Chapter 335 Charlotte's Paranoia
The corridor was right next to the operating room.
Charlotte's voice was loud.
Almost, so almost everyone overheard their argument.
The place buzzed with whispers and speculation.
"That was Martin's sister? The one taken away as a child?"
"After only a decade and a half, howHow could she have changed so much after only a decade and a half?"
"Really! No, she has no respect for her elders, and now she's abandoning her family over some guy."
" No wonder they say you can't tie a grown woman down, it's true."
When Martin emerged, the voices hushed suddenly. Everyone averted their eyes as if nothing had happened.
Martin pretended not to notice. His face regained its composure, not letting any hint of the incident with Charlotte show. He silently sat down beside Charles.
Charles gave him a sidelong glance and asked nonchalantly, " Did you have an argument with Charlotte?"
"Hmm?" Martin looked at him, puzzled.
Charles pursed his lips. "Her shouting was loud enough for everyone outside the OR to hear!. The corridor is right next to it – if you didn't want people to know, you should've picked a different floor."
Martin was at a loss for words.
Charles swung his legs casually and said, "She's got love on the brain, blinded by it. There's no reasoning with a lovesick person."
Fannie nodded in agreement. "I think you're right, brother. There's no point in talking to someone like her. It's a waste of breath."
Martin's heart melted, looking at Fannie's cute, cherubic face. He reached over Charles to ruffle her little head.
" At your young age, what do you know?"
Fannie pouted,. "I'm not little,; I'm as grown-up as you are. Whatever you know, I know."
Afraid to upset her, Martin quickly appeased,. "Okay, okay, you're not little. My Fannie knows everything, and understands everything,. yYou're the smartest, the best."
Fannie's ego swelled with pride.
With. She threw her head thrown back proudly, she declaredsaying, "Of course, I've always been smart."
"??"
Rolling his eyes so hard they nearly disappeared into his head, Charles could only admire his sister's shameless tenacity.
"Martin, wWould you let Hunter off just for Charlotte's sake?"
Charles looked up at Martin, a glimmer of hope lurking in his eyes.
Without missing a beat, Martin answered firmly,. "No way. The pain he's caused you guys—it'd take a hundred deaths to make up for it."
Hearing this, a noticeable relief washed over Charles, his tense facial expression softening ever so slightly.
"Hunter's crafty and dark-minded, totally obsessed. If we don't teach him a lesson he'll never forget, it's only a matter of time before he reverts to his old ways."
Martin stayed silent.
"I know you feel for Charlotte! True, her. Her childhood was a nightmare, but it wasn't your fault. You don't have to feel guilty or blame yourself," Charles continued.
Martin remained silent, his deep eyes shadowed and unreadable, full of unspoken thoughts.
Charles glanced at him, understanding that their father hadn't yet moved past this issue, and went on,. "She's as stubborn as Hunter, single-minded and unyielding.
Some people live in darkness but stay positive and uplifting. They use their own hardships to care for and warm others.
Others blame their misery on everyone else and lash out desperately, hoping to drag everyone down with them.
The essence of the two is night and day.
And Charlotte, she's is the latter.
I don't want your guilt to make you indulge her, only to see her stray further from the right path."
This speech was impossibly mature for a five-year-old.
Martin ruffled her little head with a mix of pride and reassurance,. "You're wise beyond your years, spouting philosophies and analyzing human nature. I hear you loud and clear, don't worry."
Knowing Martin was sensible and measured, Charles held back further words.
Martin looked down at the gleaming tile floor, lost in thought.
At that moment, aA 'ding' sounded from Charles's child's Charles' kid-safe phone.
Charles casually pulled out the device, switched accounts, and opened his email.
The message was from Luke:. "Jesus, Charles, you're a total badass—the Miller Group didn't stand a chance against you!"."
Charles smirked with a touch of pride, enjoying the thrill of being called a big shot by one of the industry giants—yeah, that felt good, his lips curving into an unstoppable grin.
"Is that all you've got? Because I've got more tricks up my sleeve."
Luke was ecstatic,. "Man, can I be your apprentice? My boss thought it was all down to me and tripled my salary. Tripled it, dude!"."
Charles was firm in his response,. "I don't take on apprentices."
"Come on, man…"
"… Please, I'm begging you…"
"… Boss..."
Charles basked in the adulation, his eyes gleaming as he read the repeated pleas. But his reply was as resolute as ever.
"No apprentices."
"But... if you wdon't take me on, at least tell me who you are. Why are you helping me out of the blue?"
"I'm not helping you,. I'm just doing the right thing."
With that, Charles promptly set his messages to Do Not Disturb, switched off that burner phone, and slipped back into his daily routine, tucking his personal cell into his pocket.
All this time, Martin had been watching him with a mix of curiosity and amusement. Seeing Charles's self-satisfied smirk, he couldn't help but ask.
Seeing Charles' self-satisfied smirk, he couldn't help but ask. "Who're you texting that's got you so cheerful?"
Charles gave him a secretive wink,. "It's a secret!"."
That only made Martin laugh,ed and he playfully flicked Charles's forehead.
...
After what felt like an eternity of anxious waiting, Randy's surgery was finally complete.
As Randy was wheeled out of the OR, everyone surged forward, eager for news.
Patricia immediately held everyone back, allowing the nurses to transfer Randy to the ICU. She explained, "Randy is really weak right now, with low immunity. Any germs we carry, even on our breath, could infect him. This week, let's try to minimize the crowd around him. If you visit, do it one at a time, wear a mask, and put on sterile gowns."
Some of the Langley family relatives immediately voiced their discontent.
"C'mon, we're perfectly healthy,. hHow can we be carryingcarry germs?" one protested.
"Are you sure you know how to talk to people without insulting them?"
"Just because you're Martin's wife doesn't mean you can disrespect us!"."
"Yeah, we've been here out of concern for Randy. It's like you're accusing us of wanting to harm him. Gratitude seems to die quickly here."
Realizing that her words were falling on deaf ears, frustration welled up inside Patricia.
Martin stepped in, positioning Patricia behind him. His intense gaze was enough to sendsent a chill down everyone's spine, and his commanding presence silenced the crowd's murmurs of the crowd.
"We don't need the extra company right now. Please, head back," Martin said, ensuring the safety protocols were respected for Randy's sake.
An older woman with a family history as complex as a labyrinth, furrowed her brow in displeasure. She opened her mouth to voice her grievances, but one stern look from Martin's icy gaze made her choke on her words. She left with the rest, leavingwith only Jessica, Gregory, and Samuel behind.
The room fell into an immediate hush.
Martin turned tolooked at Patricia with concern,. "Are you okay? How did Randy's surgery go? EverythingWas everything smooth?"
Patricia's face brightened with a relieved smile,. "It went well, all thanks to Frank!. Once heRandy wakes up, I'll give him a full check-up. Barring any surprises, we shouldn't need a third operation."
This was undoubtedly great news.
After confirming Randy was stable, Martin sent Jessica, Gregory, and Samuel back home. Charles and Fannie were left in Frank's care.
Charles and Fannie were left in Frank's care.
Patricia, who had been on her phone for hours, started to feelfelt unwell. Noticing her pallor, Martin insisted she rest while he took watch outside the ICU.
Chapter336
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