Chapter 73 Chapter 73
Caroline blinked a few times, feeling a lump of emotion rise in her throat.
She took a deep breath.
“Maybe. But anyway, that's in the past now.” She tried to lighten the mood with a slight smile. “And honestly... compared to Nicholas... Edward seems so distant. So... small.”
Tania's eyes widened with excitement.
“Yes! That's right!” She pointed into the air, as if she had found the formula for happiness. “Edward who? Claire what? Now you have a man who treats you like a queen, who sends you a breakfast feast, who sleeps on the floor just so he doesn't scare you!”
Caroline blushed immediately.
“Tania...”
“No use denying it!” She pushed a roll toward her friend. “Eat this and think about your millionaire husband who woke up early to spoil you. If you're going to suffer, suffer with a stomach full of expensive food!”
Caroline couldn't help but giggle.
Tania was exaggerated, loud, dramatic... but she always made everything around her seem lighter.
“Thank you, Tania. Really.”
“I know, sweetie,” she replied haughtily, biting into another roll. “I'm essential to your mental health.”
Caroline just smiled.
Outside, the morning sun lit up the campus.
And for the first time in a long time, she felt that the world was changing into a kinder place for her.
After all... someone was taking care of her.
Thinking about her.
Loving her — in the twisted and intense way that only Nicholas Wolf knew how to love.
And that, as scary as it was, was also... warm.
Cozy.
E Dangerously addictive.
Tania immediately sensed the heavy atmosphere that hung in the air and tried to dispel it with her natural lightheartedness.
“Honey, let's stop thinking about these boring things.” She clicked her tongue. “The important thing is that now you have Prince Charming to love you, pamper you, and carry you in his arms whenever you want. Look: if none of this had happened, you would never have found Prince Charming. Trading a scoundrel for a man like that? That's what I call winning in life!” She patted Caroline's hand. “There. Subject closed.”
And, without giving room for heavy feelings to return, Tania changed the subject:
“Oh, is Sara still in the hospital? How is she now?”
Caroline took a deep breath and replied:
“I called yesterday. Her condition is stable.”
“That's good.” Tania sighed with relief. “Tomorrow is the weekend. We can go visit her.”
Caroline shook her head.
“No need. The doctor said she'll be discharged tomorrow. And you have a photo shoot. When she's ready, I'll invite her to dinner with us.”
“All right.” Tania smiled. “By the way! I'll get my paycheck next week. I'll take you both out to dinner. But please don't look down on me if the place isn't worthy of your Prince Charming, okay?”
Caroline laughed, her heart warming.
After a luxurious breakfast, the two walked together across campus.
On the way, they ran into Fernanda and Ianca.
Their expressions immediately froze.
Fernanda shot a venomous glance, and Ianca, upon seeing her, turned her face away with disdain.
“Fernanda, let's go,” Ianca said loudly, theatrically. “Some people are too influential. We can't afford to upset them.”
Both were holding punishment booklets—probably their reflective essays.
Tania wasted no time.
“If you think Soraya is so pitiful, why don't you go keep her company at the police station?” she retorted with pure sarcasm.
“Tania!” Fernanda gritted her teeth. “Who do you think you are?!”
Caroline, however, calmly turned her gaze to them... and that was enough to make Fernanda and Ianca pale.
They knew.
They knew that Soraya and Jacob had been detained for much longer than they should have been.
They also knew that Amorim Corporações had fallen overnight.
And they knew that no influence from the Collins family could have done that.
Caroline's boyfriend—whoever he was—was someone far beyond their reach.
Someone who could destroy a medium-sized company in a matter of hours.
Someone they could never go up against.
Fernanda swallowed hard.
“Ianca, let's go,” she whispered, running away with her tail between her legs.
Tania grimaced behind them.
“Ugh! I'm going to kill you out of anger!” And then she laughed, hugging Caroline's arm. “Honey, they hate you so much now that it's funny. But it also gives me the creeps. You should be careful. That Fernanda looks like she's up to no good.”
Caroline smiled softly.
“Let's go, Tania.”
The morning classes were uneventful. Shortly after ten, Caroline left the classroom. The sun was shining, the campus was full of students... and then her cell phone rang.
She answered.
“Student Caroline Ford? We're calling from Star Entertainment Film Company. We need a replacement for the position of contract analyst, and we believe you are a perfect fit. We would like to know if you would be interested.”
Caroline stopped walking.
Even her breathing was suspended for a moment.
Star Entertainment?
She blinked, confused.
“Excuse me... Star Entertainment Film Company?”
“Yes, miss.”
Caroline frowned, surprised.
“I think there's been some mistake. I... I don't remember sending my resume to Star Entertainment.”
“There is no mistake,” replied the woman on the other end of the line, with a professional smile audible even over the phone. “We received your recommendation directly from an internal source. Your name was recommended as highly qualified and trustworthy.”
Caroline stood completely still.
Recommendation?
Internal source?
Star Entertainment was one of the largest production companies in the country—she would never have been able to achieve something like this on her own.
So...
who recommended her?
And why?
Her heart gradually began to race.
There was only one person capable of something like this.
Before Caroline could respond, the polite voice of the man on the phone added:
"A friend of mine personally recommended you. Miss Ford, have you thought it through? We can offer you very satisfactory compensation.“
Caroline blinked.
A friend?
She was confused for a moment, but didn't think much of it.
She took a deep breath, gathered her thoughts, and replied sincerely:
”I'm sorry... but I'm not familiar with substitute work."
There was a silence on the other end, as if the attendant hadn't expected that answer.
“Miss Ford... are you rejecting the offer?”
Caroline nodded slightly, even though he couldn't see her.
“Yes. I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm right for this.”
If it had been a few days ago, before the wedding—when she needed to save every penny to pay for Sara's surgery—she would have accepted without thinking twice.
But now...
She had a Black Card, the limit of which she hadn't even dared to ask.
She had a husband who took care of all her needs before she even realized she needed anything.
And above all, she wanted to build something solid for her own future.
Working as a substitute for a lawyer?
It wouldn't add anything to her life. She would rather continue with her temporary jobs or small roles that at least gave her some visibility.
“Are you sure?” insisted the man.
“I am.”
A brief pause.
“I understand. I won't insist. This is my direct contact. Please call me if you change your mind.”
“Okay.”
As soon as she hung up, Tania rushed to her side.
“Carol! Did Star Entertainment call you?!”
“Um,” Caroline confirmed, looking at the number with a frown.
It was all... too strange.
A “friend” who had recommended her?
She had never accepted that kind of role.
She had never sent her resume to that company.
And if Star was really hiring, they wouldn't need to call her personally.
The whole process had been too strange.
“Star Entertainment is huge,” Tania said thoughtfully. “Have you ever tried to apply there?”
“Never. And that's what they said...” Caroline sighed. “They want someone to replace a lawyer. And everyone knows I don't accept that kind of job.”
Tania put her hand on her chin, suspicious.
“I'll look into whether they're really hiring. But don't worry. Maybe it's just an overzealous recruiter.”
Caroline nodded.
“Hmm.”
Tania hesitated for a moment, then asked quietly,
“Carol... can I ask you something a little personal?”
“Sure.”
“Prince Charming... what kind of man is he exactly?”
Caroline froze.