Chapter 382 
Gilbert’s face was looking all broody like a tempest tossing, his response was super vague. “Looks like we’ve got a bit of a misunderstanding here.” 
“Misunderstanding?” 

Caroline didn’t buy that for a second. “Looks to me like it’s all one–sided, on her part. No, not misunderstandings, slander!” 
“Caroline!” 
Gilbert’s voice dropped, a clear sign of his displeasure as he interrupted her, brows knitted tightly. “Don’t talk about her like that. Sherilyn isn’t unreasonable. If she misunderstood something, she had her reasons.” 

He had to admit, Caroline held a special place in his life. 
A place that, in Sherilyn’s eyes, was utterly incomprehensible. 
“And you’re still defending her after everything she’s done to you?” 

Caroline was initially shocked, but complex emotions soon flooded her, indescribable yet causing a tingling sensation at her fingertips. 
“Gilbert.” 
With a light chuckle, Caroline prodded, “You’re so lenient with her. Might you be in love with Sherilyn?” 

Love? Gilbert froze, his brow furrowing instantly. 
What was love? The word carried too much weight… He wasn’t sure if what he felt was love, 
unable to easily declare it out loud. 

Instead of answering directly, he countered, “Sherilyn is my girlfriend. Isn’t it natural for me to be accommodating towards her?” 
His response left Caroline with a bitter smile. Had he forgotten that Sherilyn was once his 
wife? 

But back then, he hadn’t cared for her this much! 
He had changed! 
In that moment, Caroline was plagued with doubts, even regret–should she have really encouraged Gilbert to get back with Sherilyn to keep Francis close? 

That night, Gilbert hardly slept. 
Rising early, he headed downstairs, only to find Caroline up even earlier. 
11-23 

Chapter 382 
“Gilbert, you’re up?” 
Caroline was bustling about the kitchen, greeting Gilbert with a smile. 

“Take a seat, I’ve already made coffee.” 
As Gilbert settled down, Caroline brought over the coffee. “Here, have some coffee. I’m making beef pies. You like them, don’t you? It’s been a while since I made them for you.” 
“Beef pies?” 

Gilbert momentarily set down his coffee, “What time did you get up?” 
Making beef pies wasn’t exactly a quick breakfast option, requiring filling preparation and dough kneading, quite a hassle. 
“Couldn’t sleep, so I just got up.” Caroline’s smile turned somewhat bitter as she spoke. “Saw we had plenty of ingredients in the fridge, so I decided to go for it.” 

Gilbert nodded, replying, “With Sherilyn staying here, it’s inconvenient not to cook.” 
When it was just him, he’d eat out. 
So, it was all for Sherilyn’s sake. 

Caroline’s smile started looking more forced. She sighed deeply, “You’re really good to Sherilyn… Francis has never considered these little things for me.” 
Throughout their years together, Francis did fulfill her requests, but only when she asked. 
Upon reflection, he rarely took the initiative to consider her needs. 

Seeing Caroline’s sorrowful expression, Gilbert tried to comfort her, “Don’t think like that. Your situations are different. Aren’t you managing the Johnson family’s finances?” 
She had economic power, meaning she could get what she needed without going through Francis. 
“No…” 

Yet, Caroline shook her head, her voice faltering as she looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears, “A man’s care for a woman isn’t just about material things; it’s a feeling, you know? Sometimes, Francis doesn’t even come close to how you treat me…” 
11:23 # 
apter 383