Chapter 143 Charlotte, Are You Angry
Frederick didn't hold back in front of his elders.
Charlotte was genuinely mad.
She stood up gently and nodded at Laura. "Laura, I have to go."
Laura looked sad.
How did Frederick end up in a relationship? Wasn't he supposed to pamper Charlotte? Why start with a confrontation? He used to be so gentlemanly!
Laura softly said, "Frederick, see Charlotte off!"
Charlotte smiled slightly. "I drove here."
Frederick didn't push it.
He put down his cup. "There's a short meeting at the office tomorrow about the William case. You should know about it."
Charlotte asked, "Is my father attending, or...?"
She didn't want her father to go; it might upset him. Even though she knew Frederick had other motives, she had to attend it.
That was exactly what Frederick wanted.
He said calmly, "I'll be waiting for you at the office."
Charlotte left quickly.
Once she was gone, Laura complained, "Frederick, this won't work! You don't take a girl to the office for a date!"
Frederick smiled faintly.
The setbacks with Charlotte weren't something he'd share with Laura.
He stood up gracefully. "I'll see you home."
With his good looks and noble demeanor, many young girls glanced at him.
Laura felt both proud and sad. "Frederick, with your qualities, how are you still single?"
Chloe pouted, "It's Frederick's fault!"
Frederick stayed silent.
The next day at 2 PM, Charlotte arrived at Frederick's office.
Cherie greeted her. "Mr. Hawkins is still in an international video conference, Charlotte, please wait a moment."
She led Charlotte into Frederick's private reception room, made coffee, and then went back to her tasks.
Charlotte sipped her coffee, admiring the decor.
Frederick liked the postmodern art here, and the room was tastefully decorated. Suddenly, Charlotte noticed a vintage bronze art piece.
It was upside down.
Curious, she picked it up.
She regretted it after turning it over; it was a photo frame with a picture of a 24-year-old Frederick and a 22-year-old Katherine.
Charlotte quietly looked at it for a few seconds, then put it back.
A voice came from the doorway. "I put that there during the renovation and always forgot to throw it away."
Charlotte turned around.
Frederick stood at the door, dressed in a classic black and white suit, looking mature and handsome.
He walked over, picked up the photo frame, and looked at Charlotte, his voice gentle. "Are you upset?"
Charlotte dodged the question. "Mr. Hawkins, I'm here for my father."
"I see, no need to emphasize." Frederick tossed the photo frame into the trash, sat on the sofa, and opened the case file. "Miss Russell, let's begin!"
Charlotte was confused.
He had said there was a meeting last night, so why were they the only two here?
Frederick's gaze was intense. "Do you doubt my professional ability?"
How could Charlotte dare?
She had to listen to his professional jargon and case analysis.
She tried hard, but eventually, she really wanted to sleep.
"Miss Russell." Frederick looked serious. "Are you trying to sleep?"
He then said nonchalantly, "Last time, I saw you sleeping quite soundly on the sofa."
Charlotte was speechless, enduring until six o'clock.
She thought it was about time for Frederick to get off work.
As expected, Frederick closed the case file and said, "It's getting late. How about I treat you to dinner?"
Charlotte lightly declined, "Between us..."
"I still have some details to discuss. We can talk over dinner," Frederick insisted, watching her.
Charlotte couldn't really refuse. As long as he didn't push too far, she was willing to compromise for her father's case. Just as she was about to agree, a voice called from the doorway. "Frederick!"
Charlotte looked up.
It was Katherine.
Katherine, holding a document and dressed smartly, looked all business-like.
Charlotte admired her. Even with a cheating fiancé, Katherine could still chase after a man like this! Impressive!
Katherine softened her voice. "Frederick, I came to discuss my case. Am I interrupting?"
Charlotte took the chance to stand up. "Mr. Hawkins, you guys talk!"
As soon as she moved, Frederick grabbed her and stared at her.
After a long pause, he said quietly, "The wound on my forehead hasn't healed yet, Charlotte. Aren't you responsible?"
He asked Charlotte to wait in the reception room while he took Katherine to his office.
Frederick walked ahead, with Katherine following.
Suddenly, her gaze froze.
Katherine saw the photo frame in the trash can. It was a picture of her and Frederick during happier times, now discarded.
Katherine looked at Charlotte. "Did you throw it away?"
Charlotte didn't answer directly, "I don't destroy other people's things."
Katherine's face turned pale.
So it was Frederick who had thrown it away? How could he discard their shared memories?
Katherine's lips trembled, unwilling to accept this. She stared at Charlotte. "Miss Russell, do you think this will get you Frederick? Our past..."
Charlotte said coldly, "I'm not interested in your past! Miss Mitchell, if you can't let go, then wrap it up and keep it safe. Otherwise, your past might just slip away!"
Charlotte was practical. She might still mind Katherine's existence, but she and Frederick were over. No need to argue.
She took her bag and documents and left.
Charlotte got into her car, ready to start the engine when the door opened.
Frederick stood outside.
He looked at her and asked calmly, "Are you angry?"
Charlotte denied, "No!"
Frederick's gaze deepened. After a moment, he asked, "What do I have to do for you to be with me, or is there nothing I can do?"
Charlotte affirmed, "Yes!"
Frederick suddenly smiled.
"I've transferred Katherine's case to Mr. Wright. I won't have any professional contact with her anymore. Charlotte, she and I are in the past!"
Charlotte looked straight ahead.
She said expressionlessly, "Frederick, you'll never know how I felt lying on the operating table that night! Besides the pain, there was more humiliation!"
She shifted her gaze to him. "I got scared. I can't love you anymore!"
With that, tears welled up in Charlotte's eyes.
She gently pressed the gas pedal and left Frederick.
Actually, the problem between them wasn't Katherine. It was Frederick.
Because Frederick didn't love her, that night happened. If Charlotte had been the woman he deeply loved, how could he have left her?
Charlotte had loved Ethan and left heartbroken!
In her relationship with Frederick this time, she chose to protect herself.
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