Chapter 337 Frederick Was Especially Considerate (Part 1)
So, Frederick totally shut down that whole mess with his response.
He made it clear as day. Even if Charlotte had some mental stuff going on, even if their relationship was rocky, he was sticking by her.
Frederick turned into a stand-up guy.
The stocks for Hawkins Group and Vertex Innovations Group didn't tank; they actually went up.
But Frederick wasn't feeling it. After the press conference, he holed up in his office, replaying Charlotte's inner monologue over and over.
"My husband lost five years of our memories."
"I know he likes me! But I've been let down too many times; I can't just accept his kindness again. I always feel like if I let my guard down and love him again, bad stuff and betrayal will hit me once more."
"He helped Brenda, a woman I really didn't like, and I generously forgave him."
Frederick kept listening.
He remembered that night he helped Brenda. That was the last time he saw her.
He said goodbye to the past, thinking there'd be no more walls between him and Charlotte from then on.
But he didn't get that Charlotte's generosity was just her way of compromising, and it was eating her up. After they moved in together, she was never really happy.
Frederick closed his eyes, feeling a bit teary.
The phone on his desk rang. He glanced at it.
It was the clinic calling.
He picked up, and the director was all apologetic, "Mr. Hawkins, I'm sorry. Due to some internal issues, Mrs. Hawkins' privacy got leaked. We've already fired that employee."
Frederick's voice was cold. "I'm gonna sue her."
After hanging up, he checked the time; it was almost time for Lola to get out of school.
He drove himself to pick up Lola.
At the kindergarten gate, Lola reluctantly waved goodbye to Johnny and Frederick scooped her into the car.
He buckled her seatbelt.
Lola suddenly hugged his neck and whispered, "Today, the kids said Johnny's dad found a lover. Dad, what's a lover?"
Frederick was a bit taken aback. He patted Lola's little head. "You'll get it when you're older."
Lola, with her golden curls and blinking eyes, asked, "Dad, do you have a lover?"
Frederick lightly tapped her head.
Seeing he wasn't happy, Lola stopped asking and sat quietly in the back seat.
Frederick had promised to buy baby food for Kingsley, so he drove to a popular baby store downtown. He took Lola out of the car and carefully picked out stuff for Kingsley.
Lola, in her cute dress, followed him like a little lady.
She knew Kingsley's preferences well and was pretty good at giving advice.
Frederick looked at her little face, suddenly bent down, picked her up, and gave her a kiss.
With people bustling around, Lola felt a bit shy and hugged his neck. "Dad, what are you doing?"
Frederick pretended to keep picking out items and casually asked, "Lola, have I ever told you that I like you a lot?"
Lola tilted her little head. "I've heard it a million times!"
She was so over it; it wasn't new at all!
She thought for a moment and then said, "Dad likes Mom the most!"
Then it was her, and then Kingsley!
Lola, snuggled in her dad's arms, felt a bit spoiled. She hugged Frederick's neck tightly and took the chance to ask, "Dad, can you give me a bath tonight? I saw you give Mom a bath."
Frederick, having picked out the items, patted her on the butt. "When you grow up, let your husband give you a bath!"
Lola clenched her little fists. "Then Kingsley has to bathe himself too, or wait until he grows up and let his wife bathe him."
People around them chuckled.
Frederick felt a bit of fatherly pride as he placed two boxes of baby food on the counter. A bunch of young moms recognized Frederick, and with today's news, they blushed and couldn't even look at him.
Lola watched them, thinking, 'Wow, Dad's like, super famous!'
Before dinner, Frederick drove Lola home.
In the hall, Chloe was holding Kingsley, and Gavin was curiously watching from the side.
Laura was with Charlotte in the kitchen, whipping up dinner. In the dim light, Charlotte's profile looked extra gentle, and her light purple dress showed off her slim waist.
Frederick walked over, wrapped his arms around her waist, and handed her a bouquet of champagne roses.
Charlotte was a bit taken aback.
But no woman hates flowers. She softly said thanks and carefully put them in a vase. Frederick watched her bustling around, took out a cigarette, and fiddled with it.
He chatted casually, "I got some baby food with a carrot flavor for Kingsley."
Charlotte blinked. "Did Lola pick it?"
Frederick laughed. "How'd you guess?"
Charlotte chuckled and kept prepping the ingredients, softly saying, "Kingsley doesn't like carrots. But Lola's always telling him not to be picky, even though he probably doesn't get it."
Laura laughed too.
Frederick just stared at Charlotte for a while, his voice a bit rough. "I'll grab a couple more boxes tomorrow."
Charlotte just hummed in response.
After dinner, Lola pulled out a fairy tale book and started reading stories.
In front of her, Kingsley and Gavin sat in a row.
Charlotte and Chloe chatted with Laura, and the vibe was super cozy, like nothing had happened today.
But Frederick knew Charlotte cared a lot.
She just didn't say it.
Around eight-thirty, they heard a car in the yard. After a bit, Andrew and Nathan walked in.
As Andrew came in, his eyes landed on Chloe's face.
Nathan smiled. "I heard about today's drama. Mr. Devereux was pretty ticked off and came to see if he could help."
Chloe's lips trembled, and she didn't say a word for a long time.
Then Frederick spoke up, "I invited Andrew. There are some things that might need his help."
Andrew nodded. He took off his coat, walked over, and squatted in front of Gavin. "Why don't you call me Dad?"
Gavin was shy.
After a long pause, he finally hugged Andrew and softly said, "Mom said to call you Andrew outside."
Andrew glanced at Chloe, his look kinda ambiguous.
Then he gently told Gavin, "This isn't outside."
Gavin called him Dad.
Andrew pulled a few candies from his pocket and handed them to the kids. The candies were from Vienner, Chloe's old favorite, and he had a habit of carrying a few.
The men headed upstairs to talk.
In the study, the servant brought water and then left.
Andrew took a sip and frowned. "What's the deal? Why's someone messing with Charlotte?"
Frederick pulled up the video.
After watching it, he slowly said, "Tina, Charlotte's college buddy! She used to be tangled up with Lily's husband and now she's with some big shot! She bribed that nurse."
Andrew got it. He smiled faintly. "You can't handle that big shot, so you came to me, right?"
Frederick admitted, "That guy's not in my circle, but you've got connections. It'll be way more effective if you handle it!"
Nathan smiled and agreed, "You picked the right guy!"
Andrew glanced at him and then said to Frederick, "Leave it to me!"
Frederick poured him more water.
Andrew finished his drink and, as he got up, kinda took on an elder's tone. "I'll handle the external stuff, but Charlotte's feelings? That's on you, Frederick. You gotta step up."
Frederick nodded and saw them downstairs.
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