Chapter 138 Frederick, Do You Have Any Shame
Charlotte looked pale.
Frederick reached out to touch her face.
She instinctively stepped back.
He lowered his hand. "You had surgery. Let me take care of you."
Charlotte listened quietly.
She looked at him blankly. "Mr. Hawkins, do I have to spell it out? I know you have feelings for me, but they're shallow. Every time something happens to Katherine, you rush to her without caring how I feel, even if I'm sad or on the operating table!"
As she spoke, a sharp pain hit her chest.
Still, she managed a smile. "Mr. Hawkins, I can't afford to like someone like you!"
Frederick stepped closer.
He gently held the back of her head, trying to kiss her, hoping to win her back.
At least, to remind her of their past love.
Charlotte was stunned.
In his tender embrace, she felt stiff, her heart aching to the point of numbness.
A surge of unexpected strength made her shove him away.
She sneered. "Frederick, do you have any shame? If you want a woman to sleep with, plenty would be willing, given your looks and status! You don't need to pester me."
Frederick's eyes darkened. "You think I just want to sleep with you?"
Charlotte's lips trembled as she mocked, "What else? You want to marry me?"
Frederick's breathing grew heavier.
He clenched his fists, and after a long pause, said wearily, "Charlotte, I never planned to get married. It's not that I'm playing with you, but marriage isn't in my life plan."
Charlotte lowered her eyes.
She smiled lightly. "Don't worry, I never planned to interfere in your life plan either."
With that, she moved to close the door.
Frederick stopped her.
He frowned slightly. "In my heart, you're more important than Katherine!"
Charlotte looked up, staring at him with a mix of shock and anger!
She repeated softly, as if hearing the funniest joke. "I'm more important than Katherine?"
Frederick's expression turned serious.
Charlotte's smile faded further. "I remember Katherine has a financial dispute you're handling. Frederick, you say I'm more important, then as the more important person, I ask you to drop your collaboration with her."
She smiled mockingly. "Can you do that?"
Frederick frowned.
He always kept his personal and professional life separate and would never let a woman interfere with his work.
He looked at her. "Can you make another request?"
Charlotte bent down, picked up the nourishments he brought, and threw them out the door.
She said coldly, "Another request then: get out! Frederick, never appear in front of me again. We're done."
Charlotte closed the door.
She leaned against it, still able to smell the tobacco scent from Frederick.
Once, she had loved lying in his arms.
She loved pressing against his neck, feeling his breath, the mix of tobacco and aftershave intoxicating her.
But now, she just wanted to stay away.
After a while, Lily returned, looking upset, likely having argued with Frederick downstairs.
Charlotte regained her composure.
She said, "Don't offend him for my sake. Robert and the Hawkins family have business dealings."
Lily put on a brave face.
In fact, she was heartbroken.
Charlotte slowly opened the lunch box and said softly, "Don't worry, I'll get over it."
Though the process was painful, it would pass.
Charlotte took a few days to recover before heading back to work.
Because of Ethan, she couldn't accept Mr. Lewis's funds, so she apologized to Bernice.
Bernice was understanding.
She patted Charlotte. "The world is big. If this doesn't work out, there's always the next! I have a dinner with some investors tonight. You should come along."
Charlotte was grateful for Bernice's understanding.
After a brief chat, she called Bella. "Mrs. Lewis, I'm sorry I can't work with Mr. Lewis anymore. But if Bella Lewis wants to learn from me, I'll teach her well."
Bella had heard the whole story from her husband, including the story of Ethan and Frederick.
She admired Charlotte's abilities, originally thinking she was difficult to get along with, but now seeing her politeness and independence from men, she felt a sudden liking for her.
She thought, 'Ms. Russell seems reliable, and while she relies on my husband, she needs her own investments too!'
But Bella was also shrewd; she needed to see Frederick's attitude.
If Frederick wanted to invest, she couldn't compete.
At eight in the evening, Charlotte attended the dinner with Bernice. She had just recovered and couldn't drink much.
But she had caused Bernice a lot of trouble, so how could she let Bernice drink for two?
Charlotte smiled lightly and drank half a glass of red wine.
The rich wine caused discomfort in her stomach, but she kept smiling.
"Alright, Ms. Russell, you can really hold your liquor!"
"Ms. Russell is great!"
"Pour another for Ms. Russell."
In the luxurious private room, under the crystal lights, the atmosphere was great.
Charlotte was made to drink nearly a whole bottle of red wine.
Her face turned unnaturally pale, and Bernice noticed, whispering, "Go to the restroom, I'll find an excuse to let you leave later."
Charlotte shook her head. "Let's leave together."
Bernice sighed softly.
She knew about Charlotte and Frederick; if Charlotte wanted, she could have anything.
But Charlotte didn't want to be a mistress.
Bernice felt both pity and admiration.
She was a master at social gatherings, easily creating a lively atmosphere. "Let Ms. Russell rest a bit. Mr. Jones, I'll drink this one with you."
Lester was the CEO of a six-star hotel.
He had met Charlotte and knew she was Frederick's "girlfriend."
When everyone was making Charlotte drink, he couldn't openly stop them, so he had secretly sent a message to Frederick, asking what was going on.
Charlotte went to the restroom.
Her stomach felt terrible, but she couldn't throw up.
She splashed cold water on her face, feeling much better.
But she was still drunk.
Seeing a tall figure in the restroom, she couldn't tell if it was real or a dream, so she stared, her eyes turning slightly red.
Frederick walked to her side, calmly washing his hands.
Charlotte didn't speak.
She leaned against the cold tiled wall, looking at him vulnerably.
Frederick washed his hands slowly.
They remained silent for a long time, and Charlotte finally confirmed he was real, that they had indeed run into each other.
She said nothing and turned to leave.
Frederick spoke softly behind her, "Charlotte, is this the life you want?"
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