Chapter 29
As they spoke, her eyes reddened, and her face was filled with guilt.
Charles’ expression turned stern. At that moment, he couldn’t bother to comfort Dahlia. His voice was deep as he asked, “Did you get a clear look at who was holding Charlie?” He feared the worst, that it was child traffickers. Child abduction was rampant these days.
“It was a middle-aged woman. She looked a bit like a nanny, and Charlie seemed quite attached to her,” Dahlia said, her tone uncertain.
Charles pressed on, “Which way did they go?”
Without hesitation, Dahlia pointed in a direction. “That way.”
Charles immediately took off in pursuit. Ahead, the crowd was sparse, so if he hurried, he might catch up.
“Ouch.”
Charles had barely taken a few steps when he heard Dahlia’s suppressed cry of pain from behind. He immediately stopped in his tracks.
Turning around, he noticed Dahlia had been injured. Her fall had caused her skirt to lift, revealing a knee injury that was bleeding profusely. It was a ghastly sight.
Charles quickly walked back and helped Dahlia to her feet as she was trying to get up.
As soon as Dahlia steadied herself, she pushed Charles and urgently said, “Charles, it’s nothing serious. I’m fine. Please go after her. You’re fast. They haven’t been gone long. You can catch them.”
Even as she spoke, she disregarded the pain in her leg. She limped forward, intending to continue the chase.
But with a step, she suddenly found herself lifted off the ground. Charles had scooped her up from behind. He didn’t continue the chase but headed towards where he had parked.
Dahlia desperately clutched at Charles’ collar. “Charles, I’m really okay. Finding Charlie is more important. You haven’t seen her in so long.”
Hearing this, Charles’ expression grew even darker. “Let her hide away then. I want to see how long Evelyn can keep her hidden!” Charles’ tone turned cold.
Dahlia seemed to want to say more, but she noticed his displeased expression, swallowed her words and buried her face in his chest.
…
“Charles, I don’t need to go to the hospital. Can we go back to the venue? It’s just a small injury. I’m really okay.”
Dahlia held Charles’ arm, refusing his offer to take her to the hospital.
“You know how much effort I’ve put into winning this jewelry competition and how many nights I’ve stayed up.”
As she spoke, Dahlia’s eyes welled up with tears.
“Do you know how happy I was when Mr. Smith let slip at lunch that I won the competition? It’s not just because my efforts weren’t wasted. More importantly, winning means I can join Carlisle Jewels, which is a step towards our future. “Charles, I was really looking forward to tonight. You presenting the award to me, me standing proudly by your side, even if just for a brief moment.”
Dahlia gazed at Charles with emotion. Her eyes hooked his, waiting for him to give her a passionate kiss.
“Hmm.” But Charles simply hummed in response.
He started the car and headed back to the venue. Throughout the ride, Charles was visibly upset.
Dahlia, understanding as always, spoke up “Charles, don’t be made Evelyn probably just used Charlie to get you away from me. She just
didn’t want to see you on stage with
me”
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“That’s no excuse for her.” Charles’ voice grew colder.
IMS
The mention of Evelyn brought back the confrontation in the resting room. He had almost believed Evelyn’s lies.
“But she had no other way besides using Charlie,” Dahlia said carefully.
“I won’t listen to her lies anymore. Don’t mention her again.”
Charles’ expression darkened as he spoke.
“Alright, alright, I won’t mention her. Don’t be angry,” Dahlia said, a hint of helplessness in her voice.
…
Evelyn, engulfed in sadness, received a call from Samuel. “Evelyn, don’t act on impulse like that. You need to come back to the venue right away.”
Samuel thought she was upset and had stormed off because external forces had influenced the competition’s outcome.
“Professor, I’m on my way back.”
After hanging up, she composed herself and hurried back to the venue.
In the parking lot, she ran straight into Charles and Dahlia. His gaze was icy as he saw Evelyn.
Evelyn didn’t look at him; her eyes were fixed on Dahlia, who was in Charles’ arms. Suddenly, with a cold sneer, she asked, “Dahlia, did you really see Charlie?”
Dahlia’s gaze flickered for a moment but quickly steadied. She said with certainty, “Of course, it’s true.”
Then, with an injured expression, she retorted, “Evelyn, what do you mean by that? Are you suggesting I lied to Charles?”
“Isn’t that the case?” Evelyn pressed.
Dahlia’s emotions surged as she exclaimed, “Of course not!”
Feeling hurt, she turned to Charles,
her eyes filled with grievance as she defended herself. “Charles, you believe me, right? I didn’t deceive you. I really saw Charlie.”
“I believe you,” Charles said firmly.
His belief visibly cooled Evelyn’s gaze even further. It was always like this. No matter what Dahlia said, Charles steadfastly chose to believe her.
“Evelyn, I truly saw Charlie,” Dahlia insisted, her words firm.
Evelyn scoffed sarcastically, “Dahlia, I didn’t realize you had the ability to see ghosts in broad daylight…”
Before she could finish, Charles’
angry rebuke cut her off. “Evelyn
enough is enough! I’m warning you,
this is the last time. If I hear you
curse Charlie again, I won’t be so nice.”
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