Celia was left utterly stunned by Caitlin's answer.

A chill prickled at the back of her neck.

She'd expected Caitlin to seize the opportunity to showcase her own

magnanimity, to speak grandly of her capacity for forgiveness-how she could save someone who had once hurt her, without a second thought.

But Caitlin didn't do any of that.

She didn't dress up her actions, didn't try to make herself look noble.

She just answered the question plainly, honestly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

In that moment, a tangle of emotions welled up inside Celia. For the first time, she realized how foolish she had been-she'd never truly understood this remarkable woman from the East. Her own perspective, her sense of the world, was nowhere near Caitlin's.

"Miss Celia, is there anything else you need?" Caitlin asked, her tone brisk.

She clearly had other things to do.

"Actually-yes." Celia hesitated, then nodded.

"What is it?" Caitlin replied, her voice even as she looked over at Celia.

Celia drew a shaky breath, trying to steady herself, though her eyes still burned red. She met Caitlin's gaze. "Why does everyone else call me Miss Palmer, but you always call me Miss Celia?"

Maybe Celia hadn't even noticed the change herself, but her own address to Caitlin had shifted—from a casual "you" to a more formal, respectful "ma'am."

Caitlin smiled gently. "It's simple, really. In the Palmer family, there are plenty of Miss Palmers. But there's only one Celia."

To her, Celia was just Celia-no other label necessary.

Celia's eyes widened.

She was the first.

Caitlin was the first person to call her that-the first not to see her as just another member of the Palmer family.

"Thank you." Celia stepped back. "Miss Gonzales, I'm not an ungrateful person. From now on, I consider you my benefactor."

She'd heard that kneeling in gratitude was the highest form of respect in Eldermere.

With that thought, Celia dropped to her knees right there, bowing her head with utter sincerity. Her hands traced the sign of the cross as she declared, "I, Celia, swear before God: from this day forward, I will be Miss Gonzales's most loyal follower."

If kneeling was Eldermere's highest gesture of gratitude, then swearing before God was the highest in Valerium.

In that instant, no one could ever replace Caitlin in Celia's heart.

"Get up, please." Caitlin was startled-she hadn't expected Celia to actually kneel. It was so out of character. She quickly stepped over and helped Celia to her feet. "I don't need followers. Let's just agree to stay out of each other's way- you don't owe me anything."

She meant what she said. Caitlin hadn't saved Celia to earn her gratitude.

She simply couldn't stand to see an innocent mother collapse in the middle of a banquet hall, surrounded by onlookers, whispered about for her suffering.

Caitlin didn't know why Celia had become a single mother.

But she did know this-every mother in this world was extraordinary.

If Celia had the courage to give birth to her child and raise them, to fulfill her

responsibilities as a mother, then she was, without a doubt, a good mother.

Celia slowly stood up, her gaze steady and resolute. "Miss Gonzales, whether you accept it or not, I will always be your most loyal follower!"

Caitlin rubbed her temples, a little exasperated. "That's your choice. I have to run -I'm busy."

She took a few steps, then paused, as if she'd remembered something. "Don't forget to take your medicine on schedule I've written down any urgent instructions and warnings on the prescription."

"If you have any trouble while you're taking it, you can have Jennifer contact me anytime."

Caitlin had even written her number on the prescription.

"Thank you, Miss Gonzales." Celia gave a slight, respectful bow.

She watched Caitlin leave, only turning away once she'd disappeared from sight. Then she looked at Jennifer.

"Jennifer, let's go."

Jennifer hurried over.

Celia clutched the prescription tightly. “Look into Ann. I want everything you can find."

If Ann hadn't misled her, she wouldn't have offended Caitlin in the first place.

Celia wasn't one to swallow her pride. If someone crossed her, she'd make sure to pay them back.

"Yes, Miss Palmer. I'll get right on it."

The Palmer family owned a townhouse in Neon Spire.

Once they returned to Palmer

Manor, Celia called for the butler and

handed him the prescription. "Take

this and buy all the herbal remedies

listed Then bring them to the Kitchen and have the staff prepare

them exactly as the instructions

say."

FindNovel.net

"Certainly, Miss Palmer." The butler accepted the prescription with a respectful

nod.

He'd barely taken a few steps when Celia called after him, "Wait."

He stopped and turned back. "Yes, Miss Palmer? Is there anything else?"

"Give me the prescription for a moment."

He passed it back to her.

Celia took out her phone and snapped photos of both sides, just in case the butler misplaced it.

Having a backup felt much safer.

Once she was done, she handed it back. "Go ahead."

At that moment, Jennifer walked in.

"Miss Palmer, found something." Jennifer handed her a folder. "Here's everything on Ann. Also, I discovered that while Ann is technically Miss Gonzales's cousin, there's no real relationship between them. I fact, Ann has even taken credit for Miss Gonzales accomplishments in the past, which caused quite a bit of trouble."

The Palmer family's network had eyes everywhere, all over the world.

Digging up information on Ann was child's play.

Hearing that Ann had even impersonated Caitlin, Celia's face darkened. She hadn't expected Ann to stoop that low, to be that shameless. "She really did that?"

"Yes." Jennifer handed her the dossier. "It's all in here—you'll see for yourself."