In the spacious, cool-toned office, the handsome man threw a dart that struck dead center on the bullseye of the dartboard. Manfred spun slowly in his executive chair, then smiled slightly as his eyes landed on the massive banner stretched across the desk. The once buzzing wedding announcement had now been replaced by scandal — and the woman at the center of it all was none other than Janet.
"Nice angle on those photos," Manfred whistled sharply, addressing the white-clad figure who had just entered the room.
"What’s Charles’ reaction?" Manfred asked, looking at the silent August with a deep gaze. August’s handsome face showed no hint of pleasure; instead, it was tinged with a certain weariness. "Charles is no ordinary man. He’ll find a way to suppress this."
"It’s not the outcome that matters, August, it’s the process. As long as he feels the pain, that’s enough," Manfred said with a calm smile. Because he knew Charles’ strength, he had prepared overnight, using the influence of ZT media to fight back. Deep down, Manfred harbored a secret hope: that the wedding would be called off.
But he had overestimated himself — and underestimated Charles.
"That woman’s really something, bringing shame to the Elwin family and forcing the wedding to be canceled!" Derrick’s face was nearly green with anger. Black Rock Co. had rarely suffered bad press before, and though the turmoil caused by one woman hadn’t impacted the stock price, the internal morale and public opinion pressure were undeniable.
"No, the wedding will proceed as planned!" Charles interrupted Derrick before he could continue. Once Charles made a decision, it was final — no matter the process, the result was all that mattered.
"Are you insane? You want to marry a shameless woman like that?" Derrick sneered, unable to fathom Janet’s actions that had embarrassed the Elwin family. How would the outside world see Charles, the proud boss of a multinational company, if he was being cuckolded by a woman?
"Dad, you know Janet isn’t that kind of woman. She’s innocent! This whole thing was a setup by Manfred," Charles said firmly, and Derrick paused at the name. He was well aware of the relationship between August and Manfred. Their goal was clear — Janet was just a pawn; the Elwin family was the real target.
"But now that this rumor is out, do you want everyone laughing at us?" Derrick’s tone softened, though his pride still wouldn’t let him admit defeat. He had hoped to avoid such trouble. Every time he felt confident, August managed to surprise him. If Charles and Janet couldn’t marry, Philip wouldn’t have the surgery, and after this window passed, no one knew if his condition would improve. Derrick desperately needed a grandson — and it had to be Philip’s child.
"Rumors will pass in time, Dad. I know what I’m doing. Tomorrow’s wedding will happen as planned. You should go home now." Charles looked exhausted. He didn’t care about what the world thought of him, but Janet—she carried a shadow in her heart. Only by marrying her could he find peace.
Once Derrick left, Charles immediately called Janet. He had also reassigned another team of bodyguards to guard the villa—just in case any reporters tried to follow him home and disturb her. Today was originally the day Janet was supposed to try on her wedding dress. Charles had compressed his entire schedule into the morning, finishing all tasks early just so he could return home and accompany her as she tried on the gown—the one sent by the designer, as pure and beautiful as a lily.
"Charles... are we really going to get married? What if—" Janet hesitated, but before she could finish, Charles pressed a finger against her lips. Her eyes flickered with guilt as she looked at him. She knew exactly how the world was talking about her now. Manfred had completely shattered the goodwill she once had for him. A man so calculating—she never should’ve let her guard down.
"Don’t say something so foolish. I won’t be happy if you do," Charles said sternly, cutting her off. His anticipation for this wedding had never faltered. His resolve to marry her had never wavered. So he wouldn’t allow her to doubt it—not even for a moment.
"Charles, thank you... for being so good to me," Janet whispered, resting in his arms, overwhelmed with emotion. He was too good to her—it scared her. She feared that if the day ever came when she had to leave him, she wouldn’t know how to go on.
"I’m selfish too," he murmured at her ear. "All I want is for you to stay by my side. Forever. Don’t ever say something like that again, Janet. I want your true heart in return."
Her kindness, her hesitation—those were the things that left her vulnerable. From now on, he wouldn’t allow it. No one would hurt her again.
"Alright. We’ll get married. I’ll love you well, Charles..." Janet finally felt her drifting heart anchor at last. No matter what the world said about her—so long as he believed in her, that was enough. She was his, and always had been. One day, the rumors would fade.
"Then can we try on the dress now? I can’t wait to see you in it," Charles smiled as he led her into the living room, where several design assistants were already waiting.
"Mhm," Janet blushed and smiled softly. She too wanted him to be the first to see her at her most beautiful.
"Damn it, how are they still getting married?" Elvira nearly screamed, watching the press conference being held again. Charles himself didn’t attend—it was his assistant, Giles, who made the official statement: the wedding would go on as planned, and the scandal was nothing more than a misunderstanding. With efficiency that matched his reputation, Charles had already halted the spread of the media storm. The wedding tomorrow was inevitable.
"Why shouldn’t they get married? Elvira, when are you going to admit how twisted your mindset has become? If I were Charles, I’d choose Janet too," Ternence said coldly as he bent to pick up the remote Elvira had thrown. Disappointment was clear in his eyes. Not a single member of the Louis family was on Janet’s side. He had read the same tabloids—but he believed Janet was not that kind of woman. And he had come to admire Charles as well. His woman adored him too, but Zoey—she was a woman of grace. Unlike Elvira, who had no filter, no restraint, no sense of dignity. Just uncontrollable jealousy.
"You too, brother? I’m your sister!" Elvira cried, clinging to Ternence’s arm in frustration. The man she loved was about to marry the woman she hated most—how could she possibly accept that?
"Enough already. Janet’s your sister too, remember? But I’ve yet to see you act like any kind of sister at all," Ternence shook his head. Hearing the sound of a car downstairs, he turned to leave. He still had to inform Harold—Charles had invited him to the wedding, and honestly, Ternence was a little surprised by the gesture.