CHAPTER 81: CHAPTER 81- SHE’S MARRYING CHARLES!

The next day, the entertainment headlines across major media platforms exploded with shocking news—Black Rock Co.’s CEO was getting married! The wedding was set for just half a month away, and Charles was determined to give Janet the fairytale ceremony every woman dreamed of.

Inside the company, the atmosphere was electric.

The men looked at Janet with expressions full of regret—What a waste!—while the women stared at her with envy burning in their eyes. To them, winning the favor of a man like Charles was something one could only achieve through countless lifetimes of good karma. And now, everything suddenly made sense—the special attention Charles had always shown Janet ever since he joined the company.

They were the perfect couple—a match made in heaven!

He was handsome and composed. She was gentle and stunning.

"Damn it! When did Janet even divorce Philip?!"

Elvira stood in the middle of her room, gripping a massive poster with Charles and Janet’s wedding announcement printed across it. Her fingers crushed the glossy paper into a tight ball before she hurled it at the wall.

Her hair was a mess from all the frustrated tugging. Her heart couldn’t accept the truth.

Why? Why did that woman get to marry a man like Charles?

She was bitter—truly, painfully bitter.

"What now? Throwing another tantrum?"

Anila had just stepped inside when she found her daughter raging like a wild beast, smashing things left and right.

"Mother, why didn’t we burn that little b*tch when we had the chance? She stole my man!"

Elvira wailed as she dove into Anila’s arms, her tears soaking her mother’s dress. It was Anila’s indulgence and endless scheming that had shaped Elvira into this spoiled, arrogant woman.

"You still haven’t given up? Charles isn’t someone you can handle."

Anila sighed. She knew her daughter’s obsession all too well, but Charles... that man wasn’t someone they could afford to provoke. He was like fire—irresistibly attractive, but deadly to touch.

"Even if I can’t have him, I won’t let that little tramp win!"

Elvira’s jealousy had grown into full-blown hatred. As long as it had anything to do with Janet, she was determined to ruin it all.

"She’s marrying a cripple. What waves can she possibly make?"

Anila scoffed, crossing her arms, completely unaware of the latest headlines.

"Mom, open your eyes!"

Elvira shoved the crumpled newspaper into her mother’s hands.

"She’s the one making all the waves—she’s marrying Charles! Can you believe it?"

Anila’s face twisted in shock. The girl they had dismissed, targeted, and mocked for years... had now become the future Mrs. Black Rock?

How could this be?

"They’re really getting married?"

She recalled the strange vibe she had sensed the first time Charles and Janet came to visit the Louis family. She had always felt something off—but she never imagined Janet could pull this off. That woman... she had severely underestimated her. She was far more cunning than her mother Cornelia ever was.

"She doesn’t even acknowledge us anymore! Not a word, not a visit!"

Elvira raged. When she was engaged to Philip, the Elwin family had showered the Louis family with gifts. But now? Not even a single notice from Janet or Charles.

Of course, Janet had long cut ties with the Louis family, and Charles never intended to involve them. In his eyes, they were all snakes. Janet had suffered enough—he would never let her get hurt by them again.

As for those who schemed in the shadows?

Charles never showed mercy.

As the days passed, preparations for the wedding surged forward. It became the most anticipated event of the season. The moment the news was made public, magazine sales and online views skyrocketed—it was a media frenzy.

"Charles... I’m so happy," Janet murmured softly, nestled in his embrace.

She had already stopped going to work—at his request. He wanted her to be carefree, to rest and wait for the day she would walk down the aisle toward him.

There were no blessings from family, no childhood companions at her side... but she had him, and that was enough.

Along with Philip and little Peggy, she truly felt like her life was finally complete.

"Silly girl, you’re this easily satisfied?"

Charles rested his head on her lap, letting her soft little hands press gently against his temples. For the past few days, he had been personally handling every detail of the wedding—overseeing the hotel arrangements, coordinating with the guest list, and even hiring top designers to craft a one-of-a-kind wedding dress just for her.

Even his closest friends, Shaun and Brian, had dragged him to Hell’s Bar to celebrate when they found out he was getting married. He had thought about bringing Janet along, but since they’d already met her before—and knowing Shaun’s teasing mouth—Charles didn’t want his precious woman getting corrupted by his loud-mouthed brothers.

"Mm... you’ve done so much. And I can’t even help a bit,"

Janet leaned down and kissed the corner of his lips. Her breath skimmed across his neck and slipped into the collar of his shirt, and the strands of her hair tickled his cheek. That soft, teasing contact immediately triggered a reaction in his body.

Just as she was about to move away, Charles grabbed her and deepened the kiss.

By the time he finally let her go, her lips were slightly swollen.

"You’re such a bully..." she pouted, giving him a playful punch, only to be pulled straight into his arms again.

She loved how it felt to be in his embrace. The scent of his cologne lingered in the air around her, wrapping her in warmth and comfort. In that moment, it felt like as long as she had him, the rest of the world simply didn’t matter.

"All you need to do is wait to become my bride,"

Charles chuckled, tapping her nose lightly before resting his chin on her shoulder. His warm breath brushed against her neck, and his large hands clasped tightly around her smaller ones.

All around them, the villa had been completely transformed—every piece of furniture, every carpet, all swapped out for the warm, cozy red tones she loved.

"I didn’t inform the Louis family," he whispered beside her ear.

"Would you regret that?"

"Not at all," Janet replied, turning to meet his gaze with a soft smile.

"As long as I have Philip’s blessing, that’s enough for me."

She cupped his face in both hands, her forehead gently pressing against his in an intimate gesture as she settled into his lap, her voice silky and affectionate.

"Charles... thank you."

"If you really want to thank me... how about doing something more practical?"

Charles’ smirk deepened as he wrapped an arm around her slender waist. When their eyes met, his hand began to wander to her sensitive spots without the slightest bit of shame.

"Ah! No! Our wedding is in just a few days—I need to conserve my energy!"

Janet tried to squirm away, her voice half-protest, half-laughter. But her heart was full—she loved this version of Charles. Without the weight of hatred dragging him down, his gaze was filled only with her. His tenderness... it made her fall for him all over again.

"Don’t worry. Your husband has plenty of stamina."

Charles tapped her forehead playfully.

"Come on, let’s try something else. Say it—’husband.’ Might as well get used to it early."

"Huh? Do I have to...?"

Janet hesitated, still not used to the new title. She used to call him "Boss," then it slowly changed to "Charles," and now suddenly, husband? Her lips parted shyly, but when she saw the teasing glint in his eyes—clearly threatening her—she knew she had no choice.

"If you don’t say it, I’ll just have to punish you another way,"

Charles shot a meaningful glance at her exposed neckline.

Instantly, Janet sat up straight like a frightened little bunny. Her eyes locked onto his, shimmering with nervous anticipation. Then, in the softest, sweetest voice—

"...Husband."