Chapter 197 Frederick, I want to see you!
Elijah left, and Charlotte was alone for a while.
By the time she got to the party, she had already composed herself.
Brian sidled up to her. "That old man came looking for you again? Is he broke and wants you to take care of him?"
Charlotte picked up a glass of champagne. "This is a formal event. Don't bring that up!"
Brian snorted. "I'm just worried about you!"
Charlotte knew he just wanted to get back at Frederick. She wasn't naive enough to think a rich guy was into her.
But since she took $2 million from Charles, she had to look after him.
Charlotte mingled with Brian, keeping it classy, and Brian behaved himself.
In the distance, Charles and Patrick were chatting.
Charles chuckled. "Patrick, my $2 million was well spent. In just over a month, Brian has completely changed!"
Patrick agreed. "I see our Charlotte has matured too. When a girl meets someone younger, her maternal instincts kick in, right?"
He laughed.
Charles's face stiffened. "Our Charlotte?"
Patrick looked surprised. "Charles, you didn't know? Charlotte almost married Frederick. They're just having some minor issues and are still working things out!"
Charles thought, 'Charlotte is amazing, but can Brian compete with Frederick? He's a tough guy in the legal world and gets what he wants!'
Charles worried for Brian but kept his cool. "Chasing a girl is all about one's own abilities!"
Patrick raised his glass.
Just then, Frederick arrived.
Frederick came uninvited, and his presence drew many glances.
Charlotte turned and saw him.
She wore a pure white gown.
He wore a classic black and white suit.
They stared at each other across the crowd. For a moment, it felt like everyone else disappeared, and all sounds stopped.
Frederick slowly approached and stood in front of her. "Congratulations!"
Charlotte was stunned.
Brian, beside her, looked unhappy, as he found his boss struggling with old feelings.
He nudged her, and Charlotte snapped back to reality.
Frederick smiled gently.
He knew that no matter what they went through, no matter how much she hated him, Charlotte always liked his appearance. Her eyes couldn't lie!
Frederick handed over a gift.
He said softly, "Charlotte, I won't miss your important day in the future."
In front of everyone, Charlotte didn't want to lose her composure.
Many people were already watching.
She handed the gift to Brian and said calmly, "Mr. Hawkins, you're exaggerating. Our relationship doesn't warrant such words! Since you're here as a guest, enjoy yourself!"
She nodded slightly at him and went to socialize with Brian.
Frederick just watched her, seeing her talk and socialize with others, even dance. Occasionally, their eyes would meet, but she would quickly look away.
Throughout the evening, Charlotte performed perfectly!
But only she knew how fragile she really was.
She drank until she was slightly tipsy.
At the end, she was in the restroom, washing her face with cold water.
Brian leaned outside, playing on his phone, and teased her, "When Frederick showed up, your look changed. Is he that great? If he's so great, why did you break up with him?"
Charlotte came out.
Her voice was cold. "My personal matters are none of your business!"
Brian sneered and followed her. "I don't care. I just worry when I see you like that. What? You don't even dare to like anyone anymore since you got hurt so bad? You are 25 and your life is still boring. Don't tell me you plan to live alone forever!"
Charlotte stopped in her tracks.
Her whole body stiffened.
Only Brian saw through her. Yes, after Frederick, Charlotte didn't dare to love anymore. Everyone thought she would fall for Oliver, but she didn't. She simply didn't dare to love anymore!
She wasn't as carefree as she thought!
Charlotte didn't let Brian drive her; she was ready to leave and saw Frederick downstairs.
He was leaning against his car, smoking.
Under the streetlight, he was still dazzling, but Charlotte couldn't handle it anymore.
She called for a taxi.
While waiting, Frederick put out his cigarette and walked over, frowning. "Where's Brian? Why isn't he driving you?"
Charlotte put down her phone.
She stared at the music fountain and softly said, "Frederick, can you let me go? For you, a breakup is just a bump in the road. But I'm just an ordinary person. I can't handle another round of this. No matter how serious you are now, or claim to be, I can't take it. Understand? I can't handle someone like you!"
Frederick's hand froze mid-air.
Charlotte's eyes reddened. "People like you treat marriage like a game, putting an engagement ring on my finger and pretending to love me. If I married you, I'd find out in a few years that my husband doesn't love me. You like my body, my company, but how long can I stay young? You say you love me now. Why should I believe you? So, let's just leave it at that."
Just then, the taxi arrived. Charlotte opened the door and got in.
Frederick stood alone in the night, his heart sinking.
He realized winning Charlotte back was harder than he thought, and he began to feel anxious.
Charlotte returned to her small apartment.
She didn't want to think about Frederick anymore. She decided to push him out of her life and learn to ignore him.
For the next week, Frederick didn't disturb her, didn't call, and didn't park outside her apartment.
Charlotte thought they were done.
On Saturday night, just as she got home, the doorbell rang.
Charlotte went to open the door.
Outside stood Bradley, looking unwell and exhausted.
Charlotte closed the door and made him a cup of water. "What's wrong? Did something happen to Lily?"
Bradley sat on the small sofa.
They weren't really close, only getting to know each other because of Lily.
Bradley held the cup and spoke softly, "Lily is pregnant."
Charlotte was surprised but not entirely shocked.
Bradley looked at her, knowing she had just started to have a few good days, but he had no choice but to come to her for help. "Robert refuses to divorce! And Tina's child isn't his, which works in his favor. He won't let go, and the divorce can't happen anytime soon."
Charlotte was stunned.
Bradley took out a cigarette, asked for permission, and then lit it, taking a deep drag. "Lily's belly can't wait! The baby is over three months old!"
He didn't say much, but Charlotte got it.
If the divorce didn't happen, Lily's reputation would be ruined, and Bradley wouldn't be able to explain to his family, given it was already hard to accept for the Lawsons.
Charlotte went into the kitchen to refill Bradley's water.
She knew why Bradley had come. Frederick was the top lawyer in the country, with the means and connections. If he intervened, the divorce could happen.
Charlotte spoke softly, "Don't you have some connection with him?"
Bradley gave a bitter smile.
He did have some connection with Frederick, but recently it had been hard to even see him. His secretary always said Frederick was on a business trip or in a meeting.
Bradley was a smart man. After a few times, he guessed that Frederick wanted Charlotte to come to him.
Bradley spoke hoarsely, "Lily doesn't know I came. With her temper, she'd rather abort the baby than trouble you! This time, I'm being selfish. Charlotte, I'm begging you!"
Charlotte returned to the living room.
Bradley's eyes were slightly red, and he looked extremely dejected, barely holding on.
Charlotte had seen Bradley in high spirits, seen him frivolously mingling with women, but this was the first time she saw him like this.
She thought vaguely, Lily has met a good man.
She didn't speak, and Bradley got up and knelt in front of her.
"Bradley! Get up!"
Charlotte tried to help him up, but Bradley wouldn't rise, choking on his words. "Charlotte, as long as the baby is born safely, I'll do anything you ask. Even if you want all my property, I won't hesitate. I'll work hard to support my wife and child."
Charlotte pulled him up.
She said softly, "Why would I want your property? Aren't you going to support your child?"
Bradley looked at her, somewhat hopeful.
Charlotte forced a smile. "I promise you. I'll go ask him!"
Bradley wanted to say something more.
But Charlotte made him leave. "Take good care of Lily, and don't tell her you came!"
Bradley left.
Charlotte took a beer from the fridge and slowly drank it.
The night wind was cold, and the beer was icy.
When she woke up in the night, her face was covered in tears.
Later, she sat on the balcony all night, and when she came to her senses, the golden, dazzling sunlight was rising, illuminating the whole earth.
Charlotte lowered her head and gently dialed Frederick's number. "Frederick, I want to see you."
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