Chapter 182 Leaving
There was a knock on the office door.
Caroline responded, "Come in."
Two more knocks, but the door didn't open.
Leopold had pulled this trick before—knocking but not coming in. Caroline had opened the door herself and caught him red-handed.
She got up to open the door, saying with a smile, "How childish." Her voice cut off abruptly, and she laughed awkwardly, "Please come in, Mr. Hearst."
Nash was slightly taken aback, then smiled, "Ms. Tudor, what's going on?"
Caroline waved her hand, "Nothing, please have a seat, Mr. Hearst."
Nash sat down and opened his folder, "Don't call me Mr. Hearst, it sounds too formal. Just call me Nash."
Caroline definitely couldn't call him by his first name, so Mr. Hearst was the best option.
Nash continued, "I'm here today to bring you the latest cable information from VoltWave Cables, take a look. This cable uses our company's patented technology—not only does it reduce costs, but the cable's lifespan is greatly extended."
"Really? Let me see."
Hearing this, Caroline became interested. Cables that cost less and last longer would save the company money.
Nash placed the materials in front of her, and Caroline looked down to carefully review the information.
When she saw the cross-section photos of the cable, Caroline's eyes lit up, "Good, really good."
At this moment, Nash's gaze was also studying Caroline.
She wore a formal business suit. Unlike the women around him, Caroline had a clean kind of beauty—so beautiful it made him want to ruin her, to watch the buttons of her white shirt come undone for him one by one, revealing the body wrapped in underwear beneath.
Caroline closed the materials and said sincerely, "If the actual product is really as good as described in the materials, VoltWave Cables' cables are truly excellent."
Nash smiled modestly, "Getting your approval means VoltWave Cables' technical department didn't work in vain."
Caroline said, "I'll keep the materials here. After the project approval is signed off, it'll quickly go to bidding. You can have your people keep an eye on the government procurement website."
Nash nodded, "Okay, I'll do as you say. I definitely won't let you down. Thanks again."
Caroline smiled, "No need to thank me. I also hope Seaside City companies can win the bid—it increases local business efficiency, creates tax revenue, and expands employment opportunities."
Nash took out his phone, "Ms. Tudor, would it be convenient to add each other on WhatsApp? Don't get me wrong! I'm thinking when your project gets approved, I'll have someone watch the government procurement website right away. There will definitely be a lot of people watching this project, and with your support, I'll feel more at ease."
Adding each other on WhatsApp wasn't a problem.
Caroline took out her phone and opened it. Nash added her as a friend.
Soon, a new friend request from Nash popped up in her WhatsApp contacts. Caroline opened it and saw his WhatsApp name, though she didn't pay much attention to it. She changed his contact name to "VoltWave Cables Nash Hearst."
She put down her phone, and Nash stood up on his own, "Ms. Tudor, if there's nothing else, I'll head back."
Caroline walked him to the door. Nash said, "I know you're busy, no need to see me out."
From his tone to his manner, Nash exuded the charm of a mature man, making it easy for people to lower their guard around him.
That evening at home, Leopold asked about Nash.
"I went downstairs at lunch and saw Mr. Hearst, the one we met at Gastronomy Royale. He came to talk to you about cables?"
Caroline said, "Yeah, he brought cable materials today."
Leopold said, "He's pretty sharp and has a lot of tricks up his sleeve. You should be careful."
"I will be," Caroline wasn't easy to fool either. "He's quite famous in Seaside City. From a company on the verge of bankruptcy to one of Seaside City's top taxpayers today—that definitely didn't happen by luck alone. There must have been effort and sacrifice behind it."
As for what kind of sacrifice, that was hard to say.
"I have my principles. All procurement will be done by the book, absolutely no personal relationships involved."
With that assurance, Leopold could leave the country with peace of mind.
Watching Caroline close the bathroom door, Leopold followed her in.
She stood under the showerhead, warm water streaming down from above, covering her entire body.
The next second, the glass shower door was pulled open. Leopold's chest pressed against her, making her jump. Before she could speak, she was held tight in his strong arms.
Leopold coaxed her affectionately, "Don't move, just like this."
Caroline closed her eyes, immersed in his embrace.
Before long, the sound of water filled the bathroom as he pinned her wrists against the wall.
In the bathtub, bubbles covered their bodies, his embrace burning hot.
Heaven and earth, reality and illusion, everything turned upside down and mixed together. The view before her eyes became increasingly blurred by the steamy mist.
By the time Leopold placed Caroline on the bed, the clock already pointed to eight-fifty.
She said it would be too late, but Leopold told her not to worry.
Outside the window, the moonlight was enticing. The night breeze became hot and intimate from the passion in the bathroom.
He held her tight, calling her name in her ear. Though it was just a name without any desire, the way he said it made her heart tremble, as if he wanted to use this one night to claim all the desire and longing for the time he'd be away.
Caroline accidentally saw the time on her phone and suddenly woke up, saying urgently, "If you don't leave now, you really won't make it."
After taking Leopold to the airport, he held Caroline and wouldn't let go. Hearing the boarding announcements inside the airport, Caroline gently patted his back, "It's time to board."
Leopold was reluctant to let her go, "I'm going in now. You should head back too."
Watching him walk into the boarding gate, Caroline finally turned and left the terminal.
The evening breeze was especially gentle tonight—perhaps because she missed him so much.
The flight to Eldoria would take nearly thirty hours, with one transfer in between. When the plane landed at the airport, the person there to receive him was Indigo.
Indigo seemed a bit nervous seeing Leopold. Leopold spoke quickly, discussing what needed to be done next as they walked, then asked, "Now tell me in detail what happened that day."