Charles Anderson occupied a seat at Kingsley International Airport, his gaze icy.
A well-dressed man, sporting leather shoes, respectfully conveyed Grandfather's request: a return to manage the Anderson Family's estate for Charles, the young man in his twenties.
Despite the man's profound humility, a formidable entourage stood behind him. Simultaneously, a fleet of Rolls-Royces created a blockade at the intersection, veiling the unfolding events.
In his marshal's uniform, Charles casually touched the four-star badge on his shoulder and remarked with a smirk, "Are you familiar with his preferences?"
"If not for this uniform, would he even recognize a grandson like me?"
The man in the suit panicked, "Sir, there are misunderstandings with Grandfather!"
"Misunderstandings?"
Charles rose from his chair, exuding a commanding aura. "My natural mother was absent from my childhood. I had a stepmother who, fearing I'd jeopardize her son's status, orchestrated my expulsion from the Anderson Family."
"What did she do? She, along with one of my uncles, drugged me, inducing unconsciousness. They concocted a tale of me bullying a girl. Grandfather banished me, citing damage to the family's reputation."
As Charles recounted the tale, the man in the suit seethed with murderous thoughts, forehead glistening with cold sweat.
"I may have been a casualty in the power struggles of affluent families, but why involve an innocent girl with no connection? What wrong had she committed?"
"In the eyes of your wealthy families, is an ordinary family not still a family?"
Charles retrieved a photo from his pocket, silently reflecting on the girl captured within. His heart couldn't help but ache for her.
This lone photo was all that remained in Charles's possession.
Upon glimpsing the photograph, the man in the suit promptly responded, "Grandfather has taken steps to reconcile. Over the recent years, he initiated the formation of the Parkson Group in Kingsley, covertly backing the Ms. Anderson’s enterprise. Consequently, the Brilliance Company, established by her, has flourished remarkably in Kingsley."
Upon hearing this, the anger etched on Charles's face softened considerably, and he spoke in a gentler tone, "This is what you should do."
"Don't come to me again; otherwise, I'll ensure none of you are safe."
Observing Charles depart, the imposing man in the suit found his legs numb. A dark green Hummer had patiently awaited on the main road outside the airport. Seeing Charles arrive, the well-dressed man swiftly emerged from the car, opening the door for him.
"Commander Long, the matter has been thoroughly investigated. Over the years, the Andersons have indeed covertly supported the development of my sister-in-law's company."
"According to our findings, if it weren't for the discreet backing of the Anderson’s Parkson Group, my sister-in-law's company would have closed down long ago."
Charles grunted and gazed out of the window. "Take me to see her. Now that I'm back, even if she wants the stars in the sky, I'll pluck them for her."
Hearing this, the well-dressed man initiated the car and muttered to himself, "It's been three years. Sister-in-law should remember your kindness. If it weren't for you, she'd still be in prison."
"Yes, she won't forget."
Four years prior, Charles had been framed by his stepmother and falsely accused. Despite the Anderson Family's substantial influence, they distanced themselves from Charles. Disheartened by his family's betrayal, Charles embarked on a determined quest to locate the girl he was wrongfully accused of harming, seeking redemption.
The woman had no recollection of the incident, except for a pearl necklace adorned with intricate patterns. Without Andersons' support, Charles tirelessly searched for six months until he discovered the necklace belonged to Carol Miller.
He ardently pursued this fiery woman, recognizing her stubbornness and unruly nature. Despite guilt, he accepted her, and the two formed a connection. However, three years ago, Carol, driving under the influence, accidentally took the life of an elderly man.
Tears welled up in Carol's eyes as she said, "Charles, what should I do? I don't want to go to jail! I really don't want to go to jail... I'm still so young. After I'm imprisoned, I'll be ruined for the rest of my life..."
Faced with the harrowing possibility of Carol facing a three-year jail term, Charles couldn't bear to see her life ruined. Without hesitation, he decided to take the blame for the accident.
Before being incarcerated, Charles smiled and said, "When I bullied you that year, I should have been in prison. It was you who showed kindness and didn't pursue the matter. Now that I'm in prison for you, I'll consider it as paying off my debt of evil."
In prison, Charles rose through the ranks, becoming a formidable commander known as the world's number one Hero of War. His prowess and leadership skills earned him significant wealth, making him as powerful as a country. All he desired was to marry Carol.
Exiting the Brilliance Group building, two women appeared – Carol and her cousin, Sandra, holding a pink bundle that hinted at marriage.
"Carol, I'm back," nervously spoke the powerful Anderson, who had transformed into a suave figure. Three years had passed since they last saw each other, and Carol, no longer the young girl she once was, exuded a mature aura.
Charles, now adorned in a suit, observed her with a mix of emotions. "You are Charles. How could you be released from prison?"
Charles remained silent, his gaze drifting to the shiny diamond ring on Carol's finger – a gift that clearly wasn't from him. He subconsciously touched the heart-shaped gift in his pocket, a token crafted by a renowned French cutting master.
Seeing Charles fixated on her ring, Carol raised her hand and smiled, "Charles, I'm engaged. Will you wish me the best?"
"Engaged?" Charles felt a sharp pain in his chest. "I was only in prison for three years; didn't you agree to wait for me?"
"I'm back. Would you like me to extend my best wishes to you?"
Reflecting on the bloody times he endured on the battlefield over the past three years, Charles had clung to the belief that she would wait for him. Yet, the reality he faced was far from what he anticipated.
Charles couldn't help but find the situation absurd.
Just then, a Maserati pulled up, and a man in a silver suit emerged. "Carol, I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long."
Carol's eyes lit up with happiness at the sight of him. "No, it was an unexpected surprise."
Jack Robinson casually glanced at Charles and inquired, "Who is this?"
Carol, looking at Charles with disdain, waved her hand. "He was just released from prison. You don't need to pay any attention to him."
"Let's go. It's not good to linger around such a person."
"Jail? Why would I go to jail? You know deep down that if I hadn't served time for you, you would be behind bars now. You even had the chance to work in your own company?"
Charles couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
Carol, upon hearing this, exploded with anger. "Charles, don't overestimate yourself. If you had the capability back then, would I have needed to face jail time when trouble found me? It's simply because you lacked the ability."
"Ask Jack, if anything happens to me now, would I need to go to jail? It's a matter that Jack can settle with a little money!"
"And let me tell you, the reason my company is thriving is because of my connections with top management at the Parkson Group. That's my capability now. I see through you now; you just want me to succeed so you can come asking for money, don't you? Fine."
As she spoke, Carol retrieved a stack of 100-dollars bills from her bag and threw them directly at Charles's face.
"Is that enough?"
"Far from it!"
Before she could finish, Carol slapped Charles across the face again. The money scattered on the ground, leaving Charles's heart utterly cold.
Charles still held onto a glimmer of hope. After all, back then it was true that Carol was sacrificed by the Anderson Family, getting involved with him for no fault of her own.
"Carol, do you really think so?"
Seeing that Charles still didn't give up, Carol smiled. She took Jack's arm and showed the ring on her finger again. "See? I'm engaged."
"I'll say it again. I don't like you, a person who can't protect me. I don't like... a person who has been in prison."
Now, Charles completely gave up, revealing a bitter smile.
"Carol, how can you do this? After all, Charles went to jail for you!"
"It's so chilling to see you like this!"
Sandra Davis, who was holding the little girl's hand, couldn't stand it anymore. She knew what had happened that year. Charles had gone to jail to protect Carol.
At that time, Sandra was very envious of Carol. She had met such a devoted person.
As for himself...
Seeing Sandra speak up for Mr. Anderson, Carol was even angrier. She sneered and said, "What do you mean, Sandra? Are you trying to deceive me?"
"Don't worry about me. I'm fine now. As for you, whoever slept with who we don’t know, and even if they gave birth to a bastard, they wouldn't know whose sperm it was. If it wasn't for my aunt's insistence, I wouldn't have let you come work here. I haven't liked you for a long time. The white lotus and this necklace are passed down from your family. I'll give them back to you so take your necklace and go back to your hometown. Take your illegitimate child too!"
Weng!
Charles stared at it.
The jade pendant with an intricate pattern was racing in his mind.
What?
The owner of the jade pendant was Sandra!
Sandra was the girl who had become a victim of the Anderson Family and silently swallowed her grievances!
This is the one that Sandra was holding on to... "It's my daughter!"
