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, playfully clinging to Liam's hand, hinting coyly for a personal escort.

The creak of the stairwell caused Liam to glance 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 display.

Charlotte chose to ignore the display, 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 intercom 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 articulate.

She pursed her lips, whispering, "May I come in?"

A brief silence ensued before the door swung open a few seconds later.

Charlotte, relieved, hurried inside.

Liam was still in the living room, casually flipping through a magazine. He glanced 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 distant lately. 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 explanation 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 accusatory glare. The tension hung heavy between them until, with an exasperated motion, he retracted his hand.

"Leave," he commanded 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 flames of Liam's rage, and his movements became rougher.

"Isn't this the outcome you were hoping for?"

"It's not..."

"You can't have it all, Charlotte." As he finished his sentence, Charlotte found herself completely 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 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! "Close your eyes," he ordered, his voice laced with frost, "I can't stand the way you look at me."

Calculating, 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 you come back when my fiancée's away just to play 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 touch lacked 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?"

Confusion laced 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 for companionship, don't flatter yourself."

"But why then?" Charlotte persisted, desperate for clarity, "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. holds this content.