Chapter 61
Caroline retrieved the report from Frank's hand, laying it flat on the lab bench with a measured movement. "Two o'clock, conference room, scheduling meeting," she stated calmly.
She removed her sterile gloves, casually tossing them into the yellow medical waste bin. "And if I hear anyone gossiping behind my back again..."
She left the sentence unfinished, then turned and walked away, her high heels clicking against the floor until the door closed behind her with a soft click.
The laboratory seemed to exhale collectively. Frank released a long breath, as if trying to expel all the stale air from his lungs.
He picked up the report, his fingertips repeatedly tracing over the "ninety-six percent" figure before turning to a stunned researcher beside him.
"What are you standing there for?" his voice was hoarse. "Get color copies of Ms. Hamilton's new protocol printed immediately, one for each team member. For the afternoon meeting, everyone gets a copy."
He emphasized, "From now on, all technical issues in this laboratory will defer to Ms. Hamilton's final opinion."
"Understood," the researcher nodded immediately and hurried toward the printer.
The previously stagnant air in the laboratory began to circulate again. The instruments continued their low humming, but something had fundamentally changed.
Caroline had barely sat down in her private office when her internal line rang. She pinched the bridge of her nose and answered with a weary "Hello?"
"Mrs. Windsor, good evening," came a respectful yet unyielding voice. "Mr. Isaac Windsor has arranged a family dinner and would like to invite you and Mr. Arthur Windsor to join."
A family dinner? Caroline instinctively wanted to decline, her mind still filled with plans for the follow-up to the afternoon's data report. "I—"
"Mr. Isaac Windsor has been thinking about you lately, saying you're working too hard. He specifically had the kitchen prepare your favorite soup," the caller added unhurriedly, with gentle insistence.
With things put that way, her refusal stuck in her throat. Caroline's mind flashed to Isaac's face—sharp-witted yet mischievous. She simply couldn't say no to an elder who genuinely cared for her.
"I understand. What time?"
"Seven o'clock. A driver will be waiting for you downstairs at six-thirty."
"No need, I'll get there myself."
"Very well, Mrs. Windsor."
The call ended, leaving Caroline leaning back in her chair, eyes closed, her temples throbbing. A family dinner... with specific mention of Arthur. The intention was painfully obvious.
That evening at Windsor Manor, despite it being a Windsor family dinner, Heidi had arrived more than half an hour earlier than the appointed time.
She first presented an antique purple sandalwood box to Isaac. Inside rested a purple clay teapot with a smooth, warm texture. "Mr. Isaac Windsor, you're a connoisseur. I had someone specially source this for you. I heard this clay develops a beautiful patina over time."
Isaac glanced at the teapot and nodded, his tone reasonably warm. "You shouldn't have gone to the trouble."
"It's my pleasure," Heidi smiled graciously before settling next to Tiffany.
She then handed over several elegantly packaged gift bags, her voice sweet. "Mrs. Windsor, you mentioned having light sleep recently. I had someone bring a set of sleep-aid skincare products for you to try."
Tiffany accepted the skincare set, her face blossoming with delight as she affectionately held Heidi's hand. "You dear girl, your presence alone is enough, yet you always bring so many gifts. Heidi is so thoughtful, always thinking of us."
Caroline arrived precisely on time, wearing a simple gray cashmere sweater and carrying a modest paper bag. "Grandfather, Mother."
She took out a tea cake wrapped in kraft paper. "A friend gave me this aged tea. Thought you might enjoy it. Please have a try."
Tiffany glanced at the tea cake, noting its ordinary packaging without even a proper gift box. Her lips twisted slightly, but she didn't respond, turning instead to continue chatting with Heidi. "Heidi's skincare set looks so much nicer, with that shimmering packaging."
Isaac, however, accepted the tea cake, bringing it close to smell. "The aroma is excellent. Thoughtful of you, Caroline."
Caroline smiled faintly and sat down in a single armchair slightly farther away.
At dinner time, the long table was laden with dishes when Isaac spoke up. "Caroline, sit next to Arthur. We're family—sitting so far apart is inappropriate."
Caroline said nothing and moved over. Heidi sat on Arthur's other side, several peeled New Orleans BBQ shrimp already piled on her plate.
"Arthur, try this, it's delicious," she said, placing a shrimp from her plate into Arthur's bowl.
Arthur murmured an acknowledgment. When the stewed beef platter reached him, he picked up a spoon.
Caroline looked at the meat dish but didn't move—it was something she used to enjoy, stewed until very tender.
Arthur scooped a spoonful, but placed it on Heidi's plate instead. "You've lost weight recently. Eat more."
Heidi's face flushed as she gave him a coquettish look. "Not really..."
Logan, chewing on a rib across the table, asked Heidi indistinctly, "Ms. White, could you take me to the amusement park next time? Mommy says she's too busy."
Layla nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Mommy's always working overtime. Ms. White, will you take us?"
Caroline's hand holding the cutlery paused briefly.
Tiffany smiled as she served Heidi more food. "See how the children adore you. Some people fail as mothers, and their children don't even want to be close to them."
Irene sipped her soup, drawling a response. "Focusing on career, I understand. Just don't get so busy that in the end, some people lose their family and their career amounts to nothing special."
Caroline lowered her head, pushing food around in her bowl. The food felt hard, lodging in her throat.
Isaac slammed his knife and fork on the table. "Can't even your mouths be stopped by food!"
He looked toward Caroline, his tone softening. "Caroline, eat. Being busy with work is a good thing. The children will understand when they're older."
Caroline nodded silently.
After dinner, Isaac called Arthur into his study. The door was closed, making it impossible to hear the details, only Isaac's somewhat deep voice could be faintly discerned.
Before long, Arthur emerged looking displeased. He walked directly to the small sitting room on the second floor, where Caroline sat looking out the window.
"What did you say to Grandpa?" he demanded.
Caroline turned around to face Arthur's icy gaze. "Nothing."
"Nothing?" Arthur twisted his lips. "Then why is he backing you on every point? Caroline, you've grown skilled now, learned to manipulate people?"