Chapter 4 Lending Him The Money

Carsten found himself in a predicament, wondering if he had given too little faith in human nature or if Nadine's generosity had no bounds.

He believed he needed to think about this more carefully.

Contemplating the loan request, Carsten, skeptical of Nadine's easy willingness, reiterated, "Nadine, aren't you concerned you might not get your money back? What if I can't get enough funds to settle the debt?"

In a thoughtful pause, Nadine asserted, "It's my choice, Carsten. I chose to marry you, and trust comes with it. If I make a wrong choice, I'll bear the consequences. Everyone must be accountable for their mistakes."

Carsten lapsed into silence once again.

"Mr. Fletcher, I don't need opulence or a miraculous comeback. But, at the very least, you must lift your spirits and embrace your role as the breadwinner," Nadine encouraged, her words carrying both support and a subtle warning.

"Therefore, stop thinking you used to be a company's boss. Working diligently from now on is your only salvation. I have a lot of techniques to make you feel better if your bankruptcy is keeping you down and discouraged."

Playfully, Carsten remarked, "Are you stepping into the role of managing my affairs now?"

With a serious tone, Nadine clarified, "I'm not managing your affairs. While I've braced myself for the worst, I still expect my money back. So, consider my supervision necessary for a timely return of my funds."

Smiling, Carsten lowered his head to eat the noodles before him.

He realized that a simple meal of noodles and an egg wasn't as bad as he initially thought.

Between bites, he told her, "You don't need to lend me a hundred thousand now. A friend just messaged me, saying that he's already sent the money to my company."

Perking up, Nadine inquired, "Really?"

"Yeah." Carsten nodded, continuing to savor his meal.

"Well, he sounds like a reliable friend. You should thank him later. But... You should consider borrowing money from me first next time. Borrowing money from him means you might owe him a favor."

After finishing the noodles, Carsten laid down his fork and remarked, "It's alright. He and I have been friends for over a decade. You should keep the money. I understand saving money isn't effortless for you."

As Nadine cleared the table, she left Carsten with a parting offer. "If you change your mind, let me know at any time."

Returning to their respective duties, they left home.

Before parting ways, Nadine, once again, offered words of comfort and encouragement to Carsten.

Shortly after her departure, she paused, sending a message.

"I worry you might not have enough money for a cab, so I transferred two thousand to you. Everything will be fine. You can do it!"

Receiving the message, Carsten's brow furrowed.

It dawned on him that her request to use his phone earlier was not for signal issues.

It turned out that she checked the transfer details on his phone because she was worried he wouldn't take the money.

Carsten, seated in his Rolls-Royce, found that a sum of two thousand dollars, typically a trifle for him, now carried unexpected significance to him.

He pondered over the message and the transferred amount.

Nadine immersed herself in her company's affairs throughout the day.

Before getting off work, Denis reminded her of an after-work staff get-together.

He insisted, "Your husband has to come to see everyone today. Everyone was curious about him."

"Perfect timing. I wanted to introduce my husband to them today anyway." Then, pulling out her phone, Nadine continued, "But I have to ask him if he is available tonight."

Persistently pushing his agenda, Denis remarked, "You just got married. Skipping a grand wedding is fine, but if your husband won't meet your staff, it reflects poorly on his regard for you."

Nadine couldn't care less about whether Carsten took her seriously or not.

Turning a deaf ear to Denis, she strolled aside to make a call.

As long as Carsten could make it, she could formally introduce him to everyone, getting rid of Denis's love confessions and harassment.

But she wouldn't be embarrassed if he couldn't make it.

Unexpectedly, Carsten agreed.

At six forty in the evening, Carsten showed up in Nadine's company.

He carried a bag with a plump chicken in his left hand while his right hand held an assortment of fresh fruits and veggies.

He was coerced into picking veggies by Alfred and dashed over here, his trousers and shoes besmirched with mud, a last-minute arrival with no time for a wardrobe change.

Looking at him, Nadine asked, "Didn't I mention we're dining with the staff? Why the purchase of meat and vegetables?"

"My father reared the chicken, and the vegetables were cultivated by him too," Carsten responded, meeting her gaze. "Is there a fridge in your company? Let's stash them here for now."

"Nadine, is this the man you married?" Denis sneered, looking at the mud on Carsten's trousers. "Raising chickens and growing veggies? Is his father a farmer?"

Nadine wasn't sure if Alfred was a farmer.

But she knew his wife had passed away seven years ago, leaving him in a perpetual state of grief.

Carsten, clad in mud-streaked trousers, seemed to have lent a hand with farming before making his way here, carrying these vegetables and chicken.

"So what if his father's a farmer? All the veggies you consume are courtesy of farmers!" Nadine snapped at Denis.

"I hold no disdain for farmers." Denis attempted to placate her. "But most of them have migrated to cities in search of work, and those who remain on the farm don't make much money. I'm just concerned that being with him will bring you a heap of troubles."

Nadine was rendered speechless.

"Moreover, you two were chatting outside yesterday. Your husband's company went belly-up, and the bank sealed his house and car. He's flat broke. He even wanted a loan from you."

"Did you eavesdrop on us yesterday?"

"Eavesdrop? I was just passing by and caught it."

Denis persisted, feigning concern for her well-being. "Nadine, I'm worried you've been duped. He asked for a hundred grand on the first day of your marriage. That's audacious! Is he in it for the money?"

Denis was still mad that Nadine rebuffed him and castigated him right after he professed his love. Then, she married Carsten, intensifying Denis's resentment.

As Denis spoke, he continued the pretense, glancing up and down at Carsten. "Nadine, you barely know this man. Why didn't you consult with me and Margot before getting married to him? Look at the unreliable man you've chosen!"

His words triggered a buzz among the staff.

"So, Nadine married a man who's that unreliable?"

"Her husband is quite the looker. I guess looks can be deceiving, huh?"

"Not surprising. Nowadays, many young men want to live off wealthy women."