《From Desk to Altar: The CEO's Irresistible Bargain》


 Chapter 1: Do you like cash?

    In a room that was more shadows than light, two people were all tangled up in the sheets of a huge,fy bed, totally into each other.


    The guy''s back was like a work of art with all the marks from the girl''s nails - a mix of hot and a bit of ouch.


    Liam had just gotten back from being away for weeks, and he was like a starving wolf, all over Charlotte, with this intense need.


    In the heat of the moment, Charlotte bit into his neck pretty hard.


    Liam let out a hiss, half hurt, half annoyed, "What''s with you, biting like a wild thing?"


    Charlotte was panting hard, moving under him, trying to tell him without words that she needed him to ease up a bit.


    She knew how to y this game, knew just how to make him feel good.


    "Mr. Parker," she gasped, her muscles burning, "Can we take a quick break?"


    Liam stopped for a moment but then kept going like she hadn''t said a thing.


    "Do you like cash?" he asked while still in the groove.


    Charlotte caught her breath, "Yeah."


    "Then hush."


    He looked down at her.


    She was all curves and soft looks, gorgeous in a simple kind of way.


    Her brown hair framed her small face, and she was usually so innocent-looking but now seemed to be up for some trouble.


    When things got steamy, her lips would part just so, like she was calling him without saying a word.


    All of it pulled at his heartstrings, his affection undeniable, yet...


    Liam''s mood darkened as old memories crept in.


    "I''ll give you three hundred thousand."


    Charlotte''s eyes lit up for a second, thinking about the cash, but she was also deep in thought.


    Three hundred grand was a big step towards what she needed.


    Liam saw her reaction and felt a spark of anger, "Is money all you''re after?"


    No, that wasn''t it.


    She wanted him, his love, really.


    But that was impossible.


    Charlotte half-opened her eyes and looked up at Liam.


    He was all high-ss chill, the big shot, the guy with all the power, and for her a way out.


    Half a year back, her dad got them into a mess with his gambling and mistakes, and now her family was in deep trouble.


    Threats had sent her racing home, only to be knocked out and wake up here, in Liam''s bed.


    Word was, she looked like someone Liam used to be with.


    Then, a phone call smashed the silence. Charlotte took the chance to wash away the night and grabbed the phone in the bathroom.


    "Lottie, can you help out? Your dad''s business is tanking, and we''re in deep. Can you..."


    "Mom, why can''t you see he''s just gambling again? It''s always the same, isn''t it?" Charlotte saw the signs ofst night in the mirror, frustration written all over her face.


    "It''s business! Your dad''s just trying to make things work. When he hits it big, you''ll be proud, and it''ll help you find a good guy. Don''t worry about us; just get back after work."


    The line went dead. Charlotte took a deep breath, bracing herself to go back out there.


    Since she was a kid, Charlotte had to be the one holding her family together. She did all the chores and put up with a lot, but no matter what, her dad never seemed happy with her. Whenever he lost money, he''d take it out on her. She always tried to protect her mom, but in the end, her own dad double-crossed her, using her to pay off the debts he racked up.


    Staying meant losing a little more of herself every day.


    She had to get out!


    For that, she needed cash.


    So when it came to what happened with her and Liam, she didn''t kick up a fuss. She just quietly took the money he offered.


    She crawled back into bed and hung onto Liam, asking, "Mr. Parker, can we make it another two hundred grand for what I went through tonight?"


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    An irritated click of the tongue was his only reply.


    He gently cupped Charlotte''s chin, his gaze lingering on her cheeks that blushed prettily as if kissed by the rosy fingers of dawn.


    She was a vision of loveliness, her peach-blossom eyes always brimming with unspoken tales of the heart.


    Her lips, shiny and full, would make anyone look twice, and her eyshes were wet from crying a little while ago because he had been a bit too rough.


    She had somehow found a spot in his life without even trying.


    But her eyes always seemed to be looking for cash, and she kept making one bad decision after another.


    Liam''s face got hard and cold. "Are you just with me for the cash, Charlotte? Is that all this is to you?"


    His words were harsh and unfair.


    Charlotte got a worried look on her face. After all, it was Liam who turned love into something you could buy, and it was Robert who made sure she ended up in Liam''s bed.


    If she hadn''t taken the offer, someone else would have.


    This was just a deal that helped both sides, so how could he me her for wanting something more from life?


    "Mr. Parker, shall we proceed?" Her eyes lowered, she inquired, her voice a hushed whisper of silk.


    "You truly are beyond reason!" he eximed.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    As his words dissipated into the tension between them, his robust form descended upon her once more, a storm cloaked in stillness.


    Charlotte woke up feeling sore all over like she had spent the night sleeping on rocks.


    She checked her bank ount on her phone and saw that it had $1.7 million in it.


    She only needed $300,000 more to finally find her sister''s location.


    The sale of her innocence was fueled by this singr goal.


    Memories of her sister sent away in their youth gripped her heart with a vice of anguish - her sister had made sacrifices for her...


    Liam had sent her a text: "Time to get to work! You know what you need to do after getting paid. Don''t forget your duties!"


    His words hurt, but she was used to it by now.


    On top of everything else, she still had her regr job as the CEO''s assistant.


    Charlotte got ready quickly and managed to get to work on TimeTime.


    She went straight to the 24th floor and into the pantry. After making the coffee, she knocked on the CEO''s office door, waiting for Liam''s secretary to give her the go-ahead before putting the coffee down on his desk. "Mr. Parker, your usual Mantenian coffee, deep roast, exactly 208¡ãF, ck, no sugar, no cream,"


    She said, making sure everything was just right.


    Liam didn''t say anything until after he tried the coffee. Then he looked at her with a cold expression. "It''s too hot, do it over."


    "Right away."


    Charlotte went back to the pantry and started making a new cup of coffee.


    "Make one for me, too, while you''re at it," someone else ordered.


    She was used to these kinds of tasks by now.


    "Hey." another woman came in and saw Charlotte by the coffee machine. "Charlotte, clean up my deskter, okay? There are crumbs everywhere."


    "You''ll take care of it after that. Can''t I ask you to do something?"


    The woman sounded annoyed, "Look, you got your job with that basic degree, which is like hitting the jackpot. Be happy about it. What do you think you''re here for? Making coffee isn''t some big win, you know?" "I''ll get to your desk when I''m done here," Charlotte responded.


    The woman was the deputy manager, so Charlotte knew she had to be careful.


    "Just clean it now! How long does it take to wipe down a desk, really?"


    While she was talking, the woman pushed past Charlotte, causing her to spill some of the hot water on her hand, leaving a painful red mark.


    Charlotte was about to retaliate when a trembling voice from behind intervened.


    "Mr. Parker."

 Chapter 2: Do you price out everything?

    From mere yards away, Charlotte discerned his mood with ease.


    Liam carried an air of haughty detachment, his frosty demeanorced with a hint of mockery.


    The woman, fearing an esction, quickly stepped in to smooth things over, "Careful, Mr. Parker, the floor here is quite slippery."


    Liam spared a cold nce before making his exit, leaving the tension in his wake.


    Once he was gone, the woman''s arrogance returned in full force.


    "Who do you think you are, a wildflower aspiring to bloom among the clouds? Do you think by brewing coffee for Mr. Parker, he''ll favor you? Dream on!" Charlotte absorbed the insult and turned back to her task.


    She knew better than to harbor fanciful dreams.


    Money was all he would give her and all she could ept.


    ...


    "Charlotte, are you okay? It''s not like Mr. Parker to visit the break room. I thought he came specially to back you up," a colleague remarked.


    At that, Charlotte hesitated, a few drops of coffee spilling over and scalding her hand.


    "Why would Mr. Parkere to my defense? You''re all reading too much into it."


    "True, he''s never been particrly kind to you, but he''s known for his strict management. It''s surprising he let the deputy manager''s behavior slide."


    In reality, such incidents weremonce in the executive office, with many neers subjected to the deputy manager''s whims.


    It''s just another unwritten rule of the workce: endure if you can, and certainly don''t expect anyone to speak up for you.


    Especially for Charlotte, with her modest educational background, many believed shended the job through an improper rtionship with Liam and looked down on her. To everyone''s surprise, Mr. Parker seemed utterly indifferent to her.


    Gradually, the office''s attitude towards Charlotte shifted, with the hostility towards her noticeably waning.


    "That afternoon, as usual, Charlotte went to deliver coffee to Liam. She knocked and entered, catching him in conversation with the HR manager.


    "Dismiss her immediately. I don''t want to see her again."


    "Yes, Mr. Parker."


    Liam''s face flickered with something unreadable when he saw Charlotte.


    "What did you hear?" he asked.


    "I..."


    Before she could respond, he cut her off sharply, "This is aboutpany governance, nothing to do with you."


    Charlotte bit her lip in acknowledgment, stepping out with the coffee. She couldn''t help but wonder, who was being dismissed? Who did Liam no longer wish to see?


    She saw the usually brash deputy manager packing up her desk dejectedly in the secretarial office.


    Through office chatter, Charlotte learned that the deputy manager was terminated for workce bullying.


    So, it was the deputy manager whom Liam had dismissed.


    Was it for her sake? Charlotte stared at her burned hand, lost in thought.


    Then she remembered Liam''s words: it''s justpany governance, nothing to do with you.


    Indeed, he was a man who ran a tight ship, never tolerating bullies to linger in the corridors of thepany.


    For thepany''s sake, not hers.


    Charlotte thought with a self-deprecating smile. How could she ever think that Liam was concerned about her troubles with the deputy manager?


    After navigating through the day''s barrage of tasks, Charlotte clocked out and spent over twenty minutes just to squeeze onto the bus.


    She made a detour to the bank, withdrew all her wages, and handed the cash to Maria at home, saying, "This is thest time I''m giving you money, and thest time I''m asking you, Mom, are youing with me or not?" Maria epted the money, nodding in agreement.


    But Charlotte read through her mother''s half-hearted assurances, another stalling tactic.


    "Thest time Robert gambled with fury, he gambled away my innocence, Mother. You know very well where I scraped up the money from. If you want to ruin my life for good, then stay here."


    Maria''s face froze, her fingers anxiously wrinkling the cash.


    "Your father mentioned... he said that gentleman is tall and handsome, and you like him a lot. You two get along so well... Lottie. Just marry him, and you''ll live a good life! Then I''ll make sure to stay away from your father. I won''t be a burden to you anymore!"


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    Maria''s voice was tinged with guilt and hope.


    Charlotte took a deep breath, "Do you think I''m well-matched with him?"


    Would Liam cherish a woman bought with money?


    Would Liam''s family ever ept a woman with such a background?


    The answer was clear: it was absolutely impossible.


    "Lottie, don''t say that..."


    "I know you resent your father; it''s all his fault; he deserves to die! But didn''t he do everything for you? He spoiled you, sent you to Parker Group, offering you such a bright future..." Charlotte felt likeughing but instead found herself crying.


    There she was, waking up in Liam''s bed, and he was just casually dropping a cool half a million into Robert''s ount right in front of her. The next thing she knew, she was working at Parker Group as his assistant.


    She turned to her mom, her voice soft but heavy, "Mom, wasn''t handing over my sister bad enough? Now you gotta throw me into the mix?"


    The room went quiet, and then her mom, Maria, started crying, "I''m so sorry, Lottie. Bringing you into this world, into this messed-up family... I''m the worst. I''ve let you down too many times."


    Once, they were a seemingly happy family. Although Robert favored sons over daughters, the girls were neglected but never wanted for anything.


    But then, Maria finally had a son who was born weak and immediately ced in an incubator.


    Robert''s mounting debts had turned him into a tempest of fury. Not only did he unleash his rage on Maria with his fists, but in a desperate bid to scrape together funds for their ailing son''s medical expenses, he had traded their second daughter''s future for a few thousand dors.


    Maria battered in body and spirit, waspelled to toil away to keep the family afloat while Robert squandered their meager earnings on debauchery, venting his displeasure through violence upon his wife and daughters.


    Charlotte had often dreamed of rescuing her mother from this den of despair, but her mother''s excuses always anchored them there, "Your father will change," "What would people say if I divorced at my age?" "What about your brother if we leave?"


    Hearing her mother''s sobs, Charlotte battled with the urge to walk out.


    Then her mom, through her tears, hit her with a bombshell, "Lend me a hundred grand, Lottie. That''s all we owe on the house. Think of it as a loan. I can''t take this life anymore. Help me this onest time, and when I get the house to your brother''s name, I''ll leave with you."


    For the first time, Maria was willing to leave, and after much deliberation, Charlotte agreed.


    With the additional hundred thousand that Maria requested, Charlotte faced a shortfall of four hundred thousand.


    A sum she could only hope to obtain from Liam.


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    That evening, Liam returned early, flinging his coat at Charlotte so abruptly that she iled to free herself from its heavy folds.


    She routinely checked his pockets before they went forundry, ensuring nothing important was identally taken.


    A cool, unexpected object met her fingertips. In surprise, she pulled out a tube of burn ointment from the pocket. Was it for her?


    Unsure, Charlotte approached Liam with the ointment in hand. "Mr. Parker, what should I do with this?"


    He barely looked up. "Daniel put it there. Keep it if you want."


    Daniel, Liam''s rich buddy, was all about the high-end stuff.


    Charlotte found out the cream was worth a ton-over two grand.


    She couldn''t just take it, but she couldn''t say no, either.


    So, she gave Liam the money before she used it.


    But as soon as she opened the cream,


    Liam grabbed it and stomped it t.


    "Two grand, really?" He was all up in her face. "You think I care about the cash?"Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Charlotte!" His words were like ice. "Do you price out everything?"


    She wanted to set things straight, but he was already out the door.


    Liam didn''te back all night.


    The next morning, Charlotte was bringing in his coffee and heard him on the phone, talking all soft, "We''ll sort it when you''re here. Whatever you need, it''s done."


    He saw Charlotte and got snappy. "Drop the coffee and get out. How long you gonna stand there?"


    She left without a word.


    As she was leaving, she bumped into Daniel entering the house. His gaze fell on her hands. "It works, doesn''t it? I only gave it because Liam asked. I wouldn''t bother for anyone else..." Just then, Liam yelled from inside, and Daniel got why he was mad. He looked at Charlotte, confused. "You didn''t use the cream?"

 Chapter 3: Would you do the same for anyone else?

    "No," Charlotte muttered, almost too low to hear.


    Liam wasn''t the kind to notice little things. Charlotte was the only one who got any special treatment from him. He wouldn''t bat an eye if anyone else had a cut or a burn.


    Justst night, Liam had practically begged Daniel for that burn cream, even throwing in the keys to a brand-new car to sweeten the deal.


    And now, that expensive cream was just sitting there, not being used. Of course, anyone would be annoyed by that.This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    "You..." Daniel couldn''t hide his mixed feelings of annoyance and concern. "Just watch your step, okay? You know how Liam gets, and you''re the one who ends up having to deal with it." Charlotte pressed her lips together. After Liam left in a huffst night, she found out the cream wasn''t some regr store-bought stuff. It was actually worth a ton more.


    She figured Liam was mad because she underpaid him, remembering him once saying, "Not everything has a price."


    But since he wrecked the cream, she wasn''t about to use it or try paying him back, no matter how mad he got.


    Her phone buzzed just as she stepped outside. It was Maria, "Lottie, you''ve got to get out of there. Your dad''s been picked up by those loan sharks, and they''re heading to your work to find you and get their money!" Charlotte couldn''t believe Robert was trying to dump his gambling debts on her.


    After waking up in Liam''s bed that morning and getting home, she had warned Robert: Touch me again, and we''re both going out the window.


    "Tell them they won''t get a dime if they cause a scene at thepany. No matter if Robertes back missing an arm, a leg, or not at all, they won''t get a single cent from me," she said with finality before ending the call. Hesitating for a moment, Charlotte mustered her courage and walked into the CEO''s office.


    If he didn''t get his money, that monster Robert would surely resort to his cruelest methods, and she''d be trapped.


    Get the money... and get out immediately.


    But would Liam really give her the money?


    She couldn''t bear to look him in the eyes. "Mr. Parker, could you lend me four hundred thousand?"


    Liam reclined in his chair, his expression icy and detached.


    In a low voice, he asked, "Is money all you ever want to talk about?"


    Charlotte''s lips remained sealed.


    "Fool," he muttered, his gaze piercing through her.


    "Why the sudden need for cash? Has Robert blown all his money again and turned to you? And if I refuse, who will you beg next?"


    Charlotte closed her eyes, her eyshes trembling slightly.


    She didn''t counter Liam''s usations.


    She had no right to argue.


    Her lips, bitten to a vivid red as if kissed by a drop of dew, held back words of protest.


    "Fool!"


    Liam cursed again, fixated on her lips, now glistening as though touched by morning frost. "Didn''t I just give you half a million the other day? Has Robert gambled it all away already?"


    Charlotte, shrinking back, managed to say, "It''s not for him. I... I want the money."


    Liam''s stare was frosty. "You want money? Robert loses four hundred thousand, and youe asking me for exactly that amount. Do you think I''m a fool?"


    Confusion flickered in Charlotte''s eyes. How did Liam know about Robert''s four hundred thousand loss? Even she hadn''t known.


    "It''s for me. I want it, a lot of it," she said.


    Liam''s eyes narrowed slightly. "I have plenty of money, but can you offer me what I want in return?"


    Charlotte stiffened for a moment, then walked over to stand in front of his desk. Her knees bent a few times as she wrestled with herself, finally convincing her legs to fold as she knelt before him. Liam''s gaze deepened, a subtle shift in the air as he watched her submit.


    Charlotte''s hands trembled as she reached out to unbuckle his belt.


    Her life had taken an unexpected detour because of Robert. Dropping out after middle school, she spent years behind the cash register at the local supermarket, scrimping and saving every penny to carve out a sliver of independence, eventually earning her degree through a night school program.


    With her modest educational credentials, the idea of amassing a small fortune was a distant dream - even four hundred thousand seemed like a star too far, let alone two million. That was until Liam entered the picture.


    The zipper, which should have slid down with ease, seemed bewitched in Charlotte''s shaky grasp. Like a spell that refused to be broken, it remained defiantly in ce.


    Liam''s hand hung by his side, clenched into a slow fist, his eyes dark pools of enigma. "Do you really think this is what I want?" he murmured, his voice a low echo in the charged air.


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    With her lips pressed into a thin line, Charlotte steeled her nerves and yanked the zipper down.


    But Liam''s hand was swift, pping hers away with a frigid rebuke, "This is a ce of business, Miss Assistant, not a stage for your seductive ys."


    "I won''t be parting with my money so easily. Keep trying," he dered, his words slicing through the air.


    Standing, her hand throbbing from his strike, Charlotte felt her pride and dignity trampled underfoot, ground into the carpet of his office like so much dust.


    "I''ll... I''ll go make some tea," she stammered, retreating in disarray.


    Liam watched her flee, his anger boiling to the point of shattering the ss in his grip, only to realize it was a gift from her.


    A cheap trinket from some supermarket''s buy-one-get-one-free aisle.


    A self-deprecating chuckle escaped him as he set the cup down gently, hammering his chair in a petty disy of frustration.


    Later that evening, Maria''s voice crackled through the phone line,den with desperation.


    "Lottie, please, for the love of your mother, save your father. If anything happens to him, how am I to live?"


    Charlotte''s response was ice. "His fate is none of my concern. If you can''t live without him, perhaps you should join him," she said, hanging up and staring nkly at the untouched meal before her, her heart a wastnd of sorrow. Maria was weak, favoring the brother, but she shielded Charlotte from Robert''s drunken rages, always standing in front, taking the blows.


    Even bedridden, Maria would scrounge up hidden savings to buy her a burger, a smallfort against the storm.


    Despite her frustrations with Maria''s frailty, Charlotte couldn''t bring herself to abandon her.


    Four hundred thousand - if she could just get the money, she''d whisk Maria away the next day.


    But Liam didn''t return by ten that evening.


    Bound by his rule of no private contact, Charlotte could only wait.


    At twenty-past one in the morning, the sound of the door awoke her.


    Liam entered, loosening his tie, his face unreadable.


    The sight of the simple home-cooked meal on the table seemed to mock him. "You really will do anything for money," he sneered. Charlotte sighed softly and approached to help him out of his jacket, her hands warm as they began to knead his shoulders tenderly. She coaxed him in a gentle voice, "You must be exhausted after such a long evening. I made your favorite soup. Won''t you have some?" Liam''s tense muscles rxed under her touch, his voice softening for a rare moment.


    "Is money all you''re after? You know I can give you so much more."


    Her fingers stiffened momentarily before she resumed her task nonchntly. "Nothing else is needed."


    She only wanted the two million, and only after they had been intimate.


    It was a transaction, pure and simple. She feared that anything more might trap her in a web of unwanted feelings.


    Liam scoffed, suddenly enraged.


    In a swift motion, he pulled Charlotte against him and pinned her onto the shoe cab.


    Her stomach inches from the cold wood. She arched her back, her arms winding around his neck.


    "Cold," she whispered.


    "Is that so?" Liam''s hands roamed under her skirt without pretense. "Then hold on to me."


    She moved rhythmically with his advances.


    "Daddy, Go slow."


    He liked the way she called him Daddy.


    His breath quickened, his grip tightening around her waist, drawing her in close.


    His eyes, darkened with desire, questioned.


    "So just 400 grand is all it takes to get you to do this? Would you do the same for anyone else, right?"

 Chapter 4: The Fianc茅e

    "Am I just anyone to you?"


    His voice was sharp, a challenge thrown to pry open the gates of her heart and reveal its secrets.


    Charlotte remained silent, a serpent of silence, but her actions spoke volumes as she leaned in, teeth yfully grazing his lips in a defiant caress.


    Just as his anger was about to boil over, she shifted tactics, her lips finding the vulnerable hollow of his throat, her kisses soft, her tongue teasing his skin with the lightest of touches. "There''s no one else, only you," she whispered against him.


    Unable to contain himself, Liam became a storm,ying siege to her senses.


    In the heat of passion, Liam showed a gentleness seldom seen, moving with deliberate slowness as if fearing to break the spell too quickly.


    Charlotte, ovee with a shyness that stole her words, could only respond by drawing his finger into her mouth, her teeth nibbling softly, her breath a chorus of stifled moans.


    His eyes softened with warmth. "Charlotte, let me deal with Robert for you, alright?"


    Her heart skipped a beat at the sudden chill in his words, and she was momentarily adrift in confusion.


    "What''s wrong?" Liam''s gaze was intense as he kissed the corners of her lips. "Don''t you despise him? His gambling debts will bleed you dry, repeatedly wing at your finances until there''s nothing left. He''ll be the ruin of your life." She trembled, barely able to speak. "I know... but he is still my father..."


    Charlotte resolved to deal with Robert herself. She wouldn''t let her father taint Liam''s hands.


    "Fool!"


    Liam''s frustration erupted, hands pinning her against the wall, his voice a growl of exasperation. "Why!"


    She struggled free, gasping for air. "But..."


    "Meeting you, that can''t be called a ruined life."


    It was because of him that she hadn''t crumbled under the scandal that could have been her downfall.


    ...


    Silence followed the storm.


    Liam couldn''t spare her another nce as he got up to shower. When he emerged dressed and authoritative, he tossed a bank card onto her bare back.


    "Is money all you''re good for?"


    He sneered before mming the door behind him.


    Liam was gone.


    The early hours were silent save for the moonlight that crept through the curtains, casting a soft glow on Charlotte as shey on her side, tears falling silently onto the chaotic sheets.


    She checked her mobile bank ount, wondering if her performance the night before had beencking, for Liam had only transferred two hundred thousand.


    It wasn''t enough.


    Gathering her strength, Charlotte prepared to settle her debts quickly to avoid furtherplications.


    But fate had other ns as she encountered Robert at her doorstep.


    His appearance was disheveled, fatigue etched into his wrinkled face, but his eyes lit up with a predatory gleam at the sight of Charlotte.


    "Lottie, my dear daughter, you''re back."


    His smile was corrupt. "You''vee to save your dear old dad, right? I knew my good girl wouldn''t let me suffer. Just lost a few thousand, darling. Go pay it off for me, will you?"


    "In your dreams," Charlotte retorted with a furrowed brow.


    "Refuse to pay? Ha! It''s the natural order of things for children to clear their parents'' debts. I''m an old man with one foot in the grave, but I''ll be damned if I don''t enjoy myst days! And don''t you dare me me for leaving you with too much debt when I''m gone!"


    He nced at his daughter and went on with a twisted smile, "But with your... special skills, just spread your legs, and some sap will cover your debts. A few bucks are nothing to you!"


    "Then why don''t you drop dead already!" Charlotte snapped back, her voice icy.


    "You think you can talk to me like that, you little punk?"


    Robert snarled as he grabbed a broom to swing at Charlotte!


    But Charlotte stood fearless, and as the broom struck her shoulder, she pulled a brick from her bag and mmed it onto Robert''s head with all her might!


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    Dropping out to work hadted her six hundred bucks, and she had immediately invested it in learning Muay Thai. She was no longer the pushover Robert could beat down at will. "Agh!" Robert''s cry of agony echoed as he crashed to the ground.


    "Robert!" Maria burst in, her voiceced with panic, as she knelt beside Robert.


    "He hit me..." Charlotte began.


    Maria stopped her with a sharp hit to the leg, saying, "You ungrateful kid! That''s your dad! No matter what he''s done, he''s still your dad! How can you be so cold-hearted?" Charlotte clenched her fists and took a deep breath, "He''s no father of mine!"


    "You lousy mutt!" Robert yelled, holding his head. "I set you up with a great catch, and you can''t even spare a penny for your old man! If I''d known, I should''ve sold you off to the ughterhouse in the western suburbs!"


    The ughterhouse owner''s son, a convicted felon for the rape and murder of a streetwalker as a juvenile, had just been released from the reformatory. His father was desperately looking for a girl to marry him off to. "Hmph."C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Charlotteughed quietly, a chill in her voice, "You better be d I end up with Liam, or you''d be in pieces by now!"


    With those final words, Charlotte turned and walked away.


    Maria wept and beat Robert, "What kind of father are you? Lottie is your own flesh and blood!"


    Robert pped her across the face, "Worthless, all of you! What are you standing around for? Get me to the hospital!"


    Maria was left crying even harder after the p.


    "Worthless, all of them! Should''ve sold her off with the second one!"


    As Charlotte walked away, the bitter curses of Robert were still audible in the distance.


    Robert''s spiteful reference to "the second one" was to Charlotte''s younger sister.


    Charlotte had been the original choice for the adopting family, valued for her age and ability to work. They had ns to eventually offer her less as a daughter and more as a bride to their son, thus saving a fortune on wedding expenses. They dressed it up as adoption, but in reality, it was a trade of the darkest kind.


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    But Charlotte had foiled their n by trying to escape with her sister the night before the deal was to be sealed. When Robert discovered them, he nearly drowned Charlotte in a barrel of water.


    The next morning, feverish and too weak to even walk.


    Charlotte was passed over by the family, who feared she might die under their roof. Instead, they took her much younger sister.


    By the time Charlotte''s fever broke and she came to, her sister was gone. Even as she contemted going to the police, her mother stopped her.


    Her sister was then reported missing and vanished without a trace.


    This betrayal was a de that twisted in Charlotte''s heart, a constant torment.


    As an adult, Charlotte tracked down the degenerate gambler who had adopted her sister, only to find her sister was no longer with him. He imed she had been passed on to someone else, and the price to learn her whereabouts? Two million.


    Charlotte was close to that sum now.


    Wiping away her tears, Charlotte steeled herself and returned to her job.


    Stepping into the break room, she overheard some gossip.


    "Did you hear? Mr. Parker''s ex-fianc¨¦e is back. They say she broke off their engagement because he didn''t support her during a power struggle. Poor Mr. Parker was heartbroken for ages!"


    "Mr. Parker, with his pride? Take her back? Unlikely."


    "Love is a mysterious thing. He was so smitten with her; it''s no wonder he''s considering marrying her again."


    The whispers faded as Charlotte blinked away her thoughts and focused on preparing coffee.


    From day one at Parker Group, people were whispering that she looked like Liam''s ex-fianc¨¦e, and that''s probably why she got the job there.


    But Liam never gave her any special treatment at work, and when the gossip faded, the small-time hassles from her coworkers started up.


    If Liam had given her even a little bit of attention, her days at thepany might not have been so full of trouble.


    But what right did she have to expect anything from Liam?


    A wry smile crossed Charlotte''s lips as she prepared to deliver the coffee just as the elevator by the CEO''s office dinged open.


    Henry, the CEO''s assistant, stepped out with a respectful bow, gesturing for someone to follow," Miss Beaumont, the boss is waiting for you, please." With his words, a fancy foot in a high heel with a red bottom stepped out of the lift.

 Chapter 5: she was adopted?!

    As soon as Charlotte saw the woman before her, she knew what a ''substitute'' is.


    She bore a striking resemnce to this highborndy.


    Yet, while thedy exuded a serene elegance, Charlotte felt like a mere shadow, her presence dusted with life''s trials and hardly worth noting.


    Lost in thought, Charlotte''s reverie was broken by the click-ck of Chloe''s heels approaching.


    Chloe had this easygoing way about her that you only see in really high-ss people. She was not just pretty and smart; the fancy background of her family made her all the more impressive. Feeling Chloe''s curious gaze, Charlotte instinctively bowed her head.


    "Going to take some coffee?"


    Chloe''s voice was super smooth, and she had a friendly smile. "Mandheling for Liam, right?"


    Suppressing the turmoil within, Charlotte nodded meekly, "Yes."


    "Would you mind making an extra cup for me? Same as his," Chloe asked, her tone casual.


    "Of course," Charlotte replied, retreating to the break room to prepare the coffee.


    As the coffee percted, whispers of Liam''s past with his ''ex-fianc¨¦e'' filled the room.


    "Some people dream about shooting for the stars, but real life has a way of bringing you down to earth - like the idea that someone fresh out of college could ever measure up to Mr. Parker." "Miss Beaumont''s kindness might just keep her around for amusement, no?"


    Ignoring the snickers, Charlotte carried the twin cups of coffee to the office.


    The door swung open to reveal Liam''s hand on Chloe''s knee, bending as if to bestow a kiss.


    Charlotte''s heart skipped a beat, spilling a few drops of coffee onto the tray.


    To hide her diposure, she quickly regained herposure and ced the coffees on the desk with steady hands.


    "Mr. Parker, Miss Beaumont, enjoy," she murmured.


    Chloe, cheeks flushed, rose, iming a need for fresh air, "I... I need a moment."


    Liam stood, offering to apany her, but she lightly tugged at her dress, "Thanks, I''m ok, you can stay here."


    He chuckled, not pressing further, but his eyes challenged Charlotte as he turned to her, "What are you waiting for? Go with Miss Beaumont to get some fresh air."


    In a soft voice, Charlotte agreed, setting down the tray and departing without once looking back at Liam, missing the fleeting look of disappointment in his eyes.


    After a breath of fresh air with Chloe, Charlotte returned to the buzz of the break room, where talk of Liam and Chloe''s impending nuptials dominated.


    "The alliance is set. Miss Beaumont and her parents are here to finalize the engagement date."


    Hearing just that much knotted Charlotte''s brow and it stayed that way, locked in concern.


    There was still a debt of two hundred thousand looming over her, and even with her assistant''s sry at Parker Group, she''d have to save for over two years without spending a dime. Time was a luxury she couldn''t afford.


    But if Liam were to marry and start a family...


    With a soft sigh, Charlotte waited for Chloe to leave before knocking on the office door once more.


    "Mr. Parker."


    Standing before the desk, she braced herself for the unpleasant conversation ahead.


    Liam nced up, a hint of irritation in his eyes, expecting another plea for money, "Not again, Charlotte. I''m not your personal ATM."


    Approaching her, he fixed her with a stern gaze, "Nor am I a toy at your disposal."


    Charlotte bypassed hisment, "Are you getting engaged to Miss Beaumont?"


    His expression faltered at her unexpected question, but quickly shifted to amusement, "Jealous, are we?"


    "Not at all."


    "Really?" His smile dropped, realizing she wasn''t concerned about losing his financial support. "Why would my engagement matter to you?" His brows furrowed, impatience creeping in.


    Did she fear that his marriage to Chloe would cut off her financial lifeline?


    A needless worry; the Parker empire was vast, hardly affected by such trivialities, and furthermore...


    "What does my engagement, or who I engage to, have to do with you?"


    Liam''s eyes narrowed, scrutinizing her.


    Head bowed, Charlotte received his indirect confirmation.


    "Mr. Parker, let''s end it here."


    He thought he had misheard, "End it here?"


    "Yes," Charlotte said, her voice growing firmer with each word. "You''re nning tomit to another, and our... rtionship isn''t fair to Miss Beaumont." Liam challenged her with a question, "What kind of rtionship do we have, exactly?"


    "A transaction of money for... intimacy."


    She admitted, her heart aching with the confession.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    But... being near a man who''s so handsome and powerful, someone who''s head and shoulders above everyone else, a man like that is something else. How could anyone''s heart remain still after half a year?


    The air turned thick with tension. Liam''s gaze was heavy, his anger tangible as it seemed to press down on Charlotte.


    Was she using the end of their rtionship as leverage to make him call off the engagement?


    He preferred it when she yielded when a simple pout would solve their issues. Why did she have to make everything soplicated?


    "Are you trying to ckmail me, Charlotte?"


    "No," she countered quickly, "I just don''t want to hurt someone who''s innocent..."


    "Don''t pretend to be so noble!"


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    "Mr. Parker," Charlotte stood her ground, "I''vepromised my dignity, my reputation, and possibly my future. I took the money, so I have no grounds to refute your judgment."


    She continued patiently, "But Miss Beaumont truly is innocentpared to me."


    Finally, she added, "The sum you''ve given me was a lifeline, and for that, I''m grateful. I wish you and Miss Beaumont a lifetime of happiness."


    With a loud crash, Liam''s fury manifested in the form of an overturned chair.


    She was still so foolish.


    "Get out!"


    Charlotte didn''t look back as she decisively walked away.


    She still owed two hundred thousand, and yes, she had sold herself, but she wasn''t entirely devoid of morals.


    She wasn''t lying-letting go of Liam, her wealthy benefactor, was simply because she didn''t want to harm another innocent woman.


    Handing in her resignation to HR, Charlotte overheard the manager gossiping on the phone.


    "Everyone knows that the Beaumonts'' daughter was adopted - it''s not like it''s some big secret. That one winter, Mrs. Beaumont spotted the girl getting rough treatment from a gambler and just couldn''t ignore it - she stepped in and offered to take her in. And can you believe it? That gambler had the nerve to ask for two million just to let her go!"


    Charlotte froze at the doorway, her heart missing a beat.


    The Beaumonts'' daughter... Chloe was adopted?


    The word ''adopted'' clicked something in Charlotte''s head, and it was like she started putting together pieces of a puzzle.


    Chloe''s resemnce to her.


    A gambler for a father.


    Two million.


    Her heart started pounding. Her sister was sold when she was only seven, and Charlotte had imagined more than once that if her sister had been lucky enough to end up with nice people, she''d look a lot like Chloe does today, fifteen yearster.


    She hadughed it off when others mentioned the resemnce between her and Liam''s fianc¨¦e, never imagining that the person who would resemble her the most in this world would be her own sister! Without regard for decorum, Charlotte rushed to the HR manager''s desk, "The Beaumont family''s daughter, she was adopted?!"

 Chapter 6: I Can Offer You Much More Than Just Money

    The HR manager almost leaped out of her chair when Charlotte burst in and asked her question. "Yeah, everyone knows that. She was adopted when she was about eight or nine, I think." Charlotte''s heart began to race as though it might burst free from her chest with the confirmation.


    She fled in her state of shock, but as fate would have it, she caught sight of Chloe returning, herughter mingling with those around her as she strolled into the bustling lobby. The mor of the crowd was a chaotic symphony, but through it all, Charlotte''s eyes were riveted on Chloe, and without thinking, she whispered a name from the past. "Annie."This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    Annie was a name drenched in childhood innocence, the name of her lost sister.


    Her whisper was a mere breath, lost in the din, noticeable only to one with a connection deep enough to recognize the call.


    "Annie?"


    Chloe paused, her head turning, a furrow of confusion on her brow as she searched for the source of the familiar call.


    But the source had vanished; Charlotte had already retreated behind the foliage, muffling her sobs with her hand mped over her mouth.


    Chloe had reacted to the name Annie!


    Charlotte forced herself to stand tall among the greenery. She had to confirm Chloe''s identity, and if she was indeed her long-lost sister, she''d allow no harm toe to her. Including herself.


    Yet, approaching someone of Chloe''s stature seemed impossible with her current social standing.


    Her only chance to stay close, to confirm the truth about Chloe''s identity, was to remain at Parker Group.


    She would have to swallow her pride, retract her resignation, and stay on as an assistant for a while longer.


    Henry pushed open the door to a scene of chaos in the office.


    Approaching the brooding figure on the sofa, he reported with trepidation, "Mr. Parker, Robert is here, downstairs. Should we send someone to throw him out?"


    Liam always had Robert intercepted when he came to thepany seeking Charlotte. Henry expected the same protocol.


    To his surprise, Liam rose and strode toward the elevator.


    "Where is he? I''ll deal with him myself."


    Liam walked into the alleyway by the front of thepany and saw a sketchy-looking middle-aged guy slumped in a corner.


    Robert saw him as well. "Mr. Parker! What''s got youing down here yourself? I only need four hundred thousand this round. Just send it to my card, and we''ll be square."


    In the past, whenever Robert had pestered Charlotte for money, she''d never given in. Instead, it was Liam who had paid him off to keep him away from thepany-and Charlotte.


    As Robert slithered toward him, his words barely out, Liam''s fist connected with his face, sending him sprawling to the ground.


    "Charlotte dered it''s over between us."


    He grabbed Robert and pulled him up, thennded another punch on his nose. "That really makes me mad."


    "I''ve really cared for her, put up with annoying guys like you for her sake, and she still has the nerve to break things off with me?"


    "She''s ungrateful, so you''ll pay the price."


    Punch after punchnded each one, a brutal testament to Liam''s rage.


    Standing over Robert, Liam pressed his foot down, "Do you think you deserve to live?"


    Robert, twisting in agony, shouted, "I should be dead! I promise, Mr. Parker, I''ll drag that bitch back to you. I''ll give her the thrashing of a lifetime to make you feel better!" "Who did you call a bitch?"


    Liam''s pressure intensified, mangling Robert''s face under his shoe. "Thrashing? I''ve cherished her like a precious gem. How could I bear to harm her?"


    "She''s probably just throwing a fit. I''ll get her toe back and say sorry to you, Mr. Parker. She''ll give you a real apology!"


    Robert''s words struck a chord with Liam. Ever the money-grubber, Charlotte wouldn''t just walk away from him, her golden goose, over an engagement. She was likely angling for more money, ying games to irk him.


    Give her a way to save face, and she''de crawling back.


    "Then I''ll leave it to you, Mr. Perry." Liam lifted his foot, his tone markedly lighter.


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    As Charlotte made her way back to the HR department to retrieve her resignation letter, she was met with a surprise.


    "Your departure is of particr interest to Mr. Parker, given that he personally selected you. Thus, he''ll be the one to address your resignation," exined the HR representative.


    With no other option, Charlotte was left with a covert mission: to retrieve her letter before it caught Liam''s eye.


    She knew too well that if Liam saw the letter, he would unleash a storm of fury, forever barring her from crossing the threshold of Parker Group again.


    As she approached the CEO''s office, poised to knock, the view through the slightly ajar blinds rooted her to the spot.


    Inside, the office was a scene of disarray, likely the aftermath of Liam''s temper ring up in response to her earlier provocations.


    Amid the chaos, there was Chloe, poised and blushing on the only untouched piece of furniture, a sofa, exchanging whispers with Liam.


    She was the spitting image of the sister Charlotte remembered, now all grown up.


    Charlotte couldn''t help but drink in every detail of her mannerisms and expressions greedily.


    Caught off guard while reaching for a magazine, Liam''s gazended on Charlotte, who seemed to be frozen outside the window.


    Dismissing Chloe with a casual authority, he said, "Evening''s creeping up on us. Go change into something nice; I''ll take you out for dinner." Chloe, clearly smitten, could only nod and gaze at him with eyes full of infatuation before reluctantly bidding her goodbyes.


    Chloe''s departure left Charlotte alone with Liam, who, upon returning from sending Chloe off, found Charlotte lurking in the corner. "Why are you lurking around here?" he asked, looking down from his towering height.


    Charlotte''s mind was a whirlwind of confusion, but she went straight to the point, "Was Chloe adopted by the Beaumont family?" Seeking the truth from Liam seemed the quickest path, but as expected, he wasn''t inclined to disclose such information easily. "You have no right to know about her past," he stated bluntly.


    "And why are you here?"


    he prodded further when Charlotte hesitated to admit her true intention of retrieving her resignation.


    Knowing Liam''s pride, just being allowed in his office was a privilege.


    He would surely cast her out without a second thought if he knew she wanted to retract her resignation.


    "I..." she faltered, then, with a small step forward, she ventured, "Can we talk inside?"


    Liam''s expression was unreadable, yet he didn''t turn her away.


    Had Daniel been there, his jaw would have dropped in astonishment.


    After Charlotte had the guts to take on Liam''s ego, anyone else would have been banned for good, not even given a shot at making things right.


    But he let Charlottee back around him so easily and even let her into his office.


    Once inside the office, Charlotte immediately spotted her resignation letter amidst the fallen documents on the floor.


    She stealthily stepped on it, nning toter seize the opportunity to destroy it.


    "So, tell me, what brings you back? Can''t part with the money?" he asked icily.


    "Not at all..." As a bead of sweat trickled down her back, Charlotte struggled to concoct a believable excuse.


    "Charlottel"


    Liam''s voice cut through the prolonged silence, his patience wearing thin.


    "I thought you''d wised up, but it seems you''re as foolish as ever."


    Robert had just suggested she apologize, and here she was, showing up unexpectedly with an air of dignity that bordered on arrogance. How ludicrous.


    Confused by his sudden anger, Charlotte began to tidy up the office. Her tasks as a general assistant were second nature to her.


    In the process, she discreetly slid the resignation letter into her pocket.


    But as soon as she did, a warm hand sped her neck, forcing her to face the sofa.


    Lifting her gaze, she was met with Liam''s figure looming over her.


    "I can offer you much more than just money," he uttered, his voice cold as ice.

 Chapter 7: The Abduction

    Charlotte stood frozen for a moment before her brow furrowed in determination. "Mr. Parker, I''m done ying your game. No more dirty money or being at your beck and call. It''s high time you treat Chloe with the respect she deserves. Don''t trample on her devotion."


    "Enough, Charlotte," Mr. Parker''s voice cut through the air like a de, "my patience has its limits!"


    She seemed to have a knack for pushing his buttons, time and time again.


    Did she really think he was a pushover?


    Liam''s anger roared to life, a simmering fury bubbling over. "Foolishness beyond belief!"


    Charlotte, resignation letter in hand, found his outburst puzzling but had no desire to ponder the reasons. She rose swiftly, her exit as brisk as the onset of a storm.


    Liam watched her retreating figure, a cold indifference masking the tumultuous rage and panic swirling in his eyes.


    "Henry!" His voice was amand that rang with urgency.


    Henry entered, listening intently to his orders, his expression turning steel-like. Mr. Parker was plotting something drastic...


    As the workday drew to a close, Charlotte stepped out of the office building, contemting shredding her resignation letter. But on second thought, she decided to keep it, saving herself the task of drafting another once Chloe''s situation was clear.


    Approaching the bus stop, her phone rang; it was Maria. Her brother wasing home for the holidays, and she wanted Charlotte to pick up a Tiramisu from a bakery in the city''s west end.


    "Why the west side? It''s quite a trek from here," Charlotte questioned.


    "It''s for your brother''s birthday; let''s indulge his craving just this once," Maria pleaded over the phone.


    Charlotte figured since she had to go back and deal with the house mortgage issue anyway, she didn''t turn down the request.


    Purchasing the Tiramisu, Charlotte stepped outside, only to sense something amiss. Four identical vans lined the street, with a menacing bald man lurking nearby.


    Was she walking into a robbery?


    She turned to retreat to the safety of the bakery when suddenly, a cloth was pressed over her face, and darkness imed her.


    When Charlotte came to, she was in the back of a moving vehicle. She kept her eyes shut, eavesdropping on her captors.


    "Thess is a looker. No wonder Robert''s keen on selling her. Heard Griffin''s bid is 600k?"


    "More like 400k, cash, and the Perry family won''t ask questions about her fate." Griffin?


    The notorious son of a murderer from the pig farms in the outskirts!


    It all clicked Maria''s specific request, the suspicious vans.


    It was a setup, with Maria implicated too.


    Fury and panic warred within her as she struggled to keep her breathing in check. She had to think fast.


    Caught by a psychopath in a deste pig farm, escape would be near impossible.


    If she ended up in his hands, she''d rather jump out of the car and die!Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    In a panic, Charlotte suddenly felt a hard, rectangr object in the bag under her.


    Her phone!


    Trying to stay calm, she discreetly reached for it with her fingers, and, relying on memory, dialed her emergency contact''s number.


    She didn''t have a chance to call the police because the moment she dialed the number, the bad guy would notice, and it might even make him desperate enough to do something irrational.


    Right now, the only person she felt she could trust was Liam.


    Her phone had a location tracking feature, and the emergency contact, which Liam had set up when Robert first started chasing her, was programmed with a special ringtone.


    He had told her that if she was ever in danger, she should call this number, and he woulde to rescue her immediately.


    As expected, just a few slight vibrations were enough for the thug to notice. He roughly snatched her phone away.


    "Think you can call the cops, huh?" the man sneered with suspicion. But when he saw that the dial screen only showed a single digit ''1'', he thought Charlotte had touched it by ident and didn''t give it much thought. Charlotte let out a quiet sigh of relief.


    After driving for a while, the car suddenly stopped. Then, someone cursed and swore and got in and kicked Charlotte twice in the leg.


    "Damn it! Useless piece of crap! Acting all high and mighty! Got me beat up because of you!"


    That''s Robert''s voice!


    Charlotte opened her eyes and stared him down, noticing his face was swollen like a pig''s head, his arm hung limp and useless, and one of his legs was loose and floppy as if it had been broken.


    Feeling her gaze, Robert exploded with anger, "What are you looking at? If you hadn''t acted all high and mighty, would Mr. Parker have had me beaten up?"


    His rage was palpable as he eximed, "Twice! They nearly beat the life out of me!"


    Then, grumbling under his breath, hemented, "Now I''m really in for it. Without Parker''s favor, my pockets remain empty, thanks to your high and mighty act. No payday for me means I''ve got to sell you off again! You''ve only got yourself to me!"


    Charlotte''s brows knit together in frustration.


    She hadn''t given Robert a single penny of the money from Liam, yet Robert spoke as if he had been lining his pockets... Where did ite from?


    "Did Liam pay you?" she asked.


    "Of course he did! Do you think I''d let him have his way with my girl for free? He''s coughed up a good three to four million over the past few months. Stingy, that one is!" Charlotte''s fists clenched in anger.


    No wonder she didn''t pay up and Robert hadn''t troubled her; it turns out Liam was backing her up secretly! Three to four million!


    She had sold her body and pride for a mere one point nine million and thought she was asking for too much. Robert, the beast, had the nerve to y the victim and call Liam stingy!


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    Charlotte, stifling her rage, sought a way out, "I''m still employed by Parker Group. If my colleagues can''t reach me, they''ll call the cops. And the bakery''s doorstep is swarming with cameras. They''ll trace this abduction easily, and none of you will get away."


    Her voice grew louder, "You take the cash, but you all share the risk. That''s hardly fair y, is it?"


    "Don''t try to drive a wedge between us!" Robert kicked her again. "It''s my god-given right to marry off my daughter! The 400k is her dowry! Once you''re off this vehicle, you and Griffin will seal the deal, and no one will dare say a word." "Liam won''t let you get away with this," Charlotte retorted with feigned confidence. "Once he finds out what you''ve done, you..."


    "Don''t you dare use Liam to scare me! I asked him for money, and he refused, then had me beaten not once but twice! Can''t you see? He''s tired of you!"


    Robert''s face twisted cruelly, "And he''s about to get engaged. Think he''s going toe to your rescue? Get that fantasy out of your head!"


    Charlotte didn''t dare say more.


    She couldn''t risk Robert turning his attention to Chloe if Chloe was indeed her sister; entanglement with a family as vile as the Perrys would bring endless trouble.


    She wouldn''t allow anyone to disturb Chloe''s tranquil life.


    The ride to the pig farm was rough, and Charlotte was forced out of the car upon arrival.


    A middle-aged man handed Robert a bulging briefcase, which he greedily counted.


    "Perfect, 400k. Griffin, you''ve seen my daughter''s beauty. I wouldn''t part with her for 400k, let alone four million if I wasn''t desperate!"


    Griffin nced at him with disdain, "Remember, her life or death is none of your concern after this. Don''te chasing after me once you''ve spent the money wanting her back." "Don''t worry; my word is my bond," Robert assured him.


    To Robert, a lowly butcher was far more terrifying than the aloof aristocrat Liam could ever be.


    "Enough chit-chat, don''t keep Griffin waiting!"


    Charlotte was roughly shoved into a room. Before she could even look up, she heard the sound of a beastly, heavy breath close by.

 Chapter 8: No Knight in Shining Armor

    "Dear," his voice slithered through the air, cold and serpentine, sending shivers cascading down Charlotte''s spine.


    She paid no mind to the gaunt figure before her, her gaze instead drawn to the macabre collection adorning the wall behind him.


    "With these tools, dear, I shall craft your torment, one by one. But fear not, we have all the time in the world," he crooned with twisted anticipation. The man slowly squatted down, his expression almost crazed.


    A chilling touch at her ankle snapped Charlotte''s attention downward; he was fitting an instrument with vicious teeth around her delicate skin.


    "It might sting a bit, but that''s alright. Once I pierce through your ankle, no amount of pain will carry you away from me," he murmured. Sicko.


    The rumors were true; this guy was aplete psycho.


    "What if I manage to flee? Will you refund the $400,000?"


    she challenged, her query halting his movements momentarily.


    Hisughter, dark and frosty, resumed. "There''s no escape for you, dear..."


    Before he could finish speaking, Charlotte delivered a knee strike to his nose. As he reeled back in pain, she seized the moment to dash behind him, grabbed a small hammer she had eyed earlier from a wall of props, and swung it hard against the back of the man''s head!


    A single cry escaped him before unconsciousness imed his form.


    The room reeked of blood and felt stuffy. Charlotte gripped the hammer tightly, panting heavily.


    She didn''t dare to fight back when there were four or five guys earlier, but now, with only one weakling left, it would be foolish not to take her chance.


    Suppressing her fear, she secured the door to prevent any intruders, then stood guard over the prone figure, alert to any sign of awakening.


    She can''t go out now; there are too many people, she won''t be able to escape.


    Her phone was taken away, and she can''t call the cops, so all she can do is wait for Liam toe and save her.


    But she waited from evening until the early hours of the morning, her emotions shifting from fear to calm, even as the psycho woke up twice during that time.


    Liam did note.


    The first light of dawn filtered through the basement window, and with it came the unwee realization: Liam would not be her savior.


    Even as an employee, wasn''t she owed the slightest bit of concern in a moment of crisis?


    Even as just an employee, shouldn''t he at least pay some attention to a call for help in a critical situation?


    Or perhaps... an urgent matter had prevented him from receiving her plea for help?


    Charlotte rose unsteadily, navigating her escape from the pig farm to the outskirts and from there, under the relentless sun, to the bustle of the city.


    The cacophony of urban life wrapped around her like a security nket. At the crossroads, she hesitated, uncertain of her next move.


    After a long pause, she ventured to a store and purchased a new phone.


    After getting her phone back, she didn''t think about calling the police. Instead, she ran away, knowing that Griffin would definitely go after Robert to get back the $400,000. Robert, waiting on that money to pay off gambling debts, would never return it.


    By then, it would be a real dog-eat-dog situation.


    Just as she put her SIM card back in, she received a call from Henry.


    "Miss Perry, was there an issuest night?" his voice inquired, adding ice to her veins.


    Henry''s words confirmed her worst fear: Liam had chosen to ignore her distress. Her silence spoke volumes.


    Henry quickly added, "The fireworks showst night had Mr. Parker rushing to pick up Miss Beaumont... But he did express concern for you, asking me to check on you."


    Wasn''t this concern a tad toote? If she hadn''t been so fiercely determined, she might have met a grisly fate at the hands of her captorst night.


    "I''m... I''m fine, just a little ident," she lied.


    However, hearing the name Chloe made Charlotte suddenly realize how shameful her actions had been.


    Liam was Chloe''s fianc¨¦, and she was just a mistress and one whose affair with him had already ended at that. What right did she have to expect Liam toe to her rescue? "Henry, I''m not feeling well today. I''d like to take a day off."


    "Of course, get some rest."


    Leave secured, Charlotte found refuge in a hotel, shrouded in nkets, trembling with the aftershocks of her ordeal.


    She had struck the madman three times; would hee seeking retribution?


    What vile schemes awaited her now that Robert''s funds would be reimed?


    Fear and regret nearly drowned her.


    And in this bleak hour, she was utterly alone.


    At the break of dawn, Charlotte collected her scattered thoughts and, with a cup of coffee that was more truce than refreshment in hand, ventured into the lion''s den-the CEO''s office. Liam''s reception was a paradox, his eyes betraying a sh of intrigue at her appearance, yet his tongue delivered nothing but venom.


    "Miss Perry, I imagined someone of your so-called integrity would have cut all ties and disappeared by now. Are the golden shackles of a Parker Group paycheck really that hard to let go of?"


    The paycheck was indeed a fortune for the menial tasks of sweeping floors and brewing coffee-four thousand a month was a handsome sum for such simplicity.


    "Yes," she admitted, her voice tight with frustration, not realizing this would fuel Liam''s displeasure even more.


    She passed up on him, a veritable gold mine, and instead went after the measly assistant''s pay.


    Liam looked Charlotte over carefully, noticing that she seemed to be physically unharmed. He then remembered the emergency call he had seen that morning.


    Last night during dinner, Liam had run into someone he knew and left his phone on the table. Chloe, in his absence, set up a missed call alert for him. It wasn''t until the morning that she told him about the strange call received the night before.


    After seeing the emergency call notification, Liam immediately had someone look for Charlotte, only to discover that she was out shopping.


    Did she make the emergency call just to disrupt his date with Chloe?


    "With all due respect, try not to cry wolf next time...unless you''d like me to believe it''s deliberate," he insinuated, a threat veiled thinly in his tone.


    Charlotte''s fists clenched. She wanted to defend herself but saw no point in it.


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    There was a time when she harbored naive fantasies about Liam, wondering if proximity might breed affection. But with Chloe''s entrance and their impending marriage, those daydreams had dispersed like mist.


    However, since Chloe appeared on the scene and upon learning that he would be engaged and married to Chloe, any such fantasy hadpletely vanished.


    Chloe might or might not be her sister, but Charlotte had no intention of unraveling another''s love story.


    "I overstepped. It won''t happen again," she apologized softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mr. Parker, my wishes for your and Miss Beaumont''s wedded bliss are genuine."


    His response was a scoff that spread a frosty silence through the room.


    Just then, Henry''s knock pierced the tension, announcing the arrival of a gift meant for Miss Beaumont.


    A gift for Chloe?


    Charlotte interjected hurriedly, "I''ll go deliver it!"Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    Realizing her eagerness might be misinterpreted, she quickly justified, "It''s the least I can do to make amends for almost ruining Miss Beaumont''s evening."


    Liam''s expression darkened further. "How noble of you, Charlotte," he sneered.


    "Go on, deliver it. I''m curious just how deep your well-wishes really run."


    Lately, Liam''s moods had been as unpredictable as a tempest, his anger erupting without warning.


    Charlotte didn''t dare to provoke him further, quickly taking the gift and making her escape.


    As Charlotte arrived, Chloe was mid-bath, and upon hearing of a gift from Liam, she bounded down, d only in a towel, her hair casting a sprinkle of droplets across the floor. "Is it a ring?"


    Chloe bubbled over with excitement, her voice echoing through the hallway.


    Charlotte passed the box to her, trying not to let her gaze linger too long.


    The resemnce.


    Chloe''s visage was a mirror of her own, uncannily so.


    But as Charlotte''s memory served, her sister bore more of a likeness to Robert while she was the spitting image of Maria. How strange that the reflections told a different tale now.

 Chapter 9: Found yourself a new daddy, have you?

    Perhaps it was the bloom of adulthood that had reshaped her features.


    Casting doubts aside, Charlotte offered to dry Chloe''s hair, seizing the hairdryer like a peace offering.


    "The winds are fierce today, and damp locks could lead to a cold. Mr. Parker would be heartbroken if Miss Beaumont fell ill."


    Chloe, ted by the ring she had received, weed Charlotte''s kind gesture.


    Gently, Charlotte blew warm air through Chloe''s hair, discreetly pocketing a few strands that fell loose.


    During this, Chloe sipped on milk tea, and without notice, Charlotte salvaged the straw, tucking it away safely.


    After her task wasplete, Charlotte bid farewell, and Chloe, in high spirits, walked her to the door.


    A few meters out, Chloe''s inquisitive voice called out.


    "Sister?"


    That single word sent Charlotte''s heart into disarray, her feet suddenly heavy as lead.


    She turned, bewildered, "What did you say, Miss Beaumont?"


    Chloe offered a bittersweet smile, "It''s just... your silhouette reminds me of my sister."


    "Does Miss Beaumont have a sister?"


    "No..." Chloe''s smile waned, "I had a severe illness as a child. When I awoke, many memories were lost, but I vaguely remember a sister who adored me, who gave me her candy and contented herself with just the wrapper." Charlotte fought back tears.


    The night before she was sent away, she had tried to flee with her sister, who, too young to run, was coaxed along with the promise of sweets.


    A memory that had unexpectedly be theirst.


    "Miss Beaumont''s sister... must have loved you dearly," Charlotte said, her fist clenched to maintain a semnce ofposure.


    "I''m not sure," Chloe mused, "Mother insists I never had a sister. Sometimes, I wonder if she was just a figment of my dreams."


    With a mncholyugh, Chloe''s tone shifted, "Miss Perry, there are rumors swirling around thepany..."


    Before Charlotte could defend herself, Chloe continued, "But I trust you. From the moment I saw you, you felt familiar, not the person they portray you to be."


    "It''s all nder... My rtions with the staff at the president''s office are strained; they enjoy fabricating stories." Charlotte''s heart turned cold.


    Just moments before, she was overjoyed by the memory her sister retained, and now, she was plunged back into the abyss of the rtionship between her sister and Liam.


    "I was nning to resign... Miss Beaumont, that was my intention, I..." Charlotte started to exin, her wordsced with a mix of urgency and a plea for understanding.


    "It''s okay," Chloe said with a warm smile, "I believe you."


    With that, she turned back inside.


    Charlotte was left to wallow in her sorrow, not catching the flicker of mockery that crossed Chloe''s lips as she turned away.


    Leaving the Beaumont estate in a daze, Charlotte rushed to a DNA testing center. She handed over the collected samples of Chloe''s hair and the straw, requesting aparison with her own DNA. But the results would take five to seven days.


    "Can it be expedited? I''ll pay extra!" she pleaded, the wait unbearable.


    "That''s not possible. The samples you provided are not fresh enough; they need cultivation. Five days is the quickest," they exined.


    "Is that so? Thank you for your time," Charlotte sighed deeply after thanking the staff, mocking her impatience inwardly.


    After all, what was five more days after so many years?


    As she was about to leave, a male voice called out from behind, "Excuse me, miss!"


    Charlotte turned to see a handsome man approaching quickly.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    She frowned slightly, "Hello, can I help you?"


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    The man paused before her, his gaze intently scanning her face, his scrutiny causing Charlotte to step back.


    Realizing his manners, he offered an apologetic smile, "You bear a striking resemnce to someone in an old friend''s painting. Do you, by any chance, have a sister?" A sister?


    Did this man know Chloe?


    On guard, Charlotte asked, "And who might you be?"


    "I''m Vincent ckwood, heir to..."


    At the mention of that name, Charlotte''s defenses went up.


    Vincent ckwood is the sole progeny of the ckwood family.


    After being by Liam''s side for quite some time, she was no stranger to theplex web of rtionships that surrounded him, especially the notorious bad blood between the Parker and ckwood families. Liam and Vincent were like oil and water, getting into a tangle at the slightest provocation.


    Now that Chloe''s engagement to Liam was in the works, Charlotte knew the animosity between him and Vincent could only spell trouble.


    If Vincent ever discovered her connection to Chloe and the sordid secret of her birth family, he would undoubtedly use it to Chloe''s detriment.


    "I have no sister, and I do not know you, goodbye," Charlotte tly denied, beating a hasty retreat.


    Her heart still raced as she made her way back to the office, a pounding reminder of her panic.


    Reaching the 24th floor, she was met with the sight of her colleagues in the president''s office, jittery as leaves in a storm.


    The head of the secretarial department caught sight of her and immediately chided, "Where have you been gallivanting off to during work hours? Snap out of it and get in there clean up that mess!" Charlotte barely processed his words when she entered the president''s office, only to be greeted by a flying tissue box that hit her squarely in the face.


    Liam, fierce with rage, flung a piece of paper at her face.


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    "A resignation letter? Are you ying games with me, Charlotte?"


    His voice echoed with the betrayal he felt.


    "What did I do to deserve this!" he eximed, pulling her close.


    "Is it the money? Am I not giving you enough? Or is it theck of a title that bothers you?"


    "No... it''s none of that..." Charlotte responded, not resisting, her heart sinking with sorrow.


    Liam had done nothing wrong. He provided her a respectable job and even shielded her from Robert''s harassment, settling his gambling debts on her behalf.


    He had been more than fair to her.


    "Mr. Parker," she began, unsure of how to exin, she managed only a dry response, "You''re getting engaged, and we..."


    "So if I wasn''t getting engaged, you''d stay?" His eyes gleamed with scorn. "Tell me, if you say the word, I''ll do whatever you want."


    Charlotte was momentarily taken aback before realizing he was mocking her.


    She closed her eyes, filled with sorrow, "Mr. Parker, this is where we part ways. You''ve got my resignation letter. Let''s end things on good terms."


    The paternity test hadn''te back yet, but she was almost certain that Chloe was her long-lost sister.


    The paternity test results weren''t out yet, but she felt there was a very strong chance that Chloe was her long-lost sister.


    She couldn''t bear to continue appearing before Chloe.


    "End things on good terms? You think you''re in a position to use those words?" Beneath Liam''s harsh demeanor was an unmistakable weariness.


    She wouldn''t take the out he offered; his strained efforts to keep her seemed like a farce.


    At that moment, Henry''s voice came from outside, trying to bar entry," Mr. ckwood, you can''t go in there! Please, Mr. ckwood!"


    "Mr. Parker, giving a youngdy such a hard time is hardly gentlemanly," he proimed.


    "Vincent ckwood?"


    Liam''s voice carried a mix of anger andughter, his suspicious gaze shifting between the two before settling on Charlotte, "No wonder you''re so eager to flee. Found yourself a new daddy, have you? What, does he offer you more generouspensation?"

 Chapter 10: Liams Claim

    "Liam, enough!"


    The air buzzed with tension as Vincent stepped in, determined to put an end to Liam''s tirade. But his intervention was met with a swift punch to the face from Liam''s clenched fist.


    "What gives you the right to eveny a finger on what''s mine?"


    Liam roared, pinning Vincent to the ground with a fury that shook the earth beneath them.


    Charlotte dashed forward in a desperate attempt to intervene. She didn''t know this Vincent, but there was no doubt that he had taken the blow for her. Morally and emotionally, she couldn''t just stand by. But her interference only fueled Liam''s rage to towering new heights.


    "Are you still daring to block me? It hurts you when he gets hit, doesn''t it!"


    Liam''s anger was a raging inferno, impossible to contain. He tossed Vincent aside, unconscious, and gripping Charlotte by the neck, he dragged her to the resting room and flung her onto the bed. "How dare you seek thepany of another man behind my back?"


    Liam was the embodiment of unbridled fury, ready to devour her whole.


    Charlotte fought to clear her name, "It was a chance encounter! I don''t even know him! You can check if you don''t believe me!"


    "Silence!" Liam didn''t care for the truth, tearing at her clothes as he descended upon her.


    "No, stop! Please, Liam, I''m begging you, stop!"


    Charlotte''s pleas drowned in tears, pinned down, her resistance futile.


    "It''s wrong... please, Liam, don''t do this to me!"


    How could she ever face Chloe after being entwined with Liam once more?


    Her pleas were lost in the storm of Liam''s feral growls. This was not love; it was a deration of dominance, a one-sided venting of primal instincts.


    After everything was over, he kissed her forcefully and dered, "You''re mine. Charlotte, dare to sleep with another man, and you can only do so over my dead body or yours." Charlottey there, staring nkly at the ceiling, deaf to his derations.


    At that moment, only one thought consumed her: She had betrayed her sister, entangled once again with Chloe''s fianc¨¦.


    "Get away from me!"


    Humiliation and betrayal tormented her heart like never before. With trembling hands, she dressed and, ignoring Liam''s attempts to stop her, Charlotte fled thepany in disarray.


    Lost, Charlotte wandered the streets like a specter, eventually finding herself drawn back to the familiarity of home.


    Robert and Maria''s home.


    "Lottie! You''vee to save me, haven''t you? Take me away, please take me away!"


    Maria clung to Charlotte as she entered.


    Charlotte''s gaze fell to Maria''s swollen face, eyes wide with terror.


    "Did Robert hit you again?" she asked, her voice a chilling calm.


    "Yes, the heartless brute! The creditors came, and he offered me as payment! I refused, and he beat me mercilessly!"


    "Isn''t that the usual? Thest time he couldn''t pay his debts, he traded me off. Now it''s your turn, isn''t it fair?"


    "What are you saying, Lottie?" Maria''s concern grew as she tenderly touched Charlotte''s face. "What''s wrong with you?"


    Charlotte stared back, unblinking. "Robert''s arms and legs are injured. He can barely move, yet you let him beat you. Are you that helpless?"


    "Lottie, you''re scaring me. What''s happened to you?"


    "Why did you insist I buy the cake from that shop in the west of the city?" Charlotte''s question was cold, detached.


    Maria''s confusion quickly turned to anxiety. "Your brother wanted the cake. He said you could pick it up after work. What''s wrong, Lottie? Did you find the cake too expensive? Is that why you didn''te back?" Maria released Charlotte and pulled out a handful of banknotes with difficulty. "I wasn''t thoughtful. You''ve been working so hard. You shouldn''t have to spend your money on that cake."


    Charlotte''s heart soured at the foolish yet loving gesture.


    If not for these fleeting expressions of maternal love, she would have long ago fled this hellish home.


    She didn''t ept the money, instead revealing to Maria, "After buying the cake, Robert abducted me. For four hundred thousand, he sold me to the son of a pig farm owner."


    And her brother Axel wasplicit.


    "Guess how they knew exactly where to corner me outside the cake shop, Mom?"


    "I... I don''t know..." Maria paled, still defending her son. "It has nothing to do with Axel. He''s in college, a good student, sensible..."


    "Really?"


    "Guess how they knew exactly where to corner me outside the cake shop, Mother?"


    "Axel, out of the $400,000, how much did Robert give you?"


    After a moment of panic, Axel started to deny it: "What $400,000? I don''t know what you''re talking about!"


    But Axel''s dissatisfaction soon bubbled up because of Charlotte''s assertiveness. "Hey, sis, what''s this about? Robert''s our dad. You may choose to dishonor him, but he''s my father, and I respect him. When you talk about him, show some respect, will you? Calling him by his name like that, it''s disrespectful!"


    Charlotte shot back with icy precision, "How can you sleep at night, spending money that came at your sister''s expense?"


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    Maria couldn''t bear to listen anymore and snatched the phone away, "Axel, what on earth is going on? If you need money, youe to me. Why are you involving your sister?"


    "What do you mean ''involving her''? Is Liam really any different from Griffin? She''s more than happy to y the mistress for Liam, so what''s the big problem with Griffin?" Axel''s tone dripped with disdain.


    "Besides, the little cash you dole out, what''s that good for? All my ssmates haveputers, and there I am, the only one without, standing in the background, watching them y games. I knew I couldn''t count on you. Dad''s the one who''s generous with money!"


    Charlotte had heard enough.


    Just for the sake of aputer, Axel, the little monster, was ready to sell out his own sister, aligning himself with Robert''s treachery.


    Indeed, those who empathize with viins are often viins themselves.


    "He''s just young and naive! It''s also my fault for not being able to provide a better life for him..." Maria tried to excuse her son''s behavior, her voice tinged with difort.


    Charlotte turned her back, leaving without another word from this house filled with pain.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    "From now on, I won''t give you a dime. Whether you live or die, it''s up to you."


    "Lottie!" Maria''s panic was palpable, "You can''t just abandon your mother without you. How will I survive?!" Charlotteughed, but it was aughced with scorn, "I can''t look after you, Mom. You''ve made your bed."


    Leaving the Perry home behind, Charlotte wandered aimlessly until a strange number shed on her phone. Picking up, she immediately snapped to attention at the voice on the other end.


    "Miss Perry, I''m aware of the incident that urred in Liam''s office."


    It was Chloe.


    "Liam has dered you his woman."

 Chapter 11: Did You Find Your Sister?

    Charlotte''s first instinct upon hearing Chloe''s words wasn''t to object but to rify her situation.


    Yet, she quickly calmed her racing heart and replied with a hint of curiosity.


    "Where did you hear such a tale, Miss Beaumont? I''m merely Mr. Parker''s all-around assistant. I take care of his office, which could lead to misunderstandings..."


    "It was Vincent who enlightened me,"


    Chloe''s voice was a calm sea with undercurrents of rage, "Just yesterday, I praised your integrity, believing you wouldn''t engage in such affairs, and today, you''ve pped me in the face with deception!" "But I haven''t- it''s not like that..."


    Charlotte''s cheeks burned with humiliation, rendering her speechless for a more usible exnation.


    After a pause, she steeled herself and added, "Let''s just say Mr. ckwood and Mr. Parker aren''t exactly on friendly terms."


    A single line, brief yet heavy with implication.


    True to her hunch, Chloe''s tone softened considerably after hearing this, "So, you''re suggesting Vincent is trying to sabotage my engagement to Mr. Parker because of their rivalry?" "The specifics are beyond me." Charlotte stuck to her story, unable to borate or argue further. By distancing herself, she hoped to keep her rtionship with Liam a buried secret. Their past was like smoke - there and then gone, as long as she never confirmed it.


    After a silence, Chloe broke down in tears, "Why is everyone making things so hard for me? Is it so wrong to chase after love?"


    Charlotte''s heart nearly broke at the sound of her distress.


    "You and Mr. Parker are meant to be. Your marriage will go smoothly," she assured her.


    Chloe, grasping at this lifeline, paused her sobbing, "Really?"


    "Truly."


    Charlotte looked away, resolved that no one would get in the way of Chloe''s happiness.


    Hanging up, her phone vibrated again - this time, a familiar number. Taking a deep breath, she answered.


    "Mr. Parker, I''ve resigned."


    she stated, the shame from earlier making her voice sharp, "Please refrain from bothering me from now on."


    There was a brief silence on the other end before Liam''s raspy voice countered, "Bothering you? What makes you think you''re worth that effort?"


    Hismand followed, "Stay put. I''ming over."


    "Why should I?"


    Charlotte retorted, ending the call abruptly.


    On the other end, Liam''s face darkened like a storm cloud.


    Robert and the pig farm owner were en route to her ce, timing their arrival with precision.


    He had worried about her for nothing, his good intentions wasted.


    "Mr. Parker, should we still go?" Henry asked cautiously, sensing his boss''s dark mood.


    Liam''s jaw clenched as he fought to control his breathing.


    After a moment, he forced out a single word through gritted teeth, "Go!"


    After ending the call, Charlotte furrowed her brows and continued her walk outside. She hadn''t taken many steps before she saw a luxury car that stood out like a sore thumb at the entrance of the dpidated apartmentplex. And there, leaning against the car door and puffing on a cigarette, was none other than Vincent.


    Recalling Chloe''s words, Charlotte approached him deliberately, stopping in front of Vincent.


    "Mr. ckwood, are you here to see me?" she asked, not out of vanity but genuinely unable to think of any other reason a man of his stature would visit such a rundown area.


    As she gazed at Vincent''s dark-circled eyes, Charlotte''s anger began to dissolve into a cold curiosity. "Why would you tell Chloe about supposed indiscretions between Liam and me?" Vincent''s deep gaze seemed to pierce right through her, and his words sent a shiver down Charlotte''s spine.


    "Because I won''t allow Chloe to marry Liam. I can''t stand the thought of her securing such a powerful ally. I want her to live like a maggot, writhing and helpless."


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    "You!" Charlotte clenched her fists, a tidal wave of anger threatening to break free.


    Yet she kept herposure, acutely aware that Vincent''s venom was directed not at Liam, but at Chloe.


    There were secrets here, she realized, that she was not privy to.


    No matter the hidden truths, Vincent''s malice toward Chloe was unmistakable, and Charlotte knew she had to intervene.


    As she was pondering her next move, Vincent stepped forward and asked, "Is this where you live?"


    His brows furrowed tightly as he looked around the decrepit surroundings in disbelief. "Have you always lived here?"


    "No, I used to live in a suburban shack," Charlotte replied, her voice tinged with a hint of pride. "It took thirty years of mortgage payments to afford this ce and move into the city."


    Vincent''s expression faltered, and he murmured to himself, "No wonder I couldn''t find you at the address Annie gave me. You''ve moved."


    "What did you say, Mr. ckwood


    ?" Charlotte asked, not catching his words.


    "It''s nothing," he replied, brushing off the question as he walked toward the apartmentplex. "Would it be alright for me to meet your family?"


    Of course, no.


    Charlotte intended to stop him, but Vincent had already strode confidently inside.


    "Miss Perry," he began, his voice heavy with sorrow, "an old friend of mine once painted a portrait. He wept before it until his dying breath."


    "The person in that painting bears a striking resemnce to you," he continued.


    Charlotte responded indifferently, "As I''ve said, I have no sister, only a brother. Your friend''s painting must be of someone else."


    Seeing her steadfast denial, Vincent grew agitated. "Everything I''m telling you is true. Why won''t you believe me?"


    In the midst of their exchange, they had unexpectedly reached her front door. Maria, who hadn''t yet returned inside, spotted Charlotte and eximed in surprise, "Lottie, you''re back? I knew you couldn''t bear to leave Mom behind!" "Mom?" Before Charlotte could intervene, Vincent had already rushed over and grasped Maria''s arm. "Auntie! Are you Charlotte''s mother? Do you perhaps have another daughter who was lost?"


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! Maria stood frozen in ce, ovee with fear.


    "Your second daughter is all good, and she longs for you. Auntie, should you wish it, the door to a reunion is always open!" Vincent implored with urgency.


    Maria turned to Charlotte with pleading eyes, "Lottie, this man..."


    Charlotte''s face was a mask of ice as she moved to intercept Vincent, but then, from around the corner, came the unmistakable cursing of Robert, sending a shiver down her spine. She knew the stakes all too well.


    If Maria, lured by the prospect of wealth, acknowledged this kinship, that beast Robert would surely harass Chloe relentlessly.


    Yet, if Charlotte forced Maria to deny it now, Vincent''s suspicions would be aroused. And if he encountered Robert, who was due home any minute, the oue would be the same. Don''t admit it! Deny it!


    Hurry up and refute it! Charlotte screamed inwardly.


    "Auntie! Speak, please!" Vincent was growing desperate.


    Jolted by his insistence, Maria snapped back to reality and looked at him nkly. "No, I have only one daughter, Lottie, but I do have a son, neen, a university student..." Vincent''s expression visibly dimmed.


    Seizing the moment, Maria wriggled free from his grasp and sought refuge behind Charlotte.


    Vincent, as if struck by a blow, slumped onto the steps at the doorway, cradling his head in his hands, a picture of torment.


    "Lottie," Maria whispered, audible only to the two of them, "do you know where your sister is?"


    "I don''t!"


    Maria''s voice was distant, "Lottie, you''ve never stopped searching for Annie all these years, and I''ve seen it all. If you really know where Annie is, I..."


    "What are you saying?" Charlotte''s tone was frostier than before. The Perrys were a nest of vipers, and she had to be vignt.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    If Maria dared to bring her schemes to Annie or to inform Robert, she''d face Charlotte''s wrath, familial bonds be damned.

 Chapter 12: Its just a transaction

    Maria clung to Charlotte''s arm, her eyes brimming with scalding tears.


    "It''s a blessing you found her. I''ll keep mum about it, Lottie. I''ve wronged you enough; I can''t let the past haunt your sister."


    While Charlotte weighed the truth of her mother''s words, the door burst open, and Robert was shoved, subdued by a towering brute. It was Griffin!


    Thrown to the floor, Robert yelped in pain. Catching sight of Charlotte, he blustered.


    "I''ve already spent the money; I can''t pay it back! If you want, you can take my daughter back with you for some more fun. But let me be clear: if she runs away again, I''m washing my hands off it for good!" Griffin''s menacing gaze settled on Charlotte. "Heard that? Your old man''s broke. Time to settle your debts with me!"


    Charlotte smirked. "I''ve obtained the surveince footage from the bakery. Kidnapping is a crime, Griffin. I''m sure you wouldn''t want your farm to crumble with both father and son behind bars, would you?" Griffin''s face turned red.


    "It was your father who promised you to us, dowry paid. It''s only right that Ie to collect my bride!"


    "Save it for the police," Charlotte retorted coolly.


    Griffin countered, "Besides, this was your father''s plot. Call the cops, and he''ll be bunking in jail too!"


    "Exactly what I''m hoping for," Charlotte replied her voice light as a feather.


    Griffin hesitated, noting the dashing gentleman at Charlotte''s side. "So what, we just let this slide? You expect me to swallow this loss?"


    "Not at all. The $400,000 is owed, and it''s not like it just blew in with the wind. You''ll get your money."


    Charlotte nced disdainfully at Robert sprawled on the floor, his sleazy face inducing a wave of nausea.


    "Debts have their debtor. Go after the one who took your money. He''s done enough wrongs and wouldn''t dare call the cops."


    Vincent looked on, surprised. Charlotte''s words were a clear shove for Robert into the fire-Robert wouldn''t dare involve the police, leaving Griffin free rein.


    Griffin''s son, having grown up amid ughter, was a chip off the old block, graduating from killing animals to people...


    His son, maybe because he saw too much pig ughtering when he was little, started killing cats and dogs around the age of seven or eight. As he grew up, he even dared to...


    If they kept Robert on a tight leash, there''d be no murder, just enough for his son to get his kicks. Robert''s brawny frame could take it.


    Seeing Griffin about to drag him away, Robert, who was in defiance moments ago, wilted, pleading for mercy at Griffin''s feet.


    "Take my girl instead! She''s got use, she''s a woman!"


    Griffin remained unmoved. Charlotte had once outsmarted his son and could just as easily alert the police now. She might appear fragile, but she was steel through and through; Griffin wasn''t about to tangle with her. Robert, thwarted, concocted another scheme. Clinging to a fire hydrant, he blustered, "Who dares cross me? Do you know who my daughter''s betrothed to? Liam! From the Parker Group! Ever heard of him?" But his words fell on deaf ears. No one believed him.


    "If Liam truly is your son-inw, then I must be the Jesus himself!"


    Scoffed Griffin, just as a sleek ck car pulled up nearby. Stepping out was a figure exuding an air of icy nobility - it was none other than Liam Parker himself.This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    Ovee with relief, Robert cried out, "Mr. Parker! Save me, please, Mr. Parker!"


    "Mr. Parker?" Charlotte''s gaze followed to where Liam stood by the car.


    Why on earth was he here?


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    Before she could make sense of it, Liam''s stride halted abruptly, his eyes shing a fiery red as they fixed on something behind her.


    Turning around btedly, Charlotte''s eyes met Vincent''s, and she stammered, "Mr. ckwood and I... our meeting was a mere coincidence..."


    Liam withdrew his re from Vincent and turned it to Charlotte, his voice frosty. "Charlotte, I asked you to wait for me, not to keeppany with another man while you did." Charlotte began to exin but then thought better of it, choosing silence over words.


    Liam''s anger red at her silent acquiescence. Spotting Robert crawling over, he kicked him away without mercy, sending him sprawling several meters.


    "Mr. Parker! I beg you, save me!" cried Robert, ignoring the pain as he scrambled towards hisst hope.


    "Why should I?" Liam sneered. "Hasn''t your darling daughter found herself a new protector? Go to him."


    His words pointed to Vincent ckwood.


    Robert, shivering, nced at Vincent, who stood not far off and pleaded, "Sir, for the sake of my daughter..." Vincent turned away in disgust, his refusal clear.


    With no other recourse, Robert fell to his knees before Liam once more. "Only you can save me, Mr. Parker!" "I warned you, if she displeases me, you''ll pay with your life."


    With another kick, Liam coldly told Charlotte, "Come home tonight, and we''ll pretend this never happened."


    Charlotte knew Liam had her every move monitored. Her encounter with Vincent was purely idental; surely Liam didn''t believe she''d dare to be unfaithful.


    But the sight of her standing beside Vincent was irksome to him.


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    Charlotte bit her lip, saying nothing.


    Liam gave her a piercing look before turning to Griffin. "Carry on."


    Only when Liam was well out of sight did Griffin dare to breathe heavily again, ordering Robert to be taken back.


    The imposing presence of such a high-and-mighty figure was overwhelming.


    Robert yelled in protest, "Not me! Take Charlotte! Can''t you see? Mr. Parker doesn''t want her anymore!"


    Griffin, infuriated, punched Robert. Although Mr. Parker had departed, the assistant who looked like he worked for Parker lingered.


    He just stood there, but Griffin had no doubt if he dared touch Charlotte, that man would ensure he regretted ever living.


    "Take him away!"


    As Robert was about to be dragged off, Maria panicked, pleading with Charlotte, "Lottie, help your father, please! Don''t let them take him; they''ll beat him!"


    Charlotte responded coldly, "If they don''t take Robert, they''ll take me."


    Maria was stunned, murmuring, "But you escaped once. Surely you can do it again. Your father''s too old to withstand a beating..."


    Charlotte ignored her and strode away.


    Vincent quickly caught up, pressing her. "What is going on with you and Liam? If you''re together, why would you watch him get engaged? You should have stopped him from making it official with Chloe!"


    "It''s just a transaction. Is it so strange for a wealthy man to keep a mistress?" Charlotte retorted.


    "That''s impossible!" Vincent eximed. "Liam has always been calcting. Remember? Even when Chloe called off their engagement, he barely reacted. But did you see his reaction just now? Do you think that''s how a man would react to a mere mistress?"

 Chapter 13: I Always Keep My Word

    Charlotte''s stride faltered, a wry smile touching her lips - a silent testament to the absurdity of it all. Impossible.


    It was just Liam being... overly territorial. His things were his alone; others need noty a finger on them.


    "Charlotte." As they stepped beyond the gated threshold of the neighborhood, Vincent spoke up again, his voiceced with curiosity. "Do you see Chloe as a sister, perhaps? After all, the resemnce between you two is uncanny." Her silence was her shield, a barrier hastily erected to keep him at bay. In a bid to escape his prying eyes, she contemted hailing a cab - a luxury she seldom allowed herself.


    Vincent''s tone grew urgent, "She''s not-she..."


    The sharp chirp of Charlotte''s phone cut through the tension, and with a polite nod from Vincent, she excused herself to take the call.


    Stepping aside, she nced at her screen and moved away from him.


    "Miss Perry."


    Chloe''s voice quivered with vulnerability. "I confronted Liam about his rtionship with you, and he denied any involvement."


    Charlotte''s gaze dropped, a deste weight settling in her chest.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    No ties, no bonds - it was what she yearned for, wasn''t it? Then why did her heart ache at the thought?


    "But when I asked him about the engagement, he told me not to entertain wild thoughts. He said he wouldn''t engage with me isn''t that what he suggested to our elders before I arrived here? Why did he change his mind after asking about you? Miss Perry, please tell me why!"


    Chloe''s voice rose in a crescendo of despair, sending a piercing sting through Charlotte''s ears - and her heart.


    "I..." Charlotte barely began.


    Chloe''s plea interrupted her, a cry wrapped in tears. "Miss Perry, I implore you, don''t take him from me. I can''t bear to lose him. Charlotte, help me, talk to him, will you?"


    Charlotte stood silent, her fingertips whitening with the force of her grip.


    How''s she gonna persuade him? What right does she even have to give advice? Liam would probably flip out on her!


    But Chloe''s tears... they tugged at her heartstrings.


    "Alright," Charlotte''s voice trembled with reluctant agreement. "Don''t fret. I''ll speak to him."


    "Thank you, thank you! You''re a few years my senior, so I''ll call you ''sister'' as thanks for your blessing, sister."


    Hearing the word "sister," Charlotte couldn''t hold back anymore. She hung up the phone, took a deep breath, and calmed herself down.


    A hand reached out, offering her a tissue.


    Looking up, she was met with Vincent''s deeply furrowed brow of concern.


    "She''s deceiving you; she''s not your sister. Annie never stopped ying the victim or manipting others."


    "Annie?"


    How did Vincent know? If he had dug deep enough to uncover Chloe''s real name, he could easily use it to destroy her. Why, then, did he seek her out?


    Charlotte''s mind whirled in turmoil.


    After a moment, she wiped her face and stood, her voice steady but cold. "Convince me with evidence, Mr. ckwood."


    Vincent understood the unspoken message; his words held little weight without proof.


    "The painting, an old friend''s diary, and preserved strands of hair-I''ve sent for them with urgency. Until they''re before you, Miss Perry, I urge you not to act rashly, especially not on Chloe''s behalf with Liam." His expression was aplex tapestry of emotions. "Liam''s pride is unyielding; he won''t change his course for anyone. Whatever your dealings with him, any attempt at persuasion will only ignite his fury." Pausing, he added with a hint of warning, "Chloe knows full well she''s pushing you into the lion''s den by asking for such a favor, sister or not. Would a true sister be so cruel?" With that, he turned and left.


    Charlotte watched him vanish before finally allowing her gaze to wander aimlessly.


    Eventually, she boarded the bus back to the modest two-bedroom apartment Liam had arranged for her-a ce with no ownership, just residence.


    To her surprise, Liam was home.


    He was engrossed in a call, seated on the living room couch, oblivious to her arrival. Charlotte lingered in the hallway, waiting for the conversation to end.


    "When did my marriage be a pawn in your power ys? Since when did the Parker family fall so low that marriage alliances became necessary to secure our standing?"


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    "A bunch of losers, using women to gain power and influence. They might as well just off themselves and go apologize to their ancestors in the afterlife!"


    "I know the engagement was set by my grandfather before he passed away, but didn''t the Beaumont family call it off? What''s that got to do with me?"


    Liam ended the call with a scowl, standing up and catching a glimpse of Charlotte.


    His furrowed brow softened as he spotted her, a yful jab in his voice, "Cat got your tongue? You sneak back in and don''t utter a peep?"


    "I didn''t want to interrupt your call," she replied with a shy excuse.


    Charlotte glided into the room, brewing him a cup of her special soothing tea. "Is your family pushing you into an engagement?"


    "I won''t be shackled," Liam dered, his gaze dropping to her, fingers tracing the dried paths of tears on her chin. "You got what you wanted, didn''t you?"


    After all themotion, wasn''t him staying single her ultimate goal?


    "Miss Perry," he chided, half-teasing, half-serious, "a mouth is for more than just dining; it''s for speaking up, too."


    Letting go, he strode towards his study, "Next time, just tell me what you want."


    "Mr. Parker."


    Liam paused mid-stride, then turned, his eyebrows knitting together, "Still not satisfied?"


    Charlotte felt a bitter taste in her heart. Liam was arrogant and quick to anger whenever things didn''t go his way. Whether for her or some other reason, she felt indebted to him. But their paths were never meant to intertwine.


    Not even in a business deal.


    Her voice raspy, she confessed, "Chloe adores you, she''s looking forward to marrying you."


    Liam went silent, his face nk, not a trace of emotion showing.


    "What are you implying?" he demanded, stepping closer, forcing her to meet his gaze, "Is it Chloe who''s eager, or is it you?"


    "I wish you both the best," she said, her heart turning to ice with the words.


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    If she could, she''d totally be up for some romance, but she feels like she doesn''t have any other choice.


    Liam would never heed her words and certainly not alter his decisions based on her advice.


    Persuading him was a fool''s errand.


    It was something the old Charlotte would never have dreamed of attempting, but for Chloe''s sake, she was willing to try.


    Predictably, her words incensed Liam, his grip tightening as if to shatter her resolve.


    "What am I to you? Charlotte, how dare you toy with me like this!"


    Charlotte said numbly, not really meaning what she was saying, "I''ve got enough money now, so the deal''s off. I''ll move out of here, and we won''t have anything to do with each other anymore." "You see," her head bowed, hiding the tears brimming in her eyes, "how can anything bought with money be genuine?"


    Liam watched her retreat to the couch, silent.


    The bulging vein on his forehead and the tight line of his jaw were tell-tale signs of the storm raging within him, far from the calm he portrayed.


    His phone buzzed lightly, and he nced at the message.


    "Robert''s been taken to the pig farm for strict supervision, no chance of getting out anytime soon."


    So that was it.


    It wasn''t jealousy or concern over his engagement; she wasn''t worried about being usurped by a fianc¨¦e.


    Her leave was simply because she had made her money.


    She no longer needed the funds or the protection, and she was desperate to escape him.


    "Charlotte."


    His voice, deep and maically hoarse, was unexpectedly calm, "I''m giving you one final choice. Walk out that door today, and we''re done for good." He looked up, his dark eyes empty, a hollow promise, "I always keep my word."

 Chapter 14: The Lost Teddy Bear

    "Who would''ve thought Charlotte would take the bait and y the mediator? Ha, what a fool!"


    The voice,ced with schadenfreude, came from a woman shrouded in the shadows of a sleek ck car parked at the base of the apartmentplex.


    Leisurely tending to her nails in the driver''s seat was none other than Chloe, the very picture of nonchnce.


    Beside her, her friend peered intently from the passenger''s seat up towards the windows above, tracking the unfolding drama. "But would she really give up on Liam, her golden goose? Hasn''t greed always been her guiding star?" "Of course, she''d hate to see her dear sister upset more than she''d miss a cash cow."


    At the mention of ''sister'', Chloe''s smile twisted into a sneer.


    "Remember how I almost burst intoughter when she called me Annie at Parker Group? It''s hrious how she fell right into our trap with just a simple ''Annie''."


    "Once Liam and I are wed, I''ll cement her ties to that pig farm creep, condemning her to a lifetime of wallowing in the muck."


    Poor Charlotte was willing to do anything for her sister, not knowing she was dealing with Chloe, not Annie.


    ncing at her watch, Chloe mused, "It''s about time for Charlotte''s dramatic exit. Once she''s out, I''ll call Liam. He''ll soon know who''s truly worthy to stand by his side."


    Silence had befallen the living room.


    Charlotte was sure Liam could manage never seeing her again, and she had been nning on it for a while herself.


    Yet, when Liam finally voiced the end of their liaison, the sting was undeniable.


    She mocked herself for her hypocrisy, preaching about not wrecking marriages while her heart clung desperately to Liam.


    What a farce she was.


    As she was collecting her resolve to leave, her ringtone shattered the stillness.


    Chloe was calling. Again.


    Liam, overhearing the familiar tune, mockingly guessed, "Chloe?"


    He sauntered to the balcony, lighting up a cigarette.


    As the smoke curled into the air, his voice dropped an octave, tinged with a cold calm, "Take your guilt and your high morals, and get out."


    Charlotte didn''t leave; she ducked into the kitchen to take the call.


    "Charlotte! Did you talk to Liam? Did he agree to the engagement?"


    Chloe''s voice was urgent as if Charlotte''s persuasion was a foregone conclusion.


    "I haven''t yet." Charlotte''s grip on her phone tightened; even she was surprised by her own reflex to lie. "You know how Mr. Parker is. If I push him, I''ll be the one to suffer."


    "So, you''re doing nothing because you''re scared? If you hadn''t interfered, would Liam have ever rejected me? Sleeping with him, knowing he''s engaged... aren''t you ashamed?"


    Chloe''s voice was pressing, usatory. "And to think I called you ''sister''. Is this how you treat family? You better convince him to get engaged to me today, or neither of us will have any peace." Charlotte''s brow furrowed at the threat, her mind racing back to the venomous words once spat by Vincent.


    Chloe''s intentions were clear as day.


    ''Sister'' was a word Chloe wielded like a weapon.


    But her Annie, the real Annie, had a kind heart and would never strong-arm her sister into such a situation.


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    "Miss Beaumont," Charlotte inhaled deeply, her voice softening. "Do you remember, as a child, the teddy bear your sister once gifted you?"


    Did that wretch Annie hide it? Or was it never brought over when she was adopted-another inconvenience?Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    But she needed to maintain the charade of sisterly affection to manipte Charlotte. "I remember, but it''s gone, broken."


    ying her part to the hilt, Chloe added a touch of wistful nostalgia, "The bear''s gone, and so is my sister. It all feels like a distant dream. It brings tears to my eyes, but there''s no one left tofort me." "It''s alright; it will alle back," Charlotte''s voice surged with sudden passion. "Rest assured, I''m going to speak with Liam right now and ensure your engagement happens without dy."


    But then, with a hesitant tremor in her voice, she confessed, "If Ie clean to Liam, he''ll cast me out, and my father, the gambling addict, will never forgive me for just walking away like that." Chloe, visibly exasperated, cut to the chase, "Is it money that you want? After you''ve swayed Liam, meet me at this address. I''ll give you three million. Is that enough to seal the deal?" "Enough! Thank you, Annie," she said, the gratitude genuine in her tone.


    "Don''t mention it. I''m counting on good news from you," Chloe ended the call, a triumphant grin spreading across her face.


    She was certain Charlotte was now overwhelmed with emotion, probably groveling and pleading with Liam to marry her ''sister.'' What a simpleton, a few honeyed words could make Charlotte dance to her tune.


    She wanted her money, too? Dream on!


    "Call Griffin, tell Robert to wait outside the caf¨¦. The moment Charlotte shows up, snatch her and take her straight to the pig farm!"


    Chloe and her friend shared a malevolentugh, "Three million? Why not just give that to Robert directly? Let him scar Charlotte''s pretty face, and we''ll see how she lures Liam after that!"


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    The caf¨¦ Chloe had mentioned was on a bustling street, and by the time Charlotte arrived, it was nearing ten o''clock, with the crowd beginning to thin.


    Standing outside the caf¨¦, her phone suddenly rang. Charlotte thought it was Chloe, and without overthinking, she picked it up, "Miss Beaumont, I''ve arrived..." "My dear daughter."


    The venomous voice wrapped around Charlotte''s ear, raising goosebumps all over her body.


    She gripped her phone tighter, scanning her surroundings, "How did you get out? Did you pay off Griffin''s debt?"


    "Of course not, that''s a hefty sum. You, my dear daughter, will help your father repay it!"


    It might have been her imagination, but Charlotte felt Robert''s voice was getting closer, setting off rm bells in her head.


    She turned to leave, only to be blocked by Robert, bloodied and bruised.


    Robert slowly lowered his phone, revealing a ghastly smile, "My dear daughter, aren''t you happy to see your dad?"


    Charlotte felt a chill run down her spine.


    "Did Chloe send you?" She wanted to cry for help, but the street was deserted, and the caf¨¦ had closed its doors for the night.


    With every step she took back, Robert advanced, "All the riches in the world can''tpensate for the beatings I''ve taken from that scoundrel. At my age, I can''t take it anymore. The burden, I''m afraid, falls on you."


    As he spoke, Robert''s voice crescendoed, and with a sudden lunge, he grabbed Charlotte''s arm, dragging her toward the dark alley.


    "Let go of me!" Charlotte struggled in vain as Robert pulled her into the shadowed passage.


    Just when all hope seemed lost, a rush of footsteps and an angry roar erupted from behind them.

 Chapter 15: Shes Not My Sister

    "Let go of my sister!"


    A sharp crack echoed as a stick struck Robert, forcing him to release his grip. He stumbled forward, fell, andy motionless on the ground.


    In the wake of the attack, Charlotte spun around and saw Chloe, out of breath, clutching the makeshift weapon, her entire body shaking uncontrobly. "Miss Beaumont..."


    Chloe gave her a weak smile and said, "Sister, are you okay?"


    Realizing she had just hit someone, Chloe instantly dropped the stick she was holding, and her tears started falling like a broken string.


    "I hit someone... I actually hit someone..." she murmured, copsing weakly at Charlotte''s feet. "Don''t be afraid, sister... I''ll protect you, I promise..." Anyone who saw it would think it was a beautiful scene of sisters saving each other.


    But Charlotte had no time forfort-Robert was already staggering to his feet.


    As if by a cruel twist of fate, the discarded stick rolled right to him. He picked it up, his eyes burning with rage as he advanced towards them. "Sister!" Chloe clung to Charlotte''s calf in terror.


    Charlotte stroked her hair, her voice soft and reassuring, "It''s okay, you run along, I''ll handle him."


    "But sister..."


    "Go!" With a gentle push, Charlotte urged Chloe to flee.


    As soon as Chloe turned away, a sly smile of triumph spread across her face.


    Having yed her part, she was certain Charlotte felt both grateful and guilty. With Roberting at them again, it was obvious Charlotte would insist she leave first. This would leave Charlotte vulnerable to being taken to the pig farm as nned.


    What a perfect scheme! Not only would it ruin Charlotte''s life, but it would also bind her to a debt of gratitude for Chloe''s feigned heroism.


    Chloe chuckled to herself; the n was wless.


    Once Chloe was gone, Robert approached his gaze, not that of a father looking at his daughter, but a predator eyeing his prey.


    "My precious girl, juste quietly with Daddy, and I might spare you some pain. Otherwise, I''ll have to break your legs so you won''t run away and cause trouble with Griffin!"


    "Robert." Charlotte''s face was expressionless. "In all the years since I''ve grown up, you''ve only managed to use me sessfully once."


    That one time was when he sent her to Liam''s bed.


    Robert faltered, remembering that Charlotte had be difficult to control and had learned Muay Thai, making it impossible for him to overpower her physically.


    "Seems like you understand," Charlotte said, a hint of mockery in her smile. She stepped forward, deftly snatched the stick from his grasp, and, with a swift motion, struck him across the chest. Robert fell to the ground with a howl of pain.


    "How dare you hit me? Do you know who sent me here? You''ve tangled with the wrong person..." Charlotte knew it was Chloe.


    With a sigh, Charlotte lowered her eyes, pitying Robert''s ignorance. Chloe was no more than this.


    The stick descended once more.


    Robert''s eyes widened in shock; Chloe had assured him that Charlotte saw her as a sister and would never suspect her, that she would be obedient...


    Ovee with pain and confusion, Robert lost consciousness.


    Charlotte nced at him onest time before she left the alley and got into a ck car waiting nearby.


    "You look like you''ve been dumpster diving," the man in the carined, covering his nose and tossing her a pack of wet wipes, "Clean up!"


    Charlotte meticulously wiped her hands clean before finally looking at the man beside her.


    "Mr. Parker, I appreciate youing with me on this unpleasant errand."


    Liam red at her. "If you knew it was going to be this much trouble, you should''ve handled it yourself."


    "That wasn''t an option. You said once I stepped out the door, I''d be cut off from you forever. I was worried you''d hold it against meter, so it seemed best to stick together on this one." The silence in the car was a brief interlude, giving Liam a moment to reflect on Charlotte''s words just before they had set out.


    "Charlotte," he said, turning to her, his eyes catching the night''s glow, "Why the sudden change of heart? You''re no longer pushing me to pursue things with Chloe?"


    "Because you mentioned there''d be no engagement."


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    She replied, her voice even, yet a careful listener could detect the quiver in it.


    "I can''t stand to lose you," she confessed.


    A hush fell over them once more.


    Liam didn''t press further; instead, he turned to gaze out the window, the corners of his mouth curling into a subtle smile.


    Unfortunately, Charlotte was also looking out the window, missing the sight of his expression.


    She had two reasons for breaking things off with Liam. Firstly, his impending engagement - she didn''t want to be the one to shatter someone else''s happiness.


    Secondly, because Chloe harbored feelings for Liam, Charlotte didn''t want to take away the man her ''sister'' loved.


    But now, with Liam refusing to be engaged and Chloe... Chloe wasn''t truly her sister after all.


    Thinking of Chloe, there was a fleeting shadow in Charlotte''s eyes.


    She had asked Chloe if she remembered the teddy bear she had supposedly bought her, and Chloe had imed she did.


    But there was never any teddy bear.


    With Robert''s favoritism towards sons and their family''s dire straits, she could barely scrape together a few coins for Annie''s sweets, let alone a toy.


    The teddy bear was a fabrication, yet Chloe insisted it was real.


    So she realized Chloe was faking it, trying to use the ''little sister'' role to achieve some goal.


    So when Liam asked again if they were to cut tiespletely, Charlotte didn''t agree. Instead, she brought him along to this meeting.


    Sure enough, Chloe, thinking she had already convinced Liam and that Charlotte was of no use anymore, had set a trap for her.


    Poor, foolish Chloe didn''t consider how Robert could possibly break free from Griffin''s grip to appear here all by himself. There had to be someone behind it.


    The moment Robert showed up, he unwittingly exposed all their ws.


    The next morning, after getting ready for the day, Charlotte recalled she had resigned. There was no need for the nine-to-five routine, at least for now.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! She paused, thenzily went to prepare breakfast.


    Liam was in a rush, quickly eating his meal while remarking she shouldn''t have made the soymilk so sweet.


    "I don''t like sweets; you should remember that," he chided.


    Charlotte tasted it herself - it wasn''t overly sweet. "I remember your preferences well enough, Mr. Parker, but you''re known to change them frequently."


    "My preferences have never changed," Liam said with a deep look, finishing the soymilk in one gulp.


    "Don''t make it this sweet next time."


    Leaving no room for Charlotte to retort, he grabbed his coat and left.


    Charlotte stood there, frozen for a moment.


    Next time?


    His ambiguous words almost seemed to suggest... as if they would be together for a long time.


    Shaking her head, Charlotte followed suit and stepped out the door. If all went well, her and Chloe''s paternity test results could be avable today. Even though she already knew Chloe couldn''t be her sister, the evidence was still crucial. Upon arriving at the testing facility, she ran into Vincent.


    "Just the person I was looking for," Vincent said, stepping aside like a gentleman. "Could we discuss something in my office if it''s convenient for you?"


    Charlotte was puzzled. "You work here?"C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Vincent smiled sheepishly. "This institution is owned by the ckwood family. I don''t work here. I juste by to check in now and then."


    Charlotte nodded, understanding.


    Before getting down to business, Vincent had the staff bring Charlotte the paternity report between her and Chloe, ensuring his own integrity: "The entire process was recorded. I had no involvement whatsoever, so you can trust the results." "I trust you, Mr. ckwood."


    Charlotte casually nced over the report, confirming theck of a biological rtionship.

 Chapter 16: But I Want To See You

    As Vincent stared ck-jawed, a cool breeze seemed to blow through the room. "You''re not shocked? Didn''t you believe Chloe to be your long-lost sister?"


    "It was just... coincidence, that''s all." Looking back, she realized that all her guesses about Chloe''s identity were indeed just coincidences.


    "You must have pieced together Chloe''s true identity using your own clever ways," Vincent mused, admiration in his voice.


    "Annie was right; her sister has a sharp mind..."


    Charlotte''s heart hammered against her chest, a tumultuous symphony of doubts and exhration.


    Betrayed once, she couldn''t afford to lose herposure now. "Hand it over, please."


    Vincent paused, a resigned smile touching his lips. "Annie was spot-on; not only are you intelligent, but you''re also poised and decisive."


    He presented a box, "Annie''s hair has been sent off to match the sample you provided. This is her drawing - she assumed you''d look something like this by now."


    Charlotte''s fingers whitened as they clutched the sketch - it was uncannily like looking into a mirror.


    "This is a candy Annie clutched in her palm when she arrived at the Beaumont household. She''s kept it all this time."


    A piece of candy, its wrapper cheap and the peach printed on it far from vibrant, was ced in Charlotte''s trembling hand.


    It was the candy she''d given Annie the night they fled, the same night they were recaptured by Robert, the night she shielded Annie and suffered a feverish beating. When morning came, Annie was gone. "She kept it all this time?" Her voice broke with the weight of tears.


    Vincent''s eyes glistened. "Yes, when Mr. Beaumont took her back, she was only eight, with nothing but this candy."


    He handed her a photograph of a beautiful girl.


    With one nce, Charlotte recognized her Annie.


    They were as different as day and night, one resembling their mother, the other their father.


    How could she have ever mistaken Chloe for Annie?


    Apanying the photo was a diary. "This belonged to Annie, you..."


    "No need to read it," Charlotte interrupted, wiping her tears and pulling Vincent towards the door. "Where is Annie now? Does she want to see me? Can I just catch a glimpse of her, even from a distance?" "No..."


    Vincent stood rooted, his weak smile betraying his sorrow. "I''m afraid you cannot see her."


    "Why?" Charlotte''s excitement sank like a stone. "What happened to Annie?"


    "Mr. Beaumont, childless, adopted Annie as his own. His fortune was bequeathed to her in his will."


    "Chloe, his niece, was the expected heir. But six months ago, pushed by Chloe''s jealousy into theke, Annie drowned."


    Charlotte''s world stopped as she processed his words.


    Annie, whom she''d sought for years, was dead?


    Her sweet Annie had finally found a loving home, only to meet her end because of Chloe''s envy.


    She copsed to the floor, disbelief giving way to despair. "This can''t be true... not my Annie..."


    "I know it''s hard to ept, but Charlotte, it''s the truth. Annie was killed by Chloe," Vincent''s voice was heavy with unspoken grief.


    "And I swear, Chloe will not live to enjoy her ill-gotten happiness. I''ll make her pay for what she did!"


    "Why?" Charlotte asked hollowly. "Why seek vengeance for Annie? Were you her lover?"


    "No," Tears spilled from Vincent''s eyes. "My younger brother grew up with me and loved Annie deeply. Their promise was symbolized by a pair of hornbills - birds that die of heartbreak if parted." "I''m avenging my brother."


    Vincent''s gaze bore into hers. "Charlotte, if Chloe marries Liam and gains his protection, my cousin''s vengeance and your sister''s justice will slip through our fingers."


    "They won''t marry," Charlotte''s tears streamed down her face, her voice raw with pain.


    "I won''t let Liam marry Chloe."


    And Liam would never be Chloe''s shield.


    "On the anniversary of Annie''s death next year, I''ll ensure Chloe lies beneath her feet."


    Charlotte made her way to the office, a ce she had once navigated with ease.


    However, having severed her ties to thepany, she found herself an outsider, and her badge of employment surrendered. The once-weing gates now stood before her like impassable guardians.


    Fate, with its cruel sense of humor, led her to cross paths with the head of the secretarial department. Ever since the deputy manager''s termination, a storm of frustration had been brewing within her, and Charlotte had be the unwitting target of her ire.


    Seeing Charlotte barred from entry, the head sneered with disdain. "Oh, what''s the matter? Our esteemed Ms. Perry seems to be locked out. Has Mr. Parker reced you with one of those fancy automatic coffee makers? No need for a jack-of- all-trades anymore?"


    Her words were like daggers as she reached out to drag Charlotte aside, "A wise dog doesn''t block the path. Keep out of the way and spare us the eyesore!"


    A colleague, tethered to a sense of decorum, intervened. "That''s a bit much, don''t you think? After all, Mr. Parker personally selected her as his assistant..."


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    "What does it matter if she''s resigned? Is she still an assistant? Even when she was in service, Mr. Parker didn''t shield her. Now that she''s gone, do you think he''ll ce her among the stars?"


    The department head''s voice grew embittered as she pushed Charlotte, who remained immovable.


    When their eyes met, Charlotte''s gaze was ice, a stark contrast to the anger in front of her. "I know you were fond of the deputy manager, and her dismissal must feel unjust to you, but her mistakes warranted it. What does that have to do with me?"


    Charlotte''s sudden assertiveness stoked the fire within the department head. "You, a mere assistant, were right to be under the deputy manager''s wing. Using your charms to seduce Mr. Parker, you''ve manipted him into firing..." Charlotte cut her off, "You always thought I was seducing Mr. Parker? Well, to set the record straight, I did indeed captivate him."


    Under the envious re of the department head, she dialed Liam''s number.


    Liam had set clear boundaries: no disys of affection at the office and no private contact. Charlotte had onceplied with trepidation, swallowing any grievance without protest. But not anymore.


    The best way to thwart Chloe''s designs on a union with Liam was to make him fall for her.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Charlotte?" Liam''s voice crackled through the phone,ced with surprise. "Didn''t I say no private calls?"


    "But I want to see you," she said, a boldness in her tone that was usually reserved for their intimate moments.


    A silence fell on Liam''s end, and the anxiety was palpable among the department head and the colleagues nearby.


    If Liam acquiesced to Charlotte''s request, it would spell disaster for them.


    But how could that be? If Mr. Parker truly cared for Charlotte, why would she be left out in the cold, unable to even step through thepany''s doors after her resignation?

 Chapter 17: Was what you said earlier true?

    Before a smirk could fully bloom on the manager''s lips, Liam finally broke the silence, beckoning with a casual, "Come here." Come here!??


    The manager''s face got all scrunched up like she couldn''t believe what she was hearing.


    Unfazed by the spectacle of the manager''s unraveling, Charlotte''s voice remained steady, "I''m cardless and can''t breach the door''s defenses."


    Then she quickly added, "Are you here to pick me up?"


    "Me, pick you up?? In what fantasy?" scoffed Liam with a snort.


    This unexpected twist momentarily steadied the manager''s breath, but Liam''s next words plunged her back into turmoil.


    "I''ll send Henry to pick me up."


    And who was Henry? Not just any assistant - he was the kingpin, second only to Liam himself!


    The manager was lost in a fog of confusion.


    It wasn''t until Charlotte cut the call that the manager, with a grotesque attempt at a smile, managed to say, "Little Perry, I... I''ll take you in myself. No need to trouble Henry, right?" Charlotte nced at her, delivering her words coolly, "Spare yourself the effort, manager. I flirted with Liam for a reason to have Henry at my beck and call."


    Even as Charlotte and Henry disappeared inside, the manager stood frozen, her spirit in another realm.


    It took her an eternity to choke out, "But Miss Beaumont, Mr. Parker''s fianc¨¦e, is also here, isn''t she? How could Charlotte dare...?"


    "Liam, after all those decades of affection, why refuse our engagement now? Just the other day, you were so kind to me!"


    In the 24th-floor executive office, Chloe''s tearful plea went unheard as Liam casually flipped through a financial report.


    "I apologize for questioning your rtionship with Charlotte, Liam. I know it annoyed you. Can you forgive me?" She was begging now.


    "I truly do care for you, Liam. Breaking off our engagement wasn''t my choice. I fought against it, but my father threatened to disown me! You understand duty, don''t you? You wouldn''t want to see me severed from my family, right?" "What will it take for you to agree to an engagement with me?"


    Liam nced up, his patience wearing thin, just as he noticed a shadow flickering at the door.


    Pressing his lips together, he said to Chloe, "Tell you what, if the next person who walks through that door agrees to our engagement, then we''ll be engaged."


    Chloe, stunned for a moment, resumed her sobbing. "But everyone at Parker Group is loyal to you. They''ll just say what you want. It''s not fair, Liam."


    Clearly, he was setting her up for embarrassment.


    But Liam''s word wasw, and all Chloe could do was pray that the next person through the door would be...


    Her eyes widened in shock - it was Charlotte!


    To Chloe''s delight, she had forgotten that ording to the n, Charlotte should have been banished to a pig farm by Robert, far from this ce.


    All Chloe remembered was her cunning from the day before, which surely left Charlotte indebted to her.


    It was a done deal - her marriage to Liam was set!


    Before Liam could speak, Chloe eagerly asked, "Charlotte, tell me, should I marry Mr. Parker?"


    Charlotte tilted her head, pondering the question as if deciphering a riddle.


    Chloe quickly prompted, "Just say yes, and Liam will marry me. My happiness depends on just a few words from you. You wouldn''t want me to be miserable, would you?" Chloe looked at her expectantly, already envisioning her future bliss with Liam, their children, and her throne in the Parker dynasty...


    "I disagree," Charlotte dered, gifting Chloe with a smile. "I do not consent to your engagement."


    "What?" Chloe was aghast. "But why not?"


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    Charlotte was supposed to be grateful, supposed to want her ''little sister'' to be happy!


    Without a word, Charlotte glided to Liam''s side and, under his indifferent gaze, linked her arm with his.


    "Because," Charlotte looked into his eyes, "if Mr. Parker is engaged to you, then who will cherish and love me?" Liam''s lips curled slightly.


    Upon reflection, he could only deduce that by denying Chloe''s engagement, Charlotte had won her desired oue.


    Liam turned his face away dismissively, his patience wearing thin. "Go on, Chloe, get out. Stop making a scene and show some ss," he said with a tone that brooked no argument.


    He then addressed Charlotte without even looking her way, "Retrieve your employee badge, will you? How long do I have to send Henry to fetch you like some princess in a tower?"


    It was his roundabout way of telling her that her job was still hers if she wanted it.


    "Understood, thank you, Mr. Parker."


    As the two women left his office, closing the door behind them, Chloe pounced on Charlotte like a wolf on the hunt, grabbing her cor in a rage. "What''s your game, Charlotte? ying me? After I risked everything to save you!" "Saved me?" Charlotte''sugh wasced with scorn. "Miss Beaumont, you haven''t been chatting with Robert since, have you?"


    The mere mention of Robert''s name was enough to petrify Chloe.


    Straightening her wrinkled cor, Charlotte leaned in close and whispered, "Every nasty thing you did to Annie, I''ll return to you a thousandfold."


    Chloe''s body tensed even more, if possible.


    "You know... Do you know everything? How? What exactly do you know?!" Chloe''s voice was a mix of fear and disbelief.


    Charlotte offered no answer, only a prating gaze that chilled Chloe to the bone before turning on her heel and walking away.


    She had ns for Chloe, and they were far from kind.


    Upon retrieving her badge, Charlotte was surprised to learn that her resignation had never been processed.


    "You''re under Mr. Parker''s jurisdiction," HR rified. "Without his approval, we can''t do anything."


    Charlotte paused, a realization dawning on her. "He never brought it up?"


    "Not once."


    "Alright, thank you."


    Badge in hand, Charlotte returned to the executive office only to realize that she had entered without knocking.


    It was an oversight that Liam, who valued boundaries, did not take kindly to.


    Yet, somehow, she couldn''t help but feel that he had always treated her with a touch of leniency.


    Before she could steady herself at his desk, Liam''s voice cut through from behind a mountain of financial reports, "What happened to knock? Did you leave your manners on the bus?" "......


    Charlotte bit her lip. She had been mistaken; there was no special treatment from Liam.


    Without receiving her response, Liam looked up from his work, "Where''s Chloe?"


    "Gone," Charlotte replied, then pressed, "Was what you said earlier true? That without my agreement, there will be no engagement?"C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Liam paused, his hand resting on his temple, then casually remarked, "What about you? Were your words true?"


    Was her opposition to his engagement with Chloe genuine, or was she simply in need of money again, which is why she chose to return to his side?


    He pulled a bank card from his drawer and tossed it in her direction, "Take this."

 Chapter 18: You dare hit me?!

    Charlotte declined the offer with a gentle smile.


    Liam raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You don''t want it?"


    Having known her for quite some time, he was used to her every word being a negotiation for more money. It seemed out of character for her to refuse. "I don''t need your money anymore," Charlotte said softly.


    Her relentless pursuit of wealth had been solely to uncover her sister''s whereabouts.


    But now, that pursuit was no longer necessary.


    Memories of Annie brought a sharp pain to Charlotte''s heart, and tears began to well in her eyes.


    "Why the tears? Is it not enough for you?" Liam asked, taken aback. It wasn''t like Charlotte to cry, no matter how harshly he had spoken to her in the past.


    She shook her head again, her eyes brimming with tears, "I don''t want money. Could you, perhaps, treat me with a bit more kindness?"


    Her plea was as fragile as her tears, her eyes reflecting a profound sadness, as if hershes were heavy with unspoken grievances. Something in Liam''s own heart twisted painfully at the sight, his voice softening unintentionally.


    "And what does ''kindness'' look like to you?"


    "Don''t go through with the engagement," Charlotte implored, rising on her tiptoes, her tears leaving a warm trail on his cheek. "Please."


    Charlotte''s career took an unexpected turn; she was promoted from errand assistant to personal assistant. Although still not privy to the actual business dealings, the new position allowed her to be by Liam''s side openly and legitimately. Chloe''s chances of a private audience with Liam were now slimmer than ever.


    Returning with her new badge, the secretaries regarded her with almost a conspiratorial curiosity. "Charlotte, you got a promotion?" one inquired.


    She nodded, her expressionposed, not letting the change in her status affect her demeanor. She knew their respect stemmed from Liam''s favor, and she wasn''t about to let it go to her head.


    Living under someone else''s roof meant ying by their rules, a truth Charlotte was well aware of.


    In the pantry, she prepared Liam''s coffee, and when someone else walked in, she didn''t hesitate to brew an extra cup.


    She didn''t realize the neer was the office manager until she handed over the coffee.


    "You hold no grudges against me," the manager said with aplex expression. "You''re a good person."


    "We never had any serious feud to begin with," Charlotte responded coolly.


    Leaving with the coffee, Charlotte missed the sight of the office manager pulling out a phone and sending a text, seemingly tipping someone off.


    Liam''s got a dinner thing tonight, and it''s all with the older crowd.


    Where the younger generation faltered, these elders stood firm, and Liam was always willing to extend a helping hand to families in good standing with the Parkers.


    With Henry upied elsewhere, Charlotte had the rare opportunity to apany Liam.


    Lacking a driver''s license and with no other assistant to drive, Liam took the wheel himself while Charlotte enjoyed the passenger seat.


    "I''m paying for my own torture," he muttered during a red light. "Always paying for my own torture."


    Charlotte silently slipped off her jacket and spritzed on some perfume.


    "What on earth are you doing?" Liam frowned disapprovingly.


    Leaning against the car door, Charlotte struck a pose, "Does having a beautiful and fragrant assistant by your side lighten your spirits?" "Have you lost your mind?"


    "I''m just trying to demonstrate that your money isn''t wasted on suffering," Charlotte pointed to her face, "Consider it paying for the pleasure of viewing my lovely features." Liam couldn''t help but chuckle, "I have to pay to look at your face?"


    "Others might not, but you certainly do."


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    "And why''s that?"


    "Because you''re the only one in my eyes," Charlotte said bashfully, batting her eyelids at him.


    66 39


    Speechless, Liam turned back to the road, his hands fumbling slightly with the steering wheel.


    Upon arrival at the venue, Daniel was already waiting at the entrance and hurried over to open the car door with an obsequious trot.


    "Thank you," Charlotte said as she stepped out from the passenger seat.


    Daniel''s surprise was evident, "Why is it you?"


    When Liam emerged from the driver''s seat, Daniel did a double-take, "Why are you driving?"


    Liam''s face was etched with annoyance, "Who were you expecting if not me?"


    "I was waiting for the distinguished Mr. Parker to step out from the back seat," Daniel exined, his eyes darting between Charlotte and Liam, finallynding back on Liam with a yful jab, "Mr. Big Shot can''t afford a chauffeur now?" Liam nced sideways at Charlotte with a cool expression, "I can''t afford assistants who know how to drive."


    Charlotte could only offer an awkward chuckle in response.


    Her life had always been a dance with empty pockets. Even if she had the funds for driving lessons, a car was out of the question. So, she never bothered to learn.


    "Wow!" eximed Daniel with a teasing tone, "You''ve finally brought Charlotte out into the open? I thought you''d keep her hidden away!"


    Liam replied with a wry smile, "Of course, I''m not keen on sharing. Why let others enjoy the view when I''m the one who''s paid for the privilege?" Charlotte''s cheeks flushed with a deeper shade of awkwardness.


    Catching their subtle exchanges, Daniel couldn''t resist teasing them, "If you''re so reluctant to share, keep her hidden. It''s less embarrassing that way."


    The trio made their way to the reserved room, with Charlotte, in her role as the assistant, waiting outside.


    Expecting a dull wait, she found the universe had other ns. Just as Charlotte was zoning out by the door along with the other assistants, a familiar voice pierced the air.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "I demand to see him! He owes me an exnation!"


    Chloe stormed up in a huff, her twopanions trailing behind. They made a beeline for the door while the other assistants hesitated to intervene. What was Chloe doing here?


    Tonight''s meeting was strictly business, known only to a select few from the secretarial department. It was clear - there was a mole.


    Spies weren''t umon in big corporations, and Charlotte wasn''t in a position to investigate.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    But if this mole was colluding with Chloe, they''d soon feel Charlotte''s ruthless side.


    Charlotte stood up, gracefully extending her arm to block their path, "Mr. Parker is in the midst of important negotiations and cannot be disturbed." "Charlotte?!" Chloe''s anger red even more upon recognizing her, "You dare show your face to me?"


    "Why wouldn''t I? I''m not the one who''s done wrong."


    Chloe sneered, "You meddle in other people''s affairs..."


    "Mr. Parker has no affection for you," Charlotte retorted, giving Chloe a once over, "He has no taste for drama queens." "You!"


    Chloe, livid, raised her hand to p Charlotte!


    But Charlotte dodged smoothly, "Ms. Beaumont, resorting to violence?"


    Before Chloe could respond, Charlotte delivered a swift p to Chloe''s face,


    "When you aim to p someone, don''t raise your hand so high. It makes it easy to dodge."


    Chloe was too stunned to process Charlotte''s words. Her mind echoed with disbelief: Charlotte hit me.


    "You dare hit me?!" Chloe was incredulous. Her entourage echoed the outrage, calling for those inside toe out and judge the scene.


    Chloe covered her face, but after a moment, she actually startedughing. "Charlotte, by hitting me, you''re pping the face of the Beaumont family. You''re stirring up trouble for your own boss! Guess what would happen if I made a big deal out of this. Do you think Liam would get mad? Do you think he''d still stick up for you?"

 Chapter 19: Shes already apologized

    Chloe copsed to the floor, her sobs echoing through the silence.


    Themotion quickly roused the household, and to their astonishment, they found the Beaumont family''s delicate flower on the receiving end of Mr. Parker''s assistant''s wrath, which kindled a ze of indignation among them. "Mr. Parker, this is uneptable! An assistant, no matter the circumstance, should not resort to violence!"


    "How could you? Miss Beaumont''s skin is as tender as a peach; what if she were gravely hurt? How would you exin such a mishap to the Beaumont elders?"All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "An assistant so reckless is bound to spell disaster. In my opinion, you should dismiss her posthaste!"


    Only Daniel spoke up, taking a more bnced view, "Let''s find out what really happened first. It takes two to tango. Maybe the assistant is innocent, you know?"


    Only Daniel sought to temper the rush to judgment with a word of fairness, nudging Liam covertly with his elbow, signaling him toe to Charlotte''s defense.


    With a look as heavy as lead, Liam surveyed the scene: Chloe was cradling her face in tears, and Charlotte was standing defiantly. Taking a deep breath, hemanded, "Charlotte, apologize."


    As the words left Liam''s lips, a sly smile crept across Chloe''s tear-streaked face, her eyes taunting Charlotte as if to say, "See, he''s asking you to apologize. He''s not protecting you at all."


    But Charlotte, with a clenched fist and bowed head, ignored the provocation and muttered a remorseful, "I''m sorry, Miss Beaumont."


    Surprisingly, Chloe responded with a dismissive, "It''s fine."


    "I remember you. Just days ago, you said Liam and I were a match made in heaven. I trust this wasn''t intentional," she said.


    Her words hang over Charlotte like a sword of Damocles.


    The onlookers, shrewd as they were, could decipher the undercurrents between Charlotte and Liam.


    Knowing this was a battle of female rivalry. The elders refrained from intervening, simply took Liam, and withdrew from the fray.


    Only when the crowd dispersed did Chloe drop her facade, rising fluidly to her feet.


    "Charlotte, you''re out of your depth," she sneered. "How could someone of your lowly stature, who''s barely touched money, grasp the chasm between us?"


    She circled Charlotte like a predator, adding, "You think you''repeting with me? No, you''re pitting yourself against the entire Beaumont dynasty. Do you truly believe you stand a chance?"


    Herughter, sharp as ss, cut through the silence. "You struck me, and by thews of the Beaumonts, you should pay by losing a finger."


    Charlotte matched her mirth with a cold smile, "And for your deeds, my rules would have you yed a thousand times over."


    Chloe, taking her defiance for bravado, made a call to her family.


    The Beaumonts, ever protective, arrived en masse, pushing through the door, surrounding Charlotte.


    "Mr. Parker may not approve of this union, but he ought to give us the courtesy due between our families, not sanction his assistant''s attack on a Beaumontdy!" Chloe''s aunt demanded of Liam. "By all ounts, Mr. Parker, we deserve an exnation from you!"


    As tensions mounted, an elder statesman among the business partners present called for peace, "It was the young assistant who acted out of turn, not Liam. Let''s not let this mishap sour the long-standing harmony between our families." He proposed a solution, "Let the assistant be dismissed, and let Miss Beaumont retaliate in kind, and we shall consider this matter resolved. With the impending alliance of our houses, we must avoid public scandal."


    The aunt snorted disdainfully at Liam, "If Mr. Parker can bear to part with the assistant, then we shall let this go."


    "Just an assistant." came a voice from the crowd.


    "Let''s not allow an assistant''s misdeed to mar the friendship between our families," another chimed in.


    "Liam, heed your uncle''s advice, and let''s put an end to this matter," they urged in unison.


    Around the table were all business partners, each taking turns trying to convince Liam to back down.


    Chloe whispered a taunt to Charlotte, "Do you think Liam will agree to these terms?"


    "He will," Charlotte replied with resolute certainty.


    Just now outside, Liam demanded an apology from her without even asking for her side of the story. She no longer hoped that Liam would stand up for her.


    "Do you feel betrayed?" Chloe gloated. "You surely didn''t think a few nights with him would earn you his favor or protection? Let me tell you, he''s the most rational man alive. To him, your actions were an affront to his reputation, to the Parker family''s name! He will not shield you."


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    Charlotte merely nced at her coldly, "Miss Beaumont must be mistaken if she thinks I acted relying on his favor."


    He''d never stand up for her; she knew that much the day he walked away from her in the break room.


    "Just be stubborn!"


    As the business partners'' attempts at persuasion were winding down, Liam, with a cold expression, finally made a move.


    His gaze swept over Chloe and Charlotte''s faces.


    Chloe was crying pitifully, looking quite the sorry figure.


    Charlotte, on the other hand, had a rigid expression, looking unrepentant.


    "Tsck."


    He kicked Daniel''s chair slightly: "Take Charlotte outside."


    Daniel, not quite understanding the situation and perhaps wanting to offer more advice, said, "The Beaumont family going after Charlotte isn''t going to be just a p on the wrist. They could beat her to death, you..." "Take her out."


    "Alright." Daniel got up, hesitantly pulling Charlotte out to be watched by the bodyguards.


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Parker won''t just leave you hanging." He didn''t even believe his own words.


    Charlotte just gave him a smile, saying nothing.


    Why did she have to hit Chloe in the first ce? In the world of the wealthy, physical altercations couldn''t just be resolved with a few words.


    Daniel went back to the room where the partners'' attempts at mediation had ended. The aunt sat there arrogantly sipping her tea, urging Liam to make a decision quickly.


    "Mr. Parker surely isn''t considering risking a break with the Beaumont family over a minor assistant, is he?"


    "She''s already apologized," Liam said slowly.


    The Beaumonts thought they''d heard wrong, and the aunt was incredulous: "What do you mean?"


    Lifting his gaze, Liam''s eyes were cid pools. "She''s said she''s sorry. What more do you want from her?"


    He reclined leisurely in his chair, the picture of rxation.


    Chloe''s face contorted, ready to interject, but her aunt intervened, "Liam, our Chloe has been pampered all her life. She just wanted to see you, and this jealous woman ps her. Do you think a mere apology is enough? Who willpensate for the pain my Chloe has suffered?"


    Liam was nonchnt. "If she is a jealous woman, she has apologized. The torment she feels inside is no less than what Miss Beaumont endures."


    The room fell silent, stunned.


    Even Daniel couldn''t help but surreptitiously tug at Liam''s sleeve. "Mr. Parker, have you lost your mind?"


    Liam spared him a nce. "If the Beaumonts cannot protect their precious daughter, that''s their failure. If I fail to protect Charlotte, that''s my failure." "Then why did you send Charlotte out? Wouldn''t it be better for her to see your support for her?"


    Liam stiffened, then replied indifferently, "Why should she see it? So she can grow arrogant with favoritism?"


    Dismissing the astonished crowd, he stood up. "This matter is closed. Let''s speak no more of it."


    "No more of it? Easy for you to say!" Aunt Beaumont continued to protest, but Liam had already left, treating herints as if they were beneath him. Chloe stood frozen, her swollen cheek cradled in her hand, disbelief etched on her face.


    Liam had dared to defend Charlotte so boldly before their elders, flouting convention for a mistress, casting everything else aside!


    "The Parker family must give me an exnation!" Aunt Beaumont''s voice boomed with a loss of control as she reached out to the Parker family elders.

 Chapter 20: Guardian angel

    With the whole room as witness, Liam''s audacious defense was irrefutable, leaving the family elders without a retort. They agreed to escort the person in question back home and provide the Beaumont family with a satisfactory exnation. And throughout all this, Charlotte was unaware of anything.


    She sat on a bench by the door. Her gaze was lost in the stars while her fingers deftly wove a ring out of stray grass she''d gathered.


    At the sound of footsteps, she turned to see Liam approaching and couldn''t help but wonder at the ease that seemed to radiate from him.


    "Aren''t you scared at all?" he asked.


    Charlotte shook her head, "I''m not afraid."Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    Liam''s emotions were a whirlwind.


    After all, without his protection, Charlotte''s defiance against the Beaumont heiress could have left her in dire straits.


    Yet here she was, cing her trust in himpletely.


    "There are pressing matters I must attend to with Daniel," he said, hinting at the storm brewing with the Beaumonts. "You should head back first." Without agreement or protest, Charlotte stepped forward and slipped the humble grass ring onto his finger.


    "Mr. Parker, you promised there would be no engagement with Chloe. Don''t break your word."


    "Sure."


    He hummed nonchntly, allowing her to ce the ring. "No engagement."


    Just then, Daniel came over with a grimace, "Enough with the sweet nothings. The Beaumont sisters are on their way out."


    Straightening up, Liam nudged Charlotte gently towards home.


    He referred to the modest two-bedroom t as ''home,'' a word that sent ripples through Charlotte''s heart.


    As she walked away, she was oblivious to the shadows that trailed behind her.


    Before she could grasp what was happening, an unfamiliar presence was upon her, and without a word, she was hooded and rushed into a car!


    The vehicle sped off and only came to a halt after some twenty frantic minutes.


    Charlotte was led into Chloe''s vi, where she was met with the daunting sight of Chloe, her aunt, and a man with a striking resemnce to Liam.


    "So, you''re Charlotte?" the man''s voice boomed with fury. "Did you hit Miss Beaumont?"


    "Yes," she admitted boldly.


    Dn Parker''s anger boiling over, he mmed his hand on the table. "You think you can act out just because Liam dotes on you? You''ve got no remorse! The Parker family has no room for a rogue like you!" "Parker family?" Charlotte chuckled. "Do I carry the name Parker? What right do you have over me?"


    The man''s face darkened with rage. "How dare you!"


    Dn Parker''s face darkenedpletely, "Auntie''s right. This woman is reckless and bold, a disaster waiting to happen if she stays by Liam''s side. Today, as his brother, I''m going to teach her a lesson on Liam''s behalf!" The Beaumont aunt interjected, "How your family disciplines is your business, but she pped Chloe. This offense cannot stand. We, the Beaumonts, demand justice!"


    "Of course," he agreed. "She''s here now; we''ll proceed as you wish, Aunt."


    "Thank you," the aunt said, her gaze shifting maliciously from Chloe to Charlotte. "Since her hands are so bold, let them be the first to suffer. Bring the boiling oil; we''ll start with her hands and then ruin that sly face of hers!" With just a few words, these lofty figures decided her fate as if it were nothing.


    Did they think their power could crush her spirit?


    Charlotte couldn''t help but scoff, "You can''t touch me."


    "Liam''s probably getting an earful from grandfather right now. He can''t save you," Chloe sneered with malice. "I''d like to see if he''ll still care for you once you''ve be a disfigured monster!"


    As Chloe''s fingers neared Charlotte''s skin, she taunted, "Do you think you''ve won? You''ve lost miserably! Liam will marry me!"


    "On mymand, do it!"


    Chloe was convinced Liam wouldn''t dare defy the old man''s orders to rescue Charlotte.


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    The bodyguards moved in, pinning Charlotte to the ground, her face pushed against the carpet as she struggled to breathe.


    Chloe smiled with satisfaction at the sight of Charlotte''s debased form. "How can a gambler''s daughterpete with me?" Charlotte was too overwhelmed to respond as the pungent scent of scalding oil filled her nostrils.


    "Be careful. I want her crippled, not dead."


    After hermand, Chloe turned to Dn with gratitude, "Thanks. If not for you, this wretch would''ve gone unpunished."


    Dn smiled, "It''s no trouble at all, but it seems my little brother isn''t really into Miss Beaumont. Maybe you should consider me instead." Chloe''s smile faltered for a moment before she awkwardly turned away.


    The mere thought that a distant rtion of the Parkers could be an appropriate match for her wasughable.


    Only by binding herself to Liam could she wrest control from her overbearing uncle.


    After going to great lengths to eliminate that meddlesome Annie, she would not tolerate any further missteps in iming her heir status.


    Chloe whirled around with a venomous re andmanded, "Do it now! Don''t hesitate!"


    Destroying Charlotte meant reiming Liam and the inheritance with him.


    As the boiling oil menacingly drew closer, mere centimeters from scarring her hands forever, Charlotte lifted her head, exerting every bit of strength to dere, "I''ve warned you, you cannoty a finger on me!" "Ha! Delusional to the very end!" scoffed Chloe, dismissing her bravado.


    But the next second, the sight of a familiar figure at the vi''s entrance made Chloe''s body quiver with fear.


    "How... How did he get here..."


    At the Parker mansion.


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    The old Mr. Parker sat with his eyes closed in a grand armchair, his cane tapping rhythmically against the floor.


    "I heard you struck a Miss Beaumont over a mistress?" old Mr. Parker said.


    "Yes," came the curt reply.


    Summoned by an unexpected call, Liam returned, visibly irritated.


    "I''ve made myself clear: no engagement with Chloe. If you press the issue, I won''t hesitate to part ways with the Parker family."


    "Are you threatening me? Over a woman?" old Mr. Parker''s eyes flicked open, revealing a sh of sharpness.


    Liam locked eyes with old Mr. Parker, unyielding, "I promised her there would be no engagement to Chloe, and I cannot lie."


    Old Mr. Parkerughed bitterly, "You would abandon your own family for a fling?"


    Liam retorted, turning to leave. "I don''t care."


    "Fine! Fine! Look at you, so self-righteous!" old Mr. Parker said with rage. "Liam, get out of the Parker family and nevere back!"


    Without a backward nce, Liam exited, only to be met by Daniel''s urgent news, "We''ve been careless. Charlotte''s been taken to Chloe''s vi, and Dn is there too. Things don''t look good." "Tch," Liam''s chest heaved as he got into the car.


    "Mr. Parker, think this through," Daniel urged. "If you defend Charlotte now, you''ll be at odds with the Beaumonts. Dn might exploit this, and if he allies with them against you..." "Only I can save her," Liam interrupted.


    His brow furrowed in worry. "She''s waiting for me."


    But upon arriving at Chloe''s vi, the situation seemed to have already resolved itself.


    Chloe sat disheveled in the courtyard, her face sporting two ring handprints. Charlotte stood nearby, calm and unharmed.


    Chloe sat disheveled in the courtyard, her face sporting two ring handprints. Charlotte stood nearby, calm and unharmed.


    Daniel, puzzled, remarked, "From the looks of it, Charlotte''se out on top. But Chloe''s got a new mark on her face. How did that happen?"


    Who was Charlotte''s guardian angel?

 Chapter 21: Youll catch a cold.

    Before the question could even take flight, the hurried steps of a masked couple echoed down the alleyway.


    They were unseen, tucked away in a covert nook, when the wife''s whisper broke through, "Can we truly count on Annie''s sister? She swore she''d never let Liam tie the knot with Chloe, but what''s her word worth? Did we really do the right thing by sticking our necks out for her today?"


    "Didn''t Vincent say? She''s Liam''s mistress, I can tell. She really loves Annie, and what''s giving herself to Liam if it means getting revenge for Annie?"


    The husband''s face was a picture of smug satisfaction. "As long as she keeps Liam on a leash, he won''t marry Chloe. Then, avenging ourselves will be a breeze!" "Enough chatter, let''s make ourselves scarce."


    Supporting each other, the couple vanished into the day.


    Behind the hush of the shrubbery, a wooden benchy hidden, a silent witness.


    "Mr. Parker," Daniel croaked, swallowing hard, "they must be jesting, right? Charlotte and Vincent, a chance encounter... it can''t be..."


    "The one who just passed by is Chloe''s uncle, Thomas Beaumont," came Liam''s icy response, sealing Daniel''s lips.


    The unspoken truth hung heavy; the couple''s words likely held weight.


    But this implied Charlotte was using Liam


    Aplete and utter maniption.


    "Mr. Parker..." Daniel, who had just defied his entire family for Charlotte, now grappled with the revtion, unable to fathom the depth of Liam''s rage and disappointment. He watched Liam anxiously, fearing a violent outburst that might end Charlotte''s life.


    Liam''s face was a calm sea before a storm.


    If Thomas''s words held any truth, Charlotte would certainly keep this moment under wraps to y her hand better.


    Liam hesitated before the final digit on his phone, pondering the possibility of deceit.


    Eventually, he dialed the number.


    "Where are you?" he asked, his voice a soft veil over the roaring anger within.


    "At home," came Charlotte''s slightly hesitant reply, freezing the air around.


    Liam, glimpsing Charlotte shoulder to shoulder with Vincent in the yard, let out augh cold enough to chill bones, his lips curling into a frosty crescent. "She lied to me."


    "Liam?"


    "Yes," Charlotte pocketed her phone, feeling an odd tremor in Liam''s tone but unable to pinpoint it.


    "He knew Chloe wouldn''t let you off easy after what you did, yet he let you walk away alone. And now he checks in as if he cares?"


    Vincent''s dissatisfaction was evident. "Had you not tipped me off to convince Mr. Beaumont to back you up, you''d be in the frying pan now!"


    Charlotte felt no remorse for Liam''s approach. "In his eyes, I''m just another gold-digger. That he didn''t p me right, there is decorum enough."


    Vincent''s brow furrowed. "Must you go this far? Stopping Liam''s marriage to Chloe doesn''t require you to debase yourself."


    "Don''t make it sound so dire," Charlotte paused, a tender glint in her eyes, "being with him is my own fulfillment."


    She had always been able to let go, her love once masked by the allure of money, never daring to voice her feelings.


    Now, without the need for money and Liam free from engagement, love was love, with no need for hiding.


    Besides, a chasmy between her and Liam.


    The time for revenge might be thest journey they''d walk hand in hand.


    Vincent was taken aback by her words. "Fulfillment for yourself?"


    "I love him," Charlotte confessed, serene with affection, "so it''s not about giving in to him. It''s about willingly giving myself."


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    "But you lied," Vincent struggled to read her, "why not tell him Chloe brought you here?"


    "What good would it do?" Charlotte countered, "What good would it do?" Charlotte countered, "Should I seek his protection, have him rally to my side?"


    Chloe was right about one thing-it was a matter between the Parker and the Beaumont.


    "I brought Annie''s foster parents here to keep Liam out of it. Marrying Chloe would only benefit him. By stopping their union, I''ve already crossed him. I don''t wish to trouble him further." Vincent''s emotions were a whirlwind."Going to such lengths for Liam, it looks like you really do like him a lot."


    Charlotte smiled, her eyes brimming with warmth.


    The whispers and disregard of the pair drew the ire of a third party.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Chloe, her hair a tangled mess, sat on the grass, pointing an using finger at the person before her. "Charlotte, I underestimated you. In just a few days, you''ve secured yourself a powerful ally!" "Vincent ckwood, you knew well that Charlotte was Liam''s girl, yet here you are, cozying up to her. Have you no shame?" she spat venomously.


    Turning to Charlotte, she sneered, "Don''t get too cocky, darling. Hugging and cuddling with Vincent won''t guarantee you the title of Mrs. ckwood!"


    Vincent sneered back, "Why don''t you just be quiet, you wretch!"


    He knew Chloe''s game all too well; she was just trying to tarnish his and Charlotte''s reputations with her nder.


    Stung by his insult, Chloe retorted with a heated temper, "You''re nothing but one of Liam''s failedckeys, Vincent ckwood. What''s there for you to brag about?"


    Vincent shot back with equal contempt, "And you''re just a jilted soul dumped by Liam. What are you shrieking about?"


    "You!" Just as Chloe was about to retort, she caught sight of a man approaching from the doorway.


    Tall and graceful, every move he made exuded an air of crisp nobility.


    "Liam?" Chloe, taken aback to see him, paused, then quickly tried topose herself.


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    "I... I just wanted to clear up a misunderstanding with Charlotte, nothing more," she said nervously, clutching the hem of her dress.


    If her plot to scald Charlotte had seeded, well and good, but now that it had failed and Charlotte''s beauty remained unscathed, Chloe knew Liam would be furious if he learned she''d tried to harm her. "Liam, I didn''t mean to keep it from you. I didn''t mean to..."


    "Why are you sitting on the ground? You''ll catch a cold."


    Liam bent down to help Chloe up from where she had fallen.


    This action left Chloe frozen in ce.


    And Charlotte''s brows knitted tighter.


    She was in trouble.


    That phone call was a test, and she had lied.


    Liam must be angry.


    Charlotte closed her eyes, took several deep breaths, and mustered the courage to look his way.


    He had already helped Chloe to her feet, who looked at him in surprise, whispering, "Liam, what are you doing?"


    Wasn''t he the one who declined the engagement? Didn''t he say he wouldn''t interfere even if Charlotte struck her? What was he doing now?


    Liam''s expression was inscrutable, his actions distant.


    Yet the words he spoke were fervent, his gaze not leaving Charlotte for a second.


    "How could I stand by and watch my fianc¨¦e fall and do nothing?"


    At that moment, Charlotte felt her face drain of color, her entire body tensing up.


    She searched Liam''s eyes, hoping for a hint of jest, but all she found was an icy detachment.

 Chapter 22: You Expect Me To Serve You Now?

    "Mr. Parker..." Charlotte began, only to be interrupted by Chloe''s eager interjection.


    "Liam, does this mean... our engagement is still on?"


    "Sure."


    Liam''s words floated through the air, light yet cutting, leaving Charlotte feeling as though her heart was being torn to shreds.


    Herposure shattered, she protested, "But you promised me!"


    Liam''s eyes grew colder, "Since when do my words hold such weight for you?"


    Just like him, he believed everything she said. When she said she didn''t want money, just for him to treat her a bit better, he obediently did so.


    But in the end, he was just a stepping stone for her to climb thedder to the top!


    How dare she y him, time and time again!


    Watching Charlotte''s ghostly pale demeanor, Liam let out a mirthless chuckle and turned to leave with Chloe.


    "Liam!"


    Desperate, Charlotte reached out to grab his arm, "I didn''te home because..."


    She stumbled over her words, trying to exin, but Chloe chose that moment to feign weakness, copsing with a delicate cry, "Oh Liam, my leg hurts so terribly." "Is that so? Let''s get you to a doctor."


    Their affectionate disy, oblivious to anyone else, left Charlotte feeling utterly invisible as if she didn''t exist.


    She stood rooted to the spot, fists clenched, unable to move forward.


    To chase after him would be to embrace humiliation; she had reached her limit.


    All she could do was watch as Liam escorted Chloe to a car, their closeness unbroken.


    "Charlotte, are you okay?" Vincent approached, concern etched on his face.


    Charlotte shook her head, her mind a fog. The continuation of the engagement was unbearable.


    If it went on, Chloe would have her mountain to lean on, making it near impossible for Charlotte to get past Liam to seek vengeance for Annie.


    And more terrifying still... Charlotte''s head bowed in despair.


    The ongoing engagement also meant that any future with Liam was slipping through her fingers!


    She had just begun to muster the courage to acknowledge her feelings for Liam despite the obstacles of their different social standings and stark reality. How could she... how could this be happening...


    While Charlotte drowned in her sorrows, Chloe was on cloud nine.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Leaning into Liam''s supporting hand, she deliberately snuggled closer to him.


    But before she could savor the moment, Liam''s grip tightened, unceremoniously dumping her into the car, causing her to bump her head and grimace in pain. "Liam, why would you toss me like that? Aren''t we supposed to be continuing our engagement? You should be gentle with your fianc¨¦e."


    Liam wiped his hands with a look of disgust, "Speak properly."


    Chloe paused, a flush creeping onto her cheeks, "Liam, have you changed your mind? Are we truly to continue with the engagement?" Continue?


    Disgust flickered in Liam''s eyes. She was hardly worthy!


    That night, when Charlotte had made an urgent call, it was Chloe who answered, and yet she said nothing to him, keeping it hidden until the morning. That very night, Charlotte had been kidnapped and taken to a rural pig farm.


    Had he not investigated thoroughly afterward, he may never have known the ordeal Charlotte had endured.


    "As long as you behave, the engagement can continue. But step out of line, and you might just end up a dead woman."


    The dark undertone in his voice raised goosebumps on Chloe, who was now desperate to flee.


    "I... I understand, Liam. I''ll be good, I promise!" Chloe quickly reassured him.


    Seeing her submission, Liam''s expression softened slightly as he settled back into his seat, "Go call Charlotte over. Let''s all have dinner together." "What? Why?" Chloe was stunned.


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    Liam''s eyes narrowed, contemting the price of using him.


    Charlotte wanted to sway his decision to stop the engagement with Chloe.


    Well, it was time to see if she truly had the means to do so.


    Outside, Vincent was urging Charlotte to leave, "It''s gettingte. Shall I take you home?"


    Charlotte shook her head, her gaze stubbornly fixed on the car not far from where they stood.


    Walking away now would sever thest thread of hope with Liam.


    Vincent tried to persuade her again, but suddenly, the car door swung open, and Chloe stepped out.


    Her usual air of feigned grace was gone, reced with a stiffness that made her smile look uglier than tears.


    "Miss Perry, perhaps there''s been a misunderstanding between us. Why don''t we clear the air over dinner?" Chloe suggested.


    Charlotte was all too aware of Chloe''s true intentions: to unt her victory and perhaps even provoke Liam to retaliate against her.


    It was a banquet with the potential for disaster, yet Charlotte couldn''t refuse.


    She exchanged a fleeting look with Liam through the car window, a silent conversation before swiftly looking away. "Alright," Charlotte agreed.


    Vincent, rmed, blurted out, "She''ll make things difficult for you, and when that happens..."


    "I''m aware," Charlotte replied with a cool distance, "If there''s nothing else, Mr. ckwood, please go ahead and leave."


    Vincent hesitated, his concern palpable, but Liam scoffed at him, "Doesn''t Mr. ckwood enjoy meddling in other people''s business? Join us."


    "You!" Vincent nearlyshed out physically but held back, his worry for Charlotte reigning in his anger.


    Liam and Chloe got into one car, while Charlotte, instead of joining Vincent, hailed her own taxi.


    At the restaurant, Liam and Chloe''s public disy of affection was unmistakable.


    "Choose what you like; don''t mind the others," Liam said as he handed Chloe the tablet to order. Chloe covered her mouth, giggling coyly, "We aren''t married yet. My mom would scold me if she saw you pampering me this much." "But pampering you is my pleasure, isn''t that right? To be gentle with my fianc¨¦e," Liam responded with a smile.


    "Oh, stop it, you''re embarrassing me!" sheughed.


    Their yful banter ignores the presence of others at the table.


    Charlotte watched, biting her lip as her heart ached.


    Liam never spoke to her so tenderly. His soft words were reserved only for intimate moments to satisfy his desires.


    The difference between a high-borndy and a girl from a humble background was stark.


    The devotion she fought so hard to earn from Liam could neverpare to the power of Chloe''s whimsical pouts. Noticing her gaze, Liam looked over coolly, "Remember your ce, will you?"


    Charlotte''s spirit faltered, and she looked down, "I do."


    His assistant.


    "The tea for Miss Beaumont is a bit too hot," he hinted with a hidden meaning. Charlotte took a deep breath, stood up, and took the tea to the window to cool.


    Chloe said, "No need for that. I''m not that delicate."


    "Don''t care about her, just an assistant,"


    Liam quipped, the sharine tone piercing Charlotte''s ears as she turned to look outside, trying to distract her mind.


    By the time she had cooled the tea, the meal had been served, and Liam was busy serving Chloe, leaving Charlotte to herself.


    "All your favorites, enjoy," Liam said as he ced a piece of fish onto Chloe''s te. Before his chopsticks could retreat, a te was thrust in front of him.


    Following the te''s trajectory, he met Charlotte''s defiant face, her hand as stubborn as her expression.


    Liam couldn''t help butugh at the audacity. It seemed he had spoiled her too much in the past, so much so that she had forgotten her ce. "What''s this? You expect me to serve you now?"

 Chapter 23: Goodbye, Miss Perry

    "Absolutely, I appreciate it," Charlotte replied with a conviction that seemed to stir the air itself, her voice resonating with a strength that seemed to touch Liam''s heart, igniting a restless irritation within him. "And why is that? Because you consider yourself betrothed to me as well?"


    Caught off guard, Charlotte found herself at a loss for words. Instead, she defiantly held out her te as if she would wait an eternity for him to serve her if he didn''t act promptly.


    Liam, unable to vent his simmering annoyance, resigned himself to spitefully selecting a piece of garlic bread thered in butter-the very morsel Charlotte detested most.


    Her few encounters with Western cuisine had always ended the same way: a battle for breath as nausea took hold, hinting at an allergic reaction.


    "Eat up," Liammanded, the glint in his eye betraying his vengeful satisfaction.


    How could she not see it?


    Swallowing her fear, Charlotte picked up the garlic bread and, without so much as a chew, forced it down her throat.


    To Liam''s surprise, sheplied, which only fueled his anger further.


    Was she ying the doting fianc¨¦e now, trying to win back her wealthy patron?


    His temper roared like a tempest, prompting him to heap his te''s remaining garlic onto hers.


    Unwavering, Charlotte pressed on, stuffing each piece into her mouth. Her face turned a fiery red, her breathsing short and sharp, a silent scream etched across her features. Vincent stood by, barely containing himself, staying his hand only at Charlotte''s subtle shake of the head.


    Seeing her submissive response, Liam''s patience wore thin. He pushed her hand away, "Let Vincent ckwood serve you."


    Charlotte refused, "It wouldn''t be proper for Mr. ckwood and me to engage in such familiarity."


    "And I''m proper? What am I to you?"


    Liam gestured dismissively, intending to send her away, but he paused upon hearing her struggle for breath, her cheeks flushed.


    Her lips were a vivid red as she confessed, "Mr. Parker, my affections for you are genuine."


    This admission only aggravated the turmoil in Liam''s heart.


    Another deception, he thought bitterly.


    "You??" he scoffed, taking a sip of tea, his hand trembling with rage.


    Chloe, witnessing his agitation, bit back her fury, "Miss Perry, isn''t it unseemly to dere love for my fianc¨¦ in my presence?"


    Had this been only days before, Chloe''s remark would have crushed Charlotte.


    But times had changed, and now, Chloe''s pain was Charlotte''s twisted pleasure.


    "Mr. Parker is my Boss. He asked, and I dared not lie, nor could I evade his question. If Miss Beaumont is displeased, then I truly apologize," Charlotte responded with a calmness that belied the storm within, snatching a shrimp from Liam''s te and tossing it into the trash.


    "Also, Mr. Parker dislikes raw shrimp. Perhaps his fianc¨¦e should remember that."


    Chloe was seething, her face a palette of suppressed rage.


    Charlotte''s words were a p in the face, more humiliating than any physical blow.


    Chloe, struggling to control her anger, noticed Vincent''s furrowed brow and quickly devised a n.


    "Miss Perry seems quite attentive to the boss, but perhaps she should spare some concern for Mr. ckwood. He seems... less than pleased."


    Before Charlotte could say anything, she quickly added, "But I get it; one second, someone cares about her, and the next, they ditch her to care for someone else. I''d be upset too if I were in her shoes."


    Instead of getting into an argument, Charlotte simply said to Vincent openly and straightforwardly:


    "Mr. ckwood, my influence here is minimal. I ask that you help verify my innocence by securing the surveince footage from the Beaumont estate."


    Her straightforward request left Chloe floundering, forcing her tough it off and halt her malicious chatter.


    As Charlotte recalled the events at the Beaumont household, a sly smile yed on her lips.


    Was Chloe afraid?


    Afraid of Liam seeing her true colors?


    Afraid of her secrets being exposed?


    "Mr. Parker, please enjoy your meal," Charlotte said brightly, her mood lifted by her small victory, her eyes now dancing with a mix of allure and affection for Liam.


    Liam gazed deeply at her, "Miss Perry, you''ve crossed a line."


    "An assistant should stick to their role," he coldly remarked.


    Charlotte''s face drained of color at his words, a stark contrast to the warmth she had just felt.


    Ignoring her pallor, Liam served Chloe a slice of raw fish, something he had always avoided.


    Charlotte sat in silent agony, her chest tight with the intertwined pain of the allergic reaction and Liam''s cool indifference.


    Her eyes, though, remained fixed on Liam, reflecting an emotion far tooplex for him to decipher at that moment.


    After dinner, Vincent walked ahead, leaving first.


    He had stayed to eat because he was worried that Charlotte might be bullied by Chloe, but now it seemed that his presence here was actually giving Chloe an opportunity to attack Charlotte.


    It was smarter to leave, to give Charlotte and Liam some space to clear up any misunderstandings.


    "Why''d Mr. ckwood take off solo? Didn''t he remember you were still here, Miss Perry?"


    Chloe emerged, her arm looping through Liam''s, a sight that was like a thorn in Charlotte''s eye.


    Charlotte averted her gaze, her voice a whisper of indifference, "Mr. ckwood and I barely know each other; Miss Beaumont, let''s not jest."


    "Really? But just moments ago, at my ce, you two seemed as thick as thieves. Right, Liam? You saw it too, didn''t you?"


    Chloe was no fool. Liam had defended Charlotte just hours before, yet here he was, giving her the cold shoulder and talking about ''continuing the engagement.''


    Misunderstandings were brewing, and Liam was clearly miffed with Charlotte.


    But as Chloe''s scornfulughter broke through, watching her arm in Liam''s, she plotted.


    She''d cement these misunderstandings, solidify the engagement, driving a wedge between Liam and Charlotte to ensure they''d never reconcile.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! Liam, silent, descended the stairs with Chloe, treating Charlotte as if she were invisible.


    "Mr. Parker," Charlotte stepped forward too hastily and stumbled into Chloe''s dress, causing Chloe to stumble.


    "Ouch!" Chloe copsed into Liam''s arms, turning with feigned distress, "Miss Perry, why would you step on my dress?"


    Liam''s gaze, heavy with reproach, turned back, "Charlotte, apologize!"


    Charlotte caught off guard, was about to apologize when Chloe interjected, "No need, Miss Perry surely didn''t mean it. Besides, with Liam here, I''m safe from any fall." The smugness on Chloe''s face stood in stark contrast to Charlotte''s crestfallen expression.


    Charlotte couldn''t fathom why Liam changed his mind so swiftly. Hadn''t he promised not to engage with Chloe? Yet now, the engagement was back on! Was it because she had lied to him, and he had caught her in the act?


    "Mr. Parker, I was just..."


    "Apologize," Liam said, his voice light as a feather yet heavy enough to crush all her courage.


    Her eyes dimmed, her gaze fixed on Liam with a silent plea.


    Liam, irritated, turned away, refusing to meet her eyes.


    "Let''s not make a fuss over a little stumble," Chloe chuckled, continuing her descent with Liam.


    She achieved her goal; there was no need to let Charlotte and Liam''s drama drag on.


    "Goodbye, Miss Perry," Chloe said with a triumphant smile that was more grating than gracious.


    Charlotte watched them drift away, perfectly together like a scene from a storybook.


    And there she was, like a stray dog left out in the rain, alone under the eaves.


    A cold breeze snapped Charlotte back to reality. She wanted to leave, but then she remembered - the restaurant was members-only, no taxis in sight. Recalling the rumors about this exclusive ce, Charlotte felt a chill that wasn''t just from the wind.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 24: Doghouse

    Charlotte had no choice but to make her exit on foot.


    The cobblestone path was lined with luxury cars, but she moved against the tide, her chestnut locks in disarray across her brow. Her eyes, pools of blue, held back tears in a fierce yet delicate defiance. She was preupied with Liam''s cold dismissal until a car pulled up abruptly before her, forcing her gaze upwards.


    "Hey, gorgeous," the man in the car called out, winding down the window, his eyes alight with awe and avarice. "All alone? Who''s done you wrong to leave you so crestfallen?"


    Charlotte took two steps back, asserting, "Sir, you''re blocking the path."


    While cars honked behind him, the man was undeterred. "We both know how the game is yed. Name your price for the night."


    The clientele of this restaurant were either wealthy or noble, and many women lingered in anticipation of a lucrative encounter.


    He mistook Charlotte for one such woman.


    He smirked, "Look how upset you are. Did thedy of the house catch you? Darling, I''m single and generous. If you y nice, money is no issue."


    His brazen scrutiny made Charlotte''s brows knit together in disgust.


    "I''m not who you think I am, sir. Goodbye."


    As she turned to leave, he caught her wrist, prompting an immediate and disgusted recoil.


    "Feisty, I like that!" he taunted, trying to pull her into his car.


    "Let go!" she demanded.


    Trained in Muay Thai, with a strong physique, she shook him off easily. The road was blocked; she vaulted over the car hood and didn''t look back. "Spunky, my favorite!" His excitement grew as he exited the car and caught up with Charlotte, wrapping his arms around her from behind.


    "The more you resist, the more I want you. Damn it, you''ll be mine tonight!"


    "Let go!" she shouted, elbowing him, causing him to double over in pain. He shouted back, "You''ll regret refusing a kind offer! Somebody grab her!"


    Several men emerged from the trailing cars, their intentions clear as they moved towards Charlotte.


    Charlotte was burning with anxiety. Having been by Liam''s side for a while, she''d heard about the wild ways of the rich kids in their circle, and there wasn''t much they wouldn''t do.


    "Stop pretending, it''s your lucky day!" His hands roamed inappropriately over her as she took a deep breath, then spun around and delivered a kick that sent him sprawling.


    The onlookers quickened their pace to surround her, but despite her resistance, she was overpowered and pinned to the ground, her face stained with the soil.


    At her most vulnerable, headlights pierced the darkness, and a familiar male voice, "Charlotte."


    Liam.


    With sheer willpower, she looked toward the light, hope etched in her eyes.


    "Liam," she called out his name, "Save me."


    Hearing his name, the man''s grip loosened momentarily.


    "...Mr. Parker," the instigator stammered, trying to smile through the pain. "I didn''t realize she was yours... my mistake, Mr. Parker. I''ll leave right now!"


    He hastily pulled Charlotte to her feet and pushed her toward the car, eager to prove his innocence.


    Relief washed over Charlotte, and tears fell freely as she gazed gratefully at the tall figure in the light.


    "Liam, thank you..."


    But Liam stood silhouetted against the re, his face devoid of concern, observing her from on high. "You stepped on Chloe''s dress. You haven''t apologized yet."


    Had Liam turned back not to rescue her but to demand an apology for Chloe?


    Charlotte couldn''t believe he''d appear for such a ludicrous reason.


    Apologize, and then what?


    Would he leave her to her fate, to be further tormented?


    Tears streamed down her cheeks as she struggled to stand.


    At that moment, she wished Liam had never turned back.


    Without him around, she could handle things on her own, but him showing up and talking like that just painted a bigger target on her back for those rich troublemakers. Perhaps... that was his intent? To humiliate her in a bid to curry favor with his fianc¨¦e?


    "I''m sorry," Charlotte said dazedly, "I shouldn''t have stepped on Chloe''s dress. Please convey my apology to her, Mr. Parker."


    Through the crowd and the blinding lights, she met Liam''s gaze with tearful eyes: "I''m sorry for troubling you with this trifle, Mr. Parker."


    Seizing the moment while his presence still held sway over the crowd, Charlotte pivoted and fled from the scene.


    Unaided by Liam, it was down to her to be her own savior.


    Unexpectedly, Liam called out to her once more, his voice like a cold de. "Remember your ce. Cross Chloe again, and I''ll have you thrown out of Parker Group." Paralyzed by his words, Charlotte watched as Liam climbed into his car with Chloe beside him, leaving the chaos behind them.


    Chloe casually waved at Charlotte from the passenger seat, a mocking gesture that seemed to jeer at Charlotte. "Damn, I thought she was Mr. Parker''s mistress or something," a man muttered, then seized Charlotte''s wrist again. "Dreaming of a man like Mr. Parker? All you want is money, right? Make me happy, and you''ll have plenty of it!" "Let go," Charlottemanded, her voice icy.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! The man paused, taken aback, then his anger red. "What''s this act? Chasing after a man who''s engaged, you shameless thing, and now you''re acting all high and mighty?" He raised his hand as if to strike her, but Charlotte stood unflinching.


    "I am Mr. Parker''s assistant. If you wish to hire me, discuss it with Parker Group''s HR."


    "You think you can use Parker Group to intimidate me?" he retracted his hand, sneering. "I won''t let you off so easily."


    "I''m right here," Charlotte said, unfazed. "Do as you please."


    Her face was smeared with dirt; she looked like a mess after being cornered and abandoned, yet she stood tall, her posture unyielding, as if she could never be broken. Intimidated by her resolve, the man backed down.


    "I''ll be waiting for the day you''re kicked out on your ass from Parker Group," he threatened venomously. "Then you''lle crawling to me!"


    With that, he and his entourage got into their cars and left, exhaust fumes sttering Charlotte''s face.


    The breeze through the taxi window cleared her head.


    Liam was always proud; she had lied to him, and he had seen her with Vincent. His anger was not unwarranted.


    It was all a misunderstanding.


    There was nothing to be upset about and no reason to dwell on it.This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    Misunderstandings could be rified.


    To make amends, Charlotte bought Liam''s favorite soup, knowing he had barely touched his meal at the restaurant and must be hungry by now.


    Upon returning to the two-bedroom apartmentplex, she spotted several small trucks parked downstairs, brandishing the logo of a movingpany.


    Carrying the soup, curiosity overcame her usual restraint, and she asked the mover, "Sir, is someone moving out?"


    The mover replied, "Yes, we''re clearing out everything. The ce is being emptied to make way for a doghouse."

 Chapter 25: Trap

    Turning this ce into a doghouse?


    The area was flush with the well-to-do, so entricities weren''t exactly a rarity.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Charlotte didn''t dwell on it and made for the elevator, intent on home. Yet, just as she stepped out from the elevator, a run-in with a worker hauling a mattress jolted her with a sense of foreboding. On the sixth floor, it was just her and Liam''s residence why would a movingpany be here, of all ces?


    Her home was being turned into a doghouse.


    By whose decree?


    Liam''s?


    But why?


    Charlotte''s heart turned to ice, and her breath caught in her throat.


    Just earlier, she had spoken of drawing a line, of resigning, but Liam, though angry, had never once suggested she be thrown out.


    That very morning, he had even mentioned not wanting sweetened soy milk anymore.


    She had thought that meant he saw a future for them.


    However, now, in this ce that Liam called home, she was being utterly cast out.


    Lost in a daze, the sound of a dog barking from the elevator''s direction snapped her back to reality.


    Wiping away tears, she quickly ducked into the stairwell for refuge.


    Peering through a crack, she caught sight of Liam and Chloe walking side by side, with Chloe cuddling a little white dog in her arms.


    "Liam, you''re too considerate, you know? I just got a puppy, and you''ve already set up such a cozy nook for it. You''re going to spoil us rotten!"


    "It''s just an apartment," Liam responded, his voice detached.


    "Dogs are loyal creatures; they at least remember who their master is."


    "Hmm? That sounds like you''re hinting at something, Liam," Chloe cooed to the puppy in her embrace. "Hear that, Doodoo? Be a good boy, and don''t make Daddy angry, or he might just take back the house and leave you a stray without a roof over your head!"


    Each word pierced Charlotte like a needle to the heart.


    She clung to the banister, slowly sliding to the floor.


    A dog that fails to win its master''s favor deserves to be homeless.


    That was the lesson Liam wanted to teach her, wasn''t it?


    The sound of the door opening and the fading voices told her they were gone.


    Gripping the banister, Charlotte descended the stairs, one heavy step at a time.


    She couldn''t concede defeat, even if Liam no longer cared for her, even if he wanted nothing more to do with her.


    She couldn''t let Chloe, that murderer walk away with a happy ending.


    Liam stood by the window, watching her retreating figure from high above. The anger he had managed to suppress red up once more.


    She had tried to use him and couldn''t even bother to ingratiate herself to him.


    What was she waiting for?


    For him topromise over and over again?


    In his dreams.


    "Liam, what are you looking at?"


    Chloe''s voice came from behind, but Liam didn''t turn around, his voiceden with distaste, "Don''t talk to me with that nauseating tone." Chloe paused, then casually remarked, "But I like you, Liam. When you like someone, you can''t help but want to be cutesy with them."


    Her gaze flicked briefly downstairs, a sneer in her eyes, "If I didn''t like you, Liam, I''d just walk away without a second nce."


    Liam''s fist clenched tightly as his eyes followed the figure below.


    Just walk away without looking back.


    Heh.


    That''s exactly what Charlotte did, wasn''t it?


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    After a night of makeshift amodation at the hotel, Charlotte scrutinized her gaunt reflection in the mirror for a long time.


    She was still at a loss as to why Liam could turn so cold-hearted.


    Masking her weariness with makeup, Charlotte set out for the office.


    Liam''s warning from the night before still echoed in her mind if she upset Chloe again, he would have her banished from Parker Group. With her two-bedroom sanctuary gone, thepany was thest thread tying her to Liam, a thread she was not ready to let go of.


    Arriving at the office before Liam, she meticulously tidied up the workspace and then made her way to the break room to brew some coffee. "Miss Perry, this is my task." The young girl was fresh on the job, boasting a finance degree from a prestigious university. Charlotte stepped back apologetically, "Sorry, my mistake."


    As a personal assistant, she was supposed to tend more to Liam''s personal needs.


    But Liam didn''t want to see her now.


    Memories of her clothes thrown out and her home turned into a doghouse caused her heart to wrench in agony.


    She returned to her desk and waited half an hour for Liam to arrive.


    "Prepare the documents; we''ll have a meeting with the finance and investment departments in fifteen minutes." He briskly set to work as he entered, scarcely ncing at Charlotte by the door. The secretary pool sprung into action, buzzing with activity, while Charlotte stood by the door, unsure of her ce.


    "Mr. Parker..." she began, only to be silenced by Liam''s icy stare.


    "What are you doing here?"


    Stunned, Charlotte watched as the new assistant passed by her with coffee, a poignant reminder of her demotion. Seven or eight minutester, the head secretary called her back in, "Charlotte, Mr. Parker is asking for you."


    "Is there a task for me?"


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "You''ll find out once you''re inside."


    Charlotte followed the head secretary back in, immediately sensing the tense atmosphere in the office.


    Before she could inquire, some documents hurled from behind the desk struck her face.


    "Look at the mess you''ve made, Charlotte!"


    Dumbfounded, she picked up the documents from the floor, their contents blurred and indecipherable.


    "These are crucial documents from our new project partner, needed for the meeting. How could you be so careless, Charlotte?" the head secretary scolded.


    Charlotte went pale, "I didn''t touch the documents..."


    "But you were the only one who went into Mr. Parker''s office this morning!" the head secretary said sternly. "It''s Nancy''s job to clean the office. It''s bad enough that you took it upon yourself to do it, but to be so clumsy as well!" Nancy was the new office assistant.


    Charlotte nced silently at her, noticing the girl''s head bowed, hiding in the back, her lips curling into a secretive smirk.


    Ah.


    A setup.


    But who orchestrated this trap, and who else was in on it?


    Charlotte faced the head secretary with a cool voice, "Do you believe I deliberately damaged the documents?"


    "You were the only one who entered Mr. Parker''s office." The head secretary shot her a meaningful look before addressing Liam.


    "Mr. Parker, for security reasons, the electronic files have been destroyed. Each party had a paper copy, and now that our physical documents arepromised, we must request a duplicate from our partner."


    She looked troubled as she added, "However, the person in charge on their side is known to be quite temperamental and difficult to deal with."


    Silence fell over the office as everyone cautiously observed Liam''s reaction.


    The document debacle, while attributed to Charlotte, also implicated the entire secretarial team if Liam sought ountability, they were all in for it.


    Charlotte looked back at Liam, her heart steady and without a trace of nervousness.

 Chapter 26: I havent used you.

    Having been at his beck and call for what seemed like an eternity, she thought he should have a measure of her character by now She wouldn''t dare to touch his desk, let alone do something as dumb as getting his papers wet with water.


    A guy as sharp as him, can''t he see that this trap was set up just for her?


    Besides, damaging documents hurt thepany''s interests. He doesn''t even allow workce bullying, let alone this kind of behavior.


    Liam, no doubt, was probably more eager than her to expose the troublemaker in their midst...


    "Charlotte, fetch the copies," his voice cut through the tension in the office like a de, easing the collective breath of the room. All but Charlotte''s.


    Her eyes widened, she couldn''t believe that Liam had be so heartless.


    Makes sense, though. If he didn''t even care about her safetyst night, why would he care about her innocence?


    With a gulp of silent agony, she masked her hurt with resolve. "Alright, I''ll get them."


    As she turned to leave, the secretarial hive buzzed to life, following in her wake. The head secretary pulled her aside, handing her an address and contact details.


    "Mr. Crowe is young and enjoys his games. This document is critical, Charlotte. Don''t rile him up. We need it back or else Mr. Parker..."


    "Are you in Chloe''s pocket?" Her sudden usation paled his face.


    Adjusting her sses as if to deflect her words, he feigned ignorance. "What are you implying? Chloe is Mr. Parker''s fianc¨¦e, and Mr. Parker keeps family out ofpany affairs. Why would I be linked to her?" "But you''ve leaked information to her before," Charlotte countered, her words frosted with suspicion as she peeled back his pretenseyer byyer.


    "The dinnerst night was strictly business. Such details are known but to a select few in this department."


    "I..."


    "Don''t bother exining. If not you, then as head secretary, you''re still ountable. If I raise the rm, Liam will surely investigate. Think you can dodge that bullet?"


    she nched visibly, thenposed herself. "Chloe is just a fianc¨¦e trying to get close to her future husband. Mr. Parker won''t hold it against her."


    He wouldn''t me Chloe, not even if she was the architect of today''s disaster.


    After all, Chloe was his chosen one.


    Taking a deep breath, Charlotte''s gaze turned icy. "He wouldn''t me his fianc¨¦e, but what about you?"


    her panic spiked. "What proof do you have against me? Besides, do you think Mr. Parker will entertain your usations? Your words are as good as dust!"


    "We''ll see about that." Without another word, Charlotte walked away.


    But deep down, she knew he was right. Liam wouldn''t give her the time of day she couldn''t even get through his office door!


    Only by retrieving the copies could she hope to earn an audience with him.


    On a whim, she reached for the office door, but as fate would have it, she found herself face-to-face with Liam as he emerged.


    "Mr. Parker," she blurted out, knowing he was unlikely to listen. "I didn''t wet the documents. I wouldn''t dare touch your desk. There''s something fishy going on, and I think it warrants an investigation." "Charlotte." Liam towered over her, his eyes brimming with scorn beneath his loweredshes.


    "When you make a mistake, you fix it. Don''t expect me to clean up after you."


    He leaned in, his voice a whisper in her ear. "Thinking you can manipte me for your own ends? Perhaps you''ve overestimated your worth."


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    "I didn''t!" Charlotte''s indignation was a torrent within her, disbelief coursing through her veins at his usations.


    Yes, she had taken his money, but she had been at his every beck and call, her loyalty not easily bought.


    And now, she hadn''t taken advantage of him in the least!


    Even under the threat of scalding oil from Chloe, she hadn''t thought to drag him into her woes, for fear of miring him in the muck as well.


    How could he indict her so?


    "Liam." Her heart felt shattered in her chest, "I haven''t used you."


    "Hmph."


    Liam''s response was a mere snort of contempt before he pushed past her, striding away with determined steps.


    Charlotte stood there, dumbstruck, not even noticing when someone had approached her.


    "Miss Perry, when I first got hired as a general assistant, everyone said I was lucky, that you need Mr. Parker''s personal approval for this job. They said I was young and pretty, that I''d end up like you, close to Mr. Parker..." "Nancy, is it?" Charlotte cut her off with an icy tone: "A finance graduate from a prestigious school working as a general assistant, aren''t you ashamed?"


    "I..."


    "And, while you may be young, you''re not as pretty as me." Charlotte gave her a dismissive once-over, "I don''t y your game, you rat."


    "You!" Nancy''s face drained of color, how did Charlotte know it was her...


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    She wanted to retort but Charlotte had already walked away briskly.


    Armed with the address given by the head secretary, Charlotte found herself at the base of a techpany''s building.


    To her surprise, she bumped into Daniel.


    "Charlotte?" Daniel was just as surprised to see her: "What brings you here?"


    "I''m here to get a document from Mr. Crowe."


    "Mr. Crowe?" Daniel''s brow furrowed deeply, "Does Mr. Parker know you''re here?"Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    Charlotte looked down, "It was Mr. Parker who sent me."


    Daniel''s expression turned awkward, perhaps Thomas Beaumont''s words fromst night had indeed sunk into Mr. Parker''s heart, his patience and fondness for Charlottepletely worn thin.


    "Then go on up." He watched Charlotte ascend the staircase, hesitated for a moment, and then made a call to Liam, "Mr. Parker, you know what kind of man that Mr.Crowe is, lecherous to the core, sending Charlotte over there..." "Since when is it your ce toment on my staff?"


    Liam''s icy tone left Daniel feeling helpless, his anger so palpable it seemed Mr. Parker''s fury towards Charlotte wouldn''t subside anytime soon.


    "If you don''t care, fine, I just wanted to let you know."


    "Hmph." Liam''s cold scoff echoed again, "Why should I care about her? What does it matter to me whether she lives or dies?"


    "Right, no connection," Daniel muttered, the more one protests, the more care is evident. Why couldn''t Mr. Parker see his own heart?


    After hanging up, Daniel cast a worried nce at the towering building.


    With Charlotte''s beauty, it was easy for her to get in but potentially hard to get out.

 Chapter 27: She was leaving?

    As soon as Charlotte was ushered into the office, the man inside, who seemed to have been anticipating her arrival, stood up in an animated flurry.


    "Mr. Crowe, I''vee to..." Recognition struck Charlotte, and for a fleeting moment, she was speechless.


    "You? You''re actually Mr. Parker''s assistant?"


    The man''s surprise was tinged with a hint of eagerness, and there he was, the same sleazy fellow Charlotte had taught a lesson the night before during an unpleasant roadside encounter. Chloe''s meddling was more intricate than she had thought.


    Charlotte got straight to the point, "I''m here for the copies Mr. Parker requested."


    "Not so fast, Charlotte," Mr. Crowe said, his voice slick as he rubbed his hands together, revealing a set of gleaming teeth. "It must be fate that brings us together again."


    "Please, Mr. Crowe, the copies," Charlotte insisted, her voice firm.


    "You''ve got quite the temper," Mr. Crowe remarked, unfazed, as he dangled a document envelope just out of reach.


    "Share a night with me, and the documents are yours," he proposed brazenly.


    "Mr. Parker''s done with you; why be loyal to him? I''ll throw in two million on top of the documents, how about that?"


    Two million - it was an amount she had earned in half a year with Liam, and now Mr. Crowe was offering it for just one night.


    Charlotte knew Mr. Crowe wouldn''t hand over the documents easily, but she wasn''t about to sacrifice her dignity for them.


    "I need to verify the contents first," she stated.


    "Sure, take your time," Crowe acquiesced, handing her the documents, then casually locked the office door.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    In his territory, with the doors locked, he wasn''t worried about her running off with the documents.


    "I need the originals, or how can I be sure you''re not deceiving me with fakes?" she challenged.


    "No problem, here you go." Crowe was unusually amodating, thinking he had her cornered.


    It was a data file, brimming with numbers that could make one''s head spin.


    "Aren''t you afraid I''ll memorize them and make my own copies?" she asked.


    Croweughed off the idea, "Memorize it? Even the sharpest ountant in my finance department can''t do that. Memorize? Don''t make meugh."


    "I actually can." And Charlotte wasn''t boasting. Her beauty was matched by a rare talent for numbers.


    She had once been a cashier at a supermarket, and when the power went out, it was her mental agility with numbers that saved the day.


    After reviewing the data three times andmitting it to memory, Charlotte tore the papers into pieces without a word.


    Crowe''s smirk turned into a look of horror.


    She fed the shredded pieces into a paper shredder, then finally turned to Crowe, "Shall we talk now, Mr. Crowe?"


    "Talk... about what?" Crowe stammered, panic-stricken. The project was his father''s pet project; he was just ying atpany man.


    If his father found out about the data loss...


    Charlotte smiled at his terrified expression, "Without the documents, Liam might just fire me, but the project stalling will hurt thepany. Think you can handle the fallout?"


    "I..." Crowe was at a loss for words.


    "Did Chloe tell you how much Liam values thepany''s interests when she asked for your help?" Charlotte continued.


    "Chloe... you know about her? What else do you know?"


    "I also know Liam won''t let you off the hook, and neither will Chloe."


    Crowe was shaking in his boots. He was nothing more than a pampered fool, lusting after Charlotte and duped by Chloe''s machinations, waiting in his office for Charlotte to walk right into his trap. If the project truly stalled, not just Liam - his own father would skin him alive!


    Seizing the ripe moment, Charlotte gently began, "I could pin everything on Chloe and the head secretary, but you, little Mr. Crowe, will have to do something for me."


    "What?" He was too shaken to ponder why she referred to him as ''little Mr. Crowe'' instead of just ''Mr. Crowe''.


    "You''ll help me with..."


    Charlotte whispered her condition into his ear before giving him her phone number.


    "After I deal with the head secretary, I''ll send the exact data to you. Don''t be afraid."


    With a handshake that trembled with fear and relief, Charlotte stepped back into the sunlight, a deep breath of satisfaction filling her lungs.


    Next on her agenda was to clear her name and handle the head secretary.


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    Charlotte marched back to Parker Group with purpose, making a beeline for the head secretary''s office. She calmly dropped the bombshell that the critical data had vanished into thin air.


    "I''m not here to debate the merits of your shady dealings with Chloe," Charlotte began, her tone even but her words cutting like a knife. "My reputation is on the line, and that''s my sole concern. Do you grasp the gravity of that?"


    The head secretary''s face drained of color as she weighed the implications, and after a moment''s contemtion, she slipped out of the office without a word.


    Soon enough, the buzz of frantic justifications from Nancy, the new general affairs assistant on the twenty-fourth floor, echoed through the halls. Her protests, however, were short-lived and soon silenced.


    When the head secretary returned, her hair in disarray, she grumbled, "Youth and ambition led her to believe she could climb into Mr. Parker''s bed. She refused to leave."


    Charlotte was really pleased with how well she knew her ce.


    After dealing with the head secretary, there would be others that Chloe could manipte. It might be better to keep this defeated underling around. She could serve as a smokescreen against Chloe, and there''s no fear of this fool daring to stab her in the back a second time.


    With not a single word of the injustice or the obstacles thrown her way, Charlotte quietly handed over the documents.


    "Mr. Parker, I''ve retrieved the copies."


    Liam didn''t respond; instead, he looked her over critically, scanning her from head to toe as if checking to see if someone had touched her.


    With each passing second under his gaze, Charlotte''s heart grew colder.


    It was clear he wasn''t oblivious to her plight; he had deliberately set her up to fail.


    "I''ve been framed," she stated, a surge of defiance pushing her to seek the truth of how far Liam''s cruelty could extend.


    "Only Chloe could orchestrate a scheme of this magnitude."


    Charlotte locked eyes with Liam, searching for any flicker of emotion on his face.


    He despised being manipted, and Chloe''s intrusion into Parker Group affairs was a cardinal sin, even if she was his fianc¨¦e.


    If he truly didn''t care, it meant he was fully aware of Chloe''s actions and had silently condoned them.


    Anxiety knotted in her stomach as she awaited his response.


    "Charlotte," Liam leaned back into his chair, azy,nguid look on his face. "My fianc¨¦e was merely ying a small joke on you."


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    Did he dare call this torment a joke?


    Charlotte wanted tough, but her lips refused to curve into a smile.


    Instead, she let her head drop, hiding the twin trails of tears that she couldn''t hold back.


    She had cried too much for Liam these past few days.


    He wasn''t worth it.


    "Liam, does Chloe''s treatment of me mean nothing to you?"


    "What happens to you is of no consequence to me," his voice was cold, devoid of warmth.


    "Charlotte, we''re done. Those were your words, remember?"


    "Is that so?" A wretched smile flickered on her lips. "I understand now."


    With that, she spun on her heel and strode out, her steps hasty, as if she was desperate to leave everything behind.


    Liam clutched the arms of his chair, hisposure shattered, reced by disbelief and panic.


    She was leaving?


    Had all her attempts to leverage him amounted to nothing more than a hollow my affections for you are genuine? His body tensed, almost unable to stand.


    But then, his calm returned.


    She hadn''t resigned.


    She was still an employee of Parker Group, still his personal assistant.


    Still within his realm of control.


    The anger that had red up dissipated just as quickly.

 Chapter 28: How dare you!

    Upon leaving the office, Charlotte set her sights on the ndestine meeting spot they had agreed upon.


    In the heart of the old quarter sat a quaint caf¨¦, a relic of simpler times, nestled away from prying eyes and the modern world''s digital sentinels. "Sebastian, haven''t I made myself clear? Don''t summon me unless the heavens fall!"


    Chloe''s voice,ced with fury, pierced the air as Charlotte approached the caf¨¦''s entrance.


    Pausing for a brief moment, Charlotte realized that Mr. Crowe''s first name was Sebastian.


    With a gentle push, the door swung open, and Chloe''s interrogation fell silent, her smartphone frozen in her hand as she stared in disbelief.


    "What are you doing here? Sebastian...are you both in this deceit together?"


    After all, she''s messing with things right under Liam''s nose. Chloe didn''t want too many people in on it, so she went to the meeting alone and didn''t have anyone with her at the moment.


    Charlotte''s sudden appearance cast a shadow of disdain in Chloe''s eyes. "Impressive," she sneered, "with your sly charms, it seems Sebastian was easy prey."


    Sebastian''s lecherous reputation and his tant desire for Charlotte were well-known. What wouldn''t a man of his indulgent nature agree to in the throes of passion?


    Thus, Chloe wasn''t shocked to deduce that Sebastian might betray her to Charlotte.


    After all, what threat could the daughter of a gambler pose?


    "If Liam finds out you slept with Sebastian just for those papers, you think he''d be mad?" Chloe asked with a sneer.


    "I didn''t sleep with Sebastian, and Liam''s not gonna find out what happened here today."


    "What?" The panic in Chloe''s voice was palpable for a heartbeat.


    Charlotte, serene as the dawn, took her seat across from Chloe, propped her chin in her hand, and watched theedy of Chloe''s defenses unfold.


    The trap was set; Charlotte had no intention of letting Chloe leave easily.


    "I recorded a video of Sebastian trying to assault me, and just when his dad came to thepany, I threatened to go public with it. His dad asked what I wanted, and I said I needed Sebastian to do something for me." Charlotte spun a web of lies, deliberately keeping her ace-the head secretary-in the dark.


    There was no fear of Chloe confronting Sebastian; the man wasn''t a fool. Any further entanglement would only ensnare him deeper.


    "The truth, Chloe, is that no one will find you before I make my move."


    The flicker of terror in Chloe''s eyes revealed a truth Charlotte knew well: stripped of their status, all are equal in the face of fear.


    "You... what are you nning to do? I''m telling you, Charlotte, if youy a finger on me, the Beaumont family won''t let you off the hook! Neither will Liam!"


    Charlotte remained unmoved and slowly stepped forward, "So if I do nothing, will they just leave me alone?"


    Chloe''s nerves were fraying, unguarded without her bodyguards, and physically no match for Charlotte''s resolve.


    Her mind raced for a way to pacify Charlotte, all the while scheming her own vicious revenge.


    Chloe said, "What do you want? Want me to back off from you and Liam? Fine, Charlotte, he''s not the only marriage candidate for me, he''s not a must-have. I can step aside." "No, you still don''t grasp what I''m after."


    "I do! You want vengeance! You think I caused Annie''s death, but I told you, I didn''t! I''m not the murderer! Let me go, and I''ll reveal the true culprit!"


    "Maybe you''re not the murderer," Charlotte mused, recalling how Chloe had defended herself before Annie''s adoptive father, Thomas Beaumont, without any rebuttal.


    It could be a deeper secret or perhaps the entire Beaumont legacy was culpable.


    But it mattered little.


    Approaching Chloe with a predator''s grace, Charlotte''s voice was soft but chilling. "Annie''s diary was enlightening. Since her arrival at the Beaumonts'', you''ve tormented her: forced her to drink scalding water, sleep in drenched bedding, and even put nails in her shoes. How can one harbor such malice?"


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    In one swift motion, Charlotte seized Chloe''s hair and brought her face crashing down onto the table.


    Chloe''s screams filled the caf¨¦, a symphony of desperation, but no help came.


    "My father, the gambler, my mother, the meek-they may not have left me a legacy, but they taught me a crucial lesson: only the ruthless survive."


    Again and again, Charlotte''s words punctuated each violent crash, until Chloe''s consciousness began to ebb. Only then did Charlotte release her grip, her voice as cold as the void. "Annie''s foster parents helped me out once, but they can''t keep doing it. Vincent has a unique status and can''t afford to stand against the Parker family for my sake."


    "But you, Chloe, with the Beaumont family''s shield and Liam''s affection, you could crush me if you truly wished."


    Chloe, however, chose to weave plots and schemes.


    In a burst of adrenaline-fueled rage, Chloe screamed, "How dare you! I''ll end you, Charlotte!" With newfound strength, she overturned Charlotte.


    As she grabbed the shattered remnants of a coffee cup, her wild hair a curtain of chaos, she lunged at Charlotte, aiming for her face.


    But Charlotte dodged with a furrowed brow.This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    A slip, a crash, and Chloe''s attack turned into a self-inflicted wound as she skidded on the spilled coffee, the ceramic shard tracing a fiery line across her cheek.


    The pain elicited a piercing shriek from Chloe, "You''ve done this, Charlotte! You''ll rue the day. I''ll have your head for this!"


    "It was your own doing, the cup, the fall-all yours," Charlotte countered, her voice calm amidst the storm.


    The ensuing chaos was not what Charlotte had anticipated.


    She had intended only a small lesson, but Chloe''s determination to me her had escted the situation.


    Gazing at the unconscious form of Chloe, Charlotte''s mind raced with possibilities.


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    "Charlotte!"


    Vincent arrived, panic etched on his face, to find Charlotte standing over Chloe, the floor painted in crimson.


    He shook her, desperate for answers, "Charlotte! Is this your doing?"


    Her question was a challenge, "Would you believe me if I said no?"


    Vincent''s face was a battlefield of emotions. If not Charlotte, then who?


    Without trust, Charlotte mused, why bother with exnations?


    Let them point their fingers.


    This could work in her favor, securing Thomas Beaumont''s trust once and for all.


    Charlotte''s resolve returned, "Even without Liam, I have the means to avenge Annie."


    "I know." Vincent felt a whirlwind of emotions. With his powerful background, even he didn''t dare to confront Chloe like this, yet Charlotte, with nothing to her name, had the guts to go directly against Chloe. Charlotte offered him a wan smile, "Then I''ll have to ask Mr. Beaumont to smooth this over for me."


    Vincent''s surprise was evident, "You''ve thought this through?"


    Mr. Beaumont''s trust in Charlotte was shaky, especially with Liam''s continued engagement to Chloe. Further protection seemed unlikely.


    This was Charlotte''s gambit, staking her life to prove her resolve to Mr. Beaumont.


    But the question hung in the air, unspoken yet heavy with implication-"Aren''t you afraid of the Beaumont family''s retribution?"

 Chapter 29: Not Enough

    Charlotte called upon Mr. Beaumont for assistance, her fingers deftly pocketing a shard of porcin, her gaze as hollow as the echo of a ghostly cathedral. "If he can''t save Annie, at least he can salvage the justice I''m seeking in her name." She knew gratitude should have filled her heart; Mr. Beaumont had not only taken Annie under his protective wing but had also nurtured her with a kindness that both Annie and she should have been forever thankful for. Yet, the bitterness lingered, unbidden.


    Her Annie was gone.


    The Beaumonts, stewards of a vast empire, had turned a blind eye as Chloe''s taunts grew into torments, culminating in the unthinkable - Annie''s life extinguished by Chloe''s hand!


    An innocent girl.


    Drowned in cold indifference.


    "Pass the word to Mr. Beaumont," she dered with a resolve forged in the fires of her loss, "the steps he hesitates to take due to blood ties and social standing, I will stride without faltering." "I shall be his avenging spear, the de in his shadow."


    "I am ready to carry the full weight of his vengeance, and I will corner Chloe into the darkest pits of retribution!"


    Annie had been thepass of Charlotte''s life, for whom she had forsaken all else, setting aside her future in the hopes of a reunion filled with joy, only to be greeted with the grievous news of her demise. Tears brimming but unshed, Charlotte looked at Vincent, her voice unwavering, "Tell Mr. Beaumont that my resolve to avenge Annie will not waver for anyone or anything." Vincent was profoundly stirred.


    "Consider it done," he replied, his fists clenching with the promise of protection.


    He understood Charlotte''s trials and tribtions, but it pained him to think they might be in vain.


    "You''re not risking your life just for Mr. Beaumont''s shelter," he said, knowing full well that Chloe''s disfigurement at her hands would incite a ferocious bacsh from the Beaumont family.


    Chloe''s marred beauty could very well lead to the unraveling of her engagement with the Parker family.


    Charlotte bowed her head, a curtain of hair concealing the storm within.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Liam despises me," she confessed with a hollowugh, "though I can''t fathom why, his loathing is palpable."


    Her confidence waned in preventing Liam''s betrothal to Chloe.


    "With Chloe disfigured, Liam could seize the chance to sever ties with the Beaumonts, freeing himself from a web of hate and conflict."


    There was something Charlotte left unsaid.


    She couldn''t bear the thought of Liam standing by Chloe''s side, looking at her with disdain during their inevitable confrontations.


    She knew a future with Liam was out of reach, but neither was Chloe his match.


    Liam deserved... someone better.


    "Our paths are ill-fated," she whispered to herself, "letting him go is my final act of kindness."


    Sometimes silence was a shield.


    With that, Charlotte carefully cleansed the blood from her hands and drifted out like a wraith into the night, leaving the aftermath to Vincent and Thomas Beaumont. Back at the hotel, exhaustion imed her, and she sumbed to sleep.


    When she awoke, the sky was a tapestry of darkness, and a profound emptiness flooded her senses.


    Charging her phone, a barrage of unread messages caught her eye.


    The secretary''s office had flooded her inbox with inquiries about her whereabouts, puzzled by her absence.


    And then there was Liam''s message.


    "Get your butt back here."


    Staring out at the moonlit night, her heart inexplicably raced.


    A mere assistant, if Liam truly detested her, he wouldn''t seek her out with such urgency.


    Even if documents were amiss, he wouldn''t personally reach out.


    He''d use the opportunity to cast her out of the Parker Group.


    Yet, he had.


    Eyes lingering on the tersemand, Charlotte exhaled slowly.


    Let it be an end to matters.


    If it didn''t start well, it should at least end well.


    To seek rity.


    To ask him if his disdain was genuine.


    If so, she''d vanish without a trace.


    To ask him.


    Onest time.


    Urgency whispered in her mind, and Charlotte swiftlyposed herself, hailing a cab straight to Liam''s mansion.


    Liam''s vi was a fortress, impregnable to the uninvited, a testament to the exclusivity within which he dwelled.


    Charlotte had never stepped foot into this sanctuary before; their rendezvous had been confined to the cozier quarters of a two-bedroom delight.


    Reflecting on it, she realized it was perhaps a sign of his nonchnce towards her.


    "Hold tight, miss. I need to check with Mr. Parker if he''s up forpany."


    The guard said, disappearing into the control room as Charlotte cast her eyes towards the vi that stood aze with light in the near distance, her heart pounding with a wild rhythm against her ribcage. The message was clear: she was being turned away.


    Charlotte''s fervor cooled slightly, knowing all too well Liam''s apparent distaste meant he wouldn''t grant her an audience lightly.


    "I''ll wait," she dered.


    Her voice was the embodiment of ast stand, embracing the hurdles thrown her way.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "Miss, the guardhouse is off-limits for loitering," the guard ushered her out sternly.


    Once outside, Charlotte noticed the heavens had opened up, and a soft drizzle had begun to fall.


    She stood under her umbre, a solitary figure in the rain, her baster skin dotted with droplets, her red lips and chestnut hair adding color to the otherwise bleak surroundings.


    She gazed up at the vi, at the warmth of the light within, and at the heart that seemed so cold towards her.


    "Charlotte hasn''t left; she''s still waiting out there," Daniel whispered from behind the curtains, observing her silhouette in the rain.


    He didn''t dare to persuade Liam directly, so he hinted subtly, "Maybe she''s here to apologize."


    Liam, sprawled in his armchair with eyes closed, gave away his inner turmoil through his fluttering eyelids.


    "Mr. Parker, the rain''s getting heavier." Daniel''s worry was palpable as he gazed at the downpour, "Such rain could make her ill if she stays out all night."


    His gaze was fixed on the rainy veil, missing the sudden clench of Liam''s fingers as he rambled on, "Thomas Beaumont ims she''s using you, just to stop your wedding with Chloe. But, Mr. Parker, Chloe was bloodied, rushed to the hospital today, her beauty ruined."


    Daniel''s voice softened with sympathy, "Maybe Charlotte thinks your engagement will be called off because of this, and she''se to you."


    Unsaid was the implication that the engagement was doomed, and despite having no further need to use him, Charlotte still stood in the rain, yearning for a moment with him.


    If only Liam would soften, they could return to their tender, honeyed days.


    Liam opened his eyes, ncing out the window.


    There, not far, was Charlotte, her cheeks wet from the rain, her longing eyes vividly desperate.


    "Not enough," he murmured softly.


    Daniel was perplexed, "What isn''t enough? Mr. Parker, mercy begets mercy; you can''t be too harsh with women."


    As he spoke, a vehicle approached in the periphery of his vision.


    "Chloe''s car," Daniel said, turning to Liam, who sat indifferent, evidently unsurprised by her arrival.

 Chapter 30: do you really hate me?

    As the heavens unleashed a torrential downpour, the temperature plummeted without warning.


    d in a diaphanous dress now drenched by the rain, Charlotte felt the cold seeping into her bones, the fabric clinging to her skin like a second, icy shell.


    Her gaze was fixed on the window, yearning for Liam to materialize there, a beacon in the storm.


    Suddenly, the re of a horn broke through the patter of raindrops, and before Charlotte could move, a sleek ck car raced by, sshing her with its wake of murky water. From within the descending window, Chloe''s bandaged face was a canvas of scorn, her mocking smile a fleeting ghost as the car glided by.


    In that instant, the chill and the filth became inconsequential to Charlotte, as a singr thought pierced her heart:


    It all made sense now; Liam had barred her entry because he had made ns with someone else.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    A tremor of emotion nearly sent her stumbling to the ground.


    She watched, numb, as the car disappeared into the estate, and with it went the smoldering embers of her hope.


    Gripping her phone with trembling hands, Charlotte dialed Liam''s number.


    "Liam, it was never my intent to deceive you with lies."


    His response,den with suspicion, cut through her, "Why then do you linger so close to Vincent?"


    For a moment, Charlotte was at a loss for words.


    Her encounters with Vincent were but a handful - hardly an intimate acquaintance.


    Their true alliance was forged in the shadows of vengeance, but Vincent and Liam were like oil and water.


    She didn''t want to drag Liam into the fray, nor could she risk his potential interference, whether out of disdain for Vincent or favoritism toward Chloe. So she remained silent.


    "Vincent and I... we''ve barely met a few times..."


    "Charlotte," Liam''s voice turned ice-cold, "you''re just an assistant. Do you really belong here?"


    Her eyes fell as the cold soaked deeper into her dress, making her shiver uncontrobly. "Liam, I''m so cold."


    His silence was deafening.


    She was showing vulnerability.


    But why did she think that he would forgive her just because she pleaded with him a bit?


    His voice, strained and low, bore nofort, "Charlotte, you''ve brought this upon yourself."


    Then, abruptly, another voice hummed through the phone.


    "Liam, it''s pouring outside, and I''m freezing."


    "Is that so? Come here, let me warm your hands."


    "Thank you, Liam!"


    The cloying sweetness of Chloe''s voice coupled with Liam''s indulgence pierced Charlotte like icy daggers, and a bone-deep coldness spread throughout her body. Eyes closed, her hand shook, barely holding the phone.


    "Liam, do you really hate me that much?"


    The question was a folly; his actions had spoken volumes, and to voice it was to court humiliation.


    Yet, the moment Charlotte decided to confront him, she had already torn her pride to shreds.


    Tears blurred her vision as she looked toward the vi, "If you say you hate me, I''ll leave this instant. You keep your word, Liam, and so will I."


    The line went dead for a heartbeat, and then Liam''s voice tinged with annoyance, crackled through.


    "Is this a threat?"


    "No," Charlotte whispered, eyes shut tight in agony, "I''m begging you for an answer."


    His silence returned, more profound than before.


    Charlotte had yed this card before, every time pushing his limits, every time demanding he draw a line with Chloe.


    And now?


    Did she think he would cave to her veiled threats as he had before?


    A surge of anger rose within Liam, incensed by her obstinacy, that she dared to manipte him even now!


    Beneath the anger, an unacknowledged fear lingered.


    Fear that her words were earnest, fear that she would indeed walk away at a moment''s notice.


    Liam struggled for a response, while Chloe felt the stakes rising.


    Her face, marred and meant to be mended in the solitude of a hospital room, was here out of desperation, driven by the news of Charlotte''s visit.


    To think, Liam, upon seeing her injuries, couldn''t muster a word of concern!


    Was his affection for her so fleeting?


    All because of Charlotte!


    She was determined to make Charlotte pay!


    She wanted Liam to realize that she was the one who truly loved him, the one who was really meant for him!


    So, despite her pain, she rushed over here to prevent Charlotte and Liam from reconciling.


    Before Liam had a chance to respond, Chloe said with a cry in her voice, "Liam, I knew I wasn''t worthy of you. Did you... did you want to break off our engagement?"


    All eyes were on Liam, awaiting a word that would break the silence, but he offered none.


    Charlotte felt a pang of doubt, wondering if his heart still harbored a ce for Chloe.


    In a moment of reckless courage, Charlotte put her pride on the line.


    "Liam," she coaxed with a voiceced with honey, "Chloe''s allure may have faded, but I remain radiant."


    Liam''s gaze was shrouded with shadows, haunted by Thomas Beaumont''s words.


    He saw through Charlotte''s charade; her submission was a maniption, a means to an end.


    How long would she continue this deception?


    He was determined not to y into Charlotte''s schemes.


    "The engagement stands," Liam dered, setting off a whirlwind of reactions around him.


    Chloe''s joy was irrepressible, herughter ringing through the room, "I always knew I held a special ce in Liam''s heart!"


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! But alongside Chloe''s jubtion rose a towering wave of despair in Charlotte.


    Why? Why wouldn''t he break off the engagement?


    Chloe had once cast him aside, and now, with her face...


    Why couldn''t he let go, even now?


    Grief and disappointment overwhelmed her, and as the rain poured down, Charlotte''s strength faltered, and she copsed.


    "Mr. Parker! Charlotte has fainted!" Daniel''s voice was edged with urgency.


    Liam''s eyes narrowed, and he sprang to the window. Catching sight of the fallen figure in the rain, he bolted downstairs. "Liam, dear Liam!" Chloe''s voice halted him, "You''ve not once inquired about my injury, and now you rush to her?"


    "Chloe," his voice was a de, "Do not stir trouble."


    "I''m not!" Chloe protested through tears, "She''s the one who disfigured me, your fianc¨¦e! Liam, it hurts so much, Please don''t leave me!"


    "Why would Charlotte harm you without cause? What vile act did youmit to provoke such cruelty?" Liam''s voice was ice.


    "It''s because she envies me! She doesn''t want me to marry you! Isn''t that reason enough?"


    "Do you really think she cares about any of that?!"


    His sudden outburst left Chloe frozen, a shocking thought crossed her mind - did Liam believe Charlotte''s affection was all an act? This was... a delightful twist!


    Excitement flickered in Chloe''s eyes.


    Liam, still seething, warned her, "Do not cause strife, do not trouble her. Only those who listen survive."


    "...Fine," Chloe stiffened at his words, her excitement vanishing like mist.


    Even suspecting Charlotte''s indifference, Liam still cared for her safety.


    Why?


    Her own betrothed hardly concerned himself with her disfigurement, yet he threatened her for Charlotte, that bitch?


    That bitch! Charlotte, damned be her fate!


    A glint of malice sparked in Chloe''s eyes, and a dark n began to take shape.

 Chapter 31: Havent you figured out why yet, Charlotte?

    In the midst of a downpour, Liam, without even bothering with an umbre, dashed towards the unconscious figure of Charlotte on the ground.


    "Charlotte!" He scooped her up with a tenderness that belied his urgency, while Daniel had the car running, ready to head to the hospital on a dime.


    On the way, Charlotte was burning up, her fever spiking as if trying topete with the rain''s chill.


    She must''ve been freezing; instinctively, she clung to Liam, the closest source of warmth, curling into his embrace, her breaths hot against his chest, as if trying to draw in his very warmth. Liam''s heart softened, beating a tender rhythm as he gently stroked her back, offering silent sce.


    Daniel caught a glimpse of this tender tableau in the rearview mirror and mused to himself that perhaps, it''s when words cease that hearts speak the loudest.


    Upon reaching the hospital, Charlotte was carried through the entire examination process. The doctor, who had a penchant for traditional remedies, took her pulse in passing.


    "The patient seems fraught with anxiety, stuck in a tense limbo even in unconsciousness. Has she been troubledtely? She must find peace, or healing will remain elusive," the doctor noted. Liam''s expression clouded, his gaze falling as he pondered. Had he been too harsh on her?


    Despite the medication, Charlotte''s fever refused to retreat. When a nurse suggested a rub-down with alcohol to reduce the fever, Liam sent her away.


    "I''ll do it," he insisted, warming the alcohol in his palms before carefully applying it to Charlotte''s back.


    Charlotte, in her vulnerability nestled against him like a kitten seekingfort.


    For several days, amidst the storm of their lives, this was perhaps their most serene and tender moment.


    But Liam knew, that once the fever broke and Charlotte awoke, their truce would shatter, and the tension would return.


    Charlotte''s betrayal hung over him like a dagger in his heart; with every attempt at forgiveness, the de seemed to twist deeper, extinguishing his willingness to forgive.


    "You''ve destroyed everything, Charlotte," he whispered to her sleeping form.


    Charlotte endured a feverish night, and Liam remained her steadfast sentinel until dawn''s early light crept across the sky. Only after Daniel''s persistent coaxing did he gentlyy her down to rest.


    Daniel was nudging, "The meeting today is a big deal. We''ve got to chat with some partners, so you gotta rest up to stay sharp for it."


    Liam''s eyes lingered on Charlotte with an intensity that spoke volumes.


    "Get some trustworthy servants from the old mansion toe over."


    "At once," came the reply.


    As Daniel strode away, dialing the mansion, his voice was firm, a clear warning to the names he listed, "She''s in your hands now. Fail her, and there''ll be hell to pay."


    The two departed hastily, oblivious to the bandaged woman in the corner of the safety passage, her gaze piercing as if piecing together aplex puzzle.


    The staff from the mansion arrived swiftly, a trio of matronly figures shoulder to shoulder, their search ending at room 203.


    "203... here we are!"


    A few folks stopped in front of door 203, just about to push the door open, when a woman came out with a smile, saying, "You''ve all been so considerate, but I said I could manage on my own. Liam insisted on having youe to take care of me."


    Their surprise was evident at recognizing Miss Beaumont, wondering silently if a facial injury warranted such fuss, but they quickly acquiesced; if the young master wished it, even a single fallen hair of Miss Beaumont deserved their utmost


    care.


    "Oh, Miss Beaumont, what befell your face?" they inquired with genuine concern.


    "Just a little stumble," Chloe replied with a dismissiveugh, "A trifle, really. But breakfast has eluded me; might you assist?"


    "Of course! That''s what we''re here for," they affirmed, eager to serve.


    Once alone, Chloe''s smile vanished, her expression darkening with the storm of her thoughts.


    A reconciliation? Impossible.


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    Charlotte should abandon any hope of mending fences with Liam.


    A cough from the room broke her reverie, and Chloe, with narrowed eyes, returned to the bedside.


    "Charlotte, you''re awake."


    Charlotte awoke with a start, her first instinct to seek the warmth that had guarded her through the night. But instead of thatforting presence, she was met with Chloe''s disdainful visage. "Disappointed it''s me?" Chloe mocked, arms crossed, "Were you expecting Liam, perhaps?"


    Ignoring the taunt, Charlotte queried, "What brings you here?"This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "You owe me your gratitude," Chloe imed, "It was I who spared you from the storm''s wrath."


    Charlotte scoffed at the notion of Chloe ying the savior.


    Chloe''s smile twisted, "Of course, I saved you. Your suffering is the vessel for my vengeance. Look at my face; it bears the marks of pain meant for you."


    She reached out to touch Charlotte''s face, but Charlotte pped her hand away.


    "Charlotte, my face is ruined, and I can''t stand to see yours stay beautiful."


    "Then go ahead, I''m all weak right now, won''t put up a fight."


    Chloe''s smile froze, her anger rising like a tide. "You think I wouldn''t dare?"


    Charlotte met her gaze defiantly, "If you had the courage, my pain would have already served as my rude awakening."


    Chloe hesitated, her hate-filled hands trembling.


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    With a dismissive pat, Charlotte rose and dressed, "Save your breath; I find your words as empty as this room."


    "Don''t believe me? Then call Liam and ask him if it was me who had you brought to the hospital!"


    Charlotte paused when she heard that. Liam had made it clearst night that he would continue his engagement with Chloe and that he truly disliked her.


    He wouldn''t have been the one to send her to the hospital.


    So what would be the point of calling him? It would be nothing more than a fresh wave of humiliation.


    Seeing Charlotte''s dazed look, Chloe''s lips curled into a smirk.


    At this hour, Liam would be swamped with meetings, and unlikely to answer his phone. In the unlikely event Charlotte did reach out to him, she would be met with silence. "What''s the matter, scared to make the call?"


    Charlotte locked eyes with her adversary. "And if the call does go through, it might just undo all your clever little schemes for today, wouldn''t it, Miss Beaumont?"


    Without giving Chloe a chance to retort, Charlotte ushered her out. "If you''re not going toy a finger on me, then you might as well leave before you trip over another shard of porcin and add to that collection of scars on your face." "You!" Chloe spat out, furious. "Do you really think I can''t touch you, Charlotte?"


    "If you actually had a way to harm me, you wouldn''t be standing here wasting your breath," Charlotte countered with a steely calm.


    She knew her continued safety was thanks to Thomas and Vincent''s unseen aid.


    Yesterday''s events had been a stroke of luck, allowing Chloe to face the consequences of her own actions.


    But such opportunities would be rare in the future.


    Chloe, on the other hand, had the mighty Beaumont family and Liam in her corner. Once she dealt with Thomas and Vincent, Charlotte would be her next target for revenge.


    Chloe, seething with rage, delivered onest venomous parting shot before she stormed off. "Even with my face ruined, Liam hasn''t called off our engagement. Haven''t you figured out why yet, Charlotte?"

 Chapter 32: And Youre Expected To Be There.

    Charlotte watched in silence as Chloe stormed out in a fury.


    She understood all too well.


    Rumors had been swirling around the Parker Group-whispers that Liam''s love for Chloe ran deep. Despite Chloe once betraying him in a power y, he remained steadfast by her side. Charlotte had been skeptical at first, but now, she was beginning to believe. Liam''s love for Chloe was genuine, it seemed.


    Staggering slightly, still dizzy from the day''s events, Charlotte allowed herself a moment of rest in the quiet of the hospital room.


    She didn''t really think Chloe was behind her being here, nor did she imagine Liam would be involved-she''d assumed the good-hearted Daniel hade to her aid.


    So when Liam appeared at the doorstep of the hospital room, urgency etched on his face, Charlotte was momentarily stunned.


    "What are you doing here...?"


    "Where''s Chloe?" he demanded as if dousing the flicker of hope inside her with icy water.


    "She''s gone," Charlotte replied


    Was he so concerned that she might have somehow threatened Chloe in her weakened state?


    Charlotte gave a bitterugh, "I''m so sick I can''t be a threat to Chloe. Mr. Parker can rest easy."


    Liam red at her, then settled himself on the sofa with a heavy heart.


    Charlotte''s heart ached as she watched him, her voice barely a whisper, "Mr. Parker, do you truly intend to marry Chloe?"


    Her earnest question, eyes glistening with unshed tears, made it difficult for anyone to lie.


    Liam looked away, "You said she wasn''t beautiful."


    "So what?" Charlotte couldn''t believe her ears. Justst night, she had swallowed her pride and insisted to Liam that Chloe, with her marred face, couldn''tpare to her own beauty, pleading with him to reconsider their engagement, to give her a chance instead.


    What did Liam''s words mean now? Had he changed his mind? Was he not going to proceed with the engagement to Chloe?


    Charlotte needed a clear answer, desperation clear in her voice, "I don''t understand, Liam. Tell me you won''t go through with the engagement to Chloe, right?"


    Disregarding her dignity, she clutched at his arm, tears ready to spill from her eyes at any moment.


    Her pitiable state tugged at Liam''s heart.


    Just as he was about to say no, her tears fell.


    "I know you despise me, tired of my constant pestering," she sobbed. "Mr. Parker, I promise, if you don''t marry Chloe, I will never bother you again."


    She was at her wit''s end.


    Even when Liam hadn''t grown weary of her, he still wouldn''t break his promise to Chloe.


    Now that he was clearly disgusted with her, there was nothing she could do to stop him from marrying Chloe.


    Liam''s feelings for Chloe were real.


    But her desperate pleas couldn''t sway the oue.


    Liam pulled his arm away forcefully, eyes reddened.


    Stop bothering him?


    Was she discarding him once she got his promise not to marry Chloe because he was no longer of any use to her?


    "Charlotte," he said, more heartbreak than anger in his voice.


    "Chloe is my best choice."


    His cold stare was a stark contrast to the warmth they once shared, "What right do you have to interfere with my marriage?" Hearing him say that, Charlotte''s heart turned to ice.


    The best choice, the woman he most adored-put together, he truly had no reason to abandon Chloe.


    "I understand," Charlotte said, her voice steady as she rose to her feet, her tears unstoppable.


    She couldn''t bear to look at Liam any longer. She drifted towards the door like a lost soul.


    "I won''t stand in your way anymore. Don''t worry, I''ll resign and leave."


    Thwarting Liam from bing Chloe''s pir was merely the opening gambit in a long game of revenge, but far from the most critical move.


    Even with Liam in her corner, Chloe wasn''t invincible; opportunities for retribution would surely arise.


    Yet... Charlotte bit her lip, a prisoner of her own turbulent thoughts.


    The harsh truth settled like a storm cloud; she would never have her moments with Liam again.


    She harbored no grand illusions of love, merely a longing to bask a little longer in his presence.


    But even this modest wish remained unfulfilled.


    As despair threatened to swallow her whole she reached for the door to make her exit, a firm hand sped over hers, anchoring her to the spot.


    Charlotte froze, any semnce of hope dissolving into the ether.


    "What do you think you''re doing, Mr. Parker?"


    "Leaving after attacking my fianc¨¦e? It''s not as easy as you think," he countered, a steely edge to his voice.


    Charlotte trembled slightly, recalling how Chloe''s attempt to mar her face had, in a twist of fate, resulted in her own injury amidst a ballet of spilled coffee.


    She was an innocent bystander in her own tragedy.


    "Do you have proof it was my doing?" she retorted.


    "No need for proof. Chloe''s usation is enough," his voice was a dark omen, "and that makes it your doing."


    "Believing only her side of the story?" Charlotte''s voice dripped with irony.


    His favoritism towards Chloe was obvious, a shield of bias she couldn''t prate.


    Realizing escape was unattainable today, Charlotte inhaled deeply and posed the question directly, "So, Mr. Parker, how do you n to avenge Chloe? Will you maim my face or break my hands?" Despair was all Liam had to offer her today.


    Whatever he chose to do now wouldn''t surprise her in the least.


    Her defiance ignited his fury anew, "Silence!"


    Liam red, searching her eyes for a sliver of softness, any hint of vulnerability.


    He needed just a glimpse of it to excuse her actions.


    But found none.


    Her gaze was a fortress of stubbornness and anger as if he was the most unforgivable foe.


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    Tired of her confrontational stance, he summoned Henry to escort Charlotte back to thepany.


    "Why to thepany? After I supposedly mangled Chloe''s face, do you still want me as your PA? Aren''t you worried Chloe will be furious?" she challenged.


    "Miss Perry, enough!" Henry led her away.


    Even after the door closed, Liam could still hear her defiant cries.


    What did she have left to shout about?


    Sinking into the couch, Liam massaged his throbbing temples with a weary hand.


    Daniel entered, treading lightly, "What happened? Did Chloe reallye after Charlotte?"


    When Daniel got a message from the servant asking what Chloe liked to eat, he sensed something was off. After checking, he indeed found out that Chloe hade to the hospital. He had informed Liam, who had rushed from a meeting to the hospital, fearing Chloe might take advantage of Charlotte''s vulnerability.


    How had ite to this, Charlotte leaving in tears, and Mr. Parker looking so defeated?


    "Mr. Parker..."Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    "She''s promised to stop haunting me if I drop the idea of marrying Chloe."


    "What?" Daniel was incredulous, nearly unable to grasp the weight of her words.


    Liam chuckled, a touch of scorn in his voice, "Well, I''m not about to grant her that wish."


    "But you can''t mean... Mr. Parker!" Daniel blurted out, his protest falling short. Before he could finish, Liam had already strode out of the room with purpose.


    On the other end, Charlotte found herself ushered straight into thepany.


    Henry told her to wait in the CEO''s office for Liam, but Charlotte tly refused, "I''m not going. If I end up wetting any documents, I can''t take that responsibility."


    With no other choice, Henry stationed her in the manager''s office, making it clear she was to be kept under watchful eyes.


    Henry had no choice but to keep her manager''s office.


    Charlotte spent her day cloistered in the quiet of the office until Daniel arrived at dusk, his eyes heavy with sympathy.


    "Mr. Parker''s engagement to Chloe is set for tomorrow evening," he informed her, his voice gentle yet firm, "and you''re expected to be there."

 Chapter 33: And youre so sure I will?

    Hearing this news, Charlotte shivered but didn''t show much of any other reaction.


    She was already so heartbroken that even the news of his engagement couldn''t stir her emotions anymore. Guessing it was Chloe''s idea to invite her.


    Part showing off, part dering war on her.


    With Liam backing her up, even with Vincent and Thomas pitching in, getting revenge is going to be tough. Drawing in a deep breath, her resolve as still as the depths of the ocean, she replied, "Fine. I''ll be there."


    "You..." Daniel was exasperated, caught between two stubborn souls who seemed tomunicate more in silence than in speech. "Fine! Do as you please!" he stormed off, muttering about the futility of it all.


    The buzz of Liam''s impending engagement with Chloe reached Thomas and Vincent in no time


    As Charlotte emerged from thepany, she found Vincent''s car waiting at the curb, with Thomas already inside.


    "Liam''s sudden engagement announcement has been discreet, given Chloe''s facial injury. The Parker and Beaumont families have agreed to keep a lid on it, hence the news hasn''t spread far," Thomas stated, his eyes betraying fatigue behind his spectacles.


    He turned to Charlotte, "This might be a good sign. It''s possible Liam isn''t wholeheartedly into this engagement with Chloe."


    Charlotte perceived the subtext but remained unconvinced.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    Chloe''s marred beauty had left her vulnerable; Liam''s rushed betrothal seemed more like a reassurance, a way to soothe her insecurities


    After all, his affection for Chloe was no secret.


    "Charlotte, it''s a private affair with just the Parker and Beaumont families. If Chloe and Liam specifically asked for you, it''s not without an ulterior motive. I fear they''ll make things difficult for you," Vincent expressed his concern.


    Resting her head against the car window, Charlotte watched the bustling crowd outside. "I''ll be fine," she assured herself, "I''ll just watch from a distance."


    Vincent started to protest but was cut off by Thomas, "Let her go if she wishes."


    Then, turning to Charlotte, "Use this card to pick a dress. Don''t let them underestimate you."


    She epted the ck bank card without hesitation.


    Having resolved to seek vengeance together, she felt no shame in epting help from her allies.


    Charlotte stepped out at a boutique studio to select her dress alone. Vincent, watching her leave, voiced his worry, "Mr.Beaumont, why not stop her?"


    "Never underestimate her," Thomas replied, his gaze sharp behind his sses, "She''s braver than all of us."


    The studio rmended by Thomas specialized in bridal and evening gowns. After trying on a few, Charlotte settled on a red backless mermaid dress with a high slit, ented with golden thread that made her skin gleam like snow, her charm undeniable.


    "That dress is a perfect match for you!" the sales attendant gushed, leading Charlotte to a ss showcase, "Here''s ourtest bridal collection. A beauty like you, with such an elegant figure, would look stunning in any of these!"


    The attendant nced around, "Didn''t your fianc¨¦ apany you? He would surely be overjoyed to see his lover like this."


    Lover... Charlotte''s fingers clenched and then rxed, a wry smile on her face, "It''s just a gown for a banquet, there is no lover or something."


    She once did, but that person was now just a memory, washed away byst night''s torrential rain.


    Her phone rang abruptly, and with a gesture for the attendant to prepare the bill, Charlotte turned and answered the call.


    "Lottie," Maria''s voice sounded worn and weary after days of silence, "could you... could you send some money home? We don''t even have enough to eat."


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    Charlotte remained silent.


    Maria continued, "Your brother still needs to pay next semester''s tuition, and they''re saying he needs aputer too. He''s growing, and needs new clothes, and new shoes. It doesn''t matter to me, but your brother''s future as a college student can''t bepromised."


    After a brief pause, Maria cautiously added, "Lottie, Dad mentioned that Mr. Parker is quite fond of you, that he''s given you a considerable sum. You haven''t spent it, have you? Surely, you''ve been saving it?"


    As Charlotte''s fingers traced the ss encasing the stunning bridal gowns, her hand faltered, her heart heavy with sorrow.


    So what if she was expected to hand over the money earned through her sacrifices to Axel, the profligate?


    Was her fate merely to serve as a stepping stone for her brother while she,cking formal education, was deemed unworthy of a better life?


    "You make money so easily, Lottie. Let''s use your savings for your brother''s expenses, shall we?" Maria spoke again.


    Charlotte''s fingers slid powerlessly down the ss, her eyes closing to shut out the sight of the pristine dresses.


    Her love had chosen someone else, her family had not chosen her.


    At that moment, she felt betrayed by everyone, utterly alone.


    "Doesn''t it look lovely?" Chloe twirled on the grass in her white gown, asking eagerly to herpanion.


    Her friend Ava was quick to praise, "Gorgeous, absolutely! You should definitely wear this dress tomorrow. It willplement Mr. Parker''s ck suit perfectly! Right, Mr. Parker? Mr. Parker?"


    Ava''s repeated calls went unanswered, and exchanging a look with Chloe, she stood up to approach him.


    Seated in a lounge chair, Liam was stiff, his gaze fixed in one direction.


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    Bathed in the gentle light of the disy, a woman stood in a golden-threaded red gown, her skin a luminous contrast. Alone, she stood transfixed by the bridal dress, a single tear tracing her cheek before falling... Liam was staring at Charlotte!


    Ava hurried to inform Chloe, who saw Liam''s gaze fixed on Charlotte and nearly ground her teeth in frustration.


    "Charlotte!" Without a second thought, she just wanted to break that gaze.


    Her call snapped Charlotte out of her reverie. She looked over instinctively, first seeing Chloe in white, and then Liam, seated in front of her.


    They were picking out an engagement dress... They were getting engaged tomorrow.


    Charlotte lowered her gaze, masking all emotion, and walked away.


    Charlotte returned home.


    "Lottie! Lottie, you''re back!" Maria greeted her with excitement, and without letting her sit down, she asked eagerly, "Did you bring the money?"


    Sensing Charlotte''s detached demeanor, Maria awkwardly wrung her hands, "I didn''t lie, we really have nothing left..."


    "Just a few days ago, someone gave Robert three million. Didn''t he give you any?" Charlotte inquired.


    At the mention of this, Maria became indignant, "That heartless man! As soon as he got the money, he wasted it on debauchery and hasn''t been home for days!" "Why don''t you demand money from him?"


    "He won''t give us any, Lottie..."


    Charlotte stared at her coldly, "And you''re so sure I will?"

 Chapter 34: Fight for Whats Yours

    "No, but, Lottie. I''m not lying when I say there''s not a dime left for groceries."


    "Then starve," Charlotte replied, her voice as cold as ice, her eyes betraying no sympathy for Maria''s desperate pleas, not even when Maria was on her knees.


    But someone couldn''t stand by and watch. Axel stormed in from outside, his blood boiling at the sight of Maria on her knees.


    In a few strides, he was upon Charlotte, fists poised to strike.


    "You heartless wench! Can''t you see mom is begging?"


    Charlotte dodged, but Axel was relentless, hurling insults as he lunged to grab her.


    "You''re nothing but a tramp, Charlotte! mbering into Liam''s bed and yet you bring back nothing, letting Mom and dad suffer! And here I am,ughed at in school because of you. What''s the point of your existence? You might as well be dead!"


    p.


    With a swift backhand, Charlotte''s p left Axel stunned and reeling.


    He tried to retaliate, but she was quicker, her kick sending him sprawling.


    "Lottie!" Maria cried out, throwing herself at Charlotte''s legs. "Your brother''s just a boy; he doesn''t understand. Don''t stoop to his level!"


    "He''s an adult!" Charlotte roared back, the cold indifference of her family rendering her incapable of any sympathy for this woman called mother.


    Maria begged, "We''re family, Lottie! Remember how hard it was for me to raise you all?"


    Charlotte''s heart turned to ice. Family? Where do some suffer and others thrive? She red at Axel who was shivering on the ground.


    "Give me Annie''s old clothes. I know you kept a set hidden," she demanded coldly.


    Maria flinched, a sense of dread washing over her. "What do you need those for? What are you nning, Lottie?"


    "There''s no need for you to know. Just understand that you won''t get another cent from me. Whether your husband or your son starves or freezes, it''s none of my concern."


    Charlotte stepped over her and walked towards the master bedroom wardrobe.


    Pulling out a cheap pink dress from the very bottom, she caressed the coarse fabric, recalling how Annie used to trot behind her in that dress, the two of them chattering away while scrounging for coins dropped by others. "Lottie," Maria''s voice was tentative as she followed, clutching at Charlotte''s hand. "Tell me, what are you going to do? You''ve never cared about this dress, why now..."


    "Here''s a piece of advice - leave now while you still can, or Robert and Axel will bleed you dry," Charlotte said as she packed the dress, her expression steely.


    Without Maria''s protection, it would have been difficult to grow up safely under Robert''s thumb. She never forgot that kindness, but it was also the leverage Maria used to exploit her time and again.


    Charlotte handed Maria a bank card. "There''s twenty thousand in this card."


    Maria could use the money to escape or to buy Axel aputer. The oue, good or bad, was entirely up to her.


    "This settles any debt of gratitude I owed you."


    With those words, Charlotte walked away.


    Maria followed, frantic. "Lottie, where are you going? What are you going to do? I''m scared, Lottie... your words sound like a final goodbye..."


    But Charlotte''s pace quickened, leaving Maria behind with her choice and her fallen son.


    Charlotte spent the entire day cocooned in thefort of her hotel bed, the world beyond her room a distant blur.


    A call from Sophia, her head manager, pierced the silence, her sigh of relief audible when she learned her absence was simply a refusal to work. "I''ll sort out your leave; make sure you''re here tomorrow," she insisted. Charlotte puzzled over her eagerness for her return, suspecting Liam''s hand in this.This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    Perhaps he was plotting payback for Chloe''s scar, wanting Charlotte under his watchful eye for easy retribution.


    As dusk painted the sky, she met Thomas, who escorted her to the hastily arranged engagement party of Liam and Chloe.


    The venuecked decoration but still shimmered with opulence.


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    The guest list was exclusive, family only, no outsiders.


    The arrival of Charlotte and Thomas was like a stone dropped into still water, rippling attention throughout the room.


    "Charlotte?!" Chloe''s aunt charged over, her fury barely contained as she turned to Thomas, "Brother, do you realize you''ve brought a siren to Chloe''s engagement? Has she bewitched you too?" "Lady," Charlotte''s voice was a de of ice. "Liam invited me. If you seek someone to me for his choices, look to him."


    With a poise that belied the storm around her, Charlotte glided to her seat.


    Patricia had to hold back her anger. The whole Beaumont family was in the dark about Liam inviting Charlotte ¡ª it was like he didn''t even consider the Jin family important at all! Charlotte hit Chloe once, and the second time, she ended up scratching Chloe''s face. Would she have dared to do such a thing if Liam wasn''t backing her up?


    Patricia''s eyes locked onto Charlotte, resplendent in a crimson dress, her slender waist, and long legs drawing the room''s gaze, shining bright against Chloe''s bandaged-faced shadow. The contrast was a p to Chloe''s already wounded visage.


    Patricia''s fists clenched. Charlotte must not be allowed to overshadow Chloe, especially not in Liam''s presence.


    "Come," she whispered to two trusted servants, her instructions a venomous secret.


    They nodded and slipped away.


    "Liam''s here."


    Thomas''s voice pulled Charlotte from her reverie. She lifted her gaze, finding him across the room, a stark figure against the white drapes.


    Charlotte didn''t want to keep looking at him, but as she tried to look away, she noticed he had turned his face towards her at some point, staring at her without blinking.


    His gaze a hunter''s, hers the prey.


    Charlotte''s head dropped.


    Thomas noted her shift, murmuring, "Such modest decor; perhaps Liam''s heart isn''t truly in it."


    It was his second hint.


    Charlotte knew what he meant. Thomas always believed she should stay close to Liam, using Liam''s interest in her to take Chloe down a peg.


    But she wasn''t willing.


    She wouldn''t use Liam.


    Seeing her silent, Thomas understood her thoughts. "I used to think what''s mine woulde to me without a fight, didn''t want topete or struggle. But after Annie passed away, I realized that even if I don''t fight for it, others wille and try to take what''s mine."


    His eyes met hers, a silent challenge. "You''re brave. Live without regrets."


    Charlotte wanted to thank him, but her voice was a prisoner in her throat.


    She had been brave, shed her dignity for courage.


    But he chose Chloe.


    It wasn''t regret; it was fate.


    A sourness touched her heart. Fearing her emotions might betray her, she excused herself to the restroom.


    "Be careful," Thomas warned. "The Beaumont family would devour you if given the chance."


    She nodded, exiting the restroomposed. Reaching for a paper towel, she noticed a note stuck to her waist.


    With a cautious touch, she unfolded the mystery.

 Chapter 35 Whats your real plan?

    "Meet me in the garden," the note read, penned with a flourish that could only belong to Liam.


    Charlotte''s heart skipped a beat as she crumpled the paper in her fist.


    An invitation from Liam to the garden, of all ces, and during his engagement party with Chloe? Preposterous.


    It screamed of a trap, and Charlotte was no fool to walk blindly into it.


    She flushed the note down the toilet, her mind racing back to Thomas''s side.


    Taking a corner, she caught a glimpse of Liam, a solitary figure heading toward the garden.


    Doubt nibbled at her resolve.


    The party was about to begin; what urgent matter could he possibly have there alone?


    Could the note have actually been from him?


    Returning to her seat, she leaned toward Thomas and whispered a contingency n, "Someone slipped me a note to meet in the garden. If I''m not back soon,e looking for me." With Thomas''s nod, she took a deep breath and made her way quickly to the garden.


    Her haste blinded her to Patricia''s smirk across the table.


    Patricia, the architect of this cruel game, had sent notes to both Liam and Charlotte, but not to kindle romance.


    No, what awaited Charlotte in the garden was a setup involving a drunken ruffian, staged for Liam''s unfortunate discovery.


    Patricia''s smile widened as she anticipated the scandal that would unfold.


    Afterst night''s downpour, the garden was a treacherous tapestry of mud and slick grass.


    Charlotte moved cautiously, yet nothing could have prepared her for the child who dashedughing into her path, sending her sprawling into the muddy embrace of the flowerbeds. Covered in the earth''s sticky grasp, her vision obscured by stters, her dress ruined.


    "The kid doesn''t know any better, I''m sorry." A maid arrivedte, picked up the child, and apologized formally. Then, she called over another tall and sturdy maid. "Take Miss Perry to change her clothes." The tone of the maid''s voice confirmed Charlotte''s suspicions - it was indeed a trap.


    She envisioned the next act: a strange man barging in during her change of clothes, his intentions turning unsavory, their struggle coincidentally witnessed by a passing Liam...


    Steadying herself, Charlotte exhaled softly.


    "Thomas Beaumont wille looking if I''m dyed, and besides..." She tilted her head, eyeing the servant, "Subduing me won''t be as easy as you think."


    She might not win in a brawl, but Charlotte was certain she could outmaneuver them.


    The game was afoot, and she wasn''t one to fold so easily.


    Despite her expectations, the maid spoke with a casual air, "Ease your mind, dear, we''re not the cutthroats you imagine, we mean you no harm."


    Her words took a sudden sharp turn, "I''ve heard tales of Miss Perry''s prowess in a scuffle, but surely you know that even the sharpest hawk can be overwhelmed by a swarm of doves." As her voice trailed off, a symphony of footsteps surrounded them, indicating a crowd was drawing near.


    Charlotte managed a wry smile in resignation, "Very well, then."


    She followed the maid,pliant as amb, to a room near the garden to change her attire.


    Before leaving her, the maid offered a peculiar piece of advice, "Wipe that pretty face clean, darling; a beauty like yours shouldn''t be hidden."


    Charlotte found it all exceedingly strange but couldn''t quite put her finger on why, though events were unfolding just as she''d predicted.


    Was the intrusion of a mysterious man next on the agenda?


    After cleaning her face, she forwent changing her dress, opting instead for a sturdy clothes hanger as her weapon of choice, her gaze fixed on the door with hawk-like vignce. Should anyone dare enter, she''d strike without a moment''s hesitation...


    The door creaked open, revealing the heavy tread of a man''s approach.


    Charlotte, fierce as a cornered fox, gripped the hanger, ready to deliver a deadly chokehold!


    But her wrist was caught in an iron grip, and she was pinned against the door without a chance for protest!


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    "What madness has taken you?" A voice, cool as a winter stream and tinged with anger, snapped her out of her battle trance.


    "How can it be you?" she uttered in disbelief, her gaze locked on Liam, who released her, stepping back as she slid down the door to the floor.


    Liam towered over her, his gaze piercing as he took in her disheveled appearance, her pale face framed by tear-stainedshes, and her trembling hand clutching the hanger like a wounded fawn.


    His voice, hoarse with emotion, questioned, "Didn''t you send me a note begging me toe here?"


    "I..." Charlotte was momentarily at a loss for words, the situation almostical in its absurdity.


    She''d braced herself for a conspiracy, yet here they were, brought together by a bizarre twist of fate. The maid''s assurance ''we mean you no harm'' had seemed a cruel joke at the time, but now it rang with truth. The mastermind behind the scenes must have orchestrated this encounter to sabotage the engagement party tonight.


    But then...


    As she looked at Liam, confusion swirled within her.


    Why was Liam so obedient?


    Did he not despise her?


    At a loss for words, she simply inched closer, slipping her icy hand into his burning palm.


    "You called me here just to warm your hands?" Liam''s voice was a deep, raspy whisper.


    Her eyes moistened, "That''s all I needed."


    She dared not move closer, aware that whoever had maneuvered this wasn''t aiming to y matchmaker for her and Liam.


    She just needed to ensure Liam stayed put, missing the engagement and thus spoiling it.


    A breeze swayed the window curtains, rustling the flowers outside, their scent wafting into the room.


    As Liam''s grasp heated her hand, Charlotte noticed he was holding on too tightly, unwilling to let go.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    She looked up, "Mr. Parker..."


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    "Do you even know I got engaged today?" Liam looked at her intently, trying to stay cool but couldn''t hide his urgency. "Why did you trick me intoing here? What''s your real n?"


    "I know," Charlotte shot back. "But does why I did it really matter?"


    From the moment she chose to risk everything for him, despite knowing it was a trap, her intentions were as clear as day.


    Liam held her gaze for a heavy moment, his chest rising and falling with suppressed emotion, before he turned to sit and contemte the swaying flowers outside the window.


    Charlotte joined him, and together they sat amidst the heady floral scent, wrapped in a silence heavy with unspoken words.


    The appointed hour of the engagement arrived, and outside, the servants'' search for Liam grew frantic.


    Yet he seemed deaf to themotion, his back a rigid line, his eyes fixed on the flowers beyond the ss.


    What thoughts raced through his mind in these moments? Charlotte couldn''t guess, and she didn''t dare ask; only her pounding heart betrayed her inner turmoil.


    A stray stemy on the floor, likely a remnant from the garden''stest pruning.


    Charlotte picked it up and, with a few simple twists, fashioned a rough ring.


    She slipped the crude grass circle onto her finger.


    Her pale fingers made the grass ring look like nothing special, but to Charlotte, it was priceless.


    Just a few days ago, she made a simr grass ring for Liam and put it on his wrist herself.


    Wearing a grass ring just like the one he had on his engagement day - that''s probably thest bit offort she could get.


    The time for the scheduled event was getting close, and the servants were getting more frantic in their search.


    It wouldn''t be long before they found this ce.


    Charlotte took a deep breath.


    Most of the servants outside were from the Beaumont family, and if they saw her with Liam during his engagement party, it could spell trouble for him. She was about to leave first but got distracted by a sudden burst of mes outside.


    "It''s on fire! The venue''s on fire!" The servants searching for people stopped at the edge of the garden, and called to help put out the fire at the event.

 Chapter 36: Charlotte must be feeling quite smug about it

    Charlotte was caught off-guard by the unforeseen cmity that unfolded before her eyes. Instinctively, her gaze sought out Liam. "Mr. Parker," she began, but her words trailed off.


    The engagement party, meant to be a wless celebration, had descended into chaos!


    Liam nced at her, his eyes cool and distant. Without a word, his gaze betrayed a hint of evasion.


    Together, they watched as mes leaped into the night sky, consuming the flower-adorned venue. The engagement party was now nothing but a spectacr disaster.


    In silence, Charlotte absorbed the scene, Liam motionless beside her.


    Amidst the flickering mes, his scent was oddlyforting.


    "Liam," she whispered.


    He turned to face her. She said no more, but the tear glistening at the corner of her eye spoke volumes.


    His throat felt dry. After a moment''s hesitation, he reached out and tenderly wiped away her tear.


    His slightly rough fingertips brushed her cheek, and Charlotte, savoring the gentle touch, couldn''t help but nuzzle against his hand.


    His fingers lingered a moment longer than necessary.


    It was not until thest me had died that they rose in silent agreement, parting ways in the quiet aftermath, each heading in opposite directions.


    The engagement was a bust.


    First, Liam vanished into thin air; then, the venue was mysteriously engulfed in mes. The party was doomed from the start.


    The Beaumonts med Liam''s abrupt disappearance for the dy, while the Parker family, already displeased with Chloe''s disfigured face, found the fire an ominous sign. usations flew between the two families, souring the mood further. "Liam never truly intended to be engaged to Chloe. If he did, not even a spark could have red up with his influence," Thomas reiterated for the third time.


    Charlotte remained silent, her gaze fixed outside the window, offering no response.


    Thomas exhaled deeply, then suddenly asked, "Why did you agree toe to Liam''s engagement party?"


    Charlotte knew the implication behind his question.


    He suspected she still harbored feelings for Liam, attending the engagement with thoughts of sabotage.


    But her reasons were far from such thoughts.


    Charlotte pointed towards the car window, where theke shimmered under the night sky.


    Annie had once struggled desperately in such frigid waters.


    Coincidentally, Chloe''s engagement party was set by a simrke.


    Thomas''s eyes followed Charlotte''s gaze to theke, grasping her reckless gamble. His heart tightened. "Don''t be too rash, Charlotte. Annie wouldn''t want this for you."


    He said, "As long as you can keep Liam around, you''ll definitely get your revenge."


    Charlotte responded indifferently, "He shouldn''t be dragged into this."


    "You''re being foolish!" Thomas was frustrated, scared for her bravery, but also grateful for it.


    After a bit of back and forth, Thomas seemed to age right in front of her. He took a moment before asking again.


    "What''s your next move?"


    Charlotte spent the whole night tossing and turning, haunted by the image of Liam, impassive as the fire raged around them.


    Why had he shown up? Amid themotion, why did he stay put, when everyone else was looking for him?This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    And the fire could it have been set aze with his silent consent?


    These questions swirled in her mind, forming a tangled web she couldn''t unravel.


    Maybe... maybe Thomas is right, and Liam doesn''t really want to get engaged to Chloe?


    But if he doesn''t want to, why did he agree to it?


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    With that question in mind, she went to work as usual.


    On her way, she got a call from Thomas.


    Charlotte thought he was going to update her on something about Chloe, but to her surprise, he brought up the Parker Group project.


    "The north side is developing a high-tech park; which branch is the Parker Group nning to assign it to?"


    Charlotte furrowed her brows. "I''m not sure about the project details."


    Thomas could hear the resistance in her voice and exined, "This isn''t confidential information; it''s going to be made public by tomorrow at thetest. Telling me in advance won''t harm the Parker Group." "I don''t know," she insisted.


    "Liam didn''t get engagedst night. He must still have feelings for you, Charlotte. Just drop a hint and ask him; he''ll tell you about such a small thing."


    "I won''t ask him," Charlotte''s voice grew icy.


    "You... ah," Thomas sighed in frustration, "Securing this project would amplify my influence in the Beaumont family, which could help us avenge Annie..."


    "I will avenge Annie," Charlotte took a deep breath, reaffirming, "I won''t involve Liam, nor will I use him for any purpose."


    After a long pause, Thomas hung up, leaving Charlotte with no room to ponder the uncertainties as she arrived at the office. Her first task was to make coffee.


    Ever since the new assistant got sacked, it seemed Liam had no intention of hiring a recement, and the coffee duties had fallen back onto Charlotte.


    Entering the break room, she found it already upied. Recognizing the figure''s silhouette, Charlotte''s expression chilled, "Chloe."


    "Mandheling, Liam''s favorite, two cups, take them to the president''s office," Chloe said as she turned around, the malice barely hidden behind her bandaged face, "Ever since I tasted your coffee, nothing else seems to measure up. Charlotte, you were born to serve..."


    Charlotte cut her off, "Thanks for the note, the flowers in the garden were indeed beautiful, as was thepany."


    Yesterday''s blossoms were indeed a sight to behold, and Liam...


    Chloe''s sneer vanished, reced by a visible loathing that seemed to seep into the air.


    Last night, a carefully orchestrated scandal was meant to unfold before Liam''s eyes-Charlotte, caught in apromising situation with a drunken rogue.


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    In Liam''s world, pride often outweighed affection, and the mere sight of Charlotte in another man''s clutches would have typically been enough for him to turn away in disdain. The n was seamless: both Charlotte and Liam, baited by the notes, found themselves in the garden.


    But Chloe''s blood boiled as she recalled the infuriating turn of events from the night before!


    When they realized Liam hadn''te back and sent people to look for him, they found the drunk rogue they had set up knocked out cold and dumped in a corner! Even a fool could piece together that Liam''s absence was due to a ndestine rendezvous with Charlotte.


    The thought of her meticulous ns serving only to bring them closer was a bitter pill to swallow.


    With a face contorted by spite, Chloe stormed off towards the president''s office, determined not to let Charlotte bask in triumph for long.


    Upon entering, she cut to the chase, "Liam, are you considering delegating the north side project to a branch office?"


    Liam looked up, visibly annoyed, "Chloe, keep out of my business affairs."


    "It''s Uncle Thomas, you know how intense the power struggles within the Beaumont family have be. He''s been on the losing endtely and is desperate for aeback." Liam''s frown deepened, recalling Charlotte''s recent alliance with Thomas, but he didn''t stop Chloe''s impudence.


    Chloe pressed on, "Uncle''s so ruthless now, he''s even willing to manipte your assistant. If he gets his hands on this project, the consequences would be dire."


    Her words ignited an already simmering frustration in Liam.


    And Chloe wasn''t finished, "Do you have any idea how much Charlotte''s dress fromst night cost? 180,000! How could she afford to buy one?"


    "Liam, you might not know, but just the day before, Uncle Thomas gave Charlotte a ck card-unlimited spending."


    "Enough!" Liam''s voice thundered, his gaze dark and unreadable, "I''ve told you, stay out of my business!"


    Chloe pouted, "Fine, I''ll let you be. I''ll tell Aunt to fight for the project on her own merits."


    After she left, Daniel, who had been standing silently aside, spoke softly, "Mr. Parker, she''s trying to sow discord. Charlotte isn''t like that."


    The failed engagement from the previous night had undoubtedly left Chloe with a chip on her shoulder.


    Liam''s expression remained dark, his face clouded with brooding thoughts.


    "No engagementst night, Charlotte must be feeling quite smug about it," he muttered to himself.

 Chapter 37: Charlotte is indeed using you

    Charlotte''s been ying him, and it''s not the first time. They bumped into each other at the studio, thenst night she showed up all dolled up and slipped him a note on the sly. And then there was that meet-up in the garden where she took his hand. She''s got it all figured out, ying it cool as if she''s got all the answers.


    She knew he''d go soft.


    She knew he''d back down.


    Yeah, she''s got a real thing for money. So when Thomas handed her a ck card, she naturally started treating him like he''s the boss.


    "Mr. Parker," Daniel tried to speak up for Charlotte, but he wasn''t quite sure how to put it. He just blurted out, "If Charlotte was just in it for the cash, wouldn''t she have kept you sweet too? Why would she bother chasing after Thomas''s ck card?"


    Liam closed his eyes, his voice raw, "If she''s willing to use me for revenge, she won''t hesitate to use Thomas. He''s childless, and as the biological sister of his adopted daughter, it''s not out of the question that he might take her in as his own after she''s avenged. And with that, she''d leap into the ranks of high society. Isn''t that temptation enough?"


    Charlotte was always one to chase wealth and status.


    Daniel found himself at a loss for words.


    He wanted to believe Charlotte was above such schemes, but he couldn''t deny the usibility in Mr. Parker''s logic.


    Knock, knock-the sound at the office door was Charlotte, arriving with coffee.


    Daniel nced instinctively at Liam and was taken aback by the storm of anger and disappointment in his eyes.


    "Mr. Parker..."


    "Let her in."


    "Of course."


    Charlotte entered, carrying the coffee, immediately sensing the tension in the air-probably the aftermath of something Chloe had said.


    She didn''t dwell on it, simply cing the two cups on the desk.


    "Brendan will handle the North Side project. We''ll get someone from headquarters to oversee it," Liam said to Daniel, setting aside a business proposal and adopting a casual tone.


    The mention of ''North Side'' caused Charlotte to flinch, spilling a few drops of coffee.


    "Be careful," Liam scolded with a furrowed brow.


    "Yes," Charlotte replied, head bowed, as she left with the tray.


    Behind her, Liam and Daniel continued their conversation about the project, casually reminding her to take the trash out as well.


    Their dialogue flowed naturally.


    Charlotte was kicking herself for overreacting. Liam and Daniel were always shooting the breeze about work stuff in the office, and with the North Side projecting up, that was just par for the course. But she''d just had an earful from Thomas that morning, and it left her feeling kind of like she was up to no good.


    Shaking her head to get rid of that weird, guilty feeling, Charlotte closed the office door behind her.


    What she didn''t see was the stormy look that came over Liam''s face after she walked out.


    "Does she look like someone who''s clueless?" he questioned.


    This time, even Daniel couldn''t find the words to defend her.


    "Keep an eye on Thomas, see if he actually reaches out to Brendan," Liam said before closing his eyes again, his forehead veins bulging and jaw tense, signaling his displeasure. Daniel hesitated for a moment, then walked away quietly.


    In the afternoon, Sophia sought out Charlotte with a heads-up, "Prepare yourself; you''re joining Mr. Parker on a business trip tomorrow."


    Charlotte felt a twinge of unease. As Liam''s personal assistant, her job was to ensure his suitcase was packed and ready for travel.


    Yet, since her promotion, she hadn''t so much as stepped foot inside Liam''s personal life, let alone his mansion.


    Before she could fully process her concerns, Sophia dropped another detail, "We''re heading to Leiventale you''re familiar, right? Chloe''s hometown."


    "It''s the Beaumont family''s stronghold."


    With a sympathetic gaze, Sophia added, "Indeed, Chloe will be apanying Mr. Parker on this trip."


    What Sophia left unsaid was that Mr. Parker''s trips were typically brisk and efficient. Life assistants, deemed non-essential, were left behind, as were sometimes even project leads.


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    Charlotte''s name had been scribbled out and rewritten several times on the preliminary travel roster in the president''s office, the final inscription almost ripping through the paper.


    It was as if... as if Mr. Parker, in a moment of hesitation, had etched Charlotte''s name with a tinge of spite.


    "Just... be careful, okay?" Sophia wasn''t really concerned for Charlotte''s well-being; she just didn''t want any potential fallout to ssh onto her.


    Charlotte didn''t dwell on worry. Chloe''s vengefuleback was anticipated, and she was mentally prepared.


    Stepping out of the secretary''s office, she bumped into Daniel rushing by. Greeting him softly," Daniel."


    Startled, Daniel''s demeanor darkened upon recognizing her, striding past the president''s office without a word.


    Charlotte was puzzled. Daniel was known for his amiability and had never treated her this way before.


    Was there an emergency?This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    Meanwhile, Daniel came to a halt in front of Liam''s desk, meeting his somber gaze, hesitantly informing, "Mr. Parker, Thomas has approached Brendan." Brendan wasn''t even on Liam''s radar. Mentioning his name in front of Charlotte was a mere test.


    She took the bait all too eagerly, promptly rying the information to Thomas.


    This confirmed Liam''s suspicions.


    Reluctantly, Daniel had to admit, "Charlotte is indeed using you."


    After Daniel left the president''s office, Liam''s fury was palpable, casting a shadow over the entire twenty-fourth floor.


    Those who entered, be they executives or secretarial assistants, all emerged with pale, shaken expressions.


    At three in the afternoon, with a heart full of apprehension, Charlotte entered to deliver coffee. She found Liam, whose stern rebuke of the project manager was enough to send a shiver down anyone''s spine. With the utmost care, Charlotte set the coffee down, hoping to make a swift exit, but Liam''s voice stopped her in her tracks.


    "Did the secretaries tell you? You''re going on a business trip tomorrow." He gestured dismissively for the manager to leave, then fixed his gaze on Charlotte.


    She nodded quickly, a bundle of nerves, waiting for him to continue.


    "Head to my house and get the travel essentials sorted," hemanded in a deep, serious tone.


    Charlotte thought her role as his life assistant was finally being acknowledged.


    Before she could relish the thought, his next words cut short her budding joy.


    "Do I really need to remind you of such trivial tasks, Charlotte? Are you just here to coast through the days?"


    Charlotte was momentarily taken aback, catching a fleeting look of disdain in his eyes.


    It was as if he had seen something deeply irksome, hardly worth a nce of recognition.


    Why?


    Justst night, at the engagement party, he had responded to the note.


    They had stood together, watching the mes devour the remnants of his engagement ceremony.


    Justst night... he hadn''t seemed to despise her.


    "Sorry. I''ll have the travel items prepared," Charlotte said with a bow, apologizing. As she rose, she noticed Liam reaching for his cup of coffee.


    She hesitated momentarily before dropping a sugar cube into his cup under his impatient re.


    This had always been Liam''s preference. In the beginning, she often mistimed the sugar, earning his rebuke, but for some reason, he seemed to have forgotten today.


    "You favor a taste that''s slightly bitter with a hint of sweetness," Charlotte exined carefully.


    Liam''s chest rose and fell in quick session, and with a thud, he ced the coffee back on the desk.


    "Make it again, no sugar this time!"


    "Yes, sir."


    Brimming with questions, Charlotte prepared a fresh cup of unsweetened coffee and brought it in. Not daring to linger, she ced the coffee down and quickly left, but not without stealing a nce at Liam. He took arge gulp of the sugarless coffee, his brow furrowed tightly, the look of someone struggling to swallow something unpleasant.


    Why persist in drinking something he clearly didn''t enjoy?...

 Chapter 38: Youre overstepping

    After work, Charlotte found herself at the gates of Liam''s secluded mansion.


    It had only been three days since the rainy night when she was stopped at the same gates, yet the security guard greeted her with a familiar nod, "Miss Perry, wee back." Surprised, she quizzed, "How do you know myst name is Perry?"


    The guard seemed embarrassed, "That night you fainted in the rain, Mr. Parker carried you and rushed to the hospital, calling you Charlotte Perry. That''s your name, right?" "Yes," she blinked, her mind racing.


    Liam had personally taken her to the hospital.


    "Not Daniel?" she questioned.


    The guard shook his head, "Daniel had gone to get the car. No one else was allowed to touch you. I tried to help but Mr. Parker reprimanded me."


    "Really?" Dazed by this revtion, Charlotte walked through the gates, her thoughts in a whirlwind, all the way to the mansion''s grand entrance.


    On that rainy night, Liam refused to meet her, and right in front of her, he said he was going ahead with his engagement to Chloe.


    But then, he ditched Chloe and personally took her to the hospital.


    Charlotte was feeling all over the ce, listlessly packing Liam''s suitcase for his business trip, making sure to prepare enough clothes for him to change into for the number of days he''d be away. When her hands found a white shirt that,pared to the others, felt noticeably rougher, she stopped in her tracks.


    It was a very in shirt, even cheap for someone like Liam.


    But it was also a gift she bought for him with her first paycheck.


    She didn''t expect he''d still have it.


    "What are you doing?" came a displeased voice from behind.


    Charlotte spun around quickly, hiding the shirt behind her back, "Mr. Parker, I was just getting things ready for your trip tomorrow."


    Liam''s gaze was glued to her hands behind her back, "What''s that you''ve got there?"


    "It''s nothing..." Before Charlotte could finish, Liam strode over, reached over her shoulder, and snatched the shirt from her grasp.


    "What''s this trash?" he muttered, rubbing the shirt disdainfully before tossing it onto Charlotte''s head, "Cheap stuff like this has no ce in my closet. Get rid of it!"


    At that moment, Charlotte felt a chill run through her veins.


    She tried to salvage the situation, "The fabric might not be as nice as your other shirts, but it''s well-tailored, Mr. Parker. There''s no need to throw it away."


    "Are you telling me what to do?" Liam frowned at her, "Charlotte, you''re overstepping."


    Charlotte turned even paler, clutching the shirt as she hurried downstairs.


    But standing in front of the trash can, she hesitated.


    This shirt was the only gift she''d ever given to Liam, probably thest one too, and it meant something to her.


    Her feelings didn''t deserve to end up in the trash.


    After a moment, Charlotte snuck the shirt into her own bag instead.


    Liam was going to be gone for a week, and there was still a bunch of his stuff that needed packing.


    Charlotte went back upstairs to keep on with his toiletries but got stumped by the clutter of bottles and containers all over the shelf.


    She hadn''t even seen some of these things before.


    "Do you n on taking everything with you? What, are you moving out?" Liam had snuck up behind her at some point and was visibly getting irritated at the sight of the huge toiletry bag she''d put together. "Charlotte, after all this time, you still don''t know what I use regrly?"


    The question seemed absurd; before the two-bedroom had turned into a dog''s den, Liam often spent the night, handling everything himself without everining about the ordinary toiletries she bought. He used whatever was avable, just like any regr guy.


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    Charlotte was hit by a strange illusion in those moments at the two-bedroom t, where their interactions mirrored those of a married couple, and it was there that the ring disparities between her and Liam seemed to vanish. Yet, he was supposed to be someone so refined that even his hair required meticulous care.


    "I''m not sure," Charlotte confessed honestly. "You have so many things; I''ve not seen most of them."


    "Hmph."


    Liam scoffed and, right in front of her, called Chloe toe and sort things out.


    "I don''t need an ipetent assistant. This is your one chance, either learn quickly or resign!" he dered after hanging up the phone, issuing an ultimatum to Charlotte. Charlotte closed her eyes and slowly nodded, "I''ll take this seriously and memorize the items you frequently use."


    After all, it was her duty to do so, and it was only normal to be reprimanded by the boss if she fell short.


    Therefore, when Chloe arrived, Charlotte greeted her with an unusual humility.


    "Check it out, Liam, pigs must be flying because your assistant is actually giving me a smile."


    Since Liam had openly acknowledged his rtionship with Charlotte, Chloe made no attempt to hide it either.


    She clung to Liam''s arm, cooing, "You realize my importance now, don''t you, Liam? No one knows your preferences better than I do."


    Liam subtly withdrew his arm from her embrace, "Teach this foolish woman."


    "Sure," Chloe replied with a heartyugh, beckoning Charlotte upstairs, "Come with me."


    "This is nail care cream Liam uses after trimming his nails, this is auricle oil for after his baths, and this is..."


    Chloe suddenly halted her introduction, casting a mocking nce at Charlotte, "I bet you haven''t heard of these, have you?"


    Charlotte nodded again in honesty, "Indeed, I haven''t."


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    "Heh, different worlds, different horizons. Just as I''ve never heard of a nobleman marrying a gambler''s daughter, you couldn''t possibly understand our way of life," Chloe snidely remarked, caressing the bottle in her hand. "You pped me and ruined my face, Charlotte. Don''t think I''ll let that go."


    "I never assumed you would," Charlotte responded evenly.


    Chloe''s arrogance boiled over as she hurled the bottle of oil at Charlotte, dering, "You must have heard how I once called off my engagement with Liam. Someone as proud as him, yet he chose to continue it for me. Don''t you get it, Charlotte?"


    "It''s the affection that makes one willingly stoop low."


    "I''m not only his favorite, but also the woman who can help his career the most. What do you have topete with me?"


    "Just your pretty face and those tacky seduction tricks?"


    "Liam''s interest in you is fleeting at best."


    "Just like these precious bottles and jars, after using cheap shampoo in that cramped two-bedroom, he''ll alwayse back to these."


    Charlotte listened impassively, not that she didn''t want to argue, but she had no grounds to.


    Liam''s actions all but confirmed the truth in Chloe''s words.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Charlotte," Chloe said, looking at Charlotte''s defeated demeanor with a sense of triumph, "you and your foolish sister always covet what isn''t yours!"


    "Shut up!" Charlotte wouldn''t allow Chloe to insult Annie like that, "You have no right to speak about her."


    "And you, an assistant, think you have the right to criticize your boss''s fianc¨¦e?"


    Chloe, unfazed and unconcerned with finishing the packing, strutted downstairs to find Liam.


    Charlotte followed and stood at the top of the stairs, watching Chloe and Liam getting cozy on the same couch, looking all happy and chummy.


    Right then, Charlotte remembered something Thomas had once told her.


    If you don''t fight for it, others wille and try to take what''s yours.

 Chapter 39: Liam, just hold me.

    Charlotte''s blood boiled with indignation as Chloe''s disparaging remarks about Annie echoed in her ears. After retreating to the bathroom, it dawned on her that Chloe hadn''t the slightest intention of being helpful; she was still clueless about Liam''s favorite items.


    Drawing on her familiarity with Liam, she decided to trust her instincts and gathered a selection of items she thought he might need into his luggage.


    As she descended the stairs with the packed belongings, Chloe was also making her exit, yfully clinging to Liam''s hand, hinting coyly for a personal escort.


    The creak of the stairwell caused Liam to nce back, and upon spotting Charlotte, he swiftly withdrew his hand, putting a deliberate gap between himself and Chloe.


    "Liam, dear!" Chloe chided with a giggle and a stomp of her foot, "Why the shyness? Charlotte''s just your assistant, not a stranger, after all," her flirtatiousness on full disy.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Charlotte chose to ignore the disy, her focus unshaken as she approached. "Mr. Parker, everything''s been sorted," she announced.


    "Is that so? Double-check everything, will you? If you''ve packed anything incorrectly for our trip to Leiventale, I won''t let it slide," Chloe chimed in before Liam could speak. Liam inhaled deeply, seemingly annoyed by her chatter, and gestured for Charlotte to leave.


    He then turned to Chloe, bluntly urging, "You should leave too."


    Chloe, oblivious to the dismissive tone in his voice, cheerfully said her goodbyes and joined Charlotte as they both left the mansion.


    A few meters outside, Chloe, with a smirk, teased, "You know, taxis, those economical rides, don''t venture into mansion neighborhoods. Need a lift, Miss Perry?"


    Before Charlotte could respond, Chloe mused to herself, "But then again, no. A temptress could dirty my seats. Best not," she mocked, waving off Charlotte.


    "However, with your skills, Miss Perry, snagging a man for a ride home shouldn''t be too difficult. Ta-ta, until next time."


    Charlotte watched her leave with a frosty gaze, not moving immediately. Instead, she turned and knocked on the door once more.


    The inte crackled with Liam''s cool inquiry, "Why haven''t you left?"


    "I''ve left something behind," Charlotte stated.


    "What is it?"


    His tone was so detached that Charlotte found her next words hard to articte.


    She pursed her lips, whispering, "May Ie in?"


    A brief silence ensued before the door swung open a few secondster.


    Charlotte, relieved, hurried inside.


    Liam was still in the living room, casually flipping through a magazine. He nced up as she entered, then promptly returned to his reading.


    "Get what you''ve forgotten and leave," he said without looking up again.


    Charlotte, however, stood her ground in front of him, motionless.


    It was only when Liam''s inquisitive gaze met hers that she slowly crouched down, leveling her eyes with his.


    Time and again, she had thought to retreat, to set clear boundaries between them.


    Yet, time and again, she found herself turning back, steadfastly remaining by his side.


    "Liam," she finally mustered the courage to confess, "it seems I''ve left a piece of my heart with you."


    Liam''s eyes narrowed a trace of inquiry painting his features.


    Before he could voice his thoughts, Charlotte cut him off, "You''ve been so distanttely. Is it because of my closeness with Vincent or the lies I told you?" She paused, her voice a mix of defiance and regret, "Vincent and I are aligned in purpose, and that''s why I-"


    But her exnation was cut short as Liam sprang up like a startled cat, pushing her away with unexpected force. "Charlotte!" His voice was thick with anger as he stood towering over her, pointing at her with an usatory re. The tension hung heavy between them until, with an exasperated motion, he retracted his hand.


    "Leave," hemanded tersely. "Take your so-called ''purpose'' and get out!"


    Confusion and hurt swirled in Charlotte''s gaze; she remained crouched on the floor, a picture of bewilderment.


    "Liam..." She reached out, attempting to soothe the storm within him, "I apologize. I shouldn''t have deceived you or provoked you with my actions towards Vincent, I just-Ah!"


    Her apology was abruptly interrupted as two strong hands gripped her shoulders, yanking her up and pressing her against the couch.


    Charlotte looked up into the steely eyes of the man looming over her, "What are you doing?"


    "You don''t know?" His voice was cold, his face unreadable as he stripped off her jacket.


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    "Charlotte, you came back... was this not what you wanted?"


    "No..." Realization dawned, and she began to struggle.


    But her resistance only fanned the mes of Liam''s rage, and his movements became rougher.


    "Isn''t this the oue you were hoping for?"


    "It''s not..."


    "You can''t have it all, Charlotte." As he finished his sentence, Charlotte found herselfpletely stripped, forced to hug herself to cover up.


    "Liam!" she cried out, fighting against his advances, "I came back just to-"


    She wanted to argue but realized that what Liam said was actually true.


    She came back, didn''t she, just to reconnect with him?


    Had Chloe''s words truly gotten to her, stirring her to irrational desires to be with Liam once more?


    Yet...


    Charlotte released her hold, surrendering herself to him.


    "I didn''t want it to be just this between us."


    "Just what?" Liam demanded, his tone sharp.


    As she clung to his waist to keep from falling off the couch, her voice was heated with emotion, "The matters on the bed."


    Her confession was met with a scoff from Liam.


    "All we have are these moments."


    If it was just a game of use and be used, there was no point in pretending otherwise.


    He wouldn''t trust her again.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "Close your eyes," he ordered, his voiceced with frost, "I can''t stand the way you look at me."


    Calcting, superficial, and utterly devoid of any real affection.


    Charlotte turned her gaze toward the wide-open window, her body flushed with a shame that reddened her entire being, "Not here... Liam, please."


    She was shy.


    Liam got bored pretty quickly.


    "So youe back when my fianc¨¦e''s away just to y the innocent?" His dissatisfaction bore into her neck, leaving a ring of teeth marks against her pale skin. Charlotte winced, her body shrinking away, seeking refuge in his embrace.


    She longed to initiate their intimacy as she had before, but Liam''s touchcked its former gentleness.


    It felt like punishment.


    "Liam," Charlotte''s voice trembled, her eyes brimming with a sadness that threatened to spill over, "Are you doing this to get back at me?"


    Confusionced her words, "Is it because I''ve tried to leave so many times?"


    Liam paused mid-action, casually dismissing her concern, "I''m not starved forpanionship, don''t tter yourself."


    "But why then?" Charlotte persisted, desperate for rity, "Do you really hate me?"


    He never gave her a straight answer, leaving her to interpret his feelings based on his actions alone.


    Charlotte sought the truth, yet feared his words might confirm her worst fears.


    As Liam''s lips parted, possibly to reveal the bitter truth, Charlotte moved swiftly, her kiss sealing his words unspoken. "Liam, just hold me."


    She clung to him with a desperation that seemed to want to fuse her into his very bones.


    Liam''s eyes darkened with resolve, and he could no longer hold back. He scooped her into his arms and carried her upstairs.

 Chapter 40: Shuttle service

    Liam was in a foul mood, his touch far from gentle. Charlotte found proof of his aggression in several bite marks across her lower back as she examined herself in the mirror - a carnivore''s im etched into her skin. After she readied herself to leave, she found Liam quenching his thirst shirtless, the jagged scratches on his back clearly visible from her point.


    Drawing closer, the sight of the angry red welts at his throat was enough to make anyone''s cheeks flush with a mix of feelings.


    He had been too fierce, and she, overwhelmed, had only stopped him with the silentnguage of her own body.


    Hearing her approach, Liam turned, his gaze icily detached, causing Charlotte to awkwardly halt mid-step.


    She couldn''t decipher his cryptic signals.


    "Aren''t you leaving?" His voice was a cold de. "Don''t harbor any illusions; I''m not your chauffeur."


    "I know... I''m going," Charlotte muttered, her hands fumbling as she reached for her coat. By the time she returned, Liam had vanished, reced by an unexpected visitor. "Chloe? What brings you back here?"


    "Why wouldn''t I return? This is my fianc¨¦''s home. I don''t need a key to enter," Chloe said sternly, her expression hardening as she stepped closer and spotted the telltale signs of a tryst on Charlotte. "Why are you still here?" Chloe''s hand lifted Charlotte''s hair, revealing the damning marks on her neck.


    In an instant, Chloe was livid: "You and Liam... How could you?!"


    "I didn''t," Charlotte lowered her head, concealing the evidence once more, "I just remembered I had things left to pack."


    It wasn''t Chloe she feared - their engagement wasn''t set in stone, and Chloe''s status wasn''t enough to shame her.


    She was concerned that Chloe''s outburst would disturb Liam''s rest.


    With an early flight and a business trip on the horizon, ensuring her boss was well-rested was her responsibility.


    Charlotte''sposed response only stoked Chloe''s fury.


    Did Charlotte think she was a fool? The marks were tant, impossible to miss.


    But the man involved was Liam, and causing a stir could displease him.


    During delicate times, Chloe knew she had to bite her tongue.


    "Just wait," Chloe hissed into Charlotte''s ear, "Once we''re in Leiventale tomorrow, you''ll regret it."


    "Understood," Charlotte replied evenly.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Hmph!" With that, Chloe snatched up her forgotten purse and stormed out.


    Once Chloe was out of earshot, Charlotte exhaled quietly, ready to leave, only to find Liam unexpectedly at the foot of the stairs.


    His bare chest was a disy of indifference, somehow more intimidating than before.


    "Mr. Parker..."


    "Come here," his frostymand sent a shiver down her spine.


    Hesitantly, she approached, but before she could steady herself, he swept her up and headed straight for the bedroom.


    "Mr. Parker!" Charlotte clung to his neck, pleading for mercy amidst her panic, "We have an early flight tomorrow, and the journey will be exhausting. Please, rest?"


    "Be quiet." With a swift motion, he deposited her onto the bed and descended upon her with a vengeance, biting her lip with the ferocity of pent-up frustration. "I''ve left something behind."


    She was always good at spinning a story.


    Returning to tempt fate, yet in Chloe''s presence, she couldn''t muster the courage to confess.


    What did she take him for?


    The night was fraught with tension and unspoken desires, stretching until dawn''s early light painted the sky pale.


    Exhausted to the bone, Charlottey in bed, drained of all strength.


    It took her ages to catch her breath and muster the energy to dress.


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    With the ne taking off in an hour and a half, her luggage was still in disarray.


    "Mr. Parker," she wanted to ask Liam if someone could give her a ride - after all, taxis were rare in the mansion area, and ride-sharing services couldn''t enter.


    In her current state, even a kilometer seemed an impossible journey.


    But ncing at Liam''s muscr back, she decided against it.


    He was up all night, raging in every word he said. Asking for his help now would bring her nothing but humiliation.


    Covering him gently with the nket, Charlotte tiptoed out of the mansion.


    The security guard spotted her and politely offered to call a vehicle.


    "Really?" Charlotte was surprised.


    "Of course, not everyone drives, so the property management has a shuttle service," the guard exined.


    "That would be wonderful, thank you."


    Relief washed over Charlotte. Walking any distance in her condition felt daunting; she feared she might faint from exhaustion.


    Soon, a sleek ck Mercedes pulled up.


    "A shuttle?" Charlotte was taken aback again.


    "Well, it''s not quite the shuttle you were expecting," the guard admitted with a hint of embarrassment. "It''s just that... well, shuttles aren''t exactly stylish, you know?" She understood perfectly.


    The whims of the wealthy.


    Charlotte climbed into the car and within minutes arrived at the base of the hill.


    Stepping out, she witnessed a drunken couple arguing with the gate security, insisting on a ride up the hill.


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    The property management was in a bind, "All vehicles are only allowed to go underground; surface travel is forbidden. We usually get around on bicycles; we don''t have cars avable for such services." Charlotte''s steps faltered at the revtion, her gaze instinctively chasing the receding ck Mercedes.


    There was no shuttle service, after all.


    The realization sent a warm thrill through her - Liam had arranged this ride for her, a silent gesture she hadn''t expected.


    After a brisk repacking at the hotel, Charlotte returned to the mansion only to find Chloe orchestrating the luggage-loading process as if she owned the ce.


    Upon spotting Charlotte, Chloe''s face brightened mischievously. "Everything of Mr. Parker''s is precious. Don''t touch anything. His assistant will take care of it." As if on cue, a servant ced a massive suitcase before Charlotte.


    She knew all too well the weight of this particr burden; even on her best days, it would be a challenging lift.


    "It''s way too heavy, Miss Beaumont. Perhaps one of the guards could assist..."


    "But Liam insisted," Chloe interrupted, her eyes glittering with malice. "He trusts you to handle his belongings, Miss Perry."


    Just then, Liam appeared. Chloe quickly clung to his arm with a coquettish smile, "Liam, darling, I''ve ensured no one touched your things, just as you prefer." Liam frowned and nodded slightly, pushing her to the side, "Don''t block the way."


    Chloe''s smile twitched but quickly recovered. She urged Charlotte to hurry, "Come on, time''s ticking."


    Charlotte''s eyes followed Liam, silently pleading for him to intervene.


    But he merely nced her way before turning to board the vehicle without a word.


    With no other option, Charlotteboriously hoisted the suitcase, her body screaming in protest, particrly her lower half, where the pain was almost unbearable.


    Liam traveled on a private jet because he didn''t like having strangers around.


    So when he was on the ne, it was Charlotte who took care of him.


    "Water," Liam requested, and she rushed to fulfill themand.


    But perhaps it was the morning''s chill or the stress of the day; once on the ne, a crippling headache seized her, and the simple act of standing and fetching water made the world spin dangerously.

 Chapter 41: Flaunting how Liam toys with you?

    With a gasp, Charlotte''s grip on the cup of water faltered, and it cascaded down, scalding both her hands and sshing onto Liam''s trousers.


    "I''m so sorry, Mr. Parker!" Charlotte dropped to her knees, frantically trying to dab away the spill.


    "How could you bungle such a simple task!" Chloe snapped, her voiceced with fury. "What if you had burned him? What amends could you possibly make?"


    "The water spilled on the hem of his pants, not on him..."


    "Backtalk? Acknowledge your mistake, don''t argue in front of your boss!" Chloe''s biting reprimand hit Charlotte like a physical blow, as she stood up in a fit of rage and flung the remaining water in Charlotte''s face. Droplets trickled down Charlotte''s cheeks as she closed her eyes.


    The sting of humiliation and anger spread through her, but she was powerless to respond.


    Chloe had threatened that once they reached Leiventale, Charlotte would regret her actions.


    It seemed the torment had begun even before they arrived.


    The water on her face made Charlotte''s temples throb, and the room spun, nearly sending her to the floor.


    She steadied herself by grabbing onto Liam''s leg.


    "How dare you clutch at him after all the trouble you''ve caused?" Chloe''s anger red as she reached out to grab Charlotte.


    "Enough," Liam''s icy voice cut through the chaos, putting an end to the spectacle.


    "Liam, she was..." Chloe tried to continue her tirade.


    Liam silenced her with a gesture, "Enough with the drama. Sit down!"


    Chloe huffed and retreated to her seat, staring out the window in silent indignation.


    "Thank you, Mr. Parker." Charlotte''s eyes conveyed her gratitude, but she quickly lowered her gaze at the sight of his annoyed expression. "I apologize. I''ll be more careful."All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Can''t even serve a simple drink without incident. Aren''t you ashamed?" he queried.


    Charlotte was at a loss for words, her hand on his leg tightened and then released.


    She wanted to defend herself but saw no point.


    Releasing her grip, she stood slowly, "I''m sincerely sorry. I''ll strive to do better."


    Her humility seemed to inte Chloe''s ego. As Charlotte went to fetch some fruit, Chloe followed her.


    "How does it feel to be drenched?" Chloe smirked, fixing her hair in the mirror while taunting Charlotte, "Without Thomas and Vincent''s protection, you''re easy prey. Leave Liam and save yourself some trouble." "And if I don''t?" Charlotte retorted coldly.


    No amount of pleading would appease Chloe.


    Their enmity was beyond repair.


    "Chloe, marrying Liam is vital for securing your standing within the Beaumont family, right? Especially after your disfigurement, no gentleman of decent heritage would consider you," Charlotte fired back, her voice ice-cold. Chloe''s face turned stormy with disapproval.


    "You taught me something quite valuablest night," Charlotte said, a hint of defiance in her voice. "Even if it''s against all odds, it''s worth fighting for what you don''t want to lose."


    She had initially wanted to keep Liam out of her schemes, to avoid using him as a pawn in her game.


    But upon reflection, what could she really ''use'' Liam for?


    His heart wasn''t hers to win, nor was his hand in marriage promised to her.


    She didn''t covet Liam''s wealth or his influence.


    Her presence by his side served a singr purpose, to be a thorn in Chloe''s side, to disrupt the marriage arrangement that Chloe so desperately clung to.


    Charlotte patted Chloe''s shoulder, deliberately exposing the teeth marks etched into her neck.


    "Are you unting this to me? unting how Liam toys with you?" Chloe hissed through clenched teeth.


    With a scornful chuckle, Charlotte replied, "Being doused in water isn''t pleasant, which is why you should share in the difort."


    Having said this, Charlotte delivered the fruit to Liam. The low table required her to crouch as she arranged the offerings.


    Liam seemed to have just taken his seat, his chest heaving, fists clenched. Was he angry? But why?


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    A wave of dizziness overtook her, stronger than before, and Charlotte found herself falling backward, unsteady.


    In the midst of her disorientation, a strong hand grasped her back, steadying her.


    "Not feeling well?"


    Perhaps it was her imagination, but there seemed to be a glimmer of concern in Liam''s eyes.


    "Are you worried about me?" she wondered aloud.


    But before she could delve deeper, Liam abruptly turned away, withdrawing his hand.


    Charlotte crashed to the floor, just as Chloe returned to the scene.


    "Oh dear, what a mess!" Chloe eximed with disdain, stepping over Charlotte''s head with elevated grace. "It''s cramped enough here without you blocking the way. Can''t you be more aware of your surroundings?" It took Charlotte a few seconds to gather herself and rise, leaning on the nearest support, before she retreated to the preparation area.


    After the nended and Charlotte managed to rest, her condition improved; at least the dizziness subsided.


    At the hotel, Chloe excitedly pointed out the prime real estate to Liam, boasting about how she established such a grand establishment.


    Meanwhile, Charlotte wiped and cleaned her modest room, the contrast between their circumstances stark and humbling.


    "Liam, dear, I''m famished, but the thought of going to the dining hall is just too exhausting. Can we have someone bring up the meal so we can enjoy it with the river view?" Chloe suggested coquettishly. Liam''s response was nomittal. "Charlotte, fetch the dinner."


    Pausing briefly, Charlotte put down her rag casually, "Sure."


    Being unfamiliar with the area, she navigated a maze of corridors to bring back the borate meal Chloe had specified.


    Without rest, she began setting out utensils, ensuring everything was perfect before calling Liam and Chloe to dine.


    They were dining on exotic delicacies, really fancy and delicious food, while Charlotte was outside the door eating a simple boxed meal.


    She considered herself apetent assistant, if not an outstanding one.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! Yet, Liam found fault, "The food''s gone cold."


    Charlotte scurried to reheat the meal, bustling about until her own boxed lunch had lost its warmth.


    After a brief respite that afternoon, Liam''s crew was poised for a visit to their partnerpany''s headquarters.


    Trailing behind the group, Charlotte felt both a throbbing headache and a churning stomach.


    She knew asking for time off would only invite trouble, so she soldiered on.


    Barely making it to the partner''s office, the crowd ahead came to an abrupt halt. Charlotte, slower to respond, bumped into the person in front of her.


    Recognizing the familiar scent, she realized she had collided with Liam and quickly apologized, "I''m so sorry, Mr. Parker."


    Liam turned, his helping hand retracting swiftly as his brow furrowed in reproof, "Be careful!"


    "Young people these days are all the same, restless just like the interns at mypany,"mented a schrly-looking middle-aged man as he approached and shook hands with Liam. After exchanging pleasantries, the man turned his gaze to Charlotte, eyes brimming with admiration, "The Parker Group truly leads the industry, even their assistants are breathtaking beauties." Charlotte slightly furrowed her brow, remaining silent.


    She felt Liam''s gaze sweep over her.


    "Without enough education or skills, at least her looks are presentable."


    "Mr. Parker, you''re too funny," another chimed in.


    The group moved towards the conference room.


    Charlotte, not deemed fit to join, could barely keep her eyes open and sumbed to sleep in the lounge.


    Awakening as the inspection concluded, Liam and Chloe were off to a weing feast, while Charlotte, as usual, was not entitled to attend and waited outside.


    "Eh? What are you doing here?" came an unexpected voice.

 Chapter 42: How am I in the wrong?

    Halfway through the wee banquet, a tipsy man stumbled out. Charlotte peered closer and recognized him as the man who had earlier praised her beauty at thepany. "Call you... Charlotte, right? Miss Beaumont mentioned you''re single, am I correct?" he slurred.


    Maintaining a safe distance, Charlotte replied softly.


    "Enjoy your youth while you''re single; don''t rush into romance too soon," he lectured, sliding next to Charlotte with a didactic air.


    His fingers,cking propriety, began to wander onto Charlotte''s thigh, "How''s the sry? Enough to cover your expenses?" Charlotte backed away again, "It''s enough."


    "Why the evasion? Miss Beaumont told me about your family''s tough spot. Consider me a mentor of sorts, no need to shy away." Suddenly, the man lunged at her.


    Charlotte intended to dodge but was betrayed by a sudden headache, and within seconds, she found herself being pushed into a room by the man covering her mouth! "What''s with the struggle? Miss Beaumont said you''d sleep with someone for a few hundred thousand; I''m offering you three million for one night, Charlotte. How about it?"


    A scoff echoed in Charlotte''s mind.


    Three million?


    She marveled at her unexpected market value.


    Shaking her head to clear the dizziness, she seized an unguarded moment to stomp on the man''s foot with all her might.


    "You... don''t y hard to get!" the man burst out in frustrated anger. "Miss Beaumont has gifted you to me. Make a scene now, and we both lose face. You wouldn''t want to ruin your boss''s business, would you?" Charlotte replied icily, "No, which is why I only stepped on your foot."


    If not for the fear of jeopardizing Liam''s deal, she would have knocked this beast out cold!


    And to think, this beast imed Chloe put him up to this.


    Chloe was not one to let Charlotte suffer in silence; there had to be another twisting.


    Charlotte wanted to escape immediately, but the persistent middle-aged man clung to her.


    Drunk as he was, he was surprisingly strong, and Charlotte, feeling unwell, momentarily fell into his clutches.


    She struggled fiercely, no longer caring about Liam''s business, thrashing and pushing in a tangled fight.


    "Ah! Charlotte! What are you doing?!" A woman''s shocked cry came from behind.


    Before Charlotte could react, a crowd poured in, surrounding the room tightly. She turned to see Liam''s grim expression at the forefront, with Chloe beside him, smirking triumphantly. This must be Chloe''s follow-up move.


    "Mr. Parker! Get your assistant out of here! I''m a family man; this is crazy!"


    The middle-aged man had the audacity to turn the tables, using Charlotte of seduction!


    "I merelyplimented her in the morning, and she thought I had improper intentions, offering herself for three million a night!"


    Liam''s expression darkened further amidst the murmuring crowd.


    Chloe approached, draping a coat over Charlotte and whispering in her ear.


    "Charlotte, How dare you! you''ve wrecked the deal."


    "I haven''t done anything wrong, and I didn''t ruin any deal," Charlotte said coldly.


    Her clothes were a mess, her face flushed with a feverish glow, and she looked more wobbly and out of it than Malcolm ckwell did when he was drunk.


    In the full view of the audience, Charlotte delivered two sharp ps to Malcolm''s face, who was in the midst of using her.


    The sound of the ps echoed, silencing the onlookers.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Do you really believe you can paint me as a whore?" Charlotteughed in fury. "Since the moment you stepped out of that room, my phone has been recording everything. Shall I y it for all to hear?" She had always been one step ahead, ready for deceit.


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    Malcolm''s face contorted with the revtion, never expecting Chloe to summon an audience, much less that Charlotte would dare to strike him.


    All his unforeseen circumstances were now igniting under him like a bonfire.


    Yet, the ps didn''t satisfy Charlotte''s indignation; shended two more on his cheeks.


    By assaulting the CEO of a partnerpany, she had effectively drawn all the swords against herself.


    Even if the partnerpany sought retribution or an edge in their dealings, Liam could easily dismiss her to cate them.


    Hence her im, she hasn''t done anything wrong, and she didn''t ruin any deal.


    Her four ps deepened the hush of the room until Liam finally spoke.


    "My oversight; Mr. ckwell, no offense intended," he said, sparing Malcolm the humiliation of the recording being mentioned.


    Everyone dispersed tactfully, leaving just the four of them in the room.


    "Liam..." Chloe started trepidatiously, "Charlotte shouldn''t have struck Mr. ckwell, perhaps we should offer some sort ofpensation?" Compensation?


    Charlotte''s inner scorn bubbled up.


    Did Chloe truly understand Liam?


    A man of his pride, swallowing such a slight was already a stretch; would he even entertain thoughts ofpensation for Malcolm? Chloe was practically pping Liam''s face on Malcolm''s behalf!


    Charlotte looked at Liam, her fever clouding her judgment, momentarily forgetting his past reactions to misunderstandings involving her. And how he had never once stood by her side.


    "Mr. Parker," she said, barely holding herself together, her eyes hazy as she looked at him, "I didn''t try to seduce him, he tried to force himself on me, but I fought back."


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! She let the injustices Liam had dealt her slip from memory, choosing instead to recall how he''d sent a car for her that morning and caught her as she nearly fell. Liam''s gaze lingered on her disarrayed attire and feverish cheeks.


    "Charlotte," he said with a touch of disdain.


    Sick of her cold heart, sick of her ugly soul.


    With a wave of his hand, he signaled for Chloe to escort Malcolm out, but Chloe hesitated until his icy stare sent her scurrying away.


    As they left, Charlotte''s tension melted away.


    She thought she''d been rescued, that Liam was her savior.


    Little did she know, he was the most merciless of them all.


    "Assault is a serious offense, Mr. ckwell''s generosity in not pressing charges doesn''t absolve you from consequences."


    At his words, Charlotte''s muddled brain hit a moment of nkness.


    Stumbling towards Liam, she clutched at his clothes, demanding, "What did you say?"


    "I said," Liam brushed her hands off, his voice cold, "stand outside until you realize your mistake. Only then can youe back in."


    "Why?" Charlotte''s disbelief was palpable. "On what grounds? He was the aggressor! I have recordings to prove it, Liam. How am I in the wrong?"


    Her usual demureness had always met withpliance, and Liam had never seen her this fiercely articte.


    His brows furrowed in disapproval, "An assistant who dares strike the head of a partnerpany-How dare you?"


    Charlotte grasped his insinuation, "You think I''ve grown arrogant, assuming I could get away with assaulting Malcolm because of my intimate history with you?" No answer was needed; the skepticism in Liam''s eyes spoke volumes.

 Chapter 43: If I die, therell be no one left to love you like I do

    Charlotte''s confidence stemmed from her innocence. Her voice, cool and detached, cut through the air, "How can you call yourself a CEO when you can''t even stand up for your employees against mistreatment? Where''s your dignity?" At that moment, her mind was strikingly clear. "Why do you keep misunderstanding me? Am I just a dog on a leash to you?"


    Liam''s face turned an ashen hue, "Say that again, Charlotte."


    "How many times do I have to say this? You holler for me when you''re up for some fun, and then you just ditch me when you''re done."


    The more Charlotte spoke, the more liberated she felt, "Don''t think that just because I have feelings for you, you have the right to humiliate me. I may like you, but I am neither a criminal nor your servant!"


    Her words seemed to soften Liam''s furrowed brow momentarily, but the creases quickly returned.


    He was convinced she was deceiving him, that her heartfelt confession was just another lie.


    "Charlotte," he said, grasping her iling hand, "you''re drunk."


    "I''m not drunk!" How could she be, without a drop of alcohol?


    Though her head did feel oddly heavy.


    Taking a deep breath, Charlotteposed herself, head bowed.


    Then, abruptly, she jerked her head up, yanked Liam by the cor, and nted a fierce kiss on his lips.


    Liam''s eyes widened in disbelief at the unfolding scene.


    He tried to pull her away, but she clung on with a surprising ferocity, biting and gnawing at his face and neck like a wild animal.This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Charlotte," Liam heard his own gulp, clear and loud.


    At that, Charlotte paused, her eyes, wet and fiery, locking with his.


    She didn''t give him the chance to speak, "You''re my boss, you want me to leave and reflect? Then I''ll go."


    With those final words, she strode to the garden of the restaurant, standing rigidly in the corner against the wall.


    Her strange behavior left Liam agitated and her defiance made him seethe.


    Just then, Chloe came calling for him; filled with brooding anger, Liam cast onest re at the garden and stormed away.


    The night was deep, the wind cool.


    After standing in the garden for a while, Charlotte''s mind clouded again. It took several attempts to unlock her phone.


    With a fever raging, she had no recollection of her actions, nor any rity of her current doings.


    Struggling to keep her eyes open, she started to text, pouring out her grievances.


    She hadn''t tried to seduce Malcolm.


    Message after message, she eventually lost track of how many she sent.


    She only knew Liam hadn''t replied to a single one.


    Thest shred of her rationalitypelled her to hail a car back to the hotel despite her illness.


    With Liam away on business, and the family doctor in tow, she knew she was probably feverish and wanted to get some fever-reducing medicine, hoping to rest and return to work the next day. "I''m terribly sorry, Miss Perry, Miss Beaumont''s dog happens to be ill too, and all the medicine has to be prioritized for the dog. Miss Beaumont has expressly forbidden it to be shared with others." "Chloe''s dog?" Is that the same Samoyed that turned into a live wire the second it boarded the ne, bouncing around with endless energy?


    What kind of sickness could the dog possibly have that would require it to gobble up medicine meant for humans?


    But of course, it was nothing more than a convenient excuse.


    Chloe knew full well she was under the weather and took the opportunity to twist the knife.


    Without fuss, she rang the hotel reception, hoping they would send up some medication, only to be rejected again.


    Naturally, this was Chloe''s empire, and her employees were nothing if not loyal to a fault.


    In a daze, Charlotte copsed beside the bed, and before sumbing to unconsciousness, she didn''t forget to pull the nket over herself.


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    Yet, in the middle of the night, she was cruelly awakened by the heat of her own fever.


    Her throat parched like a desert, her head pounding as if a marching band yed inside, she saw stars swirling before her eyes.


    At this rate, she feared the fever might im her life.


    Frantically searching for her phone and finding it nowhere, Charlotte couldn''t afford to waste another second and instinctively knocked on the door of the nearest room. "Click "


    The door swung open, revealing Liam''s indifferent face.


    "Charlotte, what''s themotion now?"


    "I''ve got a fever. I need some medicine."


    She clutched at his shirt, desperate, as if her life depended on holding him there.


    In Chloe''s territory, if Liam didn''t care for her, she might as well wait silently for death.


    Only then did Liam notice the startling heat of her hand, "Why didn''t you mention you had a fever sooner?"


    "I did... didn''t I? Doesn''t matter, you wouldn''t have cared anyway," Charlotte spoke, barely holding onto consciousness.


    Trembling with fever, she softly aired her grievances, "I didn''t flirt with Malcolm. He''s old, ugly, and vile, why would I ever do that?"


    "It was Chloe who painted me single, iming I''d sleep with anyone for a few hundred thousand. He offered me three million for one night, and I turned him down."


    Her fingers lightly touched his face, her eyes filled with a delirious intensity, "I don''t like him. Just his mere approach repulses me, but you''re different. I like you, even if you give me nothing in return." "You''re out of your mind with fever," Liam uttered hoarsely.


    "Perhaps I really am delirious, otherwise why would you look at me with such eyes?" Charlotte said with a bitter smile as she caressed his face, "Usually, you look at me with disdain."


    Weakened beyond measure, Charlotte slowly slumped into his arms, savoring his unexpected tenderness for the moment.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "Liam, don''t look at me with such coldness; it breaks my heart."


    Her fingers tensed unconsciously, drawing the feverish body close. Liam gazed down, his emotions a whirlwind of conflict.


    Even in her delirious state, she weaved lies about her affection for him.


    Taking a deep breath, Liam carried her to his room, tucking her into the bed with care.


    He dialed their doctor, who awoke with a grumble, "I''ve told you, the medicine is reserved for Miss Beaumont''s dog. Can''t you stop being a nuisance, Charlotte? It''s just a fever; it''s not like it''s going to kill you." "What did you just say?"


    The deep, stern tone jolted the doctor awake, "L... Mr. Parker!"


    "The medicine''s for Chloe''s dog?"


    "Yes... Miss Beaumont insisted! If Miss Perry asks, we''re to say we have none!" The doctor confessed in fright.


    Liam''s grip on the phone tightened, his anger barely contained.


    "If you''re so keen on following her orders, maybe you should dedicate your life to serving her."


    "No, no, no! I''m sorry, Mr. Parker! I was wrong!" The doctor pleaded, but it was toote. Within five minutes, two solemn bodyguards dragged the doctor out of the hotel, disappearing into the night. After dealing with the betrayal, Liam''s gaze returned to the woman in bed.


    Approaching, he looked down from his towering height. She was curled up in pain, her forehead beaded with sweat that matted her hair to her flushed cheeks, an image of vulnerable beauty. "Liam."


    Suddenly, she reached out and clutched his pants, dragging herself to the edge of the bed with great effort. Clinging to him like a drowning person finding a lifeline, she nuzzled against his leg. "I''m really sick; I might die."


    In a soft whisper, she confessed, "If I die, there''ll be no one left to love you like I do."

 Chapter 44: Do you regret it?

    "Do you think you''re worthy to say you love me?" he scoffed, his voiceden with disbelief.


    "Why can''t I say it?" her eyes, brimming with tears, stared back at him with an innocence and sincerity that seemed almost too pure for this world." Does my affection humiliate you that much?" "It''s not your affection; it''s your maniption that disgraces me."


    "Maniption? What have I ever taken from you?" she retorted, her mind too muddled to grasp his usation. "Did I ever demand your wealth? After refusing it once, I never asked you for money again." "Did I lust after your power? I''m still just a humble assistant, cleaning and brewing coffee, without a hint of a raise."


    "Have I ever misused your influence? Anyone can belittle or strike me, yet I never boasted about us."


    She paused, then added in a haze of confusion, "Actually, that''s not entirely true. I did confess to Chloe. I told her I despised her standing by your side, and I didn''t want her marrying you."


    Her murmured words went unnoticed as Liam''s eyes grew darker with each passing moment.


    "Your ''love''," he uttered cryptically, "is it all just an borate ruse?"


    "Ruse? Why would you think that?" Charlotte was genuinely baffled. "What have I possibly lied to you about?"


    Suddenly, as if struck by a bolt of rity, she raised her voice, "You can''t possibly believe that my love for you is a lie, that I''m deceiving you emotionally?"


    But then her headache plunged her back into confusion. "Are you a fool? If I were deceiving you emotionally, wouldn''t I be after something? If I don''t want your money or power, what use would there be in deceiving you?" After a moment''s thought, Charlotte looked up dully, "I''m not deceiving you. To love you without reciprocation is a losing game."


    "Do you regret it?" Liam asked, the urgency in his voice betraying hisposure.


    Slowly, she shook her head, "No regrets."


    She never regretted meeting him, nor did she regret falling for him. "Love is a gamble, and I ept whether I win or lose."


    Liam''s emotions were a tangled web now, moreplex than before.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    He realized that Charlotte might be right.


    If her feelings were genuine, then none of her actions could be deemed maniptive.


    But did she truly love him?


    A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts; it was an assistant with medicine.


    Returning with the medicine, Liam found Charlotte struggling to get out of bed. Her eyes, clouded and earnest, followed him like a kitten eager for its mother''s attention.


    Theparison melted his heart for a moment.


    He prepared water for the bitter medicine she was reluctant to take.


    Charlotte was stubborn, and Liam''s patience was thinning after several failed attempts to administer the medicine, nearly force-feeding her at one point.


    "You can''t treat me this way; it wounds my heart," Charlotte pleaded, tears welling up as she clung to his arm, burying her face in his sleeve and leaving only her tear-filled eyes visible. "Coo me into it, and I''ll take my medicine like a good girl." Liam found her current state infinitely more endearing than when she was fully conscious.


    But he had no idea how to coax her into taking her medicine.


    Heartlessly, he thrust the medicine into her hands, saying, "Take care of this yourself.""


    Charlotte gazed at the pills in her palm for a few seconds before murmuring softly, "If I brave these bitter pills, Liam promised to sweeten the deal with strawberries. The taste of strawberries will wash away the bitterness."


    With that, she tossed the medicine into her mouth and swallowed it in one gulp.


    She then looked at Liam with hopeful eyes, "I''m getting sleepy. Will there be strawberries when I wake up?"


    Liam was speechless.


    Without waiting for his answer, Charlotte climbed back into bed and pulled the covers over herself. As she closed her eyes, she mumbled with a hint of confidence, "There will be strawberries. He''s loaded. He could buy Chloe''s dog a mansion; surely, he wouldn''t deny me strawberries that cost less than five bucks."


    She drifted off to sleep, not cooling down from her fever, and ended up shivering in Liam''s arms like a tiny quail seeking warmth in the middle of the night.


    Liam called for a doctor immediately, a woman who examined Charlotte thoroughly. With furrowed brows, she advised, "You should be gentler with your intimate affairs. She''s delicate. And no more cold leftovers; it seems her stomach is acting up."


    "You''ve worn her out with a fever and you''re still letting her eat cold food? What kind of boyfriend does that?"


    Had Liam not appeared wealthy and intimidating, the female doctor would have likely given him a piece of her mind.


    After the doctor left, Liam paced the room like a caged animal, wrestling with the thought.


    Was he truly being cruel to her?


    In the morning, when Henry brought breakfast, he was surprised to find Charlotte sleeping in the boss''s bed. Though surprised, he didn''t ask any questions.


    After setting down the breakfast, he promptly ryed the day''s schedule.


    "Move up the visit to the Beaumont family," Liam instructed.


    "Right away," Henry replied, immediately adjusting the itinerary and signaling the staff to prepare.


    The morning meeting was now reced by an earlier visit to the Beaumonts, setting everyone into motion.


    Henry couldn''t help but think Mr. Parker wanted to let Charlotte sleep a bit longer by doing this.


    All the while, Charlotte, deeply asleep on the bed, knew nothing of these changes.


    When she awoke from her slumber, her head pounded terribly, and her mind was a nk te. She sat dazed for a long while, unable to recall why she was in Liam''s room.


    Her memory halted at the reception they had before, remembering only a restaurant with a vast garden. What happened afterward was aplete mystery.


    "What''s going on? How did I end up here?" she wondered aloud, climbing out of bed. Searching for Liam proved futile.


    Dejectedly returning to her room, she was amazed to find her phone under the bed.


    -What on earth happenedst night? Had aliens abducted her to Liam''s room?


    After freshening up and changing clothes, Charlotte felt her mind clearing up a bit.


    After a quick walk around, Charlotte discovered that only Liam and Henry were missing; the rest of her colleagues remained at the hotel, busily tending to their duties. Yet, their nces at her were a tapestry of emotions-some tinged with disdain, while others seemed to regard her with admiration.


    Confused by their expressions, Charlotte found no one willing to provide answers to her queries.


    Just as she pondered this curiosity, the hotel staff ushered in a group of elegantly dressed middle-aged women from the elevator.


    The moment the leadingdyid eyes on Charlotte, she red with fury, and, in a huff, hurled her purse straight at Charlotte! "Was it you who tried to seduce my husband?" she used.


    "What?" Charlotte, quick on her feet, caught the flying purse and retorted with furrowed brows, "What are you talking about? Who''s trying to seduce your husband?"


    The woman was hysterical, "Don''t y dumb! The wholepany saw youe onto Malcolm when he was drunk. And when you got caught, you pinned it all on him!"


    She was nearly breathless with indignation, "I''ve suffered and toiled from scratch beside him to build the life we have now. Did you think you could just waltz in with your youth and beauty and take my ce? In your dreams!"


    "I have no idea what you''re talking about," Charlotte replied coolly, realizing that something untoward must have urred during her feverish state the night before, which would exin her colleagues'' peculiar looks and this woman''s confrontation.


    She tried to soothe thedy, but before she could get a word in, thedy was already charging at her with her friends.

 Chapter 45: She wouldnt go for a dude like Malcolm

    Charlotte''s face was her target.


    With no room to dodge, she braced herself for a brawl with the furious women.


    Outnumbered, she quickly found herself on the receiving end of a few punches, her already weary body screaming in protest.


    "Enough!" Themand roared from nearby, silencing the crowd momentarily.


    Seizing the chance, Charlotte broke free and stumbled behind her unexpected savior.


    "There''s a file on the nightstand. Fetch it," came the stern instruction.


    It took a moment for Charlotte to realize Liam was addressing her, and she hurried to retrieve the file.


    The women balked at her departure. "Mr. Parker, you''re reputed to be impartial. How can you defend this... bitch today?" one of them sneered.


    "And what did you call her?" Liam''s icy retort silenced the user.


    But the woman''s jealousy red anew. "This assistant, Charlotte-she seduced my husband, Malcolm. The wholepany''s talking about it!"


    Hearing this, Charlotte halted, her mind racing. She couldn''t recall the previous night''s events, but she knew herself well enough to dispute the usation.


    It was far more likely that Malcolm, in a moment of lust, had been the instigator.


    Yet, Charlotte held her tongue. She remembered all too well how Liam had reacted to past allegations-no matter her innocence or the evidence she possessed, he wouldn''t believe her. With a silent sigh, she turned to continue on her mission.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Right then, from behind her came Liam''s voice, trying hard to keep his anger in check.


    "She wouldn''t go for a dude like Malcolm."


    "What?" Both Charlotte and the woman were taken aback. The woman''s anger surged. "Mr. Parker, your biases are clear. Is she your mistress? Is that why you protect her?"


    "Mrs. ckwell''s domestic issues should be settled at home, not here," Liam countered, his posture nonchnt, his disdain for the woman obvious.


    "You''ve gone too far." Liam continued.


    "Have I? You think because you''re young..."


    "Shut it!" A roar burst out from the elevator. Malcolm came scrambling over, aplete mess.


    He hadn''t even steadied himself when he pped his wife across the face, "Can''t you just stay at home? You''re out here making a fool of yourself!"


    After the p, he immediately bent over to apologize to Liam, "Mr. Parker, I''m sorry about my wife; she doesn''t know any better."


    Liam scoffed coldly.


    While Malcolm was frantically trying to figure out how to fix the mess, the woman he hit looked up in disbelief, charged at him, and started tearing into him. "Liam''s out here standing up for his mistress, and I''m your wife! You don''t defend me, fine, but you hit me? Malcolm, we''re far from done!"


    "mistress?" That''s when it clicked for Malcolm. No wonder Liam, who''s always so no-nonsense, brought such a knockout to be his PA this time to Leiventale. It all made sense now-a mistress!


    Malcolm broke out in a cold sweat. Chloe had set him up! She''d really done him in!


    Charlotte wasn''t sure what happened to those women; by the time she came out with the file folder, Liam and Malcolm had already taken off. Only Henry was still there, waiting for her.


    "How are you feeling? Can you make it to work tomorrow? Mr. Parker''s really picky about his coffee - can''t stand anyone else making it," Henry asked.


    Charlotte hastily assured him she''d be up to the task, then cautiously ventured," Henry, did I step out of linest night?"


    "Why do you ask? No, you did nothing wrong," Henry said, giving her a meaningful look. "The CEO from the otherpany harassed you, and Mr. Parker intervened. You then came down with a fever, and he took you back to the hotel to personally look after you."


    "What?" Charlotte was floored.


    Could Liam possibly be that considerate?


    Henry didn''t linger on the subject and quickly left with the files.


    By afternoon, the hotel-bound team was a hive of activity. Charlotte learned that Liam had axed the coboration and they were now scrambling to court new allies.


    "I heard Mr. Parker had a falling-out with the Beaumonts this morning," a colleague gossiped on the balcony.


    Charlotte, who had been eavesdropping, couldn''t help but interject, "Why?"


    The colleagues mmed up at her approach and quickly dispersed, shrouded in secrecy that only deepened her confusion.


    No closer to the truth, Charlotte gazed out at the view below just as Liam''s car pulled up.


    ncing at the clock-nearly three-she remembered her duty and went to prepare his coffee.


    Yet, as she approached his door with the freshly brewed coffee, a heated argument spilled through.


    "Mr. Parker, I''m still your elder, and today you owe me an exnation! Are you really willing to forget decades of friendship over a woman? To terminate the partnership?"


    It was Chloe''s aunt, Patricia.


    Charlotte recognized the voice and paused, waiting at the door to let the conversation conclude.


    From the chat between Patricia and Liam, she figured out that Malcolm was with the Beaumont family. Basically, Liam''s deal with Malcolm''spany was actually doing business with the Beaumonts. Liam''s foray into Leiventale had been akin to throwing a juicy steak into a wolf pack-everyone wanted a piece.


    The Beaumonts had secured an early lead through Chloe''s connections, dispatching Malcolm to handle the delicate negotiations to avoid any gossip.


    But now, with Liam pulling the plug and securing a new deal within half an hour, he had not only ground the Beaumonts'' pride into the dirt but also snatched the lucrative opportunity right out from under them.


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    "Liam, you can''t possibly-"


    "It has nothing to do with her," Liam cut Patricia off, his voice icy with contempt. "A bunch of ipetents-what right do you have to negotiate with me?"


    "You!" Patricia was livid.


    Liam totally ignored Patricia''s tantrum and said icily, "Stirring up trouble as soon as I hit Leiventale, How dare you!"


    Without granting Patricia a chance to retort, she was ushered out-right into Charlotte, who stood with coffee in hand. "Mrs." Charlotte greeted, "watch your step, wouldn''t want you to slip."


    "Are you mocking me?"


    "With the partnership over, surely my little jests are the least of your worries," Charlotte replied with a curtsy and a smile. "Take care." Patricia, fuming with indignation at the overt sarcasm, could only kick the wall in frustration as Charlotte slipped inside with the coffee.


    "Mr. Parker."


    After setting down the coffee, Charlotte didn''t just take off. She was really confused about what went downst night, but since everyone was keeping mum about it, she figured she had no choice but to ask Liam. Liam sampled the coffee, then returned to his screen.


    Unlike usual, he didn''t scold or dismiss her; instead, he acknowledged her presence.


    This sudden change left Charlotte unsettled, her curiosity about the previous night''s mystery intensifying.


    Twiddling her fingers, she stood there, soon drawing Liam''s attention.

 Chapter 46: Clarifying Affections

    Liam threw a nce at Charlotte and asked offhandedly, "You take your meds?"


    Charlotte was taken aback, "Nope."


    She didn''t even know where they were.


    "It''s in the top drawer of the bedside table," Liam directed, signaling her to retrieve it herself.


    Returning to the bedroom, Charlotte was struck by the chaos, from the bed to the floor.


    Memories of waking up there that morning made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.


    She recalled her feverish childhood escapades like the time she and Annie fled from Robert only to be caught and nearly drowned in a tub, which led to a high fever. Since then, every fever seemed to erase her memory of events that transpired during its grip.


    Maria once recounted how, in the throes of fever, Charlotte chased Robert with a butcher''s knife, causing quite themotion...


    Charlotte shuddered, unwilling to dwell on the possibility of causing simr chaos with Liamst night.


    That would exin the room''s disarray.


    Swallowing her medication in one gulp, Charlotte took it upon herself to tidy up the mess.


    Her cleaning was swift and efficient.


    As she finished, Henry walked in, a te of freshly rinsed strawberries in hand, which he handed to her.


    Strawberries? But Liam disliked strawberries.


    Blinking in confusion, Charlotte held the te, feeling oddly out of ce.


    Why was today filled with such strange urrences?


    Looking up, she locked eyes with Liam, sending a shiver down her spine.


    She pushed the te towards him in a silent offering.


    "I don''t eat those," Liam dismissed.


    Then why did Henry bring them?


    Charlotte puzzled over the riddle, longing to leave but still clutching the te, as Liam had yet to dismiss her.


    Caught between confusion and curiosity, Liam suddenly instructed, "Stand by the window and alert me when Chloe arrives."


    "Sure," she replied, attempting to set down the te, only to hear Liam''s voice again: "Take it with you."


    She therefore stood by the window, strawberry te in hand, sinking into a whirlpool of curiosity about the previous night''s events.


    What had she done to cause such a weird atmosphere among everyone?


    Lost in thought, she didn''t notice the sweet taste of strawberry sneaking between her lips until she looked down to find she''d been snacking on Liam''s strawberries.


    Swallowing hastily, she forced herself to stop specting wildly.


    Before long, Chloe''s car pulled into the hotel driveway, prompting Charlotte to quickly inform, "Mr. Parker, Miss Beaumont has arrived."


    "Mhm," Liam finally shifted from his work to nce casually at her, noticing a smudge of red at the corner of her mouth, he subtly gestured towards his own.


    What could he mean?


    Perplexed for a moment, Charlotte wondered if Liam had be so bizarre as to actually be signaling for a kiss.


    Despite her disbelief, she approached him slowly, cautiously nting a kiss at the corner of his mouth.


    As she leaned in, she could feel Liam tense up momentarily.


    What did that mean? Had she misunderstood?


    Was he about tosh out with harsh words?


    After the peck on the lips, Charlotte pressed her own together, rising quickly. She didn''t want to stick around for any unpleasant remarks and promptly dered, "I''ll go greet Miss Beaumont." Without waiting for Liam''s consent, she hurried off with the te in hand.


    "Oh!" Charlotte eximed as she identally bumped into someone on her way out.


    She quickly offered an apology, only to realize she had collided with Chloe and swiftly swallowed her words.


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    "What? You bump into me and can''t even say sorry?" Chloe demanded.


    Charlotte couldn''t be bothered with her, "Spinning your little schemes to drag me down backfired, didn''t they? Instead of seeking an apology from me here, Miss Beaumont, you might want to plead with Mr. Parker inside. Maybe he''ll cut your Beaumont family some ck."


    "You!" Chloe inhaled deeply, fighting to keep her anger in check.


    She was here to implore Liam for leniency.


    The Parker Group''s partnership was a golden goose for anyone, but without it, her Beaumont family would fall behind.


    Chloe''s gaze fixed on the smear of red at Charlotte''s lips, her fists clenched so tight they creaked.


    But she had bigger fish to fry now.


    Taking another deep breath, Chloe pushed open the door and stepped inside.


    "Liam, about our partnership..."


    Before she could even finish, Liam cut in, sounding fed up, "Don''t think I don''t know what you''ve been up to."


    Chloe, taken aback, stuttered, "I don''t know what you''re talking about, Liam. What have I done?"


    "You know exactly what you''ve done, Chloe. If you want to keep ying the princess, then start behaving," Liam''s icy words sent shivers down her spine.


    What had she done?


    She was just trying to keep her fianc¨¦ away from other women by ying a few cards!


    It was just a little jealousy and coquettishness, why did he have to act so disgusted?


    At the door, she had seen Liam and Charlotte kissing, and he had seemed so tender then! Why?


    Liam was her fianc¨¦, not Charlotte''s!


    Years ago, it was her, not Charlotte, who was by Liam''s side.


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    He adored her then, and even after the engagement was broken, he bore no grudges and was willing to honor theirmitment.


    If this wasn''t love, what was it?


    A man like him, if it wasn''t for affection, why would he continue with her?


    They could have had it all-a smooth wedding, children, and a life brimming with bliss.


    But now, Charlotte has shattered it all.


    Just the thought of the kiss earlier had Chloe seething with rage.


    Charlotte, with her alluring looks and sly fox tricks, had ensnared Liam, leaving Chloe, his betrothed, out in the cold.


    It was all Charlotte''s doing.


    With Charlotte out of the picture, she and Liam were still meant to be.


    "You''ve got it all wrong, dear Liam," Chloe said, her voice a blend of remorse and persuasion. "Despite the recent turbulence, the Beaumont family''s roots run deep in Leiventale, making us a formidable ally. I implore you to consider this." Chloe''s gaze drifted to the shimmeringke outside, "Do you remember thiske? I was but eighteen when you stood by its edge and vowed to honor our engagement."


    Tears glistened in her eyes as she recalled the past, "For the sake of thiske, for the promises made beside it, I schemed, I built a hotel, and even reserved a room just for you, so you''d always have the view of these waters. Liam, can''t you see the lengths I''ve gone to?"


    "I see all that you''ve done," Liam replied, his eyes still showing disdain, issuing an unapologetic warning, "If I catch you in any more schemes, you might as well make thiske your permanent home."


    It was a treat!


    Chloe, not daring to speak further, left with a heart burgeoning with even deeper loathing for Charlotte.


    At dinner, Chloe, who had stormed off in a huff, returned, catching Charlotte as she stepped out to fetch the meal, confronting her by theke.


    Charlotte had no fondness for theke; it conjured up haunting visions of Annie''s desperate struggles.


    She stepped back towards the safety of the path, maintaining a prudent distance, and inquired, "What do you want?"


    Chloe, however, didn''t address her question. Instead, she looked out over the water, her voice tinged with nostalgia, "Charlotte, do you know? It was here that Liam and I sealed our love. He promised to marry me, to make me the princess."

 Chapter 47: its up to her to accept an apology

    Charlotte listened with impatience, the words grating on her already frayed nerves.


    "You know, back when we were young and reckless, it felt like only things firmly in my grasp were truly mine. He wouldn''t support my quest for power, and in a fit of rage, I called off our engagement. His pride was such that he epted it without argument, and just like that, we parted ways."


    "But an engagement can be broken, yet true feelings linger on. Years have passed, yet his affection for me hasn''t faded. After all the twists and turns of fate, it''s me he stands beside."


    Charlotte remained silent, choosing not to engage.


    Chloe, perhaps bored with her own monologue, turned with a malicious grin and strode towards Charlotte, dragging her to the edge of theke. With a dramatic gesture, shemanded, "Take a good look at thiske, Charlotte. See not only Liam''s love for me but also recognize the worthlessness of Annie!"


    Charlotte''s body tensed at the mention of her sister, and as Chloe''s words sank in, she instinctively pushed Chloe away!


    Stumbling, Chloe caught herself by the water''s edge and continued her tirade: "Your foolish sister met her end in these waters, right here where Liam and I pledged our love!"


    "Shut up!" Charlotte burst out, her emotions spiraling out of control.


    "You''re the one who killed Annie!"


    Chloe shot back defiantly, "And you stole my man!"


    The two women shed by theke, grappling with primitive fury. Charlotte, still weak from a recent illness, found herself outmatched at times by Chloe.


    The hotel staff, previously instructed by Chloe, merely watched, offering no intervention.


    "Don''t worry, Charlotte, I''ll make sure you''re reunited with your treasured Annie, right here," Chloe taunted with a smirk.


    "Our wedding will bekeside, and you''ll bless us, won''t you?"


    "In your dreams!" The fury in Charlotte''s eyes burned fiercely, her breathing in ragged gasps.


    Finally, the hotel employees stepped in to separate them. The fight ended in a draw, with both women bearing the marks of the conflict.


    "This is thest time, Charlotte. I''m done ying these petty games with you."


    Wiping the blood from her lips, Chloeughed wildly, "This is Leiventale, my turf! I''ll see you dead here, buried with your stupid sister!"


    "Just try," Charlotte retorted with a coldugh.


    After their feral tussle, they both reverted to their usual facades, even managing to ascend the stairs together.


    Upon reaching Liam''s room, their tempers had cooledpletely.


    Chloe, as if nothing had transpired, approached Liam with yful affection, "Liam, why don''t you take a break? You''ve been at it all afternoon. Have something to eat before you continue, okay?" Liam ignored her, looking past her to Charlotte, "Did you bring back the meal?"


    "I did." Charlotteid out the dinner, which, unlike the previous day, was delivered still warm from a private kitchen.


    "Howe it''s all this? None of these are your favorites, Liam. Who could be so thoughtless as to not know your tastes?" Chloe red pointedly at Charlotte.


    "I ordered it," Liam announced, picking up his chopsticks and trying a bite of the greens.


    Chloe choked, caught off guard and momentarily speechless. With a resentful huff, she sat down to eat, shooting Charlotte a re. "What are you waiting for? Care to join us?" Before Charlotte could utter a word, Liam interjected, "Sit, join us."


    "What?" Chloe''s voice trembled with disbelief. "Liam, she''s just an assistant. How can she..."


    Liam cut her off with a cool nce. "Will you finish all this by yourself? Isn''t frugality part of the Beaumont family values?"


    Chloe''s mind raced with indignant thoughts, her facade of family pride crumbling.


    She shoved a mouthful of food down, eyes widening as Charlotte took her ce beside her.


    This was a dangerous omen.


    The hotel spies had reported that Charlotte, feverish, had knocked on Liam''s door the night before and didn''t emerge until nearly noon.


    Chloe knew Charlotte wouldn''t give up without a fight, seducing men even while ill!


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    She couldn''t let them be.


    Chloe spoke up, "Liam, Malcolm admits his fault and wishes to apologize, hoping for your forgiveness."


    Liam turned to Charlotte, "What do you think?"


    "Why ask her?" Chloe''s dissatisfaction was clear.


    "The wronged party is Charlotte; it''s up to her to ept an apology."


    Charlotte felt a moment of disorientation at Liam''s words.


    This was the Liam she knew.


    This was the real Liam.


    But why wasn''t he like this before? She remembered it clear as day when Sophia was bullying her and he just turned a blind eye.


    When documents got wrecked, he med her without even checking.


    Totally different from the fair and square guy he was being now.


    "I don''t need Mr. ckwell''s apology; it''s too much for me," Charlotte replied calmly.


    "Then we won''t see him," Liam dered, cutting off any response from Chloe.


    They ate in silence until a woman approached, appraising Charlotte from a distance beforementing to Liam, "Now that''s more like it. Take care of her; she looks well enough." Charlotte didn''t recognize the woman nor understand her words.


    Chloe''s face soured in an instant as she asked, "Why are we using some doctor we don''t know anything about? What happened to our regr doc?"


    "He''s been dealt with," Liam replied casually, wiping his mouth. "Just an animal doctor."


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    Charlotte guessed at their cryptic exchange but didn''t grasp it fully. After eating her fill, she tactfully excused herself.


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    Just outside, a quiet voice called her name.


    It was Malcolm, looking disheveled with scratch marks on his neck.


    "Mr. ckwell, do you have an appointment? Mr. Parker is not receiving visitors..."


    "I''m here for you. You know nothing happened that night."


    "That night?" Charlotte echoed, maintaining herposure. "What do you want?"


    "Tell Mr. Parker the truth, that I did nothing. Charlotte, you''ve already pped me four times; surely any grudge should be settled by now!"


    "But Chloe is Liam''s fianc¨¦e. Going to her would likely be more expedient."


    Charlotte didn''t remember anything and didn''t want to entangle herself further.


    Malcolm, frustrated, retorted, "Do you think I haven''t tried? She''s thrown me under the bus, leaving me to take the me! Charlotte, you hold more sway with Liam than Chloe ever could. He''ll listen to you!"


    "That''s impossible; I''m just an assistant," Charlotte insisted, attempting to leave.


    "Charlotte! Name your price, and I''ll pay! Just plead my case for me," Malcolm pleaded desperately.


    "I''ve said it before; I need nothing from you."


    "Charlotte!" Malcolm''s temper red. "Who do you think you are? Just a pretty face, a trifle Liam is ying with! Remember, just two nights ago, he had you standing in the garden as punishment, and when he left, he didn''t spare you a second thought!"

 Chapter 48: What I cherish could never be considered cheap

    Charlotte''s memory was a haze concerning the recent events.


    "So what?" she pondered without a hint of spite. "Am I supposed to harbor a grudge over this?"


    "You have the nerve!" Malcolm was on the verge of hurling more insults when something caught his eye, sending him into a panicked flight. Late to the drama, Charlotte turned to see Liam standing there, an unexpected calm in his demeanor.


    "He asked for my intercession; I refused," Charlotte offered a brief exnation.


    Liam''s lips quivered slightly as he fixed a deep,plex gaze on her as if he had a whirlwind of thoughts to share but no words woulde out.


    Charlotte found his silence peculiar and, concerned for his well-being, she gently suggested, "You should head back inside; it''s too chilly for such light clothing."


    Liam clenched his fingers involuntarily, fixated on her. "What he just said..."


    "I don''t remember any of it," she admitted, her memory genuinely failing her.


    He searched her face for a trace of resentment, found none, and marveled at how she bore no grudge against him, evenforting him by saying she had forgotten the past grievances.


    He was about to speak when Chloe''s voice,ced with exasperation, echoed from the room. "How could you forget the shower gel? Charlotte! All that packing and you brought nothing of use?"


    Charlotte''s lips tightened. Preparing for the trip, Chloe had deliberately left her in the dark about what to pack, forcing her to guess based on Liam''s preferences.


    And still, she had missed the mark.


    "This, this, and this, Liam doesn''t use any of these, yet you forgot all the essentials he prefers. Charlotte, what were you thinking?"


    Chloe sifted through the bathroom items dismissively, devaluing Charlotte''s efforts.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Charlotte listened silently, offering no defense.


    Even though Chloe had set her up, she should have taken the time to inquire directly with Liam or to check the secretary''s office for his preferences.


    It was her oversight, after all, and she had no right toin.


    "If Miss Beaumont could list what''s missing, I''ll make the purchases..."


    "Are you going to buy? Do you even recognize these brands?"


    Chloe''s sarcasm was sharp. "After all this time with him, you still don''t know his preferences. Charlotte, you''re true to yourself, caring about nothing but money."


    Stung by the biting mockery, Charlotte couldn''t hold back her frosty retort. "When he''s with me, he''s content with whatever''s at hand. A smart woman like Miss Beaumont should be able to discern what truly matters to him." "Are you boasting to me?"


    "Isn''t that what you''re doing?" Charlotte shot back, her voice tinged with defiance.


    She didn''t resist as Chloe grabbed her, pulling her into a state of disarray.


    Liam caught this scene as he followed the noise, his brow furrowing in displeasure. "Chloe!"


    Startled, Chloe released her grip as if scalded. "Liam, Charlotte didn''t bring anything for you, and it''s toote to shop now. Maybe you could make do at my ce tonight..."


    "Head back home," Liam interrupted her abruptly, his voice cutting through the air.


    Chloe paused, taken aback by his blunt insistence on sending her away.


    "Why?" she asked, her voice a mix of confusion and disbelief.


    "It''s gettingte," he simply said.


    "I don''t think it''ste. I even brought my driver, so there''s nothing to worry about..." she trailed off as Liam suddenly called out for Henry, who hurried in, his approach quick and cautious. "What can I do for you, Mr. Parker?" Henry inquired with due politeness.


    "Please escort Miss Beaumont home," Liam instructed.


    "Of course," Henry bowed slightly. "Miss Beaumont, if you would."


    "No... you''re kicking me out? Liam, I''m just worried about you! This stuff isn''t what you usually go for, it''s not your thing, Liam!"


    But her pleas fell on deaf ears as Henry, eschewing the usual formalities, ushered her out with a firm hand.


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    Once the door shut behind them, tranquility reimed the suite.


    Liam walked over, his pace halting as he passed by Charlotte. She looked up, expecting him to say something, but instead, he snatched a towel and tossed it onto her head in a fit of irritation. "I''m not covering for you; you were negligent in your duties," he said pointedly.


    "I''m aware," she responded, her tone resigned.


    She didn''t need him to say it; she wouldn''t tter herself into thinking he was defending her any longer.


    It was Chloe''s foolishness.


    Even without his usual toiletries, Liam had managed his routine the previous night just fine. Chloe''s relentless badgering was nothing but an annoyance, one that would only serve to weary Liam. He couldn''t tolerate another person bossing around on his turf.


    Chloe, his childhood sweetheart with years of engagement, failed to grasp even this.


    While Liam showered, Charlotte swept the room clean.


    As she was about to leave, he emerged, freshly bathed.


    From her vantage point, she could see the mix of impatience and disdain etched on his face.


    Did the hotel''s disposable toiletries still feel foreign to him?


    What about those days in the modest two-bedroom t? The budget-friendly items she picked out, did he scorn them as well when he stayed over?


    They were worlds apart.


    The hotel towels were too soft for his liking.


    As Liam rubbed his hair dry, he caught Charlotte standing in the center of the room, staring nkly at him, eyes tinged with a subtle mncholy.


    "What''s on your mind?" he asked, settling onto the couch and gesturing for Charlotte toe over to dry his hair-a familiar ritual from their cohabiting days.


    Back when money was tight, Charlotte had juggled countless jobs to afford necessities like sanitary pads, including working as a shampoo girl, where she secretly picked up head massage techniques. Drying his hair, Charlotte kneaded his scalp gently and ventured softly, "Are the hotel''s things that unpleasant to use?"


    This was the Beaumont family''s grandest hotel, the jewel of Leiventale, where everything was top-notch, including the branded disposables in the rooms.


    "Is it because they''replimentary and disposable that they seem cheap and unsatisfactory to you?"


    The gap between their family backgrounds had never been a source of inferiority for Charlotte, but now she found herself in a fog of doubt.


    As her fingers worked their magic, perfectly bnced in pressure, Liam rxedpletely and opened his eyes at her question.


    He knew she wasn''t really asking about the toiletries; she was alluding to something else.


    "Price is never the measure of an item''s worth," he said. "It''s about preference."


    "But would you ever prefer something inexpensive?" Charlotte countered.


    Liam paused before closing his eyes nonchntly once again.


    His response was measured, "What I cherish could never be considered cheap."


    How could he treasure something truly devoid of value?


    Anything he valued held an intrinsic preciousness.


    Charlotte''s head bowed, shrouded in sadness, "I understand now."


    In his eyes, she was just another cheapmodity.


    The things he valued were never cheap; therefore, he couldn''t possibly cherish her. That''s why he maintained the engagement with the well-bred Chloe. After the massage, Charlotte retreated to her room.


    No sooner had shein down than Thomas''s call came through.

 Chapter 49: Clean it

    The conversation naturally kicked off with inquiries about Charlotte''s rapport with Liam.


    Thomas had long harbored the belief that only by clinging to Liam could they truly cast Chloe into oblivion, a n he had never abandoned. But Charlotte, privy to his schemes, had never approved.


    Charlotte chided, "Liam''s got nothing to do with our vendetta. Let''s not keep dragging him into this; he won''t be our knight in shining armor."


    "Is that so?" Thomas hesitated, biting back the tale of his chance encounter with Daniel while catching up with Brendan.


    He gave her a serious heads-up, "Leiventale is Beaumont territory. The local big shots all look up to the Beaumonts. Charlotte, you better watch your step." Heeding her reluctance to exploit Liam, Thomas dropped the subject.


    He was well-informed about the recent stir in Leiventale; Liam had severed ties with the Beaumonts.


    It was a bold move.


    With the Perry and Beaumont families interlinked by marriage, and the Beaumonts reigning supreme in Leiventale, they were the obvious partners for the Parker Group to make inroads in the region. Yet Liam refused to coborate with the Beaumont n.


    This move had subtly undercut Chloe''s influence.


    Should Liam persist in his refusal to partner with the Beaumonts, even if Chloe managed to marry into the family, she would gain no tangible benefits, let alone have Liam as her pir of support.


    Thomas was beginning to see the merit in Charlotte''s perspective.


    He also grew to respect Charlotte''s capabilities more.


    They didn''t need to bend over backward to curry favor with Liam.


    The Parker Group''s expedition to Leiventale was a swift and decisive one, cutting ties with the Beaumonts and promptly securing other suitable partners, showcasing top-tier operational and responsive acumen. Charlotte now understood why Liam''s business trips neversted more than two days.


    True talent doesn''t require time to prove its worth.


    Yet after wrapping up his business, Liam couldn''t leave immediately; he had to attend an old family friend''s birthday banquet on behalf of the Perry family.


    Such asions often necessitated a personal assistant, but Charlotte knew her ce and understood Liam wouldn''t take her.


    "Mr. Parker, will you be drinking tonight? Shall I prepare some hangover soup and wait for you outside the venue?"


    Charlotte was fixing up Liam''s shirt cuffs when she heard him grunt a yes in response.


    But quickly, he overturned his own decision, "Stay at the hotel; there''s no need toe. This isn''t your scene."


    At his words, Charlotte''s fingers froze momentarily before she carried on with her task, unfazed.


    Just as she expected, Liam wouldn''t allow someone of her status to appear at the banquet.


    He would be apanied by Chloe.


    Charlotte stood in the lobby, watching him leave arm-in-arm with Chloe, dressed in haute couture.


    "Bye now~" Chloe taunted, ncing back with a provocative wave.


    Charlotte brushed off the provocation, her heels clicking as she retreated to her room.


    She thought her duties for the day were done, but fresh out of the shower, her phone buzzed with Liam''s number.


    "I need a white shirt, now," his voice crackled, tinged with irritation.


    Charlotte raced to his room, searching high and low, but no white shirt was in sight.


    Liam favored ck, and white shirts were scarce in his wardrobe.


    For this trip, Charlotte had packed him just one.


    His aversion to wearing clothes twice didn''t help, and buying a new one was out of the question at this hour.


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    In a twist of fate, Charlotte''s mind darted back to packing days prior, to a shirt she had gifted Liam, which he had discarded.


    Unable to part with it, she had slipped it into her bag instead.


    Should she?...


    Her resolve wavered. He had made his disdain for that shirt clear.


    Would he see this as her stubborn attempt to please him?


    No matter.


    Charlotte steeled herself. A shirt was a shirt, and it was better than failing her duty.


    After all, a white shirt is a white shirt, and he might not even notice.


    The venerable elder''s birthday was at a grand hot spring vi halfway up the mountain, its entrance opening to a tranquilke.


    Charlotte detested thatke and quickened her pace in search of Liam.


    "Miss Perry," greeted Henry, ushering her to a secluded pavilion where Liam sat, the stain of red wine stark against his once pristine shirt an affront to his meticulous nature. "What happened?" she inquired.


    "Oh, Mr. Parker is quite the catch in the eyes of the bachelorettes here. Onedy tried to get close by ''identally'' spilling wine on him," Henry exined.


    Charlotte suppressed a smile. "And Mr. Parker? He didn''t lose his temper?"


    "The elder took care of it and had thedy escorted out,¡± Henry said, hinting at Liam''s significance to the elder.


    Inside, Charlotte presented the shirt.


    Hearing her, Liam unexpectedly rose and headed to the changing room.


    She followed with the shirt, intending to leave it and exit, but Liam fixed his gaze on it, not reaching to take it.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! His brows knotted as he looked at Charlotte, "Is this a game to you?"


    Charlotte felt a shiver of apprehension; she hadn''t expected him to recognize the shirt.


    With feigned confidence, she replied, "It''s the only white shirt avable."


    "Why didn''t you bring more?" he pressed.


    "You''re not a fan of white shirts," she reminded him.


    "And if you knew I disliked white, why give me as a gift in the first ce?" Liam bore down with his questions.


    Caught off-guard, Charlotte blinked rapidly before responding, "I was unaware of your preference back when I presented it to you."


    In her early days, she was still figuring things out, from his likes and dislikes to mastering the office coffee machine.


    His probing might suggest he found her gift inappropriate, perhaps evenughable.


    Releasing a sigh, she murmured an apology, "I''m sorry, I didn''t think it through. It won''t happen again."


    Liam raised his eyebrows in apparent astonishment as if he hadn''t expected her to concede.


    "Charlotte, that''s quite the attitude," he said through gritted teeth.


    With a swift motion, Liam shut the door and, in front of her, stripped off the stained shirt.


    His bronzed skin came into view, causing Charlotte to flush with embarrassment. She turned to leave but found herself spun back by a firm grip on her shoulder. "Clean it," hemanded, nodding toward the wine mark on his abdomen.


    "What should I... use to clean it?" she stammered, thinking to fetch a tissue, only to be pulled back once more.


    "Don''t you have hands?" he challenged.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Um?" She was to use her hands?

 Chapter 50: Are you feeling guilty, perhaps?

    Flushed with embarrassment, Charlotte tucked her hands behind her back as if they might hide her fluster.


    With a scowl that could slice through the tension, Liam reached for her hidden hands.


    "They''re absolutely filthy," he grumbled.


    His grasp was firm as he guided her hands back and forth over the stain, the heat of his skin and the solidity of his muscles beneath her touch sending her mind into a tailspin, leaving her momentarily paralyzed. His strength was undeniable, her skin reddening under the pressure of his vigorous attempts to transfer the stubborn wine stain onto her palms.


    "I..." Charlotte''s breath felt hot, "Mr. Parker, now my hands are dirty."


    He was spotless, but what about her?


    "What''s the rush?" Liam''s voice was a calm contrast to the urgency of the moment as he picked up the soiled shirt, meticulously wiping her hands clean.


    Their proximity was intimate, their breaths intertwining, addingyers to the already thick atmosphere.


    Charlotte couldn''t bring herself to meet his gaze, focusing instead on the stains disappearing from her fingers as he attended to her with the precision of someone handling a priceless artifact.


    A sudden thought pierced the moment...


    Had he been throwing a tantrum just now?


    Was it because she had said there would be no more gifts?


    Before she could piece together her thoughts, her hands were released, and looking up, she was met with Liam''s irritated expression as he jerked his hand away.


    "Leave. This isn''t a ce for you."


    The air turned icy in an instant, any hint of ambiguity gone like a snuffed candle.


    Charlotte''s fanciful musings dissipated just as quickly.


    "Alright." Clutching the stained shirt she had been left with, she made her exit, her steps quick and resolute.


    It seemed her old habit of daydreaming was a tough one to shake off.


    Why would he be upset about not receiving more presents from her?


    "Mr. Parker." Henry approached with a query, "Should I arrange someone to escort Miss Perry?"


    "No need," Liam said, ruffling his hair in frustration.


    Such pretentious gatherings, rotten at the core, were no ce for someone like her.


    Charlotte retraced her steps; the party was winding down, and guests mingled in small groups, theirughter and chatter filling the space.


    She tried to remain inconspicuous, but on a narrow path, she encountered a woman staggering under the influence of too much wine.


    The woman''s face was flushed, and she wobbled towards Charlotte.


    Charlotte stepped aside to avoid her, but the woman, as if guided by drunken instinct, stumbled directly towards her, copsing into Charlotte''s arms!


    "Oh my!" The shock seemed to sober the woman up as she mbered off Charlotte, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "What is that awful smell?"


    Looking down at Charlotte, disdain painted her features. "Who are you? Such shabby attire. Doesn''t the Smith household provide uniforms for the help? Why aren''t you wearing one?"


    "I''m not one of the servants here; I have urgent matters to attend to. Please excuse me," Charlotte said, brushing off the incident and the woman''s rudeness as she got up to leave.


    The woman didn''t stop her, only muttering under her breath about Charlotte''s shabbiness and insinuating she was there to steal things.


    Charlotte brushed off the incident with a nonchnt grace. To her, the daughters of high society had always floated above the rest, casting disdain on anyone rooted in the mire of themon world. Wandering past the secludedke once more, a white bird emerged at the heart of the water, spiraling in the sky.


    Charlotte was mesmerized by the sparkling dance of light on the water''s surface.


    Although she bore no fondness for theke and was well aware that hornbills were not white, the whimsical thought crossed her mind.


    Could that bird be Annie?


    Could it be that, with wings, Annie would never drown in those depths?


    Minutester, a reprimanding tone filtered from the direction of the gate. Charlotte''s trance broke, and she noticed the gates had been closed at some unknown moment, with two security guards interrogating a woman.


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    The dimkeside offered Charlotte shelter behind a tree, where she eavesdropped for a moment.


    "That''s strange. Charlotte should have been here by now. Did we let her slip by without noticing?"


    "Everything is ounted for. She can''t escape. Just wait."


    A shiver shot through Charlotte''s spine at these words.


    Indeed, if she hadn''t been entranced by the bird, she would have already arrived.


    Were these men here for her? But why?All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Charlotte''s thoughts raced.


    The woman she had encountered earlier was staggering drunkenly, yet had collided with her despite Charlotte''s attempt to sidestep... She had been set up!


    Charlotte frantically began to check her belongings.


    Dressed in a simple tracksuit and denim jeans, her many pockets could harbor anything... Her fingertips brushed a cold, hard object inside her pocket, and her face instantly chilled. Gazing at the emerald jade pendant in her palm, she could piece together the impending plot.


    And in Leiventale, only Chloe would craft such a cunning scheme against her!


    Charlotte surveyed her surroundings with caution. Theke was expansive and situated on the outskirts, meaning surveince cameras were sparse.


    No one would know she had been by theke.


    With a decisive "plop," she tossed the jade pendant into the water, took a deep breath, and strode confidently toward the gate.


    The guards at the gate nced down at their phones, and then exchanged looks. With an unspoken agreement, they approached Charlotte.


    "Miss, Miss White''s heirloom jade pendant is missing, and we''ve locked down the ce. Nobody''s allowed to leave, so we''re gonna need you toe with us."


    The way they said it made it sound all official and important.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! Charlotte let out a derisive chuckle, gesturing towards others sauntering out without care. "Isn''t the whole ce under strict watch? Why are they allowed to leave?" "They''re the young master and mistress of the Garcia family. Do you think they would steal a jade pendant? Enough talk;e with me!"


    She was forcibly brought to the center of the event.


    Upon entering, she spotted the woman who had been too drunk to walk straight earlier, now sobbing at the feet of an elderly man.


    "That jade pendant is a family heirloom, the key to our Swiss vault. If it''s truly lost, my father will have my head! Mr. Smith, can you help me look for it, please?"


    The old man, moved by her tears, agreed and helped her to her feet.


    The woman continued herment, "The pendant must be here somewhere in the venue."


    A voice of dissent arose, "We''ve searched the ce twice over. If it''s not found, perhaps it''s been stolen? Evelyn, did you encounter anyone unusual?" "We''ve checked everyone, all the servants and outsiders I''ve met, and found nothing out of the ordinary."


    Then, a girl stepped forward, " Evelyn, there''s someone we haven''t checked! Remember the woman you bumped into on the west path? She left in such a hurry after getting up. Looking back on it, there seems to be something fishy about it." In this way, they passed the me around until it convenientlynded on Charlotte.


    The guards brought Charlotte forward at just the right moment.


    As soon as the woman saw her, she pointed usingly and demanded, "You''re not one of the Smith family''s servants nor an invited guest. What''s your identity? Did you bump into me on purpose to take the chance to steal my jade pendant?" Charlotte responded coolly, "If it''s such an important family treasure, I would assume you''d keep a close watch on it. How could it just fall off from a mere bump? Unless what you''re carrying is a fake."


    "You!" the woman stammered, caught off guard.


    Without giving her a chance to retort, Charlotte went on, "Besides, you''ve mingled with so many people here, why did the pendant only go missing after our encounter? Is it you who''s orchestrating this charade?"


    The woman''splexion shifted, a mix of anger and panic.


    Yet she retorted with forced confidence, "All your exnations... are you feeling guilty, perhaps?"

 Chapter 51 Are you trying to kidnap me?

    "I''m not feeling guilty or anything. If you really think I took your jade pendant, then go ahead and call the cops. They can check the cameras, question people, whatever needs to be done. I''ve got nothing to hide and I won''t argue about it." "You! There are no cameras! It was a gathering of friends and family; we had no need for surveince!"


    Beaten in the verbal sparring, the woman hastily turned to Mr. Smith, pouting, "You know how vital that jade pendant is. If the police get involved, the news of its disappearance will be public knowledge, and then..." Oh, so there are no security cameras, huh?


    Charlotte goes, "No cameras, so you think you can just trash my reputation like that? There''s a bunch of people around here; why are you only hassling me? Are you doing this on purpose, picking on me?"


    At this point, the bemused crowd and Mr. Smith suddenly remembered to inquire about Charlotte''s identity.


    "And who might you be, miss? Which family do you belong to?"


    "I''m the assistant to Mr. Parker of the Parker Group. Mr. Parker stained his shirt, and I''ve brought a recement."


    The mention of ''Parker Group'' cast a few seconds of hushed silence over the room, causing Mr. Smith''s face to twitch involuntarily.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    If this thing''s tied up with the Parker Group, and Charlotte''s calling it out so bluntly, they gotta handle it right. If they don''t, it could be seen as ''disrespectful'', and Liam might hold them responsible. Seeing the tide turn, the woman instinctively nced toward the empty balcony on the second floor.


    With no other option, she blurted out, "If you im to be innocent, then submit to a search! Find nothing, and I''ll apologize myself!"


    "If you''re the one who took it, then don''t be surprised when I don''t y nice!"


    "Liam!"


    Above the mor, Liam gripped the balcony railing, his expression dark as a storm.


    Chloe clutched at him, "Can''t you see Charlotte is intentionally dragging the Parker Group into this mess?!"


    "If she''s innocent, great, but if she''s not, she must face the consequences!"


    "Charging in to vouch for her without a second thought-what if she''s actually guilty? That''s gonna make the Parker Group look real bad."


    Liam was staring Chloe down like he was really mad, "You''re that certain she took the jade pendant?"


    "No... it''s not that. Didn''t they say she bumped into someone? What if the pendant got knocked off then?"


    "And it just happened tond on her, with pinpoint uracy?"


    Chloe fell silent.


    In any normal collision, items should hit the ground first; the chances ofnding in someone''s pocket are slim to none.


    She didn''t expect Liam to catch on that something was off so quickly


    "Dragging the Parker Group into this mess?!" Liam scoffed coldly. "By humiliating my employee, isn''t that what they''re doing? Should I just turn a blind eye?"


    Chloe''splexion shifted drastically. "Liam, they wouldn''t dare; it''s all standard procedure! Everyone relevant has been checked. It''s not a targeted investigation of Charlotte!"


    "Then why did they refuse when she suggested calling the police?"


    Liam looked seriously mad, one hand on Chloe''s shoulder, and he said in a voice so low only the two of them could hear, "Keep your sneaky side hidden well, ''cause if I find out..." "Liam... what are you going to do?!" Chloe paled, defending herself, "I haven''t done anything wrong!"


    "Then why stop me?"


    In a sh of inspiration born of desperation, Chloe blurted out, "Because I believe Charlotte wouldn''t do such a thing!"


    Liam held her gaze for a moment longer, then strode away with purpose.


    "If you can''t find that jade pendant on me, then I expect a public apology," Charlotte dered with confidence, her arms open wide as she invited the household staff to search her. The servantsbed through her belongings not once, but thrice, and came up empty-handed.


    The woman''s facade crumbled into panic. "This can''t be! What about her hat? Did you check the hat?"


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    "Yes, we checked everything, the jade pendant isn''t with her," the servant confirmed, their voice steady amidst the growing tension.


    "No, this can''t be happening... It has to be here!"


    The woman, now visibly shaken, scurried down and frantically patted down Charlotte herself, her hands trembling as the realization set in that the pendant was truly not there. Chloe had insisted that she use the real family heirloom jade pendant to bolster her credibility.


    It took much pleading and promises of securing a lucrative deal for the family before her father relented and gave her the pendant.


    But now, the pendant was gone.


    And so, it seemed, was her future.


    "Where is the jade pendant?" the woman demanded, her eyes burning with desperation as she clutched at Charlotte''s cor, shaking her hysterically. "Where have you hidden my jade pendant!" "I''ve told you already, I haven''t taken it," Charlotte replied calmly.


    "You''re lying! It was in your hat..." the woman caught herself toote, mping her mouth shut.


    The murmurs of the guests turned into a cacophony of whispers, their gazes upon her nowced with suspicion.


    "May I leave now?" Charlotte asked, cutting through the chatter to address the host who sat at the head of the room, Mr. Smith, who now looked visibly aged and weary from the ordeal.


    "Miss Perry, is it? This has all been a big misunderstanding. I''ll make sure to exin things to Mr. Parker personally. You shouldn''t worry about this incident or take it to heart," Mr. Smith offered, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "Thanks," Charlotte replied with a light, acknowledging smile.


    She was aware that Chloe was behind this setup and that Liam wouldn''t hold her ountable.


    Nheless, she made sure to drag Liam into the spotlight before everyone.


    He could choose not to pursue the matter, but he needed to be aware of Chloe''s machinations!


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    The festive atmosphere of the party had since cooled, leaving guests in quiet anticipation of how the situation would unfold.


    The attendees, sharp as they were, could see through the tant setup directed at Liam''s assistant from Parker Group.


    All eyes were on how Liam would handle the crisis.


    The woman who lost her ancestral jade pendant was quickly whisked away by her family, and on her way out, Charlotte encountered them again.


    The woman was in a frenzy, being hauled off like a pig for ughter by men who resembled her father and brothers, clearly distraught by the day''s events.


    Passing by theke once more, Charlotte noticed the absence of the white birds that had graced its center earlier; now, there was nothing but the shimmer of the water.


    She reflected on the day''s close call-if not for the dy caused by birdwatching, and overhearing the bodyguards'' conversation, she wouldn''t have been alert to the impending danger.


    She never would have guessed that the jade pendant could be hidden in a secretpartment of her hat, which would have made her a marked criminal.


    Upon reaching the main gate, Charlotte was surprised to find it still under lockdown.


    However, the guards'' demeanor had softened considerably. "The jade pendant is of great importance, and the old master insists on its return. You''re not under suspicion and are free to leave, just avoid the other guests." One guard advised, nodding discreetly towards the noisy, entitled young masters and mistresses demanding to depart.


    With a clear understanding of the situation, Charlotte inquired about an alternate exit and headed toward a smaller door.


    The guard offered to escort her, but mistrustful, she declined.


    But ten minutester, Charlotte realized that refusal was the gravest mistake of her day.


    Out of the darkness, a shadow lunged at her, a hand mped over her mouth before she could react, dragging her into an abandoned storeroom.


    Thrown into a pile of discarded items, her body screamed in pain.


    The dim moonlight revealed her assant, panting heavily-it was Malcolm ckwell!


    This man, who had been the general manager just days before, now appeared disheveled, now looked a mess. His hair was greasy, his clothes were all over the ce, and his eyes were bloodshot, like some sort of wild animal. Taking a deep breath, Charlotte asked, "Malcolm, are you trying to kidnap me?"

 Chapter 52: Who might I be?

    "No, no!" Malcolm quivered like a leaf caught in a tempest, his exhration betraying his novice status in such treacherous games.


    "Charlotte, Chloe has set her sights on scarring your beauty, but I''ll spare you the ordeal. Just plead my case to Liam, and I''ll set you free as a bird." His voice was a mix of desperation and hope. With that, he thrust his phone into Charlotte''s hands, demanding she call Liam with an urgency that brooked no refusal.


    Charlotte furrowed her brow, deep in thought. "Do you truly believe Liam will heed my plea?"


    "He will, he must!" Malcolm''s certainty bordered on fanaticism.


    "But when I was falsely used of stealing the ancestral jade pendant just now, Liam watched from the balcony above, unmoved, his inaction speaking volumes." Charlotte recounted the events with tranquility, though inside, the injustice seared her.


    She had caught a glimpse of Liam and Chloe on the balcony, spectators to her plight, their indifference as sharp as daggers.


    Malcolm, caught in his own frenzy, refused to believe her. "Excuses! You simply don''t wish to help me! If you don''t help me, Charlotte, I''ll show no mercy!"


    His words were a prelude to danger as a sharp knife, drawn from behind his back, lunged at Charlotte''s face.


    "Strike me, and you''ll shatter your future, banishing any hope of reiming your status!" she warned, a calm veneer masking her racing heart.


    The knife cut through the air with lethal intent, and with her back against the wall, Charlotte knew it was do or die.


    Malcolm had kidnapped her, but he didn''t do what Chloe told him to and scarred her face. He wanted her to plead with Liam first.


    Charlotte understood that for Malcolm, the position of general manager was the crown jewel, above everything else.


    And as the knife''s point threatened to pierce her skin, Malcolm''s ragged breaths halted its advance.


    His hand trembled, the de grazing her skin in torturous anticipation.


    "What do you think? Is there a chance for me to reim what once was mine?" Malcolm roared.


    Charlotte forced herself to remain collected. "Do years of dedication get erased by a single act of folly fueled by deceit?"


    "Don''t you think that''s kind of ridiculous?"


    "So, what got you into this mess today? Did you do something wrong, or did you just back the wrong horse?"


    Charlotte''s probing words made Malcolm quake even more violently.


    Observing his dting pupils, Charlotte sensed she had won the gamble.


    Her tone softened, "Malcolm, a gunmands respect only when aimed outwards. If you turn it upon yourself, wouldn''t you rather let it go?"


    Malcolm''s body shook violently, his fingers losing their grip, and the knife ttered to the ground.


    "Malcolm, you just had some ideas about me you shouldn''t have had, and you got the boot before you could even make a move. Think about it, what do you think would happen to you if you actually went through with hurting my face today?"


    "I may lose my beauty and with it, my value. But you, have you not lost your worth as well?"


    Charlotte looked upon him with pity. "To those who manipte you, destroying me is your sole value."


    Malcolm copsed, his eyes void of life, his body a picture of destion.


    Blinded by the agony of lost power, and at a dead end, Chloe had found him, promising him his old job back if he would scar Charlotte''s face.


    But as Charlotte had pointed out, would Liam ever let him off the hook? Would Chloe truly safeguard him?


    Alive, he was a thorn in Chloe''s side, a constant source of worry that he might reveal the truth and betray her.


    If he harmed Charlotte today, he was signing his own death warrant in the days toe.


    Malcolm swallowed hard, his eyes locking onto Charlotte with newfound resolve. "What do you think I should do?"


    Charlotte watched him silently for three long minutes, measuring his sincerity. Only when she was convinced of his epiphany did she speak, "Shift the me, and with it, the responsibility." "What?" Malcolm pressed.


    Charlotte''s expression chilled. "I''m sure you understand, Mr. ckwell."


    She couldn''t be frank; Malcolm was an unpredictable yer, the kind who might stab her in the back when it''s least expected.


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    And if he did, everything he did could be twisted to seem as if she had pulled the strings.


    Malcolm, grasping the implications, didn''t push further.


    After a tense pause, Malcolm raised the knife again, "Miss Perry, I need to pacify Chloe first."


    Charlotte edged back warily.


    Malcolm gave a bitter chuckle, "No, don''t fear. I won''t hurt you again. I''ll wound myself and im it was in self-defense against you. My feigned resentment will be the perfect disguise in front of Chloe."


    He wasn''t even trying to hide that Chloe was calling the shots.


    Since he wasn''ting at her with a knife, Charlotte obviously had no objections. She just gestured for him to do as he pleased.


    With a determined grimace, Malcolm raised the knife towards his thigh, but just then-


    A loud "thud" echoed as a spade appeared from the darkness, striking Malcolm on the head.


    He crumpled to the ground without a chance to scream.


    Charlotte, stunned by the sudden turn of events, instinctively thought to flee.


    She could handle Malcolm but not some unknown variable.


    "Miss Perry, I mean you no harm," a soothing male voice emerged from the shadows, "Stepping in to right a wrong is a virtue I''ve always admired."


    Charlotte, feeling this person was a bit off-kilter, cautiously responded with gratitude, "Thanks."


    "Don''t mention it. Consider it payment for the show I just witnessed," the silhouette in the dark quipped.


    Charlotte thought he was referring to Malcolm''s threat, "You saw everything?"


    "No, Miss Perry, I don''t take pleasure in violence. I''m talking about a different kind of drama," the man said softly, "That night in front of the ze, you and Liam stood side by side, the mes casting a hazy veil over you. The subtle, lingering intimacy was utterly enchanting."


    Suddenly, Charlotte felt a chill creep up from her toes to her scalp, sending shivers down her spine.


    "Who are you?"


    "Did you write the note that night?"


    "Or was it Chloe''s doing, and you took charge after?"


    Charlotte fired off three questions in quick session.


    The man chuckled approvingly, "You''re as sharp as I expected, Miss Perry. Why don''t you guess who I am?"


    "You are..." The words nearly escaped Charlotte''s lips, but she mped her mouth shut.


    The man persisted, "Who might I be?"


    "I don''t know," Charlotte''s brow twitched with tension.


    She had her suspicions, but they were too dangerous to voice just yet.


    The unknown is dangerous, but sometimes, the unknown person is the safer one.


    "If Miss Perry can''t guess, then let it be," the man said, a tinge of regret in his voice. "Still, I genuinely hope you and Liam find happiness."


    "It''s both a heartfelt wish and a sincere plea."


    With that, the man vanished quietly into the darkness.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Only when his figure hadpletely disappeared did Charlotte let out a sigh of relief.


    ncing at Malcolm, now unconscious on the ground, she prepared to leave this ominous ce when her phone rang.


    It was Henry''s call.


    "Henry?" Charlotte, thinking Henry was calling on Liam''s behalf to hold her ountable, preemptively began to exin, "I didn''t take her jade pendant, she was in..."

 Chapter 53: He would ensure justice for us

    Henry said, "Mr. Parker has already cleared the air about the false usations."


    Now it was Charlotte''s turn to feel thrown off. Beforeing to Leiventale, she had braced herself for Chloe''s full-on assault. She expected to be navigating a minefield, every countermove a struggle for survival.


    But what she hadn''t expected was Liam stepping in to y fair and protect her at every turn.


    This revtion gave her a surreal feeling.


    "Mr. Parker isn''t mad at me? I mean, I''ve been butting heads with the local big shots here under the Parker Group name."


    "Framing you was a p in the face to Parker Group to begin with. Mr. Parker thinks you didn''t do anything wrong."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    After a pause, Henry added, "Miss Perry, where are you at the moment? Mr. Parker had a bit of an ident with his finger. Can youe back and give us a hand?" Did he cut his finger?


    Surely the Smith family had a home physician for such trivial matters. Nevertheless, the boss''s orders were paramount.


    Charlotte made her way back along the winding path, her steps quick and decisive.


    Henry waited by the gate, his difort fleeting as he caught sight of her emerging from the darkness.


    "Over here, Charlotte," he called out, his voice steady.


    Returning to the courtyard where she had been wrongfully used of stealing the jade pendant, Charlotte witnessed the user, propped up by her brothers, barely able to stand.


    "I didn''t mean to use you; it''s a family heirloom! How could I use it for such a prank?" the woman sobbed breathlessly, almost copsing without her brothers'' support.


    Was this an act of contrition?


    Charlotte was taken aback. She hadn''t expected Liam''s authority to cast such a long shadow even here in Leiventale.


    Then Liam''s gaze found her, icy and reproachful. Recognizing the cue, Charlotte approached him respectfully, saying, "Mr. Parker."


    "Didn''t you notice I''m bleeding?" he questioned, looking down at her from his seated position.


    It was then that Charlotte saw the blood streaming from his left thumb.


    Was she qualified to handle such an injury?


    Stiffening her resolve, Charlotte took the tray and began to clean around the wound with an alcohol-soaked gauze.


    To get a better angle, she squatted beside Liam, who rested his hand on his knee, giving her no choice but to tend to him there.


    Upon looking up, Charlotte locked eyes with Chloe, who sat to Liam''s right, ring at her with disdain.


    Charlotte shed a polite smile, "Good evening, Miss Beaumont."


    Chloe, visibly irritated, turned her head away, refusing to look at Charlotte again.


    "Enough," Liam said, his eyes briefly meeting Charlotte''s.


    Though it was a reprimand, his tone carried a hint of softness.


    Charlotte bowed her head and focused on the wound while eavesdropping on the ongoing pleas for mercy.


    The woman kept begging for mercy, but when it didn''t seem to be getting her anywhere, her family jumped in to plead for her.


    "Mr. Parker, our Evelyn is innocent; she believes anything she''s told. She''s often used by others, and today was surely manipted as well!" Their united res fell on Chloe, usingly.


    Liam, however, remained unmoved, "When you were busy framing my assistant earlier, your Evelyn seemed quite adept, a disy most vile." Hearing this, Charlotte was inwardly shocked, her fingers pressed harder, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from Liam.


    Realizing her mistake, she quickly apologized, "I''m so sorry, Mr. Parker, I''ll be more careful!"


    "Forget it, call the doctor," Liam said, withdrawing his hand, but he didn''t dismiss Charlotte, who stood by, ready to assist further if needed.


    Charlotte pieced together the story from what Evelyn and her family were saying. Turns out Liam caught up with Mr. Smith and lost his cool big time, turning the whole ''assistant getting framed'' thing into a major drama. He made it sound like they were dissing the Parker Group on purpose, throwing down a challenge.


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    Evelyn, previously whisked away by her father and brother, was hastily summoned back by Mr. Smith to offer an apology, a demand she could hardly refuse.


    But Liam, his thirst for justice unquenched, surveyed the party himself, determined to unearth the thief of the Evelyn family''s heirloom jade pendant.


    Embarrassment was too mild a word for the spectacle that followed as every guest was detained and searched, their dignity left at the door.


    In the end, the pendant remained elusive, and Liam''s rage swiftly ignited a firestorm of anger among the guests, casting Evelyn''s family as the target of collective scorn.


    In the end, they didn''t even find the jade pendant. Liam''s fury turned into everybody''s fury in the blink of an eye, and just like that, Evelyn''s family was in the hot seat, taking heat from all sides. With all that going down, Charlotte pretty much fell off the radar.


    She threw Parker Group into the mix with onement, and then Liam stirred the pot, dragging all the party guests into the mess.


    Evelyn''s family not only had to deal with the missing family heirloom and the jade pendant, but now they were also the main target of everyone''s anger.


    Mishandling the situation could lead to their societal exile in Leiventale, their reputation left in tatters.


    The best course of action seemed to be producing the pendant, feigning its miraculous recovery to salvage some dignity.


    Or, they could expose the true mastermind, Chloe, and redirect Liam''s wrath.


    But with the pendant genuinely missing, they had no choice but to opt for thetter.


    So there they stood, using Chloe of orchestrating the plot.


    Liam was not easily swayed, "Chloe was with me all evening; how could she possibly conspire with you?" he countered skeptically.


    "It''s true! Mr. Parker, you must believe me! It was Chloe who orchestrated the whole scheme to tarnish Charlotte and keep her from you," Evelyn pleaded through tears. Liam, though, didn''t even nce her way.


    Instead, he shot Charlotte a look that was hard to read.


    Charlotte was instantly confused and cocked her head at him as if to ask, "What''s up?"


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    But all she got back was an eye roll from Liam like he was frustrated at her for not getting it.


    Charlotte wanted to grill him for answers, but just then the doctor came over to tend to Liam''s injury, so she had to put her questions on hold.


    As Evelyn''s family continued their usations, Liam''s simple query, "Any proof?" left them dumbfounded.


    "Without evidence, all these allegations are nder, aren''t they, Chloe?" he said, turning to Chloe, who managed a strained smile in response. "Exactly," she agreed.


    "Look, even Chloe gets it, howe you guys don''t?"


    Liam remarked, turning away from the Evelyns and heading inside as soon as his wound was bandaged.


    He detested the scent of medicinal powder and needed to wash it off.


    Evelyn, seizing the moment of Liam''s departure, confronted Chloe with tears and indignation, "It was your n, you had me take the pendant, and now you sit by his side, watching my downfall. Are you even human?" Chloe''s reply came with a sneer, echoing Liam''s earlier sentiment about baseless usations being nderous.


    Enraged and feeling betrayed, Evelyn attempted to persist but was forcibly removed by Chloe''s entourage.


    Chloe, unfazed, brushed off her arm which Evelyn had grasped, and turned to Charlotte with a taunting smile, "You seem to have luck on your side, Charlotte. I''ll have to craft a more foolproof n to ensure your defeat next time." Charlotte, calm as ever, simply responded, "I''ll be waiting."


    With a huff, Chloe departed, leaving Charlotte contemting her next move when she was halted by Evelyn''s father''s call, "Miss Perry!"


    Turning, Charlotte replied, "Yes, what is it?"


    "Please forgive my daughter''s foolishness, Miss Perry," he started.


    "Enough. Anything else?"


    "About Mr. Parker''s words earlier, what do you make of them?" he asked directly.


    His response was hopeful, "I believe Mr. Parker was hinting that with the right evidence, even against his betrothed Chloe, he would ensure justice for us."

 Chapter 54: A ladys honor

    Charlotte was speechless.


    With disbelief etched into her features, she mused, "Do you truly believe he''d be at a loss for proof if he sought it?"


    It was nothing more than a flimsy pretext.


    "How did he look when you pointed fingers at Chloe in his presence?" she asked.


    "Not too pleased," Evelyn replied.


    "That says it all." They clearly didn''t grasp the depth of Liam''s feelings for Chloe; otherwise, they wouldn''t entertain such foolish thoughts.


    Charlotte felt a bit sorry for them, "He''s asking you for proof right in front of Chloe-do you really think she won''t react? He''s just telling Chloe to cover her tracks better." Liam''s recent words were nothing but a guise to shield Chloe.


    "Is that so?"


    What else could it be?


    To expect Liam to actually punish Chloe?


    Ridiculous.


    Meanwhile, Liam stood secluded on the second-floor balcony, watching Chloe''s hurried departure.


    "Mr. Parker, the Beaumont family knows their turf well; they''re experts at erasing their tracks. Our guys came back empty-handed," Henry said, tinged with regret.


    "On a moonless night, all shadows are hidden," Liam mused, his frame casting an arc over the railing.


    The Beaumont family in Leiventale is so powerful that they do whatever they want without leaving a trace, not even a hint of evidence.


    He can put up with Chloe''s reckless behavior, but he won''t stand for it happening right under his nose.


    Especially now that Chloe''s influence had dared to reach Charlotte.


    Henry nced down and caught sight of Evelyn and her family supporting each other as they left, their silhouettes heavy with despair.


    "As people who''ve been in direct contact with Chloe, they''ll have an easier time finding evidence than we will," Henry remarked. "Let''s hope they appreciate the effort you''re making and get us the proof we need quickly."


    For a big shot like the Beaumonts, Mr. Parker can''t take action against their only descendant based just on some guesswork.


    Everything must be done with due process.


    Henry sighed, then asked, "It''s gettingte. Shall we head back to the hotel?"


    "Sure," came Liam''s curt reply. He started down the stairs, then paused to add, "Don''t tell Charlotte about the real reason behind my injury." "Understood."


    Henry had thought Charlotte wouldn''t cross the line to ask, but during Liam''s brief absence at the restroom, she cornered Henry by the tea station. "How did Mr. Parker hurt his finger?"


    "Ah..." Henry scratched his head, "That''s a secret."


    "A secret?" To Charlotte, a mere injured finger was hardly a matter of secrecy.


    Confused, she didn''t press further. When Liam returned, they all left together.


    Passing ake, Charlotte overheard guests whispering behind the trees. Falling behind, she eavesdropped.


    ''Mr. Parker is quite protective of her. They say when Evelyn and her family pleaded with him, heshed out in anger!''


    Everything clicked for Charlotte.


    She stealthily questioned Henry, "Did Mr. Parker''s fury have to do with defending ady''s honor?"


    After a moment''s hesitation, Henry admitted, "You could say that."


    Learning of the nders against Charlotte, the boss had indeed erupted, mming his hand on the table, injuring his finger on the broken nutshells. Charlotte understood, feeling a mix of disappointment and inevitability, "He really does shield Chloe."


    A proud and self-contained man, resorting to violence for Chloe''s sake.


    "Huh?" Henry was momentarily confused. Shield Chloe? Who''d ever get angry over Chloe?


    He hurriedly rified, "Mr. Parker''s injury wasn''t about protecting Chloe."


    "Then what was it?"


    Henry was on the brink of spilling the truth when he remembered Liam''s directive, and he shut his mouth tight, his cheeks flushing red. Charlotte found his reaction odd, assuming Liam was too proud to admit he was injured while defending his fianc¨¦e.


    A bitter taste spread through her heart, and she no longer wished to speak, just as Liam finished mingling. They left for the car in silence.


    On the way back, Charlotte messaged Thomas, listlessly inquiring if he had arranged for any assistance in Leiventale. Thomas hadn''t.


    What?


    That man in the storeroom... With her suspicions growing, she pressed Thomas for information on a man''s whereabouts. The color drained from her face as she read the response on her phone''s screen.


    Charlotte tossed and turned, haunted by restless thoughts that held sleep at bay.


    Hunger pangs struck her in the dead of night, yet she dared not trouble the hotel staff for fear of drawing Chloe''s attention.


    Instead, she opted for takeaway, hoping to avoid staining her nkets with the scent of spicy cuisine, and found sanctuary in the dimly lit corridor.


    Barely halfway through her meal, the sound of a door creaking open hastened her turn, and she found herself locked in a confrontation with Liam''s irate gaze.


    "What are you up to?" he grumbled, clearly disheveled by the midnight disturbance.


    Swallowing her bite of fish with difficulty, she murmured, "Just a little midnight feast."


    "Didn''t you have dinner?"


    "I did." Yet, as midnight''s hunger struck, her stomach begged to differ.


    For the first time, Charlotte felt his concern bordered on intrusive. "Mr. Parker, I''ve been careful not to wake anyone..."


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    "Am I not someone?" Liam retorted sharply, clearly disapproving of her hallway dining, "Charlotte, are you a beggar?"


    He was known for his leniency with his team, ensuring even the personal assistants enjoyed the privacy of their own standard rooms.


    Did her roomck even a table?


    "Get in here and eat!" he barked, irritationcing his words.


    She said to Liam, "I''m not going to! Can''t you just talk to me nicely?"


    Liam spun around, his lifted eyebrows a silent testament to his shock.


    He stared at Charlotte for a while, then with a strange look on his face, he gently said as he opened the door, "Come on in and eat."


    "Is this for real?" Charlotte''s turn to be taken aback.


    Taking a deep breath, Liam gestured impatiently toward the takeout on the floor and the table inside, gruffly saying, "Get in there to eat, and hurry up."


    "..." Okay, any softness from him was clearly an illusion, Charlotte realized.


    Hugging the takeout, she darted inside without once daring to raise her head.


    Thus, she missed the sight of Liam''s ears, flushed with a subtle warmth.


    Once inside, Charlotte dared not proceed with her meal. The takeout''s spicy fish aroma was indeed overpowering; she had chosen the hallway to spare the room from the invasive scent. If she boldly went into Liam''s room right now to eat spicy fish, when he wakes up tomorrow, he''s definitely going to flip out.


    But the dish''s intoxicating spice was a siren call in the contemtive silence of the night.


    Charlotte found it impossible to let go.


    "Mr. Parker," she tried to be upfront, "the smell is quite strong, I should eat outside..."


    "Eat outside and wake me up again?" Liam red, his eyebrows knitted in frustration.


    Confused, Charlotte protested, "The hotel''s soundproofing is excellent. How could I have disturbed you?"


    Liam''s response was non-existent, his features pulling into an even grimmer visage, eyes filled with a hint of reproach.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Charlotte felt more and more mystified by Liam.


    After a brief hesitation, she picked up the fork, and just as she was about to touch the fish, a stroke of genius struck. She turned to Liam and offered, "Mr. Parker, would you like some?"

 Chapter 55: Youll run away

    Liam was taken aback, his face a picture of surprise.


    He never eats leftovers or anything that someone else has already taken a bite of.


    "It''s actually not too bad," Charlotte mused internally, ready with an escape n involving the spicy fish should Liam find it unptable.


    But if he liked it, she could share the meal, making him an aplice, and he might not chastise her.


    "Care for a taste?" she asked, noticing he hadn''t moved.


    Liam snapped back to reality, his look one of mixed emotions.


    The distance that used to define their rtionship seemed to have thinned; it was as if they had been both intimately close and strangers at the same time.


    It seemed they both had changed since that feverish night.


    Without a word, Liam sat down, epted the chopsticks from her, and took a bite of the fish.


    Charlotte watched as he closed his eyes, his face a mix of endurance and distaste.


    "It might not be to your liking, Mr. Parker. I''ll go outside to eat," she said, ready to leave.


    But Liam''s hand on her waist pressed her down firmly.


    "Just eat," hemanded tersely, stirring a whirlwind of feelings in Charlotte.


    Was she imagining things, or was there a hint of indulgence in his tone?


    Silently, she resumed her meal.


    Just having him stare at her like that made even the tastiest food lose its vor.


    To get him to look away, Charlotte brought up the thing about Evelyn using Chloe.


    "Mr. Parker, is there really any evidence? What if Evelyn brings it forward..."


    Before she could finish, Liam cut in with a cold tone, "It''s none of your business, Charlotte. Don''t ask questions."


    "Okay," she replied, bowing her head to her food.


    This time, Liam''s gaze didn''t intimidate her, nor did the fish taste delightful.


    Why did she keep asking questions to which she already knew the answers?


    After finishing the fish without savoring its vor, Charlotte tidied up and took her leave, "Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Parker. Sorry for disturbing your rest."


    Liam''s previously decent mood soured at her words.


    "What did you say?"


    "I... " Charlotte said, confused by his sudden anger, and cautiously exined, "I''m done eating and won''t disturb you any further."


    "Charlotte!" His finger pointed at her, his teeth clenched in a way that sent a shiver down her spine.


    She knew his true intentions.


    He didn''t call her to his room in the middle of the night just for some fish.


    He wanted to sleep with her.


    But Charlotte resisted.


    She couldn''t bear the thought of being beneath Liam while he was thinking of another woman.


    He didn''t even give her the chance to talk about Chloe; she really didn''t need to waste her time trying to get his attention. "Mr. Parker, I should go then... Ah!"


    As she turned to leave, she was suddenly lifted off her feet, her arms instinctively reaching out for something to grasp. "Liam!" she eximed, annoyed.


    "What now?"


    After tossing her onto the bed, his gaze bore down on her. "Not Mr. Parker anymore?"


    After tossing her onto the bed, his gaze bore down on her. "Not Mr. Parker anymore?"


    "Hey!" Charlotte thought she''d gotten over feeling ashamed after all the times she spent nights with Liam.


    But the strong feelings bubbling up inside her right now told her she hadn''t.


    She was still feeling the sting of shame from the way Liam was forcing her around and acting like he didn''t give a darn.


    "You can''t do this to me..." she trailed off, unable to finish.


    And of course, he didn''t let her finish, pressing down on her, his thumb caressing her lip, whispering, "Can''t do what to you?" "Nothing," Charlotte covered her eyes, not wanting him to see her vulnerability.


    She whispered again, "Nothing," and gave in.


    Liam arranged for a box of fruit candies to be brought up, popping a strawberry-vored one into Charlotte''s mouth.


    "What''s with the candy?" she didn''t understand his actions.


    "I don''t like the taste of the fish," Liam said offhandedly, leaning in to kiss her candy-vored lips.


    "I don''t like the taste of the fish," Liam said offhandedly, leaning in to kiss her candy-vored lips.


    Charlotte gasped for air, pushing against Liam''s chest, "I could brush my teeth."


    He nipped her lower lip, "No."


    "You''ll run away."


    Run away?


    Charlotte felt dizzy and thought to herself that there was no way she could run away now.


    Awakening with a body sore from the night before, Charlottey in bed and overheard Liam''s discontent drifting from the living room as he instructed the cleaning staff. "I can''t stand this stench, get rid of it immediately."


    It took a moment for her groggy mind to connect the dots; the stench Liam detested was the spicy fish she had indulged in the previous evening.


    Why the pretense of sharing dinner if the smell was so repugnant to him?


    Silently, she dressed and sat on the edge of the bed, deciding to wait for the staff to clear out before stepping out.


    Her phone chirped from the nightstand, a message that caught her attention and drew her gaze.


    "Liam, thanks for having my back, love you."This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The message was undeniably in Chloe''s flirty tone.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! Charlotte averted her gaze, her mind spinning with spections about what ''having her back'' could imply.


    Was it aboutst night''s events?


    Or was it about the malicious usations against her, where Liam seemed to aid the real culprit, destroying evidence in the process?


    Indeed, that warranted gratitude.


    "You up?"


    Lost in thought, Charlotte barely noticed Liam returning from the living room, his furrowed brows signaling his displeasure.


    She knew it was the fishy smell that irked him, so she nodded in acknowledgment, hoping to avoid any harsh words.


    To steer the conversation elsewhere, she broached a subject of her own, "Mr. Parker, when are we heading back?" "Why do you ask?" Liam paused, his expression turning curious as he reached for a ss of water, "Homesick?" "Not at all." The ce she once considered home was now nothing more than a house gifted to Chloe''s dog. Charlotte looked down, "I just don''t like it here in Leiventale."


    She needed to return to confirm a suspicion; whether the person who knocked out Malcolm in the storeroom was indeed who she thought it might be.


    If her suspicion was correct, it would only spell more trouble and danger for her.


    After leaving Liam''s room, the front desk called to inform her of a visitor.


    In the lobby, she was surprised to find Evelyn waiting for her.


    "What did you want to see me for?"


    Evelyn looked exhausted, her eyes puffy from crying, "I... I want to apologize, Charlotte. I was wrong yesterday, I shouldn''t have listened to Chloe and falsely used you." "No need for empty words, what''s the matter?" Charlotte had no patience for such nonsense.


    Evelyn bit her lip as if making a difficult decision.


    "Charlotte, they''ve searched the entire event space and the jade pendant''s nowhere to be found. I know you still have it."


    "You really think so? They searched me and found nothing on me."


    "Of course, I know!" Evelyn said with a pained expression. "I was the one who slipped the jade pendant into your hat."

 Chapter 56: Drown her!

    Seeing how easily Evelyn admitted to what she had done, Charlotte actually found it kind of boring and just listened quietly.


    "Charlotte, please, the stuff in the Swiss safe deposit box is super important. It''s like the lifeline for my family''s survival. Charlotte, you can''t just stand by and watch us hit a dead end!" That''s pretty ironic, isn''t it?


    Charlotte was falsely used of stealing the jade pendant. If the usations stick, would she, just an assistant, have any way out?


    The same person who wouldn''t leave any options for others is now shamelessly trying to guilt-trip Charlotte into leaving her a way out.


    Charlotte shot back, "If the jade pendant is so important, why were you so careless with it in the first ce?"


    "Chloe promised me some big projects for my family after everything was settled. She nned it all, and I was just following orders, Charlotte. I didn''t mean for any of this to happen..." "You knew what you were getting into, so you''ve got to face the music," Charlotte cut her off coldly, "And if Chloe''s calling the shots, why aren''t you asking her for the jade pendant?" "Because..." Evelyn Zhang was at a loss for words, and after a while, she muttered sheepishly, "Because Chloe''s got Liam protecting her, and I can''t do anything about it..."


    "No, it''s not that you can''t do anything." The rich and powerful, when they lose their reputation and support, they''re desperate, but they''re still just picking on her, a little assistant. They''re not helpless.


    "You''re just picking on someone you think is weak."


    Charlotte looked at Evelyn Zhang with pity, "But this ''weak'' person you''re trying to squeeze will be heading back in a few days, and you won''t be able to touch me. But you''ll have to stay here and pay the price for your stupidity." Evelyn looked forlorn, standing there for a long time.


    Charlotte went back to the hotel. As she looked out the window, she saw Chloe''s car drive up and park right in front of Evelyn.


    They exchanged a few words, and a conflict erupted. After a heated argument, Evelyn hysterically pped Chloe, knocking off the bandage that was still on her face.


    Chloe seemed unable to handle Evelyn''s fury, scrambling into her car to make a quick getaway from the hotel.


    Charlotte turned away, only to catch a glimpse of a man by theke signaling to her.


    It was Malcolm.


    "Are you alright?" she called to him from a distance.


    Malcolm touched the bandage on the back of his head and gave a wry smile, "The pain in my body is nothingpared to the agony in my soul. By the way, Miss Perry, were you the one who hit mest night?"


    He only remembered that before he passed out, he was trying to stab himself with the knife. He thought that Charlotte couldn''t bear to see him act so cruelly and had deliberately knocked him out.


    Charlotte gave a wry smile and didn''t respond, effectively admitting to it.


    The man''s identity was special, and she couldn''t expose him to others.


    Malcolm continued with a sigh, "After I woke up, I went to find Chloe and told her that you had run away and that you had beaten me up. She saw me covered in blood and unsteady on my feet, but she didn''t suspect anything. She just called me a useless idiot."


    "You''re looking for me now because she''s given you new orders?" Charlotte asked.


    "Yeah, Chloe''s little schemes have been failing, and now the Beaumont elders are ming her for being reckless and headstrong. They want to limit her actions, and she wants to get rid of you before she''spletely restricted." Charlotte nodded and then asked, "What''s the n for today?"


    "To push you into theke," Malcolm said through gritted teeth, clearly upset at such amand, as if it was pushing him into a pit of fire. Chloe really didn''t care about his safety at all.


    Charlotte looked around; Malcolm had chosen a good spot with no surveince cameras and no one passing by.


    "Make it look real, or Chloe won''t believe it," she said.


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    "Don''t worry, I won''t actually drown you. We''ll put on a show to force Chloe to show her true colors!"


    Charlotte didn''t say anything more and started walking towards theke. Malcolm hurried to follow. After exchanging a nce, Malcolm forcefully pushed Charlotte into the water! "Ugh!" Theke water instantly engulfed her, saturating her nose and mouth.


    Charlotte''s fear skyrocketed, and as she choked on water, she was a bit out of it.


    How much pain had Annie suffered before her death?


    "It''s all your fault! You deserve to die, Charlotte! I''m going to kill you today!"


    Malcolm cursed fiercely as he pressed down on Charlotte''s neck, not loosening his grip despite her desperate iling.


    Seeing the timing was right, Malcolm called Chloe. "I''ve done what you asked with Charlotte. When will you give me what you promised?"


    "Once Charlotte is dead, I''ll let youe back to work at thepany!"


    "I don''t believe you, Chloe! I need to see the appointment notice now!"


    "Malcolm, don''t push it! Why should I believe you''ve actually done anything to Charlotte just based on your word?"


    Chloe had just been pped by Evelyn and was enraged like never before.


    Malcolm was even angrier: "Why shouldn''t you believe me? I''m risking my life to do your dirty work, and you can''t even throw me a bone! You don''t believe me? Then watch closely!" Malcolm made a video call to Chloe. Chloe covered the camera as she answered, and Malcolm''s crazed face came into view.


    "Look! She''s about to die!"


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    In the video, Charlotte was being held down in the water, her hands weakly struggling.


    "I can''t see her face; how do I know it''s her?" Chloe was cautious.


    Malcolm immediately pulled Charlotte up by the hair. Charlotte''s eyes rolled back, and she spat out dirty water, her body limp.


    But Malcolm let go, and she fell back into the water, struggling less and less until bubbles rose up from where she sank.


    "It''s really Charlotte!" For a moment, Chloe was ecstatic, almost wanting to p her hands in glee.


    "Good! Do it, Malcolm! Drown her!"


    Caught up in her triumph, Chloe forgot to cover the camera, but then quickly did so a few secondster.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Malcolm was still frantic: "Where''s my payment? I want to go back to being the general manager!" "Fine, fine, no problem!"


    As soon as Chloe agreed, Malcolm didn''t end the video call. Instead, he tossed the no-longer-struggling Charlotte into theke right in front of Chloe, and soon Charlotte disappeared from the surface.


    "I have to go," Malcolm said nervously after throwing her in, his lips white and his face pale with fear.


    Chloe, having no suspicion, emphasized that she would let him return to thepany and then hung up first.


    As soon as the video call ended, Malcolm jumped into the water and pulled the unconscious Charlotte out. He pressed on her chest and abdomen several times before Charlotte finally coughed up a mouthful of water and came to. "Did you get it?" The first thing Charlotte asked when she woke up was whether the phone hidden in the bushes had recorded everything.

 Chapter 57: Does it hurt you?

    Malcolm looked at her disheveled appearance, his emotions a tangled mess.


    "If I had known what kind of person you were, Charlotte, I never would have messed with you that night," he said. Charlotte struggled to sit up and made sure to record everything that had just happened before she copsed in relief. Chloe was always careful to cover her tracks.


    But Charlotte''s near-death experience had made Chloe let her guard down for just a few seconds - but it was enough.


    That footage was solid proof that Chloe had hired someone to kill.


    Malcolm sat down too, feeling his age. "I''m not gonna hand over this evidence; it''s too risky. Chloe''s bad news. I can only get back into thepany if I have something on her."


    "But if she finds out about the video, she''d rather take you out than let you hold it over her," Charlotte said.


    "I know, which is why I''m giving you a copy. Even if she gets rid of me, it won''t help her. Charlotte, you can do whatever you want with it."


    Malcolm looked at Charlotte seriously. "I think Liam really cares about you. If you show him the video, he''ll see justice is done for you." Justice?


    Charlotte watched the video of herself struggling and let out a wistfulugh.


    Would he?


    After splitting from Malcolm, Charlotte took the stairs to avoid people, soaking wet as she returned to her room.


    Unexpectedly, Liam was lying on her bed, fiddling with a wooden Maneki-neko charm she''d brought over.


    Hearing the door, he didn''t get up but instead asked, "Where have I seen this before?"


    "I used to keep it by the bed," Charlotte said, shivering from the cold.


    It was then Liam noticed she was drenched and quickly got up, his eyes cold and fierce. "What happened? Did someone push you into theke?" Charlotte fell silent for a moment.


    Malcolm had said she could do what she wanted with the video, but in reality, she couldn''t use it for anything.


    Malcolm was in the video, too. If she revealed it, he''d be implicated as well.


    Malcolm probably thought that because she and Liam were close, Liam would let him off the hook for her sake.


    But that''s not how things worked. Past events had shown that Liam wouldn''t change his mind just because she asked him to.


    She and Malcolm were in the same boat now, and since she couldn''t save Malcolm, she couldn''t betray him either.


    "Charlotte!" Liam''s anxiety grew more intense with her silence. "Who did this to you?"


    Charlotte shook her head gently. "I just fell into theke by ident."


    "Bullshit! You''re terrified of the water. Would you go to theke by yourself?" Liam paced the room like a caged animal, knowing he wouldn''t get anything out of her. Charlotte, though, was momentarily lost in thought.


    She used to not be afraid of the water.


    Charlotte became afraid of theke after hearing about Annie''s death in its waters.


    How did Liam know that?


    Did he already know about Annie''s death?


    Did he know that Chloe pushed Annie into theke?


    Charlotte didn''t want to think about it too hard and forced herself to change the subject.


    "Mr. Parker, quit twirling around, you''re gonna spin right through to the other side of the!" She even threw in a joke for good measure.


    Liam turned around, his face so angry that Charlotte was momentarily stunned.


    "Is this funny to you?" he said as he walked over quickly, yanking off her wet clothes and wrapping her in his own.


    His kiss on her lips was both angry and resigned. "Stubborn," he muttered.


    Charlotte couldn''t figure him out.


    His urgency didn''t seem fake, but why?


    "Liam."


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    She looked up at him. "Seeing me in the water, does it hurt you?"


    "Did the water scramble your brains?" Liam was clearly not in a good mood. He told Charlotte to wait and went to run a bath.


    While the bath was filling, he also ordered some soup to warm her up.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Charlotte, like a pet, let him take care of her. She took a hot bath and drank the soup.


    Then, wrapped in nkets, she watched him leave.


    "Liam!" she called out before he closed the door.


    Liam turned back, his face dark. "Yeah?"


    "Where are you going?"


    "You don''t need to know." With that tough response, he disappeared from Charlotte''s sight.


    Charlotte didn''t know what he was up to. Falling into the water was not pleasant, and she fell into a drowsy sleep. When she woke up, Liam had returned.


    But he had brought Chloe with him.


    When Charlotte went out, Chloe was knocking on Liam''s door, tears streaming down her face, repeating ''It wasn''t me, I didn''t do it''.


    Seeing Charlotte approach, Chloe instantly shut up, her tears gone, reced by a look of arrogance and spite.


    "Charlotte, you''re still alive. He lied to me."


    The ''he'' was obviously Malcolm.


    Charlotte didn''t bite, but instead said with a sardonic smile, "Miss Beaumont, what were you saying just now? That Mr. Parker caught you hiring someone to kill, and you came to beg for forgiveness?" "You!"


    Chloe inhaled deeply, quelling the rising storm within her. "I won''t stoop to arguing, Charlotte. All you''re good at is pping your gums anyway."


    "Miss Beaumont''s moves are vicious, aimed to kill, but they always miss. Kind-hearted, in a way," Charlotte mocked.


    Chloe wanted to argue back, but the door suddenly opened and Liam stepped out, quickly shutting down the argument, "What''s all this noise about?!"


    Chloe yed the victim, "Liam, Charlotte''s picking on me!"


    "Why are you picking on her?" Liam asked Charlotte, frowning.


    Chloe''s smug smile hadn''t fully formed when she heard Liam tell Charlotte, "Stay away from her from now on."


    "Liam, what do you mean by that?!" Chloe panicked.


    "You know exactly what I mean," Liam shot her a frosty nce, his hand firmly on Charlotte''s shoulder, almost protectively steering her into the room. Chloe watched, her face draining of color.


    Ever since they had arrived in Leiventale, Liam''s attentiveness towards Charlotte only seemed to grow.


    This wasn''t the situation Chloe wanted to see, and she wouldn''t allow it!


    "What were you up to just now?" Charlotte asked urgently as they entered the room.


    Liam didn''t answer, just urged her to pack quickly; they had to rush back.


    Charlotte didn''t ask why the rush, but there was one thing she had to know, "Is Chloeing too?" "Yeah."


    With Liam''s confirmation, Charlotte quietly started packing.


    Chloe had been causing trouble for the Beaumonts, and Liam was probably taking her back for her protection.


    On the flight back, Liam was in a bad state, anxious and irritable, snapping at everyone.


    As soon as theynded, Liam headed straight for the Parker family home with Chloe.


    Normally, Charlotte would follow, but after Liam gave her a long look, he decided against it.


    "Don''t you want to go home? Then go see your family."


    "..." Charlotte thought he was talking nonsense.


    She didn''t go back to the Perry family''s messy situation but went straight to Thomas to confirm the identity of the man from the other night.

 Chapter 58: You Must Marry Chloe!

    After hearing her description, Thomas did some digging.


    "It''s definitely him," Charlotte said, frustrated as she looked at the man on her phone screen, running her hands through her hair. "How did you even get mixed up with him?" Thomas asked.


    "I''m not mixed up with him, to be precise, he''s been the one paying attention to me," she rified.


    To be even more precise, this guy was keeping an eye on her and Liam from the shadows.


    "We''ll cross that bridge when wee to it. As long as he stays out of our way, let''s just pretend he doesn''t exist," Charlotte suggested.


    Thomas nodded, "That''s all we can do, but why did Liam rush back? Did something happen with the Parker family?"


    "I''m not sure."


    Charlotte then recounted everything that happened in Leiventale to Thomas. Being from the Beaumont family, he was in the best position to judge the potential fallout from Chloe''s actions. Thomas was visibly shaken after hearing the story.


    "You''ve had it tough," he said, patting Charlotte''s shoulder sympathetically. "If Annie had even..."


    He couldn''t finish his sentence and turned away to wipe his tears.


    Charlotte took a deep breath and finished her cup of hot tea in one gulp.


    The mention of Annie''s name made the atmosphere turn heavy, and they both sat in silence, sipping tea.


    After a while, Thomas slowly started talking about Chloe''s situation again.


    "The Beaumonts are losing patience with Chloe. If she doesn''t marry Liam soon to maintain her status, those old-timers will definitely take back the power they gave her. Her father was injured early on and can''t have more children, but I can still leave behind an heir."


    In other words, if Chloe kept messing up, the family elders would rather pass the sessor title to an unborn child than keep waiting for her.


    Charlotte was surprised: "Mr.Beaumonts, you mean you can still have..."


    "I don''t want to," Thomas said, looking suddenly older. "My first child was raised until the age of fourteen only to be killed, and my second child, only twenty, was also killed. I can''t go through that heartbreak again." Without a doubt, the second child he referred to was Annie.


    Charlotte felt a weight on her chest too after hearing this, and after a bit more conversation, she said her goodbyes and left.


    Before she left, Thomas warned her, "Charlotte, Liam suddenly taking Chloe back to the Parker family, it probably means something big is going to happen. You be very careful."


    Parker family!


    In the solemn and majestic wooden bed, an old many with his eyes shut tight, breathing with difficulty. "Grandpa!"


    At the call, Keh slowly opened his eyes, his cloudy gaze wandering before settling towards the door. "Liam."


    "Grandpa, how are you feeling?" Liam hurried over, crouching by the bed to grasp the old man''s hand.


    Keh looked at him, a smile of relief spreading across his face. "I was worried you wouldn''t care about this grumpy old man."


    They had had some arguments over Liam''s choice of bride, and it wasn''t pretty.


    But, you know, family ties are strong, and Liam was Keh''s boy through and through. How could he stay mad?


    Liam, looking all worried, asked, "What brought on this sudden illness?"


    "There''s only one ''illness'' at my age, and that''s getting old. Liam, I''m worn out, and I don''t think I have much time left."


    "Don''t talk like that; I''ll find the best doctors for you."


    "It''ll just make things harder for me. Liam, my boy, I can''t talk much; I''m too tired. But I need you to really hear what I''m about to say."


    "Sure, go ahead."


    Keh gave him a long look and said slowly, "I know you''ve got a thing for your assistant Charlotte, but she''s not exactly high society, is she? She won''t do your career any favors. Like her all you want, keep her around, I won''t butt in, but she can''t be your wife. That''s out of the question."


    Liam stayed silent.


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    Keh, struggling, continued, "You know, when I''m gone-I won''t see what you do. But I can''t go peacefully if you''re making choices I can''t stand."


    "Liam!" Keh pushed himself up, his frail body and deep wrinkles making Liam feel a pang of sadness. "Can''t you just fib to me, let me pass away without worrying?" But Liam didn''t say a word.


    Seeing him like that, Keh broke down in tears, "You''re the grandson I''m the proudest of, but it seems like you''re the one who cares about me the least!"


    Liam''s face tensed, hands balled into fists, clearly trying hard to keep it together.


    "Grandpa," he asked through clenched teeth, "what do you want me to do?"


    Keh took a deep breath and said, "If you won''t even look at another woman, then choose Chloe. Her face might not be perfect, but she''s from a wealthy family. Marry her and you''ll have the Beaumont fortune." "But..." Keh struggled to catch his breath, then added, "You know what kind of person Chloe is. Liam, in these few days before you''re engaged, I don''t want her dragging our family''s name through the mud." After he finished, the room fell silent except for the old man''s painful breathing.


    Liam didn''t say yes, but he didn''t leave either. He just sat there quietly next to Keh.


    At one point, Keh passed out cold. If it hadn''t been for the doctor right next door, it could have been the end of him if he''d gone into shock.


    It wasn''t until the sun had gone down that Liam finally spoke up, his voice rough, "I''m not going to marry Chloe."


    A look of disappointment swept through Keh''s eyes.


    Then a momentter, Liam added, "Just for these few days."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    That was his way of agreeing to an engagement with Chloe, just to ease Keh''s mind.


    Keh''s tears flowed again, but this time with relief, "My boy."


    Leaving that stuffy room, Liam stared up at the moon and let out a deep sigh.


    He couldn''t say no to Keh''s request.


    "Mr. Parker!" Henry came running up, holding up aptop for Liam to see.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "There''s an anonymous email that just came in, it''s got a photo."


    "What photo?" Liam was already annoyed and didn''t feel like looking, but then Henry zoomed in on the picture-


    "Charlotte?!"


    He snatched theptop and stared hard at the screen.


    In the photo, Charlotte was being held under the water by a hand.


    On the right, Chloe was on a phone screen, looking thrilled.


    "Chloe." Liam breathed out, barely containing his anger.


    When Charlotte came back to her room, soaking wet, saying she''d identally fallen into theke, he suspected Chloe was behind it.


    Only Chloe would use Charlotte''s fear of theke to try to hurt her.


    But he had no proof, so all he could do was give the Beaumonts a piece of his mind.


    If he''d had this photo earlier, Chloe would be out on the streets, not still the spoiled princess of the Beaumonts.


    But, of course, the photo had to show up now.


    Right when his granddad''s sick, when he''s supposed to make the old man happy by getting engaged to Chloe! Now he even has to help cover up Chloe''s dirty deeds!


    Liam''s jaw clenched tighter, anger burning in his eyes like he could set the whole world on fire. "Find out who sent the email, ask them how much they want to delete the original photo." "Huh?" Henry was caught off guard by Liam''s sudden order.


    Liam had been fed up with Chloe for a while, so why was he suddenly trying to protect her?

 Chapter 59: Have you got no heart or what?

    Charlotte was glued to herputer screen, staring at the ring message, ''How much will it cost for you to shut up?''


    Typical.


    Liam was totally head over heels for Chloe, always rushing to her defense!


    And here she was, foolish enough to double-check that fact.


    Just humiliating herself.


    She deleted the email, feeling a stack of disappointment in her heart, just numb.


    She took a day off, and the next day Charlotte went to work like normal.


    But as soon as she stepped into the office, she could tell something was off. Everyone seemed tense like there was a suffocating feeling hanging in the air. "What''s going on?" Charlotte asked Sophia.


    Sophia nced in the direction of the president''s office and whispered, "Mr. Parker is in a really bad mood today."


    "How bad?"


    "Like never-seen-him-this-bad kind of bad," the head said. "This morning, the wholepany kicked into high gear like something big is about to happen, and Mr. Parker is paving the way for whatever that is." Charlotte made some coffee and took it to the president''s office, and sure enough, she saw a bunch of top managers getting chewed out.


    "Mr. Parker, your coffee." She set the coffee down and was about to leave when Liam stopped her, "Stay."


    Then he told the others, "You, out."


    Charlotte watched them scurry out, feeling more and more uneasy. "Mr. Parker, did you need me for something?"


    She hadn''t done so great on thest business trip and thought Liam was going to scold her.


    But he just stared at her without blinking.


    His eyes were full ofplex emotions. Charlotte could only make out the agitation; she didn''t dare guess the rest.


    She couldn''t keep putting herself through this humiliation.


    "Mr. Parker?" He was staring for so long, and she had to speak up to remind him.


    Liam snapped out of it and turned to look out the window, "You can go."


    Charlotte saw the paper in his hand crumpled up, full of doubt but not daring to ask, and obediently left.


    Over the next few days, Liam was wound up tight, visibly restless, and on edge.


    Whenever he had a moment, he paced his office like a caged animal.


    To deal with it, Liam even started workingte, not going home until the early hours.


    Because she made his coffee, Charlotte found herself workingte too.


    But she noticed that whenever they were in the same room, Liam''s empty gaze would inevitablynd on her.


    The longer he stared, the more Charlotte felt creeped out, and it seemed Liam realized something was off too-he told her not toe to the office at night.


    Except for the cleaners, she was the only one leaving work on time. Sophia, with dark circles under their eyes, saw her out, "Mr. Parker really cares about you, can''t even bear to have you overwork."


    "It''s just my presence that annoys him," she said as she left the office. She got a call from an unknown number as she walked, the area code from Leiventale-she guessed it was Malcolm''s and answered while saying goodbye to Sophia. "Charlotte, has something happened to the Parkers recently?" Malcolm got straight to the point.


    Charlotte didn''t get what he was saying, "What do you mean by that?"


    "You know the whole mess with that family heirloom jade pendant, right? Evelyn has been clinging to Chloe, not letting go, and it looks like they''re trying to drag Chloe down with them. But the Beaumonts are turning a blind eye, and Liam''s put a stop to it."


    Charlotte felt a tightness in her chest, "He''s always been on Chloe''s side. What''s that got to do with whether the Parker family''s in trouble or not?"


    "Just hear me out," Malcolm said. "Word from the Beaumonts is that Liam stepped in because he''s about to get engaged to Chloe in a few days." "Engaged?" Charlotte felt dazed for a moment.


    She could tell, Liam and Chloe''sst engagement didn''t seem genuine, more like they were doing it out of spite.


    But what about this time?


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    Thepany going all out, and Liam stepping up for Chloe...


    After hanging up the phone, Charlotte''s heart sank.


    The engagement''s for real this time.


    No wonder Liam didn''t want her staying at thepany. Was he afraid she''d make a scene if she found out?


    Charlotte was so worked up that she came down with a fever that night. Medicine didn''t help, and she felt too weak to move.


    Then, as luck would have it, Maria calls.


    Maria''s voice was frantic, "Lottie, can youe home? I need to see you."


    "I made it clearst time. I''m done with you all," Charlotte snapped back coldly.


    "I made it clearst time. I''m done with you all," Charlotte snapped back coldly.


    Maria went silent for a moment, stung by her indifference.


    Just as Charlotte was about to hang up and block her, Maria''s voice cracked with tears, "Tell me, Did Annie is dead?"


    "Who told you that!" Charlotte jolted upright, nearly falling over in a dizzy spell, "Who said Annie''s dead?"ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Maria shouldn''t have known about Annie''s death!


    "Don''t worry about who told me! Just tell me, is she dead or not?" Maria screamed through her tears.


    Charlotte was panting heavily, her mind a mess.


    "Does it matter if Annie''s dead? When we abandoned her, we might as well have considered her dead, right?" "Charlotte! How can you be so cruel? I had no choice!"


    Charlotte hung up sharply.


    No choice?


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    But Maria knew that the news of Annie''s death really freaked Charlotte out. She hid the pepper spray and a baton she bought online on her, and despite feeling sick, she went over to the Perry family''s ce. Luckily, that brute Robert wasn''t there.


    Maria burst into tears and grabbed her the moment she saw her, "You knew, didn''t you? Why didn''t you tell me?"


    "Who told you?" Charlotte was ice-cold.


    "Somebody gave me this photo. I knew it was her, my poor daughter," Maria sobbed, handing Charlotte a photo.


    One nce and Charlotte copsed to the floor!


    The photo showed a bloated, decaying body floating in ake.


    Her Annie... it was her Annie!


    "Who gave you the photo?!" Charlotte gripped Maria''s arm tightly, "Tell me! Who?"


    Maria, terrified by her frenzy, stuttered, "The family that took your sister away... After you came back for her clothes, I felt something was off. I went to them in a panic, and they gave me this photo." "How do they have a photo!"


    "It was... Annie''s second adoptive father. He said Annie''s dying wish was to find her sister, but he couldn''t, so he let that family see Annie onest time, and they secretly took this photo."


    Charlotte stood frozen, overwhelmed with grief.


    "Lottie, can I visit the ce where Annie lived?" Maria asked timidly.


    Charlotte looked at her emptily, "The timing of this photo is too convenient. It might be a trap, someone could be out to get me."


    "A trap? My daughter died horribly, and I just want to see where she lived, and you''re talking about someone hurting you?"


    Maria couldn''t believe what she was seeing. "Charlotte, you''re always going on about how much you loved Annie, but it''s like you don''t even care. Your sis passed away, and you''re not even bothered about her life or shed a tear! Have you got no heart or what?"

 Chapter 60: We cant escape!

    Charlotte clenched her fists, her heart aching like it was being pricked by needles, yet she couldn''t shed a tear.


    It wasn''t that she didn''t want to see where Annie had lived, or that she didn''t want to learn more about Annie''s life before. She was scared.


    Anything about Annie is like a knife for her, slicing through her bit by bit.


    Maria''s wails gave Charlotte a headache, making her feel faint.


    "Stop crying!" Charlotte pulled out her phone and called Thomas, "Have you been in touch with Annie''s foster dad after she...?" Thomas said, "Yes, he even came to visit."


    "I see." Charlotte felt a bit relieved. If that was the case, then the appearance of the photo wasn''t entirely coincidental.


    She asked for the address of where Annie used to live, and Thomas gave it to her-it was in Leiventale.


    "You shouldn''t go to Leiventale alone without Liam," Thomas warned.


    Charlotte acknowledged but immediately booked a flight to Leiventale.


    She always used to dodge anything to do with Annie, even her diary. She''d read a couple of pages and then snap it shut, scared to go through Annie''s whole short life in one sitting. Maria''s hysterical pressure gave her the courage to move forward.


    But she knew this courage would soon fade.


    That''s why she had to rush to Leiventale.


    She told Maria to pack her bags ande with her. Maria dried her tears, said there was nothing much to pack, then went into Axel''s room and gave a bunch of detailed instructions until Axel, annoyed, told her to leave. Through the crack in the door, Charlotte saw a fancyptop on Axel''s desk, worth twenty thousand-a sum that was precisely what she left for Maria to get out of this ce.


    Maria''s ultimate choice was still this cold-hearted family.


    Charlotte put Maria in a taxi for the time being and went upstairs to ask for leave.


    She worked directly under Liam, so she had to ask him for time off.


    "Leiventale?" Hearing her destination, Liam''s tired face grew even more haggard. "What are you going to Leiventale for? Didn''t you juste back?"


    "My mom has always wanted to travel to Leiventale. After she found out I had been there a few days ago, she''s been nagging me to take her," Charlotte lied.


    Liam nced at her irritably; it was typical of her strange family to say such things.


    If she went away for a few more days, she probably wouldn''t find out about him and Chloe getting engaged...


    Liam nodded, "Since it''s on the way, deliver this document to the partnerpany."


    Along with the document, he assigned two male colleagues to go with her.


    Charlotte asked about their identities, and they said they were employees rted to the project, which was confidential, so they couldn''t say more.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Charlotte was sick and preupied with thoughts of Annie''s former home, so she didn''t notice that these two ''business travelers'' didn''t even bringputers and were all muscle. All the way, Maria was very quiet, keeping her hands in her pockets, tightly clutching that photo.


    This actually made things a lot easier for Charlotte. After resting her eyes on the ne for a bit, she felt much better when theynded.


    She didn''t want to hang around in Leiventale, so right after the airport, she headed straight for the address Thomas gave her.


    It was only then she realized, Annie''s vi was right next to Chloe''s hotel!


    No wonder Annie ended up dead in thatke!


    Getting out of the car with a mix of anger and sadness, Charlotte couldn''t help but smile through her tears when she saw the small, pinkish-white vi.


    "Your sister always loved pink," Maria said nkly.


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    "Yeah, Annie always loved pink," Charlotte echoed.


    At that moment, it felt like she and Maria had made up.


    They supported each other as they walked into the house, feeling the strange familiarity of the ce.


    Everything was Annie''s style, everything they had never been a part of, Annie''s life.


    Charlotte and Maria slowly absorbed the presence that Annie had left behind.


    Upstairs was a big floor-to-ceiling window that offered a full view of theke.


    Charlotte just stood there quietly, not even sure what she was thinking.


    Suddenly, Maria came over, her head down, nervously saying, "Lottie, I lied." "What?" Charlotte didn''t catch that.


    Maria swallowed hard, her tear-stained face making her look exhausted.


    "The photo was from Dad and those things he told me to say, he said you wouldn''t bring me to see Annie otherwise."


    Hearing this, Charlotte felt like her blood had turned to ice.


    "What did you say?" she couldn''t believe it, "That bastard Robert! How could you believe him? Maria! Are you crazy? One daughter is dead, do you want me dead too?" "No... Mom didn''t mean to hurt you, Lottie, dad''s been in a good mood recently because he has money to spend, he wouldn''t hurt you," Maria tried to exin. Charlotte couldn''t bear to look at her foolishness.


    She was still sick, and if this was all a conspiracy, she couldn''t escape it.


    "I have to go," Charlotte said, fighting off dizziness as she hurried downstairs, Maria clueless about why she was so angry, followed her.


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    But when Charlotte got to the door and tried to leave, she found it was locked tight.


    Looking around, not just the door, but all the doors and windows were securely locked!


    In an instant, Charlotte felt all her strength drain away.


    She could barely stand, holding onto the stairs, gasping for air.


    "Maria." She stared hard at Maria, not missing any change in her expression, "Tell me, did you have anything to do with this? Did you know what was going to happen before we came here?" "What? What''s wrong?" Maria was totally confused, sweating with panic, "What''s wrong with you, Lottie? You''re shaking!"


    Seeing her clueless look, Charlotte figured she probably wasn''t part of this plot against her.


    Charlotte closed her eyes, trying to rx, but then she smelled something burning...


    A closed space! Fire! They were sitting ducks!


    Charlotte''s eyes snapped open, and she stumbled upstairs, dragging Maria, who was too slow to react and kept asking what was wrong.


    Furious, Charlotte pointed to the smoke and mes spreading quickly downstairs, "Someone''s trying to burn us alive! Do you see?!"


    When Maria saw the fire, she copsed on the spot and Charlotte couldn''t pull her up.


    "Get up! Do you really want to die here?"


    "But the doors and windows are closed... Lottie, Lottie, we can''t escape! We''re going to die!"


    Charlotte really wanted to yell at her, but the smoke was thickening, and she didn''t dare open her mouth too often. She managed to drag Maria to the second floor.


    There was no fire or smoke upstairs yet, and Charlotte, sick as she was, tried to break the window with a chair to escape.


    After several hits, not a single mark was left on the ss.


    Charlotte froze.


    The ss was bulletproof, she couldn''t break it.

 Chapter 61: Mommas just fine.

    Seeing how things were unfolding, Maria was freaking out even more.


    "Enough!" Charlotte snapped, annoyed. "I''m trying to find a way out, aren''t I?" "Lottie, Lottie, aren''t you scared?"


    "Of course, I''m scared." But what else could she do?


    All her life, she had to fend for herself. No one was ever there to help her survive.


    The fire was spreading fast, and the thick smoke had already made its way to the second floor. Charlotte, clutching her head, thought hard for a few minutes, then dragged Maria up to the attic. Before going in, she remembered there was a small, ventting window there.


    It was tiny, about fifty centimeters across, and it had a round grid shape.


    Such a small andplex window shape probably didn''t have bulletproof ss.


    Standing on a cab, she reached for the skylight and hammered it hard. Sure enough, the ss shattered with a loud crack, breaking the iron frame and revealing a small gap.


    "Get up there!" Charlotte jumped down from the cab, pushing Maria to climb.


    Maria was in shock, barely able to move without Charlotte''s directions.


    She climbed up shakily, perhaps because the cab was too high, and immediately crouched down again. "I can''t do this, Lottie, it''s too high!"


    "You''d rather die here?" Charlotte, feeling dizzy and barely holding on, touched her forehead, which was burning up.


    If they dyed any longer, even if they weren''t burned, she might pass out from the fever.


    "Get up there, quick!" Charlotte urged.


    Maria still hesitated, squatting on the cab for a long time until the mes reached the attic, and she felt the heat under her feet. Only then did she shakily stand up and try to climb through. But the gap was too small, and she was too big to fit.


    "Lottie, what do we do?"


    Charlotte let out a heavy breath, "Get down."


    Maria scrambled down and helped Charlotte up.


    Charlotte, fighting off dizziness, hammered the wall desperately, trying to make a hole big enough for Maria to squeeze through.


    But the wall was too hard and thick. She put all her strength into hammering but only managed to make a shallow dent.


    By then, the fire had reached them.


    "Lottie, forget about me, you have to get out." The smoke was choking, and Maria, her face crinkled in distress, pushed Charlotte''s legs. "Stop hammering! You need to go!"


    "I won''t leave you!" Charlotte roared, hammering the wall nearly mad with desperation.


    The fire was intense, and in a few minutes, the wooden cab they stood on would catch fire, and then neither of them would be able to escape.


    Maria nced back at the approaching mes, gritted her teeth, grabbed a chair, stood on it, and hoisted Charlotte''s legs up with all her might. Charlotte was shocked, "What are you doing?!"


    "Go!"


    Charlotte looked down and saw tears in Maria''s eyes, her face marked by hard work and age, yet filled with determination.


    "Go," Maria yelled at her. "Just go!"


    "I can''t..." Charlotte finally couldn''t hold back her tears. "I won''t leave."


    They both understood that staying meant certain death.


    Maria gritted her teeth and hoisted Charlotte up, but she couldn''t reach. So, she took a big step onto the cab like she was powered by some super strength. Maria had a secret nobody knew.


    She was afraid of heights.


    On the ne, it was her younger daughter who gave her the strength to endure.


    Now, it was her older daughter giving her that strength.


    "Go!" After a roar, Maria stood on the cab and with all her might, hoisted Charlotte through the skylight.


    "Mom! Mom!" Charlotte hadn''t liked calling Maria ''mom'' as she grew up; she felt Maria hadn''t done what a mother should, not even the basic task of protecting her child. But now, she screamed hoarsely, begging Maria to stop.


    "Mom! Get out!"


    Charlotte was pushed out by Maria, clinging to the roof, desperately pounding on the wall, trying to save Maria. Maria wiped away her tears, pulling a pained smile. "Sorry, My Lottie. I shouldn''t have lied to you, I''ve hurt you."


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    "No... it''s not..." Charlotte cried until she had no strength left, no voice, just desperately clinging to Maria''s hand, afraid that letting go would mean losing her.


    "My Lottie." Maria caressed her face, her eyes filled with deep reluctance. "My Lottie."


    The fire was upon them, Maria could feel the mes scorching her feet.


    The thick smoke surged toward the skylight, their only exit.


    Watching her daughter choke and unable to open her eyes, Maria bit her lip and with a heavy heart, let go, pushing her down.


    "Mom!!!" Charlotte''s hoarse screams went unanswered.


    She fell from the roof but was caught.


    "Miss Perry, are you alright? What happened? The fire started so suddenly, we couldn''t get in..."


    "Please, save my mom!"


    Charlotte, drained, wed at the grass, inching forward, her voice hoarse, unable to see through the blur in her eyes.


    She could only listen.


    Maria''s voice, both tender and unyielding, floated through the air, "Don''t be frightened, Lottie, momma''s just fine."


    Maria was always ''fine.''


    As a child, when Robert beat Maria and she was covered in wounds, she and Annie cried in terror, but Maria held them, soothing, saying she was fine.


    Later, when she argued with Robert and he hit her, Maria covered her with her body, protecting her, saying she was fine.


    Mom was always ''fine.''


    How could she?


    How could she?


    The fire burned the skin, pus oozed out, then burned to the flesh...


    "Ah!!!" Charlotte''s grief overwhelmed her, her breath stopped, and she fainted before the raging fire.


    "Miss Perry? Miss Perry!" The urgency in the call brought Charlotte back from the brink of oblivion, the thick smoke around her creating an almost otherworldly haze.


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    She sat up, bewildered, and turned to see the burned-out shell of what used to be a vi.


    "This is Annie''s ce, the pink vi," Charlotte mumbled, trying to piece things together. "Mom said Annie loved pink."


    Suddenly, as if remembering something urgent, she scrambled to her feet and started walking towards the ruins.


    "Where''s Mom? Where''s my mom?" she kept asking.


    With each step on the scorched earth, a searing pain wed at her feet, reigniting shes of memory.


    Charlotte''s pace slowed as the reality of her surroundings took hold, each step heavier than thest.


    She came to a halt in front of a still-smoldering timber, lifting her eyes towards the direction of the loft, tears breaking free from their constraints.


    "My mother... she''s gone," Charlotte whispered, her voice barely audible.


    Gone by thekeside.


    Gone just a stone''s throw from Annie''s ce.


    Gone in a horrific ze right before Charlotte''s eyes.


    Gasping for breath, she found none, asphyxiating on the thick air, her heart and lungs in agony.


    Here, she had lost the two pirs of her world.


    Trembling uncontrobly, Charlotte''s strength deserted her, and she copsed.


    The bodyguards rushed to her aid with swift concern. "Miss Perry, the house is inessible, there''s not a soul in sight for miles, and even the hotel has barred its doors, offering no sanctuary. The firefighters... they''re nowhere to be found..." It was a perfect storm of tragedy.


    One guard, his voiceden with empathy, said, "This isn''t on you. We saw how desperately you tried to save her..."


    "But I couldn''t," Charlotte''s eyes zed over in shock, her fingers wing at her chest as if to physically tear away the unbearable pain and overwhelming grief within.


    "I couldn''t save her! I let her perish in those mes! Ahh!!!" Her screams of anguish tore through the silence until her voice was nothing but a hoarse whisper, and fever overtook her consciousness once more.


    The bodyguards exchanged a look of shared helplessness over the unconscious figure.


    "Still no word from Mr. Parker? What about Henry?"

 Chapter 62: I dont care who you marry.

    "Nobody answered the call," the man said, looking troubled as he shook his head. "Mr. Parker was all about making us promise to keep Miss Perry safe before we came here. And now..." They were just a step behind, couldn''t get into the house in time, and a huge mess happened that they didn''t anticipate!


    But to be honest, even if they had gotten in, it probably wouldn''t have ended well.


    It''s clear as day that someone wanted Miss Perry gone for good!


    Otherwise, howe there''s no one around? No help in sight? Even the fire trucks took forever to show up!


    "Miss Perry''s so worked up, I''m afraid she''ll do something drastic. We can''t even reach Mr. Parker now. What should we do?"


    As the two worried, Charlotte came to again.


    But contrary to what they thought, she wasn''t hysterical like before.


    Instead, she was eerily calm.


    Like a dead pond, with not a single ripple.


    The vi was just a frame now, the unburned wood still smoking heavily.


    Charlotte stood in front of the ruins for a long time, so long that night fell, and she couldn''t move a muscle.


    "Stay here," she murmured to the spirits that lingered among the ruins. "Annie''s heart was a sanctuary of kindness; she harbors no grudges, only boundless tenderness and love." Charlotte''s gaze drifted to the nearbyke, her voice a hushed reverence, "Her soul dances over there."


    Then she pointed to the charred remains of the vi, "And you''re here."


    Finally, she pointed at herself, "Do you me me? Am I useless?"


    Tears fell uncontrobly as she spoke, "If only I had been more careful if only I had asked more questions..." No, there are no ''ifs''.


    The arrangement here wasn''t done overnight. Chloe had been nning to burn her here for a long time.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    No matter when she came, it would have ended the same as today.


    And she was always going toe.


    "No matter how careful or cautious I am, it''s useless. As long as the person who wants to harm me is out there, I''ll have to face this."


    Muttering to herself, Charlotte crouched down, dug up a handful of scorched earth, and gently poured it over the ruins.


    "I can''t bear to look at your body, forgive me."


    "This handful of earth is like a grave I''m making for you."


    Charlotte rises, her silhouette against the sky, an epitome of resilience never witnessed before.


    With one final, lingering nce at the ruins that once whispered of life, she makes a resolute turn, severing the ties to a painful past.


    "Please make sure my mom is taken care of properly."


    She noticed something off about the two ''coworkers''.


    Charlotte knew that they were sent by Liam to protect her.


    All the odd things Liam did back in Leiventale flooded her thoughts, and numbly, Charlotte figured that Liam must have a bit of a soft spot for her to go to these lengths. Now, she just hoped he wouldn''t interfere with her next move.


    Leaving two bodyguards behind to take care of Maria''s affairs, she rushed back without stopping.


    She didn''t contact anyone; she didn''t trust anyone now.


    While waiting for her flight, Charlotte got a call from an unknown number. She knew that a call at this time had to be from Chloe.


    She answered it.


    Chloe''s voice, full of excitement, filled her ears immediately.


    "What a shame, Charlotte, you survived yet again. But no worries, you must be in a lot of pain right now, right? As long as you''re suffering, I''m over the moon with joy!"


    Chloe''s happiness seemed to reach across the distance, smacking right into Charlotte''s face.


    Chloe''s happiness seemed to reach across the distance, smacking right into Charlotte''s face. "I love that ce! Not only did it let me establish the most famous hotel in Leiventale, but it was also where Liam and I had our romantic moment by theke. It''s where that wretch Annie drowned, and where your mother was burned alive!"


    Chloeughed, "You''ve lost, Charlotte."


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    Lost?


    Charlotte''s face remained impassive as if she were a soulless puppet.


    Winning or losing didn''t matter to her.


    All she cared about now was Chloe''s life!


    Charlotte hung up without listening to any more of Chloe''s nonsense and resolutely boarded the ne back.


    Afternding, she called Sophia, to get Chloe''s current location.


    "I don''t know," Sophia said.


    "Don''t know? Then find out," Charlotte said coldly.


    The unusual chill in her voice made Sophia silent for a few seconds. Ever since thest incident where Sophia tried to me Charlotte for damaging a file, only to be outsmarted by her, Sophia realized Charlotte was not to be underestimated. Charlotte was sharp, efficient, and tough, with a decisive andposed demeanor.


    The only thing shecked was a distinguished family background.


    Sophia quickly made up an excuse to call Chloe and managed to get her location for Charlotte.


    "Charlotte, what are you going to do?" Sophia asked worriedly, sensing something off about Charlotte''s mood.


    Charlotte replied indifferently, "Nothing."


    Clicking the address Sophia provided, Charlotte saw it was the location of the old Parker family estate.


    "They''re a perfect match, a match made in heaven."


    "Thanks a lot for the good wishes. Our Chloe and Liam have known each other since they were kids. It took a while, but they finally made it. "


    Compliments and congrattions filled the air. Chloe stood behind her aunt, pressing her lips together and blushing with embarrassment.


    She never expected Liam to be in such a rush to get engaged to her!


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    On hisst day of the business trip in Leiventale, Liam threw caution to the wind and barged into Beaumont. He gave the elders there a piece of his mind, really letting them have it, and his frustration with her was just about ready to boil over. It was then that the elders, utterly disappointed in her, firmed up their decision to strip her of her inheritance.


    She was worried and scared, thinking Liam was bringing her back to call off their engagement. But, surprise, surprise, he actually wanted to get engaged!


    The Parker family didn''t even care about the scar on her face anymore! They were all pleased with her!


    It was like winning the lottery without buying a ticket! Chloe was leftpletely stunned.


    Looking at the grand Parker family mansion, Chloe felt a surge of pride.


    She was going to be thedy of the house soon!


    "Hey! Who on earth is that person? Charging through like a bull in a china shop!"


    Suddenly, a guest who hade to offer congrattions let out an exmation. Chloe''s smile had not yet faded when she saw Charlotte rush towards her in the blink of an eye.


    "Chloe, I''m going to kill you," Charlotte said in an eerily calm voice.


    So calm that Chloe couldn''t believe her words, her smile remaining radiant, "Oh, it''s you, Charlotte. Are you here to congratte me as well?"


    Congrattions?


    A sneer rose in Charlotte''s heart. She had seen it just outside the door: the engagement party for Chloe and Liam was being prepared.


    Her mother had perished in a fire, while the culprit was here, celebrating her joyous asion.


    How ironic.


    "Charlotte, you might not know yet, but I''m about to get engaged to Liam. After all the twists and turns, it''s me he will marry, he "


    "p!" Before Chloe could finish, a pnded on her face, shocking everyone around.


    "I don''t care who you marry. What I care about is whether you''ll live to see tomorrow."


    Charlotte pushed Chloe to the ground with force, her hands tightly gripping Chloe''s throat.


    "Go to hell!"

 Chapter 63: They were on opposite sides.

    Charlotte was engulfed in a towering hatred, thinking she might have gone mad.


    But she didn''t care.


    She no longer had anyone to care about.


    All the plots and schemes, the ns to strip Chloe of her inheritance... they were nothing!


    Only one thing mattered now.


    She had to kill Chloe.


    That was the only way to quell the burning hatred inside her.


    Gripping Chloe''s neck fiercely, Charlotte was a woman possessed. The bodyguards and servants rushed to intervene.


    "Get away!" she screamed, repelling anyone who tried to stop her with the ferocity of a wild animal-punching, kicking, biting.


    They tried to pull her off, but she kept breaking free, her hands finding their way back to Chloe''s throat again and again.


    Her eyes were bloodshot with madness, her actions so unhinged that people were terrified toe close.


    On closer inspection, they realized Charlotte''s fingernails had already snapped from the force, blood streaming out.


    "Get her off! Pull her away!" Patricia stomped her feet in panic, seeing Chloe''s face turning a ghastly shade of blue, her eyes rolling back in her head.


    The bodyguards swarmed in, prying Charlotte''s fingers off one by one with brute force. Unable to resist, she lunged forward and sank her teeth into the flesh of Chloe''s neck!


    Screams and blood turned the scene into something out of a horror movie, as seven or eight bodyguards struggled to hold Charlotte back without any sess.


    At that moment, Charlotte seemed like a demon straight out of hell, terrifying everyone around her.


    "Get the stun gun! Zap her with it!" Patricia was frantic, yelling for a solution. One of the bodyguards grabbed a stun gun and was about to use it on Charlotte when an angry male voice thundered. "Stop!"


    Liam strode in, spotting from a distance the sight of Charlotte on the ground, biting into Chloe.


    What was happening? Wasn''t she supposed to be in Leiventale?


    Liam rushed forward, shoving the eager bodyguards aside.


    Patricia was far from pleased. "Liam! If you don''t do something, Chloe''s going to be bitten to death!"All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Liam ignored her and crouched down, wrapping his arms around Charlotte''s waist, speaking to her in a calm, soothing voice, "Let go, stop biting, Charlotte. If you want to talk, talk to me, okay?" Talk to him?


    The two bodyguards had been his men; they had witnessed the whole ordeal of her and Maria being victimized! They must have already reported everything to him! Talk to him?


    He knew everything that was going on but still put on this act like he was clueless.


    Tears mixed with blood as Charlotte felt a surge of anger and grief. In a fit of fury, she bit off a piece of flesh from Chloe''s neck!


    "Ah!" Chloe screamed at the top of her lungs and passed out.


    As Charlotte stood up, Liam moved in to scoop her up, attempting to take her away from the chaos.


    But Charlotte, screaming wildly, broke free and charged at Chloe again.


    "Charlotte!" Liam panicked. This was the Parker family home, filled with guests!


    Didn''t she care about her reputation, her future, or anything she had been working towards?


    When he forcefully grabbed Charlotte, he was taken aback by the look of hatred and sorrow in her eyes.


    "Charlotte..." he hesitated for a moment.


    But Charlotte had already lowered her head and, for what felt like the umpteenth time, lunged for Chloe''s life.


    Snapping back to reality, Liam pushed her away and stood in front of Chloe to protect her.


    At that moment, Charlotte had a realization.


    She always thought Liam was innocent, that he shouldn''t be dragged into her vendetta with Chloe. She had been careful, tiptoeing around him, not wanting to cause him any trouble. But now she saw things clearly. The moment Liam chose Chloe, he became a part of her revenge.


    They were on opposite sides.


    Irreconcble sides.


    Charlotte couldn''t remember how many times she had asked this question, "Liam, are you really going to side with her?"


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    Was he truly ready to standpletely against her?


    Liam is totally worn out, with a throbbing pain in his temples.


    "Knock it off, Charlotte. In a few days, it''s my engagement party with Chloe. Stop causing problems for her."


    Problems?


    He calls this ''causing problems''?


    Charlotte wanted tough, but as soon as she opened her mouth, the tears just started flooding out.


    "Alright, I get it."


    "You get what..." Liam was aware there was a huge misunderstanding, but it was toote. The Parker family had already taken notice, and the older folks wereing over with frowns on their faces. This was the Parker family home, and Charlotte had just attacked the woman set to be a part of their family.


    They weren''t going to let this go easily.


    "Grab the troublemaker!"


    "Stop!" Liam shouted, signaling the bodyguards to disperse the onlookers.


    Once everyone had cleared out, he tried to exin to the elders, "It''s a misunderstanding."


    "A misunderstanding?" Patricia''s face twitched with irritation. "She nearly killed her! Are you calling this a misunderstanding? Liam, open your eyes and look at who''s lying on the ground - your fianc¨¦e!"


    "Shut up!" Liam shouted, fuming with anger. The Parkers had strict household rules, and if Charlotte really got taken away, things would end terribly for her.


    Back in the day, he wouldn''t have cared about what the elders thought.


    Keh was really sick and couldn''t take any shocks. If he had caught even a whisper of today''s drama, it would have been a disaster.


    "I''ll handle this. It''s none of your business!" he barked.


    The Parkers looked at each other, unsure of what to do next.


    They all seemed to want to back off. Liam had never really followed the family''s discipline. If he made a scene, who knows what he could do? And since it was his fianc¨¦e who was hurt, why should they stir up trouble for themselves? "Is this how the Parkers show their sincerity?!" Patricia was furious, "You disrespect my Beaumont niece even before the engagement, what will it be like when she marries into your family? Are you trying to grind her down to death?"


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    Patricia was always strategic, knowing when to retreat to gain more advantages.


    "If you don''t give me a proper exnation, the Beaumonts will call off this wedding!"


    Liam took a deep breath and turned to Charlotte, who he was holding onto tightly.


    "What are you doing?" he whispered to her.


    She was always smart, so she should''ve known that causing a scene like this would lead to trouble.


    Even if she was upset about his engagement to Chloe and was jealous, that''s no reason to be so cruel. Charlotte stared nkly at Chloe, who had fainted on the floor.


    "I wanted to kill her."


    "Charlotte!" He couldn''t believe she was still causing trouble at a time like this!


    Liam closed his eyes for a second, and when he opened them, his gaze was sharp. "What do you want me to do about it?"


    "What does Mr. Parker think he should do about it?" Patricia shot the question back at him.


    "Let''s get engaged first, and we''ll deal with thister," Liam said.


    Patricia''s face twisted in anger. ''Deal with itter'' meant ''never deal with it.'' Liam was clearly taking Charlotte''s side!


    Patricia''s voice was icy. "What''s this criminal to Mr. Parker, that he cares so much?"


    "Just an assistant."


    "If she''s just an ordinary assistant, then let us handle her."


    "No way," Liam refused.


    The two of them were at an impasse, neither backing down.


    Patricia knew if she let this go now, she''d lose any leverageter on.


    Through gritted teeth, she instructed her people to pick up Chloe from the floor. "If the Parkers aren''t sincere, then there''s no point in this engagement. Take Chloe back to Leiventale!"

 Chapter 64: Were enemies now.

    Right then, Keh''s old butler came rushing over, whispering something into Liam''s ear. Liam''s expression changed instantly.


    "Hold on," he called out to Patricia, clearly not happy about it. "I can''t let you take her. Whatever punishment you want, it''ll be in front of me."


    Patricia knew Liam was forced topromise and she immediately took the upper hand. "She hit Chloe, so this is a Beaumont family matter. Mr. Parker, as an outsider, are you overstepping your bounds?" Liam''s frown tightened.


    The butler kept urging him, "Young master, she''s just an assistant. Why not let her go? The wedding can''t be called off."


    Liam clenched his fists, barely able to contain his anger.


    While they were at a stalemate, Charlotte on the ground kept her eyes fixed on Chloe and, seizing the moment, lunged forward like a cheetah, wing at Chloe''s injured face.


    She knew Chloe wouldn''t die today, but she wasn''t going to let her off easy.


    The sudden attack made Patricia lose allposure; she screamed and lunged at Charlotte, but Liam was quicker, blocking her and pulling Charlotte behind him.


    "Are you done with that?!" he hissed at Charlotte in anger.


    Charlotte ignored him, just smiling as she watched Chloe''s face.


    This just fueled the Beaumont family''s anger even more, and they started shouting about taking Charlotte back and punishing her severely.


    The weight of his father''s illness was like chains on Liam; he could no longer control the situation.


    He told Charlotte, "Go with them for now. I''ll follow soon and won''t let them hurt you..."


    "You''re sending me to the Beaumonts?" Charlotte said with a mocking smile. "Why don''t you just let me die here?"


    "You!" Liam was furious. "Charlotte!"


    Charlotte was still smiling. "If you hadn''t stopped me, she''d be dead."


    So, all his actions were actually to protect Chloe.


    Charlotte''s gaze turned to Chloe. "She''s so lucky, isn''t she, Liam?"


    "Charlotte, just do as they say. It''s the only way to protect you..."


    "It''s just that you can''t protect me." Charlotte started tough, but then she cried; within one day, she had lost everyone she loved.


    And the murderer was still lying there, safe and sound, protected by everyone.


    Hatred, frustration, resentment, sorrow... all these emotions were piling up inside her, and she was close to breaking.


    "Grab her!" Patriciamanded, and the bodyguards moved in, surrounding Charlotte.


    "You can''t touch me," Charlotte said


    Patricia.


    Patricia dismissed her defiance with disgust. "You bitch! Do it, grab her, and shut her up!"


    "Yes!"


    The crowd closed in, hands grabbing Charlotte''s arms, another hand raised high, ready to p her.


    Charlotte just stood there, smiling faintly.


    And just as the hand was about to strike, amanding male voice called out from not too far away, "Stop!"


    Patricia spun around, her eyes wide with surprise, "Thomas?! What are you doing here?"


    It was Thomas!


    "I''m here to protect my daughter," Thomas dered, striding up to stand in front of Charlotte, shielding her from all the malice.


    His voice was thick with emotion as he spoke. All those lonely nights since Annie''s death, he''d been tormented by regret for not having the courage to protect her more fiercely, which gave Chloe the chance to drown Annie. But this time, Thomas was resolved not to back down.


    Thomas nced around at the Beaumonts and casually remarked, "It''s just a small misunderstanding among sisters, no big deal, just a bit of a tiff."


    "You!" Patricia was livid, "Thomas, look at Chloe! Look at what this bitch did to your niece!"


    With no hesitation, Thomas pped Patricia, "What did you just call my daughter?"


    "Your daughter?" Patricia touched her face in disbelief, "Are you saying Charlotte is your daughter?!"


    "Foster daughter," Thomas said calmly. "The one who will inherit everything from me."


    All at once, Patricia''s expression shifted, turning extremely sour.


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    Her big brother Tom was super capable but not the type to be pushy. He worked his tail off for years building up the Beaumont empire, but never once tried to seize control for himself. After Annie died, Thomas and his wife were devastated, and the Beaumonts gobbled up their assets...


    But now, was Thomas aiming to fight for the inheritance rights?


    Patricia''s face darkened as she pondered this new development.


    Suddenly, Liam spoke up with a cold voice, "Miss Beaumont mentioned the engagement is off. Is that true?"


    "No..." Patricia was shocked. She had thought Liam was cornered and wouldn''t dare to break off the engagement, which is why she had used it as leverage to force apromise. With Thomas''s unclear stance, if the engagement was really broken off, the consequences would be dire!


    Patricia clenched her teeth and endured, "Mr. Parker misunderstood."


    "Is that so?" Liam said emotionlessly. "Since Mr. Beaumont said it''s nothing, let''s take our people back and end this matter here."


    Patricia couldn''t say more, even though she was reluctant.


    Liam, sharp as ever, saw right through the situation, knowing she wouldn''t dare to make another move.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    If she pushed further, this marriage might indeed be off.


    "Let''s go!" Patricia stormed off with the unconscious Chloe.


    Thomas reached out to Charlotte, "Let''s leave too."


    Charlotte nodded slightly and began to walk away. Then, she turned back and stood firmly in front of Liam.


    It was clear he was exhausted, his eyes rimmed with dark circles.


    Looking down at her, his eyes were unusually soft and tender.


    "Charlotte, keep it down and don''t go looking for trouble, just stay calm and wait until I''m engaged."


    Charlotte blinked, her heart going cold.


    "I''m afraid I can''t grant Mr. Parker''s wish," Charlotte said calmly, looking at him.


    And with that, she told him, and herself.


    "We''re enemies now."


    "You''re too impulsive, Charlotte. Even if Chloe and Liam do get married, we still have a chance. How could you just rush over and attack her like that? In front of all those people, do you want to end up in jail?" "Maria''s dead."


    Thomas'' lecture was cut off, silenced by the mention of Maria, Charlotte, and Annie''s mother.


    But how could she be dead?


    "She was burned alive, burned to death in Annie''s vi."


    Charlotte''s face was nk, her apology numb, "I''m sorry, Uncle Thomas. The vi where Annie lived was burned down."


    Thomas was struck silent by the enormity of the news, unable to speak for a long time.


    Finally, he managed to find his voice, hoarsely asking, "She..."


    But the words wouldn''te.


    Charlotte kept muttering, "She might not have been the best mother, but she did love her kids. She really missed Annie, and now she''s gotten her wish. That''s a good thing, right?"


    "Do you know, Uncle Thomas? She said she was fine, but how could it? I can''t stand the pain from just a broken nail, and she was burned alive. How could she say she was fine?"


    "I didn''t bring her ashes back. I left them in the ruins. Don''t me me, Uncle Thomas."


    "She and Annie are both waiting for me. We''ll be together again someday."


    "Stop, please stop," Thomas said with tears streaming down his face, pulling Charlotte into his arms like a father. "No more, my child."


    Tears surged, and Charlotte finally broke down, "I''ve got nothing left!"


    Thomas didn''t know how tofort her, all he could do was pat her back and say, "Cry, let it all out. It''ll be alright."


    Charlotte started bawling her heart out, screaming her lungs out.

 Chapter 65 Shes So Beautiful

    Charlotte was brought by Thomas to his ce to crash.


    Once inside, she fell asleep instantly, sometimes awake, sometimes dozing off, like she was drugged or even hooked up to a venttor or something.


    But anyway, after four days, she finally woke up feeling all energized in both mind and body.


    She went looking for Thomas to figure out their next move.


    Thomas was worried about her, "You should rest a few more days. You stopped breathing in the middle of the night a couple of days ago. We had to rush you to the hospital, scared me and your aunt half to death."


    "I''m fine, uncle. When is Chloe getting engaged?"


    "Tomorrow." Thomas looked pretty down when the engagement came up. Even though he was determined to go back to Beaumont and take back what was his, Chloe''s engagement to Liam and the big shot Parker family would surely act like they owned the whole of Beaumont.


    Taking power back in this situation was going to be tough, no doubt about it.


    Charlotte got his point, "I won''t let Chloe have her way."


    "You''re gonna try and stop their engagement?" Thomas looked worried. "This ain''t like before. The Parkers are running the show and it''s all official. Getting in the way of that won''t be a walk in the park." "No."


    Charlotte narrowed her eyes and whispered, "I just need to stop Liam from helping Chloe."


    "But how will you stop him? Chloe is the jealous type, and once they''re engaged, she''ll have the status and won''t give you a chance to keep in touch with Liam." "She thinks she can decide that?" Charlotte snorted coldly.


    Seeing she seemed to have a n, Thomas didn''t want to dampen her spirits, "Whatever you want to do, go for it boldly. I''ve got your back!" "Thanks, uncle."


    "It''s what I should do." Thomas always thought since Annie was given away so young, the Perry family, including Charlotte, couldn''t possibly care much for Annie. Then, after Charlotte met up with Chloe at the caf¨¦ and Chloe''s looks were ruined that day, he only believed it a little, still not convinced Charlotte could avenge Annie. Until now, Charlotte had witnessed her mother''s death at the very ce where Annie died.


    They shared the same pain.


    And finally, they were truly on the same side.


    "You said you''d be my spear in the fight, now I''m telling you, Charlotte, I''ll do everything to be your shield. We''ll seed, and we will make the wicked pay!" Charlotte nodded firmly, "Yeah!"


    Charlotte went to resign from the Parker Group but didn''t find Liam on the 24th floor.


    "Mr. Parker he..." Secretary Sophia carefully watched Charlotte''s expression.


    Charlotte knew what she was worried about, "I know he''s getting engaged tomorrow."


    "Oh..." Sophia scratched her head awkwardly, "Yeah, Mr. Parker is getting engaged tomorrow and isn''ting to the office today. Henry is in charge of everything for now." As she spoke, Henry happened to walk by. Charlotte quickly called out to him, "Henry."


    "Charlotte?" Henry was surprised to see her, "Did you change your phone number? I couldn''t reach you."


    "I don''t use it anymore."


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    "Can you give me your new number? So I can contact you in the future."


    "It''s not convenient." Charlotte declined coolly, "I''m here to resign, let''s go through the leaving procedure."


    "What?" Henry gasped, trying to persuade her, "Mr. Parker he..."


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    "Resigning on my own is fine. I''m just letting you know." Charlotte didn''t bother with his reaction, nodded at him, and left.


    "Miss Perry!"


    Henry hurried up to her in a few quick steps. "Mr. Parker, he..."


    "Mr. Parker wants to get in touch with me?" Charlotte asked, stopping in her tracks.


    Henry nodded, exining that after she left the Parker family, she had been rushed to the hospital. He looked into it and found out that she had suffered convulsions and shock. If she hadn''t been taken to the hospital promptly, she might have lost her life.


    It was also then that he saw the missed calls on his phone, and when he called back, he learned that Charlotte''s mother had died in a fire at thekeside vi, Annie''s ce.


    It wasn''t hard to guess who was behind it, and there was no need to wonder why Charlotte had stormed into the Parker family.


    He told everything to Mr. Parker, and Mr. Parker was up all night worrying. Come morning, he went straight to Keh. Henry''s not sure what went down, but whatever was said, it nearly knocked Keh off his feet.


    A life is a powerful leverage; Mr. Parker had no choice but topromise.


    "Mr. Parker is in a tough spot. Miss Perry, please be patient. Mr. Parker will do right by you..."


    "I''ll have plenty of opportunities to see him in the future. No need to add contact details." Charlotte said mockingly, "Wish him happiness and a perfect marriage in advance."


    After leaving the Parker Group, Charlotte went to the Perry family mansion.


    She didn''t go in, though. She just stood outside, watching from a distance.


    Maria''s death hadn''t caused any ripples in the family. Robert still had money to burn, spending his days gambling and noting home at night.


    He favored his son, Axel, asionally giving him money. Axel spent his days gaming in front of theputer, living a carefree life with takeout food.


    No one mentioned Maria, the ''great'' mother.


    The home that Maria had sacrificed everything for was just the home she believed in.


    Charlotte watched from afar for a while, then turned away to find some homeless people nearby, giving each of them two hundred bucks.


    "You know Robert, right? Beat him up. Do it every day, and I''ll pay you two hundred a day for it."


    The homeless, some foolish, some old, wouldn''t be held ountable for hitting someone.


    She wanted to make sure Robert didn''t have a single peaceful day.


    After setting this up, Charlotte called Axel''s school to drop him out. Maria had scrimped and saved to pay his tuition fees, and now Charlotte wanted that investment back. It wasn''t too much to ask, was it? With these tasks done, Charlotte went to buy some jewelry and a party dress, dressing herself to the nines.


    She was already stunning, and with the right attire, she was utterly breathtaking.


    "Lady, you''re so beautiful!" eximed the store attendant, her face flushed with excitement.


    Looking at her reflection, Charlotte suddenly smiled.


    Her chestnut hair was pinned up, with yful strands framing her face. Her full, glossy red lips were set below a petite and proud nose.


    Her face was like a pearl, her round peach blossom eyes shimmering, yet her gaze was profound.


    Innocent yet sexy, naive yet mature, the strong contrast gave her an irresistible allure.


    The beauty of her face was admirable.


    She wondered, "Would men like this?"


    "Of course, they would!"


    "Really?" She was looking forward to Liam''s reaction tomorrow.


    Before heading home with her new clothes, Charlotte met with someone to get the oue she wanted, then went to bed, looking forward to a good night''s sleep.


    Thomas was Chloe''s uncle, and despite the recent unpleasantness, he was invited for appearances'' sake.


    He apanied Charlotte to the event, and as soon as they appeared, there was a wave of endless praise and murmurs.

 Chapter 66: Are you using me?

    "Who''s that? Is she the second adopted daughter of the Beaumonts?"


    "She''s absolutely gorgeous. Why didn''t the Parker family choose her for the marriage alliance?"


    "I wonder if the second miss has someone already. I should ask her on behalf of my good-for-nothing son."


    Even though she was just an adopted daughter, Charlotte was now Thomas''s only heir. With the Parker family as their support and the current marriage between the Parker and Beaumont families, Charlotte was quite the catch. As soon as Thomas sat down, people came over to make small talk and inquire about Charlotte''s marital status.


    "Sorry, but she''s already got someone she likes. Once Chloe''s engagement is over, she''s going to get engaged immediately."


    Hearing this, everyone was a bit disappointed but even more excited to specte about the identity of Charlotte''s fianc¨¦.


    Thomas just smiled and didn''t say a word.


    "Keh is here!"


    There was a stir among the guests. Charlotte looked up to see an elderly man with graying hair being helped to his seat. He was thin but looked spirited and very satisfied with the marriage arrangement. "That''s Liam''s grandfather; he raised Liam himself," Thomas whispered to her.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "A few days ago, Liam suddenly brought Chloe back to the Parker family. I thought maybe Keh was ill, but he looks fine today."


    Charlotte nodded. Keh looked rosy and robust, not sickly at all.


    The ceremony started quickly. Liam walked out with Chloe on his arm, and despite the well-mannered crowd, there were hisses.


    "What''s wrong with her face? And her neck? It''s horrifying!"


    Chloe, shamed by the murmuring crowd, lowered her head and tried to hide behind Liam. But Liam had already strode forward, oblivious to her embarrassment.


    "Liam!" Chloe called out angrily, but he didn''t react, just staring straight at the guest seats.


    Following his gaze, Chloe''s breath hitched.


    Charlotte!


    The dazzling Charlotte!


    Like a beautiful swan, she was there to shame her!


    Chloe hung her head in hatred, hiding her face. Charlotte had bitten her neck, and her face was scratched open, a bloody mess.


    There was no way to heal in just a few days!


    But going on stage with bandages would have been even more attention-grabbing, so she had no choice but to apply thick makeup.


    Chloe wasn''t a stunning beauty to begin with, and now with her injured face and the odd makeup, she couldn''t even pass for pretty.


    "Liam!" Her second call brought him back to his senses. Chloe, through gritted teeth, asked, "You''re engaged to me, not Charlotte. Do you regret it?!"


    Liam''s expression was indifferent, "I never wanted this."


    With that, he turned his gaze back to Charlotte, who looked at him with no emotion in her eyes.


    Chloe didn''t want her ugly appearance to be the subject of gossip, and Liam had no desire to y along with sweet nothings. The engagement ceremony went surprisingly quickly.


    The only person who was genuinely happy about this engagement was probably only Keh.


    Keh couldn''t hide his excitement, "That''s great!" To him, Chloe''s in and injured face was nothingpared to the stunning assistant named Charlotte.


    But Keh was after the Beaumonts'' influence and power - women were inconsequential inparison.


    In his eyes, Chloe was just a foolish woman, and the Beaumonts would eventually belong to his grandson.


    However, before that, he needed topletely sever Liam''s feelings for that assistant.


    He was in good health, and if Liam found out he had faked illness, that trick wouldn''t work anymore.


    But how to get rid of Charlotte? Now that she''d been officially taken in by the Thomas Beaumonts, making her disappear quietly wasn''t realistic.


    While he pondered, a refined male voice spoke up beside him, "Grandpa, today is a joyful day for Liam. While you''re in a good mood, I have a favor to ask of you."


    "Hmm? Oh, Dn," Keh replied nonchntly, "What is it?"


    Dn pushed up his sses respectfully and said, "I don''t mean to worry you, but I''ve fallen for a girl whose family isn''t high-status. I''m afraid my parents won''t approve, so I''m asking for your blessing." Keh rxed even more hearing about the girl''s lower status, "Which family''s girl is it? Tell me about her."


    Detecting thexity in his tone, a shadow flickered in Dn''s eyes.


    Keh had always favored Liam since childhood, giving him the best of everything and being wary of Dn, afraid he''d take Liam''s advantages.


    Dn was the eldest grandchild and deserved it all!


    Now, even though Liam had the Beaumonts'' support, Keh still guarded against him, worried he''d find a better marriage alliance and challenge Liam for power.


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    Suppressing his anger, Dn said, "Charlotte, the second Miss Beaumont, Thomas''s adopted daughter."


    "Charlotte?!" Keh was taken aback, his eyes probing, "When did you get involved with her?"


    "Not long ago, I met Charlotte in Leiventale and fell for her at first sight."


    Dn feigned infatuation, "Did you see her today? She''s so radiant among the crowd!"


    Keh was reassured by his superficial demeanor.


    "She''s pretty, but her background isn''t great. Even as a Beaumont''s adopted daughter, they can only give her so much. Are you sure you want to marry her?"


    "I''m sure!" Dn''s face turned red, appearing shy to onlookers, "Grandpa, you haven''t appreciated her beauty up close..."


    "Alright! Since you like her, I won''t say much. I''ll talk to your parents. Liam''s getting married and moving in with the family, so bring Charlotte along too." Keh''s eyes were clear. With everyone under his watch, things would be easier.


    Plus, if Charlotte was with Dn, she''d officially be Liam''s sister-inw, and Liam wouldn''t dare break social norms.


    Dn might have other ulterior motives, but they didn''t matter. No matter how many schemes he had, they were nothingpared to his Liam. "After the ceremony, have Charlotte stay. She and Chloe are good friends. Don''t let her leave tonight; they can catch up."


    "Yes!" Dn agreed.


    At the end of the ceremony, it was time to mingle, and people were chatting in small groups. Charlotte, having gone from nobody to somebody, recognized them, but they didn''t recognize her. So instead of joining the hustle and bustle, she found a quiet ce to sit down.


    Before long, heavy footsteps approached from behind with a clear hint of anger, stopping abruptly in front of her.


    "Mr. Parker," Charlotte looked up, "What brings you here?"


    Liam''s eyes were red with anger, and his hands trembled at his sides.


    He had so much he wanted to say to her, but when he opened his mouth, only one usatory question came out, "Do you know about Dn''s proposal to marry you?" Charlotte didn''t respond, just looked at him quietly.


    Liam thought she was unaware and breathed a sigh of relief, "Go tell Thomas you don''t want this. I''ll make sure Dn drops the idea."


    "Who says I don''t want to?"


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "You!" Liam''s face hardened, he reached out to cover her mouth, "Do you even know what you''re saying? Do you know who Dn is?"


    Charlotte gently pushed his hand away, "I know, he''s my fianc¨¦."


    "Charlotte!"


    In a fit of rage, Liam roared, "Is this your way of getting back at me?"


    "Not at all."


    Charlotte smiled, taking his hand tenderly, "You know I hate Chloe, and I want to get back at her, not you."


    Liam, frustrated, tried to pull his hand away, but then hesitated and let her keep holding it.


    "Mr. Parker,"


    Touching him after several days, Charlotte felt no flutter in her heart, which pleased her greatly.


    Liam had stood against her time and again; if she still harbored deep feelings for him, she''d see herself as foolish.


    "Do you know, once Chloe and you are engaged, I''ll never get the chance to be near you, nor to hurt her again." "So I had to find another way, to get close to you."


    "Marrying Dn means we''ll be family, and I can see you anytime, anywhere."


    Charlotte''s smile was radiant, her tone innocent, "Mr. Parker, I''m pretty smart, aren''t I?"


    "Charlotte."


    Liam felt she was now a stranger to him, "You''re using Dn."


    His voice was hoarse with disbelief, "And getting close to me, being with me, are you using me too?" "Not at all."


    Charlotte always felt justified, "Until today, I''ve never used you, I''ve been sincere."


    "And after today?" Liam''s reason told him he wouldn''t like her answer, but he asked anyway. "From now on,"


    Charlotte smiled, caressing his cheek, her eyes entwined in his.


    "From now on, I''ll truly be using you. I hope you''ll understand, Mr. Parker."

 Chapter 67: Sister-in-law

    The engagement ceremony was winding down when a servant came to call Liam back.


    Liam was staring at Charlotte, still fuming with anger, "Go back to your job as an assistant, I''ll take care of everything else." Charlotte almostughed at that.


    What could he possibly take care of for her?


    He was getting engaged today to the person responsible for killing her sister and mother.


    "I''ve already resigned, Mr. Parker. I won''t be your assistant anymore. From now on, we''re family. Technically, you should be calling me ''sister-inw."" "Charlotte!" The term ''sister-inw'' made Liam lose his cool, grabbing her shoulder, and trying to see if she was joking.


    But all he saw was disdain looking down on him.


    Even though she was looking up at him, it seemed like he was the lesser one.


    Charlotte casually brushed off his hand, "The engagement party''s over, you should be saying goodbye to the guests with your fianc¨¦e."


    She didn''t look back at Liam''s expression and walked away from the pavilion.


    Around the corner of the corridor, a man was standing with his back to her, admiring the trees in the garden.


    Hearing her approaching, Dn whispered, "You know, this could really bruise his ego. What if he gets mad and ends up resenting you?"


    "You''re not in a position to question my actions," Charlotte replied coldly.


    Dn paused, then turned around, a polite smile on his face.


    Dn looked at Charlotte as if she was a rare piece of art.


    "Charlotte, you''re beautiful, both inside and out."


    Charlotte''s face turned cold, "Dn, we''re just partners, nothing more. Watch your words."


    Dn nodded with a lightugh and turned back to watch the bamboo sway, "Just a reminder, Keh isn''t sick. Liam and Chloe''s engagement is his own choice."


    "And, Keh told us to stay."


    After the ceremony, Charlotte went to see off Thomas and realized at the exit that Chloe was the only one saying goodbye to the guests.


    "You''re engaged now, you need to act mature and get along with Liam. Don''t throw tantrums," Thomas advised before leaving on his own.


    Chloe was surprised to see Charlotte still there, "Are you looking to start a fight? Let me tell you, you''re alive today because Thomas and Liam vouched for you that day. You won''t get a second chance to mess around!" Chloe nced at Charlotte and suddenly sneered.


    So what if Charlotte was stunning? She was the one engaged to Liam! She would be Liam''s wife!


    Charlotte would never surpass her!


    "Charlotte, after all is said and done, I''m the one standing beside Liam. I''m the one who will spend a lifetime with him."


    "We have a childhood bond. Even if he''s momentarily dazzled by you, when we''re together over time, his heart will return to me, just like before. Love will grow, and he will love me as he used to!"


    Charlotte smirked back at Chloe, "That''s not a sure thing. He might marry a monster, but he''s never going to love one, especially a vile and venomous one like you!"


    "Please! What''s the point of your words now? It''s just empty talk, Charlotte. From today on, I won''t let you see him even for a moment!"


    "Is that so? Well, you might be disappointed then. I''ll see him in the future." Charlotte emphasized with a smile, "Every single day." "What do you mean?" Chloe frowned.


    Just then, Dn walked up with a grin, slung his arm around Charlotte''s shoulder, and gazed at her affectionately before turning to Chloe.


    "What''s going on here? You haven''t been bullying our Charlotte, have you? She''s a little timid, you know. Chloe, you''ve got to be nicer to her from now on, don''t be a bully."


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    "What?!" Chloe''s eyes widened in disbelief. "You two... you two?!"


    She felt a mix of shock and a twisted sense of satisfaction.


    Had Liam''s engagement driven Charlotte mad?


    To think she''d get mixed up with Dn!


    Foolish!


    Charlotte did this, and it was like a total p in the face to Liam.


    Liam would never ept a woman who had been entangled with another man.


    He would only think of Charlotte as dirty.


    Just the thought made Chloe want to burst outughing.


    "Lucky you, my brother, finding you a girlfriend as pretty as a fairy."


    Chloe''s smile was forced, "It''s just that beautiful things always attract envy, kind of like the prettiest flower in the garden-no telling how many people have touched it."


    She was implying that Charlotte had been touched by other men, that she was tainted.


    But Dn kept his easygoing smile, "I just love the beauty of the flower."


    Chloe''s face darkened instantly, but luckily most of the guests had left, and no one saw.


    Right then, a servant came to report that Keh had arranged a courtyard for them. Since Liam and Chloe were engaged, and Charlotte and Dn were nning to get engaged, the servant suggested they all live together in one courtyard, which would make it easier for them to get along after marriage.


    "Where''s your young master?" Chloe asked about Liam''s whereabouts, who had disappeared after the engagement ceremony, nowhere to be found.


    The servant spoke softly, "The young master is talking with old Mr.Parker"


    "Does he know Charlotte and Dn will also be staying?"


    "The young master is aware, but..." The servant hesitated, "He''s not too pleased."


    Of course, he wouldn''t be pleased. Charlotte getting together with Dn was like a p in his face!


    Chloe smiled, "I see, you can go back and tell the young master toe here quickly."


    She couldn''t wait to see Liam''s look of disdain for Charlotte.


    The three of them followed the servant to the courtyard, with Dn leading the way. He would move the bamboo aside for Charlotte to pass and then let it fall back into ce.


    Chloe was getting irritated watching Dn dote on Charlotte, "You are really going all out for Charlotte, like a puppy following her around."


    Dn wasn''t bothered either, "Charlotte looks so stunning today that even a falling bamboo leaf would seem like an intrusion on her beauty."


    Chloe rolled her eyes at the cheesy line.


    Liam would never do anything like that for her.


    But knowing Liam was about to drop Charlotte for good made all that frustration evaporate.


    Without Charlotte around to interfere, Liam would love her like he used to.


    Comforted by this thought, Chloe''s mood began to lift.


    But then she saw the courtyard Keh had picked out with four rooms, and her mood soured again.


    Four rooms?This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    She had been hoping to move in with Liam and start working on a little heir for the Parker family sooner rather thanter!


    "The idea is that since you''re engaged, you''re supposed to share a room," said the servant at just the right moment, which made all three of them go silent.

 Chapter 68: Im just pushing you to admit youre wrong.

    Charlotte quietly checked out the four rooms in front of her, Dn offering her the pick of the litter. "Pick any room you like, that''s where we''ll crash."


    "We''re not gonna live together," Charlotte said, her voice cold.


    Out of Chloe''s sight, Charlotte kept her guard up, staying distant with Dn.


    But Dn was still the picture of patience and gentleness.


    "You know the deal with my situation, Charlotte. I can''t go against Keh''s orders," he said softly.


    "Then let someone who dares to defy."


    "You mean... Liam?" Dn nced at an excited Chloe picking out rooms, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "He''s Keh''s biggest fan." "I''ll take this one!"


    Chloe''s excited shout cut through Charlotte and Dn''s conversation.


    Charlotte nced over and casually pointed to the room next to hers, "Then Dn and I will bunk here."


    "What are you guys talking about?"


    Just as she finished speaking, a man walked in from outside. His ck trench coat was dotted with rain, wrapping him in a mist that made him look like a sharp, icy de. "Liam!" Chloe ran down to him as he entered, cheerfully wrapping her arms around his arm.


    "Grandpa says we''re all living together now. I picked out the room with the best sunlight, so you''ll get to see the first rays of the morning every day!"


    Liam barely seemed to hear Chloe''s excited chatter. With a look of disgust, he yanked his arm away, his gaze fixed on Charlotte and Dn standing together.


    Chloe''s heart skipped a beat at the sight. Liam was engaged to her, but his eyes still searched only for Charlotte-even with another guy right by her side! She was so jealous, she wished she could snatch Liam''s eyes and glue them onto herself!


    Why was he always looking at Charlotte? Why not her?


    "Liam, Charlotte, and Dn picked the room right next to ours," Chloe said, a hint of mischief in her voice. "That room gets good light too. Imagine them cuddled up in the morning sunshine, must be a cozy picture."


    Chloe''s words lit a fire under Liam in an instant.


    "You guys are shacking up together?!" He red at Dn, "Dn, I can''t let this slide a second time."


    He could stomach Charlotte ying games to get back at him, but if Dn dared to cross a line, he wouldn''t let it go.


    Dn''s smile faded, "Liam, Charlotte, and I are getting engaged in a few days. It makes sense for us to live together, and I don''t see why you''d object."


    "You don''t need to know," Liam said, his eyes icy with barely controlled anger.


    Dn took a step back, feeling the weight of Liam''s fury, "It''s what Grandpa wants..."


    "He''s a goner," Liam said with a scoff that could have been seen as disrespectful. "From here on out, you listen to me."


    "Liam,e on!" Dn''s face turned serious. "I''m your big brother! Charlotte is gonna be your sister-inw. What gives you the right to stop us from living together?" Hearing ''sister-inw'' again made Liam lose itpletely. He stepped forward, his fist flying towards Dn.


    "Liam, stop!"


    Charlotte jumped in, pulling Dn behind her, ready to take the hit herself.


    The punch whistled through the air, just missing Charlotte''s face and stirring strands of her hair.


    "Look, man, your girl''s right there behind you. You should be thinking about setting up a house with her, not getting in the middle of me and Charlotte." "Charlotte."


    Liam was practically seething, his eyes bloodshot with fury.


    Charlotte getting cozy with Dn was like a punch to his gut and a kick to his pride.


    It was as if Charlotte was ripping out his heart, piece by piece, and trampling it.


    "I''ve said it before, you don''t have to lift a finger. Just stay put, and I''ll sort everything out," he muttered, almost wishing he could just grab Charlotte and lock her away from all this mess. Liam totally got the game Chloe was ying and had enough dirt to bury her.


    He would do anything for her, make Chloe pay, make her life a misery if that''s what she wanted.


    But why was she in such a rush?


    Why couldn''t she understand the duty he felt, the respect he needed to show?


    He lost his parents young and was raised by Keh''s hand. Why couldn''t she give him just a little space to breathe?


    And why did she have to go cozying up to some other guy so quickly, especially when that guy was his own cousin?


    When she was all happy calling herself ''sister-inw'', did she even think about how much that messed him up inside?


    "Charlotte," Liam said, easing his fist into an open hand, trying to cover her face, to shield himself from her scornful eyes. "You''re clueless."


    She smacked his hand away with a snap and retreated to stand by Dn''s side.


    "Liam, turn around and think."


    Think about the woman he wanted to marry, the choices he was making!


    "And you''re telling me I''m clueless?"


    "Charlotte!"


    Liam couldn''t stand it anymore and grabbed her wrist, heading for the nearest room.


    "Get off me!" Charlotte struggled as Dn tried to step in and break Liam''s grip, only to be stopped dead by a chilling re.


    "Liam,e on!" Chloe piped up, annoyed and feeling wronged. "It''s our engagement day, and you''re making a scene with her..." "Shut up!"


    Chloe quickly shut up, too scared to utter another word.


    Liam was giving off some seriously scary vibes.


    Once inside the room, Charlotte didn''t show any fear. She just massaged the wrist that Liam had gripped too hard, casting a casual nce over the room''s decor. "Nice digs. Chloe picked a good one," Charlotte noted, realizing this was the room Chloe had chosen.


    Liam ignored herment, gripping her chin to make her look at him: "Are my words just going in one ear and out the other?"


    "What, the revenge pep talk?" Charlotte quipped, dodging his grip with a twist of her head, slipping free. "Yeah, what about it?"


    She stared at Liam''s stormy face and couldn''t help but run her hand over it.


    While Liam was caught off guard, Charlotte whispered, "I get what you''re saying, but I''m not sold."


    Liam froze up for a second.


    Charlotte kept it light, "Hey Liam, I''m just not convinced."


    She didn''t go into it any further, just held his gaze with her clear, unwavering eyes.


    Liam felt a sting, like touching a hot stove, and hastily averted his eyes.


    "Do you really have to punish me like this?" he asked.


    "Nah," Charlotte said, fixing his wrinkled shirt, "it''s not about punishment. We don''t do that to each other."


    After smoothing out his shirt, she gave it a couple of pats, looked up with a satisfied smile, and met Liam''s gaze. "Stay out of Chloe''s room, don''t get all lovey-dovey with her, and I''ll back off from Dn."


    "Liam, I''m not punishing you. I''m just pushing you to admit you''re wrong."This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Sheid it out there, no sugarcoating.


    Clear as day, her agenda was out in the open.


    Didn''t even seem to care what Liam thought, just pushed him into a corner.


    That kind of straight talk got Liam all kinds of mad, but he just bit back his anger and spat out an ''okay''.

 Chapter 69: You Better Play Nice

    There was a moment of total quiet in the room.


    Charlotte didn''t expect Liam to cave so quickly and found herself at a loss for words.


    She thought she''d have toy it on thicker and y the sympathy card a bit more to get him to steer clear of Chloe. But he agreed just like that.


    Liam cupped her chin in one hand, furrowing his brows, his voice deep and serious, "Are you threatening me?"


    "You just figured that out?" Charlotte might have thought his reaction was adorable if she didn''t know how cold he could be.


    "You know what Dn''s like, right? That he''s ying you?"This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Yeah, I know." She nestled into his hand, looking up at him with trusting eyes. "That''s why you''ve got to treat me better, so he won''t push me around, and I can catch a break." Liam was left speechless, his face a picture of frustration.


    Charlotte was using him, and it was no secret to either of them.


    t ticked him off, being her pawn, yet he couldn''t say no to her-not now.


    She''d seen her mom go up in mes, and there he was, the guy who was supposed to have her back, telling her to keep it down when she was falling apart.


    Yeah, he felt bad about that.


    But that little bit of guilt? It didn''te close to scrubbing away the anger and the pain he was carrying.


    "Charlotte," he was trying to figure her out, "Just stay close to me, and things will be smooth sailing."


    "Stay close? As what, your assistant?"


    Charlotte let out a snort ofughter, "What, should I dim the lights for you when you''re hopping into bed with Chloe?"


    Liam felt his insides churn, "You didn''t use to take digs like this."


    "Well, I used to be all about you, didn''t I?"


    "Used to?" Liam bit down on his words, not pushing any further.


    He let go of her and, trying to keep his cool, said, "Keh''s really sick, just wait a sec, don''t make a scene."


    Charlotte kept quiet.


    Keh, sick?


    He was all rosy cheeks and steady on his feet at the engagement party they''d just been at.


    Didn''t look like anything was wrong with him.


    It was just an excuse.


    Charlotte wasn''t about to bust him on it though; she just turned on her heel and headed for the door.


    She''d just taken a few steps when Liam yanked her back by the arm, his voice tinged with annoyance, "Did you even hear what I said?"


    "Yeah, got it," Charlotte tossed back casually, not missing a beat as she made for the door again, "Been here too long my boyfriend''s probably freaking out by now."


    That was enough to fan the mes of Liam''s temper all over again.


    "What do you call him?" he couldn''t hold back anymore, pinning Charlotte down and taking a harsh bite at her.


    She winced at the pain, her fingersing away with a spot of blood from her lip.


    "You just bit me!" she red at him, brow furrowed. "How am I supposed to cover that up when we get out there?"


    Instead of answering, Liam bit down again near the edge of her lip.


    She shut up, and he breathed out heavily.


    "Ease up, Charlotte. I''m about at my limit with you."


    He made her look him right in the eye, "You''ve been in a mood, so I''ll write off what you said as you just being snippy. But keep up this act, and I swear, you''ll never get what you''re after." "You threatening me now?" Charlotte shot back with a raised eyebrow.


    "Just saying-y nice," Liam countered with an edge to his voice.


    Charlotte turned her head away, done with the back-and-forth.


    Liam hadid it out for her: he''d let things slide for now because she was grieving her mom, but if she kept pushing him or got too cozy with Dn, he''d wreak her revenge plot in a heartbeat. Another threat...


    Charlotte didn''t let it get her down, knowing deep down this was how it was supposed to go.


    Liam wasn''t going to be a pushover for her ns.


    "I gotta work a bit harder," she said, heading for the door.


    "What are you gonna work hard at?" Liam called after her.


    "Work hard at making you fall for me a bit more," Charlotte quipped, pausing with her hand on the door to look back at him, "If you like me, you can''t stand to see me upset, right?"


    Liam just stared at her, his eyes full of suspicion.


    He felt like Charlotte was like some siren right then, luring him in, and if he took the bait, he''d be dragged down into an abyss with no way out.


    Charlotte didn''t get riled up by theck of response; she just opened the door and stepped out first.


    Liam followed her out, his face still stormy, clearly riled up by her sly words.


    "Honey!" Chloe hurried over, all excited. With Charlotte''s head bowed, Chloe didn''t catch sight of the mark on her lip; she just assumed from Liam''s scowl that Charlotte hadn''t exactly charmed her way into his good graces. She was waving her phone at Liam, "Which quilt you wanna use? I''m digging this red one..."


    "Chloe, are you out of your mind?"


    "Huh?" It was the first time he''d snapped at her like that, and Chloe was taken aback. "What''d you say, Honey?"


    He didn''t even bother giving her another nce, "Pick whatever you want. I wouldn''t share a room with someone as messed up as you."


    "What? What did you just..." Chloe couldn''t believe her ears.


    Even though Liam was known to be a bit icy, he normally had manners, never crude, not even with servants.


    She couldn''t wrap her head around it, " Honey, it was Keh''s idea for us to room together..."


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    He cut her off, all snappy, "You think you can use Keh to twist my arm? I..."


    He was about to say he hated being pushed around and wouldn''t stand for it from anyone.


    But then, like a record scratch, Charlotte''s words echoed in his head, leaving him speechless and frustrated.


    He''d just been totally manipted by Charlotte, so what right did he have to talk big?


    He shot Charlotte a re and stomped off.


    Chloe, tears streaming down her face, ran after him, feeling more and more heartbroken with every step.


    This wasn''t the engaged life she''d pictured at all.


    Liam wasn''t the same guy who used to be so sweet to her.


    She''d gone through so much just to be part of the Parker family, and even when Liam gave her a hard time over and over because of Charlotte, she bit her tongue and put up with it.


    Even that time Charlotte bit her neck and scratched up her face, she didn''t make a big deal about it because Liam asked her not to. She even let Charlotte stay with them, showing real ss! Chloe had given up so much already - why couldn''t Liam see that?


    Why couldn''t he love her? Just why?!


    Once the two of them had gone far away, Charlotte casually strolled out from the shadows.


    Dn caught sight of her lips and cracked a mysterious little smirk.


    "Charlotte, which quilt are we using? I like that red one too."


    "We''re not staying together, or he''ll get upset."


    "I''m your man, Charlotte. Isn''t it a bit much to say that stuff in front of me?"


    "My man? Just my friend maybe." Charlotte snapped back coolly.


    Dn stopped smiling, his expression hiding all his feelings, but his clenched fists showed he was not pleased.


    A little whileter, Chloe came back with tear-streaked cheeks. From the way she returned, it looked like she tried toin to Keh about Liam and got nowhere, so she came back crying.


    The first thing she did when she got back was to tell the cleaning staff to take a break, "No need to go out of your way for Charlotte''s room; she grew up hanging around salons and massage parlors, she''s way more used to this kind of work than you guys!"

 Chapter 70: Its late. You should get going.

    Chloe obviously wanted to embarrass Charlotte.


    "Charlotte, oh wait, I should call you sister-inw now, shouldn''t I? You''ve been doing these sorts of tough jobs since you were little, so you''re probably more detail-oriented than the staff, right? How about you clean up the whole yard?" Chloe said, with a dig.


    Charlotte ignored her, just sitting by the window sipping her coffee.


    Chloe was fuming at her calmness and sent all the servants away in a huff, "What are you so smug about? Let me tell you, Charlotte, Keh is really happy with me. He can''t wait for me to have Liam''s baby!" "Oh, is that so?" Charlotte asked, all cool and casual.


    Chloe was gritting her teeth with anger, "So that means the whole Parker family is on my side, except for Dn, who has no real power anyway. What have you got to fight me with?"


    "But isn''t Liam on my side?"


    Charlotte''s innocent question just made Chloe even madder, "He''s your brother-inw! Have you no shame?"


    "I''d like to have some, but he''s not giving me the chance," Charlotte shot back.


    Right then, Liam walked in.


    Chloe had been crying and running to Keh to tattle, and after a long talk, Keh wouldn''t budge, insisting that Liam and Chloe had to share a bed.


    Liam was already irritated when he entered and saw Charlotte looking at him with those big, sad eyes. Her gaze was so soft and pitiful, that it followed him everywhere, making him feel restless, "What''s up?" "My room hasn''t been cleaned," said Charlotte.


    Liam was annoyed, "What about your boyfriend? You should be asking him for this kind of help."


    "But I wanted to ask you."


    She''d never sounded so weak and yet so alluring when she spoke to him.


    It tugged at the heartstrings even more than when she was burning up with fever at that hotel.


    Liam just stared her down, took a few deep breaths, and seeing no way out, he stormed out to give the cleaning crew an earful.


    Charlotte, watching his protective disy through the window, took a leisurely sip of her coffee, then casually asked Chloe, who was practically frozen next to her, "He still has a thing for me, doesn''t he?" "Home-wrecker!" Chloe hissed through clenched teeth, "Have you got no morals, Charlotte? How low can you go? We''re engaged! Aren''t you afraid of karma for flirting with him?"


    "Why should I be scared of karma when you''ve done plenty and it''s never bothered you?"


    Charlotte dropped her smile and her face turned cold as ice, "I''m just afraid I haven''t gone far enough. Annie and the others might haunt my dreams, ming me for not doing enough."


    Chloe was taken aback by the hate in her eyes and suddenly found herself unable toe back with anything.


    In the silence that followed, Liam finished lecturing the servants and came in. He didn''t even nce their way, just headed straight upstairs to his room.


    "Even with all your flirting, he can''t even be bothered to look at you!" Chloe blurted out like she finally found a vent for her frustration.


    Charlotte let out a half-mock, half-serious chuckle, "Oh? Maybe I just need to try a little harder then?"


    "You-!" Chloe was so mad she was lost for words.


    True, Liam''s ignoring Charlotte, but it''s not like he''s paying much attention to Chloe either.


    It''s their engagement day, for crying out loud. He''s supposed to be all happy and stuff.


    Chloe thought she wasn''t that into Liam. She figured he was marrying her to snag the Beaumont fortune, and she was tying the knot with him to win some power y at Beaumont. Not much real affection involved. Turns out, she was wrong.


    She was way into Liam.


    The less he looked at her, the more he seemed to favor Charlotte, and the more Chloe wanted his eyes-and his heart-to be all about her!


    The backyard was all spruced up by the time dinner rolled around. Charlotte had gone a bit heavy on the coffee that afternoon and just wasn''t feeling the whole dinner thing. She pushed her food around the te for a bit before deciding she''d rather hit the hay early.


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    Dn stopped her as she stood up, "Not eating much, huh? Nothing you like here?"


    He was about to dig a little deeper when he caught a frosty look from across the table.


    It was Liam, no surprises there.


    That icy re was loaded with daggers, and Dn stiffened up, quickly getting the message to zip it and quit prying.


    Charlotte nced at Liam, who was parked at the head of the table, his te barely touched too.


    Weird. He''s engaged to the girl he''s into, but why the long face?


    Feeling bugged by her, maybe?


    Charlotte decided to just throw it out there. "Why the look, Mr. Parker? You find me annoying or something?"


    Liam didn''t see that questioning. His eyes flickered, irritation bubbling up quickly.


    What else does she want from him? What more is he supposed to do?


    Her questioning him like this-was it because she thought he wasn''t doing enough? Was it some kind of threat?


    With a click of his tongue, Liam looked away and just quit eating, ignoring her.


    Charlotte was way too forward and aggressive these days. He hadn''t gotten used to this new her yet.


    Charlotte wasn''t really hanging on for an answer anyway. She headed upstairs, did her nightly routine, and before she knew it, she was out like a light on her bed.


    In that half-asleep haze, she felt some warmth next to her, like someone had taken a seat.


    She blinked her eyes open and-yep, it was Liam.


    There he was, sitting at the edge of her bed, a te of candied fruit by his side, thumbing through her phone.


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    "Liam," she called out to him, and he turned, setting the phone aside and standing to loom over her.


    Charlotte eyed the te of candied fruit. She''s into fruit and the sweet stuff, but she''s never been one to make a fuss over her likes. So, it''s a toss-up whether Liam brought it because he knows what she''s into or just because it was handy in the kitchen.


    "Why aren''t you eating?" Liam couldn''t help but ask when she made no move to grab any.


    Charlotte flopped back on the bed, her hair falling over her eyes. She blinked a few times before saying, "It''s too far; I can''t reach."


    "You weren''t glued to the bed, you know," he hinted, meaning she could get up and grab it herself.


    But Charlotte yed dumb, "Too far; I can''t reach."


    Liam let out a sigh like he was trying to keep his cool, and then just shoved the te up to her face. Charlotte snagged a piece of the candied fruit and started chewing slowly.


    This pricey stuff really hits differentlypared to the cheap fruit from the street stalls.


    After a few pieces, her teeth started to feel like they were on edge from the sweetness. She pushed the te away and said, "What''s up with you being here? Middle of the night, just the two of us. Doesn''t look good, us being in the same room."


    Liam froze, nearly losing it.


    "And you weren''t worried about ''looking good'' when you were all tangled up with Dn, huh?!"


    What was she thinking at the start?


    Charlotte kept it cool. "Don''t go losing your cool over nothing, Liam. Did you ever feel ''not proper'' with Chloe?"


    "You''re getting back at me," Liam muttered, lips pressed tight.


    Charlotte rolled over, oozing nonchnce. "Nope, not getting back at you. I''m just making the most of you."


    "You!" Liam was about to go off again, but Charlotte pped a hand over his mouth, feeling the heat of his breath burning her palm.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "It''ste. You should get back."

 Chapter 71: Charlotte didnt use you after all.

    Liam left in a huff really ticked off.


    Charlotte snuggled back under the covers, toozy to brush her teeth again, and drifted back to sleep.


    Today was just the start of her getting even; she''s not gonna let Chloe keep showing off like that.


    On the day after the engagement party, there was another bash lined up. Chloe was about to be part of the Parker family, and this shindig was thrown to help her get to know all the women in the family.


    Even though it was just a family affair, the standards were through the roof. You could tell a guy''s status in the Parker n by how his woman showed up-dressed to the nines, dripping in bling, and looking on point.


    "My grandpa never liked me much, and that rubbed off on the other elders. I may be the oldest grandson of the Parker family, but the resources I''ve got ess to are pretty thin." Dn said, looking over at Charlotte with an apologetic gaze. "Looks like I''m going to drag you into an embarrassing spot at the party."


    Charlotte shook her head, ncing towards the bathroom. "No, that won''t happen."


    "The family dinner was announced sost minute, even if Charlotte got Thomas to hustle and find her some jewelry, it wouldn''t be ready in time!"


    Patricia was fixing up Chloe''s hair, talking away as she did, "Dn''s not exactly the golden boy, so top-notch bling is out of the question. I bet he can''t even swing a nice dress for Charlotte. You''re totally going to eclipse her today, no contest." Chloe watched herself in the mirror. She was determined to show off how much Liam cared for her in front of the Parker women. She went all out and borrowed a set of precious cat''s eye emeralds that belonged to her great-grandmother from the Beaumont family. She was dead set on outdoing Charlotte at the party!


    "Once you step out with those emeralds, nobody''s going to be able to outshine you."


    This jewelry set is like an inside secret, kept within the family. Outsiders wouldn''t know it''s from the Beaumonts; they''ll just think Liam adores Chloe so much he''s willing to splurge on such fancy gems for her.


    Confident as ever, the aunt and niece duo headed to the venue. And sure enough, as soon as they made their entrance, they caused quite a stir.


    "Whoa, weren''t those emerald gems shown off a few months back? I heard they were priced sky-high, and it had tons of people walking away all upset ''cause they couldn''t cough up the cash!"


    "Can''t believe Liam actually bought Chloe that set. Guess all that gossip about them not getting along must be just rumors."


    "Yeah, Chloe might rub some people the wrong way, but with Liam spoiling her rotten and the Beaumont crew in her corner, she''s gonna be running the Parker family before we know it. Let''s make sure we''re on her good side today - it''ll pay off."


    Listening to everyone gab, Chloe was soaking up the attention, schmoozing like a natural.


    "Who''s that over there?"


    "Seems like Dn''stest catch? Word is he had to sweet-talk Keh Parker yesterday just to make sure she''d be let in!"


    "Rumor has it she''s some kind of adopted kid from the Beaumonts, right?"N?velDrama.Org content.


    Catching wind of the gossip, Chloe''s grin just stuck there, and she whipped around to see for herself.


    There stood Charlotte, in a sleek champagne dress, no fuss about it, with just a couple of jewels on.


    But that tiara and ring? They were something else.


    "Hey, isn''t that tiara on her head the hot ticket item everyone was battling over at that fancy charity thing?"


    "Oh, I''ve seen that ring before. Liam shelled out big time for it at an auction in January..."


    The crowd paused, sneaking nces at Chloe.


    The ring Liam bought ended up on Dn''s girlfriend''s hand. That''s some real eyebrow-raising stuff.


    Could it be...?


    "Maybe Chloe let her borrow it, huh? Since Charlotte''s like a foster sister to her from the Beaumont family, it makes sense. Dn''s not exactly Mr. Moneybags, so Chloe hooking her sister up with some bling is pretty normal." Someone supported Chloe, and the crowd nodded along, finding it a reasonable exnation.


    But Chloe knew the real deal - justst night, she had begged Liam to give her that ring.


    And he had shut her down, just like that.


    But there it was, that ring, on Charlotte''s hand today!


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    Chloe''s fists clenched tight, her knuckles going white with the strain.


    She hadn''t seen iting, Liam humiliating her like this, all for Charlotte!


    "People are saying you''re super generous with your sis, lending out such a pricey ring and all," someoneplimented Chloe.


    Spotting that it was one of Liam''s rtives, Chloe managed a tight smile and responded, "Well, Charlotte''s new to the Beaumont family and doesn''t have much in the way of jewelry. If I don''t help her out, who will?" The crowd started buzzing with how kind and considerate Chloe was.


    As Charlotte glided over, what she walked into was a chorus of praises.


    She shed a smile: "The dress is indeed a favor from Dad via the Beaumonts. Saying Chloe is kind and considerate isn''t wrong - after all, she didn''t stop it from happening, right?"


    Her snarkyment caught everyone''s attention in a heartbeat.


    Charlotte added with a smirk, "Just to set things straight, the jewelry isn''t from Chloe, and honestly, I wouldn''t ask her for it."


    The crowd was buzzing, "If it didn''te from Chloe... could it be... Liam?"


    The ring was Liam''s big buy, so how''d it end up with anyone but Chloe?


    But wasn''t Charlotte with Dn? Why would she be wearing something from Liam?


    Ignoring the puzzled looks, Charlotte just twirled her dress and breezed over to the dessert table for some mini cakes.


    She might not have a fancy family background or know all the high-society rules, but her knockout looks, that tiara on her head, and the ring from Liam on her finger were all the confidence boosters she needed to glide through the party with


    ease.


    Meanwhile, Chloe was swamped with people grilling her left and right.


    Word of the drama at the party didn''t take long to reach Liam''s ears.


    Daniel was always mingling with thedies, and he was pretty tight with one of Liam''s cousins. She hit him up asking about what''s up with Liam and Charlotte and mentioned that the word on the street was that Liam must be into Charlotte. "Isn''t she stirring up drama? You''re engaged, and she''s supposed to be Dn''s girl. This kind of move is just gonna mess up everyone''s rep!"


    After letting off some steam, Daniel couldn''t help but dive into the gossip and grilled Liam, "So did you really give her that ring? Did you know she''d unt it at the party?"


    Hearing that, Liam''s fingers froze on the keyboard for a good long moment before he casually resumed typing like nothing happened.


    Daniel knew him too well and caught on right away that the pause meant something.


    He blurted out in surprise, "You knew she''d pull something like this... wait a sec! Mr. Parker, spill it - what did she offer you?"


    "Got nothing better to do?" Liam nced up, giving him a look, then tossed over a file folder. "Brendan''s been on his. Go follow up."


    "You actually handed the project to Brendan?" Last time, to see if Charlotte was just using Liam, they''d let slip that Brendan would get the project, and sure enough, Thomas made a beeline for Brendan. That move pretty much nailed down Charlotte''s n.


    Daniel hadn''t kept tabs on that project since then and was surprised Liam actually went through with giving it to Brendan.


    He took the file folder, and flipped through it, but noticed Thomas wasn''t in the mix.


    "What''s the deal here?"


    "Thomas and Brendan go way back as old schoolmates, it''s just that it''s been a while, and not many people are aware of that," Liam dropped that line, and Daniel filled in the nks on his own. "So when Thomas went to see Brendan that day, it was because they''re old pals, not because Charlotte tipped him off?"


    "They had arranged to meet up three days in advance."


    "So..." Daniel scratched his head, "So, actually, Charlotte didn''t use you after all."

 Chapter 72: How does it feel to be drowning?

    When they first overheard the remarks from Thomas and his wife, they were convinced Charlotte was out to use Liam for revenge. But Charlotte had done nothing but dutifully serve as an assistant, brewing coffee and keeping things running smoothly. Later on, they suspected that Charlotte, in pursuit of wealth and status, might cozy up to Thomas and exploit Mr. Parker''s project. But then again, Charlotte hadn''t actually done anything.


    "Looks like Charlotte wasn''t ying you," Daniel admitted, feeling a bit awkward for Liam. "About that little spat, you guys had... maybe I should smooth things over with her, huh?" The thought of Liam saying sorry himself was almostughable. It looked like it was up to Daniel to step in and fix things up for his buddy.


    Liam waved off the idea, "Don''t bother."


    Turns out, she hadn''t been using him at first, but now she seemed to be walking all over him without a care in the world.


    And then there was the issue with that ring...


    When he thought back to when Charlotte asked him for jewelry... Liam gulped, leaned back into his chair with his eyes shut, and threw an arm over his face, letting out a long sigh. Daniel didn''t get what was going through his head, so he just picked up the folder and slipped out quietly.


    The whole point of the party was just for Chloe to meet the family''sdies; it wasn''t anything formal.


    After Charlotte had exined where the ring came from, she took a stroll by herself in the garden. It wasn''t long before Chloe managed to shake off the crowd and, fuming, she caught up with Charlotte. "Liam''s been under my watch since he left the bedroom this morning, and he headed straight to the office after breakfast. When on earth did you ask him for that ring?!" Chloe demanded.


    The garden pond was home to some fish, and Charlotte was there, casually tossing in food pellets one by one.


    Hearing Chloe''s usation, she replied coolly, "Well, I doubt you weren''t tailing him to the bathroom, right?"


    "Bathroom?" Chloe''s expression twisted ufortably. She remembered she was fixing up some fruit in the kitchen while Liam was supposedly in the bathroom- a moment she hadn''t witnessed herself. Charlotte tossed another handful of food to the eager fish, watching them scramble.


    "I knocked, and he let me in. He was washing his hands. I told him mine were dirty too and asked if he could help me wash them. He didn''t want to, so I sat on the counter and wouldn''t let him continue."


    She ryed the morning''s happenings in a matter-of-fact tone, "He had suds all over his hands and couldn''t really get away from me, so there we were, washing up together. It was a bit of a stretch, sitting on that washstand, and I didn''t fancy a fall, so naturally, I just held on to his neck for bnce..."


    "That''s it!" Chloe erupted, sending Charlotte''s container of fish food tumbling into the water with a p.


    "Charlotte, do you even have a conscience? Making moves on a man who''s already engaged, you''re shameless!"


    Charlotte''sugh wasnguid and mocking, "Can''t handle that? I''ve only taken your man, haven''t gone after your family''s lives yet."


    Chloe was left seething, a deep sense of helplessness washing over her.


    She had racked her brain for plots and staged countless mishaps, yet Charlotte still stood firm, unvanquished.


    With Thomas backing her and a newfound legitimacy in her social standing, not to mention her charm that seemed to captivate Liam, Charlotte had fortified her position. Chloe was running out of options to orchestrate another ''idental'' downfall for Charlotte.


    As Chloe''s mind swirled with devious ns, an unexpected shove struck her from behind. She spun around just in time to see Charlotte''s foot retreating from a forceful kick. In an instant, Chloe''s surroundings whirled into a blur as she was sent crashing into the fish pond with a ssh.


    "Gasp-ahhh..."


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    Chloe floundered in the pond, but it was shallow enough that after a couple of sshes, she was standing again, drenched, with strands of pondweed draped over her jewelry like a bizarre essory.


    "Charlotte!" she seethed, ripping the weeds from her ne and flinging them at Charlotte. "Push me into the water, will you? Didn''t think about whates next, did you?"


    "And what''s that? No prying eyes here, no cameras."


    Charlotte was unfazed, her attention briefly on the ripples causing the fish to scatter. "Looks like you''ve given them quite the scare," she noted with a hint of amusement.


    "Seriously?" Chloe was incredulous, rage bubbling up as Charlotte seemed more concerned about the fish. With old wounds reopened and fury mounting, she waded with purpose towards Charlotte, reaching out to drag her into the pond as well.


    But Charlotte dodged with an almost prescient agility, twisting to avoid Chloe''s grasp.


    In one fluid motion, she snatched Chloe''s wrist and sent her tumbling back into the pond with a decisive push.


    Chloe, unbnced and unprepared, found herself once again submerged in the chilly embrace of the pond water.


    "How does it feel to be drowning? That sense of being utterly alone, helpless, waiting for the end-do you get it now?"


    Charlotte bore down on Chloe with relentless force, as if subduing her was the only salve for the agony of losing her sister.


    "Thatke was far colder than this pond, and Annie she suffered a thousand times more than you when she was iling in those waters!"


    "Mmph! Help-glub_"


    Chloe thrashed about, her struggles and sshing sending out loud echoes that quickly drew attention.


    As the main character of this party, Chloe was under the watchful eyes of many, and even though there were no cameras, it wouldn''t be long before someone woulde looking. Come on, someone,e quickly!


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    By the time they arrived, with Chloe drenched and in distress while Charlotte remained unscathed-even without evidence the Parkers would never forgive Charlotte.


    The sound of footsteps grew closer, signaling that help was imminent. Just as Chloe felt the grip on her loosen and the weight above her shift, something heavy seemed to drop beside her...


    "Ah! Someone''s in the water! Quick, we need help here!"


    "Chloe and Charlotte have fallen in! Save Charlotte! She looks like she can''t swim, lift her face up, or she''ll drown!"


    Chloe, finally breaking free from the struggle, scrambled out of the water at once.


    It was then that she saw Charlotte, facedown and sinking, her sshing growing weaker as moments slipped by...


    The scene could easily be misconstrued Chloe standing, Charlotte floundering-it had all the makings of a guilty act.


    In an instant, Chloe''s face drained of color as she realized the implications. She lunged forward to help Charlotte, but by the time she got there, bystanders had already pulled her to safety. As Chloe''s hand reached out, Charlotte shrank back, gasping and spluttering, her eyes wide with fright and fixated on Chloe.


    Frozen in ce, Chloe was a silent witness to the aftermath, the cool sting on her neck and face a harsh contrast to the warmth of her rising embarrassment and confusion.


    But Chloe couldn''t register the sting of her wounds, her senses were overwhelmed by a singr realization - she''d been yed by that wretched Charlotte!


    "Chloe... cough, cough!" It took a while for Charlotte to gather the strength to speak. She was ashen, sitting weakly on the ground, her body shaking. With trembling hands, she pulled off a ring and offered it to Chloe.


    "This ring, my dad bought it for a high price from Liam - it wasn''t me who went to Liam for it."


    A single usation from Charlotte was enough to paint Chloe as the embodiment of envy and spite.


    Yet, this wasn''t the final act Charlotte had in mind.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The ring was given to her by Liam.


    But here it was on Chloe''s finger, framed by the story that Chloe had attacked her, thrust her into the pond, and wrested the ring from her by force.


    Charlotte''s n was clear - she would bide her time until Liam appeared.

 Chapter 73: Feeling for Her

    The edge of the pond was packed with people. Most of them were busy making a fuss over Chloe, asking if she was okay and stuff. Just a couple of youngdies had the thought to grab a towel for Charlotte to dry off. Liam and Dn were the first guys to show up.


    "What happened?"


    Liam nted himself between the two, and with just a nce, a look of disgust crossed his face.


    Water again.


    How many more times was Chloe going to use this trick to hurt Charlotte?


    Liam stopped right in the middle of the two, but his question was aimed at Chloe, his eyes were fixed on Charlotte, though.


    Charlotte was sitting there with tears welling up in her eyes, all pitiful like a drenched little bird, and she just kept staring at Chloe''s hand...


    When Liam followed Charlotte''s gaze, that''s when he saw it-the ring he''d given Charlotte just that morning.


    Suddenly, Liam was fuming, "What are you doing with her ring?!".


    Kind of like he was dealing with kids fighting over a toy.


    Chloe looked just as upset and fired right back, "Hold on, that''s my line, Honey. Why on earth did you give Charlotte the ring?"


    Before Liam could even speak, Charlotte cut in, "I already told you, my dad bought the ring from Mr. Parker. Why would Mr. Parker give me something so fancy for no reason? What, you think there''s something fishy between me and Mr. Parker?"


    That pretty much mmed the door on anything Liam was about to say.


    Given the status between him and Charlotte, they really shouldn''t be caught up in something as suggestive as exchanging rings.


    No one would dare to talk smack about him, and no one would point fingers at him either.


    But they didn''t have any problems chatting about Charlotte.


    Liam hung his head, got it that Charlotte was trying to save his good name, and at the same time, she was looking out for herself. And it was more than that... she didn''t trust him.


    She didn''t think he had her back.


    Liam felt a tight knot form in his brow, his whole body wound up and just couldn''t shake it off.


    "Talk!" Liam snapped, ring at Chloe, "Why''ve you got her ring?"


    That''s when Chloe got it-the person Liam was all protective over was Charlotte.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Suddenly Chloe felt even more put upon. It was Charlotte who had pushed her into the pond! And it was Charlotte who had sneakily passed the ring to her!


    Why did Liam think he could just grill her like that?


    "Charlotte''s the one who shoved me into the pond! She was trying to hold my head under the water, trying to drown me! She''s the one causing trouble!"


    "Shut up!" Liam''s disgust with Chloe only grew.


    Pushed into the water, head held under... weren''t those the exact same dirty tricks she pulled on Charlotte by the hotelke?


    How many times was she going to pull the same nasty stunt on Charlotte?


    "No way, when we got there, Miss Beaumont was just standing in the water all fine and dandy, while Miss Perry here was nearly drowning!" muttered a cousin who was tight with Daniel, under her breath. After thatment, Liam''s frown grew even tighter. To him, Charlotte''s trembling and her knotted fingers spoke volumes of her fear.


    She''d been hurt like this once already, and back then, he couldn''ty a finger on Chloe forck of evidence.


    And when the evidence dide to light, his grandpa''s illness hit, tying his hands once more from acting against Chloe.


    It was a debt he had yet to pay Charlotte.


    "Charlotte pushed me first! She''s venomous, jealous of me..."


    Her self-justifications were abruptly interrupted by a sharp p.


    Chloe''s eyes went wide, her hand instinctively covering her cheek, disbelief etched across her face.


    "You hit me?" She thought incredulously. A fine young gentleman, raised in a grand household, likely never havingid a hand on even an animal, had just pped her?


    In a burst of sorrow and rage, Chloeshed out, "Liam! You struck me! You promised we''d be partners for life, and yet here you are, hitting me! Heartless!"


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    She fell to the ground, her hand on her cheek, her wailing piercing the air.


    "If you''re guilty, just admit it. Why put on such a disgraceful act?" Liam''s voice was frosty as he watched her, "Chloe, remember what I said about keeping your tail tucked away?" He had Chloe''s deceit in his grip now, and just as soon as the family patriarch showed any improvement, he nned to send her spiraling from grace to grit. Chloe''s crying escted into hysteria, uncontroble and frantic.


    Chloe was at a loss. Why did Liam distrust her so?


    It felt as though Charlotte could effortlessly spin the smallest web and ensnare herpletely.


    Just then, from afar, an aged voice cut through the chaos.


    "What''s this disturbance marring a good celebration?"


    There was Keh, propped up by an attendant, his face a grim shade of gray, coughing as he moved closer to the heart of the turmoil.


    As Keh''s gaze settled on the disheveled, weeping Chloe on the ground, a sh of anger crossed his eyes.


    No matter his personal feelings towards Chloe, she was presently the Parker family''s granddaughter-inw. An affront to her was an affront to the family''s honor.


    "Why just gawk there? Help her up and get her into fresh clothes!" Kehmanded with a furious tone.


    The servants scurried forward, eager to assist Chloe, but she was insistent, rooted on the ground amidst her sobs.


    "Grandpa! My heart is shattered. Why doesn''t my husband trust me? Why does he let others torment me?"


    "Liam!" Keh''s ire rose as his eyes caught sight of Charlotte, also in distress. His voice thundered with impatience, "Are you going to leave your betrothed on the cold ground? Scoop her up and take her inside!" Liam was a statue, his expression cold, his back ramrod straight; he didn''t budge an inch.


    There sat Charlotte on the ground, trembling, her eyes swimming with tears that pleaded and spoke of her hurt.


    Keh, witnessing her pitiable state, felt a surge of irritation, "Dn! You too, get your girlfriend out of here!"


    Dn was far morepliant than Liam. At themand, he quickly bent down, intending to lift Charlotte into his arms.


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    Yet Charlotte, as if deaf to Dn''s intentions, kept her eyes locked on Liam, silently challenging him to show the same care towards Chloe.


    This unflinching stare threw Liam''s emotions into disarray.


    Keh mmed his cane down, his face turning a shade of crimson, his body starting to crumble like a house of cards. Servants scrambled to his side, themotion swelling. "You''re trying to kill me, is that it?" Keh batted away Liam''s approaching hand, his eyes clouding over with anger as they slowly shut, "Get your wife and leave, now!" With a jaw clenched tight enough to crack a walnut, Liam pivoted towards Chloe. As his hands reached out to embrace her, he threw a fleeting nce over his shoulder. Charlotte sat motionless, her earlier look of hope reced with a hollow gaze-a marite devoid of spirit, her eyes void of emotion, yet her whole posture radiated defeat. "Dn." The name fell softly from her lips as she feebly held out her arms to Dn, her plea simple yet profound, "Help me."


    At that moment, Liam felt an invisible grip tighten around his heart, a blockage so intense it left him breathless.


    She watched, her eyes wide as he made his choice, favoring Chloe. Could she be thinking that his embrace was an endorsement of Chloe''s side of the story?


    Might she feel that he was once more aligning himself against her, reinforcing the divide between them?


    It echoed the bitter truth she had once voiced-they were on opposing sides.


    "Liam!" The sharp rebuke from Keh jolted Liam from his thoughts. Submissively, he dipped his head, and Chloe, with a gleeful quickness, looped her arms around his neck. Her gaze slid over to Charlotte, smug. It was utterly...exasperating.


    Liam''s grip on Chloe was rough, lifting her without finesse or care for her pained yelps,pletely indifferent to herfort.


    "You see, you''re always too rough," a scolding voice rang out. "Chloe will be your wife; you should cherish her..."


    Liam''s response was just as curt, slicing through the air, "Got enough energy to nag? Perhaps you''re not as ill as you im." Keh inmed with vexation, was poised to counter, but the words died in his throat.


    His grandson was too clever, and Keh''s frequent appearances had already seeded doubts in Liam''s mind.


    Should Liam uncover the truth behind his feigned infirmity, the consequences...


    Keh dared not let his thoughts wander further and chose instead to feign a faint, his eyelids fluttering closed in a dramatic pretense.


    However, this time Liam did not linger. Seizing the moment of Keh''s copse, he silently set Chloe aside and departed alone.

 Chapter 74: Apologize now!

    His exit left Chloe a subject for mockery-her humiliationplete.


    Liam had not just struck her; he had discarded her, his actions speaking volumes in the sight of all.


    His message was loud and clear without uttering a single word: he wanted nothing to do with her.


    "Liam doesn''t seem too fond of his fianc¨¦e, does he? Even at the engagement party yesterday, he looked rather displeased the entire time." "Such is the way of arranged matches-rarely do they bloom with true affection."


    "And who would''ve thought Chloe could be so spiteful, facing rejection from her husband and then turning to pick fights with her own sisters!"


    The murmurs burst around her like fireworks, and Chloe felt her world copse.


    From that moment on, she was nothing but a joke to the Parkers.


    And the architect of her misery? Charlotte, of course.


    Chloe seethed, her rage almost palpable.


    As soon as they were out of the public eye, Charlotte insisted on getting down to walk on her own.


    "Can you handle it?" Dn''s worry tinged his words. "You looked ready to copse just then."


    "Spare me the theatrics," Charlotte retorted, extricating herself with a cool detachment. "Liam''s lost in his feelings, missing the obvious. What''s clouding your vision?" Dn''sughter emerged, tinged with disbelief, "Did you actually push Chloe into the water? Seeing you so weak earlier, I was almost convinced she was spinning tales." "It''s simple," Charlotte stated firmly. "She''se at me more than once, and I believe in reciprocating the gesture."


    "You''re quite the... tit for tat type, aren''t you?" Dn observed, half amused by her candor.


    Dn''s eyes narrowed into a warm smile. "I must admit, I''m quite taken with you, Charlotte-every part of you, inside and out."


    He trailed leisurely behind her, "Keeping yourpany is no easy task. Liam''s had it out for me recently, but still, I said ''yes'' when you came to me. Ever wonder why?" Charlotte sidestepped his narrative, "You''re not one for charity, so cut the act. I know there''s an angle for you in this."


    "There''s a benefit indeed, yet it''s far less than what I''m after," Dn paused abruptly, his voice earnest as he addressed Charlotte''s retreating figure. "I want all the world''s benefits to be mine."


    "Dream on," Charlotte tossed back without so much as a nce over her shoulder. "Last I checked, dreaming isn''t a crime."


    She dismissed Dn''s words; from the moment she decided to coborate with him, she knew she was embarking on a challenging path.


    Underneath Dn''s seemingly gentle and harmless exterior, Charlotte understood that he was far more dangerous. She was on guard with him, perhaps even more so than with the detached and ruthless Liam.


    Back in the safety of the courtyard, Charlotte picked up some clothes and made her way to the bathroom for a shower.


    As she was halfway through, the distinct sound of the lock clicking resonated within the small space. Her instincts on high alert, she watched the door intently. It wasn''t until the familiar stoic face of the man appeared that she allowed herself a moment of relief, though her voice remained frosty as she addressed him.


    "I''m taking a shower, Mr. Parker. Isn''t it a bit rude to barge in like this?"


    "Charlotte." Liam ignored her tone, his brow creased as he approached, eyeing her intently.


    He had always been a dominant presence, but this predatory gaze was new and unsettling.


    Charlotte felt a wave of difort, "Stop looking at me like that; I''m not your prey."


    "I am your prey." Liam retracted his gaze, speaking softly.


    Charlotte couldn''t shake the feeling that there was an unusual softness in him just then.


    "Using me today too, aren''t you?" He posed the question, the word ''using''ing out surprisingly gently from him as if coated in velvet.


    "shing that ring at the party, making sure Chloe sees it-what''s your game?"


    Was she staking a im, sending a message to Chloe that he belonged to her?


    Or maybe showing off how he''d bend over backward for her?


    In the white noise of the falling water, Charlotte took a beat before she tossed back her answer, "It''s because Dn isn''t the type to spring for such an extravagant ring.


    She draped a towel around herself, her tone casual but cutting, "Being looked down upon today means trouble tomorrow. Dn doesn''t give me the security I need."


    "And you thought to ask me for it?" Liam''s brow furrowed deeply. "You know I''d oblige, so why waste time with him?"


    Charlotte moved past him, her bare feet on the cool floor, her fingertips trailing mist.


    She reached up, touching Liam''s face, "But without him, I wouldn''t even be able to see you."


    "With your engagement to Chloe, we''re kept at arm''s length-everyone''s watching. My only y to bridge this gap was a bit of cunning."


    "Liam, you''ve never been one to seek me out, so when I take the leap towards you, don''t turn me away with indifference."


    With those words, she nudged Liam''s chest, "Okay, time to leave."


    The abrupt dismissal pricked at Liam''s pride, "You''re still holding a grudge because I didn''t..."


    "Mr. Parker, my boyfriend is out there," Charlotte interjected, halting his protest and steering clear of revisiting earlier events.


    After all, the tables had turned-she was only repaying Chloe in kind, a fact Liam was all too conscious of.


    In moments like these, the more she evaded, the deeper Liam''s guilt would gnaw at him.


    Feeling the droplets on her skin vanish into the air, a coldness enveloped Charlotte, a stark reminder of her transformation.


    Time and circumstance had changed her; she had learned to wield emotions like weapons.


    "He was around in the morning, too, and you didn''t seem to care about his presence then." Liam''s voice grew heavier as he lifted her, towel and all, and set her down on the washstand, positioning her as he had in the morning. Charlotte, puzzled, caught sight of the ring being retrieved from his pocket, her expression one of slight astonishment, "You brought the ring back?"


    "It was always yours," Liam stated, reaching for her hand to slip the ring onto her finger.


    "I don''t want it anymore," Charlotte dodged slightly.


    Liam''s movement halted, and then he reached out again, firmly grasping her hand.


    "The ring is yours, it will always be yours, and no one will trouble you over it again."


    He thought Charlotte was afraid of being pushed into the water again.


    "Did you just carry her back?" Charlotte suddenly asked.


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    "No," Liam nced at her expression, noticing her difort, and felt his mood lighten somewhat, "What about you?"


    Charlotte shook her head too, "After avoiding those people, I walked on my own."


    As she spoke, she noticed the tension draining from Liam.


    "You don''t like me being in contact with Dn."


    Charlotte thought he would dismiss such a trivial question, but Liam lightly nodded in acknowledgment.


    A soft "Yeah," was all he said.


    A smile flickered across Charlotte''s face. "Fine, I''ll keep my distance from him."


    A quietude settled between them then.


    With gentlepliance, Charlotte allowed the ring to find its ce on her finger.


    The ring, is precious beyond measure, yet devoid of the precious sentiment it should embody.


    Liam, not one to indulge in sensitivity, had shown his care for Charlotte in his own way by bringing back the ring and cing it back on her finger.


    The confines of the bathroom, charged with an unspoken tension, were no ce for him to stay. The ring now back where it belonged, he made his exit.


    Once dressed and her hair dried, Charlotte emerged, only to be greeted by a cacophony the moment her door swung open.


    As she drew nearer, it became clear that Chloe was at the center of the turmoil, tears streaming down her face.


    She had been brought back by the servants, drenched and in a state of disarray.


    At that moment, she was clinging to Liam''s sleeve, weeping and babbling about something.


    The instant Charlotte stepped into view, Chloe''s weeping ceased, her eyes now daggers aimed at Charlotte.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Charlotte!" The word was a grenade of indignation from Chloe, "Such a sly trickster you are!"


    Without waiting for her to speak, Liam''s stern voice cut through, "Enough, Chloe! Apologize now!"

 Chapter 75: Trouble with childbearing

    "Huh? What did you say?" Chloe''s voice was tinged with disbelief, struggling to process what she had heard.


    The scene before her was eerily familiar, so much so that Charlotte instinctively clenched her fists.


    Back then, outside the restaurant, Charlotte had identally stepped on Chloe''s dress hem. Liam, ignoring the fact that she was being harassed by a group of wealthy ruffians, had insisted on her apology. The tables had turned, and Chloe, who onceughed from thefort of her car, surely hadn''t imagined that such a day woulde for her as well.


    "What did you just say? Apologize to Charlotte?" Chloe''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    Charlotte had pushed her into the pond and set her up, and now, after everything, she was expected to apologize to the very woman who had wronged her.


    "You ignored everyone around and left me alone, I''ve already lost all face because of you, and now you want me to apologize to the instigator?! Liam, you bastard!"


    Chloe was on the verge of breaking down, "I won''t apologize to her! Why should I apologize to someone so lowly!"


    "Good, then get lost!" Liam shot her a look of disgust and signaled the servants to take Chloe to her room for some much-needed reflection.


    Chloe''s despair deepened, "How could you! I''m your fianc¨¦e, Liam! You can''t treat me this way! I''ll tell Grandpa! I want everyone to know that you''re punishing me for your cousin''s woman!" Mentioning Keh was thest straw for Liam''s waning patience.


    The man who had been lingering on what seemed like his deathbed was now, curiously, by the pondside. Even with support, Keh''s vigor was unexpected, a stark contrast to his previously frail state. Liam began to suspect that his grandpa was feigning illness.


    "Go ahead," he stepped aside, gesturing for Chloe to seek out Keh.


    A nagging doubt crept into his mind that Chloe might have been in on Keh''s act all along.


    Should this be the case, his engagement to Chloe was shaping up to be a conniving scheme tailored just for him.


    His distaste for deception was strong, but what he loathed even more was being manipted like a pawn in someone else''s game.


    Seeing that he wasn''t stopping her, Chloe suddenly hesitated to push her luck further.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Keh was the only one who had any sway over Liam at this point, and she dared not risk inciting an actual ailment in him.


    "Since you''re not going, then get inside and reflect on your actions!" Liam issued his final ultimatum.


    In the Parker family, Liam''s word reigned supreme, as if he were the very sun in their universe-hismand, unquestionable.


    As the servants advanced, poised to sequester Chloe within her quarters, she let out a defiant roar, a fierce surrender, "Fine! I apologize, okay? I apologize!"


    Better to bend like the reed in the wind than to break; Chloe knew the wisdom of living to see another day.


    Being confined would leave the field wide open for Charlotte to weave her charms around Liam.


    A gamble was not worth the risk.


    It''s just an apology, isn''t it?


    She''d swallow her pride and do it.


    "Sorry!" The word came out through clenched teeth, a bitter pill coated in hatred as Chloe forced the apology out, each syble heavy with resentment. "It''s okay."


    But what Chloe didn''t anticipate was Charlotte''s easy absolution.


    In the midst of Chloe''s surprise, Charlotte slid a ring from her ring finger, handing it over to Chloe while saying, "I was wrong. I shouldn''t have unted so openly. I should''ve waited quietly." Liam''s features shifted in an instant, a storm brewing over his visage.


    He had asked Charlotte more than once to wait quietly.


    As for Chloe, dismay washed over her-Liam had actually passed that ring back to Charlotte.


    Chloe vividly remembered the rough manner in which Liam had wrenched the ring from her grasp, so she hesitated to take it now.


    "She''s prone to jealousy, it has nothing to do with whether you unt it or not," Liam said to Charlotte, not even sparing Chloe a nce.


    "Perhaps..." Charlotte pulled back her hand, the ring in tow, and exhaled a faint sigh, "I was wrong toe to the party today."


    Chloe bristled at Charlotte''s disy of feigned vulnerability,


    Liam shot her a warning re, his meaning clear, "You''re tired, go rest."


    His dismissive words stung Chloe, tears welling up as she grappled with the coldness in Liam''s treatment of her.


    Her scheme against Charlotte''s mother had been a desperate bid to secure a lifelong future with Liam.


    But all her efforts were met with indifference from Liam and worse, now he seemed to be under Charlotte''s spell, his feelings for Chloe soured.


    It was unjust!


    With tears marking her path, Chloe stormed up the stairs, her presence absent for the remainder of the day.


    It was near midnight when Susan, sent from the Beaumont family to care for her, came hurtling down the stairs in a state of rm. Coincidentally, Charlotte, thirsty, was on her way to the kitchen for a ss of water when they crossed paths.


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    "What''s the rush?" Charlotte asked.


    With a fierce nce, Susan snapped back, "Thanks to you! Thedy''s taken ill with a fever from an infected wound she got when she fell in the water!"


    Charlotte was perplexed, "So, no one thought to treat the wound after the fall, and now it''s convenient time to point fingers at me when the fever hits in the middle of the night?" Charlotte let out a derisiveugh, "I almost drowned in that vastke and didn''t hold her responsible for a second. How can she be so petty?"


    Susan, out of retort, quickly made the arrangements with the family doctor before rushing back upstairs to care for Chloe.


    The family doctor didn''t take long to arrive but found Charlotte standing at the entrance, effectively blocking the way.


    "Miss Perry, are you the one who is ill?" the doctor inquired.


    Charlotte had only crossed paths with the family doctor once before; it had been during a business trip with Liam to Leiventale when she was struck with a fierce fever. She had been burning up with a high fever, close to death, while Chloe had spitefully sent the family doctor to tend to a sick dog and purposely withheld her medication. How the tables had turned.


    Charlotte chuckled lightly and replied, "I took a fall into the water today, and I''m not feeling quite myself."


    As Susan descended the stairs, drawn by themotion, she found the doctor taking Charlotte''s pulse. Irritation red within her instantly.


    "You''re doing this on purpose, aren''t you? You know our Miss is burning up with fever, yet here you are, hogging the doctor!"


    "I''m genuinely unwell, just seeking a moment with the doctor. Is Chloe so petty that she can''t spare me that?" Charlotte''s retort was calm but pointed.


    The mor in the dead of night surely woke Liam and Dn. They hadn''t gotten up yet, content to listen in silence for the moment, a fact Charlotte was acutely aware of.


    Charlotte continued, her voiceced with exasperation, "Does she always get her way? Should I just ept my difort and say nothing?" Susan, flustered, began, "No one''s telling you to "


    "Isn''t barring me from medical attention just another form of telling me to suffer quietly?" Charlotte interjected, her tone sharp with implication.


    "Who''s stopping you from seeing a doctor?" Susan, unable to articte aeback, was visibly frustrated. She rushed upstairs to knock on Liam''s door. "Sir, pleasee quickly! The youngdy is burning up, struggling to breathe, and Charlotte is blocking the doctor from seeing her!"


    The next second, Liam''s door swung open, his voiceced with impatience, "What''s all this noise in the middle of the night!"


    "Sir! Please, you must check on our Miss. The wound from Charlotte''s bite, now contaminated with dirty water, has be infected. She''s in a high fever, and Charlotte is preventing the doctor from treating her! How malicious she is!" Liam nced downward, meeting Charlotte''s gaze, which had been fixed upward in anticipation.


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    "Let the doctor see to Chloe; I can manage for now." Charlotte''s voice was steady, but as she spoke, her bnce wavered. She steadied herself on the sofa, then drifted towards the kitchen to drink water.


    "Charlotte." At the sight of her faltering, Liam''s concern got the better of him, and he started down the stairs. Her sweaty brow and reddened eyes stirred memories of a night long past when the fever had clouded her mind in a hotel room, and his worry deepened.


    "Treat Charlotte first," Liam dered with an authoritative gesture that left no room for argument, instantly determining the doctor''s priority.


    Susan, utterly taken aback by the unexpected direction things had taken, could only gape in shock. "Sir, the Miss, she''s got a high fever..."


    Liam seemed not to hear her, already making his way downstairs to stand supportively behind Charlotte.


    With trepidation, the doctor began to examine Charlotte, feeling for her pulse.


    Charlotte''s health had been fragile recently. She''d been dealing with persistent high fevers, and a recent fall into the water hadpounded her physical distress. The emotional toll of witnessing her mother''s death had left her utterly devastated, and during her stay at the Thomas residence, she''d even experienced a terrifying episode of respiratory arrest.


    "From what I can tell, there''s no specific injury or illness guing Miss Perry at the moment, however..." The doctor trailed off, cautious.


    Liam''s tone turned icy, demanding, "Speak!"


    The doctorplied, "Miss Perry is very weak."


    He paused, then emphasized, "Extremely weak."


    With the word ''weak'' echoing twice, Charlotte felt a grim recognition of her precarious health.


    The doctor handed her a list of restorative medications, but Charlotte''s mind was elsewhere; she left to tend to Chloe, uninterested in the array of tonics.


    Unbeknownst to her, in her absence, the doctor discreetly pulled Liam aside.


    "Mr. Parker, I must warn you, Miss Perry''s body is severely weak; it could pose challenges for childbearing down the line."


    Liam was momentarily taken aback, the weight of the doctor''s words sinking in.


    "Mr. Parker]"


    "I''ve got it," Liam acknowledged, pulling himself back to the present with a nod. He gestured for the doctor to leave. Without another word, the doctor, sensing his cue to exit, hurried off. However, he didn''t get far before being intercepted.


    He was escorted to where Keh resided, and there he ryed the details of Charlotte''s delicate health once more. "Trouble with childbearing?" Keh''s eyes unfurled slowly, a flicker of sharpness cutting through the dimness.


    "A child of the Parker family must note from such an unworthy vessel."


    After a moment of contemtion, he closed his eyes again.


    "Arrange for a new cook," Keh finally said, his voice low and resolute. "Infuse her meals with poison, subtly. Since it''s already difficult for her to conceive, let''s ensure she cannot."

 Chapter 76: Are You Jealous?

    Charlotte ascended to the second floor and upon pushing open the door, she was greeted by the sight of Chloe with her eyes tightly shut, herplexion flushed with fever, writhing in pain on the bed.


    The sound of the door had Chloe mistaking her visitor for a bearer of relief. "Please, the medicine... I can barely stand it!" she implored, thinking help had finally arrived.


    "Do you feel as wretched as I did back at the hotel?" Charlotte''s voice was steady as she stood by Chloe''s bed, her presence a silent echo of her own past suffering. Chloe''s eyes flew open at the unexpected voice, "Charlotte?! You''re here!"


    "Is my presence a shock?" Charlotte asked with a hint of amusement. "I was simrly taken aback when I learned you preferred the doctor to treat a dog overseeing me."


    "Charlotte!" Chloe, despite the haze of her fever, realized the gravity of the situation. She attempted to rise, her hands desperately fumbling for Charlotte''s clothing. "You''re stopping the doctor from treating me?!"


    The bandages on her face hade undone, leaving the ghastly wound on her neck exposed for all its horror.


    Charlotte regarded her with the detached disdain one might reserve for refuse.


    "Chloe, tell me, was it you who paid off Robert to trick me into going to Annie''s vi?"


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about!" Chloe mped her lips shut, once bitten, twice shy, determined not to fall for any tricks.


    Wheezing in her difort, she harbored violent thoughts against Charlotte but was powerless to act on them.


    "When you were busy weaving your schemes, did you ever stop to think that the misfortune you craft could circle back like a boomerang?"


    With a calm that belied the tension in the room, Charlotte fetched a ss of water from the bathroom. Returning with a gaze as cold as the liquid in her hand, she flung back the covers and sent a cascade of chilly water spilling over Chloe! Chloe''s shriek pierced the air as the cold water shocked her skin.


    "Why the outcry?" Charlotte''s tone was cial. "You dealt Annie the same way, yet she didn''t utter a peep. What gives you the right to scream?"


    Chloe''s rage bubbled over, her voice trembling with fury, "Charlotte! Charlotte! You''re dead to me!"


    Charlotte exited the room, paying no mind to Chloe''s outburst. Just then, she encountered Liam ascending the stairs, his mouth opening as if to speak, but Dn stepped out from the neighboring room before Liam could get a word out. "What''s going on? I heard someone shouting about dead," Dn inquired.


    Without breaking stride, Charlotte responded as she passed by Liam, "Just a little tantrum, Chloe''s not feeling well."


    "Throwing a tantrum that involves killing you?" Dn''s expression was one of concern mixed with disbelief. Though his words were directed at Charlotte, they carried a message for Liam, "She''s really out of control."


    Then, turning back to Charlotte, he offered, "Are you scared? Do you want me to stay with you?"


    Charlotte met his gaze, her silence speaking volumes of her speechlessness.


    As Dn spoke so openly in Liam''s presence, Charlotte wondered if he wasn''t worried about drawing Liam''s ire.


    Seemingly in tune with her thoughts, Dn offered a mischievous blink.


    With a knit of her brows, Charlotte deflected the offer, "I''m fine, but thanks."


    She was ready to retreat to her room and dpress, yet the sound of Liam saying Dn''s name caused her to pause, curiosity piqued.


    "Dn, I''ve warned you," Liam''s voice carried a note of caution.


    "Just showing concern for my girl," Dn replied, his smile unfazed.


    "Dn," Charlotte interjected, unable to bear his folly, "it''ste. You should get some rest."


    He nodded, still grinning, "Sure thing."


    His obedient reaction seemed to ruffle Liam all the more.


    He knew deep down that Charlotte''s closeness to Dn was a charade meant to provoke him, and he understood that there was no real romance between them. Yet, he couldn''t let go of it.


    Liam shot him a piercing re and stormed off.


    The door mmed shut with such force that Charlotte couldn''t help but shudder.


    Charlotte voiced her concern, her toneced with the gravity of their precarious position, "In the Parker family''s eyes, we''re nothing. What''s the gain in ruffling his feathers?"


    Dn''s response came with a casual shrug, "Just seize the moment to speak my mind."


    He continued with a cavalier tilt of his head, "And let''s not forget, in front of Keh, I''m the lovestruck admirer, head over heels for you. Constant yielding doesn''t quite paint the picture of a man enraptured, does it?" "The truth is, our rtionship is one of mutual convenience, and we both know it. Keh is even more aware," she stated matter-of-factly.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


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    Charlotte always found Dn''s machinations too intricate forfort and preferred to keep her distance. Afterying things out clearly, she retreated to her room for some rest.


    During the night, Chloe''s wound became infected, leading to a high fever, and in a rush, she was taken to the hospital. Themotion woke Charlotte, who stood silently by the window, watching as Chloe was loaded into the ambnce. Then, with a crisp "click," the door to her room was pushed open from the outside.


    Without ncing back, Charlotte''s voice was tinged with indifference, "Your fianc¨¦e is sick and in the hospital. Aren''t you going to see her?"


    "She brought it on herself," came Liam''s cool, dismissive response. He closed the door, stepped beside Charlotte, and together they looked out at the night sky, bathed in the glow of the moon.


    A wave of reflection washed over Charlotte, "You''ve said ''You brought this on yourself'' to me countless times."


    Reflecting on her past, she acknowledged a bitter truth - much of her hardship was indeed of her own making.


    For the sake of a man who didn''t love her, she had always defended him, constantly giving way.


    Yet, it turned out that a man''s feelings-be they love or disdain-didn''t stop him from being charmed by a pretty face.


    A handful of sweet nothings and it seemed Liam waspletely disarmed, hanging on her every word.


    So what was the worth of her earnest devotion? Was it all just a farce?


    "Liam," Charlotte sighed deeply, her head tilted as she regarded the indifference etched across his face, "You''re being unfair."


    A flicker of tension crossed Liam''s features as he frowned sharply. "Are you using me?"


    "Just airing out my grievances. But feel free to think of it as yful banter if that suits you."


    The night''s cool touch prompted Charlotte to rub her arms for warmth, her thoughts turning towards thefort of her bed. Yet, before she could make her move, Liam''s arm was suddenly around her, pulling her close in a possessive embrace.


    "Charlotte, you''ve been getting too close to Dn."


    Her eyebrows arched in mild astonishment. "We''re merely talking, Liam. It''s bound to happen, living together as we do. Could it be that you''re jealous?"


    "Not at all," Liam cut in quickly, almost too quickly.


    The corners of Charlotte''s eyes crinkled with amusement, "Jealousy usually means someone cares, right?"


    Lifting her gaze to his, her eyes shimmered with yful delight, holding his in a steady, sparkling gaze.


    For a moment, Liam was caught off guard, lost in her gleaming eyes.


    And within that briefpse, Charlotte''s gentleughter sealed the moment, "It makes me happy, you know."


    Liam''s impending retort was abruptly swallowed, cut off before it could break free.


    He turned his head aside.


    Observing him, Charlotte''s smile faltered, theughter dying in her throat.


    She knew how to love, just as Liam wasn''t made entirely of stone.


    But a beginning built on a mistake was never likely to lead to the right ending.


    Charlotte fell into silence, her gaze settling on the moon that hung quietly in the sky.


    Eventually, Liam''s ire subsided enough for him to recall why he hade. "What''s the deal you struck with Dn?"


    He knew there was some sort of bargain between them but the specifics remained a mystery.


    Sure, he could dig around, and he''d probably get to the bottom of it.


    However, his preference was to hear the details from Charlotte herself.


    Charlotte spoke with candor, not bothering to sugarcoat her words. "With your engagement to Chloe, you''ve got the Beaumont family wrapped around your finger, and the Parker family''s allegiance is all but secured. Dn, as the eldest grandson, naturally couldn''t ept this. With his limited influence, he knew he had to risk it all if he wanted to stand a chance against you."


    Sheid out the strategy like pieces on a chessboard. "I''m Thomas''s adopted child, and if he wins the inheritance battle, the Beaumont family''s influence bes my trump card. Dn''s betting on that oue. He''s betting on me to bring the Beaumont''s support as part of my dowry, giving him enough clout to challenge you."


    "You said it yourself, the Beaumont family is already in your pocket. What makes him think Thomas could still take over?" Liam asked with a scoff.


    "That''s why he''s teamed up with me to bring me into the Parker family," Charlotte exined.


    With a chuckle, she took Liam''s hand in hers, "Dn''s a gambler. He''s betting on Thomas'' sess, but he''s cing an even bigger bet on me that I can bewitch you, make you infatuated enough to hand over the Beaumont family on a silver tter."

 Chapter 77: Mrs. Parker

    Silence.


    It was a sensitive topic. If anyone else had brought it up, Liam would have immediately flown into a rage.


    But the words came from Charlotte.


    "You''re quite honest," Liam''s voice was a bit hoarse. "Aren''t you afraid that after knowing your schemes, I''ll kick you out?" "Why?" Charlotte shot back, "I haven''t lied to you, I''veid all my cards on the table, how can you be so cruel to me?"


    Liam let out a scornful chuckle. "You really do delight in backing me into a corner, again and again."


    "And what about Dn?" he added. "Aren''t you even a little bit worried that he might win, take everything I''ve got, and kick me out?"


    "Are you?"


    "Hardly." Dn was convinced Liam''s sess stemmed from Keh''s favoritism, funneling the lion''s share of the family''s resources his way. Truth was, Liam was the architect of not just his own ascent, but that of the entire Parker n. Even Keh''s renown could be traced back to him.


    A smile yed on Charlotte''s lips. "Then neither am I."


    Liam could feel her trust wrapping around him, and it made him go a little soft inside.


    But he was still ticked off, "You''ve got a zillion reasons to be with me, but working with Dn? That''s got to be the worst idea ever."


    "Charlotte, steer clear of him."


    "Is this your way of breaking us up?" Charlotte inquired.


    Liam''s anger shot through the roof when he heard the words ''breaking up'', "What are you to him, using that term?"


    "Well then, what should I call it?" Charlotte batted hershes, still in a yful mood. "Terminating our partnership?"


    She couldn''t help butugh at her own quip. "Not a chance."


    "Why?" Liam looked troubled, clearly not happy.


    In the past, he would have long sinceshed out at Charlotte, cautioning her to know her ce.


    Seeing the change in him, Charlotte turned serious. "Once Dn and I go our separate ways, you''ll have countless means to keep me close. I''ll be yours once more, won''t I?"All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Is that not what you want?"


    "I want to be the only one in your eyes," Charlotte said, totally into him as she caressed his face. "I''m crazy about your eyes, how deep and devoted they are. I want them to only reflect me."


    "And right now," she said, standing on her tiptoes and nting a gentle kiss on his eyelid, "you can only see me, your heart can only fit me."


    "Charlotte," Liam''s voice roughened, he tried to lean in for a kiss, but Charlotte pressed her fingers against his lips, stopping him right there. "Sneaking into your sister-inw''s room in the middle of the night? That''s crossing a line, Mr. Parker. You should get back to your own room." Liam froze up, his breathing slow and heavy.


    "Charlotte!" he red, frustration seeping through every word. "Do you have any clue what you''re doing here?!"


    "Sure," Charlotte replied.


    Since the moment she witnessed her mother''s demise, since she rushed back to get back at Chloe, only to be blocked by Liam, who forbade her fromying a finger on Chloe, she knew exactly what her next move should be. "And you? Do you realize what you''re doing?"


    Liam inhaled deeply, not with words, but with action, bending down to kiss her again.


    Charlotte subtly shifted, and his lips found her neck instead.


    "I''ll take that as a yes." A smile curved her mouth as she lowered hershes.


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    Liam''s desire was in to see.


    Beyond that one kiss on her neck, Liam got no further. Charlotte gently but firmly coaxed him out the door.


    She''d expected some measure of displeasure from hime morning. To her surprise, Liam was nowhere to be seen when she came down for breakfast. Instead, she found Daniel seated at the dining table. As Liam''s childhood friend, Daniel''s presence in the Parker family was hardly unusual.


    "Morning." Charlotte approached with a greeting but made no move to join him, instead heading for the side table.


    Daniel swallowed his mouthful of porridge and waved at her, "I''m here to pick up Mr. Parker for work. His driver''s off today. Miss. Perry, care to ride with us?"


    Charlotte replied with a polite smile. "I''m no longer in Mr. Parker''s employ. I tendered my resignation."


    "Resignation?" Daniel''s brows shot up. "But why? You made a fine assistant. Mr. Parker had such faith in you - I heard he was even nning to have Henry mentor you personally in a few months'' time."


    "The life of an assistant is hardly one of ease andfort. Why toil away, when being the Mrs. Parker is so much simpler?" Charlotte smiled as she answered.


    "Huh?" Taken aback by her response, Daniel stared nkly for a good while beforeing back to himself and resuming his meal.


    "I think I''ll take a turn about the garden. Enjoy your breakfast." With a courteous nod, Charlotte made her graceful exit.


    "Uh, sure." Daniel ate his cake, but it seemed to lose all vor.


    When Liam finally made his way downstairs, Daniel couldn''t wait to tattle. "Did you hear what Charlotte said? She had the gall to im that being Mrs. Parker was leagues easier than working as your assistant. Even if she meant it in jest, that''s going too far!" And anyway, even if she aspired to be Mrs. Parker, surely she didn''t mean as Dn''s!


    Mr. Parker is genuinely sincere here, and yet she''s ying with his emotions!


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    "Mr. Parker, we can''t just stand by while she runs wild. Should I cook up a little n to pry her away from Dn?"


    As soon as the question left his mouth, Daniel saw Liam''s frame go taut. His hands balled into fists, then rxed, then curled tight once more, as if wrestling with some inner quandary.


    A long moment passed before Liam replied, his voice quiet. "That won''t be necessary."


    "It won''t?!" Daniel scarcely believed his ears, butprehension dawned swiftly, his doubts shifting to Liam himself. "Mr. Parker....don''t tell me you''re actually enjoying this state of affairs?" Liam remainedposed, gracefully slicing a piece of steak.


    Putting aside the matter of Dn and Charlotte''s rtionship, he truly was quite content with the current situation.


    Or perhaps more urately...he reveled in this new Charlotte, at once bold, ardent, sincere, and fearless.


    The Charlotte of old had been ever silent, averting her eyes from the love he bore her, second-guessing his every kindness.


    He far preferred the woman she was now.


    As for Dn, he posed no real obstacle. Once Keh regained his health, Liam would see to it Chloe met with her just punishment. Charlotte''s thirst for vengeance ked, her ties with Dn woulde unbound of their own ord. "Mind your own business," Liam said with a warning nce at Daniel. "Don''t start ying games without me knowing."


    Daniel shrugged off the caution with a carefree attitude, "Sure, sure, I hear you. I''ve got better things to do than meddle in your love life."


    After finishing breakfast, Daniel left. His visit was mainly for amusement, and offering Liam a ride to work was just a pretext.


    Liam, having finished his meal and not finding Charlotte around, didn''t seem too concerned.


    Standing up to leave, he left a casual note hanging in the air, "Come to eat, it''s going to get cold."

 Chapter 78: Apologize to Your Father!

    "Liam has been spoiled like a little prince since he was young. He has always been aloof and arrogant, not even treating Keh with such care."


    Dn teased Charlotte with a smile, "He was actually worried about you eating cold food."


    Although he was smiling, the smile did note from his heart, instead appeared a bit cold.


    After watering the flowers, Charlotte brushed past him as she left, "You are a family. Brothers being so cold and distant, you should reflect on that instead of mocking me." She didn''t eat much yesterday and was already hungry.


    There happened to be some dishes she liked on the table, so Charlotte took a couple more bites.


    As she was about to go for another bite, Dn gently stopped her, "Take just a taste. Standing out with strong preferences isn''t smart when you''re in a major family." Charlotte thought about it and felt it made sense, so she put down her fork.


    At this moment, a servant came in to report, "Miss Perry, a person iming to be your father is waiting at the door. He refuses to leave no matter what and insists on seeing you." Robert?


    Charlotte frowned, but then immediately understood.


    So vicious was Chloe. Even if she was hospitalized with an infection, she wouldn''t let Charlotte off easy. If she couldn''t get out of bed herself, she would send someone else to harass her. Otherwise, how would Robert know she was staying here?


    Charlotte got up and walked towards the door. Behind her, Dn asked, "Do you need my help?"


    "No need."


    As Charlotte made her way to the door, she indeed spotted Robert squatting by the curb, his eyes lewdly darting around the area.


    Seeing Charlotte step out, Robert''s face broke into an eager grin, and he quickly got up and rushed over, dusting off as he approached, "My dear girl, when I heard you''d caught the attention of the Parker family''s young master, I could hardly believe it. But here you are, actually living with the Parkers!"


    His eyes sparkled with avarice as he looked Charlotte up and down, finally settling on a grin that was all too ingratiating.


    "My dear girl, I''ve been wondering where your mom''s run off totely. It''s just me at home trying to take care of your little brother, and we can barely find enough to eat. Have a kind heart for your dad and send some money my way. I don''t want to starve, you know?"


    "I have no money."


    "No money? With the mansion you''re living in, you''re telling me you have no money? Ha! Charlotte, you should count yourself lucky I''m asking you for help. But if you make me lose my temper, I might just make sure you end up staying nowhere!"


    "I really don''t have any cash," Charlotte said coolly, though inside she was so angry her nails were practically digging into her palms. "Aren''t there people giving you money to spend? What''s the deal, Chloe didn''t offer anything for you today?"


    "Why does Miss Beaumont matter!" Robert bellowed, his neck stiff with anger. "You heartless creature, as if causing your mom''s death wasn''t enough, it looks like you want to see your own dad starve too! Look, I''ll spill all your dirty little secrets to the Parker family. Let''s see if they''ll still want you then!"


    "You said my mom was missing, right? How do you know she''s dead?" Charlotte fixed Robert with a steely gaze. "You knew what was out there all along, yet you still forced her to go. Robert, you''re the one who killed my mom." Charlotte hardly ever used to call Maria ''mom'', but ever since Maria died, that''s the word that keepsing out.


    Robert saw how mad she was and just smirked. "You think I killed your mom? You got any proof of that?"


    Her eyes were zing like she could kill and tear Robert to shreds right now.


    But there was no evidence to back her up.


    Everything that could have served as evidence had gone up in mes with Maria in that fire.


    "So you got nothing, huh? Sweetheart, you''ve got no proof, but I''ve got all I need to show you were with Maria flying off to Leiventale, then heading to that vi. The ce catches fire right after you both enter and who walks out alone? Only you. If you''re not behind Maria''s death, then tell me, who is?"


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    Robert''s smile stretched wider, showing off his crooked, yellow teeth covered in ck gunk, which was pretty gross.


    "You don''t hand over some cash, I''ll spill the beans to the gossip rags, tell everyone you offed your mom!"


    "Robert!"


    Charlotte was seething with anger.


    Charlotte was just too good-natured.


    She actually thought that having Robert beaten up every day would count as punishment.


    How could that ever be enough?


    For a lowlife like Robert, only death would be a real punishment.


    Charlotte took a few deep breaths, forcing herself to stay calm.


    She couldn''t show any weakness. Robert''s visit was a test from Chloe. If she faltered now, she''d be facing Chloe''s merciless bacsh.


    "Hand over the money. Now!" Robert''s impatience was palpable.


    In response, Charlotte coolly made a call in his presence, reaching out to Liam.


    Liam had just gotten to his office, not quite settled into the day''s tasks, so he answered promptly, "What''s going on?"


    "Do you think I could ever do something like kill my own mother?" Charlotte cut straight to the heart of the matter.


    Liam paused, a moment of silence before his voice grew serious, "I trust you, Charlotte. What''s happened?"


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    "It''s nothing. Just knowing you believe in me is enough."


    Before Liam could ask any more questions, Charlotte abruptly hung up and fixed her gaze on Robert, who had been listening in greedily, "Go on, peddle your tales to the gossip rags. If Liam doesn''t get involved, then I''ll admit defeat." "You!"


    Robert''s face changed colors, "Trading your body for a man''s protection, Charlotte, how did I ever spawn something as shameless as you!"


    With a mocking sneer, Charlotte shot back, "When you cashed me into Liam for a cool half million, you were all too eager for me to charm him into opening his wallet. Now that I''ve got his attention and he''s ready to bankroll me and keep me safe, you''re suddenly upset?"


    Robert''splexion turned the color of storm clouds. "Had I known you''d be such a disgrace, I would''ve snuffed you out the moment you were born! Useless, can''t even bring in a penny, just endless burden. And you and that slut Annie, you managed to get your mother killed too!"


    His repeated, contemptuous references to Maria and Annie finally made Charlotte lose her patience.


    "I''m too busy to deal with you right now, so do yourself a favor and don''t mess with me. Once I''m done with what I''m doing, you''re done for."


    "Ouch! Oh, the drama! What are you nning to do to your dear old dad, huh? After all the trouble I went through to raise you, this is how you repay me? By turning into an ungrateful wretch!"


    Robert copsed onto the floor, wailing and rolling around: "Why am I so unlucky? My eldest betrays me, my second daughter taken too soon, and my wife''s death on their hands. What''s left for me in this world?"


    The shrill cries caught the attention of an elderly woman passing by, prompting her to halt and inquire with her attendant, "Who is that over there?"This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "That''s the young master''s girlfriend, and the man on the ground is her father."


    "Her father?" The old woman''s eyebrows knit together. "He must be terribly wronged to make such a public spectacle berating his daughter for herck of duty."


    With a look of distaste, the old woman strode closer, raising her voice as she neared Charlotte, "Youngdy, is this how you honor your father?"


    Charlotte turned her head, recognizing the woman as Keh''s unmarried sister, Pam. But before she could even greet her, Robert was already pouring out his grievances:


    "She''s beyond rudepletely inhumane and unfilial! Now that she''s got a wealthy ''godfather'', her own dad''s chopped liver. Now that she''snded a good match, she''s itching to kick her old man to the curb. I''m starving at home, while she''s out here living it up, acting like I''m beneath her!"


    Pam''s brow furrowed deeply as she took in Robert''s words. Turning a sharp gaze to Charlotte, she rebuked, "Such behavior! Apologize to Your Father!

 Chapter 79: Isnt that what family is for?

    Charlotte furrowed her brows. "Madam, you don''t know the whole story..."


    "Enough! I trust my own eyes, and they see a daughter failing in her duties!"


    "Ridiculous!" Charlotte thought, indignant.


    Charlotte rejected the demand with icy detachment, "He doesn''t deserve an apology from me."


    "You! How dare you! We Parkers do not condone such conduct! I''ll chalk up yourck of manners to your less-than-refined upbringing. But today, I''ll take it upon myself to school you in propriety. Guards, escort her to the eaves to contemte her impropriety behind closed doors!"


    "Madam, wait!" Dn burst onto the scene just as the servants were about to lead Charlotte away. "It''s all a misunderstanding! Charlotte had an ident and fell into the water yesterday, she''s still recovering. Let''s reschedule, and I''ll personally bring her over to apologizeter."


    "Tsk, young love makes you forget your manners, huh? Is this what your grandpa taught you? No wonder he had more faith in Liam than in you."


    Pam dismissed Dn with a wave of her hand. "Remember, I''m your grandpa''s sister. Think twice if you really want to defy me over a girl!" Dn''s expression was a mix of bitterness and resignation as he shook his head at Charlotte.


    With gritted teeth, Charlotte managed to hold back her frustration. She shrugged off the servants and walked to the eaves to take her "time-out."


    After all, a little bit of suffering can sometimes garner even more sympathy, right?


    "Tsk! No manners at all!" Pam red disdainfully at Charlotte''s retreating figure, her dissatisfaction growing as she turned to Dn, "Teach her properly, so she doesn''t embarrass the Parker family in public!"


    Dn simply nodded, his gaze following the old woman as she and a nodding, pliant Robert faded into the distance.


    "Looks like your dad''s gearing up to badmouth you to Pam," Dn said, a note of worry in his voice as he stood beside Charlotte beneath the eaves.


    Charlotte stood ramrod straight, her eyes tracing the dance of flowers in the yard.


    "It doesn''t matter." Let Robert talk. The Parkers is Liam''s. If Liam doesn''t buy into it, then it''s just noise.


    "She''s away; no need to keep standing; she won''t find out," Dn tried to reassure her.


    But Charlotte was firm, "And give them something to hold over me? How would I ever make aeback?"


    Dn, unable to persuade her otherwise, cracked a smile, "You really are something else."


    Charlotte had tuned out his wild talk.


    A full day under the eaves, and as Liam came home, Charlotte watched the rain begin to trickle down from the gray sky. Her tears, as if encouraged by the gloom, slipped silently down her face. At that moment, Liam froze just inside the doorway.


    Standing alone under the eaves, Charlotte looked like a scene from a sad movie.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Raindropsced her cheeks with a misty veil.


    Liam approached and called out to her, "It''s raining."


    Charlotte nced back, her nose red from the chill, and replied softly, "Yeah, I see it."


    "Come inside." He reached for her hand, but Charlotte pulled away.


    "What''s this about?"


    Charlotte, tears brimming, turned away and exhaled a deep, weary breath.


    "Pam said I needed to think about what I''ve done."


    "Pam?" Liam couldn''t understand why Pam would impose such a thing. "What happened?"


    Charlotte exined the whole ordeal from the morning, how she had stood there until her legs turned numb. When Liam tugged at her, her strength failed her, and she fell, crumpling to the ground. Lucky for her, Liam was quick to catch her, and she found herself in the safety of his embrace instead of tumbling to the wet ground.


    "Thanks..." She nced up, only to be taken aback by the dark clouds on Liam''s face, which sent a shiver through her. "It wasn''t that long, I''m okay."


    Liam''s gaze was sharp as he looked at her. "All day, Charlotte. You''ve been on your feet since the morning. She says ''Stand'' and you just do it?" "Respect for our elders," Charlotte whispered, a tear defiantly escaping as she hung her head.


    Their silent stand-off was interrupted by the entrance of an elderly woman, nked by followers, including Robert with his ingratiating grin.


    "Liam, why such an embrace?" Pam''s sharp voice filled the room as she caught sight of Liam holding Charlotte close, her disapproval immediate and palpable.


    "Stay away from that disrespectful woman, don''t let her corrupt you!"


    "Exactly! She''s my daughter, I know best how rotten she is. Mr. Parker, you better keep your distance from her, or she''ll just try to leech off your money and power, ruining your reputation!" Robert added, "I should''ve cut ties with that disobedient thing long ago!"


    Liam coldly asked, as if he hadn''t heard them, "So disobedient people deserve to be punished like this?"


    Robert retreated under the chill of Liam''s re, and Pam, seeing this, advanced a step, berating Liam. "Are you challenging me? Liam, you''ve always been the sensible one. Are you really going to cross me over this disrespectful girl?" Liam''s response was breezy yet sharp. "Ridiculous."


    Pam''s face contorted with shock and anger. "What did you just say?"


    "Someone can''t tell right from wrong. Isn''t that ridiculous?" Liam steamrolled over any chance for her to respond. "Yes, I''m opposing you, I''m the unfilial one now. What will you do, punish me too?"


    Pam was livid, her hand flying to her chest. "She''s your cousin''s girl, and you have the gall to defy me for her sake!"


    "Isn''t that what family is for? To stand up for each other?"Finishing this sentence, Liam waved for the servants to escort Pam out.


    Pam was visibly affronted, departing with obvious unwillingness, all the while insisting that Keh should weigh in on the matter.


    Liam, preupied, barely registered her departure when he turned to see Charlotte, stifling a giggle behind her hand. His frustration and anger found a new focus. "And what exactly is amusing you?" Only after herughter subsided did Charlotte respond: "I''m just thankful, Mr. Parker, for you putting me under the ''family'' umbre."


    Liam was speechless.


    It took a moment before his voice broke the silence again. "What if I handle Robert for you?"


    Her nod was casual, almost carefree. "I''d like that, thanks, Mr. Parker."


    Liam asked Charlotte if she needed help for the second time. The first time around, she had declined, pridefully insisting on settling her own scores without troubling him. But her perspective had shifted now.


    With a guy like Robert, and Chloe backing him up, trying to take him on alone would be a long, drawn-out affair. She figured it''d be quicker and easier to let Liam handle it. Brushing away the raindrops from his jacket, Charlotte''s voice was gentle, "So, did you drop by to check on your poor fianc¨¦e at the hospital today?"


    "Looking forward to hearing what I did?" Liam shot her a sidelong nce.


    Charlotte shook her head, her tone frank. "If you did, you''d miss out on seeing me in distress."


    Her hand grazed past his eyes gently, "Only got ce in there for one, huh? And it''s me, isn''t it?"


    "You-" Liam was about to say something when Dn''s voice suddenly came from behind.

 Chapter 80: Whats the disappointment about?

    "What are you two up to?"


    Liam instantly felt Charlotte''s hand jerk away from his face, quickly like she was guilty of something.


    "Charlotte!" He blurted out, irritated and a bit flustered.


    Charlotte shed him an apologetic smile, hoping to calm the waters, but it backfired, sending him off in a huff.


    As he passed by Dn, Liam gave him a solid bump on the shoulder-a move so childish it was hard to believe he''d actually done it.


    "Jeez, touchy much?" Dn grumbled, but his gaze held a hint of hurt when he faced Charlotte. "Hey, Charlotte, even if we''re just partners, it bugs me to see you close with him." "Come on, you know that''s nonsense," Charlotte replied, her voice tinged with frost.


    "Yeah, I get it," Dn conceded. "Still, can''t you spare a thought for how I feel?"


    "Back in Leiventale, when you pulled me out of Malcolm''s clutches, you were all about how you were rooting for me and Liam to be happy together."


    "That was before when I''d only seen you from afar," Dn said quietly, almost in a whisper, as he hung his head.


    Charlotte caught every word, though.


    Her face hardened, "Dn, let''s get one thing straight-we''re in this for the deal, nothing more. Cross me and our deal''s off. After that, you''re on your own."


    "Understood," Dn said, his eyes following Charlotte as she left. He exhaled deeply, shaking his head with a halfugh, "Guess beingte to the party means you''re just not in the running, right?"


    Halfway through dinner, Liam and Dn got called away by Keh.


    No need to guess it was a sure bet Pam had gone crying to Keh.


    "I''ve got just this one sister, raised her myself. I never wanted her to suffer, kept her from marrying off all her life. But who knew, keeping her in the Parker family would turn out to hurt her!" Right when they walked in, Keh started coughing andunched into a lecture.


    He didn''t even look at Liam, but he had some good words for Dn, "Dn''s got his head on straight. Doesn''t y favorites with his girlfriend, gives the older folks the respect they''re due."


    Dn just stood there, head down, not saying a word.


    After praising Dn, Keh turned to Liam with a change in tone, "Not like you! Do you have even a shred of respect for Pam in your heart?"


    Liam snorted, "Pam''s got the nerve to bug you with this stuff even when you''re sick. Guess getting old muddled her brain. Might be time to consider a nice, quiet nursing home." "Liam!" Keh, livid, threw down his cup.


    Liam shot back coolly, "Aren''t you supposed to be avoiding stress with your condition? Anyone messing with your rest, I''m not letting them off easy."


    "But that''s Pam we''re talking about, my little sister!"


    Ignoring Keh''s growl, Liam pressed on, "Aren''t you supposed to be sick? Still have the energy for this drama? You sound more hale and hearty than someone in perfect health to me." "You!" Keh panted heavily, visibly riled up by Liam''s attitude, his breathing bingbored.


    It took him a good moment to catch his breath before he said weakly, "Pam, bless her, she''s simple-minded. Must''ve been Robert filling her head with nonsense to make such a mess. Just let Charlotte sort out her no-good father, so he doesn''t drag our family name through the mud!"


    "I''ll handle it."


    Keh was all worked up, "Who said it''s your turn? Remember, Dn''s still in the room! He''s the one dating Charlotte. He should be the one to handle this if anyone."


    Liam shrugged it off, standing tall, "Aren''t we all family here? Why get so hung up on who does what? Charlotte''s been on her feet all day. Let''s drop it and tell Pam to let it go."


    "A whole day? Please! She just put on a little show before you got back, fishing for your pity!"


    "Grandpa," Liam''s voice chilled over, "You''re missing the point just like Pam."


    Charlotte really was on her feet the whole day. The security cameras caught every second.


    Keh blew up, "You little punk! Who gave you the right to backtalk your elders!"


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    Liam didn''t budge an inch, "I''m not allowed to speak up to my elders? Then what about the businesses you''ve got hanging on to mypany''s coattails, raking in profits? Should I just ignore those too?" Keh spluttered, "You! Are you threatening me?"


    "Grandpa, you''re sick." Liam stepped forward, coolly tucking the nket around Keh, "People who are ill shouldn''t get worked up like this."


    Perhaps it was the chilly air he carried with him or his unbending stance, but Keh was left gasping for air, wordless for real this time. "Take it easy."


    With that, Liam turned and strode out without a second nce.


    Watching Liam''s retreating figure, Keh couldn''t settle down for the longest time.


    After a bit, he grumbled, "Can''t handle a girl, Dn? What good are you?"


    Dn rushed to say sorry, "My bad, Grandpa, Charlotte, and I aren''t exactly tight..."


    "Tight? Who needs tight? She''s supposed to be your girl, living just next door. If you yed your cards right, she''d already be all over you!" Disgust flickered in Keh''s eyes, "And it wouldn''t havee to her throwing all her flirty tricks at your brother!"


    "OK, I get it now." Dn''s fists were clenched, frustration boiling inside him.


    Charlotte finished her meal and took a te of fruit to sit on the porch, watching the rain.


    Liam came over alone, umbre in hand, his tall and fit silhouette flickering in and out of the night shadows.


    His ck umbre hid his face, and from where Charlotte sat, she could only catch a glimpse of his tanned skin through his white shirt.


    She was still looking when he crossed the steps and stopped in front of her.


    "What are you looking at?" Liam closed his umbre, looking down at her from his height.


    From this angle, he seemed like a king inmand of everything.


    But Charlotte wouldn''t have it; she wanted him on her level, "I didn''t get to see your face just now."


    She stayed seated, reached out a hand, andid it on his waist, then slowly let her fingers wander upward. "Why the white shirt? I thought ck was more your thing?" Liam furrowed his brow but didn''t answer.


    Charlotte''s hand deftly slipped under the hem of his shirt,ing to rest on the warm skin of his stomach. "Howe the rain''s cold, but you''re still so warm?" "Only the dead are cold," Liam shot back, his tone cool.


    He wasn''t sure what Charlotte was up to with her bold moves, but he didn''t push her hand away.


    "My hands are cold, though." She''d watched the rain for so long that the chill and the breeze seemed to have whisked away most of her warmth.


    Charlotte pushed the boundaries, sliding both hands under his shirt, using him as a personal hand warmer while she gently caressed his skin.


    The cool touch of her hands against his warm belly and lower back made Liam shiver uncontrobly.


    Charlotte paused and looked up at him, "Too cold for you?"


    "What do you think?" Liam reached to grab her hands. "Let''s go inside."


    "No, I want to watch the rain."


    Charlotte drew back her hands, her voice tinged with disappointment, "You go back. I''m good here."


    "What''s the disappointment about?" Liam stood still.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    She wrapped herself tighter in the chair, like some high-ss cat, lost in the sight of the falling rain. "It''s only really great when all the things you love are right there with you."

 Chapter 81: Youre too willful

    Charlotte never used to spout these super sweet nothings before.


    Listening to her, Liam felt like he was being choked by an invisible rope, stuck, and forced to give in.


    "Charlotte." His tone, unlike the usual anger-filled one, was tender and affectionate this time.


    Liam sat down next to her. The wind was cold, and the rain was chilling, and even he started to feel his body losing warmth.


    Liam heaved a sigh and gently rubbed Charlotte''s hand that he''d grabbed hold of again.


    "What''s so great about this rain?" grumbled Liam.


    Charlotte beamed, her eyes turning into crescents. "It wasn''t looking good before, but now it does."


    They sat across the table, their hands locked together, in a pose that was quite intimate.


    As soon as Dn walked in, he spotted the two sitting under the eaves, but from his angle, he couldn''t see their entwined hands.


    "Why are you sitting outside in this cold?" Dn came in, thoughtfully suggesting Charlotte should go back to her room.


    Charlotte instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but this time Liam''s grip was firm and quick, and he didn''t let her.


    "What are you doing!" Charlotte panicked a bit, her moralpass making her feel uneasy.


    Even though her deal with Dn was just a transaction, she wanted to maintain some dignity in their arrangement.


    Liam didn''t budge, still gazing at the courtyard, acting as if the hand under the table wasn''t his.


    Unable to free her hand, Charlotte could only try to hide it under the table and said awkwardly, "You''re back." Dn looked at them suspiciously, "What''s going on?"


    "Nothing, just a bit cold," Charlotte said, trying to appear calm while her hand under the table gripped tightly. "Hiss-"


    Liam beside her sharply inhaled a breath of cold air, making Dn even more suspicious: "What''s wrong with you?"


    "Nothing, just a bit cold," Liam said expressionlessly.


    "If you''re both cold, thene inside," Dn said, standing on the steps, still unable to see what was happening under the table.


    He felt something was off but didn''t think much of it and went inside with his umbre.


    Once the door closed, Charlotte immediately turned and red at Liam, "Why are you holding on to me?"


    Liam gave her a sideways look, "What are you hiding?"


    "Dn''s back..."


    "He''s just a deal, he has no right to interfere with you," Liam said coldly.


    Even so, Charlotte always felt Dn was too shrewd and didn''t want to give him any leverage.


    "Mr. Parker, this is disrespectful, you know. Dn is my boyfriend, at least for show."


    Liam snarked back, "And when have you ever respected my fiancee?"


    He was talking about Chloe, who Charlotte would never give the time of day.


    They locked eyes for a few seconds before Charlotte pulled her hand back. "I''ll respect from now on."


    The rain picked up, the drops getting blown right under the porch, ruining the moment.


    Without a word, Charlotte got up and headed inside, her cold exit making Liam unconsciously scowl.


    He could tell she was mad.


    But it didn''t really make sense.


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    She was the one who brought up the whole ''respect'' thing, which was annoying in itself, and she asked him to respect Dn.


    So why was she getting all riled up just because he mentioned Chloe?


    Why the sudden temper tantrum for no good reason?


    Charlotte had been walking all over him for long enough; he was done putting up with her antics.


    They both went back inside, one after the other, with a tension between them that made Dn, sitting in the living room, take a second look.


    "Want me to make you ginger tea?" Dn offered to Charlotte.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    She turned down the offer, pulling out her vibrating phone and quickly checking it, then hurried off to her room.


    Picking up the call, it was Malcolm''s voice on the other end.


    "Charlotte, I checked out the lead you gave me. The vi''s beenpletely burned down. All the evidence has gone up in smoke with it. They''re saying it was an ident due to old wiring," he reported.


    She gripped her phone tighter. "The fire scene had to have been staged in advance. Someone must have been controlling it when it happened. Did you find anything?"


    Malcolm did have a bit of info. "A few people under Chloe have been in her mother''s debt from way back, doing her dirty work. I think they''re the ones who set the fire."


    But Chloe had hidden these people well. With Malcolm now relying on a video he had of Chloe to keep his job at thepany, and his real authority stripped away, his resources were limited, and so was the information he could find. "These desperados are only after money. If we can get in touch with them, we might be able to turn them in," Malcolm suggested at the end of the call.


    Charlotte''s mind lingered on Malcolm''sst words as she clenched her fist.


    The only evidence she had was a video of Chloe instructing Malcolm to push her into the water. But if that video came out, Malcolm would be implicated too.


    After the fire, Charlotte, overwhelmed with grief, passed out several times. In her brief moments of rity, she''d asked Malcolm to look into the fire''s true cause, which he did without question.


    Just for that, she couldn''t abandon Malcolm, nor could she use the video as leverage anymore.


    She needed solid evidence to nail Chloe''s crimes and take down the whole Beaumont family who wereplicit.


    But where could she find a way to contact those people?


    Lost in thought, the door to her room suddenly opened. Charlotte turned to see Liam walking in with a cold expression. "This doesn''t seem to be Mr. Parker''s room," Charlotte reminded him.


    Liam stopped in his tracks, gave her a cool nce, and set down a cup on the table. "Ginger tea."


    "I don''t like ginger," she said.


    "It''s to warm you up," he said.


    Charlotte took a sip to humor him, but the spicy taste hit her nose and she set the cup down right away. "I don''t like it."


    "Drink it up," he said, grabbing her chin with one hand and bringing the cup to her lips without asking.


    Charlotte mped her mouth shut, stubbornly looking at him.


    "You''ve been sitting under the eaves too long; you''ll catch a cold," he said, which was surprisingly gentle for him.


    But Charlotte wasn''t having it. She turned her face away, avoiding the cup. "I don''t like it."


    "Charlotte!" Just as Liam was about to scold her for not appreciating his help, she puckered her lips and looked up at him with puppy eyes. "Can we add some sugar, please?" "You''re too willful," Liam said with a frown, not budging.


    "I just really don''t like the taste of ginger." Charlotte took another reluctant sip of the ginger tea, "I''m only drinking this because I like you."


    "Tch," Liam scoffed, and his hand was steady, not spilling a drop on her.


    After finishing the ginger tea, Charlotte''s brows were furrowed, and she couldn''t seem to rx.


    She took some sugar for herself, popped it in her mouth, and turned to see Liam had already sat down on the bed.

 Chapter 82: My favorite brother-in-law

    Charlotte couldn''t help but point out, "Mr. Parker, you do realize this isn''t your room, right?"


    "I can see that," replied Liam as he casually flopped back into the plush covers a rare show of rxation for him. Charlotte felt a bit weird about it all.


    Charlotte felt a little off. When she was all in, Liam was guarded and blind to her affection.


    Now that she''s ying it cool, he''s all trust and reliance.


    "Come over here," Liam suddenly said, snapping Charlotte out of her thoughts.


    She walked over to the bed with a raised eyebrow, "What''s up?"


    "Justy with me for a bit."


    "My boyfriend''s right outside!" she reminded him. It was clear what it looked like for a man and woman to share a bed. Charlotte stepped back, "Mr. Parker, it''ste. You should head back to your room."


    "Charlotte," he called out more firmly, "Come here."


    "It wouldn''t be right," she refused.


    Having been rebuffed so directly twice in a row, Liam sat up, clearly annoyed.


    Charlotte blinked innocently at him, "I''ve got to respect your fiancee, don''t I?"


    "Tch!" Liam was losing his patience, clearly regretting having let her push boundaries before.


    "You''re the one who said that," Charlotte said with a sly smile, "But maybe we could bend the rules a bit, huh?"


    She kept asking him questions she knew he wouldn''t answer, essentially putting words in his mouth.


    His silence was as good as consent, and consent meant she could do as she pleased.


    Charlotte sat down on the bed and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.


    Just as Liam tried to pull her closer for more, she dodged his hands and pulled away.


    "Are you nning to go see Chloe at the hospital tomorrow?"


    Mentioning such a buzzkill during an intimate moment nearly set him off, "Do you want to go?" "Yeah, I do."


    "Earlier you were saying you hoped I wouldn''t go, that you wanted to be the only one in my eyes."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    "That was before I knew how important she was to you," Charlotte said, her smile telling Liam that he had taken her words to heart.


    He was caving, just like she expected.


    It should''ve been a reason to celebrate, but Charlotte wasn''t feeling it.


    She leaned in and kissed him again, their kiss deep and fiery.


    "Keep your eyes on me, Liam. I need to see that look in your eyes to really give in."


    Liam met her gaze, lost in the moment, watching her intently.


    After they broke the kiss, he still couldn''t take his eyes off her.


    Catching her breath, Charlotte softly suggested, "Let''s go see Chloe tomorrow."


    Not waiting for him to disagree, she quickly added, "I want to go."


    Charlotte lightly brushed her finger across Liam''s lips to cut him off before he could say no.


    Liam scowled and pushed her hand away, asking, "What do you wanna do?"


    "Just wanna see Chloe."


    "Charlotte," Liam wasn''t going to fall for such a weak excuse.


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    He sat up and held her firmly in ce, his stern look making it clear he meant business.


    "Stay out of Chloe''s stuff from now on. Don''t be so impulsive, Charlotte," he warned.


    "Why can''t I be impulsive? Is it because you can''t look after me?" Charlotte shot back, her confidence obviously getting to Liam.


    He knew she was pushing it too far again.


    Not wanting to let her get away with it anymore, he said sharply, "You''re not my fiancee, so why should I look after you?"


    "Because you like me," Charlotte shrugged, all easy confidence. "When I was into you, I would''ve done anything for you."


    She slipped out from his hold, her lips still red from their kiss, and said casually, "How about you pick me up after work tomorrow, and we go see Chloe together?" Liam kept a straight face, notmitting to an answer.


    Charlotte yfully shook his arm, "I''m too scared to go alone if you''re not with me."


    Feeling frustrated, Liam gave her a hard look but didn''t consent or deny her request. He shook off her hand and stood up to walk out, clearly annoyed.


    His whole demeanor radiated frustration.


    Right then, Liam knew one thing for sure:


    He was firmly under Charlotte''s control.


    And what bothered him the most was that even though he realized she was ying him, he couldn''t bring himself to outright refuse her.


    He seemed all too ready to fall into her sweet little trap.


    The Parker house was buzzing with activity first thing in the morning.


    While having breakfast, Charlotte overheard from the staff that they were packing up Pam''s luggage.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! Looks like Liam was serious about sending Pam off to a health resort.


    Pam, who had been the Parker family''s unmarried, high-and-mightydy for decades, was getting the boot from her grandson Liam.


    She was steamed about it, too proud to handle the shame.


    After causing a ruckus in Keh''s room the night before, she ended up getting an earful from him instead.


    This whole drama made Charlotte the subject of wary nces around the house.


    Despite Keh''s attempts to keep it hush-hush, the news spread like wildfire among the staff: Pam was being shipped off because she messed with Charlotte.


    No matter what was really going on between Liam and Charlotte, his defense of her was clear.


    And just like that, Charlotte''s rep in the Parker family shot through the roof.


    But Charlotte? She couldn''t care less about all this drama. Liam was her endgame, her sole focus. Everyone else''s opinions didn''t even register.


    Come evening, Charlotte was out front waiting, her face breaking into a smile as Liam''s car rolled up. She briskly walked over to greet him.


    Liam didn''t expect such a warm reception, which stirred up some mixed feelings.


    Had she been this weing from the get-go, they might have dodged a ton of drama.


    Liam stayed put in the car, motioning for Charlotte to hop in. "Thought we were heading to the hospital, right?"


    Charlotte shed him a grin and said to hold on a second, then dashed back to grab some cake she''d made that afternoon.


    "How about a taste?" she offered, holding out a slice on a te, hope flickering in her eyes. "Got bored and tried my hand at baking. Not sure if it''s edible." Liam shot her a look but didn''t bite. "With Dn around, how could you be bored?"


    Her yful jab caught Charlotte off guard, and she couldn''t help but chuckle. "But you''re the one who told me to steer clear of him, remember?"


    "I''m just your brother-inw; I don''t run your life," Liam countered, trying to keep his cool.


    Charlotte''s smile didn''t fade. "I just happen to love taking my favorite brother-inw''s advice."


    Her cheekyment nearly pushed Liam to silence her with his hand, but after a pause, he just turned away, choosing to cut the conversation short.

 Chapter 83: I took it last night with him

    Charlotte wasn''t annoyed at all, just munching on her cake.


    "After you finish that, we''ll go upstairs," said Liam as he hopped out of the car first, leaving Charlotte behind. Charlotte didn''t want to stay put. "Hey, wait for me?"ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    "Nope," Liam shot her down straight away, his cold vibe throwing Charlotte off.


    When Liam didn''t hear her reply, he stopped dead in his tracks and turned back, a hint of helplessness on his face. "The whole Beaumont n is up there," and they''re all Chloe''s people.


    If Charlotte goes up with him, no one would bat an eye at him, but they''d definitely give Charlotte a hard time.


    He figured going up ahead would shut them up before they could start on her.


    Charlotte knew what was up, so she didn''t argue and just waited a bit before heading up.


    The way up was a breeze; even the guards didn''t bother her.


    At the sick room door, Charlotte was about to knock but heard Chloe''s flirty voice inside.


    "Liam, you''re too sweet,ing to see me with your busy schedule. I feel embarrassed." cooed Chloe.


    "Darling, you two are practically married. Mr. Parker''s just worried about you; that''s all," Patricia cooed back, then turned to Liam, "You''ve done a good job with the hospital and doctors, thanks for that." She said it to Liam, but she was really giving a heads-up to the old folks on the sofa.


    These were the big shots of the Beaumont family, with most of the family''s wealth in their hands. They''de all the way here to see if the rumors about Chloe and Liam not getting along were true. Liam hadn''t visited Chloe in the hospital even once.


    And it wasn''t Liam who had arranged the hospital staff; Keh did!


    The tension between them was more than just a little fight - Liam looked like he couldn''t stand her!


    Patricia was stressing about how to fool the old timers, but then Liam, who''s usually impossible to get hold of, just shows up!


    Such a surprise!


    Patricia couldn''t stop gushing to the elders about how great Chloe and Liam were together, not seeing the sick room door swing open again.


    Charlotte walked in with a basket of fruit she''d picked upst minute. She didn''t know anyone there and looked straight for Chloe on the bed. "You feeling any better?"


    Her voice caught everyone''s attention.


    Charlotte acted as if she hadn''t noticed, casually handing over the fruit basket-


    Liam took it like it was nothing and put it on the table.


    Everyone went quiet.


    Liam, a man born to a high throne, when had he ever acted like a servant, carrying things for others?


    And Charlotte, she was soid back about it, like she''d had him do stuff like this loads of times.


    But that was just people jumping to conclusions. Charlotte would never have dared ask Liam to carry things for her before.


    ...


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    It''s just that the fruit basket was really heavy, and she was in such a hurry to see Chloe''s embarrassment, that she''d handed it over without thinking.


    Charlotte never guessed Liam would be the one to step in.


    The room got super quiet and that''s when she clocked Chloe''s killer re.


    She hit up Patricia with a casual "Aunt," but Patricia was all wound up, looking like she was ready to tear into Charlotte.


    Patricia was like, "Why''d you even show up?" teeth all gritted and stuff.


    Charlotte just smiled and was like, "My bad about the other night. Didn''t know Chloe was that sick. Should''ve had the doc check her out first."


    Patricia lost it, going off on Charlotte, "You messed up Chloe''s face, and bit her neck. She''s hurting all ''cause of you!"


    Charlotte tried to clear things up, but Liam cut in, all broody, "We''re past that. Why drag it up again?"


    Once Liam spoke, Patricia, despite her frustration, didn''t dare say another word.


    She wouldn''t risk provoking Liam further.


    "I''m just here to see Chloe, Aunt, I mean no harm," Charlotte reiterated her purpose.


    Right when Patricia was about to go off again, the older folks stepped in,ying down thew, "Enough. Let the girls talk. Patricia, Mr. Parker, let''s go outside." Patricia shot Charlotte a death stare and stormed out with the others.


    Charlotte gave a quick, fake smile to her, then to Liam, who was also peeping the scene.


    Liam looked deep into her eyes, then bounced.


    The door shut, and Charlotte''s smile is gone.


    She''s all ice as she turns to Chloe.


    Chloe was looking back at her with a fierce expression, "Charlotte, I underestimated you."


    "You''ve caused me enough trouble. That''s hardly underestimating," Charlotte said as she sat down by the bed, casually picking up an apple to peel.


    "You think you can take me down with your little games and get Liam? You''re too naive, Charlotte!"


    "You''re the naive one, Chloe. This is just the beginning."


    all."


    She finished with the apple, pointed at Chloe''s bandaged mug, andid it out, "I''m gonna chip away at everything you got: your rep, your face, the cushy spot in the family, and Liam. But I''ll let you live just enough to feel the burn of losing it "You try it, Charlotte! From now on, I won''t go easy on you!"


    "Can''t wait," Charlotte replied nonchntly, making Chloe''s hysteria seem all the more ridiculous.


    "I have something to show you," Charlotte said as she picked up Chloe''s phone from the table, quickly checking the contacts and call logs, and memorizing a few numbers.


    "What are you doing!" Chloe reached out to grab it, but Charlotte easily dodged.


    "I told you I had something nice to show you." Charlotte sent a photo directly to Chloe''s phone. Chloe snatched it back, looking for anything unusual, and asked warily, "What did you do?" Charlotte shrugged, "Just a picture."


    Chloe nced down and saw the picture.


    The picture was a tender white hand reaching up under a man''s white shirt.


    "Pretty, isn''t it? I took itst night with him." Charlotte leaned in closer to look at her.


    And it was obvious who she was talking about without dropping names.

 Chapter 84: Dont you cross the line.

    Chloe was so pissed she nearly smashed her phone on Charlotte''s face, but Charlotte sidestepped with a taunting smirk, "Chloe, better get out of here or you''ll find everything you own will be mine soon enough." Chloe was huffing and puffing, her eyes shooting daggers.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Charlotte just ignored her, and casually walked out with her peeled apple, leaving Chloe''s furious screams behind the closed door. "What did you do?" Patricia demanded, marching over.


    Charlotte smiled back, "Chloe didn''t want the apple, thought I had some scheme in mind. Didn''t want to intrude on her rest, so I left." "You..."


    "Patricia!" an elder with white hair stopped her, gesturing, "Go inside, check on her. It''s just a small thing, don''t let her get worked up."


    "Fine." Seething, Patricia stormed into the room, bumping into Charlotte on purpose. The apple slipped from Charlotte''s grasp, rolling to Liam''s feet.


    Liam nced at it but didn''t move.


    Charlotte didn''t go to pick it up either; she just nodded to the elders and left the hospital.


    She waited for Liam in the car, thinking he''d be out soon, but it took him a good half hour, and he looked none too happy.


    "What''s up?" Charlotte asked.


    "Chloe''s getting out," Liam said, annoyed.


    "It''s normal she''d want to leave; the hospital''s not asfy as home."


    "Bullcrap," Liam muttered under his breath, then turned to Charlotte, "What did you say to her?"


    Charlotte just kept smiling, not saying a word.


    Chloe''s discharge was low-key, almost in step with Charlotte and Liam entering the gates.


    Dn came out at the sound, pausing for a moment at the sight of this strange trio.


    "You guys..."


    Before he could get a word out, Charlotte stepped up beside him, smiling at Liam, "Chloe''s still weak, let''s get her inside to rest."


    This sudden switch in demeanor from what was in the car puzzled Liam.


    He didn''t understand why Charlotte suddenly stood with Dn.


    But Dn caught on quicker, leaned towards Charlotte, and made room.


    That space naturally split the four into two separate camps.


    Liam''s face turned stormy, "Some things I can''t deal with conveniently, maybe you should help Chloe."


    Charlotte had stood with Dn just to irk Liam; now he was sending Charlotte to Chloe to get back at her.


    Charlotte cheerfully agreed, "Alright."


    Though she was meant to help, the house had servants for that. She was really just there to boss around in Chloe''s room. Chloe soon had enough and booted her out.


    Charlotte was washing her hands in the downstairs bathroom when Liam walked in.


    "Mr. Parker has a knack for barging into rooms with locked doors, huh?"


    "What''s biting you now?" Liam rubbed his forehead, clearly irked. Charlotte''s sudden distance had thrown him for a loop. He was nearing his breaking point with her.


    Charlotte wiped her hands leisurely, tossing out thement, "Thought you wanted me to be nice to your fiancee, didn''t you?"


    "Stupid!" Liam''s bottled-up emotions burst out again. "Charlotte, you cut it out. I''ve been more than amodating with you. Don''t overstep." "Why are you losing it at me all of a sudden?"


    Charlotte cocked her head, looking puzzled. "So, I''m polite to her, and you''re upset... does that mean it''s okay if I''m not polite?"


    "You!" It dawned on Liam right then - Charlotte was ying him like a fiddle.


    If he agreed with her, she''d take it as a license to run wild in his name.


    If he didn''t, he''de off as the bad guy, contradicting himself and looking like a jerk.


    "Trying to trap me?" He loathed being manipted.


    Charlotte shook her head and continued to dab at his tie, removing a stain.


    "I just want to hear you say it - that I matter more to you."


    Liam''s brows furrowed, trying to spot any hint of mischief in her eyes.


    But all he saw was the calmness of her eyes, as serene as a still pond.


    "Charlotte," he began, softer now, "you''ve changed so much."


    "I''ve had to," she answered without missing a beat, still wiping his tie, her tone never wavering.


    "I''ve said I''d handle the thing with Chloe..."


    "So, I''m just supposed to sit this out?" Charlotte looked up, her eyes glistening with unshed tears and a depth of sadness that choked off Liam''s next words.


    "You know everything, right?" She was behind the video sent to his inbox, at least, Liam knew Chloe was out to get her.


    Holding onto the tie like it was her only anchor, Charlotte pressed, "You know everything but still want me on the sidelines, right?"


    Liam was stuck between a rock and a hard ce. "Some things ain''t for you to mess with."


    "And that means?" Charlotte''s voice was soft, but her eyes were fierce.


    Tears were sliding down her cheeks, her fingers clenched tight, not bothering to mask her sorrow and anger: "If you really wanted to keep me out of it, the best way would be to send me away, right? Liam, is that what you''re nning-to send me off?"


    Liam''s breaths came out in short bursts, but the words just wouldn''te.


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    He didn''t want Charlotte involved because he thought he could smooth everything over without her getting her hands dirty.


    He had hoped Charlotte would just sit back and watch.


    But he never had the heart to actually send her away.


    Charlotte let out a sad chuckle, "I''ve bent over backward trying to get close to you, and it seems like you''re going all out to push me away."


    She wiped her tears away, sshed water on her swollen eyes until she was calm, and then strode past Liam, heading for the door.


    "Where you off to?" Liam reached out and grabbed her arm.


    "To clean up Chloe''s mess, isn''t that what you wanted me to do?"


    "Charlotte!" Liam was all twisted up inside, his grip on her hand firm but gentle, "Don''t you cross the line."


    "What line shouldn''t I cross?" Charlotte fired back.


    Liam turned his head away, avoiding her tear-stained eyes, "Chloe''s still useful. I don''t care about anything else, but she needs to stay alive."


    He was basically giving Charlotte the green light to do as she pleased.


    It was a big step back for him.


    Charlotte was silent for a moment, then under Liam''s intense stare, she gave a slight nod.


    "Fine."


    After Charlotte sent the phone number she had dug up to Vincent-she was in cahoots with Malcolm but didn''t trust him fully-Liam called her down to dinner.


    Charlotte raised her eyebrows, "Isn''t it usually the servant that calls me down for dinner? What''s got you ying butler today, Mr. Parker?"


    Liam''s mouth was a t line, his face stoic.


    Charlotte cracked a small smile, not poking fun at him anymore. As she walked by, her fingers lingered on his for a second before she casually let go and headed downstairs as if it was just another evening.

 Chapter 85: Drugged

    Charlotte walked into the dining room and saw Chloe and Dn already nted at the table, one on each side. She plopped down next to Dn while Liam trailed in and took the seat at the head of the table. The silence at the table was thick enough to cut with a knife. Even Chloe, who''s usually got something to say, was shoveling food into her mouth without a peep.


    After they''d finished eating, Charlotte was mid-mouthwash in the bathroom when her phone buzzed with a call from Vincent.


    She figured there was a breakthrough with the number, "Already?"


    "It''s not that simple, Charlotte. I''ve got a lead on the day Chloe dragged Annie to theke, but I can''t be sure. Wanna swing by and take a look?"


    Anything about Annie was an urgent business for Charlotte.


    She dried off her hands and made a beeline for Liam''s study.


    "Off to meet Vincent in the dead of night, alone?" Liam''s head snapped up, his eyes throwing daggers, "Excuse me, what am I to you?"


    Charlotte wasn''t phased by his anger, calm as ever, "I didn''t even tell Dn I was heading out."


    She was reporting her ns to him, bypassing her boyfriend, seeking only his opinion.


    What she meant was, what do you think I take you for?


    Obviously, someone important.


    It was a sign of obedience and trust.


    Liam caught the implication, his chest rose and fell a couple of times, but he didn''t try to stop her.


    "Just make sure you''re back soon."


    Vincent told Charlotte to meet him at a fancy vacation home owned by his family. Charlotte didn''t know much about swanky ces like that, just thought it seemed like a peaceful spot, probably nice for retirees.


    "Everything okay with you in the Parker family?" Vincent was worried about Charlotte''s situation when they met up, "Yeah, you''ve got Liam in your pocket now, but you''re also taking on some serious risks." "Risk and opportunity go hand in hand."


    Charlotte''s answer gave Vincent mixed feelings.


    The old Charlotte would''ve sworn up and down she''d never y Liam like that.


    The deaths of Annie and Maria had changed her too much.


    "Didn''t you say you found evidence about Chloe luring Annie to theke? Where is it?" Charlotte got straight to the point.


    "It''s a text message." Vincent pulled out a USB drive. "Annie''s phone was trashed from water damage, but I managed to dig up this message."


    ''Want your bracelet back? Come to theke.''


    Just a few words, nothing off at first nce.


    "Annie''s jewelry box got knocked over when she was moving, and she lost a bunch of stuff. My brother mentioned Annie really missed a bracelet she''d lost and looked for it for ages."


    Vincent''s face was serious, "Annie wasn''t into material stuff, didn''t care much for jewelry, but she cried over that bracelet for a long time. Charlotte, back then I didn''t get it, but now, that bracelet..." "It was mine." Charlotte felt a chill, repeating, "The bracelet was mine, I made it out of cheap toy shells."


    "Right, just some stic shells." Vincent confirmed, "Losing that bracelet hit Annie hard, she kept searching, but never found it."


    Annie was careful. She wouldn''t have rushed off to meet a stranger because of a text, not unless the reason was tempting enough.


    "You mean..." Charlotte bit her lip hard, struggling to get the words out.


    That bracelet was cheap, but it was the only pretty thing she had in her poor home, and she cherished it.


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    When it went missing one day, she knew Annie had taken it. She didn''t confront her, just said she hoped the bracelet would turn into gold ande back to her someday. Her Annie valued that bracelet so much; she missed her so much.


    Charlotte took a deep breath to calm herself down and then asked Vincent, "Are you suggesting that if Chloe has the ne, it proves she''s the one who lured Annie to theke?" But with Annie gone and Chloe''s goal achieved, would she really keep the bracelet and risk getting caught?


    Besides, lots of people knew Annie had a bracelet, so how could they prove it was Chloe?


    Vincent knew these obstacles too, but he didn''t have a solution, "Chloe covered her tracks too well back then. Finding this clue was hard enough, and even though it''s a long shot, I want to try." Charlotte went quiet.


    If Chloe hadn''t thrown the bracelet away, where would she have kept it?


    It was going to be a tough investigation.


    Charlotte was pinning her hopes on those phone numbers now.


    "Finding these people will bring the truth to light."


    She was about to ask Vincent for an update on these people when she suddenly felt a wave of heat wash over her.


    She thought it was the air conditioning set too high, but Vincent opposite her seemed unaffected.


    "Vincent, are you hot?" she asked.


    "No, you''re feeling hot?"


    Then she felt a tingling sensation at the base of her spine, and Charlotte''s brows furrowed as she realized something wasn''t right.


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    "Vincent." She swallowed hard, feeling the strange sensations in her body, the fear of the unknown making her stiff.


    Vincent noticed something was off and hurried over to help her.


    "Don''te closer!" Charlotte stopped him, the itching on her skin unbearable, biting her lip to stay sharp.


    "Something''s not right with me..."


    "What''s wrong?"


    Charlotte described her symptoms, and Vincent immediately understood, "You''ve been drugged!"


    Drugged?


    Charlotte tried to think through the fog in her head, but the difort in her body was making her lose control, and she had the urge to reach out to Vincent. "Get away... Vincent, don''te near me!"


    "I got it." Vincent reacted quickly, filling the bathtub with cold water and then using a towel to pull Charlotte into the bathroom to soak her in the cold water.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    He didn''t dare stay a second longer, closed the door, and was anxious to find a doctor. But then he thought about it-Charlotte''s special identity, alone with him at night, drugged-people finding out would be hard to exin. Especially to Liam. Charlotte was already in a tough spot, and Vincent didn''t want to make it worse for her.


    He decided against it.


    "Charlotte, you''re on your own now."


    Vincent was pacing in the living room, anxious. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a red light. He instinctively looked for it but found nothing.


    "Did I see that wrong?" Vincent muttered to himself, puzzled.


    On the other side of the wall, out of Vincent''s sight, a man smiled with satisfaction at a photo in his hand that showed the two of them in opposition.


    He tucked the camera with its blinking red light into his coat and quickly disappeared into the night.

 Chapter 86: If Chloe gets pregnant

    Charlotte was struggling in the cold water.


    She hated water, the feeling of being surrounded by it, and the helplessness of her body floating up and down in the water.


    But she had to use the coldness of the water to calm herself down.


    Her mouth and nose broke the surface, and she breathed heavily.


    Afraid that the cold water wasn''t enough, she even had Vincent bring some ice cubes in.


    Now, the bathtub was bone-chillingly cold.


    The cold finally gave her the ability to think about something else.


    The effect of the drug was so strong, it couldn''t have been in her body for long, so it must have been something she ate that evening. But she only had dinner.


    Dinner?!


    The dinner was delicious, catered to everyone''s tastes, and they all ate a lot...


    If dinner was really the problem, then not just her, but Liam, Chloe, and Dn, would all be feeling the drug''s effects by now, right?


    No one knew the intensity of the drug better than her. If Vincent hadn''t locked the door, she might have crawled out to find a man for... But what about Liam?


    If no one was there to help him, and there happened to be a woman by his side, could he resist?


    Shivering, Charlotte climbed out of the tub and caught a glimpse of the screen on the wall. She was surprised to find that she had been in the cold water for nearly an hour before she came to her senses. "Charlotte, are you okay?" Vincent asked from a safe distance, looking at her worriedly.


    Charlotte shook her head, got some clean clothes from Vincent, and rushed back.


    The cold bath had left her body feeling terrible and her head groggy.


    But all this difort was nothingpared to the anger she felt when she pushed open the door to find Liam and Chloe lying together.


    Liam was shirtless, with a nket covering his lower half.


    Chloe waspletely naked, her body marked with suggestive red traces.


    She was nestled in Liam''s arms, the picture of debauchery.


    Charlotte''s fists clenched and unclenched, she breathed deeply for a minute or two, but she still couldn''t calm down.


    At that moment, she wasn''t thinking about how Chloe and Liam sleeping together would affect her ns for revenge.


    She was simply furious that Liam had been touched by another woman.


    "Charlotte."


    Just as Charlotte was about to lose control of her anger, she heard Dn calling her from behind.


    She turned around sharply to see Dn standing at the door, his clothes in disarray. His disheveled appearance made Charlotte certain the drug wasn''t only meant for her.


    In fact, the true target of the drug might have been Liam!


    Dn came over and after seeing the people in the room, he felt a darkness before his eyes.


    "When the drug took effect, I wasn''t in my right mind," Dn said with cold sweat still on his forehead, "so Liam and Chloe might not even remember who they were with."


    He looked down at Charlotte, and in each other''s eyes, they found the answer they were looking for.


    "They can''t end up together," Dn said in a low voice. "If things happened between them, their engagement would be rock solid. And if Chloe gets pregnant... well, you know." He didn''t finish his thought, but Charlotte got the point.


    "Tonight''s drug mess-did you have anything to do with it?" she asked him, her voice icy.


    Dn looked shocked, then pissed. "What? Do you think I''m crazy? Why would I drug them just to get them in bed together?!"


    Charlotte stopped looking at him and cut off his defense, "Then it was Chloe''s doing."


    It made sense for Chloe to do something drastic after facing setbacks.


    Without further discussion, they moved Chloe to her own room, trying not to make any noise.


    "You should sleep next to Liam, so when he wakes up, he''ll think you were the one with him," Dn said, frowning at Charlotte. Charlotte was equally displeased.


    To lie in the same ce where Liam had been with another woman?


    Dn sighed, "I know you don''t like it, but just bear with it, Charlotte. At least Liam is good-looking. I have to lie next to Chloe." Charlotte was speechless.


    If Chloe was the one who drugged them, she knew she''d been with Liam. If Dn took her ce now, and Chloe saw Charlotte next to Liam, she''d think it was all Charlotte''s doing and wouldn''t turn her anger toward Dn. That would keep Dn out of the spotlight.


    Having Chloe wake up with Dn could keep her from getting too dramatic since she was in the wrong too and couldn''t very well start pointing fingers at Liam and Charlotte.


    It made sense, the best move they had.


    Charlotte breathed in deeply and stepped into Liam''s room. She closed the door behind her but still didn''t lie down next to him.


    She saw Liam tossing and turning with a troubled expression, even from a distance.


    She couldn''t see his back from where she stood, so she couldn''t check for any telling marks.


    Part of her wanted to defend Liam, but the evidence before her eyes was hard to ignore.


    She went over to him, intending to push him over and check for any signs.


    But Liam didn''t really move, and he seemed like he might wake up at any moment. "Liam," she whispered gently, e on."


    She nudged him, and surprisingly, he rxed and turned over as she had wanted. And there were no marks.


    Not one.


    That shocked Charlotte.


    With the drug''s effect, he should have been even fiercer.


    With the drugs in his system, he should''ve been a wild man, right?ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    But if Chloe and he really got into it, howe there wasn''t even a scratch on him?


    Charlotte peeked under the nket and saw Liam''s pants were still on him, untouched.


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    Just as she was about to tuck him back in, Liam started to wake up.


    "What''s up?" he said, all groggy and looking confused like he was clueless about what had gone down.


    Charlotte blinked at him and pulled the nket back over, "Nothing, go back to sleep."


    She tried to slip away, but Liam wasn''t having it.


    He grabbed her wrist and reeled her in close.


    Their breaths were close enough to mix, and all Charlotte had to do was lean in to kiss him.


    "What''s the rush?" Liam said with thatzy drawl thates after a good time.


    Charlotte''s doubts crept back in.


    "You remember anything that just happened?" she asked him.


    He shook his head, "What are you talking about?"


    He really didn''t remember?


    Charlotte squinted at him, half sitting on his legs, and made a move for his pants.


    Liam flinched and stopped her just as she was about to pull them down, "Hmm?" "What do you mean ''hmm''?"


    She brushed his hand away and yanked his pants down while he was still looking lost. All clear.


    But that didn''t prove anything; his state suggested otherwise.


    Charlotte, poker-faced, went for a touch, and she felt Liam gulp hard.


    But there was no reaction from him.


    And just like that, Charlotte''s heart sank.

 Chapter 87: Cant Let Her Get Pregnant

    "What the heck are you doing?!"


    She''s got him stripped down and then has the nerve to look disappointed.


    Liam''s super annoyed, "Get off!"


    But Charlotte''s not budging. She''s so mad she pinches him hard on the thigh, and Liam jumps up with a yelp, "Charlotte!" They''re in this weird, kind of intimate pose, but Charlotte knows even if things got steamier, Liam wouldn''t make a move. She''s sure of it, and the evidence is right in front of her.


    In a brief silence, Charlotte hears muffled arguing from next door in Chloe''s room, followed by heavy footsteps. "Honey, we..."


    The door flies open, and there''s Chloe, looking a mess, about to rush in when she spots Charlotte sitting on Liam''sp.


    She freezes, "You guys... Charlotte! What are you doing here?"


    "Why can''t I be here? Does it make no sense for me to be here?"


    Charlotte shoots back, hinting at something, "Are you bummed because it''s not you in this bed?"


    Chloe goes pale but recovers fast, "I''m his fianc¨¦e, it''s normal for me to be here! But you? What''s your excuse for being in your future brother-inw''s bed, huh?" "And what about you, Chloe? Whose bed were you in?"


    Charlotte''s simple question throws Chloe off her game.


    She thought she remembered... but then she woke up next to Dn.


    The puzzle that had been bugging her suddenly seems to click when Charlotte says that.


    Charlotte and Dn must''ve set this up because they can''t stand to see her and Liam together.


    Before Chloe can get a word in, Charlotte''s at it again, "If you''re wondering why I''m here, go ahead and check."


    She''s looking at Liam. He doesn''t remember anything, so he''s chill, but if he did dig into it and found out Chloe''s scheme, he wouldn''t let it slide.


    Just slept and what? He wouldn''t go easy on Chloe.


    Charlotte smirks at Chloe, "Go ahead, Miss Beaumont, see what you can dig up."


    Chloe looks like she''s swallowed a lemon but keeps quiet.


    She''s freaking out about Liam looking into things. Her whole n was to drug him so he''d forget the mess and she''d get off scot-free.


    But Charlotte barged in and turned the tables, leaving Chloe''s scheme in shambles.


    "You... you set this up," Chloe barely choked out, her voiceced with defeat.


    Liam''s had enough real quick, "Keep it down."


    Through it all, Charlotte''s still sitting on hisp, close to the edge of the bed. Liam''s worried she might fall, so he''s got his hand hovering near her waist, just in case. Chloe stormed out, mming the door behind her, fuming but unable to argue.


    While it looked like a victory for Charlotte, she just couldn''t shake off a feeling of unease.


    "What''s on your mind?" Liam''s gaze was intense, searching her face for clues.


    He could sense a gap in his memory and the tension between Charlotte and Chloe, but the fact that Charlotte was the one sitting on him seemed to quell his suspicions for now. "Can you rece the staff in the yard with your own people?" Charlotte pleaded, not wanting a repeat of today''s chaos.


    Liam frowned, "They''re already my people..."


    "No, they''re not," Charlotte interrupted, covering his mouth. "Evil is growing where you can''t see it."


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    Her eyes were almost sad, "If you don''t take care of it, that evil will spread to me too."


    If she hadn''t suddenly decided to go to Vincent, she might have ended up being forced into Dn''s room by Chloe, and everything would be a mess.


    And it was all because of that drug.


    Charlotte shuddered at the thought of what might be in her food from now on.


    Poison that could silence her, disfigure her, or worse, prevent her from ever having children.


    Liam looked serious and just nodded.


    A sharp and insightful man like him would surely investigate tonight''s events thoroughly after hearing Charlotte''s words.


    Chloe''s deeds wouldn''t stay hidden for long.N?velDrama.Org content.


    "You..." Liam seemed to be considering the mess they were in, almost ready to give up, "Let''s just wash up and go to sleep, okay?"


    Charlotte shook her head, unable to keep things going with Liam.


    He wasn''t happy about it, but he didn''t press her and let her go.


    As she closed the door, Charlotte saw Dn walking out of Chloe''s room with two fresh p marks on his face.


    "I got pped," Dn admitted with an awkwardugh. "I can''t stand that she hit me."


    Charlotte was speechless, then she had someone rush over some pills and hand them to Dn. "Here, birth control. Chloe''s watching me like a hawk. It''s on you to get these into her." Dn understood. "Chloe ying it boldly, drugging Liam, means she''s prepared for everything, could get pregnant just like that."


    He took the pills, saying, "I got it, I won''t let that kid happen."


    Chloe having Liam''s kid would set her up too well, and tie the Parker and Beaumont families together like never before.


    That would mess up Thomas''s power y, and Dn wouldn''t get his piece of the Parker family pie.


    So that child absolutely couldn''t be born.


    At that moment, Charlotte questioned herself again. Was it really okay to harm an innocent child? Was she evil?


    After all she''d been through, losing her mom and sister, whatever she did to Chloe seemed justified.


    Lost in her grudge, Charlotte was staring out at the moon through the window, missing Dn''s trash the pills before he went into his room.


    "What? Did you see it for real? Charlotte actually hit up Vincentst night?!"


    First thing in the morning, Chloe got the scoop from her insiders.


    Last night, after dinner, Charlotte had sneaked off to see Vincent.


    Chloe couldn''t help but snicker. This was a juicy bit of gossip.


    That drug was no joke, and if Liam couldn''t handle it, she was sure Charlotte couldn''t either.


    She didn''t buy for a second that nothing happened between Charlotte and Vincent.


    Why else would Charlotte have tried so hard to move her away from Liamst night, to take her spot?


    It screamed guilty.


    She was scared Liam would catch on to her fling with Vincent, so she made a preemptive move to make Liam think she was the one with himst night. Smart y!


    Chloe couldn''t stop smiling.


    Charlotte had just handed her a golden opportunity on a silver tter, and it would be a total waste not to capitalize on it.

 Chapter 88: You Cant Always Doubt Me

    Chloe was already in the living room waiting bright and early.


    She figured if she was going to convince anyone, she might as welly all her cards on the table. Sure enough, Liam was the first to show up downstairs.


    "Liam," she didn''t call him "Honey" this time, "we need to talk."


    "Spit it out." Liam stood away from her, casually drinking his water, barely giving her a nce. Chloe was seething inside, but rememberingst night''s sweetness made her cheeks turn red. "The dinnerst night was drugged, and we all fell for it."


    "What?" Liam stopped mid-sip, giving her a sharp look.


    "It''s true," Chloe said simply. "If you don''t believe me, go check."


    And she added, "Even you couldn''t resist it, so how could Charlotte?"


    "What are you trying to say?" There was a hint of threat in Liam''s eyes.


    "I''m just saying, don''t let her fool you. Maybe the person with youst night wasn''t her."


    Liam wasn''t convinced, mainly because he didn''t trust Chloe.


    But then, in the middle of the day, he was suddenly summoned home from work by Keh, only to find that Pam had returned.


    "How''s it going? Settling in okay?" Liam asked her casually.


    With everything that had happened, Pam was notably less imposing. She realized that the Parker family was no longer under her brother''s rule but Liam''s.


    "Not great. I''m not used to a lot of things here."


    Pam ranted on, and Liam realized his grandpa wanted him home for lunch as a way to make him go easy on Pam, maybe even to bring her back home from the nursing facility. But he acted as if he couldn''t tell.


    The whole mess was really not about Pam. If she hadn''t bothered Keh, if Keh hadn''t meddled, Liam would''ve just docked her allowance a bit to stop her from harassing Charlotte again. Now, Liam suspected Keh was ying sick. If he caved, Grandpa''s grip on him would only get tighter.


    The lunch was tense, filled mostly with Pam''s string ofints.


    It wasn''t until Pam stopped talking about moving back into the Parker family house and casually mentioned seeing Charlotte at the ckwood family''s vacation housest night, that Liam''s attention piqued.


    "I don''t know what she was up to, leaving sote at night. It was past 1 AM when she came out. Liam, you know you and the ckwood kid don''t get along. Watch out, Charlotte might tell Vincent something that could trip you up." It sounded like typical elder advice, but Liam stayed quiet for a long time afterward.


    He hadn''tpletely lost his memory of the previous night; it was just fuzzy.


    If Charlotte really left Vincent only after 1 AM as Pam imed, she wouldn''t have been back until at least 2 AM.


    That meant the person with himst night couldn''t have been Charlotte.


    If Chloe''s not spinning a yarn, and there really were drugs inst night''s dinner, what''s the deal with Charlotte?


    She was right there with Vincent when the drug supposedly kicked in - what was up with that?


    And why did she act like she''s been by his side the whole time as soon as she got back?


    Even though he didn''t really think Charlotte would do such a thing, the seed of doubt had been nted.


    Outta nowhere, Henry rings Charlotte up and tells her to swing by the office.


    She can''t make heads or tails of why Liam would call her in.


    When she gets there, Charlotte''s gobsmacked to see that her face still gets her past the turnstile. Guess this means Liam still hasn''t given the thumbs up to her quitting. She hits the 24th floor and bumps into Sophia.


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    Sophia''s got this whole mix of feelings seeing Charlotte again. Thest time they crossed paths, Sophia figured Charlotte was all good except for noting from some swanky family.


    But look at her now - Charlotte''s pretty much a Beaumont and shacking up with the Parkers.


    Sophia''s counting her lucky stars she didn''t pick a fight with Charlotte.


    "Is my walking paper not through yet?" Charlotte asks.


    "Nope, everything about youring and going is Mr. Parker''s call. If he doesn''t give the nod, who''s gonna rush it?"


    Sophia sneaks a look at the big boss''s office and lowers her voice, "Mr. Parker came back from lunch with the Parkers all cranky. When I dropped off some papers, I caught something about ''Pam'' and ''Vincent''. Don''t know if that rings any bells for you."


    Charlotte stiffens but ys it cool quickly.


    She''s piecing together why Liam''s got her here today.


    Before heading into the lion''s den, Charlotte checks the map for Vincent''s vi fromst night.


    Sure enough, the viplex was built for elderly rest and included arge nursing center.


    It looked like the Parker family''s Pam was staying at that nursing center.


    So, Pam must''ve spotted Charlotte leaving Vincent''s vist night.


    And bbed to Liam, which got him connecting dots in all sorts of wrong ways.


    She knocked and entered, finding Liam with a cold expression, his gaze icy and distant, sending chills as Charlotte approached him.


    He didn''t speak, just watched Charlotte walk in and stop in front of him.


    "You''re doubting me, aren''t you?"


    Liam remained silent.N?velDrama.Org content.


    Charlotte sighed, "You can''t always doubt me."


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    She stepped forward, trying to take his hand, but he deliberately avoided her.


    Liam''s rejection was clear; he kicked back from his desk, putting a safe distance between them.


    At this point, being timid would only lose her the upper hand.


    Charlotte stepped forward again, facing Liam as he leaned back on his desk.


    "Oh, you''ve always wondered what''s the deal between me and Vincent, right? Here''s the scoop, Vincent''s little brother and my sis were a couple. Then, tragedy struck - Annie drowned in theke, and it hit Vincent''s bro so hard, he ended up taking his own life."


    "Vincent was boiling mad and had no way to let it out. He just wanted to get some justice for Annie, help her rest easy, and the same for his brother."


    "Me and Vincent, it''s just a cooperation."


    Liam tried to butt in, but Charlotte was quick to silence him with a finger to her lips.


    "I filled you in about meeting up with himst night, and you were on board with it."


    "Given the way you''re grilling me right now, I''m betting you''ve caught wind of what went downst night."


    Charlotte whipped out her phone, tapped on a video she''d saved, and handed it over to Liam.


    Going after revenge is like walking on a high wire, a single slip makes you fall.


    She might not have covered her tracks perfectly, but she was careful enough. No way she''d leave a ring piece of evidence behind.


    Liam didn''t want to watch, but Charlotte was having none of it and pressed the phone into his hands.


    The video began to y, starting with Charlotte sensing danger and telling Vincent to back off.


    As time ticked away, the sounds of Charlotte''s pain from the bathroom began to fade.


    The video wasing to a close.

 Chapter 89: What were you up to while I was fighting through it?

    "Yo, Liam."


    Charlotte stood tall, her face etched with disappointment. "You''re thinking I''d stab you in the back over some med mix-up, huh?"


    She waved her phone at him, shaking. "What were you up to while I was fighting through it, huh?"


    "I..." Liam is at a loss for words.


    His mind was fuzzy aboutst night; he had no clue what he had done.


    Charlotte didn''t wait for an answer.


    She just headed out to the break room to whip up some coffee.


    "Hey! That''s Mr. Parker''s coffee maker. What''re you touching it for?" came an angry voice.


    Charlotte looked over, spotting a young, pretty girl.


    Hadn''t Liam said no more new assistants? Who was this?


    "And who might you be? First time seeing you," said the girl, nudging Charlotte aside and wiping down the coffee maker like it was tainted. "You''re not some obsessed fan sneaking in to pull a fast one, are you?" Charlotte justughed it off.


    It seemed like the role of general assistant was a hotbed for ambition, with everyone wanting to climb the socialdder and seeing threats in anyone who might jeopardize their position. Thest one was like that, and now this one too. "I''m not," Charlotte rified with a head shake.


    "Then spill it-who are you? No badge, no nothing. You''re telling me you''re not here on the sly?"


    The girl was mid-interrogation when Sophia noticed the fuss, took a quick look, and recognized Charlotte. She dashed over.


    "Everything cool, Charlotte?"


    "All good," Charlotte replied with a smile, unbothered by the girl''s antics.


    Sophia pulled the miffed girl away, clearly giving her a piece of her mind.


    Charlotte got back to her coffee mission.


    "You''re messing it up," the girl reappeared, much less fiery now. "Mr. Parker''s picky about his coffee."


    "I know." Charlotte had been making Liam''s coffee for the better part of a year; she could do it with her eyes closed.


    And she knew he wouldn''t be into this batch.


    "He''ll drink it."


    With the girl giving her aplex look, Charlotte picked up the coffee and knocked on the door to the CEO''s office.


    Liam wasn''t expecting her to return, and his face flickered through a whole show-nervousness, guilt, awkwardness-before he tried to y it cool.


    "Why''d youe back?" he asked, trying to sound tough.


    Charlotte stayed quiet and just handed over the coffee.


    It was like an unspoken truce. If Liam took a sip, they could get back on track.


    And Liam?


    He wasn''t about to refuse. He took a sip of the coffee and immediately frowned, but he took it all the same.


    Charlotte knew the coffee was off. She couldn''t not know.


    But she brewed it anyway and gave it to him, eyes locked on him as he took a drink.


    Liam let out a mental sigh and finished the revenge coffee.


    "I can''t stand coffee anyone else makes," but even though it tasted awful, he drank it all.


    He was hoping Charlotte would get the message that he was trying to make peace.


    Charlotte didn''t y along. "Guess what, Mr. Parker? I''m not your assistant anymore. Let''s make my quitting official. Like, now."


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    "You!"


    The words were like a lump in his throat, as Liam looked down, his back shaking.


    Charlotte didn''t stick around, just left the office without a word.


    Outside, Sophia was waiting, worried she might have ticked off Charlotte. "That new girl doesn''t get it..."


    If Sophia had been ying both sides before, now she was all in for Charlotte.


    Chloe might have that Beaumont family clout, what with her engagement to Liam and all, but that''s just because she was born into a fancy family. Charlotte?


    She wed her way out of a family of gamblers and debt.


    They meant more because she earned them.


    "It''s all good," Charlotte brushed it off. "She just showed me something clear as day. If I''m just Liam''s assistant, I''ll never get the respect I deserve."


    She needed a fresh start at thepany.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    She hung out in the secretary pool for thirty minutes until HR showed up to talk about her quitting. They were bending over backward, offering to talk sry, benefits, and a better title.


    It was like they''d do anything to keep her around.


    But Charlotte wasn''t having it.


    Some small-time perks weren''t going to wash away the mistrust and betrayal. Not by a long shot.


    Liam was super cranky because of both Charlotte quitting and because of being druggedst night.


    That evening, Charlotte caught Liam and Chloe in the middle of a heated argument in the study.


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    She couldn''t hear them through the soundproofing, but she could definitely see Liam''s aggressive gestures - he even pped Chloe, not caring that she had just been discharged from the hospital. Charlotte watched the drama unfold with a detached interest.


    When Chloe, in the midst of her tearful tantrum, happened to see Charlotte, their eyes shed, sparking an unspoken challenge.


    Charlotte became even more agitated, gesticting wildly at Liam, who dismissed her with a simple hand wave, and then a bodyguard escorted her out.


    Chloe was still yelling something at the window on her way out, and then suddenly, Charlotte found herself staring into Liam''s eyes through the ss.


    Charlotte broke off the stare-down and went inside, missing the dark look that crossed Liam''s face.


    She tried to avoid Liam, but he seemed keen on hanging around her-she drinks water, he wants water.


    She''s watching TV, he plops down right next to her.


    She moves away when he gets close, and they end up in this weird silent game of cat and mouse, with her dodging and him following.


    Overwhelmed, Charlotte escaped to the backyard, and Dn followed. At least that stopped Liam from tailing her.


    "What happened? I heard Liam hit Chloe," Dn asked, his brow furrowed with concern.


    Charlotte sensed something odd in his worry but yed it off. "Chloe was spreading lies about me and Vincent. I cleared my name, and she still tried to get credit from Liam. If anyone deserved a p, it was her." Dn visibly rxed at her response.


    Charlotte pushed a bit further, "Chloe got taken away by the bodyguard. Looks like she''s in for a lockdown."


    At that, she noticed a flicker of change in Dn''s expression.


    She eyed him, feeling a twinge of suspicion.


    Dn was a schemer-could he be making deals with Chloe behind her back?

 Chapter 90: Cant I take care of things on my own?

    Chloe took off back to the Beaumont family in the middle of the night.


    Charlotte felt a growing knot in her stomach seeing Patricia show up to whisk Chloe away.


    She couldn''t quite figure out why she was so anxious, eventually putting it down to a fear of the unknown.


    "She''s noting back any time soon," Liam said, standing next to her as they watched Chloe make a teary exit. Charlotte kept mum.


    Liam took a couple of peeks at her, then blurted out, "You don''t want her to go, do you?"


    Charlotte let out a sigh, "You just don''t get it."


    You want to keep your enemies close, right? Now that Chloe''s back with the Beaumonts, who knows what she''s up to?


    Her stance clearly rubbed Liam the wrong way. "If you''re so worried about her leaving, I can call her back, and you can bunk together," he said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.


    "I don''t even like her," Charlotte retorted with a sidelong nce, "not just anyone gets to share my bed."


    Liam dropped the subject, his mood quelled by her snappyeback.


    The next day.


    An hour after Liam had left for work, Charlotte headed out too.


    "Do you have an appointment?" she was asked when she arrived at thepany.


    She wasn''t surprised to be stopped; she no longer worked there and couldn''t just walk in.


    She tried calling Liam but got no answer, so she settled in to wait in the lobby.


    About fifteen minutester, Liam finally called back. "What''s going on?"


    "I can''t get into thepany."


    There was a brief silence on the other end after Charlotte spoke.


    Eventually, Liam responded slowly, "Didn''t you resign? Why are you trying to get into thepany?"


    Charlotte didn''t reply to that, instead asking, "Are youing down to get me?"


    "And if I don''t?"


    She had the contact for Henry and was tight with Sophia from the secretarial pool; either of them could have gotten her into the building.


    But she only reached out to him, preferring to wait in the lobby rather than seeking help from someone else.


    In his mind, Liam figured Charlotte was trying to pull a fast one, to get one over on him again.


    Still, he couldn''t bring himself to refuse.


    By the time she asked if he wasing, he was already on his way to the elevator.


    But right as he set foot in the lift, he heard Charlotte''s voice, "Then I''m leaving now, sorry to have bothered you." Liam''s face went nk.


    "Wait," he snapped, "I''m on my way down."


    It was as if Charlotte didn''t hear hisst remark and just hung up the phone.


    All sorts of thoughts flickered through Liam''s mind during the thirty-second descent.


    If Charlotte really had the guts to walk away... if she started avoiding him again just because he hesitated... if Charlotte...


    And there she was, still waiting.


    Charlotte stood out effortlessly in the lobby, her pretty face naturally drawing everyone''s attention.


    Liam breathed a sigh of relief, slowed his pace, and casually made his way over to her.


    "What are you doing here?"


    Charlotte didn''t look at him, walking past towards the elevator. She couldn''t get through the turnstile, so she stopped and waited for him to catch up.


    While waiting, she answered a question she hadn''t been asked, "Don''t you hate drinking coffee made by someone else?"


    "Mhm," he replied, the sound practically radiating happiness.


    They entered the elevator side by side, silent in the cramped space.


    But Charlotte knew that Liam''s tolerance for her had reached a new height, an impressive level.


    On the 24th floor, they went their separate ways; Liam to his office, Charlotte to make coffee.


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    The new assistant was there too, her face going pale when she saw Charlotte.


    "This isn''t a good job for you," Charlotte said without wanting to trouble her. "Your talents belong on a bigger stage."


    She herself was fine making coffee for a paycheck aftermunity college, but this girl, a grad from a prestigious university, shouldn''t be wasting her time here.


    The girl''s face turned even paler, "Are you warning me to not get my hopes up? Afraid I''ll replicate your sess and take your spot?"


    Charlotte was puzzled by her thinking, "No one can replicate my sess. And my ce in Liam''s heart is unique. You, or anyone else, you''re all the same to me." Insignificant.


    The girl''splexion lost even more color, recalling Sophia''s warning not to mess with Charlotte, that she was Mr. Parker''s person her position wasn''t easily shaken. She hadn''t believed it at first, thinking Charlotte was just a pretty face.


    Just pretty, and Mr. Parker would get bored eventually.


    But now she realized the truth.


    The fact that Mr. Parker personally came down to greet Charlotte spoke volumes about her status.


    After making her point, Charlotte picked up the coffee she had prepared for the CEO''s office.


    "Do you know the right mix?" the girl asked finally. "Why did you purposely make it wrong for Mr. Parker yesterday?"


    Charlotte paused, her voice calm, "Just to make him bend a little."


    "What took you so long?"


    Charlotte walked into the office with coffee, greeted by Liam''sints.


    She made up an excuse and watched him enjoy the coffee, satisfied.


    Remembering yesterday''s bitter brew, Liam looked a bit restrained.


    He thought it was a good time to rify things, "That night, nothing happened between me and Chloe."


    "Hmm?" He was so sure of himself?


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    "Hmm?" So what''s your point?


    Liam finally got annoyed, "How inly do I have to say it? I''m not attracted to her, Charlotte. Are you happy now?"


    "Hmm."


    Charlotte looked down and muttered quietly, "If not Chloe, then who could it be?"


    "Nobody!" Liam blushed, which was rare for him.


    Charlotte was skeptical, "But you said..."


    "Am I dead? Can''t I take care of things on my own?"


    Liam was getting flustered and embarrassed by the questioning, his face red with anger, and he red at Charlotte as if hurt by her distrust.


    Charlotte tilted her head, thinking it over, and it did seem possible.


    Liam always had his own way of doing things, especially in that department. For all the time she''d known him, she hadn''t caught him messing around with other women Plus, he''d been too clean that night.


    Charlotte decided to give him the benefit of the doubt for once.


    "Got it." Her phone had been buzzing. She saw it was Thomas calling, so she said goodbye to Liam, "I''ve got to go, try to get home early tonight."


    "Mhm," Liam responded without reacting to the implied control in her words.


    Charlotte stepped out of thepany before answering the call.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "That night you asked me to send you emergency contraception, it wasn''t for you, right?" Thomas asked.


    "No, it was for Chloe. It''s a long story. Uncle, did you hear something?"


    "There is some bad news," Thomas''s tone grew heavy. "I heard from Leiventale that Patricia has been looking for a surefire fertility remedy recently. I just got the news. And thinking about the contraception you asked for... Charlotte, is Chloe pregnant?"


    "She can''t be."


    Although Dn''s behavior had been odd, having a child wouldn''t benefit him at all. Charlotte couldn''t believe Dn would be foolish enough to let Chloe get pregnant.

 Chapter 91: Chloes Pregnant with Liams Child

    Things were eerily quiet for the next two weeks.


    Thomas had been dragging Charlotte around to meet with the Beaumont n, and that''s when she realized those old-timers at the hospital were the big shots of the family.


    Thomas''s a smart cookie but too soft sometimes, especially with family. Trying to get a word in with the Beaumonts was like hitting his head against a brick wall.


    Charlotte, though, is made of sterner stuff - no emotional strings attached to the Beaumonts, so she could speak her mind and step up where Thomas tiptoed.


    "If I had met you and Annie at the same time, I bet things would''ve turned out different," Thomas said one day after they wrapped up some family drama, driving Charlotte out to a fishing ce. "You and Liam, you''re good together. I can tell he''s serious about you,"


    He''d tell her again and again, but Charlotte wasn''t sure what made him so sure.


    "Keep an eye on Chloe. She''s not the type to back down easy, probably cooking up something."


    Charlotte never dropped her guard around Chloe, but Chloe had gone into serious hiding. Even Thomas, ying the family card, couldn''t get a glimpse of her.


    At the fishing spot, Liam was chilling by theke.


    Charlotte, not a fan of getting her feet wet, stayed back, lounging on a chair, and shot him a text instead.


    Liam, done with his phone, spotted Charlotte and strolled over.


    "All sorted out?" Liam asked, drying his hands.


    He knew Charlotte was knee-deep in the Beaumont family business with Thomas but didn''t make a fuss about it.


    Charlotte was taken aback - she figured Liam would be sick of her meddling with his family.


    "They''re all talk, easy to handle," she said.


    "Is that so?" Liam raised an eyebrow, "Those old foxes are cunning. If you think they''re pushovers, they''re probably ying you."


    Charlotte paused, second-guessing if she''d been too na?ve.


    Then her phone rang, and she picked up, "Uncle, what''s wrong?"


    "Chloe just said she''s pregnant!"


    The news hit Charlotte like a truck.


    What?


    "Pregnant? What do you mean?"


    "It''s Chloe!" Thomas nearly roared from the other end, "She says it''s Liam''s kid!"


    Charlotte''s grip on her phone tightened, a cold wave washing over her in the midst of the sunny day.


    She slowly turned to Liam, who had overheard Thomas, and he looked like he''d seen a ghost.


    And right there, Charlotte wondered what kind of bad karma was biting her in the butt, making life give her such a raw deal.


    She started to question everything, especially Liam.


    He had sworn nothing happened with Chloe that night.


    She was convinced Liam wasn''t a fan of Chloe, but now, whether he''d warm up to a kid? That was another story.


    But Liam''s feelings aside, the Parkers, especially Keh, would move heaven and earth for this baby.


    Chloe''s baby might as well be a get-out-of-jail-free card for her.


    And Charlotte? She''s not gonna let this slide.


    She was this close to bringing Chloe down, like, really close to showing her true colors to the whole Beaumont crew.


    She was on the edge of nailing it!


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    And now? She''s a hot mess, tears just tumbling down her face.


    She''s so pissed but has nowhere to channel it, just blurts out at Liam, "You said Chloe wasn''t your type."


    She''s not mincing her words ''cause she''s way past caring.


    And Liam? He''s losing it even more, "It''s not mine!"


    But there''s no way to tell yet. They gotta wait a bit for the DNA test, and right now, everyone''s assuming it''s Liam''s baby.


    An entire month - Chloe''s got way too much time to stir up trouble.


    "Liam, you can''t just wait to drop the bomb that it''s your kid after it''s born. That''d just be too much."


    Charlotte''s like a ss doll, her eyes are waterfalls, and she''s so delicate like she''s gonna break any second.


    She''s just standing there, each tear like a dagger to Liam''s heart.


    "The kid''s noting into this world," Liam swears to her, "Doesn''t matter who the dad is, it''s not happening." But Charlotte can''t buy it.


    He got engaged to Chloe when she lost her mom, he could marry Chloe if the baby turned out to be his.


    She can''t trust him as far as she can throw him.


    "Just go," Charlotte said, lost, spinning in ce. When Liam reached for her hand, she pushed him away, "You''re gonna sort this out, right?"


    Liam usually ignored these kinds of questions, but this time he answered seriously, "Yes."


    But Charlotte couldn''t bring herself to believe.


    After Liam had gone, she just stood there, drying her tears, and then walked into theke as if in a trance.


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    That choking feeling woke her up, and the pain cleared her head.


    She fought back to the surface, her tears gone, reced by this fierce look, ready to face whatever came next.


    It was just a pregnancy, the baby wasn''t even there yet.


    There was still a chance for things to change.


    After she changed her clothes outside, she could hear the party and the happy chit-chat even before she got back to the yard.


    Chloe wasing out the door, the center of attention like a celebrity.


    Keh and the Beaumont family seniors were all there, trailing behind her carefully as if they were afraid she might trip or something.


    Charlotte felt a chill in her heart seeing this.


    Liam had a point, these folks only came off as weak because they wanted her to think they were.


    Maybe the Beaumonts had been backing down to her recently just to keep her busy, so she wouldn''t have the time to snoop into what was really up with Chloe?


    Chloe was approaching with a victorious grin stered on her face when suddenly, her feet gave out and she nearly took a spill!


    The crowd was a hot mess, but they caught her in time.


    "Come on, you''re about to be a mom. Gotta watch your step!" Patricia chided her with augh.


    Chloe, looking every bit the part of a mom-to-be, had softened up a bit, "Somehow I tripped, but I''m alright."


    "Alright? You''ve got the next Parker family head in there, and the first grandchild for the Beaumonts! If you''d hurt yourself, who''d be responsible?"


    One of the Beaumont elders jumped the gun and went off on Charlotte, "You did that on purpose, didn''t you? You''re both trying out this live-in thing, but you''re not pregnant. You''re jealous, aren''t you?"All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

 Chapter 92: How dare you push me!

    Charlotte recognized the elder.


    He was the same guy she had ripped into a while back at the Beaumonts'', the one she made cough up control over thepany. Back then, he was all meek and timid, but now he seemed to have grown a spine.


    Well...


    "Be careful next time! If you knock into Chloe and it messes with the kid''s development, you''re gonna wish you hadn''t!" he warned. Charlotte let out a snide chuckle, "The oh-so-important Parker family heir? We''ll see about that."


    She gave Chloe a pointed look. "You and I both know whose bed you ended up in that night."


    Sure, she was a bit out of it that night, but she was positive she ended up in Liam''s room.


    Waking up with Dn? That was just one of Charlotte''s tricks to keep her away from Liam.


    But deep down, Chloe believed the baby was Liam''s.


    Charlotte didn''t push it. Honestly, she wasn''t 100% on who the daddy was herself.


    She was just messing with Chloe, getting the Parkers to watch their backs.


    Charlotte took some time to herself in her room until the backyard buzz quieted down, then she headed down for dinner.


    The dinner setup had changed - a new, bigger table and more food.


    "You sit here." With Chloe pregnant, Patricia had moved in too, and she gave Charlotte the seat farthest from the table, barely within reach of the dishes.


    Chloe being pregnant meant she had the run of the ce. If Charlotte made a fuss over something this small and stressed out Chloe, Keh would probably kick her out without thinking twice, Liam''s feelings be damned. Charlotte kept quiet about the seat but snagged her favorite dishes to have in front of her.


    "What''s with you? Don''t you have any manners?" Patricia snapped at her.


    Charlotte shot back with a grin, "What''s the problem? I''m just trying to eat here. My foster dad''s loaded, he''s got enough cash to feed me. Or are you guys gonna starve without these few dishes?"


    Charlotte wasn''t backing down. She was doing her best to resist within whatever wiggle room she had.


    But really, her little act of defiance didn''t mean much in the grand scheme of things.


    Patricia lunged over the table and yanked the dishes back, "Get these out of here. Chloe doesn''t like them, they''re bothering her."


    The help shot Charlotte a look, hesitated for a second but still cleared the food away.


    They knew the score - Charlotte didn''t hold a candle to Chloe, especially now that she was expecting.


    Charlotte stood at the table, staring down at the empty space in front of her.


    The message was loud and clear.


    She sighed and reached for the dishes again, but Patricia was on her like a hawk, smacking her hand away with her fork. "Always hungry, huh? Don''t you get it? Chloe''s pregnant. It''s like bad luck to even share a table with you!" Patricia scoffed." Before Charlotte could get a word in, Liam walked in, the temperature dropping with his mood.


    "Patricia," he called her name directly, showing no regard for her as an elder. "Does the name on this house say ''Beaumont "?" Patricia''s face went white, "No, it''s not..."


    "Since it''s not, stop throwing your weight around here." Liam sat down at the dining table, not even waiting for Patricia to say more, and quickly instructed the kitchen to whip up a whole new set of dishes. Then he said to Patricia, "It''s bad luck to share a table with y''all. Beat it, don''t spoil my view."


    Patricia was shocked!


    Liam''s words weren''t just favoring Charlotte, they were a p in the face to the whole Beaumont family, not to mention to Chloe who was pregnant!


    "Liam, Chloe''s carrying your child, a Parker family child! Don''t you care about her? And now you''re kicking her out for another woman?!"


    "She''s alive, isn''t she?" Liam said coolly, ncing over. "That''s blessing enough."


    "You!" Patricia was taken aback by his blunt words and didn''t know what to say.


    Chloe pulled her away, "Why squabble with him, Auntie? There''s a saying, ''A child is the bridge between a couple.'' He''s got a misunderstanding about me right now, I don''t me him. Once I have the baby, his attention will naturally be drawn to this little life, and without any effort, he''lle back to me."


    Chloe looked down lovingly, caressing her belly.


    Bing a mother had changed her mindset significantly.


    Men, which of them doesn''t stray?


    But as long as she has the child, most of Liam''s attention will be on her and the baby.


    As for Charlotte... just a whore, right? What''s so important about her?


    Going head-to-head with Charlotte would just be beneath her.


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    A new set of dishes was served, and this time, from the chef to the servants, everyone smartly prepared Charlotte''s favorite dishes.


    "Feeling hungry?" Though he had dismissed Chloe and Patricia, Liam remained in a state of anxiety.


    Chloe''s pregnancy impacted more than just Charlotte. Liam found it equally distasteful.


    While Charlotte had no appetite, she maintained herposure and ate calmly.


    "Charlotte." Seeing her like this, Liam''s frown deepened, "This baby will be dealt with soon."


    Charlotte didn''t respond. After finishing her meal, she called for Dn when he returned and led him to the study to talk privately.


    The study was Liam''s domain, off-limits to others. Yet he didn''t stop Charlotte from bringing Dn inside.


    "What''s this about the child?" She cut straight to it once the door closed.


    Dn looked bewildered. "I don''t know, I..."


    "You said the morning after the pill was given to Chloe. So tell me, if she took it, how is she pregnant?"


    "I don''t know..."


    "You don''t know, or you have an ulterior motive?" Charlotte stared Dn down intently, not missing any flicker of expression on his face.


    She never fully trusted Dn, but he was the only one who could have gotten Chloe to take that pill.


    Charlotte couldn''t believe Dn would allow Chloe to get pregnant either.


    Yet besides Dn, she couldn''t think of who else could have orchestrated this.


    "Dn, our alliance is tenuous at best. I know you''re wary of me, and you''ve got bigger fish to fry. But Chloe having this baby benefits neither of us. I don''t care what your end game is, just give me a line you won''t cross. I don''t want us going down in mes."


    "All I can say is nothing I''ve done jeopardizes your interests or will create problems for you," Dn replied.


    He admitted he intentionally let Chloe''s pregnancy happen.


    Charlotte shut her eyes tightly, fighting the urge to tear into him right then and there.


    "You''re pulling me into a quagmire, Dn."


    "Liam will protect you," Dn said derisively. "Isn''t his utter devotion what you wanted?"


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    "A man''s heart can change!" How could she be sure Liam wouldn''t grow attached to this child?


    Dn''s tone hardened. "Not all men flip-flop. If he does, it just means you backed the wrong horse."


    Charlotte sensed an insinuation there but had no interest in parsing it. "Since you won''t loop me into your scheming, don''t expect me to factor you in going forward."


    She turned to storm off, but Dn caught her wrist.


    Charlotte immediately wrenched free, ring daggers at him. "What the hell?"


    "We should be closest confederates, yet you''re so guarded with me," Dn said, feigning hurt. "You sought me out initially. I was your lifeline. Now that you''vended Liam, I''m a thorn in your side."


    Not understanding his weird tangent, Charlotte scoffed. "Don''t obstruct me, Dn."


    Dn said nothing more, just gazed at her with sad eyes.


    Not wanting to look at him a second longer, Charlotte stormed out the door.


    Only to immediately run smack into Chloe.


    "Hey, trouble with Dn?" Chloe''s belly was hardly showing, but she kept her hand on it as if to make sure everyone noticed she was pregnant.N?velDrama.Org content.


    "You know, you''re gonna be engaged and all, fighting every day isn''t the way to go. Why not take a page out of my book? Once you''re carrying a baby, Dn won''t have any reason to argue with you."


    It was obvious she was enjoying Charlotte''s troubles a bit too much.


    Charlotte took a deep breath, "Do you really think this baby is going to solve all your problems forever?"


    "No need to be sharp with me, Charlotte. If you''re so capable, why don''t you have one yourself? If Liam likes you so much, howe he hasn''t asked you to have his baby? Is it because he thinks your family isn''t good enough, or is he just tired of you?"


    "Don''t worry about how this baby came to be. All you need to know is that with this baby, even if Liam is all sweet to you by day, he''lle home to a house with me and the child at night."


    "Angry? Don''t be. I''m in a delicate condition here, and getting upset could affect the baby." She added.


    Chloe smiled and slowly sat down, taunting Charlotte, "You like ying the victim to trap me, right? Today, I''m gonna give you a taste of your own trip!"


    Then she let out a shout, "Ah! Charlotte, how dare you push me!"


    Meanwhile, Charlotte was standing two meters away.


    Such a clumsy frame-up.


    But you have to admit, it was effective.


    "No one''s going to believe your side of the story, Charlotte. You''ll just have to swallow this injustice. What do you think? If this kind of thing happens three or four more times, Parkers will kick you out to protect my baby."

 Chapter 93: I wont let you be bullied again

    Sure.


    Charlotte was clenching her fists so hard her knuckles turned white with the fury building inside her.


    If this had happened in the past, she would''ve probably kicked Chloe down the stairs to make her fake usationse true.


    But now, she couldn''t do a thing-not even touch a hair on Chloe''s head.


    "Hmph," Chloeughed wildly. "You lose, Charlotte, I''m thest one standing!"


    Their shouting drew Patricia. As soon as she saw Chloe sitting on the floor, clutching her belly, Patricia didn''t hesitate to p Charlotte across the face. "How could you push her knowing she''s pregnant? What''s wrong with you, Charlotte?"


    "What''s wrong with me?" Charlotte''s cheek stung, but she spoke calmly, "Is that baby even Liam''s? Why would I bother with a child that''s not his?" "You!"


    Charlotte went on, "And even if it is Liam''s, you think drugging someone to get pregnant is something to be proud of? What, do you both know deep down that no man can stand Chloe''s face?" "You''re asking for it!" Patricia raised her hand in a fury, ready to p Charlotte again.


    But this time, Charlotte didn''t let her get her way. She stepped back just in time to avoid the p, falling backward-


    "Ah!" The cry was even more agonizing than before as Charlotte tumbled down the stairs, mming into a pir.


    Her screams drew everyone''s attention, and Dn, rushing out from his study, was the first to find Charlotte at the bottom of the stairs.


    "Charlotte!" Dn hurried down to check on her, only to be pushed aside by an anxious Liam.


    "Charlotte." Liam cradled her head, helping her breathe more easily.


    Charlotte, in pain, clutched her arm as sweat beaded on her forehead.


    Seeing this, Patricia was livid, "What''s your act? You fell down the stairs yourself. Trying to set us up? In your dreams!"


    "Patricia!" As Charlotte struggled in pain, Liam noticed the clear handprint on her face and immediately realized it must have been Chloe and Patricia''s doing.


    Equally furious, Patricia argued, "You know Chloe and her don''t get along, yet you let her stay here. Even if you don''t care about Chloe, shouldn''t you care about your own child? Get this bitch out of here before she causes more trouble!" p! A hand struck Patricia''s face, silencing her.


    "I let you in because I didn''t want to upset my grandpa. His life is precious, not yours."


    Liam spoke with icy detachment, "If this child doesn''t make it, you can''t use it to control me."


    "You!" Patricia argued back. "Liam, open your eyes! Charlotte pushed Chloe first! Didn''t you see Chloe on the ground too? You might not care about what''s right or wrong when ites to your cousin''s girlfriend, but don''t you have anymon sense left?"


    "Just get out," Liam said through clenched teeth, gesturing to the bodyguards who had just walked in. They didn''t hesitate to start escorting Chloe and Patricia out.


    Chloe, holding her belly, was defiant. "Liam, you can treat me however you like, but now there''s a child involved. A mother has to be strong. I won''t let my child be bullied!"


    "That''s right! This is a Parker family child! Let''s see what the Parkers have to say about this!"


    The aunt and niece were in sync, quickly calling Keh over to settle the matter.


    Keh arrived as if he had expected the call, appearing in the yard in just a couple of minutes.


    "Why are you arguing with her when she''s pregnant?" He hadn''t even stepped inside when his scolding voice reached them. Keh looked at Charlotte writhing in pain on the ground, then at Chloe sitting there too, and his face instantly soured. "Liam! Are you trying to kill me? After finally having a great-grandchild, you''re so unfilial that you can''t wait to see me dead!" Keh pointed his cane at Charlotte, angry. "I knew you were trouble. I shouldn''t have agreed to let you be with Dn!" He then turned to Dn, wanting him to break up with Charlotte, but he held back when he saw how close Liam was to her. Even though Charlotte and Dn''s rtionship was in name only, it still had some binding power.


    If Charlotte were free, Liam, that rebellious kid, might just break off his engagement with Chloe and be with Charlotte right away!


    "Dn, can''t even control your own woman? Where''s your backbone?"


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    Dn hung his head in silence as the berating continued.


    The scene was chaotic. After Keh had finished scolding everyone, he turned back to Liam. "If anything happens to my great-grandchild, you will know!"


    "I don''t want this child." Liam was adamant that nothing had happened with Chloe that night, and the child couldn''t be his.


    Even if by some miracle it was, he didn''t want it.


    "You! You really want to kill me!" Keh became so agitated he couldn''t catch his breath and copsed.


    The chaos resumed as everyone scrambled to revive Keh. Shaking, he pointed at Liam. "You want me dead, don''t you!"


    "I don''t want you dead." Liam, holding Charlotte, spoke calmly. "If you''re sick, you should go to the hospital. Staying home won''t cure anything."


    "You!" Liam actually wanted to send him to the hospital!


    Keh''s expression froze. He had raised Liam and knew him better than anyone else.


    He understood that Liam''s patience was at its limit. If he continued to meddle in Liam''s affairs, Liam would not hesitate to send him to the hospital and cut ties with the Parker family for good. This time, Keh really did faint.


    Liam didn''t seem too concerned. "Take Keh to the hospital. He needs a thorough check-up."


    He suspected Keh was faking, but to save face for the old man, he had never forced a check-up on him.


    Keh''s constant meddling had pushed Liam to the brink of frustration.


    As he walked past Chloe, Liam paused to make his stance clear, "I don''t acknowledge this child. You''d suffer less if you just dealt with it yourself!"


    "But you will acknowledge it! Even if you don''t want to, the Beaumont family will raise him well!" Chloe''s eyes were resolute. This was the heir to the Parker family, Liam''s child! Whether he acknowledged him or not, this child was destined to lead the Parker family.


    When Liam was getting Charlotte into the car, Thomas rushed over, tears streaming down his face as he saw Charlotte''s frail condition, "How could they let this happen to you? Come with me, we''ll call off this marriage. There are plenty of good men out there. I''ll find you the best one!"


    "Uncle," Liam interjected, a frown on his face, "She''ll stay here. I''ll see who dares to bully her now!"


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    "But she got hurt right under your watch!"


    "There won''t be a next time." Liam looked tenderly at Charlotte, who was in tears from pain, "I promise."


    Time and again, Charlotte had been wronged under his care.


    He owed her an apology.


    Thomas was still skeptical but could no longer protest, "Mr. Parker, Charlotte is na?ve. She follows where her heart leads, even if it brings hardship. But she doesn''t have to suffer to live. I hope you''ll treat her well." "I will."


    Charlotte was taken to the hospital for a check-up. She had managed to control her fall well enough not to break any bones.N?velDrama.Org content.


    But the bruises on her skin were enough to fill Liam with guilt.


    "I''m okay." The pain from her fall was intense, and she could only bear it by clinging tightly to Liam''s arm.


    "How can it be okay?" Liam med himself, "I shouldn''t have let her move in."


    "You had no choice. She''s carrying your child; the whole Parker family has to give her respect."


    "That''s not my child."


    "It doesn''t matter anymore." Chloe had loudly imed to be pregnant with Liam''s child, so as far as everyone was concerned, she was carrying Liam''s baby.


    Charlotte closed her eyes in pain, "Liam, this won''t happen again, right?"


    "It won''t." Liam gently wiped the tears from her eyes, "I won''t let you be bullied again."


    Charlotte''s injuries were minor, and she didn''t want to stay in the hospital, so she returned to the house that night. Liam stayed at the hospital to oversee Keh''s examination.


    Even though he wasn''t there, he made sure Charlotte was protected by four bodyguards with orders to act first and reportter. Her safety was the top priority.


    He thought this would keep Charlotte safe.


    And Charlotte thought she wouldn''t be bothered by anyone anymore.


    But the next morning, her naive hope was shattered when she saw Pam, who was supposed to be in a sanatorium, sitting in the living room.

 Chapter 94: Kneel Down!

    "Chloe fell and it messed with her pregnancy because of you. She''s the apple of the Parker family''s eye, and I''m not just gonna stand by and let this slide!" Pam''s snooty talk made Charlotte instinctively scowl.


    "What are you nning to do?" Charlotte asked.


    Pam replied, "Nothing too hard. You''ve upset Chloe, so now you owe it to her to pray for that baby."


    Before Charlotte could argue, Pam cut in, "Don''t think about ducking out. Keh gave the order!"


    "Wasn''t Keh in the hospital yesterday? He''s still got the energy to deal with these little family dramas?" Charlotte challenged.


    "Always quick with aeback, aren''t you!" Pam, unable to win the argument, waved her hand to her bodyguards to grab Charlotte, clearly intending to drag her away.


    Just then, the four bodyguards Liam had assigned to Charlotte stepped up and swiftly moved to her rescue.


    "Lady, Mr. Parker said Miss Perry is to take it easy in the yard," the head bodyguard said, shielding Charlotte as the rest circled around her protectively.


    "Defying Keh''s orders? Really?" Pam was not pleased.


    "Mr. Parker''s orders were clear - Miss Perry stays in the yard."


    These guys were handpicked by Liam, and they were as cool and arrogant as he was.


    As the standoff went on, Pam, seething, let out a sarcasticugh. "Liam''s really got guts. He''s picking a woman over his own grandparents!"


    She started to walk away, and just when Charlotte thought she was giving up, Pam whirled around with a fierce look, "If Liam has something to say, he can take it up with Keh himself. But I''m taking the girl today!" "Let''s go! Do it!"


    The sudden order stunned Charlotte for a second. By the time she snapped out of it, she was surrounded.


    The four bodyguards jumped into action, fists flying, and the scene turned into a brawl.


    But Liam''s crew was on another level and quickly had the upper hand.


    Out of nowhere, Pam surged forward and copsed, clutching the legs of two bodyguards!


    She was dead set on taking Charlotte, no matter what.


    Chaos erupted again, and as the bodyguards were busy with Pam, Charlotte''s cover slipped, and she was taken.


    The guys handling her weren''t gentle, and by the time they got to the shrine, Charlotte''s arms were red and turning purple.


    "Kneel down!"


    Pam came up behind, smacked Charlotte''s knees with her cane, and down Charlotte went, kneeling from the pain.


    "Pray for the kid right here, stay kneeling for a full day!"


    A whole day could very well be the end of her!


    Charlotte bit down on her teeth. She''d been through the wringer her whole life, used to getting pushed around and always ready to hit back twice as hard.


    She nced at the cane next to her, knowing full well she could make the olddy kneel beside her in a heartbeat.


    But she didn''t make a move.


    Charlotte''s got Liam in her corner, so even if she ticks off Pam, she''s not going to catch any k for it.


    But that''s a problem for another day. With a bunch of tough-looking bodyguards hanging around outside, if Charlotte were to actually hit Pam, she''d be in deep trouble. So, she''s biting her tongue.


    Those four bodyguards Liam''s got won''t be easy to shake off, but they won''t be able to stop everything. Once they''re free, they''ll be straight on the phone to Liam. Charlotte''s just got to wait it out for Liam to show up and save her.


    There she is, kneeling on the rock-hard floor, so mad she''s practically grinding her teeth to dust.


    "You think you can just waltz into the Parker family and act all high and mighty?"


    Pam scoffed at her. "I''ve been around the block a few times - I can see right through your little act with Dn. You''re actually after Liam!"


    "Liam''s just a kid, all caught up in how you look. He''s made a mess of things, going against his family like this. Do you think he''s into you? Come on, someone like Liam would never end up with a gambler''s daughter!" "Get your head straight about who you are! Keep your head down and I might let things slide, but if you step out of line, don''t say I didn''t warn you!"


    Charlotte couldn''t keep her cool anymore, "I oughta tell the nursing home to keep a tighter leash on the crazies."


    "You what? How dare you talk to me like that?"


    Smack! Pam''s hand cracked across Charlotte''s cheek, spinning her head around.


    Charlotte wiped the blood away from her mouth and stood tall, not letting Pam get to her, "You''re going to regret this. Liam''s going to make sure of it." Pam was fuming at how stubborn Charlotte was, throwing insult after insult at her.


    The noise had pulled in a crowd from the Parker family, all of them buzzing around, whispering, and chuckling like it was some kind of show.


    Charlotte had been kneeling there so long that her legs were beyond feeling sore and tingly.


    "You really think Liam''s going to swoop in and save you?" Pam taunted. "This is sacred ground. Even if he did show up, what''s he going to do? Act up in front of the whole family? Disrespect his elder in this ce?" Before, Pam would never have been so openly against Liam.


    But with Keh in the hospital, she''s got no backup in the family. The thought of moving back in is just wishful thinking.


    She''s decided to go broke and get rid of Charlotte once and for all.


    The Parker family isn''t going to be brought down by one bad egg!


    "Charlotte, you''re just a worm who should stay in the dirt. You''ve got no business dreaming about a life that isn''t yours."


    It''s been four hours since Charlotte was dragged here. Four hours is plenty of time for Liam to get anywhere.


    But he hadn''te.


    What did that mean?


    Looks like Liam figured making a scene at the shrine would be too much, so he''s bailed on Charlotte!


    Pam was grinning from ear to ear. "This is the Parker family''s ce, our Parker family, not some yground for you, Charlotte."


    But then, right after she said that there''s this ruckus outside.


    "Prayers are better with more voices."


    Liam''s voice, low and pissed off, gets louder as hees closer, filling everyone''s ears with his rage.


    The Parkers who were watching suddenly looked like they wanted to run, but the bodyguards in ck weren''t having any of it. They kept everyone pinned down and pushed them into the shrine like they were corralling sheep. Charlotte had been on her knees so long she couldn''t even feel them anymore, and her whole body ached so much she could barely move.


    When Liam walked in, the tears she had been holding back just started falling.


    "Liam," she whispered, all choked up.


    That was all it took. Liam''s anger, which had been simmering, exploded.


    "My grandpa''s sick, and I''m sure you''re worried Pam," he said as he walked right up to her, and she couldn''t help but flinch under his cold stare.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    "Liam, I watched you grow up..."


    "If you''ve known me since I was little, then you should know what I can''t stand," he dropped that line, and then with a wave of his hand, everyone was forced to the ground. "Kneel down and pray for Keh!"

 Chapter 95: As long as Im here, they wouldnt dare

    Keh had been sick for a good while, struggling with his health for nearly two years.


    When Liam tried to get everyone to kneel and pray for Keh, people weren''t convinced. It was obvious to everyone he was really sticking up for Charlotte.


    "Liam!" Pam was so mad she was shaking, "You can''t seriously expect me to kneel too?"


    "We''re praying for Keh, not for me," Liam said, looking down at her with slight contempt, "Pam, you''re all concerned about some child who isn''t even born yet. But when it''s your brother, you suddenly have all these objections. Are you hoping he dies?"


    "Of course, I don''t want my brother to die!"


    "Then kneel down," Liam''s voice suddenly got louder, "and pray for him!"


    As his words ended, a wave of people in the room grudgingly bent their knees behind Charlotte, bowing their heads.


    Pam, surrounded by others, couldn''t stop trembling with anger.


    Then Liam knelt solemnly, bowing three times to the ancestral tablets to show his sincerity in praying for Keh.


    Seeing him kneel, Pam knew she''d look bad if she didn''t.


    "You''re unbelievable!" Pam cursed under her breath, her knees wobbling as she knelt down.


    But just as she thought about getting back up, Liam said, "Pam''s senior and has been mocking someone for four hours. A few seconds of kneeling won''t hurt, and Grandpa won''t mind." These words are like adding fuel to the fire!


    She had the energy to make fun of others for hours. If she only knelt for a few seconds, Liam would surely make a scene about it!


    Pam bit down on her teeth and knelt down again, "Everything I did today was for the Parker family, for my brother! I have nothing to feel guilty about!"


    "Nothing to feel guilty about? Yeah, right."


    Liam snorted coldly, got up, and reached out to Charlotte.


    Charlotte, tears streaming down her face, didn''t move to get up. "I want to pray for Grandpa too..."


    "You don''t need to," Liam interrupted her sharply, his tone was rude but his intent to protect her was obvious.


    "You''re not sincere. You''d probably curse Keh in your heart."


    He didn''t want Charlotte to kneel.


    Charlotte tried to stand, but she slumped back down after several attempts, her forehead covered in sweat.


    She had knelt too long and couldn''t get up.


    With tears in her eyes, she looked at Liam but said nothing, not asking for help.


    She was Dn''s girlfriend, and she couldn''t show too much closeness to Liam in front of his family.


    Liam was aware of this. His eyebrows were knit together, his hands clenched, as he struggled to contain himself.


    "Why do you kneel just because someone tells you to?" he said with a raspy voice, "You''re not even officially part of the family yet. No one should be ordering you around."


    Charlotte and Dn weren''t engaged, she wasn''t really part of the Parker family, so she didn''t have to listen to theirmands.


    "I was brought here against my will," Charlotte murmured.


    "Does the Parker family tolerate such thugs?" Liam dered as if his word was final, "Find them and deal with them!"


    The bodyguards who had been waiting outside quickly took away the men who had caused themotion.


    They weren''t taken far, and their screams could be clearly heard from the shrine.


    Pam''s face went white as a sheet. Those guys were her crew.


    She was supposed to be the respected elder, and this was the family shrine.


    She thought Liam wouldn''t dare make a scene here and would have to stand by while Charlotte suffered. That''s why she came up with her little scheme to get back at Charlotte. But Liam, oh he yed it smart. He used the excuse of praying for Keh to drag everyone down with him, and without blinking, he had her people taken away to face the music! All because of Charlotte!


    This bitch


    "Liam!" Pam couldn''t keep quiet any longer, scolding him, "You''re the head honcho of the Parker n! The hope of the family! How can you be so blinded by a whore and act so foolishly!"


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    Hearing that, Liam took a deep breath, clearly ticked off.


    Charlotte, right there beside him, was the first to pick up on his bad mood.


    Liam''s always been the cool type, too chill to bother with family drama.


    But that just made the Parkers push their luck, poking their noses in his business, trying to boss him around again and again.


    He had said before, ''If you''ve watched me grow up, you should know what gets under my skin.''


    Looks like Pam didn''t have a clue.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    What Liam can''t stand is people trying to pin him down or push him around.


    So when Charlotte gave him a heads-up, ''I''m gonna use you, I want you to bend over backward for me,'' he was cool with it because he was in the know and didn''t get fed up with her moves. But the Parkers? No way. They talked a big game, trying to y puppet master with Liam''s life, all under the guise of ''doing what''s best for you.''


    Like Liam would ever stand for that.


    "Pam."


    Right on cue, Liamid it out, "You''ve lost your marbles."


    He closed the case on that, had a couple of chairs brought over, and sat with Charlotte up front, watching the whole sorry lot kneel and wince.


    Pam, the old-timer, couldn''t hack it for more than a few minutes, nearly toppling over.


    Liam had someone catch her.


    "The Parker family''s too chaotic, not the peaceful retreat of a sanatorium. For the sake of Pam''s health, she shouldn''te back unless it''s really important."


    That was Liam''s way of telling Pam to pack off to a sanatorium.


    Pam lost it, kicking up a fuss, but Liam acted like she wasn''t even there and had her escorted out.


    Once Pam was gone, others started moaning about feeling sick, trying to duck out.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "When you were all eager to watch the drama, you felt fine, didn''t you? Stay put and kneel!"


    Just then, Liam, sitting there, was the king of his castle.


    Charlotte sat next to Liam, sharing in the status and glory that came with his position.


    They stayed in the shrine for a good two hours, and during that time, a doctor came to fix up Charlotte''s knee and face.


    The way Liam was openly favoring Charlotte got under the family''s skin again.


    "Why is she even sitting here?"


    "''Cause I''m here," Liam shot back, his voice cold enough to freeze hell over.


    The guy who asked wilted under Liam''s icy stare, shutting up real quick.


    Liam didn''t stand up until it was crystal clear that no one was going to question him again. He nodded at Charlotte, and they got ready to leave.


    As they stepped out, Charlotte murmured, "They were all just standing around watching the drama. If you stand up for me like this, they''ll resent me." They might not confront Liam, but she could end up catching the heat.


    It started to sprinkle outside, and Liam flipped open an umbre, gesturing for Charlotte to hold onto it.


    "I belong to Dn..." Charlotte started to protest.


    "I''m the one who saved you," Liam insisted, taking her hand so she couldn''t pull away.


    They shared the umbre, walking into the drizzle together.


    "This way, they won''t dare to make a show of you again," he said, addressing her earlier worry.


    Charlotte was puzzled, "But they''ll hate me, they''ll make things tough for me..."


    "They won''t," Liam said with conviction, his voice steadying Charlotte''s nerves. "As long as I''m here, they wouldn''t dare."

 Chapter 96: Dylans Thoughts

    Charlotte couldn''t quite grasp what Liam meant until she stepped onto the balcony that evening and saw the lights still burning bright over at the shrine.


    She found out then that Liam had made those people kneel all this time.


    "They''re gonna keep at it," Daniel said, appearing out of nowhere on the balcony, leaning on the railing and staring in the direction of the shrine.


    He muttered, "Mr. Parker has always hated how the Parker family sticks their noses where they don''t belong. Keh pushing him to get engaged to Chloe was thest straw. His patience with the Parkers was hanging by a thread, and then Pam had to go and mess up even more. She''s totally lost it."


    Charlotte was surprised to see him, "Why are you here?"


    "Had to workte, I''m here to give Mr. Parker a lift."


    The night was cool with a breeze fresh from the rain.


    Daniel turned and looked at Charlotte, his face a mix of emotions.


    "Charlotte," he finally said, "Mr. Parker''s done more than enough for you."


    He hoped Charlotte would appreciate what Liam was offering.


    "Both of you need to give a little to make it work."


    Charlotte shot him a surprised look, "So, you think I''m asking for too much?"


    "No..." Daniel trailed off, unable to articte his thoughts.


    Charlotte was all tangled up with Dn, but Liam was still going out of his way to protect her. Daniel couldn''t believe she wasn''t ying some kind of game.


    But ying too many games wears out the love.


    "Let Mr. Parker deal with the mess with Chloe, the Beaumonts, and the Parkers. Charlotte, you don''t have to lift a finger."


    Charlotte wasn''t so sure. The only reason Liam was stepping up now was that she had been pulling the strings behind the scenes.


    She didn''t trust Liam.


    Daniel wanted to say more, but suddenly there was a ruckus from outside, and a group of people barged in, looking like they meant business.


    "It''s the Beaumont family elders." After Liam had unceremoniously sent Chloe packing, not even Keh could intervene. It was a mess, and now the Beaumonts were looking for answers.


    "Liam, we know Chloe can be a handful, but she''s carrying a child now. A little spoiling shouldn''t be a big deal, right? She''s your fianc¨¦e. Aren''t you worried about her doing something rash that might harm the baby after you''ve been so harsh?"


    They came right at Liam with their blunt usations, causing Charlotte to shake her head in disbelief.


    They were only making Liam angrier.


    Sure enough, Liam snapped back with a sharp retort, "A bastard child and a slut. If they die, they die."


    It wasn''t like him to speak so crudely, and his words showed he was utterly disgusted with Chloe, the unborn child, and the whole Beaumont family.


    The Beaumonts, blind to the truth, were incensed by his harshness.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Liam didn''t care about their anger. He left the elders to curse in the courtyard and went back to his room.


    As they cursed and fumed, their eyes inadvertently caught Charlotte standing on the balcony.


    Suddenly, all the rage found its way out.


    "Charlotte! Now that Thomas has taken you in, you''re a Beaumont. Our family''s got rules, and we don''t like the whore!"


    Charlotte couldn''t help butugh, "Oh, so I''m a whore now?"


    "Yeah! Everyone knows what''s going on with you and Liam!"


    "And what exactly is going on with me and Liam?" Charlotte fired back.


    Maybe her strong stance was too much, someone a bit more level-headed stepped in.


    "Look, Charlotte, we''re all family. A woman''s gotta be faithful, especially when she''s with someone. Since you''re with Dn, you should stay true to him and not mess with anyone else."


    "Who am I messing with?" Charlotte asked with a grin, pushing further, "So basically, you want me to stay in line and not meddle in other people''s love lives, right?"


    They went quiet, which pretty much meant they agreed.


    Charlotte was amused, "I''m Dn''s girl. I''m here because of him. Liam''s got my back because I''m family, his brother''s girlfriend. He doesn''t like seeing his people get pushed around." Sheid it out so nobly that it shocked even Daniel, who was eavesdropping.


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    Charlotte added, "If there''s trouble between Liam and Chloe, that''s their business, not mine. So, keep me out of it."


    Then she spun on her heel and left.


    They were trying to guilt-trip her? Nonsense.


    Daniel followed her downstairs, and they bumped into Liam, who''d heard everything.


    "A family?" He was clearly peeved.


    He didn''t even care that Daniel was there and went straight for Charlotte with his questions.


    Charlotte responded coolly, "What else?"


    To be honest, they weren''t.


    "What''s wrong between Chloe and me?" Liam pressed.


    "It''s my fault," Charlotte admitted.


    Liam seemed to cool off a bit at that.


    "I''ve got no feelings for her," he said coldly, then red at Daniel, "You still here?"


    Daniel was taken aback, "... You''re kinda ying favorites, Mr. Parker. How about showing me some kindness?"


    But Liam was over it. He walked off first, clearing out the Beaumont crew from the yard.


    Charlotte was ready to crash but got woken up by a knock. It was Dn.


    "There''s trouble," he said, dead serious, handing her a tablet.


    Pictures of her and Vincent in ate-night meetup had hit the inte, painting their rtionship as shady and iming Dn was being cheated on. Charlotte wasn''t well-known, but Vincent and Dn were. The messy triangle was out, and it was dragging both the ckwoods and the Parkers through the mud.


    The person pulling the strings really wanted to pressure the Parker family to give Charlotte the boot and even more, to make Liam start hating her.


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    But really, what was the big deal with a couple of photos?


    Charlotte had a whole video that told the real story. No one was going to be able to trash her with that.


    And she had already shown Liam, so there was no way he was turned off by her because of this.


    The only thing that might suffer was her rep.


    "If the gossip keeps up like this, Keh will never let us be together. He''ll for sure kick you out," Dn was obviously freaking out.


    Charlotte looked totally unfazed, "Liam will sort it out."


    "You trust him that much?!" he said, shocked.


    "What''s my other option?" Charlotte threw it right back at him. "You''ve already gone behind my back. Why would I trust you over him?" "Charlotte."


    Dn tried again, "This baby''s not gonna cause you any trouble, might not even make it. Why hold a grudge against me for a baby that might not survive..."


    "I''m not holding a grudge, I just don''t trust you," she said, cutting to the chase.


    That shut Dn up for a second, with only his heavy breathing left to fill the room.


    Dn looked at Charlotte''s lips and forced a sad smile, "You let Liam off the hook for everything, but I messed up once, and you''re done trusting me." Charlotte felt that creepy feeling of things spiraling out of control again and just gave him a hard look, staying quiet.


    After a bit, Dn got a grip and asked in a low voice, "So what are you gonna do about all this?"


    "You don''t need to worry about it." Without another word, Charlotte closed the door behind her and went back to her room.


    Dn was left standing in the dimly lit hallway, his face lit up now and then, feeling rejected and loathed.


    But no worries, he told himself. Eventually, Charlotte would see that he''s the rock she can always lean on, the one who''s always there for her.

 Chapter 97: Lets just ride it out a bit longer

    Charlotte was too wired to sleep after being woken up by the noise, so she started scrolling through her phone, checking out what folks were saying online.


    People didn''t really know her and were treating the whole thing like some juicy piece of gossip from the rich and famous, just tuning in for the entertainment.


    Somebody found some old pics of Charlotte from back when she was moonlighting and people kind of admired her for her hustle and looks. Yeah, maybe it wasn''t cool to string along two rich guys, but if you''re going to mess up, might as well mess up with the well-off, right? The guys getting hurt were rich too, so no big deal.


    Since a lot of people are quick to hate the rich, they didn''t really go hard on Charlotte. They had their fun with the gossip and moved on.


    That sort of talk wasn''t really going to hurt anyone.


    After browsing for a while, Charlotte felt sleepy again and decided to go back to bed.


    When she woke up the next morning and checked her phone, it was bombarded with notifications. #CharlotteHungryForPower, #Charlotte Ditches Dad


    She clicked and found an interview with Robert.


    He was crying, saying that Charlotte had ditched him and her bother, once she got cozy with Thomas.


    When they tried to reach out to her, she just chewed them out and kicked them out.


    The backdrop of a rundown house, messy clothes, and barely any food painted a pretty convincing picture.


    Following that interview, #Charlotte Thomas Odd Couple# shot up the trending list.


    Some ''insider'' was dishing that Charlotte and Thomas were in a sketchy rtionship, basically saying Charlotte was flirting her way to the top.


    And to top it off, Sophia, who got canned for bullying at work, was now saying that Charlotte, who didn''t have much more than amunity college degree, managed to be Liam''s right-hand woman, hinting that there was something fishy about their rtionship.


    Suddenly, Charlotte was smack in the middle of a media storm, getting trashed by everyone.


    Whether the stories were true or not, they blew up online.


    People were bashing Charlotte, with her pictures edited to look like some viin, her number leaked, and getting bombarded with hate calls.


    Even the yard where she was staying, the Parker family''s ce, got outed, with paparazzi camping out.


    It seemed like everything was piling on to keep Charlotte down.


    No matter what she tried, flipping the script on the public''s bad vibes seemed impossible.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    She turned off her phone, finally getting a break from the poisonous calls, stood in front of the mirror, and let out a long breath.


    She was up against a knockout punch, and even though she had a video ready to clear up some stuff with Vincent, it wouldn''t fix everything.


    If she couldn''t clear it all up at once, the chatter would never stop-it''d just get louder, making her look even more suspect.


    "Charlotte." Downstairs, Dn was also reading the news, but seeing her poker face, he thought she was stressing, "I know some people in the media, I can ask them to pull the news..." "No need," Charlotte says, still keeping her cool.


    Dn''s puzzled, "You still waiting on Liam to sweep in and fix this? The rumors have been flying all night. What''s he done about it?"


    "He''s pulling ate one at work."


    "Workingte? Is he too busy to catch wind of this mess? Don''t forget, he''s in the middle of this too. You think Parker Group''s PR team is sitting on their hands?"


    Dn found it funny how naive Charlotte was, "He just doesn''t care, that''s all."


    Gossip could bug Charlotte, but Liam wasn''t bothered at all.


    Charlotte sat down at the breakfast table like she didn''t hear anything and started eating her breakfast super slowly.


    "Charlotte!" Dn was surprisingly more worked up than she was, "If we don''t sort out this mess, you''ll be tagged as a whore for life!"


    "I''m not."


    "Well, you gotta let people know that! If you do nothing, no one''s going to get your side!"


    "They will, eventually."


    Dn, always smiling, turned stone-cold serious. He couldn''t stand her not getting it, so he stopped trying to deal with Charlotte and began handling the rumors himself. Charlotte popped out her SIM card and browsed through the news while munching on her meal.


    The bacsh was serious. People could overlook her trying to snag a rich guy - that didn''t affect them. But messing with someone''s family and ''seducing'' a married man, not to mention ditching her dad and little bro - that''s where they drew the line.


    Some even said she should just die.


    But a few sensible folks wanted to hear her out, thinking she was just being thrown under the bus in some rich family drama.


    Charlotte got a bunch of "thinking of you" messages, mainly from old coworkers who couldn''t believe she''d do such a thing. They all wanted her to clear the air fast. Charlotte did nothing.


    Only after breakfast did she get a text from Henry, telling her to swing by the Parker Group because the PR folks had a press conference ready for her to set the record straight. Set the record straight?


    Would that even make a difference now?


    She was worried that the minute she cleared up her name, Chloe would pop up pregnant, sticking Charlotte with even more shame.


    Chloe was Liam''s girl. If she says something, it would just make any PR clean-up from the Parker Group look like a bad joke, and it would make Charlotte and Liam''s thing seem more legit. They had a ton of ways to keep Charlotte froming back from this PR nightmare.


    "Let''s just ride it out a bit longer," that''s what Charlotte told Henry.


    She didn''t want to show up to the press conference, so there really wasn''t a point in having one.


    The Parker Group kept mum.


    Dn had no clue what Charlotte was nning, and he didn''t clear the air either.


    Vincent and Thomas also kept quiet, just like Charlotte wanted.


    So, it was a weird mix, the media was going wild, but the people at the heart of it all were just keeping their mouths shut.


    It was like the whole scandal was just some silly kids'' game.


    Only Charlotte knew that this quiet was just the calm before the storm.

 Chapter 98: If I were the one pregnant, would you be happy?

    Twelve hours after the news exploded, Charlotte faced a sea of cameras and went to see Vincent.


    Vincent had already gotten some info on those phone numbers and would soon let Charlotte know what was up.


    After they finished talking, Vincent nced at the paparazzi outside and couldn''t help but joke, "Well, my dad would have lost it over this scandal." Charlotte knew he wasn''t seriously whining. She promised, "I''ll clear this mess up, just hang tight."


    "I get that, but are you really cool with just letting the rumors run wild? Watch your back, don''t let it get out of hand."


    "It''s under control. Liam''s got it covered."


    She had skipped out on a presser earlier, and even though Liam didn''t say much, she noticed her security detail had doubled.


    That was Liam''s way of telling her, "Do what you gotta do, I''ll deal with the fallout."


    Charlotte wasn''t sweating it.


    The first trashy pics that tried to make it look like she and Vincent were a thing probably came from Pam of the Parker n.


    The dirt on Robert and Sophia that came out after was likely Chloe stirring the pot.


    And the nasty rumors about her and Thomas? That had the Beaumont elders written all over it.


    Aren''t these messes something Liam should handle?


    After she left Vincent, Charlotte had Dne get her, and they hit up a bakery.


    "We''re being tailed. Us being seen together''s gonna hit the fast and we''ll get hammered again," Dn guessed what the crowd would say.


    Charlotte didn''t mind and went to see Thomas with Dn to say sorry for the day''s drama.


    Thomas, who had been through hell and back with his daughters, didn''t give a rat''s about the gossip.


    He was worried for Charlotte though, "People forget fast. If you don''t clear things up quickly, they''ll keep that bad picture of you in their heads forever. You need to set the record straight, fast." "I''m on it," she said, not worried one bit.


    She didn''t dodge meeting with Vincent, had Dne to pick her up from there, and then brought him along to see Thomas. She was even nning to go to the Parker Group with Dn. If she was really the wild child the leaks imed she was, these four wouldn''t be chilling together like this.


    But she knew she needed to do more to clear the air.


    Once she got to the Parker Group with Dn, Charlotte cut to the chase, "I want to know who put out that video."


    Liam swamped with work and looking beat, gave her a tired look.


    "You''ve probably got a hunch who did it," he said, not jumping to help right away.


    Pam had really screwed up, joining forces with outsiders to trap Charlotte.


    She probably hadn''t seen Chloe''s anticsing, which dragged the Parker''s younger son into the mess too.


    But at the end of the day, Pam was still a Parker, and having her schemes exposed was a bad look for the Parkers.


    Liam wasn''t keen on more Parker familyundry being aired in public.


    "I could just squash this whole media circus," he admitted, having the means to do so. He''d been holding off because it looked like Charlotte had her own game n.


    Charlotte knew what Liam was hinting at. If she kept on trying to drag Pam into their mess, Liam was going to lose it.


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    "She could be behind it, or maybe it''s someone else," Charlotte hinted, trusting that Liam would catch on.


    And just as she thought, Liam shot her a look that said he understood and waved Henry off to do whatever needed to be done. "Come here," Liam said, not caring one bit that Dn was right there, and took Charlotte aside into the break room.


    Liam was usually all about keeping work and private life separate, so Charlotte rarely stepped foot in his office break room.


    Thest time she was in here was when Liam flipped out after catching her with Vincent and practically dragged her in. The bed even had the same sheets from that time.


    "Mr. Parker is too busy to even change the sheets, huh?" Charlotte joked.


    Seeing the sheets brought back bad memories for Liam, and he looked away, trying to avoid them.


    "Why can''t I help out?" He grilled Charlotte.N?velDrama.Org content.


    "Aren''t you helping right now?" Charlotte said with a light tone.


    "You know I could put an end to all this media circus with a snap of my fingers, Charlotte. Don''t you trust me? What do you think I''m up to?"


    "I want the Beaumonts and Chloe to feel what they''ve put me through. I''ve been hassled all day, and they should get a taste of their own medicine."


    "You think I''d get in your way?" Liam found that ridiculous, "Why would I do that?"


    "It''s because of you and Chloe," Charlotte let out a weary sigh, "let''s not forget there''s a child in the picture."


    "Nope."


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! Liam shot back quickly, "That kid''s not mine, and he''s not going to be born."


    "But for now, he''s yours in everyone''s eyes, and if you step in, Chloe could use that to throw us both under the bus."


    "Charlotte," Liam exhaled heavily, the frustration clear on his face, "You just don''t trust me."


    "That''s the situation," Charlotte said, touching his face, trying to ease the tension, "Ever since you and Chloe got engaged, you and I have had to keep things under wraps." "Are you ming me?"


    Charlotte couldn''t really me him. He was the kind of guy who, if she even hinted at ming him, would kick her out without a second thought.


    "I me myself for not being born a Beaumont, for not being able to offer you the support and power to stand with you."


    Charlotte''s voice dropped, filled with a sad kind of eptance, "If I were the one pregnant, would you be happy?"


    Liam was thrown off by her sudden question. He hesitated for a moment.


    He looked at her belly, remembering the doctor saying she''d have a tough time getting pregnant, and his emotions got all tangled up.


    "If you were the one," he said quietly, in the hush of the room, "yes, I''d be happy."


    Charlotte''s eyes were full of what-ifs, but she didn''t say a word.


    To Liam, a child with her wouldn''t be a blessing, but just another problem.


    Even as Thomas''s adopted daughter, she wasn''t Liam''s equal.


    Charlotte knew all too well-if Liam wasn''t all in with her, he wouldn''t be all in with a child they had together either.


    "Don''t stop me."


    Charlotte wrapped her arms around him andid her hands on his strong back. "You can''t let me keep getting pushed around like this."

 Chapter 99: Well see who wins this.

    Liam went back to work aftering out of the break room, while Charlotte left with Dn.


    But ever since Dn entered the Parker Group building, he looked upset, and it only got worse after stepping out of the break room with Liam. "Why the long face?" Charlotte asked.


    To avoid Dn backstabbing her again, Charlotte decided to clear the air.


    "We made a deal. You help me get in with the Parker family, and I help you keep Liam in line. You did your part, I did mine. I don''t get why you''re constantly unhappy," she said.


    They found a coffee shop under the Parker Group building. Charlotte watched the paparazzi outside the window while talking casually with Dn.


    "What if I want more?" Dn said, his voice heavy.


    "More? What do you want?" Charlotte pressed.


    "I want you," Dn stated bluntly, which took Charlotte by surprise for a moment.


    She quickly realized it made sense.


    Charlotte had felt Dn''s concern for her was more than it should be, but she didn''t understand why.


    She and Dn were practically strangers.


    Even after she approached Dn about working together, he still wanted her to be with Liam.


    Because she doesn''te from a notable background, it means that Liam won''t have the support of his wife''s family, which is a big advantage for Dn in gaining power within the Parker family. Charlotte couldn''t fathom what had made Dn change his mind in just a couple of months.


    "What do you want from me?" she asked, thinking he had ulterior motives.


    "I don''t want you to do anything. I just want you," Dn said softly, his gaze intense. "Want me?" Did she understand him correctly? "You want me to be your woman?" Dn didn''t reply, but his eyes, filled with aggression and desire, said it all.


    "Drop that thought," Charlotte said coldly. "Our deal is over, Dn."


    She stood up to leave but stopped when Dn spoke again.


    "We''re the same, Charlotte. We''ve been through simr things, we''re doing simr things, and we''ll have a simr future. You belong with me; we''re the same kind."


    "The same kind?" Charlotte scoffed, "nonsense."


    "But you can''t deny it," Dn insisted. "We''re the perfect match. I was born into the Parker family, but I''m just like you. No elder''s protection, my younger brother took all the affection, and everything I want, I have to fight for. " "I''m after power, and you''re out for payback. So why not walk this path together?"


    Charlotte inhaled sharply, her gaze frosty as she locked eyes with him. "Because, Dn, you let Chloe get knocked up. That was a knife in my back. No way am I joining forces with someone who ys dirty like that. Keep to yourne, and we''re cool. Start messing around, and we''ll be at each other''s throats before you know it."


    Dn chuckled bitterly, "You''re always giving me the cold shoulder."


    Charlotte shot him a final, searing nce before she turned on her heel and left.


    Dn watched her determined, effortless stride, and it took him a while to snap out of it.


    From afar, she was simply beautiful.


    But once he got to know her, he saw her spirit was even more alluring than her looks.


    Charlotte was like him, yet she was more carefree and resilient.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    She was who he wanted to be but couldn''t.


    If he couldn''t be her, he wanted to have her.


    He craved not just a romantic tie with Charlotte, but her very soul, to stand by her side, to have her as his ally.


    His yearning for Charlotte was deeper and more sincere than Liam''s or anyone else''s.


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    It was Liam who had Henry anonymously reveal who released the video of Charlotte and Vincent.


    And it wasn''t Pam.


    It was Chloe.


    This was part of a deal he had with Charlotte.


    At the same time, the news broke that Charlotte was the adopted daughter of Thomas and his chosen heir.


    This, along with her being spotted with various men linked to rumors, quickly squashed the gossip about her.


    Online, people spected that Chloe was worried about Charlotte taking her inheritance, which is why she did what she did.


    Despite this, Charlotte''s reputation didn''t fully bounce back. People still thought that as an adopted child, she had no right to take away Chloe''s inheritance from the Beaumont family. Chloe, despite her actions, seemed forgivable to them. Dodging the paparazzi and stepping into her house, Charlotte was about to take off her shoes when she saw someone already sitting in the living room.


    "You''re home?" Chloe''s voice dripped with delight at another''s misfortune. "Enjoying your newfound fame? I bet you''re getting all sorts of greetings on the streets now, right?"


    They did greet her, though it was with disdain and spiteful words.


    Charlotte finished changing her shoes and walked over, looming over Chloe from behind the couch. "Looks like you''ll be sharing this fame with me."


    Chloe let out a loud, scornful snort. "You think the media fuss bothers me?"


    "It''s enough to put you in a bad mood, at least."


    Charlotte''s gaze pointedly dropped to Chloe''s t belly. "Stress can lead to all sorts of problems, even miscarriage."


    "You!" Chloe knew the child inside her was her lifeline, and she''d eliminate any threat to her unborn child in advance.


    She had onlye to relish Charlotte''s embarrassment, but after thatment, she realized her own vulnerability and hastily got up to leave.


    Charlotte didn''t try to stop her, just watched with a silent smile as Chloe went to the foyer, fumbling with her shoes.


    "Ah!" Chloe almost tripped over some carelessly strewn shoes, nearly falling face-first.


    She steadied herself against a piece of furniture, then rounded on Charlotte, using, "You did this on purpose! Leaving your shoes out!" Charlotte remained silent, her smile unwavering.


    It was only when Chloe waspletely out of sight that Charlotte''s smile finally began to fade.


    Charlotte couldn''t stand Chloe.


    She couldn''t wait any longer; if that kid Chloe was carrying turned out to be Liam''s, Charlotte would lose her shot at getting back at her.


    She hit up Thomas, and he wasted no time in getting a press conference going, where he got all choked up setting the record straight about him and Charlotte. #CharlotteAnnie#


    #Annie DrowningMystery#


    #ThomasThinksBeaumonts DidIt


    #CharlotteChloeFaceOff


    The story about Charlotte being adopted by Thomas to dig into her sister''s suspicious death blew up online.


    Along with that, the dirt on Robert''s gambling, abuse, and sexist attitude, and the tragic death of Maria.


    Her sister died in a drowning, and her mom was burned alive in the same ce.


    Everyone''s saying Charlotte''s out for revenge, and the way Chloe''s been harping on her just convinces people more that the Beaumonts had something to do with Annie''s death.


    Thomas''s presser didn''t just drag Charlotte out of the rumor mill; it sshed the Beaumont family''s scandals all over the headlines.


    "You''ve gone nuts!" Chloe stormed back in, fuming, ring at Charlotte like she was prey: "Spilling these beans, how''s it help you or Thomas? After what Thomas has done, he won''t see a dime from the Beaumonts! And without him, you''re on your own! Charlotte! You''re insane!"


    "I''m not insane."


    Charlotte just stared back, cool as a cucumber: "There''s twenty-five days left before we can test who the daddy of your baby is."


    "Give it twenty-five days, and we''ll see who wins this."

 Chapter 100: You have me already

    Ever since Liam popped the question to Chloe, Charlotte''s been swamped with trouble. It''s like she''s got no moves left. She''s tried everything: she messed up Chloe''s face, injured her neck, and even booted her from the Parker n.


    But then Chloe''s pregnancy turned the tables.


    Charlotte couldn''t just sit around and definitely couldn''t risk guessing whose blood ran through that baby''s veins.


    She had to make Chloe pay, and the clock was ticking.


    Right before dinner, Charlotte got a message. Liam''s aunt, or maybe it was his great-aunt, was throwing a little shindig and wanted her to swing by. Charlotte didn''t jump at the invite.


    After all, she''d just rocked the boat big time, pulling the Beaumonts into a murder mess without giving a second thought to poor Thomas.


    High society is usually all about keeping things hush-hush, but with Charlotte stirring the pot, who knows when she might set off another media frenzy? The societydies probably only tolerated her because Liam was in her corner, sniping at her in secret instead of out in the open.


    But then...


    "I''ll be there," Charlotte said, catching a quick sh of delight in the eyes of the servant delivering the news.


    She couldn''t help but smirk inwardly. Just yesterday, Liam made the Parkers kneel in the family shrine for her.


    Were these people that dumb, or did they have the guts to test Liam''s authority and patience?


    The party was set by theke the veryke where Annie had met her end. Inviting Charlotte there? Their ulterior motives couldn''t have been clearer. When Charlotte showed up all dolled up, there was nothing.


    No one around, just the biting cold. She waited in the dark, the chill set in, until reality hit her and she started back home.


    "Hmph, is that the best they can do?"


    "All hoity-toity, but still dying to be part of my Parker family as thedy of the manor!"


    "Auntie, isn''t this a bit much?"


    "Too much? Charlotte''s the one who crossed the line! If Liam hadn''t stepped in, she''d have dragged Pam through the mud too! Can you imagine? Poor Pam''s already on herst legs because of Charlotte''s antics! Heartless, that''s what she is. A night in the cold is the least she deserves!"


    Charlotte didn''t catch the hushed conversations hidden in the dark, but frankly, she didn''t give a damn.


    She had timed her return perfectly, only checking her phone once Liam was likely home.


    As soon as she powered it on, Liam''s call came through.


    "Where''ve you been?" There was worry in Liam''s voice. It wasn''t just any other day. Despite the tide of opinion turning her way, Charlotte was still the target of too many watchful eyes, each waiting to take their shot. Charlotte was silent for a bit before finally spilling her location.


    "You there for what?" he asked.


    "Got an invite to a party, but it was a no-show when I got there."


    "Charlotte," Liam sighed heavily, anger simmering in his voice, "You gotta know they were ying you..."


    "I do," Charlotte jumped in. "I wanted to make sure you knew it too."


    She shivered as she spoke, "No matter who I am, I always end up the punching bag, right?"


    Despite Liam always taking her side, despite her being right by his side.


    It wasn''t just about shaming her; it was about stepping on Liam''s pride too.


    Charlotte didn''ty it all out there, just sniffled a little and asked Liam toe get her.


    "Could really go for a hot teatte, it''s wicked cold."


    The phone was quiet except for Liam''s heavy sigh, and then, a reluctant "Alright."


    While waiting for Liam, Charlotte aimlessly kicked at some pebbles on the curb.


    Didn''t take but a hot minute for a few cars to zip by, one mming the brakes near her, tires screeching.


    "What the hell did you say to Liam?!" a voice yelled from a rolled-down window-somedy from the Parker family, probably.


    "Just told it like it is," Charlotte said, not missing a beat.


    "You''re nothing without Liam!" the woman screamed, totally losing it.


    "Riding coattails? Guess we''re all guilty, huh? Without the Parkers, you''re nothing," Charlotte tossed their own words back at them, then added, "Liam''s on his way."


    Sure enough, Liam''s headlights appeared down the road.


    The woman mped her mouth shut and peeled out, pissed as hell.


    Their cars passed each other, a brief pause, some heated exchange, and then they were off again, each in a different direction.


    When Liam pulled up, Charlotte couldn''t help but ask, "What''d you say to them?"


    "Just setting some boundaries," Liam grumbled, clearly not in the mood to talk about it, his eyes still on Charlotte.


    "So you''d rather freeze out here than give in?"


    Charlotte''sughter was light; she knew he''d totally bought into the whole ''giving in'' thing.


    But she needed more: "I''m all out of family."


    She brushed his cheek with her frosty hand, "And what if you stop caring about me too?"


    "You!" Liam knew she was ying him but couldn''t help falling for it every time.


    He couldn''t argue with that.


    Liam couldn''t offer Charlotte a title, or fairness, and now he couldn''t even give her the basic protection she deserved.


    Her hands were so cold that Liam, though awkward about it, took them in his and tried to warm them up.


    But Charlotte wasn''t satisfied with just this bit of warmth. She slid her hands up under his shirt, resting them on his warm belly. The touch of cold and warm made Liam shiver uncontrobly.


    Under the dim streetlights, Charlotte yfully moved her hands around on his stomach as she looked up at him.


    Men run hotter, so her hands warmed up quickly.


    "Stop it," Liam said with a husky voice, swallowing hard. "Let''s go back."


    "Why?" she asked.


    Charlotte gripped his muscr waist, feeling the strength and warmth of his muscles.


    Liam wasn''t one for wild behavior, even at the most passionate moments, he''d keep it together.


    "Can''t I touch you?" Charlotte teased with her thumb, feeling his tremble, and stood on tiptoes to touch her forehead to his. "Liam."


    She moved her hands up his back, pressing him closer with a little force.


    "Give me some strength to keep going."


    After a few seconds of silence, Liam hugged her back.


    It was like a promise, like a vow.


    "I won''t let you suffer anymore."


    On their way back, Charlotte and Liam didn''t speak, but their tightly sped hands spoke to their urgent connection.


    When they got to the house, the paparazzi that had been waiting outside were gone probably dealt with by Liam.


    He led her quickly upstairs and into the bedroom.


    Once the door closed behind them, Charlotte suddenly regretted it.


    "Our... situation..."


    "I''m not going to marry Chloe, and you''re not going to marry Dn," Liam said roughly, cutting her off as he kissed her. "Forget about status."


    Charlotte let him kiss her, but in a moment of breathlessness, she asked, "What about those women earlier?"


    "They won''t be in your way again."


    Liam was clearly restless; it had been too long since they''d been close, and on the few asions when they had been, Charlotte had abruptly stopped things. With so much youthful passion and his love right there, who could hold back?


    He wanted to blend Charlotte into his very being, but her concerns kepting, "What if I get pregnant?"


    She would never let an ident happen, not wanting a child to be born into such a mess.


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    But she was desperate to know what he''d say.


    Liam''s hands paused on her waist, then resumed as if nothing had happened, his voice even raspier, "We''d keep it."


    Keep it?


    Charlotte bitterlyughed to herself. If he really wanted a child, why did he pause? Why did he hesitate?


    "Would he be your only child?" she asked with a kiss on his neck, a tear rolling down with the motion.


    Her voice was a breath, "Would he carry the name Parker?"


    Would Liam im this child? Would the Parker family ept him?All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Yeah," Liam said, quick and sure, his hands not stopping as they worked her clothes off.


    Charlotte wiped away a tear, feeling silly for even asking that question.


    Can you really take a guy seriously when he''s all caught up in the moment?


    "I love you," she said, kissing him. "Never regretted it."


    The next morning, Liam didn''t want to get out of bed.


    Charlotte was stuck in his arms, no way out, so she just hung out there with him.


    "Hey,zy bones, don''t you have work?" she joked, poking at his abs to pass the time.


    He clicked his tongue in annoyance.


    She got a smack for calling him zy bones,'' and when she tried to smack him back, her wrist got caught. He pinned her down and they ended up kissing for what felt like forever. "Don''t call me that," he said after, a bit rough, biting her lip so she had to hum out a little ''ouch.''


    It was rare for them to have these quiet, close moments amidst their teasing, and then a servant had toe up and bug Liam.


    Liam heard the servant out, his face turning all kinds of unhappy.


    "They''re gonna see Chloe," he said, standing by the bed, towering over Charlotte.


    Charlotte just made a noise, acknowledging.


    Everyone thought Chloe''s baby was his. Liam had kicked Chloe out and made it clear he didn''t want anything to do with the baby.


    But the Parker family? They had different ideas - they wanted the baby.


    Liam thought Charlotte was upset about it. "What''s that ''hmm'' for? That baby''s not happening," he said like he''d said a million times before. Charlotte never bought it, not even once.


    She faced him, "Why are we even talking about this, Mr. Parker?"


    He didn''t expect her to call him out like that, and it threw him off for a second.


    Then he got mad. "It''s not like you''re thinking..."


    "You don''t want the kid," Charlotte said, all cool and matter-of-fact. "If you did, I wouldn''t stand in your way."


    "But you''d leave because of this child, Charlotte, you''re pushing me to give up."


    "I''m leaving because I want to leave. You don''t want the child because you don''t want it. Don''t confuse the two."


    The truth was, that Liam didn''t want a kid with Chloe because she had a bad rep, and he didn''t want a kid with her genes. What did that have to do with Charlotte?


    From the moment he agreed to engage Chloe, none of the sweet stuff that came after felt real.


    The whole cozy mood just vanished when that topic came up. Charlotte shrugged it off and started getting dressed, "I''m going too." Liam was quick to shut that down: "You don''t need to be involved."


    She knew he was just trying to get back at her. "Come on, I''m practically the kid''s aunt here. It''d be weird if I didn''t show up, right?" "Charlotte! Drop that title! Drop that role!" Liam suddenly snapped, his anger ring up.


    He was the one who screwed up first, which is why he''d been letting Charlotte and Dn''s partnership slide. But her constant nagging was pushing him to the edge. "I''ll give you whatever you want, just quit pushing my buttons," he said, irritated.


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    Silence fell.


    Liam looked like a lion in mid-roar frozen by a mute button, anger on his face but his eyes cooling down.


    "You have me already."


    His voice was heavy, and he grabbed his clothes and ducked into the bathroom, almost tripping over himself. Looked like he couldn''t get away fast enough.


    On any other day, Charlotte might''ve felt a little victory danceing on, but today, the weight in her chest wouldn''t let her.


    They got ready and headed downstairs together, and outside, the ce was lined with cars - the Parker family brigade, all set to visit Chloe.


    When they saw the two of theming out together, the looks they got were all over the map, and nobody seemed to know what to say.


    They might hate Charlotte, but Liam''s the boss - his word goes. So they just watched, some with jaws dropped, as Charlotte walked with confidence to Liam''s car, and he even held the door open for her. Some bitter voice hissed, "Gold digger," as eyes turned judgingly to the man nearby, "Dn, man up! Your pride''s on the line! How can you just watch her unt herself with Liam right in front of you?" Dn''s face was stormy, his eyes tracking Charlotte as she walked away. He ground out, "Don''t talk about her that way."


    "You''ve lost it, man! Both you and Liam are nuts, totally spellbound by that temptress!"


    "Is that so?" Dn looked down, his hands balled into fists, veins popping.


    "She''s charmed more than my eyes - she''s got my heart too."


    "And now, she''s got some exining to do to me."


    When the Parkers rocked up at the Beaumonts'' ce, they were all invited in for a cuppa.


    Despite Liam ripping into them just the other night, he was treated like royalty.


    With Chloe''s bun in the oven and Liam still ying the "Who''s the daddy?" game, the family had no choice but to butter him up, even though they were probably seething inside.


    "Just stay put," Liam told Charlotte before they split up.


    Charlotte scoped out the scene and casually agreed.


    Liam couldn''t hide his annoyance at her nonchnt vibe. "You know you''ve ruffled the Beaumonts'' feathers. They''re not gonna let that slide."


    "But you''re here, aren''t you?" Charlotte quipped with a smirk. "What can they possibly do to me?"


    Liam wanted to press her to watch her back, but her look of trust made him zip it.


    Charlotte bee-lined for Chloe''s room, hoping against hope to find Annie''s shell bracelet. She knew it was a long shot - if Chloe hadn''t trashed the bracelet, she definitely wouldn''t have brought it here.


    As she went upstairs, a maid tried to stop her.


    "You think you''re some kind ofdy just because you''re hanging around with a few rich guys? You''re nothing but trash from the slums!" The maid was red-faced and clearly embarrassed.


    She didn''t want to say these things, but Chloe had ordered her to be harsh with Charlotte.


    If she didn''t, she''d face a sry cut or even lose her job.


    Charlotte caught the maid''s embarrassed vibe and figured Chloe was behind the harsh wee.


    She didn''t want to make things harder for the maid and went past her, saying, "Just tell Chloe I insisted on going."


    Charlotte''s search in Chloe''s room. Not surprisingly, she found nothing.


    Just as she was about to bounce, she clocked two dudes at the doorway.


    "Miss Perry, you can''t just waltz into ourdy''s room. What if something goes missing? Who''s on the hook then?" one of the dudes said.


    Charlotte kept mum.


    "How ''bout this," he suggested, "we''ll do a quick check. If all''s good, cool. But if stuff''s missing... well, Miss Perry, you''re gonna owe an apology." He gave a nod, and the maid who had been tailing him started to shuffle forward, avoiding Charlotte''s gaze.


    It was the same maid who''d slung mud at her earlier.


    In no time, the maid showed up with an empty box, hollering, "The emerald ne has vanished! That thing''s a family heirloom and worth a fortune!"


    The others piled on, bigging up the ne''s worthwhile Charlotte pinched the bridge of her nose, tired of their y-acting.


    It was clear they were trying to pin the me on her, make her the scapegoat. Did they really have to go to all this trouble?

 Chapter 101: The kid wont be born.

    So, Chloe was making a big fuss, saying the jewelry that got nicked was some super rare, super fancy emerald set from her granny.


    When she first got engaged, she showed up wearing it and totally eclipsed by Charlotte.


    Now, she was all about getting her pride back in full swing.


    This was her home turf, the Beaumonts'' ce, where she''d set the perfect trap.


    No cameras around, just servants who did whatever she told them.


    Charlotte wouldn''t be able to talk her way out of this one.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Strutting up to the room with the crowd in tow, Chloe rubbed her belly and threw a smug look that just made Charlotte want to roll her eyes.


    She knew exactly what Chloe was up to - pretty much certain Charlotte couldn''t deny the whole theft thing and would have to just suck it up. But why should Charlotte even deny?


    Peering through the sea of people, Charlotte''s gazended on Liam at the center of it all.


    Everybody was ready to see her fall t on her face, but Charlotte had faith that Liam wouldn''t let that happen.


    He hadn''t stood up for her enough times already, and he owed her big time.


    If he couldn''t have her back now, it''d be aplete joke.


    Right on cue, you could tell Liam was getting annoyed the moment he met Charlotte''s eyes.


    He was sick to death of Chloe''s pathetic games.


    "Does she need to nick someone else''s bling to feel good about herself?" Liam finally piped up, throwing Chloe for a loop.


    "What are you getting at, Liam?"


    "I''m saying she doesn''t need to steal a thing," he dered.


    Liam walked up and stood in front of Charlotte, facing down all the hate for her.


    "All this stuff," he said, "she wants any of it, doesn''t matter how much it costs, I''ve got it covered."


    "Liam!"


    Chloe''s face went red-hot with anger. Liam had just thrown her under the bus in front of everyone, admitting to something with Charlotte!


    And let''s not forget, Charlotte was supposed to be with Dn, like practically Liam''s sister-inw!


    Chloe lost it. "Do you even know what you''re doing?"


    "I could ask you the same," Liam shot back, his gaze icy. "Chloe, aren''t you tired of this drama?"


    He was done with her, didn''t want anything to do with her anymore. "I''m not owning up to that kid, and I won''t let it be born. If the Beaumonts want to save face, say you lost it in a fall. If not, let the whole world know I''m disowning it." Chloe was a mess, tears streaming down. "It''s your baby! Your own kid! How can you be so cruel?"


    Liam just stared back, unfazed.


    Everyone from the Parker and Beaumont families was there, totally freaked out, some trying to y peacemaker.


    Propped up by someone, Chloe kept on screaming, "Keh''s still in the hospital. I saw him yesterday, and he can''t wait to meet the baby. Liam, for Keh''s sake, are you really going to ignore him for her?"


    "I don''t want to meet the baby."


    Liam looked cool as ice: "So the kid won''t be born."


    He wasn''t about to let anyone boss him around, and right there and then, he seemed ready to have Chloe carted off.


    "You can''t treat me like this!"


    Chloe definitely wasn''t having it, and everyone was scrambling to stop Liam from making her get an abortion immediately.


    With Liam''s crazy actions, Charlotte, the supposed main suspect, suddenly wasn''t the center of attention.


    When everyone left, she just casually checked out the bodyguard and maid who had hassled her.


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    They got scared, thinking she''d want payback when she looked at them.


    "Being someone''s pawnes with its risks," Charlotte mused. She''d had her fair share of rough times while working odd jobs back in the day, so she wasn''t about to give these two a hard time now. She roamed the Beaumont estate freely now.


    Finding the bracelet here seemed unlikely, and it was a bit disappointing.


    The situation was getting hairy, and any little mistake could ruin everything she''d worked for.


    She needed to move quickly...


    Walking into the back garden, she saw a scar-faced man smoking by a wall, a view she only caught because of where she entered.


    "Don''t worry, Charlotte''s no match for me. I''ll have her with you by tomorrow," he said into his phone.


    Charlotte caught on and figured out who this guy must be.


    He promised to catch her, then she called a random number from those she memorized from Chloe''s phone.


    His phone rang, and he looked confused.


    Thankfully, he picked up.


    "Who''s this?"


    "I''m Charlotte."


    Her words made the man stand up in shock, "Charlotte?!"


    "Yep, it''s me." Charlotte walked up, hung up the call, and said hello as if it was no big deal.


    "How''d you get my number?!" He wanted to know, but he also looked ready to grab her.


    Charlotte caught his drift: "Liam''s guys are right behind me, five meters away. You know better than to mess with me here; it won''t end well for you."


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    "What do you mean?" He knew she was right and stared at her, wary.


    Charlotte didn''t beat around the bush. "I need something, something that''ll put Chloe in her ce. You must have plenty of that kind of dirt on her, right?"


    Working for someone as ruthless as Chloe and not having some leverage would be just in dumb.


    The guy didn''t answer, but Charlotte wasn''t bothered. "I''ll pay you well for it. Give me the proof that Chloe hurt Annie and Maria, then take the money and run. No one will be able to find you."


    "I could leave right now and no one would find me!"


    "That''s not a sure thing. I''ve already told Thomas and Vincent about you. They know what you look like and who you are. With those two on guard, you might not make it out."


    Charlotte stepped closer, persuading him softly: "Agree to the deal now and you can take the money and run. If you wait even a day longer, it might not be an option."


    "Why don''t you just have me grabbed then? Wouldn''t having me be better than some so-called proof?" The man challenged again.


    Charlotte patiently exined: "If I grab you, Chloe will do everything to get you out or just silence you for good. If you end up dead, what good does that do me? Plus, if you''re caught, you probably won''t hand over the evidence." The man thought it over.


    Charlotte had a point.


    She knew the truth now, and with Liam backing her, if she really went after it, the guy stuck in the middle wouldn''t end well.


    Liam could demand his life, and Chloe could too!


    Leaving was the smartest move.


    "How much will you pay me?"


    As soon as he asked that, Charlotte knew she had him.


    But what they didn''t know was that someone was watching their entire exchange.

 Chapter 102: Theres no future left.

    Charlotte got the cash for the deal from Thomas and Vincent. It was a serious chunk of change, and the guy they paid off was pretty happy, so he gave them some really good dirt on Chloe.N?velDrama.Org content.


    "We''ve been covering our tracks since the whole Annie drowning thing, got it all on tape. We didn''t touch the house fire since that was all set up beforehand, but we did buy the stuff that lit the ce up. We''ve got receipts and all, solid enough to pin it on Chloe."


    Charlotte looked over that stuff for ages.


    Watching Annie on her phone, struggling in theke, she figured out why that bracelet was never found.


    Her Annie, she''d walked right into a trap for that thing, held onto it so tight, even when she was dying.


    "Chloe." After she''d seen all the evidence, Charlotte took a deep breath, shut her eyes, and just let the tears fall. "Chloe!"


    She was hell-bent on making Chloe pay big time.


    She sent the stuff to Thomas and Vincent, and it crushed them, like reliving losing family all over again.


    But they were also kinda pumped, ''cause it meant they could finally nail the one who started all this.


    "Charlotte, get yourself back here. We gotta talk about what we''re gonna do next!"


    But then Vincent got all worried, "Liam''s not gonna try and block us like before, is he?"


    Maria got burned alive, and Liam knew Chloe did it but still went along with his granddad''s sick lie. Ended up engaged to Chloe and even had a kid with her.


    Charlotte was worried about the same thing.


    Riding back, Liam looked like he''d seen a ghost. She knew without asking it was ''cause of the mess with Chloe and the families.


    Charlotte just stared out the window, silent.


    Liam thought she was still mad, held her hand, and said with a sad tone, "I meant what I said."


    Charlotte wasn''t buying it.


    She yanked her hand away and asked him, while he looked all confused, "If I dig up proof Chloe hurt Annie and Maria, you gonna try and stop me from getting back at her?"


    It was more about justice than revenge.


    Liam scrunched up his face: "You..."


    "Just tell me, will you stop me?" Charlotte was dead serious.


    Liam spoke up, heavy-like: "Leave it to me, it''s not your problem."


    "No, Liam." Charlotte''s eyes were full of sorrow. "I don''t need your help. I need you to stay out of it."


    If he stayed out of it, she, Thomas, and Vincent could handle Chloe.


    But if Liam stepped in, it''d all get messy.


    "Just don''t get in my way, that''s all I ask."


    Liam didn''t know what to say.


    "You still hold that engagement against me..."


    "Forget the past. Just promise me you won''t interfere."


    Charlotte touched his face; Liam looked down, his face all hurt and stubborn, a side of him she didn''t usually see.


    "I really hope we can make it work this time," she said earnestly, studying his face closely. "We''ve made enough mistakes, let''s not repeat them, okay?"


    Did he even have a choice but to agree?


    Charlotte felt a wave of relief wash over her once Liam agreed.


    "Keep your word, Liam. Betray this deal, and we''re through, no second chances."


    In a matter of three hours, Charlotte and Thomas had their n down to a T.


    How to expose everything, how to shut the Beaumont family up, how to make Chloe confess and not be able to turn things around.


    Risking it all, again and again, Charlotte''s hard work was about to pay off.


    "Now we follow through with the n," Charlotte said, feeling exhausted like never before.


    Shey back on the floor, staring up at the white ceiling, and whispered to herself, "No one''s going to get in our way."


    She had done right by Annie and Maria.


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    Atst, she could live for herself.


    Charlotte closed her eyes, ovee by fatigue.


    "I''m gonna take a nap. It''s in your hands now, Uncle, Vincent"


    "Rest easy. When you wake up, everything will be just as it should be," Vincent reassured her gently.


    Charlotte fell asleep with a contented smile that didn''t fade, even in her sleep.


    Thomas and Vincent were jittery with excitement as they delegated the tasks.


    The n was unfolding smoothly until, moments after they sent out the evidence against Chloe, it disappeared without a trace.


    "What the heck?!" Thomas was in shock. "Our n was foolproof. We were subtle with the news drop. It shouldn''t have caught anyone''s attention yet. Who''s messing with us?" Vincent had his people on it. When he heard that name, his face turned crimson with rage, the nameing out through gritted teeth.


    "Liam Paker!"


    It was Liam, again!


    Charlotte was pulled from her sleep still smiling faintly.


    "Is it done? That was fast."


    But her smile quickly faded when she saw Thomas and Vincent''s stormy expressions.


    "What''s wrong?" Charlotte''s hands balled up tight.


    "Liam," Vincent spat, eyes zing with anger. "Liam''s goons stopped our messages. He''s keeping the truth buried. He''s protecting Chloe!" When Charlotte heard Liam''s name, her heart sank like a stone.


    She closed her eyes, a pained frown creasing her forehead.


    Liam had promised her.


    He said he wouldn''t stand in her way!


    So what was he doing now?


    ying her for a fool?


    Or maybe he was still hung up on his childhood sweetheart, Chloe, and wanted to keep her safe, no matter what she''d done?


    It made sense.


    After all, Chloe was carrying his child.


    Charlotte realized how naive she had been-too naive!


    She''d fallen for Liam''s lies once again!


    "I''ll handle this."


    Charlotte grabbed her phone and stumbled out the door.


    The moment of truth was here, and she wasn''t going to let anyone stop her.


    When the call connected, neither Charlotte nor Liam spoke.


    All they could hear was each other''s breath, growing more and more ragged with each passing second.


    Finally, Liam''s voice came through, rough with emotion.


    "Charlotte."


    "Just wait."


    "Please, just wait for me."


    "I haven''t broken our deal."


    "We can have a future."


    "There''s no future left." Charlotte''s voice was hollow with resignation, "Not even a full day has passed, Liam, and you''re already betraying me."


    "I have my reasons," Liam''s voice was deep and somber.


    Charlotte gave a bitterugh: "What reasons? It seems to hurt me is just the best way to serve your interests."

 Chapter 103: I Wish I Never Fell for You

    "I really thought Keh was just faking sick to force me and Chloe to get engaged, but now, he..."


    Liam sounded so tired and sad.


    "Charlotte, Keh is really bad off, medicine''s no use."


    "He really just wants to see my kid."


    "After Chloe has the baby, I''ll make things right with you, alright?"


    Then there was just silence.


    On the other end of the call, Charlotte just stood there on the sidewalk, the cold wind cutting through her.


    All these bad choices, and it''s always her life on the line.


    And Liam''s asking her to wait again.


    "I get how much you care about your granddad, and you''re always doing the right thing."


    Charlotte''s words came out empty and lifeless.


    "You do what you gotta do. I won''t stop you."


    "Charlotte..."


    She just hung up.


    She was done with Liam''s coldness.


    It was always her taking the hits, might as well get used to it.


    Back home, Thomas and Vincent looked pissed.


    "What''s Liam''s take?"


    "Just let it out," Charlotte said, acting unfazed, "while I can still make him think twice."


    "Charlotte..." Vincent was worried, "Maybe wait a bit longer?"


    He wanted to clear his brother''s name, but Liam was putting up walls. They could go all out and still might not get the truth out.


    "I''m done waiting."


    She''d given it her all and kept hitting walls.


    Was she not trying hard enough?


    Maybe.


    But she was determined to see some results today.


    She was about to leave when her phone buzzed. It was Dn.


    "Charlotte, you gonna blow the whistle on Chloe?"


    "That''s the n," Charlotte said with a seemingly light tone, but it was anything but light.


    She was speaking from a ce of total despair.


    Dn sounded more worried: "Charlotte, hold off on doing that for now, please... for me."


    "Who''s really the father of Chloe''s baby?" Charlotte blurted out.


    Something had always bugged her. That night, Liam said he was innocent, but Chloe insisted they''d been together.


    Knowing Liam, after being drugged, he''d be furious, not jump into bed with the person who caused it.


    Liam didn''t have a scratch on him, but Chloe? She was a mess of marks.


    So, who was with Chloe?


    Who was the real father?


    And Dn, why the heck didn''t he give Chloe the n B pill?


    After what felt like an eternity, Dn''s voice cracked, "The kid''s mine."


    "Wow."


    Charlotte couldn''t help but smirk at the irony.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Keh''s holding on for dear life, Liam''s bending over backward for this baby, and Chloe''s walking around like she''s won the lottery.


    But the punchline? It''s Dn''s baby.


    "Please, don''t tell Liam."


    She promised she wouldn''t.


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    If the truth came out now, it''d probably send Keh to his grave.


    Not that she owed him any kindness - the man barely tolerated her.


    But why give Liam the easy way out?


    No, let him fall head over heels for a child that''s not his. That revtion would cut deeperter on.


    "So they all get what they want," Charlotte mused.


    But what about her?


    What''s her prize?


    Betrayal, pure and simple.


    Everyone''s in Chloe''s corner.


    She stopped listening to Dn''s excuses and looked at Thomas and Vincent.


    They were so close to getting even, and now this. They looked like they''d been through the wringer, and it hit Charlotte hard.


    I''m going public," she dered, her voice steady but her words merciless.


    "I''m ready to face the consequences."


    "Charlotte!" Thomas was on edge. "We still have a chance!"


    "I''m out of chances," she said, resignation in her voice.


    She needed to see results, to feel that her efforts weren''t in vain.


    "This is myst stand."


    Thomas tried to protest, but Vincent stopped him with a shake of his head.


    "Uncle, let her be. If she doesn''t do this, she''ll never find peace."


    Vincent reassured her, "I''ll look out for you." He handed her the banner he had prepared, a silent show of support.


    Chloe''s recent mudslinging against Charlotte hadn''t quite settled down, and Charlotte had stepped into the spotlight at just the right time to make a big impact. She had thrown caution to the wind, dead set on getting what she deserved. "Charlotte," Vincent had said, his eyes brimming with tears as he had taken in the sight of her stubborn resolve. It hadn''t been long ago that she was a girl who second-guessed every move, but now, she was like a superhero, impervious to the world''s slings and arrows.


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    He admired her for her transformation but also felt for the tough journey she had had.


    "When this is all over, I''ll whisk you away to an ind. A ce where you can take time to heal," he had promised.


    Charlotte had offered a strained smile in return. "Okay."


    She had taken up the banner and stepped forward, without looking back, ready to face the storm she had stirred up.


    But her journey was cut short when Liam had stepped in her way.


    "I asked you to wait for me."


    Beneath Liam''sposed surface, anger had simmered. "Charlotte, do you really have to tear her down? Do you want to leave Keh restless in his final days?"


    "What do I care?" Charlotte had retorted,ughter hiding her pain. "Liam, we''re talking about two lives. Chloe took my sister and my mother from me! And you expect me to wait? Wait for what? For her toe after me next?" "That''s never going to happen!"


    "Sure, you say that now. But all you do is ask me to hold back, to wait. Until when? Until I''m no longer a threat?"


    Charlotte''s tears had broken free. "I''m fighting for justice for my sister and mother, while you''re just worried about your grandfather. I understand your reasons, Liam. But you need to understand mine. We''re each fighting our own battles." "You''re out of your league!" Liam had shouted.


    "Then try and stop me!" Charlotte had challenged.


    "Charlotte!"


    "Liam, you''ve let me down. Not just once."


    Charlotte had wiped away her tears and managed to smile. "We have no future, and you''ve lost any right to tell me what to do."


    She had held the banner tighter. "I want Chloe to pay, and I''ll stop at nothing."


    "You could try stopping me," Charlotte had whispered, her voice heavy with resolve. "But I''m willing toy down my life."


    "Charlotte!" Liam was caught between bitterness and anger. "Keh just wants to see his grandchild born. I''m in control here. I know you''re hurting, and I promise, if it won''t affect the baby, you can handle Chloe your way, alright?" "No."


    At that moment, Charlotte had felt like all her steadfastness had been a farce.


    Looking at Liam, she had admitted, "I regret it, Liam. I wish I never fell for you."

 Chapter 104: Charlottes Gone

    Charlotte just couldn''t bear to be near Liam for another second. She snapped at the driver to stop the car because she needed to get out, right then and there.


    "Charlotte," Liam said, soundingpletely worn out, "You''re all over the ce. Let''s just head to the spa resort and rx. We can talk it out when you''re feeling better, cool?" He was trying to be as soft and understanding as he could, which for Liam, meant a lot.


    But it wasn''t even close to enough.


    His few kind words didn''t erase the memories of being ditched and double-crossed time and time again.


    Charlotte was dead set on leaving the car.


    While they were arguing, the driver suddenly let out a horrifying shout from upfront.


    "Mr. Parker!"


    A sh, a deafening noise, and the next thing she knew, they had mmed right into an oing truck!


    The impact sent the car tumbling through the air before it smashed into the ground, all crumpled up.


    "Charlotte!" Liam''s voice was frantic now. Charlotte tried to shake off the dizziness.


    Her hand came away from her head covered in blood.


    She looked at her hand, feelingpletely out of it. What had just happened?


    Right. A crash.


    With a massive truck, of all things.


    Her eyes slowly moved to the truck, its smashed front, the burning tank, and the driver who was lying there.


    And then it hit her...


    She recognized the guy lying there, motionless.


    He was the same one she had dealt with in the Beaumonts'' garden.


    This wreck, had Chloe written all over it.


    Charlotte was shaking with anger and a hint of mockery.


    "Liam." She finally turned to look at Liam beside her.


    The car was a wreck, the inside squished so tight you could hardly breathe.


    Liam looked like a mess, trapped between the door and the seat.


    But Charlotte didn''t see any obvious wounds on him.


    She couldn''t help but taunt him, "You said Chloe couldn''t touch me. Well, look at this mess, Mr. Parker. What do you think now?"


    If she wasn''t in Liam''s car, with all its fancy safety features, she would''ve been a goner for sure, either crushed or flung out to die on the spot.


    Liam had gone white as a sheet. Charlotte figured the crash had scared the daylights out of him.


    "How can you be so sure..."


    "How can I be sure it''s Chloe behind this? That truck driver on the ground - he''s one of Chloe''s shady guys. Funny thing, he just cut a deal with me yesterday, took our cash, and handed over dirt on Chloe. You''re no fool, Mr. Parker. You know what him being here means."


    Chloe stumbled on the details of that deal and was looking to hit two targets with one shot - take him out and Charlotte too.


    Boom! A big rig''s fuel tank just blew up, and the st made Charlotte''s ride roll over again.


    They weren''t lucky this time. Charlotte''s leg got stuck, and she hit her head so hard she saw stars.


    Once the world stopped spinning, all she saw was this blinding red.


    She felt something warm dripping down and looked up to see Liam, looking all kinds of hurt.


    "You..." Charlotte was totally lost.


    She couldn''t figure out why Liam, who''d ditched her so coldly before, was now taking a hit for her when they were in the thick of it. Blood was dropping on her face, and it took her a few seconds to snap out of it and try to stop the bleeding from Liam''s shoulder. "Liam," she said, her voice all shaky, "Liam, talk to me, you okay?"


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    "Liam!"


    "Hey... cough... you good?" Liam finally opened his eyes after she kept calling him. He was super pale, losing a lot of blood.


    "I''m fine, I''m fine. Hush now, I''ll get you out," he said.


    Charlotte tried to break free, but the car was a wreck. The frame was all twisted, the seatbelt was stuck, and there was a fire right above it.


    If the seatbelt gave way or the buckle slipped, the frame would snap back and the fire could reach the gas tank.


    Right then, Charlotte''s heart dropped.


    She looked for a way out, but they were out in the sticks, and Liam hadn''t brought anyone along. They were on their own.


    Charlotte had called for help, but she knew it wouldn''te right away.


    She nced at the truck again and her heart raced.


    It looked like it was going to blow up again.


    If that happened, the st and the sparks would definitely hit them, and their car''s tank would be next.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Charlotte." Liam''s weak voice pulled her back.


    "I''m here, what is it?" she said, snapping back to the moment.


    Liam''s blood was still flowing, his face ghostly white, barely audible.


    "Does it hurt?"


    Charlotte stopped short, looking down at her leg.


    No pain, just stuck.


    In that split second, Charlotte''s mind raced.


    She thought about all the times she and Liam had been through, how he had always had her back, and everypromise he''d made for her.


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    She remembered how Liam always let down his guard with her and showed her his happiest smiles.


    She thought of Annie fighting for her life in theke, of Maria burning but saying she wasn''t in pain.


    She knew she needed to get out, to live, to get back at those who hurt Annie and Maria.


    But there was Liam, right in front of her, bleeding out, a piece of metal sticking out of his shoulder.


    She was totally fine, not a scratch on her.


    Liam, who had been quiet, suddenly forced his eyes open again, struggling to speak. "Charlotte, you hurt?"


    "No," she choked out, tears streaming down unchecked.


    She tried to steady her breathing and spat out, "Liam, I hate you."


    "Knowing you have been the biggest regret of my life, the worst decision ever."


    Liam looked stunned, barely managing to open his eyes and mumble an apology to Charlotte.


    She ignored him, her eyes fixed on the truck instead.


    It was gonna blow any second.


    "The buckle''s all tangled up. We gotta cut one to avoid the frame snapping back, looks like only one of us is making it out of this."


    Facing death, Charlotte weirdly felt calm.


    "Liam, I hate you."


    "But I can''t stand to watch you die."


    If Liam was gone, she''d have nobody left, nobody to grieve with over the three people she loved the most.


    Tears tasted salty as they slipped into her mouth, Charlotte grabbed a shard of twisted metal, sliced through Liam''s seatbelt with everything she had, and shoved him out as hard as she could.


    No time for goodbyes, no time to look into Liam''s eyes, no time to check if he was safe.


    The fuel tank blew, the car was ripped apart by the st, flung up into the air, crashed against the road barrier, and then tumbled down the cliff into the ocean.


    Charlotte''s life ended in water, in fire, and in the love she felt for Liam.

 Chapter 105: Regret

    It took a whole 18 hours before the news of Charlotte''s death finally hit Thomas.


    It was a tiny footnote under the massive headline screaming ''Liam Injured in Car Crash, Unconscious''.


    Just a single line that read: ''Woman dies as car falls into sea after the explosion, rescue in progress''.


    At first, Thomas had no clue who this ''woman'' was. He just couldn''t get his head around how Liam''s car could crash despite his top-notch security.


    really set in when Vincent came running in, panting, and dropped the bomb: Charlotte was dead.


    Dead?


    How in the world could Charlotte be dead?


    They showed up at the hospital, which was on lockdown as the doctors fought to save Liam.


    The Parkers were there, but mum''s the word from them.


    In the end, it was Daniel who pulled them aside.


    "About Charlotte... We can''t talk about it until we know Liam''s out of the woods," he said.


    Daniel never saw thising, and couldn''t even start to think about what if Liam didn''t pull through.


    What scared him most was imagining Liam waking up to the news about Charlotte.


    "I need to know what happened," Thomas insisted. His hair had turned white overnight from the stress of it all - he''d lost his own daughter, his beloved adopted daughter Annie, and now Charlotte too.


    He looked like he''d aged years in just a day: "Charlotte can''t just die and nobody knows why."


    The whole Parker n was a mess after Liam''s ident. With Keh seriously sick, it was like nobody dared to even speak about it.


    Back in the day, Keh was the one expanding territories, and Liam kept everything safe.


    But now the rest of the Parkers seemed pretty useless, none stepping up to fill Liam''s shoes.


    That''s when Dn stepped up, surprisingly handling the situation well, and stabilizing the shaking grounds.


    The first thorough investigation of the ident site was carried out with Dn''s approval.


    Dn was all over it and made sure he was the first to see any findings before passing them on to Vincent and Thomas.


    Turns out the truck driver was dead tired, took a turn badly, couldn''t see right, and smashed into Liam''s car.


    The car flipped, got hit by the explosion from the truck, and then a second st sent it off a cliff.


    "The only camera around caught Liam being kicked out of the car just two minutes before the second explosion. He was already hurt, bleeding out, and couldn''t do anything. All he could do was watch as the car got hit again and went over the edge. He got messed up badly because he was too close."


    Dn was holding the report, his hand shaking a bit like he was trying to hide just how much this was hitting him.


    "This is the straight dope," Dn said. "Charlotte traded her life for his. When push came to shove, she chose to save Liam."N?velDrama.Org content.


    "I don''t wanna hear this!" Thomas was beyond upset, realizing Charlotte was thinking of Liam, that jerk, even when she was dying. "I want the truck driver''s name! I want the real story behind the crash!"


    "I told you, the driver was tired..."


    "Do you buy that?!" Thomas was furious, grabbing Dn by the cor and yelling, "You believe that excuse, Dn?!"


    Thomas was out of his mind with anger. "Charlotte was your girl, even if just for a show, and you just let her go without a clue as to why?!"


    "That''s what the report says!" Dn snapped back.


    "That''s total bullshit! You''re full of it!" Thomas yelled, but his shouting didn''t change a thing.


    The Parkers had everything on lockdown, the crash details were sealed tight, and they weren''t letting anyone else get a word in.


    It took a whole month and a half before Liam finally came to from hisa.


    He looked terrible like he''d been through the wringer. Vincent had dropped by once, hoping to grill him about what exactly happened on the day of the crash.


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    But Liam... he was just lying there, lifeless, like a puppet with its strings cut. His eyes were dead, his body was all sharp angles and bones, and he seemed to have lost all his spirit. He was like a living corpse.


    "You know Charlotte''s dead. You know how she died, who she died for. You''re in debt to her now, Liam, and she''s gone for good."


    Vincent left those words with Liam and never showed his face again.


    He had his own ckwood family burdens to deal with.


    After getting Thomas to a mountain retreat to clear his head, Vincent was off to conquer new markets for the ckwood.


    In the meantime, the city was thrown into its biggest chaos in nearly ten years. Liam woke up from the ident a shell of his former self, wouldn''t eat, wouldn''t listen, justid in bed all day long. What should''ve been a six-month recovery took a year.


    In that year, Chloe had a baby boy.


    And Dn? He didn''t waste any time while Liam was out of the picture, and started showing what he was made of, grabbing power.


    By the time Liam got his act together, Dn had already started cutting into his territory. Only the headquarters held by Daniel stood firm, keeping Dn at bay.


    That''s when the city saw its biggest shake-up in a decade.


    Liam and Dn, brothers turned rivals, fighting for the throne.


    And what do you know, the Beaumonts flipped the script this time, backing Dn instead of Liam.


    Liam was getting hit from all sides, struggling to fight back.


    The whole city was dragged into their personal war, bing casualties in a fight that had no end in sight.


    And that wasn''t the only big news rocking the city at the time.


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    He was hanging on by a thread, fighting a losing battle with his illness for a year, just to see his favorite grandson bounce back.


    Before he took hisst breath, Keh had a final wish.


    He wanted Liam to tie the knot with Chloe and have the kid acknowledge his roots.


    Liam wasn''t having any of it.


    Three days after Keh bit the dust with that wish still hanging, Liam walked away from the Parkers, rolling up his sleeves for a showdown with Dn and the whole bunch.


    His anger, his frustration, and his wild side - he let it all out on the Parker family.


    He''d wished Chloe out of the picture more times than he could count.


    But even Liam, with his tough exterior, couldn''t be harsh to a kid.


    So, Chloe survived, riding on the coattails of her son, and she did more than just survive, she thrived.


    Fast-forward three years, the chaos had calmed down. Dn, with the full weight of the Parker family behind him, still couldn''t hold a candle to Liam when he was on a rampage, and he had to bow out. Liam might not have acknowledged the kid, but now and then, he''d drop by to check on him.


    He figured life would keep on cruising along like this.


    That was until he caught wind that Vincent was back.


    It had been ages, and Liam had nearly wiped Vincent from his memory.


    But the things Vincent said? They were etched in his mind.


    He knew the score about Charlotte, who she bit the dust for, and who had her blood on their hands.


    Liam decided it was high time to pay Vincent a visit.

 Chapter 106: All for Nothing

    "Mr. ckwood, you''ve got a visitor from the Parker Group-Liam''s here."


    The secretary barely got through the door before a rogue ball bounced against her leg.


    Hot on its tail, a little tyke with a mop of hair clung to her, peppering apologies with a cherubic face.


    "Oops, sorry! I didn''t mean it!"


    His doe eyes and dimpled grin were disarmingly cute, and the secretary couldn''t help but forgive him instantly. "It''s alright, kiddo. I know you didn''t mean it."


    Sheforted Ethan with a gentle coo before turning to her actual task. "Mr. ckwood, I have "


    "Vincent stepped out, but I''ll pass on the message," came a voice, cool but kind, from behind a monitor.


    The secretary did a double take as she realized it was Mr. ckwood''s wife.


    Their love story was the stuff of legends-love at first sight on a snowy mountain, and sealed for a lifetime by a volcano''s edge. Sounds like a fairy tale, but the secretary always felt it was too storybook to be true.


    Especially when...


    Mrs. ckwood rose to her full height, her radiant features now fully in the secretary''s line of sight. "Anything else, Miss?"


    Caught off guard, the secretary mumbled, "No..." and walked out, still feeling like she''d seen Mrs. ckwood''s face somewhere before.


    Heading out to pin down a time with Liam''s assistant, her gaze lifted to see a man in ck. His hands were pocketed, his vibe intense he was not the kind of guy you want to stare down. "Mr. Parker! Mr. ckwood isn''t in!" She recognized Liam and chased after him to stop him.


    And that''s when it clicked why Mrs. ckwood''s face felt familiar.


    Years ago, a juicy piece of gossip rocked the city about a woman named Charlotte who juggled men like circus balls, including Liam and Mr. ckwood.


    Liam, unfazed by the secretary''s blocking attempt, strutted around ckwood Group like he owned the ce.


    These days, he didn''t sweat the small stuff. Gone was his old restraint; he now moved to the beat of his own drum.


    The secretary''s heart leaped as he shoved open the office door.


    With Mrs. ckwood looking so much like that Miss Perry, what would Liam do?


    She quickly buzzed Vincent, who told her he''d be back ASAP. By the time she hung up, the office door had already swung shut.


    "And who might you be?"


    The innocent question hung in the air as Liam looked around and finally down to meet the gaze of a little boy with milky skin and curious eyes.


    Big eyes, thin lips-the spitting image of someone he knew.


    For a second there, Liam thought to himself, if he and Charlotte ever had a kid, they''d probably be as adorable as this one.


    Just thinking about Charlotte made him speak to Ethan in a much softer voice, "Hey buddy, who are you?"


    Henry, who was watching this whole thing, couldn''t believe his eyes. Since the car crash, Mr. Parker had been more distant and icy than ever. It was rare to see him act so kindly. Ethan, feeling a bit strained looking up at Liam, pulled him down to sit on the couch. With a relieved sigh, he said, "You here for my dad?"


    "And who''s your dad?"


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    "My dad''s Vincent-he''s a real-life hero!" Ethan beamed with pride.


    Liam snorted quietly to himself.


    He and Vincent had never seen eye to eye, and the word ''hero'' was thest thing he''d associate with Vincent.


    But the news of Vincent having a kid that was a real surprise.


    "And your mom?"


    "She''s a princess!" Ethan said, puffing up with pride.


    Seeing the kid''s face go red with a mix of pride and shyness melted away some of Liam''s harshness. His voice went gentle, "Being a princess''s not a name, kiddo. What''s her actual name?" "You wouldn''t know her anyway-she''s not from around here," Ethan said matter-of-factly.


    "And what about you? You from around here?" Liam was surprised by his own patience.


    "Nope, I''m from the same ce as my mom!" Ethan dered without missing a beat.


    "But your dad is from here," Liam said, chuckling at Ethan''s earnestness.


    "Yeah, but..." Ethan started to count on his fingers, looking a bit confused.


    Before Liam could ask why he was counting, the door creaked open and Vincent''s voice called out.


    "Ethan!"


    "Daddy!" Ethan forgot all about counting and bolted toward his father, hugging him like he was the best thing in the world.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! Looking excited, Ethan told his dad, "Daddy, there''s a visitor uncle here, and I''ve been chatting with him a lot!"


    "Really?" Vincent''s eyes turned icy when theynded on Liam, and his voice went cold, "Daddy needs to have a word with this uncle. Why don''t you go y for a while, Ethan?" "Sure!"


    Vincent handed Ethan some snacks he''d brought, telling him not to eat too much or mom might have to take action.


    "Mom wouldn''t, she loves me to bits!" Ethan said, his face lighting up as he clutched the bag of treats.


    He handed Liam a jelly, "Uncle, you look a bit down. Mom says a jelly can fix that!"


    Liamughed softly, "It''s not really the jelly that does the trick, it''s just something adults say to kids."


    Still, he epted the jelly, and Ethan, unbothered by Liam''sment, sighed like he was way older than his years, "I know the jelly doesn''t really do anything. It''s just that I''m happy when mom gives me one." Ethan paused for a second, then swiped the jelly from Liam''s hand.


    "Hey, if you''re feeling down, I can get my mom to send over some more jellies. She''s got a way of making people smile, you know?"


    "Sure," Liam said with a warm voice, a slight smile hanging on his face without him even realizing it.


    Ethan, with his treats in tow, skipped off. Before he darted out the door, he nted a big kiss on Vincent''s cheek. "Thanks, Dad! Love you tons!"


    "Love you too, Ethan," Vincent said. But as soon as Ethan was out of sight, his face went from fatherly warmth to stone cold.


    When Vincent ran into Liam yearster, it was like he was gearing up for battle.


    "Looks like having a kid mellowed you out, Parker. Even got the patience for your nemesis''s kid now."


    He meant Chloe''s kid. The one Liam never imed but was living it up in some fancy house in the burbs, decked out with all the best stuff. "Liam, Charlotte died for nothing, huh?"N?velDrama.Org content.

 Chapter 107 : I Think I Saw Charlotte

    Charlotte was willing to risk her own life to save Liam. But after all that, Liam didn''t even try to figure out who was responsible for the whole mess. Instead, he just went and treated Chloe like a queen because she had a child. Makes you wonder if Charlotte''s sacrifice was all for nothing, doesn''t it?


    Liam''s gaze sharpened as a cold frost seemed to creep up around him.


    Chloe''s little one was a real piece of work, always fussing. They burned through nannies faster than you could count, but only Chloe could get the kid to eat and sleep.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Deep down, Liam wished Chloe would just disappear.


    But things aren''t that simple.


    All these memories were a sore spot, and Vincent just had to keep poking at it.


    "She saved you because she couldn''t stand to see you die. She bet on your conscience, hoping you''d do right by her. Charlotte spent her whole life chasing fairness, and that''s all she wanted from you. But what did you give her? Nothing!" "If Charlotte knew you were still covering for Chloe, she''d be turning in her grave!"


    "Oh, but I forgot, she was blown to bits, nobody to turn."


    "Even if she wasn''t blown to pieces, the fish in the sea would''ve taken care of that. How could she rest in peace?"


    "Vincent!"


    Vincent''s words were like daggers to Liam''s heart, leaving him gasping for air.


    Without a second thought, Liam''s fist connected with Vincent''s face!


    The two of them tangled in a fierce tussle in the office.


    Thanks to an ident, Liam was patched up with metal and scars, definitely not at his fighting best.


    Nobody won that scrap.


    "You finally grew a backbone," Liam growled blood on his lips, eyes fierce.


    Vincent wasn''t looking any prettier, but he could still crack a grin: "Gotta man up when you''ve got a family to look after."


    That reminder of Vincent''s kid... Liam''s thoughts drifted to little Ethan, and his eyes deepened.


    "Got time? Bring your wife and Ethan over some time," Liam threw out an invite.


    Vincent didn''t miss a beat, "My wife can''t stand you. She knows the whole Charlotte saga and thinks you''re a traitor."


    "And," Vincent''sugh was cold, "don''t bother ying nice with Ethan. He''s got it in his head that you''re bad news. If he finds out you''re Liam, he''ll just hate you more." "Pfft."


    Liam wasn''t really looking to buddy up with Vincent. He just took a shine to the kid, Ethan wanted to see him more, that''s all.


    He could take it or leave it.


    Stepping out of Vincent''s office, Liam meant to just walk away, but the rain caught his eye and pulled him over to the window. And that''s when he overheard Ethan''s voice.


    "Mommy, I met an uncle, and I really liked him."


    He must''ve been talking about Liam.


    Liam almost cracked a smile until a woman''s voice cut in, "Really, that would be good."


    The chill in the air wasced with a softness, the kind of tenderness that used to coax him into bending to her will.


    "Charlotte..." At the sound of that familiar voice, Liam''s calm shattered in an instant.


    His foot, ready to step forward, suddenly seemed to lose all strength, freezing him in ce.


    "Charlotte." The tears came in heavy torrents. He hadn''t seen her in his dreams, nor caught a hint of her in anything or anyone for so long.


    Yet now, he heard a voice that was the spitting image of Charlotte''s.


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    It felt like destiny, a gift from the heavens.


    Gripping the windowsill until his knuckles turned white and veins bulged, Liam mustered all his strength to move toward that voice.


    But when he flung the door open, he only caught the retreating figures of a woman and a child.


    The woman was wrapped up in a thick coat, her figure obscured.


    The hallway was a mere sprint away. He could close the distance in two quick steps.


    But a sudden fear gripped Liam.


    He feared the person wouldn''t be Charlotte.


    And he feared it would be.


    "Mr. Parker!" Henry was out of breath as he caught up. "What''s wrong, Mr. Parker?"


    With tears rimming his eyes and a voice thick with unspoken vulnerability, Liam confessed, "I think I just saw Charlotte."


    Henry stopped dead, his response a dazed echo. "But Miss Perry''s been gone for four years."


    Walking away with Ethan''s hand in hers, she could clearly hear the low talk of the men behind them.


    Ethan looked back, feeling something, and clung to his mom. "Mommy, I think he is crying."


    "Really? Maybe he''s just sad about something."


    "Why''s he sad?"


    "People cry when they mess up and can''t make it right," she exined softly, "Crying over mistakes doesn''t fix anything. It might even make othersugh. So, Ethan, always think before you do something. Don''t do stuff you''ll regretter."


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    At three years old, Ethan didn''t fully understand, but he nodded. "Okay."


    They went to grab some snacks in the conference room, having a good time, when Vincent walked in. He took Ethan''s cookie with a sigh, "Too many sweets, champ. We agreed on two a day, remember?"


    "But Mommy''s eating too," Ethan said, his lips still tasting of cookies, not wanting to let go, "Mommy said I could have some."


    Vincent looked even more exasperated and took Serena''s cookie too, "You''re too soft on him, Serena."


    Serena turned around. If Liam were here, he''d go berserk at the sight of her.


    She was a dead ringer for Charlotte!


    "Your face..." she noticed Vincent''s bruised cheek.


    He waved it off, "He''ll get spoiled with too much coddling."


    "I''ve got enough to keep him happy every day," Serena countered, opening another packet of cookies and giving one to Ethan, taking one for herself.


    She hadn''t just been tagging along with Vincent abroad; she''d worked hard on lots of projects with him and earned her share.


    She was capable of giving Ethan a happy childhood, so why not do it?


    "I want him to grow up free and easy, not weighed down by love or what other people think," was her hope for Ethan.


    Vincent knew exactly why Serena was so stubborn about this, but he couldn''t tell her.


    "You and Ethan just got back, haven''t even met my folks yet. I''ll take you both tonight..." "How about we throw a big wee party?"


    Serena''s suggestion threw Vincent off for a second, "But if we have a party, everyone will find out..."


    "Am I supposed to be a secret?" Serena looked up, her smile challenging, "Did I do something wrong? Hurt someone? Am I not allowed to be seen?" "No..." Vincent shut his eyes, the hurt shing back, his hands balling into fists, "You did nothing wrong. It''s them who should be ashamed."

 Chapter 108: Charlotte Loved Liam

    The ckwood family had a big bash to wee Vincent home and to hand over the reins of the ckwood empire to him.


    The thing is, Vincent showed up with a shiner, a sure sign he''d been smacked around.


    Everyone was buzzing, trying to figure out who had the nerve to hit him. When asked, Vincent didn''t dodge the question-he straight-up said it was Liam. The two never got along, and while fighting is usually nothing to brag about, Vincent''s candidness kind of turned it on its head.


    Liam was a no-show at the party.


    He couldn''t stand Vincent having such a well-behaved son and didn''t want to think about the voices he''d heard that day at ckwood group. "Mr. Parker"


    Daniel came crashing in, the door banging against the wall loudly.


    "What''s going on?" Liam was already in a bad mood.


    "You gotta see this!" Daniel was all worked up, his face showing pure shock.


    He''d taken a tumble on his way in, but picked himself up and rushed to Liam with a tablet. "Check out the news."


    Liam nced at the screen, which showed the ckwood family''s fancy party, with Ethan looking cute in a ck suit. "Vincent''s got a good life, a great kid." Liam''s voice was tinged with jealousy.


    But Daniel didn''t want him to look at Ethan.


    "Look at this! Who''s this chick?" Daniel was trembling as he showed him a photo of a woman, "Recognize her?!"


    "Who..." Liam cut off as he saw the face in the photo.


    He jumped up, his eyes turning red, disbelief written all over his face.


    "Charlotte... Charlotte..."


    His mind went off like a bomb.


    It was Charlotte!


    He hadn''t been hearing things that day; it was definitely her!


    She looked just like he remembered.


    "Exactly!"


    "I had someone check out this woman and Vincent''s romance, it''s wless, Mr. Parker, but I suspect she''s not actually Charlotte!" Daniel said.


    The crash was horrific; all signs pointed to Charlotte not making it.


    Mr. Parker didn''t want to believe it, he''d been searching for four years straight. What did he have to show for it? Nothing.


    "I don''t want to believe it, but there''s probably someone out there who looks a lot like her. Vincent probably had a thing for Charlotte for a while, so he might''ve found a double to bring home. Mr. Parker, this woman, she''s not Charlotte," Daniel exined, struggling to get the words out.


    Vincent''s son Ethan was the living proof.


    Charlotte was crazy about Mr. Parker. Even if she turned bitter and came back for revenge, she wouldn''t have Vincent''s baby.


    Daniel was sure of it. Charlotte''s love for Liam was too deep, her morals too strong to do something like that.


    Liam was too worked up to listen to reason. Shoving Daniel aside, he stumbled out the door.


    Daniel didn''t want to block him but had to.


    Daniel didn''t want to block him but had to. "That woman is Vincent''s wife, and they''ve got a kid! Rush over there now, and sure, you might embarrass yourself, you don''t care, but what about her? How''s she gonna deal with it?!" Liam''s inner fire started to cool off a bit.N?velDrama.Org content.


    "I''m not being impulsive," he said, his voice shaking. "But I''ve gotta make sure who she is."


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    The party was a sess, but Serena''s entrance sure did stir the pot.


    Everyone knew about the ident that took a woman''s life for Liam four years back.


    And those who remembered Charlotte were in for a real show when they saw Serena.


    Handing off the mingling duties to Vincent, Serena led Ethan away.


    They hadn''t gotten far when a man blocked their path.


    "Charlotte!"


    Dn was fixated on the woman. "You''re alive."


    Serena backed up, fear in her eyes, and asked, "Who are you?"


    Dn realized she wasn''t pretending.


    Could she have amnesia?


    "I get that I look like Charlotte, but I''m not her, and my husband didn''t marry me because he missed her," said Serena, bringing Dn back to the moment.


    As she tried to leave, Dn, manners out the window, grabbed her arm. "There''s no way there''s two of you, both linked to Vincent! Charlotte..."


    He was cut off by a sharp pain in his leg. Looking down, he saw a little boy hitting him.


    "Let go of my mom! You''re a bad man!"


    "Is he your kid?" Dn hadn''t seen the boy clearly before, but now he saw the resemnce.


    The kid was the spitting image of Charlotte.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! Dn was hit with a sad realization, "Yeah, how could you be Charlotte? If she were alive, why would shee back here?"


    His gaze turned sad. "And Charlotte couldn''t have kids."


    Serena froze, then looked disgusted. "You did that to Charlotte?"


    Her reaction was so real, it''s exactly what you''d expect from Charlotte.


    A glimmer of hope rose in Dn. "You..."


    "Vincent''s filled me in. I thought Liam was the bad guy, tormenting Charlotte, but I guess it''s the whole Parker n," Serena snapped back.


    Dn was speechless.


    Serena shot Dn a fierce look, and then she asked, "You''re from the Parker family, right? Who are you?"


    "Dn," he said with a bitter smile. "You''ve probably heard my name before."


    Serena suddenly smiled. "Oh, I''ve heard of you, Dn. Vincent told me you and Liam have been at each other''s throats for years. So, I guess you''re one of the good guys."


    "No..." Dn started to say, but he stopped himself. He knew he wasn''t a good guy.


    In fact, he was thest person who could be called that.


    He was the one who had erased all the evidence at the crash site, making Charlotte''s death an unsolved mystery and hiding the truth forever.


    But Serena didn''t seem to care about that. "I hate Liam. He knew Charlotte despised Chloe, but he let Chloe live a good life anyway. A jerk like that should''ve been the one to die in the crash! I don''t know why Charlotte wasted her life saving him. Ridiculous!"


    As she spoke, she seemed to get more and more passionate, and then she said to Ethan, "When you grow up, don''t turn out like him. Don''t betray anyone, and don''t be the one who gives up everything."


    Ethan nodded, not fully understanding. "But Mom, what if Dad gives up everything for you? Is that bad?"


    When Vincent''s name came up, Serena''s cheeks turned pink. "Your dad... well, he''s not bad."


    Dn watched her, feeling conflicted. She wasn''t Charlotte.


    Charlotte loved Liam; she wouldn''t have shown that kind of shy smile to Vincent.

 Chapter 109: Thats Liam, isnt it?

    So, after that big party yesterday, word got out that Vincent''s got a newdy in his life. They hit it off abroad, fell head over heels, and even have a cute little kid now.


    But here''s the kicker, thisdy looks just like Charlotte, who''s supposedly been out of the picture for years. That''s got everyone talking about the past, all those juicy rumors about Charlotte and her love triangle with Liam and Dn. Apparently, Charlotte was head over heels for Liam and only dated Dn to be close to Liam. Heck, she even had secret meet-ups with Vincent.


    Sneaky, right?


    But Charlotte was supposed to have died in that nasty car crash that knocked Liam out of the game for a good year and a half.


    Now, folks are whispering that maybe, just maybe, Serena is actually Charlotte in disguise. And maybe Vincent didn''t just go abroad for work, but to cook up a new identity for Charlotte.


    People just can''t help but gossip, and it''s not just the neighbors - even friends can''t resist.


    The day after that bash, Vincent''s pals invited him over so they could meet Serena.


    They showed up on time, but got a yful scolding for being te'' and were told to take three penalty drinks.


    "Serena doesn''t drink; I''ll take them for her," Vincent said, all smiles, and downed a drink like it was nothing.


    His old buddies, who were all there, wouldn''t really give him a hard time. After one drink, they teased, "Come on, what''s the fun in drinking alone? So you got married and had a kid in secret, huh? We''re not letting you off easy! Forget the drinks, just give each other a kiss!"All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Kiss! Kiss!" they all cheered, and Vincent turned tomato red.


    Someone piped up, "Didn''t you say your missus grew up abroad? Should be pretty outgoing, right? What gives? She won''t even give you a peck?"


    Vincent always yed it coy about Serena''s past, just saying her folks moved overseas early and ran a shop. Push for more details, and he''d m up tight.


    The mystery just fed the rumors that Serena was really Charlotte, and that got everyone''s antennas up.


    As the teasing went on and Vincent was shyly backing off, Serena just strutted over, grabbed his chin, and nted one on him.


    The ce went dead silent.


    After a quick smooch, Serena turned to the crowd with a grin, "Come on, you know Vincent''s shy. Next time,e straight to me and save him the blushes."


    But the crowd wasn''t biting, and the vibe was still pretty awkward.


    "Is that it? Just a kiss and you''re all quiet?" Serena was confused by the silence.


    But everyone was staring at the door, not saying a word.


    "Serena," Vincent tugged at her clothes, "stop it, someone''sing."


    "Someone? Who is it?" Serena turned around and saw a strikingly handsome man standing at the door.


    She gave him a once-over, about to ask who he was when she overheard someone mutter, "Looks like Liam''s here to stir up trouble."


    And it clicked for Serena, "That''s Liam, isn''t it?"


    Serena shot the quiet guy at the door a look that screamed ''not happy''. "Who let him in? Doesn''t anyone remember Vincent can''t stand the guy?" The room went quiet as no one wanted to say a thing, but Liam was already walking over.


    His eyes were locked on Serena like a hawk on a mouse.


    It was like he saw his next meal.


    "Mr. Parker just shows up uninvited, looking for round two?" Vincent quickly stepped in front of Serena, cutting off Liam''s creepy stare.


    Liam nced at Vincent with a sneer, "Why bother? She wouldn''t be pleased if I knocked you around."


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    Vincent was ticked off, "Look, Liam, get this straight-she''s my wife, not Charlotte!"


    Serena chimed in, "Why act all lovey-dovey over someone who''s gone, Liam? And it''s pretty shady, creeping up on a married woman, right?"


    Liam turned white as a sheet from her straight talk.


    He stared at Serena, his eyes a mix of emotions.


    "You''re not Charlotte," he muttered like he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else.


    "I''m definitely not that idiot," Serena fired back. "Vincent filled me in on your story. Hard to believe someone who looks like me could be so dumb. She must''ve been blind to fall for you!" Serena wasn''t holding back her disgust one bit, "Cut it out with those looks, Liam. Don''t you dare think you''ll see Charlotte when you look at me? I wasn''t raised to be your entertainment!" The room had gone cold as ice, everyone too scared to breathe, just watching the drama unfold.


    Liam wasn''t the man he used to be; he''d thrown all his old rules out the window.


    They were all worried he''d lose it because of Serena''s words and drag everyone into the mess.


    Vincent wasn''t about to let Liam spoil what was supposed to be a good time. He wrapped his arms around Serena, whispering a "sorry" to the crowd.


    He gently steered Serena to a corner, bending down to whisper in her ear.


    Serena seemed pretty fired up, not really listening to him. It took a few kisses on her hand from Vincent to chill her out, her attitude softening like a spoiled little girl.


    They were all cozy, whispering to each other, Serena even yfully punching Vincent''s chest, which he justughed off, holding her hand against his face lovingly. They were in their own little world.


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    From afar, Liam watched the woman who could be Charlotte''s twin, cozying up with Vincent, his body tense like a coiled spring.


    Yesterday''s news photos didn''t do her justice.


    She was way more stunning in person.


    And right there, in front of her, he was sure she had to be Charlotte.


    It seemed to him that Charlotte just couldn''t stand him anymore, and didn''t even want to acknowledge him.


    The thought alone was like a knife twisting in his heart.


    Charlotte hated him.


    He''d alreadye to grips with that, but actually facing it still hit him hard.


    How to get past her hate, or how to start fresh with her, he was clueless.


    But the idea that she was still out there, still breathing-that was something.


    He felt lucky just for that bit of grace.


    He couldn''t get greedy.


    But then...


    Seeing some other guy by her side, stung.


    He could''ve been the one with those sweet moments, the future they could''ve shared.


    He''d blown all those chances to bits.

 Chapter 110: Why would I waste my life on a guy like you?!

    "Mr. Parker, I''m telling you, that''s not Charlotte."


    If Charlotte was really kicking around, she''d know that the chick trying to cheer up Liam was Sophia, an old buddy from her Parker Group days.


    "Charlotte wouldn''t do this sort of thing."


    Sophia watched the woman making a big show of being all cute and cuddly, feeling a deep sense of regret.


    Charlotte was way more low-key and had a strong moralpass. Even if she had a change of heart and fell for Vincent, she wouldn''t be all over him like that, especially not in public. Liam just stared at Serena and Vincent being all lovey-dovey, not saying a word to Sophia. They came back hand in hand,ughing it up with Vincent''s pals.


    Serena was a live wire, bold and bubbly, totally different from Charlotte''s chill vibe.


    "There''s no way that''s Charlotte." Sophia would rather think Charlotte bit the dust in that ident than see her turn into whatever this was.


    After her moment of reflection, Sophia turned around to find Liam had disappeared.


    Liam popped in just for a second, seemed like he just wanted a peek at Serena, and then he ghosted.


    Once he was gone, the crowd chilled out and started pushing drinks on Vincent and Serena.


    After downing a few bottles, Serena excused herself to use the bathroom, and when Vincent offered to apany her, she refused, "Catch up with your friends, it''s been years."


    She found herself alone at the end of the hallway, pushed open a window, and took in the chilly night.


    "Don''t catch a cold in that breeze," a low voice said from behind her. Serena''s mood soured instantly. "Why can''t I shake you?"


    Liam stayed quiet. He didn''t know what to say to Charlotte... or Serena...


    All those rehearsed lines from thest four years just evaporated, and now he couldn''t get out a single one.


    So he just stood there, silently and greedily staring at her back.


    The bathroom was co-ed, and with Liam blocking the way out, Serena was stuck.


    She didn''t want to walk past him, but after a few nces back, she burst out, "Liam, you haven''t started thinking of me as some Charlotte stand-in, have you?"


    She was ticked off by the thought, "I''m crazy about Vincent, we''ve got an adorable son, and I''m notcking in anything. I''m living the dream, and I''m not about to y second fiddle to some Charlotte fantasy of yours!" Her clear disdain threw Liam for a loop. The hunch he had about her being Charlotte started to shake.


    Was she really Charlotte?


    Charlotte wouldn''t talk to him like that, wouldn''t look at him like that.


    Even when she was mad, even when she was hurt, Charlotte''s teary eyes always had love in them.


    But this woman? She only had scorn.


    Not even hate.


    And Charlotte was supposed to hate him.


    Out of nowhere, Liam started talking, "Look, I''ve figured out all the stuff Chloe did, like that car crash to get you and hire someone to kill. But the kid is still little. When he is older..."Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Vincent told me about Chloe''s schemes already," Serena cut him off coldly, "But Charlotte''s gone, Liam. She can''t wait for justice, and you can''t wait for her forgiveness."


    She gave a hollowugh, "Your kid might live to a ripe old age, but Charlotte''s sleeping with the fishes."


    That whole thing about Charlotte had been haunting Liam forever. It made it hard for him to eat or sleep; he was a wreck.


    He''d been holding onto this idea that, because they didn''t find her body at sea, maybe Charlotte wasn''t really dead. That hope was the only thing keeping him going. For a second, when he saw Serena, he thought his dream hade to life.


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    Charlotte was alive.


    Even if she came back hating him or not remembering him, just having her back was enough.


    But Serena''s cold words just smashed all his hopes to bits.


    "I''d have been better off dead," he thought.


    It would''ve saved him from this never-ending nightmare, this constant guilt.


    "So why are you still here?" Serena''s voice dripped with sarcasm, "I got the story from Vincent. Charlotte was the one who pushed you out of the car. She should''ve been the one to make it out, based on where she was!" "You just assumed Charlotte would always save you."


    "You took for granted that she''d give in, that she loved you, that she couldn''t watch you die no matter what."


    Serena''s words hit Liam like a ton of bricks. He''d almost managed to block out the crash after waking up from being knocked out.


    But he missed Charlotte like crazy and couldn''t stop thinking about all their times together.


    Of course, he also remembered what she''d said in the car.


    ''I hate you.''


    ''But I can''t stand to see you die.''


    Serena was spot on-Charlotte couldn''t just watch him die. She loved him way more than he deserved.


    Serena scoffed at Liam''s regret, "If Vincent pulled any of the stuff you did to Charlotte, I''d leave him so fast. Wouldn''t think twice!"


    "There''s plenty of folks who''d love me, and I can love whoever I want. Why would I waste my life on a guy like you?!"


    "Vincent said Charlotte was smart, gorgeous, and tough. Someone like that deserves to be loved by everyone. If she hadn''t bumped into you, even a homeless guy would''ve treated her right, would''ve given her a happy life!" "Charlotte''s real mistake was just bad luck and lousy taste-falling for a guy like you!"


    Serena was totally mocking him.


    If anybody else had the nerve to talk to Liam like that, they''d be in hot water before the day was out.


    But this was Serena.


    She looked just like Charlotte, and Liam couldn''t bring himself to dislike that face, not even one bit.


    He just sat there staring at her, like he was watching Charlotte give him an earful.


    And the more he looked all lovesick, the more Serena got irritated.


    She felt a shiver run through her.


    Then, from a short distance away, Ethan''s little voice gave Serena the perfect out. "Step aside, my boy needs me."


    "Ethan''s such a cutie," Liam said, not keen on ending the conversation. He couldn''t look away from her, Charlotte or not. He''d been missing Charlotte for so long.


    Four years. More than a thousand days and nights.


    This was the first time he''d seen Charlotte''s face somewhere other than in pictures.


    He was just trying to say something nice about her kid, so Serena couldn''t reallyy into him for that.


    "Of course he''s cute, look who his mom is!" she shot back. But then her mind wandered to something else.


    "Vincent said you and Chloe had a kid, how''s that going?"

 Chapter 111: Wheres that bitch at?

    "I can''t wait to see what kind of kid you''d have with that bitch." Serena spat out, her words way out of line.


    Something Charlotte would never say.


    Liam''s heart sank for a moment.


    Seeing Serena''s face, he was so sure she was Charlotte.


    But the moment she spoke, doubts crept in.


    It was like he didn''t know Charlotte at all.


    He wondered what he''d been doing all those years when Charlotte looked up to him.


    Did he ever really look at her?


    Despite...


    Despite Vincent''s gossip about his past with Charlotte and Chloe, Serena''s hatred felt over the top for someone who''s supposed to be just an outsider.


    Liam''s gaze grew intense as he prodded softly, "Why the hate for Chloe?"


    He kept quiet, hoping Serena would reveal something in her anger.


    But Serena simply hit back, "You don''t know? Chloe killed Charlotte''s sister. Her sister was dating my husband''s favorite brother. Before we tied the knot, Vincent even snuck me back home to make sure his brother was cool with it from beyond the grave."


    "Chloe took my brother-inw from us and wrecked my husband. Why wouldn''t I hate her?"


    With her reasons out, Serena''s face scrunched up even more disdainfully.


    "What are you ying at, Liam? Cozying up to a murderer, someone so vicious?"


    Liam had noeback.


    Honestly, he wasn''t kind to Chloe. She was struggling, hanging on just for the kid.


    This was his subtle way of punishing her until he could get proper revenge.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Chloe''s out in a house in the sticks, no maids, doing it all herself. The supplies I send are only enough for the kid. If she wants to eat, the kid goes hungry. I''m not nice to her; she''s getting what she deserves..." "Sure, sure, Chloe''s roughing it, and Charlotte''s probably better off as fish food," Serena mocked.


    She red at Liam, "Don''t you dare call me by my name. You''re not seeing Charlotte in me!"


    "So what do I call you?"


    "Just call me Mrs. ckwood," Serena said with a huff. "Get it straight, pal, you''re drooling over someone else''s wife." Right then, Ethan, led by the butler, came running over, a little bundle of joy crashing into Serena''s arms. "Mommy! I found you!"


    After hanging out with Serena for a bit, Ethan noticed Liam hanging back. "Oh! You!" he shouted.


    He waddled over to Liam''s feet, looking up at him with effort. "Did you cry today?"


    That question caught Liam off guard, but it also cleared away his gloom the second he saw Ethan''s face.


    He crouched down to be at eye-level with the little guy. "No, buddy, I''m feeling good today," Liam assured him with a grin. "Really? Then no jelly for you from Mom. How about a hug from me instead?" Ethan offered, arms outstretched toward Liam.


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    Liam was surprised, but he reached out, ready for that hug.


    Just then, Serena chimed in, "Ethan, do you know this uncle''s name?"


    Ethan stopped, looking confused back at his mom. "What''s his name?"


    "Liam," Serena said, with a sly look in her eye.


    Suddenly, Ethan seemed to remember something, and his look turned sour.


    "Liam! Dad told me about you, and said you''re not nice! A real viin!"


    "I..." Liam was at a loss for words.


    With Vincent already on bad terms with him, plus the whole mess with Chloe, it''s not like he''d have anything good to say about Liam in front of his wife and kid.


    And even though it was just a kid''s blunt honesty, it felt like a punch to Liam''s gut, as if... as if his own kid had turned against him.


    Serena had figured she''did into Liam so hard he wouldn''t dare show his face again.


    But the next morning, her butler''s handing her an invite to see Chloe''s kid, straight from Liam himself.


    She almostughed out loud at that.


    She thought about dragging Vincent along, but he was busy, and with Ethan being the new kid on the block and sticking to her like glue, she ended up taking him with her.


    As luck would have it, it started to pour and of course, someone had taken the umbre from the car earlier. The driver kept going on about getting a new one, or they''d be drenched.


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    There wasn''t a store in sight, let alone a supermarket.


    Serena kept telling the driver they''d find a way.


    And when they pulled up to that lonely house way out in the sticks, there''s a guy standing there with a massive umbre?


    "Well, Liam''s got some manners, I''ll give him that," she said to herself, a bit surprised to see such thoughtfulness.


    As she stepped out with Ethan, they were instantly under the protection of the umbre.


    She began to thank the person holding it, but when she looked up, it wasn''t a butler but Liam himself.


    "What are you doing here?" she asked, a frown creasing her forehead.


    "I''m the one who invited you," Liam said, his voice a bit low as he nced at the wary pair. "It''s chilly, and the rain''s not letting up. Don''t want the little one to catch a cold, do we? Let''s go inside." Serena let it slide because of the cold and walked with him under the umbre.


    Under the umbre, the rain seemed kind of cozy, like they were a little family unit.


    Liam and Serena, side by side, Ethan nestled in her arms trying to grab raindrops...


    For a split second, they could have passed for a happy family, the kind Liam had always wanted.


    The air was cool, but Liam''s eyes were hot, and he had to swallow hard to keep the tears back. He''d lost it all.


    All those feelings he had, thinking Serena was Charlotte, now seemed like a betrayal.


    Once they were inside, Liam closed the umbre quietly as Serena, couldn''t wait a second longer, burst in shouting for Chloe, "Where''s that bitch at?!"

 Chapter 112: Charlottes still alive!

    Serena had really let Liam have itst night, and he still wasn''t over it.


    It felt wrong to him like it dishonored Charlotte''s memory.


    But deep down, he was thankful to even have someone who resembled Charlotte around-it was a gift he couldn''t take for granted.


    "Ethan, hang with Uncle Liam a sec," Serena said, not wanting the kid to get scared if things got heated. She left Ethan by Liam''s side.


    Ethan was a mixed bag of emotions, remembering both the good and the bad about Liam. He kept sneaking peeks at Liam, unsure, but he wasn''t about to get cozy with him.


    Liam wasn''t the best at dealing with kids, and Ethan was one expressive kid.


    Liam felt out of his depth. There they stood, a good few feet apart.


    After a bit, Liam pulled out a piece of candy and put it down between them.


    "Take it if you like," he offered.


    "I don''t want stuff from bad guys!" Ethan shot back, but his eyes were glued to the candy. He looked from the candy to Liam, pouting.


    Then, with a huff, he turned away, "Bad guys always try to bribe you with treats! I''m not falling for that!"


    Liam let out augh. "Who filled your head with all that? Who taught you?"


    "No one did. Dad says I''m a natural, smart like mom."


    "Is that so? Where''s all that smart hiding, huh?"


    Liam was just trying to get a conversation going, maybe close the gap a bit, but Ethan''s answer was a surprise.


    "I''m super good with numbers! I can remember really, really long ones!" Ethan boasted, chest out.


    That caught Liam off guard. Charlotte was sharp with numbers, her memory was top-notch.


    If Ethan got that from his mom, then maybe Serena...


    Liam had to swallow hard, pushing the thoughts away.


    He couldn''t afford another emotional hit, so he yed it safe with any wild guesses.


    -


    Their ce was just a simple bungalow with three rooms.


    It wasn''t much, as Liam had warned. Serena saw it was pretty bare, except for some kid stuff-no adult things in sight.


    They used soap in ce of proper face wash, and there wasn''t much to eat.


    They got to the bedroom door, and the person inside, hearing theming, opened up all smiles.


    "Liam, I know I messed up. Just give me another-Charlotte?!"


    Chloe stopped mid-beg, totally thrown off by the woman standing there. She couldn''t even breathe.


    "Char... Charlotte?" She went from surprised to scared real quick.


    Chloe backed up and then, losing her bnce, fell to the floor.


    "Who are you? You can''t be Charlotte! Charlotte''s dead! Dead for sure! She can''t be alive!"


    "Sure?"


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    Serena couldn''t help but let out augh, her voice light and mocking as she stared down the woman unraveling before her. "You thought it was a done deal, huh? Did you ever guess she''d end up sharing a ride with Liam? Or were you hoping to wipe them both out?"


    "How... how do you know so much?"


    Chloe''s fear was palpable, her eyes wide as if she were staring at a specter.


    Chloe had caught a glimpse of Charlotte''s dealings from her balcony that day, realizing that the evidence Charlotte held could ruin her. She made a snap decision to have Charlotte killed.


    Directly offing Charlotte had crossed her mind before, but it was a tough job with no volunteers.


    Now, it seemed like a golden opportunity had fallen into herp-betrayal with a bonus.


    She''d only aimed for Charlotte, she swore.


    After all, Liam was the father of her child, and she needed him his status, his support.


    Why would she want to harm Liam?


    It was onlyter that she learned Liam had rushed to Charlotte''s side out of concern, leaving behind a boardroom full of executives.


    The news of Liam''s critical injuries did hurt, but it was overshadowed by the relief of Charlotte''s presumed demise.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    And yet, here was Charlotte, alive and breathing.


    "How are you still alive?"


    Chloe was on the edge, her sanity teetering. The idea of Charlotte surviving against all odds, and returning to stir up her world, was unthinkable.


    She had nned to bide her time, waiting for the child to grow, for Liam to grow more affectionate because of the kid.


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    She thought she could eventually shrug off this life of hardships and step back into her high heels as thedy of luxury.


    She had this idea that Liam would get over Charlotte eventually.


    But she didn''t see thising-Charlotte''s still alive!


    Chloe was a total mess, crawling around on the floor like some kind of animal, throwing whatever she could find at Serena. Serena was quick on her feet, dodging this and that, but then bam!¡ªa water bottle got her right in the arm. "Really? Do you think you can hit me? Do I look like Charlotte, always looking over my shoulder?"


    Serenaughed it off, moved in fast, and pinned Chloe to the floor. She gave her a good few ps until her hand started to sting.


    Chloe''s screams caught Liam''s attention, and she must''ve thought, "This is it, he''s gonna save me." Because even if Liam was mad, he wouldn''t let his kid''s mom get beaten up, right?


    "Liam... Liam, save me..."


    "Cut it out, don''t freak out the kid," Liam said, all furrowed brows, covering the little one''s ears and eyes with his hands, all fatherly and protective.


    Chloe''s eyes popped. She pointed at the bawling boy in the bedroom, then at the kid in Liam''s arms, and spat out.


    "Liam, can''t you hear your own son crying? Who''s that you''re holding? Whose kid is that? No wonder Benjamin means nothing to you. No wonder you''re so cold, keeping me and Benjamin locked up and suffering. You had another woman''s child all along!"


    Liam was still covering Ethan''s eyes, not able to deal with Chloe himself, so he gave a nod to the bodyguards. They swooped in and took care of her. Then he told Serena to follow him out. Serena just walked out, with no fuss.


    But as she passed Liam, she couldn''t resist a little dig. "Vincent said Charlotte knew how to throw a punch. I was scratching my head, wondering why she couldn''t take down this bitch. Now it all makes sense. You were always there, protecting Chloe."

 Chapter 113: Two Kids, Two Takes

    "I''m not protecting her!"


    "I''m not protecting her!"


    It was rare for Liam to show so much emotion.


    Red-faced, he insisted, "When I stopped you... when I stopped Charlotte from going at her, it was all because of grandpa''s health..."


    "What''s your grandpa got to do with Charlotte?" Serena''s voice was icy. "Quit looking for excuses for your failings and coldness, Liam. If you''d stood by Charlotte even a bit, she wouldn''t have died so horribly." Liam was speechless, his face showing a mix of hurt and helplessness.


    Once the bodyguards dragged Chloe away, he uncovered Ethan''s ears. The little guy, unaware of the drama, snuggled into his arms, looking around curiously.


    Spotting a little boy on the bedroom bed, struggling to catch his breath between sobs, Ethan''s eyes sparkled, "Mommy, there''s a big brother!"


    Serena corrected him sharply, "He''s not your brother. You''re a ckwood, he''s a Parker."


    Ethan, startled by her frosty tone, retreated to her side and quieted down.


    Liam hated seeing Ethan scared. "Don''t talk to him like that, you''re scaring him."


    Serena shot him a fierce look. "You''re schooling me now?"


    Liam moved his lips but ended up just hanging his head in silence.


    In the quiet that followed, Serena finally turned her attention to the other child.


    He appeared a little older than Ethan, around three or four, well-nurtured, round, and rosy, his cries loud and piercing.


    He also looked quite a bit like Liam.


    "Is he your kid?" Serena asked, her voice t.


    Liam felt like he was on the defensive.


    His emotions about the boy were tangled.


    He''d even doubted if the boy was his. They were supposed to verify the DNA early on, but he was out cold with injuries then, and thepany was in chaos. Daniel and Henry were maxed out just keeping the business afloat, with no bandwidth for Chloe and her baby.


    By the time Liam was back on his feet, the baby was already months old.


    He didn''t want to see him.


    But his grandfather''sst wish was for the boy to grow up.


    Just to grow up, without any hope that Liam would actually care for him.


    So Liam had Chloe and the boy tucked away here, just to fulfill that wish.


    "Vincent said Charlotte never once doubted the kid was yours before she died. That''s low, Liam. If you were responsible, why didn''t you tell her?"


    Serena''s voice was tight with anger. "If she knew the child was yours, knew about your betrayal, she would never haveid down her life for you!"


    "He doesn''t carry the Parker name!" Liam''s voice was a low growl. "He won''t get anything from me, no inheritance, no love, nothing!"


    Serena was taken aback for a second, then her face twisted into a sneer.


    "You father him, yet you wash your hands of him. Looks like you''re just as ruthless with everyone, Liam."


    And...


    "You really think doing all this will erase your mistakes? Imagine if Charlotte had a kid with someone else and that kid called you ''dad''. You''re not his real dad, but he''s calling you that. Could you handle it?" Liam''s brow creased as he nced over at Ethan.


    Ethan had Charlotte''s eyes... and Serena''s smile. He couldn''t really see Vincent in him at all.


    What if...


    What if Serena was actually Charlotte?


    And Ethan...


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    Could he be Liam''s own son?


    He quickly shook off the thought.


    Liam knew Charlotte''s medical history too well. She could hardly conceive, and they had only been close once before she vanished.


    She couldn''t have been pregnant.


    And even if she was, there was no way the baby could have survived that car crash.


    So, this child... as Liam''s eyesnded on Ethan''s soft cheeks, a wave of sadness hit him.


    Even so, he was ready to ept Ethan.


    Only if Serena turned out to be Charlotte, though.


    Serena''s snort brought him back from his thoughts.


    "If Vincent pulled the same stunt you did, I''d break his legs so he''d never chase after women again!"


    Liam snapped back to reality, "Charlotte wouldn''t have done that."


    "That''s why she''s gone," Serena snapped.


    The crying from the bedroom got louder and more desperate, the voice raspier.


    Serena was worried he might cry himself out of breath.


    "Go andfort your son," she said, losing her patience with Liam.


    But Liam stayed put. He wasn''t fond of the child, usually ignored him, and now he was even less inclined to touch him.


    "So, the child you kept after dumping your lover - is this the kind of life you''re giving him?" Serena''s mocking tone cut through the tension.


    She was nothing like Charlotte.


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    Yet Liam couldn''t stand the thought of her leaving.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Liam shrugged off what she was saying, telling himself it was almost like having Charlotte around, even though it was just make-believe.


    "I don''t really care about this kid, you know. Looking after him is just me trying to fulfill grandpa''s dying wish,"


    He said as he headed to the bedroom, his voice just loud enough for Serena to catch.


    "Calming him down now... it''s really about keeping you here a little longer," he added.


    Serena was shocked, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    Serena was shocked, her eyes wide with disbelief. She didn''t have time to analyze Liam''sment because her own biting retort came out first, "So you''re sweet-talking me because I remind you of Charlotte? That''s just sick, Liam. Aren''t you embarrassed? When you dream of Charlotte, does it not make you feel guilty, chasing after her look-alike?"


    "He never visits my dreams," Liam answered, picking up the crying child with a distant tone. "I''d actually consider it a stroke of luck if she showed up to give me a piece of her mind." Serena was speechless.


    The kid, Chloe''s little one, was a real crybaby, just as Liam had mentioned. And despite Liam''s attempts, the kid kept bawling, showing no sign of calming down.


    Liam''s patience ran thin within minutes, and he passed the boy off to a bodyguard with instructions to find a nanny.


    "Aren''t kids supposed to cling to their mothers? Isn''t it harsh to tear him away like this?" she questioned.


    "He''s nearly four. It''s about time he learned to be without his mom," Liam replied, carefully wiping his hands clean. "With Chloe''s nasty character, she can''t raise a good kid." Once his hands were dry, he pulled out a lollipop from a toy-shaped jar, squatted down in front of Ethan, and offered it to him.


    "Did Ethan get scared? How about Uncle makes it up to you with some candy?"


    His tone was gentle, aplete turnaround from his earlier indifference.


    Ethan, however, wasn''t buying it. He just scowled and turned away, not even considering taking the candy from Liam.

 Chapter 114: Youre Making Him Turn Against Me

    "Ethan''s a really sensitive kid. He''s got a lot of feelings and gets jealous super easy. He needs someone to be all about him and doesn''t do well with half-hearted stuff. If the love isn''t all-in, he''d rather be alone than keep it." Seeing Liam bummed out, Serena broke it down for him.


    Liam couldn''t wrap his head around it. On one hand, it was pretty wild that a kid could feel so much, but on the other, he just couldn''t believe it, "What, he thinks I''m not good enough for him?"


    "He feels like you prefer the other kid, so in his mind, you''re out," Serena said as if it was nothing.


    Liam''s eyes welled up in a sh, showing a side of him you don''t usually see.


    "You can''t do me like this. You brought him here and made me y nice with that other kid, all to push him away from me on purpose!"


    Serena had tough, "Ethan''s not your kid. Why should he even be close to you? You and his dad are always at odds. You just fought with his dad recently, so him keeping his distance only makes sense." "But..."


    Suddenly, Liam, the guy who''s always got it together in the boardroom, seemed so fragile.


    He couldn''t face the fact that Ethan was drifting away, and there was nothing he could do about it.


    "I wanna go home," Ethan stated defiantly, hugging Serena''s legs tight.


    A mom just knows. Serena got that his clinging meant he was feeling let down and sad.


    She just hadn''t seen iting that Ethan might actually like Liam that much.


    "Alright, home it is." She scooped up Ethan and walked off, not looking back.


    The rain wasing down, and they waited for Liam toe and hold the umbre for them.


    Liam actually showed up.


    "Here I am, the Mr. Umbre," he said, a bit miffed.


    Serena was speechless, and they all shuffled under the umbre and made their way.


    The dirt road was a sloppy mess, making it tough to walk.


    Out of nowhere, this crazy figure came running up and clung to Liam''s legs before anyone could blink.


    "Liam... Liam! Forgive me, you can''t do this. Benjamin needs me, he can''t make it without me! Don''t let them do this to me, Liam!"


    It was Chloe.


    Serena watched Chloe begging, her face slowly going nk.


    Turns out she could get scared too.


    While she was thinking about that, she felt a warm spot on her shoulder and quickly turned to see Ethan quietly crying.


    She frowned right away, "Liam, she''s scaring Ethan."


    Liam looked where she was pointing, and there was Ethan with tears streaming down his face.


    Ethan didn''t make a scene when he cried; he just silently let the tears fall.


    It broke Liam''s heart. He didn''t bother with his bodyguard and kicked Chloe away himself.


    "Get her out of here!"


    "No! Don''t! Please, Liam! Have mercy on me! Charlotte! Charlotte, forgive me! I realize I messed up!"


    No one paid attention to Chloe''s cries.


    "Why''s Chloe losing it?" Serena asked.


    Liam exined, "She made a mistake and now she''s paying for it. You should know... Vincent probably told you about how she caused Annie and Maria''s deaths. That''s why she''s got to endure the water and the fire." "That sounds like you''re taking thew into your own hands."


    "No one''s got the guts toe after me, and no one will find out what''s going to happen to her." He''d already shattered the Beaumont family; nobody cared about Chloe anymore. "You''re okay with her suffering like that?"


    "I''ve always been okay with it; it''s just the way things turned out."


    Wow.


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    The way things turned out.


    Three lives were lost just like that.


    Serena was done with the conversation, picked up Ethan, and they headed home.


    Back at the house, she was surprised to find someone sitting in the living room.


    After a few words from the butler, she realized the visitor was Dn.


    Dn turned around with a smile upon hearing her. "Miss Perry, wee back."


    He held up a fancy gift box, "I brought something for Ethan."


    Ethan, not feeling great, was indifferent to the gift.


    After thanking Dn for Ethan, she sent the boy to bed and came back to talk to Dn.


    "Your little one''s really cute," Dnplimented with a smile.


    "He sure is," Serena replied, sitting down with her coffee. "Way cuter than Chloe''s kid."


    Dn''s smile froze for a second as he awkwardly asked, "You''ve seen Chloe''s kid?"


    He had to confess to Charlotte who the father of Chloe''s unborn child was right before her ident. He knew he couldn''t keep it from her, so he spilled the beans. Charlotte had promised not to tell Liam at the time.


    But now, if Serena was really Charlotte, she must have returned for revenge, and the secret of the child''s parentage couldn''t be kept hidden much longer.


    "The kid''s name is Benjamin, and he''s actually doing well," Serena said nonchntly.


    "Really? Liam''s got Chloe and the kid stashed away in the suburbs, where no one''s allowed to visit - it''s like they''re in soft jail. You wouldn''t know how the kid''s doing... Did you go see him?" His curiosity about the child was evident, even as he tried to hide it.


    He had hoped to use the child, who wasn''t Liam''s, to tarnish Liam''s reputation and break up the Beaumont family.


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    But who would''ve guessed Liam would get into an ident and drop out of the picture for a year and a half?


    That was enough time for Dn to craft a perfect story for the child. With Liam out of the picture, Dn was sure this kid could grow up well with Liam''s name.


    As the kid gets older, he''s gonna cut into Liam''s cash.


    When the timees and he recognizes the child, he''ll be able to cash in on Liam''s dough.


    But Charlotte can''t ruin all this.


    "So, what''s the deal with the kid? You said you weren''t a fan of Chloe, right?" Dn tested the waters.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Serena looked confused, "What''s that got to do with me? I just wanted to rile up Liam for taking a swing at my man."


    Dn let out a sigh of relief and switched gears, "Vincent must''ve filled you in about Charlotte''s dad being a gambler?"


    "He mentioned it, called him a real piece of work."


    "Exactly. Charlotte''s old man''s been scraping by, and her little bro dropped out to work some factory job. Ended up just like their dad, gambling away everything including the house. They''re pretty much scraping the barrel now." Dn eyed Serena, trying to gauge her reaction.


    That ckwood partyst week was big news. I was thinking he mighte knocking now that you''re in here."


    Robert was in deep for what happened to Maria, and Charlotte hated the guy''s guts.


    If Serena was really her, she''d be showing some kind of tell by now!


    Dn locked eyes with Serena, looking for a hint of a storm.


    But Serena was just calmly enjoying her coffee, looking bored out of her mind.


    "Why would I be Charlotte, that fool? Why should he bother me? And if he doese by, I might actually want to meet him. If Charlotte and I are both knockouts, then Robert can''t be too shabby, can he?" Serena''s ignorance made Dn feel a twinge of sadness.


    Maybe Serena wasn''t Charlotte after all.


    It was supposed to be good news for him, but why did he feel so bummed out about it?

 Chapter 115: She cant be Charlotte.

    "Have you seen the little dude? What do you think?" Vincent came back home after a long day at the office.


    He went straight upstairs to peek at Ethan, who was out like a light but still had tear tracks on his face. The kid curled up in his sleep and looked kinda sad. "What''s with Ethan?" Vincent asked one question after another.


    Serena filled him in, "The little one''s doing okay, all chubby from being well taken care of. He was just bummed out after seeing Liam holding that other kid." Vincent let out augh, "That little one, has always been quick to get jealous."


    But then his smile faded, and he looked worried, "About that kid..."


    Serena caught on quickly: "He''s not getting anything out of the whole mess. He''s not to me. I''m not gonna hurt him, so chill."


    "Alright." Vincent seemed a bit reassured, but he still had that worried look when he nced at Serena.


    "I want you to let go of all that," he said.


    "And can you let go?" Serena threw the question right back at him.


    His own brother was an innocent in the thick of it all. Could he truly ditch the hate?


    Vincent looked up at the closed door upstairs. He couldn''t see Ethan, sure, but he knew the boy was there.


    He used to wonder why folks insisted on telling those filled with vengeance to drop it.


    But now, he understood.


    Holding onto hate was because of the loss you felt.


    And holding on meant losing even more.


    He loved the life he had now, loved Ethan, loved the quiet moments with Serena and Ethan.


    But he knew this bubble might burst at any minute.


    "I''m not gonna stand in your way, Serena. You do what you''ve gotta do."


    Ethan didn''t wake up tillte afternoon, all mopey and out of sorts. It took a good y session with Vincent to coax a smile out of him.


    "Dad''s only got room for me," the little guy said, clinging to Vincent''s neck without a hint of shame: "I don''t want you to have another baby. But if you really want one, it''s okay, as long as you love me most." "Deal," Vincent promised with a grin, hugging his boy close.


    Serena watched them, a smile creeping onto her face. Ethan was so darn serious about love, looking down on anything less than total devotion.


    It was weird though. The kid had every advantage in the world and heaps of love.


    Serena didn''t get, why Ethan was the way he was.


    "Ma''am, there''s someone outside saying he''s your father," a servant came in and whispered.


    "My father? Nah, he''s off hitting golf balls on the other side of the world," Serena mumbled, then it hit her - it had to be Charlotte''s dad.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    As Serena got up, Vincent and Ethan stopped their yfighting and looked her way, as if they had some sort of telepathic connection.


    "Be right back, guys. I''m gonna hit the kitchen for some water, and yeah, I''ll snag some strawberries for Ethan while I''m at it."


    "Cool! Thanks, Mom!" Ethan''s face lit up for a second before he dove back into his toy universe.


    Vincent, with a hint of worry in his voice, asked, "Need me toe with?"


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    "Nah, it''s just some punk. I can handle it," Serena said, waving it off as if it was nothing.


    When she got to the front door, there he was a guy in a suit who had seen better days, looking pretty down on his luck.


    As she stepped closer, the guy''s face stretched into a grin that was trying way too hard.


    "Lottie, you''re alive!"


    He made a beeline for Serena, brushing past the servants. He gave her the once-over, his eyes welling up.


    "My little girl! They said you were a goner four years back, but I wouldn''t buy it. Searched the beaches for you, risking it all, but came up empty."


    He was all over the ce, spinning his tale of woe and shedding tears like he was at an audition.


    Serena watched the drama unfold with an eyebrow raised, then cut in, "Let me guess, you''re Charlotte''s dad, Robert, right?"


    He stumbled for a second, but quickly got up in her space, lowering his voice like he was sharing some state secret. "Yeah, I figured you''re here to settle some scores, hiding behind the name Serena. So, anything your old man can do to help?" "There is something," she said, ying along.


    "Yeah? What''s that?" Robert leaned in, all ears.


    Serena''s smile was all ice. "Disappear."


    That single word hit Robert like a p. His face went from sweet to sour real fast.


    "You''re kicking me out?!" He lost his cool, his face twisting into a snarl. "Let me tell you, Charlotte, no one knows you better than I do! And if I prove you''re really Charlotte, you know how many people wille after you?" "I''m Serena," she stated inly.


    "Bull, you''re Charlotte! I could tell the moment Iid eyes on you."


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    "Maybe," Serena said, her tone breezy, not giving anything away.


    Robert mistook her calm for fear. "You don''t wanna blow your cover, do ya, Charlotte? How ''bout this: You''re rolling in the dough since you married into the ckwoods. Fork over eight hundred grand a month, and I''ll zip my lips. How''s that sound?"


    Serena chuckled at his tant greed. "Eight hundred grand a month? You trying to rob me?"


    "I''m your dad! It''s like alimony!"


    "But you''re not my dad, see?"


    "Don''t y tough with me! Have you gotten all high and mighty since Ist saw you?"


    He lunged to p Serena, but she wasn''t having any of it. She dodged and stepped back, avoiding his grasp.


    "What, you scared? Scared of getting found out? Then cough up the cash!"


    "Dream on." Serena was pissed now. She stepped in and pped Robert back.


    "I''ve said it a million times, I''m not Charlotte! Don''t lump me in with someone who''d let a lowlife like you walk all over her! She might have given you a break out of some twisted sense of family, but I''m not so forgiving!" Serena went on the offensive, scratching Robert''s face until it was a mess.


    "Charlotte this, Charlotte that! If you''re so sure I''m her, prove it! Otherwise, it looks like you''re just itching for a whooping!"


    All this drama yed out in full view of someone sitting in a ck car not too far away.


    "She can''t be Charlotte."


    Daniel sighed heavily as he watched Serena, who was anything but demure. "Charlotte, no matter how much she hated someone, wouldn''t make such an ugly scene."


    Liam stayed silent, just gesturing to his guys to bring the now staggering Robert over.


    "He might know something about proving Charlotte''s identity."

 Chapter 116: Do You Love Charlotte?

    The maid popped in again to say Liam dropped by just when Ethan was getting cozy in Vincent''sp, enjoying a story.


    The moment Ethan heard Liam''s name, he scrunched up his face and covered his ears.


    Vincent chuckled at Ethan''s antics, closed the book, and set Ethan on the floor.


    "Ethan wears his heart on his sleeve, and that''s not always a good thing," he told Serena.


    Serena had just hit Robert, and her wrist was aching. As she was rotating her wrist, she said in aid-back way, "He doesn''t have to hide his feelings." Then, without waiting for an invite, Liam waltzed in with Daniel and Henry and made himself at home in the living room.


    Vincent rolled his eyes. "Haven''t seen him in ages, and now he''s acting like he''s a regr," he muttered. "Let''s see what game he''s ying."


    Heading downstairs, Vincent caught the disappointment in Liam''s eyes at seeing him alone, which he found amusing.


    "Mr. Parker, were you hoping to bump into someone else at my ce?" he teased.


    "You know who I wanted to see," Liam shot back, getting straight to the point.


    Vincent''s face darkened a bit with irritation and he got down to business, asking what they were there for.


    "We''ve got a business deal for Mr. ckwood," Daniel piped up, grabbing Vincent''s attention with talk of a juicy investment opportunity.


    It was Liam''spany''s secret weapon, a deal with a huge payoff.


    Vincent wasn''t keen on mingling with them, but the project''s potential was too enticing to ignore, and he got caught up in the conversation.


    When he finally snapped out of it, only Henry and Daniel were still there-Liam had vanished.


    Meanwhile, upstairs in the kids'' room, the door swung open.


    Ethan, halfway through building a tower of blocks, turned and saw Liam. His face wrinkled in displeasure, and he scooted over to hide behind Serena. Serena nced back, spotted Liam, and yed it cool.


    "Here for business, Mr. Parker? Business talks are fine, but isn''t it a bit rude to just show up in someone''s personal space?"


    "Rules are just shackles," Liam mumbled, sounding down.


    He stayed by the door, just watching from afar. "Does Ethan not like me anymore?"


    "You can''t tell? He''s not a fan of hypocrisy."


    "I didn''t..."


    "Ethan thinks you did, that''s all that matters," Serena interrupted him.


    With a wry smile, Liam said, "That''s a bit harsh, isn''t it?"


    Serena shrugged, "Is it harsh to protect oneself from getting hurt?"


    "I never wanted to hurt him."


    "Well, you did." Serena was aware that Ethan was sensitive and that her logic might seem off.


    Ethan was just sulking, not really causing any harm.


    "Mr. Parker, better stay away from my son in the future. And keep away from me as well. I''m married, and it''s well-known howmitted I am to Vincent. If my face reminds you of your ex so much, maybe your wife should consider stic surgery to look like me."


    "I''m not married," Liam said, his voice rough.


    Serena dismissed hisment with a sneer, "You''d be living the family dream if it hadn''t been for that ident."


    "Charlotte," Liam murmured, a pained expression crossing his face.


    He couldn''t stand hearing these words from someone who looked so much like Charlotte.


    The child, the ident, it was all a pain he didn''t want to deal with.


    "The child isn''t mine... I''ve always said nothing happened that night."Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "I was out cold when the car exploded again. I have no idea what happened. If I had been conscious, I wouldn''t have left you in the car. I''d rather have died..." "What''s the use of talking about this now? Charlotte is gone," Serena said coldly, changing the subject, "You''re looking to coborate with Vincent on a project?" After calming himself, Liam responded, "Yes."


    "You''ve always butted heads with Vincent. Why the sudden change of heart?"


    "It was just an excuse to see you and Ethan."


    Surprised, Serena said, "At least you''re honest."


    "I can''t lie when I look at you."


    "Really? Then answer me this, did you love Charlotte?" Serena asked emotionlessly, her face expressionless as she waited for his response.


    "I did," Liam answered without a second''s hesitation.


    There''s a world of difference between liking and loving someone.


    When he first found Charlotte, packaged like a gift in that room, he was just taken by her looks.


    In the six months they spent together, Charlotte''s calm and kind spirit really grew on Liam.


    She was gentle, genuinely good, and just... pure-hearted. He found himself liking her more and more, not just for her looks but for who she was. When Chloe came into the picture, it was like Charlotte changed overnight. She got all prickly, her soft heart hidden beneath ayer of frost.


    But even then, Liam was drawn to her - not just to her face or her personality separately, but to the whole,plex person she was.


    When did he really fall in love with her, though?


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    It hit him like a ton of bricks the day Charlotte heard about his engagement to Chloe and offered to quit her job. She didn''t want to stand in the way of him getting married and having kids... That''s when Liam realized what love was all about - wanting her close and hating the thought of her leaving.


    But she left him anyway.


    "I loved Charlotte," Liam confessed, the words scratching at his insides. "I just... I didn''t know how to show it, you know?"


    Her constant stepping back made him think he always had another shot.


    Being in control all these years, he thought he had everything figured out.


    "I was too full of myself," he admitted.


    He didn''t have the humility that a lover should have. Watching him tear himself apart, Serena felt nothing.


    Charlotte was gone. What good were his words now?


    "Mr. Liam Parker,"


    Serena started, a half-smile on her face, "You talk a good game about loving Charlotte, but here you are treating me, of all people, like she''s just a recement. Is that what you call love?" That really got to him, you could tell by the way he stopped breathing for a sec.


    He scrunched up his face, "I''m not using you as a recement. You couldn''t rece her even if you wanted to... I''m just... it''s been so long since I''ve seen her face."


    "Say I ask you to hand over the whole project''s profit to Vincent," she threw out there, watching his reaction closely.


    "What?" Liam was thrown off.


    Serena repeated herself, cool as a cucumber, then with a teasing edge, she challenged him, "You''re not using me as a stand-in, right? So, Mr. Parker, will you meet my terms?" Liam''s frown deepened, and he mped up, not saying a word.


    Serena didn''t let up, "You better say yes, or you won''t get to see this face, the one you say reminds you of Charlotte, ever again."

 Chapter 117: Bending the Knee for Her

    Asking something like that straight-up was totally out of line. Anyone would say no.


    And all that talk of partnership Liam spouted was just a cover to get in with the ckwood family. He never really nned to team up with Vincent. Serena''s gutsy demand nearly hit Liam where it hurt.


    He red at her, trying to spot any trace of Charlotte in her.


    If Serena were Charlotte, he''d have no problem ying along with whatever she wanted.


    But if she wasn''t?


    Then caving now would be like cheating on Charlotte.


    After a long pause, Liam finally said in a raspy voice, "You''re trying to make me bend the knee, aren''t you?"Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Charlotte had been upfront about it lots of times before she wanted him to bend the knee, and do it for her.


    If Serena was Charlotte, then...


    "All I''m doing is getting a bit back for my hubby after all the hassle you''ve caused. How''s that making you bend the knee?" Serena said, sarcasm dripping from her words. "Given who I am, avoiding Mr. Parker is the right thing to do. Whether you agree to my terms or not doesn''t change that. It''s hardly coercion."


    Sheid it all out there, leaving the next move to Liam.


    "Think about it, Mr. Parker."


    Then, holding Ethan, she stood there - both of them looking so out of ce and chilly.


    Liam just couldn''t take it.


    "Stop giving me that look," he said, his eyes shut tight. "I can''t stand it."


    "Well, don''t look then," Serena fired back coldly. "You don''t get to tell us what to do, Mr. Parker."


    She scooped up Ethan and led the way downstairs. Daniel was still trying to outsmart Vincent.


    The whole partnership thing was just for show, and Vincent was too sharp, chasing them down hard. Daniel was having a rough time of it.


    When Serena and Ethan showed up downstairs, Daniel jumped at the chance to switch gears, "Hey, is this little master? What a cutie."


    Ethan wasn''t in the mood and just snubbed him.


    Daniel tried to y it off, "Got a bit of a temper, I see!"


    Serena didn''t bother to exin that Ethan is actually a pretty mild and polite kid, but ever since he saw Liam holding that other child, he''s been in a foul mood. And running into Liam just made things worse.


    "Why the long face again?" Vincent asked with a mix of concern and affection as he took Ethan from Serena''s arms. "Looks like you''ve inherited your mother''s knack for mood swings." "Mrs. ckwood has a temper, huh?" Daniel couldn''t resist poking a bit.


    Charlotte always had a sweet disposition, and Daniel knew that a person''s nature is hard to change. Maybe this was a way to figure out if Serena really was Charlotte.


    Vincent''s frown finally lifted when he talked about his wife and child, "Girls will be girls, a little sass is normal."


    They looked at each other with deep affection, Serena blushing and turning away first.


    The whole scene made Daniel''s heart sink further.


    Serena''s demeanor didn''t seem put on. If she were Charlotte, she wouldn''t be able to hide her true feelings so easily.


    While everyone was silent, Liam made his way down the stairs.


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    Serena looked at him defiantly and brought up the partnership, "So, how did your talk go? When do we start getting into the nitty-gritty of working together?"


    Daniel forced a smile, "It''s a bitplex, we''ve got to take it back for discussion..."


    "Does Mr. Parker agree?" Serena''s gaze shed with Liam''s, who looked a little red-eyed, "Partnerships are about momentum. If we can''t get it right today, there''s no point talkingter." She was clearly issuing a threat.


    Daniel didn''t like this one bit. Charlotte was always so gentle and considerate, never this pushy.


    "Mrs. ckwood, ady like you..."


    "I think I was talking to your boss," Serena interrupted with a half-smile, "My offer stands. I need an answer now, Mr. Parker."


    "What offer?" Daniel asked, sidestepping his irritation to get to the bottom of it.


    Vincent pulled Serena aside to ask what was going on.


    Sheid it out for him, and even though they tried to keep their voices down, the living room''s acoustics carried every word.


    "He trashes his own life and then ys the grieving widower. Why should we let him mess with our happiness to ease his guilt? What''s wrong with me getting a little payback?"


    "If Liam doesn''t agree, that''s fine by me. It means we can finally cut him off and I won''t have to put up with that disgusting look on his face."


    Liam was visibly shaken, his back quivering and his face turned pale, too stunned to say anything.


    "Mr. Parker!" Daniel eximed in disbelief. "Can you believe what she''s saying? Why are you even second-guessing? She''s nothing like Charlotte. Not one bit."


    Even when Charlotte was down on her luck, she''d never think of exploiting Liam.


    But Serena? She had the audacity toe right out with such an impolite demand!


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    Daniel was convinced Serena wasn''t Charlotte. "We don''t need to entangle ourselves with her. She''s just someone with a simr face. The more you entertain her, the more you betray Charlotte." Daniel ranted but Liam didn''t respond. When Daniel looked up, he saw Liam fixated on the child in Vincent''s arms.


    "Mr. Parker?" Daniel recognized that look. He felt a chill, "You''re not actually considering her ludicrous demands, are you?"


    They were about to hand over their most prized and promising project to the ckwood group, and now this woman dared to ask for a 70-30 split in their favor.


    This wasn''t just conceding; it was a self-inflicted insult.


    "If you go through with this, you''re just kowtowing to Vincent, letting this woman manipte you!"


    "Daniel," Liam''s voice wasced with uncertainty, making Daniel''s heart skip a beat.


    "I believe she''s Charlotte."


    "She''s trying to make me give in."


    "I''ve disappointed her too many times."


    Daniel was in disbelief, "You''re out of your mind, Liam. For a woman whose identity we''re not even sure of, you''re out of your mind!"


    "I just can''t handle losing her again."


    Logic told him the woman before him was nothing like Charlotte, but his intuition screamed that she was.


    She just hadn''t forgiven him yet and was still holding him ountable.


    "For four years, I''ve lived day by day with her pictures, slept in her bed, clutched her clothes, and yet I''ve been restless."


    "But just having her appear before me for a few seconds let me sleep well."


    "Daniel, let''s go along with what she wants."

 Chapter 118: What gives you the right to say that?!

    Liam was off the rails, totally losing it.


    Daniel couldn''t take it, but he didn''t make a fuss and just nodded. "As you wish."


    Before he took off, Liam shot Serena a long, hard look. She had this smug grin on her face, like she just got away with something, and it was annoying as heck.


    "Ugh," Daniel couldn''t hide his disgust. "Mr. Parker is just missing Charlotte like crazy, that''s why he''s letting you walk all over him. But listen up, Serena, you''re no Charlotte. Once this little obsession fades, Mr. Parker won''t even bother to look your way!"


    "Oh, is that so? Tell me, what makes Charlotte and me different?"


    Serena was practically rolling her eyes. "What is it? She''s selfless and I''m selfish? She''s subtle and I''m direct? Or is it that her morals are high and mine are low?"


    She could hardly keep fromughing at Daniel''s hypocrisy, "Charlotte was too giving, and that''s why she got ground down by all of you."


    She even felt it was totally unfair to Charlotte.


    "Look at how you guys would treat her. If Charlotte somehow came back, she wouldn''t be allowed to have a single grievance or demand without being called selfish."


    Serena turned to Liam, "You wouldn''t even give her the respect she deserved even if she died for you. Liam, I''m actually relieved that Charlotte, the poor thing, is dead. If she were alive to see how holier-than-thou you all are, it would just break her heart."


    Liam and Daniel were dumbfounded.


    They had never stopped to think what it would be like if Charlotte came back and what her attitude would be.


    Now that Serena pointed it out... If Charlotte were really alive, she''d probably be so let down by him, maybe she''d react just like Serena.


    Liam was stunned, for the first time truly contemting the ''what if Charlotte were alive'' scenario.N?velDrama.Org content.


    Just thinking about it was enough to depress him.


    She''d probably despise him.


    Liam walked away with Daniel and Henry in tow, but you could tell that he was wrestling with some pretty intense emotions.


    "Really? We''re signing up for this? Sure, the project''s great, but it means ourpanies are gonna be super tangled up. If Liam decides to y dirty, he might just use this as an excuse to keep seeing you."


    Vincent was puzzled by Serena''s move. "We had a deal before you left, remember? You just living happily here is supposed to be the best way to get under his skin."


    "I regret that now."


    Serena''s face went cold, losing her usual aggressive ir. She seemed so serene and restrained, almost like Charlotte. If Liam or Daniel were around, they''d probably do a double-take. "He''s got to suffer more."


    "Charlotte..." Vincent identally said the name, earning a re from Serena before he quickly corrected himself, "Serena, don''t get too caught up. The more you want him to hurt, the more you''ll end up wrapped up with him." "I know that."


    But she wasn''t going to lose herself.


    Nothing teaches you to value life quite like death.


    The next day, the big reconciliation between the Parker and ckwoodpanies hit the news. They were working closely, and the word was out everywhere.


    Thanks to Serena''s influence, the Parker Group was pouring in most of the startup cash and providing the venue, but they were only getting a tiny share of the profits. This talk made its way into every gossip circle. Lately, Liam had been throwing his weight around, never one to give an inch when it came to profits.


    Now, people were digging up dirt, like how Vincent''s wife looks a lot like Liam''s ex.


    Everyone was whispering that Liam was making concessions for a pretty face.


    It would''ve been okay if she was just someone ordinary, but she was Vincent''s wife.


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    What could''ve been a sweet story was now the butt of jokes.


    Liam was getting mmed with all sorts ofbels-''lusting after a married woman,'' ''lowlyte love,'' ''self-deluded and morally corrupt.'' It was a PR nightmare.


    But he didn''t seem to care. Despite the hit to his image, he showed up the next day with presents.


    "Mr. Parker''s in quite the mood, huh? Bad press doesn''t seem to dampen your spirits." Serena nced at the stuff in his hands-mostly toys and kids'' treats.


    He was there to see Ethan.


    Unbothered, Liam set down the gifts and started looking around for Ethan.


    "Where''s Ethan?"


    "He doesn''t want to see you."


    After that short chat, the living room went quiet.


    Serena expected Liam to leave, not being the type to take a hit to his dignity well.


    But to her surprise, he just sat down on the couch.


    Out of curiosity, Serena asked, "You do realize I''m the one who spread those stories, right?"


    "Yep."


    "How can you just sit there so chill when you''re facing me? Vincent told me you''ve got a bit of a temper."


    "So, what should I be doing instead?" Liam finally looked up at her. He seemed to be trying to keep their contact to a minimum, just a brief nce and his eyes were off, fleeting like the breeze.


    He chuckled at himself, "If Charlotte were still here, she''d probably be getting even with me in the same way."


    Then another sigh, "You knew I wasn''t going toy a finger on you before you started messing with me, didn''t you?"


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    "I know that." Liam turned away, "I know."


    He was hoping to catch up with Ethan, but Serena wasn''t having any of it, so he just wandered around the house all day by himself.


    Ethan was avoiding him, tucked away in his room. But kids can''t stand being cooped up for long. By evening, he had enough and came storming out, shoving Liam in a huff.


    Upstairs, they were pulling at each other, murmuring about something. Serena just looked on from downstairs, staying out of it.


    She saw how Liam pulled Ethan close, trying to calm him down.


    After a while, Ethan chilled out, and they walked into the room together, hand in hand.


    When they came back out, Ethan was all smiles with Liam.


    Serena watched it all with a frosty gaze. It wasn''t until Liam walked into the living room with Ethan that she spoke up coldly, "That kid Benjamin, without Chloe to care for him, how''s he managing?" "I wouldn''t know," Liam said with a cold edge, "he''s not gonna starve, that''s for sure."


    "That''s your kid, you know."


    "I don''t see it that way."


    Serena scoffed, "Just like that, you don''t ''see it that way'', and you''ve screwed up that child''s life. Liam, it was your mistake, but the kid''s paying for it."


    All his talk about ''not seeing it that way'' was just for show, probably to make Charlotte think he was faithful.


    But really, it was he who screwed up first. It''s not like the kid made him hook up with Chloe.


    "If Charlotte had your kid, I bet they''d end up the same way."


    That assumption from Serena really got under Liam''s skin.


    He snapped at her, "What gives you the right to say that?!"

 Chapter 119: He wont be a Parker.

    Liam was struggling with the thought.


    "If Charlotte were still here," he started, his voice heavy with regret, "I told her once that her kid would be my only one. He''d have myst name, Parker, and get everything I have."


    "But, Mr. Parker, even if we don''t know if Charlotte''s gone for good or if she could have had kids, you''ve got a child already. The whole ''only'' child thing has turned into a bad joke, hasn''t it?" Serena wasn''t pulling any punches, totally ignoring how much her words were cutting Liam as she waved Ethan over.


    Ethan came over, all wide-eyed and curious, ncing between Serena and Liam.


    "Mom," he asked tentatively, "do you really not like him?"


    "That''s right," Serena didn''t beat around the bush, "I really don''t like him."


    "I kinda like him though," Ethan admitted, looking a bit stuck.


    He didn''t know how to handle liking someone his mom clearly didn''t, and he didn''t want to stop seeing Liam either.


    So, in his own awkward way, he tried to sway his mom, "I like him, so... Mommy, could you like him like I do?"


    Serena felt dizzy with the boldness of his request.


    He was too sure of himself, thinking she''d just agree.


    "Ethan, I''ve taught you to go after what you want without fear, haven''t I? It''s about fighting for what you want, not stepping on others to get it."


    Her words were cool and detached, "You might get others to bend for you, but that won''t keep them from walking out on you."


    Ethan was just a kid; he didn''t get what she was saying. He sensed she was mad, though, and tried to cuddle up to her, only to find she wasn''t having any of it.


    Serena was staring straight at Liam, "Since Ethan likes you so much, Mr. Parker, you''re up for exining it to him, right?"


    Liam was hanging on by a thread, fists balled tight, eyes locked on her.


    "You''re doing this on purpose," he used, emotions nearly spilling over, "Serena, not in front of the kid..."


    "He deserves to know the truth."


    Serena''s piercing look gave Liam a moment of pause.


    They were still waiting on the paternity test.


    He had no proof Serena was Charlotte.


    Yet in that moment, he was convinced she was.


    Only Charlotte would say things like that, only she could rattle him so deeply.


    He even started to doubt whether Ethan was his own.


    "You can''t do this to me. You''ve got to let me make some mistakes..."


    "Sure, make mistakes. But you''re the one who has to live with the consequences, isn''t that right?"


    Serena hoisted Ethan into her arms, not even a second nce in his direction as she headed for the stairs.


    But as she strode past Liam, he reached out and gripped her arm hard.


    Turning to face him, a lone tear escaped and traced its way down Serena''s cheek.


    "I will face the consequences," Liam dered, his eyes bloodshot, revealing the pain behind that single tear.


    "Charlotte, just wait for me."


    "I''m not waiting," Serena yanked her arm free, her voice cold and final.


    "The past is the past, and now is now. And you should call me Mrs. ckwood."


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    Liam lingered downstairs until the dead of night before he finally left.


    From the balcony, Serena watched him go, the night swallowing his figure. Vincent appeared beside her, as silent as a shadow.


    "He''s digging into your connection with Robert. Your secret won''t stay buried for much longer," he murmured, anxietycing his words.


    Vincent hadn''t been on board when Charlotte decided to return home, but it wasn''t his ce to stop her personal matters.


    He seems calm on the surface, but he''s actually on edge. If he finds out you''re Charlotte, there''s no telling what he might do."


    "He''s not going to kill me twice," Serena... or should we say, Charlotte, her voice devoid of feeling, her words sharp as knives. "I never nned to hide my true self from him with this face."


    "But why..."


    "To let him discover I''m not Serena, but Charlotte, and then to walk away while he''s still reeling from getting me back-don''t you think that''s kind of thrilling?"Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Charlotte spoke with a detachment that seemed almost amused. "He''s made me suffer enough. It''s time he starts paying it back, piece by piece."


    Vincent wanted to argue, to tell her something more, but he held back, considering her feelings.


    Things weren''t going to be as simple as she thought. Even if she wanted to leave, would Liam really let her?


    After letting the night air wash over her for a while longer, Charlotte finally went back inside. Ethan was fast asleep, his face still showing traces of his earlier tears-Charlotte had been harsh with him. "Ethan''s just a kid; you shouldn''t be so tough on him," Vincent couldn''t hide his concern.


    Charlotte knew that, of course, but she couldn''t stand the thought of her son growing up to mirror Liam.


    "He''s naturally drawn to Liam, and I thought that was the extent of it. But now, Ethan''s starting to act like him too..."


    She couldn''t bear the thought of Ethan growing up to be as self-centered as Liam.


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    After that crash, with her ribs in pieces and her insides a mess, she was about to be wheeled into surgery when they dropped the bomb-she was pregnant.


    All her pain seemed to fade in that instant. The only thing that mattered to Charlotte was that this baby shouldn''t exist.


    A child with Liam''s blood? No way.


    But then the docs said this might be her only shot at motherhood.


    Tossing and turning all night, she wrestled with the decision.


    Come morning, with the sun creeping up the horizon, she knew she was going to keep the baby.


    Without any family, this little one would be her world, her reason to keep the fight alive.


    Sticking with the baby meant ditching the meds and the surgery.


    Healing the old-fashioned way was brutal, but she''d swallow any pain for her kid.


    "I can''t let him turn into another Liam, living the high life with no conscience, hurting people without a second thought." "Look, Charlotte, how you raise Ethan is your business, but remember what you promised me he won''t be a Parker."


    Ethan''s a ckwood through and through, growing up with his name in our family book.


    "You swore that no matter what goes down, Ethan won''t be going back to the Parker family."


    "He won''t."


    Charlotte was ice cold. "He''s not going to have anything to do with Liam."


    Liam should''ve known-you grab at something, you''re bound to lose something else.


    He lost his right to be called ''Dad'' the minute he chose to let Chloe-the cause of all this mess-off the hook for a kid that wasn''t even his. Bringing Ethan home was about two things, giving the kid a chance to meet his real dad, and showing Liam exactly what he threw away.

 Chapter 120 Do you think anyone would stop me?

    It looks like Charlotte really got to Liam the other day; he''s been MIA for three days straight.


    Charlotte heard from Vincent that their work project is chugging along without a hitch. Liam''s been super amodating, doing pretty much whatever ckwood Group asks of him, and going out of his way to please.


    On top of that, Charlotte noticed that the stuff they were eating and using at home was way nicer than usual. After some snooping, she figured out Liam had swapped out the ckwood family staff who took care of her and her kid-on the down low.


    All those fancy snacks and swanky household items? That was all Liam''s doing.


    Charlotte couldn''t help but feel grossed out by how sneaky he was.


    But what really made her stomach turn was the news she got this morning.


    "Chloe''s baby is a mess without her won''t eat, won''t sleep. The Parker family''s big shots saw the kid in that state and, over everyone''s objections, they brought Chloe back to be with her little one. Now they''re both at the Parker family''s old mansion."


    "Liam let this happen?" That was the first thing that popped into Charlotte''s head.


    Vincent shook his head. "Liam was a no-show at the office yesterday. Henry said he''s sick, resting at home."


    Charlotte couldn''t care less about Liam feeling under the weather. She was worried about Chloe.


    So, in the afternoon, Charlotte took Ethan and headed over to the Parkers''.


    Ever since Keh died, Liam and the Parker family had split ways. The Parkers were all over the ce until Dn stepped in and took advantage. Now he was calling the shots.


    When Charlotte showed up at the Parker family''s old mansion with Ethan, Dn was the first one out the door to meet them.


    "Mrs. ckwood, what''s up? You''re here?" Dn came running over, panting, stopping in front of them. "And Ethan''s with you too!"


    Ethan was all polite, "Hi, Uncle."


    "Hey, buddy." After goofing around with Ethan for a bit, Dn turned to Charlotte. "Mrs. ckwood, what brings you..."


    "Vincent said Chloe''s staying here now, right?" Charlotte didn''t beat around the bush.


    Dn was caught off guard for a second but quickly got his cool back. "You really keep tabs on Chloe, huh?"


    "Why wouldn''t I? She went all out on me the other day. We ckwoods are well-known around here. She hit me, and you think we''re gonna let that slide?"


    Seeing that Charlotte was here for this, Dn looked a bit relieved.


    It''d been four years since Charlotte had been to the Parker family''s old mansion. Coming back now didn''t faze her one bit.


    But her arrival sure shook things up for the folks inside.


    "You... you little home-wrecker! Got the nerve toe back here!"


    As Charlotte walked into the main hall, she ran into a familiar face.


    "This is Pam, " Dn tried to introduce her, but Charlotte covered Ethan''s ears, cutting him off cold, "Pam? More like a dirty mouth that needs washing out!"


    "Oh, it''s you!" Pam couldn''t hide her anger. She had her fair share of trouble because of Charlotte, and Liam had even banished her from the Parker family, only to be brought back from a nursing home when Dn took over.


    She resented Charlotte and Liam deeply, sneering, "You think you''re something special just because you''ve got a foxy face that men fall for? Do you actually believe that ckwood boy likes you for who you are? Yeah, right! He''s just into your looks!"


    Charlotte justughed it off, "So he likes my face, that''s still liking me, isn''t it? Olddy, are you insinuating my husband actually prefers you?" "You crazy!"


    "I''m not fond of anyone casting doubts on my rtionship with Vincent."


    "What?"


    Pam was taken aback by Charlotte''s unexpected response, and before she could react, Charlotte''s hand had already made contact with her cheek. The p rang out, and everyone''s jaws dropped.


    "Mrs. ckwood!" Dn was panicking, "Pam is Liam''s aunt!"


    "She insulted me," Charlotte said coolly, brushing off her hands and looking around with a hint of indifference. "If you''ve got a problem, goin to the ckwood family."


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    Then she took Ethan by the hand and walked forward with purpose, "Where''s Chloe? I want to see her now!"


    "Mrs. ckwood!"


    Dn was in a bind. Without Liam, the Parker family was no match for the ckwoods, and he wasn''t about to pick a fight over an old woman.


    As Dn tried to keep up with Charlotte, his worry turned to astonishment.


    He realized that this Mrs. ckwood, who bore a striking resemnce to Charlotte, was surprisingly familiar with the Parker family''s old mansion. "Charlotte."


    In a moment of impulsiveness, Dn called out the name.


    But Mrs. ckwood didn''t react as he had hoped; she continued to march forward.


    Ethan, sitting on her shoulder, shushed him, "Don''t mention that name, my mom really dislikes her, says she''s dumb."


    "Really?" Dn was left speechless.


    Charlotte soon found Chloe''s room.


    Unexpectedly, Chloe was living in the room that used to belong to Keh.


    As Charlotte entered with Ethan in her arms, Chloe was trying to nurse her child, Benjamin.


    Breastfeeding a three- or four-year-old?


    Talk about doing whatever it takes to get by.


    "You''re really scraping the bottom of the barrel to stay alive," Charlotte said coolly, causing Chloe to jump and look at her with wide, fearful eyes.


    "Charlotte!" Chloe hugged her child protectively and backed away, her eyes darting around as if looking for an escape. "Why are you here? Haven''t you done enough damage? What more do you want from me?" "Me? Ruin your life?" Charlotte couldn''t help butugh. "Please, tell me how I''ve supposedly done that."


    As she spoke, Charlotte handed Ethan off to Dn outside the door and told him to keep an eye on him. Ethan, curious, peeked inside, whispering to Dn that he wanted the ''little brother'' inside toe out and y. Dn took in Charlotte''s expression and then the wailing child in Chloe''s arms and agreed to help. "Alright." "Benjamin,e on out."


    Dn reached for the child, but Chloe fought back like a wildcat, clinging to her son as if he were herst lifeline.


    "Benjamin is my son! Nobody''s taking him from me!"


    Benjamin was bawling, scared, and timid, in sharp contrast to Ethan, who stood at the door looking around with interest.


    Dn lost his cool, "Look at what you''re turning him into!"


    "He''s my son! I''ll raise him how I see fit! Mind your own business!"


    Before they could really get into it, Charlotte cut in, "Let''s calm down. You''re all family. There''s no need for this ''yours'' and ''mine.""


    She managed to get the child from Chloe and gestured for Dn to take him out.


    Before leaving, Dn threw Chloe a disapproving look, "You''re not fit to be a mother!" Chloe was left screaming in anger.


    Once she had run out of steam, Charlotte spoke up slowly, "Imagine if I told you to die today. Do you think anyone would stop me?"


    "What are you saying?" Chloe scoffed as if she''d heard the most ridiculous thing ever, "The kid can''t live without me! I''m the mother of the Parker family''s only heir! You want me to die? That''s like wishing death on him! Charlotte, no one would stand for that!"


    "And Liam? What about him?" Charlotte put on a worried face. "After all I''ve done, he should be ready to do anything for me, shouldn''t he?"N?velDrama.Org content.


    "What? What are you getting at?"


    Chloe caught the underlying threat in Charlotte''s words.


    It was as if the predator that had been hiding in the shadows was finally ready to bare its ws.

 Chapter 121: Im aiming at you guys. "Listen,"

    "I want to kill you,"


    Charlotte said those mean words without batting an eye.


    Chloe was ready to explode.


    She''s scrambling around on the bed, looking for something to hit Charlotte with.


    But then she grabs her side in pain, probably hit a bruise or something, and quiets down real quick.


    That''s when Charlotte sees the mess of welts and bruises under Chloe''s shirt.


    "Did Liam have someone do this to you?" she asked.


    Chloe gave her a death stare. "You know the answer, so why bother asking?"


    "I never figured Liam would do something like this to you."


    But Charlotte''s still holding onto a ton of hate, "You paid someone to off me, and he didn''t even think of getting rid of you."


    She''ll never forgive Liam for that.


    Ever.


    Chloe''s even more upset, "Cut the act, Charlotte! You know who Liam really loves! It''s not me! He doesn''t even treat me like his wife! I had his kid and he still looks at me like I''m trash!" "Three people are dead because of you!" Charlotte lost it. "And all you''re hung up on is some stupid romance!"


    "What? Please, if Annie hadn''t been snooping around my stuff, would I have touched her?"


    "If you hadn''t been in my way all the time, would I have gone after Maria?"


    "This is on you, Charlotte. You couldn''t take care of your own sister, protect your mom, or keep your greed in check! It''s all your fault!"


    "If it wasn''t for you, even if Liam didn''t love me, he''d at least respect me. We could''ve been okay, but you showed up and wrecked everything!"


    Charlotte had enough, "You wrecked your own life. Nobody''s gonna love a nasty piece of work like you, Chloe. Even without me, Liam was never gonna love you."


    "No way!"


    "It''s just that you refuse to ept it." Charlotte was tired of arguing. "I''m sick of all this, and I don''t want to stay here any longer."


    "So..."


    She looked at Chloe, "It''s time to end things between us."


    "What are you nning?" Chloe snapped, all defensive.


    Charlotte couldn''t help butugh at her reaction, "Rx, I''m not going to hurt you."


    During the years she had spent with Vincent, Charlotte hade to understand the true power of a top-tier family.


    He had told her they could have gotten rid of Chloe easily, without any fuss.


    They didn''t do it before because the Beaumont family had clout and Vincent hadn''t taken full control yet.


    But Liam?


    He rose to fame early and gained power quickly. The Jin family was nothing but a small boat in the vast oceanpared to the Parker family''s power machine.


    Even in their heyday, Liam could''ve taken Chloe to task.


    Now that the Beaumont family''s out of the picture and Chloe''s got no one behind her, it''s even easier.


    But he still kept her around, using the dumb excuse that ''the kid needs a mom.''


    He just didn''t care, that''s all.


    He didn''t give a hoot about the pain Charlotte was in from losing her mom and sister.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    He didn''t even care if Charlotte herself was dead.


    Bottom line, he wasn''t in love.


    "I''m gonna make Liam be the one to do you in," Charlotte said, all chill.


    "I wanna knock him off his pedestal and make him face the music."


    All this time, four years to be exact, Charlotte had this nagging thought, If she hadn''t tangled with Liam, maybe the beef with Chloe would''ve been simple. Chloe might not have had such a vendetta, making life tough at every turn. Without Liam in the picture, things would''ve been lessplicated.


    Right in the middle of her thoughts, a thud came from outside. Sounded like something busted on the ground.


    Then there was this kid''s cry, slicing through the quiet.


    Chloe bolted up and made a beeline for the door.


    "Benjamin! My boy!"


    Charlotte, on the other hand, took a moment to realize that Ethan was bawling too.


    Ethan''s the kind of kid who doesn''t show his cards and keeps it all under wraps. Even if he''s on the verge of tears, he''d usually keep it to a sniffle, not this full-on meltdown.


    Charlotte hustled outside and spotted Ethan plopped in a muddy puddle, with that Benjamin brat flinging globs of mud at him.


    And there''s Dn, just grabbing at Benjamin''s arm trying to stop the mudslinging, instead of scooping Ethan out of that chilly puddle.


    "Ethan!" she shouted, her voice slicing through the wet mess.


    Water.


    The crying.


    Suddenly, bad memories flood Charlotte''s mind, and she bolts over to Ethan and pulls him into a fierce hug.


    "Don''t cry, sweetie, mommy''s right here. Everything''s gonna be alright, no worries."


    "Mommy..." Ethan''s a mess, bawling, "He hit me!"


    "It''s ok, I will solve the problem."


    After a bit of mom magic, Ethan calms down but sticks to Charlotte like glue, his head buried in her.


    "Mrs. ckwood, this is a mix-up..."


    Charlotte''s hand flies, and Dn''s cheek catches a five-star review.


    Dn''s shocked, "It''s just kids goofing off, Mrs. ckwood. You''re kinda overdoing it, don''t you think?"


    "My kid''s getting bullied by your Parker kid, and you''re just standing there. Not cool."


    Charlotte''s eyes are throwing daggers at Dn''s mad mug, "How dare you let anyone mess with my kid?!"


    "Just kids ying around!" Dn''s hugging Benjamin like a shield, not letting go even with Chloe reaching in, "You may not like Benjamin, Mrs. ckwood, but there''s no need to blow it out of proportion!" "Who''s blowing what now?"


    Charlotte''s got a smirk, "I''m aiming at you guys."


    "What?" Dn smells trouble, "It''s just kids scrapping. How big do you wanna make this?"


    Charlotte just dials Vincent, ignoring him.


    Post-call, it clicks for Dn - Charlotte''s ying for keeps, and his face gets all sorts of dark, "I''m sorry for the kids, Mrs. ckwood. If you want payback, let Ethan dunk Benjamin too! Fair and square, yeah?" "Not good enough."


    Charlotte stands like she''s made of steel, "Bad parenting has a price tag, my friend."


    "Mrs. ckwood!"


    Dn''s begging, even ready to boot Chloe from the Parkers, but Charlotte''s not budging.


    The ckwood cavalry arrives quickly.


    And guess who''s tagging along?


    Liam.

 Chapter 122: All you need to know is that youve earned this mess youre in.

    Vincent is the only son of the ckwood family, and Ethan is Vincent''s only child - the sole heir to the ckwood legacy.


    When news hit that Ethan was being bullied by the Parker family, the ckwoods rallied, ready to confront the issue head-on.


    Dn''s face turned a sickly shade of green when he heard the ckwoods were on their way.


    "It''s just a little roughhousing between kids!" he insisted, grinding his teeth.


    Charlotte was unimpressed, "Sure, kids roughhouse. But Mr. Parker, you only watched out for your own kid and left mine sitting in cold, dirty mud. That''s an adult stepping in. If you can step in, why can''t I?" "Mrs. ckwood! I''ll apologize to Ethan. I''ll make it right!"


    "Toote."


    Charlotte rxed just a tad as Vincent hurried over.


    "Ethan!" Vincent took his son from Charlotte and saw the mud. His anger red, "Is this how Mr. Parker treats a ckwood?"


    "It''s a misunderstanding," Dn tried to defuse the situation. "I should''ve kept an eye on Ethan..."


    "I only saw my kid getting picked on."


    Vincent was a mirror image of Charlotte, handing Ethan off to be cleaned up and then standing firmly beside her.


    He was all about protection.


    Things spiraled out of control, going the way Dn feared the most.


    The ckwoods had a rep for being decent folks in the city- kind, well-mannered, not the type to throw their weight around.


    But are the Parkers pushing Ethan around? That hit a nerve. The ckwoods were ready to go to war.


    Dn could almost see the devastating oue.


    "Mrs. ckwood, you can''t do this."


    As Dn made ast-ditch effort, the ckwood''s negotiator brought over a video to Vincent.


    The clip showed Ethan all friendly, asking Benjamin to y.


    They were good until Ethan found this cool rock. Benjamin wanted it, but Ethan said no, so Benjamin just shoved Ethan right into a puddle and grabbed the rock. Ethan, all muddy, tried to grab his rock back.


    That''s when Dn stepped in, but instead of stopping Benjamin, he let Benjamin cry it out and me Ethan, which got Ethan shoved into the mud again. Charlotte and Vincent went stone-cold after watching that video.


    Ethan was no pushover; he tried to stand his ground.


    "So, Mr. Parker, got anything to say?" Vincent asked, like ice.


    The video said it all, and Dn was out of words, "I''ll teach the kid a lesson..."


    "Right here, right now." Vincent was never harsh, but today he was downright frosty, "Mr. Parker, it''s time my son saw that there are consequences for bullying." "Hey!"


    Dn couldn''t believe it. After being the leader for four years, there was no way he was going to stand for this.


    "Vincent, you''re pushing your luck!"


    "All I''m doing is what should''ve been done, Mr. Parker. Why are you getting so hot under the cor?"


    Vincent waved his hand, signaling his people to block Chloe and her child, who was bawling his eyes out. Chloe, tears streaming down her face, was clearly distressed. "What do you think you''re doing? Isn''t this just in bullying?"


    Charlotte was surprised to hear Chloe sounding so weak.


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    Did Chloe ever think, back when she was throwing her family''s weight around, that one day she''d be the one facing the music?


    "He''s just a little kid! What in the world are you nning to do to him?"


    "Just giving a few words of advice, to make sure the kid doesn''t grow up to be as mean and stuck-up as you," Charlotte said, her voice even.


    She had been standing quietly behind Vincent, almost forgotten by Chloe. Now, faced with Charlotte, a panicked Chloe ran to her, child in arms, pleading.


    "I know I''ve messed up a lot before, I''m sorry, I''ll change! Charlotte, let the grown-ups handle this, don''t be hard on a child! He''s only four years old!" Charlotte didn''t flinch, "Like I said, just a few words."


    She wasn''t about to really do anything to a child.


    But didn''t the kid deserve to be scolded for such mean behavior as pushing someone into a mud puddle?


    While they were at a standoff, a Parker family servant came over quietly to say Liam had arrived.


    Chloe''s face suddenly lit up with hope.


    "Quick! Benjamin! Go to your dad! With him here, nobody can mess with you!"


    Benjamin was scared and notfortable with Liam. Despite Chloe''s prodding, he just clung to her, unwilling to move.


    As they struggled, Liam walked up and stepped into the middle of the crowd.


    "What''s this about?" he asked, looking first at the mud on Charlotte''s clothes.


    Vincent stepped in front of Dn, blocking his view. "Your son pushed mine into a puddle twice. Don''t you think it''s time for a little discipline, Mr. Parker?"


    "Ethan?" Liam''s face fell. He hadn''t seen Ethan around. "What''s happened to him?"


    "He''s pretty shaken up. He''s not used to dealing with such disrespect, and getting dunked in a puddle twice could give him a cold, or worse."


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    "Mr. Parker, are you really suggesting that I''m using my son''s well-being to y you?" Vincent pushed back.


    Liam''s frown deepened. "Is he okay, at least?"


    "That''s none of your business," Charlotte interjected, her voice cool and impatient with Liam''s hesitation. "Surely you can handle teaching your own son a lesson, can''t you, Mr. Parker?"


    "He''s not..." Liam started to defend, but meeting Charlotte''s cold gaze, he lost his train of thought.


    "Alright."


    "Alright?" Chloe couldn''t believe her ears. "They''re just kids being kids! Liam, are you really going to stress out our son over some other kid? Benjamin''s scared out of his wits! Do you have any idea how much this could hurt him?" Liam nced at Benjamin, who was a bundle of nerves and tears, hiding in Chloe''s embrace, his face red and puffy as if he was about to suffocate from crying.


    Maybe now wasn''t the best time to chew him out.


    "Look, the kids are all scared. Let''s just calm down. I''ll bring him over to say sorryter, okay?"


    Liam''s voice had that begging edge to it.


    He was looking for a bit of grace from Charlotte.


    But sympathy was thest thing on Charlotte''s mind, especially with him looking so desperate.


    She stepped closer to Liam, her voice a hushed sting in his ear, "Just remember, Ethan saw everything that went down here." Liam stiffened.


    Charlotte didn''t let up. "Right now, Vincent''s the one looking like a dad here. To Ethan, Vincent''s the only dad he''ll recognize." "What?" Liam was shaken, confused, and angry. "What are you trying to say? Charlotte, spell it out for me, I''m not following..." "You don''t have to get it," Charlotte said, almost with a sense of pity. "All you need to know is that you''ve earned this mess you''re in."Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 123: Ethans Yours

    "What''s that supposed to mean? Charlotte, spit it out, what were you trying to say?!"


    Charlotte dropped a bombshell thatpletely threw Liam off hisposed act, and you could see the panic in his eyes. "Exin yourself, Charlotte. You can''t just drop hints and make me guess what''s going on.


    "It''s nothing," Charlotte said, turning to look at Chloe and the kid she was holding.


    She figured no one''s heart is big enough to forgive the person who killed their loved one.


    It''s either the love wasn''t real, or they loved the killer too much.


    For Charlotte, it didn''t matter which one Liam was.


    She was over it.


    "You''re calling me Charlotte, so you must''ve found out the truth about me, huh?"


    Charlotte''s eyes were burning with a kind of mocking fire, "Well? Are you d to see me alive?"


    "Charlotte!"


    Liam''s eyes were stinging, and so was his heart.


    He had secretlypared ''Serena''s'' DNA with Robert''s a few days back, and it turned out they were rted, father and daughter.


    He didn''t need any more proof. He was sure Serena was actually Charlotte.


    He was ecstatic when he found out, dying to tell Charlotte everything - the years of hurt and love.


    But when it came time to act, he chickened out.


    He couldn''t face it.


    Charlotte hade back with a fake name.


    Liam had a hunch about what she was up to.


    Even though he knew who she really was, and she was right there in front of him, he had to pretend he didn''t and y along with her fake identity.


    "I didn''t think you''d own up to it," Liam said, his voice rough with unshed tears.


    "You came back with a fake identity....is this some kind of revenge on me? Charlotte, are you done getting back at me?"


    Done?


    That''s augh.


    "You call it revenge - did I actually hurt Mr. Parker in any way?"


    In a ce crowded with people, Charlotte gave Vincent a nod and motioned for Liam to follow her, "Come with me."


    Liam followed her like a well-trained puppy, his shoulders down, looking like the weight of the world was on his back, unable to stand tall in front of Charlotte.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    When they got somewhere quiet, Charlotte wrapped her arms around herself and said nonchntly, "You know how Ethan is, he got bullied and shoved into the pool by that kid, and you wouldn''t lift a finger to punish him..." "He''ll get what''sing to him," Liam said, his expression tight. He was desperately trying to keep his cool, "You tell me what punishment you want, okay?"


    Charlotte couldn''t help butugh coldly inside at his ready surrender.


    "Let me do whatever I want? Liam, you''re aware I can''t stand Chloe. If you really hand me that kid, it won''t be pretty."


    "Okay, I know." but nothing breaks his heart more than losing her, "You can do whatever you want."


    Charlotte actually cracked up, "Really? He is your kid, you know that?"


    "I told you, I don''t ept him as mine..."


    "Ethan''s your kid too, you know that?"


    "What?" This truth bomb had Liam spacing out for ages.


    Ethan looked so much like Charlotte, and he seemed to be only three or four years old.


    Liam had his suspicions about Ethan, but with Charlotte''s fertility issues and the car crash she barely survived...


    Liam knew he was just making excuses.


    He just couldn''t stomach the truth that Ethan was his.


    "How''s Ethan even my kid?" Liam''s voice cracked, and he was fighting back tears.


    "When I had that crash, I was already expecting. Got super lucky - a tree broke the fall off that cliff and I didn''t lose the baby." "But..." Liam was still reeling, "Is Ethan really mine?"


    "Yeah."


    Charlotte''s smile didn''t reach her eyes, "He''s yours, but he''ll only ever call Vincent ''Dad.""


    "He''s done with you, Liam."


    Ethan''s got this intense personality, right? He''s got this natural bond with Liam because they''re rted.


    But that''s also why Ethan''s got sky-high standards for Liam.


    Ethan''s the type to blow up over Liam hugging Benjamin or when Liam defends someone who''s picked on him, Ethan just pulls away.


    "You did this on purpose... You wanted this!"


    Once Liam put it all together, he just broke down.


    "You''ve been setting me up to let Ethan down, you never wanted him to see me as his dad! Charlotte, you can''t be this heartless, you can''t torture me like this!"


    "I''m not carrying that guilt, Liam. Ethan''s just being himself, and I warned you about his personality. You just didn''t listen! So don''t get mad when he can''t stand you!"


    "If you had just told me Ethan was my son from the start..."


    "Didn''t you ever have a hunch?!" Charlotteughed coldly. "How many lookalikes do you think there are in the world? What are the odds Vincent just happens to find him? You really bought that love-at-first-sight story hook, line, and sinker?"


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    He just didn''t care enough.


    "You should''ve known who I was the second you saw my face, should''ve known why I came back!"


    "But what about you? Liam, you let my killer walk free, you let her waltz back into my life!"


    "Chloe, and her kid, they''re your real priority."


    "That''s not it... I..." Liam was teetering on the edge, his excuses dying on his lips.


    Charlotte eyed him with a bit of a sneer. "So, Liam, you actually d I''m still kicking?"


    Liam was lost, staring at her. He couldn''t handle her in-your-face attitude or the fact she seemed to want nothing to do with him.


    "Look, for four whole years, every single day, I''ve been hoping against hope that you were still out there."


    "I''ve been drowning in guilt, swimming in memories of you, clinging to the hope that one day you''d turn up again."


    "But I never lived a day like it could be the day you''d actuallye back."


    "I''ve yed the scene of your return in my head a thousand times, but never once did I imagine you''de back hating my guts." "Charlotte"


    "Whatever you want, whatever you need me to do, just say it - I''m there."


    "But you can''t keep ripping my heart out."


    "You can''t let me find you, get my hopes up, and then say it''s all been a pipe dream."


    "You can''t do me dirty like that."


    "Finding you was the thing that kept me sane every day."


    "But now, Charlotte, now that you''re here, part of me wishes I was the one who never made it."


    "I wish I was the one who didn''t survive that crash."

 Chapter 124: Dont Play Innocent

    Liam could always read between the lines, and with Charlotte''s few words, he could sense the end of their story.


    "You''re back just to drown me in guilt forever?"


    "Do you hate me that much?"


    Even as Liam asked, his tone was so certain, it was like he was speaking from his soul.


    He looked at Charlotte, desperate for an answer.


    But Charlotte''s eyes, once filled with warmth, were now icy.


    "If you had died in that crash, I would''ve taken down Chloe without a second thought and followed you to the grave," she said.


    It sounded extreme, but isn''t that just human?


    "Instead of living with the one to me and pretending to be innocent in front of me!"


    "I didn''t... It was because of the kid..."


    "Because your grandpa wanted the kid alive, right? Because the kid needed Chloe to survive, didn''t he?"


    Charlotte finished his sentence, "Liam, you care for everyone but me."


    Liam turned white as a sheet.


    "My life isn''t worth more than ast wish from your grandpa."


    Charlotte pitied him as she approached the dazed Liam, who sat down on a bench.


    His deep eyes were now filled with confusion.


    She touched his face from above.


    Liam, docile, nuzzled into her hand like a puppy.


    "You didn''t want it, you gave it up, Liam. You deserve to lose everything."


    "No..."


    "You''re kind to everyone but me," Charlotte said as she caressed his cheek, "I hate you, Liam Parker."


    That sentence drained all the color from Liam''s face.


    He came back to his senses, gripping Charlotte''s wrist tightly, as if she might disappear.


    "You can''t hate me, Charlotte, there''s something between us..."


    "There''s nothing left between us." Charlotte yanked her hand away, with a suffocating scorn, "Remember who you are, Mr. Parker. I''m Mrs. ckwood." She turned and left, as if the emotional storm had no effect on her.


    "Everything good?"


    Back with the group, Vincent asked Charlotte quietly about her conversation with Liam.


    "Just gave him a piece of my mind. Can''t stand his victim act, he needs to feel real pain."


    "And..." Charlotte nonchntly added, "I told him Ethan is his son."


    "You..." Vincent was briefly agitated.


    But Charlotte''s next words calmed him, "Ethan won''t acknowledge any ties. He won''t call him ''dad,'' as I''ve said."


    "Blood might pull them together, but Ethan won''t like him."


    Despite the blood connection, Ethan''s bond with Liam was broken by Liam''s actions.


    Ethan, unlike her, won''t stand for mistreatment.


    If Ethan feels wronged, he won''t give that person another moment''s attention.


    Their conversation marked a turning point in the families'' confrontation.


    Dn really told Benjamin off in front of everyone. The little guy must''ve never been so humiliated; he was crying so hard.


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    Chloe was super upset, "Stop it! He''s not your kid, what right do you have to decide for him? Where''s Liam? Can''t he see his son is being bullied?"


    Speaking of the devil, Liam appeared, looking all out of sorts.


    "Liam! Quick! Get rid of these people! They''re after your son!"


    Liam looked up and saw his kid wailing in her arms, and just felt annoyed.


    The whole mess started when Keh got sick and pushed him to get engaged to Chloe.


    Charlotte was spot on; he was willing topromise for anyone but her.


    He threw Charlotte under the bus to make Keh happy.


    He ditched Charlotte and got to keep his conscience clear.


    It was all so unfair to Charlotte.


    If he had just stood his ground against the engagement, if he had just cut Chloe off quickly...


    Could things between him and Charlotte have turned out differently?


    He looked over at Charlotte, and the cold look on her face made him look down.


    "Mr. ckwood, does Ethan need an apology?" he asked Vincent.


    It took a second for Vincent to catch on that Liam meant for Benjamin to apologize to Ethan.


    "I''ll find out." He asked around and soon got an answer.


    "The kid says he doesn''t need it; he wants to go home." "Alright." Vincent agreed, taking Charlotte''s hand to leave.


    But Liam grabbed his shoulder, stopping him.


    "I''ll get you an answer you''re happy with."


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    Charlotte scoffed and walked away first, wondering what Liam thought would satisfy her.


    Once they got back to the ckwoods'', Vincent ran a hot bath for Ethan, made him some ginger tea, and after the bath, they spent some quality time in the yroom. Charlotte watched them, ying andughing, and felt a bit of warmth.


    Vincent was the real deal.


    A truly good man.


    He had been there to save her after the car ident, and he took her abroad for the best treatment.


    He helped her learn, grow, and even invest.


    And he epted Ethan without a second thought, providing him with a father''s love and care.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Ethan''s mine, but you raised him, and in the end, blood isn''t as important as the love and care he''s received." Vincent treated Ethan as his own son and backed up Charlotte''s decisions 100%.


    "If..."


    "Ma''am?" The servant''s gentle voice pulled Charlotte back from her thoughts, "Daniel ''s been asking for you." Daniel


    She headed downstairs and there he was, Daniel, pacing the living room back and forth like an animal trapped in a corner.


    "What the heck did you tell Mr. Parker? You know he gets jittery seeing you all worked up, and you still went off saying all sorts of odd stuff to him. Mrs. ckwood, aren''t you being a bit out of line?" Charlotte kept a poker face, "Who am I supposed to be?"


    "Serena." Daniel was stubborn, and couldn''t believe she was actually Charlotte, even with all the DNA proof.


    Charlotte cracked a smile, "If you can''t even get my name straight, maybe save the iffy lectures for someone else."


    "You!" Daniel was about to snap back when his phone rang.


    Hearing the news on the other end, his face went white as a sheet, "Say that again? Mr. Parker is coughing up blood?!"

 Chapter 125: Dont lose yourself in this revenge game.

    "Go see him."


    After he hung up, Daniel looked panicked and started to leave, but then he stopped and turned back to Charlotte, a serious look on his face. "He might listen if you''re there." "What do you mean?" Charlotte was confused.


    Daniel exined, a bit annoyed, "The car crash really messed him up - his shoulder and insides took the worst of it. Doctors said he got all banged up from the impact, and he hasn''t really healed right."


    He shot Charlotte a re and went on, "Mr. Parker''s been carrying a ton of guilt, ming himself for Charlotte''s death. He''s been cking on his treatments and now it''se back to bite him."


    "The doc says the blood coughing is from stress. Serena, what did you even say to him?"


    Charlotte didn''t say anything more.


    Justid out some cold, hard facts.


    She had no ns to visit Liam. His pain, his blood, he brought it on himself.


    But Daniel wouldn''t let it go. "You''re the spitting image of Charlotte. If you talk to him, he''ll probably follow through with his treatment. Look, I know you''re not keen, but how about this, We''ll cut a better deal with Parker ckwood, just for you to talk to him..."


    "If I go, Liam might just end up worse."


    "You!" Daniel was fuming, "You''re not Charlotte. She''d never want to see Liam hurt."


    "A person''s died ande back, and you still want her to give everything to Liam? That''s pretty selfish of you."


    "Mr. Parker''s already done so much for you!" Daniel was there to talk this out. "He moved Chloe secretly, and she''ll be sent away, nevering back. You get what that means."


    It means no one would know if Chloe died.


    It means Liam gave up his own child for the sake of Charlotte.


    In Daniel''s eyes, Liam had done enough. "Don''t be too tough on him. He''s had it rough."


    He saw the pain Liam went through after Charlotte died. He knew how Liam had been living like a ghost.


    "We can''t live in the past forever. You''re hurt, I get it, but with Chloe out of the picture now, Charlotte, give him a break. Drop the grudge."


    "Drop the grudge?"


    What?


    Was it her choice to die in that ident?


    Was she trying to cause Liam pain?


    Wasn''t she the biggest victim?


    "I''m not stuck in the past. I''m moving forward."


    And her future didn''t include Liam.


    "I won''t go see him. Forget about it."


    She dismissed Daniel''s request outright and headed upstairs to where Vincent and Ethan were ying.


    "Did Daniele to talk about how he''s handled things?" Vincent asked, out of Ethan''s earshot.


    She nodded, "Chloe''s been taken away quietly. Doesn''t look good for her."


    "Good for you, and for me. We got what we wanted," Vincent said, his voice even.


    Years of hatred, they should be feeling something - anger, relief.


    But both Vincent and Charlotte were eerily calm.


    Their hate for Chloe couldn''t control them anymore.


    When dinner rolled around, Daniel barged in uninvited, looking like he was ready to blow a fuse. He made a beeline for Charlotte and tried to haul her out. Vincent stepped in, blocking his path. "What''s the big idea?"


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    "Back off, Vincent! This isn''t about you!" Daniel barked.


    "What do you think you''re doing with my wife?!" Vincent wasn''t budging an inch.


    Daniel scoffed, "Your wife? Come on, we both know who she really is and who she truly belongs to."


    "She''s my wife, that''s what the whole world knows," Vincent shot back, throwing Daniel for a loop.


    That got Daniel thinking for once.


    Charlotte, strutting back into the country under the fake ID ''Serena'' and bing part of the ckwood n, wasmon knowledge.


    That meant, any advances Mr. Parker made toward Charlotte were out of line and would get him nothing but k.


    Did Charlotte n from the start to keep Mr. Parker out of her lifepletely?


    Daniel didn''t like where his thoughts were going but said firmly, "Liam''s in a bad way, high fever, won''t take his medicine. You should see him."


    "I''m not going." Charlotte cut him off sharply. "What do I care if he lives or dies?"


    "Charlotte!" Daniel was in disbelief. "This isn''t like you!"


    "How was I before then? Always ready to risk life and limb for Liam, is that it?"


    Daniel was at a loss for words. Deep down, he believed that.


    The person who''d die before seeing Liam hurt, how could she just switch off her feelings after all these years?


    Daniel refused to believe that Charlotte had no love left for Liam.


    "Look, there''s something Liam''s been keeping secret-the reason his shoulder isn''t healing is that he''s up all night, haunted by the crash. He''s tearing himself up with guilt, punishing himself for not saving you." Daniel''s voice was raw, "He''s eaten up with guilt for not saving you, tearing his wound open over and over like he''s punishing himself."


    "He''s barely holding it together, just like you."


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    "Just go see him, will you?"


    "Fine, I''m about to stand there and watch him in agony," Charlotte responded, her expression icy.


    She seized the moment to demand a whole list of unreasonable things, all rted to a business deal between their families.


    She seized the moment to demand a whole list of unreasonable things, all rted to a business deal between their families. "With terms that good, I''d be a fool not to," said Charlotte.


    She and Vincent climbed into the car and headed for the hospital.


    On the way, Vincent, full of concern, said, "Don''t lose yourself in this revenge game."


    Charlotte gave no clear response.


    She despised Chloe.


    But more than the outright viiny of Chloe, she loathed that her beloved stood against her.


    Not empathizing with her pain, but actually bing that pain.


    What she truly detested was Liam''s indifference.


    When they reached the hospital, they were greeted by the sight of handfuls of bloody bandages being carted out.


    At that, Daniel cringed, "Parker''s refusing treatment, bleeding out until he passes out. Seems like that''s the only thing that gives him peace."


    Peering through the window, Charlotte saw Liam, a shell of a man on the hospital bed. The medical staff were tiptoeing around him, not daring to intervene, just watching the blood from his shoulder pool and drip onto the floor. "Liam," she called softly through the door.


    It wasn''t loud, but it reached Liam. He turned his head, and on seeing it was really her, the storm in his eyes calmed, then filled with sadness and regret.


    "Get over there and fix him up!" Daniel barked at the medics, seeing Liam''s reaction.


    Charlotte held up her hand.


    "Wait."Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 126: What does it matter to her?

    "What?! Don''t you see how bad off Mr. Parker is?"


    Daniel was fed up with this version of Charlotte-she was nothing like the kind-hearted and understanding woman he used to know. "Am I the one who made him this weak?" Charlotte said, "Did I cause the ident?"


    Daniel was speechless and awkwardly tried to recover, "But doesn''t it hurt you to see him like this?"


    "Nope."


    Charlotte''s face turned ice-cold, "Liam and I are done. That''s all."


    Daniel turned pale with frustration, but he bit back any further words.


    He was so used to seeing Charlotte''s affection for Liam that any sign of her not caring got under his skin.


    Once the medical staff left, Charlotte walked into the room by herself.


    The thick smell of blood filled her nostrils as she approached Liam, whose eyes seemed to light up with every step she took.


    She sat down next to his bed and took a good look at the wound on his shoulder.


    It was a nasty one, deep down to the bone.


    It had been four years, and it was clear Liam had been tormenting this wound often.


    "Does it hurt?" she asked.


    Liam kept his eyes fixed on her, hungry and pleading, "Yes, it hurts."


    Charlotte seemed oblivious to his silent pleas, her finger lightly touching the skin around the wound.


    "That''s right, it should hurt."


    "Liam, you''re in pain because you can''t make up your mind. You need to remember this."


    Her touch made the wound throb even more, but Liam didn''t flinch, afraid that she''d pull away.


    "Why don''t you let them treat it?" she asked.


    Liam was too embarrassed to respond, half his face hidden in the covers.


    "It''s disgusting."


    The words that Charlotte blurted out made Liam snap to attention. "What?" He thought he''d misheard her.


    Charlotte repeated, "I said, your wound is disgusting."Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    The scar had been reopened so many times it was now just a grotesque mess.


    Charlotte pulled off his nket and gently ran her fingers over his skin.


    The ident had been horrific. She hadn''t had it easy, and neither had Liam.


    His body was a canvas of tiny cuts and clear scars.


    Charlotte''s fingers trailed over each one, seemingly confused, and she whispered, "With such bad injuries, after losing the woman you loved, Liam, isn''t it enough to confront Chloe?" But Liam fell back to his usual refrain, "Keh..."


    "I understand," Charlotte said, the silly reason deting her will to continue the conversation. It''s one thing to respect your elders, but quite another to let a murderer walk free because of it. Liam was badly hurt himself, yet he was willing to put up with Chloe just because of Keh''s say-so.


    "You had iting," she thought, a smirk crossing her face.


    All the things she''d been wrestling with, the things she couldn''t figure out, it all suddenly clicked into ce. "You''re not cut out for love."


    Standing over Liam, she said, "Everyone wants to be loved. If you can''t give it, you deserve to be left behind."


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    Liam''s face was as white as a sheet, his jaw set tight. "I''ll make it up to you."


    "What can you possibly make up to me? What do you think I need now?"


    The idea made Charlotte chuckle. "Love? That''s easy to find. Anyone can give that to me."


    Liam''s face lost even more color. "You and Vincent..."


    "You''ve got no right to ask me about that," Charlotte cut him off, turning her back as she opened the door to leave. In a low voice, she added, "All you need to do is watch me be happy." "Charlottell"


    She didn''t look back, leaving the hospital room and Liam''s calls - behind her.


    "Did he agree to treat his wound?" Daniel asked immediately when she appeared. "He probably will."


    But really, what does it matter to her?


    She wasn''t the one hurting.


    On the way back from visiting Liam, Charlotte was quiet. Vincent picked up on her mood and, in a sweet gesture, bought cakes for her and Ethan from a bakery they passed by. "That''s really thoughtful of you," Charlotte acknowledged.


    Honestly, Vincent was gentle and caring, the perfect husband material.


    With a hint of sadness, Vincent said, "I''ve been so thoughtful, yet I can''t seem to warm your heart, so no more teasing, okay?"


    They had been together abroad for four years, supporting each other every day. If there was any spark between them, it would''ve ignited by now.


    They were more like siblings than spouses.


    Reflecting on their rtionship, Charlotte said, "When I first met you, I never imagined you''d be the one who''d have my back in the end."


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    She had only seen Vincent as an ally with amon goal, never as reliable as Thomas in her eyes.


    But here was Vincent, the guy who didn''t think twice about scrambling down a cliff after her car wreck, pulling her out of the ocean, risking his own neck in the process.


    He made sure she got top-notch care, and fast, and never stepped on her toes, respecting her every choice. Even when she decided to head back here on a whim, Vincent was right there backing her up, no questions asked. He was all in with Ethan too, and held nothing back.


    To be honest, Vincent seemed a way better match for Ethan''s dad role than Liam.


    "Hey, if you ever fall for someone, you gotta tell me straight up," Charlotte told him. "With the way things are between us, it''d be too easy for others to get the wrong idea, and you don''t wanna be tripping over words with your sweetheart, right?"


    "I guess..." Vincent thought for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I don''t think I''ll be falling for anyone again."


    He was the quiet type. As a kid, he dreamt of a love that was calm andsting, but the love he''d seen up close was anything but. It was dramatic, and heartbreaking.


    His favorite brother had died of a broken heart.


    Charlotte, too, was nearly a casualty of love.


    He didn''t n on getting tangled up in that kind of drama and sadness.


    Charlotte couldn''t really argue with that. Her love life was a hot mess; she wasn''t about to start giving rtionship advice.


    When they got home, Ethan was waiting at the door like a little pup, eyes wide with excitement. As soon as he saw the car stop, he came running over, his joy skyrocketing when he saw the small cake in Vincent''s hand.


    "Dad, you''re the best! I love you!" Ethan wrapped his arms around Vincent, giving him three big, smacking kisses. They were a picture of happiness.


    Charlotte snapped a photo of this sweet scene and sent it to Liam.


    At the same time, Daniel, ever the chatterbox, noticed the guy in the hospital bed was trembling ever so slightly.


    "Are you in pain?" Daniel asked, puzzled. "Or is it the bandage that''s bothering you?"


    "No."


    Liam was fixed on the photo in his phone, a bitter taste rising in his throat.


    "What would Charlotte do if I insisted she stay with me?"

 Chapter 127: Youre the one who hurt his mom.

    "Easy there!"


    Daniel might not be thrilled with Charlotte''s current attitude, but he hadn''t lost his head.


    Charlotte''s mix of hate and love for Liam was leaning heavily towards the former, and her chilly vibe made it clear that if Liam pushed her too hard to stick around, it could blow up in his face. "The two of you need to take a softer approach to fix things."


    "I''m at a loss," Liam admitted, gazing at his phone where a picture of his child was disyed. "She''s not going to forgive me."


    Daniel wasn''t sure how to mend such a battered rtionship either.


    Charlotte''s cold, unforgiving stance hadn''t changed.


    "Follow your heart," Daniel sighed. "Just do what you think is right."


    Chewing on that thought, Liam pocketed his phone and slowly closed his eyes.


    Charlotte had figured Liam''s injuries were severe enough to keep him from hassling her.


    But unexpectedly, just a nightter, there was Liam at her front door, holding flowers and gifts.


    "What''s the deal, Mr. Parker?" Charlotte leaned on the door, arms folded, eyeing the flowers. "Who are they for?"


    "You," Liam managed to say, looking pale and weak.


    He ced the flowers on the table, voice low, "Your call."


    "Really? I can do what I want?" Charlotte''s interest was piqued, noting the departure from his usual controlling behavior.


    She grabbed the bouquet and tossed it out the door, watching the delicate pink petals scatter as they hit the ground. "And that''s okay?"


    "It''s okay," Liam looked away, his face showing no sign of emotion. "It''s all in your hands."


    "Everything?" Charlotte''s curiosity grew.


    "Everything," Liam affirmed, his eyes serious. "Me included."


    Charlotte paused, then showed a look of disgust, "I don''t have the slightest interest in dealing with you. Spit it out, what do you want?"


    "I..." Liam hesitated, a pleading look in his eyes. "The weather''s nice tomorrow. How about a pic with Ethan?"


    He hurried to add, fearing she''d say no, "Vincent wille, too."


    Charlotte almostughed. "Why can''t it just be the three of us? Why do you need to tag along?"


    The phrase ''the three of us'' hit Liam hard.


    But this was Charlotte.


    No matter what she said or did to him, he''d just take it quietly.


    "I just want to spend more time with you."


    "Years gone, and Mr. Parker''s picked up some smooth talk."


    "It''s not smooth talk. I''m being honest," Liam said, still not looking at her. "I just want a chance to make things right."


    "Things have gone wrong, and it''s toote to fix them," Charlotte said in a cool, detached voice.


    "I''ll never forgive your so-called kindness."


    "I''ve dealt with Chloe..."


    "That was after I had to force your hand! If I hadn''te along, you would''ve been content to keep Chloe and her kidfortable for life. And me? What about my happiness?" Charlotte closed in on him with slow, deliberate steps. "Am I supposed to just smooth things over for her? Pay the price for my stupid belief in love?"


    "No, you''ve got it all wrong," Liam said, his eyes shut tight, a pained look on his face. "I..."


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    He couldn''t even find the words to exin.


    After all, Chloe really did have a secure life over these four years, thanks to the child.


    "Mommy! Look what I got!"


    Ethan interrupted them, running down the stairs with his toy car. Charlotte quickly stepped back from Liam, and Liam tried to smooth over his expression to something more fatherly. "Mommy..." Ethan paused when he saw Liam, his brows knitting together, and without any niceties, he told Liam off. "I don''t like you. Can you just go?"


    "He''s got your bossy attitude," Liam reflected internally, thinking of his own stubbornness that came from being in power for so long. Ethan seemed to have picked it up just by gics. "But Vincent''s been a good dad, so at least Ethan''s polite," Charlotte said, her words cutting through Liam like a knife, leaving him speechless and hurting. "Mommy," Ethan said, frowning as he tugged on Charlotte''s hand, wanting to get as far away from Liam as possible. "Don''t hang out with him, he''s really bad!"


    Liam forced a wry smile. "Hey, Ethan, I''m not a bad guy. Remember how we used to get along?"N?velDrama.Org content.


    "But you teach bad kids! And your wife is bad too!"


    Ethan hadn''t forgotten how he was bullied at the Parkers'' and how the real troublemakers barely got scolded.


    "You only look out for your own kid, not caring if I''m happy," Ethan said, ring at Liam with suspicion. "Don''te near me! Or I''ll call Dad toe and protect us!" At that moment, Liam''s emotions got the better of him.


    Ethan was his son, yet he was calling Vincent ''Dad'' with such warmth.


    "I''m not the bad guy here." Liam could only repeat that line weakly. "Ethan, I just... I just messed up for a bit, please don''t be mad at me."


    Even though Ethan was a smart kid, he couldn''t quite get what Liam was trying to say; all he knew was that Liam gave him the creeps, and he liked him even less for it. "Mom, can you call Dad toe and keep us safe?"


    "Don''t worry, honey," Charlotte tried tofort him,


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    Maybe that''s what Vincent had drilled into him. Charlotte wasn''t that book-smart, so she left the schooling and the heavy lifting to the pros and Vincent. She didn''t interfere much. After a few soothing words and getting Ethan back upstairs, Charlotte came back to deal with Liam.


    "He gives me the same look you do."


    It was a look full of coldness, caution, and dislike.


    Liam couldn''t handle the realization, "Charlotte, I know you hate me, but the kid''s innocent. You can''t let him..."


    "You''re the one who hurt his mom." Charlotte didn''t budge an inch. "He deserves to know the kind of stuff you''ve pulled."


    "But, he doesn''t know about you and me." she added.


    And, you know.


    "Liam, Ethan doesn''t like you because of the things you''ve done, not because of anything I''ve said."


    Ethan used to be all warm and fuzzy around Liam, but after being pushed away over and over...


    "It''s the same way you turned your back on me, and now you''ve shown Ethan that same cold shoulder." Here''s the thing Liam didn''t get, though.


    Ethan isn''t like Charlotte.


    He''s got a zero-tolerance policy for what feels like a stab in the back.


    "You''ve made your bed, now lie in it."


    Charlotte''s words hit Liam like a ton of bricks.


    He felt like he was perched all alone on a pir, with a dead-end in every direction.


    The one person who could pull him out of this mess was on the other side, not lifting a finger to help.

 Chapter 128: She aint happy

    "You can''t treat me like this."


    Liam croaked out, his words barely a whisper of a plea.


    "Look, Charlotte, I know you hate me. You want to make me pay..."


    He was torn up inside, it was like he was begging to be conned, "Drawing me in just to ditch meter-that''s the ultimate payback, isn''t it?"


    He actually wanted Charlotte to lie to him, even though he used to despise lies more than anything.


    Charlotte almostughed in his face. "Get close to you? Why on earth would I do that, Mr. Parker? Touching you would make my skin crawl. Why should I hurt myself just for you?" She saw right through Liam''s games. He wanted her close, but when to pull the plug wasn''t up to her anymore.


    She was done being on the losing end.


    "Liam, haven''t you figured it out yet? I came back to prove a point-that me and the kid, and we''re better off without you. You''re nothing but trouble."


    Liam stood frozen, his world shaking.


    But Charlotte was relentless, "There''s no ''us'' anymore. Vincent''s the dad here, not you, Liam. You bailed on us, so don''t you dare get salty about us leaving you in the dust." "I didn''t leave you. I had no clue about Ethan, I didn''t know you''d..."


    "What? That I''d die?" Charlotte was still holding onto old wounds, "Was this Chloe''s first rodeo at trying to off me? Nope. You knew, Liam. You just didn''t give a damn."


    Herugh was cold, distant, "Even your guilt trip now-it''s all because you''re scared of ending up alone."


    "That''s not true!"


    Liam was a mess, his hand trembling on his chest, "Don''t you dare doubt my love."


    "Should I be thanking you for all the misery you''ve brought me?"


    Charlotte was over this drama. She spun on her heel and stormed back to the living room, telling the staff to kick Liam out.


    But before she could start up the stairs, a loud ''thump'' echoed behind her, followed by the frantic voice of the servant.


    "Madam! Mr. Parker''s passed out!"


    Charlotte stopped dead in her tracks, yet she didn''t turn back.


    "I''ll call Daniel and Henry to take him to the hospital."


    Liam was really banged up this time; he ended up stuck in the hospital for a good week before they let him go.


    All that while, Daniel went off the rails at Charlotte more than once, calling her heartless, and then practically begging her to cut Liam some ck.


    But Charlotte wasn''t having any of it, and Daniel finally got the message.


    "You don''t give a hoot about Liam."


    Once that sank in, a lot of his bitterness just kind of melted away.


    He used to think if Charlotte was willing to die for Liam, she must really love him.


    Now he got it-big sacrifices with zilch in return would make anyone bitter.


    Charlotte not loving Liam? Totally makes sense.


    "But you should still clear the air with him..."Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "I couldn''t be clearer if I tried." Wasn''t she obvious enough?


    "He just doesn''t get it." Or more like, Liam''s too scared to face it, "Charlotte, tell him straight up you don''t love him. Let him get over it, and then you can both move on with your lives."


    "Hmph."


    No way.


    She wants Liam to suffer; there''s no way things can just be fine.


    Daniel''s been totally freaking out about the whole Charlotte and Liam saga. While Liam''s been stuck in the hospital, Daniel''s been running around like a headless chicken, nagging Liam one minute, then Charlotte the next, and even roping in Vincent whenever he can.


    "Daniel''s on about getting you outta here, saying we gotta ditch this ce big time."


    Vincent cracked up telling Charlotte about it that night, but she wasn''t in the mood forughs.


    She was indeed nning to leave here, something she and Vincent had already agreed on.


    She''s a dead ringer for ''Charlotte'' and hitched to a high-flyer like Vincent, so of course, all the old gossip won''t just vanish.


    It''d mess with Ethan''s head as he grows up.


    Better off steering clear of that mess right from the get-go.


    Besides... this city that''s supposed to be Charlotte''s life giver has been nothing but a pain giver.


    She hates to admit it, but she''s dying to get out of Dodge.


    "Got a fancy auction tomorrow. You''re into sapphires, right? Heard they''re auctioning off some knockout nes. How ''bout we go take a look?"


    After he''s done with Daniel''s bonkers idea, Vincent tries to tempt her with a little distraction for her and the kiddo.


    But Charlotte''s not biting.


    "I''m not rolling in dough to splurge on bling." She shuts it down without a fuss.


    And she nixes Vincent''s sweet offer, too, "Don''t make me rack up more IOUS. Money''s just gonna mess with what we''ve got."


    That got a chuckle out of Vincent, who gave her a cheeky wink, "Think of it as a gift for Ethan''s future missus. It''s for my boy. You can''t fuss about that, can you?" Charlotte just has tough, even if it''s a bit forced.


    Vincent''s a stand-up guy, top-notch dad material.


    He adores Ethan and wants the world for him.


    And let''s face it... Ethan''s all about having his dad around.


    "Alright, auction it is." She caves.


    The ckwoods, big shots of the city, had their own VIP spot at the auction.


    Little Ethan, curious as a cat, was holding hands with Charlotte on one side and Vincent on the other, yapping away full of beans.


    "Can I get a huge ne model here, Dad?" Ethan piped up.


    Vincent cracked a grin and tousled his hair, "Nah, not here, champ. But, guess what? I''ve got a little secret."


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "What secret?"


    "Tomorrow morning, when you wake up, you''ll find a big ne model by your bed," Vincent whispered.


    "For real?" Ethan lit up, then turned to Charlotte with a mischievous glint, "Mum, you gotta cover your ears-this is top-secret guy talk!"


    Vincent stepped in, "Hold up, buddy. Mum''s in on everything-no secrets from her."


    Ethan pondered that for a second.


    Then he got all hush-hush, spilling the beans about the model ne to Charlotte in a tiny, squishy voice.


    "Mum gets to know all my secrets, too," he said.


    Charlotte couldn''t help but smile.


    The family, all smiles and giggles, made it to their booth when they ran into the neighbors about to head into theirs. Awkward city.


    Charlotte''s smile vanished when she spotted Liam.


    "Mrs. ckwood, after you," Liam said, stepping aside with more grace than usual.


    Charlotte didn''t budge, just nced at Vincent.


    With his easy smile, Vincent said, "Thanks, Mr. Parker."


    They strolled past Liam like it was no big deal.


    Just as they were about to disappear from view, Liam called out, "I never said I''d give up."


    Charlotte hesitated for a heartbeat, then kept walking, acting as if she heard nada, and turned the corner with poise.


    "Come on, you promised you wouldn''t hassle her. Look how happy she is now!" Daniel said.


    Liam''s eyes darkened, he took a moment before tearing his gaze away from the corner.


    "She ain''t happy," he murmured.

 Chapter 129: He Knows Everything

    Charlotte didn''t really want anything and Vincent? He was only half-interested in the sapphire and pretty much bored with everything else. The three of them were less about the auction and more like they were just out for a chill day.


    Ethan was all hyped up, a real social butterfly, and couldn''t stand being cooped up in the VIP box for too long. He wanted to go out and y. Charlotte knew Liam was right next door and thest thing she wanted was to run into him, so she stayed put and sent Vincent to take Ethan out instead.


    What she didn''t seeing was Liam just barging into her VIP box without an invite." "Mr. Parker, what''s with the no-knock policy?" she said.


    Liam responded, "You wouldn''t have let me in if I knocked."


    His voice was weak, hinting he hadn''t been his usual selftely.


    He casually reced the green tea on the table with milk tea, making himself right. home.


    "What''s up with the milk tea, Mr. Parker?" Charlotte asked, giving him a cold look.


    Looking down, Liam mumbled, "I heard girls dig this stuff."


    "I''m not a fan."


    "...Noted."


    And that was that. The air got all awkward and heavy.


    Charlotte was on edge and pretty much fed up with Liam acting all meek and mild - it was sickening.


    Just when she was about to leave, Liam dropped a bombshell, "Somebody snatched the kid on the way overseas. No clue where he is now." Charlotte stopped dead in her tracks, her mind racing with disbelief.


    She knew that kid wasn''t Liam''s own, but Liam was clueless.


    So his icy attitude was like he couldn''t care less if his supposed kid was in danger or not.


    "So what now?" she pushed.


    But Liam just looked lost.


    "What ''now''?"


    "Did you find the kid or not?!"


    "No." Liam was baffled, not getting why she was getting heated, "Why bother looking? I''m not fond of the kid, and neither are you." Sure, not being fond of the kid is one thing, but we''re talking about a human life here!


    "Who took him?"


    "No idea. Some masked guys grabbed him during a flight transfer."


    "Nobody hit you up for a ransom?" It wouldn''t be the first time someone would try to get money for Benjamin, being Liam''s kid and all.


    "Nope." Liam bit his lip, "I checked out the footage from when it happened. The kidnappers were careful, even making sure not to bump his feet against the chairs."


    So, they weren''t out to hurt the kid.


    That being the case, Liam figured it wasn''t his problem.


    His coldness freaked Charlotte out, but what blew her mind was how he could be so indifferent.


    He didn''t care about his own kid, yet he put up with Chloe being alive because of something Keh said.


    "It''s like you do what you do because you just don''t care," Charlotte''s emotions were all over the ce.


    He''d follow his granddad''sst wishes because he cared.


    But if it''s someone he didn''t care about? Whether they lived or died didn''t matter to him.


    "Liam, I really should''ve seen through you way earlier!"


    "Wait, what?" Liam was totally lost when the usations deepened his confusion. He always thought Charlotte couldn''t stand that kid and would be at least a little bit relieved to hear he was out of the picture. "He''s gone for good. You''re never gonna see him again. That''s gotta be some good news, right?" He just didn''t get it.


    Charlotte was just as baffled by hisck of feeling, "I hate you, Liam. My hate''s for you, not the kid. Whether he''s here or not, I still hate you. What''s he got to do with any of this?"


    At least she had the heart not to me a kid who didn''t know any better.


    And...


    Liam had just mentioned that the kidnapper meant no harm to the kid, and seemed to actually care about him.


    Charlotte''s gut told her the kidnapper was probably Dn.


    Sending the kid away had shown Dn that his dreams of livingrge on Liam''s dime through the kid were slipping away.


    He''s the dad, after all; he couldn''t just stand by and watch his own flesh and blood suffer.


    "And Chloe?" Charlotte couldn''t help but ask, trying to figure out if Chloe was in on it too.


    "Chloe..." Liam paused just for a second.


    But that second was enough to light the fuse of Charlotte''s anger, and she was ready to explode.


    She got up, shaking with fury.


    What''s the deal with Chloe?


    Is she off somewhere enjoying her life?


    Charlotte thought maybe she should''ve just followed Vincent''s advice and offed Chloe cleanly instead of trying to get Liam to do the dirty work, just to twist the knife a bit more. Charlotte headed for the door, angry as hell, but halfway there she felt someone grab her hand. She looked down and saw Liam holding her back.


    "Chloe''s gone crazy," Liam said, all panicked. "Are you upset? Charlotte, I didn''t let her off the hook, I..."


    She''s gone crazy? Who''s supposed to believe that?


    Thinking that a person who kills without a second thought is insane? Hardly believable!"


    Chloe''s just putting on a show, and Liam''s totally buying it.


    "Get off me!" Every time Charlotte saw Liam''s face, she felt like smacking him.


    She couldn''t stand how Liam kept letting Chloe off the hook, time after time.


    Liam didn''t let go; he mped down even harder. "I''m not going back on my word, I swear. She''s gonna get what''sing to her. Just chill, Charlotte." Chill? As if she could!


    Charlotte was so ticked off she wished she could peek inside his skull to see what the heck was going on in there.


    "Over and over, Liam. Even when I was head over heels for you, you were never this soft with me."


    Mentioning the past dragged a sad look across Liam''s face.


    "And you were never this mean to me."


    He looked like a kicked puppy. "You won''t even look at me, acting like we''ve always been nothing to each other. That''s not okay, Charlotte."


    "At least give me a shot to fix this mess."


    "Didn''t I already?"


    Bringing that up nearly sent Charlotte over the edge. "I gave you the chance to sort Chloe out, and what did you do?"


    "What exactly do you want from me?"Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "I want some space." Charlotte jerked her hand free. "Being around you is making me sick, Liam."


    That turned Liam ghost white.


    "You''re mad I didn''t do things your way, but you never told me how. That''s just not ying fair, Charlotte."


    "I was clear-I wanted her to die! Get it now?"


    Liam mmed up, his eyes nearly brimming with tears.


    His voice trembled when he finally spoke. "I got it."


    He knew all along.


    "But once she''s died, will you even give me the time of day?"

 Chapter 130: Shes Gonna Leave

    Liam''s mind was screaming to tear Chloe to shreds.


    "Think back to our engagement-you were a wreck, biting Chloe, and you asked if I was serious about marrying her." "Right then, the trouble kicked off."


    "I went ahead with the engagement to Chloe, even knowing your mom had died."


    "I''d made up my mind to make Chloe pay by then, but Charlotte, I had to prioritize the living-Keh needed to survive."


    "I won''t lie-it was all my selfishness, my ego. I''m the one who''s screwed everything up."


    "But it''s not like I have a soft spot for Chloe. No way am I going soft on her again and again."


    "I didn''t keep her around for any bull about the kid needing her."


    "I was just scared."


    "Scared you''re out there, still breathing, but refusing to see me."


    "Frightened you''d stop loving me, scared we''d turn into strangers."


    "That''s why I let Chloe live. I figured as long as she''s around, you''d have a reason toe back."


    Liam chuckled bitterly, "Love didn''t do the trick, but hate? Hate brings you back every time."


    "And you dide back."


    Charlotte just stood there, not saying a word.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    She knew if Chloe was out of the picture, she wouldn''t bother returning.


    But Liam''s hesitation? That''s no excuse.


    "Quit the excuses." Charlotte spun around, grabbed his chin forcing his gaze down, "Liam, face the truth. You don''t care about me. All the words in the world won''t change that." Liam''s breath hitched at her touch.


    He leaned in subconsciously as if trying to findfort in Charlotte''s hand.


    It''d been ages since he''d been close to her.


    He was craving some kind of warmth from Charlotte.


    "How can I show that I care about you?"


    Charlotte had a point; he just didn''t have it in him to love properly.


    He was lost on how to fix things with her, clueless on how to make her reconsider.


    All the advice he''d gathered meant nothing when he was actually with Charlotte.


    "Help me out here."


    As if Charlotte had the energy to deal with that.


    Just sharing a room with Liam was already too much; now she felt sick to her stomach. She pulled away, ready to walk off.


    Liam didn''t dare hold her back, just followed silently.


    Until she found Vincent and Ethan ying in the sandbox just outside the event.


    That''s where Liam finally stood still.


    "You''re keeping me away from Ethan, huh?" he asked Charlotte in a t tone.


    Charlotte was restless and just gave a quick nod without really thinking it through.


    Liam actually stopped, just like she wanted. It was weird for Charlotte.


    Liam was always so headstrong and proud, and here he was, just... backing off because she said so.


    "In that case, stay there and maybe you''ll figure out how to be a decent dad," she threw the words back at him, her voice dripping with sarcasm.


    The way Liam was with that Benjamin kid had always rubbed her the wrong way.


    She tried to walk away but something made her turn back and ask, "So, you''re just gonna ignore him now?"


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    "Yep, that''s the n," Liam said, pressing his lips together, obviously not thrilled to talk about it. "I told you, our kid would be a Parker. The only one."


    "But Benjamin was born, and you broke that promise."


    Charlotte knew Benjamin wasn''t Liam''s kid, and that nothing happened between Liam and Chloe that night.


    But she couldn''t let it go.


    "I didn''t break it," Liam said, his breathing hurried. "Everything I''ve done was to keep that promise!"


    Charlotte wasn''t buying any of it and just turned to find Vincent and Ethan.


    Ethan had spotted her from a mile away but stayed put because Liam was there.


    As soon as she got close, he ran up, his little hands checking her face, "Mommy, why are you with the bad uncle? Did he hurt you?"


    "Not a chance. Mom''s got this."


    She yed with Ethan for a bit, and when she looked back, Liam was gone.


    Vincent had gone to buy that sapphire ne.


    When he came back, he looked weird. "Liam''s gone on a shopping spree, and sent a whole bunch of jewelry to us."


    Charlotte let out a coldugh, "He''s lost it."


    "Seems like he''s trying to get on your good side."


    "With all that bling? As if," Charlotte said, not impressed.


    She told Vincent to send all the jewelry back. Vincent cracked a joke, "Keep ''em. Could be gifts for Ethan''s future wife."


    "No way," Charlotte snapped back. "I don''t want Ethan touching anything that''s his. No ties to him, at all."


    "But Liam knows who Ethan is now, doubt he''ll just drop it," Vincent said, looking worried. "Ethan''s piano teacher was asking about his sses. Should we get out of here sooner rather thanter?" Leaving the country was already on Charlotte''s to-do list, so she was quick to say yes.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "Sure, let''s book those tickets," she agreed.


    Vincent looked like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.


    Charlotte only got the joke about saving Liam''s gifts for Ethan''s future wife after she got back to the VIP box.


    So, today''s auction was a real show-18 items on the block and Liam outbid everyone for all but two. He sent everything but Vincent''s sapphires and a fancy old clock straight to their box. She didn''t even need to step outside to guess that Liam''s spending spree was the talk of the town.


    "Send them back," she told the bodyguard.


    But soon enough, Daniel came back with a long face, lugging all the stuff with him.


    "Just keep it, it''s from him," he said, way nicer than before.


    Looks like he''s had a change of heart about her.


    Daniel''s always been rooting for her and Liam, even when her past wasn''t all shiny.


    He always thought they were a good match, even if things got messy.


    "Oh, and Mr. Parker said he didn''t go easy on Chloe. You don''t believe it? Go see for yourself." "What did he do?"


    "You might wanna check it out."


    Charlotte scrunched her brows, knowing Liam was trying to pull her into another face-to-face.


    She didn''t really want to go, but she''d been itching to see Liam give Chloe what she deserved for years. She couldn''t shake it off.


    "And the kid, did Liam really not bother to look for Benjamin?" she remembered the boy who was taken.


    Daniel looked like he was wrestling with himself. "Gonna be straight with you, Charlotte, the kid''s situation is kinda murky, but Mr. Parker being so cold about it? Didn''t see thating." "He really doesn''t give a damn about the kid."

 Chapter 131: You dont deserve to be loved

    Liam couldn''t care less about the kid, but what about Chloe?


    Charlotte wasn''t boiling with rage about Chloe anymore, but she was still dying to know how things turned out for her. The next day, Charlotte hit up Vincent to reach out to Daniel.


    She wanted a peek at Chloe''s situation.


    Daniel agreed in a heartbeat and had a car for Charlotte in no time.


    And, of course, Liam was in the ride too.


    Spotting him, Charlotte dragged her feet, not too eager to close the gap.


    Liam just bit his lip and looked away. "Just happened to be heading the same way," he muttered.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Pretty weak excuse," Charlotte scoffed.


    She had a backup car tailing Liam''s, just in case.


    Liam was obviously ying the Chloe card to snag some face time with her. If Charlotte bailed on seeing him, no Chloe. So, she bit the bullet.


    They pulled up to the same old beat-up house. The moment Charlotte stepped out, the air was pierced with screaming.


    "Best keep it to the window. Inside''s a no-go zone, she''s wild," Liam warned, getting out of his car too.


    Charlotte inched away without making it obvious.


    Liam noticed, his jaw tightening before he forced himself to rx.


    "Stop dodging me, Charlotte."


    It was like he was desperate


    hold onto her, all those years of pain and longing crashing over him.


    The one he''d longed for day and night was right there, the one who''d pulled him from torment and yet pushed him into deeper despair.


    "Just do what makes you happy, I''ll deal with whatever you throw at me."


    "But don''t hide away from me."


    "Even if you''re gonna kill me, you have to do it in front of me. Let me see you."


    Charlotte stopped dead in her tracks and spun around, "You lost your mind?"


    Liam just shook his head coolly, "Nope."


    "You sure? ''Cause you sound bonkers!" Charlotte couldn''t deal with his drama.


    She found a rock to stand on and peered through the window.


    The scene inside threw her for a loop.


    What had be of Chloe?


    She used to be cruel and cunning.


    Always so polished and untouchable.


    But what was Chloe now?


    Dressed in rags, and smeared with dirt, she was thrashing around the room like some caged beast, spewing nonsense.


    Chloe right then was a shadow of a person.


    "Why''s she like this?" Charlotte whispered, staring in disbelief.


    Liam stood just behind her, carefully not touching but close enough to catch her if she stumbled.


    When she asked her question, there was a pause. Liam''s voice was quiet when he finally spoke. "You don''t need to know it"


    Charlotte always pegged him as the weak type.


    But, nah, he wasn''t all that soft.


    "I''m not exactly Mr. Patience with everyone else."


    "You just gotta get that Chloe''s in a world of hurt, way worse than being dead."


    "That''s your big exnation?" Charlotte asked, turning to look at him.


    Liam thought for a second, then shook his head.


    "This is just what I had to do eventually. It got dyed for various reasons. The real deal I owe you isn''t this."


    "What''s the real deal then?"


    "You''ll see."


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    Liam looked like he had a storm going on inside him, and Charlotte didn''t want to dive into that mess.


    After checking on Chloe, Charlotte was ready to bolt. This kind of crazy didn''t seem put on, but still, it felt off.


    Chloe''s mess-ups were too big to just be wiped away with the ''she was crazy'' excuse. Wasn''t that letting her off way too easy?


    Trying to hop off the rock, Charlotte''s foot slipped, and she was going back fast.


    She braced for a hardnding, but instead, she crashed into something solid.


    "Hiss..." That was Liam catching his breath.


    It took a second for Charlotte to catch on - she''dnded on Liam, right where he was hurt.


    She got up quickly, missing the hand Liam had out like he wanted to keep her close.


    "Your shoulder still busted?" she tossed out, trying to shake off the weird moment.


    Liam gave a little nod, wincing as he did, which just annoyed Charlotte even more. She didn''t want any ties to Liam.


    "Get Daniel to take you to the hospital. Have them fix you up and put it on Vincent''s ount."


    Liam justughed, kind of sad. "Got to keep it all business, huh?"


    "Better to keep the lines clear, less hassleter."


    "Come on...Hiss.."


    Liam winced, squatting down slowly, his face scrunching up with the effort. It was clear he was in some serious pain. "You know I can''t stay mad at you, Charlotte," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "How could I ever be?"


    He paused, his voice wobbling a bit, "Charlotte, how could you?"


    Charlotte''s exit halted at his words.


    "Four years, Four years!"


    "I kept telling them you weren''t dead, but no one would believe me."


    "I figured you wouldn''t visit my dreams because you were somewhere out there, holding a grudge against me."


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "I''d lie awake all night, reying what you said in the car."


    "You said you hated me, but you couldn''t stand the thought of me dead."


    "But Charlotte, how can you stand seeing me like this?"


    "I wish I had been the one to die that day."


    "I''ve med myself over and over, wondering why I couldn''t save you."


    "I''ve questioned if I''m just cowardly and selfish, selfish enough to watch you die."


    "I''m caught in this massive vortex, struggling, but I can''t break free."


    "Charlotte, if it had been me that day... would you have let go of your anger with my death?"


    "Would you look at my grave and manage a smile?"


    "Instead of treating me like I''m some kind of monster."


    "Charlotte."


    "Do I deserve to die?" Liam asked.


    Charlotte was quiet.


    The person who is supposed to die is Chloe.


    But seeing Liam there, all twisted up in pain, she got hit with the thought that maybe she wasn''t the only one who got dealt a bad hand from that crash four years ago.


    Liam was the one who threw himself over her and took the brunt of it so she''de out with barely a scratch.


    She couldn''t just pretend he hadn''t been there for her, or that he didn''t have her back when everything went south.


    If they could freeze this moment, maybe there was a chance to fix what got broken.


    Except for Liam, he let Chloe walk away scot-free.


    "You don''t deserve to die."


    She dropped down to his level, their eyes locking, "Liam, the thing is... you just... don''t deserve to be loved."

 Chapter 132: Im asking for one last one.

    Love''s weird, you know? Get too much of it and you stop giving a damn.


    Charlotte felt bad for Liam, pitying that he still hadn''t figured out that getting too much love made you blind to your own screw-ups. But she felt even worse for herself.


    She never really got much love to speak of, yet somehow, she got the picture loud and clear.


    "The scar on your shoulder? That''s from the crash when you yed superhero and kept me from getting even a scratch."


    Sheid it out for him, "You lost a lot of blood, were barely hanging on, and I had to make the calls."


    "The car was gonna blow, and only one of us was gonna make it out."


    "With all the evidence Thomas and Vincent had, it was enough to nail Chloe. I thought, with you saving me like that, you must''ve cared a little."


    "I thought even if you wanted to ease your grandpa''s mind, you wouldn''t let the woman who tried to kill me get off easy."


    "I thought I was finally gonna see my revenge."


    "That''s why I didn''t think twice about saving you."


    "But Liam, my dying didn''t change anything."


    "You let me die for nothing."


    "When I heard Chloe had a boy, I was trying to deal with the agony of a busted rib."


    "Do you have any clue how much I wanted to go back to the crash, to choke you out myself?"


    "You betrayed me. Once, twice, three times... over and over!"


    Charlotte was getting worked up, getting in Liam''s face, making him look her in the eye.


    "You ask me how I can stand to see you in pain? What about you? How can you stand to see me hurting over and over?"


    "I..." Liam was pale, lips colorless.


    After the crash, he was out for two months, and even when he woke up, he was lost in his memories. Couldn''t deal with Chloe, and could barely handle basic stuff. Watching the person he loved die nearly destroyed him.


    By the time he dug himself out of that hole, Chloe had her kid.


    He had promised Keh that the kid would live.


    More than once, he had thought about ending Chloe, even the kid.


    But after thinking it over, he always backed down.


    He had to keep Chloe alive.


    "There was no sign you were alive, but I still trying to find you. Everyone thought I was crazy."


    "I had no reason to keep going, Charlotte. I just believe...maybe you weren''t dead."


    "Chloe was alive, and your vendetta wasn''t settled. You''de back to get even."


    "That''s all I had left to cling to."


    "If I had dealt with Chloe early on, would you havee back to see me even for a second?"


    "You really hate me that much."


    A tear trickled down Liam''s cheek. "But what''s the point ofing back? When you showed up pretending to be someone else, I wasn''t even sure if it was really you."


    Serena and Charlotte are like night and day. They treat himpletely differently.


    "How am I supposed to deal with this?"


    "Charlottell"


    Liam looked up, his eyes brimming with tears, "Is this my punishment starting?"


    "What?" Charlotte didn''t get it.


    Liam repeated himself, insisting on an answer, "Is your punishment to torture me, or to leave me?"


    He thought he had an idea of Charlotte''s next move, but he couldn''t stop himself from wanting confirmation.


    "Leaving me here to pine for the love I''ve lost forever, to walk alone where you walked, eat what you ate, smell the flowers you did... In a world without you, I''ll be missing you for eternity." "Charlotte, is this the ending you were after?"


    Is it?


    Charlotte wasn''t sure.


    She didn''t even see it as a real punishment.


    People''s guilt fades fast. Give it a decade or two, and Liam won''t remember he ever loved a woman, let alone the details.


    He''ll get on with his life, and find new love.


    And then, he''ll live out his days in wealth and contentment.


    "Charlotte, just stay."


    Liam''s words, full of vulnerability, snapped Charlotte out of her daze.


    "Stay, do with me what you will."


    "1


    Liam looked at Charlotte intensely, not blinking. "You hate me, so you want payback, right?"


    "You can''t just leave. If you do, you won''t see how much I''m hurting for you, how much I regret what I''ve done. You won''t see any of it."


    "Only if you stay, then you can watch me swallow my pride for you."


    "Charlotte, you''re after revenge, aren''t you?"


    Charlotte was on the verge of being ensnared by his words, but in the final moment, she remembered Ethan.


    Her child, who could never live here, who could never be by Liam''s side.


    So she wouldn''t stay.N?velDrama.Org content.


    "I don''t hate you anymore."


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    "Whether I leave or stay, it''s not about you."


    Chloe''s shrill screams were still in her ears, but Charlotte''s heart was unexpectedly calm.


    "I was once consumed by your indifference. I couldn''t fathom why my all-epassing love was met with nothing from you."


    "Later, when I moved into the Parker family, I tried to please you, I pressured you topromise for me, Liam. Those rare moments, I could feel your love."


    But by then, she no longer believed in Liam''s love.


    "Ultimately, love or theck thereof isn''t central anymore. My love for you has been wavering, settling into an eptance that you don''t love me, devoid of any expectations." This period had been excruciating for Liam, every word a torment.


    Yet as she watched Liam''s agony, she found no pleasure in it.


    "I brought Ethan back just to show you I''m still here."


    Charlotte gently wiped away the tears on Liam''s face, "Remember, there was once someone who loved you dearly and gave birth to a child who looks a lot like you." "That person will go on to be loved by many, and to love in return."


    "That child may resemble you, but he will be properly educated and will eventually erase all the undesirable parts of your genes, bing someone unlike you." "They both have brighter futures."


    "Futures without you."


    Charlotte''s words were like a sharp knife plunging into Liam''s heart, pushing him to the brink of despair, "You still won''t give me a chance to make it right." "I''ve given you countless chances."


    "I''m asking for onest one." He couldn''t bear the thought of Charlotte reappearing in his life after more than a thousand days of agony, only to have to watch her leave again. He wouldn''t let her leave.

 Chapter 133: Bad Guys Downfall

    Liam begged for onest shot at redemption, asking Charlotte to forgive him


    Charlotte shot him down without a second thought.


    The thing is...


    You can act a fool for youth or obsession, but if it''s just over some guy''s sweet talk, that''s a whole different level of dumb.


    She had already marked the calendar to leave here, just a month away.


    She had aundry list of things to take care of first.


    When Maria died in that fire, Charlotte, fueled by anger and sorrow, rushed back to her and left Maria''s arrangements to a couple of guys Liam sent. After all these years, including not once visiting Annie''s grave, it was high time she did.


    But before she could head to Leiventale, she had two people she needed to see.


    "Mom, this ce is creepy. Does anyone actually live here? I don''t like it," Ethan said, clinging to her.


    Walking through the run-down vige with Ethan in her arms, the old neighborhood was gone, reced by rubble.


    Looking around, Charlotte felt a wave of sadness wash over her.


    This was where she spent over ten years, where all her suffering started.


    The money from Annie went to raising Axel and partly to buying this house.


    there was still a mortgage of a hundred thousand on this house.


    Now, it was nothing but ruins.


    "Charlotte?" A gruff, old voice called from behind. She turned to see Robert, bent over with a cane, a dirty bag of collected bottles in his grip. "How did you get to look like this?" Charlotte asked, sizing him up.


    Robert eyed her suspiciously, "Are you Charlotte or Serena? The one Liam ran tests on with my samples, what was the oue?"


    "Test results or not, Charlotte or Serena, it doesn''t matter. I''m not your daughter."


    Charlotte had always loathed Robert, and nothing had changed.


    Robert''s grimy face twisted, a glint of cunning in his eyes, "If you ain''t my daughter, what brings you to this neck of the woods? Could it be..."


    He broke into a crooked smile, "Now you''re part of the fancy ckwood family, and Liam must be eating out of your hand. You''ve got more cash than you know what to do with." In just a few minutes, Robert couldn''t hide his ugly side.


    "You wouldn''t want the world tough at you for having a beggar dad, right?"


    "You surely don''t want the ckwood folks to know you were Liam''s side piece, huh?"


    "You wouldn''t want everyone to see the disgrace of you hitting someone, would you?"


    Robert rubbed his hands greedily, "Look at me. I''ve got nothing left to lose. If I can''t have a good life, don''t think you can live peacefully!"


    "Mom, this guy is freaking me out. Can we get out of here?" Ethan said, gripping Charlotte tighter as he pushed her to move away.


    Charlotteforted Ethan, patting his back.


    Robert had always been a thorn in her side, but she''d been kind to him out of family duty, which probably kept him from seeing things clearly.


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    "Ethan, remember what I told you about dealing with bullies and liars?" Charlotte asked.


    "You stand up to them. Be brave." Ethan recited, echoing Charlotte''s lessons.


    Ethan repeated Charlotte''s previous teachings word for word, "Anyone who wants to hurt me, no matter who they are or their reasons, should neither bepromised with nor forgiven."


    "That''s my boy," Charlotte confirmed, though she often worried her hardline stance might be too much for Ethan.


    She wanted him to be kinder than that, which is why she let Vincent teach him-a gentler influence from the ckwoods would do him good.


    She knew it was right, but she couldn''t shake the fear of her son getting hurt or hurting others.


    So, she asionally slipped into her own life lessons.


    Never cave to those who wrong you that was the first rule she''d drilled into Ethan.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    And now, she finally grasped the full weight of it herself.


    "Robert, I might be set for life, but I''m not sure you are," Charlotte said coolly. "What are you going to do? Listen, Charlotte, I''ve got dirt on you that could ruin you. Don''t try to pull any stunts with me I''m your dad! What''s Vincent going to do, help you kill me?"


    Charlotte scoffed, "Like I said, I''m not your kid."


    She was there for one thing only, "Robert, when you sent Maria to tell me about Annie''s death, did you know it''d be a one-way trip for her?"


    She didn''t care about any games Robert thought he was ying. She''d wished him dead often enough; his wanting her dead was par for the course.


    But what mattered was Maria.


    Maria might have been weak and favored sons over daughters, with her fair share of faults.


    But she did right by this family, especially by Robert and Axel!


    If Robert sent Maria to her death on purpose...it would have been such a cruel story.


    Charlotte locked eyes with Robert. He looked taken aback for a second, then burst into a nasty, yellow-toothed smile.


    "Of course, I knew," he said.


    "That good-for-nothing Maria couldn''t even get a few grand from you. Without money, what am I supposed to eat or drink? Other guys have wives who cook, clean and work. What about her? Just a useless burden, eating up my food. Might as well turn her into some cash for the card table!"


    Hearing Robert say this, Charlotte finally felt a weight lift off her chest.


    "I''m d to hear you''re as heartless as ever," she said with relief.


    "What''s that supposed to mean? You nning to leave me high and dry?" Robert pressed.


    "Not at all. I''m going to take very good care of you."


    Charlotte dusted off her skirt and said calmly, "You''ve lived over fifty years without lifting a finger, all thanks to that ''useless burden'' you just mentioned."


    "Maria put up with you, but I won''t, Robert. From today, you and your good-for-nothing son need to start pulling your weight."


    "Pulling our weight?"


    Robert wanted to ask more, but Charlotte was already getting into the car with Ethan, leaving the ce.


    A few bodyguards came over and pushed Robert into a dark alley nearby.


    Thinking it was Liam''s doing again, Robert panicked, "What more do you want? I''ve done everything you asked for! All the misery I''ve been through, going blind, limping, it''s all thanks to you! What else do you want, Liam? My dear daughter''s already back, isn''t she? Here, I give her to you-ahhh!"


    As Robert''s protests faded into screams, the reality of his situation started to sink in.

 Chapter 134: Whos Gonna Be the Kids Dad?

    So Charlotte went to have a chat with Robert, and afterying down thew, she had him and Axel sent off to work at some factory the ckwood family owns. They got them working super long shifts, like sixteen hours, and if they don''t hit their quotas, they get punished.


    Next thing, Charlotte takes Ethan over to Leiventale. They went to remember Maria and Annie and even grabbed lunch with the Thomases while they were there.


    Daniel passed on Charlotte''s schedule to the man lounging at the desk, looking all worn out and with bags under his eyes. He''s not even taking the report, just kicking back in his chair.


    "Mr. Parker, what''s going through your head?" Daniel can''t help but ask.


    Charlotte''s like iron these days, nothing seems to shake her up.


    Daniel''s at a loss. He can''t see anything fixing things between her and Liam.


    "And... Charlotte''s married to Vincent now. Whatever gossip was flying around about you two, she''s off-limits for your games."


    "I get it," Liam sighs big time, "I''m not going to hurt her anymore."


    "Good that you understand." Daniel muttered something else, seeing Liam''sck of interest, and then said, "There''s something fishy about Benjamin Beaumont''s location being tracked back to domestic soil." Liam does not own up to Chloe''s kid, so the tyke took herst name.


    Just a bit ago, Benjamin got snatched right at the airport. Liam didn''t blink an eye, no ransom call, nothing. It''s like they reached some weird standoff.


    Benjamin''s always had a tracker on him, but it got messed with or ripped off during the kidnap.


    Now the tracker''s suddenly back on the map here at home, so there''s gotta be some scheme.


    But Liam? He doesn''t give two hoots about the kid''s safety, "Book a kid''s restaurant, I wanna take Ethan out to eat."


    "You taking Ethan..." Daniel''s still in the dark about Ethan being Liam''s kid; he thinks Liam''s just trying to get close to Charlotte using the boy.


    Seems like a wild idea to Daniel, but he goes ahead and books the restaurant Liam asked for.


    Charlotte''s packing her stuff when she hears from Vincent that Liam wants to take Ethan out alone.


    She''s nning to ditch town for good and take all her favorite things with her.


    Her first thought: ''Liam''s just setting himself up for embarrassment.''


    There''s no way she''s letting Ethan go to that dinner.


    Vincent''s ying it cool, though, "Is he trying to show us up? He knows Ethan''s his son. He must wanna snatch him. And with Ethan, he''s got a way to you. Who knows, he might just grab the kid during the meal." "But if that was his n, he wouldn''t send you to tell me."


    Charlotte knows Liam''s not that low.


    She''s not into ying the guessing game with Liam''s motives. No matter what, she''s not letting Ethan out of her sight with Liam.


    However, when lunchtime came around, the usually lively Ethan seemed distracted.


    He was picking at his food in the bowl when Ethan asked Charlotte, "Mommy, do you think bear pizza would taste good?"


    "Why are you suddenly thinking about bear pizza?"


    "I saw it from here." Ethan dashed back to his room and quickly returned with a magazine in hand.


    Charlotte nced at it and noticed an ad for a children''s restaurant.


    "Someone wants to go eat bear pizza with me," Ethan pointed at the little bear on the page.


    Charlotte took a closer look and saw two bears in the picture, a big one named Parker and a little one named Ethan.


    The big bear was inviting the little bear to go eat bear pizza at the restaurant.


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    "... No need to check to know this mag''s definitely sponsored by Parker Group."


    Just as Charlotte was wondering if Liam was out of his mind, Vincent got a call and gestured for Charlotte toe upstairs with him.


    "It''s Liam," Vincent said, handing her the phone.


    Charlotte didn''t take it," Ethan''s not having lunch with him. Tell him to forget it!"


    "Maybe you should listen," Vincent coaxed her. "Charlotte, we can''t leave a mess behind when we go."


    Charlotte took a deep breath, understanding his point, and grabbed the phone less than cordially, "Speak."


    "Charlotte," Liam''s gentle voice came through.


    "I respect all your choices. I promise Ethan won''t know about our rtionship or the blood connection between him and me, and I won''t take him away from you." "What do you want to do?" Charlotte asked.


    "I want to apologize," Liam paused, his tone growing somber, "At least... I don''t want him to hate me like you do."


    "Charlotte, I know this is hard for you, but... I just want to apologize."


    Charlotte was silent.


    Objectively, Liam hadn''t really done anything wrong. Benjamin was his son in name, and it was natural for him to hold Benjamin, to favor him even.


    But the blood bond between father and son made Ethan possessive of Liam; he couldn''t stand Liam being better than another child.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "You don''t need to apologize; you haven''t done anything wrong. You''re just a stranger who passed by in Ethan''s life. I don''t want him picking up bad habits from you." Charlotte still wasn''t having any of it and ended the call swiftly.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! Vincent let out a sigh, "Why make it so hard? Maybe it''d be best to just let them meet."


    "Aren''t you scared Liam might actually take Ethan from us?" Charlotte shot back.


    Vincent''s face got all serious, "Of course I''m scared. But, Charlotte, what I''m really scared of is, years from now, the kid I''ve raised just walking out on me."


    He could hide the truth about Ethan''s real dad for a lifetime, and maybe Charlotte could too.


    But what about Liam?


    Skipping the country wasn''t the answer. If Liam wanted to, he could find a million ways to let Ethan know who his real dad was.


    "I can''t live with that ''what if.'' The best bet is to let Ethan meet Liam. If Ethan takes a shine to him, then I..."


    Vincent''s voice was heavy with pain, "then I''ll just have to brace myself, remind myself not to get too attached to the kid."


    Heid it out there, with an edge that almost sounded like a threat.


    But Charlotte got it. He wasn''t actually threatening her.


    After Ethan was born, she was too busy healing her battered body to give him the care he needed.


    It was Vincent who stepped up, literally raising Ethan from diapers.


    Ethan clung to Vincent, maybe even more than to Charlotte, his own mom.


    But blood ties are what they are.


    Vincent wasn''t just scared of losing his feelings; he dreaded not being able to face losing his beloved child when the time came. Charlotte mulled it over for a whole day, and finally, she decided to take Ethan to meet Liam.

 Chapter 135: He Cant Accept It

    "Whoa, it really is the bear restaurant! I saw this in a book!"


    The moment they stepped into the diner, Ethan was bouncing off the walls with excitement. When he spotted the decor and toys he loved most, he was like a happy little pony, prancing around and letting out joyful exmations now and then.


    "You did this on purpose, didn''t you?" Charlotte eyed the yful scene. "But how''d you figure out Ethan would love this?"


    "If you care enough, you can find out anything," Liam replied, sitting on aically shaped bear chair looking a bit ufortable. "I''m d he likes it."


    "What are you trying to say?" Charlotte sat down across from him. "You said you''d respect all my decisions."


    "I will. I know you don''t want Ethan to know I''m his dad." Liam''s gaze grew dim. "He''ll never know about me and him."


    "Are you okay with that?"


    The question was aimed at Liam, but Charlotte felt a sharp sense of her own reluctance.


    She never got equal love from Liam.


    So, she didn''t want Ethan to be just as insignificant in Liam''s eyes as she was.


    Liam didn''t care about a kid named Benjamin, and apparently, not much about Ethan either.


    What did Ethan mean to him then?


    Charlotte pressed on, "You''re okay with it because you simply don''t care, right? You don''t care whether you have kids or not, what happens to them, or maybe you never wanted kids at all, did you?" "No."


    Liam''s face darkened with each question she fired at him.


    "You always assume the worst of me."


    "Charlotte, how could I possibly be okay with this?"


    "The woman I love has my child, and now I''m supposed to watch them walk away from me? How can you expect me to ept that?"


    Liam''s voice dropped to a whisper, meant only for Charlotte, "It''s just... I love you more."


    That''s why he could ept all her demands, even if it meant his own son calling his worst enemy ''Dad.'' He had epted that too. "Charlottel"


    His voice caught.


    "I don''t want you to hate me more, so trust me, my rtionship with Ethan, it''s gonna stay buried."


    "Mommy, what are you guys doing?"


    Ethan''s curious voice snapped them back to reality. They quickly fixed their expressions before turning to answer him. "Nothing, buddy. Are you tired? Hungry for some teddy bear pizza?"


    "Teddy bear pizza! Yes, please!"


    Ethan cheered and snuggled into Charlotte''s arms, but that meant he was now face-to-face with Liam.


    "Don''t look at me, bad uncle." Ethan scowled. "I don''t like the bad uncle."


    "Ethan," Charlotte cut him off sharply, "That''s not nice. Uncle''s treating us to lunch, you can''t talk to him like that."


    "But he doesn''t help me!"


    "Why should uncle help you? That other kid is his son. Just like Dad takes care of you, uncle takes care of his own son. That''s how it should be."


    "But..." Ethan''s face fell, and his eyes quickly filled with tears. "But..."


    He couldn''t finish his sentence, which showed he understood, even if his feelings were getting in the way.


    Ethan had a natural dependency and possessiveness over Liam, and today Charlotte had to make it clear to him that it wasn''t right.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    While she was reasoning with Ethan, Liam sat silently across from them, feeling nothing but destion.


    Being stripped away, little by little, hurt more than any physical wound.


    The first time he met Ethan, he was instantly taken with him, drawn to him without understanding why.


    When he found out Ethan was his kid, his joy was overwhelming, filling his chest.


    He had imagined a happy future for the three of them.


    But in just a few days, he had to face the harsh truth.


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    He had to act like a stranger to his own son.


    "Off you go, go y."


    After making sure Ethan was fed and distracted with y, Charlotte finally noticed Liam, sitting there like a statue.


    "Having second thoughts?" she asked with a coldugh.


    Liam snapped back to reality, "What about you? You ever gonna have second thoughts?"


    "Regrets about what?"


    "About not letting me recognize Ethan as my son." Liam''s voice got shaky, and there was a hint of heat in his eyes. "You''re never gonna regret it, not even once, in all the years toe?" "Nope."


    Charlotte was dead sure about it.


    Liam''s voice trembled even more. He wanted to ask why but hesitated, and ended up asking something else. "You barely touched your fries. You full?"


    "I didn''te here to eat with you, did I? Anyway, how''s the kid doing?"


    Liam didn''t really care about the other kid, but since Charlotte asked, he made a quick call to Daniel to check.


    Once he learned that the child was actually in the country, even in a nearby city, Charlotte pretty much guessed that Dn had taken the kid.


    "Still, be careful. It''s too quiet. Who knows what they''re nning," Charlotte tossed out a casual warning.


    That made Liam tense up all over.


    "You worried about me?"


    "I just don''t want more trouble," she said coolly. "In a month, I''m taking Ethan abroad. We''re noting back, so I don''t want any drama stopping us from leaving."


    "You''re justying it out like that?" Liam forced augh. "Or warning me not to mess with your ns? Charlotte, you really think I''d do that?"


    He felt like a joke to himself right now. "You might not believe it, but I''m at your beck and call. Even if you told me to drop dead right now, I''d do it willingly."


    Why would he try to stop her from leaving?


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    "Will we ever see each other again?"


    "No."


    It was the same firm denial, but this time Liam didn''t push it. He just sat quietly in the teddy bear chair, looking out the window.


    His face was unreadable, caught somewhere between anger and discontent.


    Charlotte didn''t speak either. They just sat there, both of them staring off into the distance, lost in their own thoughts about the sky. Whatever Liam was feeling or would feel down the line, Charlotte had let it all go.


    She dropped the grudge and forgave herself.


    She epted the unfair loves of the world and her own foolish past.


    Chloe had lost her mind, the Beaumont family was in ruins, and Robert and Axel would spend their remaining years as workhorses, paying for the easy life they enjoyed at the expense of others. She had noints.


    "Ethan, you done ying? Time to head home."


    "Okay!"


    Charlotte got up, scooping Ethan''s warm body into her arms, walking towards the restaurant''s front door against the backdrop of the setting sun.


    Their shadows stretched long across the ground, reaching all the way to where Liam was sitting.


    He leaned over, trying to touch the shadow, to merge himself with them for just a moment.


    But that was impossible.


    The cold, hard ground snapped him back to reality as he withdrew his hand.


    He couldn''t ept it.


    Charlotte couldn''t just leave.

 Chapter 136: Paranoia

    When Charlotte got home, she told Vincent about her conversation with Liam. She thought Vincent would be relieved, but instead, he seemed more worried. "Charlotte, don''t you think he''s... a bit too calm about all this?" Vincent said.


    After four years apart, longing day and night, was Liam really okay with her just walking out of his life again?


    "I''ve been out of the country for years, but I''ve still caught wind of news about Liam getting more paranoid. And they''re pretty reasonable assumptions. I think you should take a look," Vincent suggested.


    Charlotte shook her head, "But I know Liam better than those critics. I don''t need to hear about him from others."


    "But when you look at Liam, you''re emotional," Vincent gently pressed. "When you first came back, you were angry, you blew your cover, and when he was in pain for you, it satisfied your need for revenge, and you calmed down. But that kind of calm isn''t normal."


    After all the emotional highs and lows, now Charlotte saw Liam like a patch of wild grass by the roadside.


    But Liam wasn''t just wild grass; he was a living, breathing person with feelings.


    In other words, Charlotte might think Liam was harmless, but in reality, he was capable of anything.


    Right now, both Liam and Charlotte were like unexploded bombs - calm on the surface, but could go off at any moment.


    "There''s still time, Charlotte. Maybe you should deal with your issues with him more thoroughly," Vincent advised with a heavy sigh.


    "I don''t want to be harassed by him endlessly after we leave the country. Ethan is growing up day by day, and I''m afraid of what he might find out."


    It was all for the child.


    Vincent made sense, no doubt about it.


    Although Charlotte didn''t agree with his point about ''Liam''s paranoia'', she decided to resolve any issues with Liam before leaving.


    For this, Vincent had a suggestion.


    "While Liam''s away, check out his living situation. If you can spot his paranoia, it means we might not leave smoothly."


    So the next morning, Charlotte went straight to Liam''s ce.


    She was once stopped at the gate, looking towards the mansion through the rain.


    Back then, she was as desperate as a stray dog, begging Liam to let her in.


    But today? The bodyguard spotted her from a distance and came over to open the gate for her.


    Charlotte couldn''t help but feel surprised, "Can just anyone walk into Liam''s ce now?"


    The bodyguard shook his head, "We''ve all seen what you look like, and Mr. Parker said if it was you, we''re not to stop you."


    "Why?" she asked.


    "I don''t know," the bodyguard said, because how could he know what the boss was thinking? But then he added, "I overheard Mr. Parker once. He mentioned you wouldn''t ''enter his dreams,'' wondering if you me him for turning you away at the gate before, refusing toe in."


    "Ever since then, the big boss''s assistant sent us your picture, telling us to remember it and to let you in if we saw you."


    Charlotte was speechless for a moment, then quickly walked away from the guard booth.


    The ce still looked the same as it did four years ago. Surprisingly, as she walked from the garden to the living room, she didn''t see a single servant.


    That was odd for someone like Liam.


    After wandering upstairs and downstairs, she didn''t notice anything unusual.


    There was no sign of the ''paranoia'' Liam was supposed to have.


    Just as Charlotte thought Vincent might be overreacting, she caught a glimpse of a keychain on the console table out of the corner of her eye.


    It had a cheap purple pendant hanging from it - her pendant.


    To be precise, it was the one she used to have on her two-bedroom apartment keys.


    But then Liam took that apartment back to use as a dog house for Chloe''s dog, and of course, the keys were taken back too.


    She didn''t expect Liam to have kept it.


    The paint on the little stic dog was mostly chipped off, making it look fierce and ugly.


    But the key beneath the pendant was as shiny as new.


    Charlotte picked it up and rubbed it between her fingers, feeling a surge of anger.


    It was the key to that two-bedroom apartment.


    She had lived there for so long, thinking it could be a fresh start, only to be told it was a ce she couldn''t evenpete with a dog for.


    And Liam actually went there often.


    Who was he keeping it for?


    Was it for Chloe''s dog?


    An unclear rage overpowered Charlotte''s reason, and she snatched up the key and stormed out.


    The bodyguard at the door quickly tried to stop her, "Miss Perry, Mr. Parker will be back any minute, just wait another five minutes for him." "No need."


    Charlotte walked past without looking at him, but after a few steps, she turned back and said to the guard, "Tell him he''s really disgusting." Ignoring the stunned guard, Charlotte got in her car and drove straight to the two-bedroom apartment.


    It had only been four years, and this corner of the city hadn''t changed much. The only difference seemed to be that the unit where the two-bedroom was located was eerily empty, even the usually crowded parking spots were deserted. As Charlotte was wondering what was going on, an auntie walking by saw her and warned, "Youngdy, this whole building was bought by some rich boss. He really hates it when peoplee around here; you''d better not stay too long." Rich boss?


    Liam?


    Hates peopleing here?


    Was he crazy?


    This behavior really didn''t match Liam''s previous character.


    He used to be domineering, but that was mostly with people close to him; he was usually polite and mild-mannered with others.


    After thanking the auntie for the heads-up, Charlotte went to open the door to the unit and was surprised to find that it had been reced with a new one, and there was no key for this door on her keychain.


    Just as she thought she had made a wasted trip, she looked up by chance, and ''click'', the door opened.


    Facial recognition unlock.


    But why on earth would Liam have her face recorded in the door''s lock system?


    Did he somehow know she''de today?


    No... he probably just figured she''de back here someday.


    This realization just made Charlotte''s anger boil over even more.


    When he kicked her out and cleared her carefully arranged room to make a doghouse, what was Liam thinking?


    And now, ying these sick games, what was he thinking?


    Biting back her rage, Charlotte went upstairs and pushed open the door-


    The doghouse she imagined wasn''t there.


    Instead, it was the most beautiful ce in her memory.


    It was the home she''d put together piece by piece.


    The ce she used to call ''home'' without a second thought.


    Liam had put the apartment back to how it was.


    Everything was just as she had left it, down to the smallest detail.


    Charlotte couldn''t put her finger on her feelings, just walked through numbly, room by room.


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    Everything was exactly how she remembered.


    Even the cheap shampoo and soap in the bathroom were her go-to brands, and they were partly used-someone had been living here.


    The ss on the table, half-filled with water, showed someone stayed overst night.


    But who?


    Was it Liam?


    With that question nagging at her, she headed for the bedroom.


    She pushed the door open and got hit with that familiarundry smell, so strong it made her shut her eyes and scrunch up her face.


    She was kicking herself now.


    She shouldn''t have taken Vincent''s bait,ing here to see if ''Liam was paranoid.''


    She had already walked away from all this. Why did she have toe back and get all riled up for nothing?


    She couldn''t bring herself to step forward and mmed the bedroom door shut, gasping for air.


    Just a few days back, Liam had asked her if she was nning to ditch him, to leave him all alone to haunt the same spots she did, to live off the memories of her, drowning in his longing.


    Back then, she thought it was a joke hearing all that from Liam.


    She figured Liam was just messing around, never really thought he''d actually do any of it.


    Even without seeing it, she had a pretty good guess about what was in the bedroom.


    Her chosen bed, the sheets and duvet she bought, the pillows she sewed by hand, and all her stuff-clothes, skincare products, slippers, her desk...


    All of it, her things.


    During the six months they were together, Liam barely stayed over, so like ny percent of that two-bedrooms vibe was all Charlotte.


    But what was Liam''s deal?


    Was it nostalgia?


    Did living in a ce that reeked of her help settle his heart a bit?


    Her eyes swept over the furniture in the house. When he cleared out space for the dog, he tossed out all her stuff. She grabbed just a few clothes and left, the rest piled up in the hallway, no clue what he did with it. But now, she was sure everything in the house was just like before. The hidden stitches in the sofa''s seams were her handiwork-no one else''s.


    Where on earth did Liam find all this stuff?


    Leaving the apartment in a rush, Charlotte''s mind was in turmoil for a long time.


    She felt sick, she was furious.


    How were Liam''s actions any different from humiliation?


    He thought he was being sentimental?


    After hurting her so badly, that kind of sentiment made her want to puke!Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    zing mad, she arrived at the Parker Group headquarters. Charlotte had the good sense not to storm in but went to the reception desk to ask them to call someone from the president''s office toe down. But before she even got to the desk, the receptionist stood up, greeted her with respect, and then said, "Mr. Parker isn''t here right now, but I''ll take you up to his office. Would you mind waiting there for a bit?" Back when she didn''t have an employee card and couldn''t get through the turnstiles, the receptionist wasn''t nearly this nice.


    With a puzzled frown, Charlotte made it to the 24th floor.


    The president''s office, where she used to work.


    Because she was just an errand assistant, she wasn''t really tight with the rest of the staff. But now, as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, the looks and whispers started up and didn''t stop. Charlotte was led straight into the president''s office and met by Sophia, the head of the secretarial office.


    "Miss Perry." Seeing Charlotte''s face, which looked just like hers, Sophia was feeling all sorts of things.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! Charlotte didn''t bother with her and looked around, noticing that even Liam''s office was just like she left it.


    That was weird.


    Because she liked to keep the nts under the blinds by the floor-to-ceiling windows and move them back in before leaving at night.


    Liam thought this habit was a hassle. If she wasn''t there, the nts would just stay put and the leaves would start to yellow.


    But now, those nts were neatly ced under the blinds.


    Catching her gaze, Sophia exined, "They get more sunlight this way, but it''s a hassle, have to move them around so they don''t get too much sun."


    "Being his assistant must be tough," Charlotte said sarcastically.


    "You''ve got it wrong," the office head replied. "Mr. Parker does all this himself, and, Mr. Parker''s office doesn''t have an assistant."


    "What?" No assistant? Charlotte couldn''t believe her ears.


    "You heard right. Mr. Parker takes care of everything here himself. He hates other peopleing in and out of his office all the time."


    Charlotte felt more and more that something was off.


    Her mind was telling her to leave now, to stop looking around.


    But her feet just wouldn''t move.


    Finally, she sat down on the sofa and motioned for Sophia to bring in some tea or coffee.


    "Sorry, Miss Perry, we don''t have a coffee machine on the 24th floor."


    "Liam doesn''t drink coffee?" What a joke. If Liam didn''t drink coffee, then what was she doing there as the errand assistant who made coffee?


    The office head said sadly, "He used to but after that... Mr. Parker hasn''t had coffee in a long time."


    Charlotte felt the anger in her chest surge again.


    And it didn''t go away, even when Liam came back.


    "You came looking for me?" Liam asked as he walked in, looking uneasy.


    Charlotte asked with a chill in her voice, "You living in that two-bedroom now?"


    "Yeah." Liam was caught off guard that she knew about the ce, and he suddenly didn''t know what to say.


    He stayed there because it still felt like her - her scent was there, reminders of her everywhere, sparking his memories.


    On countless sleepless nights, he''d sit in the living room with all the lights on, have a drink, and in his slightly tipsy state, he''d see her.


    "Why?" Charlotte asked.


    Liam closed his eyes and said softly, "It''s only there that I can feel like you''re still with me."


    "I can''t ept that you died in front of me, so I surround myself with your things, trying to fill the void."


    "I just... miss you too much."


    Charlotte was getting more and more irritated with Liam''s response.


    She pointed at the nts under the blinds, "Liam, everything you''re doing now, either you wouldn''t allow it before, or you destroyed it yourself. Do you find it amusing?"


    "People areplex, you have to allow for differences between individuals," Liam said, eyes downcast. "Back then, I didn''t know you loved me, I didn''t realize you''d do anything for me. You never told me, so I doubted and suspected that you had an angle in getting close to me."


    Liam eased into a seat, dissecting his own thoughts, "It wasn''t until you moved into the Parker family''s ce, that I dared to believe you liked me. Charlotte, people are different, you have to forgive my emotional clumsiness."


    "When you loved me, I felt you didn''t."


    "When I loved you, you felt I didn''t."


    "Maybe that''s the punishment."


    Liam gave a self-deprecatingugh, "Everything you see, it all started from love. The things I didn''t allow, the things I destroyed, they''re alling back because of love."


    "Charlotte, please don''t say harsh things, at least not now. Don''t deny my love for you in this moment."

 Chapter 137 : Give Each Other a Chance

    Charlotte couldn''t possibly admit that this was love.


    After being deeply hurt, did Liam really think a few light words of ''I miss you'' could erase all his past mistakes? "I''ve said it before, I don''t hate you anymore, Liam. Don''t do anything more, don''t say anything more."


    Charlotte looked him straight in the eye, her tone cold and merciless, "Don''t make me start hating you again." "I just want a chance to make things right!"


    Since Charlotte came back from abroad, every word she spoke was a condemnation, a denial of his sincerity. He had opened his arms, hoping for aforting embrace.


    But all Charlotte gave him was endless torment.


    Liam was starting to feel overwhelmed.


    "I know everything you went through before was painful, but Charlotte, do you think I''m not in pain?"


    "In these four years, at least you could still hate me. What about me? What did I have?"


    "I watched you die in front of me, and every day since has been filled with endless guilt and self-reproach."


    "Every mistake I made with you turned into a sword piercing through me these past four years. Charlotte, I now understand your pain, I feel the hatred you felt, I''ve learned how to express love, and I know what you want." "But now, you don''t have feelings about me anymore."


    Even if it''s hatred?


    Even if it''s disgust?


    The way Charlotte looks at him now is no different than how she''d look at a stranger.


    "I''m d that you''re angry about me still living in that two-bedroom apartment."


    After dropping that bombshell, Liam hung his head, his chest heaving.


    Charlotte had a thousand usations and insults to throw at him, but after hearing Liam''s words, she couldn''t bring herself to say any of them.


    The situation was too dangerous now; she didn''t want to have anything more to do with Liam.


    And she had changed her mind; she wanted to take Ethan and leave here immediately.


    "People need to move on, Liam."


    With those words, Charlotte stood up and walked towards the door.


    Liam didn''t stop her, but if Charlotte had turned around, she would have seen a dangerous look in his eyes.


    Charlotte left so abruptly that the whispering on the twenty-fourth floor didn''t stop in time, and she heard everything.


    "Is that Charlotte? The one Mr. Parker was calling for every day when he first got out of the hospital?"


    "Yeah, that''s her. When he realized no one was answering, Mr. Parker lost his temper many times. Then he banned people from entering his office and even had the coffee machine on the twenty-fourth floor removed." "If Mr. Parker cares so much about Charlotte, does that mean she''s here to get back together with him today?"


    "That''s not Charlotte, though she looks just like her. That''s Serena, daughter-inw of the ckwood family, Vincent''s wife, the future Mrs. ckwood."


    "So she''s just going to ignore Mr. Parker''s feelings?"Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "What feelings? Mr. Parker himself said he''s the one who did wrong by Charlotte."


    Every single word drilled into Charlotte''s ears.


    Sophia, right by her side, quickly shut down the whispering with a sharp scold.


    "Don''t mind what they''re saying, they got it wrong..."


    "Liam admitted himself that he did Charlotte wrong," Charlotte cut Sophia off with a cold tone.


    Sophia paused for a moment, remembering Mr. Parker''s attitude towards the woman before her, realizing there was no point in hiding it.


    She let out a sigh and said, "When Mr. Parker woke up from his longa, his first words were asking for Charlotte, and his second confession was that he wronged her." Charlotte''s grip tightened involuntarily at these words.


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    "The search teams had been looking day and night for months with no trace of Charlotte. Her death was all but confirmed, but no one dared to break the news to Mr. Parker." "But you can''t hide the truth forever. When Mr. Parker eventually found out, he became like a different person."


    "Huh?" Except for being a bit domineering, Charlotte hadn''t noticed any change in Liam.


    Sophia nced toward the CEO''s office with a worried look and said, "He became... inhuman."


    His behavior was robotic.


    He shut himself off from others.


    Utterly indifferent.


    He didn''t care about anything anymore.


    Yet, he knew exactly what he was doing, just letting himself go, consciously drowning in it.


    "Mr. Parker was like a perfect machine, but Miss Perry, as everyone knows, machines don''t have souls."


    "The Mr. Parker from that time was just an empty shell, filled only with pain and regret."


    Such a terrifying boss, and such a stifling atmosphere, and yet thepany was booming.


    Compared to that, Liam just seems more and more terrifying.


    "Look, I''m not kidding, but stepping into Mr. Parker''s office for thest four years has been like walking on eggshells. I was always worried I''d stand in the wrong spot, breathe too loudly, or just set him off, scared he''d snap and start grilling me about where Charlotte was," Sophia said with a halfugh, ncing at Charlotte.


    "But today, Mr. Parker was all normal, and that''s because you''re here."


    And because she has the same face as Charlotte.


    "I might be on Mr. Parker''s payroll, but I still gotta tell you, Miss Perry, don''t try to be Charlotte''s stand-in, and don''t get close to Mr. Parker. It won''t do you any good." "I won''t."


    After saying goodbye to Sophia, Charlotte felt all sorts of mixed emotions.


    She didn''t see any difference in Liam, so everything he did and everything Sophia said just seemed really weird.


    Especially thatst warning from Sophia - Charlotte didn''t get it.


    She''s Vincent''s wife now, for crying out loud. Would anyone really think she''d get tangled up with Liam with thatbel on her?


    But Sophia warned her to keep away from Liam.


    It didn''t add up.


    While Charlotte was trying to make sense of this weirdness, she suddenly noticed it was way too quiet behind her.


    She was walking down a busy street in the business district, surrounded by hustling office workers - how could it be so silent?


    She looked up and to her surprise, she found herself in an alley, a dead-end no less.


    How could that be? Just a minute ago, there were two women gossiping ahead of her, heading towards the caf¨¦!


    "Miss Perry."


    Caught off guard, she heard a familiar voice from behind.


    Charlotte spun around and immediately understood everything.


    "Henry."


    As Liam''s most trusted right-hand man, Henry was like Liam''s sharpest knife.


    "What does Liam want you to do?"


    Knowing it was all Liam''s doing, Charlotte felt a sudden calm.


    "Sir would like to have a talk with you."


    "We just talked."


    "No, Miss Perry, he means sit down, clear up any misunderstandings, talk everything through," Henry said, dutifully rying his boss''s orders. "And then, give each other a chance."

 Chapter 138: Im even more afraid of you leaving

    Charlotte was arguing with Vincent just this morning, saying there''s no way Liam could be called ''paranoid''.


    Then, in just a short four hours, she finds herself ''captured'' by Liam in a fancy ''prison''.


    "Mr. Parker had originally picked out a different vi by the sea - great climate, perfect for a honeymoon. But thinking you might be scared of the ocean, he switched it upst minute to this ce," Henry exined as he led Charlotte through the vi, telling her about its design and history.


    Charlotte wasn''t really listening; she found the whole situation kind of hrious.


    "Decorating a vi in such a short time, is that even possible? Or is it some secondhand ce you guys bought? Since when is Mr. Parker so... budget?"


    "No." Henry stopped and corrected Charlotte seriously, "Miss Perry, you might have misunderstood. By st minute'', I mean after Mr. Parker woke up from thea after the car ident." Charlotte frowned, "What do you mean?"


    "You might not believe it, but before the ident, Mr. Parker had everything nned out. From how to deal with Chloe to bringing down the Beaumont family, and even shutting up those old hardheads in the Parker family. He even had several ns ready for when you''d want a kid, offering you the best options."


    Charlotte was even more confused about what Henry was getting at.


    "Why would he prepare all that for me?"


    "He wanted a future with you. You have health issues, and difficulties getting pregnant, these ns were all to ease your mind."


    Henry went into detail, "But you know Mr. Parker. He doesn''t show his emotions, and he''s a bit stubborn. It''s not appropriate for me to judge my boss like this, but it''s true. He nned everything without really thinking about how you''d feel." If Charlotte just stayed quiet and didn''t make a fuss, Liam would have sorted it all out in a year, tops.


    But Charlotte wasn''t the type to stand behind a man and let him shield her from the storms.


    They were both too stubborn.


    Charlotte thought Liam was holding her back.


    Liam thought he had it all nned out and she just needed to wait quietly for him. Why did she keep questioning him?


    "Mr. Parker thought he had everything under control, so he bought that vi as a wedding house. But everything stopped with that car ident."


    "The vi you see now, Mr. Parker bought it after he woke up, even when everyone said you wouldn''t make it, he still believed you''de back."


    Henry, who had worked with Liam for so long, couldn''t keep up his professional facade by the end.


    "Charlotte," Henry said with aplex look, "your return was what kept Mr. Parker going. Even if you stood by Vincent, even if you looked at Mr. Parker with cold eyes, as long as he could see you, he could keep living. But you shouldn''t have, at this time, suggested going abroad."


    When Henry received the order to keep Charlotte in the vi, he risked being scolded to advise against it, but Liam''s pent-up emotions over the years made him deaf to reason.


    "Now look what''s happened. You''ve driven him mad, and he says he won''t let you leave, no matter what," Henry sighed.


    The world has gone mad.


    Why does everyone around Liam think it''s her fault?


    Charlotte was so angry that she actually calmed down.


    She walked into the vi on her own, "Tell Liam toe see me. He wanted to talk, right? Let''s do it now."


    As Henry left, Charlotte added, "And let Vincent know what''s happening to me, make sure Ethan''s okay."


    Henry was surprised. "How can you be so calm?"


    "Why shouldn''t I be calm?" Charlotte scoffed. "What can Liam possibly do to me?"


    Anyone else who kidnapped her would scare her, but Liam... she really didn''t see what there was to be afraid of.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


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    "You should tell him yourself. Mimunication can lead to misunderstandings, and we wouldn''t want that affecting the partnership between our families," Henry advised. Charlotte thought it over. Vincent had helped her out a lot, and she didn''t want to cause trouble for the ckwood family, so she decided to call Vincent herself. "What''s up? When are youing back?" Vincent''s voice was gentle.


    Charlotte replied coolly, "You were right, Liam is a bit paranoid. I won''t being back for a few days. He''s got me locked up."


    Vincent was silent for a long time before finally responding, "Then take care of yourself. I''ll tell Ethan you''re on a sudden business trip."


    After a brief exchange, Charlotte hung up.


    "Why is Vincent so calm too?!" Henry was utterly surprised.


    Charlotte actually found Vincent''s reaction to be the most normal.


    Between the lines, Vincent''s message was clear, she needed to settle things with Liam properly.


    So Liam''sck of cooperation was already expected by Vincent.


    Nothing surprising there.


    Henry carried the incredible news back to Liam.


    "Did she really say that?"


    Liam''s heart was pounding so hard that the pen he was holding snapped, leaving a blot of ck ink on the paper.


    "Because it''s you, Miss Perry isn''t scared or angry," Henry said.


    A flicker of confusion passed through Liam''s eyes. "No... she''s lying. She''s trying to trick me into letting her go."


    He didn''t want to face Charlotte''s wrath and questioning.


    "Let''s wait a few days until she''s in a better mood."


    Henry went to pass the message but returned pale-faced a few minutester.


    "Miss Perry wants you to go now, immediately, right away."


    That kind of wording clearly showed Charlotte''s anger.


    Liam still didn''t want to go, but he was afraid that in her anger, Charlotte would do something irrational.


    She was never one to control her emotions.


    Silent on the journey, the car stopped in front of the vi. Liam was still hesitating about whether to leave when he looked up to see Charlotte standing with her arms crossed in front of the locked iron gate. "Get out," Charlotte said tly.


    Liam couldn''t tell whether she was happy or angry.


    After hesitating for a moment, he got out of the car. But instead of going in, he just stood there, looking at Charlotte through the iron gate.


    That made Charlotte burst out with a mix of anger andughter, "So, you lock me up here just to keep me like a monkey in a cage?"


    "No, that''s not it," Liam shot back right away.


    "Then what?" Charlotte didn''t really get his attitude. "Liam, you''re the one who did this. You''re the one who won''te closer. What are you so afraid of?"


    "I''m afraid you''ll hate me even more."


    "Well, you shouldn''t have dragged me here in the first ce!"


    "But I''m even more afraid of you leaving," Liam admitted.

 Chapter 139: You dont want to have a home with me

    "Come inside," Charlotte said, her voice eerily calm despite the anger piling up inside her.


    She stepped back a few paces, making room for Liam to open the gate ande in.


    Liam''s expression went through a quick session of changes before he finally stepped through the gate. "Charlotte..."


    "I don''t like this house; it''s too in."


    "Huh?" Liam was caught off guard by her suddenint. "What do you mean?"


    Before he came, he had imagined all sorts of reactions from Charlotte, hysterical usations, heartbroken disappointment, perhaps even a stubborn hunger strike to force him to let her go...


    What he hadn''t expected was for Charlotte''s firstment to be a critique of the house.


    "What kind of house do you like, then?" Liam asked.


    Charlotte looked at him with a half-smile. "You really don''t know what type of house I like, Mr. Parker?"


    Liam honestly had no idea.


    Even after all these years of knowing Charlotte inside out, he couldn''t tell what kind of house she''d prefer because she never seemed to care about houses at all-or, rather, she never thought about having a house, having a home. That modest two-bedroom was probably the only ce she''d ever called ''home'' in her life.


    But Liam didn''t dare bring that up.


    He was afraid that mentioning it would shatter the calm she was holding onto.


    "I''ll have someone bring over some listingster, and you can pick out whatever you like, okay?"


    Charlotte looked at the man in front of her, struggling to connect him with the same Liam who''d been so cold he wouldn''t even let her speak to him at the office.


    Even during the time she lived with the Parker family when Liam had begrudgingly given in to her coaxing and demands, he had shown resistance and a hint of helplessness.


    Nothing like thepliance and even eagerness he was showing now.


    Had Liam really changed?Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "1


    Or was this just a fleeting indulgence in a moment of pent-up emotions?


    "Do you even remember who I am, Mr. Parker?" Charlotte asked.


    Liam looked up at her with aplex expression, then quickly looked away.


    "Mrs. ckwood," he said with frustration.


    Charlotte hadn''t expected him to acknowledge the title and couldn''t help butugh. "Did you ever think about the consequences of locking me up here?"


    "The only consequence is you''ll hate me more."


    Liam frowned. "As for anything else, I don''t care."


    "Not even about my reputation?"


    He was the same old Liam, she thought;pletely indifferent to those he didn''t care about.


    "No one will me you."


    Liam spoke gravely. "All the mistakes are mine. I''ll fix everything. They''ll only me me."


    "They''ll me the one who seems weaker..."


    "How are you weak?" Liam pressed his lips together, turning his face away so Charlotte couldn''t see his expression. "You''re the strongest one there is."


    Charlotte was at a loss for words against his stubbornness.


    She just walked away, her mood quickly turning to irritation.


    "Liam, are you crazy?"


    Charlotte turned back, ready to p him, but for some reason, her hand just hung in the air, unable toe down.


    She was too angry, breathing heavily, her angry gaze fixed on Liam''s face.


    Liam''s brows were furrowed, his normally cool and dignified face now looked a bit wronged.


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    "You want to hit me." His voice was hoarse, "You hate me that much."


    After speaking, he bent down and brought his face closer to Charlotte''s raised hand, lightly touching it.


    It was like a tiger lowering its noble head, baring its belly, willing to be an obedient cat.


    The shock of this moment was so strong for Charlotte that she was momentarily stunned.


    They were right, Liam had changed too much.


    Her palm felt like it was burning, and Charlotte instinctively pulled back her hand, still furious.


    "Mr. Parker, you haven''t lived these years in vain," she said sarcastically.


    Liam didn''t care about her tone and muttered, "People have to grow up."


    Charlotte really didn''t want to see his face any longer.


    She knew that now was when Liam was most on guard, so she didn''t even bring up letting her go.


    Charlotte settled into the vifortably.


    Liam also moved in, and Charlotte didn''t object to this.


    So for a while, Liam thought she was plotting something bigger, like knocking him out one day and sneaking away, or threatening suicide to get him to let her go. Charlotte thought his ideas wereughable.


    She wasn''t blind; she could see how closely the vi was monitored. Even if she managed to knock out Liam, there were dozens of guards both hidden and in in sight ready to act. Was she supposed to knock them all out? And suicide was even more ludicrous.


    She''d have to be out of her mind to hurt herself just to get at Liam.


    If she had the chance, she''d rather hurt Liam.


    Anyway, the time to leave hadn''te yet, so Charlotte figured she''d wait a few days before having a real talk with Liam.


    Liam''s current obsession was simply because Charlotte had saved his life in a car ident.


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    Feeling indebted and fixated on your savior is pretty normal.


    But that''s not love, and she hoped Liam could see the difference.


    But after living there a few days, Charlotte noticed something was off.


    Liam... Liam was getting worse.


    "What did you buy all this stuff for?" Charlotte felt a wave of darkness looking at the decorations of all sizes in the living room.


    "Are you okay, Liam? Don''t you have better things to do? Doesn''t yourpany need running? Why do you have to act like a madman, messing around with these decorations at home every day?"


    "I wanted the house to look nicer," Liam said, holding a photo frame and looking confused. "I asked you before, and you said I could do whatever I wanted."


    "I thought you''d just get a few vases!" Who knew he''d go out and buy a whole bunch of stuff, iming it was all to decorate the vi?


    "Then you should''ve been more specific."


    Typical of someone who''s been in charge for too long, Liam''s authoritative demeanor surfaced involuntarily after being chastised. "And not call a halt when everything is about to start."


    "Should I apologize then?" Charlotte didn''t get it, why did Liam suddenly turn so weird?


    "No need."


    He put down the photo frame, clearly not happy, but he didn''t refuse either, letting the bodyguardse in and take all the stuff away.


    But even after the stuff was moved, Liam''s mood didn''t get any better; if anything, it got worse. Charlotte didn''t pay him any mind.


    To put it inly, she just didn''t care about Liam''s feelings.


    But just because she didn''t care, doesn''t mean Liam felt the same.


    During dinner, sitting at the table together, Charlotte felt indifferent about everything, but she rarely ate with Liam because it made her feel like the food was stuck in her throat. Tonight, Liam had asked to eat together.


    When they finished eating, the usually silent Liam finally spoke what was on his mind.


    "You don''t want to have a home with me."

 Chapter 140: You Know I Cant Resist You

    Charlotte had been itching for a chance to talk to Liam. Her decision to leave was final, and nothing could change that.


    Even if Liam couldn''t be persuaded, she''d still go.


    Just to avoid years of him clinging on, she wanted Liam to let her go willingly.


    When Liam brought up that nonsense about not wanting to make a home together, Charlotte took the opportunity to steer him to the study. "Let''s talk."


    "I don''t want to talk!" Liam snapped back, suddenly on high alert.


    "What''s this about? Do you want to talk about letting you go? About not stopping you from leaving?"


    Wasn''t that exactly what they should be discussing?


    Charlotte frowned. "Do you n to keep me trapped here forever?"


    "No... there''s plenty of time, and you might change your mind,"


    Liam said, his eyes shut tight, refusing to show his emotions. "Charlotte, just wait."


    "I want to leave." Since he didn''t want to talk, Charlotte felt there was no point staying. "I''m here to resolve things peacefully. You know I can leave even if you try to stop me." "You''re threatening me."


    When Liam looked at her again, his eyes were brimming with tears. "You still won''t forgive me."


    "It''s not about forgiveness. I''ve decided to move forward."


    "Just you moving forward," Liam said, his voice filled with pain. "You''re not considering me."


    "What you do next is for you to figure out!" Charlotte retorted, clearly upset.


    "I want you to stay," Liam said, his tone desperate. "Either you break my heartpletely, or I''ll do everything to win you over. Charlotte, I want you to stay."


    "That''s impossible! You''re still so selfish, Liam. Have you thought about the impact of forcing me to stay? On me? On Ethan?" Charlotte challenged him.


    "What impact? I''ll give you both the best! We can be happy! Just stay, and I''ll do anything for you! You know if you just sweet-talk me, I''ll bend over backwards for you. You understand how to tame me," Liam pleaded. "You can''t just tame me and then throw me away."


    "But what about me? Am I supposed to pay for your happiness, and endure pain I shouldn''t have to?" Charlotte''s voice was equally filled with despair. "Liam, if you really care about me, you should let me go."


    Charlotte had to admit, she never saw thising.


    Or rather, she never expected Liam to turn out like this.


    "Give me a reason." She added.


    "I had all these dreams about our life together, and then I had to watch you almost die. Do you expect me to be all cheerful that I made it? To just move on, get married, and act like everything''s okay?" Liam was at his breaking point. "Why wasn''t it you who was saved? Why wasn''t it me who fell off that cliff? Then you could respond to my pleas for love passionately, not coldly asking me to let you go!"


    Charlotte''s eyes were red with emotion, "Our problems have nothing to do with that car ident! I''ve told you, in that moment when you protected me without thinking about yourself, and then right before the second explosion when I gave up my safety for you don''t you get it? That was when we really loved each other the most!"


    "So what''s our real issue then? Is it because I didn''t act? Because I didn''t deal with Chloe or get revenge for you? Or is it because I kept asking you to wait? Charlotte, I''ve never wanted your hands to get dirty with hatred. I''ve told you, I''ll handle everything for you, but that takes time..."


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    "I never agreed to that! You just assumed everything on your own! When you made those decisions, you didn''t care what I thought, do you understand? That''s our problem, you''ve never really cared about me! Not then, and not now!" Charlotte finally let out everything that was bottled up inside her, gasping for air, tears streaming down her face.


    Liam wasn''t in much better shape, his usualposed demeanor gone, now looking utterly dejected.


    "The past can''t be changed, Charlotte, you can''t keep holding onto it."


    "The past can''t be changed, and neither can the pain it''s caused me!"


    "Charlotte, just listen," Liam said, stepping forward to hold her shoulders, "Let''s just try, okay? I''ll take all the hate you have for me, just give me a little time..."


    "I won''t give it."


    Charlotte pulled away from his embrace, her expression defiant, "Liam, it''s over."


    "Let me go, right now."


    "No..."


    "I''m not asking for your opinion," Charlotte said, ignoring his attempt to stop her.


    She stormed down the stairs and made a beeline for the front door.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Finding it locked with a huge padlock she couldn''t open, she didn''t hesitate to start climbing the wall.


    The bodyguards gathered around, uncertain of what to do, just as Liam stumbled out after her.


    Just a heads up:  is the only ce to read theplete version of this book for free. Don''t miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! "Charlotte!" he tried to pull her down but caught a kick to the shoulder for his efforts. The pain was so intense it momentarily blinded him.


    In that brief moment, Charlotte was over the wall. Predictably, the high drop twisted her ankle uponnding.


    This wasn''t the way Charlotte had nned to escape, but her conversation with Liam had her emotions running so high, that she was ready to do anything in her rage. When the guards tried to stop her, she resorted to brute force to break free, injuring her foot and scraping her arm in just a few minutes.


    Liam couldn''t stand to see her hurt and, feeling powerless, called off the guards, following her alone.


    "Where are you going?" he asked, his voice heavy with defeat. "You know I can''t resist you."


    Resist...


    Charlotte stopped in her tracks, still a good distance away, and called back, "Get Vincent toe with Ethan and pick me up. I''m leaving now!" "Charlotte!" Liam, his heart on fire, aggravated his shoulder wound and drops of blood dotted the ground.


    He was shaking all over, torn by Charlotte''s harsh rejection and his own helplessness.


    He couldn''t bear to see her get hurt, and he couldn''t just watch her in pain.


    "If you don''t want to stay, then fine," he said.


    "I''ll get the car; you wait here." He turned away, his figure forlorn.


    Charlotte watched him with a mix of doubt and relief. It wasn''t until he actually returned with a car a few minutester that she let her guard down. But once she was in the car, she couldn''t help but say, "Bring your guards. I''m notfortable being alone with you right now."


    Little did she know, that simple request would save her life.

 Chapter 141: Parting Gifts

    Vincent didn''t say a word after getting the call; he just grabbed Ethan and they hit the road immediately. Charlotte had picked a middle ground for the meetup, a spot near the two-bedroom apartment. "You''ve killed my future, now you''re after my heart," Liam said, his face ashen, the very picture of despair. He slumped over the steering wheel, his voice so light it barely carried any strength.


    "Charlotte, do you hate me?"


    He seemed to care about the answer, yet at the same time, he didn''t.


    She was leaving anyway, so what did it matter if she hated him or not? Charlotte gave him the most honest answer, "No, I don''t hate you." Perhaps she did hate him.


    But after seeing Liam''s pain, she couldn''t hold on to the hatred.


    It was enough for her that he wasn''tpletely indifferent.


    That was enough to close the chapter on the naive love of her youth.


    The rest of the drive passed in silence.


    They got to the apartmentplex ahead of schedule.


    Liam stared nkly in the direction of the apartment, his eyes brimming with profound sadness, "It would''ve been better if you''d never shown up."


    That way he could cling to some airy fantasies, and keep hope alive as long as he never saw her body.


    But Charlotte had toe back and tell him straight up again, "I don''t love you anymore."


    "I care about you more than anyone else," Liam blurted out as they neared their farewell, his heart in disarray.


    "If I didn''t care, I would have let you go the first time you wanted to resign."


    But he didn''t know how to express it, nor did he know what counted as caring in her book.


    Charlotte remained silent.


    If he had said these words four years ago, or even right after the car ident, she wouldn''t have been so disappointed.


    Then came a long silence. In the cramped space of the car, the scent that was distinctly theirs filled the air, thick and intertwining.


    Slowly, Charlotte''s throat grew tight as she watched people passing by outside the car - some alone with headphones, some couples yfully hugging, some families holding hands, some elderly pairs shuffling along. Life in all its forms.


    Their lives might not be perfect, they might have their share of troubles.


    But it wouldn''t be like hers, losing a sister in childhood, a mother in her youth, and then a lover.


    Her life seemed to be a constant series of losses, and no matter how hard she tried to hold on, she couldn''t stop the relentless grinding of fate''s wheel.


    She was jealous of those people.


    But she could never be one of them.


    "Charlotte."


    It was then that Liam suddenly called out her name.


    For some reason, Charlotte felt like if she answered, she and Liam would end up on a different path.


    Her heart was racing, a surge of emotion almost bursting through her chest.


    Without thinking, Charlotte looked back at him.


    She didn''t say a word.


    But she could clearly feel Liam''s gaze soften a lot.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "I can''t let you go."


    He said bending down to nt a gentle kiss on the corner of her lips, "Charlotte, I can''t bear to let you go."


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    They hadn''t been this close in so long, hadn''t touched and felt each other''s presence like this.


    Charlotte''s first impulse was to cry.


    But she quickly turned her head away, not letting the tears fall.


    "Mr. Parker, don''t."


    "I want to try onest time." Liam''s voice was as still as a dead pond, "I''ll take you to the airport, and you have until the ne leaves my sight to change your mind." Change her mind about what?


    Staying?


    Charlotte didn''t argue. She just texted Vincent to take Ethan straight to the airport.


    She wasn''t going to change her mind.


    Even though she couldn''t quite exin why she agreed to Liam''s odd request, she was certain, she wouldn''t regret it.


    The car started moving slowly, Liam driving at a snail''s pace.


    His tone was gentle too.


    "You always said our start wasn''t perfect, so our end wouldn''t be either. I never agreed with that."


    "Do you remember how you first treated me? You thought there was no future for us, so you were guarded and distant. Do you know, a mistress for other people could make in three days what took you half a year to earn from me." "Back then, I hated when you asked me for money. I didn''t get it, though I just despised greedy people. Butter, I figured it out. I just hated how you made our rtionship seem so transactional."


    "When I found out that you were teaming up with Thomas and Vincent against Chloe, I thought you were using me. I was really hard on you during that time, turning a blind eye to your struggles because I was just so mad. I felt like you shouldn''t be doing that to me."


    "Thenter, in Leiventale, you were delirious with fever and you said a lot of things to me. That was the first time you showed me some real warmth, and acted all cute and needy." "But after that..."


    Liam didn''t finish talking about that bit of history. He skipped right to when Charlotte moved in with the Parker family.


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    "You probably don''t look back on that time fondly, but for me, that was when you loved me the most."


    "You''d ask things of me, question why I wasn''t nicer to you, make me want to love you even more." "Charlotte, you were so full of life back then."


    He stopped there, his lips pressed tightly together, hands gripping the steering wheel, shaking. Charlotte wanted to stop him but didn''t know how to start.


    Think of it as... a parting gift, she thought.


    She wanted to hear just how much Liam loved her.


    But her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden ringtone. Charlotte looked down to see a message from Vincent, saying they had reached a farm near the airport, and Ethan had gotten out to see the ponies, asking Charlotte to meet them there.


    With that interruption, Liam had a million things to say but couldn''t get the words out.


    "I won''t recognize Ethan." After a while, he said quietly, "So Charlotte, don''t hide from me."


    Charlotte didn''t respond, just quietly watched the scenery outside the window.


    They soon arrived at the farm. In arge grassy area enclosed by a fence, several ponies were running around happily, but Ethan was nowhere to be seen.


    "Vincent said Ethan wanted to see the ponies, isn''t it here?" Charlotte looked around, confused, trying to spot Ethan.


    "Over there!"


    Suddenly, Liam''s angry voice reached Charlotte''s ears. She flinched instinctively, a wave of panic rising even before she saw what was happening. She turned her head, slowly looking in the direction Liam pointed-


    Ethan was being held by a man, sitting in front of a barn, grooming a pony.


    Ethan''s face was streaked with tears, and the hand holding the grooming brush was red and swollen.


    And the man.


    It was Dn.

 Chapter 142: The Blackmail

    "The kid Chloe had isn''t yours, it''s Dn''s."


    From the moment Charlotteid eyes on Dn, she knew what he was up to.


    She had wanted to wait until Liam showed some love for the child before dropping the truth bomb on him. Fresh from returning to the country, she was full of spite towards Liam and nned to hit him where it hurt most with the sharpest weapon she had.


    But it turned out Liam didn''t even seem to care about the kid, not even when he was kidnapped.


    She thought Liam must''ve figured out the truth already because it wasn''t the kind of thing that could be easily hidden from him.


    But Liam''s expression just now told her he was clueless about the whole thing.


    "That kid, Benjamin, he''s probably been taken by Dn too."


    After blurting out that info, Charlotte took a few deep breaths, her hands trembling as she called Vincent.


    As expected, she saw Dn outside the warehouse, smirking as he lifted his phone.


    "I''ll think of something, you try to calm him down!" Charlotte said, about to get out of the car.


    Liam grabbed her wrist, "Don''t go over there, you''re just walking into his trap."


    "But Ethan''s over there! He''s hurting! He''s crying!"


    Charlotte was in agony, "If I don''t go, Dn will keep hurting him."


    "But if you go, then I can''t do anything." Liam''s voice was heavy with pain, "I care about Ethan too, I can''t stand to see him hurt, but Charlotte, you have to understand, Dn can''t threaten me with just Ethan, but if you go over there..." He struggled, "With you there, I''ll do whatever Dn says. We won''t have any chance to fight back."


    Charlotte got it, of course, but she didn''t expect Liam to be so indifferent to Ethan.


    "What did you say?"


    "He''s important," Liam said, obviously reading her thoughts, "but Charlotte, you''re always my top priority."


    "...I can''t stand to see Ethan suffer."


    Charlotte pulled away and reached for the car door, "Don''te after me, I''m not that fragile, you know that. I''ve faced countless challenges alone before."


    Before getting out, she gave Liam a stern warning, "Stay sharp, don''t let Dn manipte you. That''s the only way to save us both."


    Liam was speechless.


    Even though he knew that not being restrained was the best chance to save both Charlotte and Ethan, the thought of his loved ones being held hostage was unbearable. Charlotte said she wasn''t fragile.


    And he needed to show Charlotte that he wasn''t as powerless as she thought.


    He had let Charlotte down countless times before, but not this time.


    In the short time Charlotte ran towards the warehouse, Liam quickly made a n.


    It might not be perfect, but it was fast.


    Once everything was set, he followed Charlotte out of the car. As Charlotte reached the warehouse and picked up Ethan, Liam stepped in front of Dn with amanding presence. "Stop giving me that look, my dear little brother," Dn said, his face cast in shadow as he blocked the sun, "I''m tired of your arrogance after all these years."


    "You hurt Ethan," Liam noticed Ethan''s scraped palm and without warning, kicked Dn!


    Everyone knew Liam''s health had been poor since the ident. He''d been hurting himself for years, and his wounds were slow to heal, making him physically weak. Dn was caught off guard by the sudden attack and fell to the ground.


    "Take Ethan and go," Liam told Charlotte without waiting for her to ask anything.


    "Go?" Dn chuckled from the ground, "Don''t leave, Charlotte. If you go, the kid will be left without a father."


    Charlotte shot Liam a quick nce. It was clear Dn''s behavior today was intended for Liam, and they both knew it.


    But how would Dn keep Liam here...


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    While Charlotte was pondering, Dn spoke slowly, "Vincent must be blind, marrying you of all people. I told you I loved you so many times, Charlotte, and you never listened." He got up leisurely, dusting himself off, "It would''ve been one thing if you''d married some average guy, but you married Vincent? And had such a beautiful and adorable kid." Dn tried to touch Ethan''s head with a sinister smile, but Ethan, with his mother''s support, showed his fierce side and pped Dn''s hand away.


    Dn''s smile faded, "Charlotte, are you saying I''m less than Liam, even less than Vincent?"


    Charlotte''s expression wasplex.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    It seemed Dn really believed Ethan was Vincent''s child.


    He hadn''t figured out Ethan''s real identity. He took Ethan just to lure out Charlotte, so he could use her to threaten Liam.


    This is some good news.


    But there''s also some bad news.


    "What have you done with Vincent?!" Charlotte demanded angrily.


    "Nothing much. Just thought you might not love Liam enough to keep him in check, so I needed an excuse to tie you down," Dn said with a disgustingugh.


    Charlotte was so mad she felt like pping him. "Where is he?!"


    "I''ll only answer that once my dear brother here gives me what I consider a fair deal."


    "What do you want?" Liam asked, subtly moving Charlotte and Ethan behind him.


    Dn''s face turned serious, "I want 30% of yourpany''s shares."


    30%. That''s practically robbery.


    "Wait. You can choose not to give them to me, but then you''ll have to watch Vincent die at my hands. You know I wouldn''t be here all by myself if I wasn''t confident I could make you agree."


    Dn startedughing again, "Charlotte, Vincent has helped you so much, he''s your husband, you''ve got a kid together, and you don''t want to see him die, right? So beg your ex-boyfriend here, beg him to give in to my demands!" Charlotte nced at Liam, who gave her a reassuring look.


    "You''re not usually one to make sudden moves," Liam said to Dn.


    "True, but I had no choice. You wouldn''t take care of my son, without him, I have no one to fight for your inheritance. Once Charlotte leaves, what leverage do I have over you? None, so I had to take a risky move." Dn was smart and ambitious.


    But he wasn''t smart enough, and his smarts couldn''t support his ambitions.


    "Let Charlotte and Ethan go first," Liam said, sitting down. "30% is too much. 20%, and we can cover the rest with fixed assets."


    As long as he had Vincent, Dn wasn''t worried about them notpromising.


    And on top of that...


    "I meant every word I said before, Charlotte. I really liked you, everything about you, your person, your soul, I treasured it all,"


    Dn stepped aside to let her pass. "I won''t hurt you, and about your son''s scraped palm, he did that himself by ident. I care about everything rted to you, how could I actually hurt him?" Suddenly, there was a loud thud. Dn was kicked to the ground again.


    Liam red at him impatiently, "Are you done talking?"


    "Well, my dear little brother sure has a temper. But what''s the use of that temper when your girl ends up with your worst enemy?"


    Charlotte ignored their bickering, took Ethan, and drove to a safe ce. She immediately called the ckwood family to pick him up.


    She hadn''t told the ckwood family about Vincent being taken. The ckwood folks were too gentle, not the type to sit at the same table and negotiate with wild beasts like Liam and Dn. The ckwoods arrived quickly, and after handing Ethan over, Charlotte raced back to the farm.


    But when she got there, no one was around. After listening carefully, she ran in the direction of the equipment room.


    Before she could get there, she heard a roaring voice.


    "When you''re dead, those shares are still mine! Nobody else knows that Benjamin isn''t your son! If I could forge a DNA test for you once, I can do it countless times for them!" It was Dn''s voice.

 Chapter 143: End

    "Stop fighting it, Liam. No matter if you trade the shares for Vincent or not, Charlotte will never be yours. She won''t be grateful to you; she''ll just be d Vincent is alive! And if you don''t trade, even better, she''ll hate you for life! She''ll never be yours!"


    "You want to fight to the death? Bring it on! Ever since I took over the Parker family business, you''ve been making my life difficult. If I can''t live, neither will you! Let me tell you, if you don''t hand over those shares honestly, today we''re both going to end up dead! Everybody dies! Guess which grave Charlotte will cry over then?"


    Dn''s dark and twisted voice pierced the air, while Charlotte, frantic, found herself unable to open the door.


    Worried that Dn would be even more extreme if he knew she was there, Charlotte looked around for another way in, and luckily, there was a small skylight in the equipment room.


    Skylights... Because of Maria''s death, Charlotte swore she''d never crawl through one again in her life.


    But she had no choice; this was her only way in.


    Climbing carefully, Charlotte couldn''t afford to be distracted. There was nowhere to step on the exterior wall of the equipment room; she had to rely on her fingers to w her way up, gripping the crevices. Her fingertips and palms were raw and bleeding, leaving red smears on the wall.


    Just as she managed to grasp the edge of the skylight and tried to quietly open it, a burst of fighting noises came from the equipment room below, followed by Dn''s furious roar, "Die! Go to the hell!"


    Then came the sound of a gas canister being opened.


    By the time Charlotte frantically opened the skylight, all she could see was a thick yellow-green fog inside.


    "Liam "


    "Vincent"


    Charlotte had brought a rope with her, knowing the gas wasn''t anything good. Desperate to check on the men''s location, she threw it inside. "Don''te in!" It was Vincent''s voice.


    Then more sounds of intense physical struggle followed.


    During this time, Liam''s people were also slowly gathering outside, each holding a few men dressed in ck, probably Dn''s aplices. And the noises from the equipment room gradually subsided.


    "Liam"


    "Vincent"


    Charlotte''s voice shook.


    Liam''s guys gathered around, trying to break the lock several times but couldn''t.


    "This ce is built like a fortress, all concrete and stone. And the locks are top-notch, they won''t give easily," the guy in charge said before he took Charlotte''s ce, ready to jump down and rescue whoever was inside.


    "There''s toxic gas," Charlotte muttered to herself.


    She could guess what had happened.


    The leader, having heard her, quickly made some basic protective measures and slid down the rope. It didn''t take long before he was dragging someone up with difficulty. Charlotte didn''t have the strength, and it was too dangerous up there, so Liam''s people convinced and pulled her away.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    So when she saw the leader pull someone out, she was full of hope that he''d go back for the second person. But then she heard him say, "It''s no use, the gas is too toxic." Charlotte also heard a sound like sanity breaking.


    She felt her body losing control, walking like a zombie to the front, seeing who was rescued, and then copsing.


    When she woke up again, she was in a hospital bed.


    Charlotte looked around and saw Vincent dozing off in a chair beside her bed.


    Seeming to hear her, Vincent woke up quickly.


    "Charlotte, you''re awake," he said, looking exhausted. "You scared me to death, do you know you''ve been out for half a month?"


    Charlotte''s health wasn''t great, to begin with, and after the car ident, she was even weaker. Her despair-induced unconsciousness had nearly cost her life.


    "Liam?" Before she could even speak, Charlotte''s tears were already falling.


    "Don''t cry, don''t cry, Charlotte."


    Vincent was flustered, unsure of what to say.


    He dryly recounted the events of that day.


    "Liam was smart and got Dn to spill my location in just a few words. He knocked Dn out, nning to carry me out, but I was chained up and needed a key. Then Dn came back, and Liam and he started fighting." "Dn was crazy, but Liam was even crazier. He was bleeding and I thought he wouldn''t make it, but he kept pulling through."


    "Dn couldn''t stand being second best to Liam and, in a fit, he actually pulled out a can of poison gas, nning to take us all out with him."


    "Liam could''ve escaped, you know."


    Vincent''s voice got rougher, "But he just took the keys from Dn, unlocked my chains, and then he was all calm when he told me, he said..." "What did he say?" Charlotte asked.


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    "He said... he cared about you, so he didn''t want you to be sad."


    "He said I''d taken good care of you, and protected you well, but you were always in danger around him."


    "He also said... if only one of us could make it, you probably wouldn''t want it to be him. He said the whole mess was not my fault and if I died, you''d be devastated. He didn''t want you to live with the guilt." "And he hoped you''d hate him, that way his death would just be a relief for you."


    After hearing what Vincent had to say, Charlotte felt like her heart turned to ash.


    Liam had once asked her how he could prove he cared for her if dying would make her believe.


    It wasn''t necessary.


    She''d rather have him alive.


    "Charlotte, I''m sorry," Vincent said, his head hung low in guilt.


    Charlotte shook her head numbly, like a soulless puppet, "It''s okay, I don''t me you, we''re the ones who dragged you into this."


    She didn''t me Vincent.


    She just... why did she leave?


    If she hadn''t taken Ethan away that time, would Liam have not been so rash?


    Would the oue have been different?


    "I''m tired, Vincent, I want to rest a bit."


    Charlottey down and drifted off peacefully.


    She must have slept for a long time, because when she woke up again, she was hooked up to a bunch of tubes, and the once-green trees outside had turned yellow. Vincent had taken her abroad.


    After Charlotte woke up from that episode, she was out for another seven months. Turns out, Vincent had been searching high and low for doctors, but they all said the same thing - she wasn''t waking up because she didn''t want to, not because they couldn''t keep her going.


    Vincent wasn''t having any of that, though. He took Charlotte and Ethan abroad for some intense treatment.


    "I wasn''t zapped awake by doctors, was I?" Charlotte joked, a bit of color returning to her pale face with augh.


    Vincent looked at her and suddenly brought up the past, about the time they decided to back.


    "Do you know why I didn''t object when you talked about going back home, but when you mentioned going abroad, I didn''t agree right away and suggested you should see Liam first?"


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    "Why?" The smile vanished from Charlotte''s face at the mention of Liam.


    "Because I knew, after Ethan came along, you softened. Hatred wasn''t enough to make you run a thousand miles."


    Vincent gave a wry smile, "Charlotte, I knew from the start that you''d go back home for Liam."


    "No..."


    "Have you forgiven him now?" Vincent changed the subject again.


    Forgiven?


    When ites to life and death, what''s there to forgive or not forgive?


    "I forgave him the moment I saw that two-bedroom apartment."


    Back then, she was just mad that it took him so long to show his love.


    "In that case..." Vincent stood up, "you weren''t woken up by doctors, Charlotte. Your sickness was of the heart, and only the person who caused it can fix it, so..."


    He smiled with relief, "It was Liam who woke you up."


    As to why Liam only just woke her up now, it was because he had been in the hospital for seven months too after inhaling that poison gas.


    "You passed out too early that day. Liam was lucky; when they found him, he was still breathing."


    After saying that, Vincent got up to leave. In a daze, Charlotte saw him greet someone at the door, and then a familiar figure came in, sat where Vincent had been, and touched her hair, "Charlotte, even though this promise is seven monthste, and the ne took off, have you changed your mind?"


    Charlotte''s tears started to fall.


    "I''ve changed my mind."


    She hugged the man tightly, "Liam, you bastard!"


    "It''s me, I''m the bastard. I was too stupid and made our happy endinge four years and nine monthste." "Charlotte, I love you."


    Charlotte didn''t reply; she just kissed him through her tears.


    She loved Liam.


    It was a love against all odds.


    It was like walking down the wrong path until it got dark and finally seeing the dawn.


    A real dawn.


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