Chapter 1902

Caleb couldn’t bring himself to violate his professional ethics, let alone lead by example in doing so. “There’s no need for any agreements,” Caleb said firmly. “I don’t intend to turn this into a transactional relationship. You’re still young, and you can take your time dealing with your debts.”
With that, Caleb turned to leave.
But Vera continued to follow him. “There’s no time to take it slow. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here in front of you. Uncle Smith and my dad were the best of friends, but under the current circumstances, whatever help he can offer is barely a drop in the bucket. However, if I follow Uncle Smith’s advice and win you over, everything will be different.”
Caleb’s father wanted him to settle down, marry, and have a family. If Vera became his wife, it would naturally secure her father’s support and resources.
“I don’t even have money to go home…” Vera murmured from behind him.
Her voice was so soft, it was barely audible, but Caleb heard her clearly.
He couldn’t help but laugh. “No money? Then how did you get here? And from the looks of it, are you planning to cling to me now?”
Vera’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Your father told me where you were and arranged for someone to bring me here. He gave me some money when I left, but… I paid it back.”
Her voice faltered at the end.
It was humiliating to admit. She had never been this down-and-out before. But to avoid being kicked out or left behind, she had no choice but to be honest.
Caleb frowned. “You didn’t keep any for yourself? Do you expect me to send you back now? Actually, looking at your situation, do you even have a place to stay?”
He hadn’t planned on getting involved, but what Vera described seemed so absurd that it was hard to believe it could happen in this day and age.
Vera lowered her head. “We don’t have a home anymore. Today, our house was seized and auctioned off by the court. My dad got so angry that he ended up in the ER.”
For now, her father was being
treated in the hospital, with some of
the initial costs covered. The hospital wouldn’t discharge him prematurely, but they couldn’t stay there indefinitely.
Vera was at her wit’s end, and Caleb was her last hope.
“Well, that’s unfortunate for you. But I’m not a savior, and I can’t help you much. I can recommend some jobs…”
“Caleb,” Vera interrupted, her tone resolute, “those jobs you’re thinking of are just drops in the ocean. The debts I need to repay are massive.”
She looked at him almost
desperately, as if clinging to him for survival. She wanted to reach out and grab his hand, but seeing his cold demeanor, she forced herself to hold back.
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Caleb fell silent.
He wasn’t lying he couldn’t help Vera much. She needed a lot of money, and he had no intention of becoming the bridge for her to get it.
“You made a deal with my dad, not
me,” he finally said, his voice cold “You’re trying to win me over in your own way, but have you ever considered that I don’t consent to this?”
Caleb didn’t want to date, let alone marry, because he had been waiting for Luna. But after being rejected
by her time and time again, he had finally seen things clearly.
He didn’t want to be harsh, but he had to draw a clear line with Vera. Otherwise, she would continue to
see him as her lifeline and keep pushing forward.
And that was something he absolutely could not allow.