Chapter 118
"Kneel." Becky's voice cut through the tension like ice.
Stanley's gaze flickered toward Caroline before settling back on Becky, his brow furrowing into deep lines.
"Stop this nonsense," he growled.
When he reached for her arm, Becky jerked away and upended her wineglass over his head. The crimson liquid bloomed across his pristine white shirt like some violent watercolor.
Her expression remained glacial.
"Last chance, Stanley. Either kneel and call me 'Master,' or get out and never see my face again." She leaned forward, voice dropping dangerously. "And don't think about dragging me home this time. If I escaped once, I can do it again—and again. Or maybe I'll just end it all and save us both the trouble."
"Becky!" The edge in Stanley's voice could have cut steel.
She recognized that tone—he was furious enough to contemplate murder. Yet she smiled recklessly, deliberately dancing across every one of his boundaries.
"Final chance," she whispered. "Kneel or get lost. Otherwise, tomorrow I'll publicly announce I'm severing all ties with you."
A vein throbbed at Stanley's temple. With clenched teeth, he dropped to his knees beside her stilettos.
"Satisfied?" he snarled.
Becky traced his jawline with the tip of her shoe. "Call me Master."
That crossed the final line. Stanley seized her ankle and, in one fluid motion, hoisted her over his shoulder. He strode toward the exit while Becky sank her teeth into his shoulder.
"You absolute bastard!" she shrieked.
Seemingly immune to pain, Stanley paused beside Caroline. "Someone's set a trap for you here," he said quietly. "You should leave. Now."
Caroline nodded. "Go. Take care of her."
She could guess who orchestrated this. Who else but the White family would want to grind her into the mud at this particular moment?
She watched Becky's retreating form with quiet sadness, only looking away after they'd completely disappeared. Pulling out her phone, she typed a message:
[Goodbye, Becky. I hope nothing but happiness fills the rest of your life.]
Becky's reply came almost instantly:
[Don't worry! Just dealing with this caveman quickly. Already booked tickets abroad. This time I'm giving him an experience he'll NEVER forget—he'll think twice before trying to lock me up again!]
The message eased Caroline's mind. Though not blood siblings, Becky and Stanley shared the same stubborn, obsessive, slightly unhinged personality.
Despite everything, she truly wanted Becky to find happiness.
Her phone vibrated again—the coordinator's name flashing on screen.
[Ms. Hamilton, your transportation to the laboratory is ready. We're approaching the twenty-four-hour deadline. Would you like us to collect you from your residence?]
Caroline sent the Eros Lounge location, adding: [I need to visit someone at the hospital first.]
[Very well,] came the prompt reply. [A car will wait at the rear entrance in thirty minutes to take you to the hospital. We'll ensure you reach the laboratory by 8 PM.]
[Understood,] Caroline responded simply.
Just two hours remained.
Caroline refused to waste her final moments on people who didn't deserve them. Better to avoid the White family altogether and wait quietly at the back entrance.
As she slipped out of the private room, she realized someone was following her.
"You're still here?" she asked, turning.
Blake couldn't quite explain his own actions. He lifted his chin with youthful defiance.
"Didn't you offer to help find my sister?"
Caroline pressed her lips together. "I did. But without a photo or address, what exactly can I do?"
Blake knew the odds were practically zero. Yet he couldn't abandon even this sliver of hope.
Who knew when he'd next have a chance to visit Sovereign City?
Seeing his downcast expression, Caroline didn't press further. She focused on making her way toward the back exit.
"Caroline?"
The familiar voice stopped her cold.
Turning, she found Heidi covering her mouth in exaggerated shock. "It really is you! What are you doing in such a place?"
Her gaze slid to Blake with obvious disdain. "And with... this sort of company? Grandmother would be devastated."
Caroline's expression hardened. "Since when do I need your approval for my associations?"
"I'm only concerned for you," Heidi said, eyes wide with manufactured innocence. "I know you're trying to get Arthur's attention. You heard about his gathering here tonight, but showing up like this, causing scenes with these... questionable people..."
She sighed dramatically. "It hurts all of us."
Blake bristled. "Who exactly are you calling 'questionable'?"
Heidi gave him a mocking once-over. "Someone hiding his face could be anything—a murderer, for all we know."
Realizing Blake's identity needed protection, Caroline quickly moved to shield him.
"Whatever's happening upstairs has nothing to do with us. We're leaving."
But Heidi had been waiting specifically for this moment and wouldn't let her escape so easily.
"I know you're here hoping to see Arthur," she said sweetly. "I'll make sure that happens. After all, you were willing to save my life for his sake—how could I disappoint you?"
With those words, Heidi suddenly lunged forward, forcing Caroline to instinctively push her away.
Heidi clutched her abdomen, her body arching backward in theatrical shock.
"Caroline... why would you..." she gasped. "Why would you push me?"
She crumpled toward the floor, a crimson stain spreading across her pristine white dress.
Strong arms caught her before she hit the ground. Arthur's razor-sharp gaze fixed on Caroline.
"What the hell are you doing?" he demanded, voice dangerously low. "She's always treated you like family, but you won't rest until she's dead?"
Caroline froze momentarily before a bitter smile crossed her face.
Of course. No matter how many times this scene played out, the ending never changed.
Arthur would never believe her. No matter how suspicious the circumstances, his faith in her simply didn't exist.
"Mr. Windsor," she said with icy calm, "if you can't see what's happening right in front of you, perhaps you should get your eyes checked. Stop blaming me for every crisis in your life."
She turned to leave.
"Don't you dare walk away," Arthur commanded, still cradling Heidi, fury blazing in his eyes. "You owe us an explanation."
Caroline's expression remained perfectly composed. "You've already decided what happened. What's the point of explaining anything?"
In Arthur's mind, any defense she offered would just be another lie. Why waste her breath?
Arthur's face darkened to granite. "If you take one step out of here, I promise you'll regret it."
Caroline might have tolerated the threat, but Blake had reached his limit.
"Sir," he snapped, "are you actually blind or just stupid?"