Chapter 19

Henry had been accompanying me the past few days and taking great care of me. I asked him one day, "When are you going back to S City?"

He chuckled. "You want me gone so badly?"

"I'm afraid sister-in-law will be infuriated."

"Your sister-in-law is still young, so she constantly fights with me over petty issues."

My sister-in-law was younger than me and I'd heard mention of her previously. She sounded like a domineering girl indeed.

However, she was not without reason or logic.

Her overbearing times never just came out of the blue!

People like Gwen Worth did not stand a chance against her as she was not one to bother herself with needless remarks. Thus, it was rare for Henry to be in the company of the opposite gender.

On the other hand, I felt apathetic towards such characters.

My indifference enabled others to make use of me.

I quipped, "Brother, you should give in to my sister-in-law more often."

Recalling some distant memory, Henry smiled endearingly and replied, "I've never faulted her."

Mentions of my sister-in-law brightened Henry's face with such a sincere smile.

"Then you'll have to live happily together."

"Hum, yes, we will. Thank you for your blessings."

"Brother, go back to S City, I'm sure my sister-in-law misses you terribly."

"What about you? I have to stay."

I attempted a feeble smile. "Brother. I've got my own stuff to do so I require personal time as well."

I sought to shoo him back merely because I did not want him to waste his time here.

Moreover, the fact that he was arguing with his wife warranted his presence at home and he did not have time to waste with me.

Henry hesitated before he offered a compromise. "I'll agree if you attend a banquet with me tonight."

"Why the sudden invitation?"

Henry smirked and said derisively, "Gwen Worth is under the impression that she has a higher standing than you and I'll prove her wrong. Carol, you don't need to refuse. It's imperative for human beings to understand fear so that we know our limits, but she has been under Dixon's wing far too long and lacks even basic respect for you."

"I don't mind though..."

"I mind."

My mental state was in shambles, but I grudgingly agreed as I knew he was merely trying to stand up for me. However, I was reluctant to be involved with Dixon Gregg in any way.

At the banquet, it was inevitable that Dixon would protect Gwen whether she was right or wrong, as that was his responsibility as a man and she was his beloved woman.

Why would I go and witness him coddling another woman?

I applied some make-up and concealed the scar on my face. Changing into a glamorous gown and donning a pair of golden heels, I surveyed my alluring self in the mirror.

I was never one to boast, but my looks and figure were second to none in Wu City. Those who possessed my figure would not be blessed enough to have it paired with my face. My exquisite visage was decorated with a pair of bright eyes and a straight-edged nose. Gwen Worth could never measure up to my unparalleled beauty, but Dixon loved her nevertheless.

I scorned the irony of the situation and applied the most brilliant cherry red lipstick I had.

Henry nudged open the door just as I applied the finishing touches on my face. His face lit up and he commented merrily, "I knew you were beautiful all along but never expected it to reach such an extent. You're practically as flawless as a porcelain doll."

"What's the use of being beautiful?"

Henry countered, "Beauty is pleasing to the eyes."

"Perhaps that's the case. What time are we heading for the banquet?"

"Now, since the banquet has been ongoing for a while."

He put on my khaki-colored overcoat for me before we left. The banquet was at its halfway mark when we arrived and the host came to welcome us personally. He addressed us cordially, saying, "Mr. Cook and Ms. Shaw, to what do I owe this honor of you gracing us with your presence?"

The corners of Henry's mouth lifted as he replied pleasantly. "Mr. Stone must be joking. Here's to more cooperation in the future."

"Sure, sure. Mr. Cook has granted me immense benefits."

If Wu City was the playground of the Shaw and Gregg families, S City could be said to be the Cook family's territory.

My mother had been willing to allow Henry to return to his family back then partly due to his wishes. He was intelligent and thus mindful both of opportunities he should grasp as well as times when his absence was more appropriate.

He never viewed himself as a true Shaw descendant and he could not accept it even if my mother laid a dazzling and smooth path out for him. He wanted a family business that he could be in complete control of and one that was wholly the result of his own persistence.

Therefore, going back to the Cook family then was the best decision he could have made.

Currently, people were scrambling to get on his and Dixon's good side.

These two were at the peak of the power pyramids of both cities.

On the other hand, I was gradually wilting.

To be more exact, I was choosing to give up my position in this power play.

However, I was still distinguishable by 99% of the guests at the banquet.

My inhospitable and reserved demeanor brought me peace as the guests largely avoided small talk with me.

I was reveling in the serenity when it was interrupted by Dixon approaching us with Gwen by his side. He threw a cursory glance at Henry before taunting. "Is Mr. Cook Ms. Shaw's new companion?"

A perfunctory smile was plastered on my face as Henry steered me in another direction to leave.

"Hold up, Caroline."

Gwen shouted my name and Henry's footsteps halted.

He spun around and glared at her. "What did you address her as?"

The expression on Henry's face turned chilly, but Gwen was heedless and repeated herself boldly. "Caroline."

The scowl on Henry's face was thunderous as he chastised her. "Since she entered the door, people either addressed her as President Shaw or Ms. Shaw, but what did you call her? Are you very familiar with her? Gwen Worth, do not overestimate your significance. Everybody here views you as a shameless woman who schemed your way to this position. I believe President Gregg does not hold you in as high regard as you might like to think."

Gwen's face was flecked with red patches as fury consumed her. "You..."

Henry had not bothered to lower his voice and the surrounding people noted every single syllable he had uttered. People who were familiar with him knew his typically calm and controlled manner. However, he had openly insulted a woman— Dixon's fiancee— for me.

Dixon's forbidding gaze never cleared and he remained dispassionate, as if Henry's scathing words had not been directed at his fiancee. Gwen grabbed his hand to plead for help but he simply scoffed. "Mr. Cook is right, you're too insensible and reckless at times, never considering the consequences of your actions. Today, I shall not take responsibility for your rashness so you can learn from this lesson."

Gwen's face darkened as she was dismayed by the fact that the person she trusted the most had left her in the lurch.

I was astounded as well since I had presumed that Dixon would be defensive regarding Gwen. His lack of vindication sealed Gwen's fate as socialites and people from the upper-class would dismiss her presence henceforth. Her existence would be slighted before she had even married into a noble family.

I had initially assumed that that would be the conclusion to this ruckus and the crowd would disperse and simply gossip among themselves, but Henry was not done. There was a steely edge to his voice as his pronounced warnings cut into the atmosphere. "Caroline Shaw is my limit, if anybody dares to offend her, I'll make them pay regardless of the price and even if it means sacrificing the entire Cook family. Today's matter cannot be resolved so easily. I hereby declare that as long as Ms. Worth has relations with the Gregg family, the Cook family will terminate all working relations with the Gregg family, as well as all companies related to the them. It doesn't matter to me even if I incur losses and I can only hope that Ms. Worth realizes her grave mistake."

Henry placed special emphasis on the words 'realizes her grave mistake'.

Striking the Gregg family from a financial vantage point impacted Gwen Worth. The two families were pitted against each other and it would devastate the smaller companies affiliated with both families. The crux of the problem pointed back at Gwen and Henry was forcing the Gregg family to abandon her in order to avenge me.

Onlookers could not have predicted that a simple issue of address could blow up to such an extent, and my significance to Henry further confounded them. I lifted my gaze and he flashed a reassuring smile at me before leaving with me.

He ignored Dixon's frigid expression completely.

I waited till we were alone before sighing. "There was no need to target her."

Henry was unstirred as he replied, "I've heard of the troubles between you two and went through my own investigation. Since she has previously inconvenienced you, I vow to let her have a taste of her own medicine. You may deem it unnecessary, but Carol, I need to let people recognize your worth before you leave this world behind."

Henry felt his throat tighten as he rambled on.

He observed me with reddened eyes and caressed my cheeks as he articulated, "We may not have had real life interactions these past few years, but the lingering familial feelings are still valid even though we only communicated virtually. I'm your brother regardless and you're always my sister. I know you were distressed after mother's passing and so I wanted to find you but you rejected me time and time again for God knows what reason. If I hadn't made a trip down to Wu City this time round, would you have avoided me until the end?"

What had I been scared of?!

Henry had contacted me the year that my parents passed away, but I had refused his visit because I knew he bore the responsibilities of the Cook family. I had been afraid that I would be over-reliant on him and clutch onto him like he was my last hope, but I knew that if he had returned then, nothing would have changed.

I was terrified that he would depart after giving me warmth, so I had refused him from the start.

I had been fearful that my overdependece would weaken his resolve.

I mumbled gratefully, "Thank you, brother."

The place was illuminated by beaming lights but we were standing in a shadowy corner. He hesitated for the longest time before whispering, "Carol, the doctor said there was really no hope for you anymore?"

His voice was choked with emotion.

"Brother, would I really joke with you about this matter?"

Henry enveloped me in a tight hug and breathed, "I'm sorry, forgive me for appearing only now. I'm so sorry, Carol. I have let mother down by failing to take proper care of you."

"Brother Henry, help me with another matter."

"Tell me, I promise to fulfill your wish."

"I have a friend who's currently imprisoned..."