Chapter 119: It's Your Choice Whom You Associate with.
After hanging up, Charlotte sat in a daze for a while. How could she be indifferent? Impossible! They had a passionate relationship, and he had pampered her. She liked him too.
She was about to start the car when Frederick called. She answered softly, "Frederick."
Frederick, momentarily stunned by her gentle voice, realized he hadn't seen much of her for almost a week. When he came home, she was asleep; when he left, she was still asleep.
"Where are you?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
"I'm about to head home," she replied.
"I'll be home for dinner later. Can you make something?" he asked.
After a brief pause, she agreed. Hanging up, she felt a mix of emotions. Given their current situation, asking her to cook seemed unnecessary.
Charlotte went to the store for groceries. At the checkout, some young people handed her newspapers, excitedly promoting the latest tabloid. She stuffed them into her shopping bag without much thought.
At home, she found the front pages were all about Frederick and Katherine's scandal. They had met at the Lumina banquet. Katherine, in a black evening gown, clutched Frederick's coat, her eyes red from crying but still stubbornly staring at him. The camera caught Frederick's face, showing both hatred and pity.
Charlotte stared at the photo for a long time. When she snapped out of it, she felt stiff and sore. Blinking gently, she reminded herself her feelings for Frederick were still new and controllable. She tossed the newspapers aside and started cooking.
Frederick liked slightly sour food but had a delicate stomach. She made Key Lime Pie, Gumbo, and Pot Roast. By the time she finished, it was almost 7 PM, and he still hadn't come back.
Just as she was about to call him, Frederick called. "Charlotte, I won't be home for dinner tonight. I have a social engagement. I'll be home later."
"Make sure someone else drives you if you've been drinking," she said calmly.
After a pause, he agreed, "Okay."
Charlotte stared at the table full of food for a long time before slowly sitting down to eat alone. She packed the leftovers to feed the dog downstairs.
Frederick came back around 10:30 PM. He saw Charlotte in the small garden, squatting under a tree, feeding a little white dog. He knew she often did this but had never seen it himself.
The early autumn night was a bit chilly, so she wore a baseball jacket over her shirt. It was his jacket, oversized, making her look petite and delicate.
Frederick stayed by the car, lit a cigarette, and watched her. He saw Charlotte petting the dog and admiring the flowers, but she didn't seem sad.
After a while, she petted the dog again and went upstairs. Frederick walked over to the tree and looked around. Tonight, she had made Key Lime Pie. The food meant for him was now in the dog's stomach. The dog barked at him furiously.
Back in the apartment, Charlotte had a new message. Lily had sent a 30-second video. In a private room at an upscale club, seven or eight people from their circle were playing around, including Frederick and Katherine. Frederick reclined on the sofa, smoking, while Katherine sat beside him, playing poker. After losing a hand, she turned to Frederick and said something, making him smile lightly. The video ended.
Charlotte knew Lily meant well and smiled helplessly. Just as she was about to delete the video, the door lock clicked open. Frederick appeared, wearing the same clothes as in the video, meaning he had met Katherine tonight.
Charlotte looked at him calmly. Frederick changed his shoes and glanced at the dining room. "I've already eaten," she said faintly. Frederick nodded, sat at the dining table, and casually asked for spaghetti. Then he noticed the newspapers in her hand, all about his scandal with Katherine.
Charlotte explained, "I went to buy groceries, and someone stuffed these into my bag." Frederick put down the newspaper, remembering how she looked downstairs, seemingly unbothered. Even though he was involved in a scandal, he wanted to provoke her.
"Don't you want to ask?" he sneered.
Charlotte, uncomfortable, lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. "Mr. Hawkins, I won't meddle in your personal affairs. It's your choice whom you associate with."
Frederick lit a cigarette and smirked.
Charlotte continued, "Whether I care is up to me."
Frederick thought she had grown a backbone. She was sharp-tongued and wouldn't back down. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he told her to cook.
Still wearing his jacket, Charlotte went to the bedroom to change before cooking. While she cooked, Frederick watched her. She had a great figure, standing straight, her golden hair tied up, revealing a tender neck and long legs. He felt aroused.
He was about to go to the kitchen when Charlotte's phone on the dining table lit up. It was a message from Lily. The kitchen exhaust fan was too loud, so Charlotte didn't hear it. Frederick picked up her phone and saw the video Lily had sent earlier—the video of him meeting Katherine tonight.
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