Chapter 240 A Quiet Confession
Finished
When she called him that-her tone distant and cold-it caught kepletely off guard. Something wasn''t right, and he could feel it in his bones.
"Caroline, what''s going on?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
She looked at him. He was right in front of her, barely an arm''s length away, yet somehow, he felt a thousand miles out of reach.
A quiet ache crept into her chest, a dull pain that wouldn''t go away.
"I''m fine," she replied, forcing a small smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes.
ke didn''t buy it. Her words said one thing, but her face told another story. Something was clearly bothering her.
The night breeze swept past them, cool and insistent. Standing here, in the open like this, wasn''t ideal.
ke nced around until his eyesnded on a nearbyte-night diner. He turned to her, his voice gentle. "Want to grab a bite?"
Caroline hesitated. Every part of her wanted to say yes. But then she
remembered who he really was. She bit her lip and shook her head. "No, thanks. I''m tired. I just want to get home and rest."
What she really wanted was distance-space to keep herself from falling deeper. Because once she let herself care, there''d be no turning back.
And ke wasn''t just any guy. He had money, power, and a line of beautiful women who actually were a good match for her.
Even if she allowed herself to fall, she doubted his family would ever ept someone like her.
Luckily, her feelings hadn''t grown too deep yet. If she could pull back now, maybe it wouldn''t hurt as much. ke was quiet for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Let me give you a ride home."
"I appreciate it, but I''ll just take my scooter," she said instinctively-then winced. Maia had taken the scooter earlier.
ke misunderstood. He thought she was making excuses to push him away. Without a word, he reached out and took her wrist, gently but firmly pulling her toward his car.
Caroline opened her mouth to protest, but one nce at the frustration etched on his face made her go quiet.
She allowed him to lead her into the passenger seat and closed the door behind her.
Once he settled into the driver''s seat and closed the door, a nket of silence wrapped around them. The world outside faded away.
For a while, neither of them spoke. Then ke finally broke the quiet. "If something''s bothering you-or if you''ve got a problem with me just say it. Bottling things up isn''t healthy."
Even now, when he was clearly upset, he was still looking out for her.
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Chapter 240 A Quiet Confession
His kindness only made it harder to keep her distance.
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Caroline didn''t know why he''d hidden his identity from her, but if he had his reasons, she''d respect them. She had nned to pretend she didn''t know.
Keep her distance. Guard her heart.
That had been the n. But seeing the way his brows knit together in worry, something inside her softened. Before she could stop herself, the truth slipped
out.
"You''re a great guy, ke. I don''t have anyints about you. It''s just... someone like you, with your background-I shouldn''t be taking up your time." Back when she used to deliver takeout to Sherwood Group, she''d overheard employees talk about how busy their CEO was-how every minute of his day was scheduled weeks in advance, how impossible it was to even get a meeting with him.
Yet ke always seemed to make time for her. When Helen ended up in the hospital, she''d only made one call-and he came right away.
Even though it turned out to be a wasted trip.
That memory still filled her with guilt.
ke immediately understood.
Of course-Helen had found out about his identity at the birthday party yesterday. He figured it wouldn''t be long before Caroline learned the truth. Her cold shoulderst night suddenly made sense.
He rushed to exin, "I didn''t tell you because I didn''t want you to treat me differently. I was afraid you''d start putting up walls."
"But someone with your identity... "Caroline murmured, struggling to understand, "You probably have plenty of people around you. You don''t need me."
That was the part that puzzled her most. He had everything-status, charm, and a glitteringwork of sessful friends. Why bother with someone like her?
And more than that, he didn''t act like the man everyone warned her about. He was supposed to be cold, arrogant, and distant. But around her, he was kind. Warm. Real.
ke held her gaze. The words formed slowly, deliberately. "You''re right. I don''t need more friends. But I do need you."
The moment he said it, Caroline''s heart skipped a beat.
Was he... was he saying what she thought he was?
Her mind shed back to something he had asked her before.
If Mr. Sherwood liked her, would she marry him?
Could it be that he actually liked her?
But why?
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Chapter 240 A Quiet Confession
She wasn''t special-just a regr girl with nothing extraordinary to offer. What could possibly make someone like him fall for someone like her?
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Finished
"You ..." she started, unsure of how to phrase her question. But then the fear of being wrong, of imagining things that weren''t there, made her stop. She swallowed her words and instead offered something safer. “Thank you for treating me as a friend."
ke leaned slightly closer. His voice was low but firm. "No. That''s not what I meant. And you know it. You''re smart, Caroline. You know exactly what I''m saying." His eyes searched hers, full of longing. "I want to be with you. Will you give me a chance?"
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