“Why did you stop me?” Laurel’s tone was serious, and her gaze was piercing sharp.
“She apologized, didn’t she?” Charles’ sent daggers back at her.
“That’s…” Laurel bit her lower lip for a second before yanking her hand out of his grip. Quarreling with Charles at such a party wouldn’t do any good for her, she thought. Still, she coldly peered at Narika and said, “Watch where you’re going, woman, or what’s the use of having eyes and big-freaking glasses?” Saying that, she hurried upstairs to get her dress changed.
Charles turned and looked at Narika. Their eyes briefly met, and she turned around and hurriedly left.
“Not even a thanks, huh…” Charles muttered under his breath. “Not that I expected it, but… she does look a lot different in short hair. Sofia’s shy sister. She’s become quite lean as well. I almost couldn’t recognize her.”
Charles had no idea that the Myers family had put Narika in a dog cage and starved her for almost two months, giving her food every few days so she wouldn’t die. Though she was released afterward because she had to show herself to the outside world and attend events like the ongoing one, she was still targeted by her family members in many ways. They still didn’t forgive her after punishing her for her crime. Charles was oblivious to all these things.
Meanwhile, Laurel was changing her dress in her room.
“No man has ever caught my hand like that before…” she kept talking to herself. “Who does he think he is?”
“Not all men fear rich women,” her grandmother entered the room with a grin etched on her face. “Your grandfather was also like Charles. Men like that stand for what they believe in, so marrying them is like wielding a double-edged sword. If you aren’t careful at handling them, you will suffer.”
“I think a single-edged sword is fine for me,” Laurel remarked.
“Haha,” Caroline chortled a little. “Don’t rush with life-changing things like marriage, or one mistake can haunt you for the rest of your life.”
“What do you want me to do then, grandma?”
“The same. Just try to be around them,” Caroline spoke from experience. “Know more about them until you can make a better decision. No matter which one you choose, I’ll support my granddaughter.”
Laurel hugged her. “Thank you, Grandma. You’re the best.”
Downstairs. In one of the bathrooms.
Charles was looking at himself in the mirror and was slapping himself.
A part of him kept ringing words in his mind, telling: Why did you help a member of the Myers family? Did you already forget everything they did to you? Narika didn’t do anything bad to you, but how can you forget that she has the same blood as Sofia running in her? Just kill her when you see her next time and cover your mistake.
“Shut up,” he yelled, startling the guy next to him who was busy washing his face.
“I’m sorry?” he looked at Charles.
Charles just walked away from there. “I’m not a murderer,” he kept telling himself. “I’m not a killer. But I will make the Myers pay in my own way!”
After Caroline and Laurel returned, every guest group was asked to tell something they knew about Caroline and her late husband, Benedict.
“He was a good friend,” Gregory said, even though he was never close with Caroline’s husband. “Not just the Bisconsleys but the whole world misses him.”
His words still brought tears to Caroline’s eyes as she smiled and nodded.
When Charles’ turn came, he raised his glass and said, “He is my role model. I would love to leave all my wealth if my wife is as loyal and lovely as Mrs. Caroline Bisconsley.”
His words pleasantly surprised many in the crowd, especially the women of all ages. For the first time, he got the attention of the woman with curly red hair and carried swag with every action she took. It was Victoria Myers, the mother of Sofia, and the one woman in the world he despised more than he did Sofia.
“This guy…” Victoria narrowed the windows of her eyes. “Who is this handsome fellow with a high-thinking brain?”
“Charles. A professional gambler,” replied Sofia. She had already checked his details on the internet only minutes ago after learning his name. “Got an estimated net worth of over 250 million dollars.”
“Oh, how wonderful,” Victoria faintly smiled. “He would make a perfect husband for Narika, don’t you think?”
“Well…” Sofia struggled to put her thoughts into words. “I was thinking, maybe… I’ll go out on a date with him.”
Surprised, Victoria looked at her, raising her brows. “What about Andres then?”
“I’m getting tired of him,” she shrugged her shoulders.
“Oh, and I thought you liked him very much.”
“I did, but he’s lost that shine he used to have before.”
“Mm, I can totally understand. If you are interested in this blonde guy, then go for him, but keep Andres around for a while.”
“Why?”
“Use him to find the whereabouts of your husband.”
Sofia was startled. “Is it necessary?”
“You are still married to him, remember? Assuming he’s still alive, we need to get him to sign the divorce papers, and who would be a better dog for it than our obedient Andres?”
“Fufu,” she chuckled a little. “Alright. I’ll have him look for…” for a second, she couldn’t recollect her husband’s name. “Carlos.”
After everyone finished speaking their thoughts about Caroline and her late husband, Caroline went to her granddaughter who was talking with her parents and took her to the side. “Whose speech did you like the most?”
She didn’t like to speak her mind, but she said it out anyway, “Of Charles.”
“I guessed as much,” Caroline seemed a little excited. “It seems he’s maybe interested in you?”
Laurel’s shoulders jerked. “What? How did you come to that decision from his short speech?”
“Because I’ve lived over 85 years, and you didn’t.”
“Huh!” Laurel rolled her eyes.
“You’ve talked to him, right? Did you get his number?”
She shook her head slightly. “My pride didn’t allow me.”
Caroline sighed and then took out a small slip that had a phone number on it.
“Eh?” Laurel was utterly surprised. “Did you ask for his number?”
“I didn’t have to,” she said, chortling. “He put this slip in the gift box along with a beautiful diamond necklace. Call him out for a date, and then go wearing this necklace. Make him fall for you. If you can’t even do that much, I’m afraid I will find it hard to give all of my property to you.”
“Just wait and watch, Grandma,” she snatched the necklace from Caroline. “Within a month, I’ll wrap that tiger around my little finger.”
“Hohoho, that’s my girl,” Caroline patted her back in happiness. What they didn’t know was that Charles had been eavesdropping on their conversation from afar.
“Hehe,” he laughed amusedly. “Funny grandma and granddaughter. I have nothing against the Bisconsleys, but I need someone of their stature to play the game, or they wouldn’t be able to withstand the witch of a woman, Sofia!”
Charles just won another poker competition and pocketed 3.5 million dollars. The press interviewed him afterward and asked for the secret of his success. “Focus and determination. Those two things will help get results.” That was all he said. “What about luck?” a random reporter asked back. “There’s no such thing as luck,” replied Charles. “Everything in this world is ordained by God. He once stripped me of everything, and then he decided to make me sit here and talk with you guys.” “Haha, you mean you’ve become successful because God wished for it and not because of your own hard work?” “Well, I always work hard, but my effort ends with picking the next poker card on the table. I can’t control the cards every other player picks, can I? The picture I see is very little compared to what a bird in the sky can see, let alone the guy sitting up above the sky, don’t you think? So, the answer to your question is… will you live for a thousand years just because you breathe harder?” His
“Sofia, can we have dinner together today?” “I’m not feeling like going outside, so I can’t.” “Sofia, how about lunch in your favorite restaurant tomorrow?” “I have some important work, no.” “Sofia, do you hate me? Why do you avoid eating with me?” “I don’t hate you, Carlos. Why would I hate you, my husband? I know I hit you sometimes, but that’s because I care for you. You meant the world to me.” “Then, let’s have dinner together tonight.” “That’s… I’m afraid I have a party to attend.” “Then, take me along.” “It’s a women only party, so…” Charles kept thinking back on the times he had asked his wife to spare some time for him only to get refused time and again. Now that he was wearing a new suit, tie, and face, she suddenly had the time to not only call and ask him for dinner but to also pick the dinner spot. And he didn’t find it funny. “I was ignorant back then. She looked beautiful, and I took the bait. I had no idea she had a long list of ex-lovers, and she even met th
“There are hundreds of Sofias in this city,” Charles stated, “and I’m sure people can recognize the difference between Sofia Myers and Sofia Becic even though both are in the acting profession.” His words not only restored Sofia’s face but also greatly boosted her confidence. “I don’t use my grandfather’s name before every little thing I do like someone else,” Sofia said, smiling. Laurel’s eyebrow jerked a little, but she did well controlling herself. “Mr. Charles,” she peered at him with intense green eyes. “When are we going to have dinner together?” Charles’ heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t prepared for this question. He had not expected for Laurel to be here, after all. Laurel seemed to be much more of a bold and straightforward woman than Sofia, he thought. And this wasn't good news for him. But what should he answer now? What response would satisfy both the prideful women sitting at the same table and staring at him with inquiring eyes. “Aren’t we already having one?” Charl
The moment they entered the mansion, Victoria came to receive him. The timing was too perfect. He guessed that Sofia must have texted her mom and told her to be ready. He couldn’t help but be a little scared by how fast-thinking they were. They already had so much wealth, and they could sit idly without doing anything, but, no, they were always in search of doubling and tripling their wealth at any cost. No wonder they say, the more money you have, the more they try to look busy and good. “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Charles,” Victoria shook hands with him and liked the firmness in his grip. “Please take a seat.” Charles sat comfortably on the couch. In fact, he put one leg on the other, which slightly discomforted Victoria. However, her handshake had rattled him a lot more. The maids brought snacks and drinks. Charles, however, didn’t touch the food until Victoria insisted. “So, Mr. Charles, I heard you are a professional gambler,” Victoria sounded curious, and she had this
Charles was staring at two scent bottles. One was the strawberry flavor, which Sofia loved. The other was the banana flavor, which she hated. There was even a time when she vomited at a ceremony because the banana scent was used on every guest at the entrance. He kept staring at the banana scent bottle. “It’s still too early to put this on.” He picked up the strawberry flavor. He sprayed just enough of it, then put on the mask and the wig and stared at the mirror for a little while. “Should do.” He drove to the cocktail party thrown by the governor of the state, Langdon Campbell. Why was he throwing a party? Charles didn’t know, and he didn’t care. He was invited, and since Myers would likely be invited, he had to attend. The party was much simpler and classier than he expected with a popular band playing soothing music in the background. Langdon was too prideful to talk to every guest attending the party, but his son Arlo was different. He came up to Charles and asked, “Is everyt
When Sofia made her way over, Charles hated that he had to smile and get up from his chair to receive her. In doing so, he brought out an amused smile on her face. “For someone who makes a living by playing poker, you’re really such a gentleman,” she voiced her mind in a soft, tickling tone. “You must have been a knight in your past life.” “I’ll take that as a compliment,” he slightly tilted his head toward her, “though I don’t believe in past lives or future lives for that matter.” “Oh, so you’re one of those types who only believes what he sees.” “Not really. I see what I see, and I believe what I believe.” “Haha. Funny,” Sofia looked around and noticed a particular woman who could rival her in terms of body proportions. Moreover, this woman’s attire all seemed to be made of special editions. She wanted to test him, and so she said, “Do you see her? The one in the shiny blue dress?” “Mm?” Charles took a look. “Yeah. What about her?” “She’s Elizabeth Sterling,” Sofia whispered.
Charles came to his room after the party, carefully removed his wig and mask, and had a long bath before getting back to bed. There was a burger and a pizza waiting for him to eat. Seeing them, he remembered how he used to work in the stores when he was young, and he used to buy a pizza and eat it for three nights. He would buy a burger once every month because a burger couldn’t be eaten for three nights like with a pizza, even though both cost 1 dollar back then. He used to drink a lot of water to control or kill his hunger. Those days were quite tough. Now, he ate both the burger and pizza and still felt hungry. He drank water to fill the rest of his stomach and dilute the gastric juices. He started reading the book titled ‘Vampires for Dummies.’ After reading a few pages, it wasn’t what he expected, so he threw it away. “There’s false information everywhere. While walking in the sun might hurt, it’s not to the point it gets unbearable. The more I walk in the sun, the more I get u
Four masked men snuck into Charles’ room. He was in a deep sleep. They checked everywhere in the room for hard cash or anything that looked valuable. From suits and watches to rings and lockets, they packed everything in their bags. They didn’t expect Charles would be so rich. “We’ve hit a jackpot! Haha, these items should easily fetch us a few million dollars.” “Yeah, but he might be having a lot more in his bank account. What if we force him to transfer his money?” another one said, taking out a hidden knife. “We can kill him afterward.” Greed flashed in their eyes. “Let’s do it.” They nodded to each other and surrounded the bed. Charles slowly sat up by himself, startling them. “You should have taken what you wanted and left silently, and I would have ignored you,” he said, yawning, but then his gaze sharpened as they attacked him. One of the thieves, the one with the knife, stabbed at Charle’s throat, but his wrist was caught midway. With a vicious pull, Charles brought that