After learning just how terrifying Jason Carter's status and position truly were, Hank no longer dared to harbor even the slightest thought of conflict. On the contrary, the more he interacted with Jason, the more overwhelmed he felt by the man's presence.
Jason had taken the initiative to toast him—that alone was already an honor most people could never dream of. Someone of this level was not a person you offended; he was someone you tried desperately to befriend.
At that moment, Hank completely abandoned any thoughts he had once held about Charlotte. There was no resentment, no regret—only a sense of clarity and acceptance.
Part of it came from Jason's influence. Surrounded by stunning women, yet utterly unconcerned, as if beauty itself was just background scenery—that was true composure. That was the bearing of a real man. Hank even thought to himself: if I were a woman, I'd probably fall for someone like him too.
After hesitating briefly, Hank spoke again, choosing his words carefully. "Mr. Carter… actually, I originally came tonight because I wanted to help Miss Charlotte resolve an issue with a Skincare brand." He paused, then added smoothly, "I have a friend whose wife is a VIP client there. She has some influence."
It was, of course, a lie—but a very well-crafted one. First, it explained why he had shown up, neatly dispelling any suspicion that he had ulterior motives. Second, it turned potential hostility into goodwill—offering help rather than creating trouble. What he had once planned to use as leverage over Charlotte, he was now giving freely.
Jason turned his gaze to Charlotte. "What kind of conflict could you have with them?"
The single word we made Charlotte's heart warm instantly. She took a breath and explained softly, "Strictly speaking, it's not really a conflict—more like an entanglement with their Deputy GM."
"At first, Aike's marketing director, who approached me about being their spokesperson. The endorsement fee was generous, and the campaign performed very well." She smiled faintly. "My image, skin condition, and temperament didn't disgrace the brand in any way."
"But later, I realized he had… other intentions. He repeatedly asked me out for drinks—always late at night. When I refused, he hinted that the endorsement might be terminated."
Charlotte's fingers tightened slightly around her glass. "The original contract heavily favored Aike. If they canceled it, both Infinity Media and I would suffer significant losses. The management at Infinity Media thought that having a drink wasn't a big deal, but I didn't want to go. That wasn't in the contract. Why should I agree? And it was never just about drinking. Going would've been no different from agreeing to something else entirely."
Hearing this, Hank instinctively interjected—still thinking from an old-school businessman's perspective. "Miss Charlotte, you shouldn't put it like that. Resolving things over a drink is the lowest-cost solution. He was very upset right now. Without mediation, he may not give you another chance." He shrugged slightly. "This isn't self-sacrifice. Socializing is… normal."
Hank had never believed in pure romance. To him, business dinners, late-night drinks, and blurred boundaries were simply part of the game. But the moment he finished speaking, the temperature around them subtly shifted. Jason's expression didn't change—but the air grew heavier.
Charlotte found Hank's words extremely grating. That was precisely why she had always refused to meet him in person—even though he was the top supporter on her livestream. It wasn't just because Hank was older and, frankly, unattractive. More importantly, it was because of his attitude toward women.
From the moment she grew up, Charlotte had possessed an innate allure. Her eyes were naturally captivating, and even when she did nothing deliberately, she carried a faintly seductive aura. Every glance, every movement, seemed to invite misunderstanding. Because of that, she had endured far more strange looks and disrespectful remarks than ordinary women.
Over time, she learned to treasure certain things deeply. She didn't care how others judged her—but she cared about her own dignity.
Especially after an incident in her sophomore year of high school—one that quietly shaped the rest of her life. Back then, a boy confessed to her. He seemed sincere, earnest, even shy. After hesitating for a long time, she finally decided to give him a chance.
But just as they had started talking, they were intercepted by a wealthy heir and a group of thugs. The rich kid threatened the boy casually—mentioning his parents' jobs, hinting at consequences. The thugs stood nearby, silent but intimidating.
The boy didn't last even a minute. He immediately caved. Not only that—he sold her out. To salvage his shattered pride, he insulted her instead, sneering that she looked promiscuous, that she must have slept with countless men already, and that one more wouldn't matter. He claimed she didn't need to "protect" him, that he'd done nothing wrong.
Fortunately, The rich heir didn't dare to actually touch her. But the damage was already done. That incident left Charlotte with deep psychological scars.
On the surface, she appeared flirtatious, as if she could charm men effortlessly. In reality, she found it incredibly difficult to truly let anyone close. She came to despise two kinds of men: those who disrespected women, and those who were weak and cowardly.
Jason Carter, however, gave her the complete opposite impression. At their first meeting, she had felt his powerful presence immediately. In modern society, money and influence were the clearest forms of strength—and Jason possessed both effortlessly.
More importantly, the way he handled unfair contracts, adjusted exploitative clauses, and insisted on proper medical insurance for employees showed something deeper. It wasn't just business sense. It was respect.
And in the details—especially how he treated female employees—there was an extra layer of care that couldn't be faked. Yes, Jason had many women. Many women would see that as the height of disrespect. But Charlotte didn't. To her, a powerful man having multiple women wasn't inherently wrong. What mattered was how he treated them. Jason treated every woman around him generously, openly, and with respect.
On the other hand, there were men who claimed loyalty, who had only one woman—or none at all—yet still trampled on women's dignity and couldn't even protect the person beside them. That boy from her sophomore year was the perfect example.
Charlotte looked at Jason, about to explain further—but Jason waved his hand lightly, interrupting her. "This isn't a conflict. This is bullying."
He continued, his tone steady but unmistakably firm. "What kind of status does a deputy general manager of a skincare company have? Who gives him the right to bully my employees?"
Charlotte froze for a moment. Then she realized she didn't need to explain anything at all. Her eyes lit up, and when she looked at Jason again, her gaze was soft, warm, and deeply affectionate.
Hank was stunned. In his view, Charlotte might be inexperienced—but how could Jason be so… uncompromising? He hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Mr Carter, socializing and drinking with clients is pretty normal in business circles—"
Jason looked at him calmly. "Don't confuse outdated culture with normalcy. For many people, it's a helpless compromise. But a mere deputy general manager at a Skincare company doesn't have the right to make me feel helpless."
As he spoke, Jason gave a slight nod toward Olivia. No further explanation was needed. Their understanding had long since reached that level. Olivia nodded immediately and turned to handle the matter.
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