Chapter 407
They really did look alike.
Wait. Was Charlotte actually the missing princess the Gates family had been searching for all this time?
Did she have it all wrong?
Emily frowned, her doubts swirling as she pulled out her phone and opened the photo, her voice tentative. “I always thought she was two-timing, you know? Like she liked you, but kept Anthony hanging, and was flirting with other guys, too.”
“Flirting?” Kenneth echoed. The pieces were starting to fall into place, and the misunderstanding hit him all at once. He glanced down at the photo and felt his heart skip a beat. “Wait, this
“Who is that guy? Please tell me I’m not wrong again.” Emily’s voice was tight with worry. “Anthony thinks she’s cheating. He’s already gone in to confront her.”
He’s already inside?
Kenneth’s mind spun, panic setting in. There was no time to explain anything. He just ran, bolting toward the entrance.
That was Roger in the picture, not some secret lover. The family still didn’t know about Lottie and Anthony. If Anthony barged in now, he would give everything away. And if Roger figured it out, then told the rest of the family…
Kenneth was doomed.
In the hallway, Hans had already tracked down the room number.
“Charlotte registered a private room under her own name. It’s right at the end,” he said quietly.
Anthony didn’t respond. He just stared down the corridor, his eyes dark and his entire posture radiating tension. The atmosphere around him was so intense that Hans barely dared to breathe.
They walked forward, but before they reached the end, they saw two people step out into the hall. The man wore a crisp white shirt, his back straight and turned toward them, his head lowered as he talked to the girl in front of him. She looked perfect and composed, hands tucked into her pockets, listening carefully, her head tilted up.
It really was Charlotte.
The way they stood together felt way too close for two people who had just met. Hans studied the man’s back fe definitely didn’t recognize him, and he was pretty sure Anthony didn’t either,
Remembering the picture, Hans glanced nervously at Anthony.
Anthony had stopped moving. He took out a cigarette and lit it, his jaw set and his
face shadowed. No one could guess what he was thinking.
“Anthony Hans whispered, unsure why he had stopped.
“Wait here Anthony said, taking a long drag from his cigarette. He watched as Charlotte walked into the restroom, then let out a slow, smoky breath and started moving toward her.
Charlotte washed her hands and dried them as she stepped out. She looked up and saw Anthony leaning against the wall, cigarette in hand, watching her.
Anthony? Why was he here?
She hesitated, then walked over, her lips pressed together, her mind racing with thoughts of Roger waiting for her at the other entrance.
“It’s Shirley’s birthday,” she said, trying to keep her tone light as she explained. “We’re celebrating. Andrew and Parrish are in the room too.”
She figured he hadn’t seen Roger clearly. So she started to explain, “And about that man
Anthony put out his cigarette in a nearby trash can. He reached for her hand, gently wiping away the leftover water, giving her a soft, almost teasing smile.
“Go on,” he murmured, his voice low. “Tell me who that man is.”
“He’s ”
Before Charlotte could finish, a cold voice interrupted from behind her, sharp and urgent. Roger was coming toward them fast what do you think you’re doing? Let go of hert”