Chapter 262 Holding Expectations, Making a Tentative Move
"Hey, buckle up." Gabriella was still a bit out of it when Charles had already hit the gas and taken off.
As the scenery zipped by, Gabriella couldn't shake the awkward vibe in the car. She knew it was her fault today. She got so caught up in all those last-minute meetings that she totally forgot about her plans with Charles!
She didn't even give him a heads-up, leaving him hanging at the school gate forever. "Your car's pretty low-key now."
"Yeah, it's a work thing. I don't need a flashy ride." Charles' job sometimes meant dealing with big shots in the economic world, and given Marcus' status, showing off would be a bad move.
As the head honcho of the Evergreen Group and the future big boss of the Windsor Group, it didn't matter what he drove; no one would look down on him.
"I'm really sorry. The department threw in a surprise meeting, and you ended up waiting for nothing," Gabriella said.
Charles gave a little smirk, a mix of self-deprecation and bitterness. "I've waited for you more than just these two hours."
Charles spoke so softly that Gabriella thought she misheard. When she asked again, Charles had already stepped out of the car, so she quickly followed him.
Charles picked a regular restaurant, and from the logo, it looked like it was part of the Evergreen Group's dining chain.
After they sat down, Gabriella apologized again, "I'm really sorry. This meal's on me. Mr. Morales said Catherine needs to talk to him personally about her exemption application."
Franklin wasn't the type to give students a hard time, but he was firm about Catherine's exemption process. Even after Gabriella's persuasion, he insisted Catherine had to apply in person.
Charles nodded. "Got it. I'll let Catherine know. What do you want to eat?"
"Anything's fine!"
Charles ordered a few dishes, his words smooth and effortless, and everything he picked was something Gabriella liked.
'He still remembers what I like to eat? Must be out of habit and politeness,' Gabriella thought.
While waiting for the food, Charles went over the materials Gabriella had given him. The procedures weren't too complicated, just needed the principal's signature.
Just then, his phone rang, and Charles answered it casually. When he heard Juniper's voice, his tone softened. "I'm having dinner out. I'll be home later. Tell Catherine that Franklin wants to meet her about the exemption. If she doesn't want to go, we can switch schools."
Gabriella realized Charles was totally indulgent towards Catherine! Everything revolved around her wishes.
Juniper said, "Switching schools might still run into principals like him. I think Franklin's doing it on purpose! I'll talk to Catherine. Charles, come home early."
"Okay, don't wait up for me. Get some rest." Charles sat across the table, a white rose from the restaurant and warm orange lighting behind him.
'Is he talking to his fiancée?' Gabriella thought instinctively. 'I've never heard Charles speak so gently before! So, besides his sister, there's also a woman who gets his gentle side.'
Gabriella lowered her eyes and casually said, "She and Catherine have a good relationship."
"Of course, Catherine is her sister too," he replied.
Juniper's kindness to Catherine was well-known. She often noticed things that even Aurora missed and took care of them for Catherine.
Charles seemed to read Gabriella's mind and added, "Juniper's also my sister."
Gabriella remembered that when the Windsor Family had publicly celebrated Catherine's birthday, there was indeed an adopted daughter.
'But why does Charles need to explain this to me? Even if the caller is his sister, he does have a fiancée with a set wedding date. The Windsor Family has quite a few daughters. The one who approached me back then also claimed to be a daughter of the Windsor Family, didn't she?' Gabriella thought.
Charles glanced at Gabriella's face and casually asked, "How have you been?"
"Pretty good. Work's going well, and the family's harmonious. You seem to be doing well too. Won't your fiancée mind you having dinner alone with me?" Gabriella replied.
"I have dinner alone with different investors every month. If she had a problem with it, I wouldn't be able to do my job."
'So in Charles' eyes, having dinner with me is just work? If it weren't for Catherine, he wouldn't be having dinner with me here!' she thought.
After the meal, Charles checked his watch. "Wait a moment, I'll have the driver take you home. I need to get back to the group."
Gabriella quickly refused, "No need. I'll have someone pick me up!"
Charles understood. "Is it your husband? That's good. Thanks for handling Catherine's matter. Goodbye."
"It's my duty." Gabriella didn't correct him. By the time she realized it, Charles' car had already left, leaving only a trail of exhaust in the air.
Not far from the intersection ahead, a car was parked by the roadside with its lights off. Inside, Charles lit a cigarette, his face obscured by the swirling smoke.
After confirming through the rearview mirror that Gabriella had gotten into a car and left, Charles took a drag from his nearly burnt-out cigarette.
The man driving the car looked young and handsome, and standing next to Gabriella, they seemed well-matched. His demeanor appeared to be the type she would like.
Charles muttered self-deprecatingly, "Charles, what are you expecting?"
'Do I have to confirm that Gabriella is doing well, that her life no longer has any trace of me, to be at ease? Such behavior is really foolish. But I am just worried about Gabriella's safety, nothing more!' Charles thought as he stubbed out his cigarette and drove away.
Starry Residence Moonlight Mansion, The Windsor Mansion.
Juniper relayed what Charles had said on the phone to Catherine.
"I have to apply in person at the office?" Catherine asked.
"That's what Charles said. If you don't want to go, it's fine. I'll reapply for you at another school, even abroad!" Juniper said.
Catherine frowned slightly, quickly sorting out her thoughts. 'Franklin has no reason to block me on such a procedure; he just wants some excuse to meet me. As the school principal, Franklin has many ways to meet me.'
"It's okay. I'll go," Catherine said. She had something to discuss with Franklin anyway.
Elodie's belongings, some of which were still with Franklin, and Catherine wanted to know what Franklin was up to.
Juniper lay on the bed hugging a plush toy. "Catherine, someone asked me to meet. Should I go?"
The only person who could make Juniper so conflicted was Evander!
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