Gloria was already waiting for her at the practice range.
She was wearing a canary yellow tennis dress, her loose curls framing her face perfectly–youthful, vibrant, and utterly captivating.
She gave Charlotte a critical once–over and sighed dramatically. “Honey, why don’t you just throw on a turtleneck and some slacks while you’re at it?”
Charlotte smiled lightly. “I’m here for a job interview.”
She didn’t see anything wrong with her outfit–a powder blue golf ensemble with her hair pulled back in a neat ponytail and natural makeup. It was fresh, professional, and perfectly appropriate.
“Darling, men are visual creatures,” Gloria insisted with a knowing smirk.
“If Zarek just wanted a pretty face as his secretary, the position wouldn’t still be vacant,” Charlotte countered.
“Being beautiful doesn’t mean you can’t be brilliant too.” Gloria playfully poked her shoulder. “Lucky for you, I brought an extra outfit. We’re about the same size–just take it.”
Without taking no for an answer, she dragged Charlotte to the changing room.
Since she needed Gloria’s introduction, Charlotte reluctantly went along with it.
When she emerged, she’d transformed into a sexy wildcat.
The white, sleeveless, form–fitting top and black pleated mini–skirt accentuated every curve–her chest, waist, and hips. Her long, toned legs seemed designed to make men lose their minds on sight.
“Oh. My. God.” Gloria covered her mouth dramatically. “Charlotte, you’ve been hiding all that under those corporate suits? Issac’s an absolute idiot. What does that Grantham princess possibly have that you don’t?”
Charlotte automatically tuned out the last two comments.
She anxiously examined herself in the mirror. Dressed like this… wouldn’t Zarek think she was trying to seduce him?
“Gloria. I think-”
“Shh.” Gloria held up a finger as she pulled out her phone. “Hello, Charlie? You and Mr. Weasley are already there? We’ll be right over.”
After that, Charlotte couldn’t very well ask to change back.
They headed out to meet Charlie.
On the way, Charlotte probed: “Gloria, have you ever actually met Zarek Weasley?”
11:21
The Moment I Let Go My Uncle: Escaping the Forbidden Past.
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“Once, ages ago. When I was six, my parents took me to the Weasley estate for New Year’s. Zarek was just a little boy then–pale skin, chubby cheeks, absolutely adorable. After my family lost our fortune, we stopped getting invited. Anyway, he left for boarding school overseas when he was barely ten, so he’s rarely been seen in New York.“.
“I see…”
Pale, chubby–cheeked, adorable… Charlotte pictured something like a steamed bun with legs.
The golf cart rounded a bend.
Suddenly, a vast expanse of manicured green stretched before them.
In the distance were forests and lakes. Nearby stood two men in golf attire, deep in conversation.
Charlotte focused on one of them and felt her pupils dilate in shock.
The man in navy and tan was Charlie Stark.
Beside him, standing half a head taller, was a man in pristine white golf attire. His impressive height, broad shoulders, and narrow waist created an elegant silhouette that radiated aristocratic grace. When he turned his
profile to the light, his sculpted features looked almost airbrushed in their perfection…
Her vision momentarily darkened.
She recognized Charlie, which meant the man with him had to be…
“That’s Zarek Weasley!” Gloria whispered excitedly. “Holy shit, he looks nothing like he did as a child. How did he get so tall and gorgeous? I’m about to embarrass myself by drooling!”
“I’m screwed,” Charlotte muttered.
“You too? Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love at first sight!”
11
Charlotte’s expression looked pained.
The cart stopped.
The two men noticed their arrival.
Charlie smiled and waved, his eyes lingering appreciatively on Charlotte.
Zarek’s eyes registered brief surprise before his expression cooled, giving him an unapproachable aura.
Gloria led Charlotte over to them.
Despite her diminishing hopes, Charlotte decided to make the best of the situation.
“Charlie, Mr. Weasley,” Gloria greeted warmly, then rushed to introduce Charlotte. “This is my dear friend Charlotte
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Whitmore. She came specifically to meet you today, Mr. Weasley.”
Charlotte was anxious inside but maintained a perfect smile on the outside.
Charlie teased: “Well, well. I was wondering why the stunning Ms. Whitmore suddenly developed an interest in golf, and why she dressed to kill today. Setting your sights on the big fish, I see.”
Charlotte ignored his good–natured ribbing, greeted him politely, then turned to Zarek with formal respect. “Mr. Weasley, it’s nice to meet you for the first time.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized her mistake.
Her eyes flickered nervously… damn her professional autopilot!
“For the first time?” Zarek’s gaze settled lightly on her face, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
“…” Charlotte maintained her respectful, composed expression while internally panicking. She decided to pretend she hadn’t caught his implied question. “I’m truly delighted to meet you.”
She looked at him with a slightly nervous, slightly pleading expression.
Can you please play along?
Zarek seemed to understand her silent plea and gave a subtle smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Ms. Whitmore certainly looks… delighted.”
His rich voice carried a trailing note of amusement, each word sounding almost indulgent yet laced with subtle
teasing.
His smile startled both Charlie and Gloria: Wait, he’s charmed already?
Gloria shot Charlotte a look that said: See? I told you changing outfits was the right move. Use your weapons wisely!
Charlotte internally sighed.
That wasn’t a compliment–it was clearly gentle mockery.
They began playing golf.
Zarek was an excellent player, and Charlie wasn’t bad either. Charlotte and Gloria took a few swings too they were there for atmosphere.
After playing a round, they moved to a shaded area to rest.
mostly
Gloria deliberately dragged Charlie off to the pro shop to look at new clubs, creating an opportunity for Charlotte to be alone with Zarek.
Zarek sat down.
Eager to make a good impression, Charlotte quickly opened a water bottle and offered it to him.
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Chapter 32
Zarek stared at her hand for a few seconds, his expression unreadable but somehow warm, before accepting it without comment.
But he didn’t drink it, just set it on the table.
Charlotte’s heart sank.
No chance, then?
“Ms. Whitmore, who’s meeting me ‘for the first time‘–all this elaborate setup just to get to know me… you’re not just trying to find out my measurements, are you?” Zarek casually wiped his forehead with a towelette, his movements elegant, his question deceptively casual but with a hint of playfulness.
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His sentence contained two perfectly aimed barbs.
Charlotte pressed her lips together, considering her response. “Saying ‘first time‘ was a slip of the tongue. As for asking Liam about your measurements… that was because I accidentally ruined your jacket and wanted to buy a replacement.”
“And I wanted to meet you sir because I heard you’re looking for a secretary.”
She automatically switched from “you” to the more formal address when mentioning the job, revealing her true
purpose.
Zarek put down the towelette and said bluntly, though his eyes remained curiously warm, “You’re not suitable.”
With that, he stood and walked toward the forest behind them.
Rejected without even being asked a single question–Charlotte’s competitive spirit flared. She got up and followed him.
As they walked one after the other toward the woods, Issac’s golf cart passed by on a nearby fairway with clients and Evelyn aboard.
Issac’s eyes fixed on that sensuous, slender figure walking away, and his brow furrowed in suspicion.
Chapter 33
