Too Much to Bear, My Love
Chapter 55

“How could you threaten your mother for a woman, Carter? Is that howyou're going to treat me after all that I've done for you?”

“Mom, we can discuss this when I get back. I'm working now,” Carterreplied, doing his best to change the subject.

“Fine. I'll be waiting for you to come back. The Larsons' eldest daughteris back from overseas. She'll be coming over to visit us today, so you'dbetter be polite.” Having said her piece, Faye immediately hung up.Carter scratched his head in irritation. He strode over to the windowand stared out of it glumly, lost in thought.

That night, he drove over to the Scott residence.

The Scotts ranked prominently among the wealthy elites in the city.Their place of residence was a sprawling villa situated just behind anunending stretch of trees. The entire landscape was fastidiously sprucedand trimmed.

Carter parked his car and sauntered toward the entrance of the villa. Amiddle-aged man greeted him reverently, saying, “Welcome home, Mr.Carter. Mrs. Scott and her guests are waiting for you inside.”

Warmly, Carter replied, “Raymond, it's been a while since I've met you.How are you doing?”

“Thank you for your concern, Mr. Carter. I'm still going strong. Mrs.Scott has greatly missed you in the month that you were gone fromhome,” Raymond informed him.

“Got it, Raymond. I'm just about to head in and make it all up to her,”Carter declared.

Besides Jack and Faye Scott, present in the living room were anothermiddle-aged couple and a beautiful, fashionable young lady.

Carter furrowed his brows slightly. It was quickly wiped away, however,leaving Carter once again looking every bit the perfect gentleman.

He walked over and courteously greeted his parents, “Mom, Dad.”Brimming with pride for his son, Jack replied, “Welcome home, son.”Carter was evidently the apple of Faye's eye, too. She sprung up andfussed over him, taking over the jacket from his hands. “You've beenbusy working all day, Carter. Are you tired?”

Carter shook his head. He turned toward the couple seated next to hisparents and remarked, “Mom, are these our guests? I don't think I'vemet them before.”

Faye swatted her head. “Look at me! I was too caught up in my delightat seeing you that I totally forgot all about the Larsons.” Fayeproceeded to introduce them. “This is Mr. and Mrs. Larson and theirdaughter, Jennifer. They're old family friends. Mrs. Larson used to carryyou in her arms when you were still a baby. They migrated overseaswhen you were just five, so it's no wonder you don’t remember havingmeeting them.”

Carter smiled and greeted them jovially, “Pleasure to meet you.”

He would usually present a mild-mannered front to outsiders. The smileon his face belied the thoughts that festered inside. Thus, no matter thecatastrophe, no one had ever witnessed the full extent of his fury. Thematter with Amelia was the only incident that had shown a glimpse ofthe predator lurking within him.

His thoughts were therefore uncommonly profound. The woman thathe chose to love, however, would be immensely fortunate.

The Larsons clearly found Carter impressive. “So this is Carter? He'seven more handsome than what he looked like in the photographs.Jennifer, you haven't met Carter before, have you? You used to hangaround him when you were two.”

Jennifer was a demure girl, who looked gorgeous with her small face,rosebud mouth, and fair skin. She was the epitome of classical beauty.Along with her immaculate sense of style, her appearance waspractically flawless.

“Hello, Carter,” Jessica said coyly.

Carter appraised her. From a purely visual perspective, she was indeed agreat beauty. She was even lovelier than Amelia, with her charming airof innocence which could stir men's hearts to defend her. Amelia,however, gave off an aggressiveness that conversely incited men toovercome and consequently overwhelm her.

“No need to be shy around me,” Carter asserted.

Jennifer replied him with a sweet smile.

Carter took a seat beside Faye, casually asking, “Mom, where'sGranddad?”

“He's working on his computer in the study and will only be joining usfor dinner. You can go and look for him first. He has something to tellyou,” Faye said.

Carter nodded, then stood up. Addressing the Larsons, he said, “Mr.Larson, Mrs. Larson, I'll be heading up first. Please make yourselvescomfortable.”

The Larsons were even more delighted at his courteous manner andcried, “All right. You go ahead.”

Carter ascended the stairs. He knocked on the door and went in uponhearing his grandfather's invitation to enter.

“Granddad,” Carter greeted

Abel Scott was typing away furiously. He typed the last letter with a firmtap of his finger, then looked up. “You're home,” he intoned.

Abel was approaching ninety years of age but seemed to have drunkfrom the fountain of youth. Other than a few stray strands of silver hair,his head was still mostly raven-black. And unlike other seniors, his facewasn't plagued by wrinkles, and his trim, tall figure still looked rathersturdy. In fact, he looked rather regal in his robe.

“May I know what's the reason you asked me to come home this timearound?” Carter asked.

“Have you been seeing Amelia?” Abel inquired directly.

Carter calmly replied, “Yes, Granddad. She's an employee at mycompany.”

“I supposed after all that had happened, you'd have the sense to notcontact her again,” Abel remarked.

“Granddad, she's the woman I love with all my heart. I can't possiblycease all contact with her. Granddad, you knew that she'd marriedOscar and yet pretended that you didn't. It was cruel of you to hide thatfrom me.”

Abel sneered, “That woman chose to marry Oscar for money, whichshows just how unsuitable she is for you. How could I allow such agold-digger to marry into the Scott family? Since she’s now become theClintons’ daughter-in-law, stop getting involved with her. The Scottshave business dealings with the Clintons, and we don't want to offendOscar. It'd be a shame to ruin our relationship with the Clintons over awoman.”

Carter held himself upright and replied coolly, “Granddad, I had nomeans to resist you when I was younger. But now that I have my ownbusiness, I have the right to choose who I want to love. I'll pursueAmelia to the ends of the earth. I missed my chance once, but I won'tmake the same mistake twice.”

Abel directed his piercing gaze straight at Carter. “Carter, are you goingto disregard your own grandfather?”

“Granddad, I have nothing but respect for you, and I've learned a lotfrom you. You taught me that we shouldn't let go of the things we loveso easily. You also said that we might have to resort to any meanspossible to snatch it back. I've always remembered that,” Carterdeclared passionately.

Abel replied, “I did say that, but I never intended for you to apply thatto women.”

“Granddad, I think it's equally applicable for both business andrelationships,” Carter remarked.

Abel clapped a hand on Carter's shoulder. “Carter, I hold the highestregard for you among all my grandchildren. Your father has no interestin the company. I'd like you to come back and take over Scott Group.”Carter protested, “Granddad, I have no interest in Scott Group. I've justgotten my own company in order. Why don't you get another one ofyour sons to take over?”

“Your uncle's pretty good at it, but he’s an honest man. He doesn't havethe boldness necessary to take the Scott Group to the next level. I'vegotten old, and younger, more capable hands should replace mine inmanaging the company. You're a steady, meticulous, and enterprisingyoung man with powerful business acumen. If you're willing to comeback, Scott Group is yours.”

Carter helped his grandfather over to the sofa. “Granddad, if you'llconsent to me marrying whoever I like, I'll definitely come back to jointhe Scotts.”

“What on earth is so good about her? She flirted with Oscar, gotmarried to the Clintons, and now she’s driving you insane, so much sothat you're even willing to cut off all ties with the Scotts for her! Do youreally like her that much?”

“Granddad, she's the only woman I love.”

“Enough,” Abel bellowed, his chest heaving with rage. “She's alreadymarried to someone else. Forget not being able to let go! Are yougoing to degrade yourself by becoming a third party? Are you reallythat desperate? You're driving me insane as well!”

Carter patted his grandfather on the back to soothe him. “Granddad,I'm just friends with Amelia. She has her own family now. I'll keep thislove unspoken in my heart.”

Abel shot Carter a glance. “If that's the case, then get her out of yourcompany. She's Oscar's wife, and we can't afford to offend theClintons.”

Carter lowered his head and replied apologetically, “Granddad, I'll heedevery other word of yours, other than that regarding Amelia.”

Abel let out a long sigh. At last, he said, “Carter, you're no longer achild. Others your age have already started families of their own.There's nothing special about that girl apart from her looks. She's notgood enough for you. I've already gotten your mom to identify a feweligible young ladies. The Larsons, whom you met downstairs, areprimarily based overseas. They're well-known there for their assets.Jennifer is a perfect match for you in terms of her family background,education, and looks.”

Carter nodded politely. “You're right, Granddad. Ms. Larson's a lovelywoman and very well-mannered, but she’s not my type. Please don't dosuch things anymore. It'll save both our families the embarrassment.”“Carter, I emphasize once again that you're the grandchild I hold thehighest regard for. I personally taught you everything when you wereyoung. I have four sons and a daughter, but your dad wants to work onhis art, and as I said, your uncle doesn't have the boldness I'm lookingfor. Another of your uncles wants to be a director, but there's no futurein that. As for my youngest son, he wants to teach. Your aunt has ahead for business, but I cant count on her not marrying into anotherfamily. There's no way around it; you have to take over the ScottGroup.”

Abel sighed, his face looking rather haggard and drawn. “Carter, I'vealready got one foot in the grave. Promise me that you'll come backand take over the family business. As for your wife, your mother willreplace someone eligible. That woman is really unsuitable for you.”

Carter felt rather distressed upon hearing his grandfather's words. Theelder had practically brought him up, sparing no effort or expense innurturing him. Compared to his own parents, he felt thedisappointment of his grandfather a lot more keenly.

“Granddad, I really have nothing but respect for you. I can promise youanything else but this. Amelia's the only woman I've ever loved. I can'tlet go of her just like this,” Carter explained earnestly. “Granddad, yousaid that you loved me the most out of all your grandchildren; let mehave my way just this once, please.”

Abel's eyes flashed. “Enough! Carter, you might be brilliant, but you'resetting yourself up for defeat if you're unable to control your affections.To succeed in anything, you can't allow your emotions to get in theway."

“Granddad, my personal and professional life are separate entities thatI'll manage on my own,” Carter replied.

“Carter, listen to me. That woman is not worthy of you. Forget abouther and try to get along with the Larsons’ daughter,” Abel insisted.