Julian Caldwell’s face instantly turned cold. Winter Sullivan hadn’t come home after being discharged from the hospital; instead, she’d gone to see someone completely inconsequential. He was convinced Vera Xavier had truly brainwashed her. His previous mild dislike for Vera had now intensified into utter loathing.
Susan Caldwell felt a surge of satisfaction at the expression on his face, yet she offered a piece of considerate advice. "But Mom isn’t back yet, so maybe it’s not what you think. You don’t need to worry too much, Dad."
Julian Caldwell didn’t say anything. Susan Caldwell spoke again, "It’s getting late. I should head back to school now. I have military training tomorrow."
Julian Caldwell nodded and called for the driver to take Susan Caldwell back to Veridia University.
Less than an hour after Susan Caldwell left, Sheldon Caldwell returned with Winter Sullivan. A faint smile graced Winter’s lips, and she seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood.
Julian Caldwell and Winter Sullivan had been married for over twenty years, and this was the first time he had ever seen her in such a good mood. He froze for a second, then his expression hardened. "You just recovered. Instead of staying home to rest after your discharge, where did you run off to?"
Winter Sullivan had been in a fine mood, but the moment she saw Julian Caldwell’s cold expression, it vanished. Frowning slightly, she said, "Where I go... do I need to ask for your permission, Director Caldwell?"
In terms of position and rank, Winter Sullivan was in no way Julian Caldwell’s subordinate. The term "ask for permission" was reserved for communication between superiors and inferiors, so her words were dripping with thick sarcasm.
Julian Caldwell was supposed to pick her up from the hospital today, but he hadn’t shown up. And now, the moment she got home, he was giving her this cold attitude. She had never been the type to swallow her anger and suffer in silence, so she immediately lashed out.
Julian Caldwell was already simmering with anger after being provoked by Susan Caldwell earlier. Besides, he was a powerful figure at work, used to giving orders. When had anyone ever dared to talk back to him like this?
So, he said coldly, "Of course, Dean Sullivan doesn’t need to ask for my permission. But in this house, I am the head of the family. If you’re going to be out all day, shouldn’t you at least tell me?"
Winter Sullivan’s anger flared at his words. "So, from what Director Caldwell is implying, I have no status in this house whatsoever? I have to get your permission just to step out the door?"
"It’s not about asking for permission, it’s about letting me know." Julian Caldwell looked at her and said, "You haven’t fully recovered. I was worried about you running off by yourself!"
He felt he’d gone a bit too far with his earlier words, so he tried to speak more gently.
"You’re just worried I’m slipping from your control!" Winter Sullivan was already furious with him. If he had expressed concern the moment she walked in, her anger might have dissipated without another word. But he had greeted her with an interrogation, igniting her fury. A single conciliatory phrase wasn’t nearly enough to put out that fire.
Julian Caldwell frowned. "Winter Sullivan, are you incapable of speaking civilly?"
He was the head of a department, a man of rank and power. He was genuinely worried about her, but he couldn’t stand her tone.
"Am I the one who can’t speak civilly, or is it Director Caldwell?" Winter Sullivan retorted, staring at him. "You knew I was being discharged today. You promised you would pick me up in the morning, but you were nowhere to be found. And now you have the nerve to question me like this? My, what impressive authority you have, Director Caldwell!"
Julian Caldwell was getting irritated as well. "I went to the hospital to pick you up today, but you had already left."