“Really? But I’ve already investigated. The man who handled my grandfather’s estate was someone named Carlos. That name should sound familiar to you, right?”
Caitlin had come prepared. She pulled out copies of the documents she’d collected before and slapped them down in front of Nicoletta.
Nicoletta drew a deep breath and picked up the papers. Fletcher also grabbed a few to examine.
The others crowded around to read. After a glance, they all shook their heads. Fletcher said, “Never seen this man. Who is he supposed to be?”
Nicoletta set the files down slo
The moment Caitlin asked about the Jonathan family’s assets, Nicoletta cursed her inwardly, but her face stayed calm. “Caitlin, what a strange thing to say. We didn’t take a single needle or thread from your grandfather’s estate. All of it went to your mother, didn’t it? Shouldn’t you be asking her instead?”“Really? But I’ve already investigated. The man who handled my grandfather’s estate was someone named Carlos. That name should sound familiar to you, right?”Caitlin had come prepared. She pulled out copies of the documents she’d collected before and slapped them down in front of Nicoletta.Nicoletta drew a deep breath and picked up the papers. Fletcher also grabbed a few to examine.The others crowded around to read. After a glance, they all shook their heads. Fletcher said, “Never seen this man. Who is he supposed to be?”Nicoletta set the files down slo
Hector was the real head of the family. No one dared go against him when he spoke. Nicoletta kept her face dark and stayed silent. Fletcher hurried to order the bodyguards. “The old master told you to get the cars ready! What are you standing around for? Move it!”Everyone sprang into action. Soon two golf carts were prepared, and they helped the old man onto one. Fletcher and his son Carson got in with him.Watching the vehicles leave, Liliana clutched Nicoletta’s hand anxiously. “Mom, what do we do now? Are we really letting Caitlin walk into the Jonathan family estate?”“Let her come. I want to see what kind of tricks she thinks she can play.”Nicoletta wasn’t afraid of Caitlin. This was Jonathan family territory, their home turf. If Caitlin dared to show up here, she was basically walking into a trap.At the gates of the Jonathan estate, Caitlin and her group waited inside their car. The gat
Caitlin flipped to the last two photos. These weren’t taken at the same time or place as the earlier ones—they looked older.And there it was. Nicoletta and Fletcher, locked in a kiss, their embrace captured in perfect clarity.That was the brilliance of paparazzi—they could dig out the most private moments no one wanted exposed.“Yes. Perfect. These two are worth far more than twenty grand,” Caitlin said, a surge of energy rushing through her. At last, she had found Nicoletta’s weak spot. With this in hand, that woman would think twice before making a move against her.“You all did well. I’ll see to it you get a bonus. Tomorrow everything depends on how smoothly this goes.” Caitlin’s voice carried a sharp edge of confidence, firing up her team.By the next morning, Magnus had recovered completely. When he saw Caitlin again, gratitude lit his eyes.“Thanks to you, Mrs. V
“I’ve already got Hector under my thumb. If he doesn’t cooperate, he’ll be the one to suffer.”Caitlin recounted every detail of her confrontation with Hector—his trembling hands, the sweat dripping down his wrinkled face, the way he almost choked on his own fear. Sebastian listened in silence, his eyes widening with each revelation. When she finished, he leaned back, stunned. “So the massacre of your grandfather Walter’s family… it really was the Jonathan Family working hand-in-hand with the Yuncey Family?”“Exactly.” Caitlin’s tone was cold, but her eyes burned with anger. “The whole thing is clear now. Hector’s backers are the Silent Order. Dustin is the Jonathan Family’s attack dog. Carlos too. Together they conspired with the Yunceys, drenched my grandfather’s home in blood, and carved up the estate like vultures.”She clenched her fists so tig
Just as Liliana was about to succeed, a voice rang out. “Your Highness!”Liliana froze. Magnus snapped back to his senses and immediately released her.“So here you are, Your Highness!” Caitlin approached.Hearing that voice, Liliana’s heart jolted. She looked at the unfamiliar woman walking toward them, utterly bewildered.Why did Magnus’s assistant sound exactly like Caitlin?Maybe it was just a coincidence—the resemblance ended at the voice. Outwardly, the woman looked entirely different.But her timing couldn’t have been worse. Liliana’s moment had been ruined.Her brows knitted, frustration rising. She had been so close.Caitlin stepped up to them, her tone brisk and official. “Your Highness, it’s about time. We should head back.”Magnus still felt an uncomfortable heat coursing through him, but he forced himself to remain composed. He gav
Hector gave no answer. He rolled on the floor, his wrinkled features twisted in agony.“You won’t speak? Then I’ll take your silence as admission! Was it really you?”Caitlin kicked him, fury boiling inside her. If she didn’t have unfinished business, she would have ended him right there.“No… don’t hit me… please, let me go… I was wrong… I’m sorry…”“Let you go? Do you know how many lives my grandfather’s family lost? The blood-soaked horror—you never saw it, did you? If I slaughtered the Jonathan family and said ‘sorry,’ would that be enough?”Hector was nearly broken by the parasite gnawing through his body. He writhed on the floor, as if something inside him were tearing at his bones.Caitlin crouched down, yanking his collar, her voice like ice. “Besides Carlos, who else was involved?”&ld