Chapter 459
459
Zeke could tolerate ridicule and slander from others, but the one thing he couldn’t stomach was being doubted—especially by Caithn
Like swearing a blood oath, he clenched his fists tightly.
“Who said I was scared? Who said I care about the damn title of Count’s son? You think I treasure that?”
“ I know you don’t. If you did, you wouldn’t have cut ties with Zorro and come to me.”
Caitlin exhaled deeply.
“Zeke, I said all this because I see you as a friend. I believe you can tell right from wrong, that you’re nothing like Zorro. That’s why I don’t
want you to be blinded or manipulated.”
She said she believed in him.
Something about those words, the way she said them, hit Zeke straight in the chest. Her sincerity struck a chord.
He was silent for a long time, but finally, he nodded.
“Alright. Give me some time. I’ll get the truth.”
Caitlin let out a breath of relief.
“Good. Focus on recovering. You can deal with it after you’re discharged.”
Just as she stood up, Zeke grabbed her wrist. He looked hesitant, conflicted.
“What is it? Is there something else you want to tell me?”
“Caitlin… I want to say I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
“I’ve kept something from you.”
Zeke had to come clean. If Caitlin ever found out on her own, it could drive a permanent wedge between them.
“What is it?”
“Freya’s death… I ordered Sienna and Teresa to do it.”
Silence fell like a guillotine in the room. The air froze. Zeke’s heart pounded in his throat.
It had taken everything in him to confess this. He was terrified–terrified that Caitlin would never forgive him.
“I already suspected it. There’s no way Sienna and Teresa acted without your involvement. They never named you , but I knew it was you.
“Zeke, you weren’t born evil. Zorro molded you into someone twisted. The person you should’ve killed long ago… is him.
“But your hands are already soaked in blood. If you want a shot at peace in this life, then start redeeming yourself.”
Caitlin wasn’t just forgiving him–she was recruiting him. She wanted Zeke on her side, in her army. It was the only way she could ever overthrow Shadow Moon Pavilion and take Zorro down.
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“ Thank you … thank you , Caltlin . I will find out the truth. ”
Tears slid down his cheeks. Zeke was overwhelmed. The thing he feared most didn’t happen Caitlin didn’t abandon him , instead the offered him something he never expected: warmth, redemption, and a future.
“ Get some rest. I’ll go call a nurse.”
Caitlin nodded to him and walked out of the room. Soon, a nurse came in to reattach his IV.
Ximena returned to the room as well. Though Zeke still refused to speak to her, he no longer told her to get out. Caitlin’s words had already started to soften something inside him. Only when he confirmed the truth for himself could he accept a new reality.
Caitlin and Sebastian left the hospital together. Once in the car, she let out a long sigh.
“Convincing that stubborn mute must’ve been tough,” Sebastian said, taking her hand in his.
“It’s hard to change someone’s worldview once they’re grown. But at least we have a shot now. We still have one month left. Let’s use it
wisely.
“Step one was getting Ximena on our side and reaching Zeke. That’s done. Step two–dismantle Zorro’s influence in Graystone . ”
From the moment Caitlin shattered Shadow Moon Pavilion’s rules, to Zeke cutting ties with Zorro for her, to Zinnia’s silent allegiance–it all pointed to one thing: Zorro wouldn’t sit still much longer.
A man who’d schemed for decades over the *Yun’s Aromatic Codex* was capable of anything.
But Caitlin wasn’t the type to wait for the storm to hit. She would strike first.
Before Zorro made a move, she would deliver a blow he’d never recover from.
And Sebastian would be her unshakable support. Together, they would stand against the weight of Shadow Moon Pavilion.
Later that day, Caitlin arranged to meet Wendy at Queen11 Shopping Center. Sebastian drove her there.
“Drop me at the mall entrance and head back to the office. Wendy and I made plans.”
Caitlin had already changed outfits and altered her makeup in the car. She looked like an ordinary–frankly, unattractive–woman.
“Alright. I’ll handle things at the East Gate. But tonight, you owe me a reward.”
“Mmhmm.”
As the car pulled up outside Queen11, Caitlin reached for the door but Sebastian pulled her back.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?”
She looked into his intense eyes and smiled.
“Don’t you think I look hideous like this?”
“My wife could never look hideous. Even in ugly makeup, you leave every other woman in the dust.”
He leaned in for a kiss. Caitlin cupped his face and gave him a peck.
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“ Happy now ? ”
“ Not even close.”
He kissed her deeply, lingering, not wanting to let her go.
Finally, he released her.
“Alright. Go.”
Caitlin waved goodbye and turned to walk away.
From the backseat, Sebastian watched her graceful figure disappear into the mall.
“That’s my wife.”
Tyler, driving in the front, rolled his eyes so hard it hurt. Everyone knew that was his wife. Mr. Vanderbilt might as well wave a flag and announce it on the news.
At the entrance of Queen11, Caitlin spotted Wendy waiting. But when Caitlin walked right up to her, Wendy didn’t even recognize her.
Wendy checked her phone again. Caitlin had texted saying she’d arrived, but… where was she?
“Wendy! I’m here!”
Wendy jumped at the tap on her shoulder. She turned around and stared.
“Oh my god–Caitlin? That’s really you?”
Caitlin held back a laugh and nodded.
“Jesus, what did you do to yourself? If you hadn’t spoken, I never would’ve recognized you.”
Wendy gave her a full once–over and looked genuinely horrified.
“What are you even wearing? What’s with the makeup? You look like a walking disaster.”
“Today, I’m playing your ugly sidekick. Let’s go.”
As they headed inside, Wendy hooked her arm around Caitlin’s.
“With you around, I feel ten times hotter already.”
They wandered into the mall together. But Caitlin wasn’t here just for retail therapy with her best friend.
She had another reason for being here–one far more important
AD
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