Chapter 10: I Want to Set You Up with My Son
Caroline didn’t mind getting out. She was glad to leave the car.
With a firm push, she swung the door open, stepped out, and slammed it shut with a sharp thud that echoed down the street. The sound was satisfying. It felt like an act of defiance, even though she knew it wouldn’t make a difference.
The driver hesitated for a moment before nervously asking, “Mr. David, should we do something about Mrs. Ellison?”
David’s response was swift and cold. “Leave her alone,” he snapped, his tone final.
He tugged at his tie and leaned back against the seat, his expression unreadable but heavy with tension. The events earlier in the private lounge at the Brooks residence were still fresh in his mind.
David had confronted Matthew, demanding to know the identity of the woman from that night—the one whose presence had lingered in his mind for days. But Matthew had been hesitant, clearly reluctant to provide answers. Despite the frustration gnawing at him, David had chosen not to press further. He understood the delicacy of the situation and the potential damage to the woman’s reputation. This wasn’t something to take lightly, especially considering she had been caught up in the mess simply by helping him. David had given Matthew space, hoping for a clearer answer at some point.
Deep down, though, David was nearly certain it had been Elizabeth. The woman he had no love for and, in fact, almost despised. Yet, if Elizabeth was indeed the one involved, he wouldn’t stand idly by and let Caroline bully her. Not on his watch.
As he gazed into the rearview mirror, he caught a glimpse of Caroline, who was standing in the middle of the road, her arms raised in frustration, hurling a rock at the car.
How childish, David thought to himself, his lips twitching with irritation.
Meanwhile, Caroline, now standing stranded on the road, fumed as the car sped away, leaving behind a trail of exhaust smoke that made her cough and curse repeatedly under her breath.
What kind of man behaved like this? She seethed. He had no manners, no grace—just a cold, stiff-faced tyrant! He was nothing but a stiff, arrogant jerk.
Checking her watch, Caroline realized she still had time to spare. After a brief moment of contemplation, she decided to hop on a bus and visit the orphanage. It was something she did often, and the familiar routine gave her comfort.
The orphanage had been her home for many years, and it held a special place in her heart. She volunteered there regularly, bringing small gifts like snacks, books, and school supplies for the children. Her monthly visits had not only helped her bond with the kids but had also developed a strong friendship with Ms. Harper, the orphanage director.
“Caroline! You’re here again!” Ms. Harper greeted her warmly as soon as she saw her, her face lighting up with a beaming smile. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen you! Have you been busy lately?”
“Not too bad,” Caroline replied, keeping her tone light. “Just dealing with some family stuff, but it’s mostly settled now.” She purposely avoided mentioning her marriage—after all, she was already planning for a divorce, and that wasn’t something she wanted to discuss.
“I thought maybe you were tied up with dating or that you’d finally found a boyfriend,” Ms. Harper teased gently, her voice playful. “You’re at the perfect age for it.” She leaned in closer with a sly grin, her expression turning secretive. “Actually, Caroline, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
Caroline raised an eyebrow, curious. “What’s on your mind, Ms. Harper?”
“Well,” Ms. Harper continued, lowering her voice as if sharing a big secret, “I want to set you up with my son. What do you think?”
Caroline froze for a moment, stunned. She hadn’t expected that. But I’m already married… Her mind raced, searching for a way to respond. This was impossible.
Misinterpreting her silence as bashfulness, Ms. Harper squeezed Caroline’s hand warmly. “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I held off because my son’s situation wasn’t ideal back then. I didn’t want you to settle for less. But now, he’s successful, powerful, and in full control of his life. He’s a great catch, and I can’t bear the thought of anyone else snatching you away.”
“Ms. Harper, I…” Caroline stuttered, unsure of how to extricate herself from the conversation.
“No need to worry, Caroline,” Ms. Harper continued, bubbling with excitement. “Things are different now. My son is doing well. Marrying him would guarantee you a bright and honorable future. He’s busy with work, but I’ll arrange for you two to meet soon. I know he’ll be thrilled with the daughter-in-law I’ve picked!”
Caroline smiled awkwardly, eager to change the subject. “Haha, sure, we’ll see what happens. Love is about timing, right? Anyway, I’ll go check on the kids now, Ms. Harper. Let’s catch up later!”
With that, she quickly diverted her attention to the children, laughing and playing with them as a convenient excuse to escape further discussion about Ms. Harper’s matchmaking plans.
As Caroline spent time with the children, Ms. Harper’s determination only grew. She couldn’t imagine a better match for her son than Caroline, and she was determined to make it happen.
Later, thinking of her son, Ms. Harper took out her phone and dialed a number.
“David? Are you free to talk?” she asked casually.
“What’s going on, Mom?” David replied calmly, clearly not expecting anything urgent.
“Oh, nothing much,” Ms. Harper said with a hint of playfulness. “I just wanted to ask… when do you plan on divorcing that bride the Ellison family arranged for you?”
