Chapter 41
Rena slipped into the backseat with her small backpack. As soon as she settled in, Logan scoffed and rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Whatever. Stop acting so perfect. I can't stand people like you," Logan said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"So what if you can do a few ballet moves? You really think you deserve to represent our class in the performance? You'll just embarrass us all."
Caroline's grip tightened on the steering wheel, her breathing becoming heavier. She glared at Logan through the rearview mirror. "Logan! How could you say something like that? Apologize to Rena right now!"
"I didn't say anything wrong. Why should I apologize?" Logan jutted out his chin, his cheeks flushing red.
"It's true, Mommy! You don't know where she came from before—just some country bumpkin. And now she's supposed to represent our entire class? It's humiliating!"
"That's not true," Rena said, clutching her dress. Though her voice was soft, it carried a stubborn determination.
"You're lying! If it weren't for you, Layla would have gotten that chance. But you had to butt in, and now our class has zero chance of winning," Logan shouted, his little face scrunched up in anger.
"Is this how I taught you to behave? Apologize. Now." Caroline pulled the car over and turned to give both children a stern look. She couldn't understand where they had learned to judge others with such prejudice.
Rena hesitated for a moment. "I know many classmates look down on me and think I took Layla's spot. But the teacher made that decision based on our performance." She lifted her head, her eyes shining.
"I practice three hours every day. I promise I'll amaze everyone at the performance and make them see me differently."
Logan was momentarily taken aback by her candid response. He looked uncomfortable but was about to argue further when he caught sight of Caroline's angry expression.
"Fine. I'm sorry," he muttered without sincerity, then turned abruptly to stare out the window, refusing to speak further.
The backseat fell silent, with only the occasional soft hum from the air conditioning vents.
Caroline sighed with relief and was about to start the car when Layla leaned over from the passenger seat, covering Caroline's hand on the gearshift with her warm little palm. "Mommy, don't be mad. Logan didn't mean it. He got scolded by the teacher today, so he's in a bad mood."
She looked up with a face as sweet as honey. "Mommy, can you make BBQ glazed ribs tomorrow night? I haven't had yours in ages, and Nina's are awful."
Caroline felt her resolve melting. She remembered how Layla had always loved BBQ glazed ribs since she was little. The dish was one of the few that could get Layla to eat properly.
But they were moving back to the Windsor Manor today, and Caroline had been planning to return to her own apartment since they no longer needed to stay under Isaac's watchful eye.
She instinctively wanted to refuse, but facing her daughter's hopeful expression, the words died in her throat.
"All right," she heard herself say softly. "I'll make them for you tomorrow night."
'It's just one more dinner,' she reassured herself.
---
After dropping her children off at home, Caroline made a special trip to the supermarket to pick up groceries.
Since Libbie wouldn't be back until evening, Caroline couldn't leave Rena hungry, so she quickly prepared some chicken noodles for her.
"Ms. Hamilton, these noodles are delicious," Rena said, holding the bowl and taking small bites, her eyes curved into happy crescents.
By the time Caroline returned to the Windsor Manor, darkness had fallen completely.
The living room was lit with a warm yellow glow. Arthur sat on the sofa reviewing documents, his fingers quickly swiping across his tablet. Seeing Caroline enter, he merely nodded briefly before returning his attention to his work.
At dinner, the family gathered around the long table in a somewhat awkward silence.
Isaac set down his utensils and looked at Arthur. "Arthur, how is Caroline doing at the company? Is she adjusting well?" he asked in a leisurely tone.
Caroline's grip on her silverware tightened. She understood Isaac's real question—he wanted to know if she still held any place in Arthur's heart.
Arthur swallowed his food, his tone as flat as if delivering a business report, "She's working reception, handling visitors. As CEO, showing too much concern for a receptionist would invite unnecessary speculation."
"What?" Isaac's brow immediately furrowed, his voice carrying a hint of reproach. "She's not just a receptionist—she's your wife! I understand you don't want to mix personal and professional matters, but you should still look after her when you can."
Arthur didn't argue, merely nodding and saying flatly, "Noted."
His businesslike attitude seemed to irritate Isaac further. The older man let out a heavy snort but said nothing more. Arthur just smiled faintly and continued eating.
Tiffany, however, couldn't resist chiming in, her tone dripping with mockery. "Dad, don't be upset. Caroline's a grown woman. If she faces difficulties at work, she's certainly capable of handling them herself."
"Or if it's too much, she could simply come home and be a proper housewife instead of embarrassing herself out there." She glanced at Caroline. "Some people are just meant to be homemakers. Not everyone can handle the life of a career woman."
Caroline's hands trembled slightly, her nails nearly digging into her palms. She took a deep breath, about to speak, when Irene beat her to it.
"Mom, you shouldn't say that," Irene said with a graceful smile, though her tone carried an unmistakable air of superiority. "Everyone has their own path. Speaking of work, Ms. White and Arthur make the perfect team. Last time I visited headquarters, I saw them discussing a project—their synergy was flawless, absolutely seamless."
She turned to Caroline with seemingly sincere advice. "Caroline, I don't mean to criticize, but you really should learn from Ms. White. See how she supports Arthur."
Caroline suddenly felt exhausted—too tired even to argue back.
She lifted her head, meeting everyone's gaze with a calm smile. "Thank you, Mom and Irene, for your concern. I know my limits and can handle the pressures of work on my own. Please don't worry yourselves."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unprecedented firmness.
Arthur paused mid-sip, his eyelids lifting almost imperceptibly as he glanced at her briefly before quickly looking down again.
The atmosphere at the table grew tense until Isaac broke the silence with a heavy cough. "Let's eat before the food gets cold."
Caroline lowered her head, silently pushing the food around in her bowl. She just needed to endure one more day. Tomorrow she could move back home.