Chapter 59
Everyone frode, turning toward the doorway.
Standing there was a woman completely drenched, deathly pals, with scrapes across her forehead and cheeks–exhausted and disheveled, yet somehow still breathtakingly beautiful
Charlotte Whitmere! It was actually Charlottel:
Everyone from the company and factory immediately recognized the stunning woman who had captivated them earlier.
Zarek shot to his feet and strode over to support her, his eyes lighting up like stars. “Charlotte, you’re alive.”
Rebed flooded through ham, nearly overwhelming him with the impulse to pull her into a tight embrace,
Charlotte managed a weak smile. “Turns mit I’m pretty hard to kill.”
She’d spent childhood summers at her grandmother’s seaside home and was a strong swimmer who knew how to navigate dangerous currents
Thankfully, when she jumped, her leg had hit the rocks instead of her head.
Victor’s turned the color of ash
Impossible! How could she have survived and made it back to the factory?
Charlotte hadn’t walked hack on her own–her leg had a nasty gash from the rocks, every step pure agony.
Unfamiliar with the area, she’d had no idea how to return…
A kind local girl on a scooter had given her a ride.
She’d known Zarak would be at the factory, and she was determined to expose Mateus and Victor’s crimes!
“You need a hospital,” Zarek said, noticing the blood–soaked towell wrapped around her thigh
Business first. I can handle it
Though physically drained. Charlotte’s eyes remained locked on Victor, blazing with determination.
Zarek kruw better than to argue
This woman might look delicate, but she
had stoel in her back
backbone. Even with a broken leg, she would haw crashed here to confront her attackers.
“Lasy now,” he said, his arm sliding around her shoulders, supporting her weight.
After a few steps that left her drenched in cold sweat, he ignored the onlookers and simply led her into his arms, carrying her to his char
The room watched in stunned silence.
And they claimed there was nothing between them. That didn’t look like a boss carrying an employee!
Olivia’s eyes burned with unshed tears, each second feeling like a dagger to her heart.
Charlotte, however, only felt relief that being carried had eased her pain. Having just escaped death, romance was the furthest thing from her mind.
On the table, Olivia’s phone remained connected to the call.
Charlotte glanced down, noticed the contact name, and immediately understood the situation.
ing your mouth.”
She let out a harsh laugh. “Mr. Ferreira, you’ve got nerve. You should’ve at least made sure I was dead before running
“Thave no idea what you’re talking about,” Victor feigned confusion
There had been only the two of them in that house–no witnesses, no evidence. His word against hers.
Chapter 59
He immediately pivoted toward Olivia, exploiting her jealousy. “Ms. Waldorf, her timing isn’t about exposing me it’s about humiliating you in front of the CDO. Can’t you see her game?”
Charlotte
This guy had absolutely no shame!
She expected such obvious manipulation would fail with Olivia, but to her surprise, Olivia immediately turned on her “You’re framing Mr. Ferreira. and staging this whole drama. You dragged everyone here tonight jou to show off how you can wrap men around your finger?”
Charlotte’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Her mind raced through possibilities.
Was Olivia involved? No, someone in het position wouldn’t touch something this dirty.
Victor must have poisoned the well before she arrived!
“Ms. Waldorf, I don’t know what he’s told you, but please give me five minutes to explain what actually happened”
“Just shut up!” Olivia snapped.
She couldn’t stand watching what she perceived as calculated helplessness designed to trigger men’s protective instincts.
Charlotte was startled by the outburst.
Victor inwardly smirked: A jealous woman is so easy to manipulate.
This entire exchange was clearly audible to Arthur Weasley on the other end of the phone.
His expression hardened, his sharp eyes narrowing.
“The one who needs to be silent is you.”
Zarek finally spoke, looking at Olivia with cold disappointment. “You’re beyond help.
He had given her chance after chance, hoping she would see reason, but she continued to be led by the nose like a puppet.
Olivia’s lips trembled
His four words shattered her completely, tears streaming down her face
Seeing this, Charlotte finally understood.
Olivia wasn’t concerned about company matters at all. Normally, Charlotte wouldn’t have been so slow to realize they were having entirely different conversations.
She felt a twinge of regret but knew this wasn’t the time to explain to Olivia that her relationship with Zarek was strictly professional. This wasn’t the moment for relationship drama!
Ignoring Olivia, she turned her attention back to Victor. “Mr. Ferreira, do you really think that because we were alone, with no witnesses, y get away with everything?”
Startled at having his thoughts exposed, Victor tersed.
“Miss Whitmore, I’ve done nothing to you,” he countered. “Why are you targeting me? Just because you want to unpress the CEO, you think you can make up stories about anyone?”
Charlotte’s cold eyes remained locked on him.
Suddenly, she turned to Zarek. “I brought a voice recorder with me this morning. It can record continuously for 48 hours.”
“I kept it hidden in my bra. It’s still under the coffee table in that old house where I was held. The house is by the sea. I can draw you a map so
someone can retrieve it. Everything Mr. Ferreira said, everything Mr. Costa said, what everyone at the factory said–it’s all recorded. The truth will be proven in minitesTM
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Chapter 59
As she finished speaking. Virier and several others visibly paled.
“No need for a map. That’s Costa’s house. He’s already confessed,” Zarek added, delivering another lombelll.
Is front of everyone, be called Rex, instructing him to find the recorder and bring Matroshock
The guilty parties in the roots looked like they’d seen ghosts.
Meanwhile, Rex was already returning. Both he and Issar had received word that Charlotte had made it back to the factory, and they were heading hack together, with Mateus in Essar’s custody.
Rex didn’t mention this detail–it didn’t matter who brought the man back
Charlotte had no idea that her soon to be ex Innband was here and will soon be appearing before her.
As Zarek ended the call, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.
Those not involved began to believe Charlotte had genuinely been kidnapped.
Those who knew about or participated in the kidnapping felt like they were standing on the edge of a cliff.
Victor’s face twitched. “Fine! Find the recorder. I welcome it! I have nothing to hide!”
“Right” Charlotte laughed weakly. Her blood loss gave her voice an unusual softness. “Keep talking. Better yet, swear on your mother’s grave and cry some tears. Otherwise, the upcoming plot twist will lack dramatic effect ”
on, give it your all. Someone record this, so Mr. Ferreira cant deny it later
Though she called for it, everyone exchanged uncertain glances, no one daring to step forward.
Zarek picked up his phone. “Il record it.”
With the CEO so firmly backing his secretary, anyone who didn’t choose sides now risked their job.
Those confident in their innocence quickly took out their phones as well.
Faced with so many cameras, Victor finally began to pande
Chapter GO
C
A cold voice supped her attention back as her view wows blocked
Issae stood by the bed bobling a white ceramic loved, his expression fronty
Charlotte stared blankly f
for a moment. “Þost leave it. I eat later.”
That’s really not necessary.
“What, would you rather have Wendey feed you
Charlotte lanked at him like he’d lost his mael. ““People with diery minds see dirt everywhere.”
Seeing her denial, Issac expression softened slightly. “Quil working for him, and hell there’s nothing going on
Charlotte just shook her head. “Then don’t believe me
Like she needed his approval.
Issac’s face darkened. “Are you that desperate to work for him? To be his little secretary?”
“Yes, absolutely.” Charlotte confirmed without hesitation.
“You’re only getting close to Weasley to piss me off, to get revenge!” Issac looked like he’d cracked some complex code
He was convinced she still loved him deep down Zarek was just a prop in her revenge scheme. But even as a prop, Zarek was dangerous–pro enough time, who could guarantee she wouldn’t develop real feelings!
Charlotte gave a cold laugh, unwilling to waste energy arguing She sat up and took the bowl from his hands. Thank you for the hospital visit, Mr. Wood. You can leave now
Mr. Wood?
Isar didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. In all their years together, she had never addressed him so formally,
He sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m not going anywhere. We’re still married. I have an obligation to take care of my wife.”
Charlotte thought: I wish I could have him disappeared
She couldn’t force him out, and physical confrontation wasn’t an option. Her only choice was to ignore him completely–treat him like he was invisible.
She set the bowl on the nightstand, then worried he might try to force–feed her knowing him, he was absolutely capable of such behavior.
She reluctantly took the bowl back. Better to just ear it
An hour later
Zarek returned from outside,
With him were Rex and Olivia
Charlotte hadn’t realized Olivia had stayed overnight too, having just stepped out for breakfast.
Of course, Olivia hadn’t stayed out of concern for Charlotte, nor from any sense of guilt. She had simply followed Zarek, keeping tabs on him.
“Miss Whitmore, I’m truly sorry about last night,” Olivia said, her voice carefully modulated. “I misjudged the situation completely and be Mr. Ferreira Domanipulate me. I was wrong to doubt you. I hope you can forgive me.”
Two people asking for forgiveness in one morning.
Charlotte felt both awkward and slightly amused.
She understood perfectly that Olivia’s words were meant for Zarek’s ears, hoping to earn his forgiveness and put the matter behind them.
nina the Forbidden Past.
She smiled diplomatically. “There’s no need to talk about burgiveness. Given the circumstance anyone could have been maded. The Mame falls on Mr. Ferreira for his convincing act, fun on you for trusting him?
Her graceful response gave Olivia a perfect way to save face.
A masterful exchange that covered all huser
Zarek smiled inwardly. She knows how to handle people.
Issac’s heart soured. She’ll smooth things over with a woman she barely knows but won’t give me the time of day
“Thank you for being sa understanding, olivia said with relief, her eyes carefully seeking Zark’s “The been thinking–perhaps I shouldn’t continue in my position here.”
Zarek didn’t acknowledge her, deliberately ignoring the hint beneath her words.
His gaze remained measured as he focused in Charlotte. “You did good work, but don’t take risk that again. I don’t pay you enough to put your life on the line. I’ll handle the fallout–you focus on recovering.
Charlotte nodded. “Got it.”
Meeting his eyes, she suddenly felt self–conscious and shifted her attention to Rex. “Sorry about the next three days of scheduled activaties. You’ll have to pick up my slack.”
“Don’t even worry about it, Charlotte! This was totally my fault. I never should have let you go to that factory alone. If something had happened- Rex’s gut–ridden rambling cut short as he felt Issac’s murderous glare boring into him.
Issac’s expression telegraphed a clear warning: “Charlotte“? Getting a hit too familiar, aren’t we?
Rex promptly shat his mouth
He had zero interest in becoming a casualty.
“My wife’s injuries are too severe,” Issac stated coldly. “Recovery will take significant time. She won’t be able to handle secretarial duties. Mr. Weasley, you should find someone else.”
What “severe injuries“? How dare he make decisions for her?
Charlotte was about to object when Olivia quickly jumped in: “Since her husband has spoken, let’s not push the matter. Zarek, I can return to headquarters and serve as your secretary lintead.”
