Chapter 14
The receptionist opened her phone gallery to show a photo of Arthur and Heidi together, apparently taken at some business gala.
In the picture, Heidi wore a silver evening gown, her arm linked with Arthur's, her smile radiant and captivating. Arthur was looking at her with a tenderness Caroline had never seen in his eyes before.
"If a man would go to such lengths for me," the receptionist sighed dreamily, cupping her cheeks, "I'd honestly be his slave for life. Mr. Windsor is so attentive—he even remembers exactly which flowers Ms. White likes..."
Caroline couldn't hear the rest of what she said.
The itching in her nose returned, and this time she couldn't hold back, turning her head to stifle a sneeze.
She suddenly recalled discussing their honeymoon plans after the wedding.
She had clutched a travel magazine, excitedly saying to him, "Arthur, can we go to the beach? I want to see the sunrise and walk on the sand."
He was reviewing documents at the time and refused without even looking up. "The company's too busy right now. No time."
Back then, she was still affectionate with him and used a playful tone. "Please. Just for a few days. We've never gone anywhere together."
He finally looked up, his eyes showing a trace of impatience. "We'll talk about it later."
That "later" stretched into seven years.
During those seven years, he accompanied Heidi to art exhibitions in Sylvanor, went with business partners to vacation in the Blue Horizon Isles, but never found time to take her to the beach even once.
She had always consoled herself that he was just too busy, that he simply didn't understand romance.
But now, looking at the room filled with flowers meticulously arranged for another woman, she finally understood—it wasn't that he didn't understand; he just didn't want to invest that effort in her.
Caroline took a deep breath, swallowing the lump in her throat, and composed her expression.
"It's fine. I just came to look around. Since Mr. Windsor is busy, I won't disturb him."
Her steps were unsteady, her allergic reaction worsening, now affecting her eyes which began to itch. She just wanted to escape this suffocating place and breathe clean air again.
Just as Caroline's fingertips touched the metal handle of the revolving door, a collective gasp sounded behind her.
Heidi stood in the lobby, the pale yellow hem of her dress caught in a draft. She gazed at the blooming flowers filling the room, her eyes sparkling like stars. Covering her mouth with both hands, her voice trembled with emotion. "Arthur..."
The staff immediately gathered around her, beaming with smiles. "Ms. White, Mr. Windsor prepared all this especially for you! You single-handedly secured that European contract, making all our departments' efforts worthwhile. We're so grateful to you!"
A marketing intern pushed forward, face full of admiration. "Yes! The client was clearly trying to back out. How did you convince them, Ms. White?"
"Stop prying," someone chided. "Of course the woman Mr. Windsor loves deeply would be his equal—beautiful and brilliant."
The group began praising this perfect match between a talented man and an exceptional woman.
Heidi smiled and waved dismissively, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. "You're all too kind. I only did what needed to be done."
Caroline stood at the edge of the crowd, like a superfluous shadow.
She could clearly see Heidi's happiness—that radiance nurtured by love and respect, something she had never experienced.
The itching in her nose had turned to sharp pain. She instinctively covered her face, desperate to flee this suffocating place.
But the lobby grew increasingly crowded.
Word spread like wildfire through every floor to the lobby. Everyone wanted to see for themselves what kind of woman could inspire Arthur to such thoughtfulness.
"I heard Ms. White has arrived. They say she's incredibly beautiful and elegant."
"I want to see what kind of woman makes Mr. Windsor go to such lengths."
"Hurry up! We won't get a good spot if we don't hurry."
The previously scattered crowd began pushing toward Heidi. In the jostling, Caroline felt someone crash hard into her back.
She lost her balance and stumbled forward, just as Heidi was trying to leave, colliding directly into her.
Heidi's purse fell to the ground, makeup items rolling everywhere.
Caroline was completely stunned.
The murmuring around them instantly stopped. Dozens of eyes fixed on her, feeling like pins pricking her skin.
"Are you okay?" Heidi steadied her by the arm, her voice full of concern.
Caroline straightened abruptly, hastily backing away two steps and scrambling to pick up the scattered items.
Strands of her hair had come loose, hiding half her face. The hem of her skirt suit had an ugly crease where someone had stepped on it. She looked as disheveled as a cat caught in a downpour.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, lowering her head even more.
Heidi looked down at Caroline's face, pale to the point of translucence, and suddenly realized who she was.
"Caroline? Why are you here?"
Heidi clearly remembered Arthur specifically telling her he would never allow Caroline to come to the company.
Yet here she was, and in such a disheveled state.
Heidi stared at her, noticing the red rash spreading across her face, and frowned slightly. "You look terrible. Are you sick?"
"I'm fine," Caroline avoided her gaze, her fingertips white from clutching her purse strap. "Don't worry about me."
As soon as she spoke, whispers erupted around them.
"Who is she? She's not wearing a company badge—she doesn't work here, does she?"
"Maybe she's an influencer here to take photos? Our lobby looks so beautiful, she probably wants to use it for content."
"Come on, what influencer would dress like that? Look at her hands—rough like someone who does housework all day. She's probably just some housewife."
The cruel words pierced Caroline's heart like icicles.
She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, but felt no pain.
"Everyone, stop guessing," Heidi suddenly spoke up, her voice gentle but carrying undeniable authority. "She's an old friend of mine, just visiting today." She smiled at the crowd. "Let's disperse now. Everyone back to work."
The crowd gradually dispersed, though a few curious glances still lingered on Caroline.
Heidi led her to a nearby seating area with a fabric sofa, conveniently placed next to a potted plant that hadn't yet flowered.
"Have a seat," Heidi gestured toward the sofa.
Caroline couldn't bring herself to look at Heidi—at her perfect makeup, her appropriate attire. She couldn't bear to think about how Heidi accompanied Arthur to various business functions, how she secured multi-million-dollar deals for him.
And what did Caroline do? Just stand in the kitchen doorway each day, guessing what he might want to eat.