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Curiously, Charlie asked, “What do you mean by that?”

With a serious demeanor, Jasmine responded, “Mr. Wade, you come across as a simple and laid-back person, yet you possess impressive skills and capabilities. Despite your talents, you remain humble. As I’ve gotten to know you, it’s clear that you don’t feel the need to flaunt your abilities. However, if someone pushes your limits or challenges you, you’re quick to demonstrate your true potential. What’s more, your approach to countering or defending yourself is often unexpected, quite unlike how most people would react.”

Continuing, Jasmine added, “What puzzles me the most is why you would choose to be a stay-at-home son-in-law to the Wilson family, given your remarkable capabilities. The Wilson family is merely a typical second or possibly third-rate family. I genuinely believe you could achieve much more, considering the vast potential within you. Don’t you ever feel that way?”

Instead of answering her question, Charlie posed another. “Then, where do you think I truly belong if not with the Wilson family?”

Jasmine answered earnestly, “I believe someone of your caliber should be associated with a prestigious family. Many powerful and wealthy families would likely be eager to unite with you, given your exceptional skills and capabilities.”

With a smile, Charlie replied, “But what’s the point? If marriage is based solely on family interests, love becomes irrelevant. Why would someone from a powerful family marry someone they have no feelings for? Furthermore, if a man marries into her family, wouldn’t he be subjected to their control for life?”

Jasmine responded naturally, “Absolutely! This is the norm in powerful families. They tend to be very strict with their daughters. For example, children from affluent families must attend elite schools to acquire top-notch education and social etiquette. Our families have also imposed strict rules against interacting with the opposite sex, making it impossible to fall in love freely.”

“What?” Charlie exclaimed in disbelief. “We’re in the twenty-first century! Why do wealthy families seem more feudal than those in the past?”

“This isn’t feudalism,” Jasmine clarified seriously. “It’s a survival rule for upper-class families.”

“Survival rule?” Charlie inquired. “What does that entail?”

Jasmine quickly elaborated, “We need to form partnerships and collaborate, exchanging resources with other prestigious families. Thus, the Moore family has one strict rule: all direct members must adhere to the marriage arrangements made by the family elders. There’s no room for negotiation.”

“Historically, the Moore family even mandated that members marry within the family, arranging marriages between cousins to prevent wealth dilution. However, due to legal prohibitions on marrying relatives within three generations in this country, that rule has been largely abandoned. Still, some of my relatives abroad continue to marry their cousins.”

“Our family rules have relaxed significantly, and marrying cousins is no longer required. However, we are still expected to marry individuals from similarly affluent and powerful families. While the other family’s status shouldn’t surpass ours, it also shouldn’t be significantly lower.”

Jasmine sighed as she continued, “Our family values cooperation, and they always find ways for men from other families to marry into ours, while women from other families must do the same. All Moore family members must prioritize the family’s interests and cannot defy any marriage arrangements set by the elders.”

Listening to Jasmine, Charlie sighed. “It seems you have your own set of challenges as a member of a powerful family. It appears that as wealth increases, so does greed.”

Charlie realized that if he returned to the Wade family, he would likely face similar control over his life. They might look down on the Wilson family and potentially pressure him to divorce Claire to marry someone from a wealthier family.

Clearly, returning to the Wade family was not a favorable option.

As he pondered this, Charlie suddenly asked, “By the way, Jasmine, shouldn’t you be thinking about marriage too? Has your family made any arrangements for you yet?”

Jasmine shook her head, replying, “Initially, the elders were focused on arranging a marriage for my cousin Reuben. His marriage was decided long ago, with my grandfather planning for him to marry the daughter of a wealthy family in the northern region. However, when my grandfather fell seriously ill, they postponed my marriage arrangements. Now that he’s recovering, I suspect he’ll start planning my marriage soon…”

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