Chapter 364 Are you with Frederick (Part 1)
Charlotte's eyes were kinda red.
Frederick always felt bad for her and didn't say much. Instead, he was like, "Why hang onto a dead-end love? Find a dude who actually digs you."
Charlotte shot him a defensive look.
Frederick didn't back down and stared right back. Charlotte quickly muttered, "I'm outta here!"
Frederick beat her to the door and grabbed the knob.
He was tall, looking down at her, and said softly, "You don't stand up for yourself when you're pushed around; how can you stick with Ethan, who's ruthless?"
By now, the Cooper Group was already going downhill.
Soon, the Russell family would fall into Ethan's trap.
Charlotte shoved him away. "None of your business!"
Frederick still looked at her, but his voice got even softer. "Come to my place this weekend. I'll cook for you! I got a Morning Dew piano there; don't you wanna play it?"
Morning Dew piano?
That was a big temptation for Charlotte.
Frederick saw the struggle on her face and stopped pushing, smiling faintly. "It's up to you!"
Charlotte thought to herself that she definitely wouldn't go.
But does he really have that piano in his place? She heard it was super expensive.
Charlotte left.
Cherie came in.
Frederick spoke softly, "Get in touch with the auction house; I want that Morning Dew piano, no matter the cost. Have it at my place before the weekend."
Now, Cherie was pretty sure Frederick was in love.
Frederick glanced at her. "Is it hard?"
Cherie quickly said, "No! I'll make it happen."
Frederick, holding a cup of coffee, slowly walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. His tone got a bit somber. "Check out the Cooper Group's finances and dig up any dirt. Also, set up a meeting with their financial officer, William."
William?
Frederick raised his hand slightly, signaling not to ask more questions.
After everyone left, he stood there quietly, feeling a bit lonely.
In the dream which took him back to the events of ten years ago, only he had the "script" and knew the future. The woman he longed for was right in front of him, but he still had to find ways to get close to her.
Moreover, he owed Ethan something, which he would repay in the dream! And also William.
Frederick closed his eyes slightly, eager to see Charlotte again, eager to make her his as soon as possible, even if it meant using any means necessary!
Because he wanted to end the dream quickly and take her home.
With ten more years of experience, Frederick acted ruthlessly and got things done that very day.
At four in the afternoon, William arrived at a club as agreed and pushed open the door to a private room.
Frederick was sitting alone inside, with a thick stack of documents in front of him. His demeanor was very reserved, completely different from the affectionate junior he was last night.
William smiled faintly. "Hello, Mr. Hawkins?"
Frederick looked up.
In an instant, his expression became warm and gentle, very approachable.
He stood up and smiled. "Mr. Russell, just call me Frederick! I have some matters to discuss with you; sorry for the intrusion."
William wasn't a fool.
He walked over with a smile.
The two sat down, and Frederick smiled. "Here is some financial information about the Cooper Group! As the chief financial officer, you must be very familiar with it. Charlotte and I are already in a close relationship, and Charlotte likes Ethan quite a bit, so I want to help the Cooper Group out of affection for her."
William was shocked!
What kind of man in the world would be such a fool?
William had heard of the young legal hotshot in front of him. If he said he liked Charlotte, sure, William would buy it. But to extend his affection to his rival? Either William was nuts, or Frederick was just plain weird!
William smiled kindly. "Frederick, you can't do this!"
Frederick slid another document across the table.
"I'm personally injecting $1 billion into the Cooper Group. But there's a catch: Mr. Russell, you gotta leave the Cooper Group and join us at the Hawkins Group."
William was visibly stunned.
Inside the private room, William looked at the documents, getting more and more freaked out as he read.
The Cooper Group's situation was way worse than he thought, and some of the numbers made his heart race.
He looked up, staring at Frederick in shock.
Frederick was super calm and looked dignified, like he was handling something he didn't really care about.
"Mr. Russell!" Frederick spoke. "I believe, at this rate, the Cooper Group will hit major issues within four years. As for who will take the fall, got anyone in mind?"
William broke out in a cold sweat.
As the chief financial officer of the Cooper Group, he'd definitely be held responsible. He just couldn't believe the Cooper family would be so heartless. After all, he'd served the Cooper Group for decades; they wouldn't just toss him aside, right?
Frederick knew exactly what he was thinking.
He smiled faintly, leaned over, and poured two glasses of red wine, handing one to William. "Mr. Russell, have a drink to calm your nerves! It's not a big deal. As long as we stop the losses in time, no one gets hurt! The Cooper Group will be fine, and you'll have a great future ahead. It's a win-win!"
William was kinda persuaded.
Even though the data was solid, the predictions were still a few years out.
William hesitated again.
Frederick pressed on, "Mr. Russell, you have a bond with the Cooper family. Now that there's an opportunity, you wouldn't just stand by and watch, would you?"
William downed the glass of red wine in one gulp. As he put down the glass, he quietly looked at the young man in front of him.
Frederick was 25, but he was more seasoned than William had imagined.
William still held his ground. "I don't interfere in Charlotte's love life. How she chooses is her freedom."
Frederick smiled slightly. "Of course!"
William scrutinized him.
He had to admit that Frederick was way better than Ethan. Just his demeanor alone was something Ethan couldn't match. Besides, as a father, he always hoped his daughter would be happy.
After much consideration, William signed the contract, securing a $1 billion deal for the Cooper Group.
And he would become the financial director of a branch of the Hawkins Group.
After handling everything, William left. Frederick personally opened the door for him. He greatly appreciated him. After all, achieving this was no small feat.
William pondered for a moment and then asked, "Frederick, I have a question. When did you start liking Charlotte? As far as I know, you two haven't had much interaction."
Frederick smiled faintly.
He looked at the man in front of him and, after a long time, said in a low voice, "Mr. Russell, you might not believe it, but I owe you something."
William frowned, knowing he wouldn't get more answers.
He left, and Frederick stood behind him, silent.
He didn't call him Dad before he died!
In reality, the night William left, Charlotte didn't get a chance to see him.
That was his fault!
William returned to the company and handled some matters.
In the evening, when Charlotte came back, he hesitated to speak.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Maria went to open the door, and outside stood a young Ethan. His face didn't look good, but he was trying hard to control his emotions. "I'm here to see Charlotte!"
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