LOGINAfter what felt like an eternity of anxious waiting, the DNA results finally came in.
Felix called Sebastian immediately. “Mr. Vanderbilt! We have the results!”
Sebastian gripped the phone so tightly his knuckles whitened, barely daring to breathe. He forced himself to listen, clinging to a sliver of consciousness.
“The medical examiner has confirmed—the DNA from the woman found in the reservoir does not match Caitlin’s hair sample.”
Sebastian’s chest clenched, and then suddenly a flood of light burst through the darkness in his mind. He hung up, tears springing to his eyes. Turning to Zeke, he blurted out, “It’s not a match! Zeke, it’s not Caitlin!”
“That’s great news! If the body isn’t Caitlin, then she’s most likely still alive!”
Relief washed over them both. The oppressive weight that had been crushing them finally lifte
That evening, Caitlin prepared several classic dishes for dinner.In the royal dining hall, the king was already seated, with Magnus beside him. Servants carried in the dishes one by one. The rich aromas filled the air, and Magnus’s eyes lit up as he looked at the food—especially the ones Caitlin had cooked.“Father, you must try these. They’re truly special.”Leif VI tasted each dish in turn. With every bite, his expression softened, his eyes brightening. “Excellent,” he said quietly. “Truly excellent.”It wasn’t just the flavor—it was the feeling. The warmth, the familiarity—it took him back to years ago, when Kelly would cook for him. The taste, the care, the memory of that time. It all came rushing back.His throat tightened. For a moment, his vision blurred. He had never dared hope for such a thing—to eat his daughter’s cooking, even under disguise. He fe
The head housekeeper made a slow round through the room, flipping through everyone’s files before speaking. “All single women, step forward.”Those who were unmarried looked thrilled as they took a step ahead. They thought being single would make them the most desirable choice. But the next words out of the housekeeper’s mouth crushed that hope. “You’re all dismissed. Step back.”The single women froze for a moment, then walked out, faces pale with disappointment. Only a dozen women remained, all of them married.The housekeeper walked past them, stopping to point at a few. “You, you, and you. Step forward.”The chosen women looked respectable and well-kept. Even with age, their features hinted at the beauty they once had. But they, too, were dismissed.One woman dared to ask why. The housekeeper gave her a cold look. “You may be married, but you reek of perfume and powder. The royal
Magnus froze. “Wait—you mean your mother hasn’t actually been found?”Caitlin sighed. “It’s complicated. The woman we found before wasn’t my mother. She was an impostor.”“I see.”Magnus could already tell from a few sentences that the situation was tangled and messy. Still, he could understand her urgency.He thought for a moment, then said, “My uncle’s temper is… volatile. Most people can’t get near him. But he doesn’t guard himself against me. Here’s what I’m thinking—I could arrange for you to enter the palace.”“Enter the palace?” Caitlin repeated cautiously.“Yes,” Magnus nodded. “You can stay in the palace for a few days under an assumed identity. Once the time is right, I’ll take you to my uncle’s residence myself.”He also thought this might be the perfect cha
Sebastian’s expression darkened. “You mean your mother is in Maxwell’s hands?”The name sent a chill through the room. Not everyone knew who Maxwell was, but those who did immediately thought of the Minister of Justice of Country A.Caitlin’s anger surged like a rising tide. She pictured Maxwell’s cold, deceitful face, and hatred burned deeper in her chest.From this moment on, everything related to the Yun’s Aromatic Codex, everything about the search for Atlantis, had officially come to an end.They would no longer exhaust themselves chasing after the so-called Shard of Life, no matter what fortune it promised.Caitlin, Sebastian, and the others decided to take a few days to rest before heading to Country A.Now that she knew her mother’s whereabouts, she was no longer in a rush. Instead, she needed time to plan—to figure out how to deal with Maxwell.*Three days la
“My meaning is simple. I don’t want to search for Atlantis anymore.”Caitlin’s calm statement made Cecilia freeze in disbelief. “What? Why? Why now? We already agreed!”“I don’t need it,” Caitlin replied quietly. “My brother’s cured. There’s no reason to keep risking lives.”Her voice was steady, but Cecilia’s composure shattered. “Caitlin, you can’t just back out! You gave your word!”She tried to reason with her, growing desperate. “Even if you don’t want to take the risk, what about your mother? Don’t you want to find her?”“I do,” Caitlin said evenly. “But I’ll find her on my own. I don’t need you.”Cecilia stared at her, stunned. It couldn’t end like this. Not when she was so close.She laughed bitterly. “Ha… Caitlin, you think you’re cleve
“I know. But I’m not afraid.”She rose on her toes and brushed her lips lightly against his.“You’re asking for this.”Simon had once planned to wait until their wedding night, to save that first time for something perfect and sacred. But now, with her looking at him like that, he knew he couldn’t wait any longer.“That’s right.” Molly smiled, her eyes bright and steady. “So tell me—do you love me or not?”She had prepared so much for this moment. There was no turning back now. In her heart, there was only one thought—to be his woman.“I love you, Molly.”His voice was low, unwavering. How much he loved her, perhaps only he himself truly knew. From the first indifferent encounter, to the storms they had endured together, he had fallen for her completely, hopelessly, and beyond redemption.All he wanted in this life was to be wi







