Chapter 704

One second, two seconds, three, four… Five Anthonys, six Anthonys, seven Anthonys…
“The reporters downstairs still haven’t left. It’ll take Anthony a bit to get up here,” Kenneth said, his voice gentle as he peeled an orange for Charlotte. “Here, try this. It’s really sweet.”
Charlotte took a slice, popped it into her mouth, and frowned.
Not sweet at all.
“I heard you’re heading to Solenia for a competition next month?” Donald asked. He looked so serious as he peeled a chestnut for her. “Do you want someone to go with you?”
That place was dangerous, completely outside the reach of international law.
“No need,” Charlotte said, rolling the orange in her hand, her tone casual. “If I take someone with me, I’m not sure if I’d be protecting them or if they’d be protecting me. Either way, it sounds like a hassle.”
Donald laughed. With her skills, she could definitely handle herself.
“Medical competitions aren’t easy, you know. Lottie, you’re great at anatomy, but clinical medicine is a whole other thing… Want my help?” Roger asked, worried, as he made her a glass of fresh orange juice.
Forensic scientists and doctors were worlds apart. Especially at an international medical competition, where the best people from all over the world would be there.
“I’ll be fine,” Charlotte replied calmly. “I’ve been reading a lot of medical books lately. I can handle it.”
Roger narrowed his eyes, but her confidence made him relax a little. If Lottie said she could do it, then she’d pull it off for sure.
Before anyone could say another word, someone knocked on the lounge door. A tall, lean figure walked in, and all three brothers looked over at Anthony at the same time, each one frowning. Anthony showing up meant their time with her was over.
Like clockwork, they all put down what they were doing and moved quietly to the other side of the room, watching with open envy as Anthony walked straight to Charlotte.
“Did I keep you waiting?” Anthony asked, stopping in front of her. He leaned down, brushing her cheek with his fingertips, a smile playing on a his lips. “Sorry. There were too many people downstairs. It took a while.”
Charlotte swung her legs, giving Anthony a grumpy look. “Five minutes and thirty- one seconds… That’s so slow.”
She really timed him that precisely? She must be genuinely annoyed.
“My bad,” Anthony said, his voice soft as he tried to soothe her. He picked up an orange slice and fed it to her, coaxing, “Is it sweet?”
This time, it was sweet.
Charlotte nodded, leaning forward until her forehead rested against his shoulder. Her voice was quiet and a little sleepy. “I want to take a nap.”
“Tired? Let’s go home then.”
Anthony slipped off his jacket and gently draped it over her shoulders. He told Hans
to pack up all the snacks her brothers had brought.
He glanced over at the three guys in
the back, their faces practically green with jealousy, and cleared his
throat. “I’m taking Lottie home to rest As for whneyer’s behind all this
“We’ll handle it,” Donald answered quickly.
He watched Charlotte lean into Anthony like a clingy little cat, his eyes darkening with something he couldn’t quite name, If he didn’t know about Lottie’s other life, he never would’ve connected the legendary Reaver with the girl who was now snuggling up to Anthony.
Anthony really was a master at winning her over.