Chapter 80: In your heart

Andrew and Caroline arrived at his company, where the officials had gathered near the entrance to welcome her.

Caroline glanced outside through the car window, noticing the group waiting for them. Meanwhile, Andrew had already stepped out from the other side.

When a staff member opened her door, Andrew immediately extended his hand toward her. Caroline placed her palm in his and carefully stepped out of the car.

"Look, they’re all here to welcome you," Andrew whispered as he guided her hand onto his arm.

Together, they walked toward the entrance, where the officials stood waiting to greet them. Caroline tried to maintain her composure, but she couldn’t help feeling nervous. This was her first time being welcomed so publicly, with so many people gathered specifically to meet her.

She had spent most of her life remaining unnoticed, standing in the background while others received attention. People rarely spared her a second glance, and she had grown accustomed to being overlooked. Now, however, everyone was looking at her, acknowledging her presence because she was Andrew Kensington’s wife.

As Andrew introduced Caroline to the officials, each of them stepped forward to greet her and present her with a bouquet.

She accepted their gifts with a polite smile, thanking them one by one.

However, as the greetings continued, she couldn’t help noticing how differently people treated her now.

She had once been an ordinary employee whom people barely noticed. Now, the same world that had overlooked her seemed eager to win her favor simply because of the man standing beside her. The realization left her with mixed feelings, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

The bodyguards following them took the bouquets and other gifts from her as the couple finally made their way inside the building.

"Come up in the second elevator," Andrew instructed Miller.

Miller smiled and nodded in acknowledgment before the elevator doors slid shut, leaving Andrew and Caroline alone.

Caroline looked around the spacious interior of the premium VIP elevator, taking in its elegant furnishings. "There’s so much room in here," she remarked. "At my previous workplace, we weren’t allowed to use elevators like this. I once used one during an emergency, and the manager scolded me for it."

Andrew’s expression changed immediately.

"What?" he demanded, his eyes darkening to a deeper shade of red. "Who was that manager? Give me his name."

"No, I’m not giving you his name," Caroline replied, a small smile lingering on her lips. "It’s all in the past now."

She turned toward the large mirror lining the elevator wall, but Andrew moved closer and stood directly behind her. Their reflections appeared side by side, his tall frame towering over hers.

"People treat you better when you’re in a position of power," Caroline whispered, studying their reflections. "It’s strange how the world works."

"That’s true," Andrew agreed. After a brief pause, he continued, "Nina is being appointed to assist at an omega community center. I thought you would have wanted her punished. You wanted her to experience the same pain she caused you."

Caroline remained quiet for a moment, her gaze fixed on his reflection. Then she turned around to face him, looking directly into his eyes.

"What if I had never been your mate? Would you still have helped me? I doubt you would have."

"How can you be so sure?" Andrew raised his eyebrows, studying her face.

The elevator came to a stop, and the doors slid open. Andrew stepped out without waiting for her response.

Caroline hurried after him and caught the edge of his sleeve. "I’m sorry. I was just curious. It’s true that I’m still learning about you."

"You should have known the answer in your heart," Andrew replied, his voice noticeably colder. "It hurts to know that you doubt me."

He gently freed his sleeve from her grasp and continued walking. "Miller will show you around the company. I have an important meeting to attend elsewhere shortly."

Andrew walked ahead, leaving Caroline standing there for a moment, her expression clouded with worry.

’I hurt him. How could I fail to see that he’s different, even among Alphas?’ she thought, watching him disappear down the corridor.

"Caroline, I’ll show you around," Miller offered from behind her.

She turned to face him. "Please don’t call me Madam. You can just use my name."

"All right. Follow me, Caroline," Miller replied with a friendly smile before leading her way.

~~~~~

Andrew had just signed a memorandum when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and saw his father’s name.

"Mr. Barlow, I need to take this call. It’s from the Alpha King," he said.

"Of course. Go ahead," Mr. Barlow replied.

Andrew excused himself from the restaurant’s private lounge and walked toward a secluded corner where he was unlikely to be disturbed. As soon as he answered the call, Davian spoke.

"I’ve appointed Ilias as the ambassador. He’s coming to meet you. You can accompany him during the negotiations, but you are not to speak unless you’re asked to."

"Did Alarick convince you to appoint Ilias instead of me?" Andrew asked, his tone turning serious.

"That doesn’t matter. What matters is that Ilias is better suited for political matters. You know that yourself. He also oversees the borders, so sending him is the more sensible decision," Davian explained.

"Thank you, Dad," Andrew replied before ending the call.

He wasn’t upset that Ilias had been appointed as the ambassador instead of him. He knew his brother was better suited for political negotiations. However, the fact that Alarick had interfered in his affairs irritated him. Andrew disliked it when someone tried to influence his decisions, especially when it concerned matters he considered his responsibility.

Suppressing his annoyance, he returned to the private lounge, where Mr. Barlow was waiting for him.

Andrew approached the older man and extended his hand. "It’s going to be a pleasure working with you."

"I must say, it’s an honour to have the opportunity to work with Prince Andrew," Mr. Barlow replied, shaking his hand with a respectful smile.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries before Mr. Barlow took his leave with his secretary. Andrew watched them depart before deciding to head back to the company.

’Caroline didn’t even call me once nor even message me,’ he thought, feeling even more irritated.