Chapter 168 Frederick Didn't Come Home Late at Night
Stepping out of the study, Frederick pulled Charlotte close. He held her in his arms without saying a word. Charlotte felt somewhat aggrieved.
But it was New Year, and they were at his house, so she couldn't throw a tantrum.
She leaned on his shoulder, inhaling the pleasant scent of his aftershave, and asked softly, "How late will you be back?"
Frederick had to go to the office later. Katherine's husband's lawyer was waiting for negotiations.
Frederick thought for a moment and said, "I'll be back before dinner! I'll come back to have dinner with you, and then we'll go back to the apartment together. Charlotte, this won't affect our lives."
Charlotte forced a smile.
In the afternoon, Frederick left with Patrick.
Laura had originally planned to take the two kids out, but now she wasn't in the mood.
The atmosphere at Hawkins Mansion was a bit oppressive.
Charlotte waited from daytime until evening, but Frederick didn't come back.
He did call, telling her to have dinner first and then let the driver take her back to the apartment. He said he'd be back later.
Charlotte didn't ask what time.
When it came to Katherine, she always had a bit of pride and dignity.
At 8 PM, when Charlotte was leaving with the little white dog, Laura was particularly apologetic.
Charlotte smiled lightly. "It's okay!"
But she knew in her heart that the whole day had been nothing but bitterness.
She got into the car.
The driver didn't start the car immediately; instead, the back door was pulled open.
Ethan appeared in the night.
The driver was very perceptive. He could tell that Ethan had something to do with Charlotte, so he kept quiet, knowing it would be beneficial.
Ethan held onto the car roof and looked at Charlotte. "I have something to say to you."
Charlotte was already in a bad mood and didn't want to deal with him at all.
Ethan grabbed her arm and forcefully dragged her out of the car.
The night wind was strong.
Charlotte stared at him intently. Ethan lit a cigarette, and as the smoke rose, he looked at her. "Even now, you still want to be with him? This kind of international divorce case can drag on for two years. Do you want to watch Frederick keep interacting with his old flame? Katherine cuts her wrist, and Frederick has to go to the hospital. Charlotte, is this the kind of relationship you want? Is this the kind of grievance you want to endure?"
These words were harsh, and Charlotte disliked Ethan. But what he said was absolutely right!
Charlotte's tone was calm. "Ethan, whether I'm doing well or not has nothing to do with you!"
Ethan suddenly slammed the car roof!
The driver was startled.
In the night, Ethan's face looked terrifying. He questioned her, "Charlotte, am I just inhumane in your heart? Have you ever thought that I also want you to be happy?"
Ethan was probably too agitated. His fingers holding the cigarette were trembling. "Get rid of the nonsense in your head. Being with Oliver would be a hundred times better than being with him!"
Charlotte's face turned pale.
Ethan stared at her quietly, then suddenly spoke very softly and gently, "Charlotte, maybe give me another chance! I won't let you down again."
Charlotte got into the car.
She sat in the back seat and said calmly, "Ethan, it's too late!"
After speaking, she instructed the driver to drive.
The driver responded and gently pressed the gas pedal.
On the way, Charlotte didn't say a word, but the young driver couldn't help but say, "Miss Russell, don't worry. I won't talk about what happened tonight!"
Charlotte didn't respond. She didn't seem to care that much anymore!
She returned to Frederick's apartment, set up a bed for the little white dog, and then waited for Frederick to come back!
Charlotte waited until midnight, but he still hadn't returned.
The night was quite silent.
Only the little white dog circled around her feet, going back and forth.
Charlotte sat in front of the piano, playing over and over again. She played all the pieces she could remember, but Frederick still hadn't come back.
The little white dog was so tired it lay down at her feet.
Charlotte sat at the piano, with the unbeatable night view of Syeattel in front of her.
But she felt extremely oppressed.
She examined this relationship and realized she had no way out long ago.
Frederick didn't come back all night.
In the morning, Charlotte left the apartment with the little white dog and returned to her own home.
Frederick came back later and called her. Charlotte held the phone, not knowing what to say. Frederick was probably very busy; after a few words, he got another call and had to hang up.
Just like that, they didn't see each other for several days.
At this time, there was problem with the music studio.
Bernice invited Charlotte to her office for coffee alone. Charlotte noticed that Bernice didn't look well and couldn't help but express some concern.
"Charlotte, I have stomach cancer," Bernice told her softly.
Charlotte was holding a coffee cup, and upon hearing this, she blinked lightly. Then, tears started to fall.
She didn't wipe them away but asked very softly, "Have you had a follow-up?"
"I have. I've been to the best hospitals here and abroad! Charlotte, I want to go to Vienner to recuperate. I don't want to give my shares to anyone else. If possible, I'd like you to take over. I don't have any other requirements, just to break even!"
Bernice held Charlotte's hand.
Charlotte put down the coffee cup. Her fingers were trembling. After a long time, she said, "I'll go to Vienner with you!"
Bernice shook her head. She had always been strong, and even now, she had her wishes.
This music studio was built by her and Charlotte. She was ill, but she hoped Charlotte could keep it going.
Bernice said a lot.
Charlotte couldn't afford it at the moment because buying Bernice's shares would cost about $3 million. She didn't want to take this money from Frederick!
In the evening, she went to William's place for dinner. Maria noticed she was in a bad mood and expressed some concern.
Charlotte talked about Bernice's illness and the music club. William then asked Maria, "How much do we have left? Give it to Charlotte to use!"
Maria went to the room and counted.
They had a few hundred thousand dollars, but there was still a big gap.
Maria was quite resourceful in this regard. She said, "Bernice has had it tough. This music studio was also built through your efforts. How about this? Your dad and I can sell this apartment for around $6 million. We don't need such a big place; a 900-square-foot one will be enough for us."
Charlotte refused.
William finally decided, "Let's do as Maria says!"
Charlotte felt very guilty, but Maria said softly, "You are our only child, Charlotte. If we don't give it to you, who else would we give it to?"
The apartment was in a prime location, and many people wanted to buy it. In less than three days, it was sold.
The Russell family moved into a smaller apartment, and Maria handed $4 million to Charlotte. "Give this to Bernice, and remember to send a gift. She has taken good care of you over the years!"
Charlotte nodded. She couldn't help but say, "When the money comes back, I'll buy you a bigger house."
Maria laughed. "Your dad and I will be waiting for you!"
Charlotte still had some money of her own.
She arranged to meet Bernice at a café. In just a few days, Bernice had lost a lot of weight.
She still wanted to order coffee. Charlotte stopped her. "You're not well; you can't drink coffee!"
Bernice smiled.
Charlotte pushed a check towards her, totaling $3.5 million, with an additional $500,000 as a gesture from Charlotte.
Bernice refused to accept it.
Charlotte gently held her hand. "I'll wait for you to come back!"
She would hold onto the shares for now, and when Bernice returned, she would transfer them all back to her.
Bernice didn't have many relatives, nor did she have a husband or children. She originally had no attachments.
Hearing Charlotte's words, she scolded, "You bad kid, I was thinking of finding a handsome guy abroad and not coming back. But here you are, using the music studio to tie me down!"
Though they were laughing, both felt sad.
With late-stage stomach cancer, how much time was left?
Who knew what it would be like when they met again since this farewell?
Charlotte felt particularly oppressed!
She had a meal with Bernice, as a sort of farewell, but she hadn't expected to run into Frederick there.
Counting the days, they hadn't seen each other for almost a week. Even their phone calls were brief!
Seeing each other now, it was inevitable to feel emotional!
Frederick wasn't alone; he was with Cherie and two other unfamiliar men.
Charlotte knew he was discussing business, so she just nodded lightly to him as greetings.
She was about to send Bernice home. Bernice refused, shaking her head gently.
She was a shrewd and capable person, and she could see the estrangement between Charlotte and Frederick at a glance. She smiled faintly. "I'll just take a cab."
Charlotte had no choice but to hail a cab for her and watched her get in.
In the night, Bernice's thin figure disappeared inside the taxi.
Charlotte felt sad and stood alone in the dark for a long time.
"Charlotte."
Charlotte turned around and saw Frederick standing under the streetlight.
He looked noble and elegant, even the brightest light couldn't overshadow him.
After a long time, Charlotte slowly asked, "Finished with your meeting?"
Frederick nodded lightly.
He took the car keys from her hand and said gently, "You don't look well. I'll drive."
Charlotte didn't object.
Once in the car, he asked her, "Go back to my place?"
Charlotte leaned back in the seat, feeling a bit tired. "The little white dog is at my place. I'll take you home."
Frederick sensed her coldness and frowned slightly.
But he didn't show any displeasure. Instead, he said considerately, "Then we'll stay at your place tonight. You rest, and I'll take the dog for a walk."
Charlotte didn't object.
She thought, 'If I object, it would make me seem petty and overly concerned.'
Frederick seemed eager to talk to her and casually asked, "You had dinner with Bernice? She didn't look well."
Charlotte nodded and explained the situation.
When she finished, Frederick stopped the car at the intersection, where the light was red.
He looked ahead and said softly, "Why didn't you tell me you needed money?"
Charlotte lowered her eyes. "Frederick, I don't really want to spend your money right now."
There was a silence in the air.
After a long time, he asked, "Is it because you don't feel secure?"
Charlotte didn't answer his question.
She didn't actually regret it. Those nights were too intense, too heartwarming, and she had easily agreed to him! She had accepted this relationship with all her courage.
Now, the courage was still there, but she felt doubt.
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