Chapter 84
Caroline admitted to herself that seeing her grandmother had stirred something in her heart.
She wanted to speak with her, to ask how she was doing and how her health had been lately. But she held back.
The White family, leveraging Arthur's influence, had been expanding their business. This gathering at the Royal Hotel was likely a family reunion, especially since Heidi had recently returned from abroad.
It wouldn't be appropriate for an outsider to interrupt their family dinner. Her grandmother's birthday was in a few days—it would be better to wait until then.
She had just decided to leave when someone called from behind.
"Caroline?"
She froze mid-step as the person rushed forward.
"Is it really you?" Naomi grabbed her arm, glancing at Alton before smiling. "Caroline, it's been so long."
Caroline's expression remained cold. "Please let go, Mrs. White."
Naomi seemed hurt by the formal address. "Caroline, I'm your mother." She seemed irritated. "After all the effort I put into raising you, is this how you treat me? You're so ungrateful."
Caroline's lips curled into a cold smile. Predictably, no matter what happened to her, in her mother's eyes, she was always the one at fault. "So? Why are you stopping me? What do you want to say?"
Seeing Caroline's subdued response, Naomi softened her tone. "You saw your grandmother just now, didn't you? You're an adult now—how can you let an old woman worry about you like this? Don't you have any compassion?"
Caroline laughed lightly. "You're using Grandmother as an excuse now? What are you scheming this time?"
She remembered the last time Naomi had said something similar—during her university days.
She had just received a doctoral position from her professor after completing her undergraduate degree, but Heidi wanted the same position.
That night, Naomi had lured her home using her grandmother as bait, only to take her to a business dinner, claiming she'd arranged a marriage prospect.
In reality, it was for a business alliance benefiting the White family. The plan was for Heidi to take the doctoral position Caroline had worked so hard to secure.
Caroline had refused to give up her hard-earned opportunity, especially not to become a pawn in the White family's business dealings.
Afterward, she ran away and cut ties with them. Many times, she had wondered if she was truly Naomi's daughter—why would she treat her so cruelly?
Eventually, she confirmed that she was indeed Naomi's biological daughter; Naomi simply didn't love her.
"What scheming?" Naomi's expression darkened momentarily. "I'm just concerned about you!"
Caroline smiled, guessing Naomi's intentions. "Concerned? Concerned about when I'll divorce Arthur so Heidi can officially take my place?"
Hearing this, Naomi showed no embarrassment, as if she'd expected this response.
She sighed, adopting a concerned demeanor. "Caroline, I'm thinking of your well-being. Arthur has no feelings for you. Living with a man who doesn't love you is too painful—you'd be better off letting go."
She cast a meaningful glance at Alton. "Listen to me. Divorce him soon, and you can start fresh."
"What a unique way to express maternal love—making the legal wife step aside for the mistress," Caroline sneered.
Naomi's expression changed. "Caroline, how can you speak so harshly?"
"You're willing to pressure your own daughter into divorce to make way for someone else, yet you find my words harsh?"
Naomi was momentarily stunned by Caroline's retort, her face darkening as she watched Caroline and Alton walk away.
Just then, the private room door opened, and Owen looked curiously at Naomi standing in the doorway. "Who were you arguing with?"
Naomi waved dismissively. "Nothing. Just some crazy person I had a few words with."
From a distance, Gavin curiously glanced at the private room. "Ms. Hamilton, do you have some misunderstanding with the White family?"
Caroline shook her head. "No."
What existed between her and the White family wasn't a misunderstanding at all.
Gavin relaxed. "That's good. The White family is quite influential. With the Windsor family's support, they've forced their way into Sovereign City's elite circles. They even tried to compete with me for contracts recently."
Of course, Gavin had won in the end.
"Although we don't fear the White family, it's best to keep a respectful distance from them," he added after a moment's thought.
Alton's usually warm eyes cooled. "Why?"
Gavin's eyes widened. "You don't know? Arthur is Heidi's boyfriend. He even tried to get Heidi into the neuroscience laboratory—I had someone investigate."
"Of course, even with their powerful backing, we have nothing to fear," he continued. He still remembered when the laboratory's funding had been blocked and didn't want a repeat of that situation.
Now that the lab had government partnerships, they didn't need to fear anyone.
Gavin couldn't help but add, "That Mr. Windsor is truly devoted. He's funding the White family's projects and spent a hundred million dollars at the auction for Heidi. The White family has a bright future ahead—best to keep our distance."
Caroline felt a pang of bitterness. Being warned not to offend her husband's mistress because of his boundless indulgence—surely she was the only person in the world experiencing this humiliation.
Alton's expression darkened. "Mr. Bennett, you might fear the Windsor Group, but I don't. Caroline's position is significant now—I'd like to see who dares to touch her!"
Gavin knew Alton had an important background and sensed he didn't want to hear more about the White family, so he tactfully changed the subject.
He didn't like them either, but as a businessman, he valued harmony and was genuinely concerned for Caroline.
After the dinner, Gavin generously let everyone leave work early.
Caroline didn't go home. Today was her first scheduled chemotherapy session, and Alton accompanied her to the hospital.
The nearly hour-long treatment was an agonizing ordeal, every minute feeling like an eternity.
When it ended, Caroline collapsed weakly on the hospital bed. Her forehead was damp with sweat, her lips completely drained of color. When she tried to stand, her vision darkened, and she began to fall.
Alton caught her by the waist, providing support to steady her. "Why don't you rest at the hospital for a couple of days? I can handle your responsibilities at the lab."
Caroline knew he was worried, but she didn't want to waste her life in a hospital bed. "That's not necessary. I just need to lie down for a while when I get back."
She leaned against Alton's shoulder for quite some time, gradually regaining a little strength in her exhausted body.
In the corridor, Arthur was collecting some test results when Heidi, standing beside him, spotted the scene. Calculation flickered in her eyes.
"Arthur, look over there... isn't that Caroline?" she asked cautiously, her expression troubled.