Chapter 21

The maids watched with wide eyes, completely stunned as Anthony carried Charlotte down the hallway like she was something precious.
No one could believe he was letting a woman get so close to him.
But actually holding her in his arms, and looking like he didn’t mind it at all? That was next-level shocking.
Anthony brought Charlotte up to the third floor.
Even though she looked asleep, her fingers were still clutching tightly at his neck. Her eyelashes kept fluttering, like she was caught in a bad dream.
She seemed scared.
It was hard to believe this was the same girl who, just hours ago, was all cool and distant, acting like nothing could touch her.
A small, private smile played on Anthony’s lips. There was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. Apparently, Charlotte had a secret side, and now he wasn’t sure which version of her was real.
Helen hurried ahead, reached for the door handle, and frowned when it wouldn’t budge.
“Anthony, the main door isn’t working. Give me a second, I’ll grab the key for the hidden door.”
Every bedroom had a secret exit, just in case. Safety first.
A few minutes later, Helen managed to open the hidden door.
What she saw on the other side made her jaw drop. “What was Ms. Main trying to do?”
She’d blocked the main door from the inside, then jumped out a third-floor window. And somehow, she walked away without a scratch.
Anthony glanced down at Charlotte in his arms, his brow furrowed, a long, silent question darkening his eyes.
“Leave it for now. Let her sleep.”
He bent over and set Charlotte gently on the bed, handling her like she was a priceless treasure.
She made a soft sound.
Losing the warmth of his arms, Charlotte frowned in her sleep and suddenly grabbed his hand, her face twisted in pain.
Anthony, still leaning over the bed, was yanked off balance, nearly falling forward. His lips almost brushed hers, and for a second, he saw her face up close.
His heart thudded in his chest.
Why would a girl so young look so hurt, even in her sleep?
Was she having a nightmare?
Looking at her pale cheeks,
Anthony’s eyes softened. He pulled the blanket up over her shoulders and poke in a low voice sleep Mitle one”
At the sound of his voice, Charlotte’s brow relaxed. She settled into an easy, peaceful sleep.
Helen stood there, stunned. She’d
never thought the word “gentle” could ever describe Anthony, who was known for being cold and emotionless.
Could he actually like Ms. Main?
But she… she didn’t even look old enough to be out of school. Would Patricia really be okay with this?
…
The next morning.
Soft golden sunlight poured in through the gaps in the curtains, bathing the bed in warmth.
Charlotte stirred, stretching as she slowly opened her eyes.
All she saw was a ceiling painted pure white, with a crystal chandelier sparkling in the sun.
She sat up, rubbing her sore temples, and automatically checked her surroundings. The door looked untouched. She let out a quiet breath and allowed herself a small, proud smile.
Last night she’d actually behaved herself.
Charlotte slipped out of bed, washed up quickly, tidied the room so it looked like she’d never been there, packed her things, and headed out.
Downstairs in the main hall.
Anthony sat at the dining table, wearing a crisp white shirt and black pants, looking completely at ease as he sipped his coffee.
Standing at the top of the spiral staircase, Charlotte couldn’t help but stare.
The sunlight hit him perfectly, highlighting his tall frame and making every sharp angle of his face look even more striking.
Anthony Blair.
Twenty-eight.
He came from the Blair family-the richest in Cabinda. Graduated from Cambridge with two finance degrees at just twenty. Now he was the GEO of The Blair Group.
Since he’d taken over, the company had exploded into all kinds of industries, and
their influence reached all over the world.
But if you believed the rumors, Anthony was cold, ruthless, and impossible to approach. People admired him, but no one dared get close.
“Good morning, Ms. Main.”
Helen spotted Charlotte coming down and flashed her a warm smile.
She’d heard that this girl was the one who had saved Patricia’s life.