Chapter 242 Are you two planning to let Lola remain without an identity forever
Elijah rolled up just in time to catch the tail end of the convo.
Standing at the hall entrance, he looked super awkward, his voice all shaky. "Patrick, you really gonna end our friendship like this?"
Patrick saw his pale face and felt a twinge of pity.
But he was the head honcho of the family.
He was Charlotte's father-in-law and Lola's grandpa. The Hawkins family couldn't get mixed up with the Mitchells anymore; it wouldn't be fair to Charlotte and her kid.
Patrick toughened up and nodded. "Yep. This is it for us."
Elijah grabbed the door handle, his body wobbling.
Years of friendship with Patrick went down the drain. Was he really that much of a screw-up? Why couldn't he keep people around?
When he asked this, Patrick's voice got serious. "As a man, you gotta make tough calls. If you had chased after Victoria when she misunderstood, would we be here now? You love one person but feel guilty towards another, screwing up left and right. You wanna acknowledge Charlotte, but you also want her to be besties with Katherine. Elijah, you're a mess!"
Elijah's face went ghostly white.
He looked at Charlotte and little Lola beside her.
He finally got to see her one last time.
With a shaky voice, he asked, "Charlotte, can you call me Dad?"
Charlotte looked at him calmly. She wasn't one to drag things out and said coolly, "Mr. Mitchell, take care."
Elijah's face got even paler.
He gave a bitter smile and pulled out a cute little toy from his pocket, a glass toy he bought for Lola, but his trembling fingers made it slip to the ground.
Sharp pieces cut across Lola's tiny leg. Bright red blood started to ooze out.
Frederick quickly scooped Lola up, pressed a tissue to her leg, and then said softly to Charlotte, "There's a hemostatic enzyme in her little backpack."
Charlotte immediately took it out and gave a pill to Lola.
Blood was still slowly seeping from Lola's leg. Lola was scared of blood; she buried her face in Frederick's chest, crying out in pain and calling for her Dad.
Frederick gently soothed Lola, his features soft with affection. In passing, he cast an impatient look towards Elijah.
Elijah was clearly stunned. He didn't mean for this to happen; he just wanted to give Lola a toy.
Patrick was also heartbroken. He said lightly, "You didn't know this would happen, so I don't blame you. Elijah, go now, and don't bother Charlotte anymore. This child has been through enough; let her live a good life."
Elijah left, totally crushed.
As he reached the door, Savannah couldn't help but gripe, "It's just a small cut. Is it worth making such a fuss? Frederick's look could've killed you."
Audrey chimed in, "Lola is way too pampered."
Elijah said nothing.
In the Hawkins family hall, once everyone left, Patrick took Lola in his arms, kissing her tenderly. "Does Lola still hurt?"
"It hurts." Lola's fair little face scrunched up. "Grandpa, blow on it."
Patrick, such a big shot, grabbed her leg and blew on it gently.
Lola finally laughed.
Patrick, holding Lola, said to Charlotte, "Lola looks so much like you. And her temperament is just like Frederick's."
He said this with a face full of pride.
Charlotte smiled faintly. But she was worried inside.
Frederick squeezed her hand and said softly, "Lola has a rare blood type and a clotting disorder. I can't donate blood to her as a direct relative, and this type of blood is rare in blood banks, so Lola needs to be pampered more than other kids."
He didn't spell it out, but Charlotte got it that one of them would have to give up their career to be with Lola.
She responded with a soft hum.
Laura felt the topic was too heavy, glanced at her son, and called Charlotte to the small flower hall for coffee.
In the hall, Patrick, holding Lola, looked at Frederick. "Frederick, what are you thinking? Are you two gonna let my precious Lola have no status?"
Frederick laughed. "Dad, this takes time, doesn't it? I can't just push Charlotte into getting a marriage license right now. Besides, we're living together now, and it's pretty good."
Lola whispered, "Mom always sleeps with me."
Patrick shot a look. "You still babying Lola like that?"
Then, lowering his head and speaking to Lola, he was all loving and gentle. "I'll set 'em straight."
Lola giggled. She perched on Patrick's lap, planting kisses all over his face, rubbing her fair little cheeks against his beard.
Patrick's heart turned to mush.
Holding Lola, he asked seriously, "Frederick, when are you gonna take over for me? I see Charlotte's got her own career to chase, so why don't I handle the kid for you?"
Frederick knew exactly what he was hinting at.
He took a sip of water and said slowly, "Vertex Innovations Group keeps me busy enough. Adding the Hawkins Group on top of that, Dad, I'll be wiped out."
Patrick chuckled. "You won't be wiped out. I see you got plenty of energy now."
His sharp eyes could tell they weren't a real couple. Just putting on a show for Lola.
Meanwhile, Laura was having coffee with Charlotte.
Laura had kept herself well, still beautiful and elegant, but there was always a hint of sorrow in her eyes because of her kids.
Charlotte still couldn't bring herself to call her Laura.
She poured coffee for Laura, her expression soft as she lowered her eyes.
Laura said softly, "I've been wanting to visit you all these days but was afraid of disturbing your life. Charlotte, of course, I hope you can forgive Frederick. He did make mistakes in the past. But if you're still upset, I also hope you can teach him to be less arrogant."
As she spoke, she gently held Charlotte's hand.
How could Charlotte resist such gentle affection?
She looked up and met Laura's gaze.
At that moment, Frederick came over, standing beside Charlotte, his hand naturally resting on her shoulder, and said softly, "Dinner's ready. Let's go eat."
Charlotte responded with a soft hum.
Laura saw them getting along well and was happy, but she still had some worries. Chloe, though she occasionally called, never came home.
In the afternoon, Lola stayed at home.
Charlotte had an appointment with Lily for coffee, and Frederick had to go to the office, so he dropped her off.
In the car, he turned his head and asked, "You tired?"
Charlotte smiled faintly. "You mean taking care of Lola?"
Frederick gently touched the seatbelt, not saying anything. He was afraid that seeing Katherine today would remind Charlotte of those unpleasant memories.
He wanted to explain everything to her, but Charlotte seemed indifferent.
Frederick had never felt so uncertain. He wanted to hold someone in the palm of his hand but didn't know if she was willing.
Charlotte closed her eyes lightly. "She's very cute."
So how could it be tiring? Spending time with her was happy. She would be willing to even give everything.
Frederick didn't ask further, gently pressing the gas pedal and taking her to the coffee shop.
He valued Charlotte a lot now, and he respected her friends.
He got out of the car with her, greeted Lily, and patted Lily's son's head before leaving.
After he left, Lily smiled. "He's quite different now."
Charlotte ordered an iced coffee. She stirred it gently, took a sip, and then smiled. "How is he different?"
Lily whispered, "Anyway, he's not the same as before. The old Frederick was like a lonely moon in the sky, hard to get close to. Now he's much better."
She made a gesture to Charlotte. "You're impressive."
Charlotte smiled faintly.
Lily patted her hand. "Don't take it lightly. Seriously, he's really good to you. If he passes your tests, just accept him. Look at his body and face, where else can you find such a good guy?"
Charlotte's cheeks turned slightly red. She asked back, "Am I with him just for his face and body?"
Lily glanced at Jimmy and lowered her voice. "Judging by his looks, he's probably good in that area too."
Charlotte almost spat out her coffee. She looked at Jimmy.
Fortunately, this little boy wasn't as perceptive as Lola and didn't notice.
Charlotte was about to say something to Lily when she caught a glimpse of someone and froze.
She saw Chloe.
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