Chapter 263 Unreliable
As quitting time approached, Dax knocked on Caroline's office door.
"Ms. Tudor, the second batch of cables has been inspected."
"Thanks for your hard work." Caroline took the documents and flipped through them. After confirming everything passed inspection, she filed them in the folder marked VoltWave Cables Procurement and walked back, asking, "Has the specific delivery date for the third batch been set?"
Dax said, "Not yet. Mr. Hearst said the factory has a lot of orders recently. He'll arrange it and contact you about the specific date."
Caroline's hand paused slightly. She looked up and said casually, "Why contact me? Didn't I put you in full charge? Tell him to contact you."
"I told Mr. Hearst the same thing, but he said the last batch includes some specially customized equipment for our unit that needs your personal confirmation."
Before signing the contract, they had indeed added a batch of supercapacitors with custom specifications.
"Just sign for the supercapacitors according to the contract. You don't need me there, it'll be fine."
Since the manager had spoken, Dax would do as told.
"Alright, leave it to me."
Although work contact was unavoidable, Caroline still tried to avoid him as much as possible.
As soon as Caroline left the office, she got a call from Leopold.
"Honey, off work yet?"
"Just got off. You?"
"At your office entrance."
"Picking me up? Wait for me, I'm coming down."
Having Leopold with her gave her an inexplicable sense of security. Not that she was particularly afraid of Nash, but that type of person just made her uncomfortable.
Although she'd scared him off last time, someone with no boundaries like that might pull some trick to disgust her again. With Leopold accompanying her to and from work, even if Nash wanted to try something, he'd have to think twice with Leopold around.
Caroline had just driven out of the office gate when she saw Leopold's car parked by the roadside. Seeing her come out, Leopold started his car and followed.
The car had just stopped at a traffic light when Caroline's phone rang. Looking at the number, it was Briar, the sales manager from VoltWave Cables.
Caroline pressed the car's answer button. Briar's voice was very friendly—even without seeing her, you could hear the smile in it.
"Ms. Tudor, it's me, Briar."
"Ms. Astor, what's up?"
Briar said, "Ms. Tudor, do you have time recently? I'd like to invite you to dinner. Don't misunderstand—it's not about work."
Caroline saw the light turn green. Since it wasn't about work, personal matters were even less appropriate.
"Ms. Astor, you're too kind. If it's not about work, there's no need for dinner to discuss it. It's fine, we can talk over the phone just the same."
Briar glanced at the person across from her. "It's not convenient to discuss over the phone. Can we meet in person?"
Caroline said, "I'm really sorry, I'm just too busy lately and can't spare the time. I'm driving right now, I'll call you back later."
Briar looked at Nash, nodding and had to say, "Ms. Tudor, you drive first. I'll call you again."
Caroline hung up, her expression turning cold.
Briar was really generous—being Nash's mistress while also helping him arrange meetings with other women. She deserved what she got.
After parking, she directly blocked Briar's number.
There was absolutely no need to save face with people like that. Those who schemed against you could never become friends.
Leopold came to Caroline's car carrying a mango cake, just in time to see her exit the call screen.
Caroline got out and saw the cake in his hand. "How did you know I wanted cake?"
Leopold naturally put his arm around her waist, smiling meaningfully. "I know more than just the cake."
Caroline sensed there was more to his words.
Leopold laughed. "I also know spicy butter lobster, steamed king crab, wasabi fried shrimp balls..."
So that's what he meant.
Caroline pushed him. "You think you know so much."
That night, the sheets were rumpled, and water sounds came from the bathroom.
Leopold picked up Caroline's phone, unlocked it, opened the recent call log, and found the blocked number labeled VoltWave Cables Sales Ms. Astor.
He sent the number to himself through Caroline's WhatsApp, then deleted the message.
"Leopold." A voice called from inside the bathroom.
Leopold quickly responded.
He came to the bathroom door and heard the person inside say through the door, "Help me get my pajamas, I forgot to bring them."
Leopold smiled at the door. "I can get your pajamas, but what did you just call me?"
Caroline understood immediately. When Leopold got all proud like this, just give him a few sweet words, and he'd do anything for you.
She called out to him, "Honey, can you get my pajamas for me?"
Leopold went and returned. The bathroom door was open a crack, and a jade-white hand reached out. He looked down with a not-quite-satisfied expression and said playfully, "Let me bring them in to you."
Caroline's inner thighs still hurt. "No need, just give them to me."
Leopold negotiated, "Honey, let me in, and I'll bring you the pajamas."
"Just bring the pajamas?"
"Yeah."
"Come here."
Leopold lowered his shoulder close to the door crack. Caroline braced the door with her foot. "How old do you think I am?"
Leopold laughed.
"You think I'm a kid who's easy to fool?"
"I'm just worried you won't put them on properly."
Caroline pressed her lips together speechlessly and beckoned. "Give me the pajamas."
Leopold deliberately stepped back, holding up the pajamas to tease her. "Then come out and put them on."
Caroline glared. "I'm counting to three. If you don't give them to me, I'm telling Mom."
Leopold instantly backed down, putting the pajamas in her hand. "Here, here, here. Can't take a joke."
The door closed again.
Leopold's phone rang. It was Beau calling.
He took his phone and walked to the guest bedroom, closing the door to answer. "Hello, Mr. Collins."
Beau said, "Got the appointment. Friday evening at six, Gastronomy Royale, private room number three."
Leopold said, "Thanks, Mr. Collins."
Caroline came out of the bathroom just in time to see Leopold walking out of the guest bedroom, still holding his phone.
"Who's calling this late?"
Leopold replied, "Work stuff."
Friday.
Caroline's car was in for maintenance, so Leopold drove her to work.
"I've got something tonight, don't wait for me for dinner," Leopold said.
Caroline said, "What a coincidence, I have dinner plans too. Erica's parents are back, and she asked Maddox and me to join them. She's worried Maddox won't perform well, so she wants me there for support."
Leopold nodded. "Erica's pretty smart."
Caroline said, "What? Even you don't trust Maddox?"
Leopold said, "I've known him for so many years—I'm totally qualified to say this. When it comes to important matters, don't ever trust him."
"Come on, you're exaggerating." Caroline gave an example. "Last time he pulled up in a raft to rescue me. How was that unreliable?"
Leopold said, "That was one time, and I was the one who called and told him to come. You should be praising me instead of him."
Caroline laughed. "I'm going to tell Maddox you're talking behind his back, saying he's unreliable."
Leopold smiled. "Go ahead and tell him. Let's see what he says."
After work, Maddox was waiting punctually at the office entrance to pick her up and take her to the restaurant.
As soon as she got in the car, Caroline said, "You're such a reliable person, yet Leopold says you're unreliable."
Maddox laughed heartily. "He's absolutely right. I really am unreliable. Leopold knows me best."
Caroline's smile froze on her face.