Chapter 234 He brought her a Valentine's Day gift
Frederick was being all cryptic on purpose.
Charlotte was both ticked off and kinda amused.
He shot her a deep look, gave Derek a nod that was all business, then hopped into the car.
Lola leaned out the window, mouthing, "You're so dead!"
'He loves messing with people.' she smirked as she sat back.
Charlotte stood there in the night, watching the fancy car roll away. She shook her head, thinking, 'Dealing with Frederick is more draining than babysitting!'
Derek was sharp.
He stared at the candy in his hand, feeling like he didn't stand a chance, not just 'cause of Frederick but also 'cause of that kid.
She was just a little kid but super smart!
Charlotte snapped back to reality and gave him an apologetic smile.
Derek smiled too. He looked where the car had gone, thought for a bit, then asked softly, "You still love him, don't you?"
Frederick took Lola back home.
Back at the villa, Lola went to take a bath, and he just sat on the sofa, looking deep in thought.
Even though he knew Charlotte and Derek were a no-go, he was still pissed!
He couldn't help it and grabbed his phone to text Charlotte: [Ms. Russell, into younger guys now? Can they even keep up with you?]
Charlotte stared at it for a while, making sure it was Frederick's number.
These past three years, he must've been holding back big time!
Charlotte didn't want to play along. She shot back: [Thanks for the concern. I'll give it a shot!]
Frederick saw it and chucked his phone away.
Both of them were fuming.
Lola finished her bath and ran out in her onesie.
She rolled into Frederick's arms.
Frederick held back his feelings and dried Lola's hair. Lola was so comfy she was about to doze off but still told Frederick, "Mommy won't like Derek!"
Frederick felt a rush of happiness but played it cool. "Really?"
Lola yawned. "Mommy's so pretty. It's normal for people to like her! Just like, there are so many kids who like me in my kindergarten. I can't even count them!"
Frederick's heart melted.
He kissed Lola and said in a rough voice, "Am I too overbearing?"
Lola hummed softly, which was a yes.
Frederick seriously thought about it.
Was he smothering Charlotte, making her resent him? Actually, with Lola in the picture, it was impossible for Charlotte to date anyone else now.
He was too impatient!
Frederick gently patted Lola and picked up his phone to apologize to Charlotte. Just as he finished typing, Lola spoke up, "Actually, Daddy, you're right to be worried! Today in the car, Mommy took a call and was super excited."
Frederick's fingers shook.
Lola opened her eyes. "Mommy called him Oliver!"
Frederick tossed his phone aside, silently fuming.
Lola snuggled comfortably in his arms.
Frederick was mad all night.
Early in the morning, Charlotte came to pick up Lola. Frederick's attitude was cold; he didn't ask about Derek.
He didn't bring it up, so Charlotte didn't either.
Taking the small suitcase Dana had packed, she looked at Frederick on the sofa and said calmly, "I'll bring her back tomorrow night!"
Frederick was buried in his financial magazine, acting all cold.
Charlotte thought he was just being hormonal and didn't care. Just as she was about to leave, he called her back.
Frederick told Lola to get in the car first and pointed to the sofa opposite. "I need to ask you something!"
Charlotte handed the luggage to Dana.
Dana took Lola to the car first. When the living room quieted down, Frederick casually said, "I heard you're still in touch with Oliver!"
Charlotte wasn't surprised he knew.
Lola was a little spy.
Actually, Oliver called her to ask about Sophie.
Besides, Brian and Oliver had business dealings. She was the boss, so some contact was normal, and Oliver seemed to have a girlfriend in Bostan.
But Charlotte wasn't gonna explain all that to him.
Charlotte responded with a simple "Yeah" and shot back, "You still gonna butt in?"
Frederick stared at her for a long time, then suddenly smiled. "Of course not, we're exes!"
He probably didn't want to fight anymore, so he quickly changed the subject. "By the way, has Chloe contacted you?"
"Chloe?"
Frederick lit up a cigarette, then snuffed it out right away. "She's been MIA for two years!"
Charlotte was floored.
In her mind, Chloe was always this delicate, innocent girl. How could she have been gone for two years?
Frederick saw her face and knew she was clueless.
He gave a faint smile. "When you get a chance, come home with me. My parents miss you a lot! Let's take Lola to see them together."
Charlotte clutched her cup, feeling it was kinda awkward.
Frederick got what she was thinking. He looked at her. "You're Lola's mom! It's totally normal to visit!"
Charlotte smiled lightly. "Alright, I'll visit Patrick and Laura when I can!"
Frederick sensed the distance in her words.
He didn't push it.
Later, Charlotte still didn't visit his family with him; she felt it was just too weird.
She and Frederick were divorced. They had broken up and gotten back together so many times. Before things were clear between them, she didn't want to drag the elders into it and make them worry.
She focused on taking care of Lola, while Frederick was swamped with work.
Gradually, the tension between them eased up. On one hand, Frederick didn't want to push her, and on the other, he was genuinely busy. In the past, he was spread too thin, but now that Charlotte could take care of Lola, he could really dive into his career.
Right before Valentine's Day, he bought out a five-star hotel chain in Lumina and named it Crystal Lagoon Hotel.
The celebration party was all over the news.
Frederick, looking sharp in a three-piece suit, held a champagne glass and mingled with several execs. Next to him was a top-tier actress, drop-dead gorgeous, and the new face of Crystal Lagoon Hotel.
The actress was all over him but kept it classy.
Lola watched for a long time, then looked up. "Mommy, aren't you mad?"
Charlotte thought it over.
Actually, she wasn't!
If she were, she would've been with him a long time ago.
Charlotte kissed Lola and said gently, "Your dad should have his own life."
Lola just said, "Oh."
She curled up on the sofa, looking all sad. She didn't just want her mom; she wanted to live with both her mom and dad like other kids.
Charlotte noticed Lola was down.
She patted Lola's little head. "Lola, some things you'll get when you're older!"
Lola nodded.
She knew her mom loved her a lot. She also knew that if she acted all spoiled and cried a bit, her mom might get back with her dad, but Lola also loved her mom.
She couldn't do that.
Lola was in a funk all evening.
At ten o'clock at night, Frederick came back to Syeattel early and headed straight to Charlotte's place.
Charlotte's apartment was 2,000 square feet and beautifully decorated.
When Frederick arrived, Lola was already asleep.
Frederick quietly put down his suitcase, took off his coat, and naturally asked Charlotte, "Is she asleep?"
Charlotte just said, "Yeah."
Frederick walked into the bedroom and placed a small bear he had brought back from Lumina on little Lola's pillow, so she could see it as soon as she woke up. His face was so gentle as he did this.
Charlotte stood quietly at the door, watching.
Frederick sat by the bed for quite a while. When he got up and saw her looking, he chuckled softly. "Are you mad?"
Before Charlotte could say anything, he pulled a box out of his pocket. "This is for you!"
Charlotte opened it. Inside was not something super expensive, but a pair of delicate pearl earrings.
Such a small gift was like something a husband would bring back for his wife from a business trip.
She hesitated a bit.
Frederick lowered his voice. "You'd look amazing with these!"
Charlotte put them away and walked towards the kitchen. "I'll make you a cup of coffee!"
Frederick guessed she had something to talk about.
Charlotte made him a cup of coffee. As he drank, she spoke softly, "She seems a bit down, probably 'cause of our split."
Frederick didn't say anything.
He knew a lot more about Lola's feelings than Charlotte did.
After a long silence, Frederick finally spoke, his voice gentle, "It's okay. I'll cheer her up later!"
"Okay."
Frederick put down the coffee cup and said softly, "Charlotte, it's been a long time since we've talked this calmly."
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