Chapter 555
Caitlin sprang forward with lightning speed, catching Ida’s wrist just in time.
Ida let out a terrified scream as her body dropped, “Ahh! Help me!”
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The people below were frozen in horror. Thankfully, Caitlin had managed to catch her, leaving Ida dangling from the terrace’s edge.
Within a second, Sebastian rushed over and helped pull her back to safety.
Everyone watching from below exhaled in relief. Tobias and the other staff members finally felt their hearts settle as they saw that Ida was safe.
“Ida!” Several people rushed over, surrounding her with concern.
Ida had never truly wanted to die. But having just faced a brush with death, she was trembling with fear. She threw herself into Caitlin’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. You’re safe now,” Caitlin comforted her.
Though she was a complete stranger, Caitlin had stepped in out of compassion. It was the right thing to do.
After making sure Ida was safe, Caitlin handed her off to the medical staff. They led the girl away to calm her down.
Tobias, along with several senior staff from the facility, approached them, gratitude written all over their faces. “Sir, ma’am, thank you so much for stepping in just now. On behalf of everyone at the center, I sincerely thank you.”
The director bowed, and the other staff followed suit.
“No need to be so formal, Director He,” Caitlin replied, having spotted his name on his badge- Tobias, the very person they had come to find.
“You’re too kind. Please, allow me to invite you to my office for a chat,” Tobias offered.
That was exactly what Caitlin wanted. She and Sebastian nodded and followed him down from the rooftop.
As they entered Tobias’s office, the sound of police sirens echoed from outside. Officers had arrived on scene. However, after some questioning, they learned the jumper had already been rescued and the situation was under control.
The police went through standard procedures, interviewing the attending physician and filing a report before leaving.
2:25 pm
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Inside the director’s office, Caitlin and Sebastian noticed several banners of appreciation from patients‘ families hanging on the walls, along with a cabinet full of awards the center had won. Clearly, this was a well–regarded facility.
Tobias personally brought them two cups of coffee and placed them on the table.
“Thank you again. Your quick thinking prevented a tragedy and spared our center from a serious incident,” Tobias said with genuine appreciation.
As the longtime director, he was keenly aware of the risks a criminal case would bring–not just to the center’s reputation, but to his own career. He was passionate about his work and hoped the facility would remain incident–free until his retirement.
“You’re welcome,” Caitlin responded calmly.
Tobias took a seat across from them, curiosity in his eyes. “Forgive my boldness, but earlier you said you were from the Wish Management Bureau. I’ve never heard of such a place. Who exactly are you? And why did you happen to be here? You don’t look like locals.”
“My name is Esme. This is my boyfriend, Jason. We’re from abroad, here to investigate something,” Caitlin explained.
“Oh? What kind of investigation?” Tobias asked, intrigued.
“To be honest, we came here hoping to ask you about the Flowerstone Tower. We heard it used to belong to you. Is that right?”
“Yes, it was. Why do you ask about the Flowerstone Tower? That place used to be the original Sanctis Rehabilitation Center. It was my private property until last year, when it was acquired by ScandBuild. They said they wanted to develop the area. As far as I know, the building was demolished earlier this year. A real shame.”
Tobias’s information matched what they already knew. Caitlin and Sebastian exchanged a look.
“What’s such a shame?” Caitlin pressed.
“The Flowerstone Tower was a historical building. Beautiful architecture, rich in character. I assumed they’d develop the surrounding area for tourism and preserve the tower itself. But the firs thing they demolished was that very building. I lived and worked there for years–1 had a deep attachment to it.” Tobias’s voice softened as he spoke, lost in memory.
Caitlin’s voice pulled him back. “Director He, since you lived and worked there, it’s clear you cared deeply about the patients and the facility. I’d like to ask about one particular patient who might’ve been there. Do you remember her?”
Tobias looked puzzled. “Who are you asking about?”
“A woman,” Caitlin said, pulling out her tablet. She showed him a photo taken by Ashfall. “Do you
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recognize her?”
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Tobias took the tablet. The image showed part of the Flowerstone Tower’s structure and, behind wire mesh, the face of a woman.
His expression froze, then his brows furrowed as he searched his memory.
“Tobias? Tobias?” Caitlin called to bring him back.
He looked up, nodding. “I remember her. I think her name was Ellie.”
“Ellie? Can you write it down for me?” Caitlin asked.
He scribbled the name on a piece of paper: **Ellie**.
No. That wasn’t her mother’s name.
It was a name she’d never heard before.
But when Caitlin read it aloud, the pronunciation sounded eerily similar to **Kelly**.
Could someone have intentionally recorded it as a homonym?
Or had the name simply been misheard and written down incorrectly?
She instinctively looked at Sebastian. Their eyes met. They were thinking the same thing.
Maybe this “Ellie” was actually Kelly–with a changed name.
Either way, they were getting closer than ever before.
Caitlin steadied her emotions and pressed on. “Why was she admitted to your center? And is she
still here?”
‘It must’ve been three, maybe four years ago,” Tobias said, thinking back. “Her family brought her in because of her severe depression. Her mental state was poor. But no, she’s not here anymore.”
Three to four years ago. That timeline fit.
And depression–her mother had struggled with it.
A sharp ache welled up in Caitlin’s chest. Her breathing hitched with the weight of it.
Sebastian gently squeezed her hand, giving her silent support.
Caitlin forced herself to stay focused and asked, “Did her condition improve? When did she leave the center? Do you know where she went?”