Billionaire's Regret Finding Her (Caitlin and Sebastian) novel Chapter 717

Sebastian’s expression darkened. “You mean your mother is in Maxwell’s hands?”

The name sent a chill through the room. Not everyone knew who Maxwell was, but those who did immediately thought of the Minister of Justice of Country A.

Caitlin’s anger surged like a rising tide. She pictured Maxwell’s cold, deceitful face, and hatred burned deeper

in her chest.

From this moment on, everything related to the Yun’s Aromatic Codex, everything about the search for Atlantis, had officially come to an end.

They would no longer exhaust themselves chasing after the so–called Shard of Life, no matter what fortune it promised.

Caitlin, Sebastian, and the others decided to take a few days to rest before heading to Country A.

Now that she knew her mother’s whereabouts, she was no longer in a rush. Instead, she needed time to plan- to figure out how to deal with Maxwell.

Three days later, inside the royal palace.

Queen Heather, ignoring her son Magnus’s protests, had invited the Harrington family to the palace. She was determined to arrange his engagement, despite his strong refusal.

“Mother, I truly don’t want to marry so soon. Please take back your order.”

Magnus was always respectful, but on this matter, his stance was firm.

Heather didn’t care whether the two even liked each other. What mattered to her was securing the royal bloodline’s power within her family–she wouldn’t allow the throne to fall into outsiders‘ hands.

“But I don’t love Pamela. I don’t want to hurt her.” Magnus’s tone was calm but unyielding.

Pamela stood nearby, hearing him reject her so bluntly. Her heart sank, tears welling in her eyes, though she fought to hold them back.

The Harrington elders looked uncomfortable. The Queen had told them Magnus was obedient, yet now he was defying her in front of everyone.

“Your Majesty,” Pamela’s father said carefully, “if the prince is unwilling, perhaps we should call off this arrangement.”

“I disagree,” Heather said coldly. “This engagement will proceed as planned.”

She turned to her son. “Magnus, this is final. I will not hear another word about it.”

“Mother…” Magnus’s patience broke. “I already have someone I love. I don’t want to be engaged to Pamela.”

His words stunned everyone. Heather’s eyes widened. “You have someone? Who is she?”

The Harringtons were equally curious, exchanging glances.

No matter how much Heather pressed, Magnus refused to speak. He couldn’t reveal her name–wouldn’t risk exposing her.

“Is she one of our country’s noblewomen? A daughter of a powerful family?” Heather asked sharply.

Magnus shook his head. “No. Neither. Please don’t ask anymore.”

Heather’s temper flared. “Nonsense! Absolute nonsense! Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for some commoner. Do you even understand how shameful that would be? You are the future of this kingdom, not some reckless. boy.”

Magnus said nothing, which everyone took as silent confirmation.

Heather’s anger rose to a boil. “I don’t care who she is. You’ll end it now. The engagement with Pamela will be settled today.”

“I won’t,” Magnus said firmly.

“This isn’t about what you want. You don’t have a choice.”

Her words struck like a verdict.

At that moment, the King, Leif VI, entered the hall in his wheelchair, his voice calm yet stern. “If Magnus refuses this marriage, why must you force him?”

“Father…” Magnus exhaled in relief. His eyes met the King’s, who gave a subtle nod, silently assuring him of his support.

“Your Majesty,” the Harringtons quickly greeted, rising from their seats.

Heather stood as well. “Leif, this isn’t about forcing him. We discussed this long ago. I only meant to finalize it today.”

“I don’t find this engagement appropriate,” Leif replied evenly. “Mr. Harrington is your brother–in–law, and everyone knows Pamela is your niece. That makes her and Magnus first cousins. If you push this marriage through, do you know what people will say about the royal family? Do you really want to make our son a national laughingstock?”

The room fell silent. The Harringtons exchanged uneasy looks before Pamela’s father finally said, “Perhaps we should postpone this discussion, Your Majesty, Your Grace. We’ll take Pamela home for now and revisit this later.”

The family quickly left. Pamela cast one last wistful glance at Magnus, but he never looked her way.

Once the guests were gone, Heather slammed her palm against the table. “You’re his father. Instead of helping

me, you undermine me at every turn. What position does that leave me in?”

Leif sighed. “I’m helping him by letting him choose his own path. If you truly cared for him, you wouldn’t force him into something he despises.”

Heather’s face twisted with fury. “You don’t even know the kind of woman he’s fallen for–a commoner!”

“So what if she’s a commoner?” Leif said. “A commoner or a royal, they are all our people.”

“You and I will never agree on this,” Heather snapped.

“Then let’s not argue,” Leif said, turning his wheelchair. “Magnus, come with me. It’s time for my therapy.”

“Yes, Father.”

The two men left together, leaving Heather seething. She swept the tablecloth off in rage, sending dishes. crashing to the floor.

Her eyes turned cold. She would find out who that woman was—the one who had bewitched her son. And when she did, she wouldn’t show mercy.

Inside the training hall, Magnus knelt beside his father’s wheelchair. “Thank you, Father, for standing up for

me.”

“As long as I’m alive, you’ll always have my support. Do what your heart tells you.”

Magnus smiled faintly. “I understand.”

After helping with his father’s rehabilitation, Magnus’s phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, he brightened. “Father, it’s Caitlin.”

“Oh?” Leif asked, concerned. “Is she alright?”

Magnus answered quickly. On the other end, Caitlin’s voice was calm but urgent. She told him she had arrived in Country A and needed to meet him.

Magnus didn’t hesitate. “Of course. Wait for me–I’ll come to you right away.”

After hanging up, he told his father, “Caitlin’s here in A country. She wants to see me.”

“Truly?” Leif’s eyes lit up, though anxiety crept into his tone. “I’m still not fully recovered…”

Magnus understood. “Don’t worry, Father. Take your time. I’ll see what she needs and report back.”

“Alright. Go, then.”

As Magnus left, Leif turned back to his exercises, pushing himself harder than ever. His desire to walk again had never been stronger.

But Heather wasn’t done. She quietly instructed her trusted aide to follow Magnus. “Find out who that commoner woman is. And if necessary… eliminate her.”

If she wanted to protect her family’s power, Heather knew she had to be ruthless.

On the road, Magnus’s driver frowned. “Your Highness, I think we’re being followed.”

“When aren’t we?” Magnus replied dryly. He wasn’t as naïve as his mother believed.

He had already planned his escape. He first stopped by the government building, changed into civilian clothes, and left through a restricted passage.

While the tailing car still waited outside, Magnus had already slipped away through an underground exit, driving off in an unmarked vehicle.

Following the location Caitlin had sent, he arrived at a park in Sanctis.

Looking around, he didn’t see her. He pulled out his phone to call–and realized she was standing just behind him.

She had disguised herself completely; he almost didn’t recognize her. They had even passed each other a few minutes earlier without noticing.

“I figured I should blend in,” she said with a faint smile.

“I did the same.”

Their shared laughter broke the tension. Then Magnus grew serious. “Caitlin, why did you come here so suddenly? Did something happen?”

Caitlin hesitated before answering. “Magnus, I think this has to do with Maxwell.”

“Maxwell?” He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“It’s complicated,” she admitted. “As a civilian, I can’t get close to him. Investigating him is nearly impossible. That’s why I need your help. You can reach him easily.”

She took a deep breath. “My mother… I think she’s in his hands.”

“What?” Magnus’s face went pale.