Chapter 99
Heidi recognized that look instantly—the possessive gaze of a man toward a woman.
For a moment, her heart faltered.
But before she could speak, Arthur stepped forward and yanked Caroline out of the tent. To everyone's shock, he dragged her into the nearest restaurant's private room. The door slammed shut behind them.
In the cramped, confined space, Arthur's cold eyes fixed on Caroline. They stood so close that even their breathing seemed intimate.
Caroline's heart tightened, though her expression remained calm. "Mr. Windsor, is there something you need?"
She saw the fury in his eyes and the unspoken accusations. But she didn't care to explain herself anymore.
Her refusal to defend herself seemed to anger Arthur further. His voice deepened with sudden pressure. "Layla and Logan wanted to go camping, but they were alone at home today."
"Yes, I know," Caroline replied coolly, a faint mocking smile on her lips. "So what are you trying to say? That I'm an unfit mother? Or that I should go back to take care of them right now?"
"Don't forget, Mr. Windsor, we're about to divorce. Once those papers are signed, it's final. Meeting them once a week fulfills my maternal responsibilities. As for why the children were left alone in the villa today—shouldn't you consider your own actions?"
"You're their father. How much of your paternal duty have you fulfilled?"
Before she could finish, his lips—cool and soft—pressed against hers, silencing her words.
Caroline's eyes widened. In all these years, she had never seen Arthur lose control like this—urgent and frantic, like a wild animal marking its territory, with none of his usual composure.
In contrast, Caroline remained calm, her response cold.
To Arthur, it probably seemed that though they weren't yet divorced, she was already eagerly seeking another man, even abandoning her children in the process—enough to ignite his anger.
But Caroline refused to bear the brunt of his rage, especially with that familiar scent—Heidi's perfume—lingering on him. It was unbearable.
She raised her hand and slapped Arthur's face with all her strength. That captivating face instantly bore a clear handprint, his head turned by the force of the blow.
They separated. Caroline calmly straightened her disheveled clothes and moved to open the door.
As she reached for the handle, a large hand with distinct knuckles blocked her way.
She looked up to meet Arthur's eyes—angry yet somehow tired—with resignation but coldness.
"Caroline, haven't you had enough of this game?"
Caroline laughed bitterly. "What exactly are you implying, Mr. Windsor? You leave your girlfriend to question me like this—do you think that's appropriate?"
Arthur paused, his brow relaxing slightly. "Heidi isn't my girlfriend. She's talented, an excellent partner, and I admire her..."
Caroline cut him off coldly. "Mr. Windsor, I have no interest in hearing about your feelings for Ms. White, nor in exploring your relationship with her."
"But you seem to have misunderstood something. I'm not saying these things to get your attention. I simply have no interest in what happens between you two—especially in you."
Arthur's face instantly darkened. "Caroline, do you realize what you're saying?"
"Rest assured, Mr. Windsor, I'm perfectly clear-headed."
Arthur suddenly smiled, gripping Caroline's waist and pinning her against the door. His deep voice was suggestive. "No interest in me? Your body tells me otherwise."
His dangerous tone carried a hint of malice.
Caroline blinked. "Oh, so you're being a host boy now? Your performance just now was very much like a club host trying to please a client."
Arthur froze, his deep eyes instantly brewing with thunderous rage. "Caroline!"
At that moment, someone kicked the door open.
Arthur instinctively pulled Caroline into his arms for protection. The collapsing door hit his shoulder, and Caroline heard a suppressed groan of pain.
As the dust settled, Gavin, who had been about to rush in, paused.
"Caroline, are you alright?"
Caroline's face was flushed, but she nodded calmly, pushing away from Arthur's embrace. "I'm fine. Let's go."
She left the room without a single glance at Arthur in the corner.
Outside, Heidi clenched her fists. When Caroline had left, the ribbon at her collar had clearly been tied differently than before. What exactly had happened between her and Arthur in there?
She looked at Arthur in the room, her eyes dark, but dared not ask.
---
In the hotel room, the lighting was dim and intimate.
Heidi had just showered, dressed in a pink lace nightgown with her long hair loose, her bangs still damp.
She brought a first aid kit to Arthur's side. "Arthur, I noticed you were hurt. Let me treat your wound, alright?"
Arthur didn't refuse.
She took the opportunity to remove his jacket, slowly unbuttoning his shirt one button at a time. Her fingers deliberately grazed his skin with calculated restraint.
The atmosphere between them grew intensely intimate.
Kneeling beside him, she carefully treated the wound on his shoulder.
After a few minutes, Arthur, who had been silently checking his phone, suddenly moved.
He leaned forward, drawing closer to Heidi.
Her heart leapt with anticipation, her cheeks flushing. "Arthur..."
But he merely reached for his suit jacket that lay across her lap, his expression cold.
"Layla and Logan just messaged that they're feeling unwell. With only them at home, I'm worried. I need to go check on them."
Heidi's smile froze, but she still grabbed his arm desperately. "There are servants and a butler taking care of them—how could they be scared? Children often make excuses to get attention. We can make it up to them tomorrow..."
Arthur didn't let her finish. "Get some rest. I'll make it up to you another time."
With that, the door closed.
On the sofa, Heidi trembled with rage.
---
Layla and Logan were indeed unwell. The weather had been stuffy lately, making it difficult to sleep at night.
The servants had turned on the air conditioning, but the children had kicked off their blankets in their sleep and caught colds without realizing it.
When Arthur arrived home, both children had already developed fevers, and he rushed them to the hospital.
The next day, Arthur's normally impeccably pressed, sharp suit bore wrinkles, and his face couldn't hide his exhaustion.
Meanwhile, Caroline and Gavin finished their camping trip with Rena, enjoying a pleasant weekend together.