Chapter 107
Caroline clutched the medication tightly, knowing she just needed to find an opportunity to take it without Arthur noticing anything unusual.
But Arthur had already spotted what she was hiding. In one swift move, he took the bottle from her palm and examined it closely.
"The latest pain medication developed by Celestial University's laboratory? Its analgesic effects are more potent than other similar drugs. Why would Alton specifically give you this?"
Caroline bit her lip without answering, until a drop of blood seeped from the tender flesh.
A large hand gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his cold, emotionless eyes. His deep voice carried a cruel mockery. "What's this? Have you forgotten basic courtesy?"
"What do you want to hear, Mr. Windsor?" Caroline asked, still biting her lip as she fought against the twisting pain in her abdomen.
She looked up with a forced smile. "Isn't it normal for Alton to give me medication?"
She was breathing shallowly, as if these few words had drained all her energy.
Only then did Arthur seem to notice something was truly wrong. He set down the bottle and frowned at her. "What's wrong with you?"
Caroline's face was deathly pale, her smile difficult and bitter as she looked up at him. "Even I died right in front of you, what would it matter?"
Their position was intimate, yet the atmosphere between them was one of equal hostility.
Caroline's face grew increasingly pale, her delicate lips taking on a bluish-purple tinge.
Arthur's gaze fell to her colorless face, his pupils contracting slightly. "Go to the hospital," he commanded.
Immediately, the driver changed direction.
"No, I won't go!" Caroline instinctively refused, struggling in Arthur's arms as her breathing became rapid.
Arthur's eyes darkened, his gaze inscrutable as he suddenly gripped her hand, leaning close enough to feel her breath. "What are you afraid of? Or is there something you're hiding...?"
Before he could finish, the car came to a sudden halt.
A vehicle had raced up behind them, braking so abruptly it nearly sent sparks flying, forcing the black Pagani to stop in the middle of the road.
The driver cursed at the white car. "Are you insane? Do you even know how to drive?"
If he hadn't reacted quickly enough to hit the brakes, both cars would have been wrecked.
As the car steadied, a familiar figure emerged from the driver's seat of the white car and rushed toward the Pagani's back door, yanking it open with lightning speed.
Arthur frowned slightly. "Alton, have you lost your mind?"
Alton looked at Caroline in Arthur's arms, his brow furrowed deeply. "Let her go," he demanded.
Arthur looked up at him, his hand tightening around Caroline's waist. " Professor Brooks, are you trying to steal my wife and telling me to let go in broad daylight? How inappropriate."
Alton's fingertips whitened, his gaze fixed on Caroline's bloodless lips.
Though his heart was filled with concern, his face showed only anger. "Mr. Windsor, she's already divorcing you. Your persistent clinging is what's inappropriate."
Caroline had reached her limit. Her hair was damp with sweat, beads of perspiration rolling down her cheeks as she struggled against the abdominal pain. Yet Arthur seemed blind to her suffering.
This bastard! Alton clenched his fists, looking ready to strike at any moment.
Arthur raised his eyes slightly, his expression calm. Though his hand remained on Caroline's waist, there was no hint of desire in his touch—only control and contempt.
"Professor Brooks, perhaps I should remind you that we're only preparing for divorce. Legally, we're still married."
"And are you certain she's willing to give up her two children? To go through with the divorce?"
Caroline's heart turned ice-cold. She suddenly understood what she meant to Arthur—a sufficiently obedient wife who could occasionally serve as a presentable face, but remained completely under his control.
No affection, only exploitation.
Her perseverance all this time had probably been nothing but a joke to him.
The nausea rising within Caroline grew stronger, a revulsion that came from deep inside.
"Arthur, let go," she said coldly.
Arthur paused, surprise flickering in his eyes.
In the next moment, Caroline pushed his hand away. "Arthur, you truly disgust me."
Arthur's face darkened. "Don't forget, Layla and Logan are waiting for you at home. If you leave with him today, you'll never see them again."
Caroline gave a bitter laugh.
Using the children to manipulate her? Arthur truly knew her well, understood what mattered most to her.
But now, even the children weren't as important to her as they once were.
Still, she didn't want to give Arthur the satisfaction.
Fighting through her pain, she flashed a smile. "Weekly visitation rights are legally mandated. Do you believe yourself above the law?"
"Also, Mr. Windsor, I suggest you release me, or tomorrow's headline will read: 'Windsor Group CEO involved with two women, attempted marital rape, beaten in public.'"
She smiled faintly while Arthur's face turned frighteningly dark.
Arthur suddenly laughed coldly, his deep eyes unreadable. "Are you threatening me?"
Caroline pressed her lips together. "Yes. I'm leaving today, and I hope you won't interfere."
If not for her physical condition, she might have preferred a peaceful resolution. But she could barely hold on anymore, and since this marriage had reached its end, what did it matter if she and Arthur parted on bad terms?
Just as Arthur was about to speak again, his phone rang. Seeing the name on the screen, he immediately released her.
"What's wrong?" His voice softened. "Don't worry, I'm coming right away."
His tone was gentle, the concern in his eyes perfectly measured.
After hanging up, the emotion in his eyes turned ice-cold. "Get out," he said.
Caroline lowered her eyes with a faint smile. "Arthur, this is the last time."
From now on, she would never give him such an opportunity again.
She got out of the car, and Alton quickly caught her arm. Most of her weight leaned against him; only with his support could she barely stand.
Arthur's eyes were dark, a faint mocking smile on his lips, his expression arrogant. "Caroline, impressive tactics."
Caroline retorted, "Likewise."
The moment she got into Alton's car, Caroline could no longer hold on. Another wave of pain tore through her abdomen, and she began vomiting, streaks of blood visible in the contents.
Alton's pupils contracted in alarm as he accelerated to nearly 70 mph.
"Caroline, hang on a little longer. I'm taking you to our professor."
Caroline tried desperately to respond, but another surge of abdominal pain completely consumed her voice.