Chapter 212 Lost Again
Jasper invited Nash to his office and explained in detail what had happened that day. Nash remained silent the whole time, until he heard that Caroline's wrist had been cut open by a piece of rusty iron, leaving a small gash. If it had been even a little off, it would have hit an artery.
Jasper and Nash were relatives of sorts, and they had a good relationship.
"Take some gifts and go visit her. First time's awkward, second time's familiar, once you know each other better, it'll be easier to work together." Jasper refilled Nash's teacup with tea.
Nash said, "Why didn't you go check for electricity theft yourself? Why send a woman?"
Jasper put down the teacup he'd just picked up. "Who says I'm not going? We leaders each handle a different area. I'm heading out right after talking to you."
Nash asked, "Which area is Ms. Tudor responsible for?"
"See for yourself." Jasper spread out a piece of paper.
Nash frowned, then laughed mockingly. "How did you assign this work? Making a woman responsible for the largest area, and it's all in rural suburbs."
Jasper said, "Men and women are equal at work. She's a leader, and she volunteered for it herself."
Nash stood up, looking Jasper up and down with contempt. "This wouldn't happen at our company. Even with equality, there's no equality like this."
"You haven't finished your tea yet," Jasper called after him.
Nash said without looking back, "Drinking tea with you is embarrassing."
"Why are you cursing at me?" Jasper shook his head helplessly.
Nash returned to his car and dialed Briar's number. She answered quickly.
"Mr. Hearst."
"Do you know what medicine works well for scars?" Nash asked.
"Are you injured?"
"Not me," Nash said.
He didn't specify who, but in situations like this, it was usually a woman.
Briar was used to this and said, "I have a friend who works at a hospital. I'll ask him for you. How was the injury caused, and how long ago?"
Nash said, "A cut, three stitches. As long as it can reduce scarring, buy it no matter how expensive."
"Got it."
In less than ten minutes, Briar's WhatsApp message came through.
Nash started the car and headed straight to Seaside City Hospital.
After the incident with the violent resistance to inspection, Caroline would contact the local police to assist with her work before visiting each electricity theft user. After that, everything went smoothly.
Today's case involved individual electricity theft. After handling it, she headed straight back.
Driver Yves asked her, "Ms. Tudor, should I take you home or back to the office?"
"Home."
Leopold had driven her to work this morning. He usually picked her up in the evening if she wasn't working late, but he'd just called to say he had to work overtime.
The car stopped at the neighborhood entrance. Remembering she hadn't picked up her packages in days, Caroline went to the station next to the convenience store at the gate. When the staff member placed seven or eight boxes of various sizes on the table, Caroline regretted coming.
She asked the staff for tape to bundle the packages into two stacks, then picked up one in each hand and walked into the neighborhood.
Leopold lived in an upscale residential area. Seeing her carrying so many things, the security guard at the gate offered to drive her in the shuttle cart.
Caroline thanked him and got on the shuttle.
The cart stopped at the building entrance. Caroline was about to go in with packages in both hands when someone suddenly called out from behind.
"Ms. Tudor."
Caroline paused and turned to see Nash standing by the road.
"Mr. Hearst." Caroline was surprised. "You live in this neighborhood too?"
Nash walked forward, his gaze sweeping over her wrist. Even though she wore long sleeves, he could still see a ring of white gauze showing.
"I heard you were injured, so I came specially to see you."
Nash was carrying fruit in one hand and a shopping bag in the other. "This is tape to prevent scar tissue growth, and scar removal ointment."
Both of them had their hands full. Comparatively, Nash had one hand free to help her carry packages.
"Let me help you carry those," Nash offered, reaching for them. Caroline moved her hands behind her back to avoid him, pulling on her wound with the effort. She winced in pain, and Nash took the packages directly from her hands. "Let me do it."
But if he took the packages, it meant he'd have to follow her inside, and Caroline didn't want a stranger in her home.
Caroline smiled. "My husband went to park the car. You can just leave the packages here."
Nash understood what she meant and didn't insist further. He placed the packages against the wall and handed her the fruit and medicine. "Be careful at work, bring a few male colleagues with you. Apply this scar ointment three times a day. Use the scar tape after you get your stitches removed to prevent scarring."
Caroline didn't take them. "I already have these. Thank you, Mr. Hearst."
Nash said, "I won the bid for the cable procurement project at Seaside City Power Company. I wonder when you will be free. Let's sign the contract and go through the subsequent procedures."
She'd been so busy with the electricity theft investigation these past few days that she'd forgotten about the procurement project.
Caroline said, "Tomorrow then. Tomorrow morning at 8:30, come to my office. I'll have Mr. Russell and Mr. Campbell join us too."
Nash nodded. "Alright. If your husband is busy, let me help you carry these. I'll just put them in the elevator for you."
They'd been standing there talking for a while now. Even if her husband was parking, he should have been back by now. She was clearly just putting him off.
Caroline paused slightly, but before she could react, she heard Leopold call out, "Caroline!"
Caroline turned her head, unable to hide the surprise in her eyes.
Nash followed her gaze and saw Leopold walking gracefully straight toward Caroline. When Caroline saw Leopold appear, the smile on her face was serene and gentle, and her eyes had no room for anyone else.
So, when you liked someone, your eyes couldn't hide it.
As Leopold passed by Nash, he naturally took the things from Caroline's hands. Compared to her resistance toward Nash, their movements were perfectly coordinated and natural.
Nash clearly felt he'd lost again.
Last time they met, he'd already lost once.
Leopold came to Caroline's side. "What a coincidence. Does Mr. Hearst live here too?"
Nash said honestly, "I heard Ms. Tudor was injured, so I came to check on her."
Leopold looked down at the fruit basket. "Thank you."
Nash could only hand him the fruit basket. "And this. This is a scar removal ointment and scar tape to prevent tissue growth. I just explained the usage and dosage to Ms. Tudor."
Leopold said, "That's very thoughtful of you, Mr. Hearst." He took them. "Would you like to come up for tea before you go?"
Nash smiled. "Thank you, but today's not convenient. I still have to meet a client. Next time."
Leopold said, "Goodbye."
Caroline said, "Goodbye, Mr. Hearst."
Nash walked a few steps and then turned back, but there was no one at the door anymore.
At that moment, in the elevator.
Leopold curled up the corner of his mouth, and his narrow eyes curved into a proud arc. "Tell me, did I come just in time?"
Caroline laughed. "Perfect."
Leopold deliberately said in a sarcastic tone, "I take my eyes off my wife for one day, and someone's already got their eye on her. You tell me, working this job - I won't say I'm on edge, but it's definitely nerve-wracking. Who has it as hard as I? If I'm not careful, my wife might get stolen away one day."
Caroline punched him and hurt herself.
"Honey, honey, I was wrong." Leopold quickly apologized, holding her hand and gently blowing on the injured area. "Let me blow on it, it won't hurt after I blow on it."
Caroline smiled helplessly. "You think blowing is magic? That it won't hurt after you blow on it?"
Leopold held her hand. "Does Nash always look for you for no reason?"