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Chapter 53 So He Needs Blind Dates Too
“Don’t get worked up. I just wanted to… connect emotionally with you, Auntie,”
Mia’s weak voice carried a subtle chill.
“After all, I’m going to marry into the Jackson family sooner or later. I’ll have to start calling you ‘Mom‘ eventually, right? Mommy”
She said it sweetly.
But Caroline Jenkins felt a chill down her spine.
She had the terrifying sense that this girl was like a ghost clinging to them thrown into chaos.
She never should’ve let this ghost into their lives in the first place
Now, it was far too late for regret.
Five days later.
her son, the entire Jackson family, all about to be
Candice’s leg had mostly healed.
These days had been eerily peaceful
—
too peaceful.
Kyle hadn’t come looking for her.
Given the scandal on T*****r, he probably had his hands full. Mia, being the target of online outrage, and the Jones family, now under public scrutiny, surely wouldn’t let him off easy.
Candice had braced herself for retaliation. After calling Sophia that day, she started to worry – what if the Jones family couldn’t get to her here and decided to go after her parents instead?
The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. That very night, she called her father and asked him to take her mother to visit her grandmother for a few days.
The official excuse was to check on the elderly, but really, it was a precaution — just in case.
They didn’t say much during the call.
Sophia had already told them the full story. The questions, the worry, the concern
Her father only told her to take care of herself.
they were all swallowed up by silence.
She’d prepared for every possibility – and yet, the Jones family hadn’t shown up at the compound, hadn’t gone to her family’s home, not even one harassing phone call.
Meanwhile, the topic was still trending on T*****r.
Were they plotting something big?
Or maybe… still hesitant because of Charlie?
Could one act of support at a charity banquet really carry that much weight?
Speaking of Charlie ever since she started staying here, he hadn’t appeared once. Even Jim had moved to the servant’s quarters, only showing up for meals.
Obviously trying to avoid suspicion.
Sometimes, this man could be so gentlemanly… and considerate.
That evening, Candice saw Jim in the kitchen, preparing dinner.
Chapter 53 So He Needs Blind Dates Too
She went in to help and chat a bit.
“Jim, where has the boss been staying these days?”
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“You don’t need to worry about young master ending up homeless” Jim smiled. “This place is just a temporary residence – it’s close to the office, more convenient. Since he let you stay here, host went back home. The old master and madam were missing him anyway.”
Candice nodded in understanding.
“Home” meant the Clemens estate, of course.
Jim seemed to remember something amusing and leaned in a bit.
“Actually, there was an important reason they had him come back
Candice played along, “What important reason?”
“Blind dates.”
“…Charlie goes on blind dates!
“As the eldest son of the family, his marriage is top priority. A couple years ago, they pressured him during Chinese New Year. He agreed to meet some society ladies, but nothing came of it. Back then he was still focused on work in the States, left after the holiday, and Mrs. Clemens couldn’t really force him. But now that he’s back for good, I doubt he can run anymore.”
“So even someone like him can’t escape the curse of parental matchmaking…”
Candice couldn’t help but marvel.
–
She always thought things like arranged dates and marriage pressure belonged to the mundane world — and Charlie, aloof and dazzling at the top of the pyramid, didn’t seem like someone who dealt with that.
He should always stay a bit untouchable, mysterious, like a celestial being above the mundane. That suited him.
Jim sighed, “Young master’s just… emotionally indifferent, especially about relationships.”
Really?
Then what about Jessica all the love, hate, pain and obsession she showed?
–
Charlie claimed he didn’t like women, but Candice didn’t buy that he and Jessica had nothing.
The likeliest story? They’d been in love once. Something happened Charlie ended it unilaterally. Jessica never got over it.
—
And maybe – just maybe Charlie did still care about her deep down. He just liked seeing her suffer. That pain gave him a sick kind of satisfaction…
Candice let her mind wander through that drama silently. Out loud, she only offered a safe, neutral comment:
“Well, fate works in mysterious ways. Who knows? Maybe one of these society girls will capture his heart.”
“I’ll take that blessing.”
Just as she said it, a low, cool voice came from the doorway.
Candice jumped and turned – Charlie was standing at the kitchen entrance.
Good Lord. How long had he been standing there?
How much did he hear??
Jim avoided his gaze completely. The man almost never gossiped
and the one time he did, he got caught red–handed.
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Chapter 53 So He Needs Blind Dates Too
Their expressions screamed guilt.
Charlie gave them a chilly glance,
“No need to cook. Just grab a stool, buy some sunflower seeds, and head to the gate to gossip like retirees.”
Candice: “…”
>>
Jim: “…”
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They got the sarcasm loud and clear.
Charlie turned and left the kitchen.
Candice hesitated, then followed him all the way to the study.
He went in, came out with something in hand, and headed for the door clearly just here to grab something, not stay.
As he reached the foyer, Candice called out to him, intending to apologize.
But in her fluster, she fumbled, “Hey–um, dinner’s almost ready want to stay and eat?”
Charlie paused, turned slightly, his dark, fox–like eyes curving into a mocking smile.
“No thanks. I’ve got a blind date. Who knows
might be my fated match.”
Candice: “…”
Speechless.
And then he was gone.
Candice slumped.
Was he always this petty?
–
She mentally reviewed every word she’d said earlier all perfectly polite and full of good wishes!
Jim came out, trying to comfort her.
“It’s okay. Young master’s not that petty. He’ll forget about it in a day or two. Come eat.”
Candice wasn’t as optimistic.
With Charlie, offending him was as easy as breathing one misstep and boom, you were out.
She picked at her food, appetite gone.
Halfway through the meal, her phone rang.
The caller made her freeze it was her father–in–law.
—
Caroline Jenkins’s calls, she could reject.
Kyle’s? Instantly blocked.
But Richard Jackson…
He’d always been polite with her, and carried himself with the dignity of an elder.
And she still respected him as the chairman of Aureate Group, and as a man.
After a pause, she set her chopsticks down and answered.
“Hello, Chairman.”
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Chapter 53 So He Needs Chod Dates Toa
That’s what she always called him
publicly, privately,
Polite, but distant.
She refused to call them Dad or Mom. They didn’t deserve it.
“Candice,” Richard Jackson’s voice was warm, but firm.
“You and Kyle still need to sit down and talk. Avoiding him won‘
Chapter 53 So He Needs Blind Dates Too
That’s what she always called him publicly, privately.
Polite, but distant.
She refused to call them Dad or Mom. They didn’t deserve it.
“Candice,” Richard Jackson’s voice was warm, but firm.
“You and Kyle still need to sit down and talk. Avoiding him won’t solve anything. Come home tomorrow night.”
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