"Don’t even think about it!" Philip spun the wheelchair’s wheels fiercely and started moving away. Marrying Janet had been a mistake from the start, and he refused to be manipulated any longer.
An innocent life had been crushed by Derrick’s cruelty, and Philip had witnessed it all. He couldn’t understand how Charles could bear the burden alone—this wasn’t right!
"Everything I’ve done is for you!" Derrick’s face darkened like a storm cloud. Charles defied him, Philip didn’t understand him—everything Derrick did was for Black Rock Co., for his sons!
"Miss, sitting here alone?" As Elvira downed her eighth beer, a young man suddenly took the empty seat beside her. She immediately waved him off with impatience, shouting, "Go away! I’m not for sale!"
Frustrated and furious, she couldn’t believe that as the eldest daughter of the Louis family, she was reduced to groveling for a man’s attention—and he hadn’t even spared her a glance!
"Charles, damn it, what do I lack compared to that little bitch?" Janet snarled, slamming down her glass. Men came and went around her, but none were Charles. Undeniably, she was beautiful now—seductive and confident. She wore a white strapless mini dress and thigh-high shorts that revealed her flawless pale skin, the generous curves of her chest barely contained, her rounded hips enticing every eye in the room. Her fiery figure could make any man’s blood race—but none had Charles’s unique charm.
"Do you think moping here will bring Charles back to you?" A familiar voice whispered in her ear. Elvira squinted, about to curse, when she saw a face more delicate and softer than any woman’s. It was Manfred.
"Surprised?" Manfred recalled this woman—Janet’s sister—the same who had pushed Janet into the pool that day. He rarely paid attention to women, but Harold had mentioned his eldest daughter more than once. Only then did he notice her presence—and her feelings for Charles.
"Manfred?" Elvira shook her head hard, doubting her eyes. But the handsome face before her was unmistakable—it was Manfred, the same one who had rejected her before. So why was he now willingly drinking with her?
"Mm-hmm, it’s me!" Manfred smirked and gave a cheeky whistle. He wasn’t interested in overly flashy women; the more feminine they were, the less he noticed them. If not for her identity, he wouldn’t even spare her a glance.
"What do you want?" Elvira still held a grudge against him. After all, he had once pushed her into the pool—not gently—just to defend Janet.
"Do whatever you want. How’s that sound?" Manfred smiled with a strange, almost sinister charm, his breath brushing Elvira’s face. She felt like the man before her was some kind of dark enchantress—his smile was so dangerously beautiful, it was like a spell.
And somehow, she found herself nodding involuntarily, as if under his sway.
"Nervous?" Charles asked, one hand gripping the steering wheel while the other gently took Janet’s cold hand in his. Janet exhaled softly and nodded, her mind replaying the months since her miscarriage—she hadn’t set foot in the Elwin mansion since then. Now that Charles was taking her back, a flicker of fear stirred deep inside.
"Don’t be afraid. Dad won’t hurt you anymore," Charles said reassuringly, his eyes softening involuntarily. Yet he had no idea that after learning of Derrick’s madness—and after Derrick threatened Janet—her feelings for Charles had turned into a mixture of fear and disgust.
His hands were stained with the blood of August, Norman and his wife, and even her child. Janet clutched her chest, biting her lip hard. How much courage did it take to face that devil and still remain calm?
The car drove steadily toward Snowpeak Villa. Derrick had suddenly summoned them home—obviously something important was about to be announced.
So when Janet followed Charles into the main house and heard Derrick’s words, she was truly shocked.
"Hmm... I think you two should get married," Derrick said, not looking directly at them but instead toward Philip, who sat across the room.
Philip insisted that he would only consider Derrick’s proposal after Charles and Janet were married. Derrick nodded immediately—after all, it had taken all his effort to convince Philip to agree to the surgery. This matter had to be resolved quickly.
"Dad, you really mean it?" Although Derrick had been firm before, this sudden change caught Charles off guard. He’d originally wanted to keep Janet tightly bound to him, but since she had just divorced Philip, he feared Derrick might find excuses to interfere. Now that Derrick was taking the initiative, Charles couldn’t help but feel a surge of hope.
"What, you don’t want to?" Derrick’s usual stern expression softened just slightly as he caught the grateful look in Charles’s eyes. It was the first time he’d seen such an emotion from Charles, and it stirred something inside his cold heart. Yet he quickly masked it again with a harsh question.
"No, no, of course I want to! Fine, we’ll do as you say. We’ll get married!" Charles’s face lit up with a hopeful smile. He squeezed Janet’s hand tightly, winking at her playfully. Their closeness already felt like that of a married couple—and with her by his side, he could pursue everything he wished without any worries.
Janet was stunned. Derrick’s sudden proposal shocked them all. He agreed to let her marry Charles, yet refused to allow her to bear his child. She couldn’t understand.
"Let’s set the date for the sixth of next month. Your status is different now—you’ll need a proper wedding and banquet!" Derrick cleared his throat suddenly, as if trying to make amends. Unlike when Philip quietly married Janet, Charles was the top boss of Black Rock Co.—his wedding would certainly draw public attention.
"I want a grand wedding. I want everyone to know Janet is my wife—Charles’s wife!" Charles promised warmly to Janet. Still caught in shock, she couldn’t help but be moved by his tender words whispered in her ear.
She had already been married once—a marriage like a fleeting illusion. She’d had no expectations then, not even knowing who the groom was. That experience would never happen again. The man standing next to her now was handsome, accomplished, and loved her. She could finally have the fairytale wedding every bride dreams of. Charles was the prince who could make that dream come true.
Marry him. Janet’s heart had already made its decision. She wanted to use all her love to thaw the frozen heart beside her.