Labeling it as an investment might sound appealing. But in reality, it was more of a takeover. Keith knew Summer wasn't easy to fool. As the president of Charter Corporation and a business administration graduate, she should understand these things well.Keith didn't bother sugarcoating his intentions any further. "You know how big Ritter Corporation is. Accepting my investment means you can leverage our resources, and Charter Corporation can grow stronger."He wasn't wrong. With Ritter Corporation's backing, Charter Corporation could thrive. At the very least, it would protect Summer from Caroline's threats.Caroline often used the Quigley family's influence to pressure Summer. If she didn't comply, Charter Corporation would suffer. Partnering with Ritter Corporation would provide a strong defense, making it harder for Caroline to cause trouble.However, partnering with Keith was like making a pact with the devil. Summer would lose control of her company, and the business coul
Summer offered a favor in exchange for Keith agreeing to go on a date with Kelly. She was really going all out for her best friend. After all, Summer had confidently promised Kelly on the phone last night that she would help set up a date with Keith. If she failed, she would be letting her friend down. To her surprise, Keith gave a mischievous smile and agreed. "Okay. As you wish."With that, he walked past Summer, heading straight for the café’s entrance. As he walked, he casually added, "Don't forget you owe me a favor. As for the date, time, and place, you can decide."Once Keith disappeared through the café’s revolving glass door, the surroundings went quiet, as if nothing had happened at all.For some reason, Summer felt like she had fallen into Keith's trap. What if Keith asked her to put her life in danger? Would she go through with it or not?The more Summer thought about it, the more it bothered her. She felt like she'd lost her mind to make such a promise to Keith. St
Kelly had been on dates before, but they were always arranged by the men pursuing her. Now that she was the one initiating the date with Keith, she had to plan everything herself, from where they would go to what they would do. Summer had already discussed the plans with Kelly over the phone: dinner, a movie, and a walk. While these activities might seem a bit cliché, they were reliable ways to deepen their connection through shared experiences.Summer had also advised Kelly to open up and share her feelings during the date. Hopefully, she would win over Keith's heart.Kelly understood and expressed her gratitude for Summer's help. Summer simply wished her good luck with the date. Even though Summer now owed Keith a favor, she felt the sacrifice was worth it.Summer was lounging on the sofa, waiting for James to come home. Unexpectedly, his call came through before he arrived.The phone rang, and Summer picked it up. "Summie, I won't be home for dinner today. I need to go back
"James, you're back! Hurry, take a seat," Suzanne said.James' expression turned sour. He had explicitly told Caroline over the phone that he was coming home to dine with her, not with Suzanne. Yet, here Suzane was, right in the Quigley residence. Caroline anticipated her son's displeasure and explained, "You know I'm often alone here. Your father and brother are busy elsewhere, so I asked Suzanne to accompany me."She then smiled as if nothing was amiss. "Come join us, James. Let's have dinner together."James didn't move toward them. Instead, he turned to leave. He had lost his appetite for dinner, especially after he had made it clear to Caroline that he didn't want to see Suzanne.Since Caroline could break her word, he saw no reason why he couldn't leave. Without looking back, James headed for the door.Caroline had anticipated James' reaction. Hence, she signaled Luca and the other bodyguards to block his path. "Mr. Quigley, please wait. Mrs. Quigley has more to say."Ign
For James, love was paramount. Because of love, everything else seemed insignificant, like dust. He was willing to give up on his high position in the Quigley family and become a nameless beggar just so that he could be with Summer."I won't let Summie go. Mom, please don't waste your efforts," James said firmly.The battle lines seemed to be drawn. Normally, Caroline would back down when she saw James so upset out of her love for him. But today, she was determined not to yield.Standing up from her chair, Caroline argued, "Traditionally, families of equal standing should marry. Summer's background doesn't match ours!"She paused before addressing the heart of the matter. "James, even if I agreed to your marriage with Summer because you love her, she still hasn't fulfilled her duty. It's been over a year, and there's no sign of a child."Caroline couldn't compromise on this matter. A child was crucial to continue the Quigley family's legacy. Without a child, everything was at risk
"Why not consider…" Caroline didn't continue speaking. However, James understood her intentions; Caroline wanted to seize the opportunity and persuade him to divorce Summer.There was no way James would relent. He scoffed, "It's just a matter of time that Summie gets pregnant. Mom, there's no need to force us to divorce."After that, James lost interest in continuing the discussion. He strode out the door, ignoring Caroline's calls to stop. Frustrated, she had no choice but to let him go.Luca shuffled in quietly, bowing slightly. "Mrs. Quigley, perhaps it's best not to rush this. Mr. Quigley is quite stubborn and hard to sway."Caroline nodded, knowing Luca was right. She knew James' temperament well, and pushing too hard might have the opposite effect. Hence, Caroline resolved to let things unfold on their own. But she was sure that Summer had no future in their family.Three days later, the Charter Corporation buzzed with its usual activities. Summer had just returned home fr
Kelly, still sounding dejected, whispered on the phone, "Summie, what should I do? After this date, I doubt Keith will want to meet me again."The opportunity Summer secured for Kelly was just a one-time date. Logically, after one date, Kelly shouldn't expect a second chance.Summer wanted to get her friend another opportunity to meet with Keith, though. Although she suspected he wouldn't agree, she didn't want Kelly to feel let down. So, Summer said, "How about this? I'll give him a call and see if I can work something out. I don't think Keith would mind a second date.""Really?""Yeah. I'll do my best to talk to him. If it works out, I'll call you back.""Great! Thanks so much, Summie." Kelly finally felt slightly hopeful. Although Summer promised to do her best to get Kelly another date with Keith, she couldn't say for sure she'd succeed. She thought there was a high chance it wouldn't work out. But given the situation, she had to try. It wasn't every day that Kelly could
Keith laughed as if Summer had just said a ridiculous joke. He said with disdain and mockery, "Do you really think Kelly and I are a good match? I've looked into her background. Even as a birthing tool, she doesn't measure up to me."Keith's words were harsh. He implied that marriage was only about having children, and he spoke of Kelly as if she were beneath him. Summer's anger flared. She could tolerate insults directed at her but not at her friends."Keith, mind your words. Just because Kelly likes you doesn't mean you can disregard her feelings and trample on her dignity.""Sorry, but that's just who I am." With that, Keith saw no point in continuing the conversation and hung up without another word.Summer was fuming as she heard the dial tone buzzing in her ears. Glaring at her phone, she muttered through clenched teeth, "That jerk! How dare he hang up on me!"Summer couldn't stand when others hung up on her—it was incredibly rude. Anger flared within her, but alongside it