<b>Chapter </b><b>254 </b>
“VEG sent an official invitation. Tomorrow, they’ll be holding a legal guardianship transfer ceremony at the Royal international Hotel. They’re requesting your presence.”
Ximena’s assistant delivered the message carefully, watching her reaction
Ximena’s expression turned ice–cold.
They took the child and had the audacity to invite her to the ceremony?
How <b>shameless </b><b>could </b>Sebastian be<b>? </b>
<b>“</b>Over
<b>dead </b>body! I’m not going!”
She copsed into her chair in anger,
Her assistant hesitated, then cautiously added, “But… the police and major media outlets will be there. If you don’t show up, wouldn’t that—”
“Get out! Now!”
Ximena wasn’t in the mood to hear any more.
The assistant fled the office, closing the <b>door </b>behind them.
Ximena let out a frustrated sigh..
She had lost.
And she had lost badly.
She had nned so much–only to end up losing everything
Sebastian
had orchestrated everything perfectly.
He had ced Ximena on such a high pedestal that even if she wanted to go back on her word, she couldn’t.
He <b>had </b>studied her personality well–Ximena was a woman who valued power, prestige, and reputation above
She would never allow herself to be seen as weak, nor would she risk public humiliation.
When Sebastian returned home that evening, he informed Caitlin about the uing event.
“This was a smart move,” Caitlin admitted. “She’s <b>trapped </b><b>now</b>. No matter how much she resents it, she can’t say a <b>word</b><b>.</b>”
“Exactly. Tomorrow, you’ll attend with me.
“Of course.”
That afternoon, The Vanderbilt Family gathered for a celebratory lunch.
Vincent and Hazel had <b>also </b>returned<b>, </b><b>making </b>it a <b>full </b>house.
The atmosphere was warm and joyful–Patricia’s return had brought an undeniable brightness to the entirey
<b>1/5 </b>
09:29 Mon, 28 Juli
Aber lunch, the children ran off to <b>y </b>in the vast garden while Catin sat on a swing, watching them.
Sebastian approached, sitting down beside her. His armrested casually on the back of the swing, a natural closeness forming between them.
For him, this was the future he had always wanted–sitting <b>beside </b>Caitlin, <b>watching </b>their children y, surrounded byughter and warmth
As evening approached, he turned to her.
“Caitlin, why don’t you <b>stay </b>here tonight?”
need <b>to </b>head back. I can’t just move in.”
“You can move in. Stay as
y as long as you want. What about the kids? You’re just going to leave them?”
“I’ll take Patricia with me,” she said. “She just got <b>back</b>, and I want to spend more time with her<b>–</b>help her feelfortable.”
“Then what about me?” Sebastian leaned in<b>, </b>voice dropping to a teasing murmur. “I need time with you too. Our bond still needs work”
With that, he rested his head on her shoulder, nuzzling against her like a cal
Caitlin <bughed</b>. “Are you a cat now? Why <b>are </b>you so clingy?”
“Yes, and you’re my owner, Pat me.”
She tried to push him away, but he didn’t budge.
Seeing her smile, he smirked, satisfied.
From a distance, Vincent had approached with some business matters to discuss–but upon seeing the intimate scene, he chose to quietly retreat, leaving them alone
Just then, Caitin’s phone vibrated
I <b>was </b>a message
e from James
Attached was a photo, along with a single line of text.
<b>Sebastian </b>nced over her shoulder, immediately noticing the young man in the <b>picture</b>.
His expression
“Who’s this?
“A friend.”
“Let me see
darkened.
Sebastian snatched her phone, erging the image
It was a young guy–stylish, good–looking, and <b>standing </b>in a striking pese.
The name on <b>the </b>chat was James
Sebastian’s jaw tightened.
“What kind of friend sends you photos like this? Is he showing off his physique?”
Caitlin chuckled.” He helped me out, so bought him three pairs of pants. He was just showing me how they fit
Sebastian nearly choked on air
“You bought him pants?!!.
three <b>pairs</b><b>.” </b>
Sebashian stared at her<b>. </b>
You bought another man panist Three pairs?”
Yeah
Sebastian was fuming
She had never bought him pants.
He folded his arms, his tone sharp. “You think that’s normal? Buying another guy clothes?”
“it’s just three pairs of pants, what’s the big deal?” Caitlin based, noticing how childishly jealous he looked
Sebastian turned away with a hutt “Hmph”
“Are you…actually mad? Are you <b>jealous</b>?”
Caitlin found it amusing. How could he be this patty?
Sebastian refused to answer, crossing <b>his </b>arm
At that moment, James sent another message–this time, a voice note
The auto–y function kicked
“know a great little restaurant. Want to grab dinner tonight?”
Sebastian immediately whipped around. His re could burn holes through steel.
Then Cathin’s casual reply yed next.
“Sounds good, <b>send </b>me the location.“]
Sebastian’s entire expression shifted
“You’re just going to n a date right in front of me?” His voice was dangerously low.
“Yes. is there a problem?” Caitlin raised a brow. “Remember, you agreed to a <b>three</b>–month observation period. If you don’t want it to end early<b>, </b>you better behave.”
Sebastian clenched his jaw.
<b>She </b>was right.
As much as he wanted to forbid her from seeing other men… he couldn’t
He was just the ex husband right now.
<b>And </b>he had no right to interfere
09:29 Mon, 28 Jul G
But the thought of her having dinner with a good looking young guy was driving himse
Catlin <b>smirked</b>.
She turned her attention back to watching the children, but the small, satisfied smile on her lips made it clear-
She was enjoying torturing him.
Meanwhile, across the city, James stood atop <b>a </b><b>scenic </b>hill, overlooking a vast cherry blossom forest.
He had spent days tracking down this ce.
Ater searching, he finally discovered that this was the only cherry blossom prove in New York.
Unfortunately, he hade at the wrong time the blooming <b>season </b>had passed.
The trees were now lush and green, with no falling petals.
He closed his eyes, trying to recall his memories.
In his mind, faint, fragmented images <b>si </b>
surfaced–a blurry vision of himself running through falling cherry blossoms.
A soft voice called after him.
<b>“</b>Slow down, sweetheart!”
“Come quick, little brother!”
The whispers of the past grew <b>louder</b>.
James suddenly started running through the grove, chasing the sounds in his memory.
The wind rushed past him
Somewhere, in the depths of his mind, a shadowy <b>figure </b>stood beneath thergest cherry tree, smiling at him and waving
Then-
A distinct whistle echoed.
His own whistle.
James froos<b>. </b>
it was him
He had blown that whistle before
Driven by instinct, he searched the entire grove, nuhning through every path, until he finally found thergest cherry blossom tree in the forest.
Breathing heavily, he circled it multiple times, running his hands along its bark,
Finally, he sat down, leaning against the trunk
What was he missing?
What had he forgotten?
Mon, 28 <b>JUI </b>
He shut his <b>eyes</b>, desperate for rity.
Maments <b>passed</b>.
Then–his eyes snapped open.
Without hesitation, he jumped up–and started digging at the base of the tree.