Chapter 13

“How do you explain yourself?” Evan’s voice boomed above Caroline her, dripping with cold sarcasm.

She offered a bitter smile. How else could she possibly explain it?

The surveillance video had clearly been manipulated, but she lacked any evidence to prove it.

“Say something!” His angry roar made her involuntarily tremble.

Overwhelmed by a profound sense of injustice, she helplessly closed her eyes. “What else can I say?”

Her indifferent response only fueled his frustration and annoyance.

She always responded this way. Whenever she couldn’t defend herself, she would surrender, leaving herself at the mercy of others.

She had done the same in the surveillance video, as well as now, standing in front of him.

Disgusted, he averted his gaze and issued a cold warning. “From now on, you are not permitted to leave the villa, except for work.”

Caroline looked up at him in disbelief. “Who are you to take away my freedom?”

“I am your superior!” With those words, Evan stormed out and slammed the door behind him.

Caroline was left speechless on the spot. The dull ache in her heart reminded her of how inferior her status was.

Battling physical and mental exhaustion, she steadied herself by leaning against the table. Suddenly, her eyes caught sight of a locked drawer in the center.

She stared at it, entranced.

She knew all too well what lay inside—the source of Evan’s vulnerability.

It was the place where he once tightly embraced her while he was drunk. In a moment of exhaustion, he murmured, “Caroline, everyone thinks I’m invincible, but do you know where my weakness lies? It’s in the drawer in the study. Every time I open it, my heart is consumed by excruciating pain.”

That was the first time she witnessed him being so disappointed and dejected.

At that time, she remained unaware of what was kept inside the drawer. She couldn’t fathom what had caused such desperation in a formidable man.

However, now, a sense of realization washed over her.

The contents of the drawer must be connected to Daniella.

After all, Evan had been desperately searching for her.

The thought of it intensified Caroline’s anguish.

*

After breakfast, Caroline wanted to go to the hospital to visit her mom, Katie.

As she opened the villa door, she came face to face with Reuben.

“Ms. Shenton, Mr. Jordan has instructed that you can’t leave unless it’s for something important,” he stated.

Caroline frowned. “I want to go to the hospital to see my mother.”

Reuben took out his phone. “I need to ask for his approval.”

Her anger intensified as she watched him dial Evan’s number.

Had she somehow offended him? Even if the events in the surveillance video were true, he would simply be more disgusted and want her gone. So why was he forcing her to stay?

Reuben hung up the phone. “Ms. Shenton, let me give you a ride.”

Suppressing her frustration, Caroline walked past him and got into the car.

Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the hospital.

Reuben accompanied her to the ward and paused at the door as she entered.

Caroline’s eyes welled up with tears upon seeing her mother in the ward, weakly eating stew.

She pulled her mask up to cover her red and swollen face before approaching her mother. “Mom.”

Katie looked up wearily and managed a smile. “Carol, you’re here.”

Then, she frowned. “Why are you wearing a mask?”

Caroline sat down beside Katie. “I caught a cold. I don’t want to risk infecting you.”

Katie inquired, “Are you still running a fever?”

Caroline reassured her, “I’m fine. Just focus on taking care of yourself.”

*

After spending some time with Katie, Caroline decided it was best to leave. Katie had just undergone chemotherapy and needed rest. Caroline didn’t want to disturb her mother’s recovery.

As she exited the ward, she noticed Reuben still standing by the door.

Coincidentally, Scott approached with a nurse by his side. His face brightened upon seeing Caroline.

Before he could say anything, Reuben positioned himself between them.

Her gaze now blocked, Caroline glared at Reuben, displeased. “What is the meaning of this?”

Reuben responded, “Ms. Shenton, Mr. Jordan has forbidden you from interacting with any men.”

Caroline trembled with anger. “Dr. Wilson is my mother’s attending physician. Our conversations solely revolve around my mother’s condition!”

Reuben offered no response. He turned to face Scott. “Dr. Wilson, I suggest you refrain from discussing any irrelevant matters, other than her mother’s illness, if you don’t want to cause trouble.”

A furrow formed on Scott’s forehead. He spoke earnestly, “What do you mean?”

Reuben retorted, “I have no obligation to answer any of your questions.”

Scott then shifted his gaze to Caroline, who stood behind Reuben. “Caroline, are you in trouble?”

Caroline bit her lip and shook her head. “No, I’m fine. Goodbye.”

With clenched fists, she walked towards the elevator.

She couldn’t reveal her situation, nor did she want to bring trouble upon Scott.

Once inside the car, Caroline received a WhatsApp message from Scott.

Scott wrote, [Are you in some kind of trouble?]

Caroline replied, [No, please take good care of my mother.]

Scott responded with a sighing emoji. [We’re friends. Let me know if anything happens. I can help you.]

However, Caroline politely declined his offer. [I’m fine. Thank you, Dr. Wilson.]

*

It was a Monday morning. After waking up, Caroline freshened up and came downstairs. She spotted Evan seated at the dining table, sipping his coffee. It had been two days since they last saw each other.

She approached the table and took a seat opposite him. After contemplating for a moment, she questioned, “When will you stop having them monitor me?”

Evan looked up at her. “Listen to me and remain here if you want your mother’s medical expenses to be taken care of.”

“I’ve always paid for my mother’s medical fees with my salary.” Caroline erupted in anger.

Over the years, she had relied on her hard-earned salary to settle her father’s debt and cover her mother’s medical bills.

Why was he now using her mother’s medical expenses as a threat?

Evan sneered. “You’re free to leave if you want to forfeit this job.”

Caroline instantly clenched her fists tightly. “You’re blackmailing me!”

“So, what?” Evan responded indifferently. “Do you think you can survive without this job?”

He could provide her with a salary far superior to other employees, but in return, she had to be obedient.

However, lately, she had been growing defiant.

She smiled warmly at a male doctor to settle her mother’s medical expenses. She even sought favor from individuals in the casino to repay her father’s debt.

As long as she asked him, he could fulfill all her needs.

Yet, she never did.

He wondered how long she could stubbornly hold her ground in front of him.