Chapter 142 Shameless Person
During her lunch break, Caroline headed to the cafeteria. Her colleagues, Axel Campbell and Kian Morgan, were already seated at a table. When they saw her approaching with her tray, one of them slid over, making room and waving her over over.
"I was just telling Kian," Axel said, his voice carrying the easy familiarity of a long-time coworker, "you're getting married the day after tomorrow. Is everything at home all sorted out?"
"All done," Caroline replied, only then spearing a piece of steak with her fork and bringing it to her lips.
Kian chimed in, "My son happens to be off this weekend. I've asked him to join the wedding convoy. He drives a Porsche Cayenne."
Caroline was touched by her colleague's kindness, a gesture she couldn't possibly refuse. "Thank you, Mr. Morgan."
She knew it was customary to give the drivers a small gift of cash, but it was clear Kian wasn't motivated by money; this was a sincere offer of help.
"Your wedding falls on a weekend, so pretty much everyone from the office can make it," Axel said, turning to Kian with a playful glint in his eye. "You can't weasel your way out of this one. We'll have to have a couple of drinks at Mr. Wipere's reception."
Kian chuckled. "No problem."
"Oh, by the way," Axel added, "I saw on the Seaside City news this morning that the first wind turbine for the Thornfield Town project is being completed on your wedding day. What a coincidence. It must be an auspicious day."
"It really is," Kian agreed. "A lot of people are getting married that day. I've received several invitations for the same date."
Axel, assuming Kian was already building an excuse to avoid their drinking pact, narrowed his eyes. "You have to be there. No excuses."
"Don't worry," Kian reassured him. "I've sent gifts for the others, but for Ms. Tudor, I'll be delivering my gift—and myself—in person."
Axel then turned his attention back to Caroline. "So, Caroline, what are your husband's parents like? Easy to get along with?"
A soft smile touched Caroline's lips. "They are. Very easygoing."
"That's good. Not like my daughter's in-laws," Axel said, the subject clearly a source of recurring headaches for him. "They're notoriously difficult, and somehow my family ended up with them."
Caroline had heard the whispers. In a small community, everyone was vaguely aware of everyone else's family dynamics.
She knew exactly what he was talking about, but it wasn't her place to comment on another family's private affairs. She simply offered a polite, noncommittal smile and let the topic fade.
The three of them chatted about work for a while longer. Caroline, a faster eater, finished first. She picked up her tray, excused herself with a nod, and headed out of the bustling cafeteria.
As she rounded the corner to the stairwell, she saw a man standing in front of her office door. His back was to her, his figure indistinct in the hallway's ambient light.
Hearing her approaching footsteps, the man turned. Caroline stopped dead in her tracks, her brief moment of calm shattering. "What are you doing here?"
Atticus stood there, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his chin tilted in that familiar, arrogant posture. It seemed the last encounter hadn't taught him a thing.
"I'm here to discuss a professional matter," he stated, his tone smooth and unruffled.
"Come in," Caroline said, her voice tight as she fished for her keys and unlocked the door.
Atticus followed her into the office, his eyes immediately landing on the new nameplate standing on her desk. "You've been promoted. Congratulations."
Leaning back against her chair, Caroline found his insincere congratulations grating, like a pollutant to the air in her newly acquired space. "Get to the point. What is it?"
Atticus pulled out the visitor's chair, but as he was about to sit, his gaze caught the elegant wedding invitation resting on the corner of her desk. "You're getting married?"
Caroline met his eyes directly, her expression unyielding. "Yes."
"When?" He asked.
'The question was so infuriatingly audacious. As if she would ever invite him. Don't sicken me,' she thought.
"What is the matter you're here to discuss?" She asked, pointedly ignoring his question.
A smirk played on his lips. "Still holding a grudge? I'm happy for you, really. Just tell me the date. I'd love to witness your happy moment."
"If you're here to discuss business, I can spare some of my break time," Caroline said, her voice dropping to a dangerously level tone. "But if you're here for personal matters, the door is right there." Get out. Just get out.
Most people would have been shamed into leaving, but Atticus had a hide thicker than anyone she knew. He had dealt with far more hostile people and far nastier words; her polite dismissal was child's play, incapable of scratching his shameless exterior.
What some might call resilience, she called being a shameless bastard.
"Fine," he said with a sigh, feigning hurt. "I was just trying to be nice, and you misunderstood me."
Caroline's brow furrowed slightly. The sheer audacity of the man was a marvel.
Atticus pulled several photographs from his briefcase. "This is my client's house. See that power line running over it?"
She took the stack of ten photos. Each one was a close-up, showing the cable's proximity to the house from various angles. After flipping through them, she placed them on her desk.
"This power line is severely impacting my client's daily life," Atticus said, his lawyerly persona snapping into place. "Their demand is simple: they want the power company to immediately remove the cable that runs over their property."
Caroline recognized the project. It had been built last year, after extensive meetings, public discussions, and on-site surveys. There were no safety hazards. "That cable was installed with full departmental approval. It's entirely legal and compliant with all regulations."
"So your approvals mean you can just ignore the residents' well-being?" Atticus shot back.
"Who wouldn't live in constant fear with a high-voltage line hanging over their head every day?"
"It's not a high-voltage line," Caroline corrected him calmly.
Atticus paused for a beat, then barrelled on. "High-voltage or not, my client demands to have it moved." His tone shifted, becoming sly. "And if it's not moved, then we'll have to discuss compensation."
"Compensation was already provided when the line was designed and installed," Caroline stated, recalling the project files.
"That was compensation for land use," Atticus countered. "My client is now seeking damages for the disruption to their life and for mental distress."
Caroline didn't respond immediately. While she was familiar with the project, another manager had overseen its specific execution. She needed to review all the details before giving a definitive answer. "I understand the issue you've raised. I'll have a colleague get back to you with a response."
Atticus placed his business card on her desk. "The sooner, the better. My client isn't a patient man. It would be a shame if he decided to cause a scene at your wedding. Very unlucky."
The sinister smile playing on his lips made Caroline's hand itch with the desire to slap him.
"Atticus, you should be grateful for the laws that protect you," she said, her voice quiet but laced with steel. "If I were the kind of person who could be intimidated by a few empty threats, I wouldn't be a manager."
He seemed to recall their past encounters, a flicker of realization crossing his face that he wouldn't gain any ground here. Caroline was not a woman he could bully. He averted his gaze and picked up his briefcase. "How long until I receive a response?"
"Within three business days," Caroline said.
"That long?" Atticus's eyes narrowed as if a thought just occurred to him. "You're not getting married this weekend, are you?"
Caroline rose slowly from her chair, her presence suddenly filling the room. "Atticus, have I given you the impression that I'm easy to push around?"
"Don't get upset, I was just guessing," he said, his eyes raking over her from head to toe in a way that felt deeply offensive and violating. "Congratulations on your wedding. Be happy."
His gaze, filled with a disgusting familiarity, made her face darken. She picked up her phone and dialed a number. "Please send security up to my office."
"I'm leaving now. What's security for?" Atticus said with a nervous laugh, already backing toward the door.
Caroline's hand clenched into a fist. She heard the sound of hurried footsteps in the hallway, and a moment later, a security guard was questioning Atticus and escorting him from the floor.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Caroline dialed Leopold's number. "I'm leaving work early today. Let's go to Silverpeak City and pick up your mother."
Leopold was on the sofa, a laptop resting on his legs, displaying information about overseas hotels. "Of course. What time should I come get you?"
Caroline glanced at her watch. "In an hour."