The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 837 Charles' Suggestion

"I..." Sheryl stammered. All of a sudden, it was, as if, a cat had gotten Sheryl's tongue as she remembered the reason why she had to see Charles. She then eyed on Charles, embarrassed. "I... I came to ask for your help, Charles..."

Inside Sheryl's heart, she grew jittery as Charles would assume she only needed him for help.

"What happened?" When Charles finally heard Sheryl's true intention, his lips tugged upwards. 'Sheryl already trusts me enough to ask me for help... I shouldn't let her down,' he thought.

"I..." Not knowing where to even start, Sheryl hesitated for a brief moment, collected herself together, and finally, answered Charles, "I... I want to borrow some money from you." "How much do you need?" Charles inquired as he eyed on Sheryl.

"F-Five..." Despite feeling reluctant to even continue, Sheryl took a deep breath and threw the last amount of embarrassment she had in her body. She then uttered, "Five hundred thousand..."

The air felt heavy, and the room was silent. Standing up from his spot, Charles went over to his table, took out a credit card, and handed it over to Sheryl. "There's eight hundred thousand in this card. I intended to pay for Shirley's tuition with this card but, nevertheless, you may use it. I'll just add more cash into the card later on."

"No, you don't have to do that, Charles. This is more than enough for me and Shirley. Besides, her tuition doesn't cost so much money." Suddenly asking Charles for help felt different for Sheryl. The feeling had turned into a burden. Regret filled Sheryl's whole body.

"Just take it," Charles remarked. "I want to give this to Shirley. She needs money for education and as my daughter, she deserves it."

"But..." Embarrassment then immediately took over Sheryl's body as she started to frown. Despite Charles being Shirley's father, the money he offered was just too much. Sheryl felt reluctant to accept it. "I won't be taking 'no' for an answer." Taking Sheryl's hand into his, Charles then placed the card into Sheryl's hand. Sheryl wavered for a brief moment before she clenched her hand to a close. It delighted him that she finally took the card.

Once Sheryl had placed the card into her pocket, she glanced towards Charles and asked, "Why aren't you asking me the reason I need so much money?"

"I don't find the need to," Charles chuckled. "The purpose of why I work to earn money is to support you and our kids. Besides, fifty hundred thousand isn't such a big deal."

Heat shot up to Sheryl's cheeks as she uttered, "You know, I'll end up being spoiled if you keep being this good to me." Cheeks took on the color of roses and Charles couldn't help but grin at the sight he saw with his own eyes.

"My motivation in life is none other than being able to spoil both you and Shirley, you know?" Charles jested. Nevertheless, he meant every word he said.

"So..." Charles' tone suddenly turned somber. "What about Clark?"

Taking a seat down beside Sheryl, Charles continued his statement, "He's a boy so I think he should be trained in a rather harsh condition in order for him to become a true man." Laughter escaped from Sheryl's lips. She then stated the reason why she needed the money urgently. Once done, she heaved, "Sue's in trouble and I'm the only one who can help her." Turning to Charles, she continued with a bitter expression, "I'm her best friend and what kind of best friend would I be if I don't offer to even help her?"

Feeling Sheryl's determination, Charles nodded firmly and asked, "What do you intend on doing next?"

Pondering long and hard on what to say next, Sheryl spoke of her plan to Charles, "I think Peggy and Allen wouldn't dare to do anything far as long as I have their IOU. For the house, I'll get it back for Sue, one day. Sue's such a hard worker but, all of the money doesn't even go to her. It's, as if, Sue's being robbed from everything she worked hard on. I just pity her so much."

"Sher..." In an attempt to console Sheryl, Charles patted her back. "I know you're doing this because you're a really kind woman but... this way won't help her at all..."

There was no way Peggy and Allen would fold over a single IOU. Innocence could be dangerous.

Eyes dilated, Sheryl turned to Charles. "What do you mean?"

"Peggy and Allen are callous people and they won't even bat an eye on an IOU. If you push the wrong buttons..." Charles placed a hand on Sheryl's shoulder and continued, "They won't just kill Sue. They might even go after you as well."

It took Sheryl a moment to process what Charles told her. Eventually, it rang a bell. However, Sheryl never feared that Peggy would hurt her but, whether it'd put Sue in harm.

Plans crumbling down, Sheryl grew concerned. Now, Sheryl had no idea what to do. Harming Sue in the process was never in her arsenal.

"What should I do, then?" Starting to grow desperate, Sheryl eyed Charles and asked for an answer. "Are you saying I shouldn't lend money to them? Wouldn't that put Sue in more danger?"

"No, that's not what I meant." Charles remained calm and collected. "They should get the money, but not from you."

Confusion was evident on Sheryl's profile. "What do you mean?"

Heading to a water dispenser, Charles took a glass and handed it over to Sheryl to calm her down. Then he began to explain, "Lend them the money and give the IOU to the usury lenders. They can deal with them."

Everything suddenly turned cold. Sheryl saw Charles wearing a cold smile. "A wicked man can only be dealt with someone as wicked as him. This is the only way Sue can get a peaceful life."

"No, that won't work." Shaking her head, Sheryl reasoned out why, "Peggy won't pay the money back. If the usury lenders asked Peggy for money, she'd just drop Sue's name and label her as the real borrower. I can't add more problems in Sue's life, Charles."

"Innocence is a great asset of yours, Sher," Charles uttered lovingly towards Sheryl. "But, don't you ever think that most usury lenders just put up an act?"

The statement Charles uttered dawned upon Sheryl. "Do you mean that I should hire someone to act like a usury lender?"

"It's very easy to ask several people to put on a show," Charles said in a calm manner. "They could also amp up their performance by doing things harshly to make it more vivid and believable. However, you need to get Sue's permission first." Standing up from his spot, Charles then turned to Sheryl.

"This is the easiest, most simplest way to solve the problem for Sue. But, do remember to negotiate and consult with Sue before rushing to make a decision."

"Alright. I'll keep that in mind." Sheryl then got up from her seat and headed towards the door. "I'll get going. Thanks Charles."

Without any intention of letting Charles' suggestion slip from her mind, Sheryl immediately rushed back home. When she arrived, she saw Sue in the living room with Shirley. Clearing her throat, she called out, "Mimi, I need to talk to you."

"Did something happen?" Sue responded, concerned as to what Sheryl had to tell her as well. Everything moved quickly and the next thing Sue knew was that she was dragged into Sheryl's room. Puzzled, she turned to Sheryl with utmost concern and asked, "Did my mom cause trouble?"

"No but, I have something important to tell you," Sheryl answered. With the doors put to a close, Sheryl then disclosed what she and Charles had discussed earlier. The atmosphere was heavy between Sue and Sheryl.

"Look, I know a sorry is in order because I went and did something without telling you but, Charles told me that I can't help you in the way I want to help you as it could put you in severe trouble. With Charles' proposition, I think it is only right to tell you about it but Sue, you have to make the final call."