Chapter 89 I Remind You as a Woman
Leopold said, "You're not fat enough for that size."
Caroline noticed a wine glass beside him and asked, "You've been drinking? Don't you usually avoid alcohol at work? Wait, why do you seem unhappy? Did something happen?"
Leopold quickly changed the subject.
Before going to bed, Caroline replayed the video call with Leopold in her mind. Although they seemed happy throughout, his expression was off, and his eyes occasionally avoided hers, as if he'd done something wrong. Given their current relationship, the only thing that could make him feel guilty was his meeting with Preston.
It seemed Preston didn't want to meet, and not wanting to meet meant he didn't approve of their relationship, which explained Leopold's guilt. Looking at it this way, the logic made sense.
Caroline opened her phone calendar. The senior leadership had just met with the three candidates. Xander was officially stepping down at the end of April, and his replacement should be decided by mid-April. With just over two weeks until the final decision, and the wind power project progressing smoothly, she finally had some free time. She could find an opportunity to talk with Leopold in person.
When discussing serious matters, naturally there should be results.
She didn't like dragging things out. Everything should be dealt with swiftly and decisively.
The next day.
Preston suddenly contacted Leopold. Seeing Preston's number, he immediately understood why Preston was calling. He gestured for Lily to leave, waiting until she closed the door before answering.
"Mr. Preston Wipere."
Preston said, "Tomorrow at five, go to Gastronomy Royale, private room 9. I've arranged for you to meet Pearl."
Leopold: "Pearl from the Reynolds Group."
Preston: "Yes."
After a few seconds of silence on the line, Preston said, "Don't be late."
Leopold said, "I have a girlfriend."
Preston only said that Caroline wouldn't work, then hung up.
Leopold called back, but Preston's phone was answered by Will again.
Will: "Mr. Leopold Wipere, Mr. Preston Wipere is in a meeting. If it's urgent, I can pass along a message and have him call you back when he's done."
"No need."
He hung up.
On Friday, before leaving, Leopold told Lily, "I'm going back to Seaside City for the weekend. Please keep an eye on things here."
Lily knew he had a blind date that evening. "Still haven't reached Mr. Preston Wipere?"
"No."
"Does Caroline know about your blind date?"
"No."
Lily's expression was subtle. "Makes sense. I wouldn't dare tell her either."
"If you can't say anything nice, you can keep quiet."
Lily looked down and smiled. "As a woman, let me remind you of something. Things that could be misunderstood—either don't do them, or explain them beforehand. Otherwise, the truth will come out eventually."
Leopold held onto hope. "I'm not actually going on a blind date."
"I know that, of course," Lily believed him on this point, "but Caroline doesn't."
Leopold looked at Lily, who said calmly, "I'll get back to work."
He sighed helplessly at her retreating figure.
Leopold planned to resolve the Pearl situation and then go see Caroline. He hadn't told her about returning to Seaside City because he wanted to surprise her. An hour would be enough for a five o'clock dinner. Passing by a dessert shop, knowing Caroline loved sweets, he ordered a cake to pick up at six.
When he arrived at Gastronomy Royale, there were still ten minutes before the appointed time.
Leopold went to the reserved private room. Pearl hadn't arrived yet. He opened WhatsApp to message Caroline.
At that moment, Caroline was eating dinner.
north: What are you doing?
Caroline: Eating. Are you done with work?
north: Just finished, taking a break.
Caroline: Are you tired?
north: Not when I'm chatting with you.
Caroline smiled at the message and asked: Have you eaten?
north: Not yet, but soon.
He was always busy. Caroline thought about going to the hotel to talk with him over the weekend.
She asked: Are you coming back this weekend?
Leopold had planned to surprise her. He replied: Doesn't look like I can make it back. Do you miss me?
Caroline decided to go to Solstice Mountain.
She replied: If I say I miss you, will you come back?
north: Yes.
Caroline wasn't falling for that.
She replied: Go eat.
Leopold knew she wasn't that easy to fool.
north: Okay, got it.
north: You won't even say you miss me. Fine, I'll say it—I miss you.
Caroline smiled.
She knew.
Just after sending "I miss you," the door to the private room was pushed open from outside. Leopold exited WhatsApp, placed his phone aside, and stood up to greet the person entering. "Hello, Ms. Reynolds."
Pearl smiled. "Hello, Mr. Wipere."
Leopold politely pulled out a chair for her, and she thanked him as she sat down.
Pearl had a striking, radiant face—beautiful and gracious, non-threatening. She was the type who smiled before speaking, which made her very approachable and easy to trust.
Leopold had reviewed her profile. Pearl was currently the General Manager of the Southern Region at the Reynolds Group. Under her management, the southern region had been the company's top sales performer for three consecutive years. A capable and intelligent heir to a wealthy family—it seemed Pearl's father was grooming her to be his successor.
After exchanging pleasantries, Leopold called the waiter to order. While waiting for the food, Leopold got straight to the point:
"Ms. Reynolds,"
Pearl said, "Call me Pearl. First names are more friendly."
As her profile indicated, Pearl was good at socializing.
"Alright. You're straightforward and good at communication. If I could work with a partner like you, I'd be truly fortunate."
These words sounded like praise, but had deeper meaning.
Pearl smiled. "You're too kind. Celestial Waters Hotel isn't something just anyone can partner with. Besides, the Reynolds Group is still in its development phase, so I wouldn't dare dream of it."
Since they'd brought up partnerships, they might as well discuss it.
Leopold stood up to pour her water, then slowly sat back down before saying:
"The Reynolds Group is already at the top of the domestic tourism industry. Downplaying your position like that—are you afraid I'll talk to you about a partnership?"
Pearl's eyes lit up, her dimples showing as she smiled. "How could that be? I'd be happy to discuss a partnership."
Just then, a waiter pushed open the door to serve the food. Erica was having dinner with colleagues and happened to pass by. She glanced casually into the private room and saw Leopold chatting enthusiastically with a beautiful woman.
She stopped abruptly, staring at the people inside. After confirming it was Leopold, she quickly took a photo with her phone, walked to a quiet spot, and called Caroline.
Caroline was looking at work messages when Erica's number appeared. She answered quickly.
"What's up?"
Erica asked, "Are you home?"
"Yes, are you coming over?"
"I'm having dinner with colleagues."
"Why are you calling me during dinner? Is something wrong?"
Erica thought about how Caroline had already been hurt by a man once and didn't want to upset her again. She asked tentatively:
"Nothing, we haven't talked in two days, so I wanted to check on you. How are things going with Leopold lately?"
"We're doing well."
Doing well? "What do you mean?"
"Things are pretty stable." Caroline sensed something was off in Erica's tone, and her questions seemed pointed. "Just tell me what's going on."
Erica didn't want Caroline to be deceived by a man again. "I'm sending you a photo. See for yourself."
With that, Erica hung up.
Soon, Caroline received the photo Erica sent, along with a location pin.