“It’s also possible that they didn’t have time to retreat. Once the royal decree was issued, the military advanced on Graystone immediately. Zorro would have no choice but to fight back,” Sebastian analyzed, trying to understand the unfolding events.


    “And now,” he added, “the only way to get urate intel from Graystone is through Zeke. Xero can monitor the situation from the outside, but he can’t infiltrate the core.”


    “I already tried messaging Zeke, Caitlin said, holding up her backup phone. “No response. I’m starting to worry–what if something’s already happened to him?”


    “Give it a little more time,” Sebastian said gently. “There’s a war going on over there. He’s probably overwhelmed.”


    “But if our n ended up triggering internal conflict in S Country, it’s the innocent people who will suffer the most,” Caitlin said, her heart heavy. “This coboration between me and Zeke might’ve been too aggressive.”


    The biggest fear was that Zeke, too eager for revenge, had exposed himself. And Zorro wasn’t the kind to let that slide.


    Sebastian seemed to have already made up his mind. He gripped Caitlin’s shoulders. “To be safe, I’m considering heading to S Country myself. Zeke might need support.”


    “I don’t want you to go!” Caitlin wrapped her arms around him tightly. With ck Wolf Fortress trying every possible tactic to destroy Sebastian, leaving the country would make him vulnerable. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him.


    Feeling her cling to him like that, Sebastian gently patted her back. “Okay, okay. I won’t go. I’ll send someone else from our side to handle it. Xero can keep tabs on the situation for us.”


    Caitlin nodded, finally easing up.


    Just then, a staff member entered. “Mr. Vanderbilt, Madam–Ms. Ximena is here. Shall I bring her in?”


    Caitlin exchanged a nce with Sebastian. “She must be here about Zeke.”


    Sebastian nodded. “Have her brought to the sitting room.”


    A short whileter, they both descended the stairs and found Ximena waiting in the parlor.


    “Ximena,” Caitlin greeted her warmly.


    “I’m sorry for dropping by uninvited,” Ximena said politely, standing up.


    “It’s alright. Please, have a seat.”


    Once seated, Ximena got straight to the point. “I came to ask about Zeke. Why haven’t we heard anything? Did something go wrong with the n? I saw international news that said Graystone is at war!”


    She’d seen the headlines and couldn’t hold back her worry. Knowing her son was still in Graystone, possibly in danger, she didn’t dare reach out to him directly.


    “I know. I’m waiting on news from him too.”


    Right as Caitlin said this, her phone chimed. She took it out–and froze. “It’s a message from Zeke!”


    She could hardly believe the timing.


    “Read it!” Ximena urged.


    9:46 pm &


    Caitlin opened the message and read aloud:


    Graystone and the royal army are officially at war. Our n has to be postponed. Wait for my next message. Stay safe and don’t worry.**


    “He says he’s okay. He’s telling us to wait for his next message.”


    Ximena exhaled in relief. “Alright, as long as he’s safe, I can rest easy.”


    Having received word of her son, Ximena prepared to leave. But before she walked out, she turned to Caitlin again. “I heard you’re participating in the design expo tomorrow? Competing against Zora?”


    “That’s right. Miss Harris brought it on herself.”


    Ximena gave a wry smile. “Then I hope you teach my arrogant daughter a good lesson. I can’t control her anymore.”


    “With your blessing, I won’t go easy on her.”


    “Thank you,” Ximena said with genuine appreciation. As she stepped out of Vanderbilt Manor, she paused again. “By the way Caitlin–would it be alright if I saw Patricia for a moment?”


    “Of course. I’ll have someone take you.”


    Caitlin called for Lucy and asked her to take Ximena to see her granddaughter.


    After Ximena left, Caitlin reread Zeke’s message. Though it reassured her on the surface, something about it still left her


    uneasy.


    She couldn’t quite exin it, but the feeling lingered.


    In S Country, the situation had fully escted.


    Graystone’s count, Zorro, publicly used the royal family of provoking the war and imed that Graystone was being unjustly oppressed. He rallied the citizens for support.


    Many, unaware of the deeper political struggle, sided with their local leader. Petitions spread like wildfire, calling for the king to cease the assault. The people wanted peace.


    Meanwhile, the royal family also issued public statements urging citizens not to resist and calling on the Graystone military to surrender.


    But neither side made a move <i>to </i>retreat. The standoff continued at the border.


    Inside Graystone, Zorro remained in full control. With Shadow Moon Pavilion and his private army behind him–and the support of countless citizens–he felt invincible.


    He had no intention of surrendering. In fact, he was determined to force the royal family to retreat first. If not, he’d drag the conflict out as long as necessary.


    In the castle’s underground chamber, Zeke was shackled in chains, held prisoner and stripped of freedom.


    He was racking his brain, trying to figure out how to escape and re–establish contact with Caitlin. But for now, every asset he


    had was under Zorro’s control.


    9:46 pm ￡


    While he was still deep in thought, the heavy door creaked open.


    A figure stepped in, backlit by the hallway behind him.


    Zeke squinted and saw the uniform first–his own. His gaze moved upward as the man approached.


    “Samir?” Zeke hissed, instantly furious.


    He tried to lunge, but the chains restrained him.


    Samir lookedpletely different now–polished, confident. He wore Zeke’s uniform like it was tailored for him.


    “Vice Commander, what do you think?” Samir extended his arms theatrically. “Looks good on me, doesn’t it?”


    Zeke’s expression twisted with rage. “You traitorous bastard.”


    “I think this uniform suits me better than it ever suited you,” Samir said, almost gleeful. “Your room, your bed–I’ve been enjoying it all.”


    Zeke spat at him. “You filthy dog. I was blind to ever treat you like a brother.”


    Samir wiped the spit from his face with a handkerchief, expression unmoved. Then, without warning, he delivered a vicious punch to Zeke’s gut.


    Zeke groaned, doubling over from the pain.


    Grabbing Zeke by the cor, Samir leaned in with a sneer. “Brother? You’re not even qualified to say that anymore. You’re nothing but a prisoner.”


    Zeke red up at him, eyes burning with hatred.


    Samir shoved him back, adjusted his cor, and smirked. “It’s about time I told you something. Wanna hear it?”


    AD


    Comment