Chapter 681
“It’s Moonstone Court. Something happened there.”
A:4
93
Do Vouchers
Hearing Devin’s report, Nicoletta and Fletcher exchanged a quick glance, then hurried out of the main hall.
By the time they arrived, a crowd had already gathered outside Moonstone Court. Some of the servants had come to gawk, and several family members had shown up after hearing the commotion.
Fletcher’s wife Blythe came with their two children. Matthew and his wife were there, as well as Fallon.
All of them saw the sight in front of them: a man tied to a tree trunk, stripped down to nothing but black shorts, a black mask covering his head, his face bowed in shame.
How had he ended up bound and half–naked like this?
Carson blinked in confusion. “Caitlin, what’s going on?”
Fallon’s brows knitted. “Caitlin, why is there a man tied to a tree?”
“He’s the thief we caught last night,” Caitlin said plainly. She kept her eyes on Nicoletta and Fletcher as they approached with Devin, waiting for them to arrive before saying more.
When people heard the word thief, they erupted into chatter.
“Our Jonathan estate is so heavily guarded, and still a thief got in?”
“Who has the guts to sneak in here of all places?”
“We can’t just let him off. He must be handed to the police.”
Nicoletta and Fletcher finally reached the scene, seeing the man tied to the tree.
“What’s going on here? Why is everyone gathered?” Nicoletta demanded.
“Caitlin’s quarters in Moonstone Court were broken into last night. They caught the thief, and that’s him,” Carson explained.
“Oh? So we have thieves in the Jonathan estate now?” Nicoletta’s gaze lingered on the bound man before turning to Caitlin. “Did you lose anything valuable?”
Caitlin replied evenly, “No valuables. But our personal belongings were rummaged through. Luckily, I was sharing a room with Zinnia. When we discovered the intruder, we managed to capture him.”
“Who would dare such a thing?” Fletcher asked sharply, but his heart tightened with unease. Could it be his assistant had failed?
“Caitlin, pull off his mask,” Fallon urged. “Let’s see who this thief is.”
“Alright. Let everyone see.”
Caitlin signaled, and Zinnia yanked away the mask. Tyler splashed a bucket of cold water over the man’s head.
The sudden shock roused him. He gasped and lifted his head, revealing his face.
“Isn’t that Ivo?”
“Yes, that’s Dad’s assistant Ivo! Why would he be a thief?”
“Ivo… what was he doing at Moonstone Court in the middle of the night?”
The crowd buzzed louder, recognizing Fletcher’s aide.
Nicoletta realized their plan had failed. But admitting their involvement was impossible.
She hardened her voice. “Ivo, did you break into Moonstone Court last night?”
Fletcher followed her lead, trying to cut ties. “Ivo, what’s the meaning of this? Did you really try to steal?”
Ivo’s mind reeled. Bound half–naked, surrounded by accusing eyes, he felt both humiliated and panicked. He knew there was no way out. The only option was to take the blame alone.
“I’m innocent… Madam, I swear I didn’t steal anything!”
“If you didn’t steal, how did you get caught?” Fallon snapped.
“I wasn’t stealing. I dropped something during the day and came back to find it. That’s all!”
Desperate, he tried to explain, but Caitlin cut him off with a cold laugh. “You can deny it, but our belongings were clearly rifled through. If the police come, they’ll find your fingerprints everywhere. Still want to argue?”
“I didn’t steal. I’ve been framed!”
“You know what you did. If you weren’t stealing, then why sneak into Moonstone Court in the middle of the night? Do you live there?” Caitlin pressed.
Ivo had no answer.
“And more than theft–you released knockout smoke in our room. We were ready for it, so we didn’t fall for your trick. You even tried to lay your filthy hands on me, but I caught you in the act. Do you deny that too? Zinnia saw everything.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
“Ivo tried to assault Caitlin?”
“Who would have thought he was that kind of man!”
“He’s disgraced the entire Jonathan family.”
Accusations flew from every direction. Ivo hung his head, silent.
St Vouchers
Fletcher’s stomach twisted with fury. He had sent Ivo for a purpose, and instead the fool had tried to satisfy his lust.
“Ivo, how could you? To think you looked honest, and this is what you were hiding. You were going to assault. Caitlin!”
Nicoletta chimed in, “Exactly. The Jonathan family has treated you well, yet you do something so shameful?”
Carson spoke up loudly, “Dad, a man like this doesn’t deserve to stay. We should call the police.”
“Yes, report him! Let the authorities deal with him.”
Fletcher, afraid Ivo might spill more than he should, quickly agreed. “Yes. Call the police.”
“I already have,” Caitlin said. “They should arrive any moment.”
Nicoletta stepped forward, putting on a mask of concern. “Caitlin, I’m so sorry. This happened because of our poor oversight. I know you must have been shaken.”
“Yes, Caitlin,” Fletcher added. “Rest assured, Ivo will be punished severely according to the law.”
“Very well. I’ll leave it to you.”
Caitlin’s gaze stayed cool as she looked at the two of them performing their act. She knew Ivo had been sent by them to search for the codex. But since they had covered themselves so smoothly, there was no reason to push further.
The police arrived soon after, announced at the gate.
“Bring them in quickly,” Devin ordered.
A few minutes later, officers entered the estate. After hearing the account from Caitlin and the others, they examined the scene, then hauled Ivo away in handcuffs.
The matter was closed, at least on the surface. Fletcher and Nicoletta both exhaled silently in relief. Thank goodness Ivo hadn’t revealed anything.
The family gathered back in the main hall to discuss the incident. Caitlin, however, went to Hector’s quarters.
When she entered, Hector, half–asleep, caught sight of a shadow and muttered, “Uzma, where have you been all this time? Get over here and tend to me.”
“Hector, it’s me.”
Caitlin stepped forward. The old man recognized her face–and his heart skipped in shock.