Chapter 134
Caroline realized with that slap that Arthur's body temperature was frighteningly high, his consciousness already drifting. He appeared drugged.
A flicker of confusion crossed her mind. In the dining room, Heidi had provided all of Arthur's food and drink. Could she have drugged him?
No, impossible. Caroline immediately dismissed the thought.
Arthur and Heidi's relationship was clearly intimate—even at the Windsor Manor, Arthur couldn't resist seeking her out. They'd likely been physical already; Heidi had no reason to resort to drugs.
Someone else must have targeted Arthur. While Caroline didn't particularly care if someone had drugged him, she refused to be his remedy.
As she searched for her silver needles, Arthur pressed against her again.
His large hands gripped her waist firmly, as if trying to meld her into his body. Even his deep voice sounded unusually alluring.
"I've missed you... I've always missed you."
Caroline felt only revulsion. She wrenched herself free from his grasp, her voice edged with desperation. "Look at me properly—I'm not Heidi!"
"I know. You're the one I've always wanted. Only you."
Arthur explained urgently, approaching to encircle her waist again, handling her as carefully as a priceless treasure.
Now Caroline was certain—Arthur had completely lost his rational mind. She took out a silver needle and inserted it with swift precision.
Within thirty seconds, Arthur's awareness began to return. His gaze turned wary, a hint of disgust in his eyes. "What are you doing here?"
Caroline sat casually on the sofa. "That's a question for you. Since when do you make a habit of following women into rest areas?"
Arthur noticed the intimate marks on her neck as fragmented memories gradually surfaced, causing his expression to darken.
"I apologize," he finally said stiffly.
Caroline's red lips curved into a smile as she suddenly rose and approached him, undisguised mockery in her eyes.
"It was just a simple aphrodisiac. Did you really lose all self-control, becoming a slave to physical desire so easily?" She shook her head. "It seems the legendary Mr. Windsor isn't so impressive after all."
---
Nearby, Heidi directed her frustration at Connor. "I told you to have some men deal with Dr. Q. How did you end up locking her in a room with Arthur?"
She had planned to spend the night with Arthur herself. The thought of someone else taking her place infuriated her.
Connor looked equally displeased. "It was an accident. Who could have predicted Arthur would suddenly follow her out?"
His people had acted too quickly, locking the door as soon as the pair entered. Now they were in an impossible situation.
Heidi couldn't wait another moment. "I need to find Arthur now!"
Having just eliminated Caroline, she absolutely refused to let anyone else have him. The position of Arthur's wife belonged to her alone.
But as she moved to leave, a pair of hands encircled her slender waist.
"It's been so long. Don't you miss me?"
Heidi's eyes turned cold. "Let go! There are people everywhere. What if someone sees us?"
Despite her struggle, Connor's tone grew menacing. "Don't forget—without me, when would you have ever gotten rid of Caroline?"
A flash of ice crossed Heidi's eyes, her innate revulsion reaching its peak. Without her help, someone of Connor's standing would never have gained entry to the Windsor Group's research facility.
Yet she couldn't afford to openly antagonize him now. If Connor told Arthur about what they'd done, she would be ruined.
Reluctantly, she controlled herself and spoke in a gentle, coaxing tone. "Of course I miss you, but this isn't the right time. We've planned too carefully to risk creating another rival for me now."
Connor seemed temporarily pacified. "Then come see me in the next few days. For now, I'll take a small advance payment."
He grabbed Heidi and kissed her forcefully, only stopping when footsteps approached.
A flash of cold hatred crossed Heidi's eyes—she wanted nothing more than to kill him—but the unexpected footsteps alarmed her more.
"Heidi, why are you here alone?" Clinton asked with concern. "Where's Arthur? Isn't he with you?"
Heidi deliberately ignored his question. "Why are you all here?"
Clinton was forthcoming. "The family sent me. We heard Mr. Barnes' final and most important disciple has returned from abroad and immediately joined the Windsor Group's research. They want me to establish contact with her to explore potential collaboration."
Simon and Oliver were clearly here for the same purpose.
Simon glanced behind Heidi. "Ms. White, are you really alone?"
Heidi's heart tightened. "Of course I am."
Simon gave her a meaningful look but said nothing more. He thought he'd seen a man with her moments ago.
Apparently, Heidi was hiding more than she let on—a discovery that only increased his interest in her.
Oliver studied Heidi with narrowed eyes. "Ms. White, you and Mr. Windsor must be quite close. Your lipstick is smudged."
Clinton instinctively looked at Heidi's lips and indeed noticed her lipstick was partially smeared, clearly from intense contact.
His face immediately fell.
Heidi panicked internally but managed an awkward, flustered laugh as she glanced around in apparent confusion.
"I was looking for Arthur. During dinner, I accidentally upset Dr. Q, so he went to apologize on my behalf. Then he disappeared."
"It's my fault," she continued. "Dr. Q is Mr. Barnes' student. I should have been more patient."
She looked dejected, her slender frame appearing so fragile it might collapse at any moment, intensifying the protective instinct in those watching.
Clinton's heart ached for her. "Don't worry, Heidi. We'll help you find Arthur. This Dr. Q is nothing without Mr. Barnes' reputation. Who would care about a cancer patient otherwise?"
Simon and Oliver offered no comment on this remark. Clinton's obsession with Heidi had clearly reached unhealthy levels, but they had family interests to consider and knew better than to speak carelessly.
Heidi forced a smile, her eyes reddening slightly. "She is Mr. Barnes' student and clearly talented. If it would prevent her from being upset, I'd gladly apologize to her."
Clinton disagreed. "Heidi, you're perfect as you are. Don't fear her. If she dares disrespect you, I'll teach her a lesson."
Heidi smiled faintly, her peripheral vision scanning the rest area while her nails dug into her palm.
Simon suddenly seemed to remember something. "By the way, Alton is here too, with some young man. They mentioned organizing some kind of meeting."
Heidi's steps faltered, a calculating gleam flashing in her eyes.
Alton was here? Perfect—she wouldn't need to catch them in the act herself.
She secretly texted Connor: [Have someone tell Alton that a woman is meeting privately with Arthur in the rest area.]