Chapter <b>612 </b>
65 vouch
Outside the prison, Sebastian waited until Caitlin came out. He stepped forward and asked, “How was it? Did he talk<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Not yet. Let’s just go back first.”
Caitlin got into the car, and Sebastian drove them away.
On the way back, Sebastian said, “You’re being too gentle. For someone like him, who’s killed so many, the only <b>way </b>is to fight fire with fire. If it were up to me, I’d bring his sister here to the US. Only if he sees her in danger with his own eyes will hepromise.”
“I’ve thought about that. But Ida’s health isn’t good enough for long–distance transfer. She needs treatment as soon as possible. As for the grudge between me and ck Hawk, his sister isn’t the one to bear it.”
Caitlin remembered the pained look on ck Hawk’s face as he covered himself, and she wanted to gamble on onest chance. “I think we can wait a few more days. Maybe he’ll reach out to me himself.”
“Alright.”
Sebastian <b>didn’t </b>press the matter further. When they returned to the Vanderbilt estate, they learned that Beatrice had little appetite after leaving the hospital. Caitlin went into the kitchen, cooked something herself, and brought it to her.
Beatrice had been home for two days, resting, hoping forpany. When she saw Caitline in, her face lit up. “Caitlin, you’re back!”
“Yes, I’m back.”
Caitlin sat beside her, set the insted container on the table, and took her hand. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m much better. Oh, Caitlin, I have something for you.”
Beatrice unsped a gold cross from around her neck and pressed it into Caitlin’s hands. “This is a charm for protection. Wear it. I want you to be safe.”
“Beatrice…”
Caitlin tried to decline, but the older woman held her hand firmly. “Take it, Caitlin. It’s not about value, it’s about keeping you safe. You can’t <b>have </b>any more idents.”
To reassure her, Caitlin epted, <b>and </b>Beatrice personally fastened it around her neck.
“Thank you, Beatrice.”
Caitlin was deeply moved, grateful for the woman’s care.
Beatrice shook her head, and Caitlin added, “I heard you haven’t had much of an appetite, so I cooked something for you to try.”
“You run around enough <b>already</b>. I don’t want you tiring yourself out making food for me,” Beatrice said with
concern.
“It’s fine.”
Caitlin lifted out a bowl of tomato seafood noodles. The aroma spread instantly, and Beatrice’s eyes lit up. when she <b>saw </b>it. “Tomato seafood noodles?”
“Yes. I made it for you.”
“Oh my… how did you know I was craving that?”
Beatrice didn’t know what to say. Her granddaughter–inw was thoughtful and caring, even guessing what she was longing for.
“I just guessed. Something simple, maybe it’ll suit you.” Caitlin set the bowl in front of her. “Try it.”
She fed Beatrice a bite of shrimp. The old woman’s thumb shot up immediately. “Delicious! So good!”
She ate some fish, some noodles, sipped the broth, and her eyes grew moist.
“It reminds me of when I first came to the US with my mother as a child. A hot bowl of tomato seafood noodles back then… it was the happiest thing”
The simple bowl stirred memories of her youth, when she and her mother came to a foreignnd with nothing but hope.
Moved by the taste, Beatrice dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve. Eliza walked in and asked<b>, </b>“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?
“Nothing, Caitlin’s noodles were too good. They reminded me of being little… and of my mother.” Beatrice blinked away tears, a little embarrassed.
She was so old now, and still <b>talking </b>about missing her mother. Wouldn’t the younger onesugh at <b>her</b>?
Caitlin gave a helpless smile. “If I’d known it would make you cry, I’d have made something else instead.”
“It just means it really touched her. She’s missing her family. Beatrice came here with her mother when she was young. She’s endured a lot,” Eliza sighed.
“Beatrice, where was your hometown? Do you still have family or friends there?” Caitlin asked gently.
“My home <b>was </b>in Santa Aurelia, in S country. I had a brother, two <b>years </b><b>older </b>than me. When we immigrated, we lost each other. I never heard from him again… he’s probably gone by now.”
“S country? Santa Aurelia? I’ve been there,” Caitlin said, surprised.
Beatrice looked at her in wonder. “You have?”
“Yes. What was your <b>brother’s </b>name? You never tried to find him?”
10:06
Tue, Sep 9 D ”
“I only remember his name was Javier. But no matter how I searched, I never found a trace. In those chaotic years, he probably didn’t survive. So I stopped mentioning it.”
Her sigh carried deep regret.
“Hisst name was Gonzales?”
“Yes”
Caitlin knew Gonzales was a major family name in S country. She couldn’t help but think of Alicia and her family, who bore the same name. Was there a connection?
“But Beatrice<b>, </b>you don’t use Gonzales anymore. Isn’t your current name Zhou Yueying?”
“Yes. Not long after we came here, my mother died of illness. I was taken in by the Sanders family and given a new name. My real name was Valentina Gonzales.”
“Do you still have anything from your childhood? If I go back to S country, I can ask around. I know quite <b>a </b>few people named Gonzales.”
Caitlin wanted to help the old woman find some closure, so she wouldn’t carry regret forever.
Really?”
Hope sparked in Beatrice’s eyes. “The cross I just gave you… I’ve worn it since I was a girl. I remember my brother had an identical one.”
“Alright. I’ll remember.”
Caitlin nced at the charm on her chest. She would keep this in mind.
After visiting Beatrice, Caitlin prepared to return to Vanderbilt Manor. On her way out, she ran into Molly.
“Molly.”
“Caitlin, how’s Grandma doing?”
“She just went to sleep.”
“Oh, good. I was looking for you.”
Molly linked arms with her and tugged her outside, a smile on her face. Caitlin asked, “What’s got you so <b>happy</b>?”
“I’m going to Simon’s house today, to meet his mother. I’m so nervous. Can youe with me? Give me some courage?”