CHAPTER 291

Chapter 291

At Kelly’s words, the worry that had been gnawing Charlie’s heart finally began to ease. The fear that she might reject him and dislike him had been his greatest terror. “How terrifying?” Charlie muttered under his breath. Knowing that Claire didn’t break up with him because she hated him made him feel slightly petulant and somewhat proud. Kelly, however, remained silent. Meanwhile, Hayden tactfully stayed out of their conversation, sensing the delicate nature of the moment. “How terrifying can it be? Do I look like someone who gets scared casily?” Charlie said defiantly.

Kelly smiled wryly before she spoke, “My grandpa had a wife and multiple lovers, fathering twelve children in total. In the end, only my dad survived. My dad, too, followed in his footsteps, taking many lovers besides his wife, who together bore him nine children. However, none of them survived. I… was born when my dad traveled to Zentiscape before his marriage and had a fling. Since all the children of the Jones family had perished, they finally thought of me and decided to bring me back.”

“When I returned to join the Jones family, my mom officially became my dad’s wife. Upon my return to the Jones family fold, my mom was formally married to my dad. His first wife was divorced, left with no room to object. Chuck, the Jones family… it’s tainted. It doesn’t suit you,” Kelly added with a sigh. Charlie found himself rendered utterly speechless by her revelations, and Hayden was equally taken aback.

“Do you have to be the heir of their family?” Charlie asked, his voice filled with frustration and pain. He couldn’t fathom why she would choose to remain in such a sordid, horrifying place as she had described.

“Chuck, my mom is here,” Kelly explained with a bitter smile, looking deeply into Charlie’s eyes, her expression grave. “She loves my dad. She’s a hopeless romantic. Despite how hard I’ve tried to convince her, she refuses to leave him. I can’t just abandon her. Besides, my dad is a very dark, sinister figure, and he’s well aware of my fears for her. He manipulates this fact to control me, threatening my mom’s safety to ensure my compliance. If I refuse to stay, he would torment her… maybe even worse. Chuck, they wouldn’t hesitate. They’re capable of murder. Everyone in the Jones family, related by blood or romance, they’re all driven by their twisted desires. That’s why I’ve vowed never to marry or have children. I can’t risk having my children suffer the same fates as the other unfortunate souls in the Jones family, murdered by their own kin at a tender age.”

Charlie was left speechless, aghast at the revelation. Naturally, he didn’t want his future children to end up murdering each other or suffer any harm. The realization that the members of the Jones family were indeed monstrous people hit him hard. “But I do like you,” Charlie stated stubbornly. “What if we just stay together and decide not to have children? That way, we don’t have to worry about them being targets of internal family plots,” he proposed earnestly. Kelly, stunned by his suggestion, stared at Charlie, contemplating his words.

The more Charlie considered it, the more sensible it seemed to him. He believed they didn’t need any more children, considering how the Carter family already had plenty. Stacey and Hayden had five children; Adrian had two; even Bryce, who seldom visited, had two sons. Carter Villa practically functioned like a childcare center, constantly bustling with children playing every time he visited. Thus, the idea of not having children didn’t bother him. “No,” Kelly replied sharply, without a moment’s hesitation. She didn’t want Charlie to sacrifice the chance to have his own children

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because of her. You should leave. Don’t try to find he again,” she added somberly

Hayden, who had been quietly observing, could no longer keep his silence. “Kelly, if you believe that distancing yourself from Charlie will improve his life, think about this. If you don’t marry him. he might end up never marrying or having children. He could be alone forever,” Hayden inimised Kelly was visibly shaken by his words and turned to look at Charlie, who returned her gaze. “Could you two at least exchange contact information? Hayden suggested.

These two had been at odds since they met and had yet to even exchange phone numbers. Without contact details, maintaining any form of relationship after they parted would be impossible. Prompted by Hayden’s suggestion, Charlie quickly snapped out of his reverie and hastily pulled out his phone. “What’s your number?” he asked eagerly Initially, Kelly hadn’t considered exchanging numbers, but Hayden’s earlier comment deeply affected her. After a brief hesitation, she finally gave Charlie her private number, saving his number in her phone in return.

It was working hours, so she didn’t have much time to chat with them. Moreover, they couldn’t linger for too long either, lest the ever–watchful collateral relatives, eyeing the assets of Jones Group, grew suspicious. Kelly gently ushered Hayden and Charlie out, stating she needed time to process and reflect. Though anxious, Charlie had no choice but to respect Kelly’s request for space. After they left the headquarters of Jones Group, Charlie followed Hayden back to the hotel, where he couldn’t resist voicing his anxieties aloud. “Hayden, do you think Claire will refuse to be with me? What if she still doesn’t want me?” Charlie’s mind was overrun with turmoil.

Hayden deliberated for a moment before responding, “Instead of worrying about that, you should focus on honing your marksmanship and combat arts. If you have the time, it’d be best to learn some medical skills as well.” Charlie looked perplexed as Hayden continued, “There are many dangers within Jones Group. If you insist on being with Kelly, you’ll likely face daily threats of assassination, ambush, and poisoning.”

Charlie frowned deeply, musing aloud, “Jones Group is too perilous. Maybe I should just run away with Claire. And if she’s concerned about her mom, we can take her with us.” Hayden remained silent, knowing Charlie was merely grappling with his thoughts. Deep down, Charlie was aware of the harsh realities that would come with entangling himself with the Jones Group. After sharing his thoughts, Charlie lapsed into a long silence. He remained quiet for several hours until the sun had set and Hayden called him to dinner. As he stood up, Charlie murmured to himself, “She’s not cut out for this kind of life. Claire was never like this before. She used to be such a simple, joyful girl.

Hayden was at a loss for words. Although he wasn’t familiar with what Kelly had been like previously, he had certainly heard about the daunting and fierce power struggles that plagued Jones Group. “Let’s go, it’s time to eat,” he suggested, breaking the awkward silence.

Charlie nodded in agreement and replied, “Okay.” Together, they left their room and enjoyed a

meal at the hotel’s restaurant. After dinner, as they returned to their room, Charlie, driven by a sudden curiosity, inquired, “Hayden, how did you manage to win over Becky’s heart?”

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