Today, Jared asked Caroline to accompany him shopping at the mall. If not for the large payment Jared offered her, Caroline wouldn't have wanted to go with him. Besides, it was Sunday, and she wanted to rest and relax at home before returning to work the next morning as usual.
Caroline picked out everything listed on the order. Meanwhile, Jared, Thalius, and Donny followed behind her, pushing shopping carts.
Thalius looked confused because this was the first time they had been asked to shop for household necessities. Usually, the household staff always took care of it.
"Mr. Jared must really be in love," Donny whispered to Thalius. They had been watching Jared for a while now. Their boss hadn't taken his eyes off Caroline even once. Jared's gaze and focus were always fixed on that woman. He didn't even blink.
"Uncle, I think the fruit here isn't very fresh." Caroline turned to Jared after choosing the fruit displayed there.
"Do you have a recommendation for a good place to shop?" Jared tried to control his pounding heart when their eyes met.
"Yes."
"Let's go there."
"What about this?"
"Let Thalius and Donny take care of it." Jared spoke while looking at his two subordinates, ordering them to take the three shopping carts to the checkout and pay for everything. Meanwhile, he and Caroline would go somewhere else to buy fruit. He felt happy because he could be alone with Caroline.
"I'll take the car. You two handle everything else." Jared instructed, asking Thalius for the car keys.
The two men immediately nodded obediently, ready to carry out whatever orders Jared gave them. Meanwhile, Jared and Caroline began walking away from the mall.
As they were about to leave, they ran into Jake and Emily. Jake looked shocked to see his uncle alone with Caroline, without a bodyguard in sight. He searched for Thalius or Donny, but he couldn't find either man anywhere.
"Uncle, what are you doing here?" Jake asked in the tone of someone conducting an interrogation.
"I don't think that's any of your business." Caroline was the one who answered.
"You must be trying to seduce Uncle Jared again, aren't you? What do you want this time?" Jake immediately accused her without any proof.
"Whatever." Caroline answered lazily.
"Caroline, I know you still can't accept the fact that Jake chose me over you. But you can't use Uncle Jared as a way to vent your feelings." Emily commented.
"I've told you over and over that I never loved you. You should move on quickly and stop interfering in my life." Jake spoke arrogantly.
"She should realize that she doesn't deserve to be part of the Corner family." Emily continued to inflame the situation.
"Of course, sweetheart. You're the only one who deserves to be." Jake praised her, stroking Emily's face.
Caroline merely laughed mockingly at their words. She was no longer the Caroline she used to be—the woman who could only cry and submit when Jake dumped her for another woman. Now she appeared calmer and better able to control herself because she no longer cared. Maybe some love still remained in her heart, but she didn't want to throw away her dignity for the sake of a man. Especially not a man who had openly insulted and humiliated her.
"All right, are you two done talking? Can we leave now?" Caroline looked at them with a cynical smile on her lips.
"I've already warned you. Stop interfering in my uncle's life." Jake was serious this time. He stopped Caroline by grabbing her arm. He glared sharply at Caroline, the veins in his neck bulging as he restrained his anger at her indifferent attitude.
"Take your hand off her. I asked her to accompany me shopping. This has nothing to do with you." Jared spoke firmly.
"Uncle, you need to realize that she's using you to get revenge on me." Jake tried to convince him.
"It doesn't matter if she really does want to use me. My life, my choice. I have the right to decide what I want. If Caroline is willing to accept me, I'll marry her and bring her home as your aunt." Jake spoke with emphasis. Then he grabbed Caroline's wrist and pulled her away.
Jake could only stand frozen, his brow furrowed. He still couldn't process or believe the words he had just heard.
"Uncle, thank you for defending me." Caroline spoke sincerely. Although she said it without a smile, she truly meant it. She didn't know why Jared had defended her, but she was grateful that he had stood up for her in front of Jake and Emily.
"It was nothing." Jared answered indifferently.
"I don't know what you really want. Sometimes you defend me, but other times you insult me too." Caroline expressed what was in her heart.
Jared stopped walking. He looked at Caroline seriously, his brows drawn together. "When did I insult you?"
"Have you forgotten?" Caroline asked in return.
"I did that?" Jared asked to make sure.
"Yes. At Jake's mother's birthday party. They insulted me, and you just stayed silent. When I asked for your help, you said I didn't need to defend myself. You agreed with what they said, so you insulted me just like they did."
Jared let out a relieved sigh after hearing Caroline's explanation. He chuckled softly. "You misunderstood me."
"How did I misunderstand you?" Caroline looked confused.
"I believe you, so I didn't think you needed to explain anything. No matter what people say about you, I'll continue to believe you. On the other hand, no matter how hard you try to explain yourself, people who dislike you still won't believe you." Jared answered briefly.
"That's what you think?" Caroline felt guilty for misjudging him.
"Yes." Jared answered without hesitation. "So you're angry with me because you thought I wasn't on your side?"
"Forgive me, Uncle. It turns out I misjudged you." Caroline felt bad. She had treated Jared poorly for the past week because of what happened at the birthday party.
"It's fine. It was nothing." Jared smiled.
"But why do you take my side more than Jake's?" Caroline looked at him questioningly.
"I've told you before. I'll take the side of whoever is right. I don't like injustice."
Caroline smiled broadly at his answer. She was happy now because someone was still standing beside her. She was glad that her negative assumptions about Jared had been wrong.
"I want to ask you something serious." Jared's expression suddenly turned solemn.
"What is it?" Caroline looked at him questioningly.
"Do you still love Jake?"
Caroline fell silent after hearing the question. She lowered her head, hiding her face.
"It's okay. Just be honest with me. If you still love him, I'll help you get him back." Jared spoke seriously and emphatically. He would be happy if the woman he loved could be happy too.
"What are you talking about, Uncle? There's no way I still like him. Don't joke around." Caroline laughed to hide her true feelings. If she listened to her heart, she did still love Jake. But for the sake of her dignity, she would never admit it. Not ever. Even if she died, she would never want to go back to Jake.
Jared understood. He knew Caroline still loved Jake deep down. Still, he respected the false answer she had given him.
They continued toward the parking lot, slightly awkwardly. They had just reached the car and were about to get in when Jake stopped them. He ran over, while Emily could be seen struggling to catch up behind him.
"I'm coming too, Uncle!" Jake pleaded desperately.
"This has nothing to do with you." Caroline objected.
"I need to make sure you don't brainwash Uncle Jared. The closer he gets to you, the crueler he becomes toward me. I don't want you replacing me in my uncle's heart. I love my uncle. We had a great relationship before you came along and ruined it." Jake revealed what was in his heart. Although his behavior was terrible and heartless, he still loved his uncle. The blood relationship between an uncle and nephew couldn't be severed.
Jared was touched by Jake's words. Their relationship really had been excellent all this time. They were even closer than Jake was with his parents. That's why Jared had arranged to attend Jake's engagement party despite his incredibly busy schedule. Jake's own parents hadn't even been able to attend.
"All right, you can come." Jared finally relented.
"But—" Caroline looked displeased, though deep down she felt a little happy.
"What about me?" Emily finally arrived, panting heavily, and began to protest because Jake had simply left her behind.
"Just buy the household necessities. Here's my card." Jake reached into his pocket and handed it to Emily. "Go home by yourself and take my car. I'll come home after I finish my business." Jake handed her his car keys.
"But, Jake—" Emily looked annoyed.
"I'll contact you later." Jake tried to reassure her.
"But you promised you'd spend today with me." Emily still refused to accept it.
"We spend every night together. Do you still miss me?"
"That's different."
"Just this once, Emily. Do whatever you want. I promise I'll accompany you another time." Jake promised.
Despite her irritated expression, Emily eventually agreed. She accepted the card and car keys, then walked away with a pout.
"You two are living together now?" Jared asked to confirm.
"Yes, she just moved into my apartment." Jake nodded.
Caroline remained silent. Although she looked perfectly normal, she felt a little jealous inside when she learned that Jake and Emily were now living together. She could imagine what Jake would do with Emily. After all, she and Jake had lived together too.
"Are you jealous, Caroline?" Jared looked at Caroline seriously.
"Uncle, I think you're just like Jake now." Caroline answered irritably.
Jake smiled broadly. "You don't have to pretend. Just admit that you're jealous. I know my charm is hard to forget." The man ran a hand through his hair with complete confidence.
"In your dreams." Caroline answered irritably. She opened the door and was about to get into the front passenger seat. But Jake immediately stopped her.
"You sit in the back." Jake looked at the passenger seat. He wouldn't let Caroline take the opportunity to sit peacefully beside Jared.
Caroline didn't protest. She walked toward the back seat.
"You drive!" Jared tossed his car keys to Jake, then sat in the front passenger seat.
"Uncle!" Jake protested. This wasn't what he had wanted.
"Just do it without complaining." Jared spoke casually.
With no other choice, Jake did what his uncle wanted. He drove alone in the front, while Jared and Caroline sat in the back seat.
Throughout the journey, Jared and Caroline exchanged words. They chatted casually, while Jake drove, struggling to contain his irritation. Seeing how close Jared and Caroline were, Jake felt his heart burning. He didn't know what kind of feeling he was suppressing. He didn't like seeing his uncle so close to Caroline. This dislike felt different. He still didn't understand it. But one thing was certain: he didn't like seeing Caroline laugh with another man.
Caroline gave directions. Jake followed every instruction she gave until they reached their destination.
"You carry this." Jared handed the shopping basket to Jake.
Jake couldn't protest. He could only resignedly accept every order he received. He followed Caroline and Jared with a sour expression. He grew increasingly irritated as he watched the two of them busy themselves choosing good fruit.
Jake couldn't take it anymore. Finally, he pushed Caroline aside to make room for himself between her and Jared.
"You two talk too much. All of these look good." Jake put the fruit into the basket.
Caroline and Jared merely furrowed their brows in confusion.
"Uncle, I'm hungry. Let's find some lunch." Jake began whining like a child.
Jared looked at the watch around his wrist. It was time for lunch, so he agreed to his nephew's request.
"We'll find something to eat after we pay for this."
"Let Caroline handle it. Let's go eat now." Jake insisted.
"Jake, you're not a child. Don't act like one." Caroline commented.
Jared smiled broadly. "It's fine. I like it when Jake acts spoiled like this. He's been acting like an adult for so long that I've started missing moments like these." Jared defended his nephew. It seemed that Jake's behavior and words today had truly touched his uncle's heart.
"Please take care of everything and use this card. Jake and I will wait for you at the café upstairs." Jared instructed, handing her a card.
Caroline could only accept the card with a confused expression. Jared's face looked brighter today than it had before. He seemed genuinely happy with Jake's behavior and treatment of him today. Caroline really couldn't understand it. She could only watch Jake and Jared walk away, with Jake clinging spoiledly to his uncle's arm like a child. Caroline could only shudder in disgust at the sight.
"That's so disgusting," Caroline commented, her hairs standing on end.
"Here's your credit card, Uncle." Caroline spoke as she handed Jared's credit card back after paying all the bills. She joined them, sitting across from Jake.
"You can go home," Jake said.
"I'll go home after lunch." Caroline refused.
"No, you have to accompany me for the entire day. I promised I'd pay you if you wanted to spend a day with me." Jared reminded her.
"But, Uncle, I want us to spend today alone, without her." Jake tried to coax his uncle. He truly didn't want Caroline and Jared's relationship to grow any closer. So he would do everything he could to sabotage their plans.
"Why don't we spend time together? Your relationship with Caroline might improve. You could become friends instead of enemies like you are now."
"Never!" Jake and Caroline answered at the same time. Neither of them was willing to accept Jared's suggestion. It seemed they would remain enemies forever.
Although they had both answered never at the same time, Jared smiled at their response. "It seems you two still share a connection. You've given similar answers at the same time several times now."
"Stop making assumptions, Uncle. I've told you over and over that I hate her." Caroline insisted.
Jared didn't react after hearing that. He wanted to believe Caroline's words, but the truth was that Caroline had once kissed him because she missed Jake too much. So what basis did he have for believing her now? He didn't even know whether he had any chance of winning Caroline's heart.
"Uncle, stop making things awkward. I'll love Emily for the rest of my life." Jake spoke emphatically. Whether he was insisting on it to Jared and Caroline or to himself, even he didn't know. He was beginning to doubt his own feelings.
"All right, let's forget about it." Jared sighed deeply as their orders began to be served.
Caroline fell silent when a plate of spaghetti carbonara and a glass of lychee tea were placed in front of her. They were her favorite foods—the usual order whenever she had lunch with Jake on one of their dates.
"I didn't know what you wanted to eat, so I ordered at random." Jared explained when he noticed Caroline silently staring at her food. "If you don't like it, you can order something else," he added.
"N-no need, Uncle." Caroline answered nervously. Her thoughts had briefly run wild when she assumed Jake had ordered her food. She thought Jake could remember every little thing about her, including what she liked to eat.
"Thank you, Uncle. I like it." Caroline spoke with a smile.
"Ah, now that I think about it, you always ordered spaghetti whenever we went on dates. You really like it? That's disgusting food." Jake commented with a look of distaste.
Caroline remained silent this time. She didn't want to respond to Jake's cruel comment. She still couldn't accept the fact that Jake had never cared about her in the slightest. She had spent three years of her precious time on a man who had never loved her. She truly regretted it. She regretted loving the wrong man.
"You really like it? You don't seem interested in tasting it." Jared tried to reassure her.
"I like it, Uncle. But this time, I think I should order something else." Caroline spoke with a forced smile on her lips.
"All right, order anything you want." Jared spoke gently.
"Is something wrong? You seem quieter than usual today." Jared looked at Caroline seriously while they were at a billiards hall.
"I think I should go home now." Caroline answered listlessly. She was still saddened by the realization that Jake had truly never felt anything for her. She had thought everything Jake had said all this time was just a lie to make Emily happy.
"Are you uncomfortable here?"
Caroline shook her head in response.
"All right, I'll take you home."
"I can take a cab."
"No. I picked you up at your apartment, so I should take you all the way back too."
"There's no need, Uncle. Just continue playing with Jake. I can take care of myself."
"I won't pay you if you refuse." Jared began to threaten her.
"That's fine. It's not a problem. I have money for the fare home." Caroline didn't mind.
Jared furrowed his brows, staring at Caroline in confusion. He realized that something was wrong with her behavior.
Caroline left anyway, her face appearing to hold back sadness.
Jared placed his cue on the table, then hurried after Caroline. Seeing that, Jake didn't want to lose his chance. He ran after them too, trying to stop his uncle.
"Uncle, where are you going? We haven't finished our game." Jake grabbed his uncle's arm.
"Jake, just play by yourself. I have to go home now because something came up." Jared made up an excuse.
"You're not hiding something from me, are you, Uncle? You didn't make plans to meet Caroline somewhere without me, did you?" Jake asked suspiciously.
"No, we're going home. I'll go home after I take Caroline home." Jared tried to reassure him.
"Uncle, I don't want you to fall for one of Caroline's tricks. That's why I don't want you to be alone with her. She's not as good as you think."
"She's not as bad as you think either." Jared retorted.
Jake fell silent at his uncle's response.
"There are many cruel things in this world, but your way is crueler, Jake." Jared spoke emphatically. "The food I ordered earlier was Caroline's favorite. How could you not know what she likes when the two of you lived together for three years?"
"Uncle, I didn't have time to pay attention to unimportant things like that." Jake defended himself.
"It may be unimportant to you, but it's very important to Caroline because she loves you. You're blind because you've been bewitched by a woman who's no better than Caroline. Caroline loves you sincerely, while Emily loves you because of your family's status. You're still too young to understand what's more valuable than money and social status. Sincerity, Jake. You can buy many beautiful women with your money, but you'll never be able to buy sincerity." Jared spoke at length.
Jake remained silent. He wasn't silent because his uncle's words had struck home, but because he didn't want to make his uncle even angrier.
"See you tomorrow morning. I'll pick you up as usual. No refusing." Jared spoke emphatically to Caroline. He didn't want her to slip away like last time, when she had gone to the office very early just to avoid seeing him.
Caroline gave a small nod and was about to get out of the car.
"Carol." Jared stopped her. "I hope you aren't offended by what Jake said to you earlier." He spoke carefully. He was afraid his words would hurt Caroline.
"Don't think about it. I don't care." Caroline answered indifferently. Although she said she didn't care, Jake's words had truly pierced her heart.
"Good. I was just worrying too much." Jared smiled at her.
Caroline didn't answer again. She opened the door and wanted to leave quickly. But once again, Jared stopped her.
"Here's your payment for today." Jared handed her two thousand dollars.
"Thank you." Caroline smiled as she spoke, then hurried out before Jared could stop her again.
"Uncle, have you been waiting here since morning?" Jake stared at his uncle in disbelief. He had left very early, yet he had still been beaten by his uncle. Jared's car had already been parked there when he arrived.
"You go ahead now. Caroline and I have plans." Jared spoke without turning toward his nephew. He didn't want Caroline to feel offended again because Jake was there.
"No, Uncle. I'll never let her seduce you. You should go to the office now. Caroline is my subordinate, so I have more right to her." Jake insisted. He wanted his uncle to remember that Caroline was now under his authority at Jared's command.
Jared didn't answer. He simply remained silent, staring far ahead as he waited for Caroline to emerge from her apartment. His heart was beating violently. Its rhythm was so erratic, as if the beats were competing with one another to come faster. This was the first time he had felt his heart race when meeting and waiting for a woman. Only Caroline could give him this kind of thrill.
The uncle and nephew waited silently for the same person. The difference was that one was waiting out of love, while the other was waiting out of hatred.
They waited for quite some time until Caroline finally appeared. To Jared, the woman looked more beautiful with each passing day. In Jared's eyes, Caroline was the very definition of perfection. If only he had been able to know Caroline as someone other than Jake's ex-fiancé, winning her heart might not have been this difficult.
"Caroline!" Jake waved from in front of his car. He hoped Caroline would ride with him so his efforts to keep her apart from Jared wouldn't be wasted.
Caroline looked confused. Her brow furrowed when she saw Jake waiting for her. Not only was he waiting—he was even waving at her. She was truly confused now. She was confused by her own feelings. She knew she hated Jake and felt sick whenever she met him. Yet when she saw him greet her and wave, she felt a little happy.
It was true: love and hatred were incredibly difficult to distinguish.
"Why are you here?" Caroline approached Jake casually.
"I came to pick you up on purpose. I already promised I wouldn't let you get close to my uncle."
"Are you jealous?" Caroline looked at him mockingly.
Jake burst out laughing. He found the word jealous amusing.
"Jealous? Why would I be jealous?" The man chuckled.
"It seems you still can't move on from me, so you keep looking for excuses to see me."
"Are you drunk or running a fever?" Jake pressed the back of his hand to Caroline's forehead, his face filled with a mocking smile.
"Take your hand off me." Caroline roughly knocked his hand away.
Watching the two of them interact from inside his car, Jared began imagining things. He felt as though he was only getting in their way. He thought Caroline really did prefer Jake over him. He didn't want to wait there any longer because he didn't want the wound in his heart to grow deeper. So he told Thalius to step on the gas and head to the office.
"Let's leave now." Jared spoke weakly and without enthusiasm.
"But, Mr. Madison?"
"It seems they really are still in love, so I won't ruin their relationship." Jared drew a one-sided conclusion.
"Are you sure, sir?" Thalius asked to make sure. He hadn't seen even the slightest trace of happiness on Caroline's face. She had only looked annoyed. It was impossible for someone to show that kind of expression to the person they loved.
"You only need to follow my orders. You have no right to complain." Jared spoke irritably.
"All right, all right, sir." Thalius answered flusteredly. He quickly stepped on the gas, leaving the apartment complex and heading for the office.
Jake watched his uncle's car drive away from them. A satisfied smile appeared on his lips. He felt pleased that his little act had managed to create a different impression in his uncle's eyes.
"Okay, I have to go to the office now. You can take a cab because I don't want my car seat getting dirty after you sit on it." Jake spoke arrogantly. His expression and tone changed after Jared left them.
That only made Caroline more confused. She still couldn't figure out what had happened. She didn't know what Jake's true intentions were. Still, she didn't mind taking a cab. She hadn't expected Jake to pick her up anyway.
"Did Uncle Jared ask you to do this?" Caroline asked seriously.
"Do what?" Jake asked to clarify.
"Forget it. Never mind." Caroline no longer wanted to concern herself with it.
"Remember, I'll be watching you at the office. So don't think you'll get a chance to seduce Uncle Jared."
"Say whatever you want. I don't have time to play your games." Caroline insisted.
"Caroline, I'm throwing a birthday party at my house tonight. Do you want to come?" Lenzy approached when she found Caroline having lunch alone in the office cafeteria.
"I can't promise." Caroline answered while continuing to chew. She didn't even turn to look at Lenzy because she didn't consider her very important.
"I really hope you can come." Lenzy put on a pleading expression.
"I can't decide right now. I have a lot of work." Caroline tried to make an excuse. She didn't want the hassle of attending Lenzy's birthday party. Besides, she would have to bring a gift, which would be another expense. She needed to save money to pay off the mounting debt left by her father.
"Please. I already told my parents you would come." Lenzy continued pleading.
"You shouldn't have made that decision before asking me."
"I'll pay you." Lenzy knew Caroline's weakness was money.
Caroline stopped chewing. She turned to Lenzy with a questioning look. "Five thousand dollars."
"Five thousand dollars? Don't you think that's excessive?" Lenzy looked reluctant.
"It's fine if you don't want to." Caroline answered casually, returning to the food in front of her.
Lenzy let out a harsh sigh. She appeared to be thinking hard, trying to make a decision.
"Fine, five thousand dollars." Lenzy finally agreed. "On one condition: you have to persuade Mr. Madison to come to my party."
"That's impossible. I won't be able to persuade him."
"You can do it. I believe in you. Here's two thousand dollars as a down payment. I'll pay the rest tomorrow morning if you really bring Mr. Madison to my house." Lenzy handed Caroline several dollar bills.
Caroline fell silent, looking conflicted. On one hand, she was tempted by the amount Lenzy was offering. On the other, she doubted Jared would accept her invitation to Lenzy's birthday party. Jared wasn't just anyone who could be invited freely. If he attended an event, it meant the host was important and well-known. If Jared attended Lenzy's birthday party, Lenzy's name would become famous and the subject of conversation.
"I'll wait to hear from you. I'll send you my address later." Lenzy spoke with a smile, then walked away just like that.
Caroline stared at the money now in her hand. Her brow furrowed and her eyebrows drew together. She let out a harsh sigh before finally putting the money in her pocket.
Caroline paced in front of Jared's office door. She looked confused, conflicted, and uncertain. Several times she was about to knock, but each time she changed her mind. She bit the tip of her fingernail to ease her nervousness. She had already accepted the money from Lenzy, so she had to fulfill the woman's request. If she kept earning extra income, she could pay off her debt faster.
"Were you looking for me?" came a question from behind her.
Caroline turned around and saw Jared approaching with Thalius and Donny, who always followed behind him. She grew even more nervous and didn't dare reveal what Lenzy wanted from her.
"W-where have you been, Uncle?" Caroline asked nervously.
A faint smile appeared on Jared's lips. If someone became nervous while talking to a member of the opposite sex, it meant they liked that person. Donny had once told him that, so Jared thought Caroline might like him.
"I just got back from an outside meeting." Jared answered briefly.
"Mr. Madison has attended three important meetings since this morning," Donny added.
Caroline nodded in understanding. No wonder she hadn't seen Jared since morning. No wonder she had been able to eat lunch peacefully in the cafeteria without any disturbances from Jared, Jake, or Lenzy. She hadn't had to share a table with any of the three. Lenzy had only approached her to invite her to a birthday party, not to have lunch together. It turned out those two nuisances only appeared when Jared was near her.
"Oh, I see." Caroline didn't know what else to say.
"Do you need something?" Jared could read the unease in Caroline's eyes. He wanted to be a dependable man, so he tried to remain attentive.
Caroline gave a small nod, still looking as hesitant as before.
"Just tell me. Don't hesitate."
"Do you have plans tonight?"
Jared thought for a moment. He had an important event that evening, an invitation he needed to attend to build a friendship. Friendships were also necessary to increase his influence. The more connections he had, the stronger the business he was running would become.
"Sir, you need to attend Mr. David's dinner tonight," Thalius reminded him.
"You're busy, aren't you?" Caroline awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck.
"Do you want to invite me somewhere?" Jared asked to confirm. If Caroline wanted to spend time with him, he would rearrange his plans.
Caroline nodded slowly. "My friend invited me to her birthday party, and she asked me to come with... with someone I'm closest to." The woman tried to come up with a good excuse. She wasn't good at lying, so she struggled to find one.
Jared seemed to think for a moment.
"What time is the party?"
"Nine."
"All right. I'll pick you up at nine-thirty tonight." The man in the black tuxedo finally agreed.
"Really?" Caroline asked to make sure.
"Why not?"
"Thank you, Uncle. I'll wait for you. The dress code is blue and white." Caroline was delighted. She hadn't expected Jared to accept her invitation so easily. She had thought he would reject her with a thousand excuses. It turned out Jared wasn't that complicated.
"But you're not going to ask me to pay you for this event, are you?" Caroline looked at him seriously.
Jared laughed at her words. He found them incredibly amusing. "I'm not a gigolo."
"But you've always paid me whenever I do something for you. Do you think I'm a paid woman?" She began wondering what Jared really thought of her.
"What are you talking about? I think you've misunderstood." Jared's smile suddenly disappeared.
"I just want to know what I am in your eyes, Uncle."
"You're a good, obedient little girl." Jared answered briefly.
"I'm not a child." Caroline pouted.
"You'll always be a child to me." Jared insisted.
"No!" Caroline insisted.
"I have to work now. If you need anything, contact me immediately." Jared instructed, then walked into his office.
"Sir, what about the dinner?" Thalius reminded him, since that event was important too.
"The dinner is at seven. I can attend both events tonight. David will understand if I only spend a short time at his house. Find two gifts for the two meetings tonight."
"Yes, sir."