The man on the other end of the line fell silent for a moment before responding with displeasure, “Let Caitlin take the call!”
“Not a chance! I warn you, stop harassing my woman!” Sebastian retorted, hanging up the phone and blocking the number with a single swipe.
Caitlin, looking slightly exasperated, asked, “What are you doing?”
“I’m just helping you deal with a man bothering you. This Zeke guy-do you think he’s got an interest in you?” Sebastian stated firmly, making it clear he wouldn’t let anyone get too close.
“He really is good to me, and he takes care of both me and the kids. He even treats my son like his own,” Caitlin replied, her voice soft but thoughtful.
“That’s even more dangerous! He probably wants to take my place, to be the stepfather of my son. At least he should ask for my approval, the biological father,” Sebastian said with complete conviction, making it clear that he saw Caitlin and the children as part of his territory-no one else could infringe on that.
“You’re being childish!” Caitlin couldn’t help but tease.
“Childish? I’m defending what I’ve worked for!” Sebastian shot back. “The two boys are the product of me and you, aren’t they? I won’t let anyone steal my fruits!”
After hanging up, Zeke was far from calm. He had overheard the man’s voice on the other end of the call, and the man had boldly declared that Caitlin was his woman. Zeke had finally figured out who this was!
His men had traced Caitlin back to the US and connected her with The Vanderbilt Family. If he wasn’t mistaken, this arrogant man had to be Sebastian!
Knowing that someone as powerful as Sebastian was now by Caitlin’s side, Zeke couldn’t just let her stay alone in the US. He had to go there himself.
—
The typhoon in Silverstone seemed almost sentient, knowing that Caitlin was in a hurry to find someone. So, on the second day after it made landfall, the typhoon suddenly changed course.
The storm’s fury subsided, and the remaining winds were no longer strong enough to impede travel. The water levels began to drop, and the traffic slowly returned to normal.
Caitlin quickly packed her things. “Let’s go. The typhoon has passed, and we need to hurry.”
Sebastian was frustrated. Wasn’t it a little unfair that the weather was never on his side? Couldn’t they have just enjoyed a couple more days alone together? Why did the typhoon have to separate them?
They packed their bags and set off. Caitlin’s foot was still injured, but walking on her heel didn’t hurt much, especially since Sebastian had thoughtfully bought her a pair of flat shoes.
An hour later, they arrived at the ancient district of Silverstone. After turning a few corners and looking for a while, Caitlin asked, “Are you sure Kirin Pavilion is in this area?”
“I’m sure. I came here when I was a child. It’s probably around here. We’re almost there.” Sebastian assured her, though the storm had blown away most of the street signs, making it harder to find. But with his memories, it wouldn’t be that difficult.
Kirin Pavilion, the antique gold shop, was located deep in the alley of Niuwei Lane. The shopkeeper, an eccentric old man, was known for rarely interacting with outsiders. His business was conducted in a traditional way-customers could slide their design sketches through a small door, receive a quote, pay a deposit, and return to pick up their items when ready.
However, today, an unexpected visitor arrived. A man in a black hat and face covering found Kirin Pavilion first, completely ignoring the rules. He kicked the door open and entered.
The shopkeeper, seeing the intruder, furrowed his brow and asked in displeasure, “It’s you? What are you here for?”
“Kenneth, I’m here to send you off,” the man in black replied coldly, a gun aimed at the shopkeeper’s forehead.
Kenneth remained unfazed and asked, “I didn’t break the rules. Why do you want to kill me and silence me?”
“You know too much,” the man’s voice was chilling.
Just as the man was about to pull the trigger, they heard Sebastian’s voice from outside. “It looks like it’s here! We found it!”
“Is this really the place?” Caitlin asked, glancing at the rundown store that lacked any visible signage. No wonder they had trouble finding it.
“Let’s go in and check.” Sebastian pushed open the door, and they both walked inside.
Once inside, they saw shelves lined with antiques, and some wooden racks displaying gold and silver jewelry, as well as specially crafted decorative buttons. It truly was a treasure trove of ancient items.
At the counter stood the old man, and Sebastian immediately recognized him. “Uncle Lu, it’s been a long time!”
Sebastian had spent some time in Silverstone as a child, and he used to explore the ancient town. He had wandered into Kirin Pavilion out of curiosity, where he had met Kenneth.
Kenneth had aged, but otherwise, he hadn’t changed much.
“Who are you?” Kenneth asked, his memory failing him at first.
“You don’t recognize me? I used to come here a lot when I was younger. You even gave me a brass cricket,” Sebastian said, pulling out the small brass cricket from his pocket to show Kenneth.
Kenneth’s eyes widened in recognition. “Ah, it’s you, little Sebastian! You’ve grown up! But why have you come to see me all of a sudden?”
Sebastian smiled and stepped closer. “Actually, we came to see you because we need to ask you about something.”
“I don’t know anything! You should leave quickly!” Kenneth’s expression turned tense, his face filled with urgency as he tried to hurry them out.
“I haven’t even asked yet. How do you know what I want to ask?” Sebastian said, now noticing that Kenneth seemed stiff and anxious, sweating lightly. His behavior seemed off.
Sebastian’s senses heightened. He immediately asked, “Who’s back there?”
Before he could finish speaking, a man hidden behind Kenneth suddenly raised his arm, pointing a gun directly at Sebastian.
“Bang!”
Sebastian reacted quickly, pulling Caitlin out of the way just in time.
The man in black easily vaulted over the counter, continuing to fire at the spot where Sebastian and Caitlin had hidden.
Sebastian grabbed a ceramic pot and threw it at the attacker.
As the man smashed the pot, Sebastian seized the opportunity to kick the weapon from his hands. It slid across the floor and into a nearby display of antiques.
Before the man could recover, Sebastian quickly launched another series of kicks.
The black-clad man’s head was struck, but he quickly regained his senses and engaged in hand-to-hand combat with Sebastian.
Caitlin hid in the shadows, watching the fight. She noticed the man’s clothes were unusual, and his cufflinks were decorated with a six-pointed star.
Could this man, the one trying to stop her investigation, be the killer?
“Grab him! He’s the murderer!” Caitlin shouted.