Chapter 464 Marrying Anyone Is the Same
"Hey, Charlie, where's Evelyn?" Elbert asked, craning his neck to look outside.
"Evelyn's hurt and can't entertain guests. I told her to rest at home, so she won't be coming tonight," Charlie replied coolly.
"Charlie, that's not fair! You promised to bring Evelyn last time. Besides, we're not just guests; we're gonna be family soon!" Elbert grumbled, feeling puzzled.
Charlie sat down, unfazed. "If you really care about Evelyn, you should let her recover properly and not push her."
They had met privately before the horse race.
Back then, they had a great conversation and vowed to make this marriage happen, to unite Evelyn and Gilbert, bringing Evelyn into the Alexander family.
Elbert had also considered Randy's marriage, as Randy was his most beloved son after the eldest.
He hoped to seize the opportunity for a double celebration by proposing to Charlie and Joyce's daughter, Jennifer, for Randy.
Initially, he thought Jennifer's background was not suitable for Randy.
But now, with Randy left with only one leg, he couldn't afford to be picky, and Jennifer, whom he had always overlooked, seemed more acceptable.
So tonight, he brought Randy to meet Jennifer.
But he couldn't understand why Charlie, who had already approved Gilbert as his son-in-law, didn't bring Evelyn. Moreover, Charlie's attitude was colder than before.
Gilbert's enthusiasm vanished, and he downed a glass of wine with a grim expression.
Jennifer, unaware of the situation, wore a refined white lace dress that highlighted her fair skin like a gem. As a dance student, her slender figure was graceful like a crane, and her posture was stunning. Her exposed legs were straight and flawless, like a pair of perfect artworks.
Usually, Evelyn's beauty and presence were so overwhelming that Jennifer was easily overlooked.
Now, it was clear that these sisters were each uniquely beautiful.
Randy, who had been in the hospital for a long time and hadn't seen many women except nurses, was mesmerized by Jennifer.
Gilbert, being a man himself, saw through Randy's lecherous thoughts and smirked coldly.
As the feast began, Charlie barely ate, seemingly lacking appetite.
Jennifer sat beside Randy, who was attentive to her, but she responded politely.
Jennifer's heart and eyes were only for William. She felt guilty even glancing at other men.
"Charlie, the horse race is over, and about what we discussed..." Elbert began.
Charlie finally spoke in a deep voice, "Elbert, I know you like Evelyn. I also know Gilbert and Amanda care for Evelyn, and Gilbert is very respectful to me, thorough in his actions, and a junior I admire. But feelings can't be forced. Evelyn already has someone in her heart, and you should know who that is."
His words caught the Alexander family off guard!
Gilbert's expression changed.
Randy, seeing his brother's reaction, couldn't help but laugh gleefully.
'Gilbert, dreaming of marrying Evelyn and controlling the Alexander Group to challenge Calvin?'
"Charlie, what do you mean? We had an agreement!" Elbert's thick brows furrowed, his face reddening with anger. "We've been friends for over thirty years. How do you think I've treated you?"
"Back when you were targeted for assassination, with a sniper hidden on the rooftop, we didn't even know where he was, but I dared to stand in front of you and take the bullet!"
Charlie listened silently, recalling that life-threatening shootout.
He was genuinely grateful to Elbert back then. They were young, shared the same ideals, and Elbert risked his life for him, showing their true brotherhood.
And it was during that incident that he was saved by Susan, the daughter of a mob boss, leading to their marriage.
"Yes, Elbert. You've been good to me, and I'll never forget it." Charlie's voice was hoarse, each word heavy.
"I think you've forgotten! Otherwise, you wouldn't go back on your word and humiliate me!"
Elbert grew more agitated, smashing an expensive crystal glass on the ground, his face flushed!
Jennifer and Joyce were both startled!
Elbert was usually cheerful with Charlie; it was their first time seeing him so furious!
It showed how much he valued this marriage, even willing to risk a thirty-year friendship.
"Dad! Please take care of your health, don't get too angry!"
Randy and Gilbert stood up simultaneously, but Randy, with his injured leg, was slower than Gilbert.
Gilbert was already beside Elbert, gently patting his back, comforting him, "Dad, please calm down. You and Mr. Taylor have been friends for decades, a bond we juniors envy."
"Please don't let my marriage ruin your friendship; I'd feel guilty forever," Gilbert said, trying to calm the situation.
"Gilbert, don't say that. This isn't your fault," Elbert sighed, slapping his thigh. "It's my failure as a father. After all these years, I still couldn't surpass the Wellington Group to become Mugden's leader. Mr. Taylor wants to ally with the Wellington family, and I understand."
"Dad, don't say that. It's not your fault; it's mine," Gilbert replied bitterly, his eyes full of pain. "It's my fault for not winning Evelyn's love. It's my fate with Evelyn. Mr. Taylor is right; feelings can't be forced. So, I wish Evelyn and Mr. Wellington a lifetime of happiness together."
Elbert stood up angrily, his gaze at Charlie full of disappointment. "Mr. Taylor, since you have made your choice, I have nothing more to say. From now on, we're rivals. Farewell! Randy, Gilbert, let's go!"
"Elbert, wait," Charlie frowned deeply, slowly standing up and walking to him. "I've always wanted Gilbert to be my son-in-law, hoping our families could unite. But you saw at the horse race, Evelyn and Edward's relationship was exposed nationwide. Discussing marriage now isn't good for your family or your son's reputation!"
Elbert pondered.
Gilbert adjusted his glasses, quickly and coldly glancing at Charlie. What was Charlie thinking? Why did he feel Charlie was secretly pushing Evelyn and Edward together? Why?
"Jennifer," Charlie suddenly called.
"Yes, Dad," Jennifer snapped out of her daze and obediently walked to Charlie.
Charlie looked at her with deep eyes, then at Elbert. "Jennifer is my youngest daughter with Joyce. We've always been looking for a suitable match for her. Initially, I hoped she'd marry into your family, but you preferred Evelyn, so I made other arrangements for Jennifer. Now that Evelyn is with Mr. Wellington, why don't we sit down and discuss your son's marriage with Jennifer? After graduation, Jennifer can be your daughter-in-law. What do you think?"
A thunderous shock, like lightning striking Jennifer's head! Her delicate body trembled, her face drained of color. "Dad... I..."
Suddenly, Joyce grabbed her arm, her fingers digging into her flesh. Jennifer anxiously looked at her mother, who shook her head. In the end, she could only lower her head, tears welling up.
Charlie proposed Jennifer's marriage to the Alexander family, mending the broken relationship between the families.
But Gilbert was anxious, excusing himself and pacing angrily on the dark, empty balcony. He breathed heavily, his eyes bloodshot, his fists pounding the railing, red and swollen, unable to quell his rage! What to do, what to do?
Elbert truly wanted to ally with Knight Spear Group to dominate Mugden. Even if not Evelyn, he wouldn't mind choosing Jennifer. But now, Randy was crippled. Charlie would never marry his daughter to a disabled man, so the responsibility would fall on him. He couldn't marry anyone but Evelyn!
"Gilbert, in the end, you got played. Is this what happens when you lick too much and end up with nothing?" Randy hobbled over with his crutch, seeing Gilbert's self-destructive state, feeling pleased. "You wanted to marry Evelyn, tried everything, but ended up losing to Edward. Evelyn and Edward both divorced once, and she'd rather remarry than be with you. How pathetic is that!"
Gilbert's face turned sickly pale with anger, his fingers gripping the railing tightly. Suddenly, he remembered Randy's attentiveness to Jennifer at dinner, and a plan formed. He smiled, "Randy, you have time to mock me? You should worry about yourself. You're now disabled, unable to manage most of the family business, and Dad is losing patience with you. Your only chance to rise is through marriage. But now, even Mr. Taylor's least favored daughter won't marry you. Of course, if I were Mr. Taylor, I wouldn't let my daughter marry a cripple."
"Who are you calling a cripple... say it again?" Randy roared, his eyes red.
"Even if I can't marry Evelyn, marrying Jennifer isn't a loss. Either way, I'm Mr. Taylor's son-in-law. It doesn't matter who I marry. But you should think carefully. Once I marry Jennifer, Dad will favor me. Will there be a place for you in the Alexander family?"
With that, Gilbert smiled arrogantly and strode past him.
"Gilbert! Don't celebrate too soon!" Randy furiously pounded the ground with his crutch. "This marriage isn't up to you!"
Leaving the balcony, Gilbert smirked darkly. He knew Randy had taken the bait.
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