<b>Chapter </b><b>263 </b>
James drove in silence, and Caitin didn’t say whether word.
She didn’t understand why, but somehow, she always found herself unable to outright refuse James’s gestures of kindness.
“Caillin, I’m taking you to Danca Estate, right?”
James had already looked up where she lived. Caillin nodded. “Yeah.”
Nothing seemed to escape his notice, and Caillin saw no point in hiding anything
The two of them remained quiet for the rest of the drive. Caltin closed her eyes to rest while James steadily navigated the way back to Ca Estate<b>. </b>
When they ared, the estate’s security, recognizing the vehicle, opened the gates without question James pulled up in front of the vi,
Stepping out, he walked around and opened the passenger door. “Caitlin, we’re here. Time to get out
Caitlin opened her <b>eyes </b><b>and </b>saw that they had indeed arrived. She unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car.
“Thanks, James, I’ll have someone send you back.”
James chuckled, his <b>usual </b>easygoing smile in ce. “I drove you all the way here, and you’re not even inviting me in for a cup of tea? I’m kinda thirsty
His sunny demeanor, coupled with his <b>casual </b>yet sincere tone, made it hard to refuse him.
Fine. Come in
Caitlin lod him inside and had the staff prepare some tea for him.
James took in the surroundings with curiosity as he settled onto the couch. Before long, a servant brought over a freshly brewed cup of tea and set it in
front of him.
“Take your time, James. Drink as much as you like. If you need a ride back, just ask the driver outside. I’m going to rest now<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“Got it. You go ahead and rest–I’ll leave after I <b>finish </b>my tea
James could sense Caitlin’s deliberate distance. Her defenses were up, as if she <b>had </b>already suspected something
His eyes darkened slightly. It had been hard enough to gain entry into Danca Estate–there was no way he was going to let this opportunity slip.
Nobody knew his true mission in the U.S.
His objective was simple: to get close to Caitlin <b>and </b>obtain the legendary manuscript, “Yun’s Aromatic Codes.”
The first time he nearly ran into her with his car, and the <b>second </b>time they crossed paths at the hospital–those were mere coincidences. At the time, <b>he </b>hadn’t even realized she was his target
But after their dinner together, everything else
<i>se </i>had been carefully <b>nned</b>.
He had to earn her trust first <b>before </b>making h
this move<b>. </b>
The living room fell silent as the staff left to attend to other duties. James drained thest sip of tea from his cup but man quietly got <b>up </b>and made his way upstairs.
He passed by the master bedroom, but the door was closed. So, he turned toward the study and sipped inside,
Where would Caitlin hide something <b>as </b>valuable as “Yun’s Aromatic Codes
move to leave. Instead, he
James started searching meticulously — theough bookshelves, drawers<b>, </b>storage bent every posable hodina (DAL
but he found nothing.
Then, he reached the desk. He tied through the drawers, but one of them was incled.
Was it in heret
Taking out a thin metal wire he always carried, he worked er unlocked
with practiced ease. After a fon moments, there was a soft click – the drains
Gently pulling it open, James saw a small box inside, l?sheart pounded with anticipation as he lifted the lid.
But instead of a manuscript, be found a photo hame.
Frowning, he picked it up i
n and turned it over–thim froze
The photo inside showed a mother and her two children sitting beneath cherry blossom trees.
His breath caught.
That cherry blossom grove… wasn’t it the one from his fragmented childhood memories?
His gare shifted to the little boy in the picture.
it was him.
That was his childhood sel
Which meant…the beautiful, gentle–looking woman in the photo <b>was </b>his mother.
And the girl–around his age, bright and innocent–was <b>his </b>sister!
His mind went nk
He had finally found his mother and sister.
And this photo was inside Caitlin’s <b>study</b>.
Which meant…
James felt <b>his </b>entire
neworldtilling. The answer was right in front <b>of </b>him, undeniable.
Just as his thoughts spiraled, the study door was kicked open.
Caitlin’s icy figure appeared in the doorway.
James looked up at her, his emotions a chaotic storm, his thoughts racing
“Put that down,<b>” </b>Caitlin ordered <b>coldly</b>. “And get out
<b>She </b>had deliberately left James alone downstairs wanting to see what his true motives were.
And now–he had exposed himself.
“Caitlin, I
James‘ chest tightened. He had so many things he wanted to say. But at this moment, he couldn’t get a single word out
09:32 Mon, 28 2 Mon, 25
“Don’t <b>say </b>anything” Caitlin interpted, her tone prta. “James, Enot hold you arruntable for thes, considering you’ve helpe nowen, dan Teven think about approaching me apain”
Her voice was unwavering cutting l?ra de
Caillin had already made up her minit. James
James‘ heart ached.
He had ruined everything
Never in a million years did he expect the family he had been searching for to turn out to be his target.
Now even if he told Catins the truth, that he was her brother–she wouldn’t believe him.
Right now, he had no choice but to put the photo frame back down and walk out of the study, his hands clenched at his
As he passed cured these words softly.
She didn’t respond.
She only stood there, motionless, until James descended the stairs and disappeared hom sight
As she turned around, watching him walk away, a strange sense of loss and regret settled over her
Why did she feel like she had just lost something important?
That warm, carefree man—<b>she </b>didn’t want to believe that he had only approached her with ulterior motives.
Dutside Danca Estate
James was thrown out.
Standing outside the estate gates, he turned back to look onest time. His <b>vision </b>blurred with unshed tears.
His heart
heart ached.
His actions just now–he must have broken his sister’s trustpletely
She would never believe him now. She would never let him into her life again
And it was his own fault
James gritted his teeth in frustration. How could he ever repair his rtionship with Caitlin?
He didn’t know
But one thing was certain–he <b>could </b>no longer blindly follow his master’s orders
Because now, he knew–run’s Aromatic Codex” was in Caitlin’s hands.
Steeling himself, he pulled out his phone and dialed his master
The man who had taken him in after he left Willow City Monastery
The call connected:
“James, Lassume e you’ve seeded?” His master’s voice
voice was calm, expectant
James swallowed down his pain and asked, “Master… why did you adopt me back then? There were so many children at the monastery. Why did you choose me?”
The sudden question caught the man off guard.
A brief silence.
“Answer me!” James demanded, his voice shaking. “You knew my real identity all along, didn’t you? That’s why you picked me. You sent me on this mission, but you never told me that Cailin is my sister! My own sister!”
Tears of frustration burned in his e
All these years, had he been
ad he been nothing but a pawn?
Had his entire life been manipted?
His master <b>finally </b>spoke, his tone cold and detached.
“James, Iraised you. <b>You </b>should be grateful. I’ve just received word that the other half of “<b>Yun’s </b>Aromatic Codex may soon surface. You need to securi both parts immediately.
If you can’t… I’ll have Jesup take over. Stay out of
The call ended abruptly.
James’s blood ran cold.
if Uesugi got involved–Caitlin would be in danger.
Uesug was ruthless. He especially enjoyed torturing women
James took a deep breath.
He had only one choice now–to protect his sister.
And along the way, he had to uncover the truth.
Who was he really?
if Caitlin was a Lewis, did that mean…he was Harrison Lewis?
?