Twin Cities: Who says scientists can't be conquerors?

[Currently Marked Task Tracking - New Research Assistant (Caitlyn Giramann): You have cleverly formed an accepted and intimate relationship with Caitlyn Giramann on a social level.]

[We have established a channel for gathering inspiration in the spiritual realm with our research assistant (Caitlin Gillamann); inspiration can be extracted by touching or trying samples.]

[Received the mission reward "Caitlyn's Inspiration - Instinct Level"]

For any further questions, please contact Blackbox. Blackbox will help you review the currently stored data...

Close the black box.

Aaron didn't want to listen to the system's "noisy" voice anymore, so he directly cut off the connection in his mind.

He now sat in a chair in the reception room, his feelings a mix of emotions—

The mission involving Caitlin was successfully completed thanks to the agreement between the two, and the system even provided him with a new "inspiration".

This should have been a great thing to celebrate.

But when Aaron's gaze shifted to the left and he saw Jinx curled up in another chair, silently hugging her head, all thoughts of celebration vanished.

"Jace..."

Aaron muttered to himself, "This guy who just left not long ago, but successfully used his last words before leaving to completely shut Jinx down."

If possible, he really wanted to go back in time and knock Jess's mouth out of place just as he was about to utter that name!

"..."

Aaron didn't say anything more. He simply walked up to Jinx, grabbed the girl with irresistible force, and pulled her up into his arms.

For Jinx, the explosion nine years ago is a deep sin she can never forgive herself for.

The name "Vi" is tied to that disaster and is considered by Jinx to be someone who is already dead.

Even Jinx herself knew that her sister, who had slapped her in a fit of rage, probably hadn't really died, even though she had disappeared for nine years.

However, out of concern for Jinx's safety, Aaron intentionally guided her to ignore him while trying to comfort her, thus reducing the likelihood of Jinx experiencing a mental breakdown.

Doing this actually yields significant results.

The fact that Jinx remained calm after Caitlyn mentioned Vi during their conversation at the "secret base" is enough to demonstrate this.

only……

Forgetting things slowly and having someone bring up accurate information to your face are two completely different concepts.

When Jayce mentioned Vi's name and that she was in a cell at Stillwater Prison, Jinx instantly broke down and lost control!

She first questioned Jess repeatedly in disbelief, and after receiving affirmative answers each time, she began to tremble uncontrollably.

If Aaron hadn't been so experienced and quick-witted, pressing Jinx back into her seat and then signaling to Caitlin to help him get Jess and Mrs. Giramann out first...

Jinx would probably go crazy on the spot and completely ruin the situation that Aaron and Caitlyn had worked so hard to create!

When Aaron and Caitlin saw Jess and the others off and returned to the drawing room, this was the scene that greeted them—

Jinx looked like an abandoned little animal, shrouded in a low atmosphere, hugging herself.

"It's okay. If you're feeling down, crying is a good way to relieve your emotions."

"I'm right here, don't worry..."

Aaron whispered words of comfort in Jinx's ear.

This wasn't the first time he had said this.

Whenever Jinx's fragile nerves are nearing their limit, Aaron, who notices something amiss, uses this combination of physical gestures and words to make Jinx feel directly that someone can rely on her.

Doing this consistently over a long period will yield significant results.

Jinx has mentally prepared herself for the disaster nine years ago over and over again, and she has not had any more unexplained breakdowns in her daily life.

After Aaron offered a few words of comfort, the blue-haired girl, who was much stronger than in the original story, gradually calmed her breathing and slowly raised her head.

Her eyes were a little red and swollen, but there were no tear stains. When she realized she was in Caitlin's house, the hands and feet that were wrapped around Aaron withdrew as if she had been electrocuted.

"Put me down."

Jinx's voice was quite faint, like a kitten scratching.

Even though Aaron knew that Jinx was embarrassed after Caitlyn saw her acting out of line and wanted to get rid of Aaron's embrace as soon as possible.

But he had to admit, that subtle murmur was more captivating than deliberate flirting…

"Jinx, Aaron, what's going on?"

"That name Jess just mentioned, Vi... who exactly is she?"

Whether it was because she disapproved of Jinx holding Aaron, or vice versa, Caitlyn's tone was slightly cold, and she bluntly stated her biggest question.

During her previous private conversations with Jinx, she had expressed curiosity about Jinx's sister more than once.

Now that she saw what the other person looked like, she already had a vague guess in her mind.

"Wei is my older sister."

Jinx hesitated for a moment, but then answered Caitlin's question directly.

She is now far more mentally strong and emotionally stable than the Jinx of the same era, and is fully capable of suppressing her restless soul and engaging in normal behavior.

"elder sister?"

Caitlin's eyes lit up.

She realized she was right—Jinx had previously evaded her sister's questions, always saying she was dead. But now it seemed Vi was just spending her life in Stillwater Prison… Wait!

Caitlin suddenly realized something was wrong.

Jayce just mentioned that Vi went to jail because of the Hextech crystal theft case where Caitlyn was also present.

If Vi wasn't the only thief at the time, and Jinx was Vi's sister...

"Yes, I've always known about that theft."

Jinx sighed and slowly met Caitlin's gaze, encouraged by Aaron's eyes.

She stretched out her hands, clenched them into fists, and placed them side by side:

"In fact, I was one of the thieves at the time, but I was never caught."

"If you really care about that case..."

Jinx's reddened eyes finally filled with tears, threatening to burst at any moment.

"I'm willing to go with you."

……

Jinx would never agree to that!

After stirring up Caitlin's inner conflict between emotion and reason, she not only gained Caitlin's forgiveness after she made a huge decision, but also managed to smooth things over regarding Vi.

It's a win-win situation.

"hey-hey."

Taking advantage of a moment when Caitlyn was not around, Jinx gave Aaron a silly grin.

It must be admitted that when Jayce first explicitly stated that Vi was being held in Stillwater Prison, Jinx did indeed lose her composure.

But as for what happened next... it's hard to say there wasn't an element of performance involved.

Jinx realized that her good friend Caitlyn, who had a strong sense of justice and a strong affinity for the role of law enforcement, would not let go of any information about Vi and would definitely pursue it to the end.

She decided to take the risk and try to use her relationship with Caitlin to persuade Caitlin to drop the charges against her.

That's why Jinx pitifully "confessed" to stealing the Hextech Crystal.

And the result she received was consistent with her original expectations—

Caitlin had no idea what Jinx did with the Hextech Crystal afterward. She simply treated the theft as an old case where only Jayce suffered minor injuries and some property loss, and chose to turn a blind eye to it.

Incidentally, seeing how heartbroken Jinx was just now, Caitlin felt too embarrassed to ask any more questions about Vi.

Jinx and Aaron, as guests invited by Lady Giramann, seemed to have suddenly lost their burdens and only needed to think about how to have fun tomorrow for the 200th anniversary of Progress Day, without having to worry about anything else.

"Actually, I still feel a little sorry for Kate."

Jinx reflects on herself.

She and Aaron sat in the guest room, watching Caitlin downstairs setting the table for her mother, who was about to host a grand feast for them. She guiltily scratched her cheek.

He took advantage of his good friend's concern, not only getting rid of his last criminal record, but also causing his good friend to cross the line for the first time.

This is just a bit too much...

"It's good to have a little shame, but I understand why you did it."

Aaron sighed, but did not blame Jinx.

He knew this very well; strictly speaking, she was a girl who had "turned over a new leaf."

The Jinx of today not only takes the initiative to consider Caitlyn's feelings, but she also hasn't brought up her sister's affairs again, making her incredibly well-behaved.

This is nothing like the Jinx in the original storyline who wreaked havoc in the police station, committing arson, murder, and looting...

"How about this?"

Jinx suddenly looked up, having come up with a good idea to "compensate" Caitlin.

She looked at Aaron:

"How about we take advantage of the Progressive Day celebrations tomorrow and just break into Stillwater Prison!"

"We'll bring Kate along too, so she can correct any illegal behavior we might do, and she won't be angry anymore... Hmm, it seems like a jailbreak isn't legal either, is it?"

Jinx's eyes lit up, and she kept chattering away.

Aaron swallowed a mouthful of anger, feeling that he had praised Christine too soon!