Chapter 510
510
“ The simplest way–put out a missing
person
notice.”
6
Caitlin voiced her idea clearly. “As long as he’s alive and still free to move around, there’s always a chance he’ll see it. If I advertise globally , he might come across it somewhere . ”
Federico nodded thoughtfully. “That could work, but worldwide advertising might bankrupt you. I think we should be strategic–farget platforms with the highest global user bases. It’ll be much more effective than casting a net in the ocean.
“And if you really want to find him, I can help post a search video. With my international following, it’ll get more attention.”
Federico’s plan was even more thorough than she had expected. Caitlin looked at him gratefully. “Alright, then I’m counting on you for this. Thank you , Federico.”
He grinned. “No need to thank an old friend. Just feed me
a
good meal and we’re even.”
Caitlin laughed. “Fine, you’re invited over for dinner tonight.”
“Perfect,” he beamed, happy as a kid who’d just scored candy. “Let’s head back now and get started.”
“Let me just grab that painting first.”
While waiting for the paperwork, Caitlin stepped into the restroom. But as soon as she entered, she heard muffled sounds–intense, breathless, unmistakably intimate.
And then she saw it–a man with a rod poking something into one of the
stalls from above. A camera.
“Hey! Someone’s recording!”
From inside the stall, a woman screamed. The couple inside scrambled apart, startled.
The man with the device yanked it back and bolted before Caitlin could even catch a good look at his face.
What kind of day was this? She couldn’t even go to the bathroom without walking into something like this.
She glanced at the shoes visible beneath the stall door–familiar. She was almost certain they were the same pair Zora had been wearing earlier.
Her brows furrowed. Could Zora really be the woman in there?
That didn’t make sense. As arrogant and self–righteous as Zora was, she’d never risk her image like this… would she?
Either way, Caitlin had no interest in getting involved. She turned to leave quietly, but just as she reached the door, the stall creaked open.
Caitlin turned–and locked eyes with Zora’s flushed face.
Zora froze like a deer caught in headlights, as if snapping out of a dream. Panic set in.
Connor stepped out behind her, adjusting his disheveled shirt.
So it really was them.
Caitlin didn’t say a word. She turned to leave, but Zora called out, “Caitlin, stop right there! ”
“What is it?”
Caitlin halted without looking back.
19:49 Wed, 20 Aug-
510
“I can’t believe how low you’d stoop! Sneaky and disgusting! ”
Zora was furious. She thought Caitlin had been the one recording them. “You better hand over whatever you just filmed!”
“I have no interest in whatever you and Connor were doing. And I wouldn’t waste a single byte of memory on something that gross. Besides (met the one who was recording you.”
Zora’s face flushed a deeper red, twisting with embarrassment and fury.
“ You really think I’m buying that? Hand over your phone right now so I can see for myself!”
She didn’t believe Caitlin for a second. She’d clearly seen the camera above the stall. If Caitlin wasn’t holding it, then who?
Zora gave Connor a look. He stepped forward and closed the restroom door behind Caitlin.
“I’m sorry, Caitlin,” he said stiffly. “But you’ll need to delete whatever you’ve got– now . ”
“I already told you–it wasn’t me. It was some short guy sneaking around. I saw him run off.”
Caitlin kept calm, explaining.
“Save it,” Zora snapped. “There’s no one else here but us three. If there was a ‘short guy,’ he was probably working with you ! ”
Zora was convinced this was Caitlin’s setup. She just knew the evidence had to be in her phone or bag.
“If she won’t hand it over, then search her !” Zora barked. “We can’t let her leave until we’re sure!”
Connor nodded. “Right.”
The two of them stood united, ready to force Caitlin into giving up her phone.
“If you try to search me by force, that’s illegal,” Caitlin warned coldly.
Her refusal only made Zora angrier.
“You’re disgusting, Caitlin! You’re so desperate to beat me in the competition, you’re resorting to this? You trying to destroy me with a scandal during the exhibition?”
Caitlin looked at her as if she were watching a car crash in slow
motion. “Destroy you? Miss Harris, haven’t you already done that to yourself? ”
She narrowed her eyes. “Weren’t you just parading around with your high morals not long ago? And now you’re hooking up with Connor, who , last l checked, was dating Yasmin?”
Zora’s face turned pale. Her lips parted but no words came out.
Connor quickly interjected, “Yasmin and I broke up . Who I’m with now is none of your business.”
“I’m not interested in who you’re with,” Caitlin said. “But just some advice, Miss Harris–if you want to be loved, learn to love yourself first.”
Her words hit like a slap, cutting straight through Zora’s ego. Her face twisted in shame and fury.
Caitlin had more important things to do than argue. She walked toward the door, glaring at Connor.
“Move.”
“Not happening. Not unless you hand it over Connor said, stepping in her way and reaching for her shoulder.
Big mistake.
19:49 Wed , 20 Aug 1
510
Caitlin grabbed his wrist and twisted it sharply.
“ Ah-!”
Connor howled in pain, his whole e arm jerking as he stumbled.
“ Caitlin! Let him go!” Zóra screamed.
But Caitlin didn’t let go. She applied more pressure, driving his arm downward until his knees buckled and he fell in front of her with a painful thud .
“Ahh! That hurts! Stop!”
Connor was practically crying, his forehead slick with sweat, face twisted in agony.
“Still want to search me?” Caitlin asked, her gaze sharp and cold.
“N–no… forget it…”
Caitlin shoved his arm away and walked out the door, leaving both of them stunned and humiliated.
Zora stood frozen, burning with anger. Connor was utterly useless–he couldn’t even handle one woman.
Fine, Caitlin had something on her now. But Zora also had dirt on Caitlin.
Let’s see who takes the other down first.
AD