Chapter 40

“If he tries anything with you, I’ll go over there myself and set him straight.”
“Or you could just move out. I’ll take care of you. I’ll pay for your studies Charlotte’s eyes fluttered and a gentle smile tugged at her lips.
He was dreaming a little too far ahead.
Mr. Lane met Charlotte back when he was doing research in Lamplighter Village. A lot of his breakthroughs in physics were thanks to her. He always thought she was gifted and tried more than once to bring her to the city for school, but she always turned him down. Now that he heard she was back in Cabinda, he wasted no time inviting her over.
“I’m fine,” Charlotte said, her lips curving into a soft smile. She glanced at the spatula in Mr. Lane’s hand. “Are you cooking?”
“Oh. Yes, right!” Mr. Lane was well past seventy and his memory wasn’t what it used to be.
“Come on, sweetheart, let’s eat first.”
Charlotte let him guide her to the dining table. Every dish on the table was something she loved, the same recipes her grandma used to make for her. She hadn’t expected Mr. Lane to remember.
“Eat up, sweetheart.”
Mr. Lane watched her with concern, constantly piling more food into her bowl. It was the happiest meal Charlotte had eaten since coming back to Cabinda.
After dinner, Charlotte shrugged on her radiation-proof jacket and sunglasses, then followed Mr. Lane into the lab. His research on electrical currents had hit a critical stage, and now he was stuck.
Charlotte flipped through the research notes and studied the reaction in the experiment. After a quiet moment, she asked, “Is the data wrong?”
Mr. Lane leaned closer, pushing up his reading glasses.
“Change this to ten.”
Charlotte was sure now. The analysis was off.
“Ten? Isn’t that a bit much?” Mr. Lane hesitated, but in the end he trusted her judgment and made the change.
A single beep sounded.
The experiment worked.
“How did you know it was ten?” Mr. Lane was beaming, grinning at her with pride. He’d spent two weeks on those numbers and Charlotte had spotted the mistake in seconds. She really was the genius he always said she was.
sŵnovels
“I just guessed.”
Charlotte’s eyes sparkled with a smile as she looked at him. “It doesn’t matter how you get there, as long as the result is right.”
“You’re incredible.” Mr. Lane squeezed her cheek, his affection almost overflowing. “When you get into university, I’ll do everything I can to introduce you to Dr. Cole.”
Dr. Cole was a giant in the world of physics. Having her as a mentor would open any door.
Charlotte pressed her lips together, her interest piqued. “Sure, that sounds great.”
By the time Charlotte got back to the
main house, it was already eight
The villa doors were wide open,
lights blazing from every room.
Steven Elizabeth, and Olivia sat
stiffly on the couch.
Charlotte strolled through the foyer, ignoring them completely, and headed for the stairs.
“Stop right there.”
Steven shot to his feet and glared at
her, practically vibrating with anger.
“Olivia’
face is bruised and Susan’s
still in the hospital. You come home this late and have nothing to say?”
After a full day of classes and two hours in the lab, Charlotte was beyond exhausted.
“Let me know if they die.”
The entire living room went silent. People actually gasped. Was Charlotte always this wild?
“Charlotte, I’ve been far too easy on you!”
Steven’s face turned a deep shade of red as he raised his hand, ready to slap her. He was sure that tonight, he’d finally teach this ungrateful girl a lesson.