Chapter 325
"It's so rare for me to see you. If I don't hurry, you might not be willing to see me anymore."
Milton spoke.
Caroline felt somewhat ashamed.
Had she been showing her coldness toward Milton that obviously during this time?
Looking at Milton's expression, it seemed so.
She coughed and explained: "It's like this—Mr. Morales got promoted recently. Did you know about this?"
Milton nodded: "I know."
His expression dimmed somewhat. "You asked me out just to ask about him?"
He'd thought...
"We do have a partnership, after all. Even just to strengthen the relationship, don't you think we should throw him a promotion celebration? I remember you all are quite particular about these things."
Caroline explained her thinking.
Milton shook his head: "It's just section chief. There's no need to make such a big fuss."
Just a section chief?
This position would command respect anywhere else, but when it came to Milton and his circle, they spoke of it so casually.
Caroline gripped her coffee cup, unable to articulate how she felt.
Her conviction about Harlan's identity grew stronger.
"Alright, I understand."
A faint smile appeared on her face as she nodded, essentially acknowledging the matter.
Milton chatted with her about other things, and Caroline responded to each one.
Until Milton spoke: "In a while, it's my mother's birthday. We're holding a birthday banquet in Majestic City. Would you like to come?"
Majestic City's economic power was comparable to Sovereign City's, and the number of powerful and wealthy people there was even greater.
Caroline shook her head: "I'd better not. After all, it's your family. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to go, and my status would be awkward."
Milton felt somewhat disappointed but didn't insist, nodding: "Alright."
The identities of Milton and Harlan were definitely not as simple as they appeared.
This incident had rung an alarm bell for her. She didn't want to get further entangled.
Caroline proactively paid the bill. After parting with Milton, Caroline went to the research institute.
Last time, those people had left immediately upon seeing bodyguards. This time, having hired bodyguards herself, they probably wouldn't give her too much trouble.
But the research at the institute still needed to continue advancing.
Caroline threw her body and soul into those research materials, temporarily putting this matter behind her.
Until she received a plea for help from Becky.
[It's urgent, Caroline! Please help quickly!]
"What's wrong?"
Caroline hadn't expected Becky to have a day when she'd ask for help. After all, she was already a wealthy heiress and had married Stanley—she had everything she could want. Not taking it too seriously, she asked with a smile, but the person on the other end already had a bitter expression.
"It's a project our company is working on. The process got stuck, and we're planning to find someone to help smooth things over. That person who had dinner with us last time—what was his name? Could you have him help us out?"
"Harlan Morales?"
Caroline paused.
Harlan handled this, too?
"That's right, him! I only heard my brother mention his name on the phone today. Please, help us make the connection. Just let him give my brother a chance to meet."
"Please help, Caroline. You're the only person I know who can!"
Becky pleaded coquettishly. Besides, Caroline already owed her a favor, so naturally she couldn't refuse.
However, this matter still surprised her greatly.
When had someone of Stanley's level needed her to make introductions to get things done?
Harlan's status seemed even higher than she'd thought.
After agreeing to Becky's request, Harlan happened to message asking about the project's progress. Caroline chatted with him briefly, then brought up Becky's matter.
"The Powell Group? I'll have someone look into it. Since she's your friend, how could I not help?"
At first, she'd been quite anxious, thinking that asking Harlan about these things might displease him. But Harlan was surprisingly agreeable. After asking about the Powell family's situation, he not only directly agreed but didn't even make any demands.
Caroline was somewhat overwhelmed by this favor.
"Thank you, Mr. Morales."
"No need to thank me. I heard you had a bit of a scare. Do you need me to arrange protection for you?"
Harlan was well-informed. Caroline hadn't told anyone else about this matter, yet he already knew.
Caroline shook her head: "That's not necessary. I've already hired bodyguards."
"Good," Harlan responded. "If you need any help, just speak up anytime."
"We've already signed an agreement. Your matters are my matters."
Harlan's tone was gentle, but his attitude was very firm.
After hanging up, Oscar came over with materials to ask her questions. Caroline collected her scattered thoughts, helped Oscar with his inquiries, and put the matter aside.
Unexpectedly, Becky called that very evening to thank her, saying the matter had been resolved. She also said she wanted to treat her to dinner in thanks, asking when she'd be free.
Thinking of her situation these days, Caroline smiled wryly: "I'm afraid I'll be busy for a while."
"I understand, I understand. You're a big, busy person now."
Becky stuck out her tongue. On the other side of the camera, she looked particularly playful: "But this is still better than you constantly revolving around a man and children before. At least now you're working hard for your own career."
"Keep it up! I'm rooting for you. I'm waiting for you to become a rich woman, and then you can take me along for the good life!"
Hearing Becky's playful words, Caroline's mood also improved: "Alright, when my business succeeds, I definitely won't forget you."
The two laughed together on the phone until someone outside urged her on, and Caroline finally hung up.
She had an appointment with Dustin today.
More precisely, he'd been trying to make an appointment with her.
She remembered promising him a dinner invitation. So much time had already passed that she felt too embarrassed to refuse, so she'd set it for today.
As for the other business invitations, ever since she'd taken on Harlan's project, she'd handed almost everything else to Gavin while she focused on this matter.
Gavin didn't understand why she'd suddenly gone back into the research institute. The new medication had just been released, and the company had already made a huge profit.
Even if Caroline wanted to start another research project, there was no need to be so urgent, right?
But when he asked the company employees, everyone's attitude was clear. They thought she wanted to alleviate people's suffering and help them live better lives more quickly, so she didn't care about profits at all—she just wanted to dedicate herself to scientific research.
Caroline had no idea the company staff thought this of her. She was purely being forced into this situation with no way out.
Meeting with Dustin, he sighed: "Caroline, you're truly a busy person. I've been trying to schedule this for half a month."
Hearing his aggrieved tone, Caroline smiled: "Sorry, I've been quite busy lately."
"You're a big celebrity now. Quite a few people know I'm acquainted with you and are competing to have me make introductions." Dustin grinned.