Chapter 422
“Caitlin.”
“What are you doing here?”
Caitlin gave Zeke a once–over, surprised by his sudden appearance.
His complexion looked pale and a little sickly, his frame thinner than before, and there were faint shadows under his eyes.
“Wherever you go, I go.”
Zeke had promised to protect her. As long as she was around, so would he be
Because his injuries hadn’t fully healed, he was holding himself back emotionally. Even his voice sounded colder than usual.
Hearing those words, Caitlin felt something stir inside her. She couldn’t quite describe it, but Zeke did seem different from before.
Sebastian’s face darkened. His gaze fixed on Zeke as he warned, “Mr. Preston, in case you’ve forgotten–I already proposed to Caitlin, and she said yes.”
“I was unconscious and recovering when you proposed. I don’t accept it.”
Zeke didn’t hide his feelings. When he had finally woken up and heard that Sebastian had proposed, the pain nearly tore him apart.
“Mr. Vanderbilt, have you also forgotten who put me in that hospital bed?”
Zeke suddenly grabbed Sebastian by the collar, eyes burning.
“I did. I won’t deny it.”
Sebastian smacked his hand away without hesitation.
Feeling the tension rise and fearing they’d actually come to blows, Caitlin stepped in quickly to defuse the situation. “Zeke… have your injuries healed?”
Zeke’s sharp expression softened slightly as he turned to her.
“No. Look.”
He pulled open his shirt, revealing the gauze still wrapped around his left chest–his heart.
“I’m sorry…”
Caitlin looked at the wound, her emotions complex. He’d only been hurt because of her.
“There’s no need to apologize. Getting hurt for you… it was my choice. I don’t regret it.”
“You shouldn’t be walking around like this. You need rest.”
Zeke’s eyes dimmed, a flicker of anger flashing through them. “I know. But I couldn’t stand by while someone plays dirty–pretending to save you, when really, they were trying to kill me.”
He shot Sebastian a cold glare, accusing him of attacking under the guise of heroism.
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Chapter 422
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Sebastian said nothing. No explanation would make a difference.
Caitlin knew Zeke misunderstood Sebastian. “Zeke, it was an accident. He didn’t realize it was you–he thought you were an enemy.”
“Don’t defend him. He wanted me out of the way so he wouldn’t have competition.”
Zeke’s voice turned heavy and sorrowful. “Caitlin, if one day I’m not around anymore… be careful who you trust. Keep your eyes open.”
The implication was clear: if he died, it would be Sebastian’s doing.
“Mr. Preston, I admit I’m responsible for your injury. But slandering me in front of Caitlin crosses a line.”
Sebastian’s voice was dangerously low, his fists clenched tight at his sides.
Had Zeke not still been recovering, he might’ve already punched him.
“I’m just stating the facts. Unless you feel guilty, Mr. Vanderbilt?”
“Don’t think I won’t hit you.”
Sebastian grabbed Zeke’s collar again, shoving him against the cabin wall.
“Sebastian, stop!”
Caitlin threw her arms around him, pulling him back. “He’s still injured!”
Sebastian exhaled sharply through his nose and let go. But in the next second, Zeke’s body slid down the wall and collapsed to the floor,
unconscious.
“Zeke? Zeke!”
Caitlin crouched beside him, visibly panicked.
Sebastian stared down at him, unconvinced. “He’s faking it. Don’t fall for it.”
True or not, Caitlin wasn’t about to take the risk. “Even if he is this could be serious! Sebastian, help me get him to his seat–now!”
Sebastian wasn’t happy about it, but seeing her genuinely worried, he let his men step in.
But Zeke’s bodyguards got there first. They lifted him and laid him flat in his seat, reclining the chair.
Caitlin checked his vitals: no eye movement, unstable pulse and blood pressure–he really was unconscious.
“He’s not doing well. We need to stabilize him!”
“I’ll help,” James offered, stepping forward.
“No CPR–his heart was injured. Chest compressions will make it worse.”
“I’ll do it myself,” Caitlin said. “Zinnia, get my needle pouch from the bag.”
“On it!”
Zinnia quickly retrieved the pouch, sterilized the tools, and handed them to her.
Caitlin applied acupuncture to several pressure points on Zeke’s body, twisting the needles delicately. After a few moments, he slowly began
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Chapter 422
to regain consciousness.
When his eyes fluttered open, both Caitlin and Zinnia let out a breath of relief.
Sebastian stood nearby, silent but skeptical.
He still believed Zeke was faking, just as Zeke believed he had attacked him on purpose.
“Caitlin…”
“You’re okay now. Just rest. Don’t move around. Once we land, I’ll take you to the hospital.”
“Will you stay with me?”
Zeke’s voice was soft and pleading as he gazed at her.
Caitlin paused for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. Let’s talk about it later. Just rest for now.”
After making sure Zeke was stable, Caitlin returned to her seat. Sebastian followed and sat beside her, shooting Zeke a long, hard stare.
What trick will he pull next?
Eventually, after a smooth flight, the plane landed safely in New York.
Vaughn and King were already waiting at the airport with a convoy of cars.
As everyone disembarked, Caitlin turned to Sebastian. “You go home to the Vanderbilt estate. I’ll take Zeke to the hospital first.”
Sebastian was fuming inside, but there was nothing he could do.
Zeke was a walking time bomb. He couldn’t be beaten, couldn’t be scolded, and absolutely could not be allowed to die.
Because if Zeke died now, Sebastian would never escape the blame.
At the hospital, after a full check–up, it was clear Zeke needed to be admitted. Caitlin took care of the arrangements.
When everything was settled and she was about to leave, Zeke spoke up.
“You’re leaving?”
“Yeah, I have to go see my son. Get some rest, okay?”
Caitlin took a few steps before pausing and turning back.
“Oh–should I contact your family? To have someone come take care of you?”
“My family?”
Zeke frowned deeply, clearly confused.
He didn’t understand what she meant by “family.”
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