Chapter 327 Martin Takes Action Against Hunter
After Jessica finished lavishing affection on her great-grandchildren, she started looking for Charlotte, the granddaughter she longed to see day and night, but her presence was nowhere to be found.
"Where is Charlotte? Why didn't she come?"
Martin didn't go into details, simply responding,. "She said she didn't want to come."
Jessica glanced back at the birthday cake resting on the living room coffee table, her face etched with disappointment. "It's her birthday today. I even went to the trouble of getting her a birthday cake."
Martin's expression shifted subtly.
It was then that he finally grasped the meaning behind Charlotte's earlier question.
So today was her birthday.
Jessica's eyes reddened slightly as she thought of her granddaughter, whom she hadn't seen in over a decade. "Is she living in Ellenstein Villa District now? SinceI'll go to her since she won't come to us, I'll go to her."
Gregory chimed in,. "I'll come with you. She's avoiding us, so she must still hold some resentment. I need to ask for her forgiveness."
Knowing his grandparents were guilt-ridden about Charlotte, Martin didn't object. He gathered the three kids and Patricia to join them.
Gregory headed for the door, barely containing his frustration at the indifferent Samuel.
"What are you still standing there for? ?" Gregory said, feeling like giving his son a thrashing. "Charlotte is your own flesh and blood, and today'sdaughter, Today's her birthday. You might've been oblivious before, but now that you know, how can you not do anything? Don't you have any sense of what this is doing to me? If it wasn't for your damn stubborn decision to get a divorce, she wouldn't be all alone in a foreign place at such a young age, and we wouldn't have missed out on seeing her for all these years."
Each time the matter came up, Gregory felt like giving his son a thrashing.
A look of difficulty crossed Samuel's eyes were filled with difficulty, and after a moment's hesitation, he followed them out the door.
But when they arrived en masse at Ellenstein Villa District, Charlotte was already gone, leaving behind nothing but her shattered phone.
"She 's blamesing us and, refusinges to forgive,..." Jessica wassaid, immediately overwhelmed with grief.
"She's blaming us, refusing to forgive..."
Every time the topic arose, Samuel would get a lecture from Jessica. "This is all your fault, Samuel. You were so infatuated and, wouldn't listen to reason, insisting on that divorce. You made me lose my granddaughter. You disobedient son, intent on making my life miserable, ensuring I'd carry this regret to my grave."
Knowing he was in the wrong, Samuel would silently beaore Jessie's scolding every time the story was brought up.
As a result, what was supposed to be a family reunion ended without resolution, marred by this episode.
Patricia spent a long time consoling Jessica, finally calming her down enough to go home and rest.
After dropping Patricia and the little ones back at their home, Martin, following an address Alan had investigated, went to the hotel suite where Charlotte was staying.
The private dining room heldcontained only Charlotte, who was alone with her thoughts.
A feast spread across the table, and in the center, a large birthday cake stood untouched in the center.
She had been drowning her sorrows solo, the alcohol painting her cheeks a rosy hue.
Her brother's entry drew a playful grin. "There you are, bro!. Come on, have a drink with me. It's not midnight yet; my birthday isn't over."
Martin marched over and snatched the glass from her grasp.
"Why take it? Nobody remembered my birthday. Can't I at least celebrate alone? Give it back," Charlotte protestedsaid, reaching to reclaim her liquor.. "Why take it? Nobody remembered my birthday, can't I at least celebrate on my own? Give it back, give me my drink..."
Martin pulled a small jewelry box from his jeans pocket, presenting it before her.
"Happy Birthday,." he said gruffly.
He'd picked it up at a jewelry store on his way here. Despite the rush, he had chosen it with care.
Caught off guard, her eyes lifted to his in disbelief.
He managed a gruff "Happy Birthday!"
Her eyes met his and sSuddenly, she felt overwhelmed, uninvited tears welling up, uninvited.
Noticing her tears, Martin fumbled awkwardly to wipe them away.
"I'm sorry, it's my fault I forgot. Please accept my apology," he said, slowly unveiling the contents of the jewelry box.
Inside, a diamond necklace rested peacefully, its design distinctive—pink in the center, cradled by a halo of white diamonds..
The white diamonds were like family, protecting the pink one.
"I know it might seem odd to give diamonds to a sister, but when I saw this necklace, it seemed perfect for you. The pink diamond represents is you, surrounded by us—me, our grandparents, our dad. We're the white diamonds, always here to guard you."
His warm words trickled into her wounded heart like a soothing stream.
When she didn't reach for it, Martin took out the necklace and gently placed it around her neck.
"Grandma and Grandpa remembered your birthday. They bought you that cake, hoping you'd come. They've missed you these past years and. They did trytried to find you, but mMom kept you hidden away."
The revelation that she wasn't unloved or forgotten softened years of harbored hurt.
Martin enveloped her in an embrace, patting her head tenderly.
"I'll join you for some birthday cake, and afterward, let's head home together. Tomorrow, I'll take you to visit Grandma and Grandpa," he promised.."
Charlotte nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks as joy overcame her.
Martin took a seat beside her, carefully lighting the birthday candles with care. Charlotte clasped her hands, shut her eyes, and made a silent birthday wish in front of the smoldering flames.
[She wished for Hunter and Martin to put their differences aside, and for Hunter to realize that all along, he hadthere was someone silentlywaiting by his side, waiting for him.]
After making her wish, Charlotte all along. Then she blew out the candles.
This celebration, just between the two of them, was the second happiest birthday Charlotte had experienced in her teenage years.
The happiestfirst had been the one she shared with Hunter.
Martin, who didn't usually care for sweets, still shared a slice of cake with Charlotte.
For the first time since recognizing each other as siblings, they opened up and shared a meal without any reservations.
As they were enjoyingenjoyed this harmonious moment, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.
Alan entered with a stern expression, glancing at Charlotte, hesitating to speak.
With a furrowed brow and a hint of impatience, Martin spoke up,. "Spit it out. She's my sister, not a stranger."
Alan hesitated, then, in a hushed tone, revealed,. "Just as you instructed, we've introduced a significant amount of trace copper into the Woan fragrance—the new product from the Miller Group that's about to hit the market. In three days, the Woan fragrance will be on shelves nationwide. Once it's released, the Bureau of Industry and Commerce along withand the Supervision Department will pay a visit. As soon as they find that the cosmetics from the Miller Group exceed the standard levels, it could tarnish their century-old reputation. At that point, we'll deliver the final blow and bring them down."
These words, light as air, resonated throughout the cramped room, not missingleaving Charlotte's ears for a moment, leaving her face ghostly deathly pale.
Martin, as if oblivious to her reaction, had anlooked inscrutable look, his long fingers idly tapping on the table.
"You're certain there won't be any mistakes?" he said.
Alan nodded,. "We've been setting this up since last year; now it's time to close the net. Hunter is still clueless; there won't be any errors."
Satisfied, Martin nodded in acknowledgment.
Alan then placed a USB driveflash drive before Martin,. "All the progress and details are right here on this drive."
Martin gave a satisfied nod, raising his palm. "Excellent!. Keep a close eye on things and report back to me with any developments. You're dismissed!"."
"Understood!","
Alan nodded said and left the room.
Once he was gone, Charlotte's smile slowly stiffened. "BrotherMartin, you— you're saying the Miller Group's upcoming fragrance line might have excessive copper levels?"
Martin's lips twitched into a faint smile, and he playfully tousled her hair. "This is just how the business world operates, sweetheart. Don't concern yourself with these details."
Charlotte's gaze fell on the USB driveflash drive. "What about this flash drive?"
Martin slipped the USB into his pocket. "This little gadget can't be lost. If it ends up in Hunter's hands, not only will my plans will be ruined, butand it could spell trouble for the Langley Group."
"Oh!"
Charlotte managed a distracted acknowledgment, her eyes fixated on the pocket holding the USB. Her hands nervously clutched her glass, and her palms started to sweat.
Chapter328
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