Normally, Caitlin would feel like her emotions were on a rollercoaster after being wronged one moment and receiving such a great honor the next. But she didn’t. Instead, she was calm, her expression neutral and unruffled, as if she were detached from the situation entirely.
When Felix handed her the 1 million bonus check, Caitlin did not accept it.
“Thank you for the recognition from the police department,” she said, “but I don’t need the 1 million. I’d like Felix to distribute this bonus to the families of the victims. They need the compensation more than I do. Even if it’s just a small amount, I hope it can help them.”
No one expected Caitlin to make such an arrangement. She refused the 1 million and showed more concern for the families of the deceased. Her magnanimity was truly humbling and moving.
Felix, emotionally stirred, was thoroughly impressed by this woman. His admiration for her grew tremendously.
Sebastian, too, was shaken by her actions. He couldn’t understand it. She didn’t care about 10 million, didn’t want 1 million either-was she truly indifferent to money, or was she just putting on a facade?
Felix nodded eagerly, “I’ll make sure your wishes are fulfilled. Also, there’s something from the families of the victims, a thank-you banner they had made in your honor. They wanted you to have it.”
Caitlin didn’t really care for these types of honors, but since Felix had brought it personally, she couldn’t refuse. “Alright, I’ll accept the banner. Please thank them for me.”
Felix’s face brightened. “Thank you, Caitlin. By the way, the reporters would like to interview you. They’re hoping to feature you as a model for the people, given the importance of this case.”
Caitlin shook her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t have time for interviews. If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now.”
Before she left, Caitlin turned to Sebastian. “Thank you again, Mr. Vanderbilt, for your help earlier. Goodbye.”
With that, she turned and walked away, her silhouette disappearing from view.
Xavi stood frozen, watching Caitlin leave. He had never admired a woman before, but now, without a doubt, Caitlin was the one.
Tyler also felt the same, believing that only such a woman was worthy of their boss. But sadly, they had already divorced.
Sebastian, however, seemed the most stunned. He had just witnessed Caitlin’s cool composure, and for a moment, two words flashed in his mind:
“Cool.”
It was the first time he had such a thought about Caitlin. As he watched her leave, he couldn’t quite grasp what he was feeling-she left without a second glance, without a trace of lingering attachment, yet he felt a strange reluctance.
Felix and Sebastian exchanged pleasantries before leaving. The three women-Grace, Yasmin, and Hazel-were about to spend a pleasant 24 hours in detention, a much-needed “tour” by the police.
Xavi, pushing Sebastian back to the Vanderbilt estate, couldn’t contain his excitement. “Caitlin is amazing! She caught the serial killer! How did she even do it?”
Tyler agreed, “She’s definitely impressive!”
Sebastian, however, wasn’t as enthusiastic. “Impressive? She’s a witch! You guys have no idea how much she’s messed with me.”
He muttered, clearly irritated. Strangely, despite the divorce, he didn’t feel the relief he had expected. Instead, he was inexplicably down.
“You know,” Xavi remarked, “if Caitlin hadn’t been here, Mr. Vanderbilt, you and Howard would be in a very different situation.”
Sebastian frowned. “That’s because you’re all so useless! I should send you to the training camp for some real discipline!”
Xavi was on the verge of tears. Was his boss suddenly out to get him? Was he going to be sent to The Obsidian Order’s hellish training camp? No! He didn’t want to die so soon!
Tyler tried to change the subject. “Actually, Caitlin really is amazing. With her protection…”
Sebastian cut him off, his voice rising. “Enough about her! Do you think I need a woman to protect me? I brought you guys here to work, not to act as cheerleaders for her!”
The mention of Caitlin clearly set him off, and he was growing increasingly frustrated, trying hard to push her out of his mind.
As they neared the Vanderbilt estate, Phoebe, Howard’s tutor, appeared. She saw an opportunity to ingratiate herself.
“Mr. Vanderbilt, I’m Phoebe, Howard’s tutor and also Caitlin’s classmate…”
Sebastian, already on edge, snapped, “Who are you? I’m not interested! Your job is to take care of my son. If you have nothing to say, keep quiet.”
Phoebe, stung by his sharp words, was taken aback. The rumors about Sebastian’s bad temper were true. But, she thought, all charming men had their moods, didn’t they? Once he got to know her, surely he would soften.
Meanwhile, Quincy had come to pick up Caitlin. Upon seeing him, Caitlin brought up something unusual.
“Quincy, there’s something you might not believe…”
“What is it?”
“Yesterday, I saw a little girl holding a colorful windmill. She looked so much like Bruce, Arthur, and Howard…”
Quincy was shocked. “Really? Could she be Mr. Lewis’s little one? Did you ask her about her background?”
Caitlin shook her head. “I didn’t have the chance. I just thought she looked so similar to them, but whether she could be my child, I don’t dare imagine.”
Her expression darkened. After all, her child had passed away shortly after birth, and she had been declared stillborn.
She sighed. Perhaps it was just her longing for her lost child that made her see the resemblance. After all, a stillborn child could never return to life.
Back at DanCa Estate, Howard was the first to notice his mother’s return. He ran excitedly to her, and Caitlin opened her arms to embrace him.
“Howard!” She dropped her bags and hugged him tightly.
Though he couldn’t speak, the little boy clung to her neck and kissed her cheek, clearly very affectionate.
Arthur soon joined, and Caitlin wrapped him in a hug too. “Did you two have fun these past few days? What have you learned?”
Howard eagerly showed her his new skills, demonstrating a series of punches and flips.
“Wow, Howard, that’s amazing! At this rate, you’ll be really strong in a few months!”
Howard beamed with pride, thrilled by her praise.
Caitlin noticed a change in him. Since he started living with Arthur, he had become much more cheerful.
“Mom, why are you back so suddenly? And with luggage? Does that mean you won’t need to take care of Daddy anymore?”
“Yes, your dad is almost better now. I won’t need to look after him, so I’ll have more time to spend with you.”
“Yay! Mom’s ours!”
Arthur immediately pushed Howard aside. He wasn’t about to share his mom with anyone!
After a bit of play, Quincy arrived, his expression serious. “Mr. Lewis, we have news about Ian!”
Caitlin’s face grew tense. “Where is he?”