Chapter 24 Eating Together
If Leopold hadn't heard the howling wind in the background, he wouldn't have believed Caroline was actually on a business trip.
An inexplicable irritation bubbled up inside him, making his tone drip with sarcasm. "Working while sick—Ms. Tudor truly exemplifies workplace dedication."
"Just doing what I need to," Caroline replied. "Bills don't pay themselves."
Leopold nearly laughed from frustration. He might believe that excuse from someone else, but with Caroline's family background? Not a chance.
"You work to live. I work to survive."
Caroline brushed aside her wind-tousled hair, too preoccupied to engage in small talk. "What did you need?"
Leopold's car was parked right outside the Seaside City Power Company, a roll of medical adhesive tape sitting on the passenger seat.
"Nothing important. Construction's finished—just wondering if you needed someone from the power company to take a final look."
"Is the power connected?" Caroline asked.
"It is," Leopold confirmed.
"Then all procedures are complete and power's running. We don't need to send anyone else."
"Got it." "Anything else?"
"No, goodbye."
After hanging up, Caroline frowned slightly, feeling like he'd left something unsaid.
On the other end, Leopold stared at the power company's entrance and sighed to himself, "You could have at least said goodbye before leaving."
Coming down from the mountain, Caroline stopped at street-side shops to buy snacks. The locals here made their living from the sea, with nearly every household running some marine-related business.
She bought two packs of grilled fish strips and one pack of dried squid. Noticing the quality oysters, she decided to bring some back for her parents.
Mason and Owen didn't return to their quarters until dark. The three went to a nearby restaurant for a casual dinner.
"Their seafood is amazing here. Should we order some?" Mason asked Caroline.
"I'm fine with anything. Sure," Caroline replied.
After ordering four dishes, they sat chatting while waiting.
Owen said, "Ms. Tudor—"
"Call me Caroline," she smiled. "We're off the clock. Using my title makes me feel like I'm still working."
Owen grinned. "Caroline, you're so down-to-earth and easy to get along with."
Caroline teased him deliberately. "Who says I don't have an authoritative side? I'm the formidable Ms. Tudor, stern and impartial." By the end of her declaration, she couldn't keep a straight face.
"Not at all. Leaders like you are rare these days," Owen remarked thoughtfully. "By the way, Caroline, I heard you're planning to apply for the manager position?"
Mason, who was about to exhale cigarette smoke, choked it back at Owen's words. "Don't spread gossip about things that aren't confirmed yet."
He turned to Caroline. "Caroline, Owen's still green, he doesn't know when to hold his tongue. Don't take it to heart."
In truth, rumors about Caroline's candidacy were already circulating, but two other employees were also in the running.
If Caroline got selected, Owen's comment would be congratulatory. If not, his words could make her lose face.
Mason, having navigated workplace politics for years, was more cautious and forward-thinking than Owen.
"It's fine," Caroline assured them.
Seeing that she didn't pursue the topic further, Mason understood that Caroline preferred to keep things low-key.
By the time they finished dinner, it was nearly eight. Back in the break room, Caroline opened her laptop, imported the photos, and continued writing her report on the wind power project.
It was almost midnight when she finally saved her document with a yawn and went to bed.
After spending three days and two nights in Thornfield Town, Caroline had gathered the necessary data. Combining this with local hydrological and climate factors, she would complete a written report within three days to submit to the power group company.
Upon returning to Seaside City, Caroline delivered the seafood she'd purchased to her parents. Elysia invited her to stay for dinner, but Caroline had already made plans to have Korean BBQ with Erica.
When she arrived at the restaurant, Erica's car was already parked outside. Erica sat by the window, waving as she spotted Caroline getting out of her car.
Korean BBQ was perfect for winter.
The two ordered a table full of food and chatted while eating.
Erica said, "I've barely seen you lately."
"I was in the countryside—Thornfield Town," Caroline explained. "Oh, I brought you your favorite scallops and sea rabbits. See how thoughtful I am? Even on a work trip, I remembered to get you treats."
Erica raised her glass. "Say no more. Cheers!"
After the crystal-clear clink of glasses, they both downed their drinks in one go.
Midway through the meal, Caroline went to the restroom, leaving her phone on the table. Leopold called, and when no one answered, he called again.
Erica glanced at the screen displaying "Mr. Wipere." Thinking it might be an urgent work matter, she answered for Caroline.
"Hello?"
Hearing a voice that wasn't Caroline's, Leopold thought he'd dialed wrong, but checking the screen confirmed he hadn't. He cautiously asked, "Is this Caroline's phone?"
"Yes, she's in the restroom. Call back in a bit. Wait—" Erica finally recognized Leopold's voice. "Are you Leopold from the rock climbing club?"
Surprised at being identified, Leopold paused. "Yes, and you are?"
"You don't recognize my voice? It's Erica, remember?" she prompted. "Your first day at the club, we took you to the Bubbly Bar."
Leopold had a moment of realization. "Now I remember. You're with Caroline?"
"Yeah, we're having Korean BBQ. Have you eaten yet?" Erica was just being polite, but Leopold replied, "No, not yet."
That left Erica with few options. She could only say, "Come join us then."
Leopold asked for the location and drove toward the restaurant.
When Caroline returned, Erica said, "Leopold just called you."
"Okay." Caroline responded without enthusiasm, putting grilled meat in her mouth and chewing while speaking. "I'll call him back after we finish."
Hearing this, Erica was about to take a bite of meat, but put it back down. She confessed, "He might arrive before we finish."
Caroline's cheek bulged as she chewed. "What? He's coming?"
Erica pointed at her phone. "Your phone rang twice while you were gone. I thought it might be important for work, so I answered. It was Leopold. He knows we're having Korean BBQ, and he said he's coming over."
"What's he coming for?" Caroline took a sip of water to clear her throat.
Just as she spoke, Leopold walked in and headed straight for their table.
Erica looked past Caroline, hand propping her cheek, fingers partially covering her lips as she whispered, "He's here."
Caroline turned around to meet Leopold's gaze—one surprised, one composed, with their height difference apparent.
He smiled innocently with casual familiarity, pulling up a chair to sit at the table near Caroline.
Leopold said to Caroline, "I told her I wouldn't come, but Erica insisted."
Erica thought to herself, I definitely didn't say that.