"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 plate 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 slathered 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," Liam commanded, 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, she complied, which only fueled his anger further.

Was she playing the doting fiancée now, trying to win back her wealthy patron?

His temper roared like a tempest, prompting him to heap his plate's remaining garlic onto hers.

Unwavering, Charlotte pressed on, stuffing each piece into her mouth. Her face turned a fiery red, her breaths coming 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 Blackwood serve you."

Charlotte refused, "It wouldn't be proper for Mr. Blackwood 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 declare love for my fiancé 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 plate and tossing it into the trash.

"Also, Mr. Parker dislikes raw shrimp. Perhaps his fiancée should remember that."

Chloe was seething, her face a palette of suppressed rage.

Charlotte's words were a slap in the face, more humiliating than any physical blow.

Chloe, struggling to control her anger, noticed Vincent's furrowed brow and quickly devised a plan.

"Miss Perry seems quite attentive to the boss, but perhaps she should spare some concern for Mr. Blackwood. 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. Blackwood, my influence here is minimal. I ask that you help verify my innocence by securing the surveillance footage from the Beaumont estate."

Her straightforward request left Chloe floundering, forcing her to laugh it off and halt her malicious chatter.

As Charlotte recalled the events at the Beaumont household, a sly smile played 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 too complex 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. Blackwood 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. Blackwood and I barely know each other; Miss Beaumont, let's not jest."

"Really? But just moments ago, at my place, 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 scornful laughter 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 place to read the complete 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 collapsed 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.Material © of .

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 place, Charlotte felt a chill that wasn't just from the wind.