Chapter 148

Chapter 148

Heidi faltered, biting her lip with a wounded expression, though inwardly she was puzzled. 

This Dr. Q seemed unconcerned about Arthur's opinion of her. No, that couldn't be right—she was certain Dr. Q must have feelings for Arthur. 

With this thought, she bit her lip harder, looking even more distressed.

"Dr. Q, I know you have issues with me, but Logan is just a child. He's never offended you. If you have a problem, direct it at me. I just want you to let him go—he's innocent."

Caroline smiled. "It seems you have comprehension issues, Ms. White. Let's call the police and have them investigate to see who's really connected to Logan's disappearance."

Her voice was steady, but her slightly trembling fingers betrayed her anxiety. 

Logan was her flesh and blood—how could she not be concerned? But no matter how worried she was, she couldn't show any unusual reaction in front of everyone.

"No, we can't call the police."

Arthur's assistant appeared, his grave expression immediately drawing everyone's attention. He approached Arthur without answering Caroline. "Mr. Windsor, someone wants to speak with you."

Taking the phone, Arthur said flatly, "Hello."

From the other end came a deliberately disguised, mechanical male voice. "Mr. Windsor, I want the formula for the cancer drug. You have half an hour. If I don't get what I want, prepare to collect your son's body."

Before Arthur could respond, the man hung up.

The content of the call had been clearly audible to everyone in the ballroom. 

Someone had kidnapped Logan and was threatening Arthur, demanding the Windsor Group's drug formula.

Caroline's heart tightened, her concern nearly breaking through her composure. Fortunately, her mask concealed her momentary lapse.

Heidi immediately grabbed her wrist again, tears streaming down her face. "Dr. Q, please save Logan. I know the cancer drug formula is in your hands. The Windsor Group will offer generous compensation."

Seeing no reaction, she turned to Arthur, pushing him toward Caroline. "Dr. Q, even if you want to be with Arthur, I... I'm willing to step aside. As long as Logan's safety is guaranteed, I'll give up everything."

Caroline remained silent, which triggered murmurs throughout the crowd.

"Didn't Dr. Q develop that formula to save lives? How can she hesitate when a five-year-old child is at stake? Was her compassion all fake?"

"Exactly! No matter how profitable the formula is, it's meant to save lives. Is she really going to watch a child die?"

"Maybe Logan's disappearance really is connected to her. Without Logan, she might become Arthur's wife."

"She's just a cancer patient with delusions of grandeur!"

The whispers grew louder, but Caroline remained unmoved, like an impassive machine.

Heidi seized the moment and threw herself into Arthur's arms, sobbing. "Logan, I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you." 

She clutched Arthur's sleeve desperately. "Arthur, I wish they had taken me instead. Why did it have to be Logan?"

Arthur's thin lips pressed together tightly as his cold eyes finally turned to Caroline. "Dr. Q, give me the formula."

Caroline remained composed. "Mr. Windsor, doing so would breach our contract. Who will compensate Celestial University? Who will explain this to the public? Have you considered these issues?"

Arthur's lips thinned. "Dr. Q, since when do you have any say in my decisions?"

Arthur was still as arrogant as ever. He might be foolish, but Caroline wasn't blind to the situation. 

Logan's disappearance was clearly connected to Heidi—otherwise, she wouldn't be so eager to shift blame. But this also suggested that Logan wasn't in immediate danger.

"What we should do is call the police. Once the kidnappers have the formula, that's when Logan will truly be in danger," Caroline said.

Heidi disagreed. "Dr. Q, you don't have children, so you can't understand our concern. It's just a formula—is it worth more than a child's life to you?"

The whispers grew deafening, even more suffocating than the online attacks that had once overwhelmed her. 

Caroline clenched her fists, her body trembling slightly. 

Logan was her child—how could she not be worried? But she refused to let Heidi's scheme succeed.

She swirled her wine glass unhurriedly, a faint smile curving her lips. "If they want the formula, perhaps Mr. Windsor should hand me over instead. Let me exchange myself for your son."

Heidi's eyes lit up immediately, and something flickered in Arthur's gaze.

"No!" Heidi suddenly objected. 

Though she desperately wanted Caroline to go, she feigned hesitation and regret, stammering, "That would be so unfair to Dr. Q. She may possess the formula, but if anything happened to her, I could never forgive myself!"

Becky gave a cold laugh. "Your acting deserves an Oscar. If you're so noble and generous, why don't you take the formula and sacrifice yourself?"

Heidi declared righteously, "If Dr. Q is willing to give me the formula, I would gladly go in her place to bring Logan back!"

"Oh, you talk so well—why don't you just die right now and show us?" Becky said coldly. "Maybe if you die, Logan will return."

Hearing this, Arthur's eyes flashed with coldness. "Stanley! Is this how the Powell family treats guests?"

Stanley now refused to oppose Becky on anything. Whatever she said, he unconditionally supported. 

Meeting everyone's curious stares, he nodded. "I agree with what my Becky said. Ms. White loves Mr. Windsor's son as if he were her own. Surely she'd be willing to die for him."