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Candler held in her cough, clamping a hand over her moth and ning around to tum
Charhe had just started to push Jessica away when he caught the mpffled sound of footsteps behind him. The yacht’s floor was carpeted, muffling most steps—but when someone ran, no carpet was thick enough to silence that
He turned to look.
No one was there anymore.
Charlie
Jessica, clearly drunk, cupped his face in her hands.
Charlie’s expression turned cold. He pulled her hands off and shoved her onto the couch.
“Jessica, if you act out again, I’ll throw you overboard.”
He wiped his jaw with the back of his hand–she’d nearly kissed him.
*I know you chose not to be with me because of Ollie. But he’s the one who likes me—how is that my fault? You just handed me over to him. Did you even ask me what I wanted?” Jessica slurred as she lay there, murmuring softly.
Charlie sat down across from her, his tone calm and serious.
“I’ve explained this to you countless times. I thought you understood by now. You can’t be this greedy.”
Jessica gazed up at him, as if looking at the stars.
“You’re the only thing I’m greedy for.”
Charlie sighed.
“You need a therapist. There’s something wrong with you.”
Tears streamed down Jessica’s face like a dam had burst.
“There is something wrong with me. The moment you said you didn’t like me—that was the moment I was done for. Terminal. No cure…”
When Charlie returned to the game room, Candice was already sitting next to Jerry.
She had thought about finding a quiet place to hide out, but she couldn’t be sure if her escape had been noticed. If they came back and she wasn’t there… wouldn’t it be obvious it had been her?
So, playing it safe by returning was her best move.
“President, you’re back,” Jerry said, clearly relieved.
You really needed nerves of steel to survive this kind of game. Jerry now had a newfound respect for Candice. Just a few extra chips made his heart race, and this woman had almost gone all–in
Jerry stood up.
Candice stood too, but before she could say anything, Charlie said calmly, “You stay seated.”
“Huh?” She half–lifted her butt. “Shouldn’t I go check on Ms. Anna?”
“She’s resting in her room. She doesn’t need you,” he replied, voice tinged with irritation
Candice looked at Charlie, confused.
Chapter 31 Don’t Be Too Creedy
She offered to check on Jessica–why would he be upset?
Could it be…
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That moment when she grabbed Jessica–did he think she was trying to cop a feel? Seriously? She wasn’t into women! What was he thinking?
Charlie looked at the stack of chips. “Jerry, you’ve got good luck.”
Candice said nothing, only smiling. One of the other moguls spoke up instead.
“Luck? It’s the beauty next to you, Clemens. Where’d you hire someone so smart and gorgeous? I’m jealous.”
His eyes fixated shamelessly on Candice’s full chest beneath her plum–colored blouse, practically drooling with fantasies of dragging her to a private room.
Awave of disgust passed through Candice–but she kept her smile politely frozen in place.
Charlie remained courteous on the surface, but his gaze turned ice–cold.
“Mr. Zane, maybe keep those lustful thoughts in check, or you’ll lose more than just chips.”
That shut him up quickly. A clear warning.
The others took the hint too–no more inappropriate fantasies. A beautiful secretary wasn’t worth angering the heir of the Clemens family.
Candice appreciated Charlie’s protective move, though she wasn’t surprised. He was a decent man.
They played a few more rounds before calling it a night.
When the yacht docked back at the marina, Valentine approached Charlie to ask for his contact info.
Charlie told Jerry to give it to her.
Getting a number wasn’t hard–Alan had it too—but whether he gave it personally or not made all the difference. If it came through an assistant, it meant: strictly business.
Valentine, open and straightforward, showed her disappointment openly. But she quickly rallied, smiling brightly as she got the number from Jerry.
Hmph, just because he wasn’t into her now didn’t mean he never would be.
Jerry sighed inwardly. Another one hopelessly in love with the boss…
Candice, however, found Valentine kind of adorable.
After all, they were both single, and Valentine had no idea Charlie and Jessica were a thing. Why shouldn’t she shoot her shot?
Still… she was bound to be disappointed.
Jessica came over, supported by two female staff members. She’d napped, but still looked far from sober.
As they prepared to disembark, Candice and Jerry didn’t dare touch her. The last thing they needed was another “you molested me!” moment. Both stared at Charlie: Your turn. You deal with her.
The two of them slipped off the yacht with perfect timing.
Charlie: “.
Jessica walked up and leaned heavily against his arm, clearly saying with her body language: Carry me or I’m fainting right here.
Charlie had no choice. He couldn’t very well throw the general manager of a subsidiary overboard in front of everyone. He helped her off the yacht.
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Chapter 31 Dont Be 166 reedy
At the marina, the chauffeur opened the car door.
“Where’s your car?” Charlie adjusted her weight so she wasn’t clinging to him entirely.
“I don’t know,” Jessica mutnured, eyes closed. Then she slumped forward again, straight into his chest.
Charlie held her by the shoulders to keep her upright.
“We’re not going the same way. Call a driver. Or get a cab.”
Candice:
Jerry: “…”
Not giving her a ride? Savage.
Candice added mentally: They were just kissing a while ago…
Charlie scowled at the two of them.
“Don’t just stand there. Call her a car!”
Candice and Jerry scrambled to open their ride apps like their lives depended on it.
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Candice finally ventured, “President, I think Ms. Anna is too drunk to go home alone safely. Should we take her to a hotel?”
Charlie gave a cold laugh.
“Oh? And that’s your great idea?”
Well–it was the safest option!
Charlie was silent for a moment, then said, “Your idea—your responsibility at the hotel.”
With that, he helped Jessica into the car and got in himself.
Candice: ??
Jerry shot her a told–you–so look.
Candice: I…
She’d just been trying to help!
Their love–hate drama… kissing one minute, fighting the next… was she now part of their weird couple’s roleplay?
She dared not complain–he was the boss, after all.
There were only two seats left up front. With the driver already inside, one of them had to sit in the back between those two
lovebirds…
Candice’s scalp tingled.
“I’ll just call another car!” she blurted.
“I’m better off calling mine than you are,” Jerry said, dragging her to the passenger seat and slamming the door shut before running off himself.
Candice swallowed the curse forming on her tongue.
She fastened her seatbelt in resignation and glanced into the rearview mirror. Charlie’s face was cold as stone, the pressure
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C
