Chapter 958


    “Get out, I’m in a hurry,” Richard said, his voice clipped and his expression stony.


    Charlotte’s heart sank as she saw the seriousness in Richard’s face, chilling her to the bone. Despite


    understanding his concern, a wave of resentment washed over her.


    Why did Thssa seem to matter more to him than she did?


    As she turned to address Richard, prepared to express her grievances, his icy re met her, causing


    the words catch in her throat. Reluctantly, she stepped out of the car.


    No sooner had her feet hit the sidewalk than Richard sped off. Charlotte inhaled a lungful of exhaust


    and felt her frustration boil over. She shouted angrily after the retreating car and kicked at the


    pavement in a fit.


    “Ouch…” She scraped her thumb on the rough concrete, pain shooting through her. Hopping on one


    foot, she whirled around in a circle, the sting reaching deep inside her.


    Her breath came in ragged pulls as she muttered to the space where Richard’s car had disappeared,


    “Richard, I won’t forgive you, and I won’t marry you. Humph!”


    Richard floored it back to the diner. When he hadst seen Thssa, she was curbside, trying to hail a


    cab, but now she was nowhere in sight. He wondered if she had made it home or if someone had taken


    her away for a lesson.


    Thssa was Lysander’s girl, and Richard had seen firsthand how differently Lysander treated her


    curb without a second thought. But with Thssa, it was another story.


    Lysander had even taken her in as his own. And the fact that Thssa had been by his side for so


    long, and had even borne his children, spoke volumes about her importance to Lysander.


    If anything happened to Thssa, Lysander would be furious, and anyone linked to her harm would not


    escape his wrath.


    Richard was truly worried for Charlotte’s sake.


    There was a fine line between innocence and foolishness, and she was bordering on thetter. If she


    hadn’t been so blunt about her intentions, he wouldn’t have realized she was still ying such games.


    Not wanting to take any chances, Richard called Ethan.


    “What’s going on? It’s sote. Can’t you let people sleep?” Ethan’s voice was thick with sleep and


    irritation.


    “You make your staff work overtime, yet you’re in bed? How does that sit with your conscience?”


    Richard teased.


    “I pay them to workte; why should I feel guilty?” Ethan retorted.


    “Cut the crap. What’s your secretary Thssa’s number? I need it,” Richard said, urgency in his tone.


    “You want my secretary’s number? What for? nning to poach her?” Ethan was more alert now.


    “I run an antique shop; I don’t need a secretary. Don’t overthink it. Just send me the number; it’s an


    emergency,” Richard said. Given their close rtionship, formalities were deemed unnecessary.


    “Hang on; let me check my contacts. I’ll text it to you,” Ethan replied.


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    Soon after, Richard received Thssa’s number. Without hesitation, he dialed, only to hear the cold,


    automated message that the phone was switched off.


    Hearing the impersonal voice on the line, a sense of dread washed over Richard.


    Something was wrong!


    Thssa wouldn’t have turned her phone off if she had safely arrived home.


    Wasting no more time, Richard stormed into the diner, his presencemanding as he sought out the


    manager.