Chapter 40: Exactly Like Your Mother
Caleb froze the moment he saw who was behind the wheel. Lucy.
The woman gave him a quick glance, her eyes sharp, heavy with pressure. "Get in," she said flatly.
With no real choice, Caleb opened the door and slid into the passenger seat. Once it shut tight, he pulled off his mask and cap. His face looked tired, but his eyes still burned with a fire that refused to die.
"Why didn’t you go to Larkid?" Lucy’s tone sounded more worried than angry.
Caleb stared straight ahead, his jaw tightening. "I can’t stay calm... not after I know what happened to my mom."
Lucy went silent. A flicker of pity crossed her eyes, and for a moment her icy expression slipped.
"So... you want revenge?"
Caleb knew—when it came to his mother, Lucy always had that weak spot. He lowered his head, his voice rough but steady.
"Anything. Whatever it takes."
Lucy shot him a piercing look. "Do you even have a plan? Or are you just being reckless?"
Caleb let out a long breath, then gave a faint smile. "Hmm... I’ll keep finding a way."
Lucy finally inhaled deeply, both hands firm on the wheel again. The car pulled away from the chaos of Torkside Square.
"Lucy... where are you taking me?" Caleb asked at last, suspicion creeping in.
"To my place," Lucy replied flatly. "It’s quiet there. No one around... except the maid, and she already left at eleven after cleaning up."
Caleb’s chest tightened. Shit... this is bad. How the hell am I supposed to meet Fiona later?
The ride was quiet for a while, until Caleb finally spoke up.
"How did you even know I was here?"
Lucy kept her eyes on the road. "From Mona’s livestream."
Caleb stiffened. "Huh? Far as I remember, Mona hasn’t gone live..."
"She did this morning," Lucy replied flatly. "You happened to walk past in the background. I recognized the cap and mask right away. Especially that cap—I was the one who gave it to you."
Caleb fell silent, only now realizing. She was right... that cap had come from Lucy.
Before long, they pulled into a Pretty upscale neighborhood. They stopped in front of one of the houses. Aunt Lucy’s this loaded? he thought, sneaking a glance at her. Then another thought hit him—why’s she driving herself?
"Why are you driving on your own?" Caleb finally asked.
Lucy shot him a quick side glance, her voice still cold. "If my driver saw you, what do you think would happen? Too risky. Sarah’s already gone overboard stirring up that whole ButtManiac mess. And with the accusation that you threatened some old man named Joe—it’s gotten worse. Right now, you’re branded a criminal by a lot of people."
The moment the door opened, Caleb stepped inside. The scent of polished wood and the glow of crystal lights hit him right away. His eyes swept over the wide room—classic furniture mixed with modern touches, everything expensive and perfectly arranged.
Damn... this is real high-class, he thought, still a little impressed.
"Lucy... you live here alone?" Caleb finally asked.
Lucy closed the door slowly, then turned to him. "Yeah. Just me." Her voice was flat, but her gaze had sharpened.
She walked across the living room, then pivoted to face him. "Do you not get it? If you keep hanging around Torkside, you’re gonna get yourself in trouble. People are already looking for excuses to drag your name into things. One wrong move—and you’re done."
Caleb’s jaw tightened as he met her eyes. "Seems pretty clear to me... this is all Maya’s doing."
Lucy’s brows furrowed instantly. "You’re that sure?"
Caleb drew in a deep breath, locking his stare on hers. "This morning... I ran into Fiona."
Lucy’s eyes went wide. Her whole expression snapped into tension, emotions breaking through.
"What the fuck were you thinking?!"
Caleb slowly raised a hand, his face calm even as Lucy exploded at him.
"Relax..." he said flatly.
Lucy’s glare stayed sharp, but Caleb only let a faint smile creep onto his lips. Inside, his mind was racing. Lucy... she can be worked with. When it comes to my mom... she always softens up. Her love and respect for my mother—that’s the opening. The deeper those feelings run, the easier it’ll be to steer her where I want.
Caleb’s eyes dimmed, that faint smile lingering on his face. Working with Lucy... might just be my ace card.
Lucy clenched her fist, her voice rising again.
"That’s dangerous, Caleb! What if Maya already knows you met Fiona?"
Caleb went silent for a moment, thoughts churning. Hmm... chances are Maya already knows. The second meeting could easily turn into a trap.
Finally, he looked Lucy straight in the eyes. "Maya definitely knows. Besides... Fiona actually buys into cheap rumors. She even tried to offer me therapy."
Lucy let out a sharp chuckle, then laughed briefly, dripping with mockery. "Ha! So what, you all heartbroken over your teenage crush?"
Caleb shot back instantly, his face hardening. "Hell no."
Lucy narrowed her eyes, leaning in toward Caleb. "But you are angry, aren’t you?"
Caleb let out a short chuckle, shrugging. "Of course. I still can’t believe it... the money Fiona used to treat me back then—turns out it was my own money all along..."
His smile was bitter, but the cold laughter thickened the air in the living room. Lucy stared at him intently, a mix of pity and cynicism tangled in her gaze.
Lucy sighed, then reached for the remote on the table. With a single click, the huge TV in the living room lit up. A local news broadcast filled the screen.
"...three men were found end their own life near Torkside Square. Their identities have been confirmed—Mike, Anderson, and Billy..."
The footage cut to the crime scene, yellow police tape strung around the area.
Lucy frowned, her expression tight with disbelief. "Why would they die in such a stupid way?"
Caleb gave the screen a quick glance, his face blank, then shrugged. "No idea. I don’t know anything about it." His voice was calm, as if he had nothing to do with it at all.
Lucy turned back to him, her gaze sharpening. "Where did you sleep last night?"
"Sidewalk," Caleb answered smoothly, without hesitation.
Lucy was quiet for a moment, then let out a long breath. "Alright.... If you really want to stay in Torkside, I’ll help you however I can. After all..." she stared at him for a long moment, her eyes dimming, "...you’re already too messed up. And that stubbornness of yours... it’s exactly like your mother’s."