Caspian steps into his car, watching in the rearview mirror as Winter climbs into a limousine that quickly pulls away from the school.
Their conversation had gone as he planned.
Although Winter hadn’t made it easy, he is beginning to like her more for it—a realization that is both an advantage and a liability.
He can’t afford to let his guard down, not with her.
Shaking off the thought, he starts the car.
As he is about to pull out of the lot, he spots Aleira walking toward her own car.
Their eyes meet in a silent exchange that conveys everything without words.
She knows what he is up to, and though they are aligned in purpose, he can see concern in her gaze.
Ignoring her look, Caspian turns his attention back to his car, just in time to see Josh approaching the passenger side.
“Finally free, huh?” Josh quips as he opens the door and hops in.
Caspian smirks, grateful for the distraction.
“Thought you’d left already.”
Josh groans, tossing his gym bag into the back and buckling up.
“Nah, Diana cornered me,” he grumbles.
“Diana again?” Caspian asks with a chuckle as he pulls the car into gear.
Josh rolls his eyes.
“She’s still mad I didn’t take her to dinner last week. It’s like she can’t take a hint.”
Caspian grins.
“She’s persistent, I’ll give her that. But trust me, you’re better off without that mess.”
Josh gives him a sideways glance.
“You say that like you know from experience.”
“Let’s just say I had a similar encounter,” Caspian admits.
“She tried to rope me into being her plus one for her mom’s birthday.”
Josh’s eyes widen.
“Please tell me you didn’t turn her down.”
Caspian shrugs.
“I already have a plus one,” he replies.
Josh groans.
“Couldn’t you save a brother and agree? She’d take you over me any day. Whatever your reason, I hope it’s worth it.”
“It is,” Caspian says with a smirk.
Afterward, Caspian drops Josh off and drives home.
He pulls into the driveway, glancing at the sprawling Hale estate.
Its dark brick walls and expansive gardens stand solemnly under the setting sun.
Once the heart of the family’s power, the mansion now feels like a fortress under siege.
The housekeepers are wrapping up their duties for the day, while the gardener tends to the hedges near the east wing.
Caspian knows the two bodyguards patrolling the grounds aren’t just for show.
After his father’s death, security became a necessity.
As he shuts the front door behind him, he catches the faint scent of lavender mingling with the aroma of Rebecca’s cooking.
He is halfway down the hall when her voice calls from the kitchen.
“Caspian, is that you?”
He sighs, his muscles aching from the workout.
“Yeah, it’s me,” he replies.
Rebecca Hale steps into the hallway, wiping her hands on her apron.
She had moved into the mansion after her brother’s death, filling the void Alexander left behind.
Before Alexander’s suicide, she had been a distant yet active board member of Hale Technology.
Now, she serves as the acting head of the company until Caspian is ready to take over.
“You look exhausted. Have you eaten?” she asks, her sharp eyes assessing him.
Though her gaze is piercing, there is a depth of concern behind it.
Like her brother, Rebecca is calculating, but her affection for the family is genuine.
Caspian shakes his head.
“I’m fine, Aunt Rebecca. Just need a shower and some sleep. I’ll head to bed.”
Rebecca frowns, stepping closer.
“Not so fast. You’re not going to starve yourself while you run yourself into the ground. Come with me,” she insists.
Caspian considers arguing but knows better.
He drops his gym bag by the stairs and follows her to the kitchen, where a modest meal is set.
She sits across from him, her gaze steady.
“How was your day?” she asks carefully.
“It went well,” Caspian replies, keeping his tone light as he takes a bite.
He recognizes her probing tone; Rebecca is clearly fishing for information, but he isn’t about to call her out on it.
Rebecca isn’t easily fooled.
There it is.
She doesn’t need to specify; he knows exactly who she means—Winter.
“Yes, she did, and everything’s going according to plan,” he starts, but his words are cut off by a voice from behind.
“Is it?”
Aleira’s tone is measured but sharp as she steps into the kitchen, holding a plate.
She walks over to the counter, setting it down as she continues, her gaze locked on Caspian.
“Is everything really going to plan?”
Caspian frowns, sitting up straighter.
“What do you mean by that?”
Aleira doesn’t hesitate.
“I saw the way you looked at Winter today, Caspian.”
His jaw tightens, irritation slipping into his voice.
“I was playing my role. You play good cop while I play bad, remember?”
Aleira leans against the counter, crossing her arms.
“You weren’t playing bad cop; you were being almost too… friendly. That’s fine if you’re in control of it. But are you? If your emotions get involved, this could go south quickly. Winter isn’t like us. She’s innocent, Caspian. She doesn’t deserve to get hurt.”
Caspian’s gaze hardens.
“And how are you suddenly an expert on her character? You just met her today, Aleira.”
Aleira doesn’t back down.
“I don’t need more time to see what’s right in front of me. She’s been dragged into something she doesn’t even understand. If you’re not careful, you’ll hurt her—and yourself.”
Before Caspian can respond, Rebecca intervenes.
“Caspian, do you have this under control?” she asks, her gaze intense.
“This is something you can’t afford to mess up. If Winter or the Bonds even suspect we’re after the information Drae stole, it’s over. Everything we’ve planned for could fall apart.”
Caspian takes a deep breath, steadying himself.
“I know what I’m doing. I’m not going to let Winter or anyone else stop me from finding out what happened to my father. I’ll do whatever it takes to get that information—and to destroy Marcus Bond and Drae for what they did.”
Rebecca’s expression softens slightly, but her words hold a warning.
“This isn’t about revenge, Caspian. It’s about leverage. About uncovering the truth. If you let your need for payback cloud your judgment, you’ll lose sight of the bigger picture.”
He nods, maintaining a calm exterior.
“I understand,” he says, though deep down, his resolve only hardens.
This isn’t just about the truth for him.
He is out for blood, and he won’t stop until Marcus and Drae pay for what they’ve done—no matter the cost.