Too Much to Bear, My Love
Chapter 56

Carter stood up abruptly, announcing, “Granddad, if you insist on beinglike this, then I see no point in carrying on with this conversation.”“Stop right there!” Abel roared.

Carter stood stock still.

“Carter, you've grown up. You're your own man now. I don't wish toresort to the same forceful tactics I employed when you were a child. Ihope you can show a little maturity and prove that my decision toentrust Scott Group into your hands was a wise one,” Abel said in agentler tone.

Carter turned and faced Abel squarely. “Granddad, with all due respect,I would like to make my own decisions when it comes to love.”Resigned, Abel replied, “Fine. I won't force you then. It's getting late. It'sabout time for dinner.”

Carter quickly said, “Granddad, there are some business matters thatI've yet to deal with...”

Abel eyed Carter with disapproval. “Carter, look at you! You're trying tofool me with the same tired, old excuses even at this age.”

Having been exposed, Carter said, “Granddad, now that I come to thinkof it, it's all been settled. Let's head downstairs for dinner.”

Only then did Abel beam. The two of them then proceeded down thestairs.

Over the lavish meal set for seven, Faye eagerly kept an eye out forevery opportunity to nudge Carter and Jennifer closer. However, Carterwould smoothly evade each pointed question, rendering Faye's effortsfutile.

Faye eyed her son haplessly, then said, “Carter, Jennifer just got home.There's a lot of things for her to catch up on. You're familiar with theplace; you should bring her around for a few days.”

Carter replied, “Mom, I'll be busy with work for the next few days. Ourcollaboration with Radcliff Corporation is about to commence in a fewdays. I won't have the time to accompany Ms. Larson. Why don't youbring the Larsons around instead, Mom? Just put all of their expenseson my tab.”

Faye gave him another look, saying, “The Larsons are our family friends.There's no need to be so formal around them. You and Jennifer playedtogether as children. You even said that you were going to marryJennifer when you grew up! Have you forgotten all about that?”

Carter skillfully deflected the question, “Mom, I've forgotten quite a bitof my younger days.”

Faye looked at Jennifer and said kindly, “That's all right. I suppose onecould still say that the two of you are childhood sweethearts. Howabout bringing Jennifer to the office with you to take a look aroundtomorrow? She's still unfamiliar with much of how we do things here.You can take her under your wing if she goes to work at yourcompany.”

“Mom, I remember you saying that Ms. Larson graduated with aMaster's degree from Logan University. It would be a waste of herintellect to work at our company,” Carter said with a patient smile. Helooked as if he was genuinely concerned about the utilization ofJennifer's talents.

Jennifer finally spoke. Her voice was gentle and soothing to the ear.“Carter, my parents have been praising you to the skies, making mevery curious about you. If you don’t mind, I'd like to work at yourcompany. It just so happens that I'm rather interested in design as well.”Carter fixed his eyes on Jennifer.

“Carter, it's rare that you'll receive an application from such a highly-educated girl like Jennifer, who doesn't despise your small company.Now that she’s expressed her interest, there's no excuse for you torefuse,” Faye warned.

“Well then. Since Ms. Larson has spoken, I shall not pass up on such atalent indeed. However, my company is rather strict about observingproper hiring procedures. I'd have to take a look at Ms. Larson's resumefirst if she doesn't mind.”

Jennifer laughed. “Of course I don’t mind! I'll personally deliver myresume to your company tomorrow. I'll need to trouble Carter to guideme when I start work then.”

With a crafty look, Faye added, “Carter, Jennifer has been livingoverseas since she was young, but she hasn't been exposed to any ofthose dirty tricks that they play at the office. You must watch out for herwhen she goes to work at your company and not let others takeadvantage of her.”

Carter nodded robotically. “Yes, Mom.”

After dinner, Carter once again tried to excuse himself on account ofunfinished business at work. However, he was halted in his tracks byFaye's urging. “Carter, Jennifer just came back today and hasn't beenaround. Why don't you take her out?”

Before Carter could refuse, Jennifer immediately broke in. Smiling, shesaid, “Carter, I don’t know this place very well. Do you mind taking meout for a little tour?”

Carter had no choice but to swallow his objections. “Mr. and Mrs.Larson, perhaps the rest of your family can join us as well.”

The Larsons shook their head immediately. “You two go ahead. Youngpeople have their own things to talk about. We don’t want to be a wetblanket.”

Faye joined in gleefully, “You young people should be spending moretime together! Carter, be sure not to bully Jennifer.”

Carter nodded.

After they got into the car, Jennifer dropped her air of bashfulness andopenly demanded, “You don't like me, do you, Carter?”

Carter frowned, feeling rather displeased with Jennifer's sudden about-turn in attitude.

“You're overthinking, Ms. Larson. It's our first meeting after all. You're afamily friend, and I feel totally neutral toward you,” Carter repliedevenly. Without their parents around, Carter saw no need to keep uphis facade.

Jennifer laughed. “Carter, you rejected Scott Group and came out toestablish your own business. From the five people you had at thebeginning to the present ever-expanding pool of employees, you'vedeveloped your company with a remarkable boldness that I admiregreatly. I'm fascinated with you. Today was, in truth, a matchmakingsession, which I'm sure you've managed to perceive as well. If you don'tmind, we can try dating for a bit.”

“I mind,” Carter said simply.

Dumbfounded, Jennifer looked at him. “Why? What's the reason for it?Am I not pretty enough for you?”

Carter shook his head. “No. You're gorgeous actually, Ms. Larson.However, I'm already in love with someone else. Her looks and familybackground may not be as well off as yours, but I'm not interested inanyone else besides her.”

Jennifer laughed haughtily. “Is she your girlfriend?”

“No, I'm still pursuing her.”

“That means I still have a chance then.”

“Ms. Larson, you're really a completely different person from thatdemure girl you were pretending to be just now. I didn't expect you tobe such a confident, modern young lady,” Carter said, skirting aroundthe topic.

Jennifer tossed her head in disdain. “My parents like it when I'mdemure.”

Carter laughed. “I see you're quite the dutiful child.”

“I'm their only child, so I can't disappoint them. It's not too fun playingthe role of the demure girl forever, though.”

Then, as if struck by something, she added, “Carter, what type of girlsdo you like?”

Carter retorted, “Not girls like you, for sure.”

The smile on Jennifer's face faded. “Carter, that's rather ungentlemanlyof you. I've no lack of suitors, but I've really taken a liking to you. Themore unapproachable you make yourself out to be, the more interestedI am in you. Oh, just you wait. I'm going to pursue you.”

“Has anyone ever told you that men dislike aggressive women? Menwant to dominate, not to be dominated. Do you understand?” Cartersnapped.

Just as Jennifer was about to retaliate, Carter turned the steering wheelsharply. “Carter, what in the world are you doing?”

Carter leaped out of the car and dashed toward a woman walking by.“Amelia, what happened to you? You're all wet.” Carter anxiously tookin Amelia's thoroughly soaked figure. “Are you hurt anywhere?”

Amelia gaped at Carter. “Carter, why are you here?”

"Answer me! What happened to you? Are you hurt?”

Amelia nonchalantly ran her fingers through her dripping locks andsaid, “I'm fine. I was just mistaken for a mistress by a crazy b*tch, whoproceeded to douse me with water. That woman literally belongs in amental institution! She escaped from there, and it was just my luck tohave run into her. That's how I ended up like this.”

Carter was impressed by her ability to make light of things even in herunfortunate situation. “Why didn't you give me a call? Are you hurtanywhere else? Is your baby okay? Let me take you to the hospital.”Amelia dismissed Carter's concern with a wave of her hand. “I'm fine. Ijust wandered here to ponder something else. I'll head back soon whenI've thought things through.”

Then catching sight of Jennifer, who had walked over and was nowstanding behind Carter, she asked jokingly, “Carter, aren't you going tointroduce her? Is she your girlfriend?”

As if terrified of her misunderstanding, Carter hastily corrected Amelia,“She's the daughter of a family friend, Jennifer Larson.”

Amelia stuck her hand out and said pleasantly, “How do you do, Ms.Larson? I'm Amelia Winters, but you can call me Amelia.”

Jennifer took in Amelia from head to toe. A look of fury flashed acrossher eyes, and she ignored Amelia's outstretched hand. Turning toCarter, she wailed, “Carter, did you almost get us into an accident justbecause of this woman?”

Stunned, Amelia gazed at Carter and asked, “Carter, what's going on?”Carter shot Jennifer a threatening look. “Ms. Larson, I'm terribly sorryfor what happened today. You may be a friend of the family, but today’sstill our first time meeting, after all. I really hope that you can treat myfriends with a little more respect.”

Jennifer yielded, “Fine, it's my fault. I was just upset at you for driving sorecklessly just because of a woman. Are you aware of how dangerousthat was? We could have lost our lives!”

Carter replied evenly, “I'm very sorry. I see that you've suffered a terribleshock; I'll get a taxi to send you home.”

Jennifer was incensed. Biting back her rage, she said, “Carter, yourfamily invited me over as a guest. Don't you think you're treating me alittle too rudely?”

Carter was just about to hail a taxi when Amelia grabbed hold of him.“Carter, Ms. Larson is clearly upset. Isn't it rather ungentlemanly of youto send her off on a taxi just like that? Go and comfort her! If I were her,I'd be just as furious. I don't like this unchivalrous manner of yours.”“Ms. Larson, I'm truly sorry,” Carter said through gritted teeth.

Jennifer looked at Carter contemptuously. “Carter, are you apologizingto me because of this woman?”

Carter frowned. He was evidently on the verge of an eruption.

“Ms. Larson, we don't know each other all that well. If you're gonnakeep this up, I won't hesitate to call a taxi to send you home,” Cartersaid, his face thunderous.

Jennifer pouted, then replied sulkily, “I'm sorry I was being rude.”Amelia shrugged. “Carter, you'd better send Ms. Larson back. I'vealready called someone to pick me up.”

Carter obstinately remained by her side, insisting, “Let me send youhome. You're thoroughly soaked, and I can't leave you shivering herealone. Take a shower when you get back, and drink some hot tea. Don'tcatch a cold! Remember you have to take care of someone else besidesyourself now.” Carter said the last sentence almost in a whisper.Amelia laughed in amusement. “Don’t worry about me. I'm fine. Goahead and send Ms. Larson back. Oscar will be here soon.”

Carter said wilfully, “I can't leave you here alone. Let me accompany youuntil he comes. I'll send Ms. Larson back afterward.”

Carter was stubborn as a mule in all matters concerning Amelia.

“Ms. Larson, I'm very sorry that I can't drive you around today. Let mecall a taxi to send you back,” Carter repeated.

Jennifer was surprisingly good-natured for once. Smiling, she replied,“I'll accompany you as well then. Ms. Winters is such an attractivewoman, and I hear that there are many bad characters in this area. Weshouldn't risk anything happening to Ms. Winters.”