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 accepted 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 the lake. With a dramatic gesture, she commanded, "Take a good look at this lake, 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 clashed by the lake, 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 be lakeside, and you'll bless us, won't you?"

"In your dreams!" The fury in Charlotte's eyes burned fiercely, her breath coming 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 the last time, Charlotte. I'm done playing these petty games with you."

Wiping the blood from her lips, Chloe laughed wildly, "This is Leiventale, my turf! I'll see you dead here, buried with your stupid sister!"

"Just try," Charlotte retorted with a cold laugh.

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 cooled completely.

Chloe, as if nothing had transpired, approached Liam with playful 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." Charlotte laid out the dinner, which, unlike the previous day, was delivered still warm from a private kitchen.

"How come it's all this? None of these are your favorites, Liam. Who could be so thoughtless as to not know your tastes?" Chloe glared 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 glare. "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 glance. "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 place 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?"Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

"Why ask her?" Chloe's dissatisfaction was clear.

"The wronged party is Charlotte; it's up to her to accept 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 blamed her without even checking.

Totally different from the fair and square guy he was being now.

"I don't need Mr. Blackwell's apology; it's too much for me," Charlotte replied calmly.

"Then we won't see him," Liam declared, cutting off any response from Chloe.

They ate in silence until a woman approached, appraising Charlotte from a distance before commenting 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 regular doc?"

"He's been dealt with," Liam replied casually, wiping his mouth. "Just an animal doctor."

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! Chloe's countenance contorted even more.

Charlotte guessed at their cryptic exchange but didn't grasp it fully. After eating her fill, she tactfully excused herself.

"Miss Perry!"

Just outside, a quiet voice called her name.

It was Malcolm, looking disheveled with scratch marks on his neck.

"Mr. Blackwell, 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 her composure. "What do you want?"

"Tell Mr. Parker the truth, that I did nothing. Charlotte, you've already slapped me four times; surely any grudge should be settled by now!"

"But Chloe is Liam's fiancée. 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 blame! 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 flared. "Who do you think you are? Just a pretty face, a trifle Liam is playing 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!"