Chapter 200 Military Training
Just then, Wallace came downstairs and quickly tried to smooth things over, "Uncle, please don't get so worked up. I know Emily well—she may seem gentle, but she's very decisive in her actions. Obscura Fashion has flourished under her leadership, and she's now successfully taken over Mirage Fashion, too. Her capabilities are genuinely impressive. Besides, Charles clearly adores her. I think they're perfect together."
Ollie shot Wallace a withering glare. "What do you know? The Windsor family's future can't be sustained by running a few clothing companies! The Windsor family needs a woman who can help Charles control power and step up when it matters most! Emily can't even fire a gun. When danger strikes, she'll just hide behind her man. How could she protect herself? How could she protect the Windsor family?"
Despite feeling uncomfortable under Ollie's aggressive tone, Emily maintained her composure, "Great-uncle, I admit I don't understand 'Reaper,' and I can't shoot a gun. But I have the ability to protect myself and my children, and I can help Charles manage domestic business affairs excellently. The Windsor family's future needs more than just overseas influence—a solid domestic foundation is equally important. I believe I can excel in that role."
Ollie let out a cold laugh. "I can see you have no idea what you're up against! When you actually face real danger, you'll realize just how useless you are!"
"Great-uncle! Emily is the woman I've chosen to marry. I won't let her face danger. I'm grateful for your offer to pass your organization to me, but if I have to trade Emily for it, then I'd rather have nothing! I, Charles Windsor, can protect my family even without inheriting your empire!"
Ollie was stunned. He'd never expected Charles would give up the empire he'd fought so hard to build, all for Emily. His whole body trembled with rage, "You... you fool! I've wasted all these years caring about you!"
"Great-uncle, I know you mean well. But Emily is the only woman I want to spend my life with. I won't give her up for anything." He gripped Emily's hand, his gaze both tender and unwavering.
That look made Kismet's heart ache. She'd never seen such an expression on Charles's face before.
Had Charles really fallen so deeply for this woman during her absence?
How was that possible?
Charles belonged to her!
He always had! No one was going to take him away!
Seeing Ollie shaking with fury, Kismet quickly stepped forward to support his arm. "Great-uncle, please don't upset yourself. A woman as gentle, beautiful, and capable as Ms. Johnson, even I'm fond of her, let alone Charles. I've only reached my current position through years of gradual learning. Someone as intelligent as Ms. Johnson will surely advance even faster."
Every sentence seemed designed to defuse the situation while actually stoking Ollie's anger further.
She was simultaneously mocking Emily as good for nothing but pleasing men while positioning herself as the one truly capable of helping Charles.
Already seething with rage, Ollie's expression grew even colder as he looked at Emily, "Look at that! Even Kismet shows more strategic thinking than you! Besides charming Charles and having babies, what else can you do?"
Seeing the tension escalate, Wallace quickly pushed the three children forward to lighten the mood, "Uncle, the children are still here—don't frighten them. Jasper, Ethan, Emma, come say hello to your great-grandfather."
Jasper took Ethan and Emma's hands and politely bowed, "Hello, Great-grandfather."
Having already sensed that this Ollie disliked his mother, his expression lacked the warmth he'd shown William, replaced instead by visible wariness.
Emma tilted her little head, studying Ollie's stern face, and asked with childish honesty, "Why do you keep being mean to my mommy? My mommy is amazing."
Being so young, she didn't understand adult conflicts. She only knew someone was bullying her mother and felt compelled to defend her.
Ollie was momentarily taken aback that such a small child would challenge him directly, his expression darkening further, "What do you know! Children should stay out of adult business!"
Jasper immediately stepped protectively in front of Emma, his small frame standing ramrod straight, his gaze ice-cold, "Great-grandfather, Mommy hasn't done anything wrong. You shouldn't speak to her that way."
That sharp, determined look was completely unlike what you'd expect from a five-year-old. Ollie felt an inexplicable shock—the child's eyes were identical to Charles's at that age.
But this boy was only five years old.
Charles observed the children's reactions with a mixture of warmth and pain in his heart. He stepped forward, shielding Emily and all three children behind him, "Great-uncle, Emily and the children are my bottom line. If you can accept her, we'll have a pleasant dinner together. If you can't, then there's no point in this meal—we'll leave right now."
"You!" Ollie was so furious he couldn't form words, pointing at Charles while struggling to complete a sentence. After several seconds of silence, he suddenly let out a cold laugh, "Fine! You want to protect her? I'll allow it! But I have one condition—let Emily undergo half a month of military training, and she must achieve an excellent rating in the final assessment. If she can do that, I'll support your relationship. If she can't, don't ever mention her to me again!"
The moment those words left his mouth, all three children exploded.
Emma threw herself into Emily's arms, her voice thick with tears, "Mommy, don't go! Training will hurt! I don't want Mommy to get hurt!"
Jasper's gaze grew even colder as he stared at Ollie, "Mommy is a designer, not a soldier! You're deliberately making things impossible for her!"
Ethan, always the most impulsive, clenched his little fists, his face flushed with anger as he moved toward Ollie, shouting, "Don't bully my mommy! If you keep bullying Mommy, I'll make you sorry!"
Fortunately, Charles caught him in time before he could charge forward.
Charles's expression turned completely grim, "This isn't a test at all; you're just making things difficult for her! Emily is an internationally renowned designer. Her expertise lies in design and management, not physical fitness! Half a month of military training with an excellent rating requirement—you're clearly setting her up to fail!"
Just then, Kismet chimed in with false sympathy, "Great-uncle, please don't be angry. Ms. Johnson spends most of her time in offices; her physical fitness certainly can't compare to ours, who exercise regularly."
Her words seemed to plead for Emily while actually mocking her poor fitness and inability to endure hardship, further inflaming Ollie's dissatisfaction with Emily.
Ollie was indeed provoked by her comments, snorting coldly, "If a Windsor family member can't overcome such basic challenges, how can we talk about supporting the Windsor family? Either accept the test or leave Charles! The Windsor family will never accept a weakling who doesn't even dare face military training!"