Chapter 299 Tearing Faces
Exercising authority within reasonable limits was, without question, one of the most effective ways to motivate people.
“Your reward system is practical,” Leopold remarked as he set down his bowl and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “The people under you genuinely feel secure working with you. They believe they have a future.” He paused briefly before adding, "At today's meeting, I rejected Xiomara's project."
Caroline had just stood up to clear the table but his words made her stop. She slowly sat back down. "She didn't get into a fight with you, did she?"
“Not during the meeting,” Leopold replied evenly.
So there was something after the meeting.
Caroline asked, "What was Dad's attitude?"
Leopold gave an indifferent laugh. "What attitude could he possibly have? He just watched the show."
"How could he do that? He didn't even say a word to help you." Caroline took Leopold's hand and comforted him. "Let's not bother with her. Don't be upset."
Leopold smiled and pinched her cheek. "Do I look upset to you?"
Caroline said, "Even if you're not upset, it still affects your mood."
"My wife still cares about me." Leopold said with a faint smile. He then briefly explained what had happened from start to finish. The more Caroline listened, the more her brows furrowed, until Leopold couldn't stand her frown any longer. He reached out and smoothed the crease between her brows. “No frowning allowed,” he murmured with a smile.
Caroline said, "So you two have completely torn off the mask this time, right?"
Leopold shrugged dismissively, "We tore it off a long time ago."
Caroline was at a loss. The conflict between Leopold and Xiomara ran deep—rooted in the previous generation and festering into something even more complicated in theirs. At this point, the possibility of genuine harmony between them was nearly nonexistent.
When it came to dividing interests, those who valued profit above all else could hardly tolerate even the smallest perceived loss—like sand in the eye, impossible to ignore.
Xiomara was terrified that Leopold would snatch away her inheritance rights, constantly on guard against him and looking for opportunities to suppress him.
Caroline let out a weary sigh. “Just watching the two of you is exhausting.”
Leopold suddenly said, "How about I switched companies?"
“Then do it,” Caroline replied without hesitation. “Find something that truly makes you happy. I’ll support you.”
Leopold chuckled. "I was joking. You actually took it seriously."
Caroline’s expression remained firm. "Whatever you decide, I support you regardless of right or wrong. As for the results, just do your best and leave the rest to fate."
Leopold's eyes were tender. "Got it."
Caspian arrived at work early to wait for Caroline. He had been standing in the office hallway for almost half an hour when he heard footsteps from the stairwell.
He kept his eyes fixed on the stairwell corner. Caroline stepped up the last step, and their eyes met.
"You're here so early." Caroline asked knowingly.
"Yes."
Caspian looked embarrassed and was about to speak when a passing colleague stopped him.
Caroline opened the office door. "What is it?"
Caspian looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated.
About yesterday's incident, there was nothing to explain. It was better if they both didn't mention it and saved some dignity.
Caroline gave him a subtle hint. "Don't overthink it. I'm fine with everything. Go get to work."
In Caspian's eyes, her words meant she was angry.
He followed Caroline into the office and lowered his voice. "My mom speaks without thinking. Don't take it to heart."
Caroline set her bag down and replied lightly, “Go tell your mom that if you hadn’t brought it up, I would’ve already forgotten about it. So really, don’t worry about it.”
Sometimes, feigned ignorance worked best.
Caroline walked behind her desk and looked up only to notice Caspian still lingering.
"Anything else?" Caroline asked.
Caspian explained apologetically, "I hope you won't transfer me out of the maintenance team because of my dad. And about my mom, she just speaks without thinking, but she was right about one thing—I'm pretty stubborn. Still, when it comes to important matters, I know how to distinguish priorities and right from wrong.”
Caroline smiled faintly. "It's not that serious. Don't overthink it."
Before leaving, Caspian took a bag of energy bars from his pocket and placed them on her desk. "If you have time to go to the gym again, I can guide you through workouts."
Caroline politely declined. "I'm afraid I won't have time recently. The company is organizing an event, and everyone under forty will be required to participate."
Caspian said with determination, "When you have time, I'm available whenever you call."
Even if she did have the time, working out alone with a male colleague wasn’t something she would consider. What would it look like if someone she knew saw them?
Caroline assigned the publicity and project collection work to her subordinates.
They worked efficiently, and by the end of the workday, they sent her the list of collected projects. Looking at the eleven projects compiled, Caroline could see they were all real problems that technical staff encountered in their work. These projects needed more systematic handling methods and operational procedures. Many high-difficulty operations were occasionally encountered in daily work and did indeed occur.
The event was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon this week, at Thornfield Town. The location was chosen because some of the projects involved technical operations for wind power generation and high-altitude, high-risk environmental conditions.
It was rare to have Tuesday afternoon off. Employees under forty from Seaside City Electric Company gathered at the office entrance to be transported by bus to the Thornfield Town project site.
Caroline sat by the window in the third row, next to Fallon Martinez, a female operations and maintenance worker. Behind them, Caspian sat with his mentor, Tyler—a seat he had deliberately secured.
Throughout the journey, Caspian kept pulling snacks from his backpack, generously sharing them with everyone, including Caroline in the front seat.
"Ms. Tudor, Ms. Martinez, here you go,” his voice came from behind. Caroline turned around to see Caspian leaning over the seat back, holding out two small snack packs.
“Thanks,” Caroline said with a smile, “but I'm good. I haven't stopped eating this whole trip."
Fallon smiled and said, "Then give them all to me."
Caspian cheerfully said, "All yours. I've also got chocolate."
He rummaged through his bag again and handed it to Fallon.
Fallon was three years older than Caspian and quite pretty. The two of them even teamed up to play games on the bus.
Quite a few people at work were pursuing Fallon, and many tried to set her up with potential boyfriends in the past, but she had never shown interest.
But on this trip, watching them, Caroline thought the two of them seemed quite compatible.
The bus stopped at a rest area midway. People got off to use the restroom, and some went to smoke.
Caroline came out of the restroom, pulled out a tissue from her bag to dry her hands, and said to Fallon who came out after her, "You and Caspian are playing games together. How about I switch seats with him?"
Fallon's eyes still held a smile. "Would that be okay, Ms. Tudor?"
“Of course,” Caroline replied. “I’ll move to the back when we get on the bus.”
Fallon smiled with pursed lips. "Okay then."
When they boarded the bus again, Caspian walked toward his seat—only to find Caroline already sitting there. Just as he was about to speak, Caroline pointed to the empty seat in front. "Caspian, you take my seat. I need to talk to Tyler about something."
Caspian nodded. "Okay."
Fallon stood up and asked him, "Do you want to sit by the window or the aisle?"
Caspian figured they'd switch back soon anyway, so to avoid trouble, he said, "I'll take the aisle."