Chapter 247
This matter was connected to Vanguard Enterprises Group. The memory of Richard’s smug face that day made Caroline’s expression grow even colder.
"I don't care what company you people work for. Even if the chairman of Vanguard Enterprises Group himself was standing here today, I wouldn't tolerate my people being bullied."
With that parting shot, Caroline gripped the young woman's hand. "We're leaving!"
She tugged at the private room door, but it wouldn't budge. Her frown deepened. When she turned back around, those men were all wearing lecherous grins.
"Walk in whenever you please, walk out whenever you want—Ms. Hamilton, you really don't take us seriously, do you?"
"Ms. Hamilton waltzes into this room and thinks she can just leave? As if it's that easy?"
The girl hadn't expected things to turn out like this. She was on the verge of tears. "Ms. Hamilton, what do we do?"
Caroline positioned herself protectively in front of her, watching the approaching men with alert eyes.
"This is a civilized society. You're planning to rape us?"
The man was drunk, swaying as he stood and stumbled closer to Caroline step by step.
"Rape? What rape? We just want to be friends with Ms. Hamilton."
…
"Daddy, is Mommy coming?"
Layla had already changed into her costume and finished her makeup, but she still couldn't spot Caroline anywhere.
Her innocent gaze landed on Arthur, filled with eager hope.
Arthur glanced at his watch, his brow creasing slightly.
Caroline was always punctual. They were already past their agreed meeting time—where was she? Had something happened?
Faced with his daughter's question, he couldn't bear to crush her expectations. He nodded at Layla. "She promised you, didn't she? She'll definitely come."
The worry on Layla's face finally melted into a smile. "I knew Mommy wouldn't lie to me. She's probably just busy with something, so she's running a little late."
"Daddy, can you go to the entrance to meet Mommy? That way, when she gets here, she won't get lost trying to find me."
Layla tilted her head up, clearly desperate to see Caroline as soon as possible.
Arthur nodded. "Alright, you wait for us backstage."
"I promise I'll bring your mommy to watch your performance."
"Okay, pinky promise!"
Layla held out her small hand to hook with Arthur's larger one. Only then did she contentedly urge him to hurry, so Caroline wouldn't arrive and find no one there.
Before Arthur even reached the kindergarten entrance, he was already calling Caroline.
The first few calls went unanswered, but finally someone picked up.
The voice on the other end was chaotic, accompanied by an unfamiliar girl's crying.
"Ms. Hamilton, just run! Don't worry about me!"
"You're my employee. I'm getting you out of here safely."
Caroline's voice was calm and steady. The girl was sobbing, and in the background, several men were cursing angrily.
"Where the hell did those bitches run off to?"
The call disconnected—it seemed like it had been answered by accident. Whoever was on the other end had no idea they'd picked up.
Arthur's frown deepened as he dialed another number.
"Where did Caroline go today?"
…
Caroline had finally managed to get the door open, but she hadn't anticipated that they'd posted people outside as well.
The entire floor of private dining rooms had turned into some kind of manhunt, with her and the girl as the prey being chased and tracked.
She'd personally prepared that client list and had it verified—they were all ordinary pharmaceutical companies.
These regular pharma company executives, no matter how influential, couldn't possibly pull off something this brazen.
Her instincts told Caroline this likely had something to do with the Vanguard Enterprises Group they'd mentioned.
Thinking back to Richard's behavior that day, her expression grew even icier.
The girl behind her had never experienced anything like this. She was terrified, her steps trembling. At one point, she'd fallen and gotten hurt, nearly getting caught. She'd screamed while forcing herself to crawl forward, barely managing to keep up.
Caroline couldn't spare time to comfort her. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for an escape route.
The main exits had already been sealed off. If she wanted to get out, she'd have to find another way.
They were on the third floor—jumping would mean injuries. Unless absolutely necessary, she didn't want to risk putting the girl through that.
She noticed more and more people following them—no longer just those initial few men, but security guards now.
Caroline's suspicions solidified.
Those executives couldn't possibly mobilize this kind of operation. This whole thing had Richard's fingerprints all over it.
Lost in thought, she rounded a corner and slammed hard into someone.
Her steps ground to a halt. The impact made her gasp—she felt liquid trickling from her nose.
She looked up. The person clicked his tongue lightly. "Ms. Hamilton, what a mess you're in. Run into some trouble? Need my help?"
The man before her was none other than Richard.
He stood there casually at the intersection, as if he'd known all along she'd come this way, a smile playing at his lips.
He looked like he'd been waiting specifically to rescue her.
The people chasing Caroline were still closing in. She frowned. "What brings Mr. Morris here?"
"Business meeting, of course. Just happened to run into Ms. Hamilton. What a coincidence, right?"
Richard smiled. "Why don't you come sit in my room, Ms. Hamilton? It's not much, but it's safe. These people wouldn't dare try to snatch you from there."
Richard glanced behind her. The uneasy feeling in Caroline's gut intensified.
But compared to being caught by the men behind her, Richard—who was at least still putting on a facade—was her only option.
She nodded. Richard personally opened the door to a nearby private room for her.
"Ms. Hamilton, please."
Once inside the room, all the chaos and noise from outside faded away, as if it had all been nothing but a hallucination.
Richard's room was empty of others, but there was a full spread of expensive food and drinks.
"I thought you had a business meeting, Mr. Morris? Where are your associates?"
"They're not due yet. But now that you're here, Ms. Hamilton, there's no need to meet with anyone else. How about we discuss a little business deal between the two of us?"
Richard had deliberately sat beside her, now leaning closer.
Compared to those pot-bellied middle-aged men, he didn't reek of anything offensive, but that was the extent of his appeal.
Caroline shifted slightly away from him.
Noticing her movement, his expression soured, but he still tapped his index finger against the table as he spoke. "I hear the Alzheimer's medication and technology you're holding operates on a shareholding partnership model. How about this—I'll invest five million dollars in your new company, and you give me a thirty percent stake. What do you say?"
Caroline wanted nothing more than to throw her wine glass in his face. The Windsor Group alone had offered more than five million dollars, and here he was asking for thirty percent.
Even in his wildest dreams, he shouldn't be this delusional.
Taking a deep breath, she forced her lips into something resembling a smile. "You're joking, Mr. Morris. That project has already signed contracts. Every company's share is set. There's no way I could bypass the other partners to add you in."