Chapter 232: Do You Really Think I'm That Kind of Person?
"You're going to be the death of me!"
"I certainly hope you live a long life, but if you insist on tearing Emily and me apart, or even do anything to hurt her..."
He paused, his voice carrying bone-chilling finality: "I won't hesitate to make that earlier drill a reality. But if anything truly happens to Emily, I'll never marry again. I'll focus entirely on raising the three children."
"You... you've lost your mind!"
Charles let out a cold laugh, dropping another bombshell: "And if Emily gets hurt, I'll make Kismet pay with her life. I know exactly what she's been up to."
This statement stunned not only Ollie but Emily as well, who looked up at Charles in shock.
Was he willing to go that far for her?
Ollie: "You'd say such things for the sake of Emily?"
Charles: "I'm not joking. You'd better remember what I said today."
Ollie was so infuriated by Charles's relentless pressure, he nearly rolled his eyes: "I just think she's too fragile to support the Windsor family! When did I ever say I'd hurt her? What kind of monster do you think I am? At most, I'd try to break you two up—how could I possibly harm an innocent young woman!"
This outburst left Charles momentarily speechless.
He suddenly understood what Ollie was really angry about.
Ollie wasn't mad that Charles insisted on being with Emily—he was hurt that Charles didn't trust his character.
That was it. All of Ollie's challenges to Emily had been fair and square. Someone with his traditional values would never stoop to underhanded tactics.
Charles had misunderstood Ollie.
But Ollie didn't give Charles a chance to apologize. He stomped his foot in anger and stormed out, even his retreating figure radiating profound disappointment and hurt.
The office fell into silence.
Kate cautiously poked her head in, curious: "Charles, what exactly did Kismet do to Emily to make you this furious?"
Charles shot her an icy look: "Don't ask about things that aren't your business."
Emily gently tugged at Charles's sleeve, whispering: "Let it go. Kate and Kismet are close friends—don't put her in an awkward position."
Kate and Kismet had indeed grown up together as best friends. Seeing Charles refuse to explain and Emily reluctant to elaborate, she could only shrug: "Alright, alright, I won't ask."
She checked her watch and reminded them: "Emily, it's almost curfew—you should head back to the dormitory. Charles, you should also tone it down and stop provoking Mr. Ollie Windsor."
Charles snorted coldly, stubbornly: "He had it coming."
Kate shook her head helplessly and winked at Emily: "I'll leave you two alone then. Just watch the time, okay?"
With that, she playfully stuck out her tongue and left the office.
The office was once again left to just Charles and Emily.
Emily looked up at Charles, asking softly: "Weren't you a bit too harsh with great-uncle just now?"
Charles raised an eyebrow: "Harsh? I thought I was being too easy on him. If it weren't for the fact that he's my elder..."
Before he could finish, Emily suddenly stood on tiptoe and gave him a light kiss on the lips: "Your reward."
Charles's eyes lit up, and just as he was about to deepen the kiss, Emily nimbly dodged away, laughing as she ran toward the door: "Curfew time! Goodbye, Mr. Windsor!"
Charles watched her escape, smiling helplessly: "You enchanting woman!"
However, his expression quickly grew serious again.
It was time to deal with Kismet.
Emily jogged away from the office, her face still flushed red. Charles was getting better and better at being charming!
She walked along the training camp's path toward the dormitory, the night breeze cooling her face and helping her regain some composure. Just then, a figure stepped out from behind a tree.
"Emily!" Sean stood before her, his eyes burning with intensity.
Emily jumped: "Sean? It's so late—what are you doing here?"
Sean took a deep breath, as if gathering great courage: "Emily, I know Mr. Windsor proposed to you. But as long as you're not officially married yet, I still have a chance, right?"
Emily rubbed her forehead helplessly: "Sean, I've already made myself crystal clear. We're impossible. I have a boyfriend and three children..."
"I don't care!" Sean interrupted urgently. "I really don't care if you have kids! I can be a father to those three children—I'll treat them like my own! Emily, just give me one chance, please?"
Emily looked at this persistent young man, feeling both touched and exasperated: "Sean, you're a good person who deserves someone better. Charles and I truly love each other—we're getting married soon."
"But..." Sean tried to say more.
"No buts, Sean. Don't waste any more time on me. Good night."
With that, she hurried away, leaving Sean standing alone.
Having finally escaped Sean, Emily had just reached the bottom of the dormitory building when another figure blocked her path.
"Emily!" Zoey glared at her furiously. "How long are you going to keep seducing Sean?"
Emily felt like she was about to lose it—was this April Fool's Day? Why was everyone lining up to confront her?
"Zoey, I think you've misunderstood. Sean and I have nothing going on. I just clearly rejected him."
Zoey sneered: "If you really rejected him, you'd stay away from him! Why do you get to have Charles and still string Sean along? Give him back to me!"
Emily patiently tried to explain: "I haven't been stringing anyone along. Sean came to find me himself, and I've clearly rejected him."
Zoey wouldn't listen: "Stop acting so innocent! If you really weren't interested in him, you'd avoid him completely! Instead of maintaining this kind of ambiguous relationship with him!"
Seeing it was pointless to reason with her, Emily simply gave up: "Think whatever you want. I'm going back to my room."
Zoey shouted after her: "Emily, I'm warning you! Stay away from Sean! Otherwise, I won't let you get away with it!"
Emily walked into the dormitory building without looking back, finding the whole situation ridiculous. These people were absurd—she couldn't wait to finish all the evaluations and leave this place. Who had time to play these romantic games with them?
Anyway, once all the tests were over, she could return to Obscura Fashion. There was no need to waste words on these training camp people.
With this thought, Emily's mood improved considerably. She quickened her pace back to her room, planning to take a hot shower and get some good rest.
Meanwhile, in Kate's office.
Charles didn't go find Kismet himself. He directly called her, his voice ice-cold as he issued his command: "Come to Kate's office. Now."