Chapter 6

Cedarcrest Estates.

A motorcycle roared into Charles’ driveway, its engine betraying a hint of urgency.

Alice removed her helmet without even setting the motorcycle properly on its kickstand. She rushed straight over to Charles.

“Are you all right? Were you hurt anywhere? What did Kane Carter do to you?”

Alice’s anxious eyes glistened with tears.

She had rushed over the moment she heard that Kane had gone to Cedarcrest Estates.

Kane had established himself in Rivergate’s criminal underworld in less than a year through his ruthless methods. Anyone he targeted had never met a good end.

Charles deliberately hopped twice and said with a smile, “I’m completely unharmed. Nothing happened.”

Alice examined him in confusion. It seemed he truly had not suffered so much as a scratch.

“How is that possible? He’s Kane Carter!”

Charles did not know how to react. “Are you relieved or disappointed?”

Alice shook her head in panic. “How could I be disappointed? Of course not. It’s good that you weren’t hurt. It’s just that…”

Charles cut her off before she could think too deeply. “All right, all right. I’m fine. You don’t need to worry. However, I’m hungry now.”

Alice’s tense nerves relaxed at once, and she sank to the ground.

She had imagined all kinds of possibilities on the way there and scared herself half to death.

“I’ll treat you to dinner since you were so worried about me.”

They left the estate.

Charles saw the motorcycle lying on the ground and smiled. “Were you really in such a hurry that you didn’t even have time to put your motorcycle on its stand?”

Alice said, “The wind knocked it over.”

Charles smiled. “The wind must have been very strong.”

He walked over to the motorcycle and lifted it upright with ease.

Alice stared at him, completely dumbfounded.

Once a heavy motorcycle fell over, lifting it upright was extremely difficult. Even an adult would struggle with its weight, yet Charles made it look effortless.

Alice asked curiously, “Have you trained before?”

Charles shrugged. “If we don’t leave soon, I’m going to starve to death.”

Alice climbed onto the motorcycle, and Charles took the back seat.

“Hold on to me.”

Charles remained perfectly still.

Alice continued, “Put your arms around my waist. I can’t afford to pay for your medical bills if you fall.”

Charles still did not move.

Alice puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. The moment she twisted the throttle, she slammed on the brakes.

The sudden jolt of inertia forced Charles’ chest against her back.

Only then did Alice set off, satisfied.

“Do you think you and Sophia might get back together?”

“Reading the same book twice may give you a different perspective, but it won’t change the way the story ends.”

A hopeful smile lifted the corners of Alice’s lips.

Her love for Charles had remained unchanged.

They arrived at the Golden Crown Restaurant.

It was one of Charles’ favorite restaurants.

The moment they reached the entrance, someone stopped them.

“I’m sorry, but we can’t serve you here.”

The server looked directly at Charles as he said this, making his meaning obvious.

Charles asked, “Are you worried I can’t afford to pay?”

The restaurant’s owner, Evan Wells, came out at that moment.

“Charles, starting today, you’re no longer welcome here.”

Charles frowned. “Evan, have you forgotten how this restaurant became successful?”

Evan did not deny it. “Your help did play a major role in building the restaurant’s business.

“But things have changed. You’re nothing now, and everyone in Rivergate knows that Sophia is divorcing you.

“Besides, I’ve reserved your private table for the owner of Kingston Industries. No one else is worthy of sitting there.”

Alice said indignantly, “Evan, you’re such a fair-weather opportunist. Without Charles, this restaurant would have gone under long ago.”

Evan turned a cold expression on Alice. “I suggest you cut ties with him as soon as possible. Otherwise, you won’t end well. Now get lost before you embarrass yourself.”

Alice’s clenched fist trembled uncontrollably.

She saw that Charles had already returned to the motorcycle, so she could only let it go.

Charles smiled. “Everyone knows that staying away from me is the best choice now. Why are you being so foolish?”

Alice took a deep breath and calmed herself. She did not answer Charles directly.

“Come to my place. I’ll cook for you. Get on!”

Charles smiled helplessly and climbed onto the back seat again.

Alice had never changed, but Charles could not understand why she remained so determined.

They returned to Alice’s home.

A middle-aged man was sitting on the sofa. Alice grew tense the moment she saw him.

“Dad, what are you doing at my place?”

He walked up to Alice and said sternly, “If I hadn’t gone to your company, how much longer were you planning to keep this from me?

“Tell me. Why did you sell the company?”

Alice turned to Charles. “I’m sorry. I’ll cook for you another time. You should go home first.”

Victor Oliver said to Charles, “I hope you’ll stay away from my daughter from today onward. You should know exactly what kind of situation you’re in. Don’t drag her down with you.”

Charles felt no hostility toward Victor.

As Alice’s father, Victor had every right to say those things.

“My daughter used to love you, but you looked down on her. Now that you’ve fallen, you’ve come back to bother her. How can you live with yourself?

“If you’re still a man, you shouldn’t hurt a woman who once loved you!”

Alice hurried to explain, “Dad, he isn’t bothering me. I was the one who went looking for him.”

Victor raised his hand abruptly, but instead of striking Alice, he slapped himself hard across the face.

“How did I end up with such a foolish daughter? He’s already finished.

“Sophia divorced him, and Horizon Group has nothing to do with him anymore.

“He’s nothing but a useless man. What could you possibly still see in him?

“Besides, Kingston Industries owns Rivergate’s future. Charles has no chance of making a comeback.”

Alice pushed Charles out of the house. She did not want him to hear her father’s harsh words.

Charles leaned against the doorway, took out a cigarette, and lit it.

That woman really was foolish, and her feelings for him had never changed.

Perhaps it was time to give her something in return?

Charles muttered to himself, “If Mary hadn’t said anything back then, I probably would have ended up with Alice, wouldn’t I? But I guess it’s not too late.”

Inside the house.

When Alice told Victor why she sold her company, he flew into a rage.

“You’re so stupid, hopelessly stupid! You actually threw away the fruits of years of hard work for a useless man. Alice, have you lost your mind?”

Alice said firmly, “I haven’t lost my mind. I believe he can make a comeback with this money.”

Victor cursed furiously. “Bullshit! Kingston Industries is untouchable in Rivergate. Once Horizon Group partners with Kingston Industries, Sophia won’t give Charles any chance of making a comeback.”

Just then, Charles pushed open the door and walked inside.

He walked up to Alice and said something that left Victor and her utterly stunned.

“How about we get married?”