Chapter 54 Your Offer is Tempting, Mine Is Terrifying
“There’s no need to talk anymore. He already signed the divorce agreement. If you really want to help, then tell him to finish the remaining paperwork. From now on, he and 1 and the entire fackson family—will have nothing to do with each other ”
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Candice’s tone was calm.
As if she were talking about someone else’s life, not her own heartbreakingly failed marriage where she had once given everything.
She lost the bet, and she accepted it.
But she wouldn’t forget the pain just because the wound had scabbed over.
On the other end of the line, Richard Jackson was silent for a moment.
“Come home first. No matter how you’ve made up your mind, this isn’t something that can be handled by one person alone. If one side refuses to cooperate, a divorce can’t be finalized. The two of you will still need to sit down face–to–face: Don’t you agree?”
Candice said nothing.
Richard continued, “Just have dinner. It won’t kill you. Do me this favor.”
Candice considered it seriously.
Eventually, she agreed. “Alright.”
She didn’t agree to do him a favor.
She had already left Aureate Group, and soon she’d be divorced from his son. There would be no future ties between her and the Jackson family. His “favor” held no weight with her.
She agreed because she thought maybe, during that dinner, she could talk business with him–convince him to persuade Kyle to stop this pointless entanglement.
Jim had overheard the phone call from nearby.
Worried, he came over and reminded her, “What if it’s like last time again–trick you into going and then do something terrible? You have to stay sharp.”
“You’re right.”
Candice nodded.
Though she didn’t believe her father–in–law would stoop that low, after what Caroline had done, she couldn’t afford to take
chances.
“I’ll hire a few bodyguards to go with me. Don’t worry.”
The Next Afternoon.
Around 4 PM, Candice dressed carefully and headed to the Jackson estate with two professional bodyguards.
Her leg had mostly healed the day before, but she still pretended it hadn’t–arriving in a wheelchair. If things got dangerous and the bodyguards couldn’t protect her, feigning weakness might give her a chance to escape unnoticed.
Back at the villa, Jim fretted and finally decided to call Jerry.
He asked him to find a way to inform Charlie that Candice had gone to the Jackson family home.
After all, she was hiding here to recover in peace–now she was walking straight into the lion’s den. Someone had to tell Charlie.
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Chapter 54 Your Offer Ts Toxopting. Mine Is Terrifying
But… because of yesterday’s awkward kitchen incident, Jim didn’t dare call Charlie himself.
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Jerry didn’t quite understand why Jim had to go through him for this–but since Jim was a senior, he didn’t question it.
He left his office and walked to the CEO’s.
Inside, Charlie was by the window on the phone, smiling faintly at something said on the other end…
When Jerry knocked, Charlie held the phone aside. “Come in.”
Jerry stepped in and, unaware he was interrupting a call, blurted out, “Sir, Miss Hale went to the Jackson family’s estate.”
Charlie’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered briefly in his eyes.
“If she wants to go, let her. Why are you telling me?”
“Ah, I just thought…” You might care.
Jerry didn’t say the last part out loud.
But after saying it, he also realized: why would the CEO care? This was Miss Hale’s private business.
“Get out.”
Charlie dismissed him curtly.
Jerry beat a swift retreat.
Charlie brought the phone back to his ear.
On the line, the man chuckled teasingly, “Who’s Miss Hale? A new hire? Sounds like a woman. You seem to care quite a bit.”
Charlie replied coolly, “Just a secretary.”
He hung up after a couple of brief replies, then stood by the window a while longer.
Eventually, he pulled out his phone and made a call–dispatching his most trusted bodyguard to discreetly monitor and pract Candice at the Jackson estate.
This woman never gives me a break.
Candice arrived at the Jackson estate.
This time, walking through the familiar gate, her mindset was completely different.
It felt like revisiting a scenic spot she’d gone to many times over the years–but this time, she knew it would be her last.
There was a strange mix of melancholy and relief in her heart.
She entered the dining room.
The table was set with a feast–but only Richard Jackson sat at it.
No Kyle.
No Caroline.
She had her bodyguards push her to the table, then instructed them to wait outside.
“Chairman,” she greeted with a polite smile.
Richard glanced at the guards leaving and his face darkened slightly.
Of course he knew what his wife and that Jones family vixen had done at the hotel.
Chapter 54 Your Offer T frappling, Mine is Terrifying
That’s why Candice had brought bodyguards she saw them as criminals.
If she saw them that way, how could this marriage ever rebuild any trust?
He looked back at her and asked about her leg.
“What happened to your leg?”
“Nothing much. Went on a trip, slipped and fell.”
Candice downplayed it.
“A trip to relax is good.”
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“It was good–except for your son’s constant interference. If he’d just agree to finalize the divorce and go with me to the civil affairs bureau, it’d be even better.”
Her smile was poised, her tone still gentle–but her words were sharp and direct, skipping any pleasantries.
Richard said nothing for a moment.
Then his friendly expression hardened slightly.
“Are you really unwilling to give Kyle one more chance?”
“At this point, I don’t think you’re unaware of what he’s done. So you tell me–should I?”
“You’re too rigid. Life is long. Do you really expect a man to never be tempted, never stray–even a little? Even if Kyle never actively pursued those women, they’d still throw themselves at him.”
Richard sighed.
“To be honest, he’s already better than most. He’s always kept you first in his heart. His thing with that Jones girl–just a fling If he’s willing to end it and come back to you, what’s the harm in giving him one more chance?”
“…Ha.”
Candice couldn’t help but laugh coldly.
“Maybe you’re right. Most men are like that. Kyle’s no exception. But I’m just not willing to take him back.”
“You’re too stubborn.”
Richard sighed again and then laid his cards on the table.
“I know you asked for fifteen billion in divorce compensation. If you agree not to divorce, I’ll give you twenty billion. Move back into the Jackson estate. You’ll be the rightful Mrs. Jackson. In the future, if you give Kyle a child, that child will be the Jackson heir. Isn’t that worth more than what you’re asking for now? Think about it.”
Candice was stunned.
She had to admit–those conditions were incredibly tempting.
There was even a flicker of hesitation in her mind.
Who wouldn’t be tempted by effortless wealth and power?
Who cared about love anyway?
But then she thought of the price:
Being bound to a cheating man for life.
Sharing a bed.
Chapter 54 Your Offers Tempting, Mine Is Terrifying
Bearing his children.
Serving the Jackson family.
And if Mia left, there’d be a Cindy, or a Lilly..
She’d have to pretend not to see it all. Smile, pretend, survive.
That was no different than selling her soul for money.
She didn’t want a life that was only glamorous on the surface and rotten underneath.
“I’ve thought it through,” Candice said clearly. “I still want the divorce.”
Richard Jackson stared at her in disbelief.
These conditions weren’t enough?
Was she too naïve–or just plain foolish?
Candice smiled sweetly.
“Then let me offer a condition. If you agree, I’ll stay married.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“I want ten percent of the company’s shares.”
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Richard’s expression changed dramatically.
Richard’s expression changed dramatically.
So she wasn’t naïve or foolish at all–just calculating and ruthless.
Candice kept smiling.
“Think about it. If you agree, I’ll make up with Kyle right away. Even if he keeps a harem of mistresses, I won’t care. Even ife brings them home and fools around in front of me, I’ll sweetly make room for them.”
As she said it, her face was the picture of indifference.
Outside the door-
Kyle, who had rushed back in a panic, stood frozen in place.
Hearing her words, his heart felt like it was bleeding.
