Hearing that Charles Bennett was willing to repay the money, Mr. Carter's eyes immediately lit up. But before he could say anything, Charles Bennett spoke again: "It's just that, as you can see, uncle, my situation here is quite dire. You came, and there isn't even a place for you to sit. So, I really am strapped for cash at the moment. Could I ask uncle to grant me a few more days?"

As Charles Bennett said these words, his face showed a deeply embarrassed expression, as if he truly felt guilty for being unable to repay the debt.

Just now, when Mr. Carter heard that Charles Bennett was willing to pay back the money, he was quite pleased. He didn't expect Charles Bennett to pull such a sudden twist right after, which left him both angry and resentful. However, the purpose of his visit today wasn't just to collect the debt—he had another, more important goal. Before achieving that, it really wasn't wise to fall out with Charles Bennett. On the other hand, the Second Young Master Carter behind him looked impatient, wanting to speak several times, but was stopped by Mr. Carter each time.

Charles Bennett pretended not to notice the reactions of the Song father and son. At this moment, Mr. Carter suppressed his displeasure, and his dark, chubby face once again showed a kindly smile as he said, "Nephew Zhou, you must be joking. A mere two hundred taels of debt is nothing to the Zhou family, but for a small business like ours, it's truly life-saving money!"

Hearing this chubby Song man still pleading poverty, Charles Bennett sneered inwardly, but outwardly he looked even more pitiful, as if he really were a bankrupt young master driven to desperation by his creditors. He kept saying nice things to Mr. Carter, begging him for a few more days, but all were firmly refused by Mr. Carter.

Finally, Mr. Carter seemed to think the time was right and stopped talking about the debt. His expression hardened, and he finally revealed his true intentions: "Nephew Zhou, since you care so little for the friendship between our families and refuse to repay the debt, then I have nothing more to say. Your family's daughter is too good for our Song family; let's just call off the engagement between our two families!"

Chapter Four: No More Ties

Seeing this chubby Song man finally bring up the matter of breaking off the engagement, although Charles Bennett was prepared, he still wished he could punch that fat face in front of him. In the context of the Ming Dynasty, if a betrothed woman was rejected, it was almost no different from being divorced. It would be very difficult for her to marry into a good family in the future. In other words, unless something unexpected happened, the Song family's withdrawal from the engagement would almost ruin Zhuo'er's entire life. How could Charles Bennett, as her brother, not hate them for this?

However, after experiencing life and death, Charles Bennett had become much more composed, knowing that some things couldn't be solved with fists alone. So, although he was furious inside, he didn't show it at all.

This time, Charles Bennett didn't rush to respond, nor did he feel like acting with the chubby Song man anymore. Instead, he raised his eyebrows, relaxed completely, and turned to Steward Evans beside him: "Steward Evans, I'm a bit tired. Go get me something to sit on!"

The Song father and son also sensed a change in Charles Bennett's demeanor. The desperate, bankrupt young master from before was gone. In his place was the Young Master Bennett, who now wore a faint smile, even with a hint of roguishness.

Steward Evans was momentarily stunned by Charles Bennett's order, but quickly came to his senses and hurried out to bring in a shabby lounge chair. This chair was Steward Evans's favorite; he usually liked to lie on it and sunbathe. Because it was so worn out, it hadn't been sold, but now it could at least let Charles Bennett rest for a bit.

Charles Bennett didn't care whether the chair was shabby or not. He strode over, plopped himself down, crossed his legs, and looked up at the Song father and son: "Mr. Carter, if you want to break off the engagement, I agree. With the Zhou family's current situation, we really aren't a match for the Song family. Also, according to custom, the betrothal gifts and marriage contract from your Song family will be returned together by our Zhou family!"

Seeing such a dramatic change in Charles Bennett before their eyes, both Mr. Carter and Second Young Master Carter were momentarily at a loss. But Mr. Carter, being an experienced businessman, quickly recovered and said with a smile, "Forget about the betrothal gifts. Just return the marriage contract to us. Given the Zhou family's current situation, if we were to ask for the betrothal gifts back, I really couldn't bear it."

In fact, Mr. Carter did want the betrothal gifts back. When the engagement was arranged, they had paid a considerable sum. But Charles Bennett's change in attitude just now made him feel uneasy, so he generously gave up the betrothal gifts and even shamelessly tried to make himself look good.

Sitting in the lounge chair, Charles Bennett wasn't angry at all. In fact, he was starting to miss cigarettes from the modern era. If only he could hold a cigarette between his fingers right now, take a satisfying drag, and blow out a smoke ring, he'd look even more imposing.

With this cigarette-less longing, Charles Bennett glanced sideways at the Song father and son, then tapped the armrest of the chair and smiled: "How could that do? If we're breaking off the engagement, we have to do it properly. The betrothal gifts from the Song family will definitely be returned by the Zhou family. And as for the debt, it will be repaid together with the betrothal gifts!"