Celeste narrowed her eyes, a thoughtful glint flickering beneath her lashes.

She couldn't help but wonder-what kind of client would require Gordon himself to pick them up in person? Was there more to this than met the eye?

"Mr. Sylvester, my family's driver is here for me. Can you take Catie home?" Celeste said, then turned to Caitlin. "Catie, I'm heading out. My parents are waiting for me—we're driving back to the countryside tonight."

"Go, go!" Caitlin waved her off. "Text me when you get home."

"Will do!"

Without another word, Celeste dashed off, not looking back.

Gordon stepped forward and took Caitlin's suitcase from her hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Let's get going."

"Alright." Caitlin fell in beside him.

Ten minutes later, they arrived at the parking lot.

Gordon popped the trunk and stowed her suitcase away. Caitlin, moving as if by muscle memory, slid into the passenger seat, connected her phone to the Bluetooth, and started up her playlist-all in one fluid motion.

It wasn't until she'd settled in that she realized how comfortable she'd gotten around him. Maybe a bit too comfortable.

About an hour later, the car rolled up to the Kensington family's estate.

The moment the sound of the engine reached the house, Fortune hurried out to open the door. "Catie, is that you?"

"It's me, Grandpa," Caitlin called out as she opened the car door.

Gordon got out and retrieved the suitcase from the trunk.

Fortune's eyes widened in surprise when he saw who it was. "Wait, Vest?"

He'd only met Gordon once before, but a man like Gordon wasn't easily forgotten.

"It's me, Mr. Kensington," Gordon replied warmly.

Fortune smiled. "Thank you for bringing Catie home so late. Why don't you come in for a cup of tea?"

"No, thank you, Mr. Kensington. It's getting late-I should head back," Gordon said politely.

"If you insist, Vest. Drive safe, then," Fortune said, letting the matter drop.

Gordon blinked in mild disbelief. Was that it? Was Fortune really not going to insist he come in? He'd only offered out of politeness, but he hadn't expected Fortune to take it at face value.

Fortune hefted the suitcase and turned to Caitlin. "Come on, Catie, let's go inside."

Caitlin thanked Gordon, then followed her grandfather up the steps and inside.

**

Meanwhile, on the other side of town-

Ever since Caitlin had left, Hannah had taken ill. She spent her days lying in bed, complaining of aches and pains, sighing heavily. "Tell me, how can three days crawl by so slowly?"

It felt endless-every hour dragged on.

Warren tried to comfort her. "Mom, the results will be out tomorrow. We've waited all these years; what's one more day?"

Frederick nodded in agreement. "Warren's right, Mom. Don't stress. We'll know soon."

"When the results come, none of you are allowed to look at them before me," Hannah insisted. "Bring it straight to me first."

"Of course, Mom, you'll be the first to see them. We promise."

The next day arrived faster than anyone expected.

A courier from the genetics center delivered the report.

The moment she heard the report had arrived, Hannah's aches vanished. She felt

a surge of energy and strode straight into the living room. "Where's Devon? Bring me the report-now!"

The entire family was gathered, all eyes on her.

The Richardses had assembled, each face tense with expectation.

"Madam, here's the report," Devon said respectfully, handing her a large envelope.

Hannah's hands trembled as she carefully broke the seal and pulled out the document. When her eyes landed on the result, her knees gave way, and she burst into tears. “Freya, my precious granddaughter!"

There it was, clear as day, in black and white: "After thorough analysis, we confirm that Hannah Richards and Caitlin share a quarter of their DNA. Grandmother and granddaughter relationship established."