It was no wonder she was considered a benefactor by the House of Witting.
At that moment, Sally turned to look at Caitlin, her eyes wide with astonishment. She was aware of Dr. Oracle's youth, but the reality still took her by surprise. The land of Eldermere truly produced remarkable people.
Zach stepped forward. "Master, this is Queen Sally."
Caitlin walked forward a few steps, her demeanor as calm and composed as ever. She didn't fawn or grovel because of the Queen's status. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Freya."
"Miss Gonzales, the pleasure is all mine," Sally said, stepping forward to embrace Caitlin in the Valerium style—a gesture of the highest honor. "I've heard so much about you."
"Thank you," Caitlin replied with quiet dignity.
Audley crawled over to Caitlin's feet and clung to her leg, sobbing pathetically. "Miss Gonzales! Miss Gonzales, I was blind and foolish! Please, find it in your heart to forgive me this one time! If you do, I will be your loyal servant for the rest of my life."
He wailed, "Miss Gonzales, I didn't mean to harm you, I swear! It was all that old hag from the Vance family! She's the one who wanted to hurt you!"
No one knew the depth of Audley's regret. It was a poison eating him from the inside out. All because of that damned old woman from the Vance family! If it weren't for her, he never would have offended a benefactor of the House of Witting.
Right now, he wanted nothing more than to kill Dowager Vance himself.
Caitlin simply looked down at him. "So now you're afraid?"
"Yes," Audley nodded frantically. "Yes, Miss Gonzales, I'm terrified. Please, just give me one chance to make things right!"
Caitlin pulled her leg free, her voice turning cold. "I seem to recall warning you."
She had not only warned him but had given him a chance to back down. And while she had emerged from the dark room unharmed, that didn't erase what she had endured inside. She was no saint; she had no habit of forgiving those who had wronged her.
At her words, the last glimmer of hope in Audley's eyes died.
He knew then. It was truly over for him. He shouldn't have taken things so far. And he never, ever should have refused to let her make a phone call.
He remembered it clearly now. When he arrested her at the hotel, she had asked to make one call. Standard procedure allowed for it, but he had refused, thinking she was just trying to stall for time. What kind of connections could a girl from Eldermere possibly have?
His face was now a mask of pure regret. If only he hadn't taken her phone, if only he had let her make that call.
Sally turned to Caitlin. "Miss Gonzales, rest assured, we will give you a satisfactory resolution for this matter."
Caitlin nodded slightly. Before Sally could say more, she spoke. "Prince Hollis's condition is the priority right now. We've already lost valuable time. Let's go see him first. This can be handled later."
Sally nodded immediately. "Yes, of course!"

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