Two extraordinary men find themselves captivated by a woman of intricate allure, whose heart seems unattainable. These men, driven by their unwavering love, are willing to defy all odds, even if fate conspires against them, in their quest to win her...
"Mr. McLain, how do you respond to the pressing questions being asked across the nation regarding the state of the economy? Many fear that a consolidation of wealth through a monopoly will only exacerbate inequality and poverty," another reporter interjected. James shifted his focus to the new questioner, ready to address the concerns raised.
"At this moment, our primary focus should be on steering our economy towards recovery. However, I am concerned that the apprehension surrounding my daughter's engagement being seen as a signal of future economic aspirations could potentially hinder our progress. If not handled effectively, this situation may place additional strain on our economy, leading to a rise in inflation and a deterioration of the overall macroeconomic landscape," James remarked, highlighting the potential risks ahead.
"I understand that this may be difficult for everyone to grasp. Rest assured, I will take swift action to clarify any concerns and ensure that my daughter's engagement is not overshadowed by public scrutiny," James declared with a solemn air of comprehension.
Nearby, Axel stood by his father, observing the reporters' probing questions and discerning their underlying intentions to discredit his father. It was evident from the room's atmosphere that James was not the most favored candidate among the press.
~
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While the McLains engaged with the media, the Callaways were relishing the gradual unraveling of James' presidential campaign. Harold had invited his son over for a conversation, mainly to celebrate and applaud his son's brilliance.
Carlton's family life and interests were thriving according to plan, with everything falling into place as he had envisioned—except for his relationship with Elena. Despite their engagement, Elena found herself increasingly rattled by her family's situation, causing a growing discord between them.
"Oh, Carlton, it is truly remarkable how effortlessly you have outshined that tyrant! It has been two months of futile attempts for him to secure the presidency," Harold exclaimed with a broad smile on his face, his bushy brows arching as he looked at his son. Carlton nodded humbly, offering a slight bow of his head as he raised his glass in a toast to his father's words.
"But what do my aging eyes perceive here? It appears you are not entirely at ease and enjoying this as you should," Harold remarked, noticing the intensity in Carlton's gaze. Carlton's eyes met his father's with determination as he set down his glass.
"Let me guess, it's the McLain girl!" he exclaimed with a hint of irritation. Carlton clenched his glass tightly, a sense of tension building as he observed his father's reaction.
"Elena, father! Her name is Elena, my soon-to-be wife! Can you at least pretend in front of me that you like her? Show some respect for her when I'm around!" Carlton scolded, his eyes reflecting his seriousness. Harold chuckled in disbelief, his hands balling into fists.
"I strongly advise against marrying a woman like her! Believe me when I say the only reason she hasn't left you is due to her father's pressure to go through with the marriage! She's merely obeying her father's commands!" Harold stated, causing Carlton to bristle with irritation. He slammed his hands on the table, leaning forward to meet his father's gaze with frustrated eyes.
"She loves me, and I will not let her go just because you disapprove of her! She will be the mother of my children and the lady of my house! Do not overstep, Father! I am devoted to you, but I am also devoted to her. I will not tolerate any disrespect towards my fiancée!" Carlton declared firmly, his gaze unwavering as he confronted his father, who appeared visibly agitated by Carlton's bold stance.
"I allowed you to witness James McLain's impending downfall, but in return, I am now facing turmoil in my relationship with the woman I love! Do not sabotage this for me, Father! If you truly care for me, you would not stand in the way of my happiness with Elena!" Carlton asserted before storming out of the room, leaving his father alone in silence. Harold scoffed in utter disdain at the unfortunate predicament he found himself in now that his son was engaged to a McLain.
The pale crescent moon gleamed like a silvery claw in the night sky as Carlton drove his car towards Elena's home. His thoughts were consumed with disappointment following yet another contentious encounter with his father. Their arguments always circled back to his engagement to Elena. Despite his frustration with his father's disapproval, Carlton still held respect for him and hoped for a resolution as always.
Arriving at Elena's house, Carlton noticed her newly adopted dog barking at the headlights of his car through the giant glass window of the house. He let out a resigned sigh, finding the dog more bothersome than endearing. Quickly getting out of the car, he made his way inside without giving the dog much thought.
"Get out of my sight!" Carlton scolded, gesturing for the dog to leave the house. Reeve promptly darted outside and began sniffing around in the grass.
"I could have sworn Elena was allergic to animals!" Carlton muttered irritably as he shut the door behind him. Upon realizing the house was empty and Elena was nowhere to be found, he let out a sigh and hurriedly ascended the stairs to her room. Gently pushing the door open, he peered inside, his gaze immediately falling on her seated before the dressing table.
"El, love, I'm back," Carlton spoke softly as he entered her room, but it was evident that she was lost in her own world once more. Carlton sighed as he observed Elena, her thoughts consuming her so deeply that she seemed to disconnect from her surroundings. Her eyes remained fixed on the large mirror, her mind clearly somewhere far away.
"El," he softly whispered as he placed his arms over her shoulders, his gaze meeting hers through the reflection in the mirror.
"Ah... Carl? When... when did you get here?" She snapped out of her reverie, turning to look at his face reflected in the mirror.
"Just a few minutes ago, but how long have you been like this, El?" he asked, worried about her well-being as he noticed her growing sadness with each instance. Elena sighed and rubbed her forehead, feeling the weight of her emotions.
"Don't worry, I... I just had a long day at work! That's all," she replied, standing up and walking away. Carlton watched her go, taking in her nonchalant expression as he pondered the deeper emotions she might be hiding.
"Wait up! Look at me!" he exclaimed suddenly, grasping her wrist. Elena turned around to face him, meeting his earnest and concerned gaze with her own.
"El, I know it's tough for you to see the public criticism of our engagement. But I understand that what's really weighing on you is how much your father is hurting because of this," Carlton expressed, his hands moving up to cradle her face gently, his eyes full of compassion.
"But trust me when I say that I'm doing everything I can to support your father. I'll never forget what he did for us to be together. I owe him our happiness," he reassured, his words bringing tears to Elena's eyes, unaware of his true deceiving intentions.
