Celeste nodded frantically. "Okay, okay. Please, hurry."

The most important thing now was to get Caitlin released.

When they stepped back inside from the balcony, both Celia and Celeste had composed their expressions, determined not to let Carey see that anything was wrong.

Celia put on her hat and walked over to Carey, her tone apologetic. "Carey, I'm so sorry, but something urgent has come up. I won't be able to go shopping with you this afternoon."

"That's alright, don't worry about me. You should go take care of your business."

Celia nodded. "I'll be going then."

After Celia left, Carey's anxiety only grew. She paced back and forth in the room, constantly checking the clock and then turning to Celeste. "Celeste, when is Freya coming back?"

"Soon, very soon." Celeste peeled an apple and handed it to her. "Carey, Catie just told me that when she gets back, she wants to take you to buy a new phone."

At Vance Castle, Carey hadn't even been allowed to watch television, let alone own a phone. Caitlin's plan had been to take her shopping for one after her house call.

Carey frowned. "Celeste, are you telling me the truth? I don't know why, but my heart just won't stop fluttering."

"It's alright, it's alright," Celeste said, putting a comforting arm around Carey's shoulders. "Carey, please don't overthink things. Why don't you lie down and rest for a bit?"

Carey shook her head. "I'd rather wait with you for Freya to come back."

She then added, "Celeste, could you ask Freya to video call you? Just for a minute."

Without seeing Caitlin, Carey couldn't shake the feeling of unease.

Celeste forced another smile. "Of course. I'll ask her if she's free to chat in a little while."

Celia raced back to Palmer Castle. Brock was shocked when he heard the news.

"How dare the Vances be so lawless!" he exclaimed. "Don't worry, Celia. I'll go to the Royal Police headquarters right now."

"I'll wait for you at home!" Celia said.

Brock nodded and left. About two hours later, he returned.

Celia shot up from her seat the moment she saw him. "Brock, how did it go?"

Brock shook his head. "The situation is complicated. You know how the Vances came to Valerium. They have the Windsor family behind them."

Old Mr. Vance had once held a confidential position in the security bureau. He had used his access to obtain and sell critical intelligence, trading it for permanent residency in Valeriut for his family, Because of this the Vances had enjoyed the protection of the Windsor family for years.

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Celia's face went pale with despair. "So, besides the Windsors, is there no one who can save Freya?"

"There is one other way."

"What is it?" Celia asked immediately.

"You could persuade Prince Hollis or Queen Sally to personally intervene."

The hope in Celia's eyes began to fade. Prince Hollis had just recently gone abroad, and Queen Sally was managing state affairs in his absence. There was no way the Queen would have time to see her.

Brock added, "Actually, there's one more option. Go to Will. Isn't he interested in Miss Gonzales? Now that she's been framed, this is his chance to prove himself."

"Right, there's Will!" Celia had been so frantic she had completely forgotten about him. Brock's reminder jolted her memory. "I'll go find him now."

Without another thought, she ran out of the castle.

At Windsor Castle, Will sat at his desk in the study, looking at Celia. "For me, resolving this matter is indeed as simple as saying a word."

Celia let out a sigh of relief. She had come to the right person.

But Will's next words sent her heart plummeting back into her throat.

He looked at her and said, "If you want me to save Miss Gonzales, she has to agree to one condition."

"What is it?" Celia asked.

Will's lips curved into a smile. "I want her to agree to be my girlfriend."

"What?" Celia's expression changed, certain she had misheard.

Will chuckled. "Yes, you heard me correctly. It's that simple." "Will, you're despicable!" Celia shot up from her chair.

"Despicable?" Will stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and looked up at her, still smiling. "Celia, you've got it all wrong. The line of women who want to be my girlfriend could Circle the globe. Miss Gonzales should be honored by my attention."

Will typically disliked pressuring women. But Caitlin was proving exceptionally difficult to tame, and his patience had run out. A perfect opportunity hadjust fallen intohis lap, so why not use it? Besides, he wasn't the one who had her thrown in jail. He was merely taking advantage of the situation.