Chapter 67
In the backseat of the Rolls-Royce, Arthur closed his eyes to rest, Heidi's words still echoing in his mind.
Average grades, barely graduated... the more he thought about it, the more unremarkable Caroline seemed.
Occasionally, he would remember the well-behaved twins at home and their eyes when they missed their mother. But he absolutely refused to give Caroline any easy way back.
His phone vibrated inappropriately, Gavin's name flashing on the screen.
Arthur answered with thinly veiled irritation.
On the other end, Gavin's enthusiasm practically burst through the speaker: "Mr. Windsor! Are you free tonight? We're hosting a celebration for our 'crown jewel' to honor this technical breakthrough. You simply must attend!"
"Crown jewel?" Arthur rubbed his temple.
"Yes! Dr. Hamilton, whom I mentioned to you! I must find an opportunity to formally introduce you—she's the future cornerstone of Zenith Technologies!" Pride saturated Gavin's voice. "You won't regret coming!"
Dr. Hamilton...
Arthur's mind worked quickly. Anyone Gavin treasured this much must be an industry titan. Zenith's resurrection clearly hinged on this person—meeting them and gauging their potential could only benefit future collaborations.
He completely failed to connect this "Dr. Hamilton" with the wife seeking divorce from him.
After all, in his mind, one was an internationally renowned technical genius; the other, merely a woman whose life revolved around children.
"Send me the address," he replied concisely.
"Excellent!" Gavin's voice nearly cracked with excitement. "Celeste Lounge, seven o'clock. We'll eagerly await your arrival!"
After hanging up, Arthur instructed his driver, "Change tonight's schedule. We're going to Celeste Lounge."
Crystal chandeliers cast brilliant light throughout the private room at Celeste Lounge.
Caroline had exchanged her usual meticulous business attire for a simple black dress. Though minimalist in design without excessive embellishment, its impeccable tailoring accentuated her elegant shoulder and neck lines.
She wore no makeup, her face maintaining a certain detachment amid the clinking glasses and animated conversations—yet she remained the focal point of the entire gathering.
"Ms. Hamilton! A toast to you! I was blind before—please forgive my shortsightedness!" Frank, who had pounded tables in frustration just days earlier, now raised his glass with an ingratiating smile.
"Indeed, Ms. Hamilton, you're Zenith Technologies' savior! I'll drain my glass—please drink as you wish!"
Executives who had previously undermined her now competed to demonstrate their loyalty, their postures deliberately humble.
Caroline touched her orange juice glass lightly to their wine glasses, her tone neutral. "You're all too kind. We're all working for the company—no one is saving anyone. I'll be counting on everyone's dedication for upcoming projects."
She neither offered warmth nor publicly humiliated anyone. Her diplomatic responses were flawless, effortlessly dismissing them.
Nearby, Frank and several technical leads watched in admiration.
"See that? That's true mastery," Frank whispered to his colleague. "In just a few sentences, she put them in their place while giving them a graceful exit. Following Ms. Hamilton's lead won't steer us wrong."
"Absolutely. Look at those directors' faces—priceless."
Meanwhile, the Rolls-Royce glided to a stop at the hotel entrance.
Heidi, arm linked with Arthur's, stepped out wearing a custom designer gown with impeccable makeup. She was prepared to meet this much-praised "Dr. Hamilton" as a future partner of the Windsor Group.
A woman who built her career on technical skills? Probably some bespectacled, disheveled academic with no sense of style.
She mentally rehearsed how to subtly showcase her intimacy with Arthur, ensuring everyone understood her position in his life.
Just as Arthur was about to enter, his phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, his brow furrowed.
"Speak," he answered curtly.
His assistant's voice came through, urgent and alarmed.
"Mr. Windsor, the European semiconductor company we planned to acquire has been snatched from under us! Their offer exceeds ours by five points, and they've targeted our weaknesses as if they knew our strategy inside out!"
Arthur's expression darkened.
"Go ahead without me," he told Heidi before striding to a secluded corner at the end of the hallway. "Send me their information. I'll review it immediately."
Heidi felt a flash of annoyance but maintained her elegant smile as she proceeded alone to the banquet hall.
The moment she pushed open the door, her smile froze.
The awkward female doctor surrounded by middle-aged men she had imagined didn't exist. Instead, standing at the center of adoring attention was Caroline.
That woman—her stepsister—whom she had always considered provincial and embarrassing, was conversing confidently with Gavin.
How could it be her? How could she possibly...?
Heidi's nails nearly dug into her palm.
She couldn't believe it—refused to believe it.
This had to be some elaborate deception. Caroline must have employed underhanded tactics to fool these corporate fools.
Yes, that must be it.
Taking a deep breath, she reapplied her sweet, harmless smile, lifted a champagne flute from a passing waiter's tray, and gracefully approached.
The surrounding chatter gradually diminished as she drew near.
"Caroline," Heidi's voice was honey-sweet, painfully clear in the quieting room, "I never imagined you could be so impressive, charming Mr. Bennett and everyone else. You've certainly learned some new tricks."
As her words landed, the entire room fell silent.
All eyes turned to Caroline.
Caroline set down her orange juice, the glass making a soft but distinct sound against the table that seemed deafening in the silence.
She raised her eyes to meet Heidi's, her gaze cool and penetrating—not angry, but revealing a calm understanding.
"I have learned quite a bit," she replied, her voice quiet yet reaching every ear in the room. "For instance, how to distinguish genuine congratulations from jealousy disguised as garbage. Ms. White, I'll treat your 'congratulations' as the latter and discard it accordingly."
The moment she finished, a poorly suppressed snicker emerged from the technical department. Though quickly stifled, everyone had heard it.
Heidi's perfectly made-up face drained of color before flushing crimson in the next instant.
Just then, the door to the private room opened.
Arthur entered, having finished his business call. The European situation had left him irritable, his expression already dark.
Immediately, he encountered this strange tableau—Heidi apparently being humiliated by someone from the host company.
And facing her stood Caroline, her expression detached, while everyone around them seemed to hold their breath.
His judgment formed instantly.
Again. This Caroline always managed to embarrass Heidi in public.