Chapter 76
Arthur returned to the bedroom well after midnight.
He paused briefly upon seeing Caroline. "You needed something?"
Caroline opted for directness. "There's a charity auction tomorrow night at The Aurelia Gala—"
"I know." Arthur loosened his tie and unfastened his cufflinks, glancing at her. "You want to attend?"
"Yes," Caroline confirmed, slightly surprised by his perception.
"Fine."
With that curt response, Arthur collected his clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.
Caroline hadn't expected such immediate agreement. His uncharacteristic acquiescence left her momentarily uncertain, but she accepted it without further questions.
It was already past one in the morning. With early laboratory work awaiting her, Caroline fell asleep before Arthur finished his shower.
---
At six the next morning, Caroline woke and hurried to the laboratory.
The government partnership project was in its initial phase, demanding her complete attention.
Later that morning, the twins discovered both parents had been home overnight, and rushed to the master bedroom only to find it empty.
Caroline was gone. Arthur too.
Layla's disappointment was evident. "Mommy and Daddy are always so busy lately. I never see them."
She had hoped for her mother's special breakfast, not the housekeeper's sandwiches she disliked.
Logan shrugged dismissively. "Who cares? It's better when Mommy's not here. Ms. White said she's coming soon, and she's taking us to our lessons today!"
Layla's attention immediately shifted.
"Really? If Ms. White takes us, maybe we can skip lessons and go to the amusement park instead. She always says yes."
The children huddled together, quietly plotting their day's adventure.
In their minds, Heidi could never refuse them anything.
Minutes later, Heidi arrived bearing breakfast.
Seeing the children waiting obediently in the living room, she smiled warmly.
"Good morning, Layla, Logan. I brought breakfast for you."
Heidi's offering—porridge, eggs, and bacon prepared by the White family's staff—delighted the children.
After breakfast, Layla suggested skipping their lessons for the amusement park.
Rather than agreeing outright, Heidi appeared conflicted. "I'd love to take you, but your mother specifically arranged today's horseback riding and dance lessons. I can't override her wishes."
With remarkable subtlety, she shifted responsibility to Caroline, further stoking the children's resentment.
Logan reacted predictably with anger. "It's all Mommy's fault! I never wanted to learn horseback riding—she forced me! I hate her!"
Heidi smiled triumphantly without commenting further.
Layla offered a different perspective. "But I actually love dancing. I asked Mommy if I could take lessons."
Her mother hadn't forced her at all.
Heidi's perfect features momentarily darkened before her warm smile returned.
"Layla's right. Your mommy arranged these lessons because she loves you. You should respect her wishes. Even if I wanted to take you to play, I couldn't."
Logan remained silent, directing all his frustration toward Caroline.
Layla said nothing.
Just then, Arthur called.
"Heidi, thank you for taking the children to their lessons so early."
Heidi's voice softened. "It's no trouble. They're such sweet, obedient little ones. Seeing them brightens my morning."
After Arthur offered a few more instructions and ended the call, Heidi drove the children to their activities.
Upon arrival, however, a problem emerged.
Layla looked at Heidi in confusion, searching for her belongings. "Ms. White, where are my dance shoes and outfit?"
How would Heidi know their whereabouts?
She maintained her patience. "Did you forget them, Layla? I'll call the housekeeper and have them delivered."
Logan joined the chorus of complaints. "My riding clothes are missing too! How am I supposed to take horseback lessons? Mommy always prepared everything for us!"
Heidi's composure began crumbling, her patience nearly exhausted.
Logan grew increasingly agitated. "Why aren't you saying anything? I can't ride without proper clothes. I'll be embarrassed in front of everyone!"
Heidi finally snapped.
"Mommy, mommy, always mommy! You're five years old—shouldn't you know how to prepare your own things by now? Why must others handle everything for you?"
Stunned by her outburst, the children fell silent before erupting into tears, simultaneously crying and accusing her of negligence.
Heidi dug her nails into her palms. These weren't children but two noisy demons, she thought.
Quickly suppressing her frustration, she softened her approach. "I'm sorry. This was my oversight. Go to your classes, and I'll find a solution."
Without waiting for their response, she ushered the children inside and drove away.
Without proper attire, Layla and Logan couldn't participate in their lessons. Bored and upset, they soon made phone calls.
They tried Arthur first, but he was in a meeting and didn't answer.
Layla then called Caroline.
Logan sulked nearby. "She won't answer. All she cares about is work, not us!"
To his surprise, Caroline answered immediately.
"Layla? What's wrong?" Her warm voice came through clearly.
Layla sniffled, suddenly overcome with tears.
Through fragmented explanations, Caroline pieced together the morning's events—how Heidi had forgotten their dance shoes and riding clothes, then abandoned them at their lessons.
Heidi's behavior didn't surprise Caroline. She catered to the children only when Arthur was watching; without his presence, the facade disappeared.
Caroline initially considered having the housekeeper deliver the necessary items, but Layla's tearful pleas to see her mother changed her mind. She requested time off from work.
After consoling the children, Caroline prepared to drive to Windsor Villa.
Thinking of their distress, she called Arthur.
"Mr. Windsor, I understand your work keeps you busy, but you're their father. Your children need your attention. Even if you want Heidi to bond with them, you must consider their needs. Abandoning them at their lessons without proper equipment—what if something had happened?"