Caroline’s POV:
Once I was out of the ladies’ room, I saw Charles standing outside. Considering the fact that the sound
insulation here wasn’t that good, there was a chance that he heard everything just now feeling nervous, I
whispered, “What are you doing here?
Charles chuckled. He didn’t mention anything about what happened earlier. He just took my hand and
led me to the private elevator.
“‘The food is getting cold. I’ve already asked them to get another table for us and serve something new.
Let’s go upstairs to the private room and have our lunch, shall we?”
‘Looks like he has no idea what happened inside the ladies’ room,’ I thought.
Once we were inside the private room, Charles pulled a chair for me, on which I sat down. He sat across
me, tapping his fingers on the table as he looked into my eyes and smiled. The way he smiled sent
shivers down my spine. I stood up, ready to run away. But then, he grasped my wrist.
“You did a great job earlier, Caroline.” He stared at my baby bump and let out a sigh.
“Looks like I don’t have to worry about my daughter getting bullied after she’s born. With someone as
strong as you for a mom, she’s got nothing to fear!” .
My face instantly turned red. I broke free from his hand and shot him a glare. He made it sound like I
was a valiant tigress. Charles let go of my hand and asked, “Caroline, what gift would you want for New
Year’s Eve?”
“A gift? I don’t want anything,” I pondered on his question. In all honesty, just knowing that my family was
together and having the certainty that my kids would grow up healthy and safe was the best gift I could
ever have.
Charles nodded affirmatively as he looked intently at me.
“Well, I want a gift, Caroline.”
Looking at his smiling eyes made me feel anxious. I somehow worried that I might not be able to give
him the gift that he wanted.
“What do you want?”
“Sell the island. A few days ago, one of my partners said that he wanted to buy it above market price,”
Charles responded.
“Has our family gotten so poor that we have to sell the island now?” I looked at him, dumbfounded.
Once the dishes were served on the table, Charles chuckled, lowered his head, and ladled a bowl of
soup.
“What if we really are getting poor?” I hesitated for a moment before replying, “Then sell it.”
If he really needed the money to keep the business afloat, selling the island wouldn’t be that big of a
deal. Charles seemed surprised by my answer. He smirked and asked, “But once the island is sold,
where would you go whenever we’re fighting?”
“Huh?” I now realized that something was amiss.
“Charles, why did you suddenly decide to sell the island?”
“I’m strapped for cash lately,” he answered.
I stared at him in silence for half a minute. For some reason, I couldn’t believe that he was short on
cash.
“I’m actually surprised that you trusted me enough to believe that nothing happened between me and
Amelia,” Charles said in a joyful tone as he handed a bowl of soup to me.
“Who said I trusted you?” I retorted.
“Whether I believe you or not, I just don’t need others to tell me what I should or shouldn’t do.”
“Seriously? So you don’t trust me?” he said, creasing his brows together.
“Nah,” I answered passively “Well, since we don’t trust each other, we’re even now”
“What makes you may that? How are we even?” I asked in coniston
“Never run away from home again,” Charles replied, holding my wrist lightly
I was stunned. It felt like he had tricked me “if you don’t want me to run away from home, then you’d best
behave yourself get stressed out at home, it can affect my daughter’s health as well!” Charles fell silent
for a moment. Thereafter, he picked up the bowl and let me some soup.
“Say ‘sh’!”
“You don’t have to feed me I’m perfectly capable of eating by myself ” I leaned back and tried to take the
bowl away from him, but he withdrew his hand
“Open your mouth,” he said
I was starting to get annoyed but there was nothing I could do. Thus, I just opened my mouth and let him
feed me.
He was always so domineering. He even prohibited me from taking time away from home now I heaved
an exasperated sigh. Silently, I pondered on where i could hide if he and I had a quarrel again in the
future, I needed to find a place that he would never find. .
Charles’ POV
During the evening, Spencer and David asked me to go to Mint Bar with them. I didn’t expect that
Nevaeh would be joining us.
The moment I saw her, I was pissed. I made sure to sit far away from her.
“I have no idea why she’s here, but you guys are friends for years, so driving her away wouldn’t be
appropriate.” Spencer walked over to my side and gave me a pat on the shoulder in an attempt to
comfort me.
“Since you knew she was here, why did you ask me to come over? When she and I were involved in a
rumor, Caroline refused to speak to me for several days straight!” I shot him a cold glance. Spencer
ignored me, put on a smile, and turned to Nevaeh.
“Nevaeh, now that you’ve resigned, are you going back to New York sometime in the future?”
“Who said I had plans to leave this place? I’m going to settle down in Los Angeles and never leave
again.” I was uncertain if she did it on purpose, but I noticed Nevaeh glance at me when she spoke.
“You don’t have any relatives or friends around here. Won’t you feel lonely? If you go back to New York,
you can at least work for your father’s company. But if you stay and work here, you’re going to have a
hard time,” Spencer said jokingly
“I’m going to be fine. I’m an architect! Finding a job will be a piece of cake.” Spencer and David
exchanged glances. They both facepalmed and chuckled helplessly. Thereafter, David raised his glass
and said, “Alright, that’s enough. Let’s drink!”
Spencer also raised his glass and decided to change the topic. Meanwhile, Nevaeh looked at me and
asked, “Charles, if one day you get divorced, do I still have a chance to be with you?”
My head throbbed because of her question, and I shot her an indifferent glance.
“No. Caroline and I will never get divorced; ever.”
“But what if…?” Nevaeh asked again.
“There is no ‘if’. No matter what happens between me and Caroline, she’s always going to be the only
woman I’ll ever love for the rest of my life.”
“What are you trying to say?” Nevaeh asked. This time, she was frowning.
“He’s saying that you don’t have a chance. Not now. Not ever. Whether Charles and Caroline get
divorced or not, he will never choose you.” Spencer couldn’t stand to listen to her anymore. His face
turned grim, and he spoke so bluntly.
The smile on Nevaeh’s face disappeared, and she tightened her grip on the glass she was holding.
“Charles, I really like you. Can’t you find it in your heart to give me at least one chance?”
“I already said no. Nevaeh, the only reason I’m able to sit here with you is because we used to be close
when we were little. But if you insist on ruining this friendship, then be ready to hear me speak harshly to
you.”
When I saw her eyes well up with tears and turn red, I got pissed off. Even the idea of staying for one
minute longer infuriated me, so I told them I had to leave. On my way back, I received a call from David.
“Charles, Nevaeh was involved in a car accident. She’s currently in a critical condition. She’s been calling
your name. Come to the hospital at once!” I had a little too much to drink tonight, so I was a bit tipsy. I
rubbed my aching temples and told Richard to turn the car around and take me to the hospital. Upon my
arrival at the door of the emergency room, I wanted to call Caroline to tell her that I would be home a little
late today. But when I reached into my pocket, I realized that my phone wasn’t there.
After a moment of contemplating, I figured that I had left my phone in the car. David walked up to me and
explained that Nevaeh had gotten into a car accident not longer after I left.
“Nevaeh said that she wanted to see you before she dies. I know that you don’t like her, but she still grew
up with us. If something ever happens to her, I’d be haunted by guilt for the rest of my life.”
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