Chapter 9 Hidden Danger in the Dark
"But Harry, I've seen all your pajamas before, and I've never seen this one. This looks like it's for grown-ups!" Elisa tilted her head, trying to figure it out.
"That's because I hid it away! I didn't want it to get messed up!" Caspian quickly made up an excuse.
Elisa blinked, seemingly convinced, but her next question nearly made Caspian drop his bowl. "Harry, did you steal money? Like in those TV shows?"
Caspian was startled. "Elisa, what are you talking about? Why would I steal money? Do I look like that kind of person?"
"Then why are you hiding pajamas and money?" Elisa pointed to Galatea's pocket, which was bulging with cash he had taken from the Knight Mansion, undeniable evidence.
Caspian realized he had been caught.
He quickly pulled Elisa aside and whispered, "Elisa, this money is mine, not stolen. Please don't tell anyone. It's our little secret, okay?"
Elisa looked at Caspian's anxious face and nodded thoughtfully, but a sly glint flashed in her eyes.
That night, after Galatea finally got the two kids to sleep, she sat by their bed, watching their peaceful faces. Her heart was a mix of emotions—sweet, bitter, and everything in between.
Taking care of two kids was more exhausting than she had envisioned.
But this exhaustion was a sweet burden. The joy of having them back made her want to pour all her love into them.
Caspian quietly opened his eyes, looking at Galatea's tired yet gentle profile.
A strange feeling welled up inside him. For the first time, he felt the warmth of a simple, loving family, like a ray of sunshine on a winter day.
At the Knight Mansion, he had everything he wanted, but he never felt this warmth.
Meanwhile, Harry wasn't having an easy time at the Knight Mansion, feeling like a bird trapped in a cage.
He turned Alaric's study upside down and finally found a significant clue in a family photo.
In the photo, Alaric was holding a little boy, standing next to a dignified woman who bore a striking resemblance to him!
Harry's heart raced. He had a hunch.
This woman could be his grandmother!
And Alaric...
He remembered Alaric's attitude towards him—stern but with a hint of care in his eyes.
Could Alaric really be his father? This was more incredible than a fairy tale!
Harry examined the photo closely. There were no other women beside Alaric, just an empty space.
"If Alaric is my dad, why did he leave me and my sister?" Harry muttered to himself, confused.
He decided to find a chance to ask the butler, Joe. The old butler surely knew the truth.
The next day, Caspian suggested buying new pajamas for Elisa, with a perfectly reasonable excuse.
"Mommy, Elisa's pajamas are too small. They must be uncomfortable. Let's get her a new pair!" Caspian tugged at Galatea's hand, pleading adorably.
Galatea hesitated. Her money was running out fast, but looking at her son's big, pleading eyes, she couldn't bear to say no.
"Okay, let's get Elisa some new pajamas."
Caspian was thrilled. His "secret stash plan" was officially in motion.
At the mall, Caspian immediately spotted the most expensive pajamas—pink and covered in sparkling beads, perfect for Elisa.
"Mom, this one! Elisa will look like a little princess in it!" Caspian pointed at the pajamas, determined.
Galatea nearly fainted at the price. The pajamas cost enough to feed the family for a month!
"I didn't bring that much cash," Galatea said, her voice barely a whisper.
"No problem, we can use a card!" Caspian pointed to the card reader at the register. "Everyone uses this now. It's quick and convenient, no need for change!"
Galatea was stunned. Since when did Harry have a bank card?
Caspian, seeing Galatea's shock, walked up to the card reader and paid.
A beep signaled the successful transaction, smooth and efficient.
Galatea was stunned.
Caspian grinned proudly; his card was already linked to Alaric's bank account.
"See, Mom? It's simple! From now on, we can use the card for everything. No need to carry a wallet. So convenient!" Caspian led Galatea out of the mall, looking innocent and carefree.
Galatea watched her son, feeling increasingly uneasy.
This son appeared to be an entirely different individual, his behavior utterly unpredictable and enigmatic.
Could his hacking skills have turned into something more sinister?
Elisa also noticed Harry's change. As she hugged her new pajamas, she whispered to Caspian, "Harry, you seem different lately, like a superhero from a cartoon."
Caspian was startled. He hadn't expected Elisa to be so perceptive. Had his disguise been seen through?
"Really? I'm still me! I've just grown up and become more responsible!" Caspian tried to act nonchalant, hoping to brush it off.
"No, you never used to buy me things. You always took my toys!" Elisa shook her head, serious. "Did aliens take you and swap your soul?"
Caspian almost lost his balance. He forced himself to stay calm. "Elisa, what are you talking about? Aliens? Soul swapping? Have you been watching too many cartoons?"
Elisa didn't respond. She just stared at Caspian, her eyes full of suspicion, like a little detective searching for clues.
Galatea watched the two kids, her mind troubled, like a stone thrown into a calm lake.
She remembered her purpose for returning home. Besides finding her son, she had another important task—to uncover the truth about who tried to kill her and seek justice.
The clues were with the Knight family, especially the mysterious Marigold, who shrouded the whole incident in mystery.
She had to find evidence and reveal the truth quickly to protect her children from further harm.
Contemplating the Knight family's palpable hostility towards her and the lurking perils that awaited, Galatea felt an overwhelming sense of suffocation, as if an invisible weight were constricting her very breath.