The car eventually stopped at a private estate – Yulan Manor, the place Caitlin had arranged to stay at after returning to the country.
She got out of the car with Howard, and Howard was full of curiosity. He had no idea where his mom was taking him.
As they walked into the villa, Howard froze in place as he saw two boys who looked exactly like him. He stood there, staring at them in shock.
“Mommy!”
Arthur ran over to greet them. Noticing the boy holding onto Caitlin’s hand, he asked, “Is this our eldest brother?”
“Yes, this is your big brother, Howard.”
Caitlin knelt down to explain to Howard, “Howard, these are your two brothers. You all were born on the same day, and you’re the closest brothers in the world. Let me introduce them: this is Arthur, your third brother, and this is Bruce, your second brother.”
Howard was amazed. He had always thought he was his parents’ only child, but now he found out he had two younger brothers.
One brother, Bruce, looked cool and aloof, while the other, Arthur, had a friendly smile.
It was astonishing!
They looked so much like him!
The sudden realization that he had two brothers was both a surprise and a little sad.
Surprised because he now had company, but sad because it meant he had to share his mom with them.
He wished Mommy was only his!
Arthur, ever the outgoing one, hugged Howard, laughing, “Hey, big bro, finally found you!”
Howard glanced at Bruce, and Arthur smiled, adding, “Don’t mind him. He’s a quiet one. Doesn’t talk much.”
But Bruce immediately went against his brother’s words, retorting, “Mom, you want me to switch places with big bro and go to school for him?”
“Yes, you’re quieter. It’s a good fit. Hurry up and change into your school clothes!”
Caitlin turned to Howard, explaining, “Howard, today I’m giving you a break from school. You can spend the day with Arthur, getting to know each other better. Bruce will go to school for you, okay?”
Not going to school was the best news ever!
Howard hated going to kindergarten, so he eagerly nodded. Bruce took him to change clothes.
Before long, Bruce and Howard came back, dressed alike, and they were so similar it was hard to tell them apart.
“Mom, we’re ready!”
Bruce, with his small backpack on, walked out of the door with a cold expression.
Caitlin said, “Arthur, I’m leaving Howard in your care. Make sure to look after him!”
“Don’t worry, Mom. He’s my big brother. I’ll keep him company!”
Arthur put his arm around Howard’s neck, and even though Howard wasn’t used to being treated so affectionately, he pushed Arthur away. Arthur just smiled and didn’t take it personally.
Quincy drove them to the kindergarten. Bruce knew his task was to experience a day in Howard’s life and figure out who at school had been bullying his big brother.
When they arrived at the kindergarten, there were many teachers and parents dropping off their kids, and everyone had seen the news.
When they saw the actual person involved, many of them looked at her with odd expressions and pointed fingers.
Caitlin crouched down to adjust Bruce’s clothes, smiling, “Good luck, son! Mommy will be back in the afternoon!”
Bruce lifted his handsome face and nodded. From now on, he would remain completely silent.
After sending Bruce into the kindergarten, Caitlin got back into Quincy’s car.
It wasn’t long before they stopped in front of the LIG building. Caitlin got out of the car and took off her sunglasses, looking up at the tall building.
This had once been The Jonathan Family’s territory. It was originally Thompson Global Ventures, but after Jonathan took it over, it was rebranded as the LIG building.
Looking at the familiar building, Caitlin felt a deep ache in her chest. She still remembered coming to TGV when she was young, running around and playing on her grandfather’s broad back.
In the blink of an eye, those happy times were gone forever.
After staring at the building for a moment, Caitlin put her sunglasses back on, took a deep breath, and straightened her posture. She walked towards the building, with Quincy and two bodyguards following closely behind.
The entrance of LIG was decorated with flowers and balloons, announcing the arrival of the internationally renowned designer Kayla for a signing ceremony.
When Caitlin arrived at the door, Jasmine was leading a group of people, busy with reception and instructions.
“You all listen up. When Kayla arrives, make sure to be enthusiastic! Greet her loudly! Understand?”
“Understood!” the staff answered in unison, their voices booming.
Someone saw Caitlin walking over and asked, “Is that the woman with sunglasses Kayla?”
Everyone turned to look, and Jasmine also turned around. When she saw Caitlin, her face instantly darkened.
“Kayla? This bitch wouldn’t dare ruin today’s signing ceremony, right?”
She couldn’t let Caitlin spoil things again!
Jasmine quickly blocked Caitlin’s path and said, “Caitlin, what are you doing here?”
Caitlin, dressed in black trousers that made her look both competent and imposing, looked down at Jasmine from above her sunglasses and replied coldly, “This is LIG. My surname is Lin. Why can’t I come?”
“Don’t think you can cause trouble again! You messed up my mother’s birthday party last time, now you want to mess things up again?” Jasmine spat angrily.
“Why? You won’t let me in? I’m here to work at LIG. Do you have a problem with that?”
Caitlin’s cold aura was undeniable. She was taller than Jasmine by half a head, and her presence overwhelmed Jasmine’s.
“You can’t just come in because you feel like it! You need approval from Dad and Scott first. And even if you want to work here, you’ll need to submit a resume.”
“LIG is a professional company. We don’t hire based on family connections. We hire based on skills, qualifications, and education. Do you have any of those?”
Jasmine’s words were fueled by the fact that Caitlin hadn’t finished college before everything happened. Now, she wanted to come back and work at LIG? Hmph, her lack of a degree would block her entry!
At this point, the staff members behind Jasmine started whispering, murmuring about how Caitlin was the one from the news who hit someone.
“That’s her… hitting people in public…”
“She’s got no manners at all!”
Listening to their gossip, Jasmine felt a sense of triumph, raising her chin and saying, “And by the way, Caitlin, your assault is all over the news. Dad saw it and was really angry. The whole internet is calling you names. Do you still have the nerve to come to LIG? You know what they’re calling you? A poisonous woman, a violent shrew! If I were you, I’d go hide somewhere before you become a pariah.”
Before Jasmine could finish speaking, Caitlin raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face.
“Smack!”
The slap was crisp and loud, stunning Jasmine and leaving the staff members frozen in shock. Everyone’s eyes widened as they looked at Caitlin.