Chapter 440

When the message came through, Anthony was right in the center of a crowd. He stood out without even trying, every feature sharp and striking, his expression cool and commanding. The way he carried himself made it impossible not to look at him.
He let a small smile tug at his lips. After a few seconds, he typed out a casual response. [Andrew’s business. Not interested.] No hesitation.
Once the message was sent, he remembered Charlotte, waiting for him in the lounge. His eyes darkened a shade as he pulled out his phone and dialed her number.
It rang. Once. Twice. No answer.
Anthony’s brow pulled together, a shadow of concern flickering across his usually composed face. He slipped his phone back into his pocket. “Excuse me, everyone,” he said, his voice smooth but distant.
A few of the older men around him caught the change in his mood, and one of them grinned. “What’s got you so worked up? You leaving already?”
Anthony nodded, a hint of warmth in his eyes. “My girlfriend needs me. She’s run into a bit of trouble.”
His mother had arrived, and with her larger-than-life personality… well, Charlotte was probably overwhelmed. Meeting his mom for the first time, especially without him there, was bound to make anyone nervous.
Girlfriend?
Anthony didn’t speak loudly, but the word carried. Every socialite nearby, all dressed to impress and secretly hoping for a glance from him, heard every syllable.
Did he just say girlfriend?
“Is he talking about Melissa?” someone whispered, barely daring to hope.
Melissa, the Carter family’s only daughter, had it all-gorgeous looks, an impressive education, the perfect pedigree for Cabinda’s elite circle. The Carters and the Blairs had been close for decades, so everyone just assumed she and Anthony were destined to end up together.
“Definitely,” Melissa’s friend Rebecca said, sounding completely sure of herself. “Out of everyone in Cabinda, only Melissa is a real match for Anthony.”
Their families, their reputations… it all fit. Plus, Melissa had just stepped out for something, and now Anthony was saying his girlfriend needed him. It all made sense. Who else could it be?
“I heard from someone working at the Blair house that Patricia is supposed to introduce a very special girl today, another voice chimed in, adding to the rumors. “Maybe this is the big engagement
announcement.”
An engagement? Rebecca’s confidence suddenly wavered. Melissa hadn’t
mentioned anything about an official announcement today.
Not far away, in a quieter corner,
Melissa stood out in her stylish dress, looking more pale than usual. She realized all at once, that Anthony wasnt talking about her. But if it wasn’t her… who else could possibly be good enough for Anthony?
The thought made Melissa’s fingers curl tight, her eyes going cold.
…
Outside the lounge, Charlotte was by the fountain. She propped one long leg on the stone bench, leaning forward as she lazily trailed her fingers through the cool water. Her dark hair flowed over her shoulders, catching the breeze and revealing a face that was both beautiful and a little distant, almost aloof.
She’d been waiting a while, and the boredom was starting to show. Her mood slipped lower as the minutes dragged on.
Just as Charlotte reached for her phone, ready to text Andrew, a voice rang out behind her-familiar and bubbling with excitement.
“Sweetie!”
She turned automatically, recognizing the voice before she saw the face.
A woman in a pale purple dress, her makeup flawless and her smile radiant, headed straight for her.