Chapter 348

Kenneth’s voice was loud enough to rattle the walls. Charlotte just bent her knees and settled onto the edge of the makeup table, her eyes dropping for a moment. “It’s not what you think,” she said quietly.
“You don’t have to keep making excuses for that jerk.” Kenneth was pacing and scrolling through his phone, clearly worked up. He’d stuck his neck out to leave Lottie in Anthony’s hands, thinking Anthony would actually take care of her. Instead, Anthony had let things get so bad that Lottie was out here hustling for part-time gigs. Those voice-over jobs hardly paid anything, just a few grand for a whole project. How could she stand being treated like that?
“He’s just a pretty face with nothing behind it Kenneth muttered, pulling up Anthony’s contact. “Lottie, you should break up with him. Seriously, just do it tonight.”
Before he could hit call, Charlotte snatched the phone from his hand. Her brows creased, her long fingers tight around the phone, and her whole vibe screamed annoyance.
“You want to call him yourself?” Kenneth glanced over, suddenly unsure. “That works too. Might as well just get it over with on the phone.” Face to face was another story He didn’t have the guts for that.
He waited, eyes glued to her, expecting her to make the call. Instead, Charlotte powered the phone off, tossed it on the table, and gave him a cold stare. “Don’t talk about him like that.”
“Huh?” Kenneth honestly thought he’d misheard. She was out here looking for part- time work, wouldn’t leave Anthony, and now she was defending him too?
“Lottie
“I’m here for a job. Anthony doesn’t know. Don’t drag him into it,” Charlotte replied, cool and calm, her legs crossed. “That’s it. I need to go talk about the job now. You should head home.”
“Wait.” Kenneth looked stunned. Her attitude caught him so off guard that he didn’t dare say another word about Anthony. He dropped his voice, trying to sound gentle. “Are you short on money?” He’d just given her twenty million not long ago, hadn’t he?
“No,” Charlotte answered, her tone flat. “I just think it’s fun.” There were reasons she didn’t want to get into. Her research at the lab was confidential, so she couldn’t talk about it. The work was expensive, and she didn’t want to pull the Gates family into it. And honestly, even if she tried to explain, Kenneth wouldn’t get it. It would just be a waste of time.
Fun? Kenneth didn’t buy it, but he’d never once figured out what she was really thinking. “If you ever need money just say so. He pulled out sleek black credit card and handed it to her. “This is my extra card No limit. Use it if you need anything.”
No limit… With all his years in showbiz, Kenneth probably had a couple billion saved
up. “Thanks, Kenneth.” Charlotte slipped the card into her bag, but she clearly had no plans to use it.
“Oh, right. You’re here for a voice-over gig, right? Which character do you want? I can talk to them for you.” Lottie’s voice was amazing. If she wanted, she could totally make this work.
“It’s already settled.” Charlotte straightened up and pulled on her mask. “I’m heading out. And remember, we don’t know each other here.”
She gripped the doorknob, then paused and turned back. “And don’t ever tell me to break up with Anthony again.” Her voice was low but firm. In this life, Anthony belonged to her, no matter what.
Kenneth didn’t even know what to say anymore.
The door to the lounge opened, and Kenneth’s agent and the staff member from earlier were waiting outside. The assistant smiled when she saw Charlotte. “You’re here to audition for the voice-over?”
“Something like that,” Charlotte replied with a small smile behind her mask.
The agent let out a soft sigh. Even with the mask covering her face, Charlotte’s energy was impossible to hide. She was stunning and could write music she ever wanted to actor sing, even Kenneth would have
to step aside.
“Alright, go ahead,” the agent said, moving aside to let Charlotte pass.
As Charlotte walked down the hall, the young assistant who’d chatted with her earlier kept sneaking glances at her face. It was obvious Charlotte and Kenneth were close, and even the agent had warned her not to say anything she shouldn’t.