Chapter 20
Sometime later, a gentle knock sounded at the door.
"Daddy, Mommy, dinner's ready," Logan's voice came through cautiously, sounding hesitant.
Without looking up, Arthur responded, "Got it."
Caroline closed her book and stood up, accidentally catching sight of Logan's little head peeking from behind the door. Her heart twinged with regret. She had been rather harsh with him in the car earlier.
Just as she was about to call out to him, the small figure darted away like a startled rabbit.
They walked out of the room one after another. Passing the study, Caroline instinctively glanced inside.
Layla was hunched over the desk, drawing and muttering to herself, while Logan had his back to the door, fiddling with something.
"Stop looking. Let's eat," Arthur's voice came from ahead.
Caroline silently withdrew her gaze and followed him to the dining room. The long table was already laden with dishes. Isaac sat at the head, his expression still grim.
Tiffany and her sister-in-law Irene sat on one side, both pausing their utensils as Caroline and Arthur entered.
The atmosphere at dinner was suffocatingly tense. Even Nina moved carefully as she served the dishes, afraid to break the eerie silence.
Caroline kept her head down, taking small bites of food that tasted like cardboard.
"After living most of my life, there are still some people I just can't understand," Tiffany suddenly put down her silverware with a jarring clatter against the porcelain.
"Just visiting the company once, and already acting like the lady of the house—too lazy to even cook dinner. If she actually worked there, would she expect Arthur to serve her tea and wait on her?"
Caroline's grip tightened on her utensils, but she remained silent.
"Mom, that's not fair," Irene unexpectedly interjected, her tone deliberately casual. "What era are we living in? Women don't spend their entire lives in the kitchen anymore."
"Layla and Logan are in school now—it's perfectly fine for Caroline to explore opportunities outside the home. She doesn't exist just to cook meals for you."
Caroline looked at her with surprise. Irene had always looked down on her, often calling her a useless housewife who lived off Arthur's status, but today...
Seeming to notice Caroline's gaze, Irene cleared her throat and lifted her teacup to hide her expression. "I'm just stating facts. Don't read too much into it."
"Facts?" Tiffany scoffed, her gaze cutting across Caroline's face like a knife. "Have you forgotten what she promised before marriage? She said she would never interfere with company matters and would contentedly focus on being a wife and mother!"
"Now look—before the children are even grown, she's trying to worm her way into the company. What does she think the Windsor family is?"
Seeing Caroline's seemingly indifferent expression, Tiffany's voice rose sharply, though she maintained the composure expected of a wealthy matriarch.
"The children are growing up every day. What are they supposed to think, watching their mother break promises and go back on her word? Caroline, I'm not trying to criticize, but what kind of example are you setting?"
"Enough!" Isaac slammed his hand on the table, making the dishes rattle. "It was my idea for Caroline to join the company. If anyone has objections, direct them at me!"
The dining room fell instantly silent—you could have heard a pin drop. Tiffany shrank back, not daring to speak further.
Arthur set down his utensils and wiped his mouth with a napkin. His voice was calm but carried undeniable authority. "I have my own plans for the company. You don't need to concern yourselves."
He turned to Caroline, frowning slightly in confusion. "You did well in school, certainly, but a company is different from academia. Plus, you haven't been involved with the business for seven years. You don't understand our operational model."
"Coming in now would only burden you. You'd be better off staying home with the children—it would be easier."
"Arthur!" Isaac thundered, his hands shaking with anger. "Is this how you speak to your wife?"
"I wasn't wrong," Arthur replied, unfazed. "Because I've managed the company, I know it's not an easy task. Caroline would have to start from scratch, and I don't have that much time to spare."
Caroline felt a chill spread through her heart at his words.
When Heidi first joined the company, she knew nothing—not even how to use the printer. Arthur had just settled into his CEO position then, juggling countless responsibilities both large and small.
Yet somehow, he'd found time to teach Heidi computer formatting and how to use the printer.
Now, Arthur's position was secure. Apart from major meetings, he had few pressing concerns. Yet he claimed he had no time, no opportunity to teach her.
Caroline gave a cold, bitter smile. So this was what she meant to him: nothing.
Isaac was speechless with anger, his finger trembling as he pointed at Arthur.
"Then why are you obsessing over all those plants and flowers? Decorating the company like some gaudy showcase—do you even know Caroline is allergic to pollen?"
"I..." Arthur faltered, apparently surprised by his grandfather's comment. "I didn't know she would suddenly visit the company. I am truly sorry."
"You didn't know?" Isaac cut him off, his voice heavy with disappointment. "You may not have known she'd visit today, but since you've been home, have you asked her even once if she felt unwell?"
"I've made my decision about Caroline joining the company, and no one will stand in her way!" Isaac took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping across everyone at the table. "Anyone who dares to interfere will answer to me!"
Caroline watched the tense standoff, feeling something constricting in her chest, making it hard to breathe.
She set down her utensils, composing herself before speaking softly, "Grandpa, please don't be upset. Arthur is right—I do have a lot to learn."
She paused, meeting Isaac's puzzled gaze, then continued: "Perhaps I could work from home at first, learning while taking care of the children. When I'm familiar enough with everything, I can go to the office. Would that be acceptable?"
Of course Caroline wanted to go to the company and learn, but with Arthur's current attitude, her presence would only make outsiders question her position.
The Windsor Group was under constant scrutiny—if people discovered their marital discord, who knows what rumors might spread. Arthur might not care, but ultimately, it would be elderly Isaac who would suffer the stress and worry.
Isaac stared at her silently for a long while before finally nodding slowly. "Very well. As long as you know what you're doing."
Arthur looked up at Caroline with surprise, which quickly reverted to his usual coldness.
Caroline avoided his gaze and picked up her utensils again, though she couldn't bring herself to take another bite.
Outside, the night grew deeper. The dining room lights shone brightly, but no one dared speak. They just focused on their food, with only Tiffany's occasional soft sighs breaking the silence.