Chapter 6

Half an hour later, Caroline was in the car that Jude had prepared and headed toward Starlust Hotel. Only after she had arrived did she learn from the butler that it was a party.

"Is Eddy here, too?" Caroline asked. She absolutely did not want to see him.

The butler, however, misunderstood. He smiled and said, "Don't worry, Ms. Evans. He'll be here soon."

Caroline was speechless. Would she be able to leave in time?

But then, the door opened. Caroline had nowhere to go. Thus, she greeted, "Grandpa."

"Oh!" Jude smiled when he saw Caroline. "Come, Carrie. Sit here with me."

She sat next to him. Just then, she realized that everyone had yet to begin eating. They were probably waiting for someone important to arrive.

As if reading her mind, Jude said with a chuckle, "We're here to celebrate Eddy's uncle's return to the country."

Although Kirk had asked to keep this a secret, Jude had faith in Caroline. He believed that she would not be loose-lipped.

Caroline was dazed for a moment before remembering that Jude had a brother who had moved out of the country when he was young and single-handedly created a business empire. Rumor had it that his son was even better, turning the company into the largest in the country. However, he kept a low profile and never appeared on the news.

Caroline began feeling excited to see this miraculous person tonight.

Right then, the door opened once again. Caroline looked over at once, but her gaze turned cold instantly.

Eddy's smile froze on his face. He could not conceal the hatred in his eyes. "Why are you here?"

Caroline sucked in her hatred for him and said expressionlessly, "To see Grandpa."

Eddy sneered. She was here to tell on him, wasn't she? He hated incapable women who told tales to his family the most.

He ignored her and glanced around the room. "Where's Uncle?"

"He's gone out to take a phone call." Jude looked at him and then at Caroline. "Your uncle is already married. Isn't it time for you too, Eddy?"

Caroline's heart thumped. She grabbed the hem of her shirt.

"Grandpa …"

Eddy's voice was louder than hers. "It's up to you, Grandpa."

Caroline was stunned. Before, when Jude brought up marriage, Eddy had opposed it. Now, to obtain her kidney, he tried to manipulate his grandfather.

She tightened her fists under the table.

But Jude and Thomas were smiling hard. This was Eddy's first time agreeing to the marriage. As if afraid that he would go back on his word, they asked Caroline, "What do you think, Carrie?"

Caroline took multiple deep breaths and calmed down abruptly. Since he was being merciless, she would not hold back either.

She lowered her gaze and said shyly, "I … I don't mind, Grandpa."

Jude's laughter filled the room. "That's wonderful. I will get someone to arrange a date for you."

Eddy glanced at Caroline, thinking that she was probably over the moon. His disgust toward her grew stronger.

But then, Caroline said timidly, "Grandpa, I have more to say."

Everyone looked at her.

She bit her lip as if making a tough decision. "Since we've decided to marry … may I ask that Eddy keep his mistress in order?" Then, she added, "I'm not angry. He can have all the girlfriends he wants. I just don't want this to upset our marriage so soon."

At once, the entire room fell silent.

Eddy's face was scarlet. He only had Layla, but Caroline had made it seem like he had a whole harem. Jude hated infidelity the most.

She'd done this on purpose!

He lowered his gaze. "Do you have any proof of that?" He and Layla had been careful. They'd been together for three years without anyone noticing.

Caroline batted her eyes, choking out, "I didn't quite believe it until I saw the videos. I didn't think that you would have so many women besides me, Eddy."

Eddy sneered. She was really getting into it. "Why don't you show us your evidence?"

Caroline sobbed. "I deleted them after seeing them. They'll just hurt me if I keep them." Then, she wiped away her tears and smiled. "If we're happy together, I won't bring this up again."

Eddy's face was as sour as a lemon. He'd been fooled. Caroline had no such videos, but she knew that Jude had absolute faith in her. Even without evidence, he would take her side.

And, as expected, Jude raised his cane in anger and whacked Eddy hard with it. "You little shit! How could our family raise a joke like you?"

Jude's cane was custom-made. It was silent when making contact, but even a gentle tap would cause painful injuries.

Eddy's back was quickly stained with blood.

His face was as black as thunder, and he nearly fell.

Before, Caroline would be upset at such a sight. But now, she felt that Eddy deserved it. She looked up, just happening to catch his gaze.

The corners of Caroline's lips lifted ever so slightly. She tugged on Jude's arm meekly, saying, "Don't be angry, Grandpa. It's my fault. I shouldn't have said all those things."

He put his cane down with a huff. "Look at you! Look at Carrie and how sensible she is! Go back and cut off all your shameful relationships, or I'll never forgive you!"

This was Eddy's first time being beaten, and it was at the hands of the woman he looked down on the most. He was furious, but he had to admit defeat. "I was wrong, Grandpa."

Everyone knew how much Jude doted on Caroline. Since Eddy had yet to succeed him, he had to suck it up.

Jude calmed down. "You have to be a good husband to Caroline in the future, understood?"

Eddy looked at the smile behind Caroline's eyes, clenching his fists so hard that his knuckles crackled.

His heart was stone cold.

"Just you wait, Caroline! Once we get married, I will give you a taste of hell," Eddy thought.

Meanwhile, Caroline smiled calmly at Eddy's cold gaze. She had been tolerant, but Eddy kept pushing her to the brink. Since that was the case, she would teach him a lesson in whatever way she could.

If he wanted to force her to marry him, they would see who could hold out longest.

Seeing that things were heating up, Thomas said, "Eddy, your uncle isn't here yet. Go and see if he's lost."

Eddy didn't want to stay here any longer, anyway. He took the chance to leave. "I'm going to find him, Grandpa."

Jude waved him away. He was his grandson, after all. Seeing that he had agreed to marry Caroline, he would not argue with him for too long as long as he behaved from now on.

Caroline stood as well. "I'm going to the restroom, Grandpa."

She needed to take a breather.