Chapter 133: The Person Helping You Is Someone Else
Frederick noticed Ethan's defeated look and felt his anger ease a bit.
Holly brought over some coffee.
She'd known Frederick since he was a kid and cared about him a lot, so she asked, "Frederick, where's Ms. Russell? Why didn't you bring her back?"
Frederick paused, took a sip, and said, "It's late, she's already asleep."
Holly nodded, exchanged a glance with Laura, and left.
Laura asked a few more questions, but Frederick kept his answers vague, not letting her pry into his private life.
Ethan got the hint.
He smiled lightly, "Frederick, did you have a fight with Ms. Russell?"
Frederick put down his coffee.
He took on a stern tone, "Ethan, seems like the Cooper Group's issues aren't keeping you busy enough."
Ethan's face darkened.
Frederick lost his appetite and got up to go upstairs.
"Frederick!" Chloe called out. "You seem to have a bias against Ethan."
Frederick turned, his gaze cold as it fell on Ethan.
He snorted, "Really? I didn't notice! Maybe he knows why."
Ethan's expression grew darker, and he squinted at Frederick.
It was clear Frederick hadn't gotten what he wanted from Charlotte.
Used to women fawning over him, dealing with someone like Charlotte must've thrown him off.
Ethan remembered that day at the club when Frederick seemed indifferent, like he didn't care about Charlotte.
Frederick hadn't expected himself to take her seriously.
Ethan didn't bother with a heartbroken man.
He left Hawkins Mansion, and once in his car, he checked the calendar.
In two days, he'd see Charlotte.
He imagined her surprised look, her expression vivid and a bit cute.
Ethan gently stroked the steering wheel.
Charlotte got back from the hotel, drenched from the rain.
She went to her apartment, took a hot bath, and drank some vitamin C, feeling a bit better.
It was late, but she still had work to do. She sat on the sofa, tired, and opened her laptop to finish today's financial report.
Work helped her forget her worries.
But lying in bed late at night, she couldn't help but think of Frederick.
She remembered his tenderness and their night together.
Charlotte grabbed a pillow and covered her face, trying to stop thinking about him.
For the next two days, she had no contact with Frederick, but she saw news about him in the paper.
He'd won an international lawsuit, looking triumphant.
Flashlights were all on him, and even the female reporters looked at him with admiration.
But during the interview, his handsome face showed no expression.
The newspaper headline was sensational:
"Legal Elite with an Unbeaten Record!"
Charlotte held her water cup, slightly dazed.
She gently stroked the photo in the paper, seeing a side of Frederick she'd never seen before. She'd seen him unhappy, but that was a different kind of unhappiness, almost childish.
But Frederick in a suit, standing in the courtroom?
He was so sexy it made her legs weak!
Charlotte remembered Frederick's words. "Ms. Russell, who's taking advantage of whom, it's still uncertain!"
Looking at this photo, Charlotte agreed with him.
She hated herself for being so useless.
"What are you looking at?" Ms. Garcia leaned over, then smiled meaningfully. "Looks pretty strong! Charlotte, is he, you know, strong in that way, too?"
Ms. Garcia wasn't planning on getting married and was pretty open about dating and sex.
Charlotte begged her to stop teasing.
Ms. Garcia knew about her fallout with Frederick, so she dropped it.
Ms. Garcia said, "Charlotte, get ready for tonight's dinner with Mr. Lewis. Mrs. Lewis will be there too, so we need to impress her. If she likes us, the investment is a done deal."
Charlotte knew how important this dinner was.
Mr. Lewis was in his 30s, and Charlotte knew Mrs. Lewis wouldn't want the women around her husband to be too glamorous. She picked a professional outfit and tied up her golden hair, looking capable and confident.
She and Ms. Garcia went in the same car.
There would be drinking later, so one of them had to drive.
At the club, they met Mr. Lewis and his family.
Mr. Lewis was gentle and easygoing, Mrs. Lewis was kind and graceful, and even their child was charming.
Charlotte relaxed.
At dinner, Ms. Garcia discussed plans and the future with Mr. Lewis.
Charlotte took care of Mrs. Lewis and the child.
Mrs. Lewis liked Charlotte a lot and decided to have her child learn piano from her. When the contract was signed, Ms. Garcia was thrilled.
She stood up to toast Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, "This is our first startup, and we're lucky to have Mr. Lewis helping us."
Ms. Garcia drank it all in one go.
Mr. Lewis patted her shoulder and laughed, "The person helping you is someone else!"
Ms. Garcia and Charlotte were both stunned.
Someone else?
Who?
Mrs. Lewis spoke softly, "My husband was asked by someone. That person has always wanted to work with Ms. Russell but was afraid she'd refuse."
Charlotte figured it out.
Her expression changed slightly, but it wasn't the right time to lose her temper.
At that moment, the door to the private room opened.
Ethan walked in, dressed in a classic black and white suit, looking very handsome.
Ethan's gaze was deep. "Charlotte!"
Charlotte stood there holding her wine glass, forcing a smile. "So it's Mr. Cooper."
Ms. Garcia was afraid Charlotte might lose her cool.
Charlotte gently squeezed Ms. Garcia's hand, reassuring her.
She then turned to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, saying, "I have some personal matters to discuss with Mr. Cooper. Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Lewis, please excuse me. Ms. Garcia will be happy to entertain you."
Mr. Lewis felt a bit guilty.
Having done something wrong, he was naturally uneasy.
Charlotte walked out first.
Ethan smiled lightly and followed her out.
"Charlotte!" He called her name and said, "I just want to make it up to you! Please don't refuse me, okay?"
Ethan's tone was very gentle.
Ever since he realized what he had lost, he treated her differently.
He wanted to give her the best, but he didn't know if she still wanted it.
Charlotte stopped walking.
They looked at each other in the hallway.
She knew he might really like her now and wanted to please her, but it was too late. This kind of appeasement after breaking her heart was worthless to her.
Charlotte was calm. "Ethan, we ended a long time ago. Chloe is beautiful and pure; you should cherish her. Don't do things that make us both uncomfortable anymore."
Ethan lightly placed one hand in his pocket.
He smiled. "Charlotte, do you still think Frederick will marry you?"
Charlotte felt a stab in her heart.
She pressed her lips together. "This has nothing to do with Frederick!"
"Really?" Ethan took a step forward, closing in on her.
Without her noticing, he moved closer and trapped her between himself and the wall.
It was as if he was holding her in his arms.
Charlotte pushed against his shoulder, shouting, "Ethan, are you crazy?"
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