Carter stood up abruptly, announcing, “Granddad, if you insist on being like this, then I see no point in carrying on with this conversation.”
“Stop right there!” Abel roared.
Carter stood stock still.
“Carter, you’ve grown up. You’re your own man now. I don’t wish to resort to the same forceful tactics I employed when you were a child. I hope you can show a little maturity and prove that my decision to entrust Scott Group into your hands was a wise one,” Abel said in a gentler tone.
Carter turned and faced Abel squarely. “Granddad, with all due respect, I would like to make my own decisions when it comes to love.”
Resigned, Abel replied, “Fine. I won’t force you then. It’s getting late. It’s about time for dinner.”
Carter quickly said, “Granddad, there are some business matters that I’ve yet to deal with…”
Abel eyed Carter with disapproval. “Carter, look at you! You’re trying to fool me with the same tired, old excuses even at this age.”
Having been exposed, Carter said, “Granddad, now that I come to think of it, it’s all been settled. Let’s head downstairs for dinner.”
Only then did Abel beam. The two of them then proceeded down the stairs.
Over the lavish meal set for seven, Faye eagerly kept an eye out for every opportunity to nudge Carter and Jennifer closer. However, Carter would smoothly evade each pointed question, rendering Faye’s efforts futile.
Faye eyed her son haplessly, then said, “Carter, Jennifer just got home. There’s a lot of things for her to catch up on. You’re familiar with the place; you should bring her around for a few days.”
Carter replied, “Mom, I’ll be busy with work for the next few days. Our collaboration with Radcliff Corporation is about to commence in a few days. I won’t have the time to accompany Ms. Larson. Why don’t you bring the Larsons around instead, Mom? Just put all of their expenses on my tab.”
Faye gave him another look, saying, “The Larsons are our family friends. There’s no need to be so formal around them. You and Jennifer played together as children. You even said that you were going to marry Jennifer when you grew up! Have you forgotten all about that?”
Carter skillfully deflected the question, “Mom, I’ve forgotten quite a bit of my younger days.”
Faye looked at Jennifer and said kindly, “That’s all right. I suppose one could still say that the two of you are childhood sweethearts. How about bringing Jennifer to the office with you to take a look around tomorrow? She’s still unfamiliar with much of how we do things here. You can take her under your wing if she goes to work at your company.”
“Mom, I remember you saying that Ms. Larson graduated with a Master’s degree from Logan University. It would be a waste of her intellect to work at our company,” Carter said with a patient smile. He looked as if he was genuinely concerned about the utilization of Jennifer’s talents.
Jennifer finally spoke. Her voice was gentle and soothing to the ear. “Carter, my parents have been praising you to the skies, making me very curious about you. If you don’t mind, I’d like to work at your company. It just so happens that I’m rather interested in design as well.”
Carter fixed his eyes on Jennifer.
“Carter, it’s rare that you’ll receive an application from such a highly-educated girl like Jennifer, who doesn’t despise your small company. Now that she’s expressed her interest, there’s no excuse for you to refuse,” Faye warned.
“Well then. Since Ms. Larson has spoken, I shall not pass up on such a talent indeed. However, my company is rather strict about observing proper hiring procedures. I’d have to take a look at Ms. Larson’s resume first if she doesn’t mind.”
Jennifer laughed. “Of course I don’t mind! I’ll personally deliver my resume to your company tomorrow. I’ll need to trouble Carter to guide me when I start work then.”
With a crafty look, Faye added, “Carter, Jennifer has been living overseas since she was young, but she hasn’t been exposed to any of those dirty tricks that they play at the office. You must watch out for her when she goes to work at your company and not let others take advantage of her.”
Carter nodded robotically. “Yes, Mom.”
After dinner, Carter once again tried to excuse himself on account of unfinished business at work. However, he was halted in his tracks by Faye’s urging. “Carter, Jennifer just came back today and hasn’t been around. Why don’t you take her out?”
Before Carter could refuse, Jennifer immediately broke in. Smiling, she said, “Carter, I don’t know this place very well. Do you mind taking me out for a little tour?”
Carter had no choice but to swallow his objections. “Mr. and Mrs. Larson, perhaps the rest of your family can join us as well.”
The Larsons shook their head immediately. “You two go ahead. Young people have their own things to talk about. We don’t want to be a wet blanket.”
Faye joined in gleefully, “You young people should be spending more time together! Carter, be sure not to bully Jennifer.”
Carter nodded.
After they got into the car, Jennifer dropped her air of bashfulness and openly demanded, “You don’t like me, do you, Carter?”
Carter frowned, feeling rather displeased with Jennifer’s sudden about-turn in attitude.
“You’re overthinking, Ms. Larson. It’s our first meeting after all. You’re a family friend, and I feel totally neutral toward you,” Carter replied evenly. Without their parents around, Carter saw no need to keep up his facade.
Jennifer laughed. “Carter, you rejected Scott Group and came out to establish your own business. From the five people you had at the beginning to the present ever-expanding pool of employees, you’ve developed your company with a remarkable boldness that I admire greatly. I’m fascinated with you. Today was, in truth, a matchmaking session, which I’m sure you’ve managed to perceive as well. If you don’t mind, we can try dating for a bit.”
“I mind,” Carter said simply.
Dumbfounded, Jennifer looked at him. “Why? What’s the reason for it? Am I not pretty enough for you?”
Carter shook his head. “No. You’re gorgeous actually, Ms. Larson. However, I’m already in love with someone else. Her looks and family background may not be as well off as yours, but I’m not interested in anyone else besides her.”
Jennifer laughed haughtily. “Is she your girlfriend?”
“No, I’m still pursuing her.”
“That means I still have a chance then.”
“Ms. Larson, you’re really a completely different person from that demure girl you were pretending to be just now. I didn’t expect you to be such a confident, modern young lady,” Carter said, skirting around the topic.
Jennifer tossed her head in disdain. “My parents like it when I’m demure.”
Carter laughed. “I see you’re quite the dutiful child.”
“I’m their only child, so I can’t disappoint them. It’s not too fun playing the role of the demure girl forever, though.”
Then, as if struck by something, she added, “Carter, what type of girls do you like?”
Carter retorted, “Not girls like you, for sure.”
The smile on Jennifer’s face faded. “Carter, that’s rather ungentlemanly of you. I’ve no lack of suitors, but I’ve really taken a liking to you. The more unapproachable you make yourself out to be, the more interested I am in you. Oh, just you wait. I’m going to pursue you.”
“Has anyone ever told you that men dislike aggressive women? Men want to dominate, not to be dominated. Do you understand?” Carter snapped.
Just as Jennifer was about to retaliate, Carter turned the steering wheel sharply. “Carter, what in the world are you doing?”
Carter leaped out of the car and dashed toward a woman walking by.
“Amelia, what happened to you? You’re all wet.” Carter anxiously took in Amelia’s thoroughly soaked figure. “Are you hurt anywhere?”
Amelia gaped at Carter. “Carter, why are you here?”
“Answer me! What happened to you? Are you hurt?”
Amelia nonchalantly ran her fingers through her dripping locks and said, “I’m fine. I was just mistaken for a mistress by a crazy b*tch, who proceeded to douse me with water. That woman literally belongs in a mental institution! She escaped from there, and it was just my luck to have run into her. That’s how I ended up like this.”
Carter was impressed by her ability to make light of things even in her unfortunate situation. “Why didn’t you give me a call? Are you hurt anywhere else? Is your baby okay? Let me take you to the hospital.”
Amelia dismissed Carter’s concern with a wave of her hand. “I’m fine. I just wandered here to ponder something else. I’ll head back soon when I’ve thought things through.”
Then catching sight of Jennifer, who had walked over and was now standing behind Carter, she asked jokingly, “Carter, aren’t you going to introduce her? Is she your girlfriend?”
As if terrified of her misunderstanding, Carter hastily corrected Amelia, “She’s the daughter of a family friend, Jennifer Larson.”
Amelia stuck her hand out and said pleasantly, “How do you do, Ms. Larson? I’m Amelia Winters, but you can call me Amelia.”
Jennifer took in Amelia from head to toe. A look of fury flashed across her eyes, and she ignored Amelia’s outstretched hand. Turning to Carter, she wailed, “Carter, did you almost get us into an accident just because of this woman?”
Stunned, Amelia gazed at Carter and asked, “Carter, what’s going on?”
Carter shot Jennifer a threatening look. “Ms. Larson, I’m terribly sorry for what happened today. You may be a friend of the family, but today’s still our first time meeting, after all. I really hope that you can treat my friends with a little more respect.”
Jennifer yielded, “Fine, it’s my fault. I was just upset at you for driving so recklessly just because of a woman. Are you aware of how dangerous that was? We could have lost our lives!”
Carter replied evenly, “I’m very sorry. I see that you’ve suffered a terrible shock; I’ll get a taxi to send you home.”
Jennifer was incensed. Biting back her rage, she said, “Carter, your family invited me over as a guest. Don’t you think you’re treating me a little too rudely?”
Carter was just about to hail a taxi when Amelia grabbed hold of him. “Carter, Ms. Larson is clearly upset. Isn’t it rather ungentlemanly of you to send her off on a taxi just like that? Go and comfort her! If I were her, I’d be just as furious. I don’t like this unchivalrous manner of yours.”
“Ms. Larson, I’m truly sorry,” Carter said through gritted teeth.
Jennifer looked at Carter contemptuously. “Carter, are you apologizing to me because of this woman?”
Carter frowned. He was evidently on the verge of an eruption.
“Ms. Larson, we don’t know each other all that well. If you’re gonna keep this up, I won’t hesitate to call a taxi to send you home,” Carter said, his face thunderous.
Jennifer pouted, then replied sulkily, “I’m sorry I was being rude.”
Amelia shrugged. “Carter, you’d better send Ms. Larson back. I’ve already called someone to pick me up.”
Carter obstinately remained by her side, insisting, “Let me send you home. You’re thoroughly soaked, and I can’t leave you shivering here alone. Take a shower when you get back, and drink some hot tea. Don’t catch a cold! Remember you have to take care of someone else besides yourself now.” Carter said the last sentence almost in a whisper.
Amelia laughed in amusement. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. Go ahead and send Ms. Larson back. Oscar will be here soon.”
Carter said wilfully, “I can’t leave you here alone. Let me accompany you until he comes. I’ll send Ms. Larson back afterward.”
Carter was stubborn as a mule in all matters concerning Amelia.
“Ms. Larson, I’m very sorry that I can’t drive you around today. Let me call a taxi to send you back,” Carter repeated.
Jennifer was surprisingly good-natured for once. Smiling, she replied, “I’ll accompany you as well then. Ms. Winters is such an attractive woman, and I hear that there are many bad characters in this area. We shouldn’t risk anything happening to Ms. Winters.”
