After dealing with various miscellaneous matters and using his "invention" of a high-explosive formula to gain less than 1% in DuPont Group shares, which effectively connected him to this chemical industry giant, the time had arrived for Castle's daughter to begin her summer vacation.
Beckett, who had recently focused most of her energy on administrative tasks, along with Alexis, who had finally started her break, had already received an invitation from Gianna to spend the summer in Rome. After all, Gianna, the soon-to-be head of the D'Antonio family, hadn't had the chance to return home with her adorable three-month-old daughter, Onora, since giving birth in New York.
Moreover, because of the close relationship between the D'Antonio family and the Vatican, and the requirement for the D'Antonio children to be baptized, Gianna had to take her daughter—the third generation meant to carry on the family legacy—back to Rome. Therefore, she invited Beckett and Alexis to join her in Rome, taking advantage of Castle's temporary lull in work.
Castle, realizing he hadn't taken his daughter and girlfriend on a proper trip since arriving in this world, felt it was about time to do so. Besides, if he didn't pull the two computer-addicted recluses, the chubby techie and Ramsay, out of the supercomputer lab for some rest, he genuinely feared they might burn out in there. So, with his daughter and girlfriend invited by Gianna to Rome and himself curious to see Neil, who had been gallivanting around Europe with his girlfriend, Castle decided to go for it. He, Beckett, Alexis, the two tech recluses, and the John family packed into a private jet along with Gianna's bodyguards, Onora's nanny, and some Russian security staff from Castle's estate and headed for Rome.
As for Castle's head of security, Big Ivan, he stayed behind. With Castle, the chubby techie, and John all away from the Long Island estate, Big Ivan was left with the heavy responsibility of keeping the estate secure.
Recently, both the supercomputer building and the newly constructed mechanical lab had undergone a series of security enhancements thanks to Jarvis's upgrades. Yet, with Castle's growing reputation, and more people aware of the billionaire on Long Island who owned a cutting-edge supercomputer and a private lab, Castle knew it wasn't a secret where the latest toys from DuPont and Northrop came from. Thus, while Jarvis could monitor the labs constantly and was prepared to "handle" any intruders, Castle had Big Ivan lead a team of twenty Russian security personnel to remain on alert at the estate.
Jarvis lacked a physical body. Although each building was filled with defensive mechanisms—hidden shooting ports, stun devices, and more—Castle felt that human security was still necessary. The estate needed sufficient staff to guard against those interested in his research or any unforeseen situations.
To ensure his family's safety, Castle knew Europe was Sean's stronghold. He brought a few Russian bodyguards mainly to keep an eye on the chubby techie and Ramsay, as he knew he wouldn't have the energy to watch over these two while also caring for his daughter and girlfriend.
In Castle's mind, the chubby techie was family. He had practically raised the kid like a son and wanted to ensure that, on his first trip to Europe with his new girlfriend Ramsay, the chubby guy wouldn't end up in trouble. Big Ivan had even picked out a few team members to accompany them, especially since the techie had contacted a fellow hacker friend based in Germany, and they planned to meet up in Frankfurt. Extra protection for these two socially inexperienced "noobs" was clearly necessary.
With their private jet, the group flew directly to Fiumicino Airport in Rome, where the D'Antonio family's reception vehicle pulled onto the tarmac, taking care of their entry paperwork seamlessly—true VIP treatment.
Though Castle and Alexis had previously visited the D'Antonio family castle, Castle made a polite, respectful return visit, staying there for one night. The elderly D'Antonio, despite being one of the Twelve Heads with immense underworld power, seemed like any other grandfather, beaming with pride at the arrival of his granddaughter. The next day, Castle, Beckett, and Alexis began their actual vacation.
The chubby techie and Ramsay, escorted by Castle's security team, left for Frankfurt to meet their hacker friend in person. Originally, the techie wouldn't have gone to such lengths for anyone he met online, but he'd discovered this friend's true identity and address, so he was now eager to show up in person and surprise him.
After two days of sightseeing in Rome, Castle and his family headed to Venice. Neil Caffrey, discovering that he wasn't being pursued by the Pratt family after his recent run-ins, had gone there with his girlfriend Kate, purchasing a lovely waterfront home. Knowing Neil was enjoying a dream-like life there, Castle—who had never been to Venice in this life or the last—was eager to visit the water city with Beckett and Alexis. He didn't even think to call Neil beforehand.
With the D'Antonio family's help, they flew by helicopter to Venice. When they arrived at Neil's address, only a baffled Kate answered the door.
"Mr. Castle? What are you doing here?" Kate, who remembered Castle from when he'd helped her escape surveillance, was surprised yet delighted to see him.
Castle, not expecting Neil to be absent, quickly sensed something was off. Not wanting to ask in front of his daughter and girlfriend, he calmly changed his plans.
"Is Neil not home? I'm here with my girlfriend and daughter for vacation. If Neil's away, we'll head to our hotel and catch up with him later," he said, subtly signaling his change in plans.
Kate, picking up on Castle's discreet handling, quickly agreed to follow up later, understanding he preferred not to discuss Neil's whereabouts openly.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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