Chapter 25 I'm Serious 1/8 Alistair didn't understand why Rebecca had kept such a major secret from her parents , but he no longer cared . Now that the truth was out , he felt an overwhelming sense of relief . The moment he stepped out of the building , he spotted a familiar luxury car parked by the curb . A glance at the license plate confirmed it was the same one Caroline often used . Does Caroline have business dealings with the Whitfield family ? Just as the thought crossed his mind , the car window rolled down , revealing Caroline - her hair tied in a sleek ponytail , gold - framed glasses perched on her nose - glancing sideways at him . " Get in . " Once inside , Alistair remarked , " What a coincidence . " " This isn't a coincidence . " " You didn't just happen to be passing by . " " Of course not , " Caroline replied with a smile . " I came to pick you up . " Her smile was dazzling , leaving Alistair momentarily dazed . Chapter 25 I'm Serious 2/8 He averted his gaze , flustered . " I could've taken a cab . You're so busy- " " I'm not that busy right now . Did everything go smoothly ? " " Very smoothly . " " Good . I'm relieved you weren't mistreated . " Alistair was taken aback . Her expression told him she meant every word . Is she treating me like a child now ? I'm not Eloise . Though amused , he couldn't help but feel touched . No one has cared about me like this since Grandpa passed away . " Thank you . " But his gratitude only earned him a frown from Caroline . " Why are you being so formal ? " " We're husband and wife . Family . You don't need to say thank you , " she said naturally . Alistair was once again overwhelmed . Chapter 25 I'm Serious It's only been three days since we met . Maybe she's just worried something might happen to me , leaving Eloise fatherless again . 3/8 Am I , a grown man , really worth this much concern over such trivial matters ? Caroline dropped Alistair off at home before heading to the office . Standing at the curb , Alistair waved goodbye with a smile , watching her car until it disappeared from sight . Only then did he realize something felt off . What's the difference between me and a doting housewife waiting for her CEO husband to come home ? " Focus on driving . If you keep sneaking glances , I'll gouge your eyes out . " Caroline's eyes never left her laptop , but that didn't stop her from threatening her subordinate . Julian , her driver and assistant , touched his nose guiltily . " Ms. Ashbourne , you're becoming more tyrannical by the day . Can't I even look at the scenery ? " Caroline scoffed , " Scenery ? You were practically drilling holes . into him with your eyes . " Chapter 25 I'm Serious Julian defended himself , " Was it that obvious ? " His curiosity got the better of him . " Who is he ? " " I already told you . He's my husband . Eloise's father . " 4/8 " Stop joking around , " Julian laughed . " When did you even meet him ? How come I didn't know ? " Though Julian had only been Caroline's assistant for two years , their relationship went beyond employer and employee . Hist other had been the driver for Caroline's grandmother , Mabel , he had grown up in Ashbourne Manor . Competent and trustworthy , Julian was like an older brother to Caroline . So when he heard his " little sister " suddenly had a husband , he couldn't stay calm . " Three days ago . " " What ? Three days ago ? " " You asked when we met . Three days ago . " " And then what ? He just became your husband ? " Julian was convinced Caroline was messing with him . The usually aloof and reserved Ms. Ashbourne occasionally shows her humorous side in private . Caroline's eyes glinted with amusement . " That's right . He's my Chapter 25 I'm Serious legally certified husband . " " How certified are we talking ? " " We have a marriage license . " Julian pulled the car over and turned to face her . Caroline met his gaze . " You can't park here . If we get a ticket , you're paying for it out of pocket . No reimbursements . " 5/8 Julian ignored her . A few tickets were nothing compared to the bombshell she'd just dropped . " You seriously married him ? " Caroline sighed and looked up . The ever - professional Ms. Ashbourne actually snuck out during work hours to pick up her husband . Resting her chin on her hand , she said , " Yes . " " What about Madam Ashbourne- " " I'll tell her in a couple of days . " Julian sighed too , " I know Madam Ashbourne has been pressuring you lately , but that's just because she cares . You can't just marry some guy you met three days ago to make her happy . What does Eloise think ? What's his character like ? Is he patient with her ? Will he leave you without a second thought ? " Then he caught himself. Chapter 25 I'm Serious 6/8 With Caroline's status and looks , what man wouldn't be head over heels ? Given the chance , any guy would be on his best behavior around her . Of course , he wouldn't show his flaws . Caroline shot back , " Do you really think the man I chose would be trash ? " Julian paused . She had a point . " Besides , I'm serious . " " About what ? " " I'm serious about him , Julian . " Caroline's expression turned solemn . " I'm in this for the long haul . " ***** Before , I was like a spinning top - busy from the moment I opened my eyes . Now that my last marriage is over , it's like I've been emancipated . My wife actually took time off work to chauffeur me around in a luxury car . I'm not used to this . But that driver of hers was weird . He kept sneaking glances at me like he wanted to dissect me on the spot . When it was time , Alistair went to pick up Eloise . Chapter 25 I'm Serious 7/8 The car used for her school runs was a spacious , comfortable . van with a beautiful starry ceiling . Alistair didn't have a driver's license , but even if he did , he wouldn't need to drive - there was a chauffeur for that . As he waited outside the kindergarten , someone approached and stood beside him . The man glanced at Alistair and smirked . " Long time no see . " Alistair gave him a blank look and replied with a noncommittal " Hmm , " clearly uninterested in conversation . But the man , undeterred , continued cheerfully , " Thank you for taking such good care of my wife and son all these years . " Alistair smiled , " You're welcome . After all , I had your son call me ' Dad ' for several years . " Richard's refined , scholarly expression darkened instantly . Though Alistair and Richard had been in different classes during their school days - one in the international program , the other in the regular stream - that hadn't stopped them from crossing paths . And they'd developed a mutual dislike , stemming from a past . conflict . Alistair knew Rebecca had chosen him precisely because Chapter 25 I'm Serious Richard despised him . " Oh , and one more thing , " Alistair added sincerely . " Do me at favor and keep your wife in check . Now that we're divorced , 8/8 it's best if we never cross paths again . So please , make sure she doesn't come looking for me . " Richard scoffed , looking smug , " If that's really how you feel , then what are you doing here ? "