Chapter 212
Once everything was settled, people stopped arguing and went their separate ways.
Caroline waited until most people had left before going to the entrance to call Alton.
"Right now? I'm kind of swamped. Might be a while."
Alton had his hands full with work—he couldn't make it over anytime soon.
She considered calling a cab, but just as she lowered her head, a male voice spoke beside her.
"He's not here yet?"
Caroline looked up, startled to find Arthur standing in front of her.
"I thought you already..." She'd watched his black Maybach drive away with her own eyes.
But now Arthur was not only still here—he was standing right in front of her.
"I had my driver take her home first."
Arthur shook his head.
He'd been nearby the whole time and had overheard Caroline's conversation.
"If he doesn't have time, you can come with me."
"I'm not sure that's appropriate. Your car already left..."
Caroline still hesitated.
She could just call a cab—it wasn't that far.
But before she could finish, a car pulled up in front of them. The window rolled down, and the driver leaned out.
"Mr. Windsor, ready to go?"
Arthur nodded. Before she could refuse, he reached out to grasp her wrist and guided her into the car.
Caroline was pulled into the vehicle, her gaze dropping to the elegant hand wrapped firmly around her wrist. His grip wasn't as tight as she'd expected, though—and he released her as soon as she was seated.
Then Arthur leaned over her. Caroline instinctively shrank back, worried about what he might do.
But Arthur only reached past her to close the car door.
"Let's go."
His tone was casual as the driver started the engine.
Arthur glanced down, catching sight of Caroline's somewhat flustered eyes—the parts of her face not hidden by her mask.
He chuckled softly. "I'm off this afternoon. I'll drop you home first."
Caroline nodded.
She hadn't told Arthur where she lived, but the driver took her straight to her address, making her steal another glance at him.
Had he investigated her?
As if reading her thoughts, Arthur spoke. "Your address was exposed before. This place isn't safe for you."
Oh, right. That incident had been resolved so quickly, and she'd had no further trouble from it, so she'd almost forgotten.
Now that Arthur mentioned it, realization dawned. She shook her head. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Windsor. I'll be careful."
Arthur nodded without saying more.
He simply got out first and opened Caroline's door for her.
Watching him do this, Caroline's eyes flickered. Usually, this kind of treatment was reserved for Heidi.
Back then, no matter how hard she'd tried to please him, she hadn't even earned the right to sit in the passenger seat, let alone have him open the car door for her.
Now, without saying a word, she was receiving this treatment.
How ironic.
She lowered her gaze and went inside.
Becky had sent her a message saying she wouldn't be coming home.
Caroline understood—Stanley must have smoothed things over with her.
Looking around, this place was newly rented. She'd been so busy rushing between various jobs and errands lately that she hadn't had time to decorate, leaving the apartment still bare.
Arthur was right—too many people knew this address. It wasn't safe. She needed to find a new place soon.
Constantly renting wasn't ideal either. Her privacy needed protection.
No time like the present. While it was still light out, she contacted a realtor and looked at several properties, finally settling on a nice unit with a view.
The apartment's scenery and location were both perfect for her needs.
Most importantly, it was move-in ready. The complex had been completed last year, and while this unit had sat empty for twelve months, it had never been occupied—any formaldehyde had long since dissipated.
"Why hasn't anyone bought such a great place?"
As she signed the papers, Caroline was puzzled.
The realtor explained, "This unit did have an owner, but they ran into some issues recently and can't live here, so they're selling."
"Miss, your timing is perfect. This place wouldn't have been on the market even two days ago."
Caroline nodded.
Seemed like her luck had improved since the divorce.
The apartment checked out perfectly, and the price was fair—not inflated.
"Do I need to contact the owner?"
"The previous owner isn't available. You can sign directly with us. Are you free tomorrow? We'll take you to transfer the deed."
"Sure."
Everyone had their own difficulties. Caroline didn't overthink it. After reviewing the contract and finding no issues, she paid in full on the spot.
As Caroline left with the contract, planning to pack up her things, the realtor made another call.
"Yes, the young lady came by. The property has been successfully sold to her."
Whatever was said on the other end made the realtor beam as they hung up.
The next day was a weekday, but Caroline took half the day off to complete the paperwork with the realtor. With her fresh property deed in hand, she called a moving company to transport her modest belongings to the new place.
After finishing unpacking, she was about to head out for food when the elevator doors opened.
This was a two-units-per-floor layout. She'd bought the place yesterday and moved in today—so fast she hadn't had time to meet her neighbors. Seeing who emerged left her somewhat stunned.
Why were Nina, Layla, and Logan living across the hall?
Nina had just brought them back. Seeing Caroline, she paused before smiling. "Are you the new neighbor who just moved in?"
Caroline nodded, her feelings complicated.
"I remember you—you're the ugly lady!"
Logan pointed at her, seeming somewhat afraid as he shrank back.
"Logan, you can't talk about her like that. She saved you!"
Having not seen them for a while, Layla was becoming more sisterly.
Logan didn't respond, just kept backing away.
He still vividly remembered Caroline spanking him before.
"Sorry for the spectacle. These are my employer's children. They recently switched schools—there's one nearby—so I'm staying here with them."
"Since we're neighbors, we should visit back and forth more often."
Nina was kind to the two children, her attitude warm.
Caroline didn't know why Arthur had Nina and the kids living here separately, but she nodded anyway and chatted briefly with Nina before excusing herself.
Though now her appetite for going out to eat had vanished. She headed straight to the office instead.
The Griffith Group project had been approved, and her research team members were now counted as temporary company employees, their salaries paid entirely by the Windsor Group.
Caroline filled out all their names, positions, and salary standards, preparing to submit everything to Arthur.