Chapter 57
The laboratory lights still glowed in the late hours as Caroline finally finished processing the pile of documents and emails.
She rubbed her stiff neck and picked up her phone to find two missed calls from Arthur and one text message from Layla.
[Mommy, Daddy says you don't want us anymore. Is that true?]
Those few simple words pierced her heart like ice-cold needles. Caroline stared at the message, her fingertips growing cold as she remained silent for a long time. Then, slowly, her fingers moved across the screen.
[Layla, I will always love you and Logan, and that will never change. I haven't abandoned you. I'm just trying in a different way now.]
[I have a very important job, just like how Logan loves building houses with blocks. I'm also building something important that can help many sick people.]
[Your daddy might not understand, but I hope you and Logan will. I need some time to do my own thing well, but my love for you won't diminish one bit.]
[Get some rest, and give Logan a kiss for me. I'll come see you tomorrow.]
She sent the message and set down her phone, leaning back into her chair. The lab fell quiet except for the low hum of equipment running.
Outside the window, the city lights burned restlessly against the night sky.
As she gazed at the steady white light tubes overhead, the corners of her mouth lifted into the faintest smile.
---
A stir rippled through the crowd at the downtown luxury hotel where the afternoon medical summit was being held.
Arthur had arrived in a sharply tailored designer suit with Heidi on his arm, who wore a smoky pink backless gown with a sapphire pendant that caught the light with every graceful movement.
Caroline nursed her drink in a quiet corner, having followed Gavin's advice to "meet people and get her face out there."
The ice cubes clinked against her glass as she swirled it absently, watching Arthur scan the room. His gaze paused briefly when it passed her corner before he and Heidi were promptly escorted to the main table.
Soon they were surrounded by admirers, the conversation naturally centered around Arthur and his companion, the "Young Medical Innovation Award" nominee. Compliments flew from all directions as Heidi navigated the flattery with practiced ease.
After whispering something to Arthur, Heidi glided through the crowd directly toward Caroline's corner, her perfume arriving before she did.
"Caroline, what a coincidence." Heidi stopped in front of her, the smoky pink dress billowing around her feet. "I would have thought Mr. Bennett would attend this caliber of event himself."
Caroline didn't stand up, just swirled her glass again. "He's busy."
Unfazed by Caroline's coldness, Heidi's fingers lightly brushed the blue sapphire at her neck. "Several professors were just discussing this year's Young Award nominations. They said my paper on early signal detection in neurodegenerative disease showed real innovation."
She sighed, her tone regretful. "You know, Caroline, you were once talented in this field too. Such a shame you've been away so long. These days, you probably couldn't even qualify for a nomination, could you?"
From the main table, Arthur was murmuring to someone beside him, "Heidi truly has talent and passion in the medical field." His gaze drifted their way, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Her husband was praising another woman who now stood before her, flaunting her success. Even though Caroline had tried to let go of her feelings, she couldn't help the sadness that gripped her, her fingers clutching her glass tightly.
After a long moment, Caroline said softly, "Congratulations."
The string of prepared remarks Heidi had ready seemed to get stuck in her throat, her expression freezing momentarily.
Caroline had already picked up her phone and started responding to messages, clearly uninterested in further conversation. Finding the situation awkward, Heidi turned and left.
A notification for a new email flashed on Caroline's screen. The sender was the official address for the [International Neuroscience Alliance,] with the subject line: [Final Confirmation for Dr. Hamilton's Special Report Invitation.]
Her finger opened the email, revealing a detailed schedule and topic outline.
Just as she was about to reply, a chair was pulled out beside her.
"Caroline," Ruben sat down, his voice low with a mischievous glint. "I couldn't help myself—I sent your dynamic data on the neuronal reconstruction model to those old fogies at the Alliance."
He paused dramatically, already chuckling. "And guess what happened? Those guys held an emergency meeting overnight, argued like crazy, and finally decided to add a special report session for you. Did you get the email?"
Caroline's typing paused as she took a deep breath, the knot of frustration in her chest washing away completely. "Yes, I did. Thank you, Mr. Flores."
"What are you thanking me for? It's your own excellent work." Ruben waved her off, standing up and patting her shoulder. "Keep it up. Go teach those high-and-mighty folks a lesson."
He turned and walked away, soon disappearing into the crowd.
Back at the main table, Arthur's gaze withdrew from the corner as he swirled his drink and leaned closer to a business associate. "See that? Same as always. The moment things get tough, she just hides."
He turned to Heidi, who was chatting beside him, his voice laced with undisguised contempt. "Look at her—without the Windsor family's protection, she can barely handle even this basic social setting. All she can do is hide in a corner."
Heidi followed his gaze, seeing Caroline typing on her phone screen, and laughed softly. "Arthur, don't be so hard on Caroline. She's been away from the field for so long, it's normal she can't keep up right now."
What neither of them noticed was the clear [International Neuroscience Alliance] heading on Caroline's screen, nor the brief, razor-sharp smile that flashed across her lips as she hit send on her reply.