Chapter 357: Men Are Really Cheap

“No, of course not. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

As Harlan watched their conversation unfold, he seemed utterly invisible to them. He was mad. How dare this woman ignore him?

“Janice, you’re being disrespectful. Carter’s older than both of us,” he tried to interject.

Zoey scoffed coldly. “And his age has nothing to do with me. His wife is my new friend. What’s wrong with calling him by his name?”

“This is ridiculous! Since when did you and Ms. Gardner become best friends? Besides, when it comes to seniority, as my wife, you should show the same respect as I do.”

“Harlan, are you not hearing me? You don’t love me, and I don’t love you. Let’s just call it quits. Don’t worry. I’ll handle your grandfather.”

She said it so casually, as if not loving each other was the most natural thing in the world. Harlan froze, but his expression soon darkened even more.

“If this is some sort of new tactic, let me tell you—it’s not going to work on me. I came here to give you an easy way out. Refuse, and don’t expect me to come back for you again.”

That condescending tone made my blood boil. Just as I was about to intervene, Zoey grabbed a slipper and hurled it at his head.

“Get lost! Only someone out of their mind would want to go back to that miserable place. I’ve never been happier than I am here!”

Harlan dodged the slipper with a quick tilt of his head—a move I had to admit was surprisingly cool. Turning to me, he asked, “Zoey, since when have you two been such close friends?”

“Oh, since the moment we met, I suppose. There’s just something about Janice that feels familiar and warm. Don’t worry, Mr. Pearson. Since she doesn’t want to go home, she’s welcome to stay here. I’ll take good care of her. You, on the other hand, should go spend time with Ms. White.”

Harlan’s face twitched uncomfortably at the mention of Nina. He said, “Zoey, you’ve misunderstood. There’s nothing romantic between me and her. She’s like a sister to me.”

I smiled sweetly, but my words had a sharp edge. “You don’t have to explain your heart matters, Mr. Pearson. Everyone knows what’s going on. Let me just say this: if Carter had a childhood sweetheart like that, one of them wouldn’t live to see the next day.”

I spoke in the softest voice, yet my words carried the sharpest edge. “In my marriage, there will never be room for another woman.”

After everything I endured with Luke, I had sworn to close my heart forever. But it was Carter who pulled me into his world, and he absolutely cannot betray me.

Carter wrapped an arm around my waist, his voice low and soothing. “Relax. That’s not going to happen.”

Harlan’s face twisted in disbelief as he watched Carter’s tender affection. The ruthless tycoon, feared by all, was nothing but a doting husband at home. It was beyond his imagination.

“Well,” Carter, sensing the futility of Harlan’s visit, spoke calmly. “You should go. She’s safe here.”

Harlan hesitated. “Just like that? You’re sending me away?”

Carter smirked. “Unless you plan on staying the night.”

Harlan paused, considering. “Maybe I could—”

“Get out. This isn’t a couples’ hotel,” Carter countered.

After a brief exchange of silent glares, Carter looked at me tenderly. “You didn’t eat much earlier. I had some dessert prepared for you and Mrs. Pearson. If you’re still too excited to sleep, you can watch a movie in the theater room. I’ll bring fruit and snacks over in a bit.”

With a husband like this, what more could I ask for? I grabbed his arm and stood on tiptoe to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Sounds perfect.”

Zoey, ever the cynic, looked disgusted. “Ugh, the stench of love! Carter, get me some chips—shrimp-flavored.”

“Why not choke on them?” Harlan retorted.

Carter sighed deeply and said, “Let me show you out.” This straight-laced man is beyond help.

I grabbed Zoey’s hand and said, “Let’s go watch a movie before we go to bed.”

“Okay! Sounds good to me.”

As we left, Harlan stared at Zoey’s retreating figure, which showed no sign of regret. After a moment, he touched his chin and turned to Carter. “Actually, I didn’t need to go home. I’ve got some time. Maybe I’ll join you for the movie.”

Carter shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

Men. They can be really cheap.

And that’s how my first night in a foreign country—supposedly the start of my honeymoon with Carter—ended with me stuck watching an action-packed anime Zoey insisted on. Not that there was anything wrong with anime, but I wasn’t exactly in the mood for a teenage power fantasy. Zoey was riveted. I, on the other hand, was half-asleep.

Carter gently stroked my hair and asked, “Sleepy?”

I nodded, too drowsy to respond properly. “Mhm.”

“I’ll carry you to bed.”

“No, stay with me!” Zoey protested, grabbing my arm.

Harlan cleared his throat and offered, “I’ll stay.”

Zoey shot him a glare. “Go away, you annoying man.”

“Janice, don’t push your luck,” Harlan growled.

As their bickering escalated, Carter swept me into his arms and carried me off.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered. “Harlan doesn’t hit women. And he’s not involved with his childhood sweetheart. If he ever falls for Zoey, he’ll make a good match. Trust me.”

I smiled. “How could I not trust you, Carter?”

My drowsiness evaporated as I pulled him into one of the guest rooms.

With the lights off and the night shrouding us in darkness, I slipped my hands under his shirt and kissed my way up his Adam’s apple. My voice laced with desire, I whispered, “Carter, no one’s here to bother us now.”