Chapter 142 The Relative's Kid
Charlotte was floored.
Ms. Garcia chuckled, "So it really is his relative's kid!"
Charlotte asked a few more questions.
The receptionist stammered, "The child's mother brought her. She's a pretty girl."
Charlotte hung up and looked at Ms. Garcia.
Ms. Garcia, who rarely gossiped, said, "Think it's a kid Frederick had in his twenties? Maybe he's trying to mess with you since you two are having issues?"
Charlotte replied, "He's not that petty." Then she paused.
Since when did she know Frederick so well?
"I'll go check it out," Charlotte said, heading to the small reception room with Ms. Garcia trailing behind, curious.
As soon as she opened the door, Charlotte was floored again.
Laura and Chloe were sitting on the sofa.
Charlotte forced a smile and sat opposite them. "Laura, what brings you here?"
Laura looked sad.
She'd worried a lot about Frederick, but he was disappointing. She had heard he and Charlotte had a big fight and separated, so she had to step in.
Laura spoke softly, "Frederick told me you set up a music studio. I've always wanted to see it, and it's lovely!"
She pulled Chloe closer. "Chloe's not into music, so I thought I'd send her here to spark some interest."
Chloe thought, 'Mom, I passed the level 10 piano exam when I was 10, okay?'
Laura ignored her.
She looked at Charlotte even more gently. "Charlotte, you won't stop seeing me because of Frederick, will you?"
Charlotte exchanged a glance with Ms. Garcia.
Ms. Garcia was just there for the show and had no intention of intervening.
Charlotte had to handle it herself. She said politely, "Laura, we only accept kids under 16 here."
Chloe eagerly said, "I'm a kid too."
She clung to Charlotte. "Charlotte, just consider me 5 years old."
Charlotte was floored again.
Ms. Garcia patted her shoulder and left, unable to hold back her laughter.
Charlotte watched her leave, then turned back to Laura and Chloe, struggling to say, "Frederick and I have already broken up."
Laura blinked gently. "I'm just here for Chloe to learn piano."
Charlotte felt helpless and finally agreed.
Laura paid the tuition and had the driver send over some expensive supplements. She said softly, "I know Frederick has a bad temper. You've been wronged!"
Charlotte hesitated but decided to spill everything.
She said, "Actually, it's not what you think between me and him. We..."
Chloe blinked gently. She immediately said, "I see, you two haven't reached the point of getting married yet!"
She glanced at Charlotte, thinking she must be silly. How could she tell Laura the truth about her and Frederick's physical relationship? No matter how open-minded Laura was, she'd have some thoughts about it, right?
Charlotte was taken aback.
Chloe clung to her again. "No matter what, you're mine today! I want to eat French cuisine and hang out with you."
Chloe was being mischievous, and Laura didn't intervene.
She smiled. "Charlotte, I'll leave Chloe in your care."
Chloe said charmingly, "Charlotte, let's have French cuisine together!"
Charlotte really wanted to call Frederick to take Chloe away, but Chloe ended up staying at the music studio all day.
In the evening, Chloe dragged Charlotte to a French restaurant.
Laura joined them, elegantly sipping red wine and watching the two girls chat with a smile.
Chloe kept talking, "Charlotte, you probably don't know, Katherine's fiancé, the big producer in Novaria, hooked up with a young model while she was back home. It's really karma."
Charlotte frowned slightly.
If Katherine's fiancé had cheated, why didn't she go back to Novaria?
Chloe flicked her hair and smiled. "She's confident! Among us, she's the most capable. She believes she has her fiancé under control and thinks cheating is just common for men. She stays in Syeattel because she wants to..."
Chloe hesitated.
But Charlotte knew what she meant.
Katherine not only wanted to marry her fiancé in Novaria but also wanted Frederick.
Charlotte said nothing, slowly sipping her water.
Chloe realized she had said something wrong and held Charlotte's hand. "I'm sorry! Charlotte, forget I said anything!"
Charlotte looked at the innocent and lovely Chloe and remembered what she had said to Frederick last time.
She had said a life for a life.
Charlotte felt guilty and said softly, "Chloe, I'm sorry."
Chloe was confused.
Charlotte smiled faintly and didn't explain.
When they had almost finished eating, Charlotte was about to pay the bill, but as soon as she stood up, a long finger pressed down on the luxurious dining table.
Charlotte looked up in surprise and saw Frederick.
He was particularly striking tonight, wearing dark gray trousers and a sweater, with a black thin coat over it.
He looked noble and elegant. With his deep and chiseled features, he was the focus of the entire restaurant.
Frederick's voice was slightly hoarse. "I've already paid."
Charlotte's lips moved slightly. "Thank you."
She felt it was time to leave, but Frederick said, "I'm here to pick up my mother. I haven't eaten yet. Ms. Russell, do you mind if I have a bite?"
His tone was composed, hinting at a sense of propriety rather than pleading.
Charlotte couldn't refuse out of courtesy, so she forced a smile. "Mr. Hawkins, please help yourself."
Frederick glanced at her.
Then he didn't ask for another set of utensils but drank Charlotte's water directly.
Laura smiled.
Charlotte's face was burning. "Mr. Hawkins, let me get you a set of utensils."
He looked at her. "No need. I don't mind."
Frederick had been busy all day and was genuinely hungry.
He ate quickly but still elegantly.
Charlotte counted the time, always thinking of an excuse to leave. Even if she was slow, she knew this was a trap set by Frederick.
What did he mean?
Hurt her deeply, then give her a benefit to appease her? What did he think Charlotte was?
But Charlotte felt powerless. The Hawkins family was very powerful, and she couldn't afford to offend him unless she didn't want to stay in Syeattel.
"Ms. Russell, looking at me like that will give me the wrong idea." Frederick wiped his lips.
Charlotte didn't want to engage. "You're overthinking it!"
Frederick took another sip of water, his gaze more intense than before, but his words were still unpleasant. "Really? Perhaps I thought Ms. Russell hated me out of love."
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