Chapter 74 Chapter 74
Nicholas never asked her to hide her identity...
But he never encouraged her to reveal it either.
He lived discreetly, away from the cameras.
He didn't even give interviews.
People knew that the CEO of Wolf Corporation was young—and that was all.
No one knew his name, face, or age.
Caroline swallowed hard.
Before she could say anything, Tania smiled and raised her hands.
“Calm down! If it's inconvenient, you don't have to tell me. I was just thinking about your future...” she sighed. “Carol, you're beautiful, intelligent, talented. If he has enough influence, he can open huge doors for you. You should try to work for big companies. You have potential. All you need is someone to give you a chance.”
Caroline remained silent.
Tania wasn't entirely wrong.
If Nicholas wanted to...
She could have any opportunity in the world.
And so far, he had never shown any opposition to the idea of her working in entertainment.
This possibility affected her more than it should have.
“Carol,” Tania said seriously, “you shine brighter than most people in that world. If someone gives you the right opportunity, you'll surpass any Claire in the world.”
Caroline squeezed her cell phone between her fingers.
She knew that.
And for the first time...
She seriously thought:
“Would Nicholas support me?”
The Wolf family was not a force to be underestimated.
And Nicholas... was the kind of man who could move mountains if he wanted to.
Caroline knew that if she asked, he would be able to protect her from the whole world.
She was absorbed in these thoughts when her cell phone rang again.
She answered it—and when she saw the name “Ford House,” her expression immediately darkened.
“Miss Ford!” The housekeeper's voice sounded panicked. “Please come home immediately!”
Caroline sat up straight at once.
“What happened?”
“It's Mrs. Rosana... she said that your mother's room is the brightest, most airy, and closest to the garden... so... she wants Miss Claire to move there.”
“WHAT?!”
The blood drained from Caroline's face.
“She wants to take my mother's room? Has she gone mad? And my father? What did he say?”
“The old gentleman was against it at first... but Mrs. Rosana claimed that the current room is bad for the baby, that it could be harmful to the pregnancy...” the housekeeper continued, her voice trembling.
“And young Mr. Edward... he's putting a lot of pressure on them, saying that Claire needs the best environment possible. You didn't have the courage to contradict them and... you ended up agreeing.”
Caroline clenched the phone until her fingers turned white.
“No.” Her voice was pure ice. “Claire will not set foot in that room.”
“Miss Claire is already having her things packed,” the housekeeper said, almost crying. “She wants to move out today. Miss Caroline, come back soon! That's your mother's room! You told me, before she died, that no one but you could enter that room. Never, ever...”
The call dropped.
Caroline barely noticed that she had hung up.
She was so furious that she felt like throwing her cell phone against the wall.
Claire had already ruined her relationship with Edward.
Fine—Caroline didn't need him anymore.
But take her mother's room?
That she would never allow.
“Carol?” Tania's eyes widened when she saw her expression. “What happened?!”
“Nothing.” Caroline took a deep breath, her voice low and firm. “I need to go home. If I'm not back before afternoon classes, excuse me.”
“To the Fords' house?” Tania swallowed hard, immediately uneasy. “Do you want me to go with you?”
Caroline smiled wryly, without humor.
“No need. I can manage.”
Tania knew enough about the hell that was that house to be concerned. But Caroline was already leaving—determined, calculated, dangerous.
She hailed a taxi at the university gate and, on the way, made a decision.
She would not go back alone.
After everything Nicholas had done for her and everything she had seen of his power...
She would be foolish to face the Ford family without support.
She took out her cell phone and made a call.
The call was answered on the first ring.
“Honey... do you miss me already?” His voice was warm, deep, seductive, as if it could penetrate her entire body.
Caroline almost lost her composure—but she stayed focused.
“Nicholas... are you busy?”
“For you? Never.” He smiled. “What's wrong, sweetheart?”
She took a deep breath and opened her heart:
“I need your help... really. I'm sorry to bother you, but... this time it's serious.”
He didn't hesitate for a second.
Concern dominated his voice.
“Where are you now? What's going on?”
“I'm on my way to the Fords' house.” Caroline clenched her knees, frustrated and furious. “It's going to be... complicated. So I thought I'd borrow some of your men. Five or six will be enough.”
She remembered how those bodyguards were capable of taking down three men each.
Five or six... would be an army.
Nicholas agreed before even asking what for.
“I'm sending them now. They'll meet you at the gate of the Ford house. But, dear...” His voice was lower, more concerned. “...are you really safe?” Do you want me to come over?
Something warmed inside her.
Her anger at Claire subsided for a moment.
Nicholas had that effect.
“I'm safe, I promise,” she said, smiling. “Keep working. I'll take care of this.”
For a few seconds, Nicholas was silent.
Then his voice came back, deep, intense:
"Caroline... don't carry the world on your shoulders alone. If you can't solve it, call me. I'll solve it for you. Anything.
A pause, and then, more softly:
"My dear... you are no longer alone. You have me. And I will be by your side in any battle.
Caroline closed her eyes.
She took a deep breath.
Yes.
She had Nicholas.
And with him, nothing—absolutely nothing—could bring her down.
“Remember, your husband will always be your support and foundation. Now you are Mrs. Wolf, no one can disturb you. Anyone who dares to do so deserves a lesson from you.”
Caroline felt another wave of warmth in her heart.
She felt her eyes well up as she replied:
“Hmm!”
Suddenly, she felt that this “surprise marriage” was bringing her more joy than she had imagined.
Her “surprise” husband was much better than she had imagined.
Having a husband who helped her unconditionally was very good.
Maybe she should start trying to accept this marriage and truly embrace it.
...
An hour later, she arrived at the Ford family home.
The Ford family was quite wealthy before things started to go downhill. Caroline lived a good life as a young lady of the Ford family, at least until she was 15.
Although they weren't doing so well now, they didn't lead a terrible life.
In any case, their situation was still much better than that of the average family.
The Ford family lived in a mansion, owned a luxury car, and had several maids. Marcus Ford was a very proud man who would rather go into debt than have his quality of life reduced.
Caroline saw the housekeeper the moment she got out of the taxi.
“Miss Ford, you're finally here.”
The maid was moved and held her hand as soon as she saw her.
“Come in quickly. Claire and her mother are asking someone to take your things away. I'm just a maid, I can't stop them. But you are the biological daughter of the lady and Miss Ford of the Ford family. Maybe they would listen to you if you stopped them.”
Caroline smiled sadly when she heard this.
The current Ford family had no place for Caroline.