Chapter 64 He Can't Stop Thinking of Charlotte
Charlotte was really determined to lift his spirits. She seized the moment, wrapping her arms around his neck and sweetly calling him "honey."
Frederick, caught off guard at first, soon felt a subtle warmth spreading through him. This feeling stayed with him all the way to the office, and even Cherie noticed a change; Frederick seemed unusually chipper and even more attractive than usual.
At 10 a.m., Cherie knocked and entered, her smile bright. "Mr. Hawkins, the legal advisor from the Cooper Group needs to see you! I checked your schedule, and it's set for four this afternoon."
"Cancel it," Frederick stated flatly. "The authorities have already taken legal action against the Cooper Group for their financial mess. They need to sort it out themselves."
Cherie raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. The head of the Cooper Group was family to Frederick, yet he showed no signs of leniency.
"Got it, Mr. Hawkins," Cherie replied with a nod. She made her way back to the secretary's office to pass on the message to the Cooper Group's legal advisor.
Word of this soon reached Ethan. Unfazed, he saw through Frederick's move, knowing there was no way he'd assist when he could gain from the situation.
This crisis absorbed Ethan's attention, keeping him from bothering Charlotte or dealing with William.
Frederick indeed lived up to his reputation as a savvy lawyer skilled in manipulation. Despite Ethan's experience in the business world and his tough exterior, he had to concede defeated.
Irritation gnawed at Ethan as he stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, chain-smoking cigarettes.
In the past, during the Cooper Group's major crisis, he had never smoked this much because Charlotte would gently chide him, "Smoking a bunch isn't doing you any favors."
She'd then pop a mint in his mouth, offering a cool, refreshing touch.
Back then, Ethan found her vexing, feeling she offered no aid.
Despite Charlotte's beauty, she didn’t flirt. If not for making William take the fall for him, he wouldn't have been entangled with her for four years. But now that she was truly gone, a sense of emptiness settled in.
Ethan reasoned with himself that he simply wasn't accustomed to this change.
A knock interrupted his thoughts. Gemma entered, conveying troubles with a mall they had acquired earlier that year.
Ethan replied calmly, "Go check it out." Half an hour later, his car pulled up at "the Vine" mall.
Most of the day was spent managing affairs, and by late afternoon, it was already four. Gemma brought him a light meal. "Mr. Cooper, you haven't eaten yet! Please, have something."
Ethan lacked the appetite. Softly, he said, "Let's head back to the office."
Descending from the fourth-floor office, the elevator went haywire, forcing them to use the customer lift.
His mood soured further, darkening his visage.
As they neared the ground floor, his eyes caught Charlotte. Alone, she was out shopping, laden with bags. Diving into a renowned men's store, she focused intently on selecting clothes with a serene look.
Knowing she shopped for Frederick, Ethan chose not to linger on the scene. Swiftly exiting the mall, he slipped into his car. Tiredly closing his eyes, he directed the driver back to the Cooper mansion.
Upon reaching home, Daisy was taken aback, ready to ask about the day. Ethan, loosening his tie on the way upstairs, murmured, "Mom, feeling a bit drained. I need some rest."
Daisy observed his demeanor and hesitated to press further.
Alone in his room, Ethan shut the door with force. Lying on the bed, he shielded his eyes with an arm. Warmth seeped through his closed lids, Charlotte's gentle image filling his mind.
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