Chapter 289
“You can’t just stay anywhere! You’re a true friend to the Gonzales family,” Amanda insisted warmly. “You’ve only just arrived in the Capital—there’s bound to be things you’re not used to. If you need anything, just let the staff know p>
Keira nodded in agreement. “Amanda’s right, Grandpa Freya. Treat this place as your own home. Please, make yourself comfortable p>
Once everyone’s accommodations were settled, Amanda led Ann back to their private villa.
Ann eyed her mother uncertainly. “Mom, do you really think that country girl Caitlin can wake up Uncle Stuart p>
A mocking smile tugged at Amanda’s lips. “Her? Dream on p>
As far as Amanda was concerned, Caitlin was nothing more than an
inexperienced farm girl, barely out of adolescence.
How could someone like that possibly cure Stuart, who’d been in a coma for years? Anyone with half a brain could see it was impossible.
Ann frowned. “If you don’t believe Caitlin can help Uncle Stuart, then why did you stop me from exposing her just now p>
Not only had her mother stopped her from calling Caitlin out, she’d even told her to tag along and “learn” from her.
Just thinking about it made Ann bristle with indignation. She was the real heiress here! If anyone should be learning, it was Caitlin who ought to be trailing behind her, taking notes.
Amanda narrowed her eyes. “Ann, you’re still too young. Caitlin’s just been
brought home, and right now, she’s everyone’s darling. If you go after her now, no one will believe you—or take your side. In fact, you’d only make yourself a target for everyone’s anger p>
“It’s better to wait. If, after a year, your uncle still hasn’t woken up, your grandmother will be the first to hold Caitlin accountable p>
A steely glint flashed in Amanda’s eyes.
Finally, Ann understood her mother’s intentions. She grinned. “You’re right, Mom. With that country bumpkin’s third-rate skills, she’ll be lucky if Uncle Stuart survives her treatment, let alone recovers. Who knows, maybe Uncle Stuart will end up dying because of her p>
If that happened, Keira would surely turn against Caitlin. So, letting Caitlin handle Stuart’s treatment was the only way to make things interesting.
Silverhaven.
When Gordon arrived home, he found Beatrice eating dinner. She looked up, surprised. “Gordon? What brings you back so soon p>
Her son was a quiet soul, usually only visiting once every couple of weeks. Tonight was unusual-especially since he’d only been home last night.
“There wasn’t much going on at work today. And with the holidays coming up, I thought I’d spend some extra time with you.” Gordon shrugged off his coat, handed it to a waiting maid, and set his newspaper down on the dining table before sitting with his mother.
Both Beatrice and Gordon had a habit of reading the morning paper over meals. Seeing the paper on the table, Beatrice picked it up and began to leaf through it. Gordon shot her a look. “Mom, can’t you just focus on eating for once p>
“Nope, not a chance. I like reading while I eat!” Beatrice was as stubborn as ever. But then something in the paper caught her eye, and her expression sharpened. After a few seconds, she jabbed her finger at a side-profile picture on the page. “Gordon, doesn’t the little princess of the Richards and Gonzales families look an awful lot like Catie p>
The resemblance was uncanny.
Gordon glanced at the photo. “That is Catie p>
Beatrice’s eyes widened. “You mean Catie is actually the little princess of the Richards and Gonzales families? You knew this all along p>
Only now did Beatrice recall Catie had once told her she was an orphan. Beatrice never imagined Caitlin was actually the granddaughter of the Gonzales family- and the Richards family’s niece.
“That’s right,” Gordon answered with a casual nod, as if it were no big deal.
“If you knew, why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Beatrice was both shocked and more than a little annoyed.
“And what good would it have done?” Gordon replied coolly. “Would you have packed up and moved to the Capital p>
“Yes! I absolutely would! Besides, our family’s roots are in the Capital, you know!” The Sylvester family had only moved to Silverhaven three years ago, since their ancestral home was here, and Beatrice had planned to retire in peace.