Chapter 27
Logan's eyes lit up. "But will Mommy be okay with it?"
"Grandma really likes Ms. White," Layla scratched her head. "At dinner, Grandma kept giving Ms. White extra helpings and even complimented her dress."
Logan jumped up from the floor, tossing his stuffed bunny onto the couch. "Then let's go find Grandma! We'll ask her to let Ms. White stay!"
The two kids held hands and ran to the staircase, just as Heidi emerged from the master bedroom, followed by a calm-looking Caroline.
"Ms. White!" Logan broke free from Layla's hand and dashed over like a little rocket, hugging Heidi's leg. "Can you stay at our house?"
Heidi was taken aback for a moment, looking down at Logan's upturned face, a gentle smile spreading across her eyes. "Why do you suddenly want me to stay?"
"Because... because we're going to the art exhibit tomorrow!" Logan twisted his fingers, his face full of anticipation.
"If you stay here, you can take us directly tomorrow, and Mommy can't change her mind!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Logan felt a cold gaze on his back.
He turned around secretly and met Caroline's eyes, quickly burying his head into Heidi's embrace out of fear.
Caroline's face darkened slightly, about to speak, but Tiffany walked over from the living room, holding a shawl. "Heidi, don't listen to the kids' nonsense."
Her eyes glanced out the window. "But it is quite late now, and this villa is in the suburbs. It's not safe to drive at night. You should stay for the night."
Heidi looked at Caroline with some hesitation. "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for Caroline?"
"Trouble? What trouble?" Tiffany draped the shawl over Heidi's shoulders, her tone leaving no room for refusal.
"You're Arthur's trusted assistant, working late for the company. It's only right for you to stay. We can't let a young woman drive through the mountains at night. Arthur wouldn't be at ease."
She paused, then looked at the two kids. "Isn't that right?"
"Yes!" Layla and Logan shouted in unison, their faces full of excitement.
Heidi's gaze lingered on Caroline's face for a moment. Seeing that she remained silent, Heidi relented. "I'll stay, then. Thank you very much."
Caroline stood still, her fingertips cold.
She watched Tiffany lead Heidi to the guest room, listening to the kids excitedly discuss what dresses to wear tomorrow. Her chest felt tight, like it was stuffed with cotton.
In the guest room, the crystal chandelier cast a soft, warm light. Heidi sat at the vanity, her fingers hovering over her phone screen for a long time before finally pressing the call button.
After just two rings, Arthur's slightly tired but clear voice came through the receiver. "Heidi?"
Heidi smoothed her hair in the mirror, her tone gentle. "Arthur, are you in a meeting? Am I disturbing you?"
"Just finished one, waiting for the next." Arthur's voice was accompanied by the faint sound of typing. "What's up?"
"It's like this," Heidi twisted the ring on her finger. "I heard from your assistant this afternoon that the USB drive was missing. I thought it might be at home, so I came over to look for it since I was nearby."
She paused, sounding a bit embarrassed. "I found it, but your mother insisted it was too dangerous to drive at night and made me stay. I thought I should let you know."
There was a brief silence on the other end, followed by the sound of a chair scraping the floor.
"You're at Grandpa's villa?" Arthur's voice sounded puzzled. "Who told you to go there?"
Heidi quickly softened her tone. "Don't be mad. I was just worried about the USB drive. And now that I have it, there's no trouble."
She spoke gently. "Caroline was quite polite, didn't make things difficult for me. Don't worry."
"Caroline?" Arthur's voice lowered, as if he was mulling over the name. "She really didn't say anything?"
"Really, nothing." Heidi chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "You're just too tense. Caroline and I got along fine. She even asked me for advice on company matters."
The sound of a pen scratching paper came through the receiver. Arthur's tone softened slightly but remained firm. "I see. Get some rest."
Before Heidi could say more, the call was abruptly ended.
In the conference room, Arthur snapped his laptop shut, the metallic clink startling the executives.
He grabbed his suit jacket from the chair back and told his stunned assistant, "Meeting's paused. Reschedule the rest for the day after tomorrow."
"But Mr. Windsor, there's a video conference with the European headquarters..."
"Cancel it." Arthur's steps didn't falter, his voice icy. "Tell them I have an urgent family matter."
The black Bentley sped through the night, the streetlights outside the window blurring into a continuous streak.
Arthur's knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel, Heidi's words echoing in his mind.
Caroline asking Heidi for company advice? Impossible.
He was more inclined to believe it was Caroline's facade.
At ten o'clock, the villa's front door was gently pushed open.
Arthur took off his dew-covered coat, changed his shoes, and headed straight for the guest room, his steps brisk.
At the top of the stairs, Caroline paused with a water glass in hand.
She had woken up thirsty and was coming downstairs when she saw Arthur's hurried figure.
That familiar silhouette didn't hesitate, heading straight for the guest room without even glancing at the living room.
Her heart felt like it was being squeezed, a dull ache spreading.
She lowered her gaze, watching the water ripple in the glass, reflecting her pale face.
Even now, she could still feel hurt by such things.
Caroline drank the water in one gulp, the cold liquid sliding down her throat, unable to extinguish the faint flame in her heart.
She turned to go upstairs but saw Irene coming out of the kitchen with a plate of freshly washed strawberries.
"Arthur's back?" Irene looked surprised at the shoes by the door, then smiled knowingly. "He must be worried about the USB drive. Arthur is always so meticulous."
Caroline didn't respond, just nodded.
Irene offered the strawberries. "Want some? Just washed."
"No, thanks. I'm heading up." Caroline put down the glass and walked towards the stairs.
Back in her bedroom, she leaned against the door, her fingertips cold.
Since Irene knew Arthur was back, he would have to sleep in this room tonight.
The Windsor family had a rule: in front of others, they must appear as a loving couple.
Caroline opened WhatsApp and typed a message: [Come up.]
As the sent notification appeared, she found it somewhat amusing.
After seven years of marriage, she never thought she would one day use such a commanding tone to call him back to their room.