The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 29

“What about Caleb, the guy next to that fool?”

 

“You didn’t know? I’m the biggest fool of all.”

 

Shailoh couldn’t help but burst into laughter at his cheeky response. The word ‘fool’ didn’t suit him at all.

 

Under the alias ‘Cal’, he had returned to his homeland, successfully helping her debut as a singer. Moreover, his new venture in the trading business had smoothly taken off, thanks to his exceptional business acumen. Initially, she thought this business was just a stepping stone to regain his original position, but given his lack of interest in the throne, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

 

From what Shailoh had gathered over the past three years, the inheritance Caleb received from his maternal side wasn’t enough to seize the wealth of a king, but it was certainly enough for him to live comfortably without working for the rest of his life. At this point, it seemed like the business was merely a hobby to keep him from getting bored.

 

“A fool? You’re skilled at manipulating people and orchestrating grand schemes, aren’t you? And you even enjoy it.”

 

“There’s nothing as fickle and entertaining as the human heart.” Caleb acknowledged indirectly, intertwining his fingers and resting them on the table. “Back to the main topic, what does that woman value most right now?”

 

“What?”

 

It was an unexpected question. Shailoh hesitated under his steady gaze, which seemed to demand an answer.

 

“Probably her husband, Baron Elton. I heard they have a very strong relationship, even though they don’t have children yet.”

 

“What one values most can sometimes become their greatest weakness. Sasha.”

 

“…”

 

“It means there are many ways to return it.”

 

His words were still cryptic. As Shailoh pondered their meaning, Caleb wiped his mouth with a napkin and pushed his chair back to stand up. When he approached with long strides, Shailoh instinctively pressed herself against the back of her chair.

 

“Caleb?”

 

“Are you afraid of me?”

 

“It’s not that.”

 

Shailoh had been so engrossed in the conversation that she had momentarily forgotten about last night’s events. As she blushed and subtly averted her gaze, two hands approached her. She thought he might pull her in for a kiss and closed her eyes tightly, but nothing happened.

 

“Caleb…?”

 

The moment she opened her eyes in confusion, Shailoh’s heart nearly burst with surprise. Caleb was leaning over her, his face so close it was almost touching hers, his hands resting on the back of her chair. His eyes, which usually held a mix of kindness and fiery desire, now appeared strangely cold, like a jockey assessing a racehorse. Just before Shailoh could register the unease, he straightened up.

 

“Don’t worry, Shailoh. I won’t do anything unless you come to me willingly.”

 

“…Caleb.”

 

A mix of disappointment and relief washed over Shailoh. Then, Caleb took her hand and pulled her up.

 

“However.”

 

Shailoh let him guide her hand to his cheek, where he kissed her palm. Ignoring her startled attempt to pull away, he then guided her hand to his throat and collarbone.

 

“Ah…”

 

Shailoh couldn’t help but marvel. His skin was smooth and slightly cool, unlike what she expected from a man. As her hand moved lower, she felt the defined muscles of his abs through the thin fabric. They were firm and perfectly sculpted. The further her hand traveled, the more she felt an inexplicable thirst, swallowing dryly. Though she hadn’t had a drop of alcohol, a heady sensation spread through her body, focusing all her senses on her hand. Just as she felt the urge to explore further, Caleb released her arm and stood up straight.

 

“Disappointed?”

 

At his teasing question, Shailoh’s face turned beet red, and she shook her head. Caleb chuckled softly, turned his back, took his coat from the coat rack, and put his arms through it.

 

“The customs issue has made work hectic. I probably won’t be able to come here for a while.”

 

Shailoh had already risen to see him off at the entrance. “Take care of yourself. Don’t overdo it.”

 

“Aren’t you going to ask me to come by often?”

 

“Work is work, and personal life is personal life.”

 

“…That’s really something.” Caleb, who seemed about to say something, closed his mouth and tucked her side hair behind her ear, brushing her nose lightly. “Take care, Sasha. Reach out if you need anything.”

 

It was his way of saying not to contact him unless it was important. As Shailoh nodded with a faint smile, Caleb turned his back.

 

“He walks away without looking back.”

 

Though their time together was intense, his departure was almost cold in its simplicity. Shailoh watched his retreating figure before closing the door.

 

Investigating Baron Elton’s family hadn’t yielded any clues about Oliver’s disappearance. Thus, she had searched far and wide for someone to infiltrate the baron’s family, but no suitable candidate had appeared. Shailoh didn’t neglect her singing practice and stage preparations amidst everything. She was incredibly busy, yet she met with Olivier every weekend, hoping for a clue, just in case.

 

Doris always accompanied her, and Caleb had assigned a guard to follow them just in case. However, the guard sat next to the coachman, maintaining some distance. This was partly because the guard was a man, but also to allow Doris and Shailoh to talk freely.

 

“I’ve heard various stories about Oliver, but they all end with ‘he’s not that kind of person.’ I’m grateful for Olivier’s cooperation, but I’m starting to wonder to what extent she can be of any more help.”

 

As Shailoh’s under-eye circles darkened from daily exhaustion, Doris, who was with her every day, grew increasingly worried.

 

“Maybe Madam Olivier is hiding something, or perhaps she doesn’t fully trust you.”

 

“She doesn’t seem like someone who would smile while hiding a knife behind her back. But you might be right.” Shailoh nodded and looked out the carriage window. “By the way, what do you think of the man we interviewed yesterday for the infiltration job?”

 

“I only saw him through the screen, but he seemed frivolous and like he couldn’t keep a secret.”

 

“But he did seem quite sociable.”

 

At Shailoh’s dismissive response, Doris, looking dejected, suggested the next candidate. “Or how about the person we met the day before yesterday? He seemed quite reserved and didn’t talk much.”

 

“He might be tight-lipped, but he looked intimidating and lacked social skills. That won’t help us break down barriers and gather information about Oliver.”

 

Doris slumped her shoulders at the firm rejection.

 

“Please understand, Doris. Even though we’re recruiting secretly, Claire might use someone against us, so we have to be extra cautious.”

 

“I understand. And actually, there’s a playwright who keeps sending scripts lately, and I have an unsettling feeling about… Eek!”

 

The carriage suddenly jolted before Doris could finish speaking, and the horses neighed wildly. Before they could understand why the driver had abruptly stopped the carriage, a sharp voice rang out.

 

“Why are these filthy beggars loitering around?”

 

“Please, just a piece of bread! I beg you! Help us!”

 

“A penniless beggar asking for what?”

 

“Help us! Please, help us!”

 

The pleading voices belonged to a young boy and girl. As the two women inside the carriage clutched their chests in shock at the sudden commotion, an escort jumped down and approached to report.

 

“A child ran in front of the carriage. To be precise, a man threw the child onto the road. I’ll tell the man to move immediately.”

 

“Wait a moment.” Shailoh stopped the escort and stepped out of the carriage.

 

“Milady!”

 

She ignored Doris’s alarmed protest and walked to the front of the carriage. Shailoh couldn’t turn a blind eye to the desperate cries for help. The voices pleading in hunger felt strangely familiar. It reminded her of herself when her own mother was still alive.

 

“Please, even if it’s just a little, buy some flowers.”

 

“These are freshly picked today! They’re very fresh!”

 

She had once sold wildflowers on a cold winter night, wearing clothes akin to rags.

 

“Get lost before I hit you again!”

 

“What’s going on here?”

 

Just as a man wearing an apron raised his hand menacingly, Shailoh stepped in front of the young siblings.

 

“And who do you think you are, butting in…?” The man, startled by the sudden interruption, was about to lash out when he noticed the escort standing beside Shailoh and cleared his throat awkwardly. “Ahem, those little thieves tried to steal bread from my shop. I was just giving them a little punishment. What’s the big deal that you’re getting involved in?”

 

Shailoh glanced back at the young siblings trembling behind her instead of responding. The boy, clutching his hat in both hands, was hugging the girl who was a head shorter than he was. As she pondered the familiarity of the scene, the man glared at the two children with a displeased expression.

 

“That brat’s no stranger to stealing. I know the likes of those sewer rats well, and it’s about time they’re handed over to the police.”

 

“Is that true? Has this happened more than once?” Shailoh turned completely around, crouching down to meet the boy’s gaze. As she thought about how familiar this situation felt, the boy shook his head.