Chapter 664
The assistant had no choice but to obey, rushing Benjamin to the airport. By the time they arrived, it was already 9:30.
Wendy and Simon’s flight had taken off twenty minutes earlier.
He was too late. He had missed his last chance to see her.
Rage and regret tore through him. Grabbing his assistant by the collar, he roared, “Why didn’t you wake me up? Why the hell didn’t you wake me?! I’m late… I’m too late…
The assistant knew nothing he said could ease his young master’s pain. He simply endured the outburst in silence.
Benjamin’s strength gave out. He released his grip and collapsed to the floor, clutching his head in agony.
In that moment, he was not the untouchable Benjamin, not the carefree heir of a powerful family, but just a broken man–pathetic, crushed by the loss of the woman he loved.
With nowhere else to release his grief, he called Caitlin.
It was evening in D Country when Caitlin answered and heard Benjamin’s sobbing voice.
“Benjamin! Benjamin, are you alright?”
“She’s gone… she’s gone… she’s gone…”
He repeated it over and over, like a child who had lost his most precious treasure. Even through the phone, Caitlin could feel his torment.
“Stay strong, Benjamin. It’s just a year or two. She’ll come back. If you’re meant to be, you’ll see each other again.”
“She doesn’t love me… not at all…”
What broke him wasn’t that Wendy had left, but that he had given everything and still received nothing in
return.
“Benjamin…” Caitlin tried to say more, but the line went dead. When she dialed again, no one answered.
Worried, she called Madison and asked her to keep a close eye on her brother.
Sighing, Caitlin put down the phone.
Sebastian asked, “What happened to Ben?”
“Wendy left. He’s shattered, like he’s lost his soul.”
Caitlin sat beside him, exhaling softly. “Love is the hardest thing to control. You can’t force someone to stay.
I’ll talk to him when we return, see if I can help.”
Sebastian nodded. “That’s all you can do.”
A knock at the door interrupted them. Caitlin opened it to find Zinnia standing there.
“Caitlin, Prince Magnus has returned. He’s in the living room.”
“Oh? Alright, let’s go.”
She called Sebastian, and together with the others, they went downstairs.
“Mr. Vanderbilt, Mrs. Vanderbilt, forgive me for keeping you waiting.” Magnus said warmly. He had spent the day on official visits and dinner with D Country’s leaders before finally returning.
Caitlin smiled. “It’s fine. Prince Magnus, you’ve done us a huge favor. We can’t thank you enough.”
“Yes, thank you,” Sebastian added.
“No need for gratitude. You saved me. Of course I’ll help you.”
Magnus’s gaze lingered on Caitlin, his eyes carrying a light he didn’t reveal to anyone else. He hadn’t told her the truth—that his trip to D Country was, in fact, for her. His father had asked him to uncover the truth, but until he knew for certain, Magnus would keep it to himself.
“Have you eaten yet?” he asked.
“Yes, we have. Honestly, it feels like fate. You arriving in D Country now… thanks to you, we’re safe.”
Caitlin and Magnus fell into easy conversation. The more she interacted with him, the more she realized he was a man of honor and loyalty–someone who never forgot a kindness.
“Can you tell me more about the trouble you’re in? Last I heard, you were coming here to find relatives,” Magnus asked.
“Yes. My grandfather’s brother lives here. He’s part of the Jonathan family–quite prominent in D Country. But because we hadn’t been in contact for so many years, when we showed up suddenly, they didn’t believe us. They refused to see us. We even had a conflict with their people yesterday, and my husband was injured.”
“Oh? Mr. Vanderbilt was hurt? Should we take you to a hospital?”
Sebastian shook his head. “No need. I’m fine now. The wound’s been treated.”
Magnus nodded, then asked, “The Jonathan family–is that the perfume dynasty?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“Today, the head of state took me to visit some leading industries here. The Jonathan family’s perfume company was among them. I even met Fletcher, a government senator. He seemed to be one of them. Tomorrow, there will be a state banquet. The Jonathan family will attend. If you’d like to speak with them directly, I can help make the introduction.”
Hearing that, Caitlin felt as though the clouds had parted. “That would be incredible, Prince Magnus. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Tomorrow, you can disguise yourselves as my guards and attendants. That way, you can accompany me to the banquet at the capital.”
“Perfect.”
With Magnus’s help, Caitlin finally saw a new path forward. Tomorrow, she would seize her chance to reach the heart of the Jonathan family.
Jonathan Estate.
Hector sat at the head of the room, Nicoletta at his side. His first wife had long been bedridden, leaving Nicoletta to manage the family’s affairs.
Below them sat Hector’s eldest son Fletcher, his second son Tang Gongsheng, and their wives and children. Nicoletta’s own children, Liliana and Israel, were present as well, along with several of Hector’s grandchildren, including Carson. Nearly the entire family had gathered.
“I’ve called you all here because there is something important to discuss,” Hector announced.
He looked to Nicoletta, who continued, “Today, Fletcher and government leaders accompanied Prince Magnus of A Country to tour TGV. It was a great honor for our family. Tomorrow, we’ve been invited to the state banquet at the capital. Places are limited, so we need to decide who will attend.”
“Fletcher, Israel, and their wives must go,” Fallon, Hector’s third daughter, suggested.
“Yes. Liliana and I will also attend. That leaves two more spots. Who else?” Nicoletta asked.
“Let the younger sisters go. Who knows, maybe the prince will take a liking to one of them,” Carson said.
But Nicoletta would never risk another woman stealing Liliana’s spotlight. “I’ll decide. Carson and Fallon will go,”
Fallon was already married with children–no competition to Liliana.
The list settled, the family dispersed to prepare. Nicoletta, however, ordered a car. She had business at The Seventh Door.
When she arrived, she met with her brother, Ignatius.
“Well?” she asked sharply. “Have you caught them yet?”