Chapter 39 The Strategy of Provocation
Elijah had barely stepped through the front door when he spotted Elysia chatting animatedly into her phone, a broad smile lighting up her face. He kicked off his shoes and asked, "Video calling Caroline?"
Elysia nodded eagerly. "Just hung up. Guess who I saw?"
Elijah set his briefcase down neatly. "How would I know? Is dinner ready? I worked through lunch, and I'm starving."
"When have I ever not had something prepared for you?"
Elysia hurried to the kitchen to heat dinner while Elijah washed his hands. When he returned, he asked, "So who did you see earlier?"
Elysia couldn't contain her smile as she placed the warmed dinner on the table. "I saw Caroline's boyfriend."
Elijah's first thought went straight to Griffin.
"She's with Griffin now? That's wonderful news."
Before Elijah could fully celebrate, Elysia shook her head. "Not Griffin."
Elijah's fork froze midway to his mouth. "If not Griffin, then who?" He suddenly remembered Elysia's call at lunch about the Deputy Mayor's wife setting Caroline up with some guy from the power company who supposedly had a decent position. "That was quick. It worked out?"
"Not even close." Elysia placed a bowl of soup next to Elijah's hand. "It's neither Griffin nor that power company guy. Caroline's boyfriend is named Leopold."
Elijah's brow furrowed. "Leopold? Which Leopold?"
"Caroline chose him herself," Elysia explained. "He happened to drop by with some food while we were on our call. He's good-looking, comes from a decent family background—his parents have insurance policies and everything, so they must have stable incomes. His job is the only downside; he's not in civil service. He manages the Emerald Elegance Hotel at Solstice Mountain. It's one of the top luxury hotel brands in the country, so I guess it's not terrible."
Elijah chewed a piece of steak slowly, processing this information. "If he's a good person and Caroline likes him, we shouldn't stand in their way. Don't pressure them—let them spend more time together. If things work out, they can come visit us."
"I know. I won't rush them this time," Elysia promised.
After a moment of silence, Elijah added, "I'll have someone look into him tomorrow. We should at least know something about this Leopold character."
Elysia smiled knowingly. Elijah might pretend to be tough, but his heart was softer than hers when it came to Caroline—he was probably even more anxious than she was.
Caroline had been shuttling back and forth between Seaside City and Thornfield Town frequently, collecting data for the wind power project. Leopold, returning from Solstice Mountain, stopped by the power company to surprise her with some treats but was told by security that she wasn't in.
Back in his car, Leopold messaged Caroline on WhatsApp asking where she was. After waiting ten minutes with no reply, he was about to call when his secretary Lily rang, urgently summoning him back to the hotel for an emergency.
Meanwhile, Caroline was conducting a field survey in Thornfield Town, completely missing Leopold's message until two hours later.
Caroline: [Just saw your message. Been swamped with work. Did you need something?]
At the hospital, Leopold was dealing with a guest who had fallen ill. He'd arranged for an ambulance and even covered the medical costs until the patient's family arrived late that night. Only after briefing the grateful family could he finally return to the hotel.
He collapsed onto his couch without turning on the lights, his head tilted back in exhaustion. Almost every day of the year found him at the hotel. When would this routine ever end?
As he unbuttoned his shirt, his phone slipped from his pocket. Noticing Caroline's WhatsApp notification, he quickly unlocked it.
Bare-chested in the dark, his face illuminated only by the backlight of his screen, Leopold thought carefully before typing.
North: [Don't forget to eat, even when you're busy. Don't work too hard.]
Caroline was at home writing a report. She spotted Leopold's message but finished her current train of thought and saved the document before picking up her phone to reply.
Caroline: [Will do.]
Leopold had been staring at his screen, and his smile deepened when her response appeared.
North: [Finished your work?]
Caroline rubbed her sore neck.
Caroline: [Yeah, you?]
North: [Just wrapped up too. Free this weekend?]
If not for that video call incident, she wouldn't have thought much of it. But now, the timing and tone of their conversation felt somewhat... intimate.
She answered vaguely: [What's on your mind?]
North: [Nothing special. Just want to treat you to dinner.]
Caroline's eyes narrowed playfully as she typed: [And what's the occasion? I need a good reason before I accept.]
Leopold let out an amused snort.
North: [Got a raise and want to celebrate with someone. Your call. If you're not interested, I'll save the money.]
Reverse psychology? She'd have to be crazy to believe that line.
Caroline: [You're right. Better save your money.]
Completely taken aback by her response, Leopold was left speechless.
Leopold sighed. Caroline was impossible. Any other woman would have understood his intentions without asking why he wanted to have dinner.
North: [Has Mrs. Tudor mentioned me again?]
Caroline: [No.]
No further questions? Leopold was surprised.
What other excuse could he use to ask her out?
Their conversation stalled after her last "No." It seemed like, unless he said something, she wouldn't respond.
Leopold noticed the time on his phone and tossed it onto the bed before heading to the shower.
North: [It's getting late. Get some rest.]
Caroline replied: [Good night.]
She had been grateful that Elysia hadn't mentioned Leopold again, but that's exactly when the topic resurfaced.
Elijah had learned through Beau that Caroline was definitely not dating the Leopold from Solstice Mountain Hotel. Which meant Caroline had been lying to them. Beau had also mentioned that Leopold seemed too calculating and manipulative for someone as straightforward as Caroline.
Elijah relayed this information verbatim to Elysia, who became instantly furious. Just as she reached for the phone, Elijah stopped her.
"You're too angry right now. If you start fighting with Caroline, neither of you will back down. If she develops a rebellious attitude and decides never to marry, we'll be the ones suffering."
"So I can't say anything or scold her. What do you suggest?" Elysia's chest heaved with frustration.
Worried about her health, Elijah softened his tone. "Try a more indirect approach. Don't confront her directly. Parents are a child's final safety net—let's not make things too difficult for Caroline."
Elysia took a deep breath. "Fine, I understand."
Early Saturday morning, before Caroline had even woken up, there was a knock at her door.
Soon after, Elysia entered with fresh groceries.
"Caroline, still sleeping?"
Caroline opened her bleary eyes and yawned as she climbed out of bed. "Mom? Why are you here?"
Elysia began unpacking her shopping bags, pulling out various ingredients. "You've had such a tiring week. I figured you wouldn't cook for yourself—just ordering takeout or eating out. I thought I'd make you some proper home-cooked meals."