<b>Chapter </b><b>255 </b>
The soil was too dry. James pulled out his tactical kurile and started digging, working his way around the tree’s roots.
Kneeling on the ground, he had no idea how long he had been at it, how many holes he had dug, unfeally the tip of his knife hit something med
The sound was different
Excitement surged through him as he dugster, revealing a rusted metal box.
The surface was corroded, the patters almost unrecognizable. With effort, he pried it open with his knife
Years of exposure to water and soil had left its contents in ruins. The wooden objects inside had rotted, and stic materials had be brie crumbling at the slightest touch
James carefully sifted through the decay.
Then, finally, he found something intact.
A small metal tube, about the length of a finger and as thick <b>as </b><b>a </b>per
Brushing off the dirt, he rinsed it thoroughly with bottled water until the camish faded away, revealing its true form
A brass whistle.
His fingers trembled.
Yes. A whistle
James cleaned it thoroughly, then raised it to his lips and blew.
“Where Wheee—”
The sound rang clear and familiar
It <b>was </b>the same whistle from his fragmented memories
With each sharp, echoing note, emotions flooded him
Tears welled in his eyes<b>, </b>blurring his vision
He missed them to <b>much</b>.
His mother. His sister.
<b>Where </b>were <b>they </b>now?
James returned to the city just before 5:30 PM and sent Caitlin a location pin, heading straight to the private restarto wait for her
When Caitlin received the message, she got ready to leave
She casually informed Sebastian, “Sebastian, leave the kids with you. I’ll be backter to pick up Patricia.”
Sebastian, sitting with the children and ying a game, pretended not to hear her,
Caitlin smirked.
09:29 Mon, 28 Jul GO
Still sulking over the pants Incident?
Time. Let him wk,
She wasn’t going tofort.
As the sound of an engine moving outside reached his ears<b>, </b>Sebastian immediately sat up, watching through the window.
All he saw was the tail end of her car disappearing down the driveway
That woman… <b>She </b>really went on a date with that guy?!
Unbelievable.
“Xavi, Tyler,” he ordered, standing up, “Watch the kich.”
i barely held back a chuckle.
Mr. Vanderbilt was doomed.
Caitlin had never promised to remarry him. She was back for the kids, but she was still single <b>and </b>independent.
Sebastian <b>had </b>a long road ahead
And this James guy? Probably just the first of many rivals toe.
Sebastian rushed <b>out </b>the door, already dialing
“Molly C
Get to Vanderbt Manor.”
<b>“</b>What? Are you kidding me? I have a date tonight!”
“I need you to watch <b>Patricia</b>. Emergency. Forget your date<b>, </b>Smith isn’t even into you. Stop throwing <b>yourself </b>at him.”
“EXCUSE METI
Molly was offended.
Was he serious right now?
But then Sebastian sweetened the deal
“Help me this once, and 11 help you get Simon, Guaranteed.” <ol start="5"><li>Fine” </li></ol>
With that kind of promise, Molly immediately rerouted to Vanderbilt Manor.
She <b>sighed </b>as she pulled into the driveway.
<b>She </b>was born <b>a </b>rich heiress, but lived the life of a babysitter
Caldin arrived at the private restaurant,
Aher mentioning James’s rume, a staff member led her to a private dining ro
<b>Inside</b>, James <b>was </b>already waiting.
214
09:29 Mon, 28 JUL G
Seeing her, he immediately stood up and pulled out a chair
“Ms. Lewis, you’re here”
“Just call me Callin,” she said hs she took her tear
csmiled. “Wricht, Caitlin
James s
He sat down across from her, picking up the mer “What would you like in eat?”
“That should be my question. Order whatever you want it’son me”
“Well then, I won’t hold <b>back</b><b>“</b>.
James waved for a waiter and ced their order.
Caitlin studied him. His sharp features, his confident demeanor.
your ent….You’re not from New York, are <b>you</b><b>?</b>”
James smirked. “am,”
Then he turned to the waiter. “Bring a fresh juice for the lovelydy”
“Of course, sir. Right away”
Once the water left, James asked, “What about you, Catlin? What do you dar
“Matido whatever want.”
“Must be nice,” James chuckled. “As for me, I’m between jobs.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Oh Looking for something specific?”
“Yeah. Maybe you can hire me,” he teased. <b>could </b>be your driver.”
Caitlinughed. “That’d be a waste of talent. I doubt I could afford you.”
“Other people might not afford me, <b>but </b><b>you </b>definitely could,” James said casually. “Aber all, you’re the CEO behind CL Group–a billionare
Her smile faded
He had investigated her
Her guard went up immediately.
*<b>You </b>looked me up?”
James met her gaze,pletely unfazed.
“<b>Only </b>because I was curious, I only investigate people I’m interested in.”
Histone was rxed, his smile friendly–but his words carried weight.
Something about James felt off
He was <b>too </b>smooth, top deliberate
There was more to him than he was letting on
Эм
Caillin already made her decision this dinner would be theirst meeting
They were not the same kind of people
Outside, Sebastian parked his car<b>, </b>spotting Catlin’s vehicle immediately
Sitting behind the wheel, he stared at the restaurant sign, fingers tapping the steering wheel.
Now what?
He needed <b>a </b>reason to go in
Sebastian scowled.
Just imagining Catlin and that pretty boy having dinner together pissed him off.
Inside, the water brought their food.
James had ordered a full table of dishes, the variety overwhelming.
He grinned. “Everything looks amazing. I want to try it all
“Then go ahead,<b>” </b>Caitlin smiled.
Just as they were about to start eating.
the door suddenly swung open
Caitlin and James both turned-
Sebastian stood at the doorway.
His tall frame Bled the entrance, his eyes dark and unreadable.
The <b>air </b>instantly grew tense.
C
AD