Chapter 82: Connected to Victor

Miller waved goodbye to Caroline before driving back to the company. She watched the car disappear through the gates, then turned and headed inside the estate.

As she entered the living room, she was surprised to find Ilias sitting there. She hadn’t expected the Second Alpha Prince to visit.

"Caroline!" Ilias exclaimed, his face lighting up with genuine surprise when he saw her.

"Your Highness," she greeted him, bowing her head slightly.

"Enjoying your married life?" Ilias asked, raising his eyebrows with a hint of amusement.

Caroline offered him a small smile but didn’t answer immediately.

"The Alpha King has sent me here with an official order," Ilias continued. "Is Andrew still out?"

"Yes, he’s at his workplace," Caroline replied. "May I ask what kind of message His Majesty has sent?"

"I’ve been appointed ambassador to the rogue territory. I’ll be meeting their leaders to find out whether an intruder crossed their borders around the time Victor disappeared." Ilias paused before adding, "I came here to speak with Andrew and learn exactly what he witnessed that day. His account might help me understand what happened before Victor vanished."

Having explained his purpose, Ilias finally settled onto the sofa. He gestured for Caroline to sit, and she took the seat opposite him, preparing to listen.

"Why are you so quiet? Aren’t you happy that the entire royal family is now working for you?" Ilias remarked, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"My intention was never to involve the royal family in my personal affairs," Caroline replied calmly. "If Your Highness doesn’t wish to help, you’re free to refuse."

"You certainly have an arrogant way of speaking, considering what you are," Ilias remarked bluntly.

Caroline drew her eyebrows together, beginning to understand that the Second Alpha Prince had little regard for her. She couldn’t tell whether his hostility stemmed from her status as an Omega or his resentment toward Andrew’s decision to marry her, but she had no intention of provoking him.

"I didn’t mean to offend you. I simply don’t want to cause you any inconvenience," she explained. "I’ll find another way to track down Victor. Please don’t trouble yourself over this matter."

Ilias let out a mocking laugh at her response.

"And how exactly do you intend to find him?" he asked. "Do you even understand what kind of dark force is protecting him? Just because Andrew is standing behind you doesn’t mean he’ll be able to shield you from every attack. You shouldn’t assume that his power will solve all your problems."

He leaned back against the sofa, studying her with an unimpressed expression.

"I’m not someone who tries to please everyone, Caroline. I say what I believe is right, even when people don’t like hearing it. If my words offend you, that’s your concern, not mine."

"Your Highness’s words haven’t offended me," Caroline clarified. "Would you like some water or another drink?"

"Not at the moment," Ilias replied. "Go ahead. You must be tired and in need of some rest."

Caroline stood up and bowed slightly, preparing to leave the living room. However, before she could take another step, Jeremy’s voice stopped her.

"Caroline, I’ve obtained the call records from Victor’s phone."

Jeremy entered the room, but his steps came to an abrupt halt when he noticed the Second Alpha Prince sitting on the sofa. He immediately straightened and bowed his head respectfully.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Ilias acknowledged him with a slight nod before asking, "What did you discover from the call records?"

"Caroline was right. Someone informed Victor about her and Prince Andrew’s visit to the palace," Jeremy explained. "According to the records, Victor spoke to that person shortly before he attempted to flee. The timing suggests that the conversation prompted him to leave."

He paused briefly before continuing, his expression turning serious.

"I tried to trace the number, but the phone turned out to be a burner phone. Whoever contacted Victor used a device that was likely intended to be discarded after use, making it difficult to identify the person behind the call."

"Thank you for your help, Jeremy," Caroline said gratefully. "Someone who knew about our visit must have informed Victor. We need to find out who the bodyguards were that day. I remember that only they were present to escort us safely to the palace."

"I’ll look into it," Jeremy assured her.

"You think someone helped Victor escape from the capital?" Ilias finally interjected, his expression turning serious.

"Yes, Your Highness," Caroline replied. "As you heard from Jeremy, there is clear evidence that Victor received a call shortly before he fled. I don’t believe he would have left the pack so suddenly if someone hadn’t warned him that I had brought a witness forward. That’s what I suspect."

"Who could have done such a thing?" Ilias murmured, frowning as he considered the possibilities.

"That’s what I need to find out," Caroline replied.

Just then, she felt her phone vibrating inside her handbag. She quickly took it out, hoping it was Andrew calling her. However, when she glanced at the screen, she saw a different name.

"Excuse me," she said to Ilias and Jeremy before walking out into the open garden to answer the call.

"Emmett?" Caroline answered, surprised to hear from him unexpectedly.

"Caroline, my family is dead," Emmett said, his voice heavy with grief.

"What?" Caroline exclaimed in shock. "Where are you, Emmett? How could this have happened—"

She stopped mid-sentence, her body trembling as the reality of his words began to sink in. Emmett’s family was dead. She struggled to comprehend how such a tragedy could have occurred.

"Come to Redwood High," she said urgently, trying to steady her voice. "Or do you want me to arrange a flight and come to you instead?"

"I’m already in Redwood High. Just make sure they let me in," Emmett replied.

Before Caroline could ask him anything else, the call ended.

She stood frozen in the garden, staring at her phone. Emmett’s sudden announcement left her deeply unsettled, and she couldn’t stop wondering what had happened to his family or whether their deaths were connected to Victor.