Chapter 502

Expelled?
Charlotte raised an eyebrow, her expression calm. She had seen this coming, though it happened sooner than she expected.
She answered the call with a soft “mm,” hung up, then turned around. Melissa was slumped on the floor behind her, looking ghostly pale.
Charlotte’s lips curled into a mocking smile.
Melissa only let out a shaky breath after Charlotte walked away. Her hands clenched tight, eyes burning red, her whole face twisted with resentment. She wanted Charlotte to kneel and apologize? That would only happen if Charlotte managed to survive until noon tomorrow.
In the car, Anthony ended his call and looked up. He spotted Charlotte walking toward him, sunlight catching her figure just right. Even bundled up, she had this cool, graceful air that made it hard to look away.
“Charlotte settled things with Melissa already?” Hans sounded surprised.
Anthony narrowed his eyes a little, pushed open the car door, and went to meet her. He took her hand as soon as she was close, brushing his chin against her hair, his voice gentle. “All done?”
“We’ll see by noon tomorrow,” Charlotte murmured, leaning into his arms. “Did you have something to do with Olivia getting expelled?”
“I did.” Anthony didn’t hesitate. He ruffled her hair, his voice low and warm. “I got involved. Are you mad?”
Charlotte looked up at him, meeting his gaze.
“No,” she replied with a soft smile, giving his fingers a gentle squeeze. Her tone was light, teasing. “Anthony, I never thought you’d
“Hmm?”
She grinned. “You’re amazing.”
He was obviously hurting for her, probably more than he’d ever admit. If he could, he’d go after everyone who had ever dared to hurt her. But because she wanted to handle t on her own, Anthony had forced himself to hold back, only stepping in to
push the school to expel Olivia. That was already a lot for him.
“Amazing?” Anthony’s breath caught a little, a cocky grin tugging at his lips. “So you like it?”
Charlotte’s heart skipped as she met his magnetic gaze. He was definitely teasing her, and it was definitely working.
Twenty minutes later, Charlotte and Anthony walked into Eleanor’s office.
Seeing the two of them arrive together, Eleanor felt her head start to pound. What was this? There was no way… right? Anthony was old enough to be Charlotte’s uncle, for heaven’s sake.
It took Eleanor a moment to compose herself. She finally spoke up, her tone cautious. “Anthony, are you here about Andrew?”
“No.” Anthony barely looked at her. He nodded toward Charlotte. “I’m here to stand up for Lottie.”
Stand up for Lottie? Eleanor followed his gaze, her heart skipping when she saw Charlotte’s calm face. Was Anthony really here for Charlotte?
She didn’t have time to ask. There was a sudden knock at the door.
“Eleanor, the Dean’s here with Olivia and her parents.”
“Oh, okay.” Eleanor nodded, then glanced at Anthony, still looking baffled.
“Don’t mind me. Deal with it however you need to,” Anthony said, settling into a chair
in the corner. But his eyes never left Charlotte, soft and protective.
If she couldn’t see what was happening between those two by now, she’d have to
question her own instincts. Eleanor forced down her surprise and looked to the door.
Steven and Elizabeth walked in with
Olivia, who was in tears. Eleanor’s frown deepened. She never would have guessed that the quiet, obedient Olivia could be so ruthless. Every comment online had dragged Charlotte’s name through the mud, pushing her to the edge.
Olivia had already been written up for cheating at the last piano competition. Clearly, she hadn’t learned. Now she’d started an online storm and ruined Vanguard High’s reputation. Kicking her out was more than fair.
Still, with only a month left before college entrance exams, if she could get Charlotte’s forgiveness, maybe the school would show her some mercy.