Chapter <b>135 </b>
The nearby staff <b>froze </b>in awkward silence.
<b>Sean </b>suddenly let out a low chuckle<b>. </b>
<b>“</b>Lottie<b>,</b>” he said, turning to her with a calm smile, “clearly we’re not wee here. Let’s go.”
He stood up abruptly. The legs of his chair scraped sharply against the floor, breaking the tension like a crack of thunder.
Charlotte blinked, startled. Before she could react, Sean had already taken her hand.
<b>“</b><b>I’ll </b>take you out for dinner,” he said gently.
Her heart stirred.
Sean had just stood up to his entire family for her.
Part of her felt deeply touched by his actions. The other part, however<b>, </b>she couldn’t help but feel worried. She didn’t want to be the reason Sean shed with his
family<b>. </b>
“Sean!” Mrs. Jasper Sr.’s voice rang out sharply as she saw him about to leave.
Sean didn’t stop. He nced over his shoulder politely.
“Enjoy dinner, Grandma. We’re sitting this one out. I’m not going to <b>let </b>my Lottie <b>be </b>treated like that.”
Charlotte hesitated.
“Sean…” she murmured uncertainly.
“Mind your tone when you speak to your grandmother<b>,</b><b>” </b>James said sharply.
Sean’s <b>expression </b>hardened.
<b>“</b>Then let me make myself clear. Lottie is the person I’ve waited years for. She means everything to me<b>. </b>I won’t let her be <b>disrespected</b><b>–</b>not even a little. If she’s not happy here<b>, </b>we’re not staying. And if this family can’t <b>ept </b>her<b>…</b><b>” </b>
He paused<b>, </b>then added firmly<b>, </b>“then I <b>won’t </be back either.<b>” </b>
<b>With </b>that, Sean turned, still holding Charlotte’s hand, and walked <b>out</b><b>. </b>No matter how many times his family called after him, he never looked back.
In the car<b>, </b>Charlotte sat quietly <b>in </b>the <b>passenger </b><b>seat</b>, a slight <b>crease </b><b>between </b>her brows.
<b>“</b>Sean… <b>you </b>argued with your family <b>because </b>of me. I’m afraid it’s going <b>to </b>make things <b>worse</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
“Don’t worry<b>, </b>Lottie<b>.</b><b>” </b>He gave her hand a gentle <b>squeeze</b><b>, </b>
<b>“</b>I’m here<b>.</b>”
“But what <b>if </b><b>your </b>grandma hates me <b>even </b>more now?<b>” </b>
<b>“</b>She’s already been treating you unfairly. I had <b>to </b>show her I won’t stand for it. If <b>I </b>stay silent, <b>she’ll </b>just keep pushing,”
Charlotte lowered her <b>gaze</b><b>, </b>hershes trembling slightly.
<b>“</b><b>Your </b>family… they don’t seem to like me.”
“That’s not <b>true</b><b>.</b>” Seanforted her.
<b>“</b><b>My </b>parents really like <b>you</b>. So does my grandfather. As for Grandma<b>–</b><b>she’s </b>just misunderstood you. I’ll talk to her.”
Charlotte gave a quiet <b>“</b>Mm<b>” </b>but didn’t look convinced.
Sean reached <b>over </b>and gently pinched her cheek.
“What are you in the mood for? I’ll take you out for something good.”
Atter what just happened, Charlotte wasn’t really feeling up to <b>it</b>.
“I’m not picky<b>,</b><b>” </b>she said softly.
Sean drove <b>her </b><b>to </b><b>an </b>exclusive<b>, </b>members–only restaurant and ordered <b>a </b>full table <b>of </b><b>her </b><b>favorite </b>dishes.
After Sean and Charlotte left the <b>Jasper </b><b>estate</b>, the dining room was cloaked in heavy silence.
James sighed and rubbed his temples.
<b>+25 </b>Bonus
“Mom, why are you going after Charlotte like this? What did she ever do to upset you?”
Lilian stayed quiet<b>, </b>lips pressed into a thin line.
She remembered all too well. When she first married into this family, Mrs. Jasper Sr. had given her the exact same treatment.
She had tormented her daughter–inw back then, and now she was turning her attention to her future granddaughter–inw.
What was the point?
<b>Wasn’t </b>it easier to just live in peace?
Lilian really couldn’t understand it. Charlotte came from a good family, <b>was </b>perfectly matched with Sean, had looks, manners, and ss. She was polite, graceful, and warm with everyone. Yet somehow, that still wasn’t enough.
Even down to her outfit, Mrs. Jasper Sr. had found something <b>to </b>criticize.
Mrs. Jasper Sr. let out <b>a </b>coldugh.
“Did you <b>see </b>the way Sean spoke to me just now? In all these years, when has he ever talked back to me? Now he’s raising his voice over some girl. Clearly that Charlotte has him wrapped around her finger.”
Lilian gave a cold smile in her heart.
“No<b>, </b>you’re just picking a fight. My son standing up for his girlfriend? Good for him,” she silently remarked.
James sighed again.
“Mom, <b>you’re </b>being unfair to her. Charlotte’s a good girl. Please stop giving her such a hard time.”
<b>“</b>I’m giving her a hard time?” Mrs. Jasper Sr. scoffed.
<b>“</b>That’s because none of you know what she did to Vivian the other day!”