It was the young man who had almost hit het on the madsidest time.
It was actually him!
James closed his umbre, droplets of paint dripping from the tip. His deep and maic voice rang out, “What do you all think you’re <b>doing</b>?
The woman who had thrown the paint hadn’t expected to hit the wrong person. Just looking at the fall, well dressed man in front of her, she
had gotten herself into trouble.
James’smanding tone made her drop the paint bucket in fright.
With an imposing presence, he pointed at the group of older women and questioned coldly, “Do youdies even realize that what you’re doing is legal?!
“I’ve recorded all the evidence of your nder, and I’ve already called the policel Whether it’s public disturbance or defamation, both are enough to get you arrested Once the police artive, you’ll all be taken in!“”
Coincidentally, a police car happened to be passing by in the distance, sirens ring,
Ternified by James’s words and the sudden sound of sirens, the women panicked, abandoning their <b>crusade </b><b>and </b>fleeing in all directions.
With the crisis averted, Caitlin didn’t forget her manners.
“Sir, <b>I </b>really appreciate your help just now. Thank you!”
“No problem, Miss!”
James shed a charming smile, flicking his umbre. Paint had sttered onto <b>his </b>ck casual pants as well, something Caitlin quickly noticed.
“Oh no, your pants got stained! Let me buy <b>you </b>
James had been looking for a way to continue the conversation, and Caitlin had just handed him the perfect excuse.
“Sounds good. Even better if youe with me to pick them out–you wouldn’t want to get the wrong style, would you<b>?</b>”
He wasn’t wrong. Caitlin nodded.
“Alright<b>, </b>there’s a mall nearby<b>.</b>”
Just then, Quincy pulled up in the car and stepped out
“Caitlin, please get in.”
Seeing James, Quincy’s expression darkened slightly. His instincts told him to be cautious.
<b>“</b>Caitlin, who is <b>this</b><b>…</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
“This gentleman helped me just now, but his pants got ruined. I’m taking him to the mall to buy a new pair. Drive us there.”
Quincy gave James <b>a </b>scrutinizing look <b>but </b>remained alert. Leaning closer, he whispered,
“Caitlin, we don’t know where this man came from.
“I’ve met him once before. It’s fine, just drive”
With that, <b>Caitlin </b>invited James into the <b>car</b>, and the two headed toward the nearby mall,
<b>As </b><b>they </b><b>chatted </b>along the way, Caitlin learned his name was James, and they exchanged contact information.
“I’ve got your mimber now. Nest time, dinner’s on me.”
Caitlin found herself developling a favorable impression of him perhaps because there was something about him that felt oddly familiar,
James kept his expression neutral, careful not to reveal his true intentions. To maintain a low profile, he had given her a temporary 6.5‘ mumber
Once they arrived at the menswear section, Caitlin, assessing his usual style, led him into a high and boutique.
“How about this brand?” she asked.
“Let’s check it out.”
For the first time in his life, a woman was shopping for clothes with him. James smirked and stepped into the store
“See anything you like?” Caitlin asked, following behind him
“I’d rather hear a woman’s perspective. What do you think looks good on me?” James turned to her with an easygoing smile.
Since he had asked, and she was short on time, Caitlin quickly picked out three styles and called over a sales associate
“These three–please bring them in his size.”
“Of <b>course</b>! Please wait a moment.”
Soon, the employee returned with the pants, handing them to James. He tried them on one by one, stepping out each time for Caitlin’s opinion.
“What do you think?”
Before Caitlin could answer, the sales associate chimed in enthusiastically,
“All three styles suit your boyfriend perfectly! He looks absolutely handsome in them!”
Boyfriend?
James raised an eyebrow at the misunderstanding.
“You’re mistaken. He’s just a friend, not my
y boyfriend,” Caitlin rified. Then, she turned to James. “But I do <b>think </b>all of them look great on you.”
James took note of her words and returned to the dressing room. When he came out, he handed all three pairs to the sales associate.
“I’ll <b>take </b>this one. Charge it to my card.”
He had no intention of letting a woman pay for his clothes. But to his surprise, t
the sales associate smiled and <b>said</b>,
Sir, this youngdy has already purchased all three pairs for you, <b>pack </b>them up now.”
James turned to Caitlin in disbelief.
“Miss, you didn’t have <b>to </b>buy all threel One is enough
“It’s fine. They all suit you well–<b>just </b>take them.
Since she had already <b>made </b>the decision, <b>James </b>could only ept them graciously.
“Well then, I guess I owe you <b>a </b><b>thank </b>you!”
After leaving the mall, Caitlin bid him farewell and promised to take him out for dinner another time. James waved her off, watching her disappear into
the distance before heading toward his own destination,
For some reason, a vision of cherry blossoms in full bloom suddenly shed through his mind.
What was that ce? He needed to find the answer.
Following Sebastian’s instructions, Caitlin had Quincy retrieve a replica of the secret manual,
Flipping through the book, Caitlin realized the forgery was nearly identical to the original so much so that it would be difficult to tell them apart by je
alone.
She hoped this replica would be enough to exchange for her daughter.
Once she had it in hand, Caitlin called Sebastian.
“Sebastian, I just got the replica from Mr. Wheeler. How’s it going on your end? Has your father woken up yet? When are youing back?”
“He hasn’t woken up yet. Why? You <b>miss </b>me?”
The man’s teasing voice sent <b>a </b><b>wave </b>of heat to Caitlin’s cheeks.
“Who misses you?
“Got it”
ou? I’m just letting you know–I’m meeting Ximena tomorrow.”
Neither of them spoke after that. They just listened to each other’s breaths, an unspoken connection lingering between them.
Atter hanging up, <b>Caitlin </b>found herself involuntarily picturing Sebastian’s striking features.
She realized something troublesome–she was thinking about him more and more each day.
The Obsidian Order Headquarters
Sebastian had just ended his call with Carlin when Tyler rushed in,
“Lord, your father <b>has </b>woken up!”
Hearing this, Sebastian immediately made his way to the base hospital.
Inside the hospital room, Raymond had indeed regained consciousness. Looking around, he found the unfamiliar surroundings disorienting–this wasn’t ck Woll Fortress.
Where <b>was </b><b>he</b>?
His instinct was to sit up, but-
“Dad! Don’t move!”
Sebastian rushed in, steadying him.
Raymond turned to the young man in shock. Just now, he had called him….what?
“You’re…
“Dad, it’s me- -Sebastian.
Chapter 248.
A lump formed in Sebastian’s throat, his eyes reddening as he looked at his father.
*Sebastian
Raymond was utterly stunned, staring at him in disbelief.
His son. His son<b>, </b>Sebastian.
In his memories, Sebastian was still a seven or eight–year old boy. But now, standing before him was a grown man—a strong, capable young man
“You’re really… my son Sebastian? Tell me… this isn’t just a dream?”