Chapter 272
Chapter 272 Three Conditions
Weighed down by the handcuffs and leg shackles, every step he took was excruciatingly slow.
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The parts of his arms and neck not covered by his sleeves were peppered with bruises. His skin was rough, and his beard was
unkempt. Compared to the refined and sensual appearance he had once sported, he was like a completely different person.
If it wasn’t for that pair of uniquely blue eyes, Gwendolyn would not have recognized him.
Through the glass panel that separated them, Charles met her
gaze and picked up the phone.
Mirroring his actions, Gwendolyn brought the phone to her ear.
“Long time no see, Gwen. You look surprised. Have you forgotten me already?‘
Expressionless, Gwendolyn spoke in a frigid tone. “I didn’t come here to hear you reminisce about old times. If you aren’t going
to talk, I’ll be taking my leave.”
Charles quirked his lip playfully and tutted. “How cold of you. You really do only care about your little pet.”
When he saw Gwendolyn make a move to put down the phone, he hurriedly added, “Okay, okay! I’ll get to the point.” He
narrowed his eyes, his smile becoming twisted and strange. In a raspy voice, he said, “Gwen, although I’m in prison right now, I
know better than anyone else that your current fiancé, Cedrick, is actually your former husband from Fairlake. He’s your beloved
pet, am I right?”
Although Gwendolyn smiled coldly, she was slightly taken aback by his comment. “This is news to me. Where did you hear that
from?”
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“You don’t have to play dumb. I just find it baffling that he would dare get engaged to you despite being so severely ill.”
Instantly, Gwendolyn’s expression turned serious as she slapped the table fiercely. “What else do you know? What illness does
he have?”
Charles smiled eerily. “I know everything about him. Apart from me, I reckon not many are aware of this.”
“What do you want for your information?” Gwendolyn swiftly calmed down and regained her composure.
Charles applauded. “Quick to catch on as usual. That’s the Gwen I love. It doesn’t take much effort to converse with you.”
Gwendolyn did not bother concealing the disgust in her eyes. “Stop wasting my time and get to the point!”
Grinning evilly, Charles‘ blue eyes were unfathomably dark as he edged his chapped lips close to the mouthpiece. He whispered,
“Get Asher to bail me out, then cancel your engagement to Cedrick and marry
me.”
Upon hearing his words, Gwendolyn frowned.
“I can get Asher to bail you out, no problem. However, that’s the only condition I will fulfill. Don’t even think about the rest.”
Charles lowered his gaze, appearing to be hurt by her response. “I guess you really took a liking to him. Don’t worry; I only
require protection. The Newton family was seized by Craig after my little incident. In
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order to obtain power and fame, Craig decided to abandon me. I need the Harris family’s protection when I get out of here to
make a comeback.”
Unfazed, Gwendolyn’s expression remained icy. “You take the matter of Cedrick’s and my engagement too lightly. It is not
something I get to break off on a whim.”
“Surely you jest. You’re the sweetheart of the Harris family. It would probably only cost a little money to pull out of the
engagement. I’m sure Asher would allow it if that’s what you really want.”
Gwendolyn pursed her red lips and fell silent.
Charles continued, “Anyway, aren’t you curious about his secrets? I guarantee you will want to hear them. Bail me out, cancel
your engagement, and marry me. You will need to fulfill all three conditions.”
Gwendolyn lowered her head and fell silent for a long moment.
She clenched her fist so tightly that the blue veins were visible under her pale skin.
“Well? Have you made up your mind?”
“Yes, I have.” Gwendolyn lifted her eyes and stared at Charles with a determined expression. “I absolutely hate it when others
twist my arm and threaten me! You want me to cancel my engagement and marry you? Dream on!”
Charles had already hurt Cedrick once, back in Fairlake. If the latter found out that she was planning on breaking their
engagement to marry Charles, he would likely be utterly heartbroken.
Cedrick has already sacrificed so much for me. I don’t wish to disappoint him, nor do I want him to misunderstand.
The smile on Charles‘ face instantly vanished.
He was stunned for a long while. In fact, he had probably not expected Gwendolyn to reject his request so bluntly.
“It seems like I can’t come to an agreement with you, Mr. Newton. Goodbye.” Having said that, Gwendolyn hung up. She got up
and left without turning back.
Charles‘ eyes were full of shock, and his emotions became turbulent.
He bolted up and slammed his fists against the soundproof glass, his metal handcuffs rattling loudly.
“Gwendolyn! Come back! Don’t you want to know about his illness? He doesn’t have long to live! He’s going to die! That sliver of
time he has left isn’t worth it. I’m clearly the better choice!”
Moving swiftly, the prison guard soon had the rampaging Charles subdued.
Charles cackled madly as his head was pressed onto the ground. “Gwendolyn! Mark my words; you will come running back to
me sooner or later. You can only be mine for the rest of your life!”
His laughter echoed eerily in the visiting room, not stopping until the prison guard zapped his waist with the electroshock baton.
The strong electric current made Charles‘ body convulse before he passed out.
The soundproof glass worked as intended. Gwendolyn heard nothing of his screams and never turned to
look back.
She sighed softly. Another source of information regarding Cedrick’s condition is cut off. It seems like I only have one,
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Chapter 272 Three Conditions
option left.
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Late that afternoon, at Jenson Group, it was the day of their monthly board meeting, and Cedrick had already been in the
meeting room for half an hour.
Nico, who had gone out to fetch an important document, was stopped in the hallway by a slender figure just as he was about to
return to the meeting room.
His heart thudded in surprise when he saw that it was Gwendolyn, “Ms. Harris! Um, are you looking for Mr. Jenson? You may
have to wait quite a bit as he’s currently in a meeting. Excuse me, but I have to go too.”
Lowering his head and bowing politely, he tried to edge past Gwendolyn from the right side. With a clack of her high heels,
Gwendolyn took a step to the side with her long legs and intercepted him once again.
“Nico, this is the last time I’ll be bothering you about this matter. If you still refuse to tell the truth, I’ll stop bothering you at work.”
“I truly don’t know anything! Please let me off the hook!”
Nico lowered his head even further. He turned around and tried to take a detour back to the meeting
room.
Gwendolyn stared at his tense retreating figure and suddenly said, “I went to see Charles today. He told me that he knows, but
he’ll only tell me after I marry him.”
Although Nico halted in his tracks, he did not turn his head.
Upon seeing his reaction, Gwendolyn continued, “Nico, you’ve helped Cedrick and I resolve many of our misunderstandings.
You’ve been there from the very start, watching over us as we got together. If you refuse to tell me, I can only agree to Charles‘
conditions. Is that what you wish to see?”
Floundering inwardly, Nico tightened his grip on the documents. “Mr. Jenson gave us the gag order. This is a matter of the
organization’s discipline. I dare not-
“Don’t worry. I’ll help you keep it a secret from him.”
Gwendolyn stepped forward, murmuring softly, “He’s sick, and it’s hard to endure it alone. Tell me so I can help him.”
Nico visibly wavered. “Come with me.”
Gwendolyn proceeded to follow Nico into his office.
Locking the door behind them, he whispered, “Do you still remember the acid–splashing incident at Realm Bar from half a year
ago?”
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