Chapter 298: Master Chess Player
"I can't communicate with you! Go shopping by yourself." Caspian angrily threw down the shopping cart and stormed off.
"Caspian!" Yasmin shouted at his retreating back, but he was too fast and had already gone far.
Caspian wanted to catch up with Caroline to explain, but he couldn't find her anywhere, even at the supermarket exit. He didn't have her phone number and didn't feel comfortable asking colleagues for it, so he could only apologize to her in person at work tomorrow.
At that moment, Caroline was driving out of the supermarket parking lot.
Given Caspian's mother's attitude just now, no matter what position she arranged for him, she wouldn't be satisfied.
With people like that, don't explain too much, and definitely don't get too close. Just keep things civil on the surface.
When Caroline got home, she started cooking dinner, but Leopold still hadn't come home from work. He had clearly said during the day that he wouldn't work overtime, but from the looks of it, he was busy again.
She opened his WhatsApp chat and typed, "Working overtime again? What time will you be home for dinner?"
About five minutes later, North replied, "Overtime, don't wait for me."
Caroline responded, "Got it."
At the same time, Leopold was sitting in a conference room, facing Gemma and her daughter Xiomara.
Xiomara said, "I did in-depth research for this project, and there are successful examples. I don't understand why it was rejected."
Leopold asked calmly, "What year is your research data from? What era does the successful case in your project come from, and does it fit Aquilonia's current situation? Serving guests 1982 wine is the highest courtesy, but using beef from 1982 would be wrong."
Xiomara was taken aback but had come prepared. "The data collection period is a bit old, but the data from the past three years is still very convincing. For example—"
Before she could finish, Leopold interrupted, "Please tell me exactly how many years ago? How old is 'a bit old'? Have you verified the validity of the data from the past three years?"
His rapid-fire questions made Xiomara nervous, but she still tried to appear calm. "Six years ago. The authenticity of the data is definitely guaranteed."
"You guarantee the authenticity? Are you sure?" Leopold asked pointedly.
This made Xiomara uncertain. She couldn't help thinking to herself that she had embellished the data from the past three years, but it wasn't far off. Her project still had potential, and betting on it with Celestial Waters Hotel's brand reputation was completely fine.
Leopold said, "Xiomara, I don't want to expose you, but the data from the past three years definitely has problems."
"How do you know there are problems? Did you do research? This research was done by a professional big data company I hired."
Anyone could question her, except Leopold.
Leopold tapped his fingers lightly on the table, sizing up Xiomara's expression. The evasiveness in her eyes already revealed the problem, but she just wouldn't easily admit he had caught her. "Fine, the data was done by a professional company you hired, but how can you compare six-year-old data with now? The industry rules, consumer groups, consumption habits, and the overall environment have all changed. How can you compare them?"
Xiomara said, "Although the time span is a bit long, it still has reference value."
Leopold looked at her angrily. "I want to know who set the standard for this reference value."
Xiomara blinked, looking slightly embarrassed. She opened her mouth, but before she could defend herself, Gemma spoke up.
"Leopold, Xiomara just wanted to provide more comprehensive data support. There's nothing wrong with that." Gemma interrupted their conversation.
Leopold's gaze shifted to her, seeing that familiar, fake smile. Gemma was really good at playing the role of a kind elder in public, but unfortunately, he had seen enough of this act and no longer had the patience to play along.
"If Ms. Adams thinks outdated and fabricated data is fine, I have nothing to say." Leopold lowered his eyes. There was no point in continuing this discussion.
Gemma still maintained her good-person attitude and said, "Leopold, are you saying I'm being biased toward Xiomara? Let me be clear—I'm not favoring anyone. At the company, I've always been strictly professional. Even though Xiomara is my biological daughter, when it comes to company interests, I'm rational."
Leopold let out a laugh through his nose.
Seeing Leopold's attitude, Xiomara scolded him angrily, "What's with that attitude? Show some respect to my mother."
Leopold checked the time and asked, "Anything else? Can I leave if there's nothing else?"
Xiomara said, "We're not done talking."
Leopold rubbed his aching forehead and said, "There's really no point in continuing. Your report just isn't convincing, and it involves data fabrication. I didn't expose you in the meeting because I was considering the Wipere family's reputation."
He said she was embarrassing the Wipere family?
Xiomara's face turned red with anger. "Without any evidence, how can you say I fabricated data?"
"So stubborn." Leopold took out his phone, opened Xiomara's WhatsApp chat, and sent her a file. "Check WhatsApp. This is the data I compiled for the past three years. Do you think I'm qualified to question you? It's the same research project, but with completely different results. Who's fabricating data—don't you know?"
Xiomara opened the document. It was a research report about hotels.
While she was reading the document, Leopold said, "To gain more control over company resources, you even fabricated data to get company support for new projects. My position is clear: as long as I'm at Celestial Waters Hotel, I won't tolerate fabrication."
With that, Leopold got up and left without looking back, leaving the mother and daughter staring at each other.
Leopold stood in the elevator, his gaze cold as he stared ahead.
Preston was a master chess player. He put on a show in front of all the company's middle and senior management where Leopold vetoed everything, and now everyone in the company thought he had seized control, treating his aging father like a puppet. An illegitimate son who seized power for personal gain—who would support him? In the future, more people would question and reject him.
The final outcome wasn't hard to guess.
Leopold walked out of the elevator with his head held high.
When he got home, Caroline was in the study looking at materials. Leopold came up behind her and naturally placed his hand on her shoulder.
Caroline said, "I'll go heat up the food for you."
Leopold pressed down on her shoulder. "No need, I'll do it myself."
Caroline removed his hand and walked toward the study door. "You've been busy all day. Go change your clothes and wash your hands before eating."
Leopold came to the dining table in his pajamas. Without his sharp suit, his presence was gentle and refined. He took the utensils handed to him and said, "Have you figured out the prizes for your department's event?"
Caroline sat next to him, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at him. "Yes, the first-place prize is linked to technical job titles."
Leopold asked, "What's the use of that?"
Caroline replied, "Technical staff get allowances. The higher the technical title, the higher the allowance."