Chapter 442

“I’m telling you, there’s no way I’m letting him mess up that sweet girl’s life.”
Lavinia didn’t hold back, giving Anthony a piece of her mind before turning to Charlotte. Her tone softened, her heart practically melting. “Sweetie, it’s chilly out here. Come on, let’s go inside and sit down.” She laced her fingers with Charlotte’s, her voice gentle. “In a bit, I’ll introduce you to your brother and your grandma.”
“I Charlotte started, but the words just wouldn’t come. How could she even begin to explain?
Lavinia noticed her hesitation and jumped to her own conclusions. “Are you nervous?” She smiled confidently. “Don’t be. Your grandma and brother are both wonderful people. They’re going to be so happy to meet you.”
Charlotte couldn’t even respond. Happy? Maybe. Shocked? Definitely.
Before she knew it, Lavinia had already guided her into the lounge and sat her down on a plush sofa. Almost instantly, someone appeared with a tray loaded with snacks.
“Sweetie, eat whatever you like.” Lavinia slid in right next to her, her smile full of warmth and affection.
As she spoke, she pulled out her phone and quickly sent a message to Anthony.
[Anthony, are you here yet? Your little sister-in-law is waiting! She’s adorable and so well-behaved. She and Andrew are a perfect match! I’m getting them together today, just watch.]
Anthony saw the message and a faint smile tugged at his lips. He typed back, not taking any of it too seriously. [Congrats, I guess.]
Lavinia fired off another message. [Don’t be so smug! Where’s your girlfriend? Bring her over so I can meet her.]
By now, his mom and the others should’ve made it to the lounge. Hadn’t they seen Lottie yet?
Anthony frowned and kept dialing Charlotte’s number, but nobody picked up.
His frown deepened. He called Andrew instead.
Andrew picked up right away, sounding breathless and anxious. “Anthony.”
“Where’s Lottie?”
“Charlotte got a little stir-crazy, so she went outside for some air. I just came back to grab her a jacket,” Andrew explained quickly.
So Lottie was outside. No wonder nobody had run into her.
hét
“Alright, go back out and stay with her. I’ll be there soon.” Anthony’s voice was steady and calm And listen, don’t let Lottie meet my parents before I get there.
“They’re already here?”
Andrew grabbed the jacket and hurried out as Anthony confirmed, “Yeah. I’m almost there.”
“Okay, Anthony.”
Andrew hung up and hurried down the stairs, replaying Anthony’s warning in his head. Don’t let Lottie meet Anthony’s parents.
He never expected what happened
next. As soon as he reached the top of the spiral staircase, he spotted a Crowd of bodyguards in sharp suits standing in the big hall.
He paused, eyes sweeping across the room. Then he saw them, and everything stopped.
There, on the sofa, Charlotte and Lavinia sat side by side, sharing snacks like old friends.
The moment looked so peaceful, so normal, it almost felt unreal.
Andrew’s grip went slack. The jacket slipped from his hands and landed on the floor. His mind blanked out, and all he could do was stand there, rubbing his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things.