Chapter 374

“Idiot?”
Anthony’s fingers flew over the keyboard, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. There was a softness in his eyes that made him look almost tender. “If someone managed to get you this worked up, they must be awful. Definitely deserves a few choice words.”
Awful didn’t even begin to describe it. This person was a monster.
A minute ticked by. Neither side could break through. It was a straight-up deadlock.
How could this be happening… Charlotte bit down on her lip, hesitating for a few seconds before speaking up. “You
“Hm?” Anthony picked up on her uncertainty right away, his hands slowing just a bit. “What’s wrong?”
If she asked how he almost cracked her IP last time, would he start getting suspicious? No doubt about it. Then he’d start fussing over her again. So annoying.
“It’s nothing.” Charlotte’s response was calm, almost indifferent. She saw him slow his pace, and her eyes darkened, fingers moving faster as she launched another wave of attacks.
Anthony let out a soft laugh, though there was a hint of confusion in his gaze. “Don’t let it get to you. I’ll help you settle the score when I get back.” His voice dropped lower. “Be good, get some sleep. You’ve got school in the morning.”
“Okay.” Warmth settled in her chest, and she let herself smile for just a second. But before she could enjoy it, her hands froze mid-action.
Great. They had managed to crash each other’s systems.
The screen went black, and the pressure in the room seemed to grow heavier, the storm cloud around Charlotte even darker.
Who was this person, anyway?
Up on the top floor of the Netherworld Casino, Anthony stood in front of a massive window, hands clasped behind his back, gripping his phone tight. His brow was pinched in concern.
Something was definitely off with Charlotte. He hesitated for a few seconds, still uneasy, then scrolled to Helen’s contact and called.
“Is Lottie at home? Did anything happen today?”
“She’s here,” Charlotte answered from the sofa, her expression cool and steady. There was no hint of guilt in her voice. “Don’t worry. Charlotte’s been an angel lately.”
An angel? Yeah, right. As if she could ever behave.
Anthony couldn’t help the little smirk that appeared. His voice turned low and a bit rough. “Really? Helen, send me a photo of Lottie.”
A photo? Charlotte glanced around at the unfamiliar hotel room. Sending a pic would give her away instantly.
“Charlotte says she’ll send you a selfie,” she replied smoothly.
She cracked Helen’s password in a few seconds, logged in, and opened the camera, angling it at herself.
She looked good. Pretty, even. But it was missing something. After thinking for a moment, Charlotte’s lips curved in a sly smile. She tugged her robe open just a little more showing off her long graceful neck and the delicate lines of he
collarbone. Much better.
[Lottie’s selfie.jpg]
She hit send, and when the photo went through, she squinted in satisfaction and, just for fun, added a “Good night” sticker with a blooming red rose, copying Helen’s usual style.
On the other end, Anthony saw the photo-Charlotte in her bathrobe the
Cis body went colluntary swallow
rigid,
catching in his throat. She really did know how to push his buttons.
He let out a helpless laugh, put his phone down, and walked straight into the bathroom. The water ran for a long time it wasn’t until a low groan echoed in the steam that the night finally went quiet.
The next morning at ten, Charlotte jolted awake from a nightmare. Sweat beaded along her pale forehead, and she felt frozen from the inside out, like she’d just been dunked in ice water.
That same dream again.
She wiped the sweat away, her clear eyes now rimmed with red, and gave a tired, lonely smile with lips drained of color.