Chapter 447

Farrell had played out countless scenarios in his head about how he might run into Caitlin again.
Never, not once, had he imagined this.
And he definitely hadn’t pictured seeing her here—at the Gonzales estate.
But what really sent his mind reeling was what he’d just heard Caitlin call Keira.
Did she just say… “Grandma”?
Wait-does that mean Caitlin is actually Freya?
A cold sweat instantly broke out across Farrell’s forehead. His already pale face drained of what little color it had left.
No.
Impossible.
Caitlin’s last name was Kensington. Freya was a Gonzales. How could he possibly have confused the two?
He must be dreaming. That had to be it. He was dreaming.
Farrell inhaled deeply, trying to steady himself.
Before he could make sense of anything, Carla spoke up from beside him. “Freya’s home.”
Caitlin gave Carla a polite nod. “Mrs. Ryan.”
That was the moment Farrell felt the ground fall out from under him.
His mother-his own mother-had just called Caitlin… Freya?
So it was true.
Caitlin really was the long-lost heiress the Gonzales family had just welcomed back.
Carla turned to Farrell, her expression sharp. “Farrell, what are you standing there for? Go say hello to Miss Gonzales!”
“There’s no need for that,” Keira said briskly, stepping forward and placing herself squarely between Caitlin and the Ryans. “I think it’s time for you both to leave.”
Farrell’s earlier behavior had gone beyond humiliating. If Caitlin greeted him now, the Ryans would surely think the Gonzales family’s granddaughter was desperate for a husband.
Finally snapping out of his daze, Farrell glanced from Keira to
Caitlin-who was now shielded behind her grandmother-and hurriecto explain himself. “It’s all a misunderstanding, Grandma Keira! I lost my head, I was out of line! Please, let me explain-”
“No need.” Keira cut him off coldly. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn
What’s done was done. Farrell had already embarrassed himself enough. Even if
he got down on his knees and begged, Keira wasn’t about to give him another chance.
Carla, realizing her son had finally understood the gravity of the situation, opened her mouth to plead on his behalf but before she could the Gonzales family’s butler entered the room, flanked by several security guards.
The butler’s face was stony as he addressed them. “Mrs. Ryan, Mr. Ryan. If you’ll follow me, please.”
“Grandma Keira!” Farrell called out, unwilling to be ushered out so easily. He wanted to apologize, to make things right. “I—I really can explain!”
After all, Farrell was the only son of the Ryan family. The butler hesitated to throw him out outright. At Farrell’s plea, he glanced at Keira for instruction.
Keira’s eyes narrowed, sending a clear message.
The butler immediately caught on. “Mrs. Ryan, Mr. Ryan, I think it’s best if you leave now,” he said, his tone firmer. “Otherwise, we may have to escort you out— and I doubt that would be pleasant for anyone.”
That was all Carla needed to hear. She knew Farrell had well and truly crossed the line this time. Grabbing her son by the arm, she hissed, “Farrell, let’s go!”
Before Farrell could protest, Carla dragged him out the front doors of the Gonzales estate.
It wasn’t until they reached the sidewalk that Farrell finally shook off her grip. “Mom, what are you doing? Why did you pull me out of there? I just wanted to explain things to Grandma Keira!”
“You have the nerve to ask me what I’m doing?” Carla was nearly shaking with anger. “I should be asking you what on earth you were thinking! Who told you to return that family heirloom without even consulting me first? If I hadn’t dragged you out, were we supposed to just stand there and let Gonzales security throw us out?”
The instant Farrell produced that heirloom, Carla had been utterly stunned.