Chapter 790

Caitlin couldn’t be certain she’d heard the name correctly.
“Tina, are you sure she made this shortbread herself?” she pressed.
Tina nodded firmly. “Yes, absolutely.” Dıscover more novels at
The name was different, but Caitlin needed to know everything. “Can you tell me where Mrs. Cartwright’s family is from originally?”
“I think she’s from Lakewood City.”
“And do you know what friends or family she has here in Valerium?” Caitlin asked.
A look of difficulty crossed Tina’s face. She had signed a non-disclosure agreement when she started working at Vance Castle, and there were some things she wasn’t allowed to discuss.
“I’m sorry, Miss Kensington,” Tina said after a moment of hesitation, deciding to be honest. “That gets into my work. The castle where I’m employed has ties to the royal family, and all staff members are trained and required to sign a confidentiality agreement before starting.”
Caitlin nodded in understanding. After a moment, she pulled a photograph from her purse. “Have you ever seen this person, Tina?”
The photo showed a woman in her prime, radiant at twenty-six. It was Carey.
Tina’s eyes widened in shock as she looked down at the image. The resemblance… it was uncanny. The woman in the photo looked exactly like Flavia, only younger and less worn by time.
“What’s the name of the person in the picture?” Tina asked, looking up at Caitlin.
“Her name is Carey. She’s my mother,” Caitlin explained, her voice steady. “We were separated twenty years ago, and my family and I have been searching for her ever since.” She picked up another piece of shortbread. “And to be honest, the only person I know who can make shortbread that tastes like this is my grandmother.”
Tina’s brow furrowed slightly.
Carey? Flavia
The names were
different. It couldn’t be the same person, could it? Eldermere had over a billion people; look-alikes were
the
оп
common. Morewarned her
head butter
never to reveal what Flavia looked like. She had already said too much, violating the staff handbook.
After a moment of internal debate, Tina shook her head. “I’ve never seen this person before.”
The light in Caitlin’s eyes dimmed at her words.
Her lips parted as she tried one last time. “Tina, could I trouble you to do one thing for me? Could you ask Mrs. Cartwright if she recognizes the name Carey?” Her gut told her that the woman Fina called Mrs. Cartwright had to be connected to her mother.
“I can do that,” Tina agreed with a nod. “It’s just a question. That’s no problem.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Tina said with a smile.
Caitlin picked up another piece of the shortbread from the box, tasting it carefully. There was no mistake it was the exact same flavor; her senses weren’t deceiving her.
Tina gestured to the box. “Miss Kensington, if you like the shortbread so much,
please take the rest with you.”
“Thank you, Tina. I appreciate that.”
Zelda smiled warmly. “It’s just a box of pastries, Miss Kensington. You saved our Olivia’s life!”
“My sister’s right,” Tina added.
Soon after, the head chef began serving the first course, and for the next two hours, the table was filled with lively and pleasant conversation.