“Mom?” Caroline frowned when the phone in her hand rang. Her mother’s name was displayed on the screen. Bonnie rarely called when Caroline was out. If it wasn’t something important, her phone never rang with an incoming call from her mother.
“What is it, Mom?” Caroline asked immediately because she knew something had happened.
“Come home quickly. Strangers are tearing the house apart.” Bonnie spoke breathlessly.
“Who?”
“I don’t know. They mentioned Aalya’s name and demanded money.”
“Aalya? Wasn’t she satisfied after Dad died? What does she actually want?” Caroline looked furious. She only had one sibling, and that sibling always caused trouble whenever she showed up.
“I don’t know. Hurry and get here. They refuse to leave until they get the money.”
“I’ll be there soon. You don’t need to be afraid.” Caroline tried to reassure her. She ended the call with panic, irritation, and overwhelming anger written all over her face.
“Uncle, let me get out here. I need to go home right away.” Caroline spoke hurriedly.
“Did something happen?” Jared asked to make sure. He hadn’t been able to hear Caroline’s conversation with her mother clearly.
“This has nothing to do with you, so you don’t need to get involved.” Caroline didn’t want to trouble Jared again. She didn’t want to owe him anything. The kinder Jared was and the more he helped her, the more burdened she felt.
“Turn around. We’re going to Caroline’s apartment now.” Jared gave the order.
Thalius immediately turned the car around. The car sped toward Caroline’s home.
When they arrived, the apartment was already in shambles. It seemed the bandits had deliberately torn the place apart while searching for money hidden there. They would never find it because Caroline always carried her money with her wherever she went. Every dollar was precious to her, so she didn’t want to be caught off guard if her older sister showed up to cause trouble. Just as she’d expected, Aalya had caused trouble again, but this time through other people.
“Let go of my mother!” Caroline said firmly when she saw Bonnie being held hostage.
“Give me fifty thousand dollars first.” The tattooed man answered sharply.
“Why should I give you money?” Caroline refused.
“Aalya owes me a debt, and she asked me to collect it from you.”
“I have nothing to do with Aalya.”
“In that case, I’ll take this woman with me.”
“What did Aalya borrow money from you for?” Jared interjected.
“She bought weed and told me to collect the payment here.” The man gave a brief explanation.
“My mother and I have nothing to do with Aalya. We’ve cut ties with her.” Caroline continued to refuse firmly.
“I don’t care. I just want my money.”
Jared drew a heavy breath. He held out his hand toward Donny, who immediately handed him a pen and a check. Jared wrote a string of numbers on it, then signed his name.
“This is a one-hundred-thousand-dollar check. You can cash it on the condition that you bring Aalya to me if you run into her.” Jared handed the check to the intimidating-looking man in front of him.
“Why should I follow your orders?” The man put on an arrogant expression, but he still accepted the check Jared gave him.
“I’ll give you another one hundred thousand dollars after you drag that woman in front of me.”
Apparently, Jared’s offer had begun to interest both men.
“Do you want us to bring her boyfriend to meet you too?”
“Yes,” Jared answered briefly.
“Okay.” The two men agreed.
“Bring them here once you find them.” Thalius handed over Jared’s business card. Jared’s home address was printed on it.
“Mr. Madison? Y-You’re Mr. Madison, the owner of Awan Company, one of the wealthiest and most influential men in Australia?” The pierced man trembled as he accepted Jared’s business card.
“Yes, he’s Mr. Madison. So don’t try anything if you don’t want trouble.” Donny warned them.
“Yes, yes, sir. You have our word. We’ll bring Aalya and her boyfriend to you.”
“You can leave now.” Jared spoke firmly. When he was serious like this, he looked terrifying and deadly. His gaze was like a blade poised to pierce anyone who met it.
“Uncle, you really didn’t need to get so involved in my affairs,” Caroline remarked because she hated carrying a debt of gratitude wherever she went.
“I didn’t do this for you, but for your mother.” Jared offered his explanation.
“I don’t like you getting so involved in my family’s problems.” Caroline emphasized each word.
“I’ve told you before. I never give anything away for free.”
“What do you want so I can repay you for everything you’ve done?” Caroline looked at him seriously.
“You have to get back together with Jake.” Jared answered without thinking.
“Are you crazy? Jake is already engaged. Even if Jake were still single, I wouldn’t want to get back together with him. I hate him. If Jake were the only man left in the world, I’d rather stay single until I died.” Caroline spoke firmly.
Jared sighed. “Then marry me.” He said it quickly.
Caroline laughed when she heard those words.
“Why should I marry you?”
“Because you’re weak, helpless, and easy to bully. I want to be your protector.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Caroline laughed because she found it funny.
“I’m serious, Caroline. I love you because you’re different. You’re the first woman to kiss my lips, even though you kissed me because you mistook me for Jake. You’re the first woman to make my heart beat so fast when I’m near you.”
“Don’t lie. I know you’re an expert at playing women. I’ve seen women in disheveled clothes leave your room.” Caroline didn’t believe him. Still, she was quite shocked to hear Jared confess that he’d known about the kiss that night. She’d thought Jared had been asleep and would never know about the kiss she’d given him. Realizing that, she felt so embarrassed and awkward that she could barely stand it.
“You’re judging him incorrectly, Caroline. Plenty of female employees have tried to seduce Mr. Jared, but not one of them succeeded. Mr. Jared rejected them and fired them immediately. As far as he’s concerned, shameless female employees are pests that can damage the company’s good image.”
Caroline fell silent.
“Marry me. I’ll pay off all your family’s debts. I’ll protect you and your mother. I’ll keep you safe from everyone who tries to hurt you.”
“But you’re my ex-fiancé’s uncle….”
“That isn’t a problem.”
“Your entire family hates me.”
“I don’t care what other people think of you. I have the right to decide whom I’ll marry.”
“But—”
“I’ll give you one week to think about it. Give me your answer next week. I hope it’s the answer I’m expecting.” Jared spoke firmly, then simply got up and left.