Chapter 307 Have You Regained Your Memory
Frederick had one hand on the wheel, the other holding his phone to his ear. Charlotte's voice came through, "Frederick, did you swing by my mom's place?"
"Yeah, I did." His voice was surprisingly soft.
Charlotte took a deep breath, trying to keep it together. "We're divorced. Leave her alone."
Frederick let out a small laugh. "What? I can't visit Maria just 'cause we're divorced? She seemed pretty happy to see me."
Charlotte was speechless, caught off guard by his audacity.
She was about to hang up when Frederick quickly added, "Hey, I'm sorry about last night!"
Charlotte stayed silent.
Frederick's voice got even softer, almost tender. "I just got a bit carried away when I saw that piano. Remember? We used to... you know, on that piano."
Charlotte's body went rigid.
Frederick heard her quickened breathing and chuckled again. "Remember Christmas night? We..."
Charlotte's grip on the phone tightened until her knuckles turned white.
She abruptly hung up.
The phone rang again almost immediately. She thought it was Frederick and didn't want to answer.
But it kept ringing.
She glanced at the screen and saw it was Lily.
Feeling a bit guilty, she quickly answered, "Lily! Sorry!"
Lily's voice was playful. "What were you doing? I've been calling forever! Let's go grab a drink!"
Charlotte had planned to give her the half-year dividend, so she agreed.
After meeting up, Charlotte handed Lily a check.
Lily's eyes widened at the amount. "Wow, Brian's really pulling his weight!"
Charlotte gave a small smile. "It's Sophie running the show now. Brian just chips in with advice."
Lily thought about Brian and felt a pang of regret.
She then brought up that celebrity, Edward. "He's a catch! Clean record, good family. You really not interested?"
Charlotte swirled her drink and shook her head gently.
Lily had a hunch who Charlotte was thinking about and sighed inwardly.
Charlotte's heart was still with Frederick.
Trying to lighten the mood, Lily teased, "Since you took over Vertex Innovations Group, I've asked you out ten times, and you've only come out once!"
Charlotte chuckled softly. "Lola and Kingsley need me."
"What about your business trip tomorrow? What'll you do with them?" Lily brought up.
"I'm sending them to the Hawkins Mansion for a week," Charlotte replied.
Early the next morning, she took the kids back.
It was Saturday, and when Lola heard they were going to Hawkins Mansion, she jumped up with joy and even changed into her prettiest little dress.
She missed her dad!
Seeing Lola so pumped, Charlotte couldn't help but catch some of that joy. She ruffled Lola's hair. "Make sure you play nice with Gavin, okay?"
A line of cars rolled up to Hawkins Mansion, getting there by nine sharp.
The Hawkins family was already up and waiting.
Lola clung to Patrick for a bit before leaping into Frederick's arms.
Frederick gave her a kiss and glanced at Charlotte.
Since she had a business trip, Charlotte kept it simple with light-colored casual pants and a high-neck sweater, topped with a thin wool coat.
Frederick asked offhandedly, "What time's your flight?"
"Eleven o'clock."
Frederick's eyes darkened a bit.
After a pause, he offered, "I'll drive you to the airport."
Charlotte saw where this was going and calmly declined, "No need; the company's sending a car."
Frederick looked a bit let down.
Not wanting to get tangled up with him, Charlotte chatted with Laura for a bit. Even though she and Frederick were divorced, she still had a good relationship with the Hawkins family.
While she talked, Frederick stayed with Lola, but his eyes kept drifting to Charlotte.
Charlotte only hung around for half an hour before the company car from Vertex Innovations Group showed up. The black business car pulled up, and Keith stepped out, giving Patrick a respectful nod.
Frederick frowned and asked Charlotte quietly, "Keith's going too?"
Charlotte gave him a puzzled look.
Wasn't it normal for Keith to go?
Frederick personally helped Charlotte into the car and, holding the door, told Keith, "Charlotte's health is a bit fragile; take good care of her."
Keith got the hint.
He smiled. "Don't worry, Mr. Hawkins. It's my job."
Inside the Hawkins Mansion, the nanny took Kingsley to the nursery. The little guy was still young and spent most of his time sleeping.
Frederick played blocks with Lola.
Patrick, sitting nearby, couldn't help but comment, "Seeing them together must bug you, huh?"
Frederick didn't even look up, his voice cool. "It's just a business trip."
Patrick thought, 'Yeah, right. Like you're not bothered.'
Charlotte got to her business trip destination by the afternoon.
The change in environment gave her a bit of a fever that night. When Lola video-called her, she looked a bit out of it.
Frederick took the phone and saw Charlotte lying on the white hotel bed, her face flushed. She was clearly sick.
He whispered, "You don't have to push yourself so hard. You're a woman, you know."
Charlotte closed her eyes a bit, her long lashes fluttering. "Frederick, are you being sexist?"
Frederick was quiet for a moment, his voice low and rough. "Charlotte, I'm worried about you! I handed Vertex Innovations Group to you so you'd have something solid, not to turn you into some superwoman!"
Charlotte was taken aback.
This was the second time he'd said something that made her heart skip.
It felt like the old Frederick was back!
She closed her eyes, her breathing hot, her face even redder.
Just then, there was a knock on her door, and she could faintly hear Keith's voice. "Ms. Russell, I got you some medicine."
Charlotte whispered, "I gotta go."
The phone screen went dark.
Frederick felt a sudden urge to go to her!
Besides, she seemed really sick.
At three in the morning, Charlotte had taken the medicine, her whole body felt weak, and she was sleeping fitfully.
The door to her room was knocked on; she didn't have the strength to get up, but the persistent knocking forced her to drag her sick body and wobble to the door.
She thought it was Keith and naturally said, "Keith, I'm fine!"
Frederick squinted his eyes, quickly scanning her from head to toe.
A white bathrobe hung loosely on her, revealing glimpses of what was underneath.
Was she meeting Keith like this in the middle of the night?
Frederick felt a surge of anger, but Charlotte was very weak.
He reached out to stop her, scooping her up and carrying her to the bed.
Charlotte woke up a bit and recognized him.
Her body sank into the soft bed. Frederick held her with one arm, quickly taking off his coat with the other, and touched his forehead to hers. "You're burning up!"
"None of your business!" Charlotte turned her head away.
She knew it it wasn't just because of the unfamiliar environment that made her sick; it was also because she caught a bit of a chill when he aggressively kindled her passion on the piano.
The light was dim.
Charlotte pushed him, her voice hoarse. "Why are you here?"
Frederick gently moved aside. He took out his phone to find a number, saying, "You're burning up. I can't leave you alone!"
Charlotte felt really uncomfortable and closed her eyes.
Frederick made a call. "It's me! My wife is not feeling well. Could you please come over?"
He exchanged a few polite words and hung up.
Looking back at Charlotte, she was staring at him.
Frederick felt a softness in his heart. He sat beside her, tugging at her golden hair. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Charlotte gently closed her eyes and murmured, "Even though you lost your memory, you're still the same with people."
Frederick's gaze deepened. He got up to pour her some water, saying casually, "Do you often miss the old days?"
Charlotte didn't deny it.
Frederick helped her sit up, letting her lean on his shoulder, and fed her the water.
She struggled a bit, and he lightly patted her butt. "Why are you being so stubborn? When I rescued you from those kidnappers, you were way more obedient with a concussion than you are now! Charlotte, have you gotten more rebellious with age?"
Charlotte was stunned.
That was years ago, back when they had just met.
Did he remember? She looked at him with her pale, sickly face, trembling lips, and uttered, "Frederick?"
She wondered if she was delirious from the fever.
Otherwise, why would she think he had regained his memory?
Frederick gently stroked her face and said softly, "It's me!"
Charlotte closed her eyes.
She cried, tears rolling down her cheeks silently, without making a sound.
Frederick tucked her back into the blanket, holding her through it, his chin resting on her forehead. "Don't cry, Charlotte. It's me!"
Charlotte's slender arms wrapped around his neck.
She continued to cry silently, and Frederick, unable to control himself, slipped his warm hand under the blanket, caressing her soft body to comfort her.
Charlotte was sick.
She felt it, but not strongly.
Frederick stopped after a while, but she held onto his hand, her voice tinged with tears. "Frederick, don't go."
He tightened his grip on her slim waist and turned to kiss her.
Even knowing he was being despicable, he couldn't help it; she was so soft and so willing.
They entwined their bodies.
The doctor arrived, knocking gently on the door.
Frederick propped himself up, looking at the person beneath him. She lay there with her eyes gently closed, as if she had fallen asleep!
After tidying her clothes, he opened the door for the doctor.
The doctor, who had some acquaintance with Frederick, quickly prescribed medicine for Charlotte.
Finally, he glanced at the disheveled bed and quietly instructed, "No sexual activity for three days! Her body is too weak!"
Frederick couldn't help but blush.
The doctor soon left.
Frederick closed the door and turned back.
Charlotte was asleep. She lay there quietly, as if the unfinished intimacy had been just a dream.
Frederick felt physically unsatisfied.
But his heart was unusually calm.
He walked over, gently stroking her smooth face, finally resting on her slightly dry lips, and whispered, "Good girl! When you're obedient, I just want to hold you in my hands."
He found it hard to define his feelings for Charlotte.
He wanted to let go, but couldn't.
In the end, he used this way to lure her back to his side.
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