Chapter 317 I'm Asking Her, Not You

Chapter 317 I'm Asking Her, Not You

Right now, Caspian was in his office.

Stefan walked in carrying sealed documents to brief him.

"Caspian, here's the information you requested. The person you mentioned is military. We could only find out he's with the White Tiger Unit—nothing else."

White Tiger Unit?

That would mean...

Stefan said, "You could ask Gavin. He might know more."

The White Tiger Unit was an extremely special force, the most secretive unit in the military.

Caspian's grandfather had once been the head of the White Tiger Unit.

Caspian tucked away the documents. "Let's go. Back to the estate."

At the Howard family estate, Caspian found Gavin.

He removed his ring and asked, "Grandpa, besides you, who else has a ring like the one Victoria has?"

Gavin's hair was snow-white, but the sharp glint in his eyes hadn't dulled with age. He squinted at the ring.

This ring had been with him for many years before he'd passed it down to Caspian.

The sight of it pulled Gavin's memories back fifty years.

Back then, he'd been the head of the White Tiger Unit—full of passion, serving his country with everything he had.

There were two rings in total.

One belonged to him. The other belonged to his closest brother-in-arms.

They'd shared the same dream, but Gavin had left the White Tiger Unit for love. His brother, however, had stayed true to their original promise, dedicating his entire life to the country.

Thinking of him now, Gavin's eyes filled with nostalgia and deep respect.

If Caspian was asking, Victoria must have told him something.

Gavin didn't hide it. "The current head of the White Tiger Unit."

Caspian asked, "You know him?"

Gavin didn't deny it. "You should know the identities of White Tiger Unit members are top secret. Tell Victoria to stop looking."

Caspian had close ties with the military.

Of course he knew White Tiger Unit members' identities were classified. When Gavin put it that way, Caspian knew he wouldn't get anything more.

But it was enough.

He already knew Victoria's mentor was the head of the White Tiger Unit.

Caspian stood. "Got it."

He turned to leave, but Gavin stopped him.

Gavin opened his eyes and looked Caspian up and down. Caspian had no idea what he was doing.

"Grandpa, what are you looking at? Don't recognize me anymore?"

After his inspection, Gavin nodded with satisfaction. "You're not bad-looking. Put in some effort and bring me a granddaughter-in-law soon. Let me hold a great-grandchild."

Caspian chuckled softly. "I'll take that as a blessing."

He strode out of the estate, leaving Gavin utterly shocked.

Every time he brought this up, Caspian got irritated. What happened today—did the sun rise in the west?

Caspian hadn't pushed back at all.

Something was definitely up!

Could Caspian actually have a girl he liked?

For Gavin, this was incredible news.

He didn't worry about anything else when it came to Caspian—except marriage. That had him climbing the walls.

He'd practically wanted to force Caspian to the altar.

But Caspian had never been in a hurry. There wasn't even a woman around him. He didn't like Eleanor, either, the one Gavin had tried to set him up with.

Gavin had almost started wondering if Caspian preferred men.

After all this time, Gavin finally saw a glimmer of hope.

His dream of holding a great-grandchild might actually come true!

After leaving the estate, Caspian called Victoria, but no one picked up.

Victoria was having coffee with someone.

At the café.

A cappuccino sat in front of Victoria. Across from her was Charles, who hadn't shown his face in a long time.

Victoria glanced at Charles's shoulder. "Congratulations, Charles. You got promoted."

Last time she'd seen him, Charles had been a captain. Now, after some time apart, he was already a major general.

No wonder everyone said Charles would surpass Finn someday.

His promotion speed was like riding a rocket—jaw-dropping.

Victoria wasn't surprised.

Looking at Charles across from her, she noticed he'd lost weight and gotten much darker. The aura around him had sharpened considerably.

Clearly, he'd been on a high-stakes mission.

Charles had short hair, chiseled features, and a strong nose. His presence was restrained but commanded respect.

The tan had only added to his masculine edge.

He'd grown even more reserved.

Charles was different from Caspian and Damon. He was a soldier forged on the battlefield. He didn't have the calculated cunning of a businessman.

Victoria had always had a good impression of him.

She asked, "You wanted to see me about something?"

Charles's eyes flickered slightly. Her reaction was cool, but he found that perfectly normal.

In his mind, Victoria was unique and formidable.

Charles's throat bobbed, and his gaze softened a little. "You developed a new weapon for EdgeWing Defense. You're incredible."

Victoria raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

He definitely hadn't come just to compliment her.

Charles said, "I'm here today on behalf of the military to invite you to join the military research institute."

The military research institute?

Victoria was a little surprised.

That place dealt with classified information. Steve worked at the military research institute, and even during his off hours, he was monitored by national security.

Why would such a highly secured place invite her?

Her question was written all over her face.

Charles's expression was serious. "You're exceptional. The military needs talent like you."

Before Victoria could respond, a voice cut in from the doorway.

"She declines."

Victoria turned to see Caspian walking in.

Charles followed her gaze and spotted him too.

Caspian's face was dark as he walked over to Victoria, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

His pitch-black eyes stared coldly at Charles. Sparks practically flew in the air.

Caspian's thumb slowly rotated the ring on his finger. His face was calm, but his gaze carried intense pressure.

Victoria had spent enough time with him to see immediately that Caspian was in a foul mood.

What was wrong with him?

Charles's expression remained steady. He didn't back down under Caspian's powerful presence.

"I was asking her, not you," he said.

Caspian's lips curved into a cold smile. "She's mine."

Charles turned his gaze to Victoria, his focus intent as he waited for her answer.

Victoria hadn't originally been interested in this sort of thing.

But then she thought—her mentor had deep ties to the military. There was a strong chance he was military personnel. If she joined the military research institute, wouldn't that help her find her mentor?

In that case, she could join.

Before Victoria could speak, Caspian read her thoughts.

Sitting beside her, Caspian suddenly grabbed her hand, his eyes flashing a warning.

'Try saying yes. I dare you.'

That bastard Charles—don't think he didn't know what Charles was scheming.

Trying to steal his woman? Over his dead body.

Caspian's brow furrowed as he stared at Victoria. If she dared nod, he'd tie her up and drag her out of here right now.

Victoria frowned slightly. Caspian didn't want her to join the military research institute?

Her joining wouldn't affect him in any way. Why was he against it?

Victoria tried to pull her hand back, but the moment she moved, Caspian gripped it even tighter.

"..." Victoria was speechless. She almost rolled her eyes.

What the hell was he doing?

She frowned and shot him a look, signaling him to let go.

But not only did Caspian not let go, he leaned close to her ear and threatened in a low voice, "Don't forget—you're still an employee of EdgeWing Defense."