Chapter 519

“As her parents, not only do you refuse to reflect on how you raised your daughter, but you actually have the nerve to come here demanding answers,” Lavinia scoffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Honestly, you have no shame.”
Selena’s face turned red in anger. She opened her mouth, struggling for words. “So you’re just going to ignore the relationship between our families and protect Charlotte no matter what?”
“Melissa is my only daughter. If she gets a life sentence, it’ll destroy our family,” Freddy jumped in, his voice loud and forceful. “Our families might not be inseparable, but our fathers were friends. Are you really willing to let my daughter spend the rest of her life in prison for some nobody?”
Freddy’s anger grew, and he slammed his hand on the table. “Bring Patricia out here. I want to ask her face to face if she’s willing to throw away everything between our families too.”
“Alright,” Lavinia replied, acting completely unbothered as she played with her nails, one perfect eyebrow arched. “Go check if Patricia’s awake. Invite her out here.”
The room was thick with tension when a maid’s voice suddenly came from the doorway. “Anthony is back.”
Everyone turned as the grand doors swung open. Anthony and Charlotte walked in side by side, sunlight streaming in behind them, making them look almost radiant.
“Oh, what a perfect match,” Lavinia said, propping her chin in her hands, her eyes shining with pride and a big smile spreading across her face.
“You got here at just the right time.” Selena’s emotions surged as she locked eyes with Charlotte, her voice shaky and sharp. “This has to be dealt with in front of Patricia.”
She couldn’t believe Lavinia would stand up for Charlotte like this. She must have been completely charmed by her.
“Go sit with Mom,” Anthony said quietly, giving Charlotte’s hand a gentle squeeze and shooting Melissa’s parents a chilly look.
Mom?
Charlotte’s lashes fluttered. She glanced at Anthony, then obediently walked over and sat beside Lavinia.
The moment Charlotte sat down, Lavinia took her hand, her voice soft and full of warmth. “Lottie, don’t be scared. You did the right thing. As long as I’m here, no one will lay a finger on you.”
Charlotte nodded sweetly.
Hearing their exchange, Selena’s anger finally boiled over. She was on the verge of losing control.
“Anthony, Melissa only did what she did because of you. For the sake of what you two had, you shouldn’t push her this far.”
Was that supposed to be a plea for mercy?
“Feelings?” Anthony actually laughed, the sound low and mocking “That’s the last thing Melissa and ever had. If it were u to me she’d be facing more than just a life sentence. You should be grateful my fiancée is kind enough not to demand her life.”
Lavinia couldn’t help but laugh, covering her mouth but unable to hide her delight. “That’s my son. Well said.”
Melissa’s parents looked like they might explode, their faces drained of color as they shook with fury.
“Fine. We’ll see what Patricia has to say. When she gets here Selena shot Charlotte a vicious glare, ker
voice cold and sharp, Charlottest will never
voice give you for this.”
She knew Patricia too well. The old matriarch liked girls who played by the rules.
Charlotte would never get her approval.
“Who’s making all that noise, trying to bully my granddaughter-in-law?”
The words came from behind, Patricia’s voice as cold as ever.
Granddaughter in law
Selena froze, her mind buzzing. Had she heard that right?