“Thank you for today, Uncle.” Caroline spoke sincerely. She didn’t know what else to say besides thank you. Jared had truly given her so many good things. She didn’t know what she had done to deserve meeting such a wonderful man.
Jared merely gave a small nod, allowing Caroline to get out of the car.
“Do you want to stop by? I’ll cook dinner, so stay here. We can have dinner together,” Caroline offered.
Jared seemed to think for a moment. He had a lot of delayed work to finish because he had attended Caroline’s father’s funeral. He needed to complete it tonight.
“If you don’t mind.” Caroline emphasized the words because she didn’t want to trouble him, much less make things difficult for Jared. She only wanted to thank him by serving him a good meal tonight.
“You can come too.” Caroline turned to look at Donny and Thalius.
The two men looked at Jared, waiting for their boss’s answer. They couldn’t make decisions without Jared’s approval.
“All right, we’ll stop by.” Jared finally agreed.
Caroline smiled broadly at his answer. She happily got out of the car and waved to Bonnie, who had just gotten out of another car.
“They gave me this.” Bonnie approached Caroline and showed her the envelope of cash. The middle-aged woman looked uncomfortable, but she couldn’t refuse it because it was the company’s condolence benefit for employees when a deceased family member was involved.
Caroline accepted the envelope her mother held out. She opened it to see the amount, then was shocked because it was quite a lot. She felt it was excessive. With determined steps, Caroline turned around, approached Jared, and showed him the thick stack of cash.
“Uncle—”
“That’s a contribution from all the employees and the company, not my personal money. So I know nothing about it.” Jared spoke before Caroline could finish. He didn’t want Caroline to return the money, so he pretended not to know anything.
“This is too much. I can’t accept it.” Caroline looked confused and conflicted.
“It’s okay, Carol. You can contribute when another employee loses a family member. I contributed quite a lot for you, so you should know that I really care about you.” Lenzy suddenly butted in, appearing from who knew where.
Caroline and Jared turned toward Lenzy at the same time. They both looked rather bothered by her presence.
“I’m sorry for all the misunderstandings between us. You misjudged me. I really care about you and want to be your good friend. Can I have dinner at your place tonight?” Lenzy tried to get closer to her.
“I’m sorry, but there are only enough dining chairs in my kitchen for five people.”
“Great, I can join you.”
“No. Mr. Madison and his two men will be having dinner with my mother and me. So there won’t be a chair for you.” Caroline rejected her politely.
“Come on, Caroline. Is this how you treat a friend? You’d choose me over those two men, wouldn’t you?” Lenzy continued coaxing her.
“No. They’re more important to me. Thalius and Donny have helped me a lot.” Caroline made her position clear.
Lenzy clenched her fists when she heard that. She had tried to be friendly, only to be rejected. The one thing she hated most in this world was being turned down.
“You shameless bitch! If not for Mr. Madison, I wouldn’t even be trying to be nice to you.” Lenzy cursed inwardly. She grumbled, wanting nothing more than to claw Caroline’s face apart to vent her anger. But she had to keep looking sweet in front of Jared.
“You can buy an extra chair for me.” Lenzy was still trying to find a way to get closer to Caroline.
“Can’t you understand what she said? She already said no. You should realize that you’re not welcome in her home.” Jared spoke coldly.
“Mr. Madison, why are you so cold to me? Did I do something wrong?” Lenzy looked at Jared questioningly.
Jared looked away. “Let’s go!” He took Caroline’s hand and urged her to leave.
“You’re Carol’s friend?” Bonnie approached Lenzy after Jared and Caroline had left.
“Yes. I’m sorry for your husband’s death, Auntie.” Lenzy put on an especially sweet act.
“Thank you. You seem like a good person. I’m entrusting my daughter to you at work. Please look after her. She’s used to being spoiled and living comfortably. Our family just went bankrupt, so she was forced to work. It must be very difficult for her now that her life has completely changed.” Bonnie spoke weakly. The sadness on her face and in her eyes was overwhelming.
Lenzy smiled stiffly. “Don’t worry. I’ll be a good friend to Carol. I’ll make sure no one bothers her at the office.”
“Thank you. You really are a good girl.” Bonnie smiled, then followed her daughter toward the apartment.
“Uncle, just sit down. I can do everything.” Caroline refused when Jared tried to help.
“Caroline, it’s rude to call your boss Uncle. He still looks young and handsome. He might get angry because he doesn’t like it,” Bonnie whispered. She looked worried about the way her daughter treated Jared.
“Mom, he’s Jake’s uncle.”
“What? Your ex-fiancé’s uncle? How can you work for him? Does he know you’re that bastard’s ex?” Bonnie looked shocked after learning who Jared was. Her earlier admiration for the man’s kindness and good looks completely vanished. She now looked displeased. Her eyes reflected deep hatred because the Corner family, especially Jake, had treated her daughter so badly.
Caroline smiled. “He knows everything, Mom. He’s very kind. He saved my life, and he gave me a job so we’ve been able to eat until now. Look, he even brought people from the office to pay their respects. He personally came and helped out. He’s very kind. He’s different from Jake. He has a good heart.” Caroline tried to convince her mother.
“Don’t develop feelings for him. I don’t like the Corner family. Your relationship with him should remain strictly between a boss and an employee. Don’t fall in love with him, even if he’s handsome and filthy rich.” Bonnie spoke firmly, reminding Caroline of how terribly the Corner family had treated them.
Caroline smiled at her mother. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll never fall in love with another man. I’ll live with you forever, just the two of us, because you’re the only one who loves me.”
Jared heard those words but could only remain silent, even though they struck him in the heart. He acted as if he hadn’t heard anything. That was better for him than explaining who he was and why he deserved Caroline’s love.
“Hi. Are you feeling better today?” Jared asked after Caroline got into his car. There was no bereavement leave after Anthony died. After yesterday’s funeral, Caroline had to return to work today because that was her choice, even though Jared had given her several days of leave—at least until she felt better.
“Life has to go on. I don’t want to get too lost in grieving my father.” Caroline spoke with a smile. The bags under her eyes were swollen, giving her dark circles. Apparently, she hadn’t slept well last night. Of course, who could sleep soundly after losing a family member?
The car sped toward the office. When Caroline got out, everyone’s eyes immediately turned toward her. News of what had happened yesterday had spread incredibly fast. Everyone knew what had happened at the funeral home when Caroline hugged Jared. Some of them had received false information claiming that Jared and Caroline were uncle and niece because of Lenzy’s misunderstanding about their relationship.
Caroline didn’t want to care. She walked casually as if nothing had happened. She didn’t care what anyone thought of her. The important thing was that she had to work as hard as possible to repay all the kindness Jared had shown her.
“Have you had breakfast? I brought you a vegetable salad.” Lenzy approached after finding Caroline sitting at her assigned desk.
Caroline looked at her in confusion. She truly didn’t understand why Lenzy had become so kind after her father’s death. She didn’t know why the woman had suddenly started acting so sweet when everyone knew how Lenzy had treated her all this time.
“I’ve already had breakfast, thank you.” Caroline politely refused.
“It’s okay.” Lenzy pulled back the food container she had offered. “Why have you never told me that Mr. Madison is your uncle?”
Caroline frowned. “Does that matter to you?”
“Of course. If you’d told me from the beginning, I wouldn’t have misunderstood you. I thought you liked Mr. Madison.”
Caroline laughed at that. “What made you think I liked him? He’s not my type. If you think I’m your rival, you’re very wrong.”
Lenzy let out a harsh sigh. “Can you help me win his heart?”
“No. I don’t want to get involved in that. If something happens, either you or he will blame me. My life is already complicated enough. I don’t want any more trouble. I want to live peacefully.” Caroline flatly refused, hoping Lenzy would stop interfering in her life after that.
“This is from Mr. Madison. You have to finish it. If you need anything, you can tell me.” Thalius approached and placed a cup of dragon fruit juice on Caroline’s desk. Jared had deliberately ordered it as a mood booster for Caroline because she looked unwell this morning.
“Thank you. Tell him he doesn’t have to do this.” Caroline looked uncomfortable. Jared’s concern had truly gone too far. This no longer seemed like a boss’s concern for a subordinate.
“Don’t hesitate to tell me if you need anything. Excuse me.” Thalius walked away.
“You know Jake?” Lenzy asked, confirming it.
Caroline looked up and turned toward her when she heard his name. Her expression changed instantly.
“You know him?” Caroline asked in return. She was worried that news about the incident at the party had spread and ruined her reputation. She had suffered enough because of Jake’s shadow. She didn’t want to suffer even more if everyone learned about her relationship with him.
“No, I was just asking. So you really know him?”
“Yes, I know him very well. I know everything about him, inside and out. You should be careful with him. He’s terrifying. Mr. Madison is much better than him.” Caroline warned her.
“How did your family go bankrupt while you work here as nothing more than an assistant? Didn’t your family get a share of the Corner family’s wealth?” Lenzy’s question began to get personal.
“I’m sorry, but that’s too personal to discuss. I don’t want to answer.” Caroline spoke firmly.
Lenzy nodded in understanding. She was now even more certain that Caroline was part of the Corner family because Caroline knew Jake, unaware that Caroline and Jake had once been lovers.
“If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask me. I really want to become friends with you.” Lenzy left her this message, then returned to her desk.
“Uncle, I think Lenzy likes you,” Caroline told Jared while the two of them ate lunch together.
“What do you think about that?” Jared looked at her seriously. He wanted to know what was in Caroline’s heart now that she knew another woman liked him.
“I don’t think she’s right for you. You deserve someone better.” Caroline expressed her true feelings.
A smile tugged at Jared’s lips. That was exactly the answer he wanted. He was happy about every small bit of attention Caroline gave him.
“What kind of woman do you think is right for me?” Jared asked seriously.
Caroline was silent for a moment.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what kind of woman you want, either.”
“Beautiful, kind, and not obsessed with becoming rich.”
“Is there a woman like that?” Caroline wondered.
“You.” Jared answered spontaneously.
Caroline laughed at his answer. “You’re wrong about me, Uncle. I’m extremely obsessed with becoming rich.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I want to become rich so my mother and I can live peacefully after paying off the debt my father left behind. I want to give my mother a decent life.”
Jared fell silent for a moment.
“Wouldn’t marrying a rich person solve all those problems?”
Caroline shook her head. “I’m no longer interested in relationships. There isn’t a man in this world I can trust. They’re all the same—traitors.”
“So you think I’m a traitor?” Jared raised his right eyebrow.
Caroline smiled broadly. “Except for you, of course. Thalius and Donny are good men too.”
“In that case, marry me.” Jared spoke seriously.
Caroline burst out laughing. “Stop joking, Uncle. Your face isn’t suited for comedy.”
“I’m serious, Caroline.” Jared spoke solemnly, his deep gaze fixed on her.
Caroline, who had been laughing, suddenly fell silent and put on a blank expression. “You’re serious?” she asked incredulously.
Jared said nothing. He didn’t need to repeat himself. His expression and eyes had already explained everything. He never joked about his words.
“Don’t ask me to do something ridiculous. You know my relationship with Jake didn’t end well. You’re his uncle. We can never have any kind of relationship. I’m no longer interested in men.” Caroline made herself clear. She didn’t want to give anyone false hope, so she was being honest. To hell with it if Jared fired her—she no longer cared.
Jared fell silent. The man stared sharply at Caroline.
Caroline felt uncomfortable. She reached for her bag and was about to stand up, but Jared stopped her immediately.
“Don’t leave. Pretend I never said anything. I wasn’t serious about it. Maybe I went too far and made you uncomfortable. Sit down, please. Act as you normally do.” Jared spoke like a man begging.
Caroline sat back down and resumed enjoying her lunch. They continued talking as usual, as if nothing had happened between them. Jared preferred their close, peaceful relationship. If confessing his feelings created distance and a wall between them, he would rather hide his feelings forever.
“There’s an important event tonight. Dress up nicely and come with me,” Jared told her.
“What kind of event?”
“You’ll find out tonight.”
“At least tell me what kind of event it is so I can choose an appropriate outfit.”
“Someone’s birthday celebration. It’s at a luxury hotel, and the dress code for women is red,” Jared explained briefly.
“All right.” Caroline agreed.
Before seven that evening, Jared’s luxury car was already parked in the apartment courtyard. The man in a black suit waited with his two aides.
“Sir, aren’t we too early? The event starts at nine,” Donny said as he looked at the rearview mirror hanging above his head. He usually arrived late, or at least on time. Why was he now willing to wait two hours before the event began?
“I know. I’m taking Caroline somewhere before bringing her to the event.” The man answered casually.
After waiting for quite a while, Caroline finally arrived. Jared fell silent for a moment when she approached and sat beside him. He had been seeing Caroline every day lately. But tonight, he was utterly dazzled by her beauty.
“Uncle, why are you staring at me like that? Is my makeup too much?” Caroline looked confused. She looked down at herself, trying to figure out what was wrong.
“Um… ah, it’s nothing.” Jared looked away, his face flushing with nervousness.
“You look beautiful tonight, Carol. The dress suits you perfectly. That hairstyle looks great too. You look like a beauty queen,” Thalius complimented her.
“Really?” Caroline looked pleased.
“Of course.”
“I spent two hours in front of the mirror getting ready. I think I may have gone a little overboard.”
“No. You look great like that,” Donny assured her.
Caroline smiled broadly. The compliments from the two men made her feel very confident.
“What do you think, Uncle?” Caroline looked at Jared seriously, her eyes sparkling.
“You look the way you usually do.” Jared answered in a trembling voice. His heart pounded harder when Caroline looked at him so eagerly.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Caroline didn’t look satisfied with Jared’s answer.
“Mr. Madison has terrible taste, Carol. He isn’t interested in women, so you’ll have to give him a break,” Thalius teased.
Jared glared at him through the rearview mirror in front of Thalius, making the man fall silent at once out of fear.
The car began speeding down the road. Jared asked them to stop at a jewelry store. With Caroline accompanying him, they chose the finest necklace.
“Which one do you think is the best?” Jared asked Caroline for her opinion.
Caroline examined them carefully, looking at the diamond necklaces displayed there one by one. They all looked beautiful and elegant. She was unsure which one to choose.
“I think this one is the best, Uncle.” Caroline pointed to a necklace with a pink gemstone.
Jared smiled. “I think so too.” He agreed with Caroline’s choice.
“I’ll take this one,” Jared told the servant. “Don’t wrap it. Put it on her directly.”
“Didn’t you say this was a gift?” Caroline asked in confusion. “I didn’t know you had the strange habit of wearing women’s necklaces.” She looked at Jared, bewildered.
“I never said the necklace was for me. It’s for you.”
“For me?” Caroline was utterly stunned. She had chosen the most beautiful necklace, worth five hundred thousand dollars. If she had known Jared wanted her to choose one for herself, she would have refused immediately. How could she accept such an expensive gift?
“Excuse me, ma’am.” The servant approached and politely asked permission before placing the necklace around Caroline’s neck.
“No, I can’t accept this.” Caroline refused.
“Why?” Jared looked confused. Women usually never refused expensive gifts. Why was Caroline different?
“It’s too expensive,” Caroline answered honestly.
“You deserve it because you’re accompanying me tonight.”
“But this is excessive. You could pay me in dollars if you wanted. I need money more.” Caroline spoke frankly.
“I’ll give you money if you ask for it. How much do you need?”
Caroline became flustered because she had misspoken. She had only said that because she didn’t want to accept the diamond necklace Jared was giving her. She hadn’t intended to ask him for money at all.
“Just name the amount. You can ask for as much money as you want.” Jared emphasized the offer. He could easily help pay off all the debt Anthony had left behind, but he couldn’t do that without Caroline’s consent. He was worried she would feel as though her pride had been trampled.
“I—I am…” Caroline looked deeply troubled. She was torn between wanting to ask for help and refusing it.
“Turns out you’re a gold digger, Caroline. I never expected you to approach Uncle Jared for revenge. He’s never fallen for any woman’s charms before. Who knows what kind of tricks you used to trap him?” Jake spoke in a deeply insulting tone. No one knew where he had come from. He approached with Emily in his arms.
Caroline’s eyes reddened as she stared at him. She hated Jake to her very bones. Yet when she saw him again, she desperately wanted to run into his arms. The love and hatred in her heart were equally strong. She hated Jake, but she still loved him deeply.
“Don’t compare me to her. I would never sell my dignity for money.” Caroline spoke firmly, staring sharply at Jake while both her hands clenched in anger.
“Of course you’re not on Emily’s level.” Jake replied with heavy emphasis. He tightened his arm around Emily’s waist to make Caroline even more jealous. He smiled smugly, feeling proud that he had managed to wound Caroline’s pride.
“I’m the one who brought her here.” Jared answered arrogantly. Their relationship was no longer what it had been. Jared had always treated Jake as his beloved nephew, but not anymore. Jake was no longer a child who needed affection poured over him and had to be spoiled with money.
“Uncle, you need to be careful with her. She could spend all your money without you realizing it. She’s nothing but a worthless piece of trash.” Jake stressed each word, wanting to strip Caroline of even more dignity.
Jared raised his chin, looking supremely confident. He wrapped an arm around Caroline’s waist just as Jake had his arm around Emily’s. The man looked slightly awkward and stiff because this was the first time he had ever put his arm around a woman’s waist. His heart pounded faster, like the hooves of horses racing after one another. He could even hear his own heartbeat.
“I don’t mind spending my money on her, as long as she’s willing to spend all her time with me.” Jared spoke gently, but his tone was firm.
Caroline looked extremely nervous, her face flushing when Jared suddenly put his arm around her. She was actually uncomfortable. But after hearing his words, she felt a little calmer because Jared was trying to protect her dignity. She treasured every kindness, big or small, that Jared showed her.
“Uncle, I think Caroline has poisoned your mind. You’ve never been interested in women. Why are you suddenly interested in her? She isn’t even worthy of being a servant in our house.” Jake looked irritated.
“You know I love you very much, don’t you?” Jared looked seriously at his nephew. “I’ve always liked everything connected to you, including the women you use as toys. Caroline doesn’t deserve to become one of your doll collection.”
“What are you going to do to her?” Jake looked utterly confused and surprised.
“We’ll see.” The man smiled meaningfully.
Emily looked at Caroline with utter disgust. Her teeth audibly ground together as she grew envious of Caroline for being held by a man of Jared’s stature. She had nearly killed herself trying to get Jake by pushing Caroline out of the way, yet Caroline had now easily fallen into Jared’s arms. Emily was intensely jealous. She felt she deserved to be in Caroline’s position.
“Darling, don’t waste your time arguing about something unimportant. You said tonight was your mother’s birthday party. You came here to buy me a luxurious necklace and a gift for your mother, right? You said you were going to buy me a necklace worth five hundred thousand dollars.” Emily spoke coyly, wanting to show Caroline that she was better than her because Jake wanted to buy her an expensive necklace.
“Do you have the money?” Jared looked seriously at Jake. He had restricted the man’s access to money and had also asked his older sister not to spoil Jake so much, both as punishment and as a life lesson.
Emily laughed at Jared’s question.
“Uncle, are you kidding? There’s no way Jake doesn’t have money. He promised to buy me a luxurious necklace tonight.”
Jared didn’t respond. He only looked at Jake, waiting for his answer.
“I’ll use what’s left of my savings.” Jake answered nervously. His confidence seemed to fade after hearing that question.
“I want that necklace.” Emily pointed to the necklace the servant had just placed around Caroline’s neck.
“Are you sure?” Jared asked to confirm.
“Of course, Uncle. It would suit me better.” Emily answered arrogantly.
“If Jake can pay for it, you can have it.” Jared spoke firmly. He never went back on anything that came out of his mouth. To him, a man’s pride lay in keeping his word.
Emily smiled happily, while Caroline looked confused.
“Jake, give your card to the servant!” Emily said excitedly.
Jake hesitated because he wasn’t sure how much money was in his account. But to preserve his pride in front of Emily and Caroline, he reluctantly took his card from his wallet and handed it to the servant.
The servant immediately prepared the invoice and swiped the card for payment. But the payment was declined.
“I’m sorry, but the balance is insufficient. Do you have another card?” The servant asked politely while returning the card to Jake.
“You must have made a mistake. Try again.” Emily insisted.
The servant swiped the card again, but the transaction still failed because the balance was insufficient.
“There’s only twenty thousand dollars in the account,” the servant informed them as he handed the card back.
“You must be wrong. There’s no way my fiancé only has twenty thousand dollars in his account.” Emily couldn’t accept it, feeling humiliated even though Caroline was the only one watching.
Caroline remained silent, observing. She didn’t know how she was supposed to react.
“I forgot to tell you that all my assets have been frozen. I’ll only be using my monthly manager’s salary.” Jake explained with a flushed face, caught between embarrassment and anger.
“Why are you only telling me now? Did you deliberately want to humiliate me?” Emily looked furious.
“I didn’t know my savings would be that small. I thought there were still millions of dollars left.” Jake tried to explain.
“So you’re poor now? If you don’t have money, why should I live with you? I don’t want to marry a loser.” Emily spoke harshly. She removed the ring from her ring finger, returned it to Jake, and stormed away, seething with anger. Her face was flushed with fury.
“Emily, wait! You misunderstood. Uncle Jared will give me a subsidiary if you want to stay by my side!” Jake tried to explain as he chased after her.
“Good luck, Jake! If she really leaves you, you can come straight to me!” Jared laughed softly at the drama unfolding before him. He hadn’t expected Jake to be so childish while chasing after Emily when she was sulking.
Caroline watched with complicated feelings. She didn’t know whether she should be happy or something else. In truth, she was still deeply hurt and jealous when Jake ran after Emily—the kind of thing he had never done for her.
“The necklace was meant for you. Keep wearing it as my gift. Now choose another necklace as a birthday present for my sister.” Jared spoke to Caroline with great tenderness.
This time, Caroline didn’t refuse. She nodded, then removed Jared’s arm from around her waist.
“Go in first. I’ll follow you,” Jared said after they arrived at the hotel where the event was being held. The man walked off somewhere with Thalius and Donny always following behind him.
Caroline looked awkward as she walked alone toward the party. She rubbed the back of her neck and looked left and right. There were many guests wearing incredibly luxurious and expensive clothes. She didn’t recognize a single one of them.
“Show me your invitation,” one of the guards stopped Caroline as she tried to enter.
“Do I need an invitation?” Caroline looked confused because she hadn’t received one. She wouldn’t have come if Jared hadn’t asked her to.
“Only people with invitations can enter.” The man spoke firmly, carrying out his orders.
“But Mr. Madison brought me here.” Caroline tried to explain.
“We’re only following protocol. We can’t let you in without an invitation.”
Caroline looked even more confused. She bit her lower lip to ease her nervousness. She looked around, searching for Jared so they could enter together.
“Move!” Emily, who had arrived with Jake, immediately shoved Caroline roughly.
Caroline nearly fell because Emily had pushed her so hard. She could only endure it when she realized the person who had shoved her was her ex-fiancé’s fiancée. She knew what the two of them were like, so she kept quiet to avoid causing a scene.
“You weren’t invited, so leave. Don’t humiliate yourself here. My mother won’t defend you even if you try to win her over. I already dumped you, so you should know your place and move on.” Jake spoke harshly.
Caroline gave a small laugh. “Your confidence is impressive. Too bad I’m not here for you. There’s one thing you need to know: I’m no longer interested in you. I hate you.” Caroline spoke firmly and confidently.
“There’s no need to hide your feelings. I know I’m incredibly charming. Every woman who looks at me falls in love with me.” Jake remained arrogant.
“Keep clinging to that stupid belief.” Caroline didn’t care.
Emily stared at the necklace around Caroline’s neck. She looked both irritated and envious because it was expensive, and she had never owned one that costly.
“You must have stolen Uncle Jared’s money. You don’t deserve to wear that necklace. It looks cheap because you’re wearing it. It would suit me much better.” Emily approached and reached for the necklace around Caroline’s neck, intending to snatch it away.
“Keep your hands off her!” Jared’s baritone voice rang out, firm and piercing.
Emily instinctively pulled her hand back in shock. She immediately went pale when she saw Jared’s flushed face, his anger barely contained.
Caroline smiled broadly as Jared approached her. She felt comfortable and safe beside him. The ten minutes she had spent waiting at the entrance had felt like a year. It had truly tested her nerves.
“Uncle—” Jake looked extremely nervous and afraid.
“I already warned you, Jake. If your attitude doesn’t change, I can demote you to a lower position at the office.” Jared reminded him of his threat.
Jake fell silent. The person he feared most right now was his uncle because his future was in Jared’s hands.
“Uncle, you shouldn’t control Jake’s life. He’s an adult. He has the right to do whatever he wants.” Emily tried to look good by defending her fiancé.
Jared stared sharply at Emily. “Do you think you’re in a position to give me orders?”
Emily’s courage immediately failed beneath that sharp look and question. She lowered her head and hugged Jake’s arm for protection.
“Uncle, I think we should leave now.” Caroline tried to calm her boss down.
Jared didn’t answer. He merely gave a small nod and started walking toward the entrance.
“She’s with me,” Jared told the guards on duty. They nodded and bowed slightly in respect.
Emily looked furious. She stomped her foot and glared at Caroline and Jared’s backs as they entered.
“Why did you just stand there? You should have defended me in front of Uncle Jared and Caroline!” The woman protested to Jake.
“Do you think I dare?” Jake answered, no less irritated.
“Carol.” Delia looked confused when she saw Caroline at the party venue. She was even more confused when she realized the woman had come with Jared—her younger brother. How was that possible?
“Happy birthday, Sis.” Jared hugged his sister, kissed her on both cheeks, then handed her a gift box. “Caroline chose this gift for you,” he told her.
Delia frowned. She looked at Caroline as all kinds of speculation filled her mind. She truly didn’t understand why Caroline was so close to Jared. As far as she knew, her younger brother had never liked women. Especially not Caroline.
“Happy birthday, Auntie.” Caroline was about to hug her, but Delia immediately stopped her.
“How did the two of you end up together?” The woman immediately interrogated them. She didn’t want Jared to be taken advantage of by a woman because everyone knew how enormous his wealth was. Jake had told her terrible things about Caroline, so she disliked the woman.
“Auntie, Caroline deliberately approached Uncle Jared for revenge because Jake dumped her. Look, Uncle Jared even bought her a diamond necklace worth millions of dollars. All she wants is Uncle Jared’s money.” Emily immediately butted in. She put on a sympathetic expression as she approached and hugged Delia’s arm.
“That isn’t true, Auntie.” Caroline tried to defend herself.
“Jared, do you like her? Do you know who she is? There’s nothing wrong with wanting a woman more than a decade younger than you, but she’s your nephew’s ex-fiancée. She’s only after your money. Do you know she cheated on Jake repeatedly? You’re definitely being used. There are plenty of good women out there.” Delia went on at length.
“Auntie, I never cheated. Jake was the one who cheated on me.”
“Caroline, you don’t need to defend yourself.” Jared commented calmly.
“Uncle, you believe her?” Caroline felt deeply pressured and cornered. She was afraid she would be humiliated again tonight, just as Jake had humiliated her back then.
“Of course. You’re a rotten piece of trash. Who would believe you?” Emily fanned the flames.
“How much money do you want? Is one million dollars enough? Please stay away from my family. I’ll give you whatever you want.” Delia stared sharply at her.
“Auntie, one million dollars is too much for her. Give her ten thousand dollars and she’ll already be thrilled.” Emily began influencing her.
“Mom, you don’t need to spend a dime. I’ll drag her out of here and make sure she never sees Uncle Jared again.” Jake approached, grabbed Caroline’s arm roughly, and pulled her away, half dragging her.