Chapter 407 Thank You For Not Holding a Grudge
Chloe darted over and latched onto his arm.
Frederick casually draped his arm around her and shot Landon a smirk. "Trying to play the lover boy, huh?"
Landon glared at Frederick.
Even though he was a bit of a hothead, he couldn't deny Frederick had it all.
Frederick was born with a silver spoon.
Feeling a bit uneasy, he shot back, "What? You scared or something?"
Frederick pulled out a pack of smokes, lit one up, and took a deep drag.
His sharp eyes narrowed at Landon as he chuckled. "Scared of you? Nah, just thinking Charlotte might not be too thrilled. She's kinda OCD."
Landon didn't back down. "I heard you used to be a lawyer. You sure know how to run your mouth!"
"Not too shabby! Charlotte digs mature guys. You? You need more practice, kid!"
Neither of them was backing off.
Chloe watched, wide-eyed.
Just then, Andrew showed up, with Charlotte and the kids, holding Lola in his arms.
Lola was the apple of his eye.
Her cheek was pressed against Andrew's.
He was warming her hands with his own.
He looked at the scene and laughed. "Looks like a party here!"
Landon greeted him respectfully, "Mr. Devereux."
Andrew glanced at Chloe, who quickly moved to his side.
Adeline and Matthew also came back from their walk.
Andrew, playing the host, invited Matthew and Frederick to chat, while Landon stood by, listening.
Chloe watched them leave.
Charlotte was pregnant. Her eyes were soft and beautiful.
Chloe felt a pang of envy and touched her own belly. Were all pregnant women this radiant? When she was pregnant with Gavin, she was a mess. Forget radiant, she was just glad not to be a sight!
Charlotte sent the kids off to play.
Johnny, her little helper, took his younger siblings to play.
Charlotte and Chloe headed to the small courtyard.
Charlotte's bedroom faced south and was super cozy, especially in winter.
Chloe helped her sit down and took off her coat.
"Charlotte, take it easy."
Charlotte glanced at her with a smile. "No gift for me, Aunt?"
Chloe poured her a glass of water.
She snuggled up to Charlotte and pouted. "Charlotte, you can't bring this up again! Frederick will kill me!"
Charlotte wouldn't let her talk nonsense. "In a month, you'll be getting married."
Chloe nodded obediently.
Charlotte pulled out a gift.
Chloe accepted it. Opening it, she found a pair of gorgeous pearl earrings.
She put them on, and they matched her wool dress perfectly.
She loved them and touched her ears. "Charlotte, you have great taste."
Charlotte then relayed Patrick and Laura's instructions, her words and expression quite authoritative. Chloe was completely subdued and didn't dare to act like an aunt anymore.
Charlotte, having made her point, stopped.
She asked softly, "Are you getting used to living here?"
Chloe knew she genuinely cared for her and felt touched, saying softly, "Adeline treats me very well, and Andrew too."
Charlotte was relieved.
Chloe thought of Landon and asked worriedly, "Will him staying here mess things up between you and Frederick?"
Charlotte just poked her head and didn't say a word.
She skipped dinner, claiming she wasn't feeling well.
In the Devereux family hall, a lavish spread was laid out. When they heard Charlotte wouldn't be joining, the Carter family father and son looked a bit bummed.
Adeline smiled and said, "Pregnant women often lose their appetite. Frederick, why don't you go check on her?"
Frederick nodded.
He stubbed out his cigarette and grabbed some food for her.
When he walked into the bedroom, Charlotte was lounging on the chaise by the window, reading a book.
The scene was all calm and peaceful.
Frederick always thought she was stunning and couldn't help but steal a few more glances before heading over. He set the food down, sat behind her, and gently held her shoulders, asking softly, "Where do you feel uncomfortable?"
She put down the book and smiled lightly. "I just don't want to show my hand too soon."
Frederick got it—it was for Matthew.
He smiled and helped her to the small dining table.
Charlotte picked up a roasted chicken wing and held it up to Frederick's mouth. "I can tell Adeline made this. Give it a try."
Frederick took a bite and found it pretty tasty.
He was curious. "You haven't lived with the Devereux family much. How could you tell?"
Charlotte silently munched on a roasted chicken wing.
She looked up at him and said softly, "After giving birth to Lola, I stayed here for two months."
Frederick was a bit taken aback.
He placed his hand on Charlotte's, his voice a bit rough. "Charlotte, I'm sorry for that time."
It was a heavy topic, usually kept off the table.
Charlotte smiled at him. "Frederick, I don't blame you anymore! What's important is that we're happy now. I feel very happy being with you."
Frederick gently stroked her long hair and said something playful to lighten the mood.
"Then I must thank you for not holding a grudge."
"You better know it!" She urged him, "Go hang with the guests! I'm fine!"
Frederick touched her cheek and left.
The hall was buzzing with energy.
Matthew was eager to make connections, and Andrew, being the social butterfly, quickly hit it off with him.
Frederick knew Matthew's business was booming.
Frederick had a new energy project that was right up Andrew's alley, so he joined them.
Adeline and Maria, after eating, took the kids elsewhere, leaving the men to drink and talk shop.
Matthew kept bringing up Charlotte, wanting her to mentor Landon.
Frederick kept steering the conversation back to the new energy project.
Andrew was well aware.
The meal was filled with various thoughts, with only Landon feeling bored.
Late at night, the banquet finally wrapped up.
Andrew saw the guests off, and Frederick, still a bit tipsy, headed back to the bedroom.
Charlotte was still awake, which surprised him.
Without even taking off his shoes, he climbed onto the bed, lay beside her, and hugged her with the blanket, burying his face in her belly. Feeling it wasn't enough, he reached under the blanket to touch her.
Charlotte said softly, "Don't touch! Your hands are cold."
Frederick chuckled. "They're actually pretty warm!"
Charlotte pulled him closer so they were face-to-face, her slender arm slipping out from under the blanket to wrap around his neck. She softly negotiated, "How about I sleep with Adeline tonight?"
Frederick pressed his forehead against hers.
He whispered, "You're already in bed, and it's freezing outside."
Charlotte knew he wouldn't agree, so she rarely acted all cute and eventually agreed to some lopsided terms.
Naturally, they were things guys liked.
Frederick, having had a few drinks, couldn't resist.
His body, warm and eager, wanted to go for it, but Charlotte, blushing, pushed against his shoulder. "You've had too much to drink; it might hurt the baby!"
She refused to do anything that night.
After much coaxing, he only got a kiss.
Frederick, however, was satisfied. He got up and helped her dress. "Alright, our Ms. Russell has important things to do tonight. If I don't support you, this year won't go well!"
As he spoke, he kissed her belly.
Charlotte's heart softened, and she stroked his handsome face, "How did you know I had something important?"
Frederick, uninhibited by the alcohol, chuckled. "I know you too well. Ms. Russell, you can't hide from me!"
If it weren't for something important, she really would have liked to just hold him and talk quietly.
But, there was always tomorrow.
Frederick escorted Charlotte to Adeline's room.
Adeline, not yet asleep, was delighted to see Charlotte and immediately pulled her in, sending Frederick back to rest.
With the door closed, the two women chatted.
Adeline looked at Charlotte's complexion and thought it was very good.
She said, "I see you and Frederick seem to have a good relationship."
Charlotte nodded. "It's going well!"
Adeline pondered, recalling the past, but quickly put it behind her.
After talking for a while, Charlotte still hadn't mentioned the purpose of her visit. Adeline, however, with a twinkle in her eye, smiled. "You've become more reserved, like Andrew!"
It sounded like a complaint but was actually filled with affection and admiration.
Charlotte's temperament was like Andrew's.
It was this temperament that made Frederick willing to settle down.
Charlotte smiled. "I knew I couldn't hide it from you!"
She explained the situation.
Adeline playfully slapped her hand, scolding with a smile, "What's so difficult about that? It's just a matter of appearances. Besides, I could tell at dinner that Frederick was also trying to get something for Andrew!"
It was all about mutual benefits.
Charlotte felt relieved and deliberately flattered Adeline, "You say I'm like Andrew, but I think I'm like you. You're so smart!"
Her words made Adeline very happy.
Adeline then said, "Among the children, Lola is the smartest! Johnny is the most steady."
Charlotte thought for a moment.
She whispered, "Frederick wants the two kids to build a relationship and grow closer to each other, but I'm always worried. They're both too strong-willed; they might not be a good match when they grow up."
Adeline reassured her, saying that children have their own fortunes.
Charlotte nodded.
After discussing the matter, Adeline didn't keep her overnight.
She stretched her legs and said, "My legs aren't as nimble anymore. It's better for Frederick to take care of you at night."
Charlotte knew Frederick was very passionate after drinking!
She acted spoiled and stayed with Adeline for the night.
Early in the morning, Charlotte woke up.
Frederick was sitting by the bed, wearing a navy blue shirt and a dark gray coat.
He looked handsome and energetic.
There was no sign of his drunkenness from the night before.
Charlotte thought he looked good and moved her head closer, asking softly, "How did you get up so early after drinking so much?"
Frederick touched her face. "In your territory, I have to behave well!"
After a moment, he asked, "Want to get up? It's snowing outside, and Chloe and the kids are playing."
Charlotte shook her head. Being pregnant, she was too lazy to move.
Just then, the butler knocked on the door. "Frederick, Charlotte, Matthew and Landon are here to see you."
Charlotte looked at Frederick.
Frederick pinched her cheek. "They come just because of you, you little rascal! Andrew's not here, so I'll entertain them!"
He hurriedly left.
Charlotte got up, sitting and combing her golden hair with her fingers, thinking that she had kept Matthew waiting long enough; it was time to see him.
She washed, changed clothes, and went to the living room.
Matthew greeted her with a smile, "Charlotte, how are you feeling? It's been almost six months, right?"
Charlotte smiled slightly.
Frederick personally made her breakfast.
Landon watched from the side, quite surprised. In his imagination, Charlotte and Frederick lived a typical wealthy life, with everything handed to them and adorned with endless luxury jewelry.
He couldn't imagine Frederick personally making breakfast for her.
He knew he couldn't do that!
This realization made him uncomfortable.
Landon suddenly thought he was not worthy of Charlotte.
Charlotte didn't care about his feelings.
She dealt with Matthew, mainly wanting that project.
Charlotte never mentioned helping Landon. She smiled. "I'm really pregnant and don't involve myself much in business matters."
Matthew felt disappointed. But he stayed for lunch.
After lunch, Frederick and Matthew had business to discuss, and Charlotte took a walk in the sunroom, which had a large flower bed full of roses.
Charlotte took scissors and cut a bunch of roses.
She handed them to a servant.
Turning around, she was surprised. "Landon?"
Landon didn't look happy.
He placed the roses on a nearby table and questioned her, "I did what you asked! When will you fulfill your promise?"
Charlotte glanced at him.
She continued cutting roses, planning to make a bouquet for Chloe to add some charm to the room.
Landon grabbed her wrist.
Charlotte's tone turned cold. "Let go! Show some respect!"
Landon, feeling the chill, released her hand, awkwardly shouting, "I just want to know when you'll do what you promised!"
Charlotte put down the scissors and sat down, holding her belly. "Why rush? I'm working on it!"
Landon felt uneasy.
She was clearly on vacation, either sleeping or tending to flowers, enjoying herself immensely. She was not doing anything serious.
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