:

bChapter /bb653 /b

:

b33 /b

b55 /bvouchers

“Look bhere/bb, /bLiliana. She’s Hector’s daughter with his second wife. Right now she’s the executive vice president of TGV Perfumes and their chief perfumer. She’s also recognized as the number one socialite in D country. I

know her.”

“You know Lilianab?/bb” /b

“Yes. Seeing her photo reminded me. Back when Ipeted in Paris, she and I crossed paths. She bwas /bbeasy /bto talk to, and we got along well. She won runner–up at thatpetition. Afterward, she even invited me to join TGV Perfumes. Of course, I had no idea at the time that the Jonathan family was connected to Walter.”

Sebastian nodded. “That could work. If you can get her to introduce you, you’ll have a natural way into the Jonathan family.”

“Exactly.”

Caitlin flipped through the file again and found another useful detail. “It says here Liliana’s birthday banquet will be held tomorrow night at the Regalis Grand Hotel. Isn’t that the same hotel you booked for us?”

“Yesb./bb” /b

“Perfect. Everything’s ready–now we just need the right opportunity.”

With their strategy in mind, Caitlin and Sebastian said their goodbyes to family the next morning and headed to the airport.

There they happened to run into Magnus, who was preparing to fly back home.

“Your Highness, whenever your schedule allows, pleasee back to the US. We’ll make sure to host you properly. I’m sorry this visit was so rushed,” Caitlin said sincerely.

Magnus smiled. “Not at all. I hope I didn’t interfere with your ns. I’m only leaving now because urgent matters await me at home. You’ll always be wee in my country.”

“Thank you. And when you arrive safely, could you send me a message?”

“Of course, Mrs. Vanderbilt.”

They shook hands and parted ways, Caitlin’s group boarding a flight to D country while Magnus’s ne headed elsewhere.

After a long flightb, /btheynded in Regalis at 3 p.m. local time,

Their hotel was the Regalis Grand, not far from the venue for the uing fragrancepetition. As they entered the lobby, suited security guards stopped them.

“Do you have invitationsb?/bb” /bone asked.

Everyone frozeb. /bCaitlin asked calmly, “Invitations for what?b” /b

b18:46 /bbMon/b, bSep /bb22 /bbT /b

Chapter b653 /b

b“/bAre you

…

b55 /bbvouchers /b

bhere /bfor bLiliana /bJonathan’s banquet? Entry requires an invitation,” the guard exined.

bSo /bthe rumors bwere /btrueb–/bthe birthday banquet was being held here. But Caitlin and her team hadn’t been invited.

“We’re just hotel guestsb, /bnot attending the banquet,” Caitlin rified.

The guard gestured. “Then please use the side entrance.”

They were about to move when a luxury car pulled up at the main entrance.

“Liliana has arrived!”

The guards rushed forward as the car rolled to a stop.

Caitlin hesitated. If Liliana was here, this was her chance to say hello.

The door opened, and a tall, slender woman stepped out, chestnut curls cascading over a crimson floor- length gown. Oversized sunsses hid her eyes, but her red lips and sparkling diamond bracelet caught every eye. She moved with practiced grace, her presencemanding attention.

The scent that drifted with her was unmistakable–Meo, the gship perfume of the Jonathan family’s

Behind her emerged a morous, youthful–looking woman.

“Careful, Mother,” Liliana said, linking arms with her.

Caitlin took a step forward. “Liliana, hello!”

Liliana stopped at the sound of her voice. Though her eyes were hidden, Caitlin saw the faint flicker of recognition.

“Do you remember me? I’m Odessa. We met in Paris, at the fragrancepetition.” Caitlin smiled warmly, waiting for her to respond.

Liliana only stared for a moment, silent.

Her mother asked, “Lilianab, /bis this your friend?”

“Hmphb.” /bLiliana bgave /bba /bcoldugh. “How could she be my friend? I don’t know them. These days everyone’s bdesperate /bto im connections. Let’s go.”

bHer /bwords stung. Caitlin remembered clearly how warm Liliana had been in Paris, how she’d personally invited bher /bto join TCV.

bBut /bnow, in front bof /beveryone, she dismissed her like a stranger.

bLiliana /bpulled her mother toward the grand entrance, nked by guards, and soon bdisappeared /bbfrom /bbsight/b.

“That Jonathan princess is bpretty /barrogant,” Zinnia muttered at Caitlin’s bside/b.

18:46 Mon, Sep b22 /bbT. /b

…

:

A33

Caitlin said nothing, only gesturing for the group to head inside through the side door.

55 vouchers

They checked in and settled into their rooms. Sitting on the sofa, Caitlin frowned. “Looks like we won’t be getting close through Liliana after all.”

ns were always fragile–one shift, and the whole strategy had to change.

Sebastian leaned against the wall. “Then we’ll find another way. Worst case, I’ll go with you and we walk right up to their door.”

“Maybe.” Caitlin’s mind was still circling. “I just don’t get it. How can someone change so much? Back then she was genuine, friendly, even wanted to be friends. But today… she called me a stray off the street.”

“Maybe she was just ying a part in Paris. Some people show one face in public and another in private. Don’t take it to heart.”

Caitlin exhaled slowly. Maybe he was right. For now, rest was the only option. Tomorrow was thepetition -and the Jonathan family would be there. Plenty of chances woulde.

Not long after, Caitlin’s phone buzzed with a message.

\[Trinity, I’ve arrived safely in Sanctis.]

She typed back: \[Good. We just reached Regalis.]

Magnus smiled iat /iher reply as he returned to the royal pce.

When the queen, Heather, heard her son had returned, she immediately summoned him.

Magnus entered her chambers and bowed. “Mother, I’m back.”

Heather’s eyes sharpened. “Well? Was the trip sessful? Did you find her?”