Caitlin realized that sooner or later Sebastian would find out about the kids, so she stopped trying to hold him back. “Alright, I’ll take you to see them. But let me ask you something-what’s the point if you can’t even see them?”
Sebastian: “…” Could you stop digging at my weaknesses?
Xavi, who was in the front seat, was almost about to burst. He had the same question! Mr. Vanderbilt, how exactly do you expect to *see* anything in your current state?
“Though I can’t see, I can still feel,” Sebastian replied, trying to sound optimistic. He wanted to be part of their lives, to experience what it felt like to have two sons, even if he couldn’t see them.
Caitlin didn’t argue. Sebastian immediately ordered Xavi to drive.
Just as they were heading back into the city, Caitlin’s phone rang-it was Blake.
“Hey, Blake. Is something up?”
“Caitlin, can you come over? While I was going through my dad’s things, I found something.”
“Sure, I’ll be right there.”
Caitlin hung up, told Sebastian what happened, and he ordered the driver to head to *The Xenos Family*.
At *The Xenos Family*, Sebastian waited in the car while Caitlin went inside to see Blake. “What did you find?”
Blake handed her a bag. “I found this in a hidden compartment in my dad’s room. It’s an unsealed envelope with your name on it. Thought you might want to take a look.”
“Is it from Xavian?” Caitlin asked, pulling the envelope out.
The handwriting on the envelope startled her-it was in her mother’s handwriting.
“This is… my mother’s handwriting!” Caitlin exclaimed, turning to Blake in shock.
Blake thought for a moment. “Maybe it’s something she left for you and asked my dad to give you?”
“It’s possible.”
Caitlin was filled with mixed emotions as she held the envelope. Inside, she found a thick journal with faded pages and a rectangular wooden box adorned with intricate carvings.
Opening the journal, Caitlin saw that it was indeed her mother’s diary, filled with entries from when she was much younger. Caitlin knew she’d have to sit down and read it properly later.
Next, Caitlin opened the wooden box. Inside, she found a wrapped item, carefully unwrapping it to reveal the cover of a book titled *Yun’s Aromatic Codex*.
Her mind exploded with a sudden realization. The name echoed in her mind like a ringing bell.
*Ding* – *ding* – It kept ringing in her head until Sebastian, noticing her silence, asked, “What did you find? Why are you so quiet?”
Caitlin slowly flipped through the pages, only to find that the book was missing its second half.
“You’ve heard of *Yun’s Fragrance & Dye Studio* in V Country’s Departure City, right?” she asked Sebastian.
“I have. Why do you ask?”
“There’s a legend about it. They say whoever gets their hands on the *Yun’s Aromatic Codex* can bring back the Yun’s fragrant garments. I’ve looked into it a little myself. Why do you bring it up now?”
“I suspect my mother’s disappearance has a lot to do with this *Yun’s Aromatic Codex*. I’m sure someone was after it, and maybe that’s why she was taken. I need to investigate more.”
Caitlin’s heart was pounding as she carefully placed the journal and book back into the box. If her mother had been involved with this *Yun’s Aromatic Codex*, it would explain her mysterious disappearance. Perhaps someone had kidnapped her in an attempt to get their hands on it.
Sebastian could tell that Caitlin was deep in thought, and he didn’t interrupt, though he was excited himself. They were nearing DanCa Estate, and he was about to meet his other son.
The car finally pulled up in front of the mansion. Xavi quickly got out to open the door for Caitlin, then helped Sebastian out of the car.
“Is this DanCa Estate?” Sebastian asked, taking a deep breath of the fresh air.
“Yes, Mr. Vanderbilt, we’ve arrived,” Xavi confirmed.
Sebastian inhaled deeply. “No wonder the air here is so fresh.”
Xavi couldn’t help but think to himself, *Mr. Vanderbilt, you’re only saying that because you love everything about Caitlin’s family, aren’t you? Even the dirt here smells good to you.*
Upstairs, Caitlin’s three children had heard the engine and rushed to the windows. Seeing their mother, they cheered.
“Mommy’s home!”
But when Bruce and Arthur spotted their ‘bad dad’ accompanying her, they immediately started preparing for battle.
“Oh no! *The bad dad’s* here too! Bruce, get ready!”
Arthur jumped off his seat, running to gather his gear.
“Howard! The monster’s here! Get your gear and join us!”
Howard sighed, feeling caught between his two brothers’ misjudgment of their dad. He wanted to tell them that their father wasn’t bad at all, but they wouldn’t believe him.
Caitlin entered the mansion first, assuming the kids must be upstairs. The living room was empty, so she headed up.
When she saw Xavi helping Sebastian inside, she spoke, “Xavi, help him sit down. I’m going to go upstairs for a moment.”
“Okay, Caitlin.”
Sebastian, with his cane in hand, was carefully guided into the house by Xavi. But just then, two little figures came racing down the stairs. Xavi quickly spotted them and warned, “Mr. Vanderbilt, here come the little masters. Looks like they’re not coming down peacefully!”
Sebastian couldn’t see them, but he could hear the pounding footsteps approaching. “What’s going on?” he asked.
Suddenly, two little figures burst into the living room, each wearing a mask and wielding giant water guns. They rushed at Sebastian, shouting.
“Mr. Vanderbilt, watch out!”
Xavi, knowing what was coming, muttered, “Today, Mr. Vanderbilt’s definitely in for a big surprise.”
Sebastian, completely unaware, just chuckled, “What’s going on?”