As Claire observed her parents mocking Charlie, she let out a deep sigh and said, “Dad, Mom, please don’t blame Charlie for this. It was my idea. I just want our family to stop being looked down upon. Haven’t we endured enough over the years?”

Claire’s mother interjected, “But you can’t take on such a responsibility. It’s not just you—even if your grandma were to go herself, they wouldn’t take her seriously!”

Charlie managed a wry smile while watching the argument unfold. He suspected that his arrogant in-laws would never accept the fact that he was the actual owner of Emgrand Group. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

“I’m coming…”

Elaine let out a frustrated sigh as she approached the door and opened it.

Charlie turned his attention to the doorway, where a young man in a sharp Armani suit stood. The man was strikingly handsome, with a Patek Philippe watch on his wrist that looked to be worth at least four million dollars.

Elaine exclaimed excitedly, “Hey, Wendell! What brings you here?”

The young man was Wendell Jones, the heir of the Jones family who had been chasing after Claire for some time.

With a charming smile, Wendell replied, “Auntie, I heard about Claire’s negotiations with the Emgrand Group, and I’m here to offer her some advice.”

“Wow, you really are our family’s savior!”

Elaine was bubbling with excitement, looking at Wendell as if he were already her son-in-law. She quickly ushered him inside and pleaded, “Wendell, would you help Claire secure the Emgrand Group contract?”

Wendell nodded politely, completely ignoring Charlie as if he were insignificant. He walked directly to Claire and said softly, “Claire, why didn’t you tell me about this? It’s a big deal! Don’t worry, my family has connections with Emgrand Group. I’ll talk to my father and see how we can assist you.”

Truth be told, Wendell’s father wasn’t as influential as he claimed; he was merely trying to win Claire’s affection with grand promises.

Claire, aware of Wendell’s feelings for her, replied coolly, “Wendell, I appreciate your offer, but I’ll manage on my own.”

Elaine was taken aback and scolded, “Claire, are you out of your mind? Mr. Jones is being kind enough to help you, and you dismiss him like that?”

Claire remained silent, but Charlie, intrigued, asked Wendell, “Mr. Jones, I’m curious—how exactly can you assist Claire? Emgrand Group is massive, and I doubt you hold much sway with them. So how can you guarantee Claire the contract?”

Wendell scoffed dismissively and replied, “What do you know? The Jones family has been working with Emgrand Group for years. We’re set to get at least one-third of their two billion dollar project! In the meantime, I’ll ask my father to allocate ten million dollars as a subcontract to Claire. Simple as that!”

Charlie was taken aback, “Wow! I had no idea the Jones family had such a close relationship with Emgrand Group!”

Wendell smirked. “Of course! Everyone in Aurous Hill knows that!”

He then shot Charlie a disdainful look and said, “Charlie Wade, let me give you a piece of advice. A frog in a well like you should step aside. A man like you can’t bring Claire happiness; you’ll only be a burden.”

Claire interjected coldly, “I’m sorry, Mr. Jones, but I don’t need your help, and I’d appreciate it if you watched your words!”

Wendell, flabbergasted, replied, “Claire, I’m here to help you! Why are you siding with this loser? Why are you defending him?”

Claire responded firmly, “He’s not a loser; he’s my husband!”

A dark cloud crossed Wendell’s face as he growled, “Fine! You’ve made your choice. I’ll be waiting to see how you solve this problem. Don’t come crying to me later when you realize you missed an opportunity!”

With that, Wendell turned, slammed the door behind him, and left.

Elaine rushed after Wendell, but he was already gone. She slapped her thighs in frustration, pointed at Charlie’s face, and shouted, “You! How dare you! What can you do besides being a burden to Claire? Mr. Jones was genuinely trying to help, and you chased him away!”

Charlie replied flatly, “Mom, he’s all talk. If he can’t secure a contract with Emgrand, how can he possibly help Claire?”

“Nonsense!” Elaine retorted, “What do you know, you ignorant fool! The Jones family can secure one-third of that two billion dollar contract!”

Charlie remained stoic, but inwardly he was amused, thinking, ‘I may not know the full extent of the Jones family’s power, but I am certain that my Emgrand Group will no longer have any dealings with them! Even if they have collaborated before, that’s all over now!’

Meanwhile, Claire couldn’t read her husband’s thoughts. She turned to her mother and said, “Mom, please don’t blame Charlie. Just wait until I return from Emgrand Group!”

“Huh!” Elaine sighed heavily, feeling that fate had dealt her an unfair hand. She had married a useless husband, and now her daughter had married someone even more hopeless! What had she done to deserve this fate?