As the heavens unleashed a torrential downpour, the temperature plummeted without warning.

Clad 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 blare of a horn broke through the patter of raindrops, and before Charlotte could move, a sleek black car raced by, splashing 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 singular thought pierced her heart:

It all made sense now; Liam had barred her entry because he had made plans with someone else.

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, laden 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 uncontrollably. "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 no comfort, "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 villa, "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 played 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 manipulate 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?" holds this content.

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 place for Chloe.

In a moment of reckless courage, Charlotte put her pride on the line.

"Liam," she coaxed with a voice laced 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 manipulation, a means to an end.

How long would she continue this deception?

He was determined not to play into Charlotte's schemes.

"The engagement stands," Liam declared, setting off a whirlwind of reactions around him.

Chloe's joy was irrepressible, her laughter ringing through the room, "I always knew I held a special place in Liam's heart!"

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! But alongside Chloe's jubilation 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 collapsed.

"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 blade, "Do not stir trouble."

"I'm not!" Chloe protested through tears, "She's the one who disfigured me, your fiancée! Liam, it hurts so much, Please don't leave me!"

"Why would Charlotte harm you without cause? What vile act did you commit 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 plan began to take shape.