Chapter 290 Do You Really Think I Don't Have a Temper
Charlotte stared at the message for what felt like forever.
She knew Frederick had a thing for her, but the ghost of Katherine still haunted his heart, and Charlotte couldn't just brush that off.
He had gotten her way too easily.
Marriage and kids were all just part of his game.
She tidied up her stuff and left the office, ready to pick up Lola.
She didn't bother taking the bouquet Frederick had sent.
When she hit the first floor, the lobby was buzzing.
A few security guys were blocking two girls from getting in, but they kept insisting they just wanted to see Charlotte.
Jenna leaned in and whispered, "Want me to send them away?"
Charlotte's eyes locked onto Brenda.
Brenda stared right back, an unspoken showdown through the crowd.
After a beat, Charlotte said softly, "Bring her to the reception room."
Five minutes later, Brenda and her friend Ella walked into the first-floor reception room.
They looked around the fancy room, feeling a bit freaked out, especially Ella, who tugged on Brenda's sleeve and whispered, "Maybe we should bail. I think Mrs. Hawkins is not someone to mess with!"
Brenda pursed her lips.
Charlotte sat on the sofa, staring at Brenda.
Brenda's leg was still messed up, and her hands were wrapped in bandages, yet she still had the guts to come out and try to steal Charlotte's man.
Charlotte lowered her eyes. 'It looks like poverty has really done a number on her sanity.'
Brenda also looked at Charlotte. 'She was beautiful and classy, and she had a killer figure. But so what, I'm younger.'
Brenda didn't sit down but slapped a stack of cash on the table.
"Mrs. Hawkins, I'm here to return the money. Mr. Hawkins paid $300,000 for my medical bills, and there's over $60,000 extra. I think I need to give it back to you."
She said a lot, and Charlotte just listened quietly the whole time.
Charlotte gently put down her cup and smiled slightly. "Brenda, you got your math wrong."
Brenda was a bit taken aback.
Charlotte picked up the stack of money and counted it, "Shouldn't you be returning $300,000 to me? I remember you just said my husband paid $300,000 for you."
Brenda didn't expect her to be so sharp. Her lips trembled. "Mrs. Hawkins, that was Mr. Hawkins' money; you have no right to make me return it!"
Charlotte laughed. "Really? But that's our marital property. I have every right to reclaim it. Besides, how would I know about this $300,000 if you hadn't shown up? Now I'm asking you, did you two sleep together?"
Brenda's lips trembled, unable to lie.
Charlotte lightly tossed the money aside, sneering. "If you sleep together, I wouldn't want the money. I'll consider it as Frederick hiring a prostitute. But since you didn't, I'm sorry; you need to return the $300,000 within a month."
Brenda felt humiliated.
Her friend noticed Charlotte was really pissed and whispered, "I told you not to come. If you apologize to Mrs. Hawkins, she won't make things hard for you."
Brenda stood tall. "Mrs. Hawkins, I like Mr. Hawkins! I think Mr. Hawkins has feelings for me too; otherwise, he wouldn't have stayed with me in the hospital for days! I know you're upset, but I want to tell you, no matter how much you try to stop it, it won't work! I just want to stay by Mr. Hawkins' side. You won't mind that, right?"
Jenna was shocked by what she heard.
Charlotte lowered her eyes, filled with coldness.
When she looked up again, she smiled slightly. "Of course, not only do I not mind you, but I will also treat you well!"
Brenda was stunned.
Charlotte gently raised her hand.
Jenna asked very gently, "Ms. Russell?"
Charlotte's tone was light. "Pick a few top-notch bodyguards to protect her day and night from now on, ensuring she is unharmed until she pays back my $300,000. And this Ella seems quite capable."
Charlotte had already stood up. "Report the recording just now to their school leaders!"
Jenna nodded. "Yes, Ms. Russell!"
Brenda was stunned.
She didn't expect Charlotte to be so ruthless.
Charlotte had already left.
Brenda chased after her. "Mrs. Hawkins, you have no right to treat us like this! You don't understand my feelings for Mr. Hawkins. Do you really love him? No, you only love the Vertex Innovations Group he gave you!"
Charlotte stopped in her tracks. Her voice was icy. "Brenda, don't push me!"
Brenda came today to provoke and disgust Charlotte, and to drive a wedge between her and her husband.
But she underestimated the power of influence.
Brenda didn't believe Charlotte could really do anything to her.
At that moment, Jenna stepped up.
She pointed to two burly bodyguards nearby and said, "Brenda, from now on, these guys will be your shadows to keep you safe. Please cooperate and don't let Ms. Russell's good intentions go to waste!"
Brenda waved her hand, trying to knock over a vase.
"That vase is worth a million bucks," Jenna kindly reminded her.
With the last bit of pride, Brenda snapped, "I don't need your protection! She just wants to keep tabs on me!"
Jenna smiled faintly.
She pulled out a recording pen from her pocket. "If you have something to say, tell your school leaders."
Brenda was fuming.
She stormed out of Vertex Innovations Group.
The two bodyguards followed her closely.
Ella regretted ever crossing Charlotte.
Brenda pulled out her phone and kept dialing Frederick's number, but it was always busy.
Ella could tell Frederick had blocked Brenda.
Frederick was in Bostan.
At the celebration party, he held a wine glass and mingled with others. He was supposed to be in high spirits.
He usually loved these events.
But today, he was in a funk. The Facebook message he sent to Charlotte had gone unanswered.
Even while accepting congratulations, he couldn't stop thinking about Charlotte, picturing her playing the piano with her eyes closed that night.
Charlotte had a hold on him, making him want her even more.
Half an hour later, he bailed early.
He drove back to the hotel. Maybe because it was Valentine's Day, the streets were packed with couples.
Frederick drove his white Bentley, feeling a bit down.
He parked by the roadside, smoking by the window, thinking he must be nuts to want to fall in love.
That night, Frederick returned to Syeattel.
The Hawkins Mansion was buzzing, but Charlotte wasn't home. After asking Dana, he found out she had taken Lola out.
'She is spending Valentine's Day with Lola?' Frederick got into the car, gently stroked the steering wheel, and decided to head to that restaurant.
It was late, but the restaurant Charlotte owned was still packed.
Charlotte was sitting and playing the piano.
She had a killer figure.
The long dress she wore looked both elegant and stylish.
Lola sat upright, proudly watching her mom.
Frederick took off his coat and sat across from Lola. Lola looked at him, blinked, and then jumped into his arms, happily shouting, "Daddy."
Frederick kissed her soft cheek, his voice hoarse and low. "I'm here to pick you and Mommy up."
Lola said, "Tonight, four or five guys have already tried to date Mommy."
Frederick looked up.
Charlotte was still playing the piano, her profile incredibly gentle.
There was affection in his eyes. He leaned down and whispered to Lola, "Mommy is married to me; she can't date anyone else."
Lola said, "I haven't married Johnny, so can he still date others?"
Frederick smiled lightly. "Technically, yes!"
Lola thought, 'Then we should get married soon!'
Charlotte finished her piece and was somewhat surprised to see Frederick.
She walked over and smiled faintly. "Mr. Hawkins, congrats! Weren't you supposed to come back tomorrow?"
Frederick stared at her face.
After a moment, he spoke, "I missed you guys, so I came back early!"
Outside, Charlotte always put on a good face, so she smiled lightly. Even when he took out a gift for her, she didn't refuse.
She opened it, and it was a pair of pearl earrings.
Her eyes got a bit misty. After all this time, he had forgotten the past, but his taste hadn't changed at all.
Frederick watched her expression and said softly, "I noticed you often wear those earrings. Dana told me you lost one and searched for it for a long time, so I bought you a new pair."
"Thank you!"
Frederick held her hand, his tone gentle. "Did I please you?"
Charlotte smiled faintly at him.
Frederick couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Charlotte was clearly just humoring him, clearly unwilling to give him a chance. She was just playing the role of his wife in front of others.
On the way back, he only looked at her through the rearview mirror at red lights.
On such a night, he wanted to share his feelings, his everything, with his wife.
When the car stopped, Lola got out first.
Frederick gently stroked the steering wheel and softly said, "Charlotte, today is Valentine's Day. Let's spend it together."
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