Chapter 213 Proposal: Meeting Elijah
Lily didn't take it seriously either.
Charlotte went to the bathroom, still feeling unwell, and dry-heaved a couple of times.
Just then, an old acquaintance showed up—it was Tina, who had been missing for a while.
Tina was alarmingly thin but decked out in jewelry. She sneered at Charlotte, "What a coincidence!"
Charlotte looked at her in the mirror, straightened up, and wiped her hands. "Yeah, quite a coincidence! Here for a meal?"
Tina felt uneasy.
Since the Turner family found out the truth, Robert dumped her and the kid. She tried to get back into the piano scene, but no one wanted her, and she couldn't find a decent guy to rely on.
Now she was just scraping by.
Tina was jealous of Charlotte; she knew Charlotte's business was thriving and that she was accepted by the Devereux family.
Andrew Devereux was a man many women wanted to marry.
Rumor had it he spoiled Charlotte to no end!
Tina's mouth twisted. "You won't be smug for long!"
Charlotte didn't argue; she just asked, "What about the child?"
Tina's face twisted. "He was sent to an orphanage!"
'An orphanage?'
Charlotte knew what that meant—it meant Tina had disowned her own child.
Tina's heart was truly ruthless!
Tina's heart trembled, but she tried to look indifferent. She touched up her makeup in the mirror, but the powder was patchy and looked like it was about to fall off, so she applied even more.
Finally, Tina gritted her teeth. "That's his fate! Who told him not to be Robert's child!"
Charlotte didn't know what to say.
At that moment, a man with yellow teeth and a big gold chain came out of the men's restroom. Seeing Tina, he put his arm around her and joked, "How many times have you been to the bathroom? Got a weak bladder?"
Tina played along, exchanging a few flirtatious words. But as they left, her face looked grim.
Whether life was good or bad, only the person living it knew.
Charlotte sighed. She wanted to tell Lily about it, but just thinking about the yellow teeth made her nauseous again. She held onto the sink and dry-heaved for a long time before looking up, feeling miserable.
She was a mature woman, and even if she was careless, she sensed something was wrong.
Her period was about 10 days late.
Charlotte gently placed her hand on her lower abdomen. 'Am I pregnant? Is it Frederick's child?'
Charlotte's face turned pale.
She recalled that it might have been one night when he suddenly got horny.
She was half-asleep and unprepared.
He seemed to have forgotten protection!
Lily came over, holding her stomach. Seeing Charlotte's dazed look, she guessed immediately and asked hoarsely, "What are you going to do?"
Charlotte washed her face vigorously. "My stomach doesn't feel well. I'm going to the hospital."
In the afternoon, Charlotte went to the hospital, registered, and had a blood test.
Half an hour later, the result came out as she expected—she was 6 weeks pregnant.
Charlotte sat in the long hospital corridor, gently stroking her lower abdomen. There really was a child inside, her and Frederick's child.
Despite it being an accident, Charlotte wanted to keep it.
And she wanted to tell Frederick. The child belonged to both of them, and no matter what happened between the adults, she had no reason to let the child be without a father or mother.
Charlotte dialed Frederick's number.
The phone rang a few times before he answered, his voice gentle. "What's up?"
Charlotte's throat tightened. She whispered, "Frederick, I'm pregnant."
There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, probably because he was surprised, but Frederick quickly recovered. "Wait for me there. I'll be right over."
Charlotte responded with a hum.
After hanging up, she looked at the test result for a long time.
Frederick arrived in less than half an hour.
As he approached her, he slowed his steps, his deep gaze fixed on her. His eyes were different from usual, purely gentle.
Charlotte quietly watched him.
After a long while, he squatted in front of her and gently held her hand.
It was winter, and Charlotte's hands were a bit cold. He warmed them up before speaking, his voice hoarse. "Charlotte, let's get married."
He didn't wait for Charlotte to answer and led her out of the hospital.
In the car, Charlotte turned her head. "I want to go back to the apartment."
Frederick nodded and gently pressed the gas pedal.
Around Christmas, Syeattel often had light snow, adding a touch of romance to the sky.
He drove slowly, taking 50 minutes for a half-hour drive.
Charlotte felt unwell and went to sleep as soon as she got home.
Frederick didn't leave.
He had Cherie bring over some documents and worked there, also having the Hawkins family send over some light food. He patiently waited for her to wake up.
Charlotte slept for a long time, waking up at nine in the evening.
Hearing her stir, Frederick came in from outside. In the small, warm apartment, he had taken off his coat and was just wearing a shirt and trousers, looking exceptionally handsome.
Charlotte got up and quietly ate dinner with him.
As they were almost done, she softly said, "Let's name the baby Lola Hawkins, if it is a girl, Benedict if a boy."
Frederick reached out to touch her face. "Sounds nice."
Charlotte continued eating.
After finishing, she finally voiced her decision, "Let's get the marriage certificate first. We'll have the wedding after the baby is born, which will be in the fall. Frederick, I like the fall."
Whatever she said, he agreed.
Maybe it was because of the snow, or maybe because she was pregnant, but the night was filled with warmth and gentleness.
Charlotte held a cup of hot milk, watching the light snow outside.
Frederick was curled up on the small sofa handling business. He thought about the many things he had to do later. Once he finished his current case, he planned to take a break to be with Charlotte for the delivery.
A woman's first pregnancy always required extra care.
At that moment, his phone rang. Seeing it was Elijah calling, he answered without avoiding Charlotte, "Mr. Mitchell, what's the matter?"
Due to previous events, the relationship between the Hawkins family and the Mitchell family had become somewhat delicate, no longer as close as before. However, because of Elijah's significant favor, Frederick still treated him differently.
Elijah found it difficult to speak. "Frederick, the second trial is in half a month. I hope you can go over three days in advance to communicate with the lawyers there."
Frederick smiled. "We can communicate just as well over the phone, and there's always video conferencing!"
Elijah was somewhat displeased. "Frederick, it will only take three days!"
Frederick was honest with him. "Charlotte is pregnant! Besides taking care of her, I also need to go to Copenhegan to see the Devereux family! Mr. Mitchell, I hope you understand."
Elijah was stunned. 'Charlotte is pregnant?'
He had always thought that Charlotte and Frederick wouldn't last, but now their connection was written in the stone.
Elijah's voice trembled. "She acknowledged the Devereux family?"
Frederick responded with a light hum.
Elijah felt a metallic taste in his throat. He couldn't accept that his and Victoria's child had acknowledged the Devereux family. Clearly, he was Charlotte's biological father, but she refused to recognize him.
Elijah hung up the phone in sadness.
The next day, Frederick went back to the Hawkins Mansion.
Patrick happened to be in the hall drinking water. Seeing Frederick return, he sneered, "Frederick! You are here. How busy have you been? I haven't seen you in half a month!"
Frederick sat down, and Patrick tossed him a cigarette.
"Sorry, I've quit smoking!"
"You quit smoking? It's impossible!"
Patrick didn't believe it.
Frederick looked upstairs calmly. "Where are Mom and Chloe? I have something important to announce!"
At that moment, Laura and Chloe came downstairs.
Laura had a sorrowful expression; she didn't care about anything except having grandchildren.
Frederick calmly said, "Charlotte is pregnant."
As soon as he finished speaking, Patrick was shocked and threw the cigarette pack he was holding, but it didn't have much impact when it landed in Frederick's arms. Laura, on the other hand, was overjoyed and kept thanking God!
Patrick pretended to be unhappy. He snorted, "Look at you! Shouldn't we go propose?"
Frederick carefully mentioned some gifts.
Patrick got angry. "Is that all you're offering? Are you negotiating a business deal or getting married? Let your mother handle it! You're only getting married once. You should show your sincerity with your wealth."
Patrick was farsighted.
Besides his admiration and fondness for Charlotte, there was also the fact that Charlotte was now part of the Devereux family. Marrying into the Devereux family meant more opportunities for cooperation.
This marriage was not just about the younger generation's feelings but also about mutual benefits.
Patrick spoke, and Laura happily prepared.
Frederick had no reservations. Marrying Charlotte meant all his wealth was hers.
He sat drinking water, occasionally discussing things with Laura. Patrick watched and sighed softly. "Finally, it feels like a family."
As for the wedding, Patrick also agreed to have it after the baby was born.
Having a wedding while pregnant was too rushed and exhausting. How much suffering would his precious grandchild have to endure?
So it had to be after the baby was born!
The Hawkins family went to Copenhegan to propose.
Andrew didn't make it easy, but despite the difficulties, both sides were to become in-laws, so Andrew showed some leniency.
Patrick smiled on the surface but felt uncomfortable inside.
Everyone said Andrew was a tough person, and today Patrick experienced it firsthand!
Patrick glared at Frederick.
Frederick had thick skin. With his good looks and smooth talking, he charmed the Devereux family women, then went to find Charlotte.
Patrick and Andrew discussed the marriage and other matters.
As their conversation grew deeper, the butler came over, looking serious. "Andrew, someone named Elijah is here to visit. He says he's Charlotte's father."
Upon hearing this, Andrew put down his cup.
He smiled. "My brother-in-law died. Could it be that he heard about the good news in the family and decided to come back to life?"
His words were sharp, and Patrick coughed lightly, praying for Elijah.
Andrew allowed him in.
Shortly after, Elijah and Savannah, Elijah's mother came in, carrying some gifts.
Andrew smiled. "You never visit without a reason. What brings you to my house today?"
Elijah had always been embarrassed to see him.
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