Chapter 49
The yacht set sail.
Charlotte and Rex returned to the deck.
Inside the cabin, Zarek was the center of attention, gracefully handling the flattery with occasional smiles. He showed no particular reaction to Olivia’s presence.
Tiago Amaral expertly created opportunities for his granddaughter.
Célia was remarkably bold, constantly finding ways to engage Zarek in conversation, practically wearing her
interest on her sleeve.
Zarek maintained polite cordiality toward her–neither cold nor overly warm.
Olivia stood beside him, and though she appeared composed, there was something beneath the surface… a forced
happiness.
Poor woman.
As a fellow woman, Charlotte could sense the bitterness behind Olivia’s smile.
She watched the dynamic from a distance, her eyes darting between the three of them like some CIA operative conducting surveillance.
Suddenly, Zarek glanced in her direction.
”
Charlotte froze.
Before she could hide, he caught her watching with undisguised interest.
The CEO narrowed his eyes, seemingly aware of exactly what she was thinking.
“Rex, would it be okay if I walk around the front?” she asked nervously, turning to him.
“Sure, go ahead. I’ll keep an eye on things here,” Rex readily agreed.
“Great. Call me if anything comes up.”
With that, Charlotte escaped on her heels as if she’d been granted a reprieve.
She made her way to an open area at the bow where two chairs had been placed and sat down.
The waves rolled beneath them, while distant city lights condensed into golden specks against the misty night.
She finally allowed herself to completely relax.
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Both physically and mentally.
After enjoying the sea breeze for a while, she retrieved her old phone from a hidden compartment in her bag,
She had turned it off after speaking with Summer and purchased a new phone with a new number for work purposes upon arriving in Portugal.
When she powered on the old device, she found over 100 missed calls…
Despite having it turned off for so long.
There were calls from unknown numbers, her parents, Summer, other friends, her former subordinates, and even business acquaintances.
She opened WhatsApp.
Summer had sent several messages. The earliest read: Don’t answer, don’t engage, don’t believe anything. It’s all
Issac!
An hour later, Summer had written: Charlotte, where are you?
Her parents had messaged: Where have you gone? Please come home!
Even Gloria was asking: Where are you?
It took her a long time to scroll through all the messages. It seemed like everyone in her life was concerned about
her whereabouts… Issac, you obsessive psycho!
She exhaled tiredly.
Exiting WhatsApp, she found countless text and voice messages.
They progressed from calm inquiries about her location to increasingly volatile outbursts of anger and emotional breakdowns. The most recent voice message had been sent just five minutes ago.
His voice was low and hoarse, incoherent and choked with emotion.
“Babe, I’m sorry. I know I screwed up… I’m a monster, I deserve to die, I’ve failed you… Please give me one more chance… You can punish me however you want, take my life if you need to… Go clear your head if you need to, I’ll be waiting at home… I only made one mistake, you can’t… you can’t give me a death sentence for that…”
She quickly turned off the phone again.
As if delaying one more second might allow the pitiful man on the other end to drag her back into the endless abyss.
Back in New York.
Issac sat on the lawn in front of their mansion, looking haggard with disheveled hair and stubble darkening his jaw.
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Empty bottles surrounded him, and the house behind him was dark.
He couldn’t bring himself to enter, couldn’t walk into a home without her.
He had searched for her all day, using every method at his disposal, but she had vanished without a trace… The fear of losing her was like a vine tightening around his throat.
He looked up at the moon with bloodshot eyes.
On the sea, Charlotte also raised her head.
It was a full moon night. The moonlight shone like a mirror, so bright it hurt her eyes. Slowly, the mirror’s surface seemed to splinter into countless cracks–just like their past that could never be made whole again.
Charlotte had lost track of how long she’d been sitting there.
Finally, Rex called, asking her to come to the second deck.
She got up and headed there.
The second level was purely for entertainment–swimming pool, karaoke room, home theater, card room, indoor golf… everything imaginable.
This floor was dedicated solely to leisure.
Rex told her they were playing Texas Hold’em in the card room.
Charlotte smiled knowingly. The wealthy certainly loved their high–stakes games.
They found a place to sit and picked up some desserts.
About an hour later, Zarek called and asked them to come in.
Charlotte and Rex immediately went over.
The card room was thick with cigar smoke. Wealthy players sat around the oval table–some grinning with triumph, others sulking in defeat. Chips were stacked across the table surface, a stunning dealer distributed cards, and servers continuously offered red wine, champagne, and cigars. Between calls of “check,” “raise,” and “fold,” the scene epitomized decadent luxury.
Zarek wasn’t smoking. A champagne flute stood near his hand, and his fresh appearance seemed to place him in a entirely different dimension from the others.
Judging by his chip stack, he was winning significantly.
Olivia, sitting beside him, appeared intoxicated, supporting her head with one hand, looking drowsy.
“Help Ms. Waldorf outside. She’s had too much to drink,” Zarek instructed evenly.
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Charlotte and Rex stepped forward to assist.
“I’m fine,” Olivia pushed their hands away.
They tried several times but were repeatedly rebuffed.
“Ms. Waldorf…”
Rex hesitated to touch her inappropriately. Charlotte, thinking her gender made it acceptable, placed an arm around Olivia’s waist to help her up.
“Where do you think you’re touching?!”
As if Charlotte had crossed some invisible boundary, Olivia violently pushed her away. Fortunately, Rex was there
to catch her.
Charlotte was startled by the reaction.
Everyone at the table turned to look.
Zarek’s expression cooled. He stood up, personally helped Olivia from her chair, and said simply, “Take over for
me.”
“…Of course.”
Charlotte maintained a composed facade.
In truth, she wasn’t even sure who he was addressing.
But since Rex didn’t respond, she did.
Zarek escorted Olivia out of the card room.
Rex gave Charlotte a worried glance, thinking she had never handled a situation like this before and should let him
take over.
Before he could speak, Charlotte had already gracefully taken the seat.
She glanced at her hole cards, then at the community cards.
Avoiding losses would be simple–just fold repeatedly. But she was representing Zarek, and constantly backing down would diminish his reputation.
Guaranteeing wins, however… that was impossible.
She quickly formulated a strategy.
Outwardly calm and collected, she gave the impression of an experienced player.
She played for about half an hour.
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Initially, she was cautious–checking, folding, calling, raising only with good hands, and betting moderate amounts to avoid drawing attention. After playing a while, she grew holder, making larger bets. After winning several hands, she became increasingly confident. When she saw a potential royal flush, she almost went all–in, causing Rex to frantically try to restrain her from behind….
Good lord, if you lose this, selling yourself to the CEO wouldn’t cover the debt!
He asked you to substitute, not get carried away!
“Miss Whitmore, perhaps you should check on the CEO. I’ll take over,” Rex said with a strained smile.
“No-”
“That wasn’t a suggestion. Go!”
He firmly cut her off.
Charlotte finally stood, looking regretfully at her cards.
As she left the room, several wealthy men followed her figure with appreciative gazes. They hadn’t expected someone so strikingly beautiful and curvaceous to play so boldly. The prospect of getting her number and perhaps enjoying an intimate encounter brightened their moods despite their losses.
Just a pretty secretary–surely Zarek wouldn’t mind sharing.
Charlotte exited the card room.
Recalling Rex’s words, she couldn’t help but smile… The CEO was alone with Olivia right now–only a fool would interrupt.
She knew it was just an excuse to get her away from the table.
Grabbing a bottle of water, she drank while heading toward the stairs to the third deck. Her head felt fuzzy, and she
wanted some fresh air.
Stepping onto the third–level deck, she approached the circular sofas. As she turned the corner, she unexpectedly glimpsed what appeared to be two people kissing–Zarek with his back to her, Olivia on tiptoes with her arms
around his neck…
Oh my GOD-!!
Charlotte choked on her water in shock.
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