadable as ever.
“Is this the result you wanted?”
It was Hayden, after all, who had approached her in the U.S. and proposed they work together–to return and stir the waters within the Yuncey Family.
And she had. The water was muddied, and now the Yuncey Family was shattered, broken beyond repair. The guilty punished. The past laid bare.
“It’s what I wanted to see. Even if… it played out a little differently than I’d hoped.”
His hands were in the pockets of his white suit pants, a dark cloud hanging over his handsome features. The regret in his words was clear–he hadn’t expected his own mother’s death would be part of the price.
“Plans never keep up with reality,” Caitlin said softly. “Spilled water can’t be gathered back. As for your mother… I couldn’t stop it.”
“I’m not blaming you, Caitlin. I stayed behind just to ask–what happens between us now?”
“We’re not related. You’re not my uncle, and I’m not your niece.”
“Then what you’re saying is… we’re nothing. So if I were to pursue you now, there’s no reason not to–right?”
His eyes, clear and deep as water, locked onto hers. It was the look of someone waiting for an answer.
To him, learning they weren’t blood–related wasn’t a loss–it was a relief. A release. He admired Caitlin deeply, maybe more than he was willing to admit. He’d willingly surrendered the Yuncey Family shares held by Nedyah Group for her.
Caitlin held his gaze for several seconds, then gave a soft sigh and replied with a trace of amusement.
“Just keep being my uncle, Hayden. I’ve accepted it.”
37
2/3
4250
417
So that was a no?
He stood there, stunned. No hesitation. No softness. She hadn’t even left him a sliver of hope.
What a ruthless woman.
He stayed there for a moment, trying to make sense of it, just as Sebastian arrived, Caitlin walked straight toward him without looking back.
Sebastian wrapped his arm around her shoulder protectively. He glanced at Hayden and asked, “What did he want?”
“Nothing important. Let’s go.”
She didn’t mention the conversation, not wanting to make her jealous man stew any more than necessary.
The footage of Timothy kneeling at the grave quickly went viral, spreading across Departure City and all of V Country.
The true history of the Yuncey Family was exposed and widely covered by news outlets. The past could no longer be buried.
It was explosive–like a volcano erupting. The public erupted in outrage as Miles‘ monstrous deeds came to light. People condemned him, and Timothy, for sitting on a stolen legacy while letting his descendants run wild.
The Yuncey name, once one of prestige, became a mark of disgrace. None of Timothy’s descendants dared to publicly claim the family name anymore.
Soon after, the Yuncey Family Group officially announced a change in leadership: Kelvin, representing the Nedyah Group, would assume the role of CEO.
The back–to–back bombshells shook V Country. It wasn’t just family drama anymore–it had economic and national implications.
Back at the Yuncey Family estate, Caitlin came to see Timothy once more.
Since the day he knelt, he seemed a husk of his former self–drained, defeated. When she entered, he barely lifted his eyelids.
“Caitlin,” he said hoarsely, “ you said… if I apologized, you’d let us live. Does that still hold?”
“Of course,” Caitlin replied. “But I came back today… because there’s one more thing I need to ask of you.”
3/3
AD
Comment