Chapter 50
She suppressed her cough.
Covering her mouth, Charlotte turned and fled.
Zarek was just about to push Olivia away when he heard muffled footsteps behind him.
The deck was carpeted, which normally silenced footfalls, but even the thickest carpet couldn’t completely muffle the sound of someone running.
He turned to look.
No one was there.
“Zarek!”
Olivia drunkenly cupped his face in her hands.
Zarek’s expression hardened as he removed her hands and pushed her onto the sofa. “Olivia, if you keep this up, I’ll throw you overboard.”
He used the back of his hand to wipe his chin where she’d nearly kissed him.
“I know you gave me up because of Xuan Yu, but if he fell for me, was that my fault? You just handed me over to him without even asking what I wanted,” Olivia murmured, lying on the sofa.
Zarek sat across from her, his tone measured but firm. “We’ve been through this countless times. I thought you’d understood by now–people shouldn’t be so greedy.”
Olivia looked up at him as if gazing at the stars. “I’m only greedy for you.”
Zarek sighed. “You need a therapist. This isn’t healthy.”
Tears streamed down Olivia’s face uncontrollably.
“Yes, I’m sick. I’ve been terminally ill since the day you lied and said you didn’t care for me. There’s no cure…”
When Zarek returned to the card room, Charlotte was already sitting beside Rex.
She had considered hiding somewhere else, but wasn’t sure if she’d been seen running away. If they returned and she wasn’t there… they’d immediately know it was her.
So returning to the card room was the safest option.
“Mr. Weasley, you’re back,” Rex said with evident relief.
Playing high–stakes poker required nerves of steel. He truly admired Charlotte now–his heart raced just throwing in
a few chips, yet she had been ready to go all–in…
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Rex stood up.
Charlotte quickly rose as well.
“Stay seated,” Zarek said coolly.
“…Huh?” Charlotte froze halfway up. “I should probably go check on Ms. Waldorf.”
“She’s resting in her room. Your presence isn’t required.” His tone carried a hint of displeasure.
Charlotte watched Zarek take his seat, completely confused.
Why was he annoyed at her offer to accompany Olivia?
Perhaps…
Did he think she had inappropriate intentions when she’d put her arm around Olivia earlier? Seriously? She wasn’t into women–what was he thinking?
Zarek eyed the increased chip stack. “Rex has been lucky.”
Charlotte smiled without comment, but one of the wealthy players revealed the truth. “The luck was all your beautiful companion here. Mr. Weasley, where did you find someone so gorgeous and smart? I’m envious.”
As he spoke, his eyes locked onto Charlotte’s figure, clearly imagining taking her to a private room upstairs.
Charlotte felt a wave of disgust.
But she couldn’t show it, so she maintained her polite smile.
Though Zarek’s expression remained courteous, his eyes turned cold. “Mr. Crawford, perhaps you should rein in your admiration. You might lose more than just chips.”
With that remark, Chase Crawford immediately averted his gaze.
The warning was unmistakable.
Others who had been eyeing Charlotte also abandoned their fantasies.
Beautiful women were plentiful, but offending the Weasley heir over a woman was poor business.
Charlotte appreciated his protection, though she wasn’t surprised.
He was fundamentally decent.
After a few more hands, the game broke up.
The yacht returned to the marina.
Célia approached Zarek for his contact information, but he directed her to Rex.
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Getting contact details wasn’t difficult–Tiago already had them. But getting them personally versus through an assistant carried entirely different meanings.
Going through his assistant clearly communicated to both Tiago and Célia that their relationship would remain strictly business.
Célia was refreshingly genuine. Though her disappointment was obvious, she quickly rallied and cheerfully took Rex’s information.
After all, just because he wasn’t interested now didn’t mean she had no chance for the future.
Rex inwardly sighed: Another woman hopelessly in love with the CEO.
Charlotte actually found the young woman endearing.
They were both single, and Célia had no idea about Zarek and Olivia’s relationship–why shouldn’t she shoot her shot?
But unfortunately, she was destined for disappointment..
Olivia approached, supported by two female staff members.
Despite her nap, she didn’t appear much more sober.
When disembarking, Charlotte and Rex hesitated to act, fearing another accusation of impropriety. They both looked pointedly at Zarek: Please handle this yourself.
The two of them quickly moved off the yacht.
Zarek: “…”
Olivia came forward on her own, leaning against his arm with the clear intention of collapsing if he didn’t support her.
Zarek couldn’t leave the branch manager stranded in front of everyone, so he had no choice but to help Olivia off
the yacht.
On the dock, the driver had the car door open.
“Where’s your car?” Zarek asked, attempting to straighten Olivia who was putting her full weight on his arm.
“Don’t know,” Olivia shook her head with closed eyes, then let herself fall directly toward his chest.
Zarek held her shoulders firmly, preventing her maneuver. “We’re not going the same way. Either call a driver or
take a taxi home.”
Charlotte: “…”
Rex: “…”
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Not escorting her? That seemed harsh!
Charlotte mentally added: But they were just kissing.
Zarek frowned at them. “Don’t just stand there–get her a taxi!”
Charlotte and Rex quickly took out their phones and started working on ride–hailing apps…
Charlotte couldn’t help looking up. “Sir, considering Ms. Waldorf’s condition, it seems unsafe for her to return alone. Perhaps we should take her to the hotel?”
“How thoughtful of you,” Zarek replied with cold sarcasm.
**
It genuinely wasn’t safe!
Zarek was silent for a few seconds. “Since it was your idea, you’ll be responsible for her at the hotel!”
With that, he helped Olivia into the car and got in himself.
Charlotte: ??
Rex shot her a look that said: That’s what you get for interfering!
Charlotte: I…
She’d only made a reasonable suggestion.
Their love–hate relationship, kissing one moment and fighting the next… was she somehow being drawn into their
drama?!
Furious but unable to express it, she reminded herself he was her boss.
The car had only two front seats. Including the driver, three people were up front, so someone had to sit in back… between those two volatile personalities…
Charlotte felt her scalp tingle with dread.
“I’ll take a taxi back!” she quickly announced.
“I’d rather take a taxi myself,” Rex countered, pushing her into the passenger seat before she could protest, shutting the door, and making his escape.
“I-”
Charlotte swallowed the curse word that nearly escaped.
Resigned, she fastened her seatbelt and glanced in the rearview mirror. Zarek’s profile was stern, the atmosphere
tense.
The Mamant at Co My Uncle: Fecaning the Forbidden Past
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Chapter 50
The car pulled away from the marina.
The drive was uncomfortably silent.
Charlotte stopped looking in the rearview mirror and focused straight ahead.
In the back seat, Olivia, who had been lying back, sat up and swayed unsteadily.
As the car descended from a bridge and turned onto a boulevard, her body drifted like a falling leaf toward Zarek’s
lap.
Chapter 50
She suppressed her emigh
Covering her mouth, Charlotte turned and i
Zarek was just about to push Olivia away when he heard muffled footsteps he hired him.
The deck was carpeted, which normally silenced footfalls, but even the thickest carpet couldn’t completely muffle the sound of someone running
He turned to look.
No one was there.
“Zarck!”
Olivia drunkenly cupped his face in her hands.
Zarek’s expression hardened as he removed her hands and pushed her onto the sofa. “Olivia, if you keep this up, I’ll throw you overboard.”
He used the back of his hand to wipe his chin whore she’d nearly kissed him.
“I know you gave me up because of Xuan Yu, but if he fell for me, was that my fault? You just handed me over to him without even asking what I wanted.” Olivia murmured, lying on the sofa.
Zarek sat across from her, his tone measured but firm. “We’ve been through this countless times. I thought you’d understood by now–people shouldn’t. be so greedy
Olivia looked up at him as
as if gazing at the stars I’m only greedy for you.”
Zarek sighed. “You need a therapist. This is healthy.”
Tears streamed down Olivia’s face uncontrollably.
“Yes, I’m sick. I’ve been terminally ill since the day you lied and said you didn’t care for me. There’s no cure…
When Zarek returned to the card room, Charlotte was already sitting beside Rex.
She had considered hiding somewhere else, but wasn’t sure if she’d been seen running away. If they returned and she wasn’t there they’d Immediately know it was ver
So returning to the card room was the safest option
“Mr. Weasley, you’re back” Rex said with evident relief.
Playing high–stakes poker required nerves of steel. He truly admired Charlotte now–his heart raced just throwing in a few chips, yet she had been ready to go all–in…
Rex stood ир.
Charlotte quickly rose as well.
“Stay seated,” Zurek said coolly
“…Huh? Charlotte froze halfway up. I should probably go check on Ms. Waldorf.”
“She’s resting in her room. Your presence isn’t required.” His tone carried a hint of displeasure.
Charlotte watched Zarek take his seat, completely confused
Why was he annoyed at her offer to accompany Olivia?
Perhaps…
Chapter 50
Did he think she had inappropriate intentions when she’d put her arms around Cilivka nailer? Seriously? She wasrt into women–what was he thinking?
Zarek eyed the increased chip
in stack. “Rex has been backy
Charlotte smiled without comment, but one of the wealthy players revealed the truth. “The luck was all your beautiful companion here. Mr. Weasley, where did you find someme so gorgeous and start? I’m emdens”
As he spoke, his eyes locked to Charlotte’s figure, clearly imagining taking her to a private room upstairs
Charlotte felt a wave of disgust,
But she couldn’t show it, so she maintained her polto smile.
Though Zarek’s expression renamed courteous, his eyes turned cold. “Mr. Crawford, perhaps you should rein in your admiration. You might lose more than just chips.”
With that remark Chase Crawford immediately averted his gaze,
The warning was unmistakable.
Others who had been eyeing Charlotte also abandoned their fantasies.
Beautiful women were plentiful, but offending the Weasley hair over a woman was poor business.
Charlotte appreciated his protection, though she wasn’t surprised.
He was hundamentally decent.
After a few more hands, the game broke up
The yacht returned to the marina.
Celia approached Zarek for his contact information, but he directed her to ex
Getting contact details wasn’t difficult–Tiago already had them. But getting them personally versus through an assistant carried entirely different
meanings.
Going through his assistant clearly communicated to both Tiago and Celia that their relationship would remain strictly business.
Celia was refreshingly genuine. Though her disappointment was obvious, she quickly rallied and cheerfully took Rex’s information
After all, just because he wasn’t interested now didn’t mean she had no chance for the future.
Rex inwardly sighed: Another woman hopelessly in love with the CEO.
Charlotte actually found the young woman endearing.
They were both single, and Célia had no idea about Zarek and Olivia’s relationship–why shouldn’t she shoot her shot?
But unfortunately, she was destined for disappointment.
Olivia approached, supported by two female staff members.
Despite her nap, she didn’t appear much more sober.
When disembarking, Charlotte and Rex hesitated to act, fearing another accusation of impropriety. They both looked pointedly at Zarek Please handle this yourself.
The two of them quickly moved off the yacht
Zarek..
Olivia came forward on her own, leaning against his arm with the clear intention of collapsing if he didn’t support
Zarek couldn’t leave the branch manager stranded in front of everyone, so he had no choice but to help Olivia off the yacht.
Chapter 50
On the dock, the driver had the car door open.
“Where’s your
– Zavrk asked, attempting in straighten Olivia who was putting her full weight on his
“Don’t kamy,” Olivia shook her head with closed eyes, then let herself fall directly toward his chest.
Zarek held her shoulders ficandy, preventing her maneuver. “We’re not going the same way. Either call a driver or take a taxi bome,
Charlotte:
Bmx:
Not escorting her? That seemed barsh
Charlotte mentally added: But they were just kissing.
Zarek frowned at them. “Don’t just stand there–get let a taxi”“”“
Charlotte and Res quickly took out their phones and started working on ride hailing apps.
Charlotte couldn’t help looking up. “Sir, considering Ms. Waldorf’s condition, it seems unsafe for her to return alone. Perhaps we should take her to the hotel?”
“How thoughtful of you.” Zarek replied with cold sarcasm.
It genuinely wasn’t safe!
Zarek! was silent for a few seconds. “Since it was your idea, you’ll be responsible for her at the hotel!”
With that, he helped Olivia into the car and got in himself.
Charlotte: ??
Rex shot her a look that said: That’s what you get for interfering!
Charlotte: L..
She’d only made a reasonable suggestion
Their love–hate relationship, kissing one moment and fighting the next… was she somehow being drawn into their drama?!
Furious but unable to express it, she reminded herself he was her boss.
The car had only two front seats, Including the driver, three people were up front, so someone had to sit in back… between those two volatile personalities…
Charlotte felt her scalp tingle with dread.
“I’ll take a taxi back!” she quickly announced.
“I’d rather take a taxi myself,” Rex countered, pashing her into the passenger seat before she could protest, shutting the door, and making his escape.
T-
Charlotte swallowed the curse word that nearly escaped.
Resigned, she fastened her seatbelt and glanced in the rearview mirror. Zarek’s profile was stern, the atmosphere tense.
The car pulled away from the marina.
The drive was uncomfortably silent.
Charlotte stopped looking in the rearview mirror and focused straight ahead.
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Chapter 50
In the back seat, Olivia, who had been lying back, sat up and swayed unsteadily
At the car descended from a bridge and turned onto a frondevarat, her belly drifted like a falling leaf toward Zarel’s lap
Chapter 51
