Chapter 56
Gavin had been leaning forward, almost lying across the table. His notebook, originally just for show, was now filled with dense notes.
Frank's index finger unconsciously traced the diagrams on the whiteboard, sliding across the smooth tabletop again and again. The young researchers seated at the end had even lightened their breathing, afraid to disrupt the intimidating atmosphere.
Three hours straight.
On the whiteboard, a technical approach that everyone had deemed a dead end had been transformed by Caroline, using logic and data, into a viable path forward.
From theoretical foundation to implementation strategy, to the cost control that gave everyone headaches.
Finally, her pen tip paused heavily at the spot on the whiteboard that had been repeatedly circled—representing the biggest technical point of contention.
A soft sound, then complete silence.
Caroline dropped the pen and turned around. The pen rolled twice across the table, stopping beside Frank's hand. She looked at him.
"Bringing theory into practice isn't done through talk," she said. "Mr. Morris, now that I've paved the way, tell me—is this analysis thorough enough?"
The sharp click of the pen hitting the table punctuated her question.
The room fell silent. Even breathing seemed muted.
Frank's Adam's apple bobbed as he stared at the dense yet methodical diagrams on the whiteboard. He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, simply nodding slowly.
Gavin abruptly leaned back, letting out a long breath. His face couldn't hide his satisfaction as he clapped his hands enthusiastically.
The applause broke the silence, quickly spreading throughout the room.
Caroline's expression remained unchanged as she returned to her seat and closed her laptop. "I'll organize the proposal details and send them to everyone after the meeting. Dismissed."
Gavin had other matters to attend to and told Caroline to proceed as she wished. She nodded.
The intense debate in the conference room had left her somewhat drained. After the meeting, she walked out of the laboratory building into the dazzling afternoon sunlight.
Caroline rubbed her slightly throbbing temples, heading toward a nearby coffee cart for an iced americano.
She had just descended the steps when a hard-lined black sedan slid silently in front of her, blocking her path.
The window lowered, revealing Arthur's expressionless face.
He sat in the driver's seat, his arm casually resting on the lowered window, his long fingers adorned with a wristwatch that reflected cold light.
His gaze fell on Caroline with scrutiny, from her tied-up hair to the lab coat she hadn't yet changed out of, finally stopping at the ID badge on her chest.
The words "Technical Chief Advisor" were starkly visible.
His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
"Logan's awake and keeps asking for you," he said flatly, as if discussing a business matter. "Come home for dinner tonight."
It wasn't a request—it was a notification, delivered with his customary, non-negotiable commanding tone.
Caroline stopped and looked at him through the car window.
Sunlight fell on his profile, outlining his hard features. This entitled demeanor, juxtaposed with the image of him embracing Heidi in the hospital corridor from last night's photo, created a strange overlay in her mind.
The remaining heaviness in her heart was completely ignited by his commanding tone, burning into cold ashes.
She didn't speak, but raised her hand to grasp the edge of her ID badge between two fingers, gently swaying it. The metal lanyard made a subtle friction sound.
"See this?" her tone was flat, stating an objective fact. "New job, first day, very busy."
She lowered her hand, her calm gaze meeting Arthur's suddenly intense stare.
"I'm working late tonight. Maybe you should spend more time with Logan," she paused before adding, her voice devoid of emotion. "After all, you are his father."
Arthur's fingers on the car window suddenly tightened.
He stared at Caroline's face, searching for any trace of the familiar submission from the past, or even a hint of petulance.
But there was nothing—only cold detachment, as if she were looking at an inconsequential stranger blocking her way.
The engine let out a deep growl as the black sedan shot forward, tires scraping against the pavement, leaving a brief scorch mark and acrid smell.
Caroline stood motionless, watching the car disappear into traffic. She felt nothing—Arthur had left without warning many times before.
---
At the Windsor Manor, the atmosphere was tense.
Tiffany sat grimly on the redwood sofa, nearly crushing the celadon teacup in her grip.
Heidi sat beside her, her tone direct and provocative. "Mrs. Windsor, I just heard that Caroline has joined Gavin Bennett's company—that Mr. Bennett who specializes in medical investments and has been making waves lately."
Watching Tiffany's expression, she continued, "She's been made Technical Chief Advisor of their laboratory, with considerable authority. Everyone's saying Gavin has big ambitions—his next move is to take market share from the Windsor Group's medical division. Caroline going to a competitor at this time—isn't she clearly helping outsiders?"
Tiffany's expression darkened further, her chest heaving.
"Outrageous! Truly outrageous!" She slammed the teacup onto the coffee table with a jarring clatter. "Isn't it enough that she's out there making a spectacle of herself? Now she's helping outsiders against her own family? Does she have any regard for this family? For Arthur?"
"We should never have let her go out! She should have stayed home, being a proper wife and mother! Now she's gotten capable and grown wild!"
Tiffany's voice rose as her anger mounted.
"Nina! Call her! Tell her to get back here immediately! I want to ask her—"
"Ask what?" An elderly yet extraordinarily authoritative voice came from the doorway.
Isaac entered the living room slowly, leaning on a cane with the butler's assistance.
His hair was silver-white, his features gaunt, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.
He glanced at Heidi, his gaze cold, before settling on Tiffany.
"Caroline is making her own way in the world with her abilities. What's wrong with that?"
Isaac sat down in the main seat, his cane tapping lightly on the floor.
"Must a Windsor daughter-in-law be confined to the back yard forever, just a songbird in a gilded cage who only knows how to ask for money and revolve around her husband and children?"
His voice wasn't loud, but carried undeniable weight.
"She—Caroline—is first and foremost herself. If she has talent, let her use it!"
Tiffany's face contorted, her lips trembling, but she dared not contradict Isaac.
Heidi's expression shifted slightly, her fingers tightly twisting the hem of her clothes, yet she maintained her composed demeanor, revealing no obvious distress.