30: The Vanderbilt Family’s World Is About to Be Turned Upside Down.
“Beatrice, Yasmin hasn’t told you the full story. The truth is, I hit her because she stood by and watched Howard being bullied without lifting a finger. Don’t you think I was right to do that?” Caitlin said sharply.
“Someone bullied Howard? When did this happen?” Beatrice’s face darkened at the mention of her great–grandson being mistreated.
“Today, after school at the kindergarten gate. Howard was mocked and bullied by eame of the other kids, and Yasmin was right there, doing nothing to help him. I slapped her to make sure she learned a lesson!” Caitlin explained.
“Is this true, Yasmin? You’re Howard’s caregiver. How could you just watch him being bullied and not do anything?” Beatrice asked, turning to Yasmin.
Grace quickly came to her defense. “Mom, there must be some misunderstanding here. Yasmin really likes Howard. There’s no way she’d just stand by if he was being bullied. We can’t just take Caitlin’s word for it.”
Yasmin pouted, playing up the victim role. “Aunt Grace is right. At the time, Howard was being bullied, and I did try to talk to the other kids. I was about to handle the situation when Caitlin inwerfered. Now she’s causing trouble and even offended Mrs. Gray.”
“Who did she offend, Audrey?” Grace asked, her expression concerned.
“Mrs. Gray! She’s the wife of Quade Gray, the most powerful politician in New York, and a permanent member of the Zhiwei Club. Audrey’s son is in the same class as Howard,” Yasmin added, her tone dripping with malice.
Yasmin knew this was her opportunity to portray Caitlin as the troublemaker and hoped Beatrice would take her side. Grace was shocked: “Oh no, this could be serious. You can’t offend someone like Audrey. The Gray Family is untouchable in New York, and we can’t afford to make enemies with them.”
“That’s exactly what I told Caitlin! But she didn’t listen and slapped Audrey in front of everyone!” Yasmin continued, putting on a dramatic show.
Grace’s eyes widened in disbelief. “She slapped Audrey? Caitlin actually dared to slap Audrey? Is that true?”
“Of course! I have the video of her hitting Audrey!” Yasmin proudly pulled out the video she had recorded and showed it to Beatrice and Grace.
“Oh my God, is there no law anymore?” Grace gasped, watching the video. She was furious. “She really slapped Audrey? What are we going to do now? If the Gray Family gets involved, The Vanderbilt Family could be in serious trouble!” Beatrice, after watching the video, shook her head. “Caitlin, while it’s admirable that you’re protecting Howard, slapping Audrey in public was not the right move. Your actions were a bit extreme.”
Yasmin nodded vigorously. “Exactly! I was trying to reason with Audrey and get an apology, but Caitlin escalated things and slapped her without thinking about the consequences. There were so many witnesses! Audrey is a well–respected figure- how could she let that slide?”
Grace added, “What do we do now? This is a huge mess. Caitlin has really put The Vanderbilt Family in a tight spot.” Caitlin knew her actions were extreme, but she didn’t regret them.
Because it was for her son!
A real mother, a biological mother, seeing her child being ridiculed, mocked as mentally unstable, and called a mute bastard -how could she remain calm and just argue with those people? Caitlin would have torn them apart with her bare hands if she could!
For Howard, she would do anything–even if it meant going to hell, she had no regrets!
She spoke to Beatrice, her voice steely. “Beatrice, I’ve already told Audrey to come to The Vanderbilt Family tomorrow to apologize to Howard in person. But if she doesn’t come or causes trouble for us, I’ll deal with it myself.
‘One person does the crime, one person faces the punishment.‘ I’m the one who made this mess, and I’ll take responsibility. I won’t drag The Vanderbilt Family into this. I’ll take Howard home now.”
After speaking, Caitlin picked up Howard and turned to leave.
Yasmin, feeling emboldened by the situation, called after her. “Hey! Caitlin, you hit me and didn’t even apologize!” Caitlin stopped in her tracks, turned, and gave Yasmin a cold, steely glare. “Those two slaps were nothing! You don’t even deserve to be Howard’s caregiver! From today on estoy and is no longer your responsibility. I’ll take full charge of him.” Successfully unlocked! With that, Caitlin walked away, leaving Yasmin aming behind me, Since Satin arrived at The Vanderbilt Family, Yasmin had been feeling like the whole family’s world was being turned upside down.
“Beatrice, aren’t you going to say something? She’s gone too far!” Yasmin complained.
Beatrice sighed deeply. “It’s rare to see Caitlin so protective of Howard. If she causes trouble for us, The Vanderbilt Family
30: The Vanderbilt Family’s World Is About to Be 1
will back her up. As for you, Yasmin, maybe you should reflect on whether you’re being a responsible caregiver”
After saying this, Beatrice walked away, leaving Yasmin stunned.
“What? I’m the one who’s in trouble now?” Yasmin muttered under her breath.
Looking to Grace for support, Yasmin pleaded, “Grace, help me out here.”
Grace waved a dismissive hand. “Fine, I see how it is. Caitlin’s trouble isn’t over yet. You’ve got yourself a big problem on your hands. But don’t worry, Audrey will deal with her. We just need to sit back and watch the show.”
“Right, Aunt is right!” Yasmin agreed eagerly,
Grace’s eyes lit up. “Didn’t you record the video? Cut the part where she hit someone and leak it to the public. Let everyone see what kind of person she really is!”
“Yes, this will make sure she gets what’s coming to her!” Yasmin grinned as she formulated her plan.
Back at Vanderbilt Manor, Caitlin entered with Howard in her arms. She handed him off to Lucy and said, “Howard, let Lucy take you to wash your hands. Mommy needs to talk to your daddy.”
Howard, reassured by his mother’s presence, followed Lucy, while Caitlin walked toward the master bedroom. She overheard a conversation from inside.
“Sebastian, are you feeling better? Your father should’ve come to visit you earlier…”
Caitlin immediately recognized the voice of Raymond, the patriarch of The Vanderbilt Family. She wondered why Raymond had been home for so many days, yet only decided to visit Sebastian now.
“Don’t pretend to care now!” Sebastian’s voice rang out with anger.
His words made Raymond visibly angry. He replied sternly, “I’m your father!”
“Really? I thought you were just Vincent and Hazel’s father!” Sebastian’s biting words stung.
Caitlin’s curiosity piqued as she eavesdropped on their argument. What happened eighteen years ago?
