Chapter 13: I Have Someone I Like Too
Caroline paused, her brow furrowing slightly. "She won’t gossip, will she?"
"You can rest assured about that. She’s been at the old family home since I was a child and mostly took care of me. She knows what she can and can’t say. Of course, if you have someone more suitable in mind, you’re free to find them."
Caroline fell silent for a moment.
She had no experience in this area, let alone anyone she could completely trust with such a task.
Confidentiality was one thing, but the child’s safety was what mattered most.
After thinking it over, she shook her head gently. "I don’t have anyone suitable. I’ll leave the arrangements to you."
’After all, it’s his child too. It’s probably safer to use someone he trusts.’
"Mommy, Daddy, why didn’t you wake me up this morning?"
Ryan came running out of the bedroom, not even wearing shoes.
He had woken up to find the space beside him empty and had immediately scrambled out of bed. The sight of Caroline Whitman and Adrian sitting at the dining table eating breakfast instantly washed away his anxiety.
"What’s the rush? You came out without even putting on your shoes," Caroline said, gently chiding him.
"I thought one of you wasn’t home again," the little boy said, speaking his mind with childish innocence.
"..."
"..."
The two exchanged an involuntary glance.
’I have to admit, Adrian’s cohabitation agreement from last night showed some real foresight.’
’Look how scared the poor kid was.’
Adrian said, "Go back and put on your shoes. Then come wash your face, brush your teeth, and have breakfast."
"Okay."
After replying, Ryan scampered back to the bedroom, quickly put on his shoes, and went into the bathroom to dutifully brush his teeth and wash his face.
By the time he was done, it was time for Caroline to leave for work.
"Daddy will be home with you all day, so have fun playing with him, okay? Mommy’s heading to work now."
"Bye, Mommy."
Ryan gave a well-behaved wave.
The moment she arrived at the office, Caroline was summoned to the chairman’s office by her secretary.
In the chairman’s seat sat a middle-aged man with a round, pudgy face and a prominent beer belly. He had the distinct look of someone who’d struck it rich overnight.
In fact, the man had made his fortune from a demolition buyout. Even after all these years, he still carried the crude air of new money.
This man was none other than the chairman of the Whitman Group, Franklin Whitman.
He was also Caroline Whitman’s father.
"Dad, what’s with the sudden summons?" Caroline asked as soon as she walked in.
"Where were you last night?"
Caroline’s heart gave an odd little jump, but her expression remained unchanged as she retorted, "Did you go to my place at Azure Heights last night?"
"Your mother and I went to your apartment last night, but you weren’t there. We waited all night, and you still hadn’t come back this morning. So, here I am, asking."
"...You stayed the night?"
’Damn, what a coincidence.’
’Thank god I didn’t suggest moving the whole family into my apartment at Azure Heights.’
Caroline shot her father a look. "What were you doing at my apartment anyway? When I asked you guys to come over and liven the place up, you completely ignored me."
A glint appeared in Franklin’s small eyes as he glanced at her. "Seeing someone?"
Caroline felt a wave of exhaustion. "What are you talking about? I just had a drink at a friend’s place. It got late, and since I’d been drinking, I couldn’t drive. I just stayed the night there."
"Oh... so you’re not seeing anyone right now?"
’Alright, so now I know the real reason for this little inquisition.’
Six months ago, Matthew’s parents had approached Franklin to discuss a marriage alliance, using a potential partnership with the Grant Group as a pretext.
After he refused, a flood of negative press and rumors about the Whitman Group began to circulate online.
Franklin had been seething with rage at the time, cursing Matthew’s family as shameless scoundrels. It was right after that he began searching for a suitable marriage alliance for Caroline.
His thinking was something along the lines of, ’My daughter is so exceptional, I can find someone far better than your family for her. And it’ll keep other scoundrels like Matthew from getting any ideas.’
Fortunately, since she was the primary reason for the Whitman Group’s current success, she had the confidence to reject her parents’ arrangements.
Caroline said, "Dad, if you have something to say, just say it. Stop beating around the bush."
Franklin chuckled. "What do you think of Chase Ford?"
Caroline’s eyebrow twitched. ’Holy crap! I tell him to be direct, and he really just blurts it out like that.’
’Isn’t he one of the ’F4’ members from the book? The male supporting character?’
Chase Ford, the scion of one of the most prominent families in Kingsport.
The gentle and devoted second male lead, who was hopelessly in love with the heroine.
"Dad, how did you get mixed up with him?" Caroline asked, her head starting to ache.
"A few days ago, I had dinner with a fishing buddy. And guess what? He brought Kenneth Ford with him. I heard his son is still single, and hey, that made me think of you, didn’t it? So I figured I’d ask you about it.
"You mentioned before that getting a husband who marries into our family would be unreliable. Your mother and I thought about it, and we agree with you.
"Instead of finding some parasite who’d just live off us, it’s better to form an alliance with an established, powerful family in Kingsport. It would be good for our company, too."
"I had someone look into this Chase Ford kid, and from what I hear, he’s a decent guy. I get along with Mr. Ford, too. At least he doesn’t look down on your old man for getting his start as a demolition-buyout millionaire."
The more Franklin spoke, the more pleased he became with the idea.
"..."
Seeing the blissful, dreamy look on this father of hers, Caroline knew she was in trouble. She had to quickly snap him out of his fantasy.
"Dad, I’m not interested in that Chase Ford guy."
"Besides, I already like someone."
’Faced with her parents’ pressure to get married, Caroline had no choice but to pull out her ultimate, all-purpose excuse.’
’For one thing, she had just signed the agreement with Adrian. Plus, with Ryan in the picture, getting a boyfriend right now would be asking for trouble.’
This immediately got Franklin’s attention. He just knew his daughter hadn’t really been at a friend’s place last night.
’Hmph, silly girl.’
’I was using that excuse before you were even born.’
"Who is it? Bring him over so your mother and I can have a look. If he’s a good match, you two should get married right away. We’ve been waiting to hold a chubby little grandson for ages."
"..."
Caroline thought, ’Heh, if you knew you already have a three-year-old chubby grandson, you’d probably faint on the spot.’
"Come on, who is it? Spit it out! It’s not like I’m going to eat him, am I?"
Seeing Caroline dawdling, Franklin grew impatient.
For some reason, Adrian’s face flashed through Caroline’s mind, and the thought startled her so much she physically flinched.
’Why would I think of him?’
’What a terrifying thought.’
Caroline rubbed her nose. "It’s not even close to being serious yet. Let’s not talk about it for now."
But Franklin knew his daughter. The moment he heard that, he knew there was a story. He stood up and hovered around her eagerly. "My dear daughter, don’t tell me it’s a secret crush, is it?"
"..."