Chapter 346

Arthur's attitude was firm, backed by the powerful Windsor Group. Having just demonstrated his protectiveness toward Caroline, no one dared provoke him further. They could only leave in disappointment.

Among those who'd tried to approach, some had wanted to network opportunistically, while others had come specifically for Arthur. None succeeded.

After being rejected here, someone walked toward a corner—the direction the intern reporter had been watching.

"No good. Mr. Windsor's sitting right there. He won't let us near her at all."

The person who'd failed at making conversation had barely finished speaking when he was kicked. "Useless! Can't even handle such a simple thing!"

He kept his head down, not daring to breathe too loudly.

The man stared coldly in the direction where Caroline and Arthur sat. They were about to go up on stage to receive their awards now.

A sinister laugh escaped his throat. "Think getting through this once means you're home free? I've got plenty of ways to trash your reputations!"

If Richard were here, he'd recognize this man as the media boss who used to take his assignments—the one who provided internet trolls to spread rumors about Caroline.

But because of Caroline's counterattack and Arthur's interference, he'd never succeeded.

This had been eating at him for a while. Now, being mocked by Arthur in front of so many people—how could he stand for that? He'd already marked them as enemies.

He was long accustomed to manipulating public opinion for his own profit.

Just from Caroline's case alone, he'd taken substantial money from Richard. Not only had he failed to deliver, but Richard had ended up in prison instead. Though Richard couldn't come after him for the money anytime soon, he couldn't swallow this humiliation.

There was no one in this world he couldn't take down!

Caroline glanced around. Several of the selected outstanding entrepreneurs were people she knew—Stanley, Oliver, Arthur, Clifton...

Including herself, they made up nearly half the group.

Her contacts were clearly impressive. Every one of them was a major figure in Sovereign City.

But before, she'd always been Arthur's appendage. She'd never imagined she'd have a day when she could stand as their equal. Looking back, it all felt like a dream.

The host's passionate voice rang in her ears. Lights flashed, focusing on them all.

A mystery guest appeared. Caroline looked over, somewhat surprised.

It was Blake!

Blake had taken a role some months ago and had been out of contact for months. She'd asked his agent and learned this was normal for actors like him, so she hadn't worried much. Though she'd been thinking that if Blake didn't return by New Year's, she'd have to reach out no matter what.

She hadn't expected him to appear at today's event. His filming must have wrapped.

Blake handed out medals and certificates one by one. When he reached Caroline, his eyes crinkled with a smile.

"Caroline's amazing!" As he pinned the medal on her, he spoke in a voice only they could hear. Caroline couldn't help smiling back. "Let's celebrate at home tonight."

Blake nodded.

Actually, filming had just ended. When he rushed here, he'd only just gotten off the plane not long ago.

But seeing his sister looking so accomplished—any amount of exhaustion was worth it.

After the awards ceremony came the celebration banquet. Everyone relaxed, chatting in small groups or eating.

Blake left right after presenting the awards. He probably had other commitments.

Knowing he'd already agreed to come, Caroline smiled and didn't pursue where he was going.

Instead, a shadow fell over her. She thought it was Arthur, but when she looked up, it was Neil.

"Congratulations, Ms. Hamilton. You really shone today!" Neil held a glass of champagne and clinked it with hers.

Caroline actually hadn't noticed him there.

His words surprised her slightly before she smiled at him. "Thank you."

"I'll have to trouble Ms. Hamilton to keep an eye on things at the research institute. New Year's is coming soon, and my family's getting anxious."

"I've already spoken with the institute. They'll keep watch." Caroline nodded.

Having finally seen a breakthrough in the project, the Myers family was paying close attention to this matter.

She thought of Harlan. Just like his concern for General Boleyn, both sides shared an extremely similar sense of urgency.

"Is Ms. Hamilton busy?"

She'd only exchanged a couple sentences with Neil when someone else approached.

It was Harlan's secretary. Caroline looked over. Neil tactfully stepped back. "If Ms. Hamilton has business to attend to, I won't intrude."

Caroline nodded. Neil left, and she turned to the secretary. "What is it?"

"There's an important person who'd like to meet Ms. Hamilton. If you're available, we can talk while we walk." The secretary seemed rushed. Caroline followed him, unaware that someone had already followed behind them, raising a camera to record this scene.

"This month's bonus is in the bag!" After filming, he looked at his camera with satisfaction, about to take it back to turn in his work.

A large hand from behind pressed down on the camera at his chest. He turned back irritably. "Who are you? This is my—"

His voice cut off abruptly, because the person before him was none other than Arthur.

Arthur had been delayed by someone earlier. When he went to find Caroline, he discovered she'd left with someone.

Before he could catch up, he spotted this sneaky reporter. Following him, he'd just heard his words. How could he let him leave?

Arthur's gaze was ice-cold. "I'll compensate you for the camera."

With that, he snatched the camera from the reporter, extracted the memory card, snapped it in half right in front of him, then smashed the camera heavily to the ground.

"You!" The reporter reached out but couldn't stop Arthur's actions. He glared at Arthur in frustration. "This is how I make my living! Do you know how much is in there—"

Before he finished, another person appeared beside Arthur.

"EchoSphere Media? Isn't this the same one that caused trouble today? Now they're doing secret filming? And with such a terrible attitude. I should report this upstairs and squeeze them a bit. Make them suffer."

The moment he spoke, the reporter frantically shook his head. "No, it was all a misunderstanding today! I don't want it anymore. I don't want anything!"

Broken equipment could be reimbursed by his boss, but if he implicated the boss because of himself, he'd be finished.

He fled in panic. Arthur glanced at Oliver. "What are you stirring up trouble for?"

Oliver shrugged. "I came to chat with Ms. Hamilton too. Who knew someone would beat me to it? But seeing that you didn't get to queue up either makes me feel much better."