Chapter 280

The assistant’s face went pale. “Roger, here’s the thing. The meeting time was set by Asclepius. There’s really no way to change it.”
He could feel a headache coming on. How could two people be so alike? Both of them were stubborn, both impossible to please. And this project needed them to cooperate, like it or not.
Asclepius again. Just hearing the name made Roger’s blood pressure spike. He scowled, switched his phone to his other hand, and kept walking. “So she’s some big deal? The entire world has to work around her schedule?”
“Roger The assistant could barely get a word in. Roger’s anger had left him speechless.
Roger’s voice came out cold as ice as he walked past Charlotte’s door. “Don’t mention Asclepius to me again. If she’s tired of this job, she should just quit. Nobody’s impressed by the whole ‘forensic professor’ act.”
Inside the room, Charlotte glanced up, one eyebrow lifting in amusement. That voice. It had to be the guy who ran into her in the hallway earlier. So, not only was he a doctor, he was a forensic pathologist. If she guessed right, he was the one the Global Forensic Society had just picked as their next president. Her partner on this
case.
And apparently, he really didn’t think much of her.
Charlotte let a small smirk curl at the edge of her lips. She picked up her phone and took her time typing out a message. The time stays. Saturday.
When that text came through, everyone at the association groaned. It was really like these two were enemies in a past life. Too bad neither of them could be replaced, or offended. Especially Asclepius.
As for Roger… “I don’t care what you have to do. Roger better be here on Saturday,” the director snapped.
Charlotte was still holding her phone when Anthony slid onto the couch beside her and took her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world is voice was soft. “Let’s just watch the auction for now
She immediately set her phone aside and looked up at the screen. The number flashed on the display 529013140 Something warm and gentle brushed through her heart.
For a second, she just looked at Anthony, eyes bright with a quiet smile. Then she squeezed his hand. “That’s a lot of money. You’re really generous.”
Her small gesture made Anthony tense up. He held her hand tighter, dropping his voice to a low, rough whisper. “Is that all you see? Just the money?”
Little gold digger, he thought.
Charlotte leaned back on the sofa, stretching out like a lazy kitten. “What else am I supposed to see? I don’t even know what those numbers mean.”
She was clearly playing dumb, and Anthony couldn’t help but smile. He leaned over, boxing her in with his arms. “Do you really want me to explain?”
“You don’t have to.” Charlotte turned away, her lips curving in a playful pout She poked his chest with her finger. “Back up atittle. You’re way too close.”
Anthony chuckled and caught her hand in his. His eyes were so dark, so deep, it felt
like she could drown in them. “Don’t get mad. I’ll tell you.”