Chapter 700 Caitlyn, stay over tonight!
Caitlyn dropped her gaze and gave a small smile. "Of course! There's nothing between us," she said.
Landon wanted to say something but held back.
He stood up and asked, "How about we grab a bite here? I'll get the chef to whip something up. You love salmon, right? It's especially good this season."
But Caitlyn shook her head and said she'd take him back. Landon frowned a bit. "Caitlyn, can't we just hang out like old friends and have a meal together? Is that too much to ask?"
Caitlyn was already heading for the door, her voice trailing behind her. "Do friends sleep together? Landon, stop pushing me. Seattle might be home, but life abroad is pretty good too. I'm used to it."
Landon sat back on the sofa.
The summer sunset cast a golden glow on his face, making him look almost angelic. He watched Caitlyn leave without stopping her.
After a while, he slowly made his way downstairs. Sitting in the car with the window down, Caitlyn said, "Sit in the back; it's more comfortable."
But Landon silently took the driver's seat. Caitlyn glanced at him and didn't push it. "It's your body. If you don't take care of it, no one else will."
Landon stayed quiet, leaned back, and closed his eyes. As Caitlyn started the car, he whispered, "You obviously care about me, but you never admit it."
After dropping Landon off, Caitlyn dragged her tired self home. When she went upstairs, she saw the lights on and realized Eden was back.
Caitlyn was a bit surprised as she closed the door. "Mom, weren't you planning to stay longer?" she asked.
Eden brought some chicken soup to the dining table.
She looked at Caitlyn's face, made a guess, and sighed lightly, "With such a big incident, how could I stay away? I heard Leonard's parents went back to their hometown. What's going on?"
Caitlyn then recounted what had happened at the hospital.
Eden was shocked. In her mind, Landon wasn't a good guy. How could he let Leonard go so easily and even give them a $1,000 check?
Eden thought for a moment and said, "How could Leonard be a match for Landon!"
But Landon was crazy. If the knife had been a bit off, he could have lost his life. Doing something so dangerous just to make Caitlyn feel sorry. Caitlyn hadn't said it, but Eden could tell she still cared.
A few days later, it was Saturday when Caitlyn came to teach Katelyn.
After lunch, Landon was lounging on the sofa in the hall, casually flipping through a magazine.
Katelyn was all dressed up. She hid by the stairs, peeking, and then wrinkled her little nose at Hazel. She whispered, "Daddy is more excited than I am!"
Hazel carried her upstairs, coaxing her to comb her hair.
Hearing this, Landon just glanced upstairs and said nothing.
Cherie, who was also there, walked over and said softly, "Mr. Carter, Dr. Dobbins wants to see you."
Leonard?
Landon leaned back comfortably on the sofa, thought for a moment, and then asked, "How's he doing? What does the prosecution say?"
Cherie paused and replied, "He confessed to everything he did. According to Mr. Hawkins, the formal charges will be filed soon, and then Dr. Dobbins will be sentenced! Mr. Carter, will you see Dr. Dobbins?"
Landon stood up, buttoned his cufflinks, and said indifferently, "Make the arrangements."
Before Caitlyn arrived at the villa, Landon met with Leonard, which could be considered their last meeting.
In a simple, plain room, Leonard was brought out. He looked haggard, like he'd aged ten years overnight.
Leonard wasn't from a wealthy family. But he was from an intellectual family and was quite outstanding himself, considered middle class. Who would have thought he'd end up so down and out?
They were separated by an iron bar, staring at each other.
Landon was still the same, mature and handsome, looking every bit the successful businessman. Even the person in charge here was very polite. "Mr. Carter, call me if you need anything!"
Landon nodded reservedly. After the person left, he looked at Leonard again whose beard was scruffy, and eyes were slightly bulging.
Landon smiled faintly and handed Leonard a cigarette. "This is a special supply, not too harmful to the body! Don't you doctors usually care about health?"Leonard didn't hesitate, even though he rarely smoked.
Through the iron bars, Landon bent down to light it for him. Leonard took a couple of deep puffs, looked up at Landon, and said slowly, "I regret it."
Landon's lips curled slightly, giving nothing away.
Leonard's eyes were yellowing. He took another puff of the cigarette irritably and continued, "I know it's too late to regret now. I did this, and you won't let me off! Besides, you gave my parents money to leave, clearly intending for me to serve ten years in prison!"
As he spoke, Leonard stared at the cigarette between his fingers and said self-deprecatingly, "Ten million dollars for ten years! A million a year, that's enough! When I heard this news, do you know what I thought? I thought having money was great! If I had money, I wouldn't have lost Caitlyn. She wouldn't have been with you. If I had money, when Clio took me to that birthday dinner, I would have left decisively! I didn't like her. Yet I had no money, so I had to go along with her against my will."
His hand holding the cigarette started to tremble, as did his lips.
"I do like Caitlyn. She's beautiful and has a great personality. I think the main reason I did this was that I wanted to compete with you! It's natural for a man, but I forgot my own strength. For you, it's like child's play! I'm in prison, and you, Mr. Carter, got a bit hurt. But I think Caitlyn will probably never escape her guilt." Leonard said quite a lot.
After Leonard finished speaking, Landon finally spoke softly, "Dr. Dobbins, you regret it because you didn't love Caitlyn enough. You think it's not worth it! But I almost lost my life, and I don't regret it. Because she finally cares about me!"
He continued, "Leonard, Caitlyn is a good woman. I wronged her in the past, and now I can't let her go to anyone else."
Leonard didn't argue. He wasn't stupid; he knew Landon had already shown mercy. Given his power and status, eliminating Leonard would be easy. There wouldn’t be any talk of $10 million. It was just for Caitlyn's dignity.
After a moment of silence, Leonard asked, "Did she ask about me?"
Landon finished the last bit of his cigarette and said softly, "She didn't bring you up because she knows it would make me unhappy, and your situation would be worse! Although I don't want to say it, she did have feelings for you."
Saying these words made Landon feel uncomfortable. He didn't care how Leonard felt hearing them. In any case, Leonard's matter was over.
Landon had given Leonard an ending, and also an ending for Leonard and Caitlyn.
When Landon returned from the police station, it was already evening. Standing in the yard after getting out of the car, he could see a touch of red clouds drifting in the sky.
Maybe it was his mood, but he felt that the red clouds looked like Caitlyn.
As he walked into the hall, Hazel came in with a thermos, placed it on the dining table, and opened the lid.
The hall was immediately filled with the delicious aroma of chicken soup. Hazel said eagerly, "Mr. Carter, your wounds haven't healed. Drinking this chicken soup will be good for you."
Landon didn't like soup. He sat on the sofa, unbuttoning his cuffs, and said indifferently, "Why make this again? You drink it!"
Seeing that she couldn't persuade him, Hazel looked regretful. She said, "This soup is rich and fragrant. It must have been simmered for at least four hours. If I had made it and you didn't drink it, that would be one thing. But this was personally delivered by Ms. Robinson's mother, a token of her care!"
Landon was unbuttoning his shirt collar when he heard this. His hand shook, and he quickly asked, "Caitlyn's mother?"
Hazel looked surprised and replied, "Yes! Mr. Carter, she brought it over specifically when you went out. I thought you knew!"
Hazel was quite pleased with herself. "Ms. Robinson's mother is willing to make soup for you. That means she approves of this marriage and recognizes you!"
Landon pretended to be angry and said, "Marriage? Caitlyn still looks at me like I'm a pain in the neck. How can we talk about marriage?"
Although he said that, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly and wouldn't come down. He said, "Serve me some soup."
Hazel quickly responded, "Alright! I'll serve it right away! Mrs. Robinson is really thoughtful."
A bowl of chicken soup was placed on the dining table.
Landon immediately felt his taste buds awaken and had a good appetite. However, before he started eating, he called Eden to express his gratitude. While he was on the phone, Hazel refused to leave, her mouth slightly open and ears perked up to listen.
Landon looked at her with an indescribable expression.
When the call connected, Eden remained very cold. "Mr. Carter, what do you need?" she asked.
Landon's attitude was even more humble than before.He spoke gently and respectfully, "I just got back and tasted the chicken soup you made. You are very thoughtful!"
Hearing this, Eden sneered.
Landon, ever respectful and pleasant, hadn't lost his touch with women even as he aged. He had been quite the charmer in his younger years and could still handle Eden just fine. By the time he hung up the phone, he had successfully arranged another chicken soup meal.
Hazel, who had been listening, was stunned. She couldn't help but say, "Mr. Carter, you are really something!"
Landon lowered his eyes and smiled. "Unfortunately, Caitlyn's not buying any of it!"
Hazel agreed, "That's because you were only focused on your career back then and didn't care about her, causing too much hurt..."
Landon looked up at her, and Hazel, realizing her mistake, quickly bolted.
At that moment, the sound of a small car came from the yard.
Landon guessed that Caitlyn had arrived. Through a floor-to-ceiling window, he saw her getting out of the car.
The sky was painted with vibrant hues of sunset.
In the endless twilight, she stepped out of the car, wearing a high-neck silk blouse and a knee-length skirt, her hair elegantly tied up, looking exceptionally beautiful.
She walked towards him from the twilight, and when she was less than thirty feet away, she saw him. They were separated by a transparent glass, but she stood in the dim light while he sat in the luxurious villa dining room, observing her like a host.
After a long while, Caitlyn nodded slightly, polite and distant.
Landon laughed in exasperation.
Knowing exactly what she was thinking, he calmly said as she walked in, "Come have a bowl of soup. It's been simmering for four hours."
Caitlyn asked softly, "Where's Katelyn?"
Landon looked regretful and said, "Don't you really want to try it? This is the chicken soup Mrs. Robinson worked hard all afternoon to make. She sent quite a lot, so I think she added your portion too."
Hearing this, Caitlyn was a bit confused. What was he saying? Eden made chicken soup for Landon? Caitlyn didn't believe it!
Landon knew she didn't believe it, so he asked her to try it. After Caitlyn took a sip, she realized it was indeed Eden's cooking.
Noticing her silence, Landon smiled slightly and said softly, "I'm injured, and Mrs. Robinson cares more about me than you do! Caitlyn, when will you make chicken soup for me?"
Caitlyn snorted, "You just wait!"
In a businesslike manner, she continued, "Is Katelyn upstairs? By the way, Mr. Carter, what do you want her to learn?"
Landon took a sip of the chicken soup and said casually, "Just Vesperian. It's what you've been learning these past few years."
Caitlyn had long been accustomed to his shamelessness. If she paid attention to him, she would fall into his trap. So she turned and walked towards the stairs, gracefully going upstairs, ignoring him.
Landon quietly drank the soup, finishing the bowl cleanly. Finally, he wiped his lips and called Hazel, "I'm giving you a month's leave. Also, send all the servants and gardeners in the villa home."
Hazel was startled. "Mr. Carter, what are you planning? You're so weak. Don't you need someone to take care of you?" she asked.
Landon found her foolish. He walked to the sofa, sat down, and casually flipped through a magazine. He said, "There's someone to take care of me."
It took Hazel a while to understand, and she was both impressed and worried. "Will Ms. Robinson agree?"
Landon smiled lightly.
Seeing this, Hazel understood and continued, "Ms. Robinson has a soft heart! Mr. Carter, you're really something. Even if Ms. Robinson dislikes that you've been married, a woman's heart is ultimately soft."
Landon thought, 'Why did I hire such a nosy servant?'
Hazel quickly went to handle it. In less than half an hour, all nine servants in the villa had left.
Upstairs, Katelyn lay on the sofa, watching Caitlyn. She didn't want to learn Vesperian. She just wanted Caitlyn to play with her!
Katelyn took out a set of pink dolls, asking Caitlyn to dress and style them. Caitlyn had no choice but to play with her while teaching her a few Vesperian words. Caitlyn thought Landon wouldn't care how much Katelyn learned.
Thinking this, she didn't want to teach for too long!
They played and even had dinner together. Landon personally brought up the dinner, saying little, but Caitlyn was puzzled. She thought, 'Where are the servants?'
After placing the dinner, Landon went into the study.
Caitlyn stayed with Katelyn until nine o'clock, feeling it was time to leave. Just as she was about to tell Katelyn, the night outside suddenly split open with a huge flash of light.
Bright lightning illuminated the night, followed by the rumble of thunder. Then, the rain poured down like beans, impatiently falling from the sky and catching everything off guard. Caitlyn was afraid of thunder. But before she could scream, Katelyn had already jumped into her arms.
Katelyn was light as a feather, yet held on tightly.
She said, "Please don't go. I'm scared."
Caitlyn patted her and responded, "I'll call Hazel to come stay with you, or you can sleep with your dad tonight."
Yet Katelyn refused and clung to Caitlyn like a little octopus. After a while, Caitlyn felt Katelyn trembling in her arms. She looked down and saw Katelyn looking up, murmuring, "When Daddy is on a business trip, there's thunder, and I'm scared! Will you be my mommy? I want a mommy, then I won't be afraid of thunder anymore!"
Hearing this, Caitlyn felt a bit dazed.
Katelyn had said similar things before, but Caitlyn had dismissed them as childish.
But now, it was clear Katelyn was serious.
Katelyn understood these things. She had chosen someone she liked, and Landon liked, to be her mommy. But how could it be Caitlyn? Anyone could be her mommy, but it shouldn't be Caitlyn!
Caitlyn felt she shouldn't have come.
She steeled herself and pushed Katelyn away, trying to keep her voice calm and composed. "I'll call your dad to come stay with you."
Pushed away, Katelyn had a look of disappointment and shock on her delicate face. She hadn't expected Caitlyn to reject her.
Though young, she saw a hint of near disgust on Caitlyn's face. Did Caitlyn hate her? Was Caitlyn only accompanying her because of the kidnapping incident?
Katelyn's lips trembled as another flash of lightning lit up her pale face. She didn't ask for a hug again; she just stood there quietly watching Caitlyn, her little red lips trembling.
She wanted to speak but couldn't say a word.
Caitlyn stood opposite Katelyn, telling herself not to soften. Softening would be a mistake!
A tear slid down her cheek as Katelyn walked to the sofa and curled up, holding her favorite toy. Thunder rumbled outside, and she trembled with fear, but she didn't call for Caitlyn again, nor did she ask her to be her mommy.
Caitlyn stood there, not realizing how long she had been standing until her legs grew sore.
Finally, she walked over, gently placing her fingers on Katelyn's shoulder, and said softly, "I won't leave! I'll stay with you tonight."
Katelyn's body stiffened, and she remained silent for a long time.
Caitlyn thought Katelyn was still angry and didn't want to talk to her. She withdrew her hand and lowered her eyes. She continued, "Then I'll call your dad."
Just as she turned, she was hugged from behind.
Katelyn clung to Caitlyn, her little face buried in her back, whispering and calling her mommy. Katelyn had no concept of a mommy. She only knew that the person Daddy liked was Mommy.
Seeing this, Caitlyn felt an overwhelming sadness.
She slowly reached out, gently covering the small hand, and looked up to see Landon standing at the entrance of the children's room. In the deep night, he looked stern.
His gaze was deep and unreadable, containing meanings Caitlyn didn't understand. She didn't know how long he had been standing there, watching.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
