Chapter 73
Caroline acknowledged quietly, securing the twins in their safety seats before driving back to Windsor Manor.
During the journey, Layla furtively texted on her phone, her expression alternating between worry and delight.
She deliberately turned away from Caroline, who nonetheless recognized the telltale signs of communication with Heidi.
A suffocating pressure built in Caroline's chest as she drove in silence.
When they arrived, Caroline helped the children from the car, then retrieved previously undelivered birthday gifts from the trunk—a LEGO Marvel Spider Tank for Logan and a limited-edition princess doll for Layla.
"I'm sorry I missed your birthday celebration," she said, offering the packages. "I chose these especially for you. Do you like them?"
Both children's eyes lit up instantly. Despite having abundant toys, with Arthur instructing the housekeeper to regularly purchase new ones, gifts still held their magical appeal.
They broke away from the housekeeper and rushed to Caroline, eagerly accepting their presents.
But moments after unwrapping his gift, Logan thrust it back into Caroline's hands with an indignant huff.
Caroline knelt before him. "Logan, don't you like your present?"
Logan averted his gaze defiantly. "Ms. White already gave us these on our birthday. You didn't even try, Mommy—you just copied someone else's gift!"
Caroline froze, feeling as though a boulder had settled on her chest.
She managed a pained smile. "But I searched for this specifically, Logan. It represents my love for you. When you discard it so casually, it hurts my feelings."
Logan remained unmoved. He ran inside and returned clutching another Spider Tank set—visibly more elaborate and expensive than Caroline's offering.
"I don't want yours! You don't love us anymore. Your gift is just lazy—not nearly as nice as Ms. White's!"
Caroline's smile faltered.
Even without packaging, the difference in quality between the toys was unmistakable.
Without argument, she returned the rejected gift to her trunk. "If you don't like it, I won't insist."
She turned and headed for the kitchen to prepare the ribs and side dishes she had purchased earlier.
Logan's expression soured as he watched her take the gift away. His tantrum had been designed to make his mother reassure him of her love, not to have her simply withdraw the offering.
Layla stood thoughtfully holding her princess doll, her expression pensive.
The sound of car doors outside interrupted the moment.
Her face brightened instantly. Abandoning the doll in a corner, she ran outside.
"Daddy and Ms. White are home!"
Logan's attention immediately shifted. He rushed forward, throwing himself into Heidi's arms.
"Ms. White, what did you bring me today?"
Heidi presented him with a racing car model, then handed another gift to Layla.
"Your favorite princess dress, Layla. You'll be the most beautiful princess in the world."
The children's delight at these new treasures contrasted sharply with their earlier disappointment, their excitement worlds away from their dissatisfaction with Caroline.
Inside, Heidi noticed sounds from the kitchen.
Glancing in that direction, she remarked with calculated lightness, "Caroline's here? I thought she'd be too busy with her new government partnership to visit."
"What government project?" Tiffany, descending the stairs, caught this comment with razor-sharp attention.
Heidi blinked innocently. "The Alzheimer's patient care initiative. Arthur had hoped to secure it for Windsor Group to enhance our reputation."
"It's my fault, really. My abilities can't compare to Caroline's, so naturally Mr. Smith chose Zenith Technologies instead."
Her words cleverly implied that Caroline had deliberately undermined Windsor Group's interests.
Tiffany's expression darkened. "You're a medical expert with international training. How could a mere housewife outperform you?"
She cast a venomous glance toward the kitchen. "Your devotion to the children is evident to everyone—far superior to those who prioritize outsiders over family."
While Tiffany longed to confront Caroline directly, Isaac's previous warning still resonated, limiting her to passive-aggressive insinuations.
Caroline ignored the barbs entirely, remembering her professor's advice: 'Don't allow yourself to feel trapped—it's detrimental to your condition.'
And she refused to argue in front of the children, knowing such conflict would only harm them.
Tiffany seethed silently at being ignored, eventually huffing and looking away.
Heidi, meanwhile, ventured into the kitchen.
"Layla and Logan have been missing you terribly," she said. "It's wonderful you can spend time with them now. Career matters a lot, but children need their mother too."
Caroline smiled placidly. "Ms. White, you're absolutely right. I'm grateful for your help caring for them."
From nearby, Tiffany muttered audibly, "A woman who neglects her children for work deserves to be abandoned by her husband."
Caroline responded with measured calm. "Mom, I am myself first, then their mother. I see nothing wrong with that approach."
Irene looked at her with surprise.
Caroline's smile remained serene. "Irene, you feel the same way, don't you?"
At that moment, Arthur entered from outside.
Their eyes met briefly before Caroline looked away, focusing on placing the BBQ Glazed Ribs on the table.
Though unplanned, most of the Windsor family was present, creating an impromptu family dinner.
As they settled at the table, Logan eagerly served Heidi. "Ms. White, my mommy's ribs are amazing. You have to try them!"
Heidi took a bite. "Truly delicious. Caroline, your cooking is remarkable—I could never make ribs this good."
Arthur gently wiped sauce from her lips with a napkin. "Your hands were made for playing piano and painting, not kitchen work."
Caroline's grip tightened imperceptibly around her silverware.
If Heidi was too refined for cooking, what did that make Caroline?
After years of devotion to this family, she realized they viewed her contributions as merely expected—she was essentially their housekeeper.
No one at the table seemed to notice Caroline's reaction as Logan and Layla competed to serve Heidi more food.
"Ms. White, have more! If it's not enough, Mommy can make more."
Heidi accepted graciously, her gaze lingering on Caroline's carefully controlled expression, a subtle smile playing at her lips.
"That's plenty, sweetheart. I only have one stomach—I can't possibly eat all this."