Chapter 143 Chapter 143
It was strangely comforting to have a husband who pampered her, who worried if she was cold or in pain, who protected her from the outside world.
Everything was infinitely better than she had expected.
Maybe... she should change her mindset.
Maybe she should stop seeing it as a contract and try, in earnest, to treat Nicholas as her husband. And who knows... open her heart to him.
...
After leaving the bedroom, Nicholas went straight to his office.
His bedroom was on the third floor, a private sanctuary, while his office was located on the second floor.
As soon as his tall, imposing figure disappeared up the stairs, Sheila, who had been hiding in the shadows of the hallway, slowly emerged.
Her eyes were fixed on the closed door of the master bedroom. A mixture of jealousy and determination distorted her beautiful face.
She walked over to it, inexplicably drawn to it like a moth to a flame. After a few seconds of hesitation, she raised her hand and knocked on the door.
In the bedroom.
Caroline had just closed her eyes, sleep beginning to envelop her, when the sound of knocking awakened her.
She frowned. Nicholas wouldn't knock on his own bedroom door.
Still wondering who it could be, she heard a soft, feminine voice outside:
“Carol, can I come in?”
Caroline was surprised for a moment. It was Sheila's voice.
Before she could answer, another knock sounded, more insistent.
“Carol, I have some things to tell you. Can I come in and talk to you?”
And then, without waiting for Caroline's permission, the doorknob turned. With a bold click, Sheila pushed the door open and entered.
Seeing Caroline lying awake in bed, Sheila frowned, revealing a trace of displeasure.
“Oh, I thought you were asleep, but I see you're not.”
Caroline sat up in bed, leaning on the pillows. Initially, she had no opinion about the woman who harbored an unrequited passion for her husband.
It was true that Sheila had known Nicholas longer. They had a history that went back years. Besides, Nicholas had already made it clear that he had no romantic interest in her, treating her only as a friend or sister.
Therefore, Caroline thought it wasn't worth wasting energy on jealousy.
However, Sheila's attitude now bothered her deeply.
After all, Sheila was a lady of prestige, educated in high society. Entering a couple's bedroom, especially the master bedroom, without explicit permission was a serious breach of etiquette. It was, at the very least, a provocation.
Sheila was acting as if that house was still her territory.
Caroline's expression turned cold. She was no longer the passive girl who accepted everything.
“Miss Turner,” Caroline said, her voice calm but laden with reproach. "I don't think I said ‘come in’. You shouldn't just barge into someone else's bedroom like that.
That behavior is very rude and inappropriate.“
Sheila had always considered Caroline a fragile person, easy to intimidate. Being reprimanded so directly took her by surprise.
She blinked, stunned for a moment, before regaining her sweet, fake smile.
”Sorry, Carol. I knocked on the door a moment ago, but I thought you didn't hear me, so I came in." I didn't mean any harm.
Despite her words of apology, Caroline saw no sign of remorse in her eyes. There was only defiance.
Caroline had no intention of accepting that insincere apology.
“Since you knocked on the door and I didn't answer, that means it wasn't convenient for you to come in,” Caroline retorted, maintaining her posture as the lady of the house. “Miss Turner, you should be aware of the basic rules of etiquette. I was trying to rest, and you interrupted me.”
The elegant smile on Sheila's face froze. After being cut off twice, the “family friend” mask began to crack.
Suddenly, she realized that Caroline was different than she had imagined. That girl had backbone.
“Miss Turner, I still need to sleep,” Caroline continued, determined to end the interaction. “Excuse me, but please leave. Oh, and remember to close the door when you leave.”
Sheila's eyes darkened. The smile disappeared completely, revealing the coldness underneath.
When she spoke again, her voice had changed.
The sweet tone was gone, replaced by a cutting seriousness.
“Miss Ford, I have a few words to say to you. Naturally, I will leave after I speak. But I think you can postpone sleep for a few minutes, can't you? After all, what I have to say is of interest to you.”
Noticing the drastic change in her attitude, Caroline sighed inwardly.
There it was. The real Sheila.
Caroline knew this moment would come. Sheila's hostility had been palpable from the start; it would have been abnormal for her to continue pretending to be friendly. “Miss Turner's” patience had run out.
Caroline was not afraid. She straightened her posture, staring her rival in the eye.
“All right,” Caroline said calmly. “What is it? I'm listening.”
Sheila narrowed her eyes. Her gaze, once sweet, became sharp and hostile, fixing on Caroline's lips—which were still slightly swollen and red from Nicholas's recent kiss.
Jealousy burned in her chest, but she kept her voice cold and controlled.
“I assume Miss Ford already knows about Nick's... peculiar problem.” “Sheila began, walking slowly around the room like a predator circling its prey. ”He can't stand the touch of women. A simple caress can trigger a severe allergic reaction. That's one of the reasons he's remained single for so many years.
She paused dramatically, smiling slightly.
"But, of course, there's another reason. Nick is extremely picky. Ordinary women simply can't get his attention. Miss Ford must know Olivia Culpo, right? That singer who was a revelation on the music scene a few years ago?
Olivia Culpo?
Caroline worked in the entertainment industry, so of course she knew who she was.
Olivia had been a phenomenon. Three years ago, she won the biggest talent contest in the country. Her voice was ethereal, unique. Her albums sold out in minutes, and her beauty—a voluptuous body and an angelic face—made her an instant star.
She had the world at her feet.
But at the height of her career, when the future looked bright, she called a sudden press conference and announced her retirement. And then she disappeared.
She simply vanished from the map. No one ever heard from her again.
Caroline frowned, confused.
“I'd like to know what Olivia Culpo has to do with what Miss Turner wants to tell me,” Caroline asked bluntly. She didn't like beating around the bush.
Sheila smiled, a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
“Do you know why Olivia gave up everything just when she was at the top?” Sheila lowered her voice, making it a dangerous secret. “Because she made the fatal mistake of provoking Nick.”
Caroline was surprised.