Chapter 30 Catching a Ride

Even if I tell Charlie, he'll still act independently. With his domineering nature, he won't just give up on Lauren.

Telling Lauren won't change anything either. Maybe she'll feel guilty and unable to face me, leading her to avoid and reject Charlie more, which will only result in Charlie becoming more intense in his efforts.

As for Jason, he can't compete with Charlie at all. If I tell him, what can he do?

I've considered all possible scenarios, but the outcome remains unchanged.

"Now, tell me what you want," Dylan's voice resounded again.

"Now you know, I haven't been kept in the dark. I want a divorce, but Charlie refuses," I said with a hint of bitterness in my heart. "I hope you won't persuade him anymore."

Dylan was the person who understood how much I loved Charlie. Growing up with Charlie, he naturally witnessed the past ten years of my life.

Upon hearing me say these words out of the blue, he seemed unable to accept it, his expression odd. "Are you sure?" he asked.

I nodded vigorously. "I'm sure!"

Dylan fell silent for a long time. I didn't know what he was thinking until we parted ways. Then he suddenly uttered, "It's good that you've had a change of heart."

In the past, I had been too fixated, and I believed Charlie would love me one day.

As an observer, Dylan understood best that this marriage was solely my wishful thinking.

On the way back, I felt an unprecedented ease. Finally, someone else knew that I had let go of Charlie. I hummed a tune as I returned home, took a bath, and enjoyed a peaceful sleep.

Since I had to return home to celebrate my father's birthday, I woke up early the next day. After preparing his gift, I sent a message to Charlie: "Remember to come to my house today."

On the same day in the previous life, Charlie didn't show up, and I made an excuse for him, saying he was too busy with work.

Today, he might not show up either, but I didn't want to make excuses for him anymore.

"Dad, happy birthday!" As soon as I arrived home, I hugged my father and gave him a peck on the cheek.

My mom stood by, smiling. "Why are you here so early? Have you had breakfast?"

"I have. What do you think I hired a maid for?" I linked my arm with my dad's and sat down on the sofa, jokingly answering.

"Why are you the only one here? Where's Charlie?" My dad's expression turned sour when he didn't see anyone else coming in. "He's becoming more unreasonable!"

I awkwardly smiled and stayed silent.

In theory, with my dad's status, many people would come to celebrate his birthday, but he was an upright person who didn't engage in those kinds of things.

Every year, he celebrated at home with his family, and I was his only daughter, so he still hoped Charlie would come, at least to liven things up.

Unexpectedly, Charlie didn't even send a message this year!

Just as my parents started complaining about Charlie, I caught a glimpse of a tall figure at the door with a slender body, holding a gift in his hand.

I covered my father's mouth abruptly. "Dad, Charlie's here."

My dad's words were cut off by my action, and he glanced at the door, his face slightly awkward.

"Charlie's here! Why don't you come in and have a seat?" My mom came out of the kitchen. She was quite delighted to see Charlie.

Charlie politely smiled and said, "I just arrived."

He walked to the seat opposite my dad and me, wearing a gray striped vest that made him look incredibly handsome and elegant.

"Dad, happy birthday. This is a small token of my appreciation," Charlie placed the gift he brought on the table, and it looked like a watch.

My dad loves collecting watches, and Charlie is smart to have noticed that about him, precisely capturing his personality.

In front of Charlie, my dad couldn't just open the packaging, so he smiled and said, "I'm already happy that you're here. Why did you bring a gift?"

"I'm usually busy with work. I rarely visit you guys, and today is your birthday. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to come empty-handed." Charlie is usually aloof, but he is surprisingly good at conversing.

Because my dad has a business relationship with him, Charlie is not the type to act impulsively and show off in our home.

Charlie's business acumen is ingrained in him. So later on, when he went against everyone for Lauren, it truly shocked me.

My dad waved his hand. "Don't say that, a man should prioritize his career."

I found the insincere banter between these two men amusing. They continued to chat happily, quickly shifting the conversation to work. It bored me, so I went to the kitchen to help my mom with cooking.

Around noon, a table full of delicious dishes was set. Our family sat together, eating and chatting, and it felt like a dream.

Shortly after finishing our meal, my dad received a phone call. "Why bother with these things? I just ate, but I appreciate your intentions..."

"Alright, alright, I'm coming!" I don't know what was said on the other end of the phone, but my dad looked both helpless and happy.

After hanging up the call, he told us, "My secretary found out it's my birthday and organized a dinner with some colleagues from the department. I have to go, I can't decline."

My mom replied, "Then go, they have good intentions."

My dad nodded, "Right, Charlie, I'm leaving first. Stay and have fun at home."

Charlie replied, "Okay, dad."

As soon as my dad left, Charlie bid farewell to my mom after a few minutes, saying he had to go to the company. Upon hearing this, I immediately followed him outside and sat in the front passenger seat of his car.

"What are you doing?" Charlie asked icily.

"Give me a ride," I shamelessly replied while fastening my seatbelt. "My car is with Tim for maintenance, and it'll be quite troublesome to take a taxi."

Charlie pursed his thin lips and looked displeased. He clearly didn't want to drive me, but it wouldn't be convenient for him to leave me at my doorstep.

In the end, he conceded to my request and drove me back to Maple Villa.

Inside the car, I caught a faint scent, similar to Lauren's. Did she ride in the front passenger seat earlier today? But she said she had blocked Charlie, right? How come they're meeting again?

I felt deeply confused and sensed that something was off. Could it be that Jason has really been betrayed?

Given Lauren's character, she shouldn't have accepted Charlie so quickly. Otherwise, in my previous life, why would Charlie have become so obsessed? It was only when she was initially unattainable that he found her alluring and gradually fell in love.

I took out a lipstick from my bag.

I discreetly tucked the lipstick into the gap beside the seat and adjusted the seat to a significant angle.

If Lauren were to sit in Charlie's car again, she would definitely adjust the seat and come into contact with the lipstick.

"I'm going to take a nap." I squinted my eyes, casually crossed my legs, and then closed my eyes to rest.

Charlie didn't respond. Silence filled the car, but then his phone rang.

He glanced at me, and without any hesitation, he answered the call.