Charlotte’s neck stiffened.
If she wanted to return first?
His tone suggested he’d seen through her thoughts, and was displeased enough to call her out, making her face how unprofessional she was being.
She’d merely considered the possibility without saying anything aloud, yet he was being so harsh.
“Thank you, sir. If you’re allowing it, I’ll head back then,” she replied, her voice deliberately calm.
What was behind his displeasure and harshness? Nothing but her lack of social graces this morning and just now.
Apparently she wouldn’t last long as his secretary… because she couldn’t pretend well enough.
After Charlotte’s response, Zarek didn’t say anything more.
The atmosphere in the car grew even more tense.
Driver: Why is their awkwardness getting worse instead of better?
The car continued forward.
The man in the back seat never clarified his meaning, and Charlotte didn’t ask. This continued until an hour later when they arrived at the private club.
They both got out of the car.
Charlotte walked straight to the trunk, opened it and took out her luggage. “Enjoy your time with your friend, sir. I’ll head back to New York now.”
She spoke pleasantly, pulling up her suitcase handle and preparing to leave.
Zarek placed his hand on her suitcase, staring at her silently for a moment before saying in a low voice, “This is my emotional issue.”
Charlotte smiled faintly. “Someone in your position can afford to snap at the whole world.”
“1
“1
Zarek felt the sting of her gentle rebuke. After another long silence, he said, “From now on, ‘the whole world‘ doesn’t include you.”
Charlotte stood there, feeling like a small stone had dropped into her heart.
This… wasn’t right…
12.02 G
The Moment I Let Go My Uncle: Escaping the Forbidden Past.
98.2%
Zarek put her luggage back in the car and walked toward the club.
Charlotte had no choice but to follow.
On a balcony extending from the fifth floor of the club stood an exceptionally tall man with an almost
exaggeratedly powerful build. His black shirt was unbuttoned so low his abs were visible.
He had handsome, rugged features, chiseled facial lines, and tan skin. He exuded a raw sensuality, his pheromones seemingly detectable from a hundred yards away.
Yet he wore a dress shirt and leather shoes, maintaining the image of a businessman.
He was leaning against the railing, smoking while watching the rather puzzling scene unfolding at the club entrance with great interest.
In all his life, he never thought he’d see Zarek Weasley yielding to a woman.
That look on his face… truly adorable.
He smirked to himself.
Seeing them enter, he put out his cigarette and went back inside.
Zarek and Charlotte entered the building.
The manager respectfully escorted them to the elevator. “Mr. Lowell is waiting for you on the fifth floor.”
“Mm,” Zarek acknowledged, stepping into the elevator.
Charlotte followed, positioning herself slightly behind and to his left.
They quickly reached the fifth floor.
Zarek walked directly toward the central private room.
As they approached the door, Charlotte spoke up. “Sir, I’ll wait outside.”
Zarek turned back. “There’s plenty of room inside.”
Clearly meaning: come in with me.
Charlotte: “…Alright.”
Zarek pushed the door open.
As soon as Charlotte entered, she saw an extremely handsome man sitting at a circular dining table in the spacious
room.
His chest muscles… well, he’d obviously put in the work.
Suddenly everything went dark.
98.4%
A large hand covered her eyes as her head and body were physically turned around. “Stop staring at the undernourished. Go wait over there,” Zarek said, giving her waist a gentle push.
Charlotte was mortified.
She’d seen him the moment they walked in–it wasn’t like she was deliberately looking
After making sure Charlotte had turned away and taken a seat, Zarek approached Yannis Lowell, his gaze frosty. “Button up your shirt.”
“I’m hot,” Yannis replied, grinning from ear to ear. “Aren’t you? All dressed up in your suit, shirt, and tie, buttoned up so properly. Take it off, cool down like me.”
“Why not just remove your skin? That would be even cooler.”
“So violent! Is your love gone already?”
From the sofa, Charlotte listened with bewilderment: What am I hearing? Are they…? Could they be…? What?
Impossible, impossible, she must be misinterpreting.
But as the saying goes, between two dominant personalities, one must yield.
If she had to choose between them… she narrowed her eyes, covering her forehead with distress, unable to accept
this scenario.
Back at the dining table, Yannis surrendered under Zarek’s icy stare, raising his hands. “Alright, alright, I’ll button up. Satisfied now? I’m spoiling you–how about a kiss?”
“Can you shut up for one minute?”
Zarek pulled out a chair and sat down.
How two people with such opposite personalities could be friends remained one of humanity’s unsolved mysteries.
Yannis buttoned his shirt three buttons higher, instantly appearing more respectable.
If he’d put on the jacket and tie he’d discarded on the sofa, he’d transform into the very image of a commanding CEO.
“Let’s eat first and talk while we dine,” he said, then glanced mischievously at Charlotte on the sofa. “Should we invite your… Ms. Whitmore to join us?”
Zarek: “Not necessary.”
Yannis: “You don’t care if she’s hungry?”
Zarek shot him a “shut your mouth” warning glare.
98 70%
Yannis was even more amused.
After all this time, it was still a secret crush.
After their banter, they ate and discussed business matters.
Finally, as if suddenly remembering something, Yannis asked, “About Ansonic Global–you’re really not going to relent?”
“Why are you suddenly interested in this?” Zarek responded coolly.
Hearing them mention the Grantham family, Charlotte perked up her ears.
Yannis leaned back in his chair. “Mrs. Grantham and my uncle’s wife are cousins.”
Zarek raised an eyebrow. “What a coincidence.”
Yannis: “Mrs. Grantham visited the Lowell family the day before yesterday. I assume it was about this matter.”
Zarek: “Oh? Is the Grantham family looking to the Lowells for financial assistance? Does your uncle’s wife call the shots in your family now?”
His tone carried a hint of mockery.
The Lowell family dynamics were complicated, and he knew some inside details.
The company was controlled by Yannis’s uncle, Richard Lowell.
The current “uncle’s wife” had previously been Richard’s mistress, who’d shown up pregnant at the Lowell household years ago. The original wife had been too weak–willed to prevent the mistress from taking over.
Later, the original wife and her five–year–old son died in a severe car accident, allowing the mistress to officially enter the family.
Reportedly, the original wife had been nine months pregnant at the time, just days away from giving birth.
Rumors suggested the current wife had arranged the accident, but police investigations found no evidence, and the matter was dropped.
Zarek knew these details so well because his mother always visited the grave of the deceased Lowell daughter–in–law whenever they came to Los Angeles, insisting the original wife had been killed by the mistress.
Yannis: “You don’t know that woman’s methods. She’s bought off and controls many people in the Lowell family. Ever since Grandmother threatened suicide to force Uncle to name me as heir, I’ve had several near–death experiences. My uncle seems to have awakened somewhat in recent years–just days ago he mentioned dreaming about my five–year–old cousin and the unborn baby.”
