Chapter 610
Hayden’s lips were a breath away from Jillian’s when he noticed her wide, startled eyes, like a frightened little doe. He pulled back at the last second, his voice steady.
“We’re here. Time to get out.”
He stepped out first. Jillian’s body slackened, but her heart still thudded wildly.
He didn’t kiss her.
Why?
A small, secret part of her had been hoping he would. Now the missed kiss left a faint, inexplicable ache in her chest. Did this mean he didn’t like her?
She followed him into the estate, eyes widening at the sight of the low–key yet extravagant manor. “This… is
ate.cyes The Fixer’s home?”
“Mm.
Hayden led her inside. Jillian’s pulse raced faster. For a man to invite a woman into his most private space- didn’t that mean she was different from the others?
He arranged a guest room for her. That night Jillian tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her mind filled only with his face.
What should she do? Should she confess first, tell him she liked him?
While Jillian wrestled with insomnia, Caitlin and Sebastian spent the night wrapped in each other’s arms.
The next day Sebastian accompanied Caitlin to meet with Yosef, Hayden, and others to finalize The Yuncey Family’s development plans. Once everything in Departure City was properly arranged, they flew back home that evening. With Yosef and Hayden managing things locally, Caitlin had no more worries. Her next priority was finding her mother.
Back at the Vanderbilt estate, Caitlin immediately asked Tyler, “What did you find out?”
Tyler had just returned from Country A two days earlier with the DNA test results. He handed her the file. “Two samples were compared. See for yourself.”
Caitlin flipped through the report. At the bottom, the conclusion was clear: a biological relationship existed.
“Yes. Exactly as I suspected. The girl we rescued in the sanatorium, Ida, is indeed Black Hawk’s sister.”
Her face lit with triumph. She handed the file to Sebastian, who read it and could only admire his wife’s sharp intuition.
“Never imagined Black Hawk had a sister.”
Chapter 610
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“And now I’ve finally found his weakness.”
All this time she had been at a disadvantage against Black Hawk’s iron will, unable to pierce his armor, Who could have guessed that their chance encounter with Ida would turn everything around?
But Tyler’s next words tempered her excitement. “Ida’s condition isn’t good. The disease has flared again. she’s getting worse.”
That was why he’d delayed his return. He had stayed in Country A until doctors managed to stabilize her.
“I feel so sorry for her,” Caitlin murmured, frowning. “Let’s find a specialist who can help. Maybe there’s still hope.
“Contact Simon,” Sebastian suggested. “He’s a doctor. He might know someone.
“Good idea.
Caitlin called Simon immediately and explained. His response made her sit up straighter. His mentor abroad was a specialist in genetic disorders. Even better–the mentor’s research team had just launched a project. specifically targeting Ida’s disease.
“They don’t need payment,” Simon said. “They’ll take her into the program. Send me her medical records, and I’ll forward them to the team.”
Tyler had already digitized Ida’s medical history. Caitlin sent everything over. Soon after, Simon called back. confirming Ida was eligible.
Caitlin’s eyes gleamed. “If I help cure Black Hawk’s sister, will he finally tell me where my mother is?”
Her resolve hardened. “Ida is the key. I’ll use her to open Black Hawk’s mouth. Let’s see how long he can stay silent.”
Sebastian placed his hand on hers. “I’ll go with you.”
The paperwork for a prison visit was quickly approved. Together they went to the New York penitentiary.
Black Hawk sat on the other side of the glass, expression calm, as though he had expected her.
“Black Hawk,” Caitlin greeted, lifting the phone receiver. “Didn’t think we’d meet again so soon, did you?”
He sneered. “Does your husband know how much attention you’re giving a criminal? Isn’t he jealous?”
“Funny. Since when does the cold–faced assassin crack jokes?” Caitlin’s lips curved faintly. “Don’t worry. My husband knows. He’s aware you’re always on my mind.”
“If you came here about your mother again, I’ll save you the trouble. No comment.”
He shut her down before she could even ask. Caitlin, unruffled, leaned forward. “I didn’t come only for that. I came to talk. Just talk.”
“I told you–we have nothing to talk about.”
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“Then let’s talk about something you care about.” Caitlin’s tone softened. “Remember the girl I mentioned last time? The one I saved at the sanatorium in Country A? Idla?”
At the sound of the name, Black Hawk’s pupils flickered. His face, however, remained frozen in its mask.
“She tried to jump off a building because she hadn’t seen her brother in years.” Caitlin continued gently. “Before I stopped her, she gave me something. Said her brother would recognize it immediately.”
Caitlin pulled out the strawberry bear hairpin Ida had entrusted to her and held it up.
For a fraction of a second. Black Hawk’s hands trembled beneath the table. He clenched them into fists on his knees, fighting to hide it.
“She’s a pitiful girl,” Caitlin went on softly. “Parents gone in a car accident, lost an arm, diagnosed with spinocerebellar degeneration. The only person who ever loved her–her brother–vanished. If I were her. I’d feel abandoned by the world too.”
Her voice dropped even lower, almost tender. “But I think her brother must have loved her deeply. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent years traveling the world just to find a cure for her. The question is. where is he now? Why hasn’t he gone to see her? Do you know?”