“Your stepmother.”
Sebastian furrowed his brows without saying anything.
Caitlin sneered coldly, “Peter’s room actually had a picture of your stepmother hidden inside. What does that mean? Did they have an affair?”
Sebastian turned his sharply defined face toward her, remarking, “I didn’t expect you to be so gossipy.”
Caitlin tucked the photo away and continued her search, speaking as she did, “Women are naturally curious. By the way, as the prestigious president of Vanderbilt Enterprises and a bachelor in New York, you don’t even have a rumored girlfriend. Do you know what people are saying about you?”
“What are they saying?”
“They say you’re no good in bed. What a pity!”
Caitlin’s casual words hit a nerve, and Sebastian was immediately irritated. He could tolerate being teased, but not having his masculinity insulted.
“You actually heard that kind of rumor?”
Sebastian shot back defiantly, “If I wanted, I could have any woman I wanted in no time. Women who like me could circle the Earth three times, but not everyone has the right to be with me, Sebastian!”
The last time Caitlin mentioned how many young men were chasing her, he certainly couldn’t let her win this round!
Caitlin didn’t respond, because she was focused on tapping the wall and hearing a different sound.
After testing again and confirming the spot, she pulled aside the painting on the wall and found a small secret compartment made of wood. When she knocked on it, the hollow sound confirmed it was hiding something.
Caitlin opened the compartment and found a small square hole where an oil paper-wrapped package was hidden. She took it out, unwrapped it, and discovered something resembling a USB drive.
“Sebastian, I found something else!” Caitlin said, her voice filled with excitement.
“What is it?”
“It looks like a USB drive, hidden carefully in the wall. I bet there’s something important inside, maybe a valuable clue!”
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go back and check it!”
Caitlin wheeled Sebastian back toward the Vanderbilt Manor.
Once back, Sebastian said, “My room has a computer. Let’s go there!”
He pointed toward the first floor, and Caitlin pushed him there. After entering the room, she asked, “When did you move downstairs?”
“Today! The computer’s on the desk. Just turn it on yourself.”
Caitlin powered up the computer, plugged in the USB drive, and opened the file. A black screen appeared, followed by some eerie, silent moments. Then, a woman’s voice could be heard, followed by a man’s voice. The computer’s speakers amplified the sound, and both of them grew uncomfortable as they realized what was happening.
“What the hell is this?” Sebastian asked, tugging at his collar in irritation.
Not only could Caitlin hear the audio, but she could also see the video-an explicit scene between a man and woman. After all that, Peter had hidden such a thing?
Caitlin’s cheeks flushed, and she quickly tried to close the file, but in her haste, she clicked several times and couldn’t shut it off immediately. The sound kept playing, its piercing clarity adding to the awkwardness of the moment.
Finally, after several attempts, Caitlin closed the video, and the sound ceased.
Sebastian’s heart was racing, feeling like wild grass growing uncontrollably. Damn it.
“Is the air conditioning not on?” he asked, feeling unusually hot.
“I’ll turn it on!” Caitlin hurried to switch on the AC, needing some cool air as well.
“You’re sure that video was from Peter’s USB? Are you sure you didn’t just put it on yourself?” Sebastian asked, now suspicious.
Caitlin didn’t expect him to doubt her intentions.
“Do you think I’m that bored? Playing this kind of thing for a blind man to hear? Am I insane?”
“Who knows, maybe you like how I look.” Sebastian joked, though his tone was smug.
Caitlin almost clapped sarcastically. He really was something-level 10 narcissism!
“You really should see a doctor. You’re suffering from extreme narcissism and mental confusion. You’re beyond help.”
She shot him a disdainful glance.
Sebastian was starting to suspect that this woman’s words were sharper than a knife!
After a few moments, Caitlin remembered the woman’s face from the video. She decided to mute the video and play it again, carefully examining it.
Pausing the video, she took a good look at the woman’s face and made a huge discovery. The woman in the video wasn’t just anyone; it was Grace when she was younger, before her plastic surgeries. And the man? It was Peter!
So, Peter and Grace had known each other long before. They had a secret affair.
Caitlin stared at the paused video in disbelief, trying to piece things together. Peter had obviously kept this video for a long time-was it to keep evidence or to reminisce about someone he couldn’t have anymore? After all, Grace’s current status was something Peter could never reach.
“Hey, did you mute the sound and play it on your own?” Sebastian asked, still suspicious.
“Of course not. I wouldn’t do something like that.”
Caitlin closed the video, unplugged the USB, and said seriously, “I think I’ve figured it out.”
“What do you mean?”
“I looked at the video again and realized the woman in it was your stepmother, Grace, with Peter. What do you think? Isn’t it exciting?”
“Grace and Peter?” Sebastian’s face turned strange. Though he never admitted it, Grace was part of the Vanderbilt family, holding that prestigious title. For her to do something like this with one of the staff-it was truly shocking!
“Heh…” Sebastian chuckled suddenly, and Caitlin asked, “What’s so funny about that? How can you still laugh?”
“Of course, I find it funny. Give me the USB,” he said, his smile growing more determined.
Caitlin handed it over, “Now that we’ve found this, does it mean that the person who instructed Peter to set you up was likely Grace? If you die, it’s in her and her children’s best interest. She’s the most suspicious one, don’t you think?”
Caitlin stated her reasoning clearly, and Sebastian stroked his perfect chin, his voice calm. “You’re not too stupid.”
She scoffed internally. *Does he think he’s the only smart one?*
“So, what’s your plan now? Are you going to expose her?” Caitlin asked.
“With just a video, do you think we can pinpoint the mastermind?” Sebastian continued his analysis, “The video was found in Peter’s room. It only proves they had an affair. Grace could easily say Peter forced her or threatened her. Everything could be blamed on him.”
Caitlin fell silent, realizing her theory was indeed weak. After all, it was only a video, and they had no solid proof.
Grace could deny everything and even turn the tables on them.
To truly expose the mastermind, they needed more solid evidence.
Just then, Xavi entered the room and reported, “Mr. Vanderbilt, it’s bad-something happened with Beatrice!”