Chapter 222

At those words, Charlotte’s lips curled into a soft smile. Her usually cool eyes picked up a hint of warmth and delight. She thought to herself, Looks like that untouchable flower is about to fall right into my hands.
When morning classes wrapped up, Charlotte headed to the office to ask Eleanor for leave.
“Your physics is excellent. I’m honestly so proud of you,” Eleanor said gently, her tone both kind and just a little bit serious. “But exams aren’t just about physics. I’ve heard from some of your other teachers that your grades in other subjects are a little all over the place.”
Unbalanced grades, and she barely paid attention in class. At first, everyone figured Charlotte would just drop out, so nobody really bothered with her. But now, she was first in the whole school for physics. Still, if her other subjects tanked, she wouldn’t get into a good university.
Charlotte stood in front of the desk, looking a bit lazy but polite. “Alright. I’ll take the next exams seriously.”
Seriously? Eleanor felt her heart skip. Did that mean Charlotte was holding back on her last math test, too?
The National Theater was one of the biggest, most famous venues in all of Cabinda, even in the entire country of Eldoria. The spotlight was on the Venus International Piano Competition, about to take place right here.
Everyone was talking about how the most likely winner was a standout girl from Vanguard High School. People said her original piece was a total masterpiece. On top of that, there were whispers that Laura, the legendary president of the International Piano Association, was planning to make her the last student she ever took on.
Once the news broke, reporters rushed into the theater, fighting for the best spots just to snap a photo of Olivia. Tons of piano brands were already trying to beat each other to sign her as their new spokesperson.
Charlotte stood outside the theater, looking up at the huge sign that read “Venus International Piano Finals.” She hadn’t expected the place Kenneth and Laura picked to meet would be the same as Olivia’s competition.
She pressed her lips together, pulled out her phone, and sent Kenneth a quick text: “Here.” Then she slipped inside. It wasn’t long before Kenneth’s assistant came to bring her to his dressing room.
“Lottie, over here!” Kenneth called out from his makeup chair, waving at her with obvious excitement as soon as he saw her.
Every time they’d met lately, Anthony had always been around, so Kenneth never got any real time with her. Now that he finally had a real chance, he wasn’t going to let it slip away.
Charlotte tossed her bag onto the sofa and wandered over, leaning back against the makeup table “I’m just going to sit for a bit, then LIF head out,” she said, sounding totally casual.
“Are you going back to The Gates place tonight?”
Charlotte considered that for a second, then bit her lip. “Not yet. I still have someone
I need to see.”
Kenneth let out a little huff, tore open a bag of chips, and handed it to her. “You just can’t bear to leave Anthony, can you?”
Charlotte munched on a chip and didn’t bother to deny it.
Kenneth only felt more annoyed. He shooed the assistant and stylist out of the room, then leaned in closer lowering his voice. Lottie, seriously, how far have you and Anthony gotten?”
Charlotte paused, blinking in surprise. Huh?
“Has he taken advantage of you?” Kenneth was totally blunt about it. “If Anthony
ever tries anything, I’ll have Donald break his legs.”
Donald was military. He could definitely do it.
Taken advantage of? Charlotte’s lips
curved into a sly smile, her eyes sparkling with a secret. If anyone was taking advantage, it was definitely her She’d kissed him touched him, and even seen him in her dreams.