Chapter 70
Arthur and Heidi stood in the doorway, arms linked in intimate familiarity, his smile radiating warmth.
Caroline's momentary surprise quickly settled into practiced composure. "Who are you looking for?"
Arthur's eyes instantly cooled. "We're here to see Mr. Barnes."
She invited them in with mechanical politeness, efficiently preparing tea.
Heidi watched with growing discomfort as Caroline navigated the kitchen with obvious familiarity, noting Arthur's darkening expression.
"I see Caroline's been quite studious lately," Heidi remarked with calculated sweetness. "She seems more at home here than in her own house."
Arthur's brow furrowed as his scrutinizing gaze settled on Caroline. "Why are you here?"
The accusatory tone hung in the air between them.
Caroline sat with deliberate poise, tea in hand. "Where I choose to be is hardly your concern, Mr. Windsor."
She understood the subtext of his question—the hypocrisy of her refusing to cook for their children while making herself comfortable in someone else's home.
She recognized his displeasure but couldn't summon the energy to care.
"Don't forget," Arthur said, his voice lowering, "you are still my wife."
Heidi's expression faltered momentarily before she interjected. "Arthur, don't be upset. Caroline probably just visited with friends a few times. She's still the children's mother—I'm sure she considers them in everything she does."
Caroline's soft laugh held no humor. "Don't worry. I won't be for much longer."
Her response was directed solely at Arthur, ignoring Heidi's provocations as meaningless noise.
The divorce petition had been filed. If Arthur refused mediation, the court hearing would follow in a month. After that, all ties to the Windsor family would be severed.
"What exactly do you mean by that?" Arthur's entire demeanor darkened, clearly displeased with her response.
Caroline merely smiled.
Their years together had created an unspoken understanding.
Despite her recent public appearances, long hours in the lab with male colleagues, and apparent neglect of their children, he had still granted her the honor of being his wife. What more could she possibly want?
Even leaving the Windsor Group had been her choice.
In Arthur's mind, this was his supreme generosity.
"Mr. Windsor," she reminded him quietly, "discussing family matters in someone else's home is rather impolite."
Heidi frowned with practiced disapproval. "Caroline, Arthur is simply concerned about you. Why must you be so confrontational?"
"Heidi, don't waste your breath," Arthur soothed, positioning Caroline as being unreasonable.
Caroline gripped her teacup tightly, nearly drawing blood as she bit her lip, forcing herself to remain calm. This was her mentor's home—she wouldn't create a scene here.
A sharp voice suddenly cut through the tension.
"Arriving uninvited? Mr. Windsor, is this your idea of courtesy? The Windsor family's manners are truly... remarkable."
Arthur rose smoothly to his feet. "Mr. Barnes, my apologies for the intrusion. Heidi greatly admires your research and was eager to meet you."
Heidi stood with practiced grace. "Mr. Barnes, I'm particularly interested in your integrated tumor therapy research. Might I have the opportunity to study under your guidance?"
Gabriel's penetrating gaze shifted to Caroline. This was the man for whom she had abandoned everything?
Caroline lowered her eyes with a faint smile.
Yes—this was the Arthur she had once sacrificed everything for, who now unhesitatingly wielded the blade against her for another woman.
Thankfully, she no longer cared.
After this uncomfortable encounter, Gabriel had no interest in continuing the conversation. "I'm too old to take on students. Alton, please show our guests out."
Alton stepped forward with a pleasant smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Mr. Windsor, I apologize, but we're having a family dinner tonight. We can't accommodate outside guests."
If they treated Caroline this poorly in public, he could only imagine what happened behind closed doors. She was, after all, their most cherished junior colleague.
Arthur gave Caroline one last meaningful look before departing with Heidi, leaving a gift behind.
Back in the car, Heidi's eyes glistened with tears.
"I suppose I'm not exceptional enough to impress Mr. Barnes. But it's alright—I won't give up."
Arthur's expression darkened as he contemplated Caroline's unexpected presence. "Today wasn't an ideal time for an introduction. He has a lecture next week; I'll take you then. He'll certainly appreciate you."
Heidi's mood sank further. "I'm simply not clever enough to charm people. Caroline is so much more skilled—first securing a position with Mr. Bennett, now cultivating relationships with Mr. Brooks that even impress Mr. Barnes."
Arthur's eyes grew distant. "You make a valid point."
Caroline's presence could only be explained through Alton. Without him, she would never have access to Gabriel Barnes.
Arthur had never heard of any connection between them before, though he knew Alton was Gabriel's student.
For Caroline to have established such a relationship with Alton must have required considerable effort.
---
Back in the living room, Gabriel contemplated Caroline thoughtfully. "Alton mentioned you're facing difficulties at work?"
Caroline didn't hide the truth, explaining the budget freeze situation. "Mr. Barnes, the Glial Cell Microenvironment Simulation System has already achieved preliminary results. I can't abandon it now."
What she didn't say was her greater fear—that she might not have enough time left to complete her life's work.
"Mr. Cook?" Gabriel wasn't familiar with corporate politics and looked to Alton for clarification.
After Alton's explanation, Gabriel's brow furrowed deeply. "That incompetent parasite. What can he do besides sabotage others behind their backs?"
He recalled with distaste Billy Cook's attempts to bribe him during previous research collaborations.
Gabriel initially considered contacting Zenith's chairman Oakley Powell directly— they had some history—but another thought occurred to him.
"Your project doesn't necessarily need Zenith Technologies' investment."
He produced information about government-supported medical initiatives, including one related to Caroline's research—caring for Alzheimer's patients.
If Caroline's system proved successful, it would benefit all humanity.
"Alton should accompany you," he said with a meaningful glance at Alton. "The government is currently soliciting medical projects for support, and yours fits their criteria perfectly."
Government projects were beyond interference, even from someone like Arthur. And Gabriel strongly suspected Arthur's hand behind Billy's obstruction.
Caroline's eyes brightened. "That would be wonderful. If the project continues, we could implement it quickly."
She thought of all the lives it could save.
Gabriel sighed heavily. "You've considered so much for strangers. But what about yourself?"