Chapter 105
Ladd slammed on the brakes as soon as he heard Irene’s voice.
With a screech, the car jolted to a halt.
Larkin turned to his mother, puzzled. “What is it, Mom p>
“I just saw Miss Kensington,” Irene replied, already unbuckling her seatbelt.
Before Larkin could say another word, Irene had flung open the door and hurried out. He rushed after her.
“Miss Kensington! Miss Kensington!” Irene shouted across the parking lot, waving her arm high.
They were still a fair distance away, so her voice barely carried.
Caitlin thought she heard someone calling her name, but the sound was faint, almost unreal. She dismissed it and kept walking.
It was Victor who noticed. “Miss Kensington, I think someone’s trying to get your attention p>
Caitlin paused, glanced over her shoulder, and spotted Irene her white hair unmistakable—striding quickly toward her, waving and calling, “Miss Kensington p>
Caitlin recognized her at once and waved back, calling, “Lady Irene p>
Irene reached her, her face alight with excitement. “Miss Kensington, it really is you! I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me p>
Larkin caught up just then, slightly out of breath.
Irene turned to him, beaming. “Miss Kensington, this is my son, Larkin. Larkin, this
is Miss Kensington-the young woman who saved my life p>
Caitlin smiled politely. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Chatham p>
Larkin stared for a moment, surprised. His mother had told him Miss Kensington was young, but this was beyond what he’d expected. What struck him most, though, was the lack of arrogance in her eyes-quite rare for someone who’d accomplished so much at such a young age.
He quickly reached out and shook her hand. “It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Kensington. Thank you for helping my mother. Our whole family owes you a debt we can never repay p>
“Please, I’m just glad I could help,” Caitlin replied modestly. “Oh, and this is my business partner, Victor p>
Irene, being a renowned academic rather than a celebrity, was rarely recognized outside her field. Even Victor, who was well-connected himself, hadn’t met her before.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Winslow,” Irene greeted both Larkin and Victor in turn. Anyone associated with Caitlin was bound to be extraordinary in their own right, Victor thought.
After the introductions, Irene turned back to Caitlin. “So, Miss Kensington, what brings you here today p>
Caitlin answered honestly, “Victor and I actually came to see Academician Chatham, but there was a bit of an incident while we were waiting in line. We’re heading back now p>
“What happened?” Irene asked immediately, concern flickering in her eyes. Normally, nothing would go wrong with the waiting process; if Caitlin had stayed in line, they wouldn’t have almost missed each other.
Victor jumped in, “Miss Kensington and I were thrown out by Academician
Chatham’s assistant. She told us that people like us didn’t belong in the research center p>
Irene’s expression darkened. “Which assistant p>
“Wendy,” Victor replied.
Irene’s anger was palpable. Wendy, of all people-how dare she abuse her position like that!
Suppressing her irritation, Irene turned to Caitlin and Victor. “Miss Kensington, Mr. Winslow, come with me. I’m the person you were looking for p>
Victor stared at her in disbelief. “You? You’re Academician Chatham p>
Irene nodded with a small, knowing smile. “That’s right p>