3444
Chapter 107
The moment Charlotte heard Leif suggest a late–night snack, alarm bells started ringing in her head.
Seeing him exchange that secret glance with one of his guests only confirmed her suspicions.
This “late–night snack” was definitely a setup.
She moved forward quickly but gracefully.
Her heart raced while her exterior remained perfectly composed.
She approached Zarek’s side and said, “Sir, your nutritionist specifically prohibited eating anything after 9:30 PM. We should probably skip the late supper.”
Zarek’s eyes softened with unmistakable appreciation. “Whatever you say.”
Leif’s expression darkened. “Ms. Whitmore seems to have quite a lot of authority over you.”
Charlotte offered a polite, corporate smile. “I wouldn’t dream of telling Mr. Weasley what to do. I’m simply following Mrs. Weasley’s instructions to monitor his diet. The nutritionist she hired is incredibly strict–requires daily logs that can’t be faked. I’m just the messenger here.”
Leif scoffed. “So you’re using his mother to pressure me?”
“Not at all,” Charlotte replied evenly.
“If Mrs. Weasley approves, then tonight’s supper would be fine, correct?” Leif pulled out his phone, making a show of preparing to call.
He wasn’t buying her improvised story about nutritionists and maternal orders. It was obviously made up on the
spot.
He had intended to intimidate her, forcing Zarek to overrule her objection and join the late supper.
To his surprise, neither of them flinched.
They both seemed perfectly content to let him make the call.
Leif continued scrolling through his contacts.
Charlotte thought: Go ahead. I dare you.
She was betting he wouldn’t.
What kind of man with Leif’s reputation would call someone’s mother at nearly 10 PM to ask permission to feed her adult son a midnight snack? Any mother would be livid.
Mrs. Weasley would probably charter a jet just to personally deal with him.
Liddon Dast
94.6%
That’s why Charlotte had invoked Zarek’s mother rather than his father. Fathers might prioritize business relationships, but mothers? They’d destroy anyone who messed with their children.
Leif’s expression grew increasingly uncomfortable.
He cleared his throat. “Come on, it’s just a light snack, not a big deal. Let’s not bother Mrs. Weasley. How about this–just join us for a bit. Don’t make your Uncle Leif lose face in front of everyone.”
Zarek turned to Charlotte with dancing eyes. “What do you think?”
Most of the time, his demeanor was cool and distant, his eyes veiled behind a layer of frost. Even when he smiled, it rarely reached his eyes, wasting those striking features.
Not now. The frost had melted, revealing something almost playful.
Charlotte met his gaze and nearly lost her train of thought.
She discreetly pinched her palm to regain focus before shaking her head firmly. “Absolutely not! Out of the
question!”
Zarek gave Leif a regretful look. “You heard the boss. If I don’t listen, I’ll be in the doghouse for days.”
His tone, his choice of words, his expression…
Even though Charlotte knew he was acting, she felt a moment of genuine panic.
Too far! Way too far!
Sir, you’re laying it on thick!
Keep talking like that and people will start planning our wedding!
Leif looked ready to explode with frustration.
He gritted his teeth, dropping his polished veneer. “Just come sit with us–no eating required. Surely that’s reasonable. I’ve bent over backward here, Ms. Whitmore. If you refuse this basic courtesy, I’ll take it personally.”
The conversation had reached a point where Charlotte couldn’t keep speaking for Zarek.
The resort was a joint investment between both companies. Whether to burn bridges wasn’t a secretary’s call.
She looked to Zarek for guidance.
“Uncle Leif looks ready to throw a tantrum. Fine, we’ll join you for a bit,” Zarek said, sounding unreasonably cheerful.
Leif thought: This smug little brat has to have the last word every single time.
Charlotte nodded. “Very well.”
94.8%
She stepped back.
Was it her imagination, or did Zarek seem to be enjoying himself immensely?
Wasn’t he concerned about Leif’s obvious plotting?
He didn’t strike her as someone who would be so careless.
After all the back–and–forth, they agreed not to eat but would join the gathering.
In the dining room, people filled both sides of a long table laden with various dishes, including late–night favorites like barbecue and mashed potatoes. The room smelled incredible.
Leif took the head of the table.
Zarek sat in the first position to his right.
Charlotte and Claire remained standing at different points in the room.
Leif arranged for Natalie to sit next to Zarek.
Charlotte thought: He’s still working that angle.
She couldn’t focus on that now. Instead, she shifted her attention to the person Leif had exchanged glances with earlier.
It wasn’t one of the four VIPS or Claire, but rather a woman with delicate features and a pretty face that had clearly benefited from extensive cosmetic surgery–classic Instagram Face.
Instagram Face was now seated next to Natalie.
Everyone began eating.
“Mr. Weasley, surely a little mashed potato won’t hurt. These are simply divine,” Instagram Face said, standing to serve him a portion.
Her long nails hovered over the bowl for a moment, trembling slightly.
Without a suspicious mindset, this might seem innocent–perhaps she’d burned her fingers.
But combined with Leif’s earlier signal, it took on a sinister meaning. Could there be something under those nails?
Charlotte watched carefully.
Zarek politely thanked her.
But he didn’t touch the mashed potatoes.
No matter how much Leif and the others raved about the dish, insisting it was heavenly and not to be missed, Zarek
L–Parhiddon Past
95.0%
simply wouldn’t touch it.
Everyone seemed baffled: How can someone be so stubborn?
Leif eventually seemed to give up.
Natalie’s repeated attempts to get Zarek’s attention also failed spectacularly.
Gradually, everyone settled down.
Charlotte felt relief wash over her.
Then she noticed Instagram Face getting up from the table.
She headed toward the exit.
As she passed Charlotte, she left behind the unmistakable scent of cherry liqueur…
By the time the late supper ended, Instagram Face hadn’t returned.
Zarek stood to say goodbye.
Leif walked him to the door.
The others trailed behind like a royal entourage.
Standing at the entrance, Charlotte glanced outside and spotted Instagram Face wandering along a small path
outside the villa. She appeared to be carrying a water bottle and walking unsteadily.
Had she abandoned her assigned task and decided to slip away for a drink?
Charlotte looked away.
Zarek and Charlotte returned to their villa.
As soon as they entered, Charlotte made a beeline for the water.
After standing attentively all evening without a single sip, she was parched.
“I’m starving. Find me something to eat?” Zarek called out.
Charlotte thought: …
What happened to the strict nutrition regimen?
She set down her nearly–empty glass and checked the refrigerator.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to work with.
Their dinner had been prepared and delivered, and no one had anticipated that the CEO might want a midnight snack.
95.2%
Chapter 107
The refrigerator contained only fruit.
Charlotte washed some and brought it out.
Zarek looked at the fruit platter with mild disappointment. “Ms. Whitmore, you’re becoming increasingly negligent in your duties.”
